Soon I get to see Kathy, my boy, and my sweet baby girl. I feel like I have missed a lot of fun that they have had this week while I was gone. Going to a "staff with kids" lunch after church on Sunday (without me), going to have dinner with Paul and Stephanie (without me), going out on the boat (without me). Well you get the idea. I have had a great time driving around Louisiana looking a various sites and getting to see and hold gators. That being said......
I am ready to be home after a week away. Not because I didn't have fun but because I want to see my family. It's great that I have a wife that supports me and allows me to go on youth trips. I know she has done a great job "holding down the fort" while I have been gone. And I know it hasn't been easy at some points with Carson's ear draining and Courtney being a bit fussy. I can't thank her enough for what she has done. I hope she knows how much I appreciate her and how much I am looking forward to seeing her tomorrow.
As for Carson.....he wouldn't go to sleep tonight because he misses his daddy. He knows I am coming home so he wouldn't go to sleep. Kathy called me and I told him I would sleep in his room with him when I got home if he went to sleep tonight. Hopefully he wasn't just using it as an excuse to stay up late. (As of the writing of this, I haven't heard that he didn't go to sleep)
As for Courtney she has been trying to talk to everyone and has even started to smile a little bit. At least I did get to see her smile before I went out of town, but now its being reported that she is smiling while she is awake more. She seems so alert in the pictures I have seen of her this week.
I can't wait to see all three of them. I can't wait to feed Courtney, even if it is a midnight or 1am feeding. I just want to be able to hold her tight in my arms. I can't wait to have some time on Friday just me and Carson doing something fun. I told him it was a surprise when he asked what we were doing. (It will even be a surprise to me, since I don't know yet) And I can't wait to hug Kathy and let her know how much I have missed her and how much I appreciate her.
See you soon
kevin
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Monday, June 25, 2012
Swamp Tour Musings
Here are some musings from the Soundwave Choir Tour.......so far...
I always find it funny when I go on a choir tour. Because if you have ever heard me sing, well I can't. Even when I was in youth choir as a teenager I only joined so I could go on fun trips. What I have found over the last four years is I can sit back while the youth are singing and get an outside perspective.
This year I have noticed that no matter what are differences are we can always find some common ground. For instance at Christian Hospitality House in Shreveport a man we were working with saw that I had a camera and shouted across the kitchen: "hey take a picture of me, I'm very photogenic." So him and I proceeded to ham it up for the camera and take a couple pictures. In Gonzales this today at lunch we talked with some church members about our friends, our dogs. At FUMC Kenner we were talking with the Pastor's son, Poni, about random things. The conversation evolved, or should I say devolved into a discussion about superheros. (I know you are all shocked by that) But the point is that Poni was so proud to tell us about the water fountain he had just taken out and how fun it was because he got to kick it in with his steel toed boots, which is a superhuman feat of strength for a 13 year old Tongan.
No matter what our differences are it seems when we are united in Christ and a common belief we can always find common ground. There are many examples that we (Adam and Michael are helping me write this) about how our differences can divide us. In fact Adam and Michael are arguing right now about who is smarter.
To paraphrase 1 Corinthians 12 we all have our gifts but we must use those diverse gifts to be one body in Christ.
On Swamp Tour we have met many different people and we know we will meet many more people. Our hope is that we will continue to be positive and find common ground with everyone else we meet at the children's hospital, in the 9th ward, Dulac community center, and even on the Swamp Tour.
I'll leave you with a thought from 1 Corinthians: "Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.
grace&peace
kevin
with adam and michael
I always find it funny when I go on a choir tour. Because if you have ever heard me sing, well I can't. Even when I was in youth choir as a teenager I only joined so I could go on fun trips. What I have found over the last four years is I can sit back while the youth are singing and get an outside perspective.
This year I have noticed that no matter what are differences are we can always find some common ground. For instance at Christian Hospitality House in Shreveport a man we were working with saw that I had a camera and shouted across the kitchen: "hey take a picture of me, I'm very photogenic." So him and I proceeded to ham it up for the camera and take a couple pictures. In Gonzales this today at lunch we talked with some church members about our friends, our dogs. At FUMC Kenner we were talking with the Pastor's son, Poni, about random things. The conversation evolved, or should I say devolved into a discussion about superheros. (I know you are all shocked by that) But the point is that Poni was so proud to tell us about the water fountain he had just taken out and how fun it was because he got to kick it in with his steel toed boots, which is a superhuman feat of strength for a 13 year old Tongan.
No matter what our differences are it seems when we are united in Christ and a common belief we can always find common ground. There are many examples that we (Adam and Michael are helping me write this) about how our differences can divide us. In fact Adam and Michael are arguing right now about who is smarter.
