Go Dawgs!

For all of you die hard sports fans, I have a story to tell...

Last Saturday was the inaugural football game for the Missouri Tigers in the Southeastern Conference.  Kind of a big deal.  Last year Mizzou left the Big 12 Conference and joined the high profile SEC.  The first game on the schedule was the University of Georgia Bulldogs.  The game was televised nationally on ESPN and game tickets were hard to come by.  Lucky for us, we have some connections at Georgia and a crazy group of us guys scored free tickets in the UGA booster section five rows in front of the marching band.  It was raucous.  Good times and amazing fellowship.  The game was played in Columbia, MO which is 100 miles east.  With a 7pm kick-off time, TV time-outs and plenty of traffic, we arrived home at 2:30am.  I was worth every minute.  Pictured left to right are my brothers and friends Blake, BJ, myself, Jimmy and Adam!

As much fun as the game was, we still had time to display Christ.  In the bumper-to-bumper traffic jam following the game, two unfortunate Missouri college girls had a car overheat right in front of us. The poor ladies were terrified as folks were hollering to "turn off the engine."  They had no idea what to do and the traffic was unforgiving.  Well, four crazy Georgia fans from Doulos stepped in.  We jumped out and pushed their car to the side of the road.  In addition, we repaired the radiator hose temporarily allowing them to safely drive back to the dorm.  Of course, they have no idea we are from Doulos or even believers in Christ but they were thrilled to receive the help and it was the right thing to do!

The football game was yet another reminder that community is what matters most.  Sure we stay busy with all the hustle and bustle of Shelterwood but the life lesson is that people always matter.

Birthday Reflections

Yesterday was my birthday and although I am not much for attention, it is perfectly fine to mention it the day after when it's too late to acknowledge.  Of course I had to work at Shelterwood and it seemed like the whole day was filled with meetings.  Ugh.

The highlight of the day was my lunch appointment with Jena at our local Mexican restaurant.  In an attempted surprise, my good friends from work joined us making the  mid-day celebration rich with meaning.  The folks I deeply care about-- Blake, Adam, Tom, and Daniel-- were all present.  Being the sweetheart that she is, Jena orchestrated the whole thing.  And no birthday is complete without wearing a ridiculous sombrero while listening to an off-key serenade from the wait staff.

Settling into Fall

As the weather finally begins to cool in Kansas City, the fall schedule is heating up.  Nothing unusual.  Our new big brothers and sisters wrapped up orientation and training on Friday and have officially been launched into service.  Sometimes it's entertaining to observe the cycles at Shelterwood.  King Solomon was right all along when he recognized that nothing is new under the sun.  The new bigs were tiring from all the training and eager to begin ministry with the students.  Meanwhile the current staff is tiring from the demands of ministry and desiring more training. Funny how that works.

We have seen a significant influx of new families in both lodges.  We have two families arriving tomorrow (Monday) which will push us up to 29 boys.  Our regular chapel schedule resumed on Thursday morning.  I enjoyed the opportunity to lead worship with the students and staff.  Many of our bigs have rotated through worship so it was nice for the "old dog" to get a turn.  It was a tough crowd at first.  Literally only two of the 27 boys stood up to participate in worship but thankfully God showed up.  It's a good thing it's not about me.  Fellow staff and friend, BJ, shared about the wanderings of Israel in the dessert with a message entitled, "Why the heck am I here?"  Timely.

I appreciate your faithfulness in support of Doulos.  God continues to bring us families to heal and young adults to mold.  It does matter!

Georgia on my mind

Jena and I just completed a much needed vacation  through the southern states down to Savannah.  We started out our adventure by driving to Knoxville and spending a few with days with our good friends Doug and Lita.  Our two days in Knoxville were filled with late night conversations, a beautiful lake view and even a trip to Dollywood.  Jena and I met Doug and Lita two years ago while on a Carnival cruise to Mexico.  They are ministry veterans with a similar blended family experience.  We have stayed in regular contact over the years and finally had a chance to re-connect.  Amazing how God orchestrates divine appointments.

Following our stop in Tennessee, Jena and I drove the rest of the way to Savannah and spent the week on Tybee beach with Jena's folks.  Between the pool, high tide surfing, beach volleyball and long walks searching for sea shells, I stayed plenty busy.  We try to make down to Savannah at least once a year.  Of course it is Jena's hometown and Tybee is the location of our wedding engagement.  Sweet memories.

