I know that it has been forever since I have written my last post. I'm not sure where I should really start so why don't I just give it all to you shotgun style. Oh, and thanks again for reading this post and not giving up on me.
1. I guess the first piece of information should be to give God all of the glory for His protection thus far from the many storms that have hit here in the great OK. As you may know, we have been blessed to buy what we consider to be our dream home here in Enid. We live in a magnificent neighborhood (due to the people that is) amongst all of Kierstyn's school friends. It's awesome. AND two weeks after we moved in, a tornado hit Chisholm Creek Village where our house is nestled in the back corner of the sub-division. We did lose a privacy fence and for a 36 hour period our beloved doggy Deuce. However, the fence has been repaired and the prodigal son has returned home. On a serious note, God has been extremely good to us. Many homes in our neighborhood are still under repair and will be for months. I've never seen anything like this.
2. Kate is now in the middle of the third trimester of her pregnancy. She has about 12 weeks to go and we can't wait for Asher "Ryan" Wardwell to get here. The new nursery is painted, setup and ready to go. I have his little Peyton Manning jersey ready and awaiting him just in time for Pre-Season.
3. For all of the followers of my "still so very surreal book project"...things are moving forward in a quick fashion. I talked to the "conceptual editor" this past week on the phone and he's digging the book, which really is a load off. If I am following my sources at the publishing house correctly, what I hear them saying is that we are entering the final stages of editing. Next we'll be looking at design, layout and then print. It won't be long now. Since I last wrote, I have had the opportunity to build some very awesome friendships and some very cool people have given their nods via book endorsements. I also have an awesome youth ministry friend and mentor who has agreed to foreword the book. Everything is falling into place. Green: Lessons I Have Learned in Youth Ministry the Hard Way is literally just months away from impacting the youth ministry culture. I can't wait.
4. Today my little sweetie graduated from Pre-Kindergarten. I can't believe how time is flying. She received the "Most Expressive" award today during her ceremony. Anyone who knows KJ, knows how fitting this award really is. Last week we took her to see, Disney's: The Lion King the broadway musical that was in Oklahoma City, and there really has to be something said about being able to hear your child's laughter. It's so fufilling and I'm so blessed to have such a beautiful little girl.
5. Two weeks ago, we held an annual even that we call Rock the Night. We packed the house with over 110 students and 14 gave their lives to Christ. This week, many of the same students came back, and inspite of the Tornado Warnings we had another rocking night with lives changed with the message of life. God is really doing something at Ignition and I'm so excited about it. Our new Youth and Family Life Building is completely enclosed and work will begin in a few weeks on the inside of the structure. This 17,000 square foot facility is going to be an awesome place where teenagers can come and hangout, worship, and be discipled. I'm stoked about it.
6. This is an exciting time in our student ministry. Exciting for our students, and yet a little bittersweet for Kate and I. Tonight began the process of saying "goodbye" to some of our students who are graduating and moving on with their futures. This year is tough because we are honoring 8 graduates. I can't ever remember a time in my first eight years of youth ministry where I have graduated this many young people. AND it's challenging to watch 8 young men and women who we love with everything we have mature and prepare to leave for jobs, college and the military. It's going to be hard to let them go, but I believe that we have done everything we know to do to give them a good solid foundation on Christ to stand on as they enter the next level of their lives. We're proud of each one of you and we can't help but stand in the wings and cheer for you. You're going to do amazing!
7. We're garage selling this weekend. So far we're knocking it out of the park with kids clothing. I hope tomorrow is as good as today was.
8. AND now its time for bed. We have a huge weekend ahead of us, so I must crash. Let's catch up on Facebook, Twitter or Text. I'd love to hear from you. God bless and have a great weekend.
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