It's official

We were able to go up with a couple of crock pots of food this past Sunday and share a meal with some folks at the transition houses. That was an awesome experience and we're looking forward to making that a regular thing. Some of the guys seemed a bit skeptical of us at first, but they were very grateful. We really hope to develop some friendships through all of this, I was able to talk to a few guys and get to know them just a little bit. Bernard also took Adam, Justin and I down to the building that will be somewhat of a "community center" just down the street from the two "landing pad" men's houses and it is going to be incredible once the work is done. 10 apartments and a huge "community room" downstairs for people to be able to rest, hand out, play pool, work out...etc...it's going to be something else. We're also hoping to get up there and work with Melvin the project manager on the building itself as the plans and money allow.

Life is good, we're getting further outside of ourselves and we're finding life there.

?

Not sure what to write, but I was sitting here checking email and whatnot so I thought maybe I should put some thoughts down.

We are continuing to plan for the community worship event up here, but we're still waiting on confirmation of the venue before we can do much else. Waiting sucks sometimes.

Band practice last monday was rough...really rough...two weeks off among other things just kinda threw us for a loop.

Had a conversation at lunch yesterday about world hunger and why the US seems to do more for other countries than for its own. I didn't really agree with that assessment...we don't seem to be doing much for anyone really. I shared a few facts and figures of hunger in the world and then asked what we were going to do about it...just sit here and bitch and moan about it, or DO something about it. I'm not going to let this one go...I think people want to make a difference, but are completely ignorant as to how they can. I think I'll bring some information in on Monday so we can take a look and see if B lunch at Napoleon High School wants to play a part in the eradication of hunger. If we continue to think that what little we CAN do won't make a difference then we'll NEVER do anything at all...

54 degrees yesterday on the way home...it really felt good

Blowing up hydrogen balloons in physical science and rocking my end of the building is always a treat...

Fixed my washburn acoustic(the best acoustic ever designed and built IMO)this morning...I thought I was going to have to take it to the shop, but I stumbled upon the perfect fix...thanks Jesus

Modern Times, the new album by Bob Dylan is pretty good...

My telecaster sounds sooooo good...

JT is out of the hospital after a whole week of being there...he was in with a blood clot in his leg, his blood needs to be thinned because he has a gene mutation causing his blood to be too thick. He also found out that due to the thinners he probably won't be able to get any more ink...I may have to get some more on his behalf. Half sleeve maybe?

Mike, Jon, and I have been meeting for LTG sort of while working out...going deeper is always good. Jon just decided to follow Jesus a few weeks ago, so this is a big deal for him to be in the word with us. I'm just praying for direction as far as how quickly to move into deeper things.
Being involved in a couple of LTG's right now is really the first REAL discipleship relationships I've been in since high school. Reading, learning, sharing, and praying with people on a regular basis is essential to our development as disciples. Too often we've left that up to the individual, the Sunday school class/bible study or the pastor...I'm finding that meeting with 2 or 3 in an LTG can accomplish something that none of the above can(not that they in themselves are bad). Meeting with 2 or 3 in this way is really the most basic expression of what it means to be the church. Simple and reproducible...it is a must

The Lenten reading we're doing for LTG right now is driving me crazy since it jumps around so much. I've become so accustomed to reading 3-5 chapters a day in the same place that I am having a very difficult time jumping around and not being able to settle in to a text. I think it is good for us to break things up to a point, but I'll be ready to get back to reading in big chunks again...it just helps so much with the big picture.

Jesus, thank you for life...for this simple life you've called us to.