Greetings from Sedona Arizona

As I write to you on this hot Sunday afternoon, (it's 110 here today) we are in Sedona, Arizona one of my most favorite places. We were here five years ago and I remember having the very same feeling as the first time I stepped onto Cumberland Island ... as if I had always mysteriously known this place even though I had never been here before. I am certainly drawn to Sedona in a very spiritual way. We worshiped this morning at the Verde Valley Presbyterian Church, thirty minutes south in Cottonwood, Arizona and met their delightful and very gifted pastor, Bobbye Clark who is a graduate of San Francisco Theological Seminary. The sermon today was entitled "HOLY HOSPITALITY" and the congregation certainly embodied this theme as they hosted the Arc Angel Choir from the "The Ark" a local center for mentally and physically challenged adults. They provided special music for the service. It was quite moving and a most memorable and meaningful time of worship for our entire family. This afternoon we've bummed around the village and ended our day at the Chapel of the Holy Cross which literally sits atop one of Sedona's magnificent red rock mountains. With any luck at all I will get Jeremy to help me download some of our photos we took today. We were thrilled to finally visit Elvis' Graceland and chow down on the ever famous ribs at The Rendevous in downtown Memphis. We also enjoyed our four days in Branson, MS very much - got to see three shows and a tour of the College of the Ozarks. Thanks to some very generous relatives we resided "in style" at the Big Cedar Resort. Tomorrow we begin our California leg of the journey and will make our way to San Jose to the meeting of the Presbyterian Church General Assembly. Jacob is very excited to be representing the presbytery and our church at this gathering. Sorry it's taken so long to post a blog - but Missouri and places in between are still trying to catch up with the rest of the world! We miss you all and already look forward to our return at the end of the month. Today marks my 13th anniversary as your pastor and I thank God each day for you and for being the most gracious and loving people I know.