Early Summer Check-in

Many things have happened since the last post. Megan graduated from high school, had her open house, registered for classes at Indiana Wesleyan University, and attended a church camp in Fairmount, IN. She is currently working full time over the summer with occasional days off. She’ll be moving to Marion, IN in early September to start college.

Will has been to Florida and back. He wrestled in the Disney Duals in Orlando. He went 5-3 and had a great time. Since he’s returned, he began cross country practice, continues to condition for wrestling, and helped me build a doghouse.

Levi just finished his baseball season. They went 16-4 on the year and beat the first place team 6-3 in regular season. He’s hitting well and pitching well. They will have their tournement next week. He was also on the radio recently, winning two Tin Caps tickets.

Not altogether sure of the things I’ll be doing this summer. I know I have a wedding to do in Indy and will be doing some day trips here and there.

I continue to prepare many talks and to sketch out advanced series planning things.

Spring Checkin

Many things, many things since the last entry. Levi and I went to Chicago and did Wrigley and the Cubs. He got to see a Grand Slam. Nice place to watch a game. Levi is also playing baseball and they are 2-1 on the year so far. He’s pitching well and hitting the ball great.

Will passed his drivers education class and is now driving. He’s not playing a sport right now, but continues to work out some. He’ll be wrestling some this summer.

Megan is trying to wrap up her senior year of high school. She had a fun evening at the prom, and was even surprised with the Prom Queen crown. We have open house and graduation ceremony to do in early June for her. Meg also recently turned 18 and Evelyn Kreager made her another chocolate cake which she loved.

Our Weekend

A lot has happened this week. Will is taking drivers education at Westview High School. He got his learners permit and has been driving some. He’s a petite kid, so we get a lot of double-takes as if to say, “He’s old enough to drive?” I have a tough time believing it too but he’s loving every minute of it. He got to go turkey hunting for the first time with Scott Stallings, Donnette’s sisters husband. They saw several and had some gobblers just a few yards away, but got no shot. Scott is a great turkey hunter and I think Will got bit by the “hunting” bug.

Megan got back from Florida OK and brought many pictures. She loved her trip. It’s nice to have her home and talk to her again.

Levi is firing up about baseball. It looks as if I’m assistant coach this year. Levi is throwing the ball really hard for a 12 year old. I really think that if he pursues this sport, it will be something he has some success at. He can throw mid-50’s, with a high of 59mph. We’ll see how things go.

There are many things to tend to, plans to make and appointments to keep. Blessings to all. Carpe Diem.

Spring Break 2009

Spring break has come and is nearly gone. Megan went to Florida with Kristin Mast (and is having a great time last time we talked to her). The rest of us took in Grand Rapids, MI for a day. Baker Book House has a great used/blemished books section; unbelievable books that are hard to find – a literary gold mine, the mother-lode. I’ve been ecstatic with some of my finds.

Dot and the boys did the Ford Presidential Library while I researched for books. Afterwards, we had Mongolian BBQ at a place called BD’s. You get your raw meet, with vegetables, and your sauces and head for the grill. They cook it in minutes and everyone loved it; fantastic grub.

The boys will be wrestling at Battle Creek, MI to wrap up their wrestling season really soon. Both Levi and Will will be throwing it down at Kellogg Arena.

Welcome Spring!

At last, spring has come.

It’s been a busy and active winter season. The boys have wrestled. Megan has been busy with basketball. I’ve been busy running them here and there and cheering them all on. I’ve also been busy launching a new message series (www.stoneshill.org) and a brand new ministry – Celebrate Recovery. Dot is the energy that keeps us all outfitted with what we need in all our comings and goings.

Both Will and Levi wrestled in the Indiana State Wrestling Association tournement at Huntington North last weekend. Quite the set-up. People actually bring blankets, lawn chairs, and sleeping bags, and coolers and set up for the whole day. It’s non-stop action with over 25 mats going simultaneously. A great experience for them.

It sounds as if wrestling will be something that both Will and Levi will continue to pursue through the summer. Will is going to Iowa nationals and then to Florida for a big wrestling tournement in June. Levi plans to wrestle a few more times and hopes to go to nationals at Battle Creek, Michigan. He will be playing baseball for the Kimmell team, pitching and catching. I had the radar gun on him and he’s at 54-55 miles per hour, already an increase in speed over last year.

Megan is going to Florida with friends over Spring Break. Then, a few months later she will graduate from West Noble High and be off to Indiana Wesleyan University sometime in August.

Looking forward to seeing more “green”. Glad spring has come and all the new things it brings with it.

My Weekend February 28 – March 01 2009

Thought I would check in. Since the last entry, I’ve celebrated birthdays (including my own), watched several wrestling matches (my boys – Will and Levi) and have launched a new sermon series called “Echoes of a Voice – Hearing God in the Everyday.”

Our community continues to feel the economic slowdown and we continue to think creatively as to how best to meet the needs that are in front of us.

I recently conducted a funeral for a 30 year old father of three. We continue to pray for the Bridegan family.

I am currently discipling new and growing Christians each week; leading a study for married couples called “Fireproof”; planning another sermon series for later in the year; getting ready to launch a brand new ministry at Stone’s Hill called “Celebrate Recovery” – for those with addictions, co-dependencies or chemical dependencies or just general life hang-ups. It’s about getting real with your need in a safe community of people.

