That's a wrap...

Lots of tears were shed this weekend (some of which were mine), but our time has now come to a close. Friday was my farewell (and my birthday, I might add) and I just want to say that my students and leadership team rock! They did a "wicked awesome" (some student terminology for you) job on the whole night.

I truly count it a privelage to have worked with them over the past 5 1/2 years. It really is sad to say goodbye, but we rest in the memories and knowing that we'll probably see them again. (Some of them sooner, rather than later, as they plan to invade our house one weekend in November.)

We're now technically on holiday (or "vacation", for my American readers) until the end of November. We get 4 days in the mountains for a retreat with the other pastoral staff (and spouses) which will be a great way to say goodbye to them.

I don't think that this has all sunk in for me. It might not fully hit me until the U-Haul pulls away from what has been our first home. We'll be "temporarily homeless" and we sometimes wonder when (or if) we'll have our own place again. I can't tell you exactly what our life will look like one month from now, nevermind 6 months.

This isn't normal...but we'll manage.

Boxes, boxes everywhere...

I had no idea I had collected this much junk in my office. Ok, so it's not all junk. I actually have some good books on my shelf...some of which I have actually read.

I also never figured it would be this much work to get things ready to leave. Besides packing books & shelf-toys in th boxes, I've got to change email accounts, change contact info at a bunch of places (many of which I'll actually forget to do), pass off all the website info for 2 websites...

Oh, and look...I just found some money...why on earth do I have American coins in my desk?!?!

On top of all that, my desk looks the same as it has for the past 5 1/2 years: a total mess! Maybe I should actually clean it before I leave. Hmmm...now there's a thought.

Tomorrow is our farewell. Our students & leaders are planning it, so it should be both hilarous and completely embarassing. I'm sure they'll mock me to no end.

And Sunday is our final day here. I'm wrapping things up by singing something for "Special Music" (apparently "Nah, nah, nah, hey, hey, hey, goodbye" is not an "apropriate" selection for Sunday morning worship...go figure!) and then passing the torch to our volunteers. Something else might be in the works too, but I'll fill you in next week when I'm officially unemployed.

This will be a long day...

I have a birthday coming up, so a bunch of my family got together to buy me a new graphics card for my computer. This has been in the works for almost a year. I have a handful of games that are just sitting on my shelf collecting dust because my PC can't handle them.

That shall soon come to an end...I hope. Yesterday I picked up one card, only to get home and discover that I had bought one that would never be able to even fit in my computer. So then my wife returned it (ain't she the best) and get the one that will work.

And now I have to wait until the end of the day to get home, install it, and begin playing my games. It is going to be a long day...

I don't want to talk church...

I must say that the Habs are looking great this season. Definitely more of an underdog compared to teams like Ottawa, Detroit or Philly...but a team that can win when they need it.

Look at last Tuesday. After being down 2-0 early in the 1st against Boston (and playing horrible hockey I might add) they buckled down to fight back to tie it up and then went on to get the win.

Sure, we may not be sitting top of the division by playoffs, but I'm thinking they may go farther than most people imagine.

And just when you think you can write a team off...

Chelsea hasn't dropped any points at all this season, which is completely frustrating (but hey, I guess if you spend over $600 million on a team you should win a few games) yet somewhat fascinating. You're always wondering who might bring them back down to earth.

Apparently that job goes to Everton. And if lowly Everton can hold them, then certainly we can beat them!

And after Chelsea announced this week that they want to dominate football for the next 100 years, and that they plan on having the Premiership title wrapped up by Christmas, you had better believe that teams are going to be after them with a vengence.

That was gross...

Let me backtrack for a moment. When we arrived at our church 5 1/2 years ago one of the first events we held was a gross games night. It was a blast. So, we decided that we would try to go out with the same event--Gross Games II.

So, last night was our last official Friday night event with our students because next Friday our leaders and students are planning up a farewell. And it was a mess...whipped cream, chocolate sauce, marshmallows, honey, puffed wheat, jello, beans...and a few more surprises. And somehow I ended up wearing all of it when the entire group turned out me. Imagine that!

(Incidently, if you ever want to have a laugh, get all your students to place an egg on their head and then pull nylons on overtop to hold it in place. Then try to hit them with a pool noodle. That is perhaps one of the funniest things I have seen in quite a while!)

We ended things off with a challenge to accept Jesus' invitation "Come, and follow me". It doesn't matter how messy your life is, Jesus has called YOU! And it's time to drop what you're doing and follow Him. Sure, you may not know what's going to happen, it defintely won't be easy, but it will be an adventure.

The evening went even better than I could have expected. And now I have some more great memories as I prepare to say farewell.

