Fall Fun Day 2009

So, in case you didn't know, October is Pastor Appreciation Month.

Doug and I are so grateful for the awesome leadership that we have at McLane. The pastors there are just the absolute best. We cannot fully state how grateful we are for all they do. Each one of them is incredibly talented, very loving and giving, and so very very real. I personally am so encouraged by the heights of their creativity, leadership and vision, and yet the depths of their transparent authenticity and imperfections...it is a wonderful balance that constantly keeps me in awe of what they accomplish, and yet reminds me that they are human...which always puts me in awe of them again. I am amazed at what a difficult job they have and how hard it must be at times. I do not envy the magnetic position that they are often in - I know that they attract both admiration and criticism. When you stand out like that, you make a really good target. :( Our hope is that the encouragement drowns out the criticism more often than not. Having been in the "pastor" role for several years, we know that is often not the case.

Anyway....As we were discussing this with our small group, the group got this fun idea that we should get shirts printed that told our pastoral staff how much we love them. We had these shirts made, and then we all sat in the front row wearing them for this past Sunday's service. It really was a riot. I do believe we made the worship directer crack up on stage...and the funniest part is that Bill never saw us until the service was over. :)

T-shirt front:
WE
(heart)
BILL
ANDY
DARYL
...and Brian, too!

back:
Pastor Appreciation Month
October 2009
McLane Church

What a great small group we have - this was just so much fun to do together. And I hope that it served the purpose of encouraging our pastors...they truly deserve to know how much they have challenged and encouraged each one of us. If any of you read this blog - we love you!

After such a fun start to our day, we all headed back to the ZW house for a Fall Fun Day of pumpkin carving, hiking around the woods, and sitting around a fire. It was a great day with great friends. :) I love you people.







John got to ride in a backpack on Doug's back for the hike...once I got him bundled up, he fell right to sleep and stayed that way until we got back. That was about the same time he pooped himself and went right thru all his clothes. Ah, well...it was cute while it lasted. :)