We just got back in from Philly. Well, we never actually did anything in PA except fly in and out of there. I say we cause this was one of those trips that Leslie wanted to tag along on. So we flew into Philadelphia and then drove 3 hours to Hackettstown, NJ; the home of the M&M. We were so sad that the factory did not offer tours!!! We went off to Centenary College to speak at a New Years Eve Eve event for a statewide gathering of students. It was fun night hanging out with students and eating pizza. Why do we eat so much pizza at youth events, I will never know. The event was cool because it was not just me and the band that was part of the night, it was students as well. After sleeping in the next day, Leslie and I caught the train into NYC. We went to see STOMP on New Years Eve – what an unbelievable show that was! Then it was off to our hotel in Times Square that we got for free. The Michelangelo was the nicest place I have EVER seen. Thank God for hotel points!!! We were tourists and got to see part of the city. We went to see Beauty and the Beast on Broadway and it blew my mind, even from the cheap seats! Walked around 5th Ave. Went to the Apple store…MECCA. You can see photos on my MySpace page if you would like under “NYC January 2007”. I am speaking in Northern NJ for a long week this next summer, so we will be going back.

Leslie and I just got back from a wonderful week together at Walt Disney World. I had never been during the Christmas season and it was wonderful. The lights and sounds where unreal! The first night we went to Epcot with the the choirs singing and a celebrity reading the Christmas story. We got to hear Steven Curtis Chapman, he did a stellar job. It was good to just reflect on the gift of each other that God has given us. I don’t know what it is about that place that relaxes me and rejuvenates me every time I go. This fall has been so much time on the road and a lot of it away for Leslie. We were complete Disney nerds and brought a Christmas tree to put up and celebrated Christmas there. It was a lot fun. I will actually be traveling home on Christmas day. And then off to New York to be together for New Years.

The last six weeks have been crazy! From Texas to California to Ohio to North Carolina, our team has been all of the country going to youth pastor conventions, sharing what our minsistry is about. Its been fun, but its kept me away from speaking as much as I like. Going to Anahiem had to be a highlight of the conventions. Not because the convention was good for us. It was actually kind of a waste since it was across the street from Disneyland. We decided to get there early. Spent Halloween in Hollywood and now I see why they call it Hollyweird now FOR SURE! Somehow we ended the day in the audience of Jimmy Kimmel with Meatloaf performing. Then we spent a day at the happiest place on earth (Disneyland) celebrating Marjorie’s 30th Birthday. We did open and close the place. It was a blast! Cincinnati was a much cooler town than I remember it. Charlotte was just Leslie and I and we had fun. We did get to spend some time with some new friends and were able to reconnect with some old. Its cool to be able to serve student pastors by helping them put on excellent events for their students.

Greeting from the Super8 in Pleasanton, Texas… the only hotel for miles. This is another one of those “lets go hang out at Walmart” towns. The week started with me speaking at the morning worship services of FBC Pleasanton. I always feel like a I am twelve when I speak in a traditional church. I spend much of my time speaking to youth and young adults that I forget that there are 70 years olds in church. The next 6 nights was me and a band traveling all over South Texas. I think I may have spoke in Mexico one night! You see, Pleasanton is 1 hour south of San Antonio and we went what seemed like 1.5 hours south of San Antonio which by my calculations seems like south of the border to me! Pleasanton did have a place with Sweat Tea and Country Fried Steak so that was killer. The real highlight of the week was Wednesday night. I really felt like I was to speak about the call to full time ministry and after the message there must have been like 25 students who came up and surrender to give God their skills and go where He sends them. The move of God continues to blow my mind! Well its 5am, and I should get some sleep. After the service tonight we had a progressive all-nighter to go with the week. What a long, but full week! You have not bowled til you have have bowled in small town Texas!!!

What a week! After flying back to Kansas City just 25 hours after leaving there and driving what seemed like 3 hours just past nowhere in Missouri. I came to a pretty solid recognition. I was REALLY sick. I pretty much have had no voice, and no energy. I think it was Tuesday that I slept til 4pm just because I was so spent. Thankfully, I made it through the week. This camp was filled with some amazing students. I don’t think I have been a part of a camp before where I got to connect with more broken kids. I was well aware of the fact that it was the work of God in and through me and nothing of myself that allowed me to minister to them. I think it was Wednesday night that as I was talking about the unmovable grace of God, there were three girls who had a real encounter with God. Thank GOD for his strength to pull me through even when I had nothing physically to offer. I also was reminded why people in small towns were at Walmart all of the time too!

