Jul 7th, 09
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Family or Ministry? Honestly, my answer is both. It’s hard to have a ministry w/out a family and it’s hard for your family to really be separated from your ministry. However, if it comes down to the hard question of which one will you choose over the other… my answer 10 times out of 10 will be my family. Growing up, I was instilled with almost a mafia-type appreciation for my family. (The word ‘respect’ was mentioned pretty often) We’ve all heard the phrase Blood is thicker than water, and I learned at an early age that this was truth. We may not always get along the best, but I know that when I really need them, my family is always there for me and will go to great lengths to help me out. So, I put family first – and for a variety of reasons:
1. You lose your family, you will most likely lose your ministry anyway. The other way doesn’t necessarily always play out – if you lose your ministry, your family is still there. So it goes to show that the most effort should probably be put in your family as it is a driving force behind your ministry in the first place.
2. God instituted the family first. Before the church, God instituted the family. Our families deserve a much higher priority than we often give them. My first priority as a dad is to make sure that I am discipling my children. If I can’t disciple my own children, how can I expect to disciple anyone else?!
3. By placing family first we model an example. When we make our family a priority, it shows other people that they need to do the same. Often times people put jobs or hobbies above the ones closest to them.
4. When all else fades, family remains. You are stuck with your family whether you like them or not. 
And when careers come and go, homes fade, cars rust, and technology goes obsolete – what you have left is your investment in your family.
One day we will all hit that golden age when we retire. All of the ‘fame’ we have hoped to generate with our names will be forgotten by then. It’s a hard reality to understand that we are all replaceable. However, in the end, I am the only one that can be my sons dad. There are simply some relationships in my family that are not replaceable. So I want to be the best that I can be.
Jan 12th, 09
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Growing up some of my fondest memories were with my dad. He would take my brother and I (in alternating years) to Spring Training baseball in Florida. We’d escape the cold of Middle GA and head down to the warm state to watch some of our favorite teams. Riding around in March with the windows down, playing top 40 radio (80′s at the time), spending time with my dad and nursing my sunburn somehow combined remind me of great times.
When I was a kid, I LOVED baseball. I collected baseball cards, and played Little League. In fact, until the strike in the 90′s, I followed it pretty regularly. On the wall in my room were two 3d posters of Wade Boggs and “Rocket” Roger Clemens — both of whom still played for the great Boston Red Sox at the time, of course.
Last year I had the idea to make a trip back down to Florida and enjoy some time with my dad and baseball. However, Shay had just arrived and it wasn’t possible – but this March I will be going to a few Braves games with my dad. I am looking forward to spending some time with him and enjoying a few games.
I hope I’m able to create some great memories with Shay. Thanks dad! I’m looking forward to our trip!
Dec 21st, 08
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There could be a blog hiatus this week… my in-laws don’t have wifi. In fact, the only internet they have is on a high speed mobile card (one that uses Verizon Wireless cell phone connection). They live too far in the country for a cable or dsl high speed option.
So, I’ll take this moment to say Merry Christmas! Tonight we read parts of
Luke 1 and 2 at church… I would encourage you to do the same if you haven’t already!
I’m looking forward to seeing Mel’s family. It’s been 2 years since we’ve all been there (I think Mel has been up one other time). Mel is such a trooper not going home for 2 years. It will be Shay’s first trip to Mama-B and G-dad’s house! One of many I’m sure. I’m also looking forward to the cookies Mel’s mom makes. Orange cookies, Angel cookies, Chocolate ones with cherries, Buckeyes, and Peanut Butter cookies. What a wonderful tradition! They are THE BEST. Her sister makes some pretty good chocolate chip cookies too. I will not be working out next week, so I’m sure to undo months of exercise - but it will be worth it!
If I don’t see you this week, Merry Christmas!
Dec 21st, 08
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Since Mel and I are leaving… like, tomorrow… for Northern VA for Christmas, the Gillen’s had our Christmas yesterday. In fact, my grandmother flew in and got to spend the night with us as well. Shay loves spending time with his Great-Grandmother, so it was great she was here. Here are some highlights:
- We had great food! Ribs from Honeybaked Ham, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, corn casserole, Hawaiin sweet rolls (those things are the BEST!), and chocolate silk pie. Love it!
- I got exactly what I wanted, money for Shay’s 529 plan (College Savings Account). Sweet!
- Nana always has some funny stories to tell.
- The super sweet handlebars I cut, specifically for our Gillen Christmas. (see pic below… it’s not the best one of me, but a good one of Shay)
- Seeing family is always great. I like family time.
- Taking Nana drifting in the vette was hilarious. She was not a fan.
- The weather was so warm, we had the air on and the windows open. That’s MY kind of Christmas. Of course, today it’s freezing.
