End of July

Today is the end of July and as the summer transitions to August, so our family transitions to the next chapter.  Tomorrow I will be taking the girls - Sumer, Savannah and Samantha- to the airport for a return flight to Denver.  Hard to believe 6 weeks have passed.  Our time together was amazing and I have no regrets as I feel I "seized the day" while they were here.  Our daughter, Lauren, was supposed to return this morning to Savannah, GA, but instead she is staying in Kansas City and returning home to Jena and I.  For those of you who know that story it is a wonderful homecoming for Lauren.  We are thrilled to have her home again.   In addition to family change, Doulos Ministries is finally eliminating the corporate office back in Denver, CO and with that decision, Jena's role as Office Manager is also being eliminated.  We are not sure how we will proceed as a family but I'll offer more information as we sort things out.   For now, please pray for direction and wisdom. 

Last weekend, my mom was in town for a short visit.  It was her first time to KC since I moved here.  On Sunday we drove out to Topeka for a family

 reunion.  That was a blast.  Great food, tons of people and swimming in Shawnee Lake.  Tuesday was  Samantha's 13th birthday.  More good times, including a lunch date at Culver's for a burger and shake.  Wednesday, a friend offered us 5 free tickets to the Jonas Brothers concert at the Sprint Center.  For a moment, I thought the girls may pass out but they collected themselves and proceeded to have a night to remember.   

As we head into August we have plenty of uncertainties but God remains steady.   It's easy to see life's pain like family returning home or losing your job but it helps to live in life's little moments.  A fresh summertime watermelon, swimming in the lake or even Jonas Brothers tickets.  Blessings!

Childlike faith

Last Sunday, our pastor reminded us that it takes a child's faith to inherit the Kingdom.  Take, for example, Kaiden enjoying the ice cream in this photo.  There is no doubt of whether or not he enjoyed the cone as evidenced by the chocolate all over his face and  t-shirt.  Not a care in the world as to what others think.  Me, on the other hand, I would be wiping my mouth constantly, carefully licking the sides to minimize dripping  and holding the cone away from my clothes to ensure nothing got on me.  Like many of you, I have plenty of things I can worry about in my life right now but as Jesus said in Matthew, no amount of worry will add a single minute to my life.   Rest easy.  Worry less. Enjoy the ice cream in your life because the Kingdom is not far away.

The Boys Lodge opened last week here at Shelterwood and construction resumed this week on the field house.  We are hopeful the field house (which houses the school) will be complete by the end of August in time for the fall semester.  TSTL is still moving at full speed with the final week of camp going on right now outside my window.  The Leadtime class of big brothers and big sisters are on the home stretch and will be graduating soon with a new class starting in mid-August.  

July blessings

It has been a blast spending the summer with my kids.  Long days filled with swimming, staying up late, sleeping in, lots of grillin' and plenty of mosquito bites.  What a blessing!  It is also birthday season.  Justin turned 19 yesterday, tomorrow is Sweet 16 for Sumer and two weeks later Sam will be 13.  19 years passed like a blink of the eye with Justin.  It certainly reminds me of how precious each day is.  Life is just so short to not pursue your passions, love well and laugh often -- all within the freedom of serving the Lord.  

Shelterwood begins week #2 of Beyond today (a break from summer school and living "beyond" the normal schedule).  The girls will be joining TSTL and working with the camp staff and the boys will be out of town camping.  Last week the girls camped and the boys worked with TSTL.   I mentioned last week that construction will resume here on property due to a recent financial blessing.  More good news:  the Boys Lodge has been approved by the county for use!!  The boys will be moving over to the new lodge and the girls will move upstairs from downstairs in the current lodge.   It can sound complicated, I know, but it's a good problem to have.  God's timing is not our own.   

Happy 4th of July

Like most of you, this weekend I celebrated the 4th of July with the family.  So why, do you ask, do I have the Missouri state flag posted to the left instead of the usual stars and stripes?  This was my first Independence Day spent in Independence, MO and it was like no other.  The fireworks that you can legally buy in Missouri are crazy and we joined right in.  The noise makers started yesterday afternoon around noon and by nightfall, it was an absolute war zone.  Smoke, blasts, booms, whistle-screams and sparks on every block.  If you suffer from Post-War Traumaic Stress Syndrome, you would have been in a cold sweat, hiding under a car somewhere.  Needless to say, I had a blast and the kids sure had a blast.  Nothing like lighting the fuse and sprinting for cover.

The first summer session came to and end at Shelterwood.  It was capped off on Thursday by a trial by jury organized annually by our social studies teacher, Ms. Numerick.  The defendant this year was the Big Bad Wolf, accused of murdering two of the three pigs.  I was selected to the jury and after a three hour trial, we found the defendant...NOT GUILTY.  Yes, cheers and gasps could be heard throughout when the verdict was announced.

The Doulos board of directors has been working hard on securing funds for the completion of the buildings and last week it was announced that construction will resume.  Whooo Hooo!  That is great news.  Thanks to all of you for your partnership and prayers!  The first week of our inner city day camp ended well this week.  TSTL (The Sky's The Limit).  It's so cool seeing all three ministries in full swing at the same time.  Shelterwood, Leadtime, TSTL.