Happy New Year

Happy New Year!
Yeah, I know its a couple days early but why can't we celebrate now! Our church is showing Prince Caspian tomorrow night and my parents are keeping our girls after the movie (and overnight) so Beverly and I can go watch the big ball drop with a bunch of friends. We'll have to rush home because I'll have to work very early New Year's Day. I pray that all of you will have a safe New Year and that all of our guys will usher in the new year in a way that is pleasing to our Lord.

Speaking of pleasing God... What about New Year's resolutions? I'm thinking about making a committment with Beverly to read the entire Bible this year. I'll keep you posted.

Happy New Year!

Merry CHRISTmas

Beverly, the girls and I rang the bell yesterday for the Salvation Army. It was funny how some people would come in, see our little princesses dressed in their warmest clothes, with red cheeks and noses and say, "That's cheating!" before they dug deep in their pockets for all of their spare change. Maybe the girls' cuteness did evoke some people to give more but that wasn't our mission. Our mission was to show our kids the importance of volunteering, sacrificing or serving some one other than themselves.

As we stood there we greeted everyone who walked in and said "Merry Christmas" as we thanked all those who gave on their way out. One senior gentleman gave the girls some money to put in the bucket (as a lot of people did) and we chimed Merry Christmas as he walked away. He stopped, and slowly turned. He thanked Beverly for saying "Merry Christmas" rather than the ever-so-popular, "Happy Holidays" or some other non-descript substitute. He said, and I agree, that we need to take Christmas back. We need to remind others of the true meaning of Christmas and that it has nothing to do with a red suit, a glowing red nose, or a green, hairy, pug-nosed creature in Whatland or some other town.

So, MERRY CHRISTMAS! I pray that you all have a safe Christmas time with family and friends. I pray that all of the GBB men and boys take time with their families to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and share it with others.

Video project update

I had the opportunity to visit with the Eastside unit again this week. The purpose of my visit this time was two-fold. What brought me back to Eastside so soon was a visit from Kate Ward. Kate is the great lady who is working on our video project. You'd have thought that some of the Eastside guys already had an Emmy the way they were "acting." My favorite video moment was a time where a group of boys were talking with a junior leader. Kate had the camera rolling for some footage shots as the junior leader was telling the boys about some exciting times at a GBB National High Adventure event. Trying to impress the teenage leader, one of the younger boys belted out that one time he was camping and didn't go to be bathroom for a whole day or something. Not to be outdone, another younger boy belted out that one time he went "three, NO FOUR DAYS" without going #2! I was impressed! Not at the bathroom comment but Kate's ability to remain professional until after the camera was off. I was losing it!

I made it a point to thank the boys and the leaders for doing such a great job for Kate and I wanted to publicly thank them too. Thanks guys for doing such a great job!

GBB Growth!!!

I am really excited to welcome a unit back to GBB! The Woodville Grace Brethren Church located in sunny Mansfield, Ohio submitted annual GBB National registration for 2009. Under the command of Jim Eagle the newly formed GBB unit at Woodville registered two men and six boys.

As I searched the records in the office I found where the Woodville GBC had a GBB unit in the very early '90's. They were unit 18 so their number has been reinstated. Keep an eye on the Ohio District web page as we get their info updated.

Jim, his right hand men, Pete and Pastor Ron Smals are all pumped at the opportunities the Lord has given their church in Mansfield. They are located in a neighborhood community rich with young men and boys. They look forward to growth and I agree that GBB will enable their church's vision to encourage father/son relationships with the men and boys of not only their church but their community as well.

Praise the Lord for obedient men willing to follow Paul's words in 2 Timothy 2: "And these things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others."

Welcome back Woodville!