VBS Pictures Day Two

These are just camara phone pictures but give you the flavor of last night.

Chick-Fila and VBS

Last night began VBS at First UMC. My kids had a great time. Here is a shot of Aiden playing a water competition game. It was so good to see him with a big smile. It is hard to move, leave friends and start over so I was glad to see Aiden and the rest enjoying themselves.


Sunday after church we went with Darris (Sr. Pastor), his wife Erma, and Sandeep Kapoor out to eat. We did not have the best dining experience. Sandeep is the owner/operator of Chick-Fila in Morristown. He and his family moved here from Atlanta four years ago. Anyway, Sandeep invited us to his resturant to eat last night before Bible school. The kids especially liked the desserts. I was impressed by Sandeep's character and persona. He even offered to hold Pierson so we could eat our food. He is a father of four and knows what it is like to eat with a small child. Thanks Sandeep for such a warm welcome to Morristown and I look foward to getting to know your family.

My First Week Back in the Saddle

It has been a while since my last entry, partly because no internet but mostly because of my first week in my new position at First UMC Morristown. It has been a whirlwind week. Installation service last Sunday, Went to staff meeting which I planned to be at church 3 hours and was there six, Wednesday and Thursday meeting people, learning the ropes (and how to get around in the building), Sunday (yesterday) preaching 3 services. It has been busy. Things don't slow down this week. Vacation Bible School, meetings about reorganizing the church, expanding the nartex, etc.

Overall it has been fun. Yesterday was the first time I preached three times in a row. Must say it wasn't as difficult as I had been told but yet I also came home after lunch and took a nap. I really missed preaching, leading, being a pastor to people. The most difficult thing so far is getting to know people's names and earning their trust. In my last church of 120 people, I learned their names more quickly than I thought. This is about 4-5x the number of people so it will take longer. I am kind of envious of my friends Aaron and Bryan who went back to their church where everybody knew them and vice versa because they didn't have such a learning curve of learning people, a church, and a community. Yet talking to them I realize they have felt swamped as well.

Today we go look at the house again to get measurements to update the floors and the carpets. We are scheduled to close on July 16th and hope to begin painting and updating that day so we can get in as soon as possible. Kate is with me this week in Morristown in the House a member of the church is letting us use. The kids had fun in it with the open rooms. There are horses in the backyard because it is connected to a farm. I would like to update things with pictures but my downloading cords that connect the camara to the computer are in a box somewhere. I look forward to destroying every box and getting settled soon.

I hope to update 2-3 times a week so I will do my best to keep up with that. Have a good week.

Tennessee Ten Commandments

Someone in my last church (Who shall go nameless), emailed this to me. Thought you might get a kick out of it.


Some people in Tennessee have trouble with all those "shalls" and "shall nots" in the Ten commandments. Folks just aren't used to talking in those terms. So, some folks in middle Tennessee got together and translated the "King James" into "Jackson County" language.... no joke, read on...

The Hillbilly's Ten Commandments (posted on the wall at Cross Trails Church in Gainesboro, TN.)

(1) Just one God
(2) Honor yer Ma & Pa
(3) No tellin' tales or gossipin'
(4) Git yourself to Sunday meetin'
(5) Put nothin' before God
(6) No foolin' around with another fellow's gal
(7) No killin'
(8) Watch yer mouth
(9) Don' t take what ain't yers
(10) Don't be hankerin' for yer buddy's stuff

Now that's kinda plain an' simple, don't ya think? Y'all have a nice day.

Finally Found a Home!!!

Yes, it is true. It is not a misprint. We finally found the right home for us.

The saga on this home began last Saturday. The house came on the market about a week ago and we saw it with others on Saturday. We put in a low bid and after a few counteroffers, we said goodbye to it because they wanted to much for it. Over the past three days while at annual conference, the realtor for the seller brought them down more and we agreed on a fair price. We close July 16th. It finally feels like we will have a place to go and to live. It is fun to see the excitement on Kate's face for what she is thinking of doing in terms of redecorating, furniture, etc. It makes us more excited to move there.

To top it all off, I also bought a car today, a Honda Civic I was planning on buying a better gas mileage car when I came back this summer since I sold our other minivan last year. I had a great deal worked out in Florida because of my Step-father Bob but got the same car here for just a little more money because of the benevolence of a car dealer in the church. This was the most amount of money I spent in one day in my life. These were too big decisions and I'm glad they are completed. Thanks for your prayers.

Another Perspective of Ordination

Being part of ordination means I didn't get many good pictures. Aaron updated his blog with pictures of the night. Click here to view them on his blog. Thanks for the coverage Aaron.

I'm Ordained

Monday night was my ordination service seven years in the making! It really could not have been a nicer night; not to hot, inspiring, and special. I didn't get too good pictures. I did sit in the front row and grabbed a couple with my camara phone. Bishop Hayes from the Oklahoma conferenced preached on "Carrying a small stick". He shared from his own experience that you never have the resources you need to do God's work and you have to depend on him, that's the way he wants it. It was excellent. Dr. Kalas would have been pleased.

There were 21 ordinands ordained, many of whom I have known for years. I felt a lot like a graduation service going across the stage.

