a lack of faith...

Hey everyone...

It's been a good while since I sat down and wrote out something from the depths of my heart.  The past few months have been a flood of emotions, a hurricane of feelings and a downpour of change in my life.  There were times when I wanted to write things down and "get them out" but the words just wouldn't come.  So here it goes:

Back at the beginning of the year, which seems like a lifetime ago now, we felt it was time for us to move on from the church we were at to something else.  It was tough to even come to that conclusion but we stepped out in faith (at the time) and believed that God had something for us.  I resigned in February and started sending out resumes the first week of March.  We took that step in faith because we believed that we were doing it the right way.  We sent out resumes to over 20+ districts in one denomination and then to two different denominations outside of that.  In all, over 200 potential churches. 

 We decided to cast the net as wide as possible and March came and went.  April showed up and still nothing.  The calendar turned to May and still nothing.  Here's where the growing really started.  You see...sometimes our timing and God's timing aren't on the same clock.  I started doubting everything.  Wondering if I "had what it takes" or if any church would even take a chance on me.  My journey had started with a step out in faith and had turned into a lesson of doubt and discouragement.  The brunt of my blatant lack of faith landed on Sarah.  She was so understanding and supportive during this dark time in my life.  She tried to uplift me and tell me I had what it took.  A crazy thing happens when you go through colossal struggles in life.  Those around you start to break out the old cliches and one liners mostly because they don't know what else to say.  My family was backing me the whole way and I know that their prayers lifted me up.  They had the faith for me that I so sorely lacked.  I couldn't count the number of times in my private prayer times that I have just lamented to God that I just need to know where and when and what I should do.  At the beginning of May I really wondered if God had forgotten me.  In this universe that is so vast and with so many other people, whose needs were more desperate than mine, I wonder aloud sometimes if God had missed the memo.  I questioned if I had done the wrong thing and had let down my family.  I cried all the while angry at the fact that I felt I had done the right thing but not a thing was going right.  

Then in May God stepped in.  Haymount called.  I took the call.  We came down on a Tuesday and went home on a Thursday.  We felt the potential and love of the people of Haymount.  We thought that we could fill the needs that they needed and that the gifts that God had given me (which I had doubted for 3 months) would plug right into the holes that were here.  They called the following Monday and we accepted the call.  They looked at over 100 resumes.  I sent my resume to over 200 churches.  Still, here we are.  All that to tell you my testimony this Monday July 26th, 2010:

God.Is.Faithful.  

He undoubtedly loves us.  He really does have the best in mind for us.  He cares about our lives.  He expects a lot out of us, but we are to expect a lot out of Him!  When we have a need we should ask and then wait for Him to answer because He will.  As Kari Jobe sings, "I know that you are for me. I know that you are for me.  I know that you will never forsake me in my weaknesses."  Up to this day, my life has been a blessed life.  God has given me my best friend and wife even though I tried to mess that one up.  He has blessed us with being at Shiloh for a lot of the "firsts" of our life together.  He has given us a beautiful baby girl who teaches us about love every day.  He has blessed us with family and with Christian parents who pray for us, who tell us those old cliches mainly because they are true and they have lived them, and who are still standing by us even though we are far away.  He has recently blessed us with an apartment with A/C on 100 degree days!  He opened up a job for Sarah.  He has placed me in a ministry where I am surrounded by amazing people and I have the privilege of building new relationships with some great students!  I get to come along side and help with New Sanctuary and help with that service in ways that I love.  

God...Is...Faithful.

If there is one thing I've learned about faith it is this: You can't be told that God is faithful.  You have to go through a situation where you get to the point where you can do nothing else but trust Him to understand the depths of His faithfulness and love for you.  

I hope that this finds you well and blessed.  May you know the rest that comes from trusting in a God who is for you!  May you come to know that He will never forsake you in your weaknesses...He only becomes stronger!

II Thess. 3:3, " But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one."

May newsletter

 Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.  -James 1:6-8

Trust is a funny thing.  It always seems to be on one of those scales with two plates that are moving up and down depending on the object on each side.  Trust or faith reside on the one side.  The other, well it is something most Christians don't talk about, or if they do it is called something other than doubt.  We like to disguise it with chatter.  We like to talk about our situations more than we pray about them it seems.  Words upon words.  Sentences upon sentences.  It seems to run on and on.  We always seem to have a word for other people when they are going through things.  We have some Christanese to share or some clichéd phrase that we've been taught to regurgitate.  There are times when people need to be reminded about things. 

