Archive for June, 2008
Continuing on in our vacation, I now take you through the day at Disney. First of all, let me say that it started off hot! I don’t think it ever moved from cool to warm to hot, it just started there.
We had a great time and no problems getting in the park (with the discounted tickets you can’t let your breath out till you actually make it through the gates) and that in itself was a relief. Actually, Hunter’s favorite ride for the day was the monorail that took us to the park…go figure.
Anyway, the kids did great all day long…I was really proud of them. We had the blessing of seeing two of the parades up close and personal. The one during the day we just happened to be in the right spot at the right time and the view was spectacular…the girls really enjoyed it. But the last parade of the night, the big one, we actually were given VIP seats!! Yes, the same seats that Kurt Warner sat in earlier that day. (Former SuperBowl champion… go to his website, I didn’t realize he was saved much less so vocal about it…pretty neat) We were about to leave and I wanted to walk through the castle for Marissa on the way out when we came to where the parade was about to start. We were sitting on the curb and asked when and where the parade was coming from. We also asked about some special seats that were near to where we were sitting. The park attendant informed us those were for the VIP’s and guest of managers. She came back a few minutes later and said we were welcome to occupy those seats because she didn’t guess they were having any VIPs for the last parade. (What she didn’t know was that we were VIPs (Very Interested Persons about sitting in a nice seat instead of on the curb:) )
So there we were, sitting in the most prestigious seats of all for the parade and so close we actually shook hands, “high fived”, etc, with 5 beaming faces soaking in the parade. Those in the parade where blowing kisses, waving, walking by and shaking hands, giving stickers, etc. to our children thinking we were actually somebody really important. (My wife got a kick by people walking by before it started muttering under their breath, “I wonder what you have to do to sit in those seats?”…we’ve always been the ones saying that before, BUT not this time! We serve a great God and a God that loves to bless His children!)
Needless to say we had a great time and were quite worn out. Today we slept in, went to the pool and the rest of them are now taking a nap while I key in this entry. In a few moments we’ll get dressed and head to Wednesday services.
Thanks for checking in…I love you and am grateful for your prayers. Be a blessing to someone at church tonight!
June 25 2008 | General | No Comments »
Church, I can’t wait for you to hear Bro. David Moody from the Baptist Tabernacle in Covington. He is a dynamic preacher and it’s my understanding he’s bringing some folks over to sing with him. I really wish I could be there to hear him. You don’t want to miss it tonight. Here’s another reason I want to start videoing and streaming our services…I would love to watch him this evening via my laptop.
Let’s make sure we welcome the folks from the Tabernacle tonight and make them feel welcome. I love you church, have a great service. We’re going to an independent Baptist church here in the Kissimmee area…I look forward to hearing what the Lord has for us here.
June 25 2008 | General | No Comments »
Little (or big) Conner Levi Banks was born last week and is doing fine. Here is a picture one of the proud aunts sent me. Praise the Lord for good health of baby and mom.
June 24 2008 | General | No Comments »
Well, we were supposed to go to Disney World yesterday but after “the presentation”, we decided to hit the pool hard, go out to eat on some gift cards and then head to Disney Downtown. I had never been there before, but my wife took some of our kids there when we were visiting my grandparents on Spring Break. It is actually pretty neat and doesn’t cost you anything, unless of course you decide to peruse the shops and then the temptation (or constant bugging from the kids) sets in. We actually gave the kids a set amount they could spend before we went in. You wouldn’t think it’d be hard to spend $5, and it wasn’t for a couple, but for three of them, it was crazy. As a matter of fact, we left there and they still hadn’t spent it so I’ll guess they’ll do that today.
Here are a few pics of yesterday’s activities. Like I said, today is Disney World and it ought to be great because three of mine have never been or were too young to remember. The girls as mentioned before, are very excited about the “real princesses” we hope to see!
June 24 2008 | General | No Comments »
If you read my earlier post, you’ll know what I’m referencing. I guess I had to experience it to believe it. To be honest with you, I thought I would go in there and just say “no” several times and that be that. Those folks dealing with the time share industry DO NOT understand what “no” means! And for the 90 minutes…yeah, right! To be honest with you, I could have lied and gotten out of there real quick but I couldn’t lie and so when asked what I did (pastor), where I live (close enough to drive to that resort) and how many children I had, they brought out the best of the best. And let me tell you, they know what they’re doing. Before I left, I had a three bedroom, brand new condo “reserved” for me that started out at $45K!!! When all was said and done, they only took me for $8,600 for the same unit…just kidding, they didn’t take me but that’s what they came down to.
Anyway, as my wife and I left (by the way, they don’t take you out the same way they bring you in…out the back door down a stairwell to a shuttle bus you had to wait on…pretty funny) we wondered if it really was worth it…maybe tomorrow I”ll think different, but today it’s not a definitive answer.
