Encouraged and Excited

I wrote a few months ago about two of my most influential friends. Greg Letherer was my math teacher and basketball coach in eighth and ninth grade. He was the first person to really introduce me to the gospel. Eighth grade was the year God began to expose many of the lies I had been taught growing up in the cult.

The other friend is Stuart Latimer. Stuart was a pastor at the church that started the school where I teach. Stuart patiently led me to the miraculous grace of the gospel. He introduced me to Tim Keller's sermons and has been encouraging me to pursue pastoring for several years.

I've known for a few weeks that I might be getting to see them both this week, but I found out yesterday that they're both coming to my house to spend a few days. I haven't seen Greg since July of 2005. I haven't seen Stuart since last summer.

It's hard to even say what I'm feeling with both of them coming this week. It seems dramatic, but I am overwhelmed with gratitude that I get to see them both in the same week. The last two years have been the toughest I've ever experienced. Especially in terms of ministering to and even just getting along with other people. I feel encouraged beyond words that God is giving me the gift of time with these two friends this week.