Okay, so I feel IMMENSE pressure with all of these visits each day and nothing new to post.
I've been dealing with a bit of a creative hangover from a couple weeks back, the week of Robbie's death a year ago. I really didn't have much to say. His funeral is now up in case you want to
WATCH IT. It's pretty long and pretty intense but pretty inspiring. My bit comes up second last.
Yesterday I preached a pretty decent sermon. If you're looking for some encouragement it might be of some
HELP.
After 'death week' we had 'shoot week' which means I haven't really existed for the past two weeks. Today I'm doing my best to ease back into a productive week but, seeing as it's 'March Break' I'm going to be hard pressed.
To help me have something to say that didn't require heights of creative achievement I thought I'd use some of the photos I've taken recently to help tell the story.
So, a lil' catch up...
Me 'n two of my four, up in the air at the indoor play place we invaded with the kids from our church. As soon as we got there my kids insisted I climb up with them. Despite my protests (mostly feigned) of "I'm TOO old!" I made my way up with 'em. I found it really nice to be loved like that, to have them insist on my company. That's one of the upsides of having kids (in case you're considering it) they love you enough to make you climb.
These are the kids at the end of the night. Pretty happy bunch. The deal is this. If you come to
THE WELL we do 'small group' once a month. To make that happen we book this wicked-awesome indoor playground and take your kids for a couple hours so they can go nuts and you can get some space to think and hang out with your church family. Free. Good deal right? Come and see for yourself anytime.
One of our Elder Track guys (Jeff Stout) singing in worship. Funny, I just pulled out my phone and took this shot right in the middle of worship. Something we never would have done 5 years ago. It was such a sweet moment I needed to capture it. What was cool about it was that Aaron (our worship leader, pictured in the background above and also below) was going to lead alone 'cause his band was away. Instead of going that stripped-down I got some guys together to sing 'gang vocals' with him and another guitar to play with him. We ended up with five dudes on stage worshipping Jesus together. I heard from several people in the congregation how much they LOVED that approach. Goes to show you that a little creative flexibility can go a long way when needed.
Said Aaron Weafer, practicing before church. Great guy. What I liked about this moment was knowing that he's going through a *very* rough time right now and watching him reach to find the strength and peace he needed to lead well that morning. Man's work I tell 'ya.
Ahh, the bathroom. Used to be a hole in the ground. It's been a year since we moved into our current house. No, it's not been fun to wait a year (having four kids) for a second toilet. No it's not been fun to do (most) of the work myself. However, you do what you have to do and, lest I forget, the house I live in which used to be the worst house on our street is now right up there with the best of them and that's (given the current market situation) given a serious shot in the arm to our net worth, thank you very much. Goes to show you that, sometimes, hard work and patience and the willingness to take the leap even when it feels (very) uncomfortable pay off. My sweet wife could barely leave our last place, and it's been really tough for her living in partial renovation for a year. She made it though, to her credit. Today, when I got back from my 15K bike ride (my legs are NOT happy) and saw my house, I was overwhelmed with thanksgiving.
Pre-shoot production meeting. Thing that was cool about this was realizing that (in some small sense) we've kinda' *made it* a bit, me and my biz-partner. It was 10 years ago that we really decided to try and see if we could 'make it' as a legit production company. Ten years later there we were, getting ready to shoot what would be our 1800th episode (or so...) of television. Every once in a while I experience these moments where I'm reminded of the progress we've made and reminded to be thankful, and humble, and full of peace.
End of shoot week. 12 hour day on my birthday. 38 and feeling like I might not have *completely* screwed the pooch when I decided to try and become a 'for real' writer/producer ten years ago. Gee whiz man, you look fried.
Birthday week. These were my presents. New snazzy shoes. I'll only wear them to preach, or interview. Three new albums 'cause music is 'forever'. Two new sail magazines 'cause sailing is my hobby. 'The Hunger Games' 'cause I needed to see what all the fuss was about. Read it in one day. The fuss is merited if you ask me.
Yesterday. Went out to pick up a few sticks, ended up raking the entire yard. That's what it's like to be me, the hardest part is 'getting me started'. Once I'm *going* I tend to keep going until the job's done, and done right. While sweating my way through the last bit of the raking I was, again, overwhelmed with a deep sense of thankfulness that I have a house that requires raking. I'm one of those dudes who really likes caring for a home, and I have a home. I bless the Lord for that.
Anyway, there you go. The last two weeks in pictures and words.
Love y'all...
T
