Today is a very special day in the life of our family. It has nothing to do with Christmas, or birthdays, or anything that happened lately. This day is special because it marks a year to the day that the twins became ours, and they would begin their lives anew with us.
Our reflection upon this day has been almost constant, and full of emotion. As I close my eyes, I am taken back to another time and place which memories made seem as tangible today as they were then. This is my reflection of that time...
The snow was piled deep and high. Although I had experienced winter in the Midwest, I had never been to a place where arctic winds seemed to blow from all four directions simultaneously. We were thankful for heat, but even more thankful that we made it through the maze of snow and ice closed airports across Europe. Barring any unforeseen last minute obstacles that would push our time into Russia's holiday government closures, our life was on schedule to change forever.
The long awaited day had finally arrived. Wednesday, December 22, 2010 was to be a momentous, albeit busy day. Jet lag and time differences aside, we woke early with great anticipation. We joked over breakfast that it would no doubt be our last quiet one with only the two of us for a long time. We joked about it, but we were both glad. Our wait had been long and excruciating. Our process was tedious and thorough, but the end was finally in sight. This would be our third and final trip to Russia, and soon we would all be home.
The rest of that morning and early afternoon was spent preparing the room for the twins, and shopping for baby food, diapers, and other things we would need to finish our stay in St. Petersburg until we were able to shop again in Moscow. What would have been a simple and easy trip to Walmart in the states, took us several hours over there. The snow was deep and the roads were nasty, to say the least. After dashing back to the hotel for a quick break, the time finally came when our driver and translator picked us up and took us to the baby home-for the last time.
The atmosphere at the baby home was fast paced, but very special when we got there to get the twins. The staff all cried as they brought the girls to us and they said their goodbyes to then, Diana and Olga. As we completely changed the girls clothes from what they were dressed in at the home, to what we would take them away in, the act was quite sobering. Our stateside case worker told us to be prepared to bring a complete change of clothes to take the girls away in. "Bring new diapers, shoes, jumpers, snow clothes or whatever because they will literally take the clothes off of your girls and put them on the next child in line." Wow. I was taken aback when I experienced the paradox of being filled with so much joy and deep sadness all at the same time. Our girls would need new clothes because there were orphans in need right there in the next room. This harsh reality brought James 1:27 to us in a raw and unforgettable way.
Although Joanna and me were excited beyond description, the ride back to the hotel was uneventful. As we smiled at each other and then at the girls all the way back, they were freaked out and sleepy. Within five miles of the baby home, they were both asleep. About the only fun to be had that night was their first bath time. Everything was new and it was all a bit overwhelming for them, as well as for us. For those who followed Joanna's blog from then (www.lovelylittlefootsteps.com), you remember the horrible stomach virus that claimed me that first night, and then Joanna two days later. We were sick as dogs until my mother arrived to help us on Christmas day. Even though it was something I wouldn't want to experience again under those same circumstances, we were able to achieve a certain level of bonding between sleep, throwing up, changing diapers, and mylecon.
By the time we arrived in Moscow, by way of the scary overnight train, we were all pretty much on the mend. Despite learning of Russia when it was still a communist country, the city was beautiful and like something from a fairy tale. The snow covered "onion domed" churches and buildings were beautiful. We had to spend 4-5 days there waiting on passports and paperwork to be able to complete our exit interview at the American Embassy. During that wait, we had fun getting to know each other and just enjoying the time isolated from the rest of the world as the family ties began to take hold. On our final full day, the snow stopped falling and the sun came out. We were able to go to Red Square, and to see the Kremlin. Our pictures do much better justice than words, but suffice it to say, the scope was breath taking. The next morning, we boarded our first plane, headed home taking with us not only priceless memories, but two precious children as well.
The journey from our first conversation about adoption 5 years ago, to finally pulling into our driveway with the twins in their car seats has held many treasured experiences. Along the way, we have learned much about ourselves. We came to better understand that although it took months of prayer, and eventually the testimony from a woman who adopted from China for us to understand God's calling, adoption is no new or mysterious concept to God. According to Paul in Galatians 4, we who have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, have been adopted by God into His family. We learned that when God calls a family to undertake a task, you may or may not fully understand how you are going to accomplish the task, but all the while, God guides and directs circumstances by His sovereign hand. We also came to appreciate, after years of struggle and disappointment, Corey tin Boom's statement, "there is no pit so deep that He (God) is not deeper still." And just like that, in God's perfect timing, our family was forever changed in the blink of an eye.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
The Trip of a Lifetime
Although many of you followed our journey(s) from last year, please allow a relatively new dad a nostalgic stroll...
Passports? Check. Paperwork? Check. Plane tickets? Check. Probably too much luggage, but wanted to be sure that if we need it we have it? Check. Ok, here we go! That was the conversation Joanna and I had over coffee and checklists a year ago today as we waited for our pastor and his wife to pick us up and take us to the airport. I honestly cannot tell you how many trips we'd been on prior to this one, but I for one, was a complete basket case. Sure, I masked my tempest of emotions well enough with smiles and conversation, but on the inside I was crawling with anticipation and a million questions.
That trip was the first of three, yes three, trips to St. Petersburg Russia. The purpose of that trip was three- fold: First, we needed to go to the Ministry of Education and Children to formally accept our referral for the adoption of our girls. Second, due to the unique nature of adopting twins-one of which with "special needs"- we had to meet them, and then confirm our confirmation. I know, but we had to. And third, we had to begin what would be the first of about 15 or so visits with our girls at their "baby home." Taken together, this trip was of the utmost importance, so naturally, we were a little tense!
Although Joanna and I are well seasoned travelers, so much about that trip was new. Neither of us had ever been to Europe, much less in the winter time, so although we knew it would be cold, we really had NO idea. We have grown up in a place where Hispanic culture is prevelant, but we wouldn't know where to begin if we wanted to find anything uniquely Russian. Up to this point, about six continuous hours had been the longest flight we'd ever been on. After 12 hours, I decided that commercial airline engineers either hated men of my physical stature, or had twisted senses of humor. Needless to say, our 18 hour trip included minimal sleeping.
Comfort, or lack thereof aside, too many things swirled through our heads to really get much sleep anyway. We had so many questions to be answered that one faded into another, that faded into another until at last, we had finally landed in St. Petersburg. Suffice it to say that we were no longer in a familiar place. We experienced a healthy dose of what International Missionaries call "culture shock." In a spanish-speaking scenario, I can at least find food, a bathroom, and keep myself from getting killed, but over there, I wouldn't know if someone was telling me that my face was on fire. That being said, after the initial shock, we both quickly fell in love with the place and the people. And then we were off to the races.
