Entries categorized as ‘Summer’
Day 3
I’m going to try to make this a little shorter than the previous 2 days because, quite frankly, it’s late and I’m tired.
Today went really well. VBS was good this morning. Our team heard a couple of stories that really helped give us a glimpse of what life is like for these kids. One child, Calin, lost his mom just 4 weeks ago. He’s 7 years old. We’ve all noticed him being very clingy and affectionate with us, but now we know why. Please pray for him.
Karina was feeling well enough to come with us today, so she was able to be there for the VBS. However, by the time VBS was over she was starting to get that worn out day-after-the-flu feeling. Since I had to get a tetanus shot anyway, we dropped the other 3 girls off at the house, went to get my shot (we went every direction except the right one to get to the clinic, by the way), then headed over to the BBC office to see if they needed any help. We weren’t there for more than 10 minutes when I got a call from Arthur (the Volunteer coordinator working with the other 3 girls) saying that, (1) Heather stepped on a nail, so you know the clinic you just went to? Yea, she needs to go now…and (2) The dumpster still had not shown up at the house and we can’t do anymore work until all the stuff we’ve already knocked out can come out of the house. So that was the end of house gutting for day 2.
It worked out really well, though, because we were able to come back to BBC and play with the kids for a while before heading back home a little early to shower and take a quick tour of the Garden District before Kati, Paul, the Petersons and the Homs joined us for some of Ray’s famous Shrimp Pasta.
After dinner, we all sat around the living room and heard Paul’s “Katrina story”. Not only did Paul grow up and live in Gentilly (a neighborhood demolished by the floods), but he was in college at the time at Tulane University, so his story has some different elements to it. We also got to hear the story of how he met his fiance shortly after returning from the storm. For a group of girls, that was a great addition!
At 9, we broke for a few minutes so our team could officially do a short debrief so everyone was free to go to bed. Jessie’s been having a lot of problems sleeping this week. She’s very literally exhausted and needs to sleep more than anything else right now. We prayed over her and her bed and we haven’t seen her roaming in or out of the room yet, so my (our) hope is that God is showing himself faithful to our request.
A few of us took a quick trip out to Morning Call in Metairie for Beignets, then I took a liberty as the leader and driver of the car and swung by my adopted Mama’s house to wake her up (as I usually end up doing when I come to town) and say hello. I can’t come to this town and not at least see her for 5 minutes.
Now everyone is sleeping but me and I’m very quickly heading in that direction. Thank you to those who are reading these (very long) updates and keeping us in prayer. The team is really starting to function like a team and I’m really proud of us. I look forward to seeing what God does in the next few days in the girls and in the people around us. Keep praying!
Until tomorrow…
Categories: Missions · New Orleans · Revolution · Service · Summer · Wifey
Tagged: Building Better Communities, Morning Call, New Orleans, Rebuild, Revolution Church, VBS
Categories: Church · Service · Summer
Tagged: Murder Mystery, Revolution Church, Silent Film, Thank You Please Stay
I am currently in Maryland, and outside my window I watch as fireflies dance in mid air. I remember the first time I saw fireflies was on Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland - of course those were just small lights attached to wires in a darkened space. But these fireflies are real - excitedly flying through the thick humid air of a summers evening.
I can remember as a kid being fascinated with these little lightning bugs, always wishing I could see a real one. Here tonight I see hundreds filling my vision with a symphony of random fireworks.
Why am I so amazed at such a small creature? I don’t know really. Maybe I am just captivated at Gods wonder in something so small and complex. Maybe it goes back to my childhood - always wondering what it would be like to catch one of these creative bugs. I don’t know. Maybe I’m just a little jealous of them soaring to and fro enjoying the freedom that God has created for them.
I feel like we have aged many years these past 4 months as we have gone through so many ups and downs. But good as always comes from difficulty - the thirst and wonder we once had is returning and above all else we are dreaming again and let me tell you it is so good to dream again.
