Summer break

It's been a slow week around here.  Staff usually rolls in between 8:45 and 9.  The kids wander past my office and into the front room around 11 with bed hair and asking about breakfast. Between now and Sunday all will return to normal.  Summer school starts Monday.  Half days  Monday through Thursday.  Back at the Albright home, summer break has arrived too.  Yesterday was Corey's last day and last week was Justin's.  Both boys hit the movie theatre in the afternoon and were probably up late last night.  Only a matter of days until boredom sets in.  Oh....the days of summer.     

Memorial Day

It's Memorial Day weekend and so many milestones have passed.  The kids all left for pre-summer break today.  It will be quiet around the ole' Wood for the next week.  Lots of hot pockets, frozen wings, and nuggets for those left behind.  The kitchen schedule goes into "break mode" and the prepared meals are temporarily gone.  Yesterday was the last chapel of the season.  Brought back a lot of memories because I remember the last chapel in Denver.  We will resume again at the end of August but lots will change by then.  A new Leadtime class.  Many new residents and probably even some turnover with staff.  I wrote a special song for the last chapel titled, "Ode to Chapel."  It was one of my typical Adam Sandler style songs with plenty of humor from life at the Wood.  It was a riot.

On a more somber note, one of our residents was pulled from the program today.  A guy who's been here for 17 months.  Always tough.  Honestly I think it will be good for him and the reasons are complicated.  It's times like these that I am reminded that I am entrusted by God to pour into the lives of these young people.  Could be a month...could be 17 months.  I give all I have because I never know how long it will be.  "Thanks God," for trusting me and "Thanks to my supporters for making this a reality.

Parent Weekend

Ok, so what about Parent Weekend?  Seems like it was eons ago but it was actually a little more than a week ago.  It was a smashing success.  Sure, we had the usual spots (those of you familiar with Shelterwood know what I mean)....Leadtime testimonies, Take-a-Big-to-breakfast, the Friday Night Talent Show, Parent Groups, The huge meals and clean up duty, Sunday morning chapel and family share time.  We didn't exactly re-invent the wheel but it was still awesome.  I had some encouraging conversations with several parents and the whole experience was authentic.  Two times a year during our parent weekends, I get to see the transformation of lives and the restoration of families up close.  I know....dramatic, but still true.  

I deeply appreciate all of your support.  Jena and I will be reviewing our ministry and support process in the next few months.  If you know of someone who may be interested in following our ministry and possibly supporting financially, please let me know.  I can still be reached balbright@douloscorp.com.  Blessings!

Camp Galilee

I'm sitting here at the computer on a Saturday afternoon blogging and still pretty exhausted from a week of summer camp in Eldorado Springs, MO.  Got home last night and it was an absolute blast!  The house directors did an amazing job organizing camp and my role was simply a team leader.  Had a cabin of about 5 boys and a few other leaders.  During the daytime we  served Camp Galilee with work projects and the rest of the day was filled with camp activities.  My team worked on thinning out trees and brush around the beautiful lake.  Had a chance to work the chain saw and I'm feeling it in my shoulders and forearms.  The afternoons were full of games including a low ropes course, several relay races, egg drop competition, team skit, volleyball and tons more.  I was the leader of Team Blue aka, "TNT--short for Troubled Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles"  (..and yes...we won the best team name competition).  We also won the entire week-long competition with a first place prize to Cold Stone ice cream for the whole team.  Any surprises, from Brian "Mr. Competitive" Albright???

The evenings included a Club time with some fun songs and worship led by myself and some fantastic messages from our house staff.  The kids and staff had great attitudes and the whole week was a smashing success.  Between the quiet times, worship, games, bon fires and work projects, God was most definitely present and pleased.  Thank you so much for your part in this ministry.  I had several meaningful conversations throughout the week with campers and staff and your faithful support makes trips like Camp Galilee a reality for my ministry.  Blessings.

(more to come later on parents weekend).

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!!