No Rookies Found Here

Team members: (left to right) Taylor, Whitney, Andrew, Lanny, and Casey

The team members and dates have been selected, and the airfare confirmed...now we begin to prepare, and get our hearts in tune to God's Will. Our mission team will be traveling to Romania in early July for two weeks of street and sports evangelism in the city of Galati. All the team members have at least one trip to Galati under their belt, so we all know what we are getting into. We will be working with IMB missionary Troy Geddes and many Romanian nationals that we have developed friendships with over the years. This year Randy and Teresa Meyers IMB Master (50 years or older) missionaries will also be there in the city working with Troy. They will be leaving the states in April to begin their work God has already scheduled them to do. We have quite a bit of time before we leave but we are actively seeking God's Will.

Paul, Barnabas, and Timothy

Yesterday in MasterLife class (book 4, session 5: Training Disciples), the topic of Disciplining and Role Modeling was discussed in our opening group session and then it continued in our small groups. Landon was responsible for leading the opening session and our small (men's) group. In the large group he reinforced to us that as followers of Jesus we are commanded to go and make disciples (Matthew 28:16-20). In our Christian walk we encounter three characteristics of men in the Bible as we are disciples and as we disciple: Paul, Barnabas, and Timothy. Paul (your mentor, the one that has or is currently discipling you), Barnabas (the one that is where you are...they walk with you), and Timothy (the one you are disciplining). Of the three, Timothy is the one that, for me, gets my undivided attention. What an awsome responsibility it is when you are a Paul, to another follower of Jesus...I find it more comfortable when I am in the other two roles. But in order to grow in our walk with Jesus, we need to be outside our comfort zone.

Throughout my life as a follower of Jesus, so far I have experienced four Pauls in my life: Two are currently mentoring me, one lives in California and one has gone Home. Below, I have put together a small video about one of these men. What a sacrifice he has made in order to follow the Master's Call. As I go through my life, my hope is that I can make the kind of impact on another person's life that he has made on mine.

Seniors Honored

Tonight we honored the wrestling team at our annual awards banquet at CHS. Above is a photo of the seven seniors on our team and the four coaches. Every year for me, this is a bittersweet event.

The Disciple's Cross Through Martin's Eyes

Above Left: Martin shares his Disciple's Cross (from the MasterLife series) using his violin in our worship services this morning. He is almost through the six month MasterLife class...one week to go and the commissioning service.
Above Right: Martin and Steve played Amazing Grace for the special music after his presentation.

Enough Is Enough

As of today the temperature is allowing melting...I almost forgot what the bare ground looks like. According to the weatherman, we have had snow on the ground since the first week in December adding up to over 30 thirty inches so far. I have had enough Winter weather and would like to see the snow no more...Enough is enough!

Last Dragon Update

The Missouri State Wrestling Tournament concluded this past Saturday with the Dragons finishing fifth place. There were five medalists; three finalists, one third place and one fourth place finish. It was extremely dissappointing to miss placing for the second year (in a row) by four points this year and two last year. Congrats to those athletes medaling at the state tournament.

Senior Night

Above Left: Whitney's introduction befor the dual.
Above Center: Two athletes achieved milestones in their high school wrestling careers, 100 victories. Connor (left) on January 18th and Ryan (right) on January 18th.
Above Right: A view of the senior wrestlers and managers.

January 31, 2008 marked Senior night at CHS: Our graduating seniors were honored. In my twenty-seven years of coaching, this was a special evening for Lila and me. Our oldest daughter, Whitney, is graduating this spring...no she didn't wrestle; stats, filming and scorekeeping were her responsibility for the past four years. I have totally enjoyed having her with us and I will miss her next year when wrestling season begins. I have cherished all the memories I have had with her and they will forever be stored in my heart.