It has too long since I have posted anything. In between my last post and today we have celebrated a family birthday, my 16th anniversary, Thanksgiving, Christmas with my side of the family and many other things too numerous to post about.

It's odd when you celebrate Christmas before the 25th. It has thrown me off balance. I keep wondering why people are Christmas shopping and why I am hearing Christmas music on the radio. I love prolonging the season but my equilibrium seems to have taken a hit.

Even so, I'm enjoying time with family and friends. We've been out caroling twice and are having some friends over tonight for dinner. Tomorrow, weather permitting we'll head to Kirkland to celebrate with my wife's side of the family.

I wanted to share this cute little gift I received from my eldest daughter. You can click on the picture to the left to make it larger.

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Reformation Day at The River Academy

Did you know that October 31st is two holiday's in one? I'm sure you are all aware that Halloween is celebrated on October 31st but did you know it is also Reformation Day? I hear you asking, "What is Reformation Day?" It is the celebration of the Reformation which began in the early 1500's and ended up birthing the Protestant church movement. Martin Luther did not intend to break from the Catholic Church when he posted his 95 Theses to the church doors in Wittenberg, Germany in 1517. The Lutheran tradition began in 1520 when Martin Luther and his followers were excommunicated from the Catholic Church by the Pope.

The school Sue teaches at and that my kids attend, The River Academy, makes a big deal out of the day. The entire day is devoted to education about the reformation which climaxes in a period feast and game playing. There is archery, sword fighting, jousting and the children love it. The picture I have posted is of Sue and the girls in their costumes at the beginning of the day. Sue is a Lady in Waiting, Katie is a laundry maiden and Stephie was a beggar. They each won awards, Katie received a third place ribbon for her whole wheat bread and Steph received second place in the elementary ages for best over all costume. The best thing is they had fun!

A Thousand Questions

I first watched this video a few weeks ago in one of the many online services I scan each week. I found myself in tears by the end of this video. We're going to share it this week in our service as we celebrate our denominations 100th anniversary. The Church of the Nazarene began with an emphasis on meeting physical and emotional needs alongside the meeting of spiritual needs. May this video break your heart and move you to action and the fulfillment of God's redemption for this broken world.

Kids in service

The picture to the left was on page two of yesterday's Wenatchee World newspaper. Here is the caption that was included in the paper. "Camille Poe, 10, stuffs a sack into a garbage bag held by Katie King, 11, while a group of young people from a service project day camp put on by the Wenatchee Church of the Nazarene clean up Lincoln Park Wednesday. The group of more than 20 children has made lunches for the Hospitality House, flower planters for Haven of Hope, put on a program for residents of Blossom Valley Assisted Living, stacked clothes for a clothing giveaway, and will make care packages for the military today."

It's novel to see your child in the paper but it's much more satisfying to see young children getting outside of their natural human selfishness and serving others. A great big thank you to Karla for putting together Summer Day Camp and leading our children's department with her tireless energy and enthusiasm.

It's been a very busy last few weeks. Winding down to the end of Pastor Tom's sabbatical. I've been doing my best to keep my head above water so have not had time to make any blog posts.

Today, I thought I'd share the best instrumental on Bass guitar that I have probably ever heard. Enjoy.

Family Portrait

We haven't had a family picture in a long time. It was very over due. The girls are growing up so fast. I'm not one of those cheek pinching parents yet but I sure want to be.

Quietness can be scary

My family has been doing a lot of traveling the first half of the summer. I have been left at home alone by myself quite a bit while my wife and daughters visit family and friends. This week my girls are spending time with my parents in St. Maries, ID. Sue is at training in Moscow, ID for her new teaching job that begins in September. My solitude has allowed me a lot of time to think deeply. I am not a naturally introspective person so it is beneficial for me to have times of solitude in my life to think.......and to listen to God.

Jesus exemplified a life of active ministry to the masses and also to needy individuals. But he also modeled the human need for solitude and silence. There were many times when Jesus withdrew from the crowds (Matthew 14:13, Luke 5:16) and even his disciples at times to commune with God.

What about you, how long has it been since you had a quiet evening without TV, music, phone, internet or companionship with other people? Is it possible that God's voice is drowned out by all the noise we surround ourselves with? Go ahead, give it a try. Spend an evening of quiet with God and see what happens.

Total surrender

Most of you already know that my Lead Pastor is on sabbatical for the summer so I am the acting Lead Pastor for 3 months. Of course that means a lot of increased responsibility and the opportunity to experience some things I've never done before. One of those things has been preaching. I feel okay about the sermons for a guy that has had no real training, but I am under no allusions. At best, I am pretty rough and I don't want to talk about the worst. The interesting things is that somehow God uses my humble sacrifice. I guess it's that upside down thing at work again that seems to exemplify the Kingdom of God. God can use each of us in ways that we would never imagine if we would only give Him the opportunity. What are you holding back from God?

