New song - 'Pretty Face'

Antje and I will have been married for 10 years this coming September 1st.

We were hoping to do something special, something we've never done together...then God gave us Eden Brenna Thompson, our new little princess, and she has over abundantly 'scratched this itch'!

Besides this, I have had it on my heart to write Antje a song but am not very good at writing love songs...I find it easier to write 'daddy daughter' songs, for some weird reason, but this said, and perhaps still a fair diagnosis, I wrote Antje a song last night anyway.

With my voice, which echoes through the night like cats being murdered, it has the potential of becoming a hit...on some uninhabitable planet, that is, where the native plant life feeds on 'out of tune fruit cake husbands trying to impress their wives'!

For what it’s worth here are the words...it's entitled 'Pretty Face':

Pretty Face

Who am I – without you?
I am, well – just a shell
Of a man – without you
Trapped in time – prison cell

Oh but wait & let’s see
You’re mine still!
Pretty Face we will be
Always will
If, in His will
Together until
He comes

Again – I’ll hold you
Closely by – tucked inside
My embrace – I love you
By His grace – in His stride

& those times when we’re we
We’re fine still!
Pretty Face your with me
Always my girl
If, in His will
Together until
He comes

(Musical interlude)

Who am I – without you?
I am, well – just a shell
Of a man – without you
Trapped in time – prison cell

Oh but wait & let’s see
You’re mine still!
Pretty Face we will be
Always will
If, in His will
Together until
He comes

Well and trustworthy is the proverb;

"He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favour from the LORD" (Prov 18:22)

Praise God for the love of my life!

The prospect of 'pre-leave'

It has been about 4 months since we had a break, as in a holiday/time off on an official basis. I think we are starting to feel it as a family...each of us in our own right.

I have been talking to some of my friends regarding how long, in a healthy situation, a person should go without some leave and there seems to be no landed consensus. It would seem to me that 4 months is long enough...perhaps just right...but this is highly subjective and perhaps unique to the way we function as both a family and church family. I don't know.

Then there is the whole matter of how long to take off in succession. Should you use up all your leave in one go? Or should you spread it out a little? People say the ‘3 week thing’ usually, but what if you only have 3 weeks...then I guess option A above will come to the fore.

I have an idea that I would like to implement the next time I take off.

Due to the way I'm wired, I can’t ‘let go’ unless things are in order, and so I would need to take some ‘pre-leave’ ministry time first. Meaning a week leading up to my leave (and that for 10 days) take time off preaching and so prep as well, and focus on other also essential ministerial planning and 'tidying up' as it were.

For instance: Who will we ask to be our Family Camp speaker in 2012? What about our Year for Life 2012 program? We are in the process of putting together a web page, but I need to write a brief synopsis on each of the ministries as well as other matters pertaining to this. etc. etc. Besides curve ball counselling needs that usually fill this time in providence!

This means that by the end of this week of ‘weaning off’ ministry, but still working, and that including someone else to preach on the weekend following, of course, I will be able to ready myself for a proper break. True time off!

If I was to do this then I would return to a ready and waiting 'desk' that is up to date and craving my return.

Sounds good in theory...lets ‘surf this wave’!

I would value anyone’s response to this - especially with regard to the practical matters about how long before a break is healthy and other time factors...but not to limit anyone!

God bless.