Sunday, December 21, 2008

2008 Reflections

Welcome back. You belong here.

Top 20 End of 2008 reflections.

1. I've given my all to my new job
2. I've worked hard to learn a new culture and climate (cold, snow, -10 degree weather, firewood, etc. etc.)
2a. A personal joy has been to see Mark and Anne feel at home at church
3. I'm living a much more missional (serving others) life than ever before and am excited to see that grow in '09. I've enjoyed serving at EL Foster Elementary school with my wife Rachelle
4. I have to get back in to shape in '09 (I've basically taken 10 months off and I feel terrible)
5. I've played with some amazing musicians in '08
6. I've not been to Red Rocks, Veil, Steamboat, Co. Springs
8. I long for spiritual formation and soul care with a few close friends
9. I've been to the mountains twice (not a big fan)
10. I've not been skiing, snowboarding or snowshoeing
11. I've been to downtown Denver many times (nice town)
12. I know just about every store in downtown Arvada (Old Town)
14. My wife and I are doing amazing
15. Our children are working hard at adapting to a new school, house, friends, church
16. We went sledding yesterday, it was fun
17. Facebook and Twitter are ok. Not sure what the big fuzz is. It seems fake to me.
18. I wish I could blog the way I want to blog
19. I know myself better today than a year ago

Have a great day,

Into the future,

davidT

Friday, December 19, 2008

How to Start

Welcome back. You belong here.

I think I'm going to work hard at keeping songs going by playing the intro to a song and start the song. Unless someone else does it. This will keep the mood going.

Have a great day,

Into the future,

davidT

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Serving Others

Welcome back. You belong here.

My heart is upside down. This morning, Rachelle our children and I spent time at our church's "Shining Star" Christmas party. "Shining Star" is a program that helps families in need during the holidays. We had about 100 people in the room, free pictures w/Santa and free food.

We sat with David and Clarissa and their two children. They all attend Foster Elementary where our children attend, a low income, 65% free or reduced lunch school where about 1/3 (about 100) of the children receive aid from the school's food bank.

It was so weird sitting with them, because we know them and have talked to them many times at the school. We didn't know they would be there, and they didn't know we'd be there. They were the "family in need" and we were there to "help families in need." Very strange.

I mostly hung out with the Spanish speaking families, translating, helping, hearing their stories. I walked Maria and her mom out to the car and their rear tires are completely bald. Remember, we live in Denver, CO where tomorrow we expect 1-2 feet of snow. Maria has three small children, her husband left her. Her mom is here during the holidays to give her a hand.

This coming Friday, I will be helping at deportation center here in Denver, CO. There will be over 300 people waiting to be sent back. They bring groups of 50 in, and we will play music, spend time together, praying, hearing their stories. I am expecting that to be pretty heavy, especially during this time of the year. I was reading in the paper today that many immigrants are going back due to the winter (no jobs in landscaping or construction), immigration laws and the bad economy. Families are being split. We hear similar stories at Foster Elementary.

I am so glad to have a chance to help others, sometimes I feel so helpless. What can you do this Christmas to help a family in need?

Weather report: Tomorrow, high of 18, low of zero (yes zero).

Have a great day,

Into the future,

davidT

Friday, December 05, 2008

Cold

Welcome back. You belong here.

I don't like feeling cold. The other night it was a record low here in CO, about 5 degrees. I couldn't fall asleep it was so cold. Heat, multiple blankets, layers, layers, nothing helped. It was just plain freezing.

Today was not as bad, but around 8pm, even though we had the fireplace going it got super cold again. The wind kicked in, I could feel it in my chest. Sometimes I come home and I realize I can't take off my jacket, that I need to keep it on even though I'm inside the house. It's been that cold.

It's supposed to be 50-55 the next few days. And then down to the 30's again.

Have a great day,

Into the future,

davidT