- Shay had so much fun with the family that he stayed up 2 hours past his bedtime and would not go to sleep!
- My mom did a good job singing on Rock Band. It is a fun game, I wish the Beales were into it… I’d pack it up and take it to VA with me!
- Bora LOVED her toys. She didn’t stop playing with them. And she got a bone for the second time since Shay has been born. Shay tries to eat them, so we don’t give them to her anymore. She went after it a few times and she just carried it into the other room… she was not interested in sharing!
- Christmas is a great time to celebrate the birth of our Savior!
- And yes… the fu manchu is gone now…
Dec 15th, 08
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One of our family Christmas pics… Merry (early) Christmas!
Dec 5th, 08
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Tonight’s party for Mel was a success. We had a great time. Here are some of my highlights:
- Great friends. Mel and I are blessed to have some excellent friends and family.
- Mel’s sister Erin is in town for the weekend. She is always a blast to have around.
- We had Rock Band set up, and it was a blast. Yes, Rock Band.
- It seems everyone knows Mel pretty well. She opened her cards when we got home and she has 8 (or so) gift cards to Starbucks. It started getting humorous after the third or fourth one. No doubt she will use them all!
- My favorite was the card from the Lairds. It said “Mel, you’re welcome, The Lairds.” Apparently Olivia told Bryant to write her name on the card but he wrote their name… and then “you’re welcome…” to fix it. Priceless.
- The food from Slopes was great! But we didn’t even eat half of it. Next time I order I’m going to tell them to bring me food for half the amount I’m expecting. I wish I had that money back!
- We had a cake from Publix, and it was awesome. They make the best cakes.
- Again, we’re so blessed to have such wonderful friends.
- Mel is getting old! 30 is a BIG year! I’m not a big party person, so I doubt in 2010 we’ll have a similar party – but 30 is kind of a milestone! You’re no longer the young one!
Happy Birthday Mel! I love you!
Mel blowing out her candles
Dusty and Dan playing Rock Band while the Pipes watch on.
More Rock Band fun, Jen was on drums!
Shay and Jake hanging out at the party.
Mel’s Cake! Aged to perfection.
(Thanks Kristen for the pictures!)
Nov 15th, 08
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I need your help! This year, Mel turns 30 and I am throwing a party for her. I really need some cool ideas of things to do for a 30th birthday party. We don’t usually throw big parties, so it will be fun to do this for her. Obviously, it’s not a surprise.
If you have a good idea, please share it with me! Email me at pat@summitchurchlive.com and let me know!
Nov 14th, 08
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You decide… I’m either rich or brilliant (I have to remind you that I do live on a church planter salary). I’d have to be one to be married to such a hottie.
7 years ago yesterday (Thursday)
Mel and I went on our first date. It was the first date I’d been on in 5 years. It wasn’t that I wasn’t a stud, even though I wasn’t, but after becoming a believer I decided to wait until I was positive that God wanted me to enter a relationship before I started one. I wasn’t interested in simply ‘dating’… and no, it wasn’t just because of
this book.
Anyhow,
Mel and I were best friends first. We enjoyed hanging out together, but I was like a Middle Schooler. I was so scared to ask her out. We worked together, and I heard her turn down 3 or 4 guys who were
youth majors a week! No joke! So, I wasn’t quite sure what kind of a shot I had. After an evening of playing Frisbee golf at the park, I stared at the floor for a few minutes to get up the courage and asked, “Beales, would you like to go out with me?” I had never called her by her last name before, it must have been the nerves. Much to my surprise, she said ‘yes’! Actually, she said “I’d love to Patrick Gillen”… in your face youth majors!
We went to Roanoke, which was about an hour away from
Liberty. In hindsight, if things hadn’t worked out it may have been an awkward drive home. We ate at a great restaurant, and stumbled by a coffee shop afterwards. The coffee shop was closed, but obviously saw that I was shooting way high and he let us in. We have a picture of him. After our coffee by the fireplace in our own private coffee house, we drove up to
the star in Roanoke and just talked for an hour or so… until
Mel said, “Pat, my feet are frozen.”
It all started there. I had no clue then that God would bless me with such an incredible wife. This past August,
Mel and I celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary. The past 7 years have been some of the best in my life! Thinking back and seeing how God has orchestrated the love of my life is encouraging. He definitely knows what’s best for me!
So maybe I’m not brilliant or rich, but I am seriously blessed!
Nov 10th, 08
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I haven’t downloaded my Halloween pics yet… there’s just way too much going on. But thankfully Kristen has, and so I’ll share a few of hers. But here are my obligatory halloween pics of my son. He was a puppy for halloween this year… and our puppy was, well, a baby.