The word trust is so relative.  What looks like trust to me could look like doubting to you and vice versa.  I was talking to my Dad the other day about doubting and he told me about a devotional that he had read that said that when you start doubting God and the plans He has and His word that you move into a different world.  The enemy begins to get a foothold and starts planting seeds here and there of doubt and discouragement and we go into a new world.  It becomes a world where we start questioning ourselves.  Our faith turns stale and rigid and it dries up and dies.  Our love turns into hate.  Our mercy for others around us turns into resentment and wondering why this happens for them and not for me. We start looking at the here-and-now and fail to remember Scriptures like I. Samuel 7:12 where we are reminded that "To the point where we are right now, the Lord HAS helped us."  If you want an indication of what God is going to do, look at what He's already done!  

May we realize that there has to come a time when we stop searching for the answers.  We must stop asking for a way out and we must begin to trust God where we are and just let Him have His way.  

Before they call out, I'll answer. Before they've finished speaking, I'll have heard.  -God (Isaiah 65:24)

Wait passionately for God, don't leave the path. (Psalm 37:34)

-Pastor Andy

March Newsletter article

Paths

 

 

Here in Northern Indiana we get a lot of snow.  We get system snow and we also get some lake effect!  Snow doesn't bother me.  I actually like it.  It is amazing to see all the tracks in the snow.  We would have never known that those animals or people would have been there unless we were some world class animal tracker!  I have to walk through the snow to get to my car so I have a path from the deck to the garage and to the Oasis that I have used many times.  The other day it got super cold and the snow quickly turned into ice and it was very slippery in the pathway that I had created.  It was ironic that it had become safer outside of the path that I had normally went down due to the ice.  If I would have insisted on walking in the icy footprints I would have likely taken a fall. 

How many times do we walk down the same paths even when we know that it isn't the best thing to do?  It might not be bad or sinful, but we know deep down that there is a "better" path that we could be on?  We still make those choices that insist on us staying in this path or that path because that is "our" path.  It is silly when we look back and get some perspective on whatever situation that we went through.  Sometimes in life it is easier to go down the same path that we've always gone down.  But we aren't supposed to survive life, we are expected to live it! 

So the next time that you have the chance to take a new path down an unexpected event in your life or to give something new a chance, try it out because sometimes it is easier to make new tracks than to try and not slip on the icy path you are used to going down.  

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight!"                   -Proverbs 3:5-6

 

With a heart full of love,

 

Pastor Andy

Valley's- February Newsletter Article

If you know me, you know that I bleed Cream and Crimson...I love IU basketball.  Last  season they went 6 and 25.  They won 6 games and lost 25 games.  I taped every one and watched it.  Every second.  That season taught me a few things about valleys and anger management and ulcers but those other two things won't make for a good article. 

    1.One things I learned was, you sometimes hit valleys because of unforeseen things.  Someone else does something to you or someone you love, the stock market crashes, other peoples decisions have an impact on your life, or maybe it is just something random that happened by no one's fault.  It just happened.

    2.  Secondly, often times you go through valleys because you are missing the signs or ignoring them in your own life.  How many times in life are we given warning signs along side the road of life that we just flat out ignore?  How many times has someone said a wise word or given us sound advice and we just ignored it and went ahead with whatever we wanted to do?  God said that if we are lacking wisdom to ask for it and He will give it to us! 


    3.  Three, I hate losing at anything.  I hate losing and the way it makes you feel.  My kids are in for a real treat.  They will have to earn their wins when playing Chutes and Ladders or Checkers or Candyland!  I think as Christians we have become so apathetic towards things that when we start to "lose" a battle in life we start "woe is me-ing."  We are more than conquerors!  When evils wins out in the present, we know that in end the victory is with the Lord.  Don't give in or give up...trust that God has placed you in this season for some reason.  Trust that wherever you go, He will be there. 

    4.  Fourth, doing the right things in valley will help you grow and potentially get out of that valley or those things will help you be content while you are in the valley.  Their season made me be thankful for each win they had but in life it helped me savor each "win" that I experienced too.  Isn't it the case that when things are not going very good we rarely acknowledge the good things when they do happen?  We need to learn to take the "wins" in life when and where we can.  Jesus said that this life will be full of hard times and people will not like us and attack us and discourage us.  But I think our attitude and demeanor are a product of our reactions rather than others actions. 

