DADS AND DONUTS

The next few days marks the end of an era in the berry family, or the beginning of a new one, depending on your emotional state at the time.

• This was the first and only year in our school career where all 3 of our boys went to the same school- all day. I'm gonna miss that.

• TJ graduates from 5th grade and enters middle school next year. My first child is now officially under my job description at church too. Now I'll really learn how much I don't really know about parenting a tween.

• Today was the last day of their elementary school's annual Dads and Donuts event for me with my 3 boys. Unless I sneak TJ in for next year... :)

• Which- side note: I've been praying. I know. Shocking isn't it. Anyway, Middle school starts an hour later than the elementary school. So next year, 1 day a week, after I drop off Tyler and Jake at school, I'll go have breakfast with TJ before his school starts. I already do this with Shannon on mondays, but I think my one-on-one times with TJ and "the brothers" will become a part of the fabric of my life in the coming years. I'm stoked about that.
  

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WRITING, WRITING, WRITING

Lately I've been doing a lot of writing. I have 2 bible studies I've been working on till the wee hours of the morning this week and a seminary project that is due.

Two other writings have recently posted to Simply's site. The first is a series of Bible Studies I've taught twice in my own youth ministry. It's really about developing a mentoring mindset- both in you and in your relationships around you. I think this study is the one that I've written so far that I'm most excited about.

It's called "Coach Me"


I'm also in the process of planning our 08/09 school year and in the midst of that, I wrote a little article that posted here. If you're a youth pastor, you might find a idea or two worth stealing. Which by the way, if you have an idea or two I can steal, hook a brother up!

(Side note, the editor made a correction on this one that kinda bugs me. I have these two types of messages series I think through when planning my teaching calendar. One I call a "Felt Need" and the other I call a "Spirit Lead". There's a play on words there that is a memory tool- among other things. Anyway, the editor changed it to "Spirit Led" which did two things. #1. It took away the parallel language rhyme. #2. It makes it sound like the "felt need" stuff I did on my own, the "Spirit Led" stuff is what God wanted me to do. It's the first time that I've re-read the article after it was edited and then posted and went, "Ugh.... I don't like that change.")

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INSPIRATION

I either have not had enough sleep (ok, I've definitely not had enough sleep) or these two stories legitimately touched a chord in me. The first made me full on cry. The second really got me choked up.

Check out this softball story. But be warned, you might need kleenex unless you have more sleep than me.




Check out this kid who plays baseball with one leg. Be sure to watch the video.

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3 REASONS TEENAGE SEXUALITY IS A MESS

You can at least thank the adult producers/performers of these precious pop culture moments:

Thank you ABC.

Thank you CBS.

Thank you MTV.

3 solid reasons sexuality and sexual identity/image is a confusing mess with teens I work with and at least 3 solid reasons to change the channel.

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CREDIT FOR SOUTHWEST

Hey,

Anyone wanna fly somewhere with Southwest Airlines by July 21, 2008? I had a flight that I tried to make to Idaho last October but I had to cancel due to all the San Diego fires. I just figured out that I have to spend the money on Southwest by July 21 of this year or I loose it. With our Uganda trip coming, not only am I no where near a place that Southwest flies, but I can't really afford to be losing money at this stage either.

My parents were just here- which would have been perfect.... but I was stupid and forgot and anyway-- you can fly from anywhere to anywhere Southwest travels. I have $285.20 worth of credit I'll sell to the highest bidder.

Wanna get away? Do you need a vacation?

Talk to me friends. If you or someone you know is planning on flying, I could sure use the help and I'm willing to take a loss to keep from losing the whole credit. What's it worth to you?

Comment or e-mail me if you're up for it.

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HOLEY UGANDA MOLEY

GOD HOOKED ME UP THIS WEEK!!!

• FINANCIAL BLESSINGS!!! Several friends, some I haven't heard from in years, who either read my blog or got a letter from my family in the mail have sent in some serious mula to help the funding of our uganda missions trip in about 6 weeks from now. We still have a LONG way to go, but WOW.... I'm so thankful for those who are helping me invest financially in this partnership with God and my family!!!! I praise God for all who are supporting us in so many ways. I'm praying that this is a life altering experience and brings HUGE amounts of encouragement to all those who even remotely are touched by this- those on our team, in my family, stateside praying and supporting, kids and families in Uganda, and so much more.
  

• KAISER IS HOOKING US UP! Ok... so for all the ranting people do about their HMO, I will say that once Kaiser paid me back for what I thought was a crazy charge once, they have delivered my 3 kids, took the appendix out of my wife, and stitched us up a time or two. Well, now they are PAYING FOR ALL MY SHOTS and malaria meds!!! I don't even have to pay a co-pay. This is saving me hundreds of dollars. Like probably at least a thousand dollars for the 5 of us. Whoo hooo. That's such a huge blessing.
  

Thank you friends, Kaiser, and Jesus.

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