What's New

1) My dad is filming an indie film called "Longshots". In this western, he plays a banker. One notable actor in the movie is David Carradine. You'd know him from the series "Kung Fu" and as host of Discover's "Wild West Tech".
2) The Immanuel Choir is leading worship next Wednesday with Travis Cottrell. Worship starts @ 6:30 on April 8. Its gonna be awesome.
3) On April 15, the Immanuel Choir is premiering a new musical in Pasadena with Bradley Knight. I'm so proud of our choir. They are amazing.
4) "Building Bridges", a modern day look @ God and Man, is April 4 and 5. This Easter drama will help us better understand how the cross and resurrection impact us today.
5) We are having 3 worship services on Easter Sunday morning. 8, 9, and 10:45.

Westcoast Peaches

Let's be honest. While it is true our family has made California home, Jody and I will always have a special place in our hearts for Georgia. I will always be a Georgia Bulldog. We will always pull for the Braves. We will forevermore LOVE sweet tea. And I don't think we'll ever shake our accents...or want to.

With that in mind, it is with much pain and regret that I tell you that Jody is in Georgia right now. She went back to see family and to help throw a retirement party for her dad. The kids and I wish we could be there. We all love Grandpa sooo much. We are so proud of and happy for him.

So, our poor children are having to deal with my cooking this week. But, I'm kind of excited about this week. While I'm missing Jody terribly, it is going to be a great week to spend that extra time with my kids. I've already dominated Caleb on Mario Cart on the Wii, I've won a wrestling match, 3 against 1, and I've gotten dinner cooked. Orange chicken with rice.

I hope its a hit. Check back this week for updates on this crazy adventure.

We ARE BUMgardners

We just hired a gardener b/c we felt bad for him. He couldn't find work. He is amazing. He cuts our grass, trims our trees, fertilizes our yard, weeds our flower beds, leaf blows, edges, and cleans up afterward for $50 a month. What?

The crazy thing is that we have a really hard time communicating with him. He speaks absolutely no English. But, he's a really hard worker. And, we're doing our part to stimulate the economy.
Now, I kbow what you're thinking. "If he speaks no English, are you sure you understood the price right?" Yes, I did. I had an interpreter with me the first time we spoke.

Oh yeah...and his name is Gustavvo. Don't you just love that?!

Recap: 1) we are stimulating economy (I'm not sure who's) by hiring a gardener. 2) he does it all for cheap. 3) his name is Gustavvo.

Jody says our next hire is a house cleaning service. But, I'm holding out for a butler named Jeeves.

Bridges

Have you ever heard the saying "build a bridge and get over it"? Well, that's exactly what we're going to do next weekend @ Immanuel. Saturday and Sunday night, April 4 and 5, be @ Immanuel for Bridges: a modern look at what Easter means for us today.

Do You Hear What I Hear?

It has only been 3 months since Christmas. In fact, Easter hasn't even arrived yet and the Immanuel Choir is already working on Christmas music. You heard me right. I didn't studder.

The reason is because we are premiering a Christmas worship collection @ MusiCalifornia April 15. While many are rushing off to the post office to get their taxes in the mail, we will be getting our fa-la-la-las on in Pasadena with Bradley Knight.

It's never too early to get ready for Christmas...is it?

DLand

Today, Jody and I took the kids to DLand. Its nice being this close because we don't have to worry about getting it all done in a day. That was a good thing today because of the crowds.

We were there for about 3 hours and only rode 2 rides. Such is life during spring break, so no big surprises there. We had a great time.

Tomorrow we may try to hit a beach or something. It's the last day of spring break for the kids, and Jody leaves for GA on Monday. So, we're gonna try to get in a little more family time. Jody's dad is retiring after 36 years on the job and Jody is helping put on the retirement party.

So, I'll be a single father of 3 for the week. And, I'll leave it at that.

The Power of the Cross

What does the power of the cross look like in someone's life? How do we see evidence of God @ work in the lives of His children? Well, there are many ways. But, I want to share an example with you.

There is a man in our church, Dave, who lost his job several months ago. He has done everything he can to provide for his family and keep his head above water. The whole time he has been struggling, he has remained faithful to the church and to choir.

Another man in our church, Bob, lost his job two months ago. He was in need of $150 in order to make ends meet. He too has continued to be faithful @ church and in choir. Needing that money on Monday, he came to church on Sunday, not knowing how God was going to provide.

That day, Dave approached Bob and handed him a check for $156. Dave still has no job. He's still struggling. But, he saw a family in need and knew God could use him.

