jack's tavern

new blog coming soon......

2009-07-18T21:12:00.002-05:00

i promise. :)

project ukraine: day 13 // july 6

2009-07-06T08:00:00.007-05:00

so. to give a little background... what i'm going to assume happened last night (the night of the 4th here in munich) is that a group of us from our team stayed up all night and didn't go to bed before we flew out to head back over.

the reason i say that is because that's what a group of us did on the way over. the night before we left for the trip (tues, june 23), 10 of the 16 of our team went to see the premiere of the Transformers sequel at 12:15 AM. got out at 3:00 AM and then we all stayed up and didn't go to sleep before we met up at the church at 11:30. (i stayed up because i hadn't packed a single thing... and i was finishing up this here blog. side note: with the decreased amount of sleep that i'm currently going on, everyone should be impressed that i'm still typing somewhat discernable sentences....)

anyway, getting on the plane that first day, the time in l'viv time was 10:00 PM at night although for us it's 4:00. so... the goal was to basically collapse when we got on the plane, sleeping the whole way, or most of the way, and trying to circumvent jet lag as best we can. it's genius i tell you!

anyway, we're doing the same as we head back. we fly out at 7:00 AM in munich which is late evening here... it'll all work i promise. no matter how confusing i just made everything.

so the schedule for our final day....
3:00 AM - depart hotel for airport
7:00 AM - depart munich to frankfurt
8:05 AM - arrive in frankfurt
10:30 AM - depart frankfurt for home sweet home
2:00 PM - arrive back in texas (looks like a short flight doesn't it? oh, no no no...)
2:30 PM - head from IAH back to the city of league.

glad to be back!

pray for:
- safe travel
- grateful hearts
- God's Spirit to transform us, the students from the camp, the ukrainian leadership, the people of l'viv... and all for His glory.

what the team is reflecting on for day 13:
2 corinthians 3:17-18
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

psalm 115:1
Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!

project ukraine: day 12 // july 5

2009-07-05T08:00:00.003-05:00

today.

we take over munich.

pray for:
- them.

project ukraine: day 11 // july 4

2009-07-04T08:00:00.006-05:00

happy 4th of july!! we're heading out of ukraine today to munich, germany. you know, we did start the camp with an american day - maybe we should be "those" kind of americans and wear all of our obnoxious red, white, and blue garb all through the airports and such.... that wouldn't reinforce the negative view of us arrogant americans now would it? :)

1:05 we fly out of the l'viv airport to munich
2:00 short flight! we arrive in munich
3:00 depart airport and head to the hotel
6:00 oh here we come, german people... look out.

gonna eat german food, drink german beverages, shop at german stores, and not make one nazi joke. kidding. couldn't resist.

i figure this will be a pretty low key evening - camp is over, had some traveling, we're definitely tired. i predict we'll all be less "touristy" and more laid back. tomorrow: we'll be the annoying tourists!

pray for:
- a love that is evident and that the evidence points clearly to Jesus
- safe travel
- catching up on a little rest if possible

what the team is reflecting on for day 11:
matthew 22:36-38
36"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" 37And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38This is the great and first commandment.

deuteronomy 6:5-6
5You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.

project ukraine: day 10 // july 3

2009-07-03T08:00:00.003-05:00

last day of camp - not fond of the last day of camp. i know, i know. i've already said that in yesterday's blog. well, it's true and today is going to be another great, joyful day, but it will also be sad.

no theme day today - we're done by lunch and heading out.

schedule:
7:30 leaders wake up
8:00 team meeting and prayer time
9:00 morning exercises and breakfast
10:00 bible lesson w/ukrainian team
11:30 last gathering and farewell :(
12:30 lunch

the students leave and we leave.

1:30 cool thing: we americans are taking a field trip to Mukacheve Palanok Castle - would it be bad if i carried a septor around while we're touring the grounds? eh eh.
4:15 we head to the train station, buy tickets and head back to l'viv
5:00 train departs
10:00 arrive back in l'viv - i may be dead tired but i'm running around the city one last time... i have told you all how much i love this city. that's my only downer about this trip - hardly any time in the city. i seriously want to schedule a personal vacation type trip to l'viv to just take pictures and hang out for several days and really experience the city. wanna go??
10:30 - supposed to be arriving at central baptist church where we'll spend the night... i may be going out after we get here.......

pray for:
- an inviting spirit so… when the opportunity arises for you to INVITE someone to explore a relationship with a God who…”so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16) you have the ability, courage and words to so.

what the team is reflecting on for day 10:
matthew 4:19
And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."

Our God is a God of invitation. He says, “Come…”

matthew 11:28
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

isaiah 55:1
"Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

isaiah 1:18
"Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.

revelation 22:17
The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

john 6:35
Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

project ukraine: day 9 // july 2

2009-07-02T08:00:00.004-05:00

it's gonna get harder because this is the next to last day of camp - tomorrow we say goodbye. i hate goodbyes, especially this kind. to say that you may never see each other again is absolutely true. would never trade it, but the goodbye is hard. enough of being a downer..... :)

theme for today: ANCIENT. we've got togas, moses, cleopatra, and king tut... among others. of course, that should sort of give away what we're doing musically... walk like an eqyptian, pharaoh pharaoh, and king tut. oh yeah. davey durand is gonna bring it, steve martin style.

the sport for today is the heart of ukraine: SOCCER. we will be learning from them. not the other way around.

we're having another bonfire tonight too. the bonfires are always memorable and special.

the party zone time and the bonfires, etc. happen after the worship time. every day, the students get a bible lesson in the morning with the ukraine team and then a worship service in the evening with a combo team of us americans and the ukrainians. it is hard to describe what it's like to sing songs in two languages at the same time and to hear it all around you while you sing. and it's so cool to hear these students who are learning english sing some of the worship songs we do back at home in english. it's just all the way around cool. powerful to experience and impossible to describe with words.

i know although our team, by this time, is probably hitting the wall, so i think it's time to bring out the super soakers that i hid in my bag. :) yeah baby.

OH! did i tell everyone about the color teams? the students are in a variety of groups (i.e. - they are in a specific english class based on their level. they are in an age-graded group when discussing the worship services and bible studies. they are also divided into color groups for camp competitions.) nick, krista and i are the fearless leaders of the red team along with our ukrainian red leaders. i'm pretty sure we're dominating the week. i just feel it. i have a sense about these things.....

pray for:
- overflowing love for all the students and for one another
- openness and boldness with sharing our faith
- our dedication to the mission of making disciples

what the team is reflecting on for day 9:
john 17:9-26
9I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 12While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. 20"I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. 24Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them."

