Cathedral of Praise...A New Adventure

Wow! What an adventure. We had a "meet and greet" our first Wednesday night at our new church as first time Senior Pastors. Now that's a lot of first. However, I left one first out. It was our first time to attend a new church without our children. I think that transition was harder than making the transition from Student Pastor to Senior Pastor.

We enjoyed meeting our new church family. You know I enjoyed the sweets as we met everyone. Sunday, November 16, was our first official service at Cathedral. Everything went well. Chase was able to be in service with us. My boss and his son also came and supported us in our first service. Our next Wednesday night Chuck taught the adult class. How different is that. On Saturday, we helped the women with their fund raiser. Chuck and I learned a lot about baking. We made pumpkin rolls ALL day long. It was great! I don't really care for pumpkin but...the pumpkin roll was delicious! Sunday was a GREAT service! After service we enjoyed fellowship as we had our Thanksgiving meal. We are blessed with many WONDERFUL cooks. I appreciated the way EVERYONE pitched in from set-up to clean-up to make sure our Thanksgiving meal went well.

Our Student Pastors, Joe and Erica Bain, have been great to help us get settled in. We are enjoying getting to know them and their son Malachi. They were kind and invited us over to enjoy some TV time. Joe and Erica are also Survivor fans so we went over and watched Survivor with them. We still do not have cable or Internet at our apartment! As of Wednesday that will change! Thank the Lord!

On Saturday, Tres and Chase came to visit us. Yeah!!! They got put right to work by a couple of the women that were there decorating for the Thanksgiving meal. It was funny they were sent to Hobby Lobby and didn't really know where they were going. I of course have been so turned around that I was not of any help. Thankfully Chuck was able to give them directions. Later we went to a little shopping place called Martins. I love this place! I live about 200 yards from their door. This could also not be a good thing. Anyway, we had to go and spoil our boys a little. We have MISSED them! Later we ordered take-out from Struts (a wing and tender place) and went back over to Joe and Erica's to watch some football.

Like I have already said, Sunday was a great service. Both of the boys where with us in service. I can't believe that my second Sunday there Chuck had me come to service as a silly character. The children were in service with us and he wanted to do something special for them since this was really our first time to be in church with the children. We had already gone out to a youth service and met the teenagers.

The church secretary, Ashley and the custodian, Regina have been a huge help also. Dusty and Jen, the Music Worship Leaders, have done an outstanding job. We are getting to know the Children's Pastors, Andy and Belinda. There are so many people that have been helpful I can't list them all. I just need to simply say THANKS to everyone.

The boys stayed over on Sunday night also. When we finally got back to the apartment on Sunday afternoon, we got hooked on a new to us TV show...Prison Break. Joe and Erica let us borrow the first season on DVD. Who would have ever thought you would be sitting around hoping some prisoners break free.

Well, I could keep rattling on and on and on but I guess I better end here. This new adventure is Ministry has been great! God has a plan for each of us in His time.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Update on Jeff

Jeff went to the doctor at UAB on Friday. He was there from around 9:00 AM until around 6:00 PM. He saw multiple doctors and had many test ran. On Monday at 6:45 AM the doctor called and told them the test showed that Jeff has also had a stroke. I truly believe this happened on the Tuesday that he was so bad in ICU. He has an appointment with the radiation doctor on Monday. Missy says that the radiation and chemo will probably not start until after Thanksgiving. When he does start radiation he will go every day for 6 weeks.

He is getting better daily. With God on his side...He will be well! His memory is doing better. Physically he is getting stronger each day. Missy and Megan are doing well. They all make a good team. God is there strength!

Please continue to pray for each of them. There is still a very long road ahead of them. God is there tower of refuge and strength...a very presence help in a time of need.

Trip to Savannah, GA

This was a great trip! We try to go somewhere for our anniversary every year. It doesn't always work out but when it does it is always a cherished memory. This trip was planned for the week after our actual anniversary so we could also go to watch Chase play in a golf tournament.

We left later than we had actually planned because so much has been going on in our family. The thought entered my mind to just cancel everything but the little voice in my head kept saying GO so we did. I am so GLAD that we did go. This ranks up at the top of our travel list.

On Friday evening we traveled to Atlanta, GA. We spent around 2 hours in the IKEA store. This is an amazing place. If you are looking for something unusual for your home or office, great organizational ideas, or just want to make the most of your space, this is a must place to visit. We finally checked in to our hotel around 9:30 PM and had dinner in the restaurant there. On Saturday, we slept in. This is very unusual for us. We have gotten old and normally don't sleep past 6:00 or 6:30 AM. We dressed in our Alabama attire and headed for Savannah, GA. Roll Tide Roll! We did hear and see some of the game. Along the way we made some stops and tried to make sure we ate at places we do not normally eat at around home. Some of the places we tried were: Big Chick, Village Pizza, Five Guys Burger & Fries, The Lady & Sons, Uncle Bubba's Oyster House, and The Shell House. You can't have a road trip without at least one stop at McDonald's.

