Defining Ministry

This last week we had Sweets and Treats at our church. 400 kids dressed up in all different costumes from Thomas the Train to Princesses to scary monsters. 400 mom's, dad's, aunt's, uncle's, and other family took them around the inside of our building. Each kid probably got about 50-100 pieces of candy...minimum. Fun stuff.

We were able to man one of the stations that passed out candies with our home group. We all worked together earlier in the week to put up decoration in our designated hallway and then dressed up all as surfers as we had the "Surfin Safari" hallway. A couple in our home group decided to go against grain and where something completely different.

As the event started I had about 2-3 people ask, "have you seen them yet?" I'm thinking nothing of it. They always have great costumes so I'm sure it's gonna be good. 5 or 10 minutes later they both walked in the room. Dressed as Charissa, Noelle and Myself!

It was amazing. Almost perfect with their cut out faces of the three of us. The guy, he had his foot all wrapped up like I did a few months ago and was wearing my baseball hat that I let him borrow a while back! The girl, she was "pregnant" and had the same shirt that Charissa had and along with that, she was carrying a baby doll with Noelle's face on it as well. Classic.

It was wonderful. It put me in tears it was so funny. After that night I had a revelation.

That was ministry defined in front of our eyes. Walking, caring for, loving on, listening to, and encouraging over this last year with this couple had brought us to such a sweet place. I won't forget that moment. One that will go down as a defining mark in my life.

School

Back to school....back to school....I can hear Billy Madison signing that as he was headed back for school. Luckily for me I don't have to back to K grade! I have felt the desire in my heart to go to school ever since I was in the Navy and when I got out and went I really did enjoy it but the realities of life set in and I had to take care of my family...shocking I know.

A few months ago I heard the Lord tell me that was my inheritance. It was there for me and all I had to do was take it! Everything else in the world would say that I don't have enough time or to be lazy and do it when it was a better fit. Funny how the Lord doesn't care what the world would say.

I love that. I cherish it. It really makes me feel and understand that he is my covering. He is in control. Thank goodness....it would be much too tiring to try and figure life out on my own.

Updates

Wow...long time. I really had good intentions for starting this blog but obviously that didn't work now did it. Essentially, unless this is part of someones job, or they really dig writing, then it becomes more of a task to blog then fun and inspiring. Anyway, my last post: July 29th! Who doesn't have a solid 3 months in between each post?

Lots going on. Charissa, Noelle and I just got back from vacation; pumpkin patch, rock climbing, Shamu @ SeaWorld, Life Bible College (doesn't sound like a good time...I'll explain later), shopping, food, sweets....and on. This was really our first "Family Vacation" where we took time away from everything and everyone and were able to do things just the three (or 4 depending on how you look at that). It was only 6 days in all but it was so refreshing!

2 Different Updates -- Both fun. First, Charissa is having a boy! Our little guy (whose name is about 98% solid) will be here in February! When we went to sleep last night I was able to feel him moving around and around....what a blessing! I love how the Lord gives us these precious moments in life where you just know that He is real and that He also wants to bless us!

The second update is that I am back in School. Last week I was accepted into the Degree Completion Program at Life Bible College. The program is pretty sweet. All online. 18 Months. 1 Class at a time for 5 weeks each. Simple. It will take a lot of work but to me that is much easier to handle then 4 classes at a time for 12-15 weeks...yuck! I'll be done in May 2010. Noelle will be almost 3 and our boy will be about 15 months. What will life look like then?

All Done

Camp wasn't easy. In fact, as I look back now, a few days past, it was hard. I felt like every time I turned around there was a situation that needed my attention; kids not paying attention or following instruction, being unkind to one another or not doing what they had been asked to do. Unfortunately these weren't the only issues going on.

Here are some of the deeper things that most of these small 8,9, and 10 year olds are already dealing with. Fear, rejection, anxiety, pride, manipulation and more. Isn't it interesting that I have and do deal with these same issues/bondage's? At times I do feel as though I, along with Jesus, am winning the battle, but at other times I do feel defeated. I hate that these kids have some of the same things going on in their life at such a young age. It comes in different forms in my life, most of all, I love to please men more then I think about pleasing God. How awful to say that! It hurts, its honest. I want to change.