I know we looked like tourists. We looked different. We sounded even worse, and our typical smiles and greetings alerted everyone that we were Americans. As odd as that may sound, in the words of our translater/driver, "Russians do not smile very often, so people know you are American." Smiles and all, we lapped up every bit of culture we could while out and around in the city. We saw incredible things that just don't exist in the U.S. because of our nation's young age. (If you are interested, we can show pictures sometime, just ask).
The packing, the plane ride, the official offices, and even the palaces were exciting, but merely a preamble to what awaited us at the North end of St. Petersburg. As our driver parked the car and lead us down the sidewalk that ended at the baby home's door, the gravity of what was about to happen was enormous. At times, I literally struggled to breathe. We were lead up several flights of stairs and down hallways to a large room where all of the children in the home came for their music time. The sights and sounds we experienced while waiting for the footseps of the caregivers bringing our girls flood my senses even now. Our driver tried to make small talk with us as we waited, but I wasn't interested in anything but meeting these girls. We had waited for this moment for 8 years and 8 months as a married couple, but individually, we had been waiting much, much longer.
Finally, we heard voices and footsteps getting closer to the music room and our anticipation had grown to the point where I just knew that to wait much longer would either cause me to explode or throw up. As the door opened, we watched two of the most beautiful girls we had ever seen being carried toward us. I would love to tell you that at that moment, angels sang, the skies parted, and everyone shouted with their approvals, but in actuality, it was much more quiet-much more subdued. As the caregivers handed Diana, now Anna Claire to me, and Olga, now Adeline Marie to Joanna, all of the anticipation, the tears of previous dissapointments, and the exciting sum of all of the moments leading up to that point in time washed over us. As the girls looked at us with obviously puzzled expressions, we looked back at them and to each other with the biggest, most contented smiles ever witnessed by mankind. This was our moment. This is when God flexed and showed us and everyone who knows our story- with all its twists and turns, that He was in charge all along and had all of it right where He wanted it.
The remainder of our week was filled with trips to visit the girls between feeding times and naps. Toward the end of the week, our hearts began to sink because we knew that on Sunday morning, we would have to fly back home without them, at least for then. If you know us, you know that our story didn't end there. The girls are home and thriving with us and everything we thought we knew has changed for the better. But for then, that was only part one of our trip of a lifetime.
Passports? Check. Paperwork? Check. Plane tickets? Check. Probably too much luggage, but wanted to be sure that if we need it we have it? Check. Ok, here we go! That was the conversation Joanna and I had over coffee and checklists a year ago today as we waited for our pastor and his wife to pick us up and take us to the airport. I honestly cannot tell you how many trips we'd been on prior to this one, but I for one, was a complete basket case. Sure, I masked my tempest of emotions well enough with smiles and conversation, but on the inside I was crawling with anticipation and a million questions.
That trip was the first of three, yes three, trips to St. Petersburg Russia. The purpose of that trip was three- fold: First, we needed to go to the Ministry of Education and Children to formally accept our referral for the adoption of our girls. Second, due to the unique nature of adopting twins-one of which with "special needs"- we had to meet them, and then confirm our confirmation. I know, but we had to. And third, we had to begin what would be the first of about 15 or so visits with our girls at their "baby home." Taken together, this trip was of the utmost importance, so naturally, we were a little tense!
Although Joanna and I are well seasoned travelers, so much about that trip was new. Neither of us had ever been to Europe, much less in the winter time, so although we knew it would be cold, we really had NO idea. We have grown up in a place where Hispanic culture is prevelant, but we wouldn't know where to begin if we wanted to find anything uniquely Russian. Up to this point, about six continuous hours had been the longest flight we'd ever been on. After 12 hours, I decided that commercial airline engineers either hated men of my physical stature, or had twisted senses of humor. Needless to say, our 18 hour trip included minimal sleeping.
Comfort, or lack thereof aside, too many things swirled through our heads to really get much sleep anyway. We had so many questions to be answered that one faded into another, that faded into another until at last, we had finally landed in St. Petersburg. Suffice it to say that we were no longer in a familiar place. We experienced a healthy dose of what International Missionaries call "culture shock." In a spanish-speaking scenario, I can at least find food, a bathroom, and keep myself from getting killed, but over there, I wouldn't know if someone was telling me that my face was on fire. That being said, after the initial shock, we both quickly fell in love with the place and the people. And then we were off to the races.
I know we looked like tourists. We looked different. We sounded even worse, and our typical smiles and greetings alerted everyone that we were Americans. As odd as that may sound, in the words of our translater/driver, "Russians do not smile very often, so people know you are American." Smiles and all, we lapped up every bit of culture we could while out and around in the city. We saw incredible things that just don't exist in the U.S. because of our nation's young age. (If you are interested, we can show pictures sometime, just ask).
The packing, the plane ride, the official offices, and even the palaces were exciting, but merely a preamble to what awaited us at the North end of St. Petersburg. As our driver parked the car and lead us down the sidewalk that ended at the baby home's door, the gravity of what was about to happen was enormous. At times, I literally struggled to breathe. We were lead up several flights of stairs and down hallways to a large room where all of the children in the home came for their music time. The sights and sounds we experienced while waiting for the footseps of the caregivers bringing our girls flood my senses even now. Our driver tried to make small talk with us as we waited, but I wasn't interested in anything but meeting these girls. We had waited for this moment for 8 years and 8 months as a married couple, but individually, we had been waiting much, much longer.
Finally, we heard voices and footsteps getting closer to the music room and our anticipation had grown to the point where I just knew that to wait much longer would either cause me to explode or throw up. As the door opened, we watched two of the most beautiful girls we had ever seen being carried toward us. I would love to tell you that at that moment, angels sang, the skies parted, and everyone shouted with their approvals, but in actuality, it was much more quiet-much more subdued. As the caregivers handed Diana, now Anna Claire to me, and Olga, now Adeline Marie to Joanna, all of the anticipation, the tears of previous dissapointments, and the exciting sum of all of the moments leading up to that point in time washed over us. As the girls looked at us with obviously puzzled expressions, we looked back at them and to each other with the biggest, most contented smiles ever witnessed by mankind. This was our moment. This is when God flexed and showed us and everyone who knows our story- with all its twists and turns, that He was in charge all along and had all of it right where He wanted it.
The remainder of our week was filled with trips to visit the girls between feeding times and naps. Toward the end of the week, our hearts began to sink because we knew that on Sunday morning, we would have to fly back home without them, at least for then. If you know us, you know that our story didn't end there. The girls are home and thriving with us and everything we thought we knew has changed for the better. But for then, that was only part one of our trip of a lifetime.
Friday, November 4, 2011
A Couple of Things...
Hey Everyone!