When we arrived in Savannah, GA we stayed at The Marshall House. This was a beautiful place in Historic Savannah. It was built in 1851. It was voted Best of Savannah, featured on the Travel Channel's Great Hotels, named to Fodor's Hot List 2008 and listed among Coastal Living Magazine's Top 20 Favorite Hotels. Our room had been renovated in 2008. From the friendly people that greeted you, the valet parking, the nightly turn down service, the mints on your pillow, your complimentary bathrobes, the newspaper delivered to your room, the maid service, the delicious breakfast, and to the people at your beacon call to make sure stay was pleasurable, you could become spoiled. It was great!

One of my main goals was to eat at Paula Deen's restaurant The Lady & Sons. Chuck is such a good husband. We were up, ready, had breakfast, and standing on the curb by 9:00 AM to get our name on "the list" to have the Sunday Buffet at some point and time on Sunday. They don't even start taking names until 9:30 AM. Mission accomplished we were to eat at 2:00 PM!

To pass the time while we waited to "put some south in our mouth", we took the Oglethorpe Trolley Tour of The Historic Savannah Foundation. In 90 minutes we saw 250 years of history. Just to name a few we saw: River Street, Colonial Cemetery, Forsyth Park, Oglethorpe City Plan, Restored Waterfront, City Market, Waving Girl, Beautiful Churches and Synagogues, Davenport House, Hamilton-Turner Inn, The Old Pink House, Pirates House, City Hall, and The Mercer House. There has been many movies filmed in Savannah. I'll just mention a few that I can remember: Bagger Vance, Let's Give Them Something To Talk About, Forest Gump, The Garden of Good and Evil. How fitting the first golf course was always developed in Savannah. By the way, a Forest Gump look-a-like jumped up on our trolley. It was comical!

When it came time to check-in at The Lady & Sons we toured the gift shop. It was crazy! The place was packed. It was finally time to eat! Paula tells it like it is, "Everything does taste better with BUTTA y'all!" The Sunday Buffet is $15.99 per person. Your meal includes: Southern Fired Chicken, Baked Chicken, Roasted Pork Lion and Vegetables, Collard Greens, Mashed Potatoes, Yams, Lima Beans, Black Eye Peas, Green Beans, Creamed Corn, Mac and Cheese, Salad Bar, Banana Puddin', Peach Cobbler, Gooey Butter Cake, Hoe Cakes, Cheese Biscuits, and tea. It was finger lickin' and lip smackin' good!

To top the night off we went to Tybee Island to see "The Lighthouse" and the beach. On our way back to our hotel we made one more stop...Uncle Bubba's Oyster House (Paula Deen's brother). How cool is this. We ate at both of the places I really wanted to eat at in the same day! There we had: Crab Bites, Shrimp Quesadillas, Fried Pickles, Calamari, and Chocolate Pecan Pie with Vanilla Cream. We stuffed ourselves! It was delicious!

We did see Chase on Sunday afternoon as he finished up his practice round. Chuck and I went and bought the team a few snacks and energizers for the hotel and tournament. On Monday morning we were at the golf course at 8:00 AM to watch round one. This was a very hard course. Chase was also not feeling very well. Let me just say it was not a pretty round of golf. He shot 82 on Monday. Chase was 6 over after 3 holes. For all you non-golfers out there...this is not good. You could tell it was going to be a long day. The entire team did not play very well. Oh, by the way the temperature was a breezy and cold 70 degrees.

Another Alabama A&M family went to this tournament. So, that night Chase, Tyler (teammate), Cody (teammate), Tyler's parents, Chuck, and I went out to eat at The Shell House. Believe me when I say...There was a ton of seafood put away on this night. We had: Fired Shrimp, Boiled Shrimp, Snow Crab Legs, Oysters on the Half Shell, Crab Cakes, French Fies, Cole Slaw, Corn on the Cob, Salad, Baked Potatoes, and Peach Cobbler with Vanilla Ice Cream. This was a fun night. We got to know Tyler and his family and Cody a little better.

Tuesday was a little better temperature wise and for Chase a little better golf wise. Chase shot 80 on Tuesday. He had the best score on his team on Tuesday and overall for the tournament on his team. Let's just say the Bulldogs were glad this tournament was OVER! They placed 10th out of 11 teams. This was the last tournament for the Fall golf season. They start back in the Spring. They will be missing one player, Larry. Larry will graduate in December and not be playing in the Spring. We will truly miss Larry. It has been a pleasure getting to know Larry.

Praise the Lord everyone returned home safely after a very long drive home! It's back to the real world today!

ChristWay...A Thing Of The Past

As many of you know, Wednesday, November 5, 2008, was our last night at ChristWay. Not only was it our last night at ChristWay but also our last night as Student Pastors. Chuck has accepted a position at Gadsden Cathedral of Praise as the Senior Pastor.

