A CAMPING WE WILL GO!

Well, here we go. We are taking 26 kids from God Squad (many pictured above) to camp Lakeside tomorrow afternoon. Aimee has put together a great weekend with chapel time, games, recreation, food, food, food, campfire and other fun stuff. Keep us in your prayers. Thanks!

BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN!

I'm back from Annual Conference and am settling in for another year of ministry here in the big city of Leoti (according to the appointment set by the Bishop last Friday). While I was gone Asher Crowley (see picture) passed away at the young age of 102. He was a cowboy extraordinaire. The memorial service will be on Tuesday at 2:00 where we will remember and celebrate his life.

Can you imagine all the changes he saw during his lifetime? Unbelievable!! And to top it off, he was married to his wife for 79 years. She still survives. What a great example to all those who think they can't make it for a year without throwing in the towel. He and Myrtle truly understood their vows they made 79 years ago.

The next few weeks are crazy but I'll try and keep up with this here blog thing. Keep your eyes on Jesus.

Heading East

Tomorrow morning I will be heading for Hutchinson for the Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Actually, I will be attending a financial seminar for pastors in the afternoon followed by a Board of Ordained Ministry meeting in the evening. The conference starts on Wednesday until Friday evening. Wednesday evening I am in charge of a banquet for Kansans for United Methodist Renewal of which I am the president. Our speaker is the President of the Mission Society based out of Norcrosse, Georgia.
This year we will be celebrating in worship and attending to the business of the church for the coming year. We also will be voting on delegates to the General Conference which will be held next year in Fort Worth, Texas. Please pray for the right people to be sent to represent us. It will be a busy few days.
After the conference on Friday evening, M.L. and I hope to catch up with Todd and Melissa in McPherson and plan to stay the night and then go to the state track meet in Wichita. Kyle and his 4 x 800 relay team qualified at regionals so we are going to cheer him and the team on to victory. Or maybe more realistically, a good personal best as a team. Should be fun.
M.L. then is planning to get together with her sisters for the weekend in Marion while I look for a ride back to Leoti from Wichita. So as you can see, a busy time lies ahead. Hopefully everything works out okay so I'll see you on Sunday. Have a great week!!

LENDING A HAND!

Thanks to Kenny Farr, Marqueta Keeton, Marcia Mehl, Shad Mehl, Kelley Burch, and Gina Whalen for all their hard work last Thursday at Greensburg. What a day! What a mess!

The above picture found us (Kenny, Marqueta, and me) cleaning out a garage and a freezer with a bunch of meat in it. The others were smart and went out back to clean up. Ask Kenny about it. Also ask him if he'd like a cat for Christmas. The picture below is of all of us sitting on a tree that blew over at the Methodist church. It was so sad to see the church in ruins, not to mention the whole town.

Picture don't do justice to the destruction caused by the tornado. It looked like a bomb went off. But in the midst of it all, many people were volunteering their time to assist in the clean-up. We were blessed to offer a little support and were glad we were able to help. We plan to return.

GREEN LIGHT FOR GREENSBURG!

We are taking a team to Greensburg this Thursday morning. We will leave the church parking lot on the east side at 6:30 am. If you are going, please bring a shovel, rake, gloves, boots, etc - all things needed as it pertains to cleanup. A couple of us are taking chain saws. Marqueta is going to take some lunch along but you might want to bring some snacks, water, etc. Make sure you have some I.D. with you and you might want to be aware of when you last had a tetanus shot. Once we get to Greensburg we will be given directions regarding where we are to go and what we are to do. We will spend the day helping out so be prepared to work hard. We will probably need 2 vehicles, maybe three - we'll see. I'll let you know. If you have not let me know that you want to go, please do so ASAP. If you have questions, give me a call or leave on the comments on this blog.

See you Thursday.

GREENSBURG UPDATE #2

Just spoke with a volunteer coordinator who gave me a number to call after 7:00.a.m tomorrow morning (Friday) to see about helping out at Greensburg. The screening process is rather finicky so we have to get approved. I will make the call first thing in the morning and then let you know for a possible Saturday trip to Greensburg. Stay tuned. I have names of those who want to help out so far. If you have not let me know, do so as soon as possible. I'll keep you posted.

P.R.

(I didn't realize it would be such a hastle to try and help out)

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UPDATE TO THE UPDATE!

I just got off the phone (Friday morning) with those in charge of vounteering at Greensburg and we will NOT be going this weekend. There are literally thousands on the list to help volunteer so there is no need for additional people right now. We will be contacted so just be prepared to go when I let you know. Maybe we should think of helping some of the other places that received damage. I'll be in touch.

Greensburg Update

I am receiving a few mixed messages regarding cleanup at Greensburg but at the moment am hearing that outside help is being discouraged to assist until the locals get all their things. I am also hearing that there will be one big massive bulldozing of all the destroyed buildings, etc. after the residents gather their items. I will be calling a person who is overseeing the cleanup effort using loaders, dozers, etc.. I think he wants to do a training for those who who want to offer that kind of help. I'll keep you all posted and let you know more as soon as I can. Please let me know if you can help in any way. Thanks.

Disaster in Greensburg

What can be described as nothing short of catastrophic has taken place in Greensburg, Kansas. As you are aware, a huge tornado leveled the town of roughly 1,400 destroying everything in its path. It was said to be a mile wide as it barreled into the heart of town. Thus far, 9 have died with others still missing. The residents are left asking "where do we even start"?

I have been in contact with the disaster relief team of our district and we will be taking a special offering next Sunday to help financially. In the meantime, I would like to take some people this coming week to Greensburg to assist them in any way we can. I will take anyone who would like to go with me. Let me know as soon as possible. I will make an announcement in church on Sunday.

I encourage you all to pray for these folks. The town has been destroyed, lives have been turned upside down, and question marks fill the minds of the people in Greensburg. And sadly, lives have been lost. Buildings and material possessions can be replaced but you can't bring loved ones back. Please lift these folks up while you pray.

Let's come together and help these folks. They need us.