Closing Time

So in my heart of heart I felt like speaking at youth camp was a book-end for a difficult season of ministry. We came home from camp only to be waiting still for some of the financial provision that we are planning on... but evidently still waiting for.

On Saturday my phone charger broke and and so did my car alternator. I understand these are minor inconveniences but seriously? Not really the evidence of the new season I was hoping for.

I was hopeful that Sunday at church would be a kind of homecoming with lots of excitement and record attendance. It was just another hot Phoenix Sunday with a lot of people missing and it's own unique struggles. Again, this is something I'm used to but it's not really indicative of a new season of harvest and fruitfulness.

I spent the entirety of Monday morning with Isaac at the dentist. He had a couple of fillings, a tooth extraction, and several crowns... Oh and lots of drugs to try to minimize the kicking and screaming. They had more work to do on the top but I stopped them when the bill hit $2,000. Welcome new season of monthly installments! It fills like another car payment... if only I could drive my son's baby teeth to work. CASH for CLUNKERS?

Today is meet the teachers night and it's also Leah's first day back at school. Today I got to take gum out of Olivia's hair and tomorrow both the girls get shots. Why does being a good parent involve so many opportunities to make your children scream?

Leah and I remain excited about what's ahead. I hope this real and a bit self pitying post doesn't cause folks to be concerned. I'm just realizing that there is still quite a bit of finishing to do in this new season.

Unforgettable Thanksgiving

My thanksgiving started early. I got up at 2:00AM, handled my morning business, got dressed, wished my wife a happy birthday, kissed her cheek and headed to the airport. The streets were wet and I wondered how the combination of a light work load and a rainy forecast might effect my chances of staying dry. Theres not alot of cover at the airport and sure enough it worked out just perfect that I would get soaked while unloading my aircraft. I mean really soaked. It was 7:30AM when I some how weaseled my way outta there even though the last flight still had not left Ontario.

I stopped on the way home and picked up nine cans of green beans, two family size cans of cream of mushroom soup, and one bag of french fried onions. Once home, I took a long shower and crawled into bed for a short nap. After I woke up, I imagine my day was alot like everyone elses. Drove about an hour, purchased some last minute necessities (little girl tights), ate finger foods, visited with family members I don't see enough, ate some more food, watched football and fishing on TV, and then sat down for a huge feast including turkey, ham, sweet potatoes, corn, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and something that had cranberries in it.

After dinner different ones started washing dishes, putting away folding chairs, entertaining the kids, settling in to watch the Cardinals game, and there was a bit of expectancy in the air. All the cousins kept asking each other... "Are we gonna have pie?" , "When are we going to eat pie?" A little disappointed that no one was suggesting we play Tripoli or Yahtzee, or even Nintendo Wii, I went into the room that did not have the game on and just listened to the ladies.

Somewhere between finishing pie and Arizona losing a game it should have won, my youngest daughter was attacked by the family dog. As soon as I heard it I knew exactly what was happening but did not believe it. How could this be happening? Responsible parents. Responsible dog owners. Why? Why? Why? I carried my baby girl to the van, wiping blood off her face, having no idea where the nearest hospital was. Someone else drove me to the nearest ER and I found myself seated between other worried parents and one guy who had somehow lodged pumpkin pie in his lungs.

The last two days have been spent with medical personnel who also had to work on Thanksgiving weekend, who did everything they could to move my daughter towards health. Abi is doing good. She has nine cuts on her face, about twenty stitches to be removed next week. We now own regular band-aids, Dora Band Aids, and also Hello Kitty Band aids. I'm suggesting everyone buy stock in Neosporin and Maderma. We got good reports from the eye specialist and I have called all the craziest charismatics I know and asked them to pray for her total recovering and no scaring. We are taking it day by day but Abi keeps telling me, "I'll be otay dad!".