A friend reminded me this week that I had posted anything in a while. Well, maybe it's been longer than just a "while", but, my apologies. I, like many of you, have been swept up in a whirlwind of life that has me longing for the upcoming school breaks so I can recharge my batteries. That being said, I need to remind you of a few things that are upcoming so we can all be on the same page.
First is the time change coming up this weekend. Don't forget to set your clocks back by 1 hour Saturday night. If something happens and you do forget to change your clocks, don't worry. You'll just be REALLY early to Sunday School this week!
Secondly, mark your calendars for our Thankful Tuesday service which is scheduled for November 22nd at 6:30pm. Nursery will be provided for the service.
Finally, the youth's annual Winter Retreat has been scheduled for Janurary 13th-15th, and will be held at the Harvest Ministries Retreat Center in Carson, MS. The cost for the retreat is $20. Students must sign up and pay the registration fee on or by Wednesday, December 21st. A sign up sheet is posted on the bulletin board next to the coke machine in the Fellowship Hall. Please give me a call or shoot me an email if you have any questions. I look forward to worshipping with your Sunday!
Joe
A friend reminded me this week that I had posted anything in a while. Well, maybe it's been longer than just a "while", but, my apologies. I, like many of you, have been swept up in a whirlwind of life that has me longing for the upcoming school breaks so I can recharge my batteries. That being said, I need to remind you of a few things that are upcoming so we can all be on the same page.
First is the time change coming up this weekend. Don't forget to set your clocks back by 1 hour Saturday night. If something happens and you do forget to change your clocks, don't worry. You'll just be REALLY early to Sunday School this week!
Secondly, mark your calendars for our Thankful Tuesday service which is scheduled for November 22nd at 6:30pm. Nursery will be provided for the service.
Finally, the youth's annual Winter Retreat has been scheduled for Janurary 13th-15th, and will be held at the Harvest Ministries Retreat Center in Carson, MS. The cost for the retreat is $20. Students must sign up and pay the registration fee on or by Wednesday, December 21st. A sign up sheet is posted on the bulletin board next to the coke machine in the Fellowship Hall. Please give me a call or shoot me an email if you have any questions. I look forward to worshipping with your Sunday!
Joe
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Discussion Group-Take Two!
I have scheduled the make up for our first discussion time for tomorrow. We will meet at 6:30pm at Joe Muggs (in Books A Million), located in the Target shopping center. This group is not only for parents of youth aged students. It is for parents, grandparents, guardians, etc. of any aged children. Books are still available at LifeWay in case you need to pick one up and do some cramming for tomorrow night's discussion time. I posted some discussion questions to guide our conversation, and your reading if you are recently joining us, in my August 16th posting. It isn't necessary to print a copy of them unless you want to write some ideas down that you had to share with the group as we discuss them together. If you have any questions regarding the group or the book, give me a shout today or tomorrow. I look forward to seeing you there!
Joe
Joe
Monday, August 22, 2011
Clarification & Invitation
It has come to my attention that I did not explain the parent discussion groups adequately in regard to who is invited to participate. I have left the impression that the group is only for parents/guardians of youth aged students. My intended invitation was for any parent/guardian of any child, of any age. The materials which will be reviewed will cover a broad range of subject matter that I hope will be of benefit for all parents. I do apologize for the confusion due to my lack of explanation.
That being said, you still have time to secure a copy of the current book, "Effective Parenting in a Defective World," and catch up on the reading. The discussion group for last Thursday did not meet, so anyone still interested can join us for the next one. Like I said in earlier posts, my intent for this is to be extremely casual. It is not a discipleship training class. If we need more time to work through things, it's ok.
The date for our "redo" group discussion for chapters 1-3 will be Thursday, September 8th @6:30pm. Use the discussion questions I posted last week to guide your reading. Please send me an email if you plan to attend so I can decide where to hold the discussion. If you have any questions about the book or anything else, don't hesitate to drop me an email.
Joe
That being said, you still have time to secure a copy of the current book, "Effective Parenting in a Defective World," and catch up on the reading. The discussion group for last Thursday did not meet, so anyone still interested can join us for the next one. Like I said in earlier posts, my intent for this is to be extremely casual. It is not a discipleship training class. If we need more time to work through things, it's ok.
The date for our "redo" group discussion for chapters 1-3 will be Thursday, September 8th @6:30pm. Use the discussion questions I posted last week to guide your reading. Please send me an email if you plan to attend so I can decide where to hold the discussion. If you have any questions about the book or anything else, don't hesitate to drop me an email.
Joe
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Chapter 1-3 Discussion Questions
For those who have been reading along in the "Effective Parenting..." book, we will be meeting at 6:30 this Thursday at Joe Mugg's in Books A Million (in the Target shopping center). Please take a few minutes to think through the following discussion questions so we can be good stewards of our conversation time this week. Please feel free to email me any questions you may have regarding question clarification or something that stood out in the book. For the sake of time, since we all have children who can't be up all night, I'm limiting our discussion to materials out of the first three chapters only.
Questions:
1. Is living in "survival mode" good enough?
2. What came to mind when you read the statement: "We are easily guided by the land mines we want our kids to avoid rather than the character we want them to develop?"
3. Do you have objectives for you family that are clear to them, or yourself?
4. Is your dream for your children the same as God's?
5. What do you think about the author's statement: "Your job is to raise children who are holy, not happy?"
6. Do you live a life of integrity before your children/family?
7. Why do you do the things with your children that you do?
8. What came to mind after reading about the three relational axioms? (from p. 25)
9. What is really at stake with the challenge of building and maintaining healthy relationships with your children?
10. Does your current parenting style enhance or detract from meeting your children's two primary emotional needs of significance and security? How or why?
11. What things are you thinking about doing differently, having read these chapters?
See you Thursday!
Joe
Questions:
1. Is living in "survival mode" good enough?
2. What came to mind when you read the statement: "We are easily guided by the land mines we want our kids to avoid rather than the character we want them to develop?"
3. Do you have objectives for you family that are clear to them, or yourself?
4. Is your dream for your children the same as God's?
5. What do you think about the author's statement: "Your job is to raise children who are holy, not happy?"
6. Do you live a life of integrity before your children/family?
7. Why do you do the things with your children that you do?
8. What came to mind after reading about the three relational axioms? (from p. 25)
9. What is really at stake with the challenge of building and maintaining healthy relationships with your children?
10. Does your current parenting style enhance or detract from meeting your children's two primary emotional needs of significance and security? How or why?
11. What things are you thinking about doing differently, having read these chapters?
See you Thursday!
