huge

we weren't sure what to expect and who would show up...but if you couldn't make it out you missed a good one.

Several people that many of us had never met before were here...it was good...many new relationships were started and we just had a great time. My assessment that corn hole is the fastest growing lawn game sensation was affirmed as people were eating it up all night...even into the dark. Thankfully we have a nice big halogen lamp on the west side of the barn to light up the "playing field."

The bon fire was enormous there for a little while so I was hoping we wouldn't have the fire department showing up, but all is clear. Some spiritual conversations were beginning to happen around the fire...it was nice...and the s'mores were good too.

The band was ok...we struggled at times with this being the first time using this new system we're putting together. We've got a few songs that are just automatic for us and those were really good, but some others were a little...well...just bad.

The food was excellent, my wife is just plain awesome...our faith community did a fabulous job putting everything together...it was over the top.

Our neighbors that came down were all saying that we need to do this kind of thing more often as a neighborhood and spend more time together. I hope that happens...not necessarily having a huge party all the time, but being able to get together and have a cookout and just hang out together. It will happen...I just wish we would've done something like this in some of the neighborhoods we've lived in in the past...I feel like we have wasted so much time, but it is beginning to happen now and we're loving it.

directions

South Main like you're leaving BG...

Turn left(East) on Kramer Rd(accross from John Deere dealership)
go over I-75 overpass
Turn left(North) on Dirlam Rd
We're the only house on right

Party

Hey,

if you're in town, please stop by for the party this saturday 4:00pm until whenever. The band should be ready to rock with 17-20 songs or so...and we should have plenty of food...

bring a lawn chair and your favorite beverage...

Free Crowder

A few of us from our simple church went down to dayton to see a free concert in the park and my parents even came down and joined us. We had a great time even though the heat was a little unbearable at times...although it was more the sun than the heat, the shade felt wonderful. Frisbees and footballs were definately the game of choice yesterday and the "picnic" we had was pretty good too.

They didn't sound quite like they normally do, but it was still pretty good. I think maybe they were using a rig that was brought in by the park for the concert and not their own set-up. They seemed a little out of sorts from time to time, but you just can't beat a FREE concert in the park on a June saturday afternoon...

I can't be frustrated

I just tried to post and apparently it got lost...why does this happen to me...why does it make me frustrated...

I learned some things today...

I haven't been desperate enough for Jesus to see a whole lot of spiritually significant stuff happen around me...
Jesus still talks to me very clearly even when I haven't been desperate for Him...thank you Jesus
hearing the stories of people out ahead of me on this journey is absolutely essential for my development and the development of our faith community
I cannot live without hearing and experiencing the voice of God

It was a powerful day today...God spoke...very, very clearly...through people to me and inside my own head...it was real...it happens now and again...it had been too long...I am hungry for it...ready for more of it...

I talked to Nick at Cosmos tonight. He will be leaving soon to go home to spend time with his grandpa who is on his death bed...We had a great talk tonight about exchanged life, living the love of Jesus to those around us, finding peace...I asked him if I could pray for him to find peace...he said I could if it would make me feel better...I prayed for him...he is still an atheist...I am praying he won't be for much longer...Jesus, reveal yourself to him...show him your peace...I may never see him again, send someone to him to continue these conversations...

life is good...as my wife says...even when it's bad...it's good...

summer

So, Sara broke her foot...what a way to start summer vacation...she's really doing well with not being able to get around much...although she's just about reached her end with that.

Otherwise things have been pretty good for the first 2 days of summer break. I got out on the bike yesterday and went up to guitar center...I have a gift certificate there from Christmas that I still haven't used...and I still haven't used it...
It is a nice feeling to walk out of a place like that and be able to say that I like my current equipment better than anything I played in there. There is no guitar envy here...
I ordered a set of p-90 pickups a few weeks ago for my les paul...the bridge came in but the neck is back-ordered...I installed the bridge pickup and it sounds great. Customizing this mediocre guitar is going to be fun...

I really need to get back to work on the barn...the siding is calling my name...

the church that meets at our house started a blog...dirlam house is still growing and evolving...it has been good following Jesus with each other...and again, we are stoked about the party on the 24th of June.

oh yeah...my new tattoo

I forgot about one more thing to report on last month...my new tat...
I like atoms...there in everything

Brian did it...He has been doing/being "simple" church for the past 5 years or so...we've had some great conversations and are getting together again soon for some touch up on this tat now that it's healed and for some coffee with another guy interested in this whole "simple" church lifestyle and what is happening in northwest ohio.