In memoriam

I had the distinct pleasure of officiating at my first memorial service earlier today for Jack Hill. What a testament to a life well lived. His friends packed the church out. The ushers had to bring chairs into the lobby to make room for the overflow crowd. His quiet but consistently faithful life touched the lives of many people. He will be missed but not forgotten.

Red's are coming back Jack!

Friends and fun

We spent the day after the 4th with friends on Moses Lake. My wife loves personal watercraft!! Anytime we are invited, we accept! Wonderful day full of eating, laughing, napping, cruising the lake, catching up with friends. Here I am with Katie having fun on the lake. She did ask me to slow down a little and not take too many fast turns. Good times!

Belated 4th of July post

My wife and I decided to host our neighbors for a BBQ on the 4th of July. We've live in our home for 2 and a half years and have had some extended conversations with most of them. But there is something special about sitting around a table and sharing a meal together that creates an intimacy you don't arrive at with conversations acros the fence. We didn't get the invites out until the day before so we were happy to have 2 of our 5 neighbors show up at Noon to partake in a meal together. We learned a lot about each other and hopefully established a close enough relationship that will grow over the years. We hope to do this more often.

LAN party at the King's

I'm not much of a gamer. When I was a teen you still had to put quarters into an arcade game to play and my quarter didn't last very long. My frugality wouldn't let me spend money on video games.

I did go through a bit of an Age of Conqueror's phase about 5 years ago but that eventually wore off.

My gaming experience these days is as a host for LAN party's. I've had a few all nighters at my house now in the last year. The guys are really considerate and thankful for a place to hang out and play their games. They are glad for my fast fiber optic connection to the internet.

They stay up until about 4:00 or 5:00 in the morning and then crash anyplace they can find for a few hours before playing until about 5:00 PM. It makes for about a 24 marathon. This time I had about 10 guys spend the night. Let me know if you are interested in playing and I'll add you to the invite list for next time.

Make Me a Blessing

Our sermon text this last week was Matthew 9:35-10:8. Jesus says in this passage that the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Karla took the message in the direction of the church being God's hands and feet here on earth. Several songs came to mind when I heard the theme of the day and one of them was the old hymn Make Me a Blessing. The words fit but I've never been to crazy about the accompaniment in the original hymn. I asked the band to get creative and they came up with a great idea that brings the hymn closer to our current musical style. Great job guys. Listen below and judge for yourself.

The Wright Sister's

Saving money

A little over a month ago I saw the writing on the wall about gas prices and decided to buy a moped. We picked up a Honda Ruckus that gets 90 miles to the gallon. It tops out at 35 miles an hour on flat ground although I have gone over 45 going down hill. It's easy and fun to drive around town. Here I am on my way to officiating my first marriage.

If you see me around town honk, wave and smile, but please don't run over me.

Sabbatical reminder

Pastor Tom and Melanie begin their sabbatical on 6/2.

My wife is going back to work full time

Today my wife accepted a full time teaching position at The River Academy in Wenatchee. She has been working there as a teacher's aid since October. Our girls made the move to the school when Sue started working there and they all just love the place.

Sue will be teaching second grade beginning next year and is looking forward to the challenge and the fun. It will mean some big adjustments for our family but we'll adjust. Congrats babe!!

Mother's Day Cookie

Finally finished

A little over 4 years ago I had a very strange experience at my desk at work. I unmistakably heard God's call on my life that day to full time service in a local church. I didn't have many answers but knew I needed to prepare myself with formal education. I enrolled in NNU's Master's of Religion with an emphasis in Spiritual Formation. I was allowed to walk in commencement last May even though I still had one class left. That class that I needed to make up was due to me skipping a class when we moved here to Wenatchee. The first time the class was offered again was this Spring. I finished my coursework last Sunday. So........I am finally DONE!!!

A big thanks must go out to my wife and family for putting up with me over a very busy schedule of full time work and full time school over the last few years. I have had a couple of key financial backers that helped me to pay tuition bills, thanks Mom, Dad, and Marge. And many people have been supportive with prayer and encouragement. Thank you all for making this possible.

My coursework was challenging and my classmates and teachers encouraged thoughtful engagement of the material. I'm a big fan of NNU and distance learning after my experience.

Mary Jo

Tom singing Bartender

Mother's Day Reminder

Video from 4/20/2008

The Truth/Vertigo

Video from Youth Sunday