Where am I...

Is it already the 18th?!?! Where is the month going? Or where did it go? Only 12 days left at the church before a much anticipated month off. As for what happens after that, only God knows. And I mean that quite literally because we don't have a clue.

We're officially homeless as of November 30th, although our in-laws have opened their door to us if we need it. We've also had a few more "doors" open in the past few weeks, but we'll just have to wait and see where that goes.

On a less important note: Habs win again!

On a frustrating note: Only a draw for the Red Devils...and an injury for Giggsy! Crap!

What a morning...

Ok, this is actually about yesterday morning, but I'm a little slow.

It was our Mission Trip Service where all our students talked about their experience this past summer on our trip to Tijuana. I'm so proud of them. I think they were more nervous about talking in church than they were about going to Mexico.

But they did awesome. We showed a few videos, taught everyone some spanish songs and then talked...and talked...and talked some more. We didn't get out until almost 12:45pm, and that's a service that starts at 11:00am. At one point I thought about trying to shorten up the morning, but then I figured that God probably wouldn't mind if we went late!

Mornings like that make it harder to say goodbye...at least to our students.

Oh yeah, Happy Turkey Day to my fellow Canucks!

Oh yeah...

Hockey's back! And my Habs won! Woohoo!!!

Beginning of the end...

What a great break it was to hang out in California with my wife. We spent a couple of days in Disneyland before heading off to Sacramento for NYWC. (By the way, thanks Katie for the lift to the hotel!) Met some people in person, met some new people, and just had an all around great time.

This convention (our 4th) was the weirdest one ever because this time we weren't thinking about our youth ministry back home. Instead, this ended up being a time for God to do some work on repairing my heart. It was very refreshing. I now feel like I'm ready for saying goodbye. Yeah, it still isn't going to be easy, but I feel better about where my heart is right now.

I also arrived back in the office to find out the board wants me to take all of November off...with pay! The only bad thing is that it moves our final farewell up even closer, but the time off...and the extra money...next month will be helpful.

I've got some other interesting developments, but I'll save those for another day. But I'm reminded through this all that God is in it all. I know, it's cliche...but it's also truth!

I'm loving it...

I spoke at a youth retreat this past weekend and man was that a blast. Every once in a while it's good for me to go hang out with another group of students for a weekend, it reminds me that I love what I do. After 5 years in one place I've often wondered if I started all over from scratch again, would I still love youth ministry. Apparently so! I'm glad that God threw me into this.

And the even better part of the weekend is that two students gave their lives to Christ. Woohoo!

And now I'm back home just in time to get some laundry cleaned before heading off to California with my beautiful wife tomorrow. A couple days together in Disneyland before heading to Sacramento for NYWC. It should be a great 6 days together of fun in the sun.

But then we'll be returning to say goodbye...hmmm...

What I've heard...

Here's a sample of the comments I have heard over the past week that have absolutely done a number on my heart. These are the ones that make it hard to leave.

"It's not fair. I've only known you guys a year." (recent grade 11 student)

"It feels like I've been broken up with." (well known grade 12 student)

"Why do you need to get better at what you do? You're already great at it. Stay here and practive on us." (well known grade 12 student)

I knew this wouldn't be easy, but I honestly didn't think it would be this hard. I'm going to miss these students. They have left a permanent mark on my life. My wife and I will have a very hard time when it comes time for the official farewell.

In other related news, we meet with the Real Estate Agent tomorrow at 4:00pm. We were originally thinking about selling privately in order to achieve maximum moolah, but then I remembered that I'm still a pastor. How on earth am I supposed to fit selliing a house into my schedule?!?!

On top of all that I'm speaking at a retreat this weekend before my wife and I head off to California for a mini-vacation in D-land and NYWC in Sacramento next week. In one sense I'm looking forward to it, but on the other hand I know that coming back means saying good-bye.

This just isn't going to get any easier is it?

The week in review...

Well, since it's all said and done, I figured that I would recap what happened this past week. It's probably fairly easy to figure out, but here's the rundown:

Tuesday
I read my resignation to the board of elders. My wife and I have decided that it's time to get our Masters. But a few things have led up to this, and I told them that. I think it's safe to say that this caught them completely off guard.

Thursday
Told three of our recent grads who are now off at college.

Friday
Told our volunteer youth staff. They handled it very well and were very excited for us as we take this next step.

Saturday
Told our students. This was by far the toughest. Their comments make this hurt even more, but I'll probably reflect on that later this week.

Sunday
Read my resignation letter from the pulpit.

