It is amazing what can happen in a week.

This time last week we were just getting home from a week’s vacation.  We were relaxed, excited to be together as a family once again and ready to come home.

Once we got home we got acclimated to home life again, we got back to reality and it has been crazy!

This week I have experienced many different aspects of what it means to be a Pastor — I have been walking with people through different life experiences, those with whom life has given to much to handle, to those who have experienced loss in their life, to those who are helping me plan the next chapter in the life of the church.  It has been a crazy, but good week of ministry.

As I posted, my blog has taken a whole new look (not on purpose).  I still have a lot of work to do in order to get the blog to a place where I am completely happy with it.  But I think it is taking shape.  My biggest problem is importing my posts from November of last year.  I have them saved in my Google Reader, and the only way I know how to retrieve them is by cutting and pasting.  Not the best way to import them but it is better than completely losing all that work.

Now that I have caught up some at work, I hope to finish getting things ready at the church for the fall.  It is going to be a busy and fun time at  St. Mark’s.

I realize that I have been in a funk for awhile when it has come to blogging — actually most of my writing has taken a hit the last few months.  I think part of that is that I have been in a weird space lately.  But I also have been working on my preaching.  I have been putting more and more time in to preparing my sermons and I think that has taken time and energy away from other projects.

But now it is summer, so weekly Bible Studies have taken a hideous, Sunday adult forums are done until September and I can relax and catch up with lots of projects that have been sitting on my desk.

Here are some random thoughts to bring you up to speed with my life:

BIRTHDAY

On June 21st……I turned 32

It wasn’t one of the “major” birthdays….like 13, 16, 21 ect.  Actually come to think about it I did not even mind turning 30.  For me 31 was much harder,  I felt that I officially entered my 30′s when I turned 31.

It does feel like yesterday I was having my birthday at the “Dream Machine” arcade in Rutland, Vermont.  Then the next thing I know I am in NY, married, with two kids, a dog, two cats, a house to take care of and a professional job.  Where did the time go?  But you know what? I would not want it any other way.

For my birthday I upgraded my phone from an iphone 2G  to a iphone 3GS and I LOVE the 3GS.  I know that the 4G just came out but I am glad that I waited in getting it.  My wife’s line is still eligible for upgrade (since I gave her my 2G) so perhaps Christmas I will be getting the 4G.  We will see…..

CONFIRMATION CAMP

Last week I was the director of the local Confirmation Camp at Vanderkamp Center.  Confirmation Camp is an extension of our Confirmation Ministry at St. Mark’s.  It is a week long program and it is fantastic.  I will be sharing more about this program soon.  I have a ton of stories to share and reflections by some of the kids that were heart warming.

That’s what has been going on the last couple of weeks in my life.  I am back in the game right now.  I hope to offer more insight on the life of the church, leadership in the church and personal reflections from my family life.

Mental/Emotional Life I have not been in the “right space” to seriously blog lately.  I have posted some great video’s and pictures but my content has been lacking.  As things settle down in my head I hope to share more about that…..but in general my mental and emotional feelings have not been good.  I enjoy my life, my job, and my family — but I feel like I am at [...]