Moral of the story, bum money from your parents and inlaws, pay the full price and DON’T do the timeshare ticket thing. To me, the time wasted away from my kids (on vacation) wasn’t worth the time I spent from somebody trying to get in my back pocket. Chalk it up as a lesson learned, not to be repeated.
Hope you have a great day!
June 23 2008 | General | 3 Comments »
We’re having a great time here in Florida enjoying the beginning of our summer vacation. We started off by visiting my grandparents that live in Oak Hill, Florida (over near Cape Canaveral and Mosquito Lagoon) for a couple of days. We went to church on Sunday at Temple Baptist in Titusville. (We met a woman while we were splitting up for Sunday School that also had 5 children so my wife and her hit it off pretty good.) Good SS and worship messages but I sure missed being at Victory!
(Side Note: It sure is comforting to know that we have a staff that can handle things while I’m away. You know, that’s the way it ought to be…our ministry needs to be one that can keep on moving and ministering even if some of the leadership is not there. A special thanks to the Champion Baptist College group for being a part of our services there today. I also would like to thank Dr. Banks for preaching the PM service.)
Anyway, it’s Sunday night and we have travelled to the Orlando/Kissimmee area where we are staying with another family member for a few days. Tomorrow we are taking the kids to the mecca of tourism, Walt Disney World. We went when the boys where very young and the girls haven’t been yet so it is promising to be a fun-filled day. The girls are very excited about the princesses that they’ll be able to see.
Thankfully my cousin has helped me with some discounted tickets…do you believe that it costs $71 per person (adult) and $60 per child 3-9?!? That’s insane and we couldn’t afford full price tickets for all 7 of us! So, thanks for cousins who know somebody who know somebody, know what I mean? Here’s the crazy thing though, it DOES involve one of those 90 minute presentations for a time share.
I know what you’re thinking, I can’t believe they’re going to do that. Well, for one thing, it’s part of the discounted tickets but it’s not the only discount I’m getting b/c I don’t think that would be worth it alone. Secondly, I’ve heard about these deals forever but have never been through the “pitch” before and if he/she wants 90 minutes of my time, I’m going to have my own little “time share” talk. And I’m talking about a “time” where I “share” with him about a place where he can visit for more than one week a year and a mansion, not just a used condo!! Amen…I’m about ready!
So, if you would, please pray for him/her and Michelle while we have some fun in the morning!
I appreciate your prayer for my family while we’re away…more tomorrow if I’m not too tired when we come in. Hopefully I’ll post some pics of the kids at the park.
I love you church!
June 22 2008 | General | No Comments »
On Saturday evening, we had our first ever “Daddy Loves Me Dinner” which gave our dads an opportunity to take their daughters on a date. Over 50 dads and daughters made their way to the beautiful Stone Mountain Park to have a nice dinner at the infamous Stone Mountain Inn. The view from outside our room was stunning as we had the carving on Stone Mountain as the backdrop for our pictures. The food was delicious and all you could eat. It was a funny thing to see so many daughers (regardless of age, wearing out the ice cream machine!)
But the most beautiful thing was to see and hear the dads praising their daughters (and many wives) and then praying with them. That moment in the night was worth more than most men will ever realize for their daughters.
We had some dads really go all the way…from tuxedos, to limos, to flying their daughters in from out of state. The ladies all looked beautiful and everyone seemed to really enjoy the time they had with their dads.
One of the highlights of the evening came when about 12 to 15 of the younger daughters all piled into a limo with their Pastor and rode around the mountain. They were doing the “homecoming wave”, blowing kisses, taking pictures and shouting, “We’re famous!”. It was really neat seeing only a couple had ever ridden in a limo before.
On a final note, the following is proof that dads will just about do anything for their daughters. Here’s a picture of my dad getting his feet “done” when he took my sister and wife (daughter-in-law) to get a pedicure…you be the man, dad! (I think)
June 20 2008 | General | No Comments »
This past Thursday night we had another one of our Men’s Leadership Dinners and it was a wonderful evening. There were a lot of men there (not sure of the count although there was one) and if you weren’t there, you missed a wonderful blessing. The food was incredible (thanks to Mrs. Voorhees and the Van Horn’s) and there was plenty of it.
We then had some singing led by Terry Chupp (the former BASSMASTERS Tour professional fisherman who has been visiting our church here lately) and honestly, I have never heard our men sing out and sound so good as they did that night. Several folks even mentioned that later as well.
Then of course, Bro. Steve Grubbs delivered a powerful message to us that was very challenging. It was a very good meeting and I praise the Lord for all those who made their way to the Dinner. Be listening for the next one we’ll have later this Fall.
June 20 2008 | General | No Comments »
There has been a lot going on over the past week and a half and therefore my blog has suffered. So, let me do several different blogs going in several directions. We’re traveling now and while my wife is driving, I’m updating. I love you church…thanks for loving my family the way you do.
June 19 2008 | General | No Comments »
Next »
/0.jpg" alt="YouTube Preview Image" />
