Killer B's, Silver Dollar and Parents.

Lots of stuff going on here at the ol' Wood so I will try and be brief.  The Killer B concert was this morning.  Stellar performance by the band--Brian, Ben, Brad, Brooke, Brian, Bob, and Kristin.  Amazing music with lots of energy.  Later this evening the parents will begin showing up for our semi-annual Family Weekend Retreat.  Folks from all over the country.  Thursday evening through Sunday afternoon.  Please pray for this event.  I look forward to meeting the families again and expanding our ministry beyond the residents.  Next week, we will be off to Camp Galillee for off-property, week-long all-house camping trip.  I'll try and catch everyone up on parents weekend and the house trip after I come back.  Going to be a busy weekend followed by a busy week. 

Bye the way, our trip to Branson and Silver Dollar City was awesome.  Jena, the boys, and I had a great time.  The weather turned out nice and our hotel had the One important amenity:  a pool.  

Branson

Jena and I are taking the boys to Branson, Missouri and Silver Dollar City this weekend.  It's been a crazy year so far and we are looking forward to some quality family time.  I last saw Silver Dollar City 10 years ago and it will be the first time for Jena, Corey and Kaiden.  I am certainly thankful for the opportunity of this short break.  

Tomorrow is our weekly chapel followed by an all-day work project.  Getting ready for Parent's Weekend April 30th- May 3rd and there is plenty of touch-up work to be done.  Parents roll into town next Thursday and it is sure to be a wild ride.

Spring is here

It's nice to finally turn the corner from winter to spring.  Sure, we still have cold days but more
 often than not, the sun shows up.  It was a busy spring week here in Kansas City.  On Saturday we attended a sunny easter egg hunt along with the rest of Independence.  It was fun, crowded and a little nuts.  The next day on Easter Sunday, it was cold and bitter but that didn't stop the egg searchin' or the celebratin'.  We had record attendance at New Community Church and filled up two services.

On Monday Justin and I headed out to the newly refurbished Kaufman Stadium and watched the Royals and Indians play.  We even brought the grill and did a little tail-gating.  It was still in the 40's on Monday and with the breeze it felt like 4 so we only lasted until the 5th inning.  Go Royals!

In some other not-so-exciting news, I had a chance to visit the UMKC Dental School on Tuesday.  Ugh.  Looks like I am getting a root canal but the cost at UMKC is about 1/3 of usual so I am thankful for that.  This week we have the Doulos Board of Directors in town so please keep those men in your prayers.  The building are not done, money is tight and the economy is tough but we are up to 19 residents now.  If you recall, we started with 5 in September.   In all things, God remains faithful.  Thanks for all of your continued support!!

Risen Indeed

It's a rainy Good Friday here in Kansas City.  Makes for green grass in the neighborhood and mud out at the ol' Wood.  Today is actually a Doulos holiday and I am thankful for the rest but it sure made for a busy Thursday.  Two days work cramped into one.  It's worth mentioning that yesterday's chapel was, once again, amazing.  Guest speaker, Angel, shared about accepting God's love and had plenty of pics from her world travels.  The kids performed a human video to the song, "Everything" by Lifehouse.  The teen-led worship band did a bang-up job too.  It brings a smile on my face to see the residents growing in faith and stepping up with involvement.

I am looking forward to celebrating Easter weekend.  Two services are planned at New Community Church and the band is opening up with Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day.   We're taking Kaiden to a couple different egg hunts in the area and somehow a ham will probably make into the mix on Sunday afternoon.  Fun times and good stuff but in all seriousness, this weekend is The Reason why we do what we do.  He is risen.  Let's celebrate!

Chapel

I have mentioned it briefly in most of my blogs, but 2 or 3 times a month we have chapel on a Thursday morning from 8:45 to 9:30.  It in the past it has been a pretty tough crowd but God has really blessed us in KC.  One of my many "other duties as assigned" is to run chapel.  I have enjoyed letting the creative juices flow with this responsibility.  Brings me back to my youth pastor days.  I have shared a few times, but most slots have been dished out to others.  Big brothers, Leadtime, Shelterwood and corporate staff, friends and pastors from the community...it's been a mix.  My role is to set up the speakers along with the music and other stuff.  During the process a worship band of residents has been formed, young adults have stepped up and gained experience speaking in front of teen crowds and the community has been pulled in.  We have tackled open questions from the kids, heard amazing personal testimonies and had plenty of fun in the process.  I try not to let things get dull by changing it up.  As noted in my last blog, the Killer B's are coming at the end of the month and next week a former missionary to Africa.  The chapel season is winding down and will cease during the summer semesters before resuming in the fall but God has been good.  We continue to fight for families and relationships at Doulos but not without a good Word and some fresh worship.

Killer B's to Aunt B

I think the WWE experience carried me through all last week.  I was still buzzing about it on Friday.  Oh well...got to move on I guess.  The weather was nuts--lots of sunshine and basketball, plenty of rain to keep KC green, enough wind to annoy everyone and a snow storm that kept most of us inside all day Saturday.  I think Spring is here but not sure?  

Other exciting news: The Killer B's are performing a live concert at Shelterwood on April 30th.  The Killer B's are a local indie rock band of teens that I recently organized. The show is scheduled during the weekly chapel time at Shelterwood.  One of these days I might grow up but until then I'll just keep watching wrestling with my 12-year old, playing in a band with a group of local high schoolers and working with teens and families at Shelterwood.    

Jena and I, along with Justin, Corey and Kaiden drove to Topeka, KS on Sunday to visit and share with my aunt Bonnie and her church.  It was a real blessing to connect with family.  The weather warmed up from Saturday's snow and the people at River of Life Family Church were amazing.  I had a chance to share about life relationships, connecting with others and the simple commandment from Jesus to "Love God, and love others."  

WWE - Live at Sprint Center

Last night Wordwide Wrestling Entertainment (aka WWE) came to the Sprint Center in downtown Kansas City and we were there.  Me, Corey, Jason, Luis and Jeremy.  What a night.  Of all the "professional" sporting events I have attended over the years this one definitely "takes the cake."   The WWE community is nuts.  We waited over an hour just to get inside the Sprint Center and I did not see a single empty seat.  The building holds over 18,000 folks, not sure what the WWE venue holds but it was full and raucous.  WWE runs a top notch show complete with pyrotechnics, rock music, and multi-media introductions and presentations.  Of course, all the favorite wrestlers showed up too.  Ray Mysterio, Triple H, Undertaker, Chris Jericho, Kane, CM Punk, Jeff Hardy, The Great Kali, Edge....just to name a few and believe me, the capacity crowd knew every one by name, record, and most popular move.  

Honestly, the most enjoyable part was watching men become boys, again.  No

, not the wrestlers, but me, Jeremy, Luis and Jason.  Kids in a candy store.  We laughed, screamed, chanted, hi-fived, raised fist and clapped.  Good times with good friends.  Like I've said many times before, life is meant to be shared.  Surround yourself with good friends and enjoy your version of WWE every once in a while.