Joe
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Insight and Reflection
For those of you who have been reading my blog since the beginning, or had been reading my monthly church newsletter articles, you know how birthdays serve as an intentional day of reflection for me. Not that I am trying to take my children's special day over for myself, but understandably, I have spent much of my morning taking inventory of the last eight months and thinking about the time to come.
Aside from questions pertaining to their physical development and familial adjustments, I have also been asking other questions. Do they understand yet that they are loved? Do they see that I love their mother, and that she loves me? Do they understand that although we leave them with someone in our church's nursery (that resembles their previous surroundings) that we will always come back for them and take them home with us? What else can I be doing to model what a relationship with Christ is supposed to look like? It's been a mentaly and emotionaly challenging morning.
I do not believe in coincidences. I do believe that we serve a God who is constantly at work, not only in the lives of His children, but in all creation. For the last week, I have been going through Chip Ingram's book, Effective Parenting in a Defective World. Late in the first chapter, he reminded the reader of Paul's instruction to father's in the church at Ephesus: "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4). Ingram was not emphasizing the "discipline and instruction" portion of the verse. He explained that the phrase, "bring them up," was meant to convey an idea of development of the whole, and not just a sense of a physical growth. He shared that to Ephesian readers, it would have been understood that to "bring them up" would have involved nurturing emotional, physical, mental, and also spiritual development. The Lord's discipline and instruction are not add-on's to other things that we as parents are already doing, but rather the very way in which we help our children to develop should be permeated by godly discipline and instruction. This is how we raise children who stand out in a culture who's goal is anything but pleasing God.
As I reflect on this special day in our family, and the past 8 months, I can say that yes, there are things that I can do differently. I can be more intentional about letting our girls know that they are loved, and see that their parents love each other. I can proactively create an atmosphere in our home that helps them understand that they are accepted, valued, and are safe. I can do as I challenged our church to do when I preached two weeks ago to constantly chase after God and make Him known in our home. I can also say that I am blessed beyond measure to be celebrating a birthday for two little girls that already have their daddy's heart, and look forward to many more days of reflection.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Little Black Creek Service
Hey Everyone!
Since we don't have the bus out of the shop yet, the youth will be carpooling with Ken's class to the service at Little Black Creek in the morning. We need to be leaving the church parking lot @7:45am. We'll not be having youth Sunday School tomorrow since we'll be out at Little Black Creek. We will be back at church in time for the worship service in the morning. If you have any questions, give me a buzz-preferably before 9pm tonight though since the girls do so like their sleep:)
Joe
Since we don't have the bus out of the shop yet, the youth will be carpooling with Ken's class to the service at Little Black Creek in the morning. We need to be leaving the church parking lot @7:45am. We'll not be having youth Sunday School tomorrow since we'll be out at Little Black Creek. We will be back at church in time for the worship service in the morning. If you have any questions, give me a buzz-preferably before 9pm tonight though since the girls do so like their sleep:)
Joe
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Parental Discussion Opportunity
In my last posting, I talked about an idea that I had about going through materials such as books and other resources and then posting thoughts regarding them. After some feedback, I have decided to procede with the idea and set up some discussion times. The kinds of resources that I'll be reviewing will primarily be things regarding youth and/or children's family ministry. The goal in this endeavor is to come alongside parents to share resources and work through challenges or opportunities together.
Here's how it's going to work...I'll pick a book or other resource, and then I'll write a short review on my blog in effort to create interest. I'll set a reading or review schedule so those interested in participating can all be progressing together so at some point, we can all meet somewhere for a discussion and critique of the material. Please know that this is NOT a discipleship training class. It will be very casual, but we will still use a Christian, biblical worldview as our means of evaluation. Remember, the goal of these forums is not to generate membership. The goal is to generate healthy Christian families.
The book I have chosen for our maiden voyage is Chip Ingram's book, Effective Parenting in a Defective World (cover shown at right). Ingram is the president of Walk Thru the Bible and teaching pastor on the nationally syndicated Living on the Edge radio program. I have found paperback copies available from LifeWay for $13.99, but you may be able to locate one somewhere else.
In Ingram's book, he proposed an interesting proposition. What if rather than trying to completely shield our children and families from a culture which is clearly flawed and antagonistic toward God's standards, we equipped them to encounter that culture with tools to navigate it and stand out from the crowd. Granted, this notion is not new with Ingram, but his approach is incredibly practical and rooted in historic, Christian principles.
Through nine short and manageable chapters, Ingram offers practical measures to helping the family:
-Model right living and priorities
-Build strong bonds with your children (with consideration given to the reality that many families are not
"traditional" in the sense that mom and dad are in their first marriage, raising kids from that union)
-Affirm your children's significance and security
-Teach the importance of obedience
-Use discipline lovingly and effectively
-Persevere through mistakes and tough times
I hope many of you will join me in this attempt to build and maintain healthy Christian families. Even if you choose not to be involved in the discussion times, I hope you will use the resources reviewed as tools in your own families or your own circles of influence.
In order to keep our discussion times short and manageable, I will plan three separate forums: one after chapter 3, another after chapter 6, and the last after chapter 9. We will tentatively plan to meet at a location TBA on Thursday, August 18th, at 6:30pm. I will provide some discussion questions on the Monday prior to the meeting so we can focus our talks. I welcome any dialogue at any time about the project-as general or as specific as you'd like. For privacy issues, comments are not allowed on my blog, but you can send me email through the church's website under the "Contact" tab. I look forward to growing with you!
Joe
*Any quotations or specific information taken from:
Ingram, Chip. Effective Parenting in a Defective World: How to Raise Kids Who Stand Out From the Crowd. Tyndale House Publishers: Carol Stream, Illinois, 2006.
Here's how it's going to work...I'll pick a book or other resource, and then I'll write a short review on my blog in effort to create interest. I'll set a reading or review schedule so those interested in participating can all be progressing together so at some point, we can all meet somewhere for a discussion and critique of the material. Please know that this is NOT a discipleship training class. It will be very casual, but we will still use a Christian, biblical worldview as our means of evaluation. Remember, the goal of these forums is not to generate membership. The goal is to generate healthy Christian families.
In Ingram's book, he proposed an interesting proposition. What if rather than trying to completely shield our children and families from a culture which is clearly flawed and antagonistic toward God's standards, we equipped them to encounter that culture with tools to navigate it and stand out from the crowd. Granted, this notion is not new with Ingram, but his approach is incredibly practical and rooted in historic, Christian principles.
Through nine short and manageable chapters, Ingram offers practical measures to helping the family:
-Model right living and priorities
-Build strong bonds with your children (with consideration given to the reality that many families are not
"traditional" in the sense that mom and dad are in their first marriage, raising kids from that union)
-Affirm your children's significance and security
-Teach the importance of obedience
-Use discipline lovingly and effectively
-Persevere through mistakes and tough times
I hope many of you will join me in this attempt to build and maintain healthy Christian families. Even if you choose not to be involved in the discussion times, I hope you will use the resources reviewed as tools in your own families or your own circles of influence.
