A Brand New World

This is going to wild, wierd and wacky. But you know what, I'm as ready as I'll ever be. I've been sitting through training for the past three days with five more to go and it's like I'm on a roller coaster ride trying to figure out if I like it enough to get back in line or dislike it enough to hit the exit and never look back. Now just to let you know, I am getting back in line - God's provided it, my family needs it, and to be honest I need it. It's good to be out of the house and at some level feeling viable. It's good to be connecting with people for very different worlds, backgrounds, and experiences. It's good to be trusting God in a world so radically different than the one I've prepared to lead and serve in since I was 17. It's time to practice what I've preached and see that any world in which we live, breathe, work, and connect with others is a world in which to love God and love others for the sake a of the Kingdom. So here I go into a brand new world...Jesus, give me strength and power to be brave, courageous, and full of faith and love!

Going Postal

If you haven't heard yet, I'm going to be working for the USPS starting Monday, December 12. Though I am very thankful for the job, it is still a little wierd to be thinking that my next position of employment will NOT be with the church...wild. I'll be a Temporary Rural Carrier (TRC) delivering mail to homes and business. In the beginning I will have to use our personal car, but I'm hoping to work my way up to bump in one of the those rockin' mail vehicles! I also got a packet in the mail for the Carmel USPS asking me to apply and interview Rural Carrier Associate (RCA) given the fact that I passed my postal exam.

I'm not sure how I really feel about all that, but it will take some getting used to. And who knows how long this will be for. As of right now, I think it's only for a season. My heart is still drawn towards the church, full-time ministry, and leading/serving God's people and students. But you never know. I continue to pray that God will use all my gifts and passion for people...to reach and love those I work with in the days, weeks, and months to come. This is going to be a challenge because it's such a different context. It is also going to be really exciting and I anticipate God doing some really cool things.

There you have it in a nutshell. But as always, my hands are held up high surrendering my life to the One who loves me, cares for me, and knows my heart and needs...Jesus. It's one step at a time as I walk by faith, stumble more often than not, and reach out for grace and help from God and others.

Thanksgiving fun!

The fun with cats: Ranger, Uncle Don and Parker.













The fun with waxing. Bret you are such a man!












I'd show you the fun my sister, Marcie, and I had with cameras, but I'm pretty sure their are laws prohibiting those kind of photos. If you are curious, just ask Matt and Toni...they loved a couple of self portraits of Don and I...too funny!

A Trip to the Children's Museum

One of the coolest places to visit in Indy is the Children's Museum. Kelly and I took the kids last week and as always had a blast. One of the really unique attractions this season is the tribute to the American artist, Norman Rockwell. It's probably more for adults than kids even though they have some kid friendly, interactive pieces to tribute. Here are just a few pictures that we took having fun with the lifesize depictions of Rockwell pieces.


Here are just a couple of pictures of the fam having fun at the museum. Parker and I are on one of those old time bikes with the hug wheel in front and the tiny wheel in back. Sarah and Kelly are riding on the merry-go-round. Both kids totally love riding that. It's so fun to watch them laugh and laugh and laugh as they go round and round and round.



One of the interesting insights to the Rockwell exhibit is the social consciousness that he portrayed in many of his pictures. This one below is one of many that were on display. They were powerful and moving and probably had a profound effect on white America during a time when white America was turning a blind eye to racial injustices.