Michelle and I are sitting in the Charlotte airport waiting to catch our connecting flight home.  The last 24 hours have been kind of surreal for both of us.  We had the privilege to attend Joy Dougherty’s funeral today.  She was our pastor’s wife while we worked at a church in Jacksonville, Florida before we came to Fellowship.

We got to see many friends from our old church last night and today.  Many we haven’t seen for quite some time.  Can’t believe that in October we will have been in PA for 8 years.  Time goes fast.  We haven’t been back to our old church in probably 6 years.  Everyone commented on how great Michelle looked…

The viewing last night was unlike any I have ever attended.  It was more like a reunion.  People were gathered around laughing and catching up on old times.  It was just what Joy would have wanted.  After the viewing Michelle and I went out with Dale and Tami Ward (Joy’s daughter).  Dale is my best friend from college…like a brother to me.  He spoke at our church not too long ago.  It was great to get to hang out.

Today’s service for Joy was what she would have wanted.  It had a southern flavor that’s for sure.  People in the south sure know how to make you feel welcome…and I love me some sweet tea.  Tami eulogized her mother in an incredible way.  I was very proud of her.  What a great job she did of taking care of her mom through her cancer.  There were a lot of tears as should be expected.  Joy was the best of what her family represented.

I had several guys from the church ask me if they could tag along to Russia sometime in the future.  The more the merrier.  All in all it was great to be back to where I got my “start” in the ministry.  Michelle and I have had a good time being together and reminising about the past.  Tonight over dinner we even talked some about who we would want to speak at our funerals…I know kind of morbid.  Being here also helped me see just how far God has brought us.  We live in a different world now.  There aren’t many similarities with our past.  It is the same faith but a totally different language and culture all together.  It’s all good because this is what God has for us and I love it.  I wouldn’t want to do church any other place or in any other way.  Fellowship is an amazing place.  I hated that I had to miss our kick off for United (our student ministry) tonight.  I’m sure it waw awesome!  Tomorrow is a big day for us.  Summer is officially over.  Volunteers will be at the school at 6:30 AM beginning set up.  Let’s get it on.