Off to Houston

Tomorrow I head out to the great state of Texas, to serve as an advisory delegate for the LCMS Synodical Convention. I plan to bring plenty of reading material as I expect to find large periods of time where I will no longer be able to listen to the proceedings of the Convention. So why go you ask? Well, I am just sick enough to be curious to see how my church body goes about its business at its highest level. I am fascinated enough and besides I get a free trip out of it. I'll let you know if anything truly interesting takes place.

Rancho Cucamonga

Yesterday I announced to my congregation that I would indeed be accepting the call to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Rancho Cucamonga. As I thanked them I thank you for your prayers for my wife and I as we considered this change for our lives and ministry. I will be beginning in the I.E. in mid-August.

Beatallica

Prepare to loose you mind. What Dread Zepplin did to Elvis and Led Zepplin, Beatallica is doing for the Beatles and Metallica. You can get a review and hear samples at allmusic.com. I can just imagine the oddity that their stage show would have to be to live up to a name and concept like this.

Chestnut, baby!!! Joey Chestnut

If you missed the return of the belt to American hands for the first time in 9 years here it is courtesy of the wonder that is youtube.com.

Yosemite

Last week I lead a trip of college students to Yosemite for the Pacific Southwest District. Having never been to the park myself before, I relied upon the wisdom of others for accommodations and reflection leadership. Overall the group that went, though not as large as I had hoped, was a great bunch of young adults. For myself I had a blast just trying to take it all in. For those of you who have been their you know what I mean. Wading in at Mirror Lake and taking in the size of Half Dome. Looking out across the valley from Glacier Point. Biking the valley with a group of students and DCE's. These were some of the things that we took part in over the four days. We also had the privilege of being under the spiritual guidance of Bob McKinney. A career DCE, who will soon begin his next challenge as Director of Spiritual Life at Concordia, Ann Arbor. With a theme of Road Rules: Stories from the Road of Life, Bob lead the group in a number of road stops, including a couple that really touched the students who joined him on Half Dome. Though I am currently nursing a few dozen bug bits on my legs, I would have to say that the net result of the trip was good. There were challenges and my patience was pushed but I think that for the group that went they added another great story to their journey of life.