Home from the Hospital!!

Well, we are officially..."Married with Children". No longer 'married with child'. Gail and I celebrate 9 years of marital bliss in August of this year, with a 2 1/2 year old son, Anthony, and a 4 day old daughter, Emily. I am immeasurably blessed! I just wanted to add a few highlight pictures from the past couple days. Have a great week!!

Gail and Emily, out for a walk!

Anthony & His new Big Wheel
No walk is complete without visiting the "Funny Tree"
Emily's first bath at Grandpa and Grandma Gummermans
**Squeak-Sqweak** All Clean!!
Gail lookin' fabulous!! ;)

No Time to Waste!!

Leaving Gail and Emily at the hospital in Bloomington, I traveled 3 hours south to lead worship at our home church, O'Fallon Assembly of God. Gail and Emily (51 hours old) were picked up by Grandpa and Grandma Gummerman on Sunday morning and went home from the hospital while I was in O'Fallon. I was slightly disappointed they didn't go to church...I mean really, delivering a baby on Friday, surely you could be ready for church on Sunday, right?

Okay, before I get hate e-mail...I'm just kidding.

I was honored to lead worship at our home church. O'Fallon Assembly has been such a marvelous blessing to our family and our ministry. Pastor Dale Edwards is a seasoned veteran with a wealth of knowledge, spiritual wisdom, and the inside scoop on the finest donuts in Illinois. (You name the town--he'll name the coffee/donut shop or restaurant) We often refer to him as 'the Pastor's Pastor'. He and his wife have made immeasurable investments in our lives.

Pastor & Dottie Edwards

It's A Girl!!

Pardon me as I'm just too tired to blog any clever verse, but I'll give you what you want anyway...

Emily Joy VanBriggle was born at 5:26 AM on Friday, 5/26 in Bloomington, IL!! She is 6 lbs. 15 oz. and 20" long. She and Mommy are doing incredibly well. Daddy and Anthony are beaming.

Grandparents, well, kinda happy, I guess ;)

Ladies & Gentleman...

Emily Joy...

.............................................................................................................

Impersonator, Emily Joy, in her 'I'm not a crook' Pose

(Except, she stole my heart!!)

Mommy, Anthony, and Emily

Daddy, Anthony & Emily
Grandpa Gummerman & Emily
Grandma Gummerman & Emily

My little princess, Emily Joy!

Illinois District Council ~ Springfield, Illinois

Converging on our state capitol, the Illinois District Council of the Assemblies of God begins its annual gathering--District Council. This is an annual event where ministers and church delegates from all over Illinois who are affiliated with the Assemblies of God gather to conduct business, participate in plenary sessions, and meet and reconnect with other ministers.

District Council began today and will conclude on Thursday, May 18. Whole In One has an information booth to connect with pastors and churches who might benefit from our ministry.

Traditionally, Monday night is set aside to recognize and commission the candidates who have fulfilled the requirements to receive credentials with the Assemblies of God. There was a large group receiving their 'License To Preach' and 11 who were 'Ordained', the highest level of credential afforded by the Assemblies of God. It was an incredible evening. Our District superintendent, Rev. Larry Griswold shared from God's Word and from his heart on the importance of 'Patience, Humility, and Reliance' in ministry.


Whole In One Ministries Booth

Whole In One ~ Uniquely You

The 2006 Licensing Candidates

Our District Leadership

Once again, Shameless Exploitation

Just this week, Gail, Anthony, Grandma Gummerman, (Emily Joy), and I took a road trip! We had a lot of fun. Whole In One was asked to lead worship for the Metro North Minister's Meeting in Wood River, IL on Tuesday. We packed up the Suburban on Monday night and headed to O'Fallon for the night. We then led worship at the meeting, and headed up Illinois' famed River Road (SR 100) which follows the Mississippi River, then along the Illinois River. It is a beautiful trip with the bluffs to the east and the river to the west...sun setting! Wow!! We stopped for a few minutes to burn some energy and take some blog pictures at Pere Marquette State Park. So, please, pardon me as I shamelessly fill this spot with my son, Anthony!!

Robinwood Assembly of God

Gail and I had the privilege of sharing in ministry in Robinson, Illinois at Robinwood Assembly of God. Pastor Parks welcomed us with open arms. We shared in the morning and evening services. The church had an all-church cookout in the afternoon which led us to a lighthearted time of music and drama.

Whole In One felt right at home as the congregation warmly welcomed us and joined us in a time of music and drama. Robinson is located southeast of Effingham, IL below I-70, just a few miles shy of the Indiana border. Taking State Route 33 into Robinson, we had the distinct honor of passing through Oblong, Illinois. Gail and I chuckled as we had driven from Normal, Il through Oblong to get to Robinson!

Thank you, Pastor and Joy for your kind hospitality and all those who helped us Sunday...(Kip & Tony) You were a true blessing!!

Pastor James Parks

Their sign was destroyed by a massive storm on Easter, this was the next best thing!!

The Unpictured...But Not Forgotten!!

I sincerely apologize as I've been slackin' in the camera and blog department. We've had a variety of ministry engagements and events that have happened in the past couple of months that I've just failed to blog and get pictures. April 23, we shared in ministry at the Wood River United Church of Christ in the morning, and at Abundant Life Community Church in Alton, IL in the evening. April 30 we shared in ministry again at Abundant Life in the evening service. These churches were a blessing to us, and I look forward to adding more entries in the future as we've been invited back to both!! (Thanks!!)

There have been meetings and conferences and lots of fun at the Illinois District campgrounds in preparation for Fine Arts. These moments were recorded in eternity...unfortunately they just failed to make my blog. May God have mercy on my soul!! LOL!!

Blessings!