As I think back about our years in ministry, I must be honest and say, there were moments when I thought this day would never come. I truly believe we have been through the process to prepare for this new journey in ministry. We have been blessed. There were many lessons along the way. I pray that we learned what God intended for us to learn. We have had ups and downs and hit a few bumps along the way but through it all...the Lord has been with us every step of the way. To those of you that God has put in our paths along the way I pray that we have made an impact on your life that will glorify the Lord.

I remember the day that Chuck told me he felt like he was at a crossroad in ministry. He felt as if the Lord was leading him in a different area of ministry. I told him that as always...I would support him in whatever decision he made. We are a TEAM!

We have been praying for God's wisdom, direction, favor, His will, etc. for quiet some time. That God would open the door and place us where he wanted us to be. It is not an easy task to leave the position of a Student Pastor and move into the position of a Senior Pastor. Along the way we found ourselves in need of a miracle. To keep things short I will simply say...we kept the faith, believed for a miracle, and trusted the Lord! He moved mountains and changed hearts. God continues to pour His blessings out on us! I thank the Lord for the opportunity He has given us. Let me just say again we are BLESSED!

Please keep us in your prayers as we begin a new journey. Sunday, November 16, 2008 will be our first Sunday as Senior Pastors Chuck and Misty Kennedy. This will be our first Sunday also to start a new position as just Chuck and Misty. This particular Sunday, Tres and Chase will be in Gainesville, FL at a Florida Gators football game. At this time they are both in college and will be living in different places. We have never made a move without them since they have been born. It is a strange feeling. I know that the Lord has His hands on both of them! He will help all of us with this adjustment.

I would like to end with this...If you need a miracle keep the faith! To every mountain there are two sides!

Alabama A&M Wins Tourney

Chase and his team went to Pine Bluff, Arkansas last week to play in the Arkansas/Pine Bluff Golf Tournament. Alabama A&M came in first place! Go Bulldogs! Marco (Freshman), Chase (Freshman), and Larry (Senior) made the All Tournament Team. We are very proud of Chase and the entire Bulldog Team!

Unfortunately, Chase didn't have any fans to travel to this tournament with him. That means...no pictures! I am so sad about that! We did send the Bulldogs a travel goodie basket.

The team did receive their first place trophy at the actual tournament. Of course, the All Tournament Team trophies had been ordered but did not arrive in time for the tournament. So...at least I will get a picture when he actually receives his trophy.

The Bulldogs will be travleing in the morning (Nov. 9th) to Savannah, GA to play in the Savannah State Golf Tournament. Please pray for them...they are leaving at 3:00 AM.

Jeff Is HOME

Jeff moved to a room in Rehab on Thursday. He was released from the hospital on Saturday afternoon. At the moment he is at the in-laws watching the Alabama game. WOW! God is so good!

The road ahead is still a very long road but with GOD all things are POSSIBLE! He will be going through outpatient rehab. They are working with his balance, speech, memory, etc. I was there on Friday when a couple of his therapist came by. One of the therapist explained things that made alot of since. She said his brain is like file cabinet that has been knocked over. All of the files have been scattered and Jeff has to go and gather up the files and sort through them to figure out all of the information that he needs.

They are going to see a doctor at UAB that specializes in the type of cancer he has. His doctor at Trinity will continue to oversee his care. The doctor at Trinity is also working with a doctor at Duke. They will probably be making a trip to Duke. However, we are still believing that the GREAT PHYSICIAN will minister to Jeff with a complete healing!

Thank you for all of your prayer and contacts. Please continue to pray for the Skinner family!

Jeff Moves Into A Room

Praise the Lord! Jeff is finally moving out of ICU and into a hospital room. Please continue to pray. The Skinner family needs your prayers. Pray for a covering over them. The days ahead are going to be tough but with God all things are possible! We are believing for a complete healing!

Jeff

Here is a quick update on Jeff. PRAY!!!!!!! Jeff has had some ups and downs this week. There was more swelling on the brain again on Friday. They started the medication again that helps to reduce the swelling. It just really wasn't a good day. Today he did seem more alert.

Missy and Megan have really been troopers through this. God has truly been their tower of refuge and strength. Friday seemed to be a tough day on Missy. Today she was much better.

Please continue to pray. We are believing God for a complete healing! God is at work! Praise the Lord!

Happy Anniversary

Today is my 22nd Wedding Anniversary. I love Chuck today more than I ever thought possible. He gave me a card and stated in the card, "you are my best friend". The bracelet he gave me says, "A true friend reaches for your hand and touches your heart". Chuck truly is my best friend. We have been through many things together and our love for each other has grown stronger. I pray we are blessed with many more years to come!

Marriage like life is a great adventure. Take the time to stop and enjoy each moment. Don't take each other for granted. Remember we are not promised tomorrow.