Thank You, Willow View

By Pastor Mark McAdow
It’s GREAT to be home! The Staff Parish Relations Committee gave me a four-week sabbatical (I took three) for much needed rest, renewal and restoration in July. Robin and I invested time visiting Christian friends, living without a schedule, reading, worshipping and resting.

We spent this past week in Colorado on vacation with our entire immediate family — something that rarely happens anymore with three married children and two grandchildren. It was a blessing! We got home Sunday evening and have “hit the ground” running. Robin left for Montana yesterday morning for a week to help our “Montana McAdows” move into their "new/old" home in Missoula.

I want to thank you all for the privilege of some time away. Special thanks to the SPRC led by Irene Clem and to our amazing Willow View staff – Emily, Scott, Mandie, Penny, Jessica, Chandra and Linda – for taking such great care of you in my absence. I also want to give special thanks to our guest preachers: Matt Lohman, Brian Meyer, Scott Heusel and Phil Wilson. It’s wonderful to have faithful godly men ready and willing to share the Word of God and love of Jesus in such tangible and challenging ways. Willow View is the Body of Christ and we’re each members of His Body!

I’ve heard some great reports from our Christian summer camps – how our youth and children were spiritually blessed, and some surrendered their lives to our Lord Jesus Christ. Praise God! I’ve heard our Mission Team served at the Enid Welcome Table, how Kathy Oberlender led a dynamic Wednesday morning Bible study on the Holy Spirit and people continued to gather for prayer on Wednesday nights. What a thrill as your pastor to hear!

As always, I have a few stories to tell about our adventures. I’ll share one now. We were in the Safeway in Estes Park, Colorado, in a check-out line behind an older lady. I felt the Holy Spirit “prompt” me to speak to her. I said, “If she looks back at me, I’ll greet her.” She did and I did. I discovered she had lived in town for the past 26 years. When I inquired about her family, she told me she had no children or grandchildren, and her husband of 67 years died one month ago. I told her I was sorry – it must be very lonely. I shared how I often tell my Enid friends (you all) this truth: “Life is hard, but God is good. Both are true. She gave a half-hearted smile, and I said, “May I give you a hug?” (Guys, you should probably ask your wife about that before you do!) She had to be about 85. She said “yes.” It was maybe the first hug she had had in a month, and from a complete stranger! I knew right them – this was a Divine appointment. Keep your eyes open- The Lord may have a Divine appointment in mind for you today!

Looking forward to being with you this Sunday to share a hug or two. (They’re much better and healthier than donuts, though I love donuts, too!)

Yours in Christ’s love,
Pastor Mark