Following our Wednesday evening family Christmas in Lafayette, Indiana, we spent some time with family - laughing, playing games and thoroughly enjoying our brief time together. We left on Thursday morning to drop Jason off in Minneapolis (so he could connect with the Youth Group and fly to the Youth convention in Orlando). After about 8 1/2 hours on the road, we arrived at the Mall of America (the appointed rendezvous point:-)
Jason connected with the group and they all departed (from the MOA) at about 8:30 PM to get some rest prior to their EARLY morning departure for the airport. Reva, Heather, Christy and I decided to spend some time wandering the mall.
We checked out some stores, rode the "Pepsi Twister" roller coaster and finalized out time with mozzarella sticks and "Lava" nachos at the Rain Forest Cafe. We had a blast! Then we hit the road again and drove through the night - arriving in Rapid City at about 8:00 AM Friday morning - LONG DAY.
We unloaded the van and then crashed for several hours. Unpacking could wait until we woke up.
The rest of Friday and Saturday included unpacking and finalizing preparations for Sunday. We attended a wedding on Saturday afternoon and had Worship Team rehearsal on Saturday night. Sunday was a crash day (after church) - except for First Response team at 5 pm and an introductory meeting for "Financial Peace University" (that Chris and Nicole Drew are leading for the church) at 6.
When all the above was done, we played a family game, watched a video and called it a night.
Now, here we are on the final day of 2007. Today I woke up before the family. I brewed some coffee and recorded several of my thoughts and goals for 2008 to try and approach them in a purposeful manner.
I love the promise of "fresh starts!" Maybe that's why I love ministry and the chance to regularly share how God constantly offers people fresh starts.
Hope your year includes some awesome fresh starts. Happy New Year!
Monday, December 31, 2007
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Merry Christmas to all!
WOW! Every year God reminds me again how much I love my family and how blessed my life is to share with them. We left on Sunday, December 23 following church. We braved blowing snow and icy roads to travel towards my family in Detroit.
Late Sunday night, following many miles and lots of other cars and trucks off the road due to slippery roads (makes me glad we spent the money on new tires, inner tie rods and allignment prior to leaving) we arrived at Reva's sister's house in Madison, Wisconsin. After some popcorn - and reconnecting, we cashed in for the night. The following morning, the Bickels fed us an awesome breakfast and we headed out for Detroit.
That night, we arrived at my parents' home in Detroit at about 7:00 PM. We had dinner together and simply enjoyed one another. The next day (Christmas) we celebrated Christmas together with Mom, Dad, Tim (my brother), Amy (his wife) and Hannah (their 5th grade daughter). Lori, my sister, and her family couldn't come up from South Carolina - so we missed seeing them. But, we still had a blast. Tim and Amy had to leave early in the evening for celebration with her family. We all stayed up and watched Hallmark movies until about 1:00 am.
We got up at 6 am and pulled out for Indiana at 7. After having lunch with Reva's aunt Ruth and Grandma Hoover in Marion, we headed on to Lafayette. I'm writing from Lafayette. Almost all Reva's family was here for Christmas tonight. We pull out for home tomorrow.
Well, even though it was a lot of miles in a short amount of time, we PRAISE GOD for family and their love for Jesus! A common faith brings an extra dimension to our bond!
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Late Sunday night, following many miles and lots of other cars and trucks off the road due to slippery roads (makes me glad we spent the money on new tires, inner tie rods and allignment prior to leaving) we arrived at Reva's sister's house in Madison, Wisconsin. After some popcorn - and reconnecting, we cashed in for the night. The following morning, the Bickels fed us an awesome breakfast and we headed out for Detroit.
That night, we arrived at my parents' home in Detroit at about 7:00 PM. We had dinner together and simply enjoyed one another. The next day (Christmas) we celebrated Christmas together with Mom, Dad, Tim (my brother), Amy (his wife) and Hannah (their 5th grade daughter). Lori, my sister, and her family couldn't come up from South Carolina - so we missed seeing them. But, we still had a blast. Tim and Amy had to leave early in the evening for celebration with her family. We all stayed up and watched Hallmark movies until about 1:00 am.
We got up at 6 am and pulled out for Indiana at 7. After having lunch with Reva's aunt Ruth and Grandma Hoover in Marion, we headed on to Lafayette. I'm writing from Lafayette. Almost all Reva's family was here for Christmas tonight. We pull out for home tomorrow.
Well, even though it was a lot of miles in a short amount of time, we PRAISE GOD for family and their love for Jesus! A common faith brings an extra dimension to our bond!
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Long week:-)
I noted that somewhere in October I updated my blog and said that there would be a post within the week. Well, it's been a MIGHTY LONG WEEK!
