Month: October 2010

This morning my phone started vibrating at 5:30 a.m. I didn’t want to wake my roommates, so I didn’t answer it. But, I figured it was Natalia calling me at 7:30 a.m. EST to remind me it was her birthday, so I sent her a text. After that I was unable to get back to sleep, so at 6 a.m. I got out of bed, got ready, and hit the treadmill and ran 3 miles. Felt so good! After a shower I had a banana and coffee for breakfast, read my Bible, and at 8:30 a.m. headed over to Group for our meetings. Michael and Lisa Gungor were here and led us in worship. After some teaching we engaged in some vigorous discussions on the care team, discussing how we are going to help conference attenders feel loved and cared for before, during, and after the conference. For lunch we took box lunches and drove about 15 minutes to a beautiful little park. I was able to have a great conversation with my friend Duffy Robbins. He’s such a great blessing! After lunch I dropped off the people who rode with me then headed back out to a ridge I had seen called The Devil’s Backbone and hiked up to it, taking some pictures. Then it was back for the afternoon session. Before dinner I went back out and took some pictures of the canyon we had driven through as well. Then we had a tasty dinner followed by a great night of fellowship and dessert at the home of Group founders Thom and Joani Schultz. It was a wonderful day!

Today (I’m in Colorado and it’s still October 5th) was Natalia’s 9th birthday! So proud of my big little girl. Bummed that I was out of town on her birthday, but so glad we got to celebrate before I left.

Today was my first day in Loveland, Colorado for a few days of meetings at Group. About 75 youth workers from across the country have gathered together to talk about youth ministry and to plan the 2011 Simply Youth Ministry Conference which will be happening in Chicago March 4-7, 2011. We had a wonderful time with Doug Fields, Rick Lawrence, Thom & Joani Schultz, Stephanie Caro, Andy Brazelton, Kami Gilmour, Scott Firestone, and many others. This evening we had a great dinner and time of fellowship at the Gilmour’s house including a time of worship with Shane and Shane.

Meet Wednesday Nights 7:30-9:00 p.m. All students gather together for a brief time of worship then get into small groups by grade to study the Bible and discuss matters of life and faith.

On Friday night we had the joy of going into Manhattan to celebrate Natalia’s 9th birthday. Her birthday is actually on Tuesday, but I will be out of town, so we decided to celebrate early as a family. Natalia’s friend Angelia also joined us. We went for a very nice dinner at the Rockefeller Cafe in Rockefeller Center then went across the street to American Girl where Natalia got her first American Girl Doll, Lanie. She also bought the matching outfit for herself. We had a wonderful time together and it was lots of fun!

After Edmund Concert October 10th on Long Island! Tickets Here.