Just got back from The Connection in Overland Park, Kansas today. I’ve been to KC a ton this year. This weekend was spent with about 150 Christian artists. It was a great weekend of encouraging artists who are out there day in and day out impacting the lives of thousands. The event hotel was the Sheraton and for some reason I got upgraded to a crazy huge suite and it has one the best beds I have ever slept in. The problem though is that there is not much sleep to be had. I have been having a blast hanging out with the other speakers and presenters at the event. I have learned one thing that changed my life…“His name was Michael” (inside joke sorry). I think I may be getting sick. I don’t have much of a voice. I just flew home to be with Leslie for the day and now it’s off to a photo shoot with a new artist, dinner with Leslie, some laundry, and then back to the airport in the morning.

The 4 nights we had in McMinn county, TN for our Infuse event were amazing. Thanks to “Bond”, Allen and the rest of the community that got behind this event. Abandon from the Lone Star State was the band for this Infuse. They did a killer job connecting with students and taking us to the throne every night. We had a good time hanging out and getting to know the students there. Dairy Barn and all! The last night was on of the most powerful moves of God that I have ever been a part of. Abandon played a killer rock show, ended with some worship. God showed up and did not leave and I spoke. The invitation started and student began to flood the alter. This last night was a huge affirmation from the Lord that He has His hand in the Infuse event. I can’t even begin to put it into words. So I will just share a comment from my MySpace page from a student that was there for the week. “INFUSE was awesome..and ur message the last nite touched me in a way that is unexplainable..it was just what i needed to hear so there is no doubt in my mind that god had his hand on that and u r rite in the center of his will:) killer reality check for me:) thanks so much for comin to itsy bitsy etowah.. we all love and miss u here:)” Can’t wait to go back!!!

Well Leslie and I skipped out on the last day and half of GMA to roll out to the city by the bay, San Francisco. (She always likes to tag along when the city is cool) I was going out there to speak but we added an extra day to see stuff and relax. The Fisherman’s Warf with the seals was unbelievable. The Jelly Belly Factory had to be the best smelling place that I have ever been. In N Out Burger is a little slice of Heaven on earth. Every time I go to IKEA I want to just move in. And lastly, crab should not be allowed to taste that good! So the next day, we went off to the wonderful city of Stockton, CA in a lovely rainstorm for a great event with our friends Lystra’s Silence. It was a great night of worship and celebration. HUGE thanks to Gina and Nikki, the youth workers at FBC. They put together one of the best organized student ministry events that I have ever been a part of. Had a blast with you guys! Thanks for taking such good care of us…right down to the grapes!

Kentucky, the bluegrass state. I did not see any bluegrass, or hear any, much to my relief. Leslie and I went up for an area wide youth rally for the Christian Churches in southern, KY. We had a great time in Campbellsville. The rally was a good time! Some great youth workers put the whole thing together and took amazing care of us. The guy in charge was named Bucky and that is just cool. We stayed at a Holiday inn Express and woke up feeling like we could do anything. I think it has something to do with the Cinnamon rolls, Wow!

I am still alive. It’s been a interesting year so far. Leslie and I took some much needed time away. My grandfather passed away. I have been doing some reading and writing some new talks. Been thinking a lot about mattering, living a life that matters. Its gonna be a awesome year. Looking forward to trips, to the Bluegrass State and to California in the weeks a head.

Whoa…..the last 60 days have been crazy, this year we had the chance to be at all three of the National Youth Worker Conventions put on by Youth Specialties. In every city the FUSELAGE artists did a late night and in Nashville we had a big event at RCKTWN. It was cool to have everyone in one place. The only thing that I can’t figure out is: Why do people live in Pittsburg? The highlight for me had to be taken the stage with Rebecca St. James and leading over 1000 Youth Workers in communion. What an honor to lead those who lead to the table, and to encouraging them to remember and rest. Thank you Student Minister for allow me to minister along with in reaching a generation! Next fall there are going to be FOUR of them, I may need a clone!

Well what another cool year in Newport, TN. For the last seven years we i have been speaking in the small town of Newport, TN and God has always done some BIG things while we have been there. Thanks again to Rob Myers and his team for loving and supporting this ministry! Newport was movin’ up this with a brand new Ruby Tuesday, it breaks up the trips to Waffle House and the greatest Mexican food place La Carretta (or the Cart)….mmm tasty!. The week is always a ton a fun. I must say one of the coolest services I have been a part of is the last night communion time as the students came two by two to kneel at the table. It blows me away to see God on the move in that town year after year. See you next year!