In order to keep our discussion times short and manageable, I will plan three separate forums: one after chapter 3, another after chapter 6, and the last after chapter 9. We will tentatively plan to meet at a location TBA on Thursday, August 18th, at 6:30pm. I will provide some discussion questions on the Monday prior to the meeting so we can focus our talks. I welcome any dialogue at any time about the project-as general or as specific as you'd like. For privacy issues, comments are not allowed on my blog, but you can send me email through the church's website under the "Contact" tab. I look forward to growing with you!
Joe
*Any quotations or specific information taken from:
Ingram, Chip. Effective Parenting in a Defective World: How to Raise Kids Who Stand Out From the Crowd. Tyndale House Publishers: Carol Stream, Illinois, 2006.
Monday, July 25, 2011
MFUGE 2011 Report
MFUGE and her sister camps partner with the IMB to focus on particular people groups for 5 year segments. This year began such a partnership with missionaries to Sub-Saharan Africa. Each week, at each FUGE location, a missions offering is collected. Individual church groups set a goal and then give to the collective camp offering. I challenged our students to start praying about the offering months ago. I am proud to announce that our group took up $319.54! Our youth rose to the challenge in a big way this last week.
In closing the camp report, I would ask a couple of things from you...First, that you would be faithful to lift our students and all those who work with them up in prayer-consistently. The strongest of buildings and other structures collapse without proper support. The mission fields that our students navigate every day is one of definite peril. We must encourage them each and every step of the way.
Secondly, I urge you to join me and other student laborors to set a godly example in all that we say and do. Like many of you, I learned of Christian character and servant leadership by watching those around me. What kind of legacy do we want to leave?
I am in the early stages of reviewing resources for youth, children, and parents. My goal is to share those reviews with you on this blog in hopes of creating a thirst and hunger for us to all grow together in our Deuteronomy 6 charge to create homes and churches that spiritually grow and nurture students. I hope to be able to begin a discussion group which will meet periodically to discuss issues, current issues and helpful resources to assist us all in our shared endeavor. If you are interested in helping me facilitate this, please drop me an email and we can talk some more.
Along these lines...I will be preaching in David's stead this Sunday while he is gone with the Ohio mission team. In your devotions this week, read through the first chapter of John and mull these questions over:
Q: How many "God" conversations do we typically have in our home?
Q: Is there anyone in my family who is not in a right relationship with Christ?
Q: What am I doing about it?
See you Sunday,
Joe
Friday, July 15, 2011
MFUGE Reminder
Although it's hard to believe, we will be leaving for camp in two days. I hope you are as excited as I am about what God is going to do in and through us in Williamsburg next week. As you finish your final preparations keep a couple of things in mind...
1. You need a SMALL over night bag to bring into the hotel with you.
2. If you want to swim at the hotel, put your swimsuit in your over night bag. We will NOT open the trailer up to dig through suitcases.
3. Don't forget to bring enough money for 3 meals going, and 2 meals for the return trip.
4. We will begin loading the bus at 7am Sunday morning. We need to be leaving the church parking lot at 8am sharp, so please make sure you are on time, and have already eaten breakfast before you come, or after you load your suitcases on the trailer.
5. Remember, ipods are ok...cell phones are not.
6. Don't forget to think through missions offering.
7. I will have an ice chest on the bus with bottled water for the trip. Upon arrival, the boys will have access to an ice chest for the week, as well as the girls, in case you want to put some drinks in it.
If you have any questions before we leave, give me a buzz either Friday night or Saturday before 8pm.
Love you guys!
Joe
1. You need a SMALL over night bag to bring into the hotel with you.
2. If you want to swim at the hotel, put your swimsuit in your over night bag. We will NOT open the trailer up to dig through suitcases.
3. Don't forget to bring enough money for 3 meals going, and 2 meals for the return trip.
4. We will begin loading the bus at 7am Sunday morning. We need to be leaving the church parking lot at 8am sharp, so please make sure you are on time, and have already eaten breakfast before you come, or after you load your suitcases on the trailer.
5. Remember, ipods are ok...cell phones are not.
6. Don't forget to think through missions offering.
7. I will have an ice chest on the bus with bottled water for the trip. Upon arrival, the boys will have access to an ice chest for the week, as well as the girls, in case you want to put some drinks in it.
If you have any questions before we leave, give me a buzz either Friday night or Saturday before 8pm.
Love you guys!
Joe
Monday, July 11, 2011
CentriKid and Other Things
If you're looking for an opportunity to have some fun with your kids, then this Thursday is for you! This Thursday, July 14th, we will all be meeting at Champion Lanes for their "lunch n bowl" special. For $8.75, adults and children can have lunch, get shoes, and bowl until 2:00. For directions, contact the church office.
MFUGE is just around the corner! We will be loading the trailer @7am and will depart @8am on Sunday, July 17th. We are having our pre-camp parent/student meeting this Wednesday, July 13th @6pm in the hut. Please make plans to be at the meeting promptly, because the youth will be going into the church forum to hear from the growth committee.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please call me at the office or drop me an email. It's an exciting opportunity to serve alongside you!
Joe
Monday, June 27, 2011
Important Stuff
Before I start going out of town for camps and such, I needed to drop you all some information...
1. Children's Camp meeting is this Wednesday @5:45 in the Hut. It should only last about 10-15 minutes, but it is really important that parents and students are present.
2. I have remaining camp balances ready for children and youth parents.
3. Children's Camp @Millsap's College is July 5-9. We will leave the church on Tuesday, July 5th, at 12:30pm. We need to load the trailer at 12pm, so please arrive early having eaten lunch before because in an effort to cut your expenses, we will not be stopping for lunch.
4. Children's Lunch -N- Bowl fellowship will be July 14th from 11-2pm @Champion Lanes in Hattiesburg. We will all meet at the bowling lanes and eat before we bowl. Lunch, shoes, and as much bowling as we can get in before 2pm is only $8.75! I have made reservations with the bowling alley, so come and join us for some fun!
5. MFUGE is July 17-22 @the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, KY. We will load the trailer @7am Sunday morning (the 17th) and depart @8am, so please come having had breakfast already. We will be returning late Friday night, July 22nd. THE CAMP MEETING WILL BE WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, IN THE HUT. ALL PARENTS AND YOUTH NEED TO ATTEND. Balances for camp are due by Sunday, July 17th.
1. Children's Camp meeting is this Wednesday @5:45 in the Hut. It should only last about 10-15 minutes, but it is really important that parents and students are present.
