Good Bye to the Land of Beer and Cheese
Author: Bobby Valentine | Filed under: Bobby's World, Family, Journey, Milwaukee, Tucson
Good-Bye to the Land of Beer and Cheese
This is the last blog that will originate from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. My emotions are terribly conflicted at the moment: I will miss my family and my adopted city greatly but I am very excited about the new opportunity in Tucson, Arizona. But I owe Southside and Milwaukee a debt of gratitude that I will never be able to repay.
Though this is indeed the land of beer, Milwaukee however, I have discovered, is far more than that. The city parks are magnificent (I know of no city with a Root River Parkway). The Domes, Miller Park, German Fest, Italian Fest, African-World fest, the Public Museum and Art Museum are places of fond memories.
But Milwaukee is really special because it is the home of Southside Church of Christ. Here I have been challenged and asked to grow. Here my family has changed and become more of what our Abba would have us to be. With this family we went camping with at Blue Mound State Park, we played Sheepshead, shot pool, went to concerts, saw the Brewers, Bucks and Packers … and we prayed, studied and shared the gospel together.
Milwaukee and Southside are not “events” though … they are people. Great people. These are folks who for some reason have allowed a mediocre preacher the awesome privilege of standing before them and talking about the kingdom of God. They have often surprised me with things totally unexpected. Yesterday, as I closed my lesson from 2 Timothy 2.8-13, “Don’t Forget,” at the end of “second worship,” I was stunned as the congregation started to applaud. It was a very moving moment and completly unexpected. Yes, I will miss Milwaukee. I will miss Southside.
But PaLO VErde is also, I have discovered a people of great love and vision. I believe that God is directing our path to an even grander adventure in Tucson. The cloud moved and our Abba has only our good in mind when he directs our paths. In the last few weeks our new family has been worming their way into our heart.
I pray that God will bless Milwaukee and Southside. I pray he will Tucson and Palo Verde.
No more blogs for another week to 10 days.
Shalom,
Bobby Valentine
January 1st, 2007 at 6:15 pm
Ah, that’s really sweet, Bobby! I’m sure that all the people at Southside will miss you terribly and they were blessed tremendously by the time you shared with them doing the Lord’s work. My prayers are with you and your family as you follow God’s calling to a new area.
January 1st, 2007 at 6:29 pm
Good luck and many blessings to you in your journey to Tucson and Palo Verde. I was just thinking this morning about how my mom and dad’s move to Tucson and Palo Verde changed their lives for the better more than anything I can think of in my life.
Their lives were truly revolutionized by that positive, loving, progressive environment and I hope for you and your family the very same thing!
Plus, you’ll love the weather and the climate!! And the mountains and Sonora Desert Museum and the observatory close by and Saguaro National Park out to the East and the good steaks and excellent Mexican food and . . ..
Get set up soon, so we can come visit!!
Cheers & Blessings to you today for this “new” year we’ve entered – 2007. May the God of peace be with you and yours and keep you safe in your travel.
January 1st, 2007 at 6:53 pm
So glad to read of your love for those with whom you have served, as well as your great excitement for what God has in store for you in the land of real, natural, Arizona!
May your family make an easy and smooth transition to your new home-away-from-home.
May God bless you with many years of fruitful labor in this fertile mission field.
-bill
January 1st, 2007 at 8:38 pm
When I lived in Arizona, I went to work for General Motors as a test driver on their hot weather proving ground. I met a lot of people from Michigan (Not Wisonsin, I know, but northern neighbors all the same). I knew this one engineer who spent his Summers in Arizona and his Winters in Canada. That is rough!
You are in for some shorts and tanktop weather. But you have picked a beautiful time of year to make the switch. Arizona is a paradise right now. The sunsets are tremendous. And you can unpack your swimsuit and BBQ grill when you get there.
Thus, 10 days from now you might be poolside rather than bloging. (It’s reverse cabin fever).
Many blessings in 2007. Happy new year.
January 1st, 2007 at 11:03 pm
Bobby
Best wishes always to you and to your family.– Greg
January 1st, 2007 at 11:18 pm
Be careful traveling and have fun in Tucson. We’ll miss hearing from you for the next ten days.
January 2nd, 2007 at 3:48 am
Brother Bobby,
Just wanted to let you know that all the way over here in North Carolina we are prayong for you as you under take this move and the new work. I know Arizona will be a better place because you are there. Look forward to reading your post when you get strted back.
Bobby
January 2nd, 2007 at 3:51 am
Your transition will be in my prayers. I hope that God will continue to bless you, Palo Verde, and Southside.