But, in all seriousness, LOTS of things have happened since the last post. Here's a smattering:
+ Continued in PT for shoulder surgery (getting better)
+ Hunted several days with my pal Chris - passed on several bucks and then ended up without a deer:-(
+ Participated in an all church "Harvest Festival" where literally hundreds of people came through the church
+ Continue working towards the "next steps" with Rapid City Christian school board
+ Performed a couple very difficult funerals - one for a 31 year old lady - a runner in the peak of health - that had a virus attack her heart. Flu like symptoms began on a Thursday and she died on Monday morning. Second was the daughter of a friend - only 24 years old and died suddenly from diabetes complications. I'm thankful for faith and hope during the holiday season with so much hurt and pain.
+ The shooting at YWAM in Denver left Dan Griebenow (family that attended our church - brother and sister now attend) in critical condition with a bullet in his neck. The attack killed Dan's girlfriend, Tiffany Johnson and another friend Phillip Crouse. Dan continues to get better! For that we praise God.
+ I reconnected with someone that went to college with Reva and me. He has a son who was serving in the Marine Corps and died from a sniper's bullet in March of this year.
Looking forward to the Christmas holiday. Heather comes home tomorrow from college. Jason and Christy have school this week and next week. Then, we'll celebrate family Christmas and ultimately travel to be with extended family.
More soon - at least hopefully sooner than 2 months:-)
But, in all seriousness, LOTS of things have happened since the last post. Here's a smattering:
+ Continued in PT for shoulder surgery (getting better)
+ Hunted several days with my pal Chris - passed on several bucks and then ended up without a deer:-(
+ Participated in an all church "Harvest Festival" where literally hundreds of people came through the church
+ Continue working towards the "next steps" with Rapid City Christian school board
+ Performed a couple very difficult funerals - one for a 31 year old lady - a runner in the peak of health - that had a virus attack her heart. Flu like symptoms began on a Thursday and she died on Monday morning. Second was the daughter of a friend - only 24 years old and died suddenly from diabetes complications. I'm thankful for faith and hope during the holiday season with so much hurt and pain.
+ The shooting at YWAM in Denver left Dan Griebenow (family that attended our church - brother and sister now attend) in critical condition with a bullet in his neck. The attack killed Dan's girlfriend, Tiffany Johnson and another friend Phillip Crouse. Dan continues to get better! For that we praise God.
+ I reconnected with someone that went to college with Reva and me. He has a son who was serving in the Marine Corps and died from a sniper's bullet in March of this year.
Looking forward to the Christmas holiday. Heather comes home tomorrow from college. Jason and Christy have school this week and next week. Then, we'll celebrate family Christmas and ultimately travel to be with extended family.
More soon - at least hopefully sooner than 2 months:-)
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Yes, I'm still alive
I'm shocked and appalled that I've made NO updates since March!:-(
Well, here we go. I wanted to make initial connection and note that this week I will update with new information and photos!
ciao
Well, here we go. I wanted to make initial connection and note that this week I will update with new information and photos!
ciao
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Life is good
We went to Williston, ND on Saturday. We went to spend some time with Brent and Laura Beth Bickel. This fine young couple are related to me through marriage (Reva's sister's son and his wife), so they're our niece and nephew.
Brent serves on staff at the Williston New Hope church. Sunday was set to be his first time preaching. What a great excuse to spend some time with them!
Brent did an awesome job preaching. His several years of teaching high school gave him a comfort with being in front of people. He had an amazingly relational style for someone preaching their first sermon!
The weekend included time playing games, connecting with other friends for dessert (all of us) and eating at Applebees on Sunday afternoon before heading back to Rapid City (by the way, Applebees really needs some competition in the area:-)
It's awesome to see a young couple - early in their married life and expecting their first child - so passionate about doing God's will! We loved our time together!
Brent serves on staff at the Williston New Hope church. Sunday was set to be his first time preaching. What a great excuse to spend some time with them!
Brent did an awesome job preaching. His several years of teaching high school gave him a comfort with being in front of people. He had an amazingly relational style for someone preaching their first sermon!
The weekend included time playing games, connecting with other friends for dessert (all of us) and eating at Applebees on Sunday afternoon before heading back to Rapid City (by the way, Applebees really needs some competition in the area:-)
It's awesome to see a young couple - early in their married life and expecting their first child - so passionate about doing God's will! We loved our time together!
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Together again!
You know, it seems you can make plans all you want – yet they’re always subject to change. Take for instance March blizzards that coincide with college spring break.