On a day when I prayed our family would not take things for granted, just a few days after preaching about JOY and PEACE, I am very much reminded of what is important in this life. I am thankful for my kids. I am thankful for my wife. I am thankful for the friends and family who won't stop calling us to see how things are, for the ones who have a different sense and are just giving us space, and for those I haven't told yet, but are going to love us through this to the other side. I am thankful for my church, for my calling, and a gracious God that keeps reminding me he's not forgotten us. I am hopeful for what's ahead and thankful for where I've come from. I am learning to be content where I am. I am thankful for His peace.

Go A's

My boy is playing T-ball. He loves it! Monday night he was the lead off hitter for his season opener...and he hit. Normally this isn't a big deal, but does anyone remember last year? The poor kid didn't hit all season. He played right field one inning, and third base the second inning. When I asked him which one he liked better he said..."Batting, I liked hitting best Dad!". Needless to say I'm a proud dad, and coach. Go A's!

So What...I'm Cheap.

New Season. New Schedule.

With Leah going back to school I am once again readjusting my sleep schedule. I'm now trying to go to bed early enough to wake up for work and then be able to stay home with the girls with out a nap. Should be easier after the rest of the world has time change but Arizona doesn't.
(I never thought about it before, but working at the airport in a time sensitive bussiness where planes come and go to and from places that have now "fallen back" an hour, means I will be getting an extra hour of sleep!).

Leah going back to school means I have been playing taxi driver and Mr. Mom. I've been trying to find fun stuff to do with the girls while Isaac is at school. Today, we had lunch at Lone Star Steakhouse and Saloon. This place has great lunch specials and on Tuesdays kids eat for free. Our lunch was $7.99 + tax and tip for all three of us to have a nice sit down lunch together ( I honestly don't think we could have done Mickey D's for that, although there is no "play place" at Lone Star ). The girls both ordered hot dogs although they could have had steak medallions...toddlers. I had a "bubba" chicken sandwich which was awesome. I may have found my Tuesday spot.

Marriage, My Mom, My Mentors, & Music

In John Eldridge's WILD AT HEART he suggests that every male is longing to answer the same question... Do I have what it takes?

As we settle into our recent monumental changes, I ask this question often. Being a husband, dad, pastor. Do I have what it takes?

Diligence. Faithfulness. Consistency.

Those are the three words for this new season. Three concepts I'm longing to understand better. Three attributes I want my kids to see in me. Three causes I wish the Church would wear better.

My wife is the best. I can't imagine living this adventure with anyone else. She has sacrificed so much in answering this call. When my time is in such high demand, I know our time is often what I neglect. Saying "I'm sorry" seems like an understatement and insufficient expression of my heart. I am hopeful for her to somehow know peace and quiet in a house with three small children.

My mom is a special lady. How do you forget to call your mom on her 55th birthday? Is that a symptom of overwhelming changes or a well meaning compliment? As we celebrated Mom's day at church Sunday, I was reminded of how my mom continues to go out of her way to make my life better, easier, and more meaningful. I can only hope she sees the grace and redemption in the legacy that is our family.

I was so encouraged to meet with a group of pastors this week; my peers, mentors, and friends. No one pointed out my failures. No one said "You shoulda...". They prayed for me. They acted like this little church plant in West Phoenix was the most exciting thing happening anywhere. And many of them drove a great distance to do so.

I struggle with creativity. Part of me longs to be an artist, a poet, a musician. Often people in those vocations frustrate me, yet I am envious inside. You may not know this, but from 6th grade - high school graduation I played Trombone. Marching Band, Jazz Band, Offertory Orchestra at church... that was me. I never really over achieved in any of these ( I got awards like "most improved" and ""most inspirational"), but I always enjoyed the social outlet of hanging out with musicians. There's always been something inside me that has great respect for those who can create expressions of beauty. Most recently I am impressed once again by Cobalt Season. Their new Song Time Will Tell resonates with some of what I'm feeling. You could listen on their myspace and check out the lyrics if you are interested. (By the way, I am biased towards the trombone accompaniment)

Diligence. Faithfulness. Consistency.
I am thankful for those listed above who have demonstrated these to me.

Fourty-Eight

Isaac (my five year old) comes into the office and asks, "Dad, how do I make fourty-eight?" holding up his fingers. "You don't have enough fingers." I said. "Do you?" He asks.