I am finding that freedom once again to fly to and fro with only trust in God and dreams to guide me. As night falls and the fireflies conclude their symphony I know that tomorrow evening they will be back reminding me to fly free- uninhibited - unashamed…in the freedom and creativity that God has given me.
Until Next time…and Dreaming Big…
Categories: Summer · Thoughts · Vacation
Tagged: Dreaming, Fireflies, Summer, Trust
I am sitting in awe of God’s wonder right now. Outside my window a beautiful thunderstorm rages. Inside we are safe and dry as we watch in amazement and listen with expectation. With each flash we see a picture. With each flash the world is illuminated. I am relaxed for the first time in months and it I think it might be because of how small I feel right now. When a storm rages and you are caught in the middle you come to an understanding of how vulnerable you really are…for some that vulnerability causes fear…for me it causes trust.
So tonight I sit and watch from the safe haven of my shelter and I rest in the wonder that can not be explained.
Categories: Life · Summer · Thoughts
Tagged: Thunderstorms, wonder
to me!
Well, yesterday was my 29th birthday, and let me tell ya’, it was a pretty good one.
The day began with me getting up way to early to drive to Chino so I could take my Commissioned Pastors test for the Reformed Church in America. Let’s just say starting your birthday off with a three hour oral exam is not my idea of an awesome birthday gift. Truth be told, I did enjoy the studying and learning…it was like I was in college again.
After completing said test I headed to the Brea Mall to use my William Sonoma gift card. If you know me, but at all, you know I love to cook..and you also know that I love that store. With my purchases in hand I made my way back to the car to make the drive home…of course I had to treat myself to a birthday lunch from Chick fil-A.
After arriving at home all I wanted to do was to take a nap, sadly it was too frickin hot I could not sleep, instead I watch Ghostbusters 2…yup that’s right…don’t mock me, you know you love it.
My wife had told me we had plans with The Garrisons for dinner so at 7 we took Bella to my mom’s where…SURPRISE…a birthday party was at hand…and not just any surprise party but a “Lost” themed Surprise party, complete with tropical decor and plenty of Dharma food to go around.
I was actually very surprised that my wife pulled off a party with out me finding out. Of course it helps that she actually decided the day before to do it…and thankfully for me most of my friends didn’t have plans…I’m not sure what that says about all of us.
I have to give a big thanks to my wife for throwing me a party, especially themed to something I love…and she hates. Also, huge thanks go to Travis and Carrie for helping get everything ready all day Saturday, Angelo for being the tech superhero, Tanya for being Lost inspiration, and of course everyone that was able to make it on such short notice.
As with any fun event I have some awards to give out…so without further adieu…
Best Look a Like to a Lost Character - Jon Gaw as John Locke
Most creative Lost costume - Jen Davies as Smokey
Multiple personality - Liana Dickson as Kate, Rousseau, or Alex (She looked liked all of them)
The too much Lost knowledge award - Tanya Jones and Rachel Samarin
Funniest (inappropriate) birthday card - Mike and Beth Hutton
Funniest (non-inappropriate) birthday card - Darren and Jenny Platt
Best song played - Big Poppa
Well, there you have it my 29th birthday in a nutshell. If you didn’t know it was my birthday or you couldn’t make it to the party I hold no grudges…that being said I like Barnes and Noble, Starbucks, and Ikea 
As soon as I get some pictures I will post.
Categories: Don't Judge Me · Family · Friends · Life · Summer · TV · Wifey
Tagged: Big Poppa, Brea Mall, Chick Fil-A, Christopher Lytle, Darren Platt, Dharma, Ghostbusters 2, Happy Birthday, Jen Davies, Jenny Platt, Jon Gaw, Liana Dickson, Lost, RCA, William Sanoma
Categories: Entertainment · Movies · Summer
Tagged: Summer Movies, Blue Bayou, Indiana Jones, Wall-E, Iron Man, Prince Caspian, The Dark Knight, The Happening
I love to read. When I read a book I am able to escape the world around me…I am able to learn new things…and I am challenged in my thinking. So I thought I would share my summer books that I have read, am currently reading, and hope to read by the end of summer.
