DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE!

December 4, 2009 at 4:41 pm little Logan Cleveland Salsedo was born. Logan is our second grand-baby and the second grand-baby born this year; talk about doubling your pleasure! Logan has a full head of hair and weighs 8.2 lbs and is 20 inches long. He is the son of our oldest daughter Abigail and her husband Troy.

This has been a very, very busy year! Our first grand-baby, Alex, was born a month early on January 5th and boy did he bring a rapid change into our lives.
We finally completed our new sanctuary after four years of planning and dealing with all the aggravations that go along with building these days. We had our first service on May 10th which was Mother's Day. It was so exciting and emotionally overwhelming to finally get into our building. We had the dedication of our new building on August 9th, which was the anniversary of the Matthews Church of God celebrating 55 years of ministry. The church was packed with members, friends, and former pastors. Our State Administrative Bishop, Jerry Chitwood, preached the morning service. We were able to have dinner in our newly renovated fellowship hall; formerly our sanctuary.

I must confess that I am having a hard time trying to relax; I feel that I have aged a great deal in the last two years. I lost a father and brother and gained two grandsons. I've had to deal with burials, births, buildings and budgets. We have had a number of church members that have had their own crises to deal with from the death of family members to surgery. The weekly toll of sermon preparation, visitation, counseling along with family responsibilities is a heavy load to bear.
But I am so thankful to have the Matthews Church of God as my church family! I don't know of another congregation that I would want to be sharing my life with during these momentous times. I can't say enough about the love, care and support that our church provides.

I am thankful that I serve a God who is all knowing and before we ever face anything He has already prepared a place and a people for us.

Two grandsons have doubled our pleasure but when I think about it our pleasure is multiplied with all the wonderful friends we have. God just keeps blessing and blessing!

Psalm 68:19

"Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation."

REFRESHING!

Incredible; I guess that's the word that first comes to mind. It has been awhile since my last blog.So much has happened and is happening and it finally seems like things are slowing down somewhat. How refreshing!

First of all Gayle and I are brand new grandparents and boy is it fun! Alexander Edward Baker was born January 5, 2009 and he has had our undivided attention ever since. Alex is now almost eight months old and it is such a joy to see him smile. He loves to eat and you don't have to wonder when that is; he will definitely let you know.
It has been a long time since we've had a little one. I had my first experience in changing a pamper; I didn't have a clue whether big bird was supposed to be on the front or back; well, which ever way it was supposed to be I didn't get it right. They make them that way for a reason as I found out the hard way. We love Alex!

Then...we learned that our oldest daughter Abby is expecting in December; another boy! It looks like the empty nest didn't stay empty for long! What a great Christmas this will be; in fact I've already starting celebrating Christmas!

Finally...our new sanctuary is complete and we moved in on Mother's Day. I can't tell you how that feels because words can't describe it. We had our big dedication day on August 9, 2009 and the house was filled to capacity.
I am still in awe at what God has done; it doesn't seem real. I know I am somewhat biased but it has to be one of the most beautiful sanctuaries around. Even though the building is beautiful; nothing compares to our wonderful congregation. The members and friends of the Matthews Church of God are by far the best group of people that any pastor could ask for. I love our people!!!