Do It Yourself

This is my late great grand father. He built that organ... and he knew how to play it. You see I come from a long line of do it your selfers. At least a long line of people that think you ought to take care of yourself and not count on the government to take care of you. Crazy people that think government should be smaller not bigger. Honestly, I agree with that.

Lately I have been inspired by the ideas of self sufficiency. I've been having dreams about growing my own veggies, killing my own meat, and building my own stuff. I want to be less of a consumer. I want to be less dependant on others. I want to be more enterpeneurial.

However, I'm at an interesting place in my life where this season is requiring me to ask others to help us. It's difficult because part of me feels like it'd be easier to just do it myself. Certainly it's difficult to let others help you. Certainly it's hard to work alongside others. Certainly, it's humbling to admit I can't do it on my own. But aren't we all in the same circumstance? Isn't doing it by myself exponentialy more difficult? We desperately need each other. We need family, community, and intimacy with others. We need each others help, prayers, and blessings. These things matter. Thank you to those who are helping us take our next steps.

Books and Toddlers

My oldest, the boy, is brillant. Recently he pulled the game cube out of a mess of video game accesories. He then went on to find the correct power cord, the correct AV cables, and also the correct controllers. Amazing, knowing that a psone, xbox, vsmile, and who knows what else were all sharing the same box. He then plugs everything in correctly and starts playing Namco Classics. Not bad for a five year old. I'm actually a very proud ex-gaming dad, just a little bit concerned that the game he most often chooses is "Primal Rage" For those of you who missed the 90's fighting game craze this one pits evolutionary dinosaurs and other creatures against each other with really cool neon "blood" flying everywhere. I know, I'm pretty much ruining my son, right? Well I try to balance this with a healthy love for books too. So myself and the oldest two were reading "Gigi, the Princess" when the boy says, "Hold on Dad, Pause it" and goes to check on something. That's right...pause the book. Priceless.

Good Week...not too many tears

My brother is here. Tim is one of my favorite people on the entire planet. Throwing darts, snack'n on chips and salsa, and shooting pool are a few of my favorite things to do with him. This week we actually played backgammon and chess. It is so cool to hear my kids screamin "Uncle Tim, Uncle Tim!" I'm not sure how he feels about the chaos that is our house, but I am so thankful for the extraordinary effort he makes each year to come to California.

I had breakfast with Journeyman. Over two hours of some of the most refreshing listening and sharing I've done in a long time. The coffee was good and so was the stuffed french toast. I love being with passionate people. I asked a question like... "Hey, What's up with Riverside..." and watched his face light up and whole countenance come alive. Very valuable stuff as I consider ministry in a formally rural area that's currently very suburban but trying very hard to become increasingly urban (not Riverside but similair in some ways). "Quintessential example of a post modern urban center"... I think those were his exact words. Good times.

I had a great meeting with my sp. Very Positive. Several at-a-boys. Good advice. Hope for tomorrow. More Good stuff.

I had four meetings with students this week. Tuesday night Christmas party. Campus ministry at the middle school on Wednesday. Main youth meeting on Wednesday night. Annual mall shopping trip on Friday. I had many chances to think about my own strengths and weaknesses in youth ministry. I also had many chances just to enjoy serving some of the finest young people on the planet.

You can see why there's been few updates. Big announcements are happening over the next eight days, and my emotions are out of control everyday. Look for a major summary a week from now. I can't believe this is really happening. I have no reference points for swimming through this. It feels good, but I'm scared.

Do I really have to navigate Christmas in the middle of all this? HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Jesus is LORD! Ho Ho Ho. For some reason I feel a little like the Santa in "A Christmas Story". HO HO HO, MERRY CHRISTMAS! Saying the words, but stepping on a kids face with my boot. Seriously, Merry Christmas.

December Sabbath

My boy turned five yesterday. I got up early to find his present. Had breakfast with a great group of guys from our church. Decided on the Animal Planet Farm playset at Toys R Us. Came home and cleaned house with the family. Kids went with Grandma. The wife and I went to a former student's wedding. Had a liitle bit of a break, just us, before the reception. Picked the kids ups, and had some real challenging discussion before agreeing to postpone a decision and head to bed. Not bad for a sabbath.

