An Evening with Gungor

Adriana and I are in Colorado for a few days helping to plan the Simply Youth Ministry Conference 2014. Tonight our team had a private concert with Gungor who will be at the conference. Their new album I Am Mountain just came out. After you register for the SYMConference, be sure to order their album. It's amazing!

Mariano Rivera Tribute

She Got a Ball & Mariano Rivera Bobble Head!

This evening Natalia and I had the privilege of going to the Yankees game with our friend Tommy for the chance to see the greatest closer in the history of baseball, Mariano Rivera, just one more time. It was Mariano Rivera Bobble Head Night, so we arrived early as only the first 18,000 fans would receive one. Unfortunately, the bobble heads did not arrive at the stadium in time for the game, and we had to stand outside the gate for over an hour before they were finally opened and we received a voucher rather than the actual bobble head.

We entered the stadium and went down to left field for batting practice, and Natalia was given a ball by one of the Tampa Bay Rays' players! She was SOOO excited! What a thrill! During the pre-game ceremonies, Mariano Rivera was recognized, so we were able to see him. The Yankees ended up losing, and he did not come into the game, but it was a great night with Natalia and a chance to see him at the stadium just one more time.

In the third inning they announced that the bobble heads had arrived and we ran to get in line ... and were promptly marched from the first level all the way to the fourth to join the line all the way back down to the first level for pickup. It was crazy, but we decided to just stay in line. It took about 35 minutes, but we got our bobble heads. My guess is that we were in the first 3,000 people or so. The line just got longer and longer, and actually wound all the way to the other side of the stadium. Some people waited over 2 hours and missed a significant part of the game, so we were glad that we bit the bullet and waited when we did. 

Take a Seat - Make a Friend!

Honoring Mariano Rivera

Every Day I Pray for My Teenager ... Here's a Great, Helpful Tool

Here's a little book I use to pray for my daughters. It contains 136 prayers covering spiritual life, areas of struggle, relationships, education, and life skills. Each day has a prayer for a specific area with Scriptural references. I appreciate and recommend Every Day I Pray for My Teenager by Eastman Curtis if you have children of your own or work with teenagers. 

A Prayer for the New Day

"Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to the beginning of this day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purposes; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen."

- Phyllis Tickle, The Divine Hours

Houston, We Have a 10th Grader and a 7th Grader!

This morning summer break came to an end and Claudia and Natalia headed back to school, entering 10th and 7th grade respectively. We are thankful to God for a safe and full summer, and praying for a great year in school for the girls.

Goodbye to Sister and Family

Yesterday my sister April, her husband Lalo (Adriana's brother) (Yes, they're married. No, it's not incest. lol), and their 4 daughters loaded up and moved from Long Island back to Virginia. Having April living nearby for the past year was the first time in my adult life that I've lived near any of my siblings. We'll miss having them close, but are happy for them to get back to Virginia and closer to other family members. Can't wait to get down there to see them soon.