Pastor Pusch

Dickens wrote, “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times… it was the season of Light, it was the season of darkness… it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair…”

It seems that over the last year my family has experienced both sides of the emotional, mental, and physical spectrum that Dickens penned in the opening line of his classic title  A Tale of Two Cities. However, to bring the last 12 months to summation, I would have to say, we experienced the greatest of times showered only by the grace of God.

June 2009 proved to be a trying time in our family as we had to take our daughter Jovie in for surgery to repair her cleft palate. While Jovie was clueless to the situation, Rena and I were charting new and unexpected territory. This was perhaps the most difficult process to endure. We had complete confidence in Jovie’e care, but it was still my little baby girl who had to suffer. I cannot even begin to tell you how much joy and happiness Jovie Madelyn has brought to our home. We released Jovie into the arms of the surgeon with indescribable feelings swinging back and forth between hope and despair. Today, Jovie is doing extremely well and has not experienced any further problems. Grace.

July 2009 we learned that Jovie was going to be a big sister. Overall we were excited about receiving another gift of God, but it would be a complete lie if I told you that we did not experience feelings of another kind as we wondered whether or not we were ready for child number 2 after all we have experienced with number 1. Today, we are within 6 weeks of delivery, and words would fail to describe the great anticipation we feel as we wait for the arrival of Jovie’s little sister. Grace.

September 2009 taught us unforgettable lessons. Two seizures landed me in the hospital for a series of tests that brought forth darkening results. After reviewing the results, doctors wasted no time scheduling surgery. After surgery, recovery was a challenge. From anxiety to full mental breakdown, I experienced everything in between. Thankfully I have been taken off the medications that caused such instability. The pathology reports all came back the same week of surgery. Today, all is well. What was thought to be a low grade brain tumor with malignant activity is no longer. I am taking 1 medication with little to no side effects (for only 6 more months) and to this day all of my scans have come back clean and clear. A miracle for sure. Grace.

It is not like we have not seen God’s hand at work in our lives before, it just 2009 has been a year like none other. Words fail to describe how grateful we are as a family. God continues to mold us and shape us. He has given us new perspective and we enter 2010 with great anticipation thankful for all that He has done and will continue to do. While 2009 brought with it great trials and heartache, I can say for me, it was indeed the “best of times.” Grace.

“And the God of all grace…will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.” I Peter 5:10-11

Blessings,
PastorPusch

The title to this blog post is actually the title to one of the articles you can find in the premier issue of The Brink magazine. What is The Brink? The Brink is the newest magazine for young adults. Coupled with 13 weeks of five day devotions for the young adults, The Brink magazine focuses on three areas in which we hold as valuable: belonging, growing, and serving. The Brink magazine is the newest addition to the D6 Curriculum provided by Randall House Publications, Nashville, TN. If you’re looking for a new and fresh approach to young adult ministry, let me suggest that you order your copy of The Brink magazine.

Turn The Brink into your next Sunday School class or Small Group study with leadership resources located on TheBrinkOnline.com website. TheBrinkOnline.com is an interactive website designed especially for young adults. Interact with articles, post your comments, or check out the Blog written by The Brink editor/creator, Jacob Riggs. You can also meet up with your small group or connect with other YA’s with TheBrinkOnline.com.

Articles added weekly. Join a small group online. Preview upcoming issues.

*TheBrinkOnline.com is looking for article writers! To receive article guidelines, send an email to thebrink@randallhouse.com.

While I hesitate to say that I am ready for smaller pants, I will say that most of my bottom wear is starting fit more loosely. There are a couple reasons as to why I hesitate so much. I hesitate because I do not want to jinx myself! Odd, I know, but that is the reality I face. Another reason I hesitate to say I am ready for a smaller size is because I do not plan on stopping here. I will endure the belt and move the notch until it is absolutely necessary for me to go and by smaller clothes.

For me, the thought of smaller sizes is a thought that is too good to be true. When you are this size, clothes are hard to shop for and can be very embarrassing and defeating at times. At this size, your apparel is extremely limited and you are at the mercy of the “big mans” store as to what you are going to look like. Yes, a thought too good to be true. For years I have shopped at the same place for the same size for the same me (probably bigger me-s as the years went by). Right now, it’s hard to tell the difference in weight loss. If someone were only 40lbs overweight and they lost 20lbs, you would notice a great difference. However, at this size, 20lbs is pretty much unrecognizable in the mirror. All I have right now is the scale telling me that I am indeed smaller than I was last week.

So that’s it. Here are my thoughts on weight loss this week. I am about 20 minutes away from weighing in. I will put this particular blog on hold until then and publish it with this week’s results below.

The Results
Week 3: -7lbs
Total: 23.5lbs