For those of you who have been around here for a while, you've heard me talk about The Preacher's beloved truck, the Blue Goose. Now you have to understand that though Goose isn't the most lovely vehicle in town, hubby loves her. She has been faithful and most importantly, paid for. There has never been any mistaking when he has been visiting about town or running some errand here or there because the blue of this truck commands attention. 'There goes The Preacher', passers-by will say and he will happily wave back forever in awe that God has blessed him with a ministry that allows him to meet people where they are and simply love them. Hubs enjoyes the pulpit but he is happiest beating the bushes whether it be to cut someone's grass or lend an ear to a soul who just needs to know there is someone who cares. He does care, ya'll. More than you can imagine and it is just one of the reasons I love him so.

But, I can also safely tell you there is no amount of sentiment that would prevent Luke from trading in the Goose for this:




Now hold on to your seats for this one...



We got home from vacation on Saturday and though we were sad it was over, we were excited to get back to church the next morning. It was Father's Day and at the end of the service, our wonderful deacon chairman A. called Luke and me to the stage and proceeded with telling us through tears how much he loved our church and family. (I can assure you the feeling is completely mutual.)



He then called out R., the deacon who had played the 'We Got You a New Truck' joke only to present hubs with a shiny TOY Ford. A. asked R. to come to the stage because he was going to have him formally apologize before the congregation for that terrible incident. Now Luke and I are a little uncomfortable for this dear guy because we adore him and have hoped this fiasco was long behind us. But upon coming to the stage, R. pulled a key from his pocket and asks us to go outside of the church...



We walked outside with 200 people behind us and this truck is what was waiting for us. It is a brand new Chevrolet Silverado, paid for even down to the tags. Luke and I immediately burst into tears and we haven't really stopped yet.



I told the crowd then and I'll tell you now - when you bless my dear husband, you bless me. When you encourage him, you encourage me. When you tell him you love him, you've loved me. He has never owned a new vehicle in his 40 years and to say this is an overwhelming gift just doesn't do the matter justice. I am absolutely swollen with pride to see my preacher finally have a vehicle that people will want to ride in instead of calling to say, "Let's go to lunch. And by the way, I'll drive". Seeing his face was like seeing a boy again - and you know how boys like their toys. He is absolutely smitten with his.



This morning as I walked, I put the iPod on shuffle and asked God to ordain my praise and worship. Oh did He ever. Every song was one of thanksgiving to the point I had to stop and raise my hands while crying my eyes out. I know the guy who was unloading stock into the grocery store not far from my walking track was thinking I had lost my ever loving mind but that just has to be okay today. I have a lot to be grateful for. My God continues to take my breath away so if that means I've got to raise my hands to him in front of a stockboy from time to time, so be it.



To my church family - Thank you will never be enough. How do we express to you how much we love you? How much you have made us feel like we have always been a part of your lives? How much we feel like you've always been a part of ours? How can you know how much we praise the Lord because of you? We will never be able to say enough or do enough to convey our gratitude but we'll never get over trying. Thank you, thank you, thank you for this indescribable gift.

2 Cor. 9:10 - 11 'Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread
for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the
harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all
liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God."