Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

The city of Savannah, GA is filled with mystery, beauty, and plenty of deep secrets.  Jena and I first met in Savannah and I named my second daughter Savannah.  Of course, Jena was born and raised in this city of intrigue.  One of the many reasons I am intrigued by her.  Anyway, Midnight in the Garden of Good Evil is a novel written by John Berendt about a murder trial in the 1980's and the many characters that make Savannah what it is.   A motion picture followed the book in 1994 starring John Cusak and Kevin Spacey.  I have read the novel twice and seen the movie 4 or 5 times but on my recent Christmas visit to Savannah, I took a tour of all the spots.  The Chatham county courthouse, Bonaventure cemetery, Mercer House, Clary's, Oglethorpe Club, the Savannah River.  It was incredible.  My father-in-law--another native--showed me around and even knew some of the real characters from the book.  I probably need to place a disclaimer because the movie is rated 'R' and the book is not much different.  However, for someone like me who fell in love in Savannah....returns to Savannah once or twice a year....read the book....seen the movie....it was way cool.  

Merry Christmas

Our family Thanksgiving was off the chart.  We had the whole family home and quiet moments came at a premium. We celebrated Thanksgiving, Kaiden's 3rd birthday and our 6th wedding anniversary all in the same weekend. Crazy . Jena cooked an amazing dinner, the Cowboys beat up on the Seahawks and Kaiden got up and personal with Chuck E. Cheese.  

Our Shelterwood numbers are still at 10.  In accordance with my last post, we lost one guy and gained one girl.  We have experienced our first few Kansas City snow storms and boy, what an adventure.  Thank goodness for 10 years of driving experience in the Colorado snow.    

This Saturday Jena and I are headed to Savannah, GA with Kaiden to celebrate Christmas.  Our family will be scattered for the the 2008 Christmas but we will be back together with all the fanfare to celebrate the New Year.  Jena and I would like to say a special "Thank You" for your faithful support of our ministry here at Doulos.  Even though it has been a turbulent ride of transition for the Albright family I know that each of you have experienced plenty of stress and challenge, yet you remain faithful.  Thank You again.  From our family to yours, "Merry Christmas."  The birth of Christ is a celebration of new beginnings.  Blessings!!

First time. Not unlike the last.

One of our residents left the program on Friday and it was tough to watch.  It wasn't a graduation but at the same time it was a sweet transition from Shelterwood to the next stage in life.  He was one of the original 4 guys that made the move from Denver.  A few of us gathered around and prayed before watching him walk out the door with dad.  In the group home business you never know if today is your last day with a kid.  It's what I love and it's what I hate.  God help me make the best of every moment.

Even though we're down to 9 residents, we have one coming Wednesday and two more in the mix.  The Guys Lodge is still under construction and our maximum occupancy in the Girls Lodge is 20.  Please pray for all the necessary "things" to fall in place for the completion of the lodge.

Our weekly chapel on Thursday has been going great.  Several staff have rotated through with a special message and the music has been amazing.  Brad has been killing the drums both during chapel and on Sunday mornings during worship at New Community Church.  He's a great kid.