When those hard times hit we must keep the faith, literally.  We must stay close to Christ and to His Word and His promises.  We must as John Vermilya put it at Love Mercy, "Put down our oars and put up our sails!"  We can't do this on our own and when we try, we often times create our own valleys and our own times of discouragement. 

we made it home...this was by far the best wesleyan convention i have been to...the speakers...the bands...the worship were so authentic

had a great day 2 @ Love Mercy 09...kj-52 was crazy...a couple of our students went forward to accept a call into ministry!

great first day at Love Mercy...Everyday Sunday kicked it off...the Aaron Pulsue Band led in worship and John Vermilya had the message...

made it to louisville...checked in...took longer than expected ...had to change the windshield wipers...lots of fun so far!

leaving for the Love Mercy conference in Louisville,Ky...have a good group heading down...pray for kate to handle everything well

10 Things I have learned this year...

10.  That God doesn't give us patience.  He gives us situations where we need to use patience in. 
          This time last year we were frustrtated and upset with the whole baby situation.  We had been trying for nearly a year and each month the excitement would soon be followed with sadness and the sadness with frustration and the...well you get the picture.  That happened for many months on end.  In the end, God gave us the best gift on Christmas day either one of us could have ever asked for.  There was another big situation in our lives that caused a lot of stress and had people questioning my integrity.  However, after standing up and realizing that my integrity is not mine but God's and that he is in control of everything, I trusted Him and the situation took care of itself.  Patience paid off many times over. 

9.  There are times in life when all you can do is trust that God is good and has the best for you in mind.
          There have been moments over the past year where we didn't know what to do and really had to lean on God and Him giving us wisdom.  I think that my generation, in it's search for personal freedom and it's obession with self reliance, is doing itself a huge disservice by not asking those around them for wisdom.  The Bible doesn't cover ever area in our lives.  There are things that we face that those people never faced and vice versa.  However, we often times just make decisions and fail to ask those that God has put around us what to do.  Often times, God uses other people to impart the wisdom that we seek.  His word is true and many times it talks about asking for wisdom, and I think that when we fail to do so, we shortchange ourselves and those around us of the chance of becoming more like Christ. 

8.  All the parenting books in the world can't teach you how to be a parent.
          I never once thought that being a parent would be easy.  I thought I knew what I was getting into.  I thought I had gone without sleep and would be ok.  However, there is nothing that prepares you to have a kid other than having already had a kid!  Even then I bet it will be different.  Still, those stupid books tell you that the baby is supposed to be this long and weigh this much and be doing this or that and it makes you paranoid.  I hate baby books!  Pregnancy books are ok because you really can't see what is going on or not going on.  Those books say to do this or that but don't tell you what to do when you clip a thumb instead of a thumbnail or how to stay calm when your baby just let a bomb off and it reached her clothes!  There is only one thing that preoares you for being a parent: experience.  I can't wait to see what I haven't learned as little Kate grows up. 

7.  Family is uber-important and time is short. 
         I had never lost a close family member.  I lost a grade school friend once.  I had been around people that had died but never had I lost someone as close as my Grandpa Andy.  Some times the timing of life just punches you in the gut and leaves you gasping for air.  Kate was born in early September and the week before we are taking her to see him, Grandpa takes a turn for the worse and never recovers.  Kate never met her Great Grandpa.  He never met her.  That one still stings the worst.  My grandpa's passing sent me into a month long funk.  It also really cemented just how short life is and makes you really put into perspective what is important and the smallness of what most of us consider so urgent.  We run around in our little circles that we call our lives so panicked and pressured because we have placed such an importance on some of the most trivial things.  We let our jobs or our houses or our belongings and the pursuit of those things become of the greatest importance and fail to prioritize those things that mean the most in the end.  I miss Grandpa and wish that I would have gone over to see him more often.  It wasn't high on my list...but it should have been. What is low on your list that you need to bump up?

6.  You are either coming into a valley or leaving one. 
          If you know me, you know that I bleed Cream and Crimson...I love IU basketball.  This past season they went 6 and 25.  They won 6 games and lost 25 games.  I taped every one and watched it.  Every second.  That season taught me a few things about valleys.  One, you sometimes hit valleys because of unforeseen things.  However, often times you go through valleys because you are missing the signs or ignoring them in your own life.  Two, losing sucks.  I hate losing and the way it makes you feel.  Three, building things the right way and doing things the right was is always the way to go.  Their season made me be thankful for each win they had but in life it helped me savor each "win" that I experienced too. 

