Jellyland Update 7.17.09

Hey all...how are things with you? I pray that all who read this are blessed by God in all your dealings. The past few weeks have been busy and growth filled (I'll explain later). It is nearing the end of July and it has been hard to remember a year that has gone faster than this one while at the same time been filled with tough, life-altering decisions and events. Well here goes a half-year update.

1. Since finding out that Sarah was pregnant on Christmas day, it has been a whirlwind of doctor appointments, planning, baby showers and hearing all the bad stories. It is crazy and somewhat irrational of the numerous people who love to tell an emotional pregnant woman all their horror stories about pregnancy. Still, even though seasoned parents love to say "enjoy this..." or "get this while you can..." we are so ready to be parents and tackle whatever comes our way with Baby Jelly.

2. Having a few really close pastor friends leave the district has really given me a new perspective and a lot of other good relationships. Over the past year and a half, since they have left, I have really gotten to know other youth pastors in this district. While it was hard to see them go, God has really used this time to help me reach out and make new connections with people who I never was that close with. I am greatful for the friendships that have come over the last 18 months.

3. Getting past the leases and getting new cars has lightened the load on our minds. We are both loving our cars. I miss my truck now and then but I love my Equinox. Sarah loves the heftiness of her Freestyle and will "hopefully" get stuck a lot less than the 5-10 times she got stuck with her car this past winter! :)

4. Senior High Camp went well. We had one teen who's been coming regularly for about a year now accept Christ so that makes it all worth it. It was very different doing it this year without Ben and Amanda/Brian and Matt. It was good to get to know Ryan Nelson more and have Uriah there with me too. It was a good week and I loved hanging out with the other youth pastors, it was so different than last year (see #2).

5. Missions Week 09 was good. I was disappointed in the number of kids who showed up (5) but very proud of all the work that they accomplished. I couldn't have asked for 5 kids to work harder than these kids worked all week. Thanks to Bobby and Anna for helping and all the other people that did their parts.

6. Softball has been good this year (save for one evening when we played a certain team) after having my season cut short last year because of my broken finger. I love softball and it is a good relief and time to spend with the guys in our church.

7. There have been some great relationship building moments in the past few months. It seems as though God is pushing me into these times with ease! Even though they have been tough to go through, getting on the other side has been a huge payoff.

8. We once again had a great time in South Carolina this year. There were considerably less people but it was good to just chill and relax and unthaw from the goings on of every day life. I love spending time with the SC family and just the laid back demeanor that we had this year. Can't wait for vacations in the future!

9. Things have been hectic this summer. We've had something going on every weekend from May 23 until August 8th! Different things have been fun and some things have been flat out tiring. It was good to see some family on July 4th at my family's baby shower. I wish we could have seen a few others but it was a holiday weekend and we didn't have any other time to do it on. Getting to go to Jon and April's the Friday before was a great thing. We got to spend time with them and the Blairs, other Wallaces and Charlie. It always does me well to be around SPEDS.

10. Last but not least, Sarah is doing really well. She hasn't had any sickness with the baby (yet). We've been blessed to have a "quiet" pregnancy if there is one. Things have gone by the book and we thank God that everything seems to be progressing the way it needs to be. Here's the new update: we went on Wednesday to the Dr. and Sarah is measuring larger than normal which could mean a few things. 1. We have a big baby coming (sarah was 9 pounds...I was 9 lbs 11 oz. !) or 2. they have our date wrong and we get to meet Baby Jelly sooner. Who knows....I am just hoping that Baby Katherine waits until after next saturday when we have our birthing class!

We can't wait! May you be blessed and know that God loves you...Oh how He loves you!

i am in the library wadding through my thoughts and trying to get a sermon for sunday am and 4 messages for missions week next week!

Update from Jellyland July edition

Hey all...life is/was/and will be crazy for a while. Things are going...that is about the extent of my describing where we are right now. Staying afloat and taking it one minute at a time. Here is what's being going on lately:


10. Softball season is about half over. It has been a good year. the extra baby weight has been felt and dually noted. I love softball...

9. Watching the Lakers win a championship was a much needed break from my sports year. After clawing through a 6-25 season by my IU Hoosiers, I needed something really good in the world of sports to happen. It was good seeing Kobe change from being a diva to being a great leader and teammate.

8. I have been listening to a lot more country music lately than I'd like to admit. I don't know what it is...if I am getting older and the songs resonate with me more...or that Sarah turns to the stations that play country music every time we get in the car...or what...anyways...whatever it is...

7. Vacation was good...it took me a while to thaw out...but it happened for a while. I love being with our Carolina family and being able to spend time with my momma was an added bonus. Seeing a 4 foot shark eat a fish 20 feet away from me only served to validate my fear of sharks...i don't care who makes jokes about it...sharks ARE SCARY!!!

6. Sarah is doing so well. There haven't been big issues and she hasn't been sick. God has blessed us with that. We had her families baby shower in May and the district youth pastors wives had one during camp. We have one this saturday with my mom and my family. Then in august the church is throwing one for Sarah. Continue to pray for health and saftey for sarah and baby jelly.

5. I backed into a light pole with my car right before vacation. It cost us our deductible but the repairs cost over $4000! I was kicking myself for a good long while. Accendidents do happen. Just not to me! :)

4. The baby's room is finally done being painted. We just have to organize and get everything set up. Sarah is 32 weeks this Friday! It is crazy to think that NEXT month I will be a Dad to a baby girl! Wow...

3. Sr. High Camp ended last Friday night. It was a good week. A lot of good things happened in the lives of the students of this district. God has blessed this district with a great bunch of Men and Women of high character and talent. It is great to be a part of that.

2. Missions Week starts this Sunday night. We will be having a church work day, doing a free car wash while giving out free wiper fluid and free ice pops...going to the eye glass factory in upland, going door to door collecting food for the Bread of Life food pantry and going to a local nursing home one morning to play games with the residence. then at night we'll have a "rally" where we'll worship and have a devo and then we all stay at the church! Fun week.

1. We are busy. We have a shower this weekend. Missions week next week...a wedding next saturday...my annual district conference the following saturday...then a guys night out for our church to a SilverHawks game the following monday and then taking the youth group to the Indiana Dunes that Tuesday! Before you know it, I'll be posting pics of Baby Jelly!


I hope this finds you doing well. That you are trusting God for everything He is and that you are not! That you know that you are loved....deeply and unconditionally. That God is in control. May God make your cup run over!