Life as it happens...

Oh wow! I haven't posted in quite a while! So, let's see...we'll go backwards!
Michaela danced with L.O.A.D. at competition yesterday, doing her first solo routine, in which she grabbed a Silver award (she was robbed, deserving a Gold, or at least a High-Silver!) for performance and choreography. The group got a High-Gold for competition level Production, Dragon & Sword. Wonderful! I've got it on film, and I'll see if I can find a way to post it here.
Hannah is still full of boundless energy, and playing her new guitar. We're working on rhythm and picking, as her little fingers hurt pushing down the strings to make chords and notes. She had a "date" with a cute boy, Winston, and hopes he'll call again! Ah, to be 6 again!
Diane and I are working on 7 months already, still considered newly weds! We'll be heading up to Yakima for my friend Tony's wedding, in which I am the best man...It's also St. Patrick's Day...when I proposed to Diane and she said "yes!". A truly incredible day in my life, I tell you!
I've decided to answer God's call in my life for a career in ministry. So i'll be talking with one of our pastors to see where to begin. I hope to receive a degree in either Youth Ministry, or Music Ministry in a few years. I know, it's a little late to be going to school for Youth stuff, but the passion burns in my heart for those kids. I'll update this as things happen, and doors open.

Progressive 30 Hour Ski To Jerusalem

yeah, it's been a while, so allow me to catch y'all up with us...

It's been a busy month. Besides Hannah and my birthday, Valentine's Day, and a visit to the dentist, our weekends have been packed! The Sr High Progressive Dinner was the 12th, and we had way more kids than the rigs could hold, so multiple trips were involved. Good food, good comradiere, but no message... should've tied in to 30 Hour Famine*.
Over President's Day weekend, Diane, Michaela, and I went with 33 others to SunRiver for the Entheos Ski Trip. Much fun, Diane and I were the cooks for the trip, but none of our fam' actually skiied (how the heck do you spell that?). Lauren and Paul gave the devotions for the trip, and that was cool. Grace and Mike took care of music, so I didn't even play! The boys had a lot of time to hot tub, and found assorted beer bottles and missing women's clothing by it. Much fun, very tiring...I could retire to Bend.
Next weekend I was part of World Vision's *30 Hour Famine, where 90 of the Jr & Sr Highers fasted for 30 hours, raising over $10,000 for Africa Hunger Relief! We went to a city-wide rally over at Beaverton Christian where the band Freedom Song rocked, and one of our kids (Andre) got noted for raising $1000 all by himself (and his mom)! We got back to LGPC and played Underground Church for an hour, then had a candlelight devotion time in the courtyard. Very powerful...and horrifying...we blew out our candles every 3 seconds, to represent a child under 5 dying of hunger. Then we went to bed. The next day was devoted to a canned food drive for the Oregon Food Band, so we went door to door getting as much as we could on our empty stomachs. The kids also donated $ to stock the food closet at the church, for local needs (which does happen in Lake Oswego!). We made them watch Charlie & The Chocolate Factory after that, which of course caused a lot of whining about being hungry...meanwhile, Kathleen & I actually cooked the dinner, which of course caused me whining about being hungry! Before dinner, we got to shave Pastor Graig's head since we had raised over $10,000, and then he gave us communion to break the fast. I really hope that the weekend stays in the kids' mind, and the point helps them as they look at their own lives. I hope that it stays with me too.
Diane, Michaela, Hannah, and I went to the Walk To Jerusalem dinner last night, where we were served authentic Egyptian food and celebrated walking over halfway to Jerusalem. I turned in about 60 miles so far, and Hannah turned in 56! We haven't figured out Michaela's yet, or turned in Diane's either. But it was fun, and the main course (Kosheri) was great! I ate too much...and after fasting too! Angry stomach last night, I tell you.

Well, that's about it for the last week or 2. March brings new and exciting things, like St. Patrick's Day, commemorating the day I asked Diane to marry me, and Tony & Tara's wedding in Spokane! I'm to be the best man for that! Pictures to follow, I'm sure.

