Knee Surgery

So here are some pictures of my scope from my knee. I had a torn meniscus. The upper right, and two bottom pictures show the tears. The doctor cut away the torn areas and cleaned it up. It was a quick surgery. I was off my leg from Tuesday -Thursday and began walking on it on Friday. I won't be running or twisting for about 6 weeks, but walking doesn't really even hurt. It is amazing how good my knee feels. A little tender where they cut me, but overall good. Thanks for all the prayer!!

Thoughts from PNG

I've been thinking about things I learned in Papau New Guinea. It was an amazing trip that affected me and my thinking about what my future may hold. I think that when you go on a short term missions trip, you get challenged as to whether God want's you to do mission full-time or not. As Dan Stokes shared in church a couple weeks ago, the people of PNG desparately what missionaries to go there and share who God is with them.

One thing that I heard over and over again from missionaries was that bush missionaries can't survive without support missionaries. Support missionaries do anything from buying supplies, flying them out to the field, help building houses, teaching kids, repairing things, etc. These missionaries live mainly on missionary bases, outside of the bush. Bush missionaries are working directly with the tribes. Another form of support missionaries is church people like you and I. We provide financial support, prayer, encouragement, etc. This is also a very important part of the mission field. The bush missionaries were very clear that they could not do their job without the support missionaries and people at home supporting them.

So I was taking all this in and trying to figure out what my role could be in the future in the area of missions. I was thinking, "man I could be a support missionary on the field." Before that point I had been learning about the missionaries only, but then they began asking me about my job and what I do at home. I began telling them about my job of working with guys to help them move from a residential placement into an independent living setting. The missionaries began telling me that I had a huge mission at home. They began telling me that they couldn't do what I do...these are missionaries who go into a tribe, learn a new language, write it down, translate the Bible and teach the Bible in the new language...and they couldn't do My job?

I began to realize that my job is a mission field. How many times do you see your job as a mission field? Every since I was in high school, I've felt that God wanted me to do something in missions. I went to school to be a youth pastor, but ended up working the opposite end of the spectrum of youth...church kids vs. locked up kids! I love my job and feel that this is what I was meant to do, although sometimes I fell inadequate.

I remember talking with Gary and Esther Smith. They are an amazing family and really touched my heart. Gary had a trouble childhood and became a Christian in college. He went on to Bible school and Dallas Theological Seminary before going to PNG. They have worked in the Danagat Tribe for 5 years and have learned the language, translated some of the Bible, began teaching and had success with 120 believers in their tribe. Gary told me once that several times they felt like quitting because it was so difficult. This was a very intelligent man who has accomplished a lot, yet he had even he had difficulties.

What I heard over and over again from missionaries was that "God is faithful and will take care of us." It made me think that even though work is difficult at times, or I feel inadequate, or whatever, that God is faithful and will carry me through.

So what did I get out of this trip? A desire to go to the field and be a missionary? Yes and no. I realized that I am a missionary here at home, in my job. I really enjoy going overseas to the mission field, this is my 3rd short term missions trip. I desire to continue to do these, but I think that God wants me to stay in the U.S. and continue what I am doing. I can continue to be a support missionary for those God has chosen to go to the field, because God has chosen me for this task.

Going to a 5th world country with make you think about your life. I would encourage you to do it if you get a chance. God will challenge you, like he has me. I have taken my job much more seriously since returning and try to do my best each day because I have the ability to really affect the guys that I work with.

PNG 2008

Here are a few photos of my missions trip to PNG.

Here are some pictures of my recent backpacking trip. Mom has been dying to see some, so here they are. I didn't take as many as I should have, but it was a long, tiring, and hot hike.


Above and below are views that we woke up to on two different mornings. Beautiful places to camp!!
This is what we called the desert. It was a long, hot hike across this open field without any shade.
Here's the gang after a long day of hiking! Some of us had actually taken a bath in the river. Notice no one is wearing shoes...our feet were sore.
Here is Sturgeon Falls in the morning. We did some swimming here and actually jumped off the rocks on the left side.
The trip was fun and I'm looking forward to next year's trip. If you get a chance to go, I would recommend it.

Car Problems = NEW Car!!

Well, about two weeks ago the transmission on my Grand Am broke. I took it in to see what it would cost to fix and it was A LOT! I decided that due to the mileage on the car that maybe I should look at getting a new vehicle. I spent most of the past two weeks shopping for a car. I really didn't want another car payment, but it couldn't be helped. After a lot of browsing of web sites for area dealers and visiting a couple, I found this 2004 Saturn Vue. It has good gas mileage, room for 5, and room to put my junk in the back. Above is a picture of it, I like the color. For the guys, it's a 5 speed, 4 cylinder engine. God provided a good deal for me and I am glad that I took the advice I got from friends and family. Thank you!!

A Quiz for Kara!

