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