Hannah's Real Birthday

Today was Hannah's 6th birthday, and her step-grandparents, aunt, brother, and cousins came over for dessert and gifts. Diane bought a cake from Cold Stone Ice Creamery, but the highlight of the evening (well, besides all of our oohing and aahing over Cole) was the gift from Diane, Michaela, and I, which was her own pink Barbie acoustic guitar! Apparently, she is allergic to it, cause she sneezed as soon as she saw it. Later, after it was tuned, she realized that learning the guitar can be painful on the fingers. We'll see how long she keeps interest...I personally would like to see her as the youngest worship leader in the recording industry. Grandma Carole & Grandpa Rick got her a couple of Worship Together Kids! albums, so she's got her own "Jesus Music" to listen to in the mornings!

We celebrated my birthday as well, which was the 9th, and I will be losing sleep over the Firefly series, since I just rented Serenity, and now have no excuse not to catch all the episodes beforehand.

Doll House Tea Room

Yesterday we celebrated Hannah's 6th birthday, which is actually the 15th, but the Doll House Tea Room only had openings for the 4th, thus the early party...Hannah says her birthday just came early this year...no argument will sway her either. Anyway, she, 7 friends, and Michaela picked their own princess dresses, shoes, and accessories for the morning, and then the 8 youngun's had their hair done, make-up applied, and nails done by the staff. A fashion show was then held, with take home pictures for each girl. Next they all say at a table (with Hannah at the head) for tea. Everyone had their own little teapot filled with lemonade, and several trays of tea sandwiches (P.B.J. and Ham), cheese, and li'l smokies were shared, each of the girls with their own little "napkin-glove", and Hannah with a bell so that the staff responded to her every whim. A singing birthday cake followed, but that was boxed to come home. Each girl received her own plate of chocolate, jr mints, gummy worms, goldfish, and fruit snacks to dine on. Presents were then opened. The girls returned to their everyday garb, and each received a little gift from the treasure chest at the Doll House to take home, from learning cards, to frisbees, to recorders (like a flute). Truly an enchanted morning, and a chocolate cake for when she gets home...along with the little bell, marking Hannah as the Little Princess that she always knew she was.

Fish Music

Wednesday nights I volunteer with a Middle School/Jr High youth group called: Fish Co. We probably average 70 kids or so per week, we topped out at 117 once! Anyway, the worship team is really coming together. Most of them know a bit of their instrument, but haven't really played in front of a group...or they don't really know it, but have the passion for it and don't mind the 140 eyes on them learning. Either way, it's a blessing. Last night we actually did a sound check, so our levels were good. It was Keenan's (keyboard) 2nd time with us, and he really knows what he's about. Gregg (drums) is getting quite good at keeping the beat, I only have to tap my head occassionally as a metronome. Catie's vocals are good, but the real cool thing is that she harmonizes right on with my voice (since i'm leading). Michael's rhythm on the guitar is improving quite well also...and Jim...he's all over playing the bass. He even sat down with the music and learned the cool riff for Trading My Sorrows. I can't do it. Hannah dances and sings with us when she can, and sometimes brings her own little shaker that she made at Sunday School. For her birthday (the 15th) she asked for her own Kid's Praise CD's. And a pink electric guitar. To go with the pink Barbie drum set. The whole thing just makes me smile.

Acoustic Worship

Sunday night Simone, Mike, Grace, & Jeff led acoustic worship...they were even unplugged. It was a really great set. The 4 were tight, really keeping together as a team. I considered sitting in on the electric piano, but I just recently learned the chords, and still kinda suck. So I was able to hang and listen. I tell you, if we can keep it this together adding bass and keyboard, we could pull of CPYA or something else big like that. That would rock.
I popped in a little thing on Loving the Lord, as He loved us. and the songs really fit. I didn't pick 'em at all, Simone and Mike did. I love it when the realization that the Spirit is with us hits. It makes me lift my hands up and praise His Name all the more. Amen!

Girls & Guitars

Hannah picked up my guitar, as she hopes to get one for her birthday this year. Her little fingers can't quite press down enough for a true note, but her rhythm is spot on. I dug up a picture of Michaela that her dad took a few years back, and just had to put the two of them on here for your edification. Are they sisters, or what?

