Major changes

Hey, for those of you that don't know, I am currently seeking God's will and direction for "next steps" in our lives and ministry.

After serving as Senior Pastor at Rapid City's First Wesleyan for nearly 17 years, we recently resigned to search for what God has in store. These are exciting, awesome and sometimes frightening times! All these things keep us on our knees - no better place to be!

CELEBRATE

WOW! After we received the talent offering on Easter, we returned the initial investment of $7,250.00. The amount increased beyond that was $7,300.00.

Then, in the following couple weeks, more people brought their talent proceeds in to the church. Currently, the total stands at $8,358.00 - increase beyond the initial investment!

What an awesome start to the World Outreach budget for the upcoming year!

Jerky, Jerky EVERYWHERE

The other element of our World Outreach weekend came in the form of a challenge. We handed out envelopes on Sunday morning, 1/27. Those age 16 and over received a red envelope and those K-15 received a yellow envelope.

Red envelopes contained a $50 bill, and yellow - a $20 bill. After sharing briefly on the Parable of the talents, people received the challenge.

1. It's not YOUR money - it's entrusted to you
2. You now have a choice. You can give it back or you can put it to work
3. You have 7 weeks to live out the parable of the talents. Everyone brings back the original amount + the increase - on Easter Sunday morning.
4. The Everything made - above the initial investment - creates the base for the coming year's World Outreach Budget.

Well, since I don' have a lot of other talents and no one pays you to hunt, fish, hike or do a triathlon, I decided to make BEEF JERKY. Late in 2007, I tried to establish a business - Dakota Tender Jerky - but things didn't take off too well.

Now, with the $50 investment, I'm making jerky in order to impact the world for Jesus! There's jerky meat EVERYWHERE in our refrigerator! Soon, people will be enjoying the most delicious and tender jerky they ever tasted.

Any beef jerky fans out there can contact me SOON and place an order:-)

WOW!

Last Sunday, we had our World Outreach Weekend - WOW. Actually, it turned out to be WOW!

Brenda Wahl, from Russia, came and shared. We hosted a Family Fun Night on Friday evening. What a blast! People came in and had to take off their shoes. We provided cheap slippers for the night.

We spread table cloths on the floor, so people had to eat while seated on the floor. A group provided DELICIOUS Indian Tacos - on a donation basis.

Following the meal, Brenda shared a few words from the Bible and we went to 4 different "theme" rooms.

PC - created a New Orleans room complete with laptop slide show quiz. Everyone made Mardi Gras masks and received prizes and beads.

Brenda W. - created a Russia room with lots of games and toys from Russia. She had pictures running on a laptop.

LaVina V. - created a Cambodia room with Cambodian games, food and prizes. She also had a laptop with pictures AND a scrapbook from her recent trip.

The Bonfleurs (Bruce and Marsha) - created a "555 Whiteclay Project" room that highlighted their ministry in Whiteclay, NB. They talked about the Lakota Crafters Initiative - crafts from native people.

We capped off the evening with ice cream and everyone came away with a truly cosmopolitan mission experience.

We all need to think - and remember

As the parent of teens, the following link made me cry - thinking about all the pain and suffering experienced by those who lose a child. Hopefully people everywhere can grow and learn from one of those painful tragedies.

Go to the following site for Jill's story.

www.journeysafe.com/Presentation

MLK Day and changes in plans

This weekend, Christy had a BB tournament in Sturgis, SD. The first game was at 8:00 and required leaving at 6:40 am. Really didn't matter much, because though our girls were there, they didn't quite show up. WOW, what a one sided game:-(

Well, the later game went much better, but the girls lost in a heart-breaker by 3 points. They played their hearts out against a large and aggressive team. The lead shifted several times throughout the game. What an exciting time! We had a blast.

Big news here is SNOW AND COLD. After having 50 and 60 degree weather for the first part of January, winter decided to show up. We got 4-6 inches of snow and sub zero temps for the past 2 days.

I took Monday (MLK Day) off since Reva and Christy would be home. We were awakened on Monday morning by a phone call from one of Reva's birth moms. Her water had broken - and Reva ended up working most of the day.

Christy had Hannah Q. spend the night on Sunday night. She and Hannah planned to catch National Treasure 2 on Monday - matinee. Reva and I planned to catch "The Bucket List" at the same time in the same complex at a different screen. Well, the girls saw NT 2, but TBL is for a future date for Reva and me.

How's it Going

Here we are, 11 days into the New Year. How's everything going with those resolutions?

Around here, they're going alright. I love working out at the YMCA, but hate the first part of each new year. A lot of people come in - making a good start on their resolutions. Usually, the crowds taper off as the year progresses.

I find it interesting that other people are a lot like me. Sometimes, the only consistent element in my life is inconsistency:-) Oh, not in the area of working out and staying active, (I love getting into the pool, workout center, on my bike or out on a hike). That stuff comes easily and naturally. But as to weight management and some other "disciplines," my consistent inconsistency brings consistent consternation:-) It's also rather remarkable how easily I can recognize OTHER people's inconsistencies - while remaining tolerant - or blind - to my own.

Anyone else find yourself in the same predicament?

God's been getting my attention lately - and not all of it has been pleasant. However, all of it has been right on and necessary for my personal growth.

I'd love to hear what He's doing in other lives too!