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.

 

Farewell Friend

Dedicated to Nick Muroki.

My good friend, Nick Muroki, has decided to leave Doulos Ministries and return to Denver, CO.  Friday was the last day of work and in true "Muroki" fashion we celebrated (for the 3rd or 4th time).  Nick also lived in our home off and on for the for the past year.  He will be missed by myself and the entire family.  Nick and I have served together for 3 years with Doulos and Shelterwood.  Three years ago Nick began his Leadtime year as a Big brother while I was the Guys House Director.  Many adventures, hardships, wild stories and memories came out of that year.  Arguably the most difficult year I have experienced at Shelterwood during my 4 year tenure.  Nick moved into the role as Leadtime intern two years ago and then relocated to Kansas City with the rest of us and has served the past year as a Leadtime recruiter.  Nick is a gifted communicator and few others have exemplified the Doulos heart of community and personal relationship like him.  What others often mistake as a "free" and even "non-committal" approach to life is actually Nick's desire to truly go wherever God calls.  He walks the walk.  Nick will be missed and we all wish him well. 

Sweet Summertime

Summer time has definitely arrived in Kansas City.  90 something today and 97, 98, 96 the next three days respectively.  I'm lovin it.  The survival plan is to lay low during the day, stay inside or in the pool, and then come out at night. Simple.

Fathers Day is today and I had a wonderful time with my kids.  Went to church this morning and this afternoon we took a swim in the recently-completed Shelterwood swimming pool.  Nice.  Capped off the night with some grilled pork chops and home baked cookies, compliments of Jena.  I felt blessed today.  

As advertised, a full week of work awaited me at Shelterwood following my vacation.  I was buried but made it through.  As I mentioned above, the pool is complete.  The Boys Lodge is complete, and has been for several months, but we do not yet have the certificate of occupancy. Still some red-tape with that one so something to keep in your prayers.   Without the Boys Lodge we are unable to increase the number of families we can take in.  There only so much space in the Girls Lodge which houses the staff, the guy residents, and the girl residents.  Oh yeah, one more thing...Doulos TSTL (The Sky's The Limit) inner city summer day camp begins this week!! 

Vacation from vacation

Jena and I made it home safely from Savannah.  Like many of you, I feel like I need a vacation from my vacation.  It probably doesn't help that we both got bad colds while away and made the 15 hour straight-through-the-night drive to get home.  It's back to work tomorrow so today (Sunday) is truly a day rest.

Had a great time in Savannah.  Spent several days at the beach on Tybee Island.  I tried to catch high tide with my body board as often as I could.  The 70 degree ocean water is wonderful.  I don't miss the days of numb and blue feet from northern California and the Pacific.  Jena and I had dinner one night at Uncle Bubba's Oyster House.  If you ever watch the Food Network you may have heard of it.  Even had a chance to catch a Savannah Sand Gnats baseball game - Single A minor league.  Nothing like it if you like baseball.  

It's good to be home.  Work tomorrow will probably feel like a drinking from a firehouse but Oh well.  Glad I had a chance to get a way with Jena for a few days.