What made it special was the relationships. Kate got to go across the stage with me. John Brewster and Cynthia Thompson were my sponsors and laid hands on me. They led my monthly meetings with other ordinands from my district. Fred Dearing, the one who helped me get through this year was there and prayed for me too. Aaron Wymer, Fellow BP, came down and was there. Aaron, your presence there was appreciated more than you will know. Dean and Nancy, my inlaws were there and helped us with the kids. Kate's aunt Marion came down to help with the kids and help prepare some snacks to share with folks after the service at the house. Thanks Marion. You always provide love in tangible service. It was also special because the Morristown Choir sang at the service. They were excellent. Normally when it is your turn to be prayed for by the bishop, anyone who is a friend can stand up. Since I am going to Morristown, I am told the whole choir stood up for me. What an honor. Thanks, Choir. All in all it was a special night.

Do I feel any different? No, not really. I feel like this is the completion of something I began years ago and to which God wants me to do. I do pray for a greater anointing of God on my life and a increased passion for him. I still have a ways to go but am thankful for how God has worked in my life up to this point.

We head back friday to look again at houses. We thought we found one but they again wanted a little to much than what it was worth. We have a couple more options. I am installed with the rest of the staff on Sunday at the church and start a week from Wednesday. Now is when the rubber meets the road. I must say I am not that nervous but looking forward to what God is going to do.

Worship with the Wymers and Ordination

This week (sun - wed) we are at Annual conference for the Holston Conference. On our way over to Lake Junaluska, we went to fellow BP Aaron Wymers church. We came a week earlier than expected and it was nice to surprise them. It was good to see Aaron's church and see him in action. Often in the Beeson Program it was hard to get a feel for preaching. It was neat to see Aaron in his element. Grandview Christian Church has a lot going on and a effective ministry. We were warmly greeted and welcomed by several people in the church. He, Cindy, and the kids are a blessing to that community.

Tonight is my ordination service. There are 21 ordinands who will be ordained. Bishop Hayes from Oklahoma conference will be bringing the message. Needless to say, I am looking forward to it. It has taken me almost seven years for this process to be completed and it's time. Hopefully I can add some pictures in the next few days. Gotta go...

"googling Yourself"

Have you ever googled yourself? That sounds a little bad doesn't it. "Googling Yourself" can be encouraging or discouraging enterprise. I'm told that people do it all the time to find out about people. I did it this morning. Apparently there is another Scott Layer who is a athletic director and a race car driver. Most of the references to me were from Aaron and Bryan's blogs or from funerals that I had done. If you have a moment, "google yourself" and find out about you and other people who have your name.

Remembering Ann

This has been a tough week for our family. Kate’s aunt Ann whom she was close to died on Tuesday. She had been battling breast cancer for almost eight years. I did the funeral on Thursday with one of Kate’s cousins. Ann wanted the service to be in her own words, “Light and fluffy”, meaning she wanted it not to be too serious but upbeat, like she was.

I first met Ann 15 years ago when I came to Tennessee courting one of her nieces. When I think of Ann, I first think of her smile. Ann was a person who smiled, who smiled ear to ear. Ann’s face radiated her spirit. She was a positive person who radiated warmth. She was an encourager, the life of the party. She was always cracking jokes, even in her last days. Ann was an easy person to talk to.

Ann was a person of hospitality. I remember that every time you came by she gave you her full attention and did anything she could to make you feel at home.

Ann was an accepting person. As an outsider and as a Yankee, I always felt that she liked me and that made a difference. She believed that you should love and accept everybody.

Ann was a person of faith. She accepted Christ as a young girl at Vacation Bible School and trusted him for her salvation. I’m told as a young girl that she was very involved in the church in the country when she was young.

Ann was a loving person. She loved her husband, her children, her grandchildren, her sisters and brother, her entire family. Jesus said the 2nd greatest commandment was like the first, to love your neighbor as yourself. She was a person who did that.

We’ll miss you Ann, but we know this is not a goodbye but a see you later.

On Friday night after the graveside and the eating afterwards, there was a fast moving storm which hit our area. It rained hard and was windy. After it passed, we saw a large rainbow which extended from one end of the sky to the other. It was the most beautiful rainbow I had ever seen. It was a reminder from God that he is with us in the midst of this difficult journey.

A Daddy Date

So what am I doing with this time off before I start work? Today I took my girls on a daddy date. Kingsport has a great biking and walking trail called the Greenbelt. Kate dropped Maggie, Anna, and I off and we rode bikes for about 1 1/2 miles to the ice cream store. We all had a great time. Maggie suggested we do this again with the whole family. Here are some pictures.

Even Mickey enjoyed it.

Aiden's Blog Creativity

Aiden is sitting with me here and showed me what he did on a blog he created. I asked him how he did it and he explained he used HTML and Java Script and I have no idea what that means. Check it out. http://www.aidensneoblogs.blogspot.com/ Put your mouse over the different characters at the bottom and they show different moods.

And Then there were none

We'll we are all in our various places now. The townhouses are empty. Some are in new houses, others are in temporary space like us. It was sad to leave. A few weeks ago when the first families were leaving, it didn't feel real since we had so much time left before school let out for the kids. The last week the reality set in. Fellow Beeson Friends, I do hope we see each other again, hopefully before graduation. I am taking Jason's lead and praying for you and your churches in my regular prayers.

This week we are at Kate's parents till annual conference for Holston Conference arrives. We are still looking for a house and go down this week to look more. Maggie said to me on the way down "Dad, you have to buy a house. I want to go to my new house." It made me sad. I do too. God has lead us this far and I trust will not leave us hanging. We are going to hang out in Kingsport this week and do some things with the kids during my free time when I am not gainfully employed. Today it is miniture golf. God Bless You!