How does it feel to know Jesus, the living GOD, prays for you? Reflect on what Jesus asks the Father on your behalf (bolded)? What is your response to his prayer?

project ukraine: day 8 // july 1

2009-07-01T08:00:00.003-05:00

it's wednesday. this time last week we were loading up and flying out. now, here we sit in the beautiful carpathian mountains with some phenomenal students and leaders from l'viv. such an awesome opportunity to be here and partner with them in sharing the good news of what the cross means for us.

same camp schedule - we eat, we pray, we meet, we teach, we play, we sing, we listen, etc.

rise up all you texans.... it's WILD WEST day. a day that we just do naturally. we don't have to work at the accent or knowing what to do. in the industry, this is what you call a cake walk.

schedule:
-sport for today: kickball. i love kickball.
-wild west theme: oh we're bringing out the country... we've got some willie, some john denver, some old camp songs, throw in rascal flatts and john michael montgomery.... and you've got the wild west. you know you wish you were here!
- we have a special event today that happens last and starts at midnight. that's all i'm allowed to disclose at this juncture..... are you intrigued?

pray for:
- pray that Jesus remains the focus and the priority to all that we do while here
- confidence and grace to approach every student in our assigned groups about Christ before the camp ends
- the ukraine leaders and their endurance and passion for the gospel

what the team is reflecting on for day 8:
mark 8:27-29
27And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" 28And they told him, "John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets." 29And he asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Christ."

Just like Peter we quickly and correctly answer this question…”You are the Christ.” Yet do we take the time to let the answer to this question seep deep into our hearts? Do we allow the answer to penetrate our soul?

What does the answer to this question mean to you? What does it mean to the Ukrainian children? What does it mean to the Ukrainians? What does it mean to the world? Spend some time throughout your day meditating on “Who Jesus is to you.”

project ukraine: day 7 // june 30

2009-06-30T08:00:00.006-05:00

it's day #4 of the camp, and the theme for this day (a favorite by all involved) is PIRATE day. Arrrrrgh, matie! everyone loves pirate day - another repeater from last year.

Schedule for today is roughly the same as the last two, with these additions:

- next lessons in English
- next hobby class
- sport for today is four-square. can you say "old school?"
- new cultural exchange time (i need to find the list of what culture we're discussing each day - sorry about that)
- party zone and the pirate emphasis will include custom made eye patches, some painted on beards and such, and a few piratey tattoos. songs we got planned include a veggie tales tune, a couple of very pirate "yo ho" type songs, and then a fun 50s style ditty about cruisin' on the sea...

i did forget to tell you that one of the hobby classes and a large part of all the group times for the week is the drama class. the students as well as some of the leaders will be doing both funny, icebreaker type skits all the way to the more serious types of drama relating to the messages and worship times. hopefully, we'll be capturing all of these on video for everyone to see when we get back.

we've now been in ukraine for one whole week - weather ranges from 75 for the higher end and 50s for the lower end. i'm okay with that....

pray for:
- health of everyone at the camp and that God would protect against any sickness
- strength to finish this last half stronger than the first, and that we do it all “for the sake of the gospel.”
- that both the students and leaders are getting enough rest so that we are all actively involved and learning from each other and from God
- any of the students who may be homesick or may feel lonely or out of place; that they would be noticed and that God would send someone across their path to encourage them

what the team is reflecting on for day 7:
1 corinthians 9:23-24
10I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.

project ukraine: day 6 // june 29

2009-06-29T08:00:00.006-05:00

idiot me - i forgot to tell you the overall theme of the camp. duh. the camp is "Inside Out" and the camp theme song is the Hillsong's "From the Inside Out" (you know, "everlasting, your light will shine when all else fails, neverending, your glory goes beyond all fame", that song).

okay, so to recap - we've had American Day and Native Indian Day... we did not go into the historical Native Indian in relation to America events however.... let's keep it positive. ha

today... i'm gonna guess... i went to our morning meeting in my pjs. just a guess. those who know me probably guessed day 2. but they're just cynical. like i said, let's keep it positive. eh eh eh (side note: whenever i put "eh eh eh" - that's what i call my smirk chuckle. just so you know.)

Theme for today is (drum roll please): INSIDE OUT (you guessed it, we're all dressed with our clothes inside out)

schedule:
same as yesterday but insert these new pieces:
- 2nd ESL class
- 2nd hobby class
- 2nd sport: DODGEBALL (bring it on, ben stiller)
- bonfire!

for this theme day, since it's more about the overall camp theme, we get to rock out some with some one republic, evanescence, U2, etc.

pray for:
- God to show and affirm each person's special role on this team as we get to know the kids and get in the groove of camp
- energy and endurance
- discernment and "eyes to see" each individual student in our groups and classes

what the team is reflecting on for day 6:
1 corinthians 12:12-13
12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

project ukraine: day 5 // june 28

2009-06-28T08:00:00.008-05:00

so begins the first full day of camp with everyone present and accounted for.

humorous input - at this point, we will know if our drummer is working out. tony restivo was supposed to go with us on the trip as our drummer but his military date was changed (it's not like he could tell them not to do that) so we didn't take a drummer with us. the humorous but somewhat iffy sign for us is that the ukraine team told us they have a drummer for us.... but we just need to bring him sticks. huh. that doesn't "necessarily" exude confidence in a drummer if he doesn't have any sticks...... you know what i'm sayin'?

ok. so here is the theme for today: (and i'm still upset that i didn't have the statue of liberty costume for yesterday.... man, that would've been funny.) today is: INDIAN (as in native indian). i think they've done this particular theme each year - i swear it's because Sashko, the camp leader, loves to make and wear a HUGE feather headdress... is it two "d"s or one? anyway, great theme for dress up and making stuff. not so great theme in trying to find music. i've decided this year, we're going to do all of the upbeat worship choruses with a native indian beat. it's actually kind of cool. i'll have to let you know how it turned out.

oh and a cultural thing: meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) are for eating. no dilly dallying. not really social. eat and move on. by the time we sit down, they're done. not the same culture as america. probably why they're skinnier than us. :)

schedule for today:
7:30-8:00 - we arise from our slumber
8:30 - team meeting #4 and prayer time
9:00 - morning exercises (say what?) and breakfast
10:00 - bible lesson (taught by the ukrainian team, which means we won't understand a word of it and will just sit there. kinda funny.)
11:00 - clean rooms
11:30 - ESL lesson
12:30 - creative time (not sure what this is)
1:15 - lunch
2:00 - hobby class (there are different options for them: photography, drama, etc.)
3:00 - sports #1: ultimate frisbee
4:00 - theme game (led by ukrainian team), free time, shower, etc.

*side note: i just noticed on the schedule that was given out, there's no dinner listed. typo or sneaky intervention fat camp for the americans? guess we'll see.