On Friday, as we drove back into the church parking lot we saw all the excited mom's and dad's waiting patiently, not wanting to burst out of their skin to come grab their son or daughter to tell them just how much they missed them, we got all their stuff from the class and sent them home. For most of the kids this is the longest they had been from home. Mom and dad were ready to have them back.

As they slowly faded away and there was finally a silence in the air, I felt the Lord telling me something. "The hard part is over, now you know them, they know you and trust you as a voice in their lives." I am broken but I love that the Lord will not only still use me but He still loves and cares for me....ahhh...it's that simple!

Good and Hard Times

F45 Camp is past the halfway mark. At this time the boys are watching a movie and the girls are probably at their house sleeping or talking with the lights out. Boys and girls are just different. The Lord is so spectacular the way he created us all. There have been so many different things that have happened. For instance, we were eating and I took a second just to listen to all the conversations....the girls were chit-chatting away and the boys were all planning and strategizing on how to beat the "really hard level" on the newest video game.

I love it. Camps been difficult and fun at the same time. I have enjoyed teaching and instructing, correcting and encouraging, loving and caring. I feel the Lord telling me that this is the hard part. "Pushing in and pressing through" are the things that are happening right now. Once this camp is over there will be more of a sense of unity and the kids will definitely know what to expect out of me. Boundaries.....boundaries....and more boundaries. Living in them is a place that is fit for all! I'm excited to see what will come with these relationships in the next few months.

"Follow Me"

The last two weeks I have been planning our Foundation45 summer camp. This is our age group that is just out of Children's Ministries and not quite old enough for youth group. Some call them "tweens," I call them 45ers.

Foundation in Christ for 4th and 5th graders.

The theme for our camp is, "Follow Me," based out of Matthew 4 where Jesus calls these fisherman to follow him. My goal, and what I feel the Lords goal, is to help these kids from a place of knowing about God to having a close relationship with him.

Here are some scriptures that I am planning on tying all this together:

Matthew 4:19-22

Psalm 78:52-53

John 10:2-4

Joshua 1:5-6

As I put together this series (4 teachings) I am finding that as I choose to "follow" the Lord more and more each day that my life is different. When I don't allow him to go ahead of me (pride/fear) I end up wasting time and energy. I pray that these 45ers will come away with a deeper relationship with Jesus and that they will be able to place him first in everything they do.

My 26th

My birthday was yesterday. 26 years. Wehew! It was actually a birthday that I won't soon forget. Not the best but definitely the worst. It's hard to say that as I would have loved it to be the best, but alas, I'll have quite a few more:)

Both Charissa and I had, let's just say, not the best day ever. Living here at the church and working here makes for an interesting combination. We aren't here for fun (although it is) and we aren't here because it is a nice place to be (even though it is). We are here to grow. Ever heard of "growing pains?"

I'm happy to have input into our lives. In fact, I deeply desire it. I want to seek wisdom and find knowledge every minute that I'm here. Even when it comes on my birthday without any warning. When someone that I trust wants to point something out about what I may be doing or not doing. It may be a hard pill to swallow but I want to digest it...to pray about it and to seek the Lord in those areas of my life.

I want to grow. Chairssa wants to grow. It hurts. It's worth it.

Time with the Family (Part II)

My family left on Saturday and on Sunday Charissa and I decided that we would go meet up with her Mom and Dad down in Avila beach (about a 2 1/2 hour drive). We knew that they would be down there but were really hesitant to go as I can't do anything, Charissa would have to take care of all the bags and Noelle which is hard for her since she isn't feeling good due to baby number 2 (more on that to come). But we decided it would be really nice to get out of the house for a night and just go.

As I'm laying here on the couch writing this I definitely think this was a good choice. The drive isn't bad at all, and all we did was eat, relax, nap and go to the pool. Grandpa and Grandma were thrilled about our decision to come and basically babysat the whole time. Noelle is the first grand baby on Charissa's side so you can imagine the excitement for her parents when they get to be with her...it is fun.

Tomorrow I go in to the doc for the second follow up as well as to get the stitches out. I'll be able to find out when I can start trying to walk and if I have to go to physical therapy. I must say that I am getting pretty good at crutching myself around although I have had some close calls, like falling down the stairs or just getting off balance and looking for anything that can support my weight so I don't come crashing down. Looking forward to having both feet again!