Ghost Of Hannukah Past

Mom sent me a picture of Hannah and I that she took with her new camera on the 3rd day of Hannakuh. Hannah sang a little Hannukah song (to the tune of I've Been Working On The Railroad) and I played guitar for here. It was really fun!

I also realized that I haven't really updated the growing kittens...well, they're not kittens anymore! Recently, Lucy had her ear bitten by Susan, and now has a tear at the top of her right ear. Poor little girl.

Camp Arrah Wanna

Yesterday we came back from the Jr High Winter Retreat at Camp Arrah Wanna. Yeah, I've heard the joke about the name. We took 32 up, and met several other church's youth groups as well, to total over 150! Much fun, chaos, and message happened in the 3 days we were there, and Lake Grove Pres, dubbed the Minotaurs, came in # 1 on total weekend points (thanks to 3 10,000 point Plinko drops by Rob)! We went tubing on Saturday, and I did an amazingly fast run where I ended up braking with my nose. It still hurts everytime I touch it. Diane came as the camp nurse, and ended up having to sew noone back together...yay! The kids were energetic, and I am just wiped out at this point. But they liked the speaker, Brad Butcher, and got most of the main points. Kudos to Noah and Heather who braved their first Jr High camp as Jr Staff! I'm sure they'll never be the same again! And isn't Diane cute?

In God & Fish

I haven't been blogging much, as my modem was down...actually, the rain got into the outside cable lines, but I like to blame it on the modem...it sounds more technical. Anyway... The new year has hit like hail in the Rockies, and both youth groups are still going strong. I haven't posted much on them, but they're a big part of my life, as I'm there Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday, and now maybe Monday. I volunteer with youth and music, and it's really great. Entheos (In God) is the Sr. High group, and finals have kinda dinged down our headcount, but still a variety of souls everyweek! Fish Co is the Middle School/Jr High group, and we're still having over 80 kids come to that each week! talk about energy! But I love it, and it let's me maintain my immaturity in a healthy way...throwing small teenagers around!

So It Begins

The first Fish Co of 2006 was wednesday, and we had over 80 jr highers show up. That was so cool! We had mucho tacos for dinner, and then all sang a bunch of songs, about Papayas and the Lord (it works, trust me). The Kathleen gave a talk on servanthood, which jives with me, since I am actually a professional Server! We ended things off with Underground Church, although I think we need to reiterate the whole "don't fight back once you're tagged" thing. I caught a foot in the face. But no broken toes this time, and the light was found once, but not twice, so we still have a few secret places it seems! Next weekend is our Winter Retreat and there's already over 30 kids signed up! too bad the jr staff all had prior commitments...it'll be crazy times!

A cool thing happend the next morning. Wednesday night I brought up the electric piano that no one had used for over 2 years. And I found out why. No power cord. I found the seat in an obscure place, but no cords. So in the morning I stopped by Doris' office to see if she might know a secret hiding place for power cords. She didn't, but she rifled through her file cabinets anyways, even though her office had moved in the last year or so. Not finding it, she turned back toward her desk and stopped. Sitting on the center shelf of her book shelf, on a plate with a coffee cup was the power cord. No one had seen it in over 2 years. and it was just sitting there. In the open. We were way excited about that! sometimes there are definite tangible perks to working for the Lord, our God!!! Now, let the good times roll!

The Little Drummer Girl

For the past few years I've been plaguing my siblings by giving my nephews drums, percussion, and the occasional keyboard, along with other assorted loud toys. Not this year though. I turned my guns on myself. For the 3rd day of Hannakuh Hannah received her own Barbie drumset. Clam-happy was she, and we all took turns playing it (my set is at the church) and singing and dancing. It's really fun, but a wee bit loud...whoops! I guess I can't really complain. I actually love it, and it makes me smile when she pounds out a rhythm.

