Today was a beautiful day in Alabama - the sun came out and it was lovely. Nelda and I went to the church this morning and met Mary the music director and most of the choir. They were beginning to practice some Easter music. Told them we would both like to sing in choir once we get our selves situated. Took some pictures of the church. Don't know how to put in blog but will put in website somewhere.

We drove around to get familiar with the area and then lunch at Applebees across from the church. Met Real Estate agent at 1 p.m. and looked as some houses on Country Club Drive near the church. One we saw on Thursday with Mark and liked it very much, but after several others we found one we want to try to buy. It has a great room with open area including living, dining, kitchen and family room. Nice deck in back and pretty yard. More later if we can get it.

Tomorrow will be our first worship with the folks at Trinity. We will be guests tomorrow and will start work on Monday. This is a great place, far more than we anticipated or expected. God bless you'all and keep praying for us - we will need it.
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Well today was our first full day in Gadsden, Alabama. It was a great day and very full. First, however, on our trip here after spending the night at the Best Western in Vicksburg, Mississippi, got up yesterday morning to a flat tire on left front of motorhome. Thanks be to the Lord that it went flat while in parking lot overnight. Called Good Sam Emergency Service and they sent out some one to put my spare on then went to Jackson and got a new tire for front left also and put replacement on as spare. The tire that went flat was not in very good condition to be fixed. Anyway that cost us about 3 hours so we didn't get to Gadsden until 5 p.m. After setting up at the River Country Campground went to dinner at a local Mexican resturant with Mark Thompson from the church. Sean & Sheri ate with us then left for home in our chevy by way of Nashville to pick up Sean's car at airport.

Back to this morning, met Alex our Allied Van Lines driver at the mini-storage that Mark had arranged to unload our belongings. The local company that he had arranged to help him unload cancelled, so I called Laura at the church and she sent some people from the church to help unload the truck. That went well, then stopped at the church for first look inside. Suprised to see church sign on the highway read, "Welcome Home Pastor PJ & Nelda". Loved the church, will put pictures up when I can. Then Nelda and I went house looking. Looked at about six houses. None exactly what we wanted but several possibilities. Going again tomorrow. May have to get a bit bigger place so Nelda can keep her dining table and china cabinet. Or .....?

Tonight we went to the mall across from the campground. Very impressive. Then went to a resturant called Top of the River Catfish and Seafood. Sat overlooking the Coosa River and ate fried catfish, hushpuppies, french fries, cole slaw, pickled onions and cornbread with appropriate adult beverage. It was delicious and a very popular place on a Friday night, but didn't wait long and so back at campground. Using dialup internet in campground lodge to post this and check email.

Going to wrap up the day and go to bed now. Meeting at church in the morning then more househunting. God bless everybody and thank you again for all your prayers. The Lord is more than good to us - He is outstanding. Good Night!!!
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Greetings from Vicksburg Mississippi. Today we will arrive at Gadsden. It has been an interesting trip. Lots of rain and cold temperatures. First night Sunday we didn't make it to Phoenix as planned but stopped at Quartzite just inside Arizona. Nelda, Nina and I stayed at a desert campsite and Sheri, Sean and kids stayed at motel nearby.

On Monday we got to El Paso and again camped with kids in nearby hotel. Tuesday was another long day. Tried to get to Arlington but had to stop at Weatherford. Rain and wind so bad that Sheri was having problem with night blindness. Found a nice new Econo Lodge and we all stayed there. It was nice for Nelda and I to have a warm room for the night and good showers before heading off yesterday.

Got here earlier but still rained all the way, so we are staying at a Best Western and another comfortable night before getting to our destination. Nina gets to have the motorhome to herself again.

News says that it is snowing in Gadsden but hope it is melted by time we get there later today. Anyway this motel has a high speed internet connection in the room so able to clean out email and record this on my blog.

Thanks for all the prayers. We have seen their result in our safety and smooth sailing! God bless you'all.

PJ

Today was a full day of preparing for our move to Alabama. Our daughter Sheri arrived Saturday with her two youngest sons Joe and Micah. They got to go to Mt. Calvary yesterday with Nelda for my last Sunday with the wonderful people there. The congregation had a reception for us after both services and provided us with real joy in the Lord as we bid them fond farewell. At each service including the Chinese speaking congregation we were given peaceful release as their Follow-up Interim Pastor. Head Elder Bert Talbert was unable to be at church because of illness but provided a very nice written statement on our service at Mt. Calvary for the nearly six months I was with them. The people were all very gracious incuding a number of gifts that we sincerely appreciated. Rita Moreno our church secretary did an excellent job organizing our farewell reception. I will truly miss all our wonderful friends that we made in the brief time we were given to serve with them.

Then yesterday afternoon we attended a fellowship gathering of old Trinity Anaheim friends with whom we had shared our Cursillo times together. Doug and Vicki Lewis hosted at their home and we had a delightful Mexican potluck dinner. It was the last time to see some of the men who would be working a retreat next weekend when we will have our last Sunday at the church which has been our home for nearly 38 years.

Meanwhile on with the packing and getting ready. Our motorhome is back in the shop to get the transmission repaired. Sheri's husband is flying in Wednesday to help us also and drive one of our cars to Gadsden. Sheri will drive the other one. Friday the moving van will be here and meanwhile there is still a lot of stuff in the garage and driveway to dispose of. Our daughter Elizabeth who came down from Oregon last week has been a tremendous help and our son Tim will be coming up from San Diego on Friday to be be here as we prepare to leave Sunday after services. Oh yes, Trinity is also planning an open house for us at the Ken and Joy Dahlberg home in Villa Park on Saturday afternoon. It sure will be quiet once we hit the road heading east to our new home. God is good and we rejoice in all that He has provided through old friends and the new ones we will soon meet in Alabama. Praise the Lord!

Today was my last office day at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church and School in Diamond Bar. All the children made and signed cards with many wonderful and thoughtful sentiments regarding our leaving them and going to Alabama to start a new ministry. Head Elder Bert Talbert and the Church Office Executive Assistant Rita Moreno took me to lunch at the Chinese Resturant accross the street. It was very nice and I will surely miss them and all the great people at Mt. Calvary who have been very supportive and a blessing in my 5 1/2 months with them. Now I must concentrate on our move and in helping Nelda and my daughters Liz and Sheri getting all the packing and disposal done so we can leave on the 22nd.

This Sunday, Feb. 15th will be my last Sunday at Mt. Calvary. Then on the 22nd I will preach my last sermon at Trinity in Anaheim. On Saturday the 21st will be an open house at the home of Ken and Joy Dahlberg in Villa Park, then after the service on Sunday we will leave in our Motorhome followed by Sheri & Sean in our two cars as we caravan eastward to Gadsden, Alabama. We plan to arrive on Thursday so Sean and Sheri can go home by Friday.

There is still much to do but everything is slowly coming together. With the Lord helping us and guiding us we will commit our way unto him and He will bring it to pass.

This morning at Mt. Calvary we received into membership a neat family, Barry & Jackie Geipel and their two children. They also have a very interesting website with lots of great information.Barry L. Geipel