5.  Time changes everything.
          I miss certain times in life.  Needtobreathe sings a song called "Stones Under Rushing Water" that goes, "The years go by like stones under rushing water, you only know when they're gone" and it rings true.  We don't have a lot of close friends up here and the ones we do have we don't spend much time with.  It is hard living life without family and friends nearby.  Thank goodness we have a certain family in our church that is just like family, well, they are family, just with a different last name.  Anyway, nothing ever stays the same.  You go back to your school, or your old job or even the house you used to live in and nothing is ever how you see it in your mind.  This causes me to do one thing:  enjoy what you have right now.  Enjoy the crap out of it!  Squeeze every ounce of joy and fun and love that you can get from it.  Hug it and pet it and be present in the moment.  Stop wishing life away or your life will just get washed away. Nothing ever stays the same...cause it wouldn't ever be the same! 


4.  Worry gets you nowhere. 
          I can't tell you how many things that came up in our lvies this year where we had the opportunity to trust God and rest in Him that we traded in for worry and fear.  It is not that we didn't trust Him, we did. Just not enough at times.  First it was the baby.  Then the lease inspections.  Then finding a car.  Then finances when baby comes.  Then people attacked us and tried to knock us down.  Then the C-section.  Then the heart murmur.  Time after time that worry gets you nothing.  It is an action that often times feels like the only thing that feels right at the time but when the trial is over leaves you feel foolish and stressed.  It causes the joy of the moment to be squelched and lessened because you have the residue of all those stolen moments of worry.  Jesus talked about it.  I know this truth...and it is something that I will continue to work on in my life. 

3. I need more vacations to the beach. 
          Who knew that when I married Sarah I would be lucky enough to have recieved such great vacation family to visit with each year?  I can't imagine having a better group of people to go on vacation with than MFF and Megan.  It is always nice to spend time with Peggy too.  I wish that we could spend a month down there and relax...Lord knows I need it!  I had never gone on many vacations to the beach until I married Sarah.  Now, I feel like I am missing out if I go on vacation to somewhere that isn't MB!  It is like going to your favorite restaurant and ordering something new and missing your favorite food that you always order (yes, boneless Applebee's wings, I am talking to you)!  Viva La Myrtle Beach!  Viva La Vacation!  

2.  Babies change everything.
          Sleep? Check.  Eating? Check.  Traveling? Check.  Church and youth group? Check.  It is amazing how something so small has such an impact on all phases of life.  Kate wakes up, I wake up.  Kate wants to eat, I drop what I am doing and feed her.  Kate can't be left alone at home while I run errands, I pack her up, get her a bottle, a burp cloth, a blanket, a hat, her pacifier, a change of clothes, wipes, diapers...  lol.  I can't imagine what single parents go through.  I am blessed to be on this journey with Sarah.  She is such a great mom like everyone that knew her knew she would be.  Kate is such a blessing and it is all worth it...


1.  God has given me such an amazing friend and wife.
             In college before we dated, Sarah and I went to Wal-Mart.  I needed some toothpaste and some other things.  I remember this story well because of the thought that I had during that trip...we go over to the toothpaste aisle and I am trying to decide and while I am randomly looking at which tube to buy, Sarah picks one out for me.  I thought to myself, "She is going to be a good mom!"  And boy was I right.  Kate is blessed to have Sarah as her mom and I am more than blessed that Sarah puts up with me.  God knew that it would take just the right person to love me and be the pastor's wife and direction-giver and the putter-upper with the yelling during IU games and the person that would say the exact same thing that I say it...that I needed.  Sarah is that woman.  She is everything that I was looking for a wife and everything that I never knew I needed. 
         

Celebrate The Day

I had never heard this song until today when it came on Pandora...what powerful words!

The nearness of Christ

I love Christmas.  I love the cold weather and the snow and ice and all of that.  It drives Sarah CRAZY...and she usually follows my cheerful backing of all that Winter brings with, "Do you want me to die on the roads?"  Of course I don't :)  There is just something about the cold and the low hanging clouds that makes Christ feel closer to me.  It might be that I am so far from family and friends and don't get to see them that often.  It might be that through struggles and trials, many times the frustration blurs my vision and I feel distant from any and everything.  It might be that I love getting under a blanket and making sure I am COMPLETELY covered and knowing that in a few short minutes I will probably be too hot and uncovering myself!  (true story)...