5:30 - evening service
7:45 - cultural exchange (we teach them about some specific american culture... like TiVo. kidding.)
9:00 - party zone (woohoo. except that we have no native indian songs. we'll be throwing in some country.)
10:30 - meet in age groups/snacks
11:30 - lights out!

how many days is this camp?? :)

pray for:
- boldness and discernment in sharing our faith
- the students and God opening their hearts to the gospel and the love of Christ
- endurance and energy for the leaders (especially american team and the time difference)
- the weather (that it's not taking away from the plans for the camp)
- those who are presenting the messages during the worship times

what the team is reflecting on for day 5:
romans 1:6
“I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.”

project ukraine: day 4 // june 27

2009-06-27T08:00:00.007-05:00

today is the day..... bring on the KIDS!!! (by kids i mean 14-19 year olds).

if i may give a short editorial at this point - i love the students/young people/teens/whatever you want to call them here in l'viv. they are different from american teens in that... they're not too "cool" to just be a kid and have fun. it's awesome. i feel bad for our students over here - the level of peer pressure,the level of needing to "keep up" with social status, and really the need to be grown up before they're grown up causes them to miss out on so much. trying to be older than you are before you've matured, in the end, will do the reverse. you end up being an adult who isn't prepared to be an adult... if that makes sense.

anyway, bring on the students!! here is the wonderment (is that a word?) of missions - any kind of missions - you usually end up being blessed more and changed more than the people you come to serve. it's been true for me the past two trips to ukraine. i have a feeling this year will be no different... if not more so.

today is a FULL day... and the next several days will be very similiar to one another. i wish - and i'm going to try and see what the possibility is - to do some live, on the spot blogging as well. or at least twitter and/or facebook. as a team, our fearless leaders, nick and krista, are trying to also figure out that option so we can hopefully blog on www.thegosite.org - keep on checking there as well.

FORGOT to tell you - at the camp, each day we have a theme for the day that affects the hobby classes, crafts, the evening fun time, etc. this part has been fun to plan...

theme for the day: American... apple pie, betsy ross, you know, the good ol' US of A

9:00 - breakfast (b.e.t.t.e.r. schedule...no crack of dawn breakfast)
9:45 - team meeting #3 and prayer time
10:30 - prep time
12:00 - students arrive at the train station
12:30 - students arrive at the camp (tried to find a statue of liberty costume... thought that would be funny to have the bus pulling into the camp and there stands lady liberty. haha)
1:00 - registration (we'll be dividing kids into english class groups by levels: no absolutely no english up to "they talk better than we do")
2:30 - lunch
3:30 - information meeting, intro of leaders, schedules, rules, etc.
4:00 - free time for students (leaders get ready for first class)
5:30 - ESL introductory lesson
6:00 - sports team formation time (have no clue what this is)
7:00 - dinner
8:00 - "camp it up" evening program (bring on the band!) we're doing some fun "american" music. this time for the first time includes two different sections: a worship time and a fun, theme day time.
10:00 - students meet in age groups/snacks
11:30 - lights out!

is it too early for me to already be tired?

pray for:
- the students! you don't have to know them by name... the big Man knows....
- a servant's heart by everyone in leadership
- cohesiveness with the ukrainian team
- openness to learn the culture and the language
- overcoming cultural and language barriers
- against any type of sickness or things that could get in the way of serving these kids

what the team is reflecting on for day 4:
matthew 10:44-45
44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

project ukraine: day 3 // june 26

2009-06-26T08:00:00.005-05:00

well... hopefully, we were all smart and looked ahead at what time we have to catch the train today to head to the Carpathian Mountains and the camp. good lord. are ukrainians haters of night people? holy cow.

leaving hostel at 6:20 (that would be A.M.) to head to the train station.

train departs l'viv heading to mukachevo at 7:10 (once again, A.M.). this is a 5 hour train ride... although going to be adventurous, loud and fun... as well as scenic and beautiful... don't be picturing amtrac with the drink cart and the individual cars. this is not the movie "french kiss" and i am not meg ryan. however, with the team we have going - it's bound to be very memorable and will probably fly by.

we will arrive at mukachevo at 12:00 PM, and then by bus will head to the camp... appropriately called "mukachevo camp." no confusion there.

the students coming to the camp won't be arriving until tomorrow so we'll be getting settled at the camp, having lunch, familiarizing ourselves and the ukrainian team with how the camp will be set up and all.

we'll have technically our first official "team meeting" with all of us there at the camp. get things squared away head to downtown mukachevo (i'm thinking the downtown of this town that i have never heard of is probably somewhat small) to eat dinner, pick the sound system up from a local church there, and then head back. it's always an unknown adventure when picking up equipment... some things really do get lost in translation. coordinating stuff like that with the plug and voltage differences gets really interesting and creative.

we'll end the evening with our second team meeting concluding with team devotions... though technically, you guys have been "devoting" for us this whole time. :)

after that, i don't about the rest of the team, but i'm going to bed as quickly as possible. once all the students arrive tomorrow, sleep runs away screaming at the top of its lungs. eh eh eh

side note: so far, weather reports have things listed as 75 during the day and 50s in the evening. gonna have some rain to deal with, but good grief.... you mean, no 100 degree weather with 200% humidity? i'll take it.

pray for:
- selfish prayer request: please pray that all the equipment we are bringing and we are getting from them all works together. there's no running to radio shack here.
- that everyone is successfully getting adjusted to the time change
- health overall for the team, being in a new culture with new surroundings, food, etc.
- safe travel to the camp (plus, no motion sickness on the train or bus)
- flexibility as team roles are fleshed out even more
- adjusting to camp life and surroundings (which are beautiful by the way!)

what the team is reflecting on for day 3:
acts 2:42-47
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

project ukraine: day 2 // june 25

2009-06-25T08:00:00.018-05:00

still a flyin'.... we are landing in frankfurt at 8:55 AM. then departing for vienna at 11:10 AM.

to help out with the time change (if it's 10:00 PM here in houston, it's 6:00 AM the next morning in l'viv. it's 5:00 AM in vienna, frankfurt, and munich, other cities we'll pass through.)

the flight from frankfurt to vienna is roughly a little longer than when you fly from houston to dallas and then back - without landing. better description - you're driving from the woodlands to league city in afternoon traffic.

we arrive in vienna at 12:45 PM, then depart for l'viv at 1:15 PM. once again, another shorter flight, we will arrive at 3:35 PM. now is not the time to discuss going through customs in l'viv... there's no need for that kind of negativity this early in the trip. (it's probably the biggest pain in the buttocks part of the trip.)

now... for the most part... the major traveling is done (minus a train ride that i'm very excited about that i didn't get to do last time i went - they got us a bus to get there).

ok. where are we? oh. we will get picked up at the l'viv airport and taken to... wait for it... a hostel. this will be a first for most of the ukraine mission peeps. side note: at this juncture of the trip, i'm going to seem like i'm spoiled. HOWEVER, to my defense, i did not request to stay somewhere else (and i will have Olya who is on facebook back me up on this). the hostel can only house so many so a couple of us get to stay at one of the ukrainian leaders apartments. since i got to know Olya last year, she gave me a shout out and i get to stay at her apartment, along with amber. i don't want to hear any of your smartalec comments. :)

once we unload our stuff, it's off to enjoy the city of l'viv - one of the absolute most favorite cities of mine. ever. such cool architecture, atmosphere, culture, history, style... and you want to talk about authentic and freakin' cool (yes, i said freakin') coffee houses ever.

the blue bottle, for example...

