HSM2

We watched HSM2 last night with the kids. (For those of you that aren't in the loop, HSM2 stands for High School Musical 2 - the much-anticipated sequel to the surprise Disney-hit.)

Ethan absolutely loved HSM, so he has been eagerly anticipating the premier of HSM2. The date has been circled on our family calendar, and he has been going through the process of X-ing off the days and keeping track of the official count. For the past two weeks, we have gotten our morning countdown update during breakfast.

We let the kids stay up late last night to watch the movie. When it was over, we attempted to quickly whisk them off to bed; however, Ethan suddenly broke down in tears. He couldn't explain why, but I think the weeks of anticipation combined with the sudden reality that it was over was simply too much to handle.

Good thing it will be on every day for the next two months!

What Will It Be Like?

I have been wondering lately...what will it be like to say goodbye to the FVCC family on September 9th?

Karen & I have been a part of the FVCC family for the past eleven years - ever since graduating college back in 1996 and moving to the Fox Valley area to own a Dairy Queen. During these eleven years, we have experienced a multitude of joys and struggles alongside our friends at the church. During these eleven years, I have discovered what it means to be a pastor and to be called by God to serve with my whole life.

How can you express how much you love an entire church? How can you explain why you must leave? How can you say goodbye?

I've got four more weeks to figure it out...

Heading to Peoria

It's official... I am joining the staff of Great Oaks Community Church in Metamora, IL which is a bedroom community for Peoria, IL.

The whole family spent last weekend with the church. I taught during the worship services and had my final interview with the Leadership Team on Sunday afternoon. The Lead Pastor, Bill, informed me later that afternoon that they would like to extend the invitation to join their staff. My primary focus will be adult small groups.

I am excited about this opportunity to use my giftedness and passions to help people discover the joy of living the Christian life in community with others. I truly believe that people grow the best in small groups as they are prayed for, challenged, encouraged, and held accountable.

It looks like my last Sunday at FVCC will be September 9th. I must admit that it is difficult to temper my excitement about this opportunity before me. I know it will be tough to leave FVCC and all of the friendships we have developed over the last 11 years, but the peace we have tells me it is the right step to take at this time.

To all of you who have prayed for us - even if you didn't want to and even if you prayed against us leaving - thanks for playing your part in our story!

My Brother Got Married!

My older brother, Steve, recently got married in a Buddhist wedding ceremony in Thailand!

He met his wife, Nok, (sounds like "Coke") during a vacation last year. She is a friend of one of his co-worker's wives. When she learned that he was considering a vacation to Thailand, she connected Steve with Nok via email. While in Thailand, Nok served as his in-country liaison and informal guide. During this vacation, they fell in love, and at the end of the two weeks, Steve proposed.

Since that time, they have been working together to file all of the paperwork for Nok to immigrate to the US. Last weekend, while my family was gathering together on a farm in southern Indiana, Steve was in Thailand getting married. They were schedule to return to Chicago a few days ago, but I haven't heard anything yet.

Insomnia

It's 5:15am on Sunday morning, and I cannot sleep.

I am preaching this morning at Great Oaks Community Church in Metamora, a bedroom community to Peoria, IL. Later this afternoon I will be meeting with the Leadership Team for my formal interview. These are some of the last steps in the process for GOCC.

Nervousness is not the source of my insomnia. I admit I am anxious to preach, but it is the good type of anxiousness (excitement). I think mostly my lack of sleep is concern about missing my alarm clock and my ride to the church. Karen and the kids are staying behind at the hotel and meeting me at the church for the second service. (On a side note, it is extremely difficult to get ready in the morning in a pitch black room with your entire family trying to sleep!)

I couldn't ask for a better environment, though, since I can't sleep. I am sitting in a secondary lobby of the Stoney Creek Inn in East Peoria. The lodge setting with moose & bear, a two-story river-rock fireplace, and a big-screen TV with the Great American Country channel playing country music videos suits me just fine (currently playing: "A Little More You" by Little Big Town and, no, the remote is not broken...I chose the channel!)

I'd really appreciate your prayers this morning and afternoon...thanks!

Under the Door

Following our family reunion yesterday, we stayed in the Hampton Inn in Princeton, IN. We went swimming, ordered some late-night pizza, and stayed up way too late watching a movie.

This morning I wake to find Ethan walking past the foot of my bed. I smile and wave as I roll out of the bed and stretch. I walk towards the bathroom to find him standing by the door to the room looking at the floor. He turns and says to me, "Somebody shoved a piece of paper under our door."

Knowing it was our bill for our night's stay, I look beyond him to the floor. I don't see anything.

"What did you do with it?" I say.

He looks at me somewhat strangely as if the answer should be obvious and replies, "I shoved it back out!"