Good evening everyone!
I’ll write about it more over the next few days, but Sonja and I have had a wonderful week. We took three days off and headed upstate to the mountains. One of our goals is to visit every state park in South Carolina and hike at least one of their trails. We knocked out three this week: Paris Mountain, Cesar’s Head and Jones Gap. I will remember these last few days as some of the best in our marriage.
We got back in town late morning today and have gotten back in the “PEPper” mode quickly / it’s been pretty non-stop since getting back. Sonja was busy counseling and I had the privilege of witnessing the union of Chris Jackson to his beautiful bride, Emily Farley. I congratulate them and their dear families this evening.
This evening we enjoyed a special meal with some old friends. You may not be aware of it, but Sonja and I were on staff at Fort Mill Church of God as the youth pastor back in the late ‘70s. Back then we would often go out to eat with Harold/Ruth Dover and John/Patsy Wilson after church. Back in those days you didn’t have a restaurant on every corner. We would drive to Charlotte back then. So once or twice and year Sonja and I will get with the Dovers and Wilsons just to celebrate a long friendship and simpler times. Tonight was one of those special meals / it was good breaking bread with dear and special friends and faithful church members.
And then we wrapped up our evening at church for the Saturday evening prayer service. What can I say about that special group! I truly feel that one of the secrets of our churches’ success is the prayers of that special group. God bless each of them!
As I wrap up this evening and this week I can truly say that I am a blessed man. God had been so good to me and I give Him all the praise.
If you are a PEPper, I hope to see you tomorrow, Lord willing.
To all of you I send my best wishes, prayers, and heart felt thanks for your prayers, love, kindnesses, and friendship. May your tribe increase!
dlkemp
- “Who you are determines the way you see everything. You cannot separate your identity from your perspective.” _John Maxwell, Winning with People, page 6
The ONE THING 
Dear Pastor & Sonja….you both deserve a week like that. We are so glad you got to get away and hike together. Those are the best of times for a husband and wife. We missed our church Sunday morning but we were in Pittsburgh but we were so happy we got back in time to be there last night to welcome new members. How blessed are we. We had a great time. Have a blessed evening. We love you both very much….Ann & Joe (Your Romans)
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