anyway, for the rest of day 2, we get to enjoy the city of l'viv. love it.

pray for:
- energy for the team; dealing with jet lag
- team unity and instant chemistry with the ukrainian team
- unity and cooperation as we get to know each other and prepare for the camp

what the team is reflecting on day 2:
joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

psalm 46:10
Be still, and know that I am God.I will be exalted among the nations,I will be exalted in the earth!"

project ukraine: day 1 // june 24

2009-06-24T08:00:00.007-05:00

we're outta here!

meeting at the church office at 11:30 to pack up and head to intercontinental.

we fly out at 4:15 to frankfurt, germany - our first stop on the way to l'viv. for day one, we will spend all of it traveling... and mostly in the air. the time change gets a little crazy, so i'm going to blog/describe everything based on time that makes sense.

pray for:

- safe travel

- for God to relieve any fears of the team

- that we remembered everything

- flights to be on time (we have a tight connection in vienna)

- all of our checked luggage to make it there with us

- rest on the way over

what the team is reflecting on for day 1:
psalm 100:1-5
1Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! 2Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! 3Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! 5For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

psalm 150:6
6Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!

psalm 89:8
8O LORD God of hosts, who is mighty as you are, O LORD, with your faithfulness all around you?

www.thegosite.org

ukraine mission trip: meet the ukraine leadership team

2009-06-23T18:00:00.017-05:00

(left to right)

- Andrei is an evangelist on the team. Former drug addict & criminal who God saved. Lives in the apartment CCCC rents for ministry in Ocean.

- Boghdan works in L’viv oblast as a director of youth ministries for the entire L’viv region.

- Anya directs children’s programs/Awana. Also in charge of drama teams

- Tolik is trained as a church planter in Brazil. He is the missions director for Baptists in the L’viv oblast. He speaks at least 3 other languages.

- Ira (not pictured) is Tolik’s wife

- Taras is the Ocean team leader and our main church planter. Gifted and humble leader.

(left to right)

- Saško is part of the Ocean team. He directs English clubs. He is the best English speaker on our team. Just finished seminary.

- Lubchick is a businessman and is a new Christian on the team. He is working on incorporating business and evangelism.

- Oleck directs youth programs for the Ocean team.

ukraine mission trip: june 24-july 6

2009-06-22T21:35:00.005-05:00

well... we're one day away from heading to l'viv, ukraine and the carpathian mountains to do a camp for 14-19 year old students from l'viv.

go to www.thegosite.org to (hopefully) be able to see play by play action from the trip.

i have my blog set to post what we're doing each day and what to reflect on and pray for. i know the entire team would covet your prayers - any and all of them.

here's the US team: (and an AWESOME team, i must say!)
- Kimberly Biery
- Ryan Brown
- Natalie Dixon
- Dave Durand
- Heather Gadsby
- Daniel and Sherri Lehman
- Keri Lilley
- Christopher Nelson
- Amber Sailer
- Nick and Krista Skytland
- Jori Turner
- Jaime Valverde
- Daniel and Leanne Vencil

come back each day to check in and see what we're doing... and don't forget: prayer is the best thing any of us can do. ever.

love you, people!

i'm a mom! ;)

2009-06-10T12:26:00.013-05:00

this is tracy nakazzi (uganda)

this is fred kiweewa (uganda)

this is reagan ssemirimo (uganda)

this is mintamer alemu (ethiopia)

this is kidist matiwos (ethiopia)

http://www.compassion.com/

i saw what i saw (sara groves)

2009-04-30T13:06:00.005-05:00

http://www.ijm.org/ - international justice mission

recession = perspective

2009-04-11T14:29:00.005-05:00

just so you know... i will always give the disclaimer "you need to watch this" - mainly because if i'm taking the time to load the darn thing, i must have a good reason. ha

anyway, this is - yes, again - an excerpt from a john piper message (he's just good, what can i say?). i gave you point #2 here. thought it was something we all need to hear. especially churches... yours, mine, whomever.

piper to pecos

2009-03-27T11:48:00.003-05:00

"that's kinda pretty before i git started, ain't it?"- uncle pecos

"that's the hard part right in there, n-n-nephew." - uncle pecos

"ah-le-o-lay.......heeeeeee...." - uncle pecos

"and the yodel goes right in there somewhere, but it's a little too high for me." - uncle pecos

"that's that hard part again right in there..." - uncle pecos

"thank ya, pa'tner. can't sing without a string." - uncle pecos

"here kitty, kitty, kitty, kitty, kitty, k-k-k-k-k-k-k-k-k-k-itty." - uncle pecos

"come back here, you awnry critter. i don't aim to let one lone cat whisker stand in between me and fame and fortune." - uncle pecos

"bend down here, cat!" - uncle pecos

"stand still. t'ain't gonna hurt much if i yank it out {muffled}..." - uncle pecos

"c'mon out here, nephew. here's what i play for my encore." {including tapping foot} - uncle pecos

"cama-ra-ba-du-loo-de-bop crambohhhhhhhhhhhhhh...." - uncle pecos

awww.... that made me laugh....... it's the small things........

this is impressive...

2009-03-16T15:29:00.006-05:00

i previously posted the exerpt from john piper's message "if my words abide in you" (scroll down, you'll see it) (got the whole video from www.desiringgod.org). after watching that video, it made me want to watch the whole message...which is what i did, and thus now feel compelled to post his intro to that message. i would be willing to challenge you that it'll be one of the best uses of a 15 minute increment that you've ever given up. i would obviously, by now, recommend you go to http://www.desiringgod.org/ and just watch the whole message... however, if anything, watch his intro. it has both challenged me and convicted me (in the best possible way) to make a commitment to KNOWING God's Word. anyway, enjoy.

memorizing scripture

2009-03-14T20:41:00.004-05:00

*transcript of the above video
VALUE OF MEMORIZING SCRIPTURE:
1) Memorizing scripture makes meditation possible at times when you can’t be reading the bible and meditation is the pathway to deeper understanding. If you’re going to meditate on the law of the Lord day and night, you need to have some of it in your head.

2) Memorizing scripture strengthens my faith because faith comes from hearing and hearing by the word of God and that happens when I am hearing the word in my head.

3) Memorizing scripture shapes the way I view the world by conforming my mind to God’s viewpoint on everything.

4) Memorizing scripture makes God’s word more readily accessible in overcoming temptation to sin because God’s warnings and promises are the way we conquer the lies, the deceitful lies of the devil.

5) Memorizing scripture guards my mind making it easier for me to detect error and the world is filled with error because the god of this world is a liar.

6) Memorizing scripture enables me to hit the devil in the face with a force he cannot resist, to protect myself and my family from his assaults. What are you hitting him with? He is millions of times stronger than you. And he hates you, and your family, and your marriage, and this church, and God. How anybody walks through this devil-ruled world without a sword in their hand is beyond me.

7) Memorizing scripture provides the strongest and sweetest words for ministering to others in need. Ever been caught off guard with someone you meet? You don’t need to be caught off guard.