Chrismakkah 2005

Yeah, so The O.C. has nothing on us. Diane is Russian Jew, so we celebrate Hannakuh, and we're Christians, so we celebrate Christmas (just in case you haven't read previous posts). Our decorations are white and blue (for Hannakuh) and we have a Christmas Tree. It's fun. We of course did the family traditions too, this being the first time for our new little family. My extended family on my mom's side all lives in the general area, and we got together at my cousin Jason's house (pics of that soon to come...I forgot the camera...come on Sharon, you're all I've got!) for eating, blind gift exchange, and hang time. I'm notoriously lazy, and tend to not stay in contact with all of my cousins, aunts and uncles, and even grandma. It's too bad, 'cause Diane and I really like hanging with 'em all. Maybe this will be the year to remedy that. Anyways, it was cool, and we got a cool fuzzy blanket that my cousin Cindy made. It's really warm, and matches my orange chair...so of course the girls get it.
We picked up Michaela from the airport last night at about 11:30pm with her bag o' loot from her dad's in California. This morning we drove over to Mom and Dad's for butterhorns and immediate family exchange. Good times. Roan was a happy little camper, Cole flirted with Michaela. Hopefully the folks will start their own blog with the digital camera we got them. We packed up Hannah's unopened gifts and headed home to be there when she got home from her dad's. We did the real-close-immediate family gift exchange and soon had a very Lucy-ish Hannah clad in official Narnia garb. I was stabbed and healed several times. Diane started dinner and I put together Gluwein (hot spiced red wine), and the house began to smell of wonderfull things to come.
Diane is incredible at setting up a dinner party, and the meal was excellent. Grandma & Lad, Mom & Dad, and Kathi came to join Diane, Michaela, Hannah and I for dinner, and some late night Dradle games. Mom ended up winning in the end, but not until the rest of us broke into the bank after Hannah won every single spin in like 10 minutes. Michaela read Hannakuh prayers, and Hannah lit the first candle. 7 more days, and 7 more presents to open...it's not over yet! Much later Grandma and Lad headed home, and Mom wanted to watch The Polar Express, so we huddled down for a couple of hours and let dinner (and apple crisp) digest. Everyone headed home soon after, and the big Clean Up began, starting with setting the coffeepot for the morning (otherwise I'd never get up!). A few hours later, Hannah in bed (no sword), Michaela getting settled back in, Diane finishing the dishes, I came down and wrote this blog.

The End.

Until tomorrow.

The Girls At Christmas

This is my first Christmas with my new family...well, at least officially. Michaela has flown down to California to visit her dad and family for a couple of weeks, and will come home late Christmas Eve...in fact, I think that she's on the same flight as Santa. Hannah is home right now, no school, creating projects, and flying (I swear, no one can run that fast) through the house after the kittens. The kittens are getting fat, and can barely escape. Hannah will be with her dad on Christmas Eve, and will come home for Christmas/Hannukah dinner here. It's quite nice actually. The folks will be coming over, as well as my grandma and her husband, Lad. It should be fun, and red meat will serve us all well. again, this is basically just a post to excuse cute pictures of the girls. I do that.

STAR WARS MARATHON!!!

Yes, today was the long awaited Star Wars Episodes I-VI movie marathon for the jr. and sr. highers of Lake Grove Pres (and friends). At 9 am Jim and I were there with donuts, coffee, and popcorn and 6 Star Wars DVD's in widescreen. The best thing - we weren't alone. The pic here is of those folks there at 9 am (Jeff came 10 minutes later). Hannah came with me, quite excited to see these movies that I love so much. She made it until about 30 minutes into Return Of The Jedi before she fell asleep. We watched them in chronological order, rather than release, just to be different, and to end on a high note. Unfortunately, on the new DVD version of Jedi, they've stuck Hayden Christensen as Anakin at the end when the Jedi ghosts show up. We screamed, outraged at the sacrilege of changing the movie even more...to suit 2 less-than-par flicks at that. But the day was great. We had 8 people (Jim, Noah, Micah, Katie E, Becky, Jeff, Hannah, and myself) stay the full 13 1/2 hours, and 16 others (Kathleen, Drew, Ethan, Maggie, Paul, Kyle, Jessie, Eric/ka, Katey F, Lindsey, Ashley, Brittney, Charlie, Mike, John, and Katie H) that popped in from 20 minutes to 9 hours. Hannah had so much fun, that she drew a picture of her and myself, first with lightsabers ("lifesavers" as she calls them) and then on the couch watching the movies. Truly a successful time, with some commenting (mostly on the incredibly bad dialogue of episodes I-III) and explaining (at least 3 had never watched any of them!), but mostly an attentive group, well fed, and highly entertained.

