Family Time

Recently, my 84 year old/young parents came to visit on their way to their Winter home in Florida. This was their first opportunity to meet our new church family in Gastonia and to spend time with their NC relatives (inc. our son's family). We tried to introduce them to Southern cuisine, view the beautiful landscape and share in some quality time. While they were here, Janet Paschal was in concert at the church and they enjoyed meeting her, up close and personal. We planted several flowers from their home in Columbus, including some plants that had originally belonged to Sue's mom. We took a overnight trip to the mountains and enjoyed some time away. The highlight of the trip had to be visiting Tony and Jillynn's in Colfax. The great grandkids enjoyed getting reacquainted with Grandpa and Grandma Great (it didn't take long). A special moment is pictured with Dad and his namesake, Ellayna Clair. Tony gave them a tour of his youth ministry and the Church preschool where Jillynn serves as Director. Back at our house, Dad enjoyed riding the mower and helping mulch the leaves. Mom enjoyed shopping and we all enjoyed Sue's good cooking. These are special times and precious moments that all families should treasure.

Pastor Appreciation

On Sunday evening of October 4th, our church family overwhelmed us with one of the "best ever" Pastor Appreciation celebrations we have ever witnessed in the past four decades of ministry. There was plenty of wonderful food and fellowship as we packed out the fellowship area of Firestone Wesleyan Church. Early on in the proceedings, we were asked to come and sit in our new "Cracker Barrel" style rocking chairs (ideal for front porch sitting, southern style). They look great along with our two, new large hanging baskets of yellow mums. As the evening progressed, several stood and shared their hearts. It was a humbling moment to say the least. We unwrapped gift after gift of personal expressions of love. Several contained green pictures of old presidents, gift cards to local stores and restaurants and some hand-picked tokens of appreciation. Earlier in the day, the Middlers Sunday School class invited us to a special party, complete with cupcakes, skittles, pretzels and chex-mix. We were honored with a special card with handwritten notes from each student, pictures and $50 love gift. A special thanks to Ruth Cook for this precious memory. We had been blessed earlier with new brakes for our car and dozens of flowers and plants for the yard around our house. We went home that night with three shopping bags and a heart full of gratitude for some of God's best people anywhere. Some have already scheduled special events in the near future, so the blessings continue. In the three short months that we have been here, God has confirmed that we are in the center of His will - not because of what the church family has done for us, but because of who they are in Christ Jesus. Thank you Firestone Wesleyan Church family for the high honor of serving our Lord through you and this community.

Four Days Away

Recently we had the opportunity to go to the beach for a few days of "r & r." We joined up with Tony and his crew and enjoyed the sun and the sea. It is always a joy to make memories with our children and their children (our grandchildren).

We traveled to Atlantic Beach, NC. The accommodations were great and free. They had been there for the week, we joined them during the later days of their vacation. The food was outstanding. The weather was super except for one night of rain.

At the beach we made sand sculptures, soaked up the rays (sun, not sting), collected shells, took pictures, played in the surf, and captured breath-taking sunsets. We also went shopping, visited an aquarium, bought sovenirs, ate seafood and took more pictures. That may sound boring, but we promise you it was terrific. The kids enjoyed the water (pool and sea) and we enjoyed the kids. In other words, when planning a vacation, you don't have to spend a lot of money, just spend it with those you love.

More

Together we begin yet another chapter in our life. Just when you think you may be running out pages, or wondering what else could be written - God informs you there is more! We knew there was more (we are still here), but perhaps it would be more of the same. That would not have been bad for us, but not so, not now. He has something more. So with earthly possessions packed and God's new agenda on the horizon, we leave the familiar, going not knowing, destined to do His will.

Our new home is Gastonia, North Carolina to serve a wonderful church family at Firestone Wesleyan Church. Until a few weeks ago, we had never met, but God arranged a meeting (via some of Roger's sermons on the internet from a camp he preached in Georgia). We fell in love "at first sight." As we stepped off the plane, we knew we were "home." As we were introduced, we felt a common bond - God had prepared this moment. Something miraculous was stirring in our innermost being. Something like riding a roller coaster for the first time, we were breathless and exhilarated at the same time.

Roger preached his "introductory message" on a Wednesday night. Orchestrated by God (this is not protocol), a challenging, evangelistic invitation was given at the end and 80% or more of those present responded to a call for "your best for God's Best." The front of the church was packed with church members presenting themselves afresh and anew to God (Romans 12:1-2). Someone later would say, "we have been waiting for a moment like this for a long time." Praise God! That night the people voted for themselves. Later they voted on us (96/5). Followed by several churns of homemade ice cream and baked goods (that was not so bad either) we waited for God's next step. Now it official! Our new address is 818 Normandy View, Gastonia, NC 28052. Use your GPS to find us or wait for God to move you too, either way - you are welcome.

Someday we will all make our last move (thank God there will only be one box for that one). We pray that yours will be straight up - we all know that's His will. But it won't just happen. You must go by the way of the cross, humbly bow and say "no" to sin and "yes" to God. Your next step will also be miraculous. If you do, we will never say "goodbye" for the last time. And then all of us will truly be Home. We'll look forward to seeing you again. - here, there on in the air!