8) Memorizing scripture provides the matrix for fellowship with Jesus because He talks to me here and NOWHERE else, but oh sweetly, powerfully, authentically, really speaks to me, here. And then I speak back to him in prayer. And if this (bible) is here (mind), then we can talk anywhere. And it’s sweet, very sweet.

google it

2009-03-14T18:34:00.007-05:00

http://www.facesoftheforgotten.org/

check out the google earth project.

there are no nameless faces

2009-03-03T15:51:00.023-06:00

i am the youngest of 4.

the daughter of 2 still-living, still-married parents.

the sister to 3 brothers.

the sister-in-law to their 3 wives.

the aunt to 4 nieces and nephews.

the niece to 12 uncles and aunts.

the cousin to 22 cousins.

and although no longer with us, the granddaughter to 4 grandparents.

that's my family. and they all love me. know me. would do anything for me.

that's 50 people.

50.

and to think there are children hoping for just 1.

hall of shame

2009-02-14T09:28:00.000-06:00

so, i'm reading through the bible with my church and i've come to some startling realizations.... (and these are old testament realizations)

so far, everyone in the bible were losers, in some way, shape, or form. by loser, i mean, screw up, not on the up and up. sketchy. questionable. of ill repute. here's just a few:

adam - enough said

eve - wife of the year

cain - serious need for some anger management classes

abel - apparently not that bad, but probably should've beefed up on his self-defense skills

[side note: it's pretty bad if, right off the bat - literally - you're still kind of in the prequel of the overall biblical story, and God says, and i quote, "I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them." - personally, i feel bad for the animals and birds... i'm sure they had a bone to pick. "what the heck did we do??"]

on with the list:

noah - now, he seemed to be a winner, including being the first non-vegetarian. i wonder what that first burger was like?

nimrod - he was actually a mighty hunter and considered a mighty man... most likely because he had to combat that he was indeed named "nimrod"

tower of babel peeps - is it possible that humans are so smart that it makes us stupid? you know, your greatest strength becomes your greatest weakness...

needless to say, i could go on (we're currently finishing up exodus right now and just like there are certain people who are constantly great material for comedians... the israelites can tend to be great material for "how to screw up yet again"

feel free to add your nominees to the hall of shame... there's plenty to go around.

moral of this blog: if you think that reading through the bible is going to make you feel worse about yourself... think again.

worth the watch...

2009-02-04T23:05:00.009-06:00

http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/1624_missions_as_fasting/

whether you're passionate about missions or not (and I use that term in relation to actual missions... global or local, "go and tell", being sent, however you want to define it), this is a great message by a guy who's a missionary in Japan. If you know anything about John Piper, the writer, speaker, teacher, etc., then the fact that Piper invited Michael Oh to come and speak says a lot about the character and reputation of Michael Oh.

anyway. i hope you'll notch out some time and watch it. all the way through. it's so much more than just about missions in and of itself... the truth of the message's subtitle, "The Forsaking of Things Present for the Global Exaltation of Christ" is what every person in America needs to hear and grasp.

remind me to apologize to all the missionaries that crossed my path at my church growing up that i just didn't pay attention to. i should've listened.

well, i'm listening now.

and will be going.

and will be sending.

what i'm currently listening to

2009-02-04T11:52:00.006-06:00

[disclaimer: some of these songs or artists may have questionable lyrics, don't know. i'm listening to, becoming familiar with, being introduced to some of them for the first time, etc. don't get all self-righteous and judgmental on me. :)]

some new artists (or new songs from familiar artists) that i'm giving a listen to right now: (alphabetical)

adele "19"

amos lee "amos lee"

andrew bird "andrew bird & the mysterious production of eggs"

andy davis "thinks of her"

anouk (a song or two)

ben kweller (a song or two)

chantal krievaluk (random albums)

colin hay (random albums)

dave barnes "you, the night, and candlelight"

feist (a song or two)

a fine frenzy (random albums)

griffin house "flying upside down"

james morrison "undiscovered"

joe purdy (random albums)

jonatha brooke (random albums)

joni mitchell (a song or two)

joshua radin (random albums)

katie todd band (a song or two)

keane "hopes and fears"

laura marling "alas i cannot swim"

lisa hannigan "sea saw"

loudon wainwright III "last man on earth"

mat kearney "bullet"

meiko (a song or two)

patty griffin (all)

rachael yamagata "elephants... teeth sinking into heart" and "happenstance"

rachel mccartney "all the joy"

rosi golan "the drifter and the gypsy"

rosie thomas (random albums)

sara bareilles "little voice"

snow patrol "eyes open"

steve reynolds (a song or two)

travis "singles"

vienna teng (random albums)

that's a few anyway............... i'm kind of sifting through these particular artists and songs, seeing who and what i like, then making a "favorite playlist" of these artists for the ol' ipod.

feel free to comment and add some of your favorites or artists you would recommend. i love independent, singer/songwriter types. however, i have a WIDE range of musical tastes, so i'm pretty eclectic and interested in everything...

table for one

2009-01-24T12:19:00.009-06:00

i am single.

in an unsingle world.

i'm sorry that i'm too old to be single.

not sure what to do about that.

i am sex and the city. i am friends.

but that's only cool if you're on the show.

or famous.

otherwise.

odd.

different.

sad.

perhaps pitiful.

still different.

and somehow wrong.

questions.

skepticism.

assumptions.

presumptions.

not sure what to do about those either.

no matter.

i'm still single.

in an unsingle world.

you'll remember

2009-01-24T12:07:00.003-06:00

maybe one day
along the way
you'll remember me on this island
smiling at you
how I used to
maybe one day
you'll remember

and it won't be sad
to think of all we had
all unhappy ends can be behind us then
maybe one day
along the way
you'll think of me
and you'll be smiling
maybe one day
maybe one day
maybe one day

you'll remember

-patty griffin

run, forrest

2007-12-08T19:38:00.000-06:00

so, i'm at home doing the fun stuff of life... laundry, vacuuming, throwing out the very old, very unrecognizable items in my frig. sometimes i can spend the day in complete silence and not blink an eye, and then sometimes i have background noise - like a tv or music or a movie i own. today it was tv. i flipped the channel to catch the latter half of forrest gump. such a great movie. no matter how many times i see that movie, you can be assured of two things: i always cry when forrest has to bury his mom and then cry even more when he has to bury jenny. this movie causes me to feel many things - from feeling absolute sympathy and almost a "protective" anger for forrest to humbly acknowledging that this fictional character actually knows so much more about real life than most of us who are not fictional at all (though we all wish we could be at times).

anyway, as i'm watching him talk to jenny at her graveside, i notice the tree. forrest comments about the tree briefly and we all know it's a focal point in the scene, but for some reason, this time the tree stood out. it wasn't just its beauty and it's grandeur, but it was more it's simplicity. to me, it was almost the best metaphor for forrest. it represents him well. it was there at the beginning of his journey. it grew taller and stronger as he did. and it was still standing at the end. with even more beauty, more strength, but still in its original simplicity.

