Christmas Parties

This was the week for Christmas Parties. Jen and I host the McPherson Christmas Ball, which, we hope, is becoming a Mena tradition. Last year we decided since we already have done much of the work, why not let the kids host a party as well the next night. So this year, again we threw two huge parties. When we got back from Atlanta the preparation started in earnest and soon all the furniture was moved and we were string lights from the ceiling. Within a few days the living room was transformed into a party pad. All in all around 90 people through the house in two days. But it was so cool.

Our party was fun, lots of people dressed up, some of us danced and we generally had a few laughs. Not the least of which centered around a "Naughty" Book purchased at Old Navy for a gag. You can only imagine where all that went. Good times.

The kids on the other hand, really knew how to break it down as you will see in this video. We only had two major injuries. One boy broke out his front teeth on the concrete floor and another little girl got her glasses smashed. Both are o.k. and I don't believe any lawsuits are pending.

Thanksgiving in ATL

We absolutely love being able to go to my home town and stay with my mom and dad. It was great to be home for a short time around Thanksgiving. For us it is so relaxing and fun to be able to hit our favorite shopping places, music stores, and motorcycle shops, as well as our usual restaurants. Plus, there is always something to do.

This particular trip was very full because Jen and I attended the Youth Specialties National Youth Workers Conference at the World Congress Center. It was great as usual. We came away relaxed, very happy to be married to each other and oh yeah, inspired.

Then we had Thanksgiving with the families and really enjoyed ourselves. It's hard because you don't know how much you miss people many times until you are face to face. I need to do a much better job keeping in closer contact with my extended family. We enjoy being together so much, It's sad that we can't more often.

We were strangely attacked by a weird stomach virus after midnight on the night before we left. So with little sleep and "varmitting" kids we took off for Arkansas long before daylight. We made it with no major problems and were excited to be home.

Fun with Friends

God has blessed us with some great friends all around the country. Many of our crew, we can pick up with just like we have never said goodbye and carry on just like old times. For Jen and I, richness of life comes from the experiences you have and the people you love. Our family and friends are dear to us, so we try to make choices accordingly. November was an especially great month with some good memories. One more word on friends, we're real thankful for friends that you can go out with or hang around with and feel comfortable, but probably more important than even that is that you can laugh together. On a night in November, I laughed so hard my face started to ache.

Here are some pics of hanging out with friends and family recently.

2007 Family Highlights

I realize that 2007 is far from over and that we still have quite a few things planned for the next few months, namely, going to Atlanta, Christmas Parties, the big Christmas play and lots and lots of football on the T.V. But I wanted to try to capture just what an amazing year it has been.

As Jennifer and I sat in Huatusco, Mexico back in October of 2006, we discussed what the next year would look like. We already knew some of the travel that lay in front of us and some of the challenges that loomed ahead. We were praying hard about Zeke going to public school and all that this decision would change. It was in these moments that we decided to attempt the big Disney excursion. From there the plan grew and we ended up getting to have an incredible time there during one of our trips to Florida.

When you watch this video of all the places that we have been and all the fun that we had, please know that we give God thanks profusely for all that He has done for us, and for giving us such a blessed year.

CMA Youth Movement in Mexico

Jennifer and I have had the privilege to drive to be with some great students in Huatusco Mexico, both last year and this. It was very cool to be back with them. We are always amazed at their love for Christ and with their hospitality. As I have blogged already, the ride down was long but exciting and rewarding. We stayed at Hotel Los Cocuyos, and again completely enjoyed ourselves. We also had a really fun time wandering around the small city, tramping through the marketplace and drinking some of the best coffee you can find anywhere.

Here are some pics from our trip to Mexico.

Changing of the Colors Rally 2007

Our biggest rally of the year was just a few weeks ago. It was really an awesome experience and we are so glad that so many of our leaders and friends from around the country and world could come by for a while. We had some crazy youth services and some pretty intense times of worship. Here are a few pics, more to follow and videos as soon as I can edit them.

Here are a few pics of the kids that we took just before the craziness of the Rally. They are growing up very fast and we couldn't be any happier with them.

Blogging from the motorcycle

Tonight finds me near the Mexico border in south-south Texas. We are on the CMA Evangelist team building mission trip to assist CMA Mexico...translation: 4 days on Suzuki from Mena, Arkansas to Huatusco, Vera Cruz, Mexico.

This morning when I woke up in Waco, it was pouring rain. So I spent the first half of the day, complaining to myself and being scared. (I hate riding on the highway in the rain). White knuckles doesn't begin to describe it. But as life would seem to teach me, it doesn't always rain. And sure enough, around lunch it stopped. I don't think I can remember a time when I was so glad to see the sun. As I was thanking God for the rain subsiding, I began to shiver. Here I was, ripping down the highway in South Texas, and I am absolutely freezing. The gloves weren't exactly waterproof and wet hands with even the littlest cool temperature make for uncomfortable riding.

The rest of the day went very well, except for a minor arguement between us and our GPS units. We made it into Harlingen, TX really close to the Mexican border and we are spending the night and getting an early jump on it tomorrow. I am so glad to be on the way to Mexico again, even though I am still totally shot from the leadership conference and the Colors Rally. I am also already missing the kids and hate to be away from them. However, Jen and I are looking forward to spending some moments together in Huatusco and Vera Cruz, Mexico.

CMA Youth Movement Summer Fun 2007

Here is a quick video from some of the fun we had this summer with students in the CMA Youth Movement. Changing of the Colors is starting this weekend and we are very excited about alot of friends coming in for the event.

McPherson Clan Alive and Well

Despite all the rumors our clan is still kicking. In fact, kicking hard. God has helped us through a very busy month and blessed us with some really cool moments along the way. We have been heavily involved with school, dance, football, church and oh yeah, work. Still September brought more than a few smiles and good times. The band has been very busy and is playing 6 times this month so we are really enjoying that. We took some pub photos the other week. (real rock stars right?) Here are some pics from recent weeks.