Here’s the story. Heather planned to drive back to SD with friends from college in Indiana. They planned to leave Friday following classes and drive to SD via the southern route – I 80. Well, a snowstorm that closed interstates and stranded motorists throughout the mid section of America caused them to rethink their plan. However, the storm hit the northern route too – Minnesota and SD. Still, the brave collegians decided to drive to Madison, Wisconsin and spend the night with Heather’s Aunt Reenie and Uncle Dan Bickel. After all, snow and ice presents less of a challenge when driven in the daylight hours
Enter Dad and brother. I planned to drive to Miller, SD on Friday and pick Jason up from school. We planned a dad and son time. Cabellas, here we come! We also had a room reserved for Friday night in Sioux Falls. Plus, friends recommended a great Mongolian grill for our dinner.
The weather changed our plans too. I couldn’t leave Rapid and Jason was stuck in Miller one more night.
On Saturday, I 90 was still closed most of the day. Jason caught a ride back to Rapid with a teacher who bypassed the interstate. We finally got word the roads opened. So, Christy and I left to get Heather around 1:30 PM on Saturday.
We made decent time since the roads were okay from Rapid to Murdo. Then, things got a bit interesting. The road had scattered icy spots and offered some minor challenges to our progress.
We made one final stop in Mitchell before the final stretch to Sioux Falls. When we reentered the highway, it was dark. What a bummer, because all reports said that the stretch from Mitchell to Sioux Falls was the worst. What a great time to pray!
I found it an awesome blessing that we looked up and saw the full moon midway through its scheduled lunar eclipse. Then, something unexpected happened.
Looking ahead, about 200 – 300 yards beyond my headlights, the road looked like fluorescent lights. I slowed down a bit. It seems that the angle of the full moon began to “light up” icy spots several hundred yards ahead of my lights!
The rest of the way to Sioux Falls, the icy spots showed up in plenty of time to slow down. Thanks God for “lighting” my path while heading to get our oldest child home for Spring break!
Here’s the story. Heather planned to drive back to SD with friends from college in Indiana. They planned to leave Friday following classes and drive to SD via the southern route – I 80. Well, a snowstorm that closed interstates and stranded motorists throughout the mid section of America caused them to rethink their plan. However, the storm hit the northern route too – Minnesota and SD. Still, the brave collegians decided to drive to Madison, Wisconsin and spend the night with Heather’s Aunt Reenie and Uncle Dan Bickel. After all, snow and ice presents less of a challenge when driven in the daylight hours
Enter Dad and brother. I planned to drive to Miller, SD on Friday and pick Jason up from school. We planned a dad and son time. Cabellas, here we come! We also had a room reserved for Friday night in Sioux Falls. Plus, friends recommended a great Mongolian grill for our dinner.
The weather changed our plans too. I couldn’t leave Rapid and Jason was stuck in Miller one more night.
On Saturday, I 90 was still closed most of the day. Jason caught a ride back to Rapid with a teacher who bypassed the interstate. We finally got word the roads opened. So, Christy and I left to get Heather around 1:30 PM on Saturday.
We made decent time since the roads were okay from Rapid to Murdo. Then, things got a bit interesting. The road had scattered icy spots and offered some minor challenges to our progress.
We made one final stop in Mitchell before the final stretch to Sioux Falls. When we reentered the highway, it was dark. What a bummer, because all reports said that the stretch from Mitchell to Sioux Falls was the worst. What a great time to pray!
I found it an awesome blessing that we looked up and saw the full moon midway through its scheduled lunar eclipse. Then, something unexpected happened.
Looking ahead, about 200 – 300 yards beyond my headlights, the road looked like fluorescent lights. I slowed down a bit. It seems that the angle of the full moon began to “light up” icy spots several hundred yards ahead of my lights!
The rest of the way to Sioux Falls, the icy spots showed up in plenty of time to slow down. Thanks God for “lighting” my path while heading to get our oldest child home for Spring break!
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Amazing Grace
In worship today, we sang Chris Tomlin's version of "Amazng Grace." Tomlin's version adds the chorus, "My chains are gone." It is the song used in the upcoming movie - Amazing Grace - about the life and political struggle of William Wilberforce. Wilberforce was the "conscience of Parliament" in England over the issue of slavery in the late 1700's and early 1800's. It was in 1807 that legislation he had been resubmitting for nearly 20 years was finally passed to outlaw the trafficking in slaves by English companies and ships.
It was nearly another 20 years before slavery was abolished throughout the British empire. Less than 72 hours after the vote to abolish slavery, Wilberforce died! What an amazing man. What a legacy of a Christian serving as a social conscience to a nation. How many lesser persons would have abandoned their "good idea" after getting shot down for so many years? Makes you think.
If you want to check out the website and learn about modern day slavery, cut and paste the site listed below (namely b/c I haven't figured out how to insert a link:-)
http://www.amazinggracemovie.com/
It was nearly another 20 years before slavery was abolished throughout the British empire. Less than 72 hours after the vote to abolish slavery, Wilberforce died! What an amazing man. What a legacy of a Christian serving as a social conscience to a nation. How many lesser persons would have abandoned their "good idea" after getting shot down for so many years? Makes you think.