i'm starting to understand why God talks so fondly of children and tells us adults we need to come to Him as them. we have made life way too complicated. in everything. i fear we are drowning in complication. why can't life be simple? is it that that's just the way life is and we've been so far removed from simplicity that maybe we don't think it even exists anymore? or maybe simplicity seems wrong in some way or just too easy. maybe simplicity too closely resembles grace... sometimes hard to believe and hard to see as a viable option.

it's true. misery loves company. but is it possible that company has moved from visitor to permanent house guest? it seems like a lot of us live daily in some degree of misery. great or small. wounded or self-inflicted.

i want simplicity. forrest and his tree reminded me of that. i don't feel sorry for forrest. i envy him. he gets it. what would life be like if we were all a lot of forrests running around?

we'd always be genuinely excited to see the ones we love. everytime we see them.

we would not flinch in doing the right thing. because it's the right thing.

we would be moving at a pace that allows us to see the true beauty in life. everywhere.

it wouldn't dawn on us to tailor our excitement for things (or people) that make us happy.

we wouldn't stop loving just because someone hurts us or leaves.

we would be able to see beauty even in situations that would be considered ugly.

we would live simple. we would love simple. we would be simple.

i want that tree. or maybe i want to be that tree.

its purpose is clear. its foundation is strong. its beauty is evident. and its shade is good. i doubt its living a life of confusion.

forrest wasn't. the things that were confusing to forrest weren't because he wasn't as "smart" as others, but they were things that were supposed to be - should've been - simple. and somewhere along the road they became complicated. he's the smart one.

run, forrest.

run for all of us.

there's nothing i can do about it

2007-09-04T21:45:00.000-05:00

there's nothing i can do about it.

believe me i've tried. and i can be really creative when i need to be. but nothing works. nothing lasts. there isn't a perfect solution. or really a solution at all. hear me... there is nothing i can do about my past. nothing. i can't change how i've hurt people in my life. i can't take back the poor decisions i've made. i can't make the most humiliating and unwise choices in my life go away. i can try to deny them away. i can try to paint a rosier picture of them. i can try to make fun of them and make it like they're not a big deal and were actually funny. i can try to just avoid them at all costs, but none of it works.

2 important things: 1) this is not about events in my life or juicy tidbits of some sort - this is about the lifelong battle of trying to live life on my own - that is what has caused me to regret so much, and 2) this is not the time to throw in the theological rebuttle about forgiveness and grace and mercy and all that, because from where i'm sitting, i don't think i'm the only one who struggles daily to try and get over their past... and on top of that, to then have those around you who won't let you get over your past. (this was my soap box paragraph.)

so i say again, there's nothing i can do about it. there's nothing i can do about your opinion or anyone else's opinion about me. nothing. i am by no means a person of fame or notoriety, but for as long as i can remember, i have spent the better part of my life in front of people. i've lived the opposite of the behind-the-scenes person. i'm up there in front of what seems like the whole world. the good, the bad, the ugly, the cool hair, the crappy hair, the larger butt, the smaller butt, the old clothes, the new clothes, etc. etc. etc.

side note: the most accurate statement I will ever make about myself is that i desire most of all to be anonymous and yet it seems i can't get away from a calling that forces me to be known. talk about an irony that can very well drive you nuts if you let it......

i need to shed a little light on anyone and everyone's perception of me (perceptions based on fact and those based on foolish conjecture). if anyone is interested in knowing the real keri, let me help you out. i'm a life-long moral failure who's only chance for any kind of life is through a Father that I spend half the time being afraid of. the Son who i have the hardest time trying to believe and grasp the magnitude of exactly what he did for me on that cross. the Spirit that most of the time i just don't understand how it all works and how to let him do what he wants to do and how to hear his voice. wow. that sounded a bit negative. i'm a sinner saved by grace. and now i'm struggling to become like jesus. maybe that's a better way to put it.

from what i know of paul's life in the bible, there is no comprehensive list of all the sin he committed but i know he called himself the chief of all sinners. well, when i look back thus far, i have a feeling i could give him a run for his money. i am not, nor have i ever been (nor will i be) all together, perfect, holy to the point of sainthood, or the most valuable player of all of christendom. i've already blown that curve. what i can be, though, is a person who lives a life realizing there's nothing i can do about it. and believe it or not, that is in no way defeat or apathy. for someone who has spent most of her life trying to please everyone knowing that most expectations she and others have placed on her are unrealistic and unattainable... letting go of trying to manage what people think about me and my life thus far is absolute freedom. and maybe.... just maybe, it's one more mountain slowly moving out of the way of me knowing Jesus profoundly and intimately... and for real this time. i don't want you to think that i am traveling this road alone or in some new agey way i'm finding the champion in me and pulling myself up by my boot straps. you need to know that for this trip to happen my will has to surrender to his... today. tomorrow it'll start all over.

so... why did i write this? i'm tired. i'm tired of letting my past dictate what i think about me and what i think about the remaining possibilities for my little life. it's just too heavy. and once again, there's really nothing i can do about it. i'm tired of random people (and usually they are church people, sadly enough) judging me based on what they think they know about me. i'm tired of trying to convince myself that i really can meet all those unrealistic and unfair expectations. i just can't do it anymore.

i'm working on giving my life completely to Jesus, but it's hard. it's even harder when i'm having to do it in front of everyone. but once again... there's nothing i can do about it. i just ask that you love me anyway.

the real me
foolish heart looks like we're here again
same old game of plastic smile
don't let anybody in
hiding my heartache
will this glass house break
how much will they take before I'm empty
do i let it show, does anybody know

but you see the real me
hiding in my skin, broken from within
unveil me completely
i'm loosening my grasp
there's no need to mask my frailty
‘cause you see the real me

painted on, life is behind a mask
self-inflicted circus clown
i'm tired of the song and dance
living a charade, always on parade
what a mess i've made of my existence
but you love me even now
and still i see somehow

that you see the real me
hiding in my skin, broken from within
unveil me completely
i'm loosening my grasp
there's no need to mask my frailty
‘cause you see the real me

wonderful, beautiful
is what you see when you look at me
you're turning the tattered fabric of my life
into a perfect tapestry
oh, i just wanna be me
I wanna be me

but you see the real me
hiding in my skin, broken from within
unveil me completely
i'm loosening my grasp
there's no need to mask my frailty
oh, ‘cause you see the real me
and you love me just as i am

wonderful, beautiful
is what you see when you look at me

i got stoned.

