Another picture of Fall

The giant Shelterwood tree pictured to the right shows the changing colors of Fall and the unchanging strength of strong roots.  Characteristics of the One who created the tree.  As fall fly's by it's hard to believe it is already October 19th.  Next weekend our semi-annual Fall Family Retreat will be here again.  Parents and siblings of our residents will be participating in a full weekend of seminars, conferences, counseling, meals and many stories.  On the heels of  Family Weekend it's time for Shelterwood Beyond Week and the annual Narrow Road retreat. A week of outreach and spiritual growth.  I will attending the Narrow Road retreat again this year and leading worship.   More on that as it draws near.

Our weekly Thursday morning chapel has been going fantastic.  It's great to sit back and watch the residents take the lead role with the music.  Right now I have two guitarist and a bass.  It allows me to sit back play the jimbe (hand drum).  The night shift has been a blast too.  I am still working Wednesday and Thursday evenings in the Boys House.  

  I am so thankful for the beautiful field house with weight room and full gymnasium and the rustic lodges with fireplaces.  The guys lodge even has a mounted deer rack compliments of last year's deer season.  

Despite the buildings and the trees and the vast acreage it still comes down to building relationships, sharing lives and having fun.  As I say so often, I appreciate your commitment to Doulos and Shelterwood and to the families we impact on a daily basis.

The Big Game

It was 30-something degrees yesterday in Kansas City and I was cold the entire time.  Wool socks, beanie, down coat, and still cold.  Justin and I showed up at Arrowhead Stadium at 8:15 am, 15 minutes before the gates opened and took our place in line behind all the other faithful fans waiting to get in.  The Dallas Cowboys were in town; the team I have faithfully cheered for since 1979.  No way was I going to I miss this event. We started tailgating at 8:30 am, as soon as they opened the gates.  Too early for burgers and hot dogs so we cooked breakfast burritos and discussed the ups and downs of the 2oo9 Cowboys including predictions of the upcoming Chiefs game starting at noon.  It would have created a little less anxiety if I had purchased tickets in advance, but we took our chances and bought tickets an hour before kickoff from a local.  Like I said, it was cold, it was loud,  it was raucous, and it was packed.  Never mind that Kansas City was 0-4 going in, they wanted to beat the Dallas Cowboys.  They were also motivated by the sea of blue, white and silver seen everywhere throughout the stands.  In the end, 4 quarters we're not enough for this circus.  The Cowboys and Chiefs went into overtime.  Not only that, each team had the ball twice in overtime before Tony Romo completed a 60-yard touchdown pass to Miles Austin to win the game 26-20.  I don't think I have ever hugged and hi-fived so many strangers before in my life.  I couldn't have asked for a more exciting game.  I guess Doulos news will have to wait one more week.  The buzz from yesterday's game is still on the front of my mind.

October breeze

October has arrived, complete with a cool morning breeze, leaves on the ground and the changing color of the trees.  I love it.  The constant reminder from God of the changing seasons and how they parallel our lives.  

I don't have too much news this week.  I started working in the house on Wednesday night.  I even had a chance to play basketball in the gym two nights in a row.  It was a blast running up and down the court with the guys but I was struggling the next morning to make the walk from the lower parking lot up to the lodge.  As much fun as I have acting like a kid, my body reminds me regularly that I am not.  Aside from the basketball, it was refreshing to spend time with the guys talking, laughing and sharing life on their terms and not just between the scheduled hours of 8 and 5.  

Jena and Justin are still buried in college books.  Justin is planning on transferring to Colorado University in January so his days in KC are numbered.  Jena plans to transfer to Central Missouri in Warrensburg either this spring or next fall.  Hopefully next Monday I will telling you all about the football game at Arrowhead Stadium between the Cowboys and Chiefs.  I am still trying to get tickets so we'll see?  

How about a beach getaway?

Jena and I try to let you, our ministry partners,  know as often as we can just how much we appreciate you.  We can't say it enough, but you are a true blessing to our family and our ministry at Doulos.  One thing we can do to show our gratitude is to share the things we have.  How about a beach getaway?  Jena's family has a house located in Edisto, SC, one block from the beach.  Edisto is about 45 minutes from Charleston.  It's not our home so we can't offer it for free; however, we can get you a low weekend or weekly price.  A special offer to our ministry team.  If you are interested, please contact me directly for details and specific dates at balbright@douloscorp.com.  

