PRAYER

So it's been a while but Christmas and getting back to work have kept me away from the blog. But I'm back now. Something neat happened the other day. I was at work and returning a call to Acquire the Fire about their upcoming program. As I was finishing the call, the girl I was talking to asked me if I had any specific prayer requests. I asked her to pray for my kids during the new year and especially for our upcoming ski retreat. Instead of just saying she would keep us in our prayers, she asked if she could pray with me right then. And she did. And what a woderfully uplifting experience it was to have someone pray for you over the phone right in the middle of a busy and mundane day at the office. It is so important to find time in our hectic lives to just slow down and just feel God's presence. I have not been really been doing that lately yet the Lord puts me into contact with a complete stranger who reminds me what is important. Getting back to basics and spending time with our Lord through prayer.

And speaking of prayer, my prayers certainly go out to the victims of the horrible tragedy in southeast Asia. The sheer numbers of dead being reported and the television video is just so horrible and unimaginable. There is for many people here a feeling of wanting to do something to help but feeling helpless. I urge everyone to offer whatever they can--whether it be money or needed supplies--to the Red Cross or Church World Services or other relief organizations. I know it may sound trite, but there is opportunity there for the world to come together and put aside religious, cultural, and other differences and get unified to help our fellow man in need. My prayers are with the families of the victims and the families around the world who are still trying to find information about their missing loved ones. And my prayers also go out to relief workers whose work is so important and difficult.

LUMINARIES

We are setting up luminaries at church today at 2:00. Nice weather for that. Except not! But I got 100 pounds of sand so I'll be there rain or shine. I have to go back Christmas Eve to light them before the Christmas Eve service. That starts at 7:00 and I hope we have a good crowd. Today is December 23 and that means brunswick stew for my family. I hope Cameron likes it!
Hey K, comments should be open to all now so fire away!

FIRST POST

OK...Starting out short and sweet. Merry Christmas to everyone out there reading this.