If you want to check out the website and learn about modern day slavery, cut and paste the site listed below (namely b/c I haven't figured out how to insert a link:-)
http://www.amazinggracemovie.com/
Monday, January 15, 2007
Injustice Anywhere Is a Threat to Justice Everywhere
The following is a quote posted in the daily briefing from Family research council: It seems appropriate that on a day honoring Dr. King to post some information about him:-)
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we pay tribute to a powerful visionary for equal rights--a man who electrified the nation with his dream to work for a more just nation. As we fight to roll back the modern tides of injustice against the unborn, we too must take a righteous stand, despite the personal and political cost. In his letter from the
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Saturday, January 13, 2007
Free Hugs Campaign - Inspiring
| Original from Youtube - http://youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4 YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION: Sometimes, a hug is all what we need. Free hugs is a real life controversial story of Juan Mann, A man whose sole mission was to reach out and hug a stranger to brighten up their lives. In this age of social disconnection and lack of human contact, the effects of the Free Hugs campaign became phenomenal. As this symbol of human hope spread accross the city, police and officials ordered the Free Hugs campaign BANNED. What we then witness is the true spirit of humanity come together in what can only be described as awe inspiring. In the Spirit of the free hugs campaign, PASS THIS TO A FRIEND and HUG A STRANGER! After all, If you can reach just one person... There has been thousands of emails from all over the world by people seeking to participate in the Free Hugs campaign and asking for permission. You do not need permission. This is the peoples movement, this is *your* movement. With nothing but your bare hands you can make THE difference. | |
Overdriving conditions
When we were driving back from celebrating Christmas with family, we ran into some bad weather on I 90 between Mitchell, SD and Wall, SD.
Friday, January 05, 2007
Family matters
It was great to spend time with family over the holidays! Heather was back from college in Indiana. Jason was back from school in Miller, SD. Christy was off from Rapid City Christian. We had a blast together.
We celebrated family Christmas on Saturday, December 23rd. It's still a rush to see family open presents!
We got Heather an I-Pod. Jason got a djembe (African Drum - you can see the exact one at Musician's Friend website:-) Christy got a cell phone with pre paid minutes.
It seems that ALL the gifts were hits this year! Oh yeah, Reva and I got a computer for the home and signed up for high speed Internet:-)
Mainly, we thank God for the gift of Himself, in Christ. We also deeply thank Him for health and the love of family!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!
Holidays
We had an awesome time with family over the Christmas holiday. We traveled to Madison, Wisconsin on Christmas Day. Then, on Tuesday, we traveled to Lafayette, Indiana. We celebrated Christmas with the Hoover family on Tuesday evening. WHAT A BLAST TO HAVE NEARLY 30 FAMILY MEMBERS THERE!
On Wednesday, we drove over to Marion, Indiana and saw Reva's grandma Hoover. She's 97 and lives with aunt Ruth and Uncle Eldine. She's an amazing woman - sharp mind and quick wit even at age 97.
We stayed long enough to have dinner and then traveled up to Detroit, Michigan to spend Christmas with my side of the family. My sister and her family weren't there, and we missed seeing them. Still, we had a wonderful time!
Friday morning, we left for Madison, Wisconsin again. Made great time through Chicago, and made it in time to have dinner with the Bickels. We always enjoy spending time with them. What a treat that Brent, Laura Beth and Brice were all there too!
Saturday, we tackled the final 11-12 hour leg of our trip home so that we could arrive in time for worship team at 7:30 PM on Saturday night!
We praise God for family and for safe travels. Roads were cruddy from Mitchell to Wall - in South Dakota. Snow and ice with several cars (SUV's) in the ditch. We made it fine - but tired.
On Wednesday, we drove over to Marion, Indiana and saw Reva's grandma Hoover. She's 97 and lives with aunt Ruth and Uncle Eldine. She's an amazing woman - sharp mind and quick wit even at age 97.
We stayed long enough to have dinner and then traveled up to Detroit, Michigan to spend Christmas with my side of the family. My sister and her family weren't there, and we missed seeing them. Still, we had a wonderful time!
Friday morning, we left for Madison, Wisconsin again. Made great time through Chicago, and made it in time to have dinner with the Bickels. We always enjoy spending time with them. What a treat that Brent, Laura Beth and Brice were all there too!
Saturday, we tackled the final 11-12 hour leg of our trip home so that we could arrive in time for worship team at 7:30 PM on Saturday night!
We praise God for family and for safe travels. Roads were cruddy from Mitchell to Wall - in South Dakota. Snow and ice with several cars (SUV's) in the ditch. We made it fine - but tired.
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