The Mid-February Report

Hello from wet, rainy Middle Tennessee! And when it’s not raining it’s warm enough to make you think spring has sprung. I don’t think the groundhog knew what he was doing this year.

A NEW PASTOR
I am happy to report that we have found a new pastor. Vicki was part of our pastor search team and they really worked hard over the last year. Russ Noss and his family were here the weekend of January 19-21 and we voted unanimously to call him as our pastor that Sunday. Russ is currently back at his old church to wind up his ministry there and will move here in a couple of weeks. His wife and their three kids will finish out the school year where they are now and move here around Memorial Day.

It will be hard to say goodbye to Bruce Grubbs who has been our interim pastor since the fall of 2016. He has done a remarkable job helping us heal and preparing our church to have another full time pastor. I am looking forward to starting a new and healthier chapter at church this year.

THE SPORTS SECTION
Basketball season is over. We ended with a 13-9 record. The last two weeks of the regular season were very exciting and busy with seven games on the schedule (one was a make-up from when we had snow). Ben had some really good games making his defensive presence felt strongly on the court. The Bears played such good basketball here at they end they totally upset the standings within our district going into the tournament.

Our first post season game was a district tournament opener on the 6th. Unfortunately, we lost which ended our season. Ben had the flu and was home in bed while that game was being played. We’ll never know how much of a difference Ben would have made in that game, but many were kind enough to say he was missed.

Now that basketball is over Ben and Nate are already into spring training for cross country a couple of days a week. Nate is coming home pretty sore.

BIRTHDAY BOY
Speaking of Nate, he celebrated his 15th birthday on Wednesday. It being a school day and church night we saved our family celebration until last night when Jenna was home. She and Vicki made breakfast for supper at Nate’s request. Instead of cake they planted candles in a pan of homemade cinnamon rolls and served that alongside strawberries dipped in chocolate.

YAHTZEE! UPDATE
Well, I knew immediately when Jenna read my last newsletter because the following text came through from her that evening, “Dad!! No!! Don’t get rid of it!! I want the Yahtzee game!! That’s what I look forward to in the bathroom at home!!!!!”

I had no idea. And it turns out the last score on the game I reported as mine was actually hers. So, I put the retired game on her dresser to wait for her until she dropped in at home, and then Vicki bought me another one for Valentine’s Day.

Joe