Yes sir, that's MY baby!

No really, Grace is mine. Vanessa didn't have her out of wedlock and we're raising her. It just looks that way.

Christmas is over and its a little sad. Vanessa gets on a plane to go home today-yuk. Each visit we have it gets harder and harder to say goodbye. But we had a great holiday, as evidenced by the photos. Looking forward for all the xtra tasks to be finished. Chores all piling up, and all the ladies said..."Amen!"

What did one snowman say to the other snowman?

"Do you smell carrots?"

The Thrill Is Gone...

Well, not for me and Will!! We went and saw Santa even though everyone else seemed to have misplaced their Christmas Spirit. Will was a little confused that he didn't leave with the present he asked for but I reminded him of how it works and the Polar Express movie we just watched. Small consolation.

We have the Christmas banquet scheduled for tonight and the sky keeps getting more and more ominous. Freezing rain is in the forecast but I am holding out hope that it won't start until MUCH later or pass us altogether. That reminds me, I gotta get cookin the appetizers...

"The soul never thinks without a picture." -Aristotle

I found this quote on one of the websites I frequent. It sort of sums up what my whole creative career has been about and even more importantly my ministry. Next to family time, I spend the majority of my time trying to create visuals for spreading the gospel, and then making sure it sticks. I peruse web site for inspiration, I read blogs of pastors across the country and magazines that are geared towards the creative arts in ministry (ie. Collide). There is nothing like the perfect marriage between God's word and the visuals, whether it be in print, in video, in music or in a skit.

Recently I came across this guy named Blaine Hogan who attends the Mars Hill graduate school in Seattle. After daydreaming about being a student again, and actually getting to study how to implement the creative process in ministry, I actually read the article. Here are the paragraphs that floored me:

If, as artists, we are truly carrying the gospel with us in our daily experiences, through breakfast and meetings and coffee breaks and creative brainstorming sessions, then it should spill out quite naturally into the art we create. It is inherently marked and stamped by the truth we hold onto in the center of ourselves. It is our act of worship. It is our most unique and holy offering to the Creator of the universe. This offering does not need to be big, better, slick, or sweet, it needs only to be honest.

...This is the tension that comes from our deep desire to create work that serves the community we are a part of, affects the heart of people who refuse to be touched, and provides a path back toward the truth that will heal us.

These words perfectly encapsulate what drives me. Especially now that my charge is to take our new church and really give it a presence, an approachability that will reach out to the city. They also let my OCD off the hook because I do have an inferiority complex that nothing will be as big or as complex and effective. But it is nonetheless my offering to God who has placed these desires in my heart and the ability in my person.............nuf said

Let it Snow!!

The first snow of the winter is always the best. Especially when you get out of school right after lunchtime-unexpectedly. So now our 'ski slope' trail has been properly flattened by courageous hineys and ready for what else the weather has to deliver.

The only bad part is that Grace needs a new ski-bunny outfit. Will grew out of his and into hers. She grew out of hers and into---nothing. Everything pink online is back ordered. SO I guess I'll have to brave Target as soon as I can get out and properly outfit my girl.

I also managed to get the lights and angel on the tree, the banister and the mantle. Still need another set on the tree but it feels good. We used Granny's blue angel from when Joe was a child. It looks and feels great. As soon as the snow melts I can get the outside lights put on. Modest but festive nonetheless. But for now, let it snow...Won't effect Tim and Heidi tonight in the least.

Sunday Evening

One of the proudest, most humbling days of my life. We drove through freezing rain to get there, but made it safe and sound. The kids were baptized, the music was played and sung melodically, the sandwiches were devoured. Great friends, great memories, Great God!!