David Wilcox, Staff Retreat & Date Night

What a week.  First, my dream concert came to fruition...David Wilcox playing in the building I work in!  Over the top fantastic.  As if that weren't enough, a few of us were hanging out and cleaning up The Grove afterwards, when we mentioned to David that he didn't play one of our new favorite songs.  His response?  "Would you like me to play it for you now?"  It was like Alice Cooper inviting Wayne & Garth backstage.  Again, over the top fantastic.  So there about 10 of us sat, whilst David played not one, but two songs just for our little impromptu concert.  Amazing.  That was the end of a phenomenal Wednesday evening (see pics off to your left).

Thursday brought the student ministries staff departing for Anna Maria Island for our planning retreat.  Tired but inspired by the previous nights concert, we plowed through 2 1/2 days of evaluating, dreaming and planning for next year.  I am confident that this next year could be our best yet.  Great ideas.  Great honesty.  Great enthusiasm.  Great team-building. 

Full weekend and the start of another week. 

Now it's Tuesday and Heather and I had our weekly "date night."  We spent the evening over good food and great music.  What music you ask?  Well, we have a little recording of last week's concert (with permission of course), and it turned out so well.  All 21 songs captured in crystal clear fashion.  So after dinner Heather and I just drove listening and reliving the concert.  I have issues.  I know.  But even more beautiful than the music is the connection Heather and I have in terms of what we value.  We spent our time conversing about how we couldn't imagine not being moved by the kind of things that move us.  Not to be elitist, but rather we are so thankful that we have each other and that we care deeply about the same things.  Does that make sense?  It's one of those deeply comforting and life-giving feelings that you know comes from the giver of all good things.

peace.

Aunt Andie Visit

Download syd_mellow.mov

Well Aunt Andie was in town tonight for a work-related conference, but we all got to hang out tonight at the Mellow Mushroom.  It was great to see Andie again...it's been too long.  Sydnie did her best to show off her new "moves" and "tricks."  I've posted a little video from the evening.  Click the picture or the link above to start the video.  Also, there is a new photo album for your viewing pleasure entitled "Aunt Andie Visit"...please keep the "Jamie, you look so much younger without your gotee" comments to a minimum.  Unless however, the alternative comment is "Jamie you look so much fatter" then please make the aforementioned comment.  Thanks much!  Peace.

Sydnie, Friends & a Puppy!

So you can peruse the "SYDNIE MAY '05" picks to your left. You can see Sydnie lounging in the pool with her good friend Ava. You can see her with her friend Jessica Sweet (moving back to FL in July). You can also see her with Denali, her new cousin! Brian and Kirsten are very excited. Not much else to report on, other than the fact that the Wilcox tickets are selling out quickly. Peace.

Wilcox is coming, Wilcox is coming!

June 8 at The Grove.  Unbelievable.  Get your tickets online at http://thegrove.ocministry.com

Right click here and download a free song (don't worry, it's from his site, so you're not stealing...I wouldn't want you to steal from Dave).

Mom's Day and Bike Ride

Great day hanging out as a family.  It was fun to honor Heather for being the great mom that she is.  Sydnie is lucky.  It was also nice to actually have a free Sunday evening which allowed us to bust out the bike trailer we bought pre-Sydnie birth.  She is now old enough to use it, so we bought her a cool pink helmet (pink is the new black, in case you didn't know) and off we went.  She loved it.  So far we are perfect in the recreation category with her--she loves being in the backpack while hiking, loves kayaking and now loves biking.  Granonla baby is coming along quite nicely.  Anyway, I've posted some Mom's day pics to your left for your viewing enjoyment.  Peace. 

She's Walking...well, sort of.

In just the past couple of days Sydnie has really taken to trying to figure out the whole walking bit.  She is getting it, which is amazing to behold.  Plus she's had some cool wipe-outs as well.  Anyway, here's the link to the video footage.  Enjoy

Sydnie's First Steps

You will need the free Quicktime player to view this clip.  Click here if you need it.

Random thoughts at the start of a new week

First, Sunday brought to close the Equpping Center class I have been teaching at Orangewood for the past 8 weeks.  We have been exploring what it means to reach out, without selling out in today's postmodern context.  It was fascinating--at least I thought it was.  It was such an interesting topic to dialogue about, especially in a church that desires to reach postmoderns, but is not comprised of a majority of them.  Does that make sense?  Overall I was very encouraged by people's receptiveness to enter into this dialogue and to look honestly at what things we currently do well as The Church and what things we could stand to change.  Sad our time is over, yet I am looking forward to being back with my high school students.

Second, I BLAME ADAM.  The past two weekends (with a slight hospital interruption) was spent in remaking our front yard.  Killed off the weeds.  Tilled the ground.  Layed new sod.  Planted new flowers, shrubs, and other various forms of foliage.  Still have mulch to lay and a few other random things.  Though it looks great now, and things are drastically improved the freaking "fall" is going to ruin it all.  It won't look perfect for very long.  The weeds will come.  It will be work.  The curse is upon us.  I know some people find this whole "subduing creation" thing to be life-giving, but I am not one of those people.  I have a greater respect for those that work the land for their sustenance. 

Third, David Wilcox may be coming to The Grove this summer!  How fantastic would that be?  I sent in the contract offer yesterday...I will be sure to let you know if it comes together.  Our hope is that it would be sponsored by the OCM college ministry (http://ocministry.com) and that it would serve as a kickoff to the building being seen as more of a venue to encourage the arts.  The Grove website is currently under construction, but you can check it out at http://thegrove.ocministry.com

peace.