Sunday, August 31, 2008

What do you pray for?

Gustav 2008


Hurricane Gustav appears to be headed for a Louisiana landfall sometime tomorrow. As a Cat 3 hurricane with 111-130 mph winds as well as the potential for torrential rains it would appear that some amount of destruction and flooding will occur and that prospect makes me wonder what types of prayers have been lifted up over the past several days. Does one pray that the storm misses your location so it impacts someone else? Does one pray that the storm subsides contrary to the natural forces of our created world? Just what does one pray for in times of impending natural disasters? Some of my prayers have been...

...for the safety & patience of those fleeing the storms impact areas.

...for wisdom for those in leadership positions as their decisions will impact those whom they are entrusted to care for.

...for the safety and courage of those policemen, firemen, medical personel and soldiers who are in harms way and mobilized for disaster relief and assitance.

...for safety & protection for those caught in the more violent portions of the storm.

...that Gods love will be revealed through the charity, kindness and actions of all His believers.

...for comfort & peace for those who are scared worried and anxious about loved ones.

...that God will use me, my skills, my gifts, my resources to bless others.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

2008-UCF Moving Adventure

This past weekend the family took a trip to Orlando to get Ashley settled into her dorm at the University of Central Florida (UCF). The trip went well and we even squeezed in a visit to Downtown Disney Saturday night. Sunday morning we went to services at Metro Church and then had a nice visit and lunch with my sister Gail. Finally we got Ashley moved in late Sunday evening and then went back Monday morning to visit before heading home.

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-Leaving Saturday-
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-Moving in Sunday-
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-Leaving Monday-
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For some more pictures of Ashley's room and dorm click here.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Welcome Home!

Ashley and Andy C. arrived home tonight from their trip to Selva Algre, Ecuador. Needless to say Tammy, Amanda & I are very happy that they are home safe and sound.
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Well, Ashley's return also highlights the fact that summer 2008 is rapidly coming to an end. This Saturday we hit the road for Orlando and the UCF campus. Sunday afternoon we will help Ashley move into her dorm room in the Nike/Hercules Communities and then Monday afternoon we will come back home.
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UCF - Nike/Hercules

And lastly, Amanda will head back to FSU and her Junior year next Thursday at which point Tammy & I will get to officially join the "Empty Nesters" club.

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Ecuador part 2 (Happy Jungle Bound)

This morning Ashley and Andy C. left for their second trip to Ecuador this summer. They are headed to Atlanta Hartsfield and then the Miami International Airport where they will hook-up with Adam K. and a group from the SouthLake Church. The group will then head to Quito, Ecuador arriving around 7pm CST. Finally a 2 hour bus trip will see them to the Hacienda of Hope and a place to sleep for the night.




Thursday the group will travel to Selva Alegre, Ecuador where they are going to spend a week helping in the rennovation/construction a facility for a small local congregation. According to a friend who was born in Ecuador Selva Alegre means "Happy Jungle".