Kara this quiz is for you. You put flower on your blog all the time, so I thought I would take a few pictures when we were at Dow Gardens the other day and test your knowledge. Some are easy, some are not. Good Luck!!

Picnic in the Park #1

Here are a few pictures from the first picnic in the park at Immanuel, 2008. It was a lot of fun and if you were there I'm sure you will agree, if not, come next time in two weeks.

American Idol

David Cook Won!!!

I can't believe it!





okay, I don't really care, but I was told that I wouldn't dare to put this on my BLOG!!

Softball

Well we've played our first games in softball. Tonight the co-ed team won their first game. We had to borrow 3 girls from another team to fill our roster. Chris Klein where were you???? We had a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to a good season.

On the Men's side, not as good. We lost our first two games last week, but we play again on Thursday and I am hopeful that we will win. :)

If you aren't busy on Tuesday or Thursday nights, come on out and watch the teams play!!

My Mom!

My mom is a great lady! She has supported me for the past 36 years.
My mom calls me at least once or twice a week to see how I'm doing.
Mom loves playing games with her kids and just spending time with us.
My mom has always welcomed our friends into her home and treated them like they were hers.
My mom brings me food and medicine when I'm sick.
My mom faithfully asks me how I'm doing in my spiritual life.

My mom is my friend!

Happy Mother's Day Mom!! I Love You!

Easter at the Wickman's

On Easter we went to Pam and James' house. We had a great time like we always do as a family. Of course this time there was a new little guy in the family to play with. Evan is so cute. Here are a couple of pictures of Evan.
Here's Evan and his daddy!

Here's a happy Evan!
Grandma with Evan.

I also got to play with James and Hannah. We played hide and go seek in the house and they had some good spots! We also played PS2, which they typically beat me at, but it was FUN! Thanks guys!

An Enjoyable Evening

Tonight I attended a dinner theater at church. Lynn Hazen and several other people put together a wonderful show and dinner. It was very entertaining. There was a play with 5 acts. The theme was a mystery play where the audience was very involved and there was a mystery to be solved. It was well thought out and the characters did very well. The people that I sat with were really fun and we had good conversation. It was really relaxing.

Relief

Today I just sat around the house and relaxed. I slept in, watched movies, surfed the net, etc. I was just plain lazy!!...and I loved it. I have been on the road 4 of the last 5 days, driving to court hearings and meetings around the state. It was nice just to relax for a bit. Have you ever had a day like this?? They seem to not be as plentiful as they should be. Life tends to get too busy and sometimes it's hard to slow it down. Take time for yourself once in a while, you will feel better...I do!!

Stolen Phone

So this last week I was in Detroit, for work, with one of the guys I work with. We went into the court hearing and I thought all of my car doors were locked. You should always make sure of this when you're in Detroit! So I came back to the car after court and got in and left. No big deal, right?? WRONG!!

So before I went into court I put my personal cell phone in the console in the center of my car. You can't take in cell phones with cameras. Well about an hour after we left court, I went to look for my phone and could not find it. I realized that someone had gone through my car. Like I said before, make sure ALL the car doors are locked!! The person had also popped the trunk and gone through it. Now my truck is loaded with cool stuff, but they only took one thing, a water purifier for hiking. Maybe they were in need of clean water in the big "D". :)

Good thing for insurance. Two days later I received a new phone. The only bummer is that I lost all of my phone numbers. If you're reading this and would like me to have your phone number, call me at my number, (which is the same), or email me your number.

MAKE SURE YOU LOCK YOUR DOORS!!

Camp Barakel Winter Retreat 2008

Ah, Camp Barakel!! I love going to Barakel with the teens. I enjoy the snow activities and the warm fires in all the buildings. This year we were on the West Side of the lake. If you've never been to Barakel, this is the older side of the lake and the buildings are a little more rustic like. The picture above is of most of the group we took, waiting for Chapel to start.
Here is a picture of Mel and Aubrey tubing down the hill. There was no snow when we left Saginaw, but there was about 5-6 inches at Barakel. The Tubing Hill was very icy and FAST!! My dad worked the hill and said that they sent down a train of 36 on Saturday morning!!!
Broomball and ice hockey were to of the favored sports. Here's Joey Kruger working hard to get to the ball. Snow football was also a big hit, except I took a nap during this time (shhh).
So anyone who thought that Pastor Matt was neat, was wrong. Yup these are all his clothes. Amber wouldn't be happy.
Brooke never enjoys getting her picture taken.

Well that was Winter Camp at Barakel. We had a great weekend. The speaker was Terry Coons. He challenged the kids about salvation. His point about it was that it wasn't just a one time thing, but a lifetime of working out their salvation. It is something that grows as we grow. He was very good, and I really enjoyed his message. If you would like to hear him, you can listen on the Camp Barakel website.