2. I have remaining camp balances ready for children and youth parents.
3. Children's Camp @Millsap's College is July 5-9. We will leave the church on Tuesday, July 5th, at 12:30pm. We need to load the trailer at 12pm, so please arrive early having eaten lunch before because in an effort to cut your expenses, we will not be stopping for lunch.
4. Children's Lunch -N- Bowl fellowship will be July 14th from 11-2pm @Champion Lanes in Hattiesburg. We will all meet at the bowling lanes and eat before we bowl. Lunch, shoes, and as much bowling as we can get in before 2pm is only $8.75! I have made reservations with the bowling alley, so come and join us for some fun!
5. MFUGE is July 17-22 @the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, KY. We will load the trailer @7am Sunday morning (the 17th) and depart @8am, so please come having had breakfast already. We will be returning late Friday night, July 22nd. THE CAMP MEETING WILL BE WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, IN THE HUT. ALL PARENTS AND YOUTH NEED TO ATTEND. Balances for camp are due by Sunday, July 17th.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Day Camp Schedule
Here's our schedule for the youth day camp with our friends from Memorial Baptist Church in Texas:
Tuesday: 12pm-Lunch @Hut (bring your own)
1pm-Games at Tatum Park
6pm-Supper @Hut (Taco night)
7pm-Worship
Wednesday: 12pm-Lunch @Hut (bring your own)
12:45-Leave Hut for Lamar Baptist Association to work at mission center
6pm-Supper (Italian!)
7pm-Worship
Thursday: 12pm-Lunch @Hut (bring your own)
1pm-Leave Hut for swim/game day at Traylor's
*Supper and worship will both be at Traylor's home*
Tuesday: 12pm-Lunch @Hut (bring your own)
1pm-Games at Tatum Park
6pm-Supper @Hut (Taco night)
7pm-Worship
Wednesday: 12pm-Lunch @Hut (bring your own)
12:45-Leave Hut for Lamar Baptist Association to work at mission center
6pm-Supper (Italian!)
7pm-Worship
Thursday: 12pm-Lunch @Hut (bring your own)
1pm-Leave Hut for swim/game day at Traylor's
*Supper and worship will both be at Traylor's home*
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
June Update
Hello Everyone!
Summer is now wide open and several important things are coming up that I wanted to remind you of...
1. Youth/Children's camp forms. Don't forget that our special Notary friend will be here to take care of your camp forms tomorrow night, June 15th. She will be at the Hut at 6pm. For instructions on your camp forms, please refer to my earlier post. Although camp is already closed for new participants, fear not! We will begin registration for 2012 summer camps at the end of August, and will run registration until November 27th.
2. Youth/Children's Camp Fundraiser. Our youth and children will be having a pancake breakfast fundraiser this Saturday, June 18th from 7-9am to help with the cost of their camps for the summer. Tickets are $7 each and can be purchased from any of our youth or children going to camp. The menu is pancakes, sausage, and milk/coffee/juice. We will have the option of either dine in or carry out in the fellowship hall.
3. Father's Day Picnic. This Sunday, June 19th is Father's Day and we will be having our annual picnic at Tony and Ann Sullivan's home from 5-7pm. The pool will be open so bring your towels and lawn chairs and join us for some fun as we honor our dads on this special day. Hot dogs and hamburgers are on the menu, so come hungry!
4. Youth Day Camp. Our youth will be hosting another youth group from Texas for their "summer camp" next week. Monday night at 6pm, we will have pizza and worship, but following daily activities will begin at noon each day in the hut from Tuesday thru Thursday, ending with a pool party and worship service at Harold and Sue Traylor's home Thursday evening. For more details or how you can be involved, please email or call Bro. Joe.
I wanted to send a big thank you out to Dot Palmer and Cedric & Paula Smith for opening their homes for our Back Yard Bible Clubs. Everyone involved had a great time, and most importantly, the gospel was shared in those neighborhoods! Thanks to all of the youth and other adult volunteers who helped last week.
Till Next Time,
Joe
Summer is now wide open and several important things are coming up that I wanted to remind you of...
1. Youth/Children's camp forms. Don't forget that our special Notary friend will be here to take care of your camp forms tomorrow night, June 15th. She will be at the Hut at 6pm. For instructions on your camp forms, please refer to my earlier post. Although camp is already closed for new participants, fear not! We will begin registration for 2012 summer camps at the end of August, and will run registration until November 27th.
2. Youth/Children's Camp Fundraiser. Our youth and children will be having a pancake breakfast fundraiser this Saturday, June 18th from 7-9am to help with the cost of their camps for the summer. Tickets are $7 each and can be purchased from any of our youth or children going to camp. The menu is pancakes, sausage, and milk/coffee/juice. We will have the option of either dine in or carry out in the fellowship hall.
3. Father's Day Picnic. This Sunday, June 19th is Father's Day and we will be having our annual picnic at Tony and Ann Sullivan's home from 5-7pm. The pool will be open so bring your towels and lawn chairs and join us for some fun as we honor our dads on this special day. Hot dogs and hamburgers are on the menu, so come hungry!
4. Youth Day Camp. Our youth will be hosting another youth group from Texas for their "summer camp" next week. Monday night at 6pm, we will have pizza and worship, but following daily activities will begin at noon each day in the hut from Tuesday thru Thursday, ending with a pool party and worship service at Harold and Sue Traylor's home Thursday evening. For more details or how you can be involved, please email or call Bro. Joe.
I wanted to send a big thank you out to Dot Palmer and Cedric & Paula Smith for opening their homes for our Back Yard Bible Clubs. Everyone involved had a great time, and most importantly, the gospel was shared in those neighborhoods! Thanks to all of the youth and other adult volunteers who helped last week.
Till Next Time,
Joe
Monday, June 6, 2011
Updates and the Back Yard Bible Clubs
Hey Everyone!
I was lovingly reminded Sunday Morning that I haven't posted in a while. I too am guilty of resembling Martha much more than Mary at times, so I have barricaded myself in my office, even if only for a little while, to share a few thoughts with you.
As most of you know, our Back Yard Bible Clubs begin tomorrow morning and will go through Thursday. The morning session is from 9am-11am at Cedric & Paula Smith's home. The evening session is from 6pm-8pm at Dot Palmer's home. For directions, please contact the church office. If you are interested in getting involved, it's not too late. Just give me or Jackie Campbell a call and we can tell you where you are needed. Due to the Back Yard Bible Clubs going on this week, Youth, Ra's, Ga's, and Mission Friends will not be meeting. We will resume our normal Wednesday night schedule next week, June 15th.