Post summer break started last Friday at Shelterwood.  It made for a nice quiet return to work today.  Our new big brothers and sisters arrived today.  A fantastic group of young men and women.  Over the next two weeks we will be walking them through the Shelterwood orientation process including a Healing For the Nations retreat led by our director, Rujon.

I will be taking on a new role at Shelterwood as an advocate for the big brothers.  I will still operate as the House Director but, in addition, I will be overseeing the mentoring and growth development of our big brothers.  It should be an easy transition with my passion and appreciation for the big brothers.  Please remember our bigs in your prayers over the next two weeks as they adjust to the next chapter of ministry for their life.

The Difference

On Friday we celebrated the graduation of our big brothers and big sisters from the August 2011 class.  You may have seen this very picture from the Shelterwood Facebook page but it is worth repeating.  Simply put: our "bigs" make the difference!  Year after year I have watched young men and women dedicate their lives to the service of Shelterwood and pour out heart and soul into the hurting families and teenagers that pass through our program.  True measures of success pass the test of time and the relationships built between our bigs and the residents have done just that.   Life goes on after Shelterwood and so does the bond between bigs and littles.  Families come to Doulos broken and hurting and they leave their children with complete strangers.  It is during this time that our big brothers/sisters step into the gap and become Christ when mom and dad cannot.  They listen, love, laugh and discipline despite the resistance and lack of appreciation from the teens.   They are true servants. The proudest moments I feel at Shelterwood come during the graduation ceremonies of our bigs.  

Well done Adam, Kerry, Ryan, Cody, Brian, Tammy, Amanda, Ashley, Courtney and Kiley!  

Summer Heat

Summer time continues to pass through Kansas City in blazing hot fashion.  It has mostly been in the 100's and you get accustomed to the survival techniques for staying cool.  Even the swimming pools and lakes warm up and offer minimal relief.  Oh, the dog days of summer!

It has been great to have my kids in town this week.  Justin and Sumer will be returning to college in the fall.  Justin is working as a lifeguard at the YMCA in Boulder and will be transferring to Metro College in downtown Denver in late August.  Sumer is working at a local restaurant and will return to Colorado State in Fort Collins for the fall semester.  My daughter Savannah will be a senior in high school this year and she, too, has a summer job.   My youngest daughter Samantha works during the school year as a gymnast instructor freeing up her the entire summer to spend with dad in KC.

Shelterwood is back in session for the second summer school term.  It is nice to have the sumer schedule back on track.  The house trips were a success for both the guys and the girls.  Both lodges spent a week at Point 11 camp in addition to some camping adventures.  

There are some areas on campus where I would certainly appreciate your prayers:

1. Our August big brothers and sisters are graduating soon and transitioning to the next chapter in life.  Please pray for guidance and wisdom as they consider the next move.

2. This week is the state accreditation visit from Missouri.  Our Director has been preparing and planning but it is always a stressful time when state comes on campus.

3. August has become a month of transition and change.  We typically receive an influx of residents as well as a new class of big brothers and sisters.  In addition to staff and headcount changes, we have seen major change and restructure over the past several August months.  Although I don't know of any change coming yet, pray for the ministry as we prepare for the August rush and refocus.

Celebrate Freedom

I trust you enjoyed the 4th of July holiday with your family and friends!  Jena and I spent the day with good Shelterwood friends grilling and enjoying the crazy noise that comes out of Jackson county every year to celebrate Independence.  It has been blazing hot in Missouri but fortunately for us the humidity has prevented the fires that have ravaged Colorado and allowed us to still enjoy fireworks.  For that we are thankful.  At the risk of sounding cheesy, I feel blessed to enjoy freedom and fellowship with with friends and family.

Speaking of freedom, during the Shelterwood mock trial a week ago, I filled the role of defendant.  I spent the previous 3 years as a juror but this year was different.  I was the "Big Bad Wolf" and on trial for the murder of Leon and Wilbur pig.  I faced the additional charge of mugging Red Riding Hood.  Many characters were involved and each had a story to tell.  Only the judge (Ms. Numerick) knew the whole truth.  It was a tense trial but my lawyers did an excellent job getting me acquitted of all charges.  I rewarded them both with a trip to the QT.  (In case you're wondering...I was actually innocent of the murders and guilty of the robbery).

Campus has been empty all week except for a few staff here and there.  The kids are off on annual summer trips.  The girls are in St. Louis and the boys are down at Point 11 Kanakuk camp.  The travels will conclude Friday and Saturday and residents will be on campus over the weekend before leaving for the second phase of travels next week.  Next week the boys will be traveling back to Branson and Rockin Z Ranch in Arkansas while the girls take their turn at Point 11.