It has been great for me and my family to get away to visit with some other ministries and take some time to enjoy some vacation from our normal everyday duties! I have honestly done much better at this vacation thing than I thought I would. I have not worked on any sermon stuff – and that is saying a lot for me, because almost everything I see, read or think almost always leads to a sermon. I have missed preaching just a little bit, but really the break has been good. I have not taken a serious break from preaching since I first started pastoring in 1992.
While I have done good at not doing the sermon thing. I have not been quiet so disciplined in the area of being a pastor. In fact, I have thought a lot about Northwood and all of the people that make Northwood so special. The truth is, we just can’t help it! Northwood is more than a church to me and my family – Northwood is a family to my family and Northwood is home! While I have enjoyed some time to enjoy and learn in different environments, I am thankful for a home to head home to and looking forward to the day that we get back there. Until then, I hope everyone knows how much we love them and just in case they don’t, I know that I will be sure to tell them when I get home!
Michael Joe Harvell 
I’m glad you had a much deserved vacation. Thank you for all you do for us. No one could ever express how much of an impact you have on so many peoples lives. I know that your a part of our story. Our children will know that Northwood was the 2nd place that Shane and I went on a date (the first was a corvette car show before church, go figure!) Michael Joe was the pastor that counseled us as we entered our marriage, pronounced our union, and in the years that followed, MJ was the one that reminded us that God was on our side, even through sickness and death, and as for our future, God knew our children even before we did. There is a lot of trust in that. Thank you again. Your a part of our family legacy, and I take pride in that.