However with all that in mind of what it may be that causes me to love the cold...I think that Christmas being here and having a child this year really brings to light what it meant that Jesus came like he did.  Not only in the way but the simple fact that while we (meaning humanity) were searching for other things and wanted other stuff to happen, He came in a way that for over 2000 years has brought warmth and comfort throughout the entire year.  He came near...he came from far away...somewhere else...to be near us.  In this big wide world, which I have never been to another country or to even illustrate this point more, I have never been further west on the US than St. Louis, he came near and it feels much closer than we probably deserve. When I walk outside and look up and see the stars and my breath at the same time and wonder how far away that is, it is then that I feel Him closest.

 So many times it feels like life is passing us by and some times it feels like we just are alone and everyone else is doing something amazing or fun and we are left out.  However, during this time of year, it is nice to know that we all slow down (eventually) and spend time with family and friends and we celebrate the nearness of Christ. 

I pray that during these last few days leading up to Christmas that you'll get done whatever it is that you HAVE to do...leave alone what doesn't need to be done and enjoy the closeness of those around you and the nearness of Christ!  Oh how He loves us...

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving and that you may be surrounded by those who love you and appreciate you!

December Newsletter Article

Let's Hope So.


Having a baby changes everything.  How quickly you realize this when your child needs nearly everything done for it.  They are helpless and in need of food, warmth, shelter, love, burped, changed, food, burped, changed...you get the picture.  They are one of the most helpless species when they are born.  They can't walk, they don't see very good and they have no teeth (good thing) or defenses.  Kate has been a blessing and it is still amazing to just look at her and be awestruck at the miracle of life.

This is why it is such a paradox that we find Jesus coming to Earth in this manner.  The Son of God, coming from Heaven to Earth not with might and strength.  Not with majesty or fanfare.  Not with an Army to overthrow or a delegation to persuade.  When he came he couldn't even speak.  Couldn't eat by himself.  How much did he love us to come like this for a people who where not getting it?  How much grace did the Father give us, a people who were still sinners, by sending Jesus to us?  I think that the Christmas Carol, "O Holy Night" says what Christmas is all about in a few short lines.

"Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease. "
                                                         -Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure

          It had been a long time since God created the world and a long time since Adam and Eve broke the bond that was created in the Garden of Eden.  God had seen enough to know that we needed a Savior.  One that could give us what we so desperately needed: hope!  We needed a hope that all the things that enslave us and hold us down could be broken.  We needed a hope that our relationship with the Creator of the universe could be restored in a deeper manner than a simple blood offering.  We needed a hope that came in a helpless baby to a hopeless world that was searching for something better. 
         
          This world will make you feel that things are hopeless.  All the voices in our world would like to tell you to panic and you need to worry about this or that.  That things look bleak.  However, this Christmas season, for those who know Christ and the power of His resurrection, we are not hopeless. We are not helpless.  We have a hope and a future.  We have someone who is our advocate with the Father.  Our hope came in the form of a little baby, without much fanfare, without a bed, without his family nearby, without much money, without many visitors and without much comfort. 
       
          So this Christmas season, may you come to see that wherever this year finds you, in good circumstances or some tough ones, that there was a very holy night that brought us a "Thrill of Hope!"  May you come to see that even though you may be weary and bound by chains of sin or worry or guilt, you have a chance for hope.  May you come near to the heart of Jesus this Christmas season and come close to the only one who can give us the hope that we need! 

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

                                                                                   -Hebrews 10:23

Jellyland update 11.13.09

Hey all...things have been busy the last few weeks.  They are about to get much busier too.  I hope this update on our family finds you and your family doing well and counting your blessings!


10.  IU's season starts tonight at 8pm against Howard University.  How excited am I about the start of this season?  Well, after last years 6-26 season, let's just say I am geeked. I am really excited to see what the 7 new players will bring (6 Freshman, 1 Transfer)   I have my IU gear on, Kate will be wearing her IU gear today and we'll be watching our first IU game together tonight after...

