Midweek Rain on the Coast...

Moving has started! We spent yesterday and most of today cleaning our new home. We did manage to take over 6 loads of our stuff that has remained in boxes today. To say the least, we're tired. And to add to that, Denise has got a horrible cold...please pray that she'll get better and get her strength back quick! Tomorrow, I'm sure that Denise will take over a couple of more loads of our stuff, because tomorrow night is our h2o Worship Gathering on the TU campus.

As I write this, it's raining, here on the Northcoast...the wind has a steady breeze, which makes it colder than it really is. Oh, the changes in the weather....

I can sense the fact that we're almost able to settle down, and get our routine going. Can't wait. I've got so much to write about, I just can't get to it.

Time to wrap up my last pot of coffee for the night...and crash. Can't wait to see what tomorrow will bring.

The Season's Are A'Changing....

Just a quick 'Hey' from the northcoast! The last several days have been extremely hectic, I've actually met myself a couple of time, I've been so busy.

We had a chance to visit with the incredible congregation at First Baptist Church in Sheffield Lake, Ohio this past Sunday. Had a WONDERFUL time. And to all those folks, 'Thanks so much for your warm welcome!'

The weather is changing drastically now. We've had to scrape the frost from the vehicle windows the past couple of days. Can't wait to get moved so we can find all of our winter clothing...and our coats!

Speaking of moving, we signed the lease this past Saturday on our new house. Denise and I have spent today cleaning it, and getting ready to start moving tomorrow. We plan on getting all of our boxed stuff over during the week, then on Saturday and Sunday, get all of the heavy stuff, like the furniture, bedroom suits, upright freezer...and don't forget about my TWO pianos!! Our plans are to spend our first night there this coming Saturday.

Our h2o Worship Gathering is growing like I truly never expected. We had 32 last Thursday night...I'm praying for 50 by Thanksgiving.

We're very near to the point where we have our location to launch our new church plant. Please join us in prayer that this will all work out ASAP..

I'm including some new pictures on this blog of shots that we took around town, hope you enjoy!

Stay in touch....

Midweek On The Coast...

Just a quick g'morning! All is well on the Northcoast. We're getting ready for h2o tonight, then preparing to move into our new house after the weekend. Looks like we will start moving next Wednesday, November 1st.

The weather is distinctly changing, the leaves are turning, and many of them are falling. Lot's to tell you about later. Have a great weekend.

Windy Week...

OK…I’ve had an eye-opening experience this week.

I’m from the South. Born and bred in the Delta…and proud of it. The South has always been known for some pretty amazing things, but the one thing that has consistently amazed me about Arkansas, is the weather. At any given time in Arkansas, a tornado can fall from the sky. I’ve seen twisters rip through the state during all twelve months of the year. I’ve watched them from a distance, and I’ve experienced them from the inside out. We never, and I did say never, had any large amounts of wind that didn’t have a twister attached to it somewhere. Whenever the wind got over 5 or 10 MPH, somebody’s trailer or cow was soon to be flying overhead. We always knew that when the clouds rolled in and the winds picked up…it was time to run for cover, ‘cause something was coming…

Now that I’m a ‘re-located Southerner’ somewhere on the Northcoast of Ohio, the concept of wind is being redefined. Up here, it’s NOTHING for the wind to blow between 25 and 35 MPH! All day! And most of the time, stronger. I talking about from the time you get up in the morning, till after you go to bed at night, non-stop wind gusts! The leaves fall, the trees bend, the house shakes, you hold on to anything that’s nailed or bolted down to keep from getting blown away.

I’ve figured out the solution…it’s time to go shopping…I need to get me some them ‘lead-filled drawers.’

The Week Is Slowing Down...I Think...

It's been a roller-coaster ride of weather this week on the North Coast. Today was absolutely gorgeous! But tonight is supposed to be much cooler! We've got rain and possible storms for the weekend. Our week has been great! I finished up getting ready for worship and Bible Study for tomorrow night, and also worship for Sunday morning. I'm leading worship at a outdoor 'non-denominational' service that is going to be held prior to a regional 5k/10k run. The organizer of the run wanted to start the contest off right with a church service. Now that's what I'm talkin' about!

