Saturday, January 27, 2007

Exciting News

To all our new friends in the Skagit Valley . . .

Trish and I were quite happy to receive a phone call from Jim Wilkison Friday with news that the elders of the Skagit Valley Church had decided to invite me to become your new preacher. I know that a lot of prayer has gone into this development on both ends. You have prayed for the right man to be found. Trish and I have prayed for the right door to open for us to work for the cause of Christ. I have to believe that our prayers have been answered. We are excited about all the good things the Lord can accomplish by us working together for Him in Burlington, Mount Vernon, and the surrounding area.

As I explained when I visited there two weeks ago, we can't come until about June 1st. Jared, my younger son, will be graduating from West Florida High School of Advanced Technology here in Pensacola on May 24. The next four months will be busy for us as we try to stay focused on the work here at the Leonard Street church while getting the move organized, trying to sell our house, and making plans for getting started there in high gear.

I want to use this blog site as a communication tool for us to talk back and forth over this transition period. Feel free to make comments and ask questions. I'll let you know how things are going on our end and you can keep me informed about what is taking place in the Beautiful Northwest!


Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15which He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen. [1 Timothy 6:12-16]

John

9 comments:

Carmen said...

We, too are excited that you have accepted the elder's offer to work here in Skagit Valley. Welcome to the family!

Carmen

Trish said...

So...Carmen...Your public awaits with bated breath in anticipation of partaking of your words of wisdom written in your first blog entry! Don't keep your public waiting!

Trish

John Gaines said...

Carmen, Trish is a big blogger. I think she is trying to encourage you to get into the hobby since you had to register with blogger.com to reply to our message. If you like, you can read Trish's blog at http://patricespeaks.blogspot.com/ She is much better at this than I am. My past experiments with blogs is about like the journaling I tried to do when I was younger . . . it gets off to a good start, but doesn't score so well in the continuity department. I will try to keep this one going until we get to Burlington. Afterwards, we'll see.

Thanks for your words of welcome.

John G.

Carmen said...

Hmmm...

Well, I think time is too big a factor to allow me to get a new hobby like blogging. I usually get up early (3:40 this morning, but that's a bit early even for me) and work in the office (Tim & I work from home). I finish work by 11:00 (usually) so I can take care of my other responsibilities... homeschooling the kids, watching Lauren(3), helping Dad(73), errands, cooking, housework, etc. I do manage to be on a couple of e.groups and read the messages via e.mail each day (one a Jane Austen group, and one Church of Christ Homeschoolers group.) I love to read but rarely get to indulge at this point in my life. I read vicariously through April, my 16dd who is a voratious reader. Life has actually gotten easier since April got her driver's license. I was spending way too much time driving kids to activities!

Carmen

Carmen said...

Okay, I re-applied for an acount, and then it let me post. Same name, same password, same e.mail. Very wierd.

Carmen

Anonymous said...

I too, feel you are an answer to prayer. I spent a lot of time praying for God's will in you coming this past week. I truly believe He wants you to work with our family here. I look forward to having you both here.

Tami

Saddle Sore said...

Hey John and Trish, I guess I did not do something right the last time I sent a blog to you. Anyway we are anxiously awaiting your departure and arrival here at Skagit. At least you two will get to start out your new weather pattern in the summer time!
Anxious Al

Stoned-Campbell Disciple said...

Moving from Florida to WA. Hey that sounds like my journey from Milwaukee to AZ. I pray all goes well.

Shalom,
Bobby Valentine
http://stoned-campbelldisciple.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Hi John & Trish,

I haven't checked this in a while, thought I would put my 2 cents in. Jared - thanks for letting your parents include your picture! I'm so excited your house sold so quickly, just one more step to bringing you here! I don't envy you the job of cleaning out after a long stay in one place - I know it would take me a year to even begin to think about actually moving.

It's Friday night & I'm grateful for the weekend, the older I get, the more I look forward to weekends.

Have a great weekend! Becky