Time with the Family

This weekend was fantastic. My mom, dad, and sister came up on Thursday and stayed with till Saturday afternoon. We had great food (thanks to Scotty's new bbq) and got to catch up with them. We played games, blew bubbles for the kids (picture to the right is by Charissa, I thought it was awesome) and they all got in the kiddie pool. Noelle LOVES anything that has to do with water!

This was the first year I think in my life that I didn't see any fireworks, and frankly I didn't mind at all. They are nice, but for some reason they don't do a whole lot for me. I was the one voting to stay home and hang out with the fam, have a nice cup of coffee and play some games...maybe that had to do with my incapacity for too much movement, but I think I'd feel that way even feeling 100%.

After Noelle spent a good hour or so in the pool we pulled her out due to mild hypothermia....well okay, maybe she was just getting really cold. She'd stay in there forever if it was up to her.

After the pool I got to spend some quality snuggle time with her while she was warming up. The last two weeks have been a bummer as far as being together cause I can't move so much. The time when I can get her to be still with me is precious....It is time that I wouldn't trade for anything.

Back in the Game

Today was my first day back in the office. Definitely nice to be out of the house and around people. At times while laying on the couch (may I remind you that we live at the church and are located just above one of the large meeting rooms and face the big playground where all the kids play) and hearing people outside I was reminded of a time in 3rd grade when I was home sick for 2-3 weeks and wasn't able to play or do anything with anyone. Yet, at the same time I could still see and hear everything that they were being a part of. Bummer!

Now, off the couch and ready to take part in all the fun....work! Honestly work isn't really work. It's being with people. It's making a point to go and sit and talk with the volunteer receptionist for 10-15 minutes. It's doing more then what people ask for. It's making sure that people are covered without them knowing I've done anything. It's taking time to talk about something that I noticed, even the small things, and to find solutions with other people.

Overall I lasted almost an entire day. I went home about 45 min early from lunch and maybe an hour before the end of day. It's amazing how exhausting crutching around gets and how it just wears you out. Then I went to a debrief meeting that was for our Vacation Bible School and it was so much fun. We talked about all the miscommunication and all the things that went really well that we would like to see next year. To go from worship for the first part then to hear almost everyones testimony of what happened with the during the week (and months before) it was thoroughly fun and deep at the same time...what a great combination!

Looking forward to tomorrow...preparing for Foundation45 Summer Camp!

Scratch n' Sniff

Anyone remember good ol' "scratch n' sniff" stickers? I was reminded during the week of VBS about scratch n' sniff from one of the other characters of the week.

I went to the doc today for a follow up and this was the first time that I saw my foot without bandages since the surgery. Doesn't it look awesome! I wish I would have thought about a before picture as that would have really helped for explanation but here we go. The entire inside of my foot starting at the top of my toe is very straight! Compared to how it was the bunion made a huge bump just below my big tow it, now its small but completely swollen. All my toes look like actual gurkens...nice and fat!

As an update, I will be on crutches for about 10 more days. Today the doc came in and pushed my big toe up to a 90 degree angle...definitely not ready for that! I was sweating within seconds! He said that I would need to be doing that a lot and if it was still stiff by next Tuesday or I'd have to go to Physical Therapy. That is the last place I want to go! I can put wait on my heel and will be moving my big toe around as much as possible.

Coming and Going

Over the last 7-8 years of my life I have awkwardly found myself in the same situation time and time again. From saying goodbye to my family that had been so loving to me and letting go of me in July of 01 to my first goodbye to my new found friend from boot camp in October of that same year. After three years of the Navy with 2 different schools and being in Japan for almost 2 years there were times when it felt as though there was a departure every week. How close can you get to someone when you know ultimately that they are going to be gone within a matter of days?

I should be out of that area by now. Settling down with my family and beginning lifelong relationships that you only see in a cute chick flick. Wrong. We are in a place where people come and go like the New York subway system. Yet, this isn't bad at all. In fact it's a beautiful thing.

From the picture above our friends Flo and Katrine are soon to be departing back to Switzerland! Surprising to know that we have only known them for 6 months. They finished their internship here at The Coastlands and are going to take a vacation for the next 2 weeks and head back home.

I actually went on a mission trip a year ago last March to Switzerland and I stayed at their home for about a full week. During that time I was able to talk with them about the internship program, as much as I knew about it, and answer questions that they had about it. Wouldn't you know it, a year after that they were here! It has been so wonderful getting to know them even more and to have them be a part of our family for 6 months. I am excited to remain in contact with them over the next few years as their lives will be so full with new and fun adventures!