Grace and peace,
Tim
January 2nd, 2007 at 4:53 am
Change is always hard.
Hard is not always bad.
I’m glad to hear that the hardnesses of this change are due in large part to departing from those that you love and who love you – instead of bitterness and ugliness, you know?
God will bless you, I’m certain of it. And, the comfort of being a Christian is that our goodbyes to fellow Christians are not permanent, but more along the lines of, “I’ll see you later,[on the other side]…”
January 2nd, 2007 at 1:24 pm
Small world, Bobby. I have some friends who attended Palo Verde (all in the Air Force, so all moved away now). They told me a lot about it, and from what I’ve read from you, you sure seem to be a good fit there. Of course you already knew that I suspect since you accepted!!!
Hope your move is smooth & you enjoy what sounds like a beautiful part of the country.
January 2nd, 2007 at 3:13 pm
May God be with you in this new part of your journey. I am sure that God’s plan is magnificent for you and the church in Tucson. Shalom!
January 2nd, 2007 at 3:49 pm
I don’t think we need to be concerned about Bobby being prepared for warm weather. I still remember seeing him in his office, the middle of winter, wearing shorts.
Sorry I didn’t get a chance to see you before you left. My mom and I were suppose to stop in your last day. Her pace maker is on the fritz, and she’s having a hard time breathing. She wanted to thank you for sharing your own struggles, it was a big encouragement to her. Take care, Yoda, and may the force be with you!
God Bless,
Penney Winiarski
January 2nd, 2007 at 5:45 pm
Becareful on the trip.
You forgot one of the biggest blessings…You’re that much closer to West Texas.
Don
January 2nd, 2007 at 10:23 pm
Bobby and all the family: It was great to visit with you in Milwaukee and see your dedication to touching that city for Jesus. Also, gained much from spending time with the fellowship there. We wish you all the best in your new ministry.
January 3rd, 2007 at 4:10 am
Shalom to you, Bobby. May the good Lord bless you and keep you and your family. Best wishes for a smooth (enough) transition, and for a faithful ministry in (and from) Arizona. Let us hear from you when you can.
January 3rd, 2007 at 5:08 pm
Awww… What will you eat & drink now?
January 4th, 2007 at 4:38 am
Bobby, my dear friend and encourager, may God’s angels tend to your family over every mile and bring you safely to your new adventure in His glorious Kingdom! Love you, my friend!
January 4th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
Bobby- thanks for the past 4 1/2 years here in “the land of beer and cheese”! You have helped so much in creating a better understanding of God’s Word, as well as to answer a lot of lingering questions that I have had about the Church. You have also created new some new questions for me that I look forward to finding the answers to. Thank you for teaching God’s love, and the power in Christ in such a great way.
We wish Pamela, the girls, and yourself safe travels, good health, and great new experiences in Az. We look forward to seeing you again someday…
Shalom,
Mark and Lisa
January 4th, 2007 at 7:22 pm
Dear fellow-blogger,
Hopefully, your 2007 is getting off to a fantastic start. My prayer is that you will be blessed by God with many opportunities for fruitful service in the Lord’s kingdom in the new year.
I wanted to let you know that I’ve listed your blog on my blogroll at The Spiritual Oasis’ web site. If you have additional blogs that you would like to see listed or would like to recommend others, please send word to:
contactus[at]thespiritualoasis.org.
To view The Spiritual Oasis’ blogroll click the following link:
The Spiritual Oasis Blogroll
January 5th, 2007 at 8:39 pm
May the Lord bless you in your new work and the journey traveling to get there.
January 6th, 2007 at 2:00 am
Bro’ Bobby,
Everything else being equal, I would take Arizona in a heartbeat! I got all the cold weather I would ever need growing up in the Blue Ridge Mts in Western North Carolina.
It was so cold one morning I saw two beagles with jumper cables trying to jump start a rabbit. Now thats cold!
Seriously, I am confident both congregations have profited from your ministry, or will in the case of Arizona.
May God use you powerfully to build up the people there into the likeness of the Christ of God and to go after those who are not yet Christians.
Grace and Peace,
Royce Ogle
January 8th, 2007 at 8:03 pm
May God bless you, your family, and the good folks in Tucson as you start your new ministry.
January 10th, 2007 at 4:13 pm
Sounds like a wonderful departure and a great new beginning. God bless!
January 16th, 2007 at 11:05 pm
Bobby, given the way you have talked about Milwaukie and the Church there, I know this is a tough thing for you, so I’m praying for you. Also, given what I’ve read here and elsewhere both by and about you, I know the people of Tuscon will be blessed by what God will do through you there. May the grace of God be with you.