Finished reading
The Treasure Principal
More Mouse Tales
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
The Starbucks Experience
Messy Spirituality
The Way of The Wild Heart
The Last Season
Currently reading
The Road
The Dangerous Book for Boys
The Externally Focused Church
Humility
Entertainment Weekly
The Hikers Guide to Sequoia National Park
Things I hope to read (if time and money allow)
Harry Potter
Irresistible Revolution
Sex God
A Book of Hours
Into the Wild
The Reagan Diaries
Quiet Strength
The Devil’s Teeth
What is it that you’re reading or hope to read this summer? Let me know, I may want to read that too.
Categories: Books · Life · Summer
I have been sick today with a nasty stomach bug. I hate being sick…but who doesn’t right? After I woke up from a dehydration induced nap I decided to keep the lights low and watch a movie…Garden State. The same thing happens to me every time I watch this movie…I become a bit Pensive.
It’s 9 o’clock and I find myself reflecting on memories from my childhood. To be honest I have blocked out a lot of my past. It’s not that I don’t have any good memories it’s just that the painful times tend to overshadow the great ones…especially when it comes to my dad. You see my dad and my brother were…are…best friends…and me…well…I never really felt like I fit in. I can remember being inside of the house and pressing my nose against the window as I watched my dad and brother work in the garage and wishing that I could somehow be a part if it all…but I never really was.
Maybe it’s because I have always been an independent person…even as a kid…maybe my dad just didn’t know how to include me…or perhaps he saw how damaged he was and he was actually protecting me…I don’t know…but there is a part of me that feels like I missed out on something great…something necessary.
I can remember this one time. It was in early summer and I was outside watching the day turn to night. My mom and brother had gone to Price Club and it was just my dad and I. We never really had a lot in common, but the one thing that was common ground for the two of us was science. I loved science when I was a kid…I particularly enjoyed astronomy and geology. That evening as the light began to fade I pulled out my circle star map waiting for the stars to begin their nightly show. I remember my dad having me stand by him on our driveway and he pointed out Orion (as he always did)…as he began to tell me about different constellations I remember thinking that my dad had to have been the smartest guy alive (which is something he would frequently tell me…and still does). After a while we both fell silent and just stared up at the heavens. There were no words that needed to be uttered…no actions that needed to be shown…it was the perfect moment…and then it happened.
As we gazed above us we saw a meteor. An honest to goodness meteor. It wasn’t some small streak of light like a shooting star…it was this oddly beautiful phenomenon that captured us. It was a big ball of yellow outlined in orange and red..and its tail looked blue and green. We couldn’t believe it. We stood there in amazement as it streaked across the sky leaving a ethereal glow behind itself and although it seemed like an eternity I am sure it was only there for mere seconds…but it is those mere seconds that I look back upon with great joy. It is an experience that only he and I have shared…it is personal, special…it is a great memory.
It’s been close to 20 years since that night in our driveway, and unfortunately with growing up comes the harsh realities of life…those realities that cause us all to be a little bit cynical, a tad bit un-trusting…those realities that cause the good memories to fade into a dull background and the bad memories to stand out in painful clarity.
We are all human and deeply flawed…longing for acceptance…yearning for someone to like us…begging to be loved…and there is a God that showers down grace wanting us to know that He is there…whispering to our souls that we are His beloved.
Memories are a funny thing aren’t they?. They can bring joy, sadness, despair….but sometimes they can bring hope. Hope for a better tomorrow…hope for new legacies…hope for change…hope for acceptance and love…hope…that on this journey we are not alone.
My dad came to church this past week…which that too will become a great memory.
I know that no matter how dark the night, the sun will still rise. No matter how painful the past…there is always hope. No matter what stage of the journey…He is still there.
Categories: Family · Life · Summer