Everything seems very emotioally charged right now. I'm feeling fairly overwhelmed. My head has been spinning, but not so much since I took a nap. I'm looking for God'g grace in the storm and I'm thankful for his continued provision and protection. I know what's happening is bigger than me and there's actually great comfort and rest in knowing that.

I can't believe my boy is five! I can't believe it's December! I can't believe all this is happening! There's just 28 days till the cat's officially out of the bag.

Saddleback...my eye witness account

For the first time ever, today I attended a regular service at a mega-church. Not just any mega church, the mega church. That's right we visited the multi-million dollar shrine to Rick Warren, Saddleback Church.

We arrived through Saddleback Parkway and we're guided by an array of red shirted, hat and sunglass wearing attendants directing us into the lower lot. The wife actually asked me... "Do you think we'll have to pay to park?" It really did feel like he had parked in the Lion King lot, especially when the tram pulled up. We probably should have skipped the tram but when the tram volunteers were shouting "main worship center", I assumed that was the place to be. Once in the fire pit area, that's where the tram stops, we hiked up some stairs and started following signs to the children's center. A nice member of the greeters team told me we needed to go back down a different set of stairs. While we were talking I saw a building labeled "Nursery building". Since it was at the same level we were I skipped the greeter dude's instructions and headed in that direction. Sure enough! It was the nursery building!... but 18months -24months were downstairs. We hiked down stairs and waited in line, gave her name, my name, my phone number, "Yes, I said 951", and got our retrieval sticker. This was a tad bit exhausting. Now to find where 3's and 4's go. We hiked past the cool rock maze, went by the 1yr old and 2 yr old classes, marched through the main kids ministry foyer. FISH! FISH! Nemo! Dory! FISH!, my kids shouted as we walked past multiple salt water aquarium walls. And finally we arrived at the 4 year old class rooms. While we were once again waiting in line, the wife says I think we should put them (our other two kids) in the same class. A very nice jersey wearing lady (their kid's ministry is called "All Stars") asked us if we knew where we were going. I explained it was our first time and we were just visiting. She then asked how old the kids were. At this moment I did what I think anybody else in my situation would have done...okay maybe not. I LIED, I said "they are both four". This seemed really justified in a Rahab sort of way. I just wanted my kids to be together, I wanted my wife to feel at peace, I just wanted to actually go to church and not have to go on another hike to find the 3 year old classes. Feeling the glare of my wife and fearing God, or maybe Pastor Rick, would strike me with lightening, I made a correction "actually she's almost four and he's almost five, but we would really like them to be in the same class, just for today". The nice lady asked my wife "When's her birthday?" "August", the wife says "she's only three", looking at me like I was stupid not dishonest. "Oh no, we can't do that...", I'm not sure what the lady said after this but it had to do with developmental differences, maybe you could work on this during the week, we have a family friendly venue, all of our handlers are finger printed. (I'm almost sure she said handlers and I think this label should be re-thought through.) My kids were instantly in tears and neither wanted to go to their class by themselves.

We headed back to the "main worship center" ...over the river and through the woods... only to find out that children under five are not welcome in the main worship center. We were directed to the new "Family venue" over there, down the stairs, see that tent?, not that one but the one behind it, next to the beach burger stand. The wife says, "I'm ready to just go home!". One of the nice greeter dudes must have heard her cause he chased us down and asked, "Can I suggest the family venue?" He gave us similar directions, leaning and pointing, omitting the burger stand proximity.

