I am sitting here on my lounge chair...that in itself is a good thing! I am on the back deck in our new house watching the waterfall. Very peaceful. My son Judah is is with me eating a popsicle. (After eating his spoonful of peanut butter). Little Sweetie is sick and in bed and the others are at TC and school. Janine is at work. Dishes are being cleaned in the dishwasher and some of the bills are paid. Moving caused a lot of extra expenses and our RV trip ended up going over. So many in my life going through things. Because of FB I have knowledge of many peoples situations and it is a lot! I am praying for them. With the burdens and the concerns even still I know that I am blessed. There is always more up then downs and the light outshines the dark every time. It may be impossible to articulate all of this in a weblog yet in my heart I tell it to be joyful, thankful and peaceful. Truly I can in Christ!

Janine's 20 Year Class Reunion

Janine's Reunion - so I am here at the 20 year reunion with Janine. She is reconnecting with her classmates from days gone by. Is this "analog facebook"? Now I am the spouse that comes along and feels akward. So what do I do? What any guy would do...I sit on the lounge and blog about it. So this brings some questions to mind. Why do we enjoy rennecting with those we rarely see? Why do we dress up and get nervous about our appearance? Why do we want to impress and feel insecure? My favorite is: did we ever imagine this day and what it would be like 20 years ago? Now since this is her reunion and not mine I can sit here and ask questions no one is asking. Meanwhile she is out having a good time with old friends. Ok guess I should get up now and stop blogging :)

Day 9 Part 3 - Missions Trip with Kaytie

Day 9 part 3 finally I am thankful for all of those who supported and prayed for this trip. The impact will have eternal consequence. I could not have done it without you. Thank you!!! If you would like to continue to pray for Kaytie and/or help with future visits to see her we would be most grateful. All glory to Jesus.

Day 9 Part 2 - Missions Trip with Kaytie

Day 9 part 2 my final thoughts about all this...

I am so privelaged to have spent this week with these 33 teen challenge girls and staff. I am amazed of what servant hearted girls they are. The way they invested in the Lakota tribe children, holding them, teaching them and playing with them. I am also so greatful for teen challenge and how these lives are being changed. I am amazed at the love and power of Jesus Christ. I am also thankful for the director Mr. Doug Anderson for his compassion patience and leadership over his team and these girls. But mostly I am so very greatful for the change in my daughter's life. Her attitude and spirit. She really struggled and begged me to take her home in the start of the week but in the car she told me that she is ready to be in teen challenge. Her baptism was beautiful and I got to do it for her. I am a hopeful and blessed man.

Day 9 - Missions Trip with Kaytie

Day 9 this morning we cleaned up and packed. We had a wonderful church service this morning. About 15 locals and the large tc team made attendance about 65. I enjoyed doing worship with the two girls, Shelby and Kyli. Afterward the songs Shelby did her own song for the offering. The TC girls did various music signing, a skit I was in, and testimonies. Wow. One testimony really made me cry thinking of all the horrible abuse and pain she went through yet she is ready to serve the Lord and was baptized yesterday with Kaytie. At the end one of the TC girls preached. We left during that to head for the airport. Made it on time and have a good seat. I am texting this blog from the Omaha Airport.

Day 8 Part 2 - Missions Trip with Kaytie

Day 8 part 2 we did some clean up around the town and met an older man who gave us pepsis. I did not have one. I noticed how the yards had a lot of trash and yet some were much nicer than others. I learned the reason why there were so many damaged cars was jealosy. I can't imagine someone banging up a car for that reason but I suppose it is true. In the afternoon we all went to the river where 6 girls were baptized. It was a very special time with kaytie. She shared her heart and there is also a video. In the evening I discovered I will be leading worship with two of the girls. We had a time of sharing around the room which I thought was so encouraging to hear the things God was doing with the entire group. We went outside for fireworks which was chaos to say the least. Two gangs started at it so we went inside. A very cool and interesting 4th of July.

Day 8 Part 3 - Missions Trip with Kaytie

Day 8 part 3 I learned that a family had some issues at home so stayed with us for safety. Kaytie gave up her air mattress for them. Kaytie also fell in love with the baby Micah. He was adorable or as kaytie said an angel.