Much has changed in the last few days.
As I stare out our back window at the now-barren trees and ponder the task of raking the leaves that blanket the grass that just a few short months ago was consistently getting pounded with the feet of my wee-little ones playing barefoot as they hopped in and out of their play-pool.
As I think about the bike-ride I’d like to take after work, I now must think about the hour at which my day begins in order for it to end with a ride that doesn’t include darkness.
The weather has changed. The hours of lightness have changed. However, as I pitch YMV’s for 2010 I am consistently reminded of the mental images that made 2009.
Today, my top five will invite us back to the Youthmark Mission Venture images that stood out to me from the summer of 2009. The stipulations for this top five: these images must be from the actual YMV’s (in other words they don’t include spring retreat, scout trips, training, etc.). These pics may not even be the most artistic or brilliant, but for whatever reason, they invite me to reminisce, dream and pray.
Without further ado, the list.
Honorable Mention: NorCal Launch; Kirk, Brian and Aaron. In many ways I see this as the core-team of Youthmark right now. This picture came shortly after the decision was made to bring Kirk on as part of Youthmark. Aaron was a “Lead” for us last year and is probably the most avid Youth Pastor-supporter of Youthmark! These guys bring me great joy and though we all look like we’re trying to be silly, I believe the picture depicts pure-joy. This is what I felt at that moment.
Five: Hanalei, Hawaii. Here is the one “scenic” picture of the bunch. If we would have had a second team in Hawaii there is no doubt I would have sent a team to Hanalei. This little hippie-town made its mark on me during my January scout trip. On the north-end of Kauai, this tourist trap of a town houses locals who talk openly about anything and everything. This picture will always remind me of the work I believe God is doing to spiritually remove the clouds of doubt and clear the skies for the Gospel to be proclaimed!
Four: The Welcome Gauntlet. This picture is from the MT/ID launch in late June. The team from Lake Sawyer Christian created an impromptu welcome tunnel for the other five churches arriving. It was quite the scene as teen-age strangers greeted each other in the name of Jesus!
Three: Surf’s Up! This image represents the 20+ other pictures I could present to depict the blessings we received the from the communities we served. Here the team from Living Hope Christian Fellowship of Bothell was given the opportunity to learn how to surf on their last full-day in Kauai. It seems about every team came back with a story of an exciting adventure they received from the host community during the last days of their YMV!
Two: RoadGrip day one! This was one of my favorite moments at each of the launches. On Saturday morning we would release the students and staff to begin a journey through God’s Word for the week. This picture is of Lindsay Knight (married to Youth Pastor Mark Knight of Burien Free Methodist). Lindsay found a great spot out in the grass in Dallas, TX to spend time alone with God. In the distance you can see several others doing the same.
One: “The Picture of the Summer.” When this picture came to my inbox at the end of the summer I immediately turned to Elisabeth and said, “there’s the picture of the summer.” I now know the story behind this picture and can tell you it truly represents what I think was the story of the summer. God’s unending grace through the unexpected twists and turns we are presented. Almost every team, and individual for that matter, came into the summer with the way we expected God to work. Almost every team encountered something dramatic take place back home with family members (car accidents, sickness, hospitalizations and in this case, a death of a loved one). These earthquakes of emotions presented opportunities to examine our foundation of faith.
I love the contemplation, reliance and worship this picture depicts. May we all be found faithful to turn to the One who is our peace.
Which one do you like best? Which one tells the best story?
Grace,
Brian
Our 4Runner has been running a little louder than normal lately. Not in the engine, just when driving, it almost sounded as if the tires were really big (just loud road noise). We had it in the shop last week and the tech actually called me down, after I approved some work on it, to show me why he didn’t think we should do the work. Long story short, it needs about $X,XXX amount of work done to it. As a 1999 4Runner the good Bluebook value on it isn’t even double that amount. Ahh, what to do?
Our 1998 Avalon needs some minor work done to it as well. It screams at us about every time we turn the engine on (some sort of belt issue). Elisabeth was literally inside my parents house, on the backside of the house, when I started it up last night. She could here it out on the street. A bit embarrassing.
Then to top it all off… I took my bike out on a ride Saturday, I knew I was risking it a bit, but it had been a full week since I had last ridden. My back tire has 6 places that the tube of the tire was beginning to peak through outer edge of the tire. A flat was on the way. Well, because I hadn’t ridden in quite some time, I wanted to make it through the weekend and take it in on Monday for a tune-up and new tire. I was on the last 2-3 miles of my 11.5 mile ride when it felt like the gears were not staying engaged… a couple cranks later and BAM, the chain broke. Fun walk home.
Let me start by saying the positives FAR outweigh (no pun intended) the negatives of my recent quest to get-in-shape. That is to say, get into a shape other than round. However, the subject for today’s Top list is the top 5 negatives about the weight loss. There are a few obvious ones, however, there are a few that could surprise.
Three: Clothing budget.
One: Resizing of Ring. My wedding ring is consistently sliding up my finger and I’ve nearly lost it a number of times. I need to get this baby re-sized, stat! The biggest negative, what if I gain weight? Will I lose a finger because of circulation issues of I resize too small? Oh, I got it, just don’t put the weight back on! Good call.
Five: The new spiritual experiences with my kids. Each year this one will probably move up the charts. We do Advent together as a family. Complete with our own lighting of the candles, Bible reading and discussion time. Each year the conversations grow deeper and sometimes sillier (I can’t wait for some of the basic questions Will will provide next year). Doing church on Christmas eve provides sweet memories and reading the Christmas Story of Luke 2 will continue to guide our focus!
Four: Increased board game times! I love board/dice/card games. For whatever reason they just don’t happen a lot outside of the holidays. My memory is filled with RISK, Monopoly and Clue (Master Detective, of course) games played during the holidays. Each year I get together with 25-40 other guys for a couple big hearts tournaments during the holidays as well. Can’t wait to play some more games this year!
One: Christmas Morning Routine for my Immediate Family. I loved the tradition I had with my family growing up; I believe Elisabeth would say the same for her family as well. However, we have OUR OWN new tradition in our family. We start with the stockings, the kids really look forward to the stockings, however, I think Mommy and Daddy enjoy the fun gifts we give in the stockings just as much as they do opening them. After stockings it’s time to get dressed (somewhat nice) to go up to 67, one of our favorite breakfast places. That’s right, we go out for Breakfast on Christmas! After a long and enjoyable breakfast we come home to let the kids open their gifts! So fun!