To paraphrase 1 Corinthians 12 we all have our gifts but we must use those diverse gifts to be one body in Christ.
On Swamp Tour we have met many different people and we know we will meet many more people. Our hope is that we will continue to be positive and find common ground with everyone else we meet at the children's hospital, in the 9th ward, Dulac community center, and even on the Swamp Tour.
I'll leave you with a thought from 1 Corinthians: "Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.
grace&peace
kevin
with adam and michael
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Not My Plan, But Yours
I said I would never use anything I learned in college. I take it back, I was wrong. When I graduated high school, I had no idea what I was going to do for a career. So I at some point I had the following majors: general business, computer science, english, journalism, broadcast journalism, before eventually "settling" on Exercise and Sports Science. Exercise and Sports Science is a fancy way of saying teaching and coaching.
I was asked by Boyd Goodloe just before the summer of 2000 if I would like to spend the summer in Houston and be a youth intern. I thought sure, I'd rather hang out in Houston and work at a church than work at a pizza restaurant for the summer. I owe Boyd so much and could never thank him enough. If he had not asked me to be a youth intern in the summer of 2000 I might not have become a youth director at all. If he had not asked me to work for JUMMP in 2005, I would have not met my wife. So, thanks dude. Back to summer of 2000. I realized after about a week of interning that I wanted to work with youth and work in the church. I had been pretty good about attending youth group growing up and going to church on a regular basis, but working in a church never seemed like a natural fit until that summer. The realization came while having a serious, or maybe it wasn't, conversation with some senior high at a McDonalds about how Jesus could relate to superheroes. (It's a long story so I won't share it today) I decided at that point that I wanted to work with youth. I had the most credit hours towards a degree in ESS with a minor in English so that's what I decided to major in so I could finish. I did not figure I would use anything that I was learning in that field after graduation and for a while I really didn't. Well turns out that now I am.
For the last few weeks I have been able to go to the Rancho Brazos community center twice a week and play baseball with the kids and youth there. I have found myself teaching the kids some of the skills I learned in little league and using some of those teaching techniques that I learned while helping teach elementary P.E. for that one semester as part of my practicum in college.
I love being able to coach and relate to the kids there at Rancho Brazos. They are much quicker learners that I was at their age. I hope they are getting a lot out of it. I know that I am. We get what we put in, so it is great to see all these volunteers at the community center putting in the time and the work to help these kids, and I know that I am just a small part of that and am so grateful for the opportunity to serve with them and help the kids learn. And getting to be outside and play baseball at the same time, well that's pretty cool too.
So maybe there is a reason after all that I took some classes in P.E. and coaching. I haven't used a lot of stuff from the book but I have used some practical knowledge I learned while working in the field, or the gym, as it was.
As Jeremiah 29:11 says: "I know the plans I have for you." I guess God really did have a plan for my indecisiveness in picking a major. He saw it way back when I was struggling in college, I am just now seeing it fully.
Here's hoping anyone who reads this follows God's plan for you.
grace&peace
kevin
I was asked by Boyd Goodloe just before the summer of 2000 if I would like to spend the summer in Houston and be a youth intern. I thought sure, I'd rather hang out in Houston and work at a church than work at a pizza restaurant for the summer. I owe Boyd so much and could never thank him enough. If he had not asked me to be a youth intern in the summer of 2000 I might not have become a youth director at all. If he had not asked me to work for JUMMP in 2005, I would have not met my wife. So, thanks dude. Back to summer of 2000. I realized after about a week of interning that I wanted to work with youth and work in the church. I had been pretty good about attending youth group growing up and going to church on a regular basis, but working in a church never seemed like a natural fit until that summer. The realization came while having a serious, or maybe it wasn't, conversation with some senior high at a McDonalds about how Jesus could relate to superheroes. (It's a long story so I won't share it today) I decided at that point that I wanted to work with youth. I had the most credit hours towards a degree in ESS with a minor in English so that's what I decided to major in so I could finish. I did not figure I would use anything that I was learning in that field after graduation and for a while I really didn't. Well turns out that now I am.
For the last few weeks I have been able to go to the Rancho Brazos community center twice a week and play baseball with the kids and youth there. I have found myself teaching the kids some of the skills I learned in little league and using some of those teaching techniques that I learned while helping teach elementary P.E. for that one semester as part of my practicum in college.
I love being able to coach and relate to the kids there at Rancho Brazos. They are much quicker learners that I was at their age. I hope they are getting a lot out of it. I know that I am. We get what we put in, so it is great to see all these volunteers at the community center putting in the time and the work to help these kids, and I know that I am just a small part of that and am so grateful for the opportunity to serve with them and help the kids learn. And getting to be outside and play baseball at the same time, well that's pretty cool too.