That's the power of the cross shown evident in the life of a sold out believer. Bob, in this story, had also been blessing others even in the midst of his own struggle. God chose to bless Bob through another man who was in the same situation, just because He could.

What an awesome Father we have! There's just nothing else to say after that.

Hair

In my life time, I have probably changed my hair style a total of 3 times. It's funny to me how a lot of women are constantly changing. I don't really even know what else to say about that. But, I have news:

I am now married to a brunette. What?

The jury is still out as far as she is concerned. We'll see if maybe "it grows" on her over the next few days.

Conference Time

I am serving on a committee with the state convention that is responsible for putting together a conference in November. I talked with Rick Muchow (worship Pastor @ Saddleback) today about speaking @ the conference. I think that's going to happen. I've also contacted Tommy Walker about coming in to lead worship for us. I am praying that's going to happen.

I'll keep you updated. Rick Muchow is the man, and I'm so blessed to call him my friend. He has definitely made an impact on me and my ministry. Thanks, Rick for helping me and the rest of the guys put this awesome conference together!

The Measure of a Man

True integrity is seen when nothing is on the line and the fewest amount of people are impacted. What decisions are we making and how consistent is our character when there is no spotlight on the decision we are making? Do you take the most beneficial road, or do you choose the honorable path?

Friends for Dessert

Each month we celebrate the Immanuel Choir members' birthdays @ our house. Tonight, we have all of the March birthday boys and girls coming over. Jody has made a gingerbread cake with orange cream glaze, chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate CHUNK cookies, and a chocolate mousse pie. Its all good.

I love birthdays. Even when they're not mine.

Weekend Review

1) I had a guy mow my yard for me on Saturday. The first time I've ever done this before. I sat on my couch watching basketball cheering the fact that I didn't have to work in the yard. Will this continue? Hmmmmm......
2) Went to Buca di Beppo for dinner Saturday night. We ate at a table in the kitchen. They showed us every dish that went out and we watched them make it. It was pretty amazing.
3) I caught up on American Idol, since I had been out of town last week. My favorites are still Danny, Michael, and Matt.
4) Worship @ Immanuel was amazing Sunday. Our people seemed to be connecting on all levels. They were singing out, both outwardly and inwardly worshiping, they were responding to the preaching. It was awesome!
5) I ate lunch at "Dickey's Barbeque" Sunday afternoon. One word; YES!

Trouble Sleeping?

Have you ever had one of those nights when you were so exhausted that you couldn't wait to get to sleep? One of those nights that when your head hit the pillow you were gone? One of those nights that only 3 hours after you crashed one of your children woke you up? One of those nights when that child took everything You had to give before you could get them back to bed? One of those nights thay even though you were exhausted you were now wide awake and couldn't go back to sleep again, and as a result would spend your wonderful Saturday drained and tired?

Have you ever had one of those nights? Yeah, me either.

The Queen's Royal Review

As Rob and I stepped into the Queen Kapiolani Hotel in beautiful Waikiki, Hawaii, we were transported back to the time of faded floral print carpet and stained curtains. Things were much simpler then. In those days, vacuuming was not a problem because they didn't. Today, that tradition continues. The staff goes to great lengths to make sure you carry sand on your feet from around the world back to your room with you.

Old paitings hang around the hotel of kings of old. The Queen herself is immortalized on various walls, as well, as she seems to watch your every move. Even the staff seem to carry on the lore of the queen as they stare at you as if to say "off with their heads". So thrilling! I believe this is done to make you, as a guest, to feel as though you are next on the list for a trip to the volcano as an offering to the gods. Whaat an honor!

The room itself continues the mystique. The bathroom floor is chipped up and stained as if great Hawaiian warriors have trod there, chipping the floor with their powerful and rugged toenails. Infact, the shower curtain itself holds the evidence of those who have gone before you.

I was amazed at their ability to give you a spa treatment in the convenience of your own room. As you sleep, you receive a full skin exfoliation as the sheets and blankets rub against you. They are rough enough to remove those undesirable skin cells, yet soft enough not to make you bleed.

It is very close to the beach. With that in mind, I give The Queen a Royal review indeed! This reviewer gives the Queen 3 horn toots, each of them self produced.

(This review may or may not be the opinion of other occupants of room 501 at the Queen and were intended with absolutely NO sarcasm...kinda.)

Queen Kapiolani Review

While in Hawaii Rob and I stayed @ a hotel to try it out for the group. Check back tomorrow for my review. It was insanely crazy!