It was a routine week at Shelterwood.  Family night was Thursday evening and it was nice to see the staff families, Shelterwood residents and big brothers and sisters interact.  We attended the Kansas City zoo on Wednesday for Doulos Day, a monthly "field trip" sponsored by Leadtime.  Starting this week, I will begin working in the Guys House two evenings a week to assist with direct care of the residents.  That's where it all began 4 years ago.  I showed up for work on a Thursday evening--long hair and all--with a folded up Shelterwood handbook in my back pocket as training.  Thanks Josh, for believing in me (or at least for being desperate enough to take a chance??).  Anyway, I look forward to spending time with the guys on a regular basis.  

School is in session

Yesterday, we received the green light from the county to move into the Field House.  Once again, we moved desks, bookshelves, chairs, and furniture but this time for keeps.  A little less than a year ago, we showed up for work on the new Kansas City property and operated out of one building: the Dining Hall.  School was held in makeshift classrooms with partitions, Jena's office was in the corner next to the fireplace and all phone calls, internet access, meetings, and even chapel was held in one spot.  Now, don't get me wrong, the Dining Hall is a beautiful building but it wasn't long before cabin fever set in.   

The Field House is a state of the art building.  The top floor

opens out to a view of the swimming pool.  The school occupies the third floor and the classrooms are built for teaching with white boards, washing stations for science and individual bathrooms.  The bottom two floors are home to the gymnasium complete with a full stage.  The second floor mezzanine level has a weight room and dance floor which over look the gym.  The landscape is built on a slope which allows ground access at the bottom and top floors.

It's never really been about the buildings.  Whether we occupy a shack, lodge, or new field house, it's about relationships and families.  It was a milestone day for Doulos Ministries.  If you ever make it out to Independence, MO I will gladly give you a tour of the facility!

Diary of a short week

Last week I mentioned the Kansas City Irish Fest so I thought I would share a photo taken with some good friends.  You might notice the green water fountains in the background.  It was a nice touch.  Good times.

Like many of you, it was a short work week with the Labor Day holiday.  I spent the day with Jena, Justin, Corey and Kaiden at home and it was great!  The week still seemed long though?? 

Corey had a Pop Warner football game on Saturday.  An otherwise ordinary event but during the game a stealth bomber flew over the playing field...twice.  The second flyover was at a low altitude too.  It was awesome.

We launched chapel on Thursday.  Our guest speaker did a great job and the music by the Killer B's was excellent.  The B's have updated the Facebook fan page if you'd like to see some pics:

 http://www.facebook.com/pages/Killer-Bs/62870182157?ref=ts

It was great to have NFL football back and, of course, I have to say something about those Cowboys.  How Bout Em?  I enjoyed watching a game last night with a buddy from Shelterwood.  Football: another good reason for building community.

As the Field House nears completion, landscaping/erosion control re-started last week along with the pouring of sidewalks connecting the new building to the Dining Hall and Lodges.  

There you have it.  A diary of a short week.

  

Festive Fall

Fall is probably my favorite season.  I love the cool weather, watching the boys play local football and the sense of excitement a new school year brings.   It's barely Labor Day but the season is in full swing.  Saturday morning was Corey's first football game and the parents were out in full force wearing the black and red of the Fort Osage Indians.  We have also received a great deal of rain and it makes my short morning drive through the country to Doulos resemble a scene from Ireland.  Speaking of Ireland...this weekend  happens to be the Kansas City Irish Fest in the downtown Crown Center district.  Jena and I attended last night with a few friends. We had an amazing time enjoying the live Irish bands, food and festive atmosphere.  Good times.  In fact, following church this morning I realized just how buys this weekend has been.  Thank goodness for Labor Day and a holiday from work tomorrow.  

Chapel starts up this week at Shelterwood.  I enjoy letting the creative juices flow and the kids love the real youth group feel that comes with our weekly Thursday morning chapel.  This year we have a new team of musicians.  I've lost all but one of my original members but two more have joined.  In case you're wondering, things are coming along nicely with the Shelterwood Field House and I would expect completion by the end of September.  Just in time to start using the gymnasium and weight facilities before the cold weather comes.