2007-08-14T20:03:00.000-05:00

so. i was getting ready to lead worship early sunday morning and had this weird feeling in my side. thought nothing of it - maybe a pulled muscle, muscle spasm (as if i know what that is), or just some strange, random cramp. anyway, i sang a practice line or two of the songs for church to make sure i could still sing without having a "strained" look on my face all morning (in front of a large group of people you always want to look as if you haven't been able to go to the restroom for a few days, good lord....) everything seemed to be tolerable so i take a shower and get ready (and let me tell you, i was having a freakishly good hair day) - all seemed well with the universe.

i walk downstairs, get in my car, and begin the long 1 minute drive to the church. life is good. hair is great. i begin the ascent up the egret bay hill and suddenly feel as if someone is repeatedly taking a crow bar to my left side. o my gosh! i thought i was going to drive off the bridge to my watery death... and to be honest, compared to the pain i was feeling on my side that was kind of a pleasant thought. i frantically begin thinking all the normal thoughts you have in this situation... o my gosh i'm going to die! what in the &%$* do i do?! do i have new or old undies on and please, for the love of all things holy, tell me i shaved my legs this morning. i get on the phone [side note: this usually short, 1 minute drive to work now feels like a trans-atlantic train ride through the swiss alps] - i make a couple of calls (at this point, though not logical at all, i'm thinking everyone i know is sitting beside their phones waiting for my call - brilliant. the sun's not even up.).

what made me think of this i have no idea but I thought, "call bruce" (our senior pastor) surely he'll know what to do - he's a senior pastor, c'mon. susan, bruce's wife, answers the phone and all i can squeak out of my frantic voice is "i'm at the church" - apparently the way i sounded made her seriously think i had been mugged or beaten up. that was unintentional, but i'm pretty sure i owe her an apology anyway. i finally get out that something is wrong with my side and i don't know what to do. she quickly says i'll be there in 5 and hangs up. if you think the 1 minute drive over the bridge from hell was long, imagine sitting inside the church lobby trying to not lose it while waiting for your saving grace to show up. i was freaking out and wanting to break things to try to relieve the pain. it was not a high moment in my life. now is a good time for you to know a little soemthing about me - i don't go to the doctor, i don't have a doctor, and i don't even know where a doctor or hospital is located. niiice.

susan shows up, assesses the situation and throws me in her car to head to the hospital. she, of course, asks me which hospital i prefer and i, of course, reply, "there's more than one?" anyway, we get there, i walk in and then fill out paper work. paper work? paper work?!?! i'm doubled over in pain feeling like any moment something is going to explode and make a very large mess on their waiting room floor and they want me to fill out paper work and find my insurance card. are you kidding me?! well, i did it and soon after they called me back. [funny visual - i'm the only one in the E.R. but literally the nurse comes out, looks around, and goes "keri lilley? keri. lilley." if i hadn't been hurting so badly, i was tempted to act like that wasn't my name.] they take me back and by the grace of God the trauma nurse that just came on duty goes to our church and knows susan. now, i'm so not about favoritism or it's "who you know" and all that - "hey can you cut me in line or give me a special deal?", but in this particular situation... bring on the special treatment - i'm dying and she's got the drugs. :)

i go back and they take all my vitals - just so you know, it is NEVER a good sign when the nurse walks over, looks at your chart and goes, "oooooh, kidney stones.... bummer." anyway, they take me back to room 3 and I change clothes (fyi - susan now knows more about me than she ever wanted to) . the reason susan knows more about me than she ever wanted to is because as i am changing clothes i get hit with the worst pain thus far in my little sunday morning adventure and literally want to die. i have never experienced that much physical pain in my entire life. it is unexplainable.

okay. so we've established that i'm dying. well, as susan is tying my attractive hospital gown, the nurse walks in and i am now expected to sit still while a vein is found, an IV is stuck into my arm and 3 shots are given... understand this: i want to kick things, throw things, flail wildly, toss myself into the wall repeatedly, roll on the floor, or run through the closest plate glass window, and i'm asked to "hold still" while they find a vein. believe it or not, and maybe with the help of some freakishly muscular angels, i held still long enough and they shot me full of morphine and a couple of other drugs and finally, FINALLY, there was relief. Oh sweet relief. i cried a lot during this ordeal, but i swear the best tears were from the relief i felt when the pain finally stopped. and you know what? of possible kidney ordeals, i actually had one of your better stone experiences. it didn't go for days - it was only a few hours. i don't still have stones floating around in there. at least that i know about. and it's not a genetic thing so i don't really have to expect that i'll ever have another one. no matter - this event will never be forgotten.

geez, i just noticed how long this blog is. i was about to go into what all i learned through this experience, but that's going to take way too long. i'll make a list. in no particular order.

1) stones hurt.
2) moms cry no matter if it's a scratched knee or a trip to the E.R.
3) true friends always show up. in some way, shape or form.
4) while typing this blog, duane accidentally said doo doo in a sentence. this will only be funny to me.
5) we really are stronger than we think we are.
6) now all my mom friends can no longer tell me i don't know what it's like to give birth. and i have a bonus: i don't have to pay for college for little stoner.
7) i really am okay with pot being used for medicinal purposes. ;) kidding, mom.
8) there is peace knowing Jesus and knowing He really is there with you. always.
9) angels do exist... and most of the time they are in the form of friends.
10) dads really do make things better.

so.... i got stoned. and lived to tell about it. :)

yeah, yeah i've pulled the big blog no-no

2007-05-28T09:29:00.000-05:00

soooo. last night i got the distinct pleasure of being the butt of several jokes about my blog deficiency as of late. yes. it's been over a month since i last blogged. sue me. :) kidding. my friends, whom i normally like, all felt like it was their duty to rag on my lack of communication in the blog world. i was the bigger person obviously (oh how they are rolling their eyes at this moment) and took the high road.

the complete stall out with the bloggery began when my dad went into the hospital and was later diagnosed with pneumonia. and yes, i am so playing the sympathy card right now. he's fine. all is well. but this whole event threw my world into turmoil. he's dad. he's supposed to be invincible. he doesn't get sick. he's not the guy who is ever in need. it was a tough deal. however, it is important at this moment to give a HUGE shout out to my friends who stepped up in major ways and loved on me, encouraged me, and took care of me during this unexpected and scary ordeal. (hopefully they are all now feeling like huge slugs after ragging on me last night at the cookout)

anyway, all of that to say, without going into major detail about work, there were some other big things going on that took my time, my emotions, all my energy, and once again, all of my time, and kept me from blogging. well............ i'm back. be prepared. the blogging is officially back on. stay tuned....................

feels like home.

2007-04-21T22:32:00.000-05:00

I was all set to finish another blog but somewhere between carrying in 500 bags of groceries and walking the dogs, I lost my motivation to complete that particular story. I guess I just got more introspective or thoughtful (for lack of a better word). Anyway, my mind and heart are currently occupied with things that are precious to me.

So, I'm sitting here listening to a song that's entitled "Feels Like Home." And you know what feels like home for me (other than family)?

Friends.

Watching the news about the tragedy at Virginia Tech only reaffirms the absolute need we each have for community. Would things be different if the gunman had someone in his life who knew him and cared about him? Would Virginia Tech even be in the news?

Friends feel like home. They just do. You feel like you're where you belong when you're with them. And I'm not talking the general population who happen to know your name or could recognize you in a lineup. I'm talking about those select few (and oh are they few and far between) who know your heart better than your face. To be honest, you should count yourself blessed beyond measure if you have just one. It is rare. It is precious. And its value is immeasurable.