My wife has real issues with folks not allowing kids in their service, and I'm with her. Somehow having a family venue creates a separate but not really equal second class citizenship. She was ready to go home. Despite the fact we had by now missed any chance at some hip cool mega church corporate worship, and despite the fact that I had a pretty good idea of the sermon content (they were kicking off forty days of purpose, and I've already read the book). We went to the family venue late. My wife was greeted, my kids were not. We walked into a tent with some tables where families were coloring together while "Everybody loves Raymond" played on the big screen. There were no seats at the tables so we sat on the school chairs (the family venue is housed in what is normally the junior high venue) and tried to take in the sermon. I was laughing at how Pastor Rick kept saying "tonight" until I realized we were not watching a live feed but simply a recording from the Saturday night service. I left to take the boy to the restroom, it's outside in a different temporary building. The wife was waiting for me when I came out, she really was ready to go home. We picked up the baby and went back to the tram pick-up and waited until we realized the tram was broke. We then hiked back the way we had came past all the tents over the bridge and down the elevator to the lower lot where we had originally parked.

I was a little dissapointed. I have some fairly random thoughts and one that I think is monumental.

Random thoughts...

How does one of the most influential preachers in America get away with repeating a series everybody knows he already did.

The Junior high venue was really cool! It pretty much sucked as a family venue, but it was the coolest middle school tent ever. I was having youth pastor envy.

I'm still a little bummed I didn't get my free copy of The Purpose Driven Life. I have the hardback but I'm a sucker for a great deal.

Somehow it made me feel better that big church, rich, baptists, from Orange County deal with the same stuff we do, seating, stuff breaking, what to do with kids, etc.

There was about a hundred people in the family venue, counting all the kids. No one looked too excited to be there, except one couple sitting in front of us and the sound guy who is for sure one of those people who just loves what ever they are doing.

I was once again reminded and impressed by the efforts of this church in addressing the AIDS crisis.

4 out of 20 cars in the parking lot were beamers. I didn't count Mercedes, Land Rovers, or Hummers, but 20% had a little BMW emblem. I'm not sure why I noticed this.

MONUMENTAL THOUGHTS

People have to be more important than programs. Relationships have to be more important than rules. No one ever told me their name. The nursery lady was the only person who ever asked me mine. I wonder how new people feel when they show up at my church? I don't want to knock Saddleback, that operation is a massive logisistical undertaking, and I was impressed with the shear volume of people that showed up, and the small army of staff and volunteers that it takes to make weekend services happen. I just wonder if many other families have had a similair experience, maybe it was their first ever church experience. I hope it wasn't their last. I'm reading this book... Everything Must Change. And that's what I'm thinking.

Sabbath... day six

Okay so yesterday was the sixth day of our vacation. It was also Saturday. So here's the update. We found ourselves back in the IE so I could attend a very important meeting with my s.p. and his advisory board. Yes, that was as exciting as it sounds. Went from my meeting to catch the end of my boy's game. He won the game ball for making an outstanding fielding play. The kid still won't hit. Came home and spent some time catching up on the blog world. Took a nap. And then headed to the OC to visit the in- laws. My brother in-law is trying desperately to pass third year high school french so he needed an audience to serve his homemade french meal to. We had baguettes and cheese, french onion soup, more baguettes with cheese, french style green beans, potatoes au gratin and pork cooked in a white wine and onion bath. For dessert, we had baked apples. The meal was fantastic and it was really cool to be together. I put the kids down early and fell asleep with the baby. Oh yeah, we did a little bit of returns and shopping on the way and made a visit by the new Jack in the Box. Or in keeping in the theme of our day... Jaque in the box. wi. wi. It was fairly restful.

Angels Beat Seattle 9-5

700 Wins for Mike Scioscia. Vlady proves once again he is the bigger sport. And the Angel's are one step closer to cinching the Title again. Way to Go Halos.

I got to go to the game with two little boys and one brother in law. That was fun. Oh yeah, the boy actually played at his own game today. And when I got home I had some apple pie. I feel really American tonight!

Defense of Marriage

I have been trying to stay out of this discussion. But the recent news of more Word Faith Televangelist marital woes continues to make me sick. The article linked above also has a list of some fairly popular ministers who have walked through divorce. While I definetly grew up in the more conservative circles with folks blindly quoting the prophet Malachi; "God hates divorce." I don't believe divorce should eternally disqualify ministers. In fact some of my favorite pastors have this tragedy in their past and it is just a part of their redemptive story.

