Milestones (Again)

May 8, 1982 I graduated from Freed-Hardeman College. I was 22 years old, engaged to be married, and had a preaching job in a nice, quiet small town in west Tennesse. It was an exciting day! I recieved no special honrs, just my diploma. That's ok. I didn't earn any special honors. I made good grades, but not great ones.

I took a little time between graduation and my first Sunday to preach. I really don't remember a whole lot about it. I was probably trying to get everything ready to move to Atwood. Somewhere in that time, I think, I picked up a black & white TV set (19-inch) for about $20.00. It lasted us for the next 2 and a half years. I can remember that my nephew visited us and wanted to watch our TV. Now you must remember this little boy had never seen a b&w TV before. He said, "Something's wrong! The color won't work in your TV!

I preached my first sermon at Atwood the last weekend in May. I lived and worked there by myself for about a month. Laura was in Georgia getting ready for the wedding.

I'm not sure if the following incident happened that first month or later, but it was sometime early on. I had preached that morning, and for some reason, that night, I got "wound up" and preached 45 minutes (really too long for me). Anyway, a lady who has since become a very dear friend, walked out, shook my hand, and with a deadpan (and sarcastic) expression said, "I enjoyed both those sermons, and I'm not counting the one this morning!

I enjoyed my years at Atwood. We met people who have stayed friends since that time. When we go back, they are always glad to see us. It was a good learning experience. I had time to go into my office and do some good foundational study for sermons and for classes. They helped get my master's degree and encouraged us in so many ways.

Atwood was the place where my wife and I began our life together and it was the place where my son began his life. We will forever be grateful to God for the church of Christ in Atwood, TN.