Rev. Avery
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Introduce Myself -- FinallyHi,
I thought that since I’ve enjoyed my time here so much that I would briefly introduce myself … for any that might be interested.
I’m 55, been married 31 years and have five children – 3 boys and 2 girls, in that order. My oldest son is married and has been a cop back N. East for 5 years. My middle son is married, has a son and another child on the way. He is a Natural Hoof Care Practitioner back N.E. That means he trims hoofs so the horse doesn’t need shoes. My youngest son manages a bedding store. My two girls are still living with us. The oldest is in her second year of college and my youngest is a senior in HS.
In 1982 I was ordained a Baptist minister. I served in two Associate pastor positions; did mission work in New Orleans to merchant seaman; and finally, pastored my own church for 19 years. Three years ago I decided to resign my church basically for two reasons. First, I was tired and needed a break. I guess in all reality I sort of burned myself out. I’m the type that takes the cares of the world upon my own shoulders thinking I can help to fix anything and everything. I found out I couldn’t. Second, during the last five years at my church I decided I needed to come to terms with what I thought I believed -- which to some degree wasn’t quite in line with what the average Baptist/Evangelical church believed. This centered more upon secondary issues that were doctrinal in nature but still important enough to causes some differences in belief and practice. In order to accomplish both of these I felt it was necessary to resign my church … which came as a huge shock to everyone.
Three years ago we moved to AZ. We came here because my wife’s family is here. Also, my youngest son was in school out here and my middle son and wife were moving out here too. Since then my youngest son moved to FL and is moving back N. East next month. About a year ago my middle son also moved back N. East. We’re going back too in a couple of years!
I have a really great job which has helped me to unwind some. It took about a year and a couple of jobs to get here, but it was worth it. Also, I have had a wonderful time searching the Scriptures for personal growth. For so long a lot of my reading and studying was always with the mindset of needing to preach and/or minister to others. This time has been very refreshing.
This past June we visited my sons back N. East. Also, I was able to visit with my mom and two sisters. While there my mom gave my oldest son (to carry on the tradition; he’s the IV) the pipes and pipe holder that was my grandfather’s and dad’s. It still had the little corn cob that was mine when I was a kid. (I have a cute picture of my grandson holding it with his hand while puffing on it. He said: “It’s not working”  ) My two oldest sons had started, for whatever reason, to smoke pipes. While there I smoked one of my dad’s (maybe granddad’s) old Kaywoodie. It was great. The last time I had smoked a pipe was over 30 years ago. I had smoked some Borkum Riff and nearly burned my tongue off. I decided then that pipe smoking wasn’t for me. But, while in Portsmouth we stopped in a smoke shop and I bought some tobacco. It was wonderful … smooth and no bite. I was hooked.
I had been picking up mostly Kaywoodies until I hit upon my Omega Grabow. What a pipe. My second Omega (which is larger) is just as good. I’m looking to get more Grabows eventually.
So that’s it. Glad to be a part of this Forum. 
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drbridges
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Great story, Rev. Happy you shared it.
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Irishlefty
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Welcome although after your posts, you hopefully feel welcome already. I'm not one of the founders or even an 'old timer' on this forum but feel very comfortable here as the mainstays are great to everyone and the forum itself is delightfully free of the flaming and fighting that sometimes plague this form of discussion.
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ted
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Rev...We are glad you are here. You've made a "grand" addition to our band of "merry men". Thanks for the story.
My wife and I tried for two years to make Arizona our retirement home...place called Casa Grande...It never really worked, but AZ is still one of our favorite places...ted
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ozark southpaw
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Great intro Rev. Thanks for sharing it! Been through Arizona a coupe of times and once spent several days in the Kingman area helping a friend put the finishing touches on a 70 Plymouth Hemi Cuda for a show in Vegas. Beautiful country but is lacking in one thing--GREEN.
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Rev. Avery
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Thanks guys!
Yes, no flaming or fighting. That's one of the first things I noticed -- and liked.
No green in AZ. So true!! That's something we really miss. Would love to have the Cuda. I really liked the early ones too.
We're not going to retire here either. My oldest son is going to make a three car garage with an apartment over it for us. That'll be in 2 - 3 years. Once that happens, back home for us.