It does bother me immensely though that the political actions of many christians against homosexual marriage (which I think I am also against). Have been labeled as "Pro-marriage" or "Pro-family", often by people who have been divorced and remarried several times. It seems to me that marriage as a sacred God-ordained instituition has long been abaonded not just by our culture, but in many ways by the church. I understand we are all broken and in desperate need of God's redemptive grace but why does the church more easily extend that grace to adulters, fornicators, and liars and not to homosexuals?

How can folks in good concience stand with their Pastor, after he kicks and punches his wife, and then openly condemn gay unions, and call it "defense of marriage"?

Wierd! The wife and I celebrate seven years this week. I want you to know that I am a selfish, imperfect person, and so is she... although less than I am, I think I married up. It is only by God's grace and alot of hard work that we are still married. But I'm glad. I love her. She's the best. And it's because of her, and the last seven years, that I believe this God ordained instituition is still worth defending. Maybe we will be part of a change where "Pro Family" means something different than "anti- homosexual", because as far as I'm concerned, this family is forever, and I am so thankful for it.

Catching Up with Family... What do you love about your church?

Hung out with the old Spoons on Friday. Caught up with bro-in-law J.P. and his girlfriend on Saturday. Had an intervention meeting with cousin Matt on Sunday. Wonder who I'll see today.

So in my recent series of questions about church, there have been alot of "things that shouldn't matter but do" (like including the word valley in your church name). Today's question is more meaningful and positive. What do you love about your church? Is it the pastor's speaking? the really cool name? the correct doctrinal statement? the events? your small group? the coffee shop in the foyer? the kids program? the friendly parking attendants? Besides "feeling called" and "being committed", what keeps you where you are?

I apologize to those who don't currently have a "home church" or who are pursuing fellowship in less traditional means. I would be interested in your thoughts as well. What do you think folks desire as far as a community of faith?

Here is what I love about my church...
On Sunday Matt was dropped off at my church at 1:03PM ( I happened to glance at my phone). Church had been out for about a half hour and many people were lingering, visiting with each other, making lunch plans, etc. Matt and I got in the van and headed out to pick up some diapers and lunch. While we were at Super Target picking up diapers we ran into a family who are a part of our church. After normal chit chat, inviting their middle schooler to our September events and hearing about there soon to be born grand daughter we moved on to the infant/toddler section. After debating the cost difference between the 29 pack and the 44 pack, moving to the counter, paying and heading to the car, I was given a huge unsuspecting hug from Alberto, a boy in my son's class at church. I waved to his folks and exited the store. On our way to get lunch, I was sitting at a light across from a young couple in our church I had the priveledge of marrying. I waved to them and turned right. We went to the drive through at Del Taco to grab lunch which took a long time. Sitting in the drive through allowed some subsational time for Matt to really fill me in on some of the circumstances he is facing. Things were getting fairly intense when he says "Do you know those people, becuase I think they know you." I look over to see four young adults from our church making faces and waving from inside the restaurant. I did my best to introduce evryone through the window, got our food, and dropped diapers and lunch off at the house before taking Matt to my office.

At one point in our conversation, Matt says. "I just think life should be about relationships." I said "I agree, but the most important relationship is with our creator. In fact Christianity is supposed to be all about relationship." We talked about some of the foundational differences between Christianity and some other faiths. Finally Matt says, "I see that here." I asked what he meant and he says. "Ever since I got here, Everyone has been waving to you!"

Pray ( if you're the praying type) that Matt finds more helpful meaningful relationships. And feel free to leave your own thoughts. What do you love about your church?

I no longer own a truck.

For over a decade I have owned a pick-up. Today I sold the vechicle I have owned longer than any other vechicle ever. $325. So... I no longer own a pick up. We are now a one vechicle family. Am I sad?

I will miss laying in the bed counting stars and airplanes with my oldest. Today he asked me "Dad, how will we haul the trash?" in his still recovering speaky no adenoids voice. The big girl said "Dad, we need you to have a truck!" So they are dreaming of a white one. I am dreaming of less vechicle costs, and preparing to ride my bike if neccesary.

