Autumn Checkin

Megan is doing great at college. She just had mid-terms. Her job is going well (in the library), she’s meeting many great friends, and we get to visit her on occasion. She’s going to a friends house over Fall break in fact up in Chicago. They were all excited about it.

Levi wrapped up 7th grade football and has declared that he wants to be stronger next year. Will is still working on the Cross Country thing. His team has advanced to semi-state.

I continue to study and write and speak. I will be speaking at a break-out session at the Governors conference next week in Indianapolis.

Donnette continues to hold us altogether. Any success stems directly from her.

Jesus saves.

Update On Life

Megan is getting adjusted at college. She’s carrying 16 credit hours, working in the library, and making the transition to college life. I never thought good handwriting could get you a job, but now I know. She really enjoys working at IWU.

Will is running Cross Country and is doing great for a first year runner. We had the boys team over for a dinner recently. Very, very hungry people. Levi is the center and defensive tackle on his football team. Donnette continues fieldtrips and working at school.

I am presenting a series that I call “Revolution” – an exciting look at the book of 1 Thessalonians.

Mosquitos are bad. We have a bumper crop of acorns, which the boys have managed to use as weapons and ammo.

And that’s a checkin for now.

Megan Goes to College

We dropped Megan off at college this weekend – Indiana Wesleyan University. At move in, there were several people that helped to carry things – a bonus for freshmen. (You’re on your own in subsequent years). We got to meet Megans roommate – a wonderful young lady.

There were activities for parents, some special presentations, and a service that prepared all the parents and families for the big “good-bye”. They keep all the students really busy, with many social building events the first few days. We miss her but are glad that she is where she is.

Summers End 2009

I think that I can say that we had a great summer… no long trips or extensive travel… just busy doing the summer things. We managed to have a few poison ivy episodes, pick some corn, plant a few flowers, eat a few sugar cookies, and play a few badminton games.

Megan has worked for most of the summer. She also went to a camp with a friend for a week. She has been slowly preparing for college at Indiana Wesleyan University. She get’s dropped off on Friday, September 4. She will be in the dorm she wanted to be in and has already met her room-mate. She’s already won a photograph contest related to IWU as well. I could see her studying art or some aspect of that at college. She’d be really good at it.

Will is running Cross Country now at West Noble, his first year to do so. He’s also working with weights and getting ready for wrestling later in the Fall/Winter. He got his braces off, spent a week at Chain of Lakes State Park at Albion, Indiana (it was a Cross Country camp and he had a great time), and shaved the dog for summer coolness.

Levi is preparing for 7th grade football. He recently got glasses and some say that he looks older with them. Levi loves everyone and has a compassionate heart for people.

The boys and I were able to do a whitewater rafting trip down the lower New River in West Virginia this summer. Fantastic experience. The water runs so freely, so powerful. The river felt like a link to the past; a thirst for adventure runs through the gorge and through our veins. Dot had some peace and quiet with an empy house for a few days.

Summer came and went, but Fall is one of my favorite times of year. Summer never ends really; it’s just overcome by another season for a little while.

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