I'm still processing it all. To loosely paraphrase the great philosopher Napoleon Dynamite, "But it hurts real bad." It's not all gloom and despair though. We are taking a step that we want to take and have wanted to pursue for some time. I just wish that it could have come about under better circumstances.

Oh well, I guess you can't win them all.

What a week...

This week will be, without a doubt, the most difficult week of my ministry career. Last night was just the beginning, and unfortunately the next 4 days will not get any easier. I'd write more, but I'm at a loss as to how to describe it right now.

Expectations...

I'm not sure what to expect anymore.

I came home from vacation to find that not a single student had signed up to attend a concert tonight. It was supposed to be our kick-off for the year, but now I get a night at home. I'm not complaining too much, but it is a little frustrating. Unless I'm around to tell them to sign up, they won't.

I don't know what to expect in the youth ministry over the next few months.

I don't know what to expect from the Board Meeting on Tuesday.

In fact, I don't know what to expect next week at all.

The Man in Black...

Last week on my vacation I walked through an outlet book store and found this book for a fairly good price so I decided to give it a try. (I had seen it before and always wondered if I should give it a read.)

Not only have I enjoyed reading it, but I've also started listening to some Johnny Cash too and I must admit that I think I am becoming a fan.

He's got quite the life story. I'm just sad it took me this long to realize it. Oh well, better late than never. But I will always remember the appearance that he made on a One Bad Pig album. Now that was wild!

Any other fans out there of the Man in Black?

It's been a while...

You'd think that I haven't been around much in the past month. Oh yeah, I haven't!

We just got back from the coast last night. What a blur this last month has been. In fact, it hasn't been just the four of us together by ourselves since July 24th. That's not normal is it?!?!

Words cannot describe what I have personally seen or experienced in the past month. And for the first time in a really long time I can say this in regards to the positive. It's too bad that it's already September though. I feel like I missed my summer.

Oh yeah, at least the countdown is on until NYWC Sacramento! Woohoo!

Just a reminder...

I'm supposed to leave for Tijuana at 6:00am on Thursday. There will be 5 chuches represented with a total of 37 people. I wish I could say that it was smooth sailing from now until then, but it's not. Lots of little things have popped up and I'm still waiting on 2 more phone calls with more details to finalize.

I think this is God's way of reminding me that this is His trip, not mine. I'll admit that it's hard for me to completely let go. I'm the type that wants to have things under control at all times. But I keep having to remind myself, "He is in control. HE is in control. HE IS IN CONTROL!"

My wife is currently en route back home from the coast. It'll be nice to see her again. I've missed her lots. I miss my kids lots too. I'm just a basket case these days...

Bring it on...

With a new season almost underway (I'm not counting the FA Community Shield), I thought it was time to talk a little football.

It was good to see Rio sign his contract at long last. I'll admit that I was one of the people wondering just what he was thinking. Through his entire ban Fergie and the team stuck by him and then after playing last season he comes back demanding more money! Well, at least this ended well!

It was also good to hear that Ole might be soon making a return. With the most recent injury to Saha, it is certainly great timing, although I wonder if we'll see the Ole of old after such a long absence from the game.

I'll admit that the prospect of having Michael Owen at Old Trafford is more than a little appealing. If Smicker truly ends up playing in the midfield, maybe a move for Owen wouldn't be a bad idea.

Whatever happens in the transfer market, I'm ready for the season to begin. It's just too bad that I'm missing the official beginning as I will be in Tijuana with a group of my high schoolers. Oh well...

There's still only one United!

Leading worship...

I was looking at some video that my wife shot last weekend at Family Camp while my band and I led the worship time. It's always strange when you hear your own voice!

But that got me to thinking about the weekend as a whole. It sure was nice to lead in a relaxed atmosphere where people felt comfortable with one another even though they may not have known each other.

It was also nice to talk with some people after the services and to hear that they actually appreciated what we were doing and to let us know that they enjoyed the worship time. Not a single complaint during the whole weekend. That was a nice change.

Too bad that can't be normal.

Time for a change...

This blog has been in desperate need of a makeover for some time now, and since it's so quiet around here...I'll explain that in a bit...I thought I'd make some changes. I've added a few blogs that I like to read from time to time and I've updated my reading list (which is larger than usual because I'm getting ready for a 2 week missions trip to Tijuana).

My wife and kids left for the coast this morning. The wee lil ones are spending some time at the grandparents while we're on teh trip to Mexico. My beauty of a wife won't be back home until Tuesday and then we leave on Thursday. I won't see my kids until August 26th. I miss them already, although I must admit that the peace and quiet was kind of nice for a few hours tonight. But now I'm ready to hear them laughing and talking and have them running around again.

I've got some other exciting news, but I'm waiting on that for the time being.