9.  Kate is going to her favorite dairy farm tonight for a while so Mommy and Daddy can go have a date night and celebrate their 4th anniversary!  Seriously, it has been an amazing 4 years and so much has changed and we've both grown in love and understanding.  I am so thankful that God has brought us together and that I get to spend my days and nights with such an amazing friend and wife. 


8.  We had a cavalcade of visitors last week/weekend.  My mom came up Thursday night and stayed through Friday afternoon.  It was good to see her and have her around for a bit.  Then on Saturday, Steve and Marilyn (Sarah's Dad and Step-Mom) came up in the early afternoon and we went out to eat with them and they got to see Kate.  Then on Sunday, my Aunt Lana, Uncle Terry and Grandma Martha came to church to hear me preach and we had lunch together.  It was the first time that my Grandma had heard me preach in person.  It was a great week and it was so nice to see family.

7.  Man, what is it in formula that makes it SO expensive?  Seriously, they have a monopoly on the stuff.  Whatchagonnado though because you have to buy it if you have to buy it.  It is crazy making a bottle because I am trying to be so careful and not spill any of the powder (which is hard to do because it is like a clingy powder) some of which inevitably falls out on the counter.  Oh well.  Diapers are crazy too.  Riddle me this...for the new born diapers that we have there is this yellow line that lets you know if it is wet or dirty...then after the newborn stage that line disappears.  Why?  Wouldn't it be much easier to tell with a universal yellow line rather than pulling the diaper back and hoping you come away with a clean finger?  I mean COME ON!  :)

6.  How 'bout them Colts.  17 regular season games in a row.  Wow.  I have a bad feeling about this weekend's game against the New England Patriots.   Just don't feel too confident with all the injuries.  Oh well...it's only one game either way.  My pick: Indy 27 New England 17

5.  Reality Check:  Survivor...I love Russell!  At first he was kinda mean and all that, but seriously, finding two hidden immunity idols without any clues?  He is becoming one of my favorites of all time...top 5 at least...no one touches Rupert though!  Amazing Race: I am rooting for the Globetrotters.  It feels like most of the teams are teaming up against them.  I like them and I like the Father/Son team (Gary and ____)...see how much I like them?  Biggest Loser: I am rooting for (in order) Rudy, Allen, and Danny. I keep wondering why Rudy wears a towel around his neck, under his shirt at everything physical.  Is it to sweat more?  IDK...anyways...Rudy...Rudy...Rudy!    who do you root for?


4.  God is always faithful isn't He?  I mean c'mon, when has there been a time when we were going through something that God wasn't right there using His Spirit to tell us, "Trust me.  I got it covered."  We thought we were going to have to pay nearly $3000 for all the baby bills when it was all said and done.  It turned out to be about a 1/4 of that.  God is good even when we don't see it.  Our lack of sight doesn't diminish anything about Him.  

3.  Sarah is heading back to work this Monday.  YIKES!  She is ready and not ready at the same time. There will be a lot of emotions and changes that she will go through and it will be tough at first.  However, she is a great mom and she will do great at the transition.  Please pray for me too...as I will be taking care of Kate on the days she works.  :) 

2.  On a really sad note:  We are getting rid of our two dogs, Lex and Flash.   We had thought about it and decided to wait and see how they adjusted and they  are doing ok.  However, we just feel like we don't have the time to spend with them as we should or did before.  We are also unsure of how Lex would have done with Kate once she starts crawling and grabbing at things.  So, we are reluctantly giving them up to a family member that was looking for a dog and is getting two!  We know he will take great care of them and that they will be loved. 

1.  Kate is doing really well.  At last weigh in she was 9lbs 2 oz.  She is gaining what she needs to.  A funny note.  The Dr. has this scale and if Kate keeps growing like she is, she will only be 5ft 2-3in!  LOL...she'll grow...or be a circus clown!  I have begun stretching her...not really.  She is smiling and talking more and more.  She loves taking naps with Mommy and Daddy.  She still has red hair and blue eyes.  Go figure. 


Thanks for reading.  May you know that you have been blessed.  You can read, breathe and use your fingers...you just proved it! :)

prayer request

my brother robbie has dealt with severe seizures for most of his life.  This has put him in group homes and left him to get around in a wheel chair.  this wednesday, they are going to do a surgery to implant something in his brain that will, in essence, catch the seizure before it happens.  It is supposed to intercept the action between the brain and muscles.  I am not sure of all the details but he is pretty scared about it.  So I am asking you to call on God to be with the Doctors, be with the nurses and to be with Robbie.  God is a merciful and just God and some things we just have to live with.  Then there are times when God heals us and heals our bodies...just pray that God's will would be done with this surgery and that God would be ever so close to Robbie this Wednesday. Thanks.