Today didn't Suck.

Funniest thing I heard today.

So where Are you going for your honeymoon? Texas. Why Texas?
I have to meet my mother-in-law.

Sometimes I think I'm so cool, and emergent, and cutting edge. Let me just admit, I'm the biggest dork on the planet! In spite of that, I am blessed with wonderful friends. I serve a wonderful church with the best students anywhere. My wife is the most gracious, compassionate, and caring person on the planet, and she's beautiful (and she has a pretty good eye for photos). My kids rock. Oh yeah, my kid's uncles are pretty cool too.

I survived today and things went better than I thought they would.

Doing what I love

Just in case I start getting concerned calls from my previous post... The "Holy Sweat" Trip was fantastic. The students did wonderful. We touched the lives of about 40 unique children over four nights and helped families connect with a wonderful church, South Bay Christian Fellowship. We passed out nearly 1,000 fliers in a community with a population of about 14,000. I saw first hand some of the challenges of ministering in a small coastal community but only 14,000? It gives some hope to the "Let's see the whole city saved" kind of vision casting. It was very refreshing though to hear Pastor Dan's heart and know that this body is all about building big people, not neccesarily a big church. I got to lead and watch six high school students introduce Jesus to little kids and be divine encouragement to an 86 year old lady. I saw these six diverse and unique individuals become a team and begin actually being the church. We shared many meals together, got to hang with sea otters in the bay, prayed together under a pygmy oak tree, and saw some crazy things from the windows of a '75 Crown bus. This is discipleship how I like it.

My wife is my hero! Again and Again and Again. When I feel like I'm getting old, maybe burnt out, and grumpy she is always there, hearing His voice, being an advocate for students, and seeing the need in ways that I either can't or just don't. Oh yeah, my kids are the best! And that is why I hauled three goldfish (prizes from the kids extravaganza) 300 miles in plastic bags they were in for 30 hours. I can't believe they are still alive! But they are. They are eating beta food in a bowl on my kitchen counter.

Reflections on Camp... Liability... and Grilling Burgers.

So last week I promised some updates on camp. Here's one. Sometimes as a youth pastor one experiences moments of true delight that seem like "heaven on earth" and make all the crap of the job worth it. Many times they are super spiritual and sometimes their not. Last week I had the joy of once again running all the afternoon activities at camp. A camp favorite, and the most stressful for the activities director, is boating. We rent these little 4-6 seat outboard aluminum fishing boats and the campers get to drive them and go exploring on the lake for one hour. I ALWAYS tell them not to crash other boats, not to "fall" into the water, and not to come back late. After a decade of doing this I anticipate all of these things happening. So last week I sent out nine boats of campers and workers, ALL NINE CAME BACK ON TIME! Most of them were soaked from "falling" in and I know they were playing bumper boats but the fact that they all came back on time, just might be my crowning achievement in youth ministry... (plus, like my bro, I teach good, just not English). The only problem was I went three times to pick up the scenic chair lift hikers before I figured out they must be really lost. Everyone was safely back at camp by the end of dinner but losing three campers and two counselors really but a damper on my "having punctual boaters" celebration.

Earlier this year, we made a big change in our church policy. We decided to let 18 year olds attend the young adults class... even if they were still in high school. It always cracks me up when the church makes rules for adults to follow. Anyway, it has been very helpful for this group to come up with some appropriate guidelines for defining their group; 18-30, not married, no kids allowed. But somehow in this change, and in these definitions, there arose a huge misunderstanding about what to do with my seniors who just graduated from high school who happen to be 17 still. (It's the same fall birthday Kindergarten thing) To me, it seemed simple... let them go to young adults. However, me and the young adults leader did not see eye to eye right away. There was this huge question about liability and legal minors. (Here comes a rant) I know the folks at Guide One and Church Mutual probably hate me, but I send kids out on rented boats, I treat 17 year old graduates like adults, and while I'm at it... I let kids skate in the church parking lot. PEOPLE must come before POLICY. (ok, end of rant). In the end, everyone is doing things my way, but I still don't understand why it was a hard decision.

