Happy Birthday, Hayden!

Yes ... our little guy's 3rd Birthday has come and gone ... and what an incrediblly exciting and busy day it was! Hayden is the most precious three year old to ever grace the earth ... and we partied in style at his Bob the Builder party! Homemade Tonka truck cookies and Oreo "dirt" ... two of Hayden's favorite things provided the sugar rush, but first we munched on BBQ beef sandwiches and lots of yummy side dishes! It was a great inside picnic (it rained all day) with family and friends, and it's such an honor to be able to see our little baby grow in to a little boy! Our prayer continues to be that God continues to give us wisdom as we parent and that Hayden grows to know and love the Lord as his personal savior ... we are looking forward to all of the tomorrows with our little boy with anxious anticipation!!!!!!!!!!!

As soon as I get on the computer that the pics are on I'll post them - they're ADORABLE!

A new chapter about to begin...

We were/are comfortable. Working the equivalent of 3 full-time jobs certainly has provided a financially comfortable situation for our family. It's been fun to eliminate debt...eat out whenever the desire popped in our heads...drive reliable vehicles...yada, yada, yada.

Life is about to change...

Today, after an incredible amount of prayer and discussions prodded by God Himself, I resigned my position at Big Brothers Big Sisters. Of the three jobs we have, it brought home the most $$$. Katy and I have had many discussions about this moment with the most realistic thoughts occurring last December. However, we couldn't find the honest peace we were asking God to provide.

After a unexpected and somewhat embarrassing conversation (crying) at Cracker Barrel (of all places) with a great man in our church...my heart was challenged to re-evaluate my employment at BBBS. So, we did. God spoke through two variables: a consistent lack of fulfillment and unexpected people.

So now the resignation has been submitted and I'll conclude my employment in 3 months (I need to finish the start-up of some projects while training people to keep them running). December will a month that I have longed for...after exactly 4 years, I will re-enter full time ministry. If you don't know the entire story, just ask.

For those of you who have remained close and encouraging during these past four years, I'll never be able to express how important it has been for me and my family to lean on your shoulders. I feel as though I'm about to turn around and look at the mountain I just climbed...see the beginning point and feeling the satisfaction of reaching the top and descending with a bucket full of life lessons.

If you pray...pray that I always reference these past 4 years...I never want to become the pastor who only connects with the "Sunday people". Please pray that Katy and I trust God in all this...as an American, this was a stupid decision. As a Christian called to pastor, this was the only decision.

So...I'll probably be as absent as normal from this blog, but I thought you would appreciate an update.

Believing in my God's sovereignty,
DK

First Day of School!

Today was a very special day, because not only did we send our little guy off to preschool, we also celebrated Pete's first day of college! What an exciting day it has been!

David and I brought Hayden to his preschool this morning, and our very independent little man was ready for us to leave so that he could play with his friends! He had an incredible day, and got to ride the bus home, which he absolutely loved! The aide on the bus said that he didn't stop talking the entire ride!

Pete didn't miss a class, and managed to find all of them! He's enjoying KSU and we're excited for all that he'll experience in the next four (or five) years! BBQ from Famous Dave's helped us to commemorate the exciting day!

Lions, and Tigers and Bears ...

We had a great time at the zoo with Grandma Kerby and cousin Liz! It was a beautiful morning and a fun day of talking to the animals! Grandma let each of them choose something from the gift shop ... Liz got a pink flamingo, and Hayden got a cheetah-print truck! (surprise, surprise)! :-)

Time at the Zoo and Back to School!

This past Monday was my very last day of "summer," and my folks came down to deliver a new swingset, and to take Hayden to the zoo! Cousin Liz joined us and it was a great time! Pictures to come shortly ...

Back to school on Tuesday, and my classroom has everything but the students! I managed to get everything in there and organized in record time! Whew!

Praise Gathering 2006

Life has been speeding by us since we arrived home. Friday and Saturday we took part in the Bible Concepts in Counseling Retreat, Sunday morning David preached at nearby Clay Center Wesleyan for a vacationing Pastor Mike, and Sunday night thru Wednesday we're in Salina for our district Praise Gathering!

This week has been an extraordinary time of fellowship and a time to rejoice in the Lord and how He is moving in the lives of those in Kansas! Dr. Pence has delivered some incredibly energizing messages as well!

Fun In The Sun!

Home, Sweet Home!

We returned safely from vacation; rested and tan! We got in Friday morning and had a retreat for our Biblical Concepts in Counseling study we facilitate with another couple at RLC - we finished today and it was an incredible time and a great ending to the 11-week study.

Hayden was thrilled to be back home with his bike and basketball goal, although he was disappointed that his pool is so much smaller than the one he spent last week in - he kept saying "No little pool ... I want my big pool!" Abby has been even more clingy, but we don't mind, and my plants are still alive after a 13 days of 100-degree plus weather, so that's a plus, too!

Tomorrow is a full day - David is preaching for a vacationing pastor at nearby Clay Center Wesleyan, then off to Salina for the Kansas District of the Wesleyan Church Praise Gathering until Wednesday ...

What an incredible God that we serve that He would provide for a vacation to help us escape the business of the world and rest in Him ... and prepare our hearts and spirits and bodies for the weeks to come (the countdown for school has begun: I have 9 more days).

Pictures will follow shortly ... We're still unpacking to repack ... :)

Vacation, Here We Come!

West Palm Beach, Flordia

Storms!

While we were at mom and dad's, there was a HUGE storm! The northeast part of Kansas always seems to get hit the worst with thunderstorms, but it wasn't too bad. We actually sat outside at first and watched the storms form around us because the air was so fresh and cool ... much better than in town ... I miss that!