So maybe there is a reason after all that I took some classes in P.E. and coaching. I haven't used a lot of stuff from the book but I have used some practical knowledge I learned while working in the field, or the gym, as it was.
As Jeremiah 29:11 says: "I know the plans I have for you." I guess God really did have a plan for my indecisiveness in picking a major. He saw it way back when I was struggling in college, I am just now seeing it fully.
Here's hoping anyone who reads this follows God's plan for you.
grace&peace
kevin
Friday, May 11, 2012
Mending Fences
The storm last Friday did a "bit" of damage to a bunch of fences in our neighborhood. So Saturday was spent fixing our fence and a church members house down the street. Of course, it was made much easier due to the help of Michael Horn and Adam Lubbers, two of our youth. And I know why they helped. They did not need something in return, they did not need recognition. They simply helped out because it was the right thing to do. I am sure it probably would have been more fun play outside, sleep, or do something else on a Saturday afternoon. But, that is not what is important, and Michael and Adam and a lot of our other youth realize that.
It should come as no surprise that 23 of our youth (and 9 adults) are giving up a week of their summer to go to Willard, MO to help others. It will be hard work, it will be pretty hot, and they are paying to go on the trip. They could be doing something else, but they are choosing to go on a mission trip because it is the right thing to do.
Simple as that, its the right thing to do and they want to do it.
grace&peace
kevin
It should come as no surprise that 23 of our youth (and 9 adults) are giving up a week of their summer to go to Willard, MO to help others. It will be hard work, it will be pretty hot, and they are paying to go on the trip. They could be doing something else, but they are choosing to go on a mission trip because it is the right thing to do.
Simple as that, its the right thing to do and they want to do it.
grace&peace
kevin
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Listening Time with God
At youth last night we talked about how we could have quality time with God on a daily basis to just listen to what He has to say to us. We talked with the senior high about how we could make this happen. We came up with 3 points to focus on, which now I have changed to 4 points:
1. be alone: when taking the time to listen to what God has to say to you, make sure that you are alone. The reasoning for this is it is very hard to be quiet and listen if someone else is around chatting your ear off.
2. find a place: when taking this time it is nice to have a place that is consistent for this quiet time to listen to God. The place can be your room, outside, or anywhere else you choose. The consensus between all of us last night was that this place should be consistent. Make it be the same place as much as possible so it is comfortable to you and you think of it as "your" place to listen to what God has to say to you.
3. find a time: try and make the time as consistent as possible each and every day. Whether that is first thing in the morning, last thing before you go to sleep, or a time in the middle of the afternoon where you set an alarm on your phone to remind you (bet you can't guess who has to do that) If you set a specific time, it becomes part of your routine and is easier to maintain and not forget.
4. limit distractions: I find it is necessary to leave my phone on my desk or inside when I take this time to listen. With our friends, facebook, games, etc at my fingertips, I myself must put those things out of my reach to fully focus on listening.
This time each day is very important to me so that I may discern what God is trying to tell me, without me and my big mouth getting in the way. I know for some of us it is very hard to slow down and not be distracted by the noise, traffic, distractions or whatever we choose to call the busyness of our everyday lives. But when we do this it is very, very rewarding.
I will leave you with Psalm 46:10....in three different versions
"Be still, and know that I am God..." (NIV)
"Step out of the traffic! Take a long,
loving look at me, your High God,
above politics, above everything." (The Message)
"Be at peace in the knowledge that I am God:
I will be lifted up among the nations,
I will be honoured through all the earth." (BBE)
So take the time each day to be still, quiet, and listen
grace&peace
kevin
1. be alone: when taking the time to listen to what God has to say to you, make sure that you are alone. The reasoning for this is it is very hard to be quiet and listen if someone else is around chatting your ear off.
2. find a place: when taking this time it is nice to have a place that is consistent for this quiet time to listen to God. The place can be your room, outside, or anywhere else you choose. The consensus between all of us last night was that this place should be consistent. Make it be the same place as much as possible so it is comfortable to you and you think of it as "your" place to listen to what God has to say to you.
3. find a time: try and make the time as consistent as possible each and every day. Whether that is first thing in the morning, last thing before you go to sleep, or a time in the middle of the afternoon where you set an alarm on your phone to remind you (bet you can't guess who has to do that) If you set a specific time, it becomes part of your routine and is easier to maintain and not forget.
4. limit distractions: I find it is necessary to leave my phone on my desk or inside when I take this time to listen. With our friends, facebook, games, etc at my fingertips, I myself must put those things out of my reach to fully focus on listening.
This time each day is very important to me so that I may discern what God is trying to tell me, without me and my big mouth getting in the way. I know for some of us it is very hard to slow down and not be distracted by the noise, traffic, distractions or whatever we choose to call the busyness of our everyday lives. But when we do this it is very, very rewarding.