The Lord has really taught me how to use the time that we have with the people around us. If it's a day, month or year it is insignificant....it's about relationships and building as much as you can with what you have.

New Prespective

As I sat on the couch all week I ended up watching SO many different things on TV. By the way, I had really good timing on getting our new flat screen which is a beauty (thanks wifey!) Obviously there is only so much of what I like on tv during the dreaded afternoon so I was forced into channel surfing and landing on things in which I thought had no chance of my liking, or so I thought.



First the college world series. Something I have never enjoyed on tv, in fact I think I'd rather go get a pedicure with my wife. But, I got caught up in the story of Fresno State and ended up watchin the last game of the series. Definitely have to give them props coming out of the WAC (Western Athletic Conference) and winning it all. There are reports that say its not that big of a deal but come on, their RPI was like 89th in the nation...ouch! Good story and was fun to watch.



Now, the second thing that I ended up completely loving was the EuroCup2008. For those who don't know what that is it is the championship of soccer in all of Europe. I think I started watching it in the semifinals where Germany played Turkey and Spain played Russia. We just finished watching Spain beat Germany in the final with our two friends from Switzerland who were both rootin' for Germany as one of them was half German. Wow...definitely entertaining and will be watching it again in 4 years and will be looking forward to the World Championship in 2 years. Soccer was something I never really played and never had any interest in since it wasn't fast paced like basketball or football. To me, it lacked personality. Totally wrong, intense and very fast, injuries left and right with the goalies scrambling at almost every turn...very fun.



All in all, I don't know if I'll be too interested in the CWS again unless there is a good story but you can count on me to see the EuroCup again!

Day 4

Day 4. Sick of sitting around. Happy to do some work through email. Looking forward to planning our small camp for 4th and 5th graders. I'm actually going to venture out of the apartment today into the office (as the office is just next door). I'm not quite sure if I'm ready to tackle the stairs. If Charissa is around it probably won't happen but if not then I might act like a 2 year old who is investigating the dynamic of 9 steps down to another level. I'll let you know when that happens.

(As you can see that the word "yes" is on my leg. No, that isn't another tatoo. I had to write that on my leg before surgery to make sure that was the one they were operating on and not the other. Good thing they got it right!)

All in all my foot doesn't feel like it was straight up slammed with a hammer any longer. It is pretty much just numb until I have to move it and the blood starts to flow to it thats when the hammer comes back to life.

Yesterday was lame. I sat around all day asking different people to help me out at different times and then my poor wife who is feeling totally sick with her pregnancy and then doing a job that is fit for 3 people and taking care of our 11 month old all at the same time. Then coming home to her super hero laying on the couch asking for another soda or something to eat. WOW! I definitely owe her some flowers or a nice day out on the town. I'll wait for when the time is right when I can actually drive or even carry bags from shopping so Charissa doesn't have to do all the work. Mind you she has done enough this week to last an entire year!

Props to my wonderful wifey!

Austin Bunionectomy

Last Tuesday I went and had an 'Austin Bunionectomy.' For those who don't know what that is search for 'Bunion Surgery Pictures'. Lets just say that the Doc broke my foot and pined it where it was supposed to be. Tuesday night and all day Wednesday I don't know if I have ever experienced so much pain. Double doses of Vicodin and still nothing.



Since then I got some new medication and all is well. I'll be on crutches for 2 weeks and then won't be able to do anything active for about 3 months. Walking is about all I'll be able to do. I have to admit sitting on the couch for 2 full days hasn't been the worst thing ever. I am excited to be able to get around a little bit sometime soon. I'll try and get out tomorrow for a few minutes here and there just to get rid of the cabin fever.

Happy Hands

We just completed our VBS (Vaction Bible School) and I was able to be 'Macho D' for the third consecutive year. Please let me explain. Macho D is a distant cousin to Napolean Dynamite. This picture reveals that I might actually be related to him in real life. Yes that is my real hair. I began growing it out since last February and was extrememly happy to chop it off as soon as clean up day was over on Saturday. I get to spend an entire week dressed up as this character and show off all my "sweet, incredible skills....yesssss!!!" Can you believe I don't even have to take vacation to do this either!