Speaking of June 15th...Our special Notary friend will be here to take care of your camp forms that night. She will be at the Hut at 6pm. For instructions on your camp forms, please refer to my earlier post. Although camp is already closed for new participants, fear not! We will begin registration for 2012 summer camps at the end of August, and will run registration until November 27th.
Our youth and children will be having a pancake breakfast fundraiser on June 18th from 7-9am to help with the cost of their camps for the summer. Tickets are $7 each and can be purchased from any of our youth or children going to camp. The menu is pancakes, sausage, and milk/coffee/juice. We will have the option of either dine in or carry out in the fellowship hall.
Please pray for our BYBC meetings this week. Pray for a good turnout in the neighborhoods. Pray for connections to be made between our members and the families who will participate. Pray for endurance to minister through sweltering heat. And pray for God to show you what He would have you do for His kingdom.
Joe
I was lovingly reminded Sunday Morning that I haven't posted in a while. I too am guilty of resembling Martha much more than Mary at times, so I have barricaded myself in my office, even if only for a little while, to share a few thoughts with you.
As most of you know, our Back Yard Bible Clubs begin tomorrow morning and will go through Thursday. The morning session is from 9am-11am at Cedric & Paula Smith's home. The evening session is from 6pm-8pm at Dot Palmer's home. For directions, please contact the church office. If you are interested in getting involved, it's not too late. Just give me or Jackie Campbell a call and we can tell you where you are needed. Due to the Back Yard Bible Clubs going on this week, Youth, Ra's, Ga's, and Mission Friends will not be meeting. We will resume our normal Wednesday night schedule next week, June 15th.
Speaking of June 15th...Our special Notary friend will be here to take care of your camp forms that night. She will be at the Hut at 6pm. For instructions on your camp forms, please refer to my earlier post. Although camp is already closed for new participants, fear not! We will begin registration for 2012 summer camps at the end of August, and will run registration until November 27th.
Our youth and children will be having a pancake breakfast fundraiser on June 18th from 7-9am to help with the cost of their camps for the summer. Tickets are $7 each and can be purchased from any of our youth or children going to camp. The menu is pancakes, sausage, and milk/coffee/juice. We will have the option of either dine in or carry out in the fellowship hall.
Please pray for our BYBC meetings this week. Pray for a good turnout in the neighborhoods. Pray for connections to be made between our members and the families who will participate. Pray for endurance to minister through sweltering heat. And pray for God to show you what He would have you do for His kingdom.
Joe
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Youth & Children's Camp Forms
Hello All,
As promised, I have scheduled a date for you to bring your forms to the church to be notarized. Dawn Lomax has graciously agreed to be here to notorize your camp documents (you should all have 2 each!) on Wednesday, June 15th @6pm in the Hut. This will also serve as the deadline for all camp forms to be turned in, so mark this date on your calendars! In case you have forgotten what is what from your camp information packets, here's what you need:
For Children- You have a yellow stapled form and a white stapled form (it's a copy of the yellow one). These forms each have a red star stamp in the upper right hand corner. These both need to be notarized and a copy of the child's health insurance card needs to be attached to each. In addition to the two forms requiring notarization, there is an "IBC Student Trip Conduct Covenant" form in your packet. This form does not need to be notarized, but it does need to be filled out and signed by both the parent(s) and the student. Please turn this form in with the other two in the light blue folder they were distributed in.
For Youth- You have an orange (ish) form and a white form. These forms each have a red star stamp in the upper right hand corner. These both need to be notarized and a copy of the student's health insurance card needs to be attached to each. In addition to the two forms requiring notarization, there is an "IBC Student Trip Conduct Covenant" form in your packet. This form does not need to be notarized, but it does need to be filled out and signed by both the parent(s) and the student. Please turn this form in with the other two in the dark blue folder they were distributed in.
Please give me a call or an email BEFORE JUNE 15TH if you have questions regarding your camp forms. I'm super excited about the camps this summer. Please begin praying now for God to move in your student's lives before, during, and after camp, that He may be glorified through them!
Joe
As promised, I have scheduled a date for you to bring your forms to the church to be notarized. Dawn Lomax has graciously agreed to be here to notorize your camp documents (you should all have 2 each!) on Wednesday, June 15th @6pm in the Hut. This will also serve as the deadline for all camp forms to be turned in, so mark this date on your calendars! In case you have forgotten what is what from your camp information packets, here's what you need:
For Children- You have a yellow stapled form and a white stapled form (it's a copy of the yellow one). These forms each have a red star stamp in the upper right hand corner. These both need to be notarized and a copy of the child's health insurance card needs to be attached to each. In addition to the two forms requiring notarization, there is an "IBC Student Trip Conduct Covenant" form in your packet. This form does not need to be notarized, but it does need to be filled out and signed by both the parent(s) and the student. Please turn this form in with the other two in the light blue folder they were distributed in.
For Youth- You have an orange (ish) form and a white form. These forms each have a red star stamp in the upper right hand corner. These both need to be notarized and a copy of the student's health insurance card needs to be attached to each. In addition to the two forms requiring notarization, there is an "IBC Student Trip Conduct Covenant" form in your packet. This form does not need to be notarized, but it does need to be filled out and signed by both the parent(s) and the student. Please turn this form in with the other two in the dark blue folder they were distributed in.
Please give me a call or an email BEFORE JUNE 15TH if you have questions regarding your camp forms. I'm super excited about the camps this summer. Please begin praying now for God to move in your student's lives before, during, and after camp, that He may be glorified through them!
Joe
June Activities Update
Hello Everyone!
I know being out of the country so much this school year has warped my perception of time, but I just can’t believe that summer is here already. Our summer activities start almost immediately so I’ll explain some of them.
1. Back Yard Bible Club: On June 7th, 8th, and 9th, we will be hosting back yard Bible clubs in two different locations. All BYBC's look different, so here is a snapshot of what will be happening at ours: Each location will host a two hour program which will include a craft time, snack time, some music, and a Bible story time. We will be having clubs meeting in two different locations in Hattiesburg. The morning meeting site will be at Cedric and Paula Jones' home from 9am to 11am. The evening club meeting will be from 6pm-8pm at Dot Palmer's home. To volunteer for either club meeting location, contact myself or Jackie Campbell.
2. 6th Grade Promotion: As many of you are aware, we have recently lost our 5th & 6th grade Sunday School teachers- the Lee’s. Due to their leaving, we are promoting the 6th graders to the youth department a few weeks ahead of schedule. For Sunday School, they will be meeting with the youth at the Banana Peel, a store located in the strip mall next door to the church @9am. Wednesday evenings, they will meet with the youth @6:15 in the Hut. This change will take effect immediately. For any questions or concerns, please shoot me an email or a phone call at the office.