I will leave you with Psalm 46:10....in three different versions
"Be still, and know that I am God..." (NIV)
"Step out of the traffic! Take a long,
loving look at me, your High God,
above politics, above everything." (The Message)
"Be at peace in the knowledge that I am God:
I will be lifted up among the nations,
I will be honoured through all the earth." (BBE)
So take the time each day to be still, quiet, and listen
grace&peace
kevin
Monday, April 23, 2012
Counting the Days
The days seem to be going by both fast and slow at the same time when we think about the number of days until Courtney Grace decides to join us. Yes, I decided to start counting in days and not weeks. I think that's my right as an excited dad. There is such an excitement of anticipation as we continue to count down the days. The nursery is ready to go, we have diapers and clothes on hand, and Carson asks me almost daily when his baby sister will be here. He asked me yesterday if I would let him rock her to sleep in the rocking chair. Carson is asking a couple times a week if he can sleep with Courtney's pink tiger so he can "love on it" for her. That really might be the cutest thing he has ever said, and he has said a lot of cute things. I even made a plan with our neighbors The Greene's about watching Carson at a moment's notice when we head to the hospital. I can't wait for this new experience of having our own little girl dressed in pink and wearing Yoda slippers, thanks to our other neighbors the Riggs for those. (Now if only I can I can find some in an adult size for me we will be good to go) I know we are not 100% ready, but lets be honest, as a parent you never are-sometimes you just work it out as you go.
So we know Courtney will be here in due time and we are patiently and anxiously waiting for her arrival. I always joked that I would never have a daughter because and I quote myself: "God wouldn't do that to me." But deep down, somehow I knew that I would. I have gotten reassurances this week from Blake Thompson and Mike Moore that it's great, and I will have no problem playing barbies, playing dress up, and carrying around a pink (and brown) diaper bag. It's nice to hear that from others who have girls that I can adjust. We can't wait to hold our baby girl for the first time.
grace&peace
Kevin
PS-It's 37 days and counting, give or take.
So we know Courtney will be here in due time and we are patiently and anxiously waiting for her arrival. I always joked that I would never have a daughter because and I quote myself: "God wouldn't do that to me." But deep down, somehow I knew that I would. I have gotten reassurances this week from Blake Thompson and Mike Moore that it's great, and I will have no problem playing barbies, playing dress up, and carrying around a pink (and brown) diaper bag. It's nice to hear that from others who have girls that I can adjust. We can't wait to hold our baby girl for the first time.
grace&peace
Kevin
PS-It's 37 days and counting, give or take.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Being Humble
We watched an I Am Second video this week at youth where the child speaking talked about being humble. The senior high and junior high had good discussions about what it means to be humble. I had a conversation with Lilly afterwards about being humble and the difficulties in knowing if someone is humble or if they are just quiet. Michael and Megan said it is sometimes hard to pinpoint characteristics of humble people. Maybe that is by design and the way it should be. Humble people may go unnoticed simply because they are thinking about others first and staying grounded in who they are and knowing what is important. They know it is not about them. Sometimes we overlook those who are humble because they are humble.
It is a fine line when you try and determine if someone is humble or not. The best way I know how to explain being humble is this. Being humble is generally something that someone else believes and proclaims you to be, not something that is self-proclaimed. I hope that makes sense. If I say I am humble (and that may be true) it carries more weight when someone else believes it and recognizes that characteristic.
The best example of being humble is given to us by Jesus. He could of done anything he wanted such as saving himself from death. But he didn't, he stayed true to God's plan and did not make it about him. He thought about all of us and died for all of us. Jesus healed two blind men and then instructed them: "see that no one knows about this." (Matthew 9:30) He knew the most important thing was the healing of those two men, not the recognition he would receive.
My prayer today for anyone who reads this is for you to be humble. Remember that it is not about you, it is about Jesus and it is about loving your neighbor.
grace&peace
Kevin
It is a fine line when you try and determine if someone is humble or not. The best way I know how to explain being humble is this. Being humble is generally something that someone else believes and proclaims you to be, not something that is self-proclaimed. I hope that makes sense. If I say I am humble (and that may be true) it carries more weight when someone else believes it and recognizes that characteristic.
The best example of being humble is given to us by Jesus. He could of done anything he wanted such as saving himself from death. But he didn't, he stayed true to God's plan and did not make it about him. He thought about all of us and died for all of us. Jesus healed two blind men and then instructed them: "see that no one knows about this." (Matthew 9:30) He knew the most important thing was the healing of those two men, not the recognition he would receive.
My prayer today for anyone who reads this is for you to be humble. Remember that it is not about you, it is about Jesus and it is about loving your neighbor.
grace&peace
Kevin
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