refreshments anyone

I just got back from taking a few days of vaction with the family. I tell you what, this is the first time that I have ever taken a vacation where I actually felt refreshed when I got back, and not wiped out. We spent five days at a timeshare doing absolutely nothing but being a family. It was great. We didn't run to every local attraction. We didn't cram our days with "family friendly" activities. We just hung out. We watched a little television, wrestled in the living room, jammed the whole family into the two-person jacuzzi tub, pigged out on snacks at random times...you get the picture. Well anyway, it was awsome, and much needed. It is so neat the way that God provides in response to our faithfulness to Him. You see, planting a church hasn't been easy on the family. I must admit that (thanks to God's provision) it hasn't been as difficult as some of the horror stories I have heard other church-planting pastors tell, but it has taken it's tole on my whole family. Luckily, God gave me an amazing wife who stands beside me and has not wavered once in her commitment to me, our kids, or Freedom Life Church. She understood what it meant when I told her in May of 2004 that it was time to plant a church. When she confirmed that God was calling us to do this I told her that I would basically see her in September when I went ful time to Freedom Life. For the next four months I continued my job as a youth director of a local church, and spent both of my days off working at launching Freedom Life Church. I would see my wife and kids each morning and try to be home in time to tuck the kids in at night. Our relationship was strained, but God was definetly present and blessing the time that we did get to spend together. My wife is strong, and she managed very well. And my connection with my two year old son Elias was already very strong (he is a mini-me). But unfortunately, my bond with my daughter Kaelin (who was only 3 months old in May) had not yet been as solidified, and was not developed at all during those difficult months. Since going down to working only one position, this is something that I have tried to focus on. I know that the first couple of years of a childs life are crucial in their development, and I have desperately longed to have the same kind of connection with Kaelin that I have with my son. Well, this week that greatly improved. God has been giving me such a passion and love for her. It was amazing to how God blessed this week, and how greatly that bond was improved in just five short days of undivided attention. By the end of the week she was reaching out for me to take her from her mothers arms for the first time. She desired me and reached out for me with a smile. I thank God that He put it on someones heart to call us and offer us free use of their timeshare. I don't know that they will ever truely realize what this gift has done for my family. I am also thankful to serve in a church that values and respects my responsibility to my family. God is just so amazing. He never calls us to do something that doesn't require sacrifice, but He always blesses our obedience! I praise God everyday for my life, my family, and my wonderful church!