We were very blessed to be able to make the trip to Atlanta for the Thanksgiving Holiday. It was just the greatest time. Jennifer and I made a quick run to Nashville and hit the Youth Specialties National Youth Workers Conference. It was a blast as always. During that time though we missed (very sadly) my cousin Marni's wedding. My parents, however, allowed the kids to stay with them and Abby was actually in the wedding. (click on the picture to see pictures of her in the dress she wore at the wedding)
After the wedding, we were back from Nashville and it was thanksgiving. There were some great pictures from the Monroe family thanksving at Mark and Carla's. Most of the pics, like the one here were taken by the boys when they hijacked the camera. They absolutely love to play with the cousins. I am sure that if Zeke and Joby, Tyler and Tanner were in closer proximity, we might get more footage for America's Funniest Home Videos. (We are looking forward to heading back to Atlanta in the Spring.)
As always we had a wonderful time with my mom and dad in Atlanta. We always hit a few of our favorite restaurants, visit the dollar theater and hit every store in Cobb County. It was a great thanksgiving and can't wait until Christmas.
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Returning to Subiaco - Sunday Afternoon
I can hardly believe that I am back at Subiaco Abbey. It’s only been a year but to me it seems as if we’ve circled the globe since then. Getting ready to leave was especially hard this year. It seems that as I began to get ready, all I could think of was the things that I would be missing while I was gone. All the fun I wouldn’t be having with Jen and the kids, all the time that a week represents in the lives of your loved ones. Even all the Football games I wouldn’t be seeing, all the TV and movies I wouldn’t be seeing and all the work that I wouldn’t be getting done were on my mind.
The ride up to Subiaco from Mena was nothing short of spectacular. The sun was shining, the wind was calm, and the temperature was right around 70. The leaves have exploded into the brightest colors that I have ever seen. Riding a motorcycle through the hills on a perfect afternoon like this was an experience all to itself. As I cruised along, I saw reds so bright it seemed that they were glowing, yellows and oranges the colors of squashes and pumpkins. Large-moss covered craggy rocks appeared to be upstaged by the brilliant display of color on the hills beside them. I inhaled in really slowly and tried to freeze-frame that picture in my mind. The curvy ‘pig trails’ were fun and the scenery was stunning.
It was interesting for me when I began to realize that only a week ago, the leaves on the trees didn’t look like they did today. I also know that in a month from now they won’t look the same either. It was almost as if God had splashed the hillsides just for me. At least that is what it felt like. When you ride through the back roads and you pass very few cars you begin to get a feel for just how huge God’s creation is, and just how small you are. You understand that you are only a spec in the great universe that God set up. And yet, you feel, rather, you know, in your heart, that somehow you are the focus of the entirety of it all in His eyes. You get a feeling that the eyes and the hands, even the kiss of God are on you as you fly through his creation. I imagined the trees all decked out in their finest colors watching and waving for the moment that I passed by them. Then I pictured them conversing with each other, “There he goes…something is definitely happening in that one…may he have a blessed week.”
I struggle to maintain my humility in life and to always keep my importance in proper perspective before Christ, but for a moment today, I felt that the Father was acting as if he was attracted to me. For what reason I don’t fully understand. But I kind of like the fact that there seems to be a sparkle in the eyes of the Father for me his son. A willingness to have the trees even ‘dress to the nines’ to bring me joy.
The ride up to Subiaco from Mena was nothing short of spectacular. The sun was shining, the wind was calm, and the temperature was right around 70. The leaves have exploded into the brightest colors that I have ever seen. Riding a motorcycle through the hills on a perfect afternoon like this was an experience all to itself. As I cruised along, I saw reds so bright it seemed that they were glowing, yellows and oranges the colors of squashes and pumpkins. Large-moss covered craggy rocks appeared to be upstaged by the brilliant display of color on the hills beside them. I inhaled in really slowly and tried to freeze-frame that picture in my mind. The curvy ‘pig trails’ were fun and the scenery was stunning.
It was interesting for me when I began to realize that only a week ago, the leaves on the trees didn’t look like they did today. I also know that in a month from now they won’t look the same either. It was almost as if God had splashed the hillsides just for me. At least that is what it felt like. When you ride through the back roads and you pass very few cars you begin to get a feel for just how huge God’s creation is, and just how small you are. You understand that you are only a spec in the great universe that God set up. And yet, you feel, rather, you know, in your heart, that somehow you are the focus of the entirety of it all in His eyes. You get a feeling that the eyes and the hands, even the kiss of God are on you as you fly through his creation. I imagined the trees all decked out in their finest colors watching and waving for the moment that I passed by them. Then I pictured them conversing with each other, “There he goes…something is definitely happening in that one…may he have a blessed week.”
I struggle to maintain my humility in life and to always keep my importance in proper perspective before Christ, but for a moment today, I felt that the Father was acting as if he was attracted to me. For what reason I don’t fully understand. But I kind of like the fact that there seems to be a sparkle in the eyes of the Father for me his son. A willingness to have the trees even ‘dress to the nines’ to bring me joy.