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LokoMac8
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Re: Introduce Myself -- Finally | Rev. Avery wrote: | Hi,
I thought that since I’ve enjoyed my time here so much that I would briefly introduce myself … for any that might be interested. |
A belated "WELCOME!" from me. Interesting introduction -- always great to learn a bit more about folks, but I'm not one to pry.
| Rev. Avery wrote: | | . . . thinking I can help to fix anything and everything. I found out I couldn’t. |
That sure hits close to home for me! Takes nearly an entire lifetime to learn what is more important and what is less important, and what one can change and what one probably will never be able to change. I've got a little saying that I coined for such things -- "if world peace could truly be achieved, we'd already have it by now." With age, supposedly comes wisdom (experience anyway), but seldom can we really impart what we learn to the next generation to keep them from stumbling down the same wrong paths and making the same mistakes. It makes for an interesting world.
| Rev. Avery wrote: | | So that’s it. Glad to be a part of this Forum. |
And, bottom line, WE are glad to have you here! --RJ--
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Rev. Avery
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Thank you RJ.
Unfortunately (or, maybe to some degree fortunately if it happens at all) it does take years, life, and experiences to learn we're not superhuman after all. If only I knew then what I know now ... 
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steverino
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Great intro RA, we're glad to have you here and glad you are enjoying it so far.
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Terry292
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Welcome to the forum. I was stationed at Ft Huachuca, south of Tucson, on and off for about a year. Loved the place. What I remember best is how dry it was. It would rain buckets for an hour or so some days, and fifteen minutes after the rain stopped, dry as a chip. Great for my sinuses.
Terry
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Rev. Avery
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Thanks Steve. Glad I'm here too.
Yea but Terry, you live in TN. That's the best state in the Country! My wife's side are all from TN -- Elizabethton area. I loooooooove TN! 
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BWThomas
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That is a great intro Rev. Kind of you to share. This is a great place to be. I've only been a part of this crowd for a few short months, but these fellas make you feeel like family.
BW
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LokoMac8
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| Terry292 wrote: | I was stationed at Ft Huachuca, south of Tucson, on and off for about a year. Loved the place. What I remember best is how dry it was. It would rain buckets for an hour or so some days, and fifteen minutes after the rain stopped, dry as a chip. Great for my sinuses.
Terry |
Well, I guess I forgot to "brag" about my Arizona time -- I stood on a corner in Winslow, Arizona for about six months (July to December 1976). Well, I lived there but didn't stand on a corner much and no girls in a flat bed Ford slowed down to look at me. --RJ--
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Rev. Avery
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Yes BW, I agree. This is a nice group of guys.
Not been to Winslow yet. Been to the Canyon three times though. Last November my three sons and I hiked down to the bottom and spent the night. That was a lot of fun. We're going to do it again this spring. Can't wait.
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steverino
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| Rev. Avery wrote: | | Last November my three sons and I hiked down to the bottom and spent the night. |
And like Steve Douglas (Fred McMurray), you smoke a pipe!
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Terry292
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| Rev. Avery wrote: | Thanks Steve. Glad I'm here too.
Yea but Terry, you live in TN. That's the best state in the Country! My wife's side are all from TN -- Elizabethton area. I loooooooove TN! |
Certainly is a small world. It's about 40 miles from my home to the Elizabethton City Limit...closer to 25 as the crow flies. I spent 22 years following Uncle Sam's flag around the world, but there was no hesitation when it came time to retire. We packed the kids up and came home to Tennessee. It's funny. When I was 18, I couldn't wait to get out of these hills. Amazing how your perceptions change in 20, or so, years.
Terry
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Rev. Avery
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Yes ... "my three sons" great show!
Terry, I love the hills of TN. Ever been to Elizabethton? My wife's grandparents lived in the house you face coming out of the covered bridge. Loved it there!
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Terry292
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| Rev. Avery wrote: | Yes ... "my three sons" great show!
Terry, I love the hills of TN. Ever been to Elizabethton? My wife's grandparents lived in the house you face coming out of the covered bridge. Loved it there! |
I know the exact house. Until about three years ago, my business used to take me to the new Justice Center in Elizabethton about three times a week. It got to where the return didn't justify the investment, so I had to quit going. We still try to get to Sycamore Shoals for the various Celtic celebrations and to the Covered Bridge Festival each year. So far as I know, it's the last covered bridge in this part of the country. It's been closed to automobile traffic for a few years now, though.
Terry
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Rev. Avery
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That's cool you know the house! I love that town. I miss the house. Once my wife's Grandmother died her aunt sold the house. It's insurance offices now, I believe.
I think what I like about that town (and other TN towns) is that they are like stepping back in time. To me TN (at least the NE part anyway) is how the whole country should be.
My wife's parents had a cabin in Maynardville (outside of Halls Crossing). Talk about a great area! They sold that a few years back though. It's been a few years since I've been to TN. I dearly miss it.
You're a lucky guy
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