I have a very small handful of friends like that. Some new, some old. I honestly don't know what I've done to be that lucky, but I carry gratitude like none other because of them... and only because of them. There is nothing I have or could ever do to deserve that. In my life, I have always had a hard time wrapping my head and my heart around grace (I am a child of God, accepting him when I was younger - but the truly grace-filled life has escaped me for longer than I would like to admit). Amidst my valiant effort to fight off having to trust and believe in a grace that is free and true were adversaries (known as my friends) fighting right back, disrupting my cynicism and my doubt. Those people (and they hopefully know who they are) are grace personified to me. A personalized picture of the cross. They don't know it, but Jesus has put them strategically on the frontlines of a fierce battle for my heart, and more importantly, for my complete surrender. I believe, at least for me, that it will be through these people that I truly become who God wants me to be.

The completion of me won't happen until I see Him face to face, but that just means it's the journey that matters most. Well, it's taken me a very long time to realize it, but on this journey (or any other journey for that matter) I don't want to walk it alone. I've done that for far too long. I need my friends. I need community. I can't do it otherwise. I don't know why I'm always surprised by that and try to prove the contrary... but it is as true and as real as the air I breathe.

Anyway, this goes out to my friends... my longtime ones that I appreciate more and more now that there is some distance between us due to life and work and family. And to my new ones who have stepped into my life as if they've always been there. It really does feel like home.

to bee or not to bee...

2007-04-18T23:41:00.000-05:00

So, this morning I'm recovering from my Nyquil hangover (and no, I do not do Nyquil recreationally), and I decide to go sit on my balcony for a little bit. You know, wake up, stare at the pretty lake, and slowly return to coherency. Well, all of a sudden I notice my dog, Jill (the other dog that is not Jack) is lunging her head back and forth through the railing on the balcony. A bit aggressively I might add. Now, I'm not in the most alert state of mind at this particular moment, but I am able to recognize when something is "off." And this struck me as strange, even for her (that's a later story).

Anyway, there is a tree in front of my balcony (it's one of those pretty trees with little red berries and flowers, stays green all year long - that kind of tree). Well, apparently it's the season for pollen and whatever bees do, so there are all these little bees flying around (small bees, the size of flies). And, of course, Jill is trying to catch them and cause havoc in their little bee lives... but the funny thing is any time she gets too close to them, she shakes her head violently afraid that she actually caught the bee and that it's stinging her repeatedly on the tongue.

Now, several things are funny at this point - Jill shaking her head violently while her head and neck are lodged between iron bars, funny. Jill yanking her head back through the bars and looking at me with berries, flowers and leaves stuck in her nose and mouth, funnier. Bees then staring at Jill wondering, "well, how the heck do we get to those... they're hanging from that dog's face?" even funnier.

But, the biggest thing for me - the potential for the most embarrassment - is that Jill is quite the overachiever, so her lunging, as she gets more and more courageous, starts to include a leg, shoulder, chest... and all I can think of is how exactly I'm going to ask the maintenance guy:

"Do you happen to have a blow torch? My dog is stuck in the bars on my balcony.... Why?? Well duh. She was trying to eat the bees."

I need more Nyquil.

about jack...

2007-04-14T14:41:00.000-05:00

I'm sure there is someone wondering what "Jack's Tavern" is all about. Well, in its simplest form... it's nothing. I was setting up my blog and realized, "hey, I need a name." About that time, a big hairy blob rolled over and laid across my feet. That blob would be named Jack and is my dog of going on 8 years now. [Side note: I'll get to my other dog in a later blog and how she came to be named].

Once I decided to use Jack in the name, I began thinking about what I want my blog to embody as far as purpose and atmosphere (I guess this is where the "nothing" that I referred to actually becomes something). Now, sometimes when you think of a tavern, you think of lots of drinking, smoking and sticky bar stools. Let's upscale my idea of this particular tavern a bit. First, it exists in one of the states that outlaws smoking in public places so the air in Jack's Tavern is breathed, not seen. Second, I've hired Mindy C as the tavern manager - rest easy tonight knowing there will be no sticky bar stools, germy tabletops, or nasty floors. It's immaculate. And, more importantly, bacteria free. Third, this is more of a hole-in-the-wall, quiet, conversationally driven pub-like establishment... no obnoxious drunks, bad dancers, or close talkers with questionable breath. And since I mentioned the word "pub", no rowdy Irishmen.

Now that you have that picture in mind, the reason I picked "tavern" is not (contrary to what my mom might think) to get under my parent's skin because she and my dad both abhor drinking of any kind (having an alcoholic father will do that to a kid, and sadly both of them did). It's actually because there is this relaxed, welcoming, and almost "safe" feel that a tavern tends to exude. It is both a place of familiarity and anonymity. You know the place - 'where everybody knows your name', but no one knows your thoughts unless you volunteer them. A tavern paints personal conversation seated closely to gracious dissimilarity. Anyway, that's the reason for it being Jack's Tavern, and not Jack's Burger Barn, Jack's Bar & Grill or the ever popular Jack's Beer Emporium. Oh, and just to stay on the up and up, the subtitle of my blog (who's jack and where's my pina colada?) is TOTALLY to get under my parent's skin and so very random I still don't know where it came from.

So... all of that to say, pull up a stool, order your favorite ale and join the conversation... drinks are on the house.

what to say, what to say

2007-04-12T19:53:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure what I'm thinking with this whole blog thing. Maybe I'm doing it because it's the cool thing to do (little shout out to Mindy C). Trust me, it's not because I feel like I have something valuable to say... especially considering the writing of these things will most likely happen after my brain has passed its most alert and intellectual point for the day. What's funny is I've never been able to even keep a diary for more than a week, so exactly what I'm thinking, trying to keep up a blog that other people are supposed to regularly read and respond to, is more humorous than you realize. [Note to self - probably not a good idea to watch TV while trying to write] My attention span, at its most ambitious, is a bit sketchy (and that's with nothing going on), much less with a big colorful box talking to me about how to survive if I get stranded on a volcanic island with nothing but a styrofoam cup and a gum wrapper. Anyway, it might be more productive of me to write on my balcony staring at the pretty lake. Of course, knowing me, I'd probably just get distracted by the water, a passing duck, a leaf, or perhaps a random drop of condensation that mysteriously"shows up" on my chair. Who knows? I'll solve the writing/concentration issue later... along with a few smaller, insignificant items like global warming, increasing gas prices, world peace, and deciding which song most appropriately should be played at all future Angelina Jolie sitings (pretty sure "We Are the World" is quickly becoming the front runner). It may just be - that any time I write a blog -I allot a large amount of time to accommodate both the TV watching and the writing (or accommodate basically any distraction... and the writing). Anyway, I'm going to give it a go. We'll see what happens. My only request of anyone reading my random thoughts is to be sure and set your expectations very... very... and one more for good measure... VERY... low.