Econo Glass Co.

Why is it that some business' will bend over backward for you in trivial areas, but when it comes to delivering the goods they falter? I give to you as example, Econo Glass Company. Now granted it was me that called them at 4:15pm the day before Thanksgiving, asking for a specialized piece of glass for a window Baylee broke (a story for another time) and granted I was rather surprised when they said they could have it cut and deliver it to me in an hour and a half, even though they closed in 15 minutes. Rather impressive I thought. So two hours later and with no sign of anyone bearing glass I gave a kindly call to check up on their progress. "I'm going to be their tomorrow at 9am" was the response. I guess he assumed I would just sit around waiting for him for to be 15 hours late, no need to give me a call and let me know! But this was fine we were heading to the drive in and 9am worked okay for me. So 9:30 rolled around and sure enough there he was... but he hadn't cut the glass yet, he needed the dimensions that I had given to him 8 times on the phone the previous evening. So I once again I relayed the information to him only to find out that the piece of glass he brought was too small. He'd have to come back in an hour... Two Hours and Eleven minutes later... STILL NO GLASS! Now I understand that it is Thanksgiving day... and honestly I have no idea why this guys has agreed to bring this to me this on Thanksgiving day, but don't say you will be here when you won't, over and over again! So would I recommend Econo Glass? Well they are a bit cheaper than others, and they will be at your beckon call at all hours and all times... they just won't show up. If you're into that sort of business then they come with very high recommendations. If you are one of those strange people who actually want what is promised... you might want to look else where. So the journey goes on. Will the Todd's ever fix their window???
-Rich

Lil Angels!

...Yep, pretty camera shy!

Attaining the Unimaginable!

After four horrific days of potty training Emma and Baylee. We have had success. On the scoreboard we have Emma - 2 pees, Baylee - 1 Pee, 1 Poop! Yes I have arrived! A little bit of advice for those of you out there looking for it. Don't try and potty train twins at the same time... or better yet just have one kid at a time, like the good lord intended! This area in our life apparently is going good. After going through the tough time with Elli I thought we were really in for it with the twins. I think now that they might catch on rather quickly!

God is continuing to wrestle with me concerning what my action needs to be from what He's teaching me. I know it means a radical change in how I look at ministry. God is continuing to call me to reach a lost generation. Obviously the tactics and methods of the past are not working, and I don't think a new fangled program, or course is the answer either. I think it's much more basic than that. It's introducing people to a relationship with the all powerful, loving God, to Jesus, through relationships. The question I'm struggling with is, can this happen in the existing setting that is the north american church? Obviously it can happen, but is it the best way? Is this where I should be? Or should I be seeking to take this passion to create "church" in a new way to a new generation? What does that even look like? That is my question. So the wrestle goes on as I seek to find direction.

-Rich

Wow! I actually got a picture with all three smiling! (Baylee, Elli, Emma)

Here's the Fam! Yosemite 2004 

Numero Uno!

Okay so I’m finally doing it… here is my first real entry! Not that pictures of my girls aren't real entries. I’m sure that’s what most of you are more interested in anyways.

What a week! God has been doing some amazing things in me! How can I explain it... I guess He's lit my fire again to reach the lost youth of Fremont/Newark. I know I know it sounds really stupid. I'm the Youth Pastor here and I've been here for two years. It sounds like something I should have grasped two years ago. I guess it's not something I didn't know before but He has reminded me of it in a powerful way. Over the past month God has been building up the fire for me to reach these lost kids. He gave me a picture of todays youth in Acts 3. Read it and you'll understand a bit. Basically the crippled man was asking for the best thing he could think of to fix his problem... money. Peter and John recognized the fact that money wouldn't fix his problem... he wanted to walk! So instead of giving him money, they introduced him to the God that can heal. This is what todays youth are like. They're asking for what they think is going to fix their problem (Money, Sex, Power, Fun, ETC). God is saying that's not going to fix the problem... you need Me! You want to be healed and that only comes from God.

So this is what I'm processing through. I'm trying to figure out how this translates into action here in Newark. How do I not introduce people to church, but into relationship with a wild, loving, powerful God that wants to heal and fix their lives!

Pretty Exciting Stuff!

On a different note...
Kristi... and I (when I'm not working)
have taken on the challenge of a lifetime! HEAR ME OUT! I do not recomend this for anyone! But we (mainly Kristi) have begun potty training Emma and Baylee. Their lives now consist of regular stops to the potty... to absolutely no avail so far though. Basically right now it seems to be serving as a reminder that "as soon as I get off the potty and my diaper's back on I need to go pee." Maybe by the time they graduate High School they'll have it figured out! I think more realisticly we're looking at college but I'm thinking hey lets shoot for something ambitious. So there senior year it is!

Elli on the other hand seems to be content with running military manouvers with her sisters, still waiting on the day that she makes an attempt to take over the world (you have been warned!)

....i guess that is all for now. As our governer is fond of saying... I'll be back!
-Rich

Here's one of Emma and Baylee. Baylee of course is in her Flops.  

Here's the latest of our girls! For you novices out there, left to right Baylee, Elli, Emma.