For those asking about last week, I thought it might be easier just to type it out here and then link it out =) Here’s the highlights…
Tuesday –
Steve and Scott met up at my place and we all jumped in the car to make the trip to Townsend, TN. My friends at the Church of the Cove were kind enough to let us crash at the house on the church grounds for the first night layover. It was a blessing to say the lease but it was also added to when I found out the guys were having a men’s group that night. While I didn’t make the group (introduced the guys to the ribs place on the river), I was able to make it over as the group was coming to close up. I enjoyed catching up with Leon, Derek, and Stan during my short stay.
Wednesday –
Can’t be in the Smokies without taking in Cades Cove so we got in the car and headed over. I have been in the Cove multiple times over 11 years and I have seen a total of 7 bears in that time. On this trip, I saw 7 more….. up close….. all taking their time….. It was awesome. We hit a couple shops on the way out of town (needed my Milo’s tea and some corn salsa for Scott’s wife Carrie).
On the road to Atlanta, we saw two HUGE elk eating right beside the road. At that point, we decided Steve was the draw of the animals (at least that’s our theory). Got settled into the hotel, registered at Catalyst, and then starting talking about what to do that night.
After the worst trip to Chili’s in my life time, we went to see Courageous. I HIGHLY recommend this movie (I’m seeing it again this afternoon with my son, Friday night with my wife, and Sunday afternoon with the men of our church if that tells you anything). Men need to rise up and be what we have been called to be as men of God and this movie nails it! (Also, starting a new men’s group off one of the books from the film. Email me if you want to be part).
Thursday – It’s Catalyst day and we were up and moving early! Great speakers all day, wonderful new bands, and a huge crowd. Probably more than anything else though was just feeling like God calling me to be in His presence. A lot of prayer, watching the crowd worship, and reading the lyrics of the songs as He ministered to my heart. You can see their site (see above link) for the speakers.
Friday – Second day of Catalyst and more of what I described from Thursday. We agreed this is the best year yet speaker wise and we have a lot to digest. Massive traffic leaving Atlanta but it finally let us go and we headed to Nashville. I wrote the sermon in the back seat as Steve cruised us down the interstate.
In the evening, we got to Libby’s place (Steve’s sister-in-law in Nashville) and crashed there. She is recently engaged (Yeah Libby!) and they were having an engagement party on Saturday so we dropped Steve off there.
Saturday – Wake up, get ready, and visit with Katie (Steve’s wife who is met us there to go to the family event) before heading with Scott to have breakfast with my niece, Anna Vija who also lives in Nashville (I love meeting up with her). A quick drive by tour of Nashville for Scott and then on the road again.
It seemed the trip home took forever but we got there. I just got down unpacking the car into the house when Jenni and Emily pulled up from a family event they were at. It made the whole trip home worth it.
That’s the basics. It was a great trip and have much to still process. Thanks for all your prayers! Blessings!
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