Neo-Restoration

I would like to encourage everyone to visit the neo-restoration website, started by my friend Greg. I'm really excited about the potential dialogue this website can generate. It may be very challenging for some, but certainly worth your time.

The Dog Days of Summer

Yesterday, Owens desperately needed to go out. So I let him, thinking it was time for him to do his business. Turned out, he just wanted to rest on the hard, barren, weed-stricken
wasteland that is our backyard. It was kind of funny at the time. On the other hand, Trey was about to mow back there, so maybe Owens wanted to get some time in before it got even worse.

These days, I wouldn't mind being able to spend some time outside doing yard work, reading a book, playing some game - relaxing. As it is, summer weather is in full swing and it's getting quite hot, so I'll have to find some way to enjoy these days from inside. But, lest I anger my mother-in-law with shallow talk of the weather (a somewhat-dated joke), I figure it is time to move on past the Belize post.

Yet, even though the summer weather is in full swing, my summer season is rapidly coming to an end. Summer camp has come and gone, with it the long sweaty days, the frustrating-but-rewarding 10th grade boys Bible class, and the stinky-but-air-conditioned 10th grade boys cabin.

Jesse's birthday has come... and remains with us. She opened some presents before camp, pseudo-celebrated on the Monday of camp, had cake and ice cream with the Rays last night, and has one or two special surprises from her husband yet to be discovered. We do know how to celebrate.

My summer job at Super Suppers is coming to an end. August 4th is my last day, Lord willing for good. That is because August 6th is my last first day of fall classes. I have a one-week intensive all day, every day from the 6th to the 11th, with four or five books to read before class starts. Here's to the history of the American Restoration Movement. Add to that three more weekly courses starting two weeks later, and I'm taking my first of two four-class semesters that promise to be full, if not filling. I'm doing that so that by the end of next spring, I will only have one class remaining and be done with full-time school.

That, of course, means that the time is rapidly approaching for the job search to begin. I am filled with the circular emotions of excitement and fear when I think about finishing school, most likely moving away from Memphis, and starting a ministry with my wife to teenagers and their families and so continue to answer God's call for our lives. Please pray with us about our future.

Finally, least importantly but also very exciting, the end of the summer season means the beginning of fall and football. Bob and I are already planning to start up the seven again, in conjunction with a pick 'em tournament through the worldwide leader. War Eagle. Camp is opening for the NFL as well (not surprisingly, I'm thinking the Pats will go all the way) and with it, fantasy football.

With all that, it seems the fall will be spectacularly busy. Looks like I'll be enjoying these dog days after all.

Yep

We are in fact back from Belize. Just in time to rest up, and then head to camp next week. I suppose I must be feeling extra guilty these days.

I'm not sure, at this point, that I know just exactly how to describe our time in Belize. The words I have in my mind to describe it seem very incomplete and unjust for the nature of the trip. Here's what I can say right now:

It was really an amazing experience - borderline indescribable. Buster has a great legacy there, so my wife would and does say. It's one of the more stretching and challenging mission experiences I can imagine for a group of teenagers, not to mention the adults. The teens who went with us are all amazing kids. I hope never to forget the generosity of Spirit we encountered before and during the trip from our friends and family. God taught/reminded me about faithfulness, trust, and the true heart of ministry through this trip in powerful ways. I love youth ministry so ridiculously much. I love my wife so much ridiculously more, and I love God the most.

Thank you again to all who supported our trip financially and through your prayers. They were answered! Because of your gift, we were able to participate in the planting of seeds in the lives of over 800 children, and countless more in Independence, Red Bank, San Jacindro, and the greater Stann Creek district.

Of course, it wouldn't be complete without a picture or two from the trip... enjoy:
The happy couple after Sunday church.



Some of our group at the end of a hike through the jungle.



The VBS group (no dentists) with kids at San Jacindro (we called it San Mosquito) on Thursday.




A fair representation of everyone's experience at VBS every day. One American for every 30+ Belizeans.