MIKESCHAIR - Let The Waters Rise

echoes my heart this Friday morning

Needtobreathe-Stones Under Rushing Water (Acoustic)

I listened to this song a lot after GPA Andy passed...this version is amazing. Makes me appreciate today...

Jellyland Update 10.20.09

Hey everyone!  I hope things are going well for you and that you know that you are loved by those around you and that God loves you!  Here's an update:


10.  It has been nearly a month since my Grandpa Andy passed away.  While there are days that are getting better, there are still times when I think about him while holding Kate and am deeply saddened.  I think this is something that will probably never go away.  Grandpa lived a good life.  He knew he was loved.  Grandma Martha took great care of him and he had some amazing kids. 

9.  It has turned to Fall and I LOVE it...It is almost like we skipped fall and went straight to Winter.  I love Fall/Winter for many things which include: swiss miss hot chocolate, hoodies, snow, IU basketball, tuesday night basketball, the leaves changing color, being able to see your breath, post-season baseball, and the holidays where you get to see your family and friends.  It IS the most wonderful time of the year!

8.  I am uber excited about getting to go to Anderson this weekend for a bit.  I miss my Sped boys.  I wish I were closer to them or they were closer to me.  I get to spend some quality time with mom and she gets to see Kate too!  There is just something about spending time with your closest friends...it is like wearing your favorite sweatshirt and stretching after a long nap...there is nothing like it!

7.  I worked out a few weeks ago with a personal trainer and have been doing the workouts 3-4 times a week.  I love it and finally have the "want to" to go work out.  Plus, tuesday night basketball started so I will get some exercise there too!

6.  Sarah and I joined Sam's Club yesterday.  I think that this is a right of passage for parents.  There were a ton of parents with their kids in there.  We bought our first (of MANY) cans of formula last night...OUCH!  Seriously, does it need to be THAT expensive?  I mean come on...seriously!?!?

5.  Our Wednesday night bible study is going really well.  We have been studying James and the kids, while at times don't seem to be paying much attention, are surprising me with how much they are retaining...that is God's work not mine.  One of them described it as a competitive Bible study because we give out Gold stars for certain answers.  :) Imagine that...something I am in charge of being labeled competitive...

4.  I am SO SICK AND TIRED of hearing about the H1N1 flu.  Seriously, I hate paranoia and all that it brings.  If you get the stinking virus, take the medicine.  If you don't, good for you.  Seriously, wash your hands in public, don't drink after others, don't sit near people that appear to be sick...I mean really?

3.  Sarah is MAKING me get a flu shot.  I don't ever remember getting one and I don't get sick...hardly ever.  What sealed the deal after weeks and weeks of pleading and begging to my stonewalled face and spirit was when Sarah said, "Get it for our daughter this year because she is too young to get it for herself."  So that is the plan, get it this year and never have to worry about it (until we have another kid RIGHT BEFORE FLU SEASON HITS) again!

2.  I just got done listening to Perry Noble's message at Unleash '09 and he was talking about the church and how it needs to reach out.  His first point was that the church must be willing to embrace change.  He knocked it out of the park when he said that if people would value the church and it's mission as much as they value their money we will begin to change.  He said that when the stock markets crashed and burnt that people were saying we need to do something else with the money...well, how long has your church been in decline and crashing around you yet we fail to change the things we need to change to bring about the things that Christ wants for His church??? hmmm...Is it worth it???

1.  Kate is doing really well.  She is up to 8lbs as of yesterday.  On track.  She is cooing and kicking her feet like crazy.  I just love being a Dad and know how much I love her and can't imagine how much God loves me to send His son to die so that I could have a relationship with Him.  Wow!  Anyways, her eyes are still blue and her hair is still red...that is what sarah calls her, Red...among many other things! 

May you know that God loves you deeply and passionately and wants the best for your life today and will give you the strength to live today (Ez. 36:26). 

It's almost time...

time to get out the Hoosiers DVD...Hoosier Hysteria is this Friday night
 and IU's first exhibition game is November 4th!