Meetin' Deacons & Preaching to the Choir

It has been a very busy week here at the Swamp. On Monday evening Rob met with the Deacons from Crown Point Baptist Church. They asked him a variety of personal and spiritual questions and eventually voted to ordain him. It is wonderful to have people see the goodness in him that I have seen all along. Since this journey to becoming an Army Chaplain started shortly after Christmas, a lightness has been a part of Rob that was missing for a while. Great to have that back!

On Thursday Rob had PRK eye surgery. First lets all be honest here--husbands make lousy patients. Drops four times a day, having to keep the house as dark as a cave, tummy aches and all that other good stuff that goes with a grown man not feeling 100%. Poor guy, the one thing he really lacks is patience and unfortunately, it is the primary thing Rob really needs right now. Four days after his surgery he had the contact lens bandages removed and now just has to wait a bit for the vision to improve as he heals.

In the midst of all this activity, Rob had to prepare a sermon for Sunday night service. Keep in mind he couldn't read anything all week, couldn't really focus on any print smaller than about 2 inches and needed to make an outline just for reference. Guess who got recruited to prep the preacher for his sermon. I had never heard Rob preach before. Wait, check that, he preaches "at me" all the time, this would be a new setting for me hearing him. I was really excited and nervous for him. Rob has really found his calling as he prepares to enter the Army as a Chaplain. With that said, it is interesting to watch how the Word of God effects him in a more powerful and emotional way lately.

As Rob went on to preach last night, he told the congregation his trials and tribulations of the week. When he told everyone that he couldn't read the Bible because of his eyes, he said he simply held the Book over his heart to help him find the words and place them in his memory so he could do a good job. Of course I got choked up, as did our friend Candace who joined us last night. A beat passed and he was well on his way to a fabulous sermon. YOU ROCK BABY!

His "Run For Your Life" sermon will soon be available on the Church's website for those of you interested in watching or listening. I mentioned "preaching to the choir" in the title of this posting. As Rob went in to some of his anecdotes and stories, he had a couple of the choir ladies cracking up. It was great feedback since he couldn't really see anyone's faces as he was preaching. He shared a funny story from his childhood that I had heard several times and I was laughing to the point of tears. All I can say is that it is a miracle that Rob's younger brother, Rick, survived and is somewhat normal. By the way, HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY BROTHER! I say somewhat normal since neither of the Patterson boys are quite right. Another great example of God's sense of humor.

Today Rob wrapped up his final packet for endorsement and we eagerly await our next step in this journey that we have embarked upon.

The more I talk to God each evening the more comfortable I am becoming with my role as Rob's partner in this mission. There is much that I still have to learn, but I'm good with jumping in with both feet. Our friends and family have been a huge support and for all of them we are so thankful. Even those that have joshed about us (mostly me) going into this new venture. All of that helps to keep things normal. And, for those who haven't changed the way you are with "Pastor Rob" we thank you. He is still the same weather geek, Trekkie and general nerd he has always been.

More soon.