3. Youth Day Camp: Our youth will be hosting a church from Texas from June 20th-23rd for their “youth camp.” This day camp will begin at the Hut with lunch @noon and from there, we will have different activities and projects in the city. Each day will end with a youth worship service and fellowship supper in the Hut @6:30pm. All of our youth are invited to join the other youth group for any or all of the activities for the week. For more information on participation or to volunteer for this event, please contact me.
4. Youth/Children Camp Fundraiser: On Saturday, June 18th, we will have a joint children/youth camp fundraiser pancake breakfast. Youth and children will be selling tickets, beginning Wednesday June 1st, for $7. Donations will gladly be accepted the day of the event, but please obtain a ticket so we can accurately prepare. The breakfast will be held in the fellowship hall from 7am to 9am. You can either dine in or carry out. The menu will be pancakes, sausage, coffee, milk, or juice.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to serving with you this summer!
Bro. Joe
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Back Yard Bible Clubs
Hey Everyone!
As you know, our recent fire has affected so many of the ministries at Immanuel. One of those important ministries is our annual Vacation Bible School. Since our ability to have such a large event has been hindered, we have planned an alternative this year that we are really excited about. On June 7th, 8th, and 9th, we will be hosting back yard Bible clubs in two different locations. All BYBC's look different, so here is a snapshot of what will be happening at ours: Each location will host a two hour program which will include a craft time, snack time, some music, and a Bible story time. As I mentioned earlier, we will be having clubs meeting in two different locations in Hattiesburg. The morning meeting site will be at Cedric and Paula Jones' home from 9am to 11am. The evening club meeting will be from 6pm-8pm at Dot Palmer's home. Please note that we are not asking volunteers to work both the morning and the evening locations, unless you feel led to do so. We are currently recruiting volunteers to help us staff this important children's ministry event, so if you would like to plug in, see me or Jackie Campbell or sign up on the bulletin board in the fellowship hall closest to the coke machine. I look forward to ministering alongside you in this exciting opportunity!
Joe
As you know, our recent fire has affected so many of the ministries at Immanuel. One of those important ministries is our annual Vacation Bible School. Since our ability to have such a large event has been hindered, we have planned an alternative this year that we are really excited about. On June 7th, 8th, and 9th, we will be hosting back yard Bible clubs in two different locations. All BYBC's look different, so here is a snapshot of what will be happening at ours: Each location will host a two hour program which will include a craft time, snack time, some music, and a Bible story time. As I mentioned earlier, we will be having clubs meeting in two different locations in Hattiesburg. The morning meeting site will be at Cedric and Paula Jones' home from 9am to 11am. The evening club meeting will be from 6pm-8pm at Dot Palmer's home. Please note that we are not asking volunteers to work both the morning and the evening locations, unless you feel led to do so. We are currently recruiting volunteers to help us staff this important children's ministry event, so if you would like to plug in, see me or Jackie Campbell or sign up on the bulletin board in the fellowship hall closest to the coke machine. I look forward to ministering alongside you in this exciting opportunity!
Joe
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Orthodox Box
For youth interested in obtaining any doctrine cards from our "Orthodox Box" study, here is a list of what you should have. Take an inventory of your box, and send me an email or message me on Facebook to let me know what you lack.
-Creation
-Atonement
-Authority
-Jesus
-God (part 1, part 1 continued, part 2, part 3, part 4
-Holy Spirit
-Salvation
-The Trinity
-Creation
-Atonement
-Authority
-Jesus
-God (part 1, part 1 continued, part 2, part 3, part 4
-Holy Spirit
-Salvation
-The Trinity
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Birthdays
This Saturday is my birthday. I don't have any big plans. I'm not waiting anxiously for any particular presents. And no, 33 doesn't feel any different than 32-at least yet. Make no mistake however, if my incredible wife thought that I was looking forward to any such things, she would definitely make it happen.
Birthdays for myself just don't require the same pomp and circumstance that they used to. I am perfectly happy spending time with my family and perhaps grilling a nice piece of beef. The older I get, and the more involved we become with activities around us, family time and a little R & R are welcomed tranquilities.
As my day approaches, I am drawn into inexcapable reflection. A friend of mine challenged me a few years ago with something he said as his own birthday drew close. He said that "birthdays have become, in many ways, like New Year. Things from the past 12 months are replayed in my mind and I evaluate where I am in relation to where I was last year, and where I want to be next year. Since that conversation, I have approached my birthdays in similar fashion.
Looking back on last year, God has done some amazing things in not only my life, but my family's life as well. The gruelling wait associated with an adoption came to an end the day we landed at JFK with two of the most beautiful girls to ever draw breath. They became complete citizens of the United States on December 31, 2010. Our journey of waiting for God to connect us with our children was over.
Through that process, God taught me many things about myself. I am rediculously impatient. I try frequently to do things in my own strength, and then wonder what went wrong if the result isn't what I think it should be. And regardless of what we can imagine or what Hollywood can write in a script, our God can put a story together that will render you speechless. I can truly say that God has stretched and grown me in ways that I never thought possible.
This time next year, where will we be as a church? What lessons will God have taught us. What kingdom-focused ministries will we have been involved with? What will we be anticipating together as we strive to be the church God has created us to be? I hope you will join me for some reflection.
Joe
Birthdays for myself just don't require the same pomp and circumstance that they used to. I am perfectly happy spending time with my family and perhaps grilling a nice piece of beef. The older I get, and the more involved we become with activities around us, family time and a little R & R are welcomed tranquilities.
As my day approaches, I am drawn into inexcapable reflection. A friend of mine challenged me a few years ago with something he said as his own birthday drew close. He said that "birthdays have become, in many ways, like New Year. Things from the past 12 months are replayed in my mind and I evaluate where I am in relation to where I was last year, and where I want to be next year. Since that conversation, I have approached my birthdays in similar fashion.
Looking back on last year, God has done some amazing things in not only my life, but my family's life as well. The gruelling wait associated with an adoption came to an end the day we landed at JFK with two of the most beautiful girls to ever draw breath. They became complete citizens of the United States on December 31, 2010. Our journey of waiting for God to connect us with our children was over.
Through that process, God taught me many things about myself. I am rediculously impatient. I try frequently to do things in my own strength, and then wonder what went wrong if the result isn't what I think it should be. And regardless of what we can imagine or what Hollywood can write in a script, our God can put a story together that will render you speechless. I can truly say that God has stretched and grown me in ways that I never thought possible.
This time next year, where will we be as a church? What lessons will God have taught us. What kingdom-focused ministries will we have been involved with? What will we be anticipating together as we strive to be the church God has created us to be? I hope you will join me for some reflection.
Joe
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)