Grand Graduation

An old song says, "time is filled with swift transition." Wow! The older we get the more that seems to be true. It seems like yesterday (literally) that we were looking through the nursery window at Mt. Carmel West Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, beaming with pride and joy as we looked into the precious face of our first grandchild. But we could not have been more proud or filled with more joy than recently as we watched her graduate from High School. Kerri has grown into a wonderful Christian young lady.
It was quite a day as four generations of Parsons, gathered with a few thousand others in World Harvest Church in Columbus for the 2009 Class of Pickerinton High School. We could hardly believe that so many people wanted to also see our granddaughter's graduation. Soon they marched in and one by one, we waited for her name to be announced and her picture with the principal on the large screen up front. It wasn't long until the list was complete, the caps were tossed into the air and we were lining up for picture taking.
Later in the day, we enjoyed a great open house with family and friends. Jeff and Angel shared a first class celebration of Kerri's life. We shed a few tears and laughed together as we reviewed the "seasons" of her life. God has been so good! Sue had worked for months on a special project for her "favorite oldest granddaughter." Kerri and her mom sat together on the floor and shared more memories as Grandma had invested hours of TLC into each and every page. Throughout the afternoon, we shared and ate together as dozens came to honor Kerri on her day. Kerri was also blessed to have her great grandparents (my folks) not only at the graduation, but with her all day as well (how many kids can say that?).
It's only natural that grandparents would be proud of their grandchildren and we are! God has blessed us with a great family, and we are eternally grateful. Now as she gets ready to write another chapter in her life, we pray that she will continue to walk with God, who has walked with her ever since that first day - that seems like yesterday.

Trip of a Lifetime

I (Roger) have just returned from a 15 day missions trip to Sierra Leone and Liberia, Africa. I had the honor of traveling with two other pastors/friends from our district, Dr. John Connors (veteran missionary) and a team from Colorado (Liberia only). I cannot begin to describe (in a few words) all that I experienced and how my life will be changed forever. I am very grateful for our district, our home church and over 100 personal prayer partners who made this possible.
God kept us safe from Spitting Cobras (spotted within yards of where were staying - and no anti-venom or 911 or Lifeflight) and a King Cobra (one of the guys saw before it saw him), traveling 35+ hours in the air (delays for repairs), traffic (they make Michigan drivers look good), being in remote villages (back in the middle of nowhere), and three major customs checks (with no hitches). We met incredible men and women of God who are sacrificing greatly to share the good news of Jesus. We witnessed hundreds coming to Christ (1/3 being adults) through the showing of the Jesus Film (even a village chief turned from being a Muslim to Christ). We shared in two pastors conferences and I had the high honor of being the first white man to ever preach an ordination message in Sierra Leone (I hope I'm not the last).
But when asked my most memorable experience of all - without hesitation I say, the children - I will never forget the children. They live in devastating poverty following two civil wars (the last one as recent as five years ago). They have so little but are so happy. In contrast, Americans have so much and are so... I thank God for this great opportunity. If you'd like I can provide hundreds of picture and a journal to share more. Most of all, please pray with me for our new friends in Liberia and Sierra Leone that these deeply committed men and women of God will reach the millions for Christ.

Gift Giving This Year

I know that you have already experienced an avalanche of catalogs stuffed in your mailbox. Some of you survived "black Friday," others waited for "cyber Monday." I don't want to sound like Scrouge... but I am concerned about the spending (did you hear about the Wal-Mart employee who was killed by greedy shoppers last week?) and the buying and where it is leading us? Every year, the pressure is on... to get more and spend more - and what is the end result?
Well, here's a tip and I hope you'll take it to heart (even for those who are shopping for dad/grandpa this year). The best gift of all is to give yourself. I promise it is just what your loved one - has always needed and always wanted. It is the gift that keeps on giving through out the year (can you remember one thing you got under the tree last year... two years ago?).
Our family will remember one of the best Christmases ever, was the year we gave ourselves to each other. Coupons filled the tree with promises to "I'll make your bed for a week" or a "batch of your favorite cookies," a "trip to get ice cream" or "read a story" to you. All coupons had to be redeemed by a set date and the fun continued long after the tree was down and decorations were put away.
I've included a couple of gifts that I will cherish forever. Recently Dad made me a shadow box with all my old barber tools. I will never forget how the tears flowed the day, Sue gave me a picture of my Grandma & Grandpa Deeter on a old fashion screen door frame. Mom recently gave me a family heirloom, their old clock, passed down through three generations. Another treasure is an old fishing creel and net from the a dear friend's widow. With each gift, hand made and/or personal keepsake, they gave me a piece of themselves. There is no way that I would ever take back or trade in... one of these priceless gifts.
The greatest Gift of all came wrapped in swaddling clothes and was found lying in a manger in the town of Bethlehem, long ago. That Gift has changed the world. Do you know why? Answer - because He gave Himself, approximately 33 years later, when He died for our sins on an old Roman cross. And the Gift keeps on giving... Merry CHRISTmas!