Snow Day!

I know it's coming. And I know the reaction. It's the same everytime. 6 hours to get from one end of 217 to the other. It's snow. Less than an inch. And Diane and I made the mistake of putting off grocery shopping until today. We parked 4 stores away at WinCo. The line started at the back of the store and took more than 1/2 an hour to get through. Some people saw the line and left their cart, running out into the snow before it was too late. We waited. And the ice started to form. Chains? Yes. In the garage at home. We had the front wheel drive Toyota. And uphill everyway we tried. Almost an hour later we made it within sight of 99W. 20 minutes later we were on 1-5 Southbound. Less than 5 minutes later we were home. Whew! It's-beginning-to-look-a-lot-like/I'm-dreaming-of-a-white Christmas keeps going through my head. We'll see how the week turns out. A safe and warm few days to all!

"...who knows what Christmas is all about?"

Charlie Brown cries out, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” Linus speaks up, “Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.” He walks out to the auditorium’s center stage. “Lights please.” The house lights go down and a spotlight focuses on Linus, clutching his ever-present blanket.

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone ‘round about them; and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them ‘Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign to you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.’”

As Linus finishes he turns and walks back to Charlie Brown waiting in the wings and asserts, “That’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown.” Charlie Brown thinks a moment, and then a smile of comprehension shines from his face. He takes his little tree and exits the building.

O Christmas Tree...

O Christmas Tree, how lovely are your...uh, branches? Well, the house is getting all decorated for Christmas with Hannukah colors...that's right, Diane is Russian Jew, so we celebrate Hannukah and Christmas (since she's a Christian). Hannukah falls on Christmas this year, so it works out quite well. it's amazing how many white lights we've scrounged up so far. It's fun. Meanwhile, I was asked to speak to Entheos (sr. high group) tonight, and spoke on The Promise (see earlier post) and found I'm definitely not alone in getting sidetracked from the Christ in Christmas. I also showed a clip from The Bishop's Wife, where David Niven tells the story of an empty stocking. Guess Who's stocking is empty? Anyway, I just wanted an excuse to post a picture of my wife. Isn't she cute?!

The End Of An Era

A few years ago I came back to Lake Grove Presbyterian on a whim. A random invite from a volunteer with the youth. Now, I had been a volunteer from '92-'99, but had quit to spend time on a failed marriage. So I come in back in '03 and run into Ryan Caldwell. Ryan had been in Jr. High when I was last there, and was now leading music for the groups! I was invited to bring my guitar and plug back in to the worship scene. Ryan introduced me as so old that I had been doing this when he was in Fish Co. I could feel the love...actually, I could. Just as with the countless students who attend Fish Co and Entheos over the years, Ryan made me feel welcome, and helped me to re-engage in worship music, something I hadn't done in 3 years. This post is a tribute to his work in students and leaders lives.

Ryan is wacky. He's always been a little off the beaten track, and being a Christian did little to stray that. But with his new Goal, he embraced our Lord and His work. And it shows to those who meet him. We heard testimonies to how Ryan worked His Love and Gifts into our lives. We also had the "last" Ryan-led worship time, with Jim on bass, and myself on drums. It was great. We three had not ever had time to do it before...I love playing the Lord's Truth!

Ryan is in Joplin, Missouri where he is now a Youth Director himself, under the pastorship of my old youth director, Cliff Mansley, Jr. The church has about 400 members, and a youth group of a dozen. With Ryan's exhuberance, and the Lord's will, great things will happen there. Especially if Tricia is also involved. Her down to earth realism will be an asset to the church there as it was here.

I wish them both well, and God's blessing on their lives. Pray for His work in their wake, and keep in touch at rtcaldwell@gmail.com.