Tuesday, April 18, 2006
A GREAT BIRTHDAY AND A WONDERFUL EASTER SUNDAY
I promised to journal about my birthday party. I have put it off only because I don't know how to put into words the wonderful experience I had. There were a lot of friends from several churches with whom we have ministered over the years. There were 98 people in attendance. The power point of pictures was well done. The young man from my church who interviewed me was absolutely terrific. He had done his homework and asked great and relevant questions. He even used a few props. It was very effective. His closing, following the interview, was so well done and so touching. I have thought about it often. What a great friend he is. My insistance that he is the only one whom I would allow to interview me was vindicted. He was absolutely outstanding. Because of his skills and caring nature all our goals for the interview and the party were accomplished. I am grateful to my wife and daughters for all the work and effort that they put into planning, setting up and carrying it off. Normally I don't like much ado made over by birthday. I just prefer that it sort of come and go and maybe spend it quietly with family and a few friends with whom I feel especially close. But I have to admit I thoroughly enjoyed this birthday party. It was so good to see so many good friends from years back. I'm very glad they didn't try to make it a surprise. It was fun getting to help plan and the set up for the party.
Easter at our church was also very special. We nearly broke our previous record attendance set last Christmas--just three people less in attendance. The worship team planned and led an excellent worship servie. We had a lot of visitors, many of whom may return on a regular basis.
After services, we came home, took a nice nap and then the family joined us at our house for a nice Easter dinner and a pleasant afternoon.
Yes, it was all good!
Jim
posted by jim 9:35 PM 1 comments
Monday, April 03, 2006
This is the invitation the family sent out. Any and all of you are welcome to attend if you are free. You dont' need to RSVP if you don't want to. For directions to the building go to www.countryside-fellowship.org and click on the picture of the building to bring up a map.
Join in the celebration of
Jim Ewing’s
70th birthday
Saturday,
April 8, 2006
Tribute ceremony begins at 2:00 pm with reception immediately following.
Countryside Christian Fellowship
600 West 500 North
Lebanon, Indiana 46052
RSVP to LeDena Ewing at
lewing485@yahoo.com or (317) 337-0094
Please, no gifts. He is too old to carry them home!
posted by jim 10:24 PM 0 comments
THE BIRTHDAY PARTY
My family has prevailed! They have wanted to have a big "celebration" to recognize my birthday. It is not what I would choose. I prefer to just "let it happen" without fanfair or drawing attention to myself. Usually I get my wish. But they think this one is one of those "milestones" that merits a special observance.
So Saturday (the day after the actual birthday) they have planned an observance at our church. Karon calls it a "Pre-Obituary Service"! She and the girls are making it a time when people will learn all about my past life. Well, not "all about it", but enough! A young man from our church who is a Sophomore in college is going to "interview" me. Of all the people who might to do, he is one of the very few I would trust to do this. I respect him highly and he and I have a good relationship. So that part should be fun.
We just want it to be entertaining and informative. So I have spent some time reviewing my life and putting some things on paper for my "interviewer" to work with. He and I met this evening and we have a handle on the direction we want this to take. It should be good. My friend is very intelligent and very capable of pulliing this off and making it a success. He has lots of ideas--none of which he has shared with me! So we'll see.
The family has invited our whole church and in addition they have sent special invitations to people from our other churches. Should be quite a crowd. I hope no one is bored!
Besides the interview, we'll have some very special music from a good friend who is an outstanding piano player. And of course, there will be cake and visiting.
This old man will probably be exhausted by the time it is over. We're also having a family picture taken that morning.
I'll let you know how it all turns out!
Jim
posted by jim 9:56 PM 1 comments