We're excited about moving into our new house. Right now, the move date is Nov 1st. Denise is as excited as a kid in a candy store with a pocket full of quarters! What's so ironic is, that this is the house that she absolutely loved back in March when we made our first trip to Ohio. And as God would do it, it is still available, off the market for sale, and the owner wants to lease it TO US! God really is something, huh? I'm so thankful that Denise is getting the home she wanted...if there is anybody that's deserved it, it's her!

Please pray for our Campus Worship Gathering tomorrow night...I've just got this feeling that God is ready to rock the house...my anticipation level is insane, and the excitement is overwhelming!

We are still praying that God will provide 10 families/churches that will commit to $100 a month in financial support of our ministry. We are extremely close, so if you would, please join us in that urgent prayer request.

That's it for now...gotta grab a fresh cup before I head to bed...

A New Monday...

Whew! What a week...and a weekend! It's probably a good thing that HomeComing only comes once a year! That's a lot of excitement and activities all rolled into a 7 day period. But my oh my was it worth it. It was an incredible time!

And even with it being HomeComing week, we STILL had 24 at our h2o Gathering last Thusday night! It's simply incredible watching students arrive for h2o. And to think, we have not even 'scratched the surface' yet.

Things are still 'all systems go' for us moving into our house on November 1st. We're all dreading the physical move, but literally cannot wait to get all of our things unpacked! You simply cannot imagine, over 2/3's of our stuff is still packed away. I told Denise this past week, it will almost be like Christmas getting to unpack all of our stuff. I just know that I'll find things I forgot we had!

Have a great Monday...I'm headed for coffee...

Tabitha & The TU Crew...

Enjoy these pics from today's Homecoming of Tabitha and the TU Crew, Tiffin University's Dance Team! Yep, I AM a proud Daddy!!!

Tiffin University Homecoming 2007...

HomeComing Week For The Whaley's...

It's been a wild and woolly week at the Whaley house this past week! It's officially HomeComing Week at Tiffin University and we are 'up to our eyeballs in alligators' with HomeComing stuff...and lovin' every minute of it! Since Tabitha is a member of the TU Dance Team, she has been in all sorts of mess this past week in preparation for the 'big day' tomorrow. Her Dance Team will be performing, along with numerous other things scheduled throughout the day. There are 3 NCAA sporting events taking place tomorrow to celebrate HC. Not real sure that we'll be able to make all three...but the football game is a 'sho-nuff' guarantee!

And...it's officially cold! Or colder that I've experienced in October in a looonnnggg time. Right now, it's 43 degrees, headed for a low tonight of 38. We are expecting our first frost of the year this weekend. Brrrrrrrr!!!! Perfect football weather!!!

And it's HomeComing also at UAM in Monticello! I want to say 'hey' to all our friends that will be taking part in that celebration also!!!

As soon as I recover from this weekend, I'll post some pics of the festivities. Have a great weekend....

The Ending Of An Icon...The New Beginning...

All great things must eventually come to an end. October 1st, marked the official closing of a south Arkansas icon. Even though the doors had been locked weeks before and the aroma still somehow lingered in the air, Dad's Place is now a living memory. Yes, a part of me is sad...but the overwhelming majority of me is estatic because God was able to sell our business to a wonderful Christian couple who wants to continue the ministry that our family began in 2004. The new name...'The Coffee Bean'. If you are in the area, please do yourself a favor and stop in...tell them 'Dad sent ya!'

It has been a road unlike anyother that I have traveled. When God called us to move to the Northcoast of Ohio, we began seeking His guidance and understanding. We knew that He and only He could sell our business. And so to Jesus Christ, we give ALL glory and honor and praise for providing for our family and selling our beloved 'Dad's Place.' Thanks to each of you, many whom I've never met, for your countless hours of prayer and support for our family during this incredible journey!

Over the next few weeks and months, I plan on taking you down the many roads that we have traveled seeking God's perfect Will...desiring nothing but to please Him. Be sure to drop by often as this will be a journey you really don't want to miss.

I've started my new part-time job, and with the sale of our business, we're beginning to get back in somewhat of a routine. Something that I've missed drastically! I'm an extremely organized individual and coupled with my distinct adult ADHD, I've been a proverbial 'basket case'! This routine is such a welcomed relief!

As you can tell, there is such a sense of relief...a massive burden that has been lifted in our lives. A relief that can only come from the ONE who gives hope...from the ONE whose timing is always on time...from the ONE whose love is like no other...from the ONE who we will forever praise. His name is Jesus...the name above all other names...our Savior...our Provider...our King.