Off to the Abbey
It was a very busy weekend. The Fastlane Rally on Iron Mountain was a smash. We had a great group of riders and everybody seemed to have a really good time. Ramon (our friend from South Africa) put on an incredible stunt riding show in the streets of Mena. (We had them shut down of course) We captured some great video from this weekend and I think that the ministry to sport bike riders is poised at a very important growth moment. Possible 2006 we see a large growth in the areas that we are presently reaching into.
Later on Saturday Night, I played some music with the band that we threw together. It's always fun to get a chance to play the harp with some good musicians. Sunday Morning we blessed all the bikes (and riders) that were present and then pretty much everyone left.
It was time to take my sabbatical again, and I was more than ready to head back to Subiaco Abbey. This year the weather was really nice, so I took a ride on one of the ministries Goldwings. In the picture here, we had just had lunch in Mena, and I was telling the kids bye. (They love to climb and ride on the bike.)
As it turned out, even though I really love my sport bike, I was a little surprised at how wonderfully the big Goldwing handled in the curvy mountains. And it was sooo comfortable. I will definitely be looking for more opportunities to travel on that bike.
Later on Saturday Night, I played some music with the band that we threw together. It's always fun to get a chance to play the harp with some good musicians. Sunday Morning we blessed all the bikes (and riders) that were present and then pretty much everyone left.
It was time to take my sabbatical again, and I was more than ready to head back to Subiaco Abbey. This year the weather was really nice, so I took a ride on one of the ministries Goldwings. In the picture here, we had just had lunch in Mena, and I was telling the kids bye. (They love to climb and ride on the bike.)
As it turned out, even though I really love my sport bike, I was a little surprised at how wonderfully the big Goldwing handled in the curvy mountains. And it was sooo comfortable. I will definitely be looking for more opportunities to travel on that bike.
Return to Blogging
Every 3 or four months I completely fail to blog. You might even think that nothing happens to us when I don't blog, but in fact life does continue to happen. I will try in the next few posts to cover the last few months in our lives. But all of this missed blogging begs a deeper point. Why don't I stay current with my blog?
Probably the same reason why I don't always take the trash out when it gets full. Probably the same reasons why I don't make all the calls that I should. Probably the same reason why I don't paint, draw, write or play music as often as I want to. All of these symptoms probably stem from the same problem, yet I am having a real difficulty deciding what it is.
Oh well, maybe I'll figure it out tommorrow.
Probably the same reason why I don't always take the trash out when it gets full. Probably the same reasons why I don't make all the calls that I should. Probably the same reason why I don't paint, draw, write or play music as often as I want to. All of these symptoms probably stem from the same problem, yet I am having a real difficulty deciding what it is.
Oh well, maybe I'll figure it out tommorrow.
Friday, November 04, 2005
Fastlane Rally
This weekend is very exciting here at Iron Mountain. We are hosting the first Sport Bike Rally for CMA. Here are a few videos that we have put together for this event. (Fastlane Promo) (How Not to Ride a Sport Bike)
Learning from the little
Life has been exactly what we have made it for the past month. Thank God for all the opportunities that He has given to us. We have enjoyed the Changing of the Colors Rally and all the ministry and friends that we have been apart of for the last 6 weeks. But at this point we are all pretty spent.
As I was going through old video that was on the camera I found this little bit of Zoe dancing in the living room. And it taught me something. I won't tell you what it is, but maybe you can guess. Watch it for yourself here.
As I was going through old video that was on the camera I found this little bit of Zoe dancing in the living room. And it taught me something. I won't tell you what it is, but maybe you can guess. Watch it for yourself here.
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Video Clips from Fire on Iron Mountain
Here are a few quick video clips from the fire on Iron Mountain.
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
All Dressed Up and looking for some Candy
The kids put on their costumes and we hit the Fort Smith Mall and did the store to store trick or treat thing. (It was raining most of the day) We had a great time and of course, came back with lots of candy.
Fire on Iron Mountain
Yesterday, they burned a huge pile of brush on the other side of the property. This afternoon while we were working, the wind must have picked up some embers and the fire started into the forest on Iron Mountain. Within an hour it had crept up the hill and was threatening the house. The Volunteer Fire Department came to the scene and got to work. It was pretty quickly determined that the house was not in danger and that the fire could be controlled. However, at the time of this post, the fire has been burning for at least 10 hours and is still going. Check out the photo stream for more pictures of the fire near our house.
Monday, October 24, 2005
Worshipping at the Youth Movement Services
We had the most awesome time at the Colors Rally with the students that came from different places all over the country. There were probably around 160 students plus adult leaders, from the states and a few from CMA Canada and Mexico. God really blessed us with a great week and we couldn't believe all the amazing things that were happening. There were 15 students who committed to follow Jesus for the first time and literally hundreds of opportunities to pray and share with kids. Jen and I did three seminars, one on parenting, one on Youth Ministry and one on motocross outreach.
We are now completely exhausted but very happy with all that has happened.
We are now completely exhausted but very happy with all that has happened.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