Today was the Summer Heat Volleyball tournament. I'm always nervous when there is a church sponsored event and I don't have a job assignment going into it. Today was fantastic though! I did very little except chill with my kids and watch some pretty exciting volleyball. Nothing quite like changin' diapers under an EZ-UP while sippin' on a diet mountain dew. I did end up spending much of the afternoon behind the grill, but that too is very relaxing to me. The smell of smoke, the burn in the eyes, and the sizzling sounds of grease dripping past the grill onto the coals; not a bad way to spend a sabbath, although technically, I'm pretty sure I was working.

Tomorrow should be great. Our church is hosting a group of kids from Los Osos, CA (four hours north) and another group from Gilbert, AZ (four hours east). They will be sleeping on our floor tomorrow night and heading up to camp with us on Monday morning. Sounds like fun!

Why is Kindergarten such a difficult word to spell?

I know what a "garden" is but what's a "garten"? What does "kinder" mean anyway?

So my oldest turns five on December 1st, just one day before the public school deadline for starting school. This means my wife and I recently reopened the fall birthday when do you start school controversy. Let me tell you, everyone has an opinion about this (If for some reason you don't I highly recommend forming one right away). Everyone thinks it's a very important question. And there is nothing close to popular consensus as far as what's best. My wife and I had separate experiences and we both ended up ok. She was out of high school for five months before she became a legal adult. I turned legal three months into my senior year. Like I said, we both ended up okay, but this is not valid because boys and girls are different and you can't just think about today, or even graduation day, the critical time is middle school. Let me say that even during middle school I was smarter, bigger, and more socially competent than all my friends. However, I still failed the presidential fitness test, those tall girls with breast still freaked me out, and I still did not understand why telemarketers kept asking if I was the lady of the house. Middle School sucks doesn't it? So for the sake of being like me (shouldn't everyone?) we were going to let the boy start school later, we had decided this a long time ago and began making life plans around this decision.

All that being said, I think everyone would understand why I became emotionally unstable when my wife reopened the discussion by saying... "I think we should put him in kindergarten." She said this with a real seriousness like God Himself had spoken to her... so I began with the internet research and phone calls. I learned way more than I wanted. Did you know the grade known as K is changing all over our nation? Ever since W's "No Child Left Behind" It's pretty much mandatory that you grasp algebra, dissect pigs, and read Hamlet before you even think about moving to first grade. I discovered that some states have made K all day (that's right no AM or PM options ALL DAY!) and there's a conspiracy to do the same thing in California. (If you are a resident please write Feinstein and Boxer and express your outrage). On top of all these paradoxes I'm finding, there's "promotion Sunday" coming at church and it seems all the boy's buddies are going to the big kid class. I don't want my son to feel left behind (no credit should be given to Tim LaHaye, Mr Jenkins or Kirk Cameron. I'm not talking about the books or the movies). What do I do?!

"There is no good reason to start kid's early", says one person I trust. "You're pretty much be robbing him of his childhood" is the impression I got from someone else. "He will be the youngest in his class... forever" is the truth ringing in my ears. I have to tell you, I extremely appreciated the response of Mr. G. He prefaced his opinion like this "either way, I don't think you are going to screw him up".

What about mom? Surely she would like a break? Making two trips a day to a different place with two kids in the car and one coming to or from class...yeah, that sounds like a break. I know three is hard, let me remove the one who is actually helpful, is that better? No easy answers here either.

So here's the verdict... The boy is starting school... home school... part of a public charter school. This means he starts learning with out the classroom adjustment stuff. We can play the K or pre-K card however we like. It seems not all his church buddies are promoting so maybe we'll avoid stealing his childhood for the time being. This also delays the real decision to next year. You know, a lot can happen in a year. He'll probably just start Kindergarten a year from now. He won't have any classmates going to the first grade. So how will he know if he's being "held back"? I really don't want him to carry the shame of being "held back". However, if the kid is doing Shakespeare and Trig a year from now (I hear the curriculum is very advanced), we'll probably just let him start middle school next fall... I'll just have to talk to him about the ladies.