I’ve spoken with several family members lately related to the birthdays and actually enjoyed visiting with Scott and Lynnette Stallings for a brief time in Greenwood, IN. The boys and myself attended the Indiana State High School wrestling championships in Indianapolis. It was a great year with many surprise upsets. (On my way home, I got stuck in a snow-bank in the middle of the road – the high winds created the snow drift). Donnette rescued me and we worked to get the car pulled out of it until about 2:30 AM on Sunday morning, Feb 22 (my birthday!)

Seeking Him and pursuing His wisdom in all things. Thanks for praying for us. Joey

my week

I’ve been sick for a few days this week. I’m still not totally right but am getting there.

The kids had a school cancellation today. This snow storm surprised most of us.

Will has wrapped up wrestling this year for West Noble, but plans on wrestling some in the ISWA tournaments held around the state of Indiana. Levi has been practicing with the Middle School wrestling team and plans on wrestling with them beginning Feb. 12. He’s trying to wrestle at 152 or less, but we’ll see. (He likes his mama’s cookin’).

Our church just wrapped up a sermon series and I will be selecting some miscellaneous topics for the next few weeks to speak on.

We will begin a new series called “Echoes of a Voice – Hearing God in the Everyday” soon.

Pinned Down by a Northern Indiana Winter

It’s -20 degrees out. I took the trash out yesterday evening, and my exposed skin sent me into a full body ache. Have to watch the water lines and maintain the heaters too. We’re pinned down for a few days.

Megan finally got a Christmas present in the mail that we ordered for her. Didn’t quite make the Dec. 25 deadline ;o). She liked it just the same though.

Our community is still grieving the loss of two boys from our local middle school – carbon monoxide took them, though they were only 14 and 12. They were from an Amish family, classmates with our boys and close friends with people that I know through church.

The dogs keep gaining weight, and I do too. A nice warm walk sounds so good; heck, a 32 degree day and we’re bringing out the shorts and tanks!

I continue to create and see things, big picture ideas that I’ll be working on in the future. I’m intrigued by the ways God speaks to us beyond what we normally think. The Bible, a church service, a sermon, a prayer-time, journaling – all are the typical ways to hear from God. But there are so many more ways, beyond what we would expect. It’s exciting to think about. I’ll be developing it further and presenting on it, I’m sure.

The cold temperature’s aside, the snow is gorgeous, pine-branches laid low with white and green, against a bright blue sky. I think I just heard from God through this beauty (see what I mean).

Christmas Break 2008

We headed off to Quincy, Illinois on December 24. The trip is long (about 400 miles) but we stop along the way and watch a few movies on a small DVD player the kids have. Dot and I usually tag team on the responsibilities of driving.

We take State Route 24 most of the way, but do hit a few miles of Interstate 57 in Illinois and State Route 136. It’s a lazy drive with small towns and country diners.

Dot’s entire family made it to Quincy this year. Lots of people everywhere. Dot, Meg, Will, and myself stayed in a vacant house owned by Dwight and Donna’s church family. It was close to everyone and with over 20 people visiting, provided much needed room and space. The accomodations @ 715 Hill and Brook worked beautifully. Levi stayed at Park Place with everyone else.

Our time there went quickly though. We did Christmas, ate some great grub, and did our tradition of Gem City Pizza and MaidRites.

I was able to find some discounted books on topics of interest to me and have already started working through them.

I spoke at the Salvation Army Church while I was there, precious people with a great future.

Glad to see everything get thawed out – from -28 to the 50’s. My…my… I’m ready for Spring.

my weekend december 20-21

We (Dot, Levi, and myself) wrapped up Christmas things on Saturday. Will went to a wrestling meet with his teammates, but didn’t wrestle this week. Megan had a boys basketball game to go to on Saturday evening. West Noble lost to Central Noble.

The temperature is -25 degrees with the wind chill. Thirty-seconds of direct wind to your face and your face is completely numb. It literally looked like an Alaskan terrain today driving down Sparta Lake Road, with the winter blast picking up what snow wasn’t frozen, and driving it across the cornfields. I’ve learned to dress in layers of three, to cover my head and exposed skin, and things usually go ok; but it is a little warm when I finally get to where I’m going, but I feel funny trying to peel my layers off in front of people.

I plan on visiting Donnette’s family over the holidays. The kids always look forward to seeing all of her family in the same place at one time.

Many have given us cookies and goodies. Evelyn Kreager made “buckeyes – peanut butter balls”, a pumpkin roll, and some praline trail-mix crunch. She assured me that Rachel Matson Coy received an equal amount of each (so she should be OK with this for now).

Dwayne and Marsha Patrick made some fantastic cookies for us and Tony Kreager brought some cookies Dixie made, which I just had for supper ;o).

There’s a couple of books I’ve been reading, one on natural law, the other on what makes Christianity the great belief system it is, especially in light of a new atheism that is gaining some momentum with todays modern student.

I will be transitioning to several new projects at the beginning of 2009, projects that stand to revolutionize our town and church.

I never cease to be amazed at the incarnation. Love… true love…