For as long as I can honestly remember, I have always looked towards summer with a great deal of excitement and anticipation. Even in Texas where it usually means long, hot, dry days (and even nights) with a whole new population of mosquitos. As a child my excitement was fairly simple - no school - nothing else mattered. Now, though it means busy schedules trying to work everything in to shorter summers than what we used to get, I still can barely contain my enthusiasm as it approaches. I love it for kids and families. I love it for the variety in schedules. I especially love it for the summer foods like hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill, watermelon, and homemade ice cream.

Usually as May rolls around I try to keep my travels to a minimum, within reason, so that I can enjoy some of the summer days with my family. Six years ago I had a booking in Destin, Florida. I knew nothing about Destin. Jennifer noticed it on my schedule and said, "Hello - Vacation." We came that year and I played and we stayed over a few days. Every year since then Jennifer and Matthew hear God calling me back to Destin in the summer to do "ministry." The first year or so I had a hard time not feeling a little guilty about it, but Jennifer consoled me by saying, "Just think of it as God's blessing to you for all the nights you spend sleeping in your car on the road."  We have also been blessed to have Aunt Betty make the trip with us every year as well, and we when we leave we always pray that we can come back just one more time.

Before we left town, we had another special blessing. John Hollan, my friend who writes the "Current News" article on my site every other week made a quick trip to Dallas. When he and I became friends he lived one town over from me and we began a tradition of playing racquetball every week and then going to eat barbecue at "Bubba's" in Ovilla, Texas (best barbecue EV-ER!!). Eventually, we modified that tradition to just the eating part. He and his family came to town for wedding and our families got to meet at Bubba's for some barbecue and great fellowship. The picture below is a snap shot of our time together. As you can see there is still food on the table so you can deduce that it was taken before we started eating. On the right side is John, Melinda, Meredith, Lillie, and hidden behind Matthew is Olivia Hollan. Then Matthew, Jennifer, and me. 

As you can tell so far my summer is off to a good start. Like everyone else we don't live our summer day by day, but rather week by week. Matthew has spent a week with our friends Joe and Barbara Erwin and their grandkids, gone to football camp for one week in the mornings, and now we are in Destin. Though summer is definitely a blur it is just so much fun. I pray that you and you are having a great summer as well.

Don't forget to check the weekly blogcast every week and let me know what you think. I will try to stay current with things on the site, and keep it fresh for frequent visits. I always enjoy hearing from you. If you have questions, comments or snide remarks please send me an email or a comment.

In His Grip!
Cliff