Winter Sun

Yesterday the sun broke through and folks were seen around Shelterwood in T-shirts. It was 60-something degrees outside and it felt like spring or even summer. It was refreshing. The thawing process; however, is not without mess. A fair amount of slush and mud is generated as a result of winter sunshine. Inconvenient but well worth it. As I often mention in my blog, the seasons have a striking parallel to spiritual growth and, although winter is long from over, the winter sun warms the soul. A reminder of hope that brings joy as God shines in the winter exposing the slush and mud of growth.

Comings and goings at Shetlerwood...

We celebrated the graduation of a young lady on Thursday afternoon. Earlier that same day, one our big brothers shared some original hip-hop music during chapel. We were also blessed to hear the testimony of a local young man's journey through hardship and ultimately to Christ. Two new families arrived in the boys house last week and one departed bringing our total to 25. We have also received two new Big brothers. I know it's hard to keep track so you'll just have to take my word. 25 boy residents. 8 Big brothers. 1 new resident is scheduled to come next week and 2 more big brothers are in the application/approval process.

January exceptions

We received the first real snow of the winter season last weekend but somehow I feel thankful because it was much worse it other parts of the country. The local schools were cancelled for 3 straight days. There is still plenty of snow on the ground; par the course for a January in Kansas City. Today, of course, is the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday postponing school yet another day. Holiday's and weather are acceptable reasons stay home but it is hard going back when you break routine. Just ask my boys, Corey and Kaiden. Something to keep in mind when you are taking on New Year's resolutions or goals in general. You can't control the unexpected, so it makes the daily discipline all the more important.

Things are moving along at Shelterwood (sort of). I mean, nothing epic to report. A new boy arrived on Friday and 3 more are scheduled on the calendar. Orientation and training is slowing down with the new big brothers and big sisters and the normal schedule will resume by the end of the month. Another big brother, Phillip, joined Doulos Discipleship yesterday. Last Thursday, following chapel, another big brother prospect dropped in. I showed him around for about an hour and talked about the program. As you can see, with the new model of Doulos Discipleship, new folks pass through beyond the old deadlines of August and January. With Shelterwood changing frequently, it makes a lot of sense to have new big brothers with flexibility, although we still target and promote the August and January start dates.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I trust you had a wonderful holiday season with your families. Jena and I had a quiet Christmas with Kaiden. We went ice skating at Crown Center downtown and ate lunch at famous Fritz burgers. At Fritz, your food is delivered to your table on a miniature train that runs through the restaurant. On Christmas Eve we left cookies out for Santa and carrots for the reindeer. On the 26th the rest of the gang showed up. A house full of teenage girls coupled with a college boy made for a rowdy week. The kids all enjoyed our annual slide show; a family tradition. Lots of photos and memories. Jena and I have much to be thankful for today.

Things are back to normal at Doulos. There is a newness in the air. Three new Big Brothers have arrived and two new residents in the Guys House. This week and next is filled with training and orientation with our new staff and the new school semester has begun at Shelterwood. Tomorrow one of our girl residents will be graduating the program. Things always change at Doulos, one of the redeeming reasons I enjoy the ministry. Since I started my new role back in late August as Resident Director, over half the staff in the Guys House has turned over. Not sure if that is a good or bad thing but the new guys share my school of thought so it is encouraging have the right people in place to ensure effective and healthy ministry to the boys and their families.

Finally, I had a chance to share this morning in chapel. A few Truths God laid on my heart from the Creation account. First, "the Spirit of God hovered over the earth" indicates to me that God hovers over my life with anticipation of new and beautiful things to come. Second, "there was morning and night the first day." A key phrase repeated throughout the creation process. It reminds me that life is full of "day and night" seasons. Times of

rejoicing and times of despair. Regardless of the day or night, the third point is that man was not created to be alone. We need each other. A great concept but a difficult one to grasp unless we are willing to get up a pursue others as opposed to waiting for others to pursue us

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I deeply appreciate all of your prayers and support. Thank you for making 2o1o a successful year of ministry and 2011 a promising year of hope!

Merry Christmas

Christmas is just about here I hope today's blog finds you with holiday cheer! Having a 5 year old in our home certainly brings a childlike perspective on the Christmas season for Jena and I. We received our first snowfall of the year about 10 days ago and Kaiden woke up the next morning thinking it was Christmas Day. He was slightly disappointed to learn it was a false alarm but he quickly recovered. Hopefully in snows again on Christmas Day so as not to disappoint?

Shelterwood Christmas break begins this Wednesday and there is lots of movement this time of year. Last Friday the December Leadtime graduation ceremony took place in the Guys Lodge. One big brother and 6 big sisters completed a Doulos year. This afternoon, two boys graduated from the Shelterwood program. In fact, both families transitioned in August from Branson to Kansas City to see the process through to completion. A new big brother joined our team a few weeks ago and two more big brothers will arrive in January.

Jena and I will be in KC for the holidays. I am actually relieved to not travel this year. We left on Christmas day last year for a drive to Georgia in a foot of snow and returned a week later to 8 degree weather. I trust all of you have a wonderful Christmas with your families. Thank you for your faithful support of our work with Doulos Ministries.

How Time Fly's

It's hard to believe my son Kaiden is 5 years old. 3 short months after I started working for Doulos, along came Kaiden. Now here we are. Oh how time fly's by. We celebrated with a few families and some of Kaiden's friends.

Today at Shelterwood we received a new teen boy from Nashville and also a new Big Brother on the same day. Another Intake is scheduled for later this week and two more Big Brothers are coming by year's end. A few boys are on the calendar to graduate just before Christmas Break and two of our current Big Brothers will graduate Leadtime too. Par for the season. As of now, we have 27 boys. Last week a new direct care staff was hired to join our team. A local guy with much needed experience and maturity. The plan has always been to fill up the Guys Lodge which holds 36 residents and so the hiring and Intake decisions will take us in that direction. The Doulos Christmas Party is later this week. I only mention it because some of you reading this have attended past parties and know exactly what to expect. Tis the Season!

Looking ahead...Shelterwood will be taking a mission trip to Haiti in April 2011. 12 kids and 8 staff. It's not likely that I will attend but it should be an amazing experience for those who do. Our Big Brothers and Sisters will be making the annual Mexico missions trip during Spring Break 2011. With all the uncertainty in Mexico, we actually to go El Paso but with a similar purpose.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today is the BIG day of "Thanks" so Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Jena's folks are in town and Justin arrived safely home from college last Friday. I know it sounds cliche' to "give thanks" so maybe a more appropriate response is to focus on all the good things God has done in our lives as opposed to the list of complaints we usually carry around. It doesn't take much effort to find the things awry in our life but it is much healthier for the soul to reflect on the blessings. Today I am thankful and as Scripture says, "do not about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself."

November, especially Thanksgiving, is always a busy time in our family. Corey celebrated his 14th birthday earlier this month, Kaiden will turn 5 on Sunday and Jena and I celebrate 8 years of marriage on Monday. Note to self: "if you need something to be thankful for, read the previous sentence."

Thanksgiving and the Holidays

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and the Christmas decorations are coming out. It gets dark now at 5:30pm and cooler weather has come to stay. The holiday season is upon us. Trying to coordinate and plan family time along with budgeting for gifts can be a little stressful but for the most part it is the most wonderful time of the year. I am clearing out space on the DVR for all the Christmas movies! May all of you have a blessed time with family over the coming weeks.

Thanksgiving break starts next Saturday for Shelterwood. It is always a little crazy organizing the travel plans for all the kids but it is coming together.