Basketball

Olivia has just started in basketball camp for the first time and I think our lives is going to get officially crazy for the next couple of months. We have practices now on Monday nights and then she will play a game on Saturday. She really seems to enjoy it and she has the height for it. (Definitely didn't get that from me.) I really feel strongly that activities are good as long as you don't have too many activities. Olivia had the choice between basketball or cheer leading camp this winter. We would not allow her to do both simply for the reason that as a family it is important that you keep your sanity. She chose basketball all on her own. (Which I was excited about.) I see too families having somewhere to go every night of the week and I really feel that it is unhealthy. Families need time to connect with one another relationally and we cannot do that if we are constantly going from place to place.

I am excited to see how the next couple months will go and by the way, Olivia's team name is "Crusaders". Go Crusaders!!!!!

Annual Meeting

Last night we had our annual meeting and what a wonderful night it was. I have been in some nightmare annual meetings in my years in ministry. Last night was was definately not a nightmare but a dream come true. I gave people the opportunity to share testimonies from this past year and what an awesome thing it was to hear all that God is doing in people's lives. It was also so cool to hear how the church has impacted many of them in different ways. It makes it worth it all when you hear stories of how people have been touched. I shared with everyone last night a word that I feel that God spoke to me in September. I don't feel that God speaks prophetically that much to me but I know that I heard God speak to me on this occasion. I felt God say that if we continue to do what we are doing and obey and follow Him that what we see now will be nothing compared to what we see in the future. I believe this and accept from Him. I am excited about this year and I believe that this will be a year of growth. I spoke yesterday about our plan to go into a 40 day spiritual renewal and fast. I want encourage everyone to give up something for God starting on Feb. 10th and continue to give it up until Easter. During that time I would like us to read the entire New Testament and seek God like never before. If we honor God in this, He will honor us back. I want us to be spiritually prepared for what God wants to do this Easter and Spring. I am believing God for a great harvest and would like you to agree with me on this. I am looking forward to seeing what God is going to do in the months ahead.