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:-)
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