Summer is ending... Serving once again... So, what's next?

I've tended to use the word journey a lot in my short lived history, but it seems to define the state of ambiguity that I continue to live in. . . I'm not sure if we've really gone "somewhere" but we've most definitely traveled through "places" - places of joy, hurt, anguish, struggle, excitement, anxiety, hope, disappointment, happiness, laughter, sadness, love, and much more. I'm not exactly sure how one is too feel after nearly two years of constant day to day living, but I'm exhausted and hopeful! How does that happen?

I'm not really sure if any of our incredible supporters over the past 10 years are still reading these Whetstone Chronicles. . . but for those of you who are, THANK YOU! We know that the prayers and support from you all is what has been keeping us going. God has not abandoned us nor given up on us despite how we've felt so often over the past two and half years. There have been many times when we just could not or did not even know how to pray or even hope - but you all have, even those who have known us for just a short while. So, again, thank you to everyone who somehow has been those Barnabases that we've needed on these roads we've have been traveling.


Now, what have we've been up to? I know that some friends and family believe that we have ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD right now. . . But if any of you have been through the desert we've been trekking through, you understand that "time" and "rest" are two totally different concepts. I am however, incredibly grateful that I have been able to spend more time than most men do with my kids, my wife and my parents. I just hope that our circumstances change soon, so that my family does not get sick of me! :-) Anyway, here is a snapshot of some highlights over the past couple months since I last posted in May:

Summer! Yeah, summer fun has been at the top of our list as a family. Yet, when you have three little ones under five it makes for some interesting days! I've gone ahead and just posted a couple photo albums as this is probably the best way to catch up on our latest FUN IN THE SUN! Enjoy!

Tim is still pulpit supply and worship supply pastor at Seaford Nazarene. It's been great to help this church family during their transition. It's nice for my kids to be at the same church with some other kids longer than just a couple Sundays and a blessing to hear D on the flute again! Tim and his dad have had fun rotating preaching Sundays too . . the Whetstone combo still works!

While helping at Seaford, we've been busy grappling over "what next?" for Life Now. There is a lot of hope in the air as well as some nitty-gritty conversation on how to move forward. Please keep Life Now Naz in your prayers and don't forget to check us out on Facebook!

Tim's been back in the Italian groove once again. He's serving it up 4 days a week (and sometimes 5) at one of our local restaurants called Piazza Mia. If you're ever in the area, don't hesitate to drop in for a great pizza and/or an incredibly generous portion of an Italian Entree! Buon Appetitto.

July of course was filled with some unforgettable birthday's. Thank you everyone for celebrating Danielle's 30something with us on July 4th! You all rock! But a special shout out to some of my family who came all the way down from North Jersey to hang- Thank you famiglia! And can you believe it, Jeremiah turned THREE. . . Don't worry he's who they write books about. Ya know, the kids who's incredibly smart when it comes to making masterpieces out of things that he's not supposed to touch and then destroying those same things which he knew he was not suppossed to touch and come running to Daddy to tell me that they "accidentally" fell down! He's AWESOME!

After 180 job applications and 180 (minus the 1 from Piazza Mia) rejections, Tim finally got a "face-to-face" interview. And this was no ordinary interview, it was more than awesome as it happened to be a job with Danielle's Alma Mater - Point Loma Nazarene University  in San Diego, CA. Just a couple weeks ago Tim began receiving several calls to interview and one lead us back to D's stomping grounds and not far from where Tim proposed 11 years ago. It was a great opportunity and well needed time away for us. D, Caleb and I flew to SD (pics here), hung-out with a ton of old friends, trekked around in paradise, basked in perfect temperatures, ate at In-N-Out, and soaked in all that we could while relaxing at the pool, beach, and over a nice cup of cafe' with a BOOK. Yeah, Tim actually got to read without being interrupted by his kids. Crazy, eh?!

In the end, this was not only a grace gift from some tremendous people at PLNU but also from the Lord. So, thank you... even though I did not get the job. Yeah, that makes 181 rejections, but I know that they chose the right person and did it prayerfully and honorably. Peace to you all at PLNU and just maybe our paths will cross once again - and who knows possibly longer than just 3 days!

Since SD only two weeks ago, we interviewed with a church in the Pittsburgh area and Tim interviewed with Samaritan's Purse as well. We're not sure what's next, but we do know God's got something ideal for us. Please keep us in your prayers as we seek to grab hold of his promise and proverb - "A person may chart their course, but it is God who will direct their steps".

Finally, I am not only preaching and teaching when I can at a couple churches, but I was just honored with the opportunity to be the evening speaker at the Mid-Atlantic Nazarene District Youth Camp. It was one of the best camps I have ever attended. I had a blast with the youth, the incredible staff/counselors, and above all seeing God work in the lives of some top-notch students! He is going to change the world with these young people who are "Compelled by the love of Christ" (2 Cor 5:14). Thank you everyone for your gracious invitation, incredible hospitality (including my family and two extra kids - Yeah, D was super Mom with 5 kids!), and amazing love and support. You all are awesome! Go MAD- more pics here!

Until next time... enjoy this little video of D on the Zip-line and don't forget to check out our new photo's here!