The new convert's first ever PTR to DCL Alaska Cruise (8/16/11 - 8/23/11)

[englishrose47]

I see the mods have closed Jordan's thread until he returns and then he can open it again!!!

 

[Brenle]

Life has been a bit hectic as of late so I apologize for not keeping up and posting photos of my campout with Dylan last weekend. But I wanted to report on some good and sad news as of late.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to serve with my church and set-up a banquet on the streets of LA's skid row alongside a local mission organization called the Fred Jordan Mission. We served over 1,500 people on the streets of LA with over 500 volunteers from our event called "Taking Jesus to the Streets." I am so proud to be part of a church with so many people who wanted to serve folks on a Saturday, setting up tables and chairs (my role), setting up decorations, serving the food, handing out boxes of pre-packaged food and blankets, praying with folks, breaking down the event, cleaning up, serving on the worship team, etc. It was such an awesome event but I was humbled by seeing folks carry their worldly possessions in garbage bags, backpacks and shopping carts. My heart was also broken for the families with kids and elderly who survived by the clothes on their back. While I'm happy to have served with our church, it was sad to think that we have the benefit of leaving the streets but those we served did not and some made their homes on the sidewalks immediately across from our event. I know that there is so much need and only so much as a church that we can do but I pray for these folks....

On another sad note, yesterday, we had to put down our last surviving cat. Nikko had recently suffered from cancer in one of her hind legs and had to have it removed. She was getting by on her single hind leg but yesterday was hobbling around, not able to put any pressure on the remaining hind leg. Wendy took her to the ER vet and found out there was no blood in her leg, indicating that either a blood clot or cancer had cut off the blood making her leg, essentially dead. Faced with having to get by on only her front legs which would be a challenging life, Wendy made the tough choice to let her go.

So it's been an emotional Saturday for us and I've was totally drained yesterday from getting on the computer. We're also gearing up for a family garage sale next weekend so every waking moment is spent on combing the house for items to sell (Wendy even wanted to sell some of my old sneakers )

Hoping that everyone is relaxing this weekend. Sending happy thoughts to all of you.

It's amazing what you learn from the disboards. What a wonderful outreach program your church is involved in and what resources you have to assemble boxes with food and blankets to give away. It sounds like a huge undertaking and obviously worth the time and effort. These are the times I think God looks down and smiles.

 

[glennbo123]

Thanks for your outreach ministry Derek, and sorry to hear about your cat. Losing your pet is a very difficult thing to get through.

 

[*Seanaci*]

Awww...Derek...so sorry to hear about the cat. Making the decision to put a pet down rather than see them suffer/try to live with ails them is a tough one.

Glad to hear you guys will know (today?) when Jordan graduates. I'm super super proud of him! And I hope he is proud of himself as well. He has come far in 6 months time...and deserves to live a full and happy life. ^_^ Lots of hugs to him!!

I'll catch the video later...both the kiddos are napping (my son and the little boy I baby sit for ). And being on my mom's laptop, it'd be too noisy and wake up my son.

Anywho!

 

[DisneyDerek]

It's amazing what you learn from the disboards. What a wonderful outreach program your church is involved in and what resources you have to assemble boxes with food and blankets to give away. It sounds like a huge undertaking and obviously worth the time and effort. These are the times I think God looks down and smiles.

Thanks for the encouragement Bren. I love serving in our church's local outreach ministries but often have conflicts on the Saturdays that they deliver groceries to the local housing projects. I always come away so humbled about God's grace (for us as well as for others) and praying for folks just makes me feel closer to Christ's ministry.

Thanks for your outreach ministry Derek, and sorry to hear about your cat. Losing your pet is a very difficult thing to get through.

Thanks buddy for the encouragement for the ministry and for our cat. But we still have 3 rug rats to manage. Talking about rugs, last night while I was taking out the trash, our 3 year old tempest (Ashlyn) was at it again, taking one of the new dry erase markers and drawing up the carpets. Wendy walked in and we both had to use the carpet cleaner to get it out by hand (I guess dry erase works best on dry erase boards). What are we going to do with Ashlyn?

Awww...Derek...so sorry to hear about the cat. Making the decision to put a pet down rather than see them suffer/try to live with ails them is a tough one.

Glad to hear you guys will know (today?) when Jordan graduates. I'm super super proud of him! And I hope he is proud of himself as well. He has come far in 6 months time...and deserves to live a full and happy life. ^_^ Lots of hugs to him!!

I'll catch the video later...both the kiddos are napping (my son and the little boy I baby sit for ). And being on my mom's laptop, it'd be too noisy and wake up my son.

Anywho!

Thanks for checking back and for encouraging Wendy and me with our cat. Nikko was in her latter stages of life and it was probably best not to make her suffer but Wendy is missing her. I was closer to our boy cat who disappeared 3 years ago the night we brought Ashlyn home from the hospital.....maybe it was a bad trade after all.....just kidding.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Just today I was walking along our street and went under a bridge, there was a man sleeping under several blankets, being snowed on. It broke my heart. It's an everyday sight here in NYC, but it's still hard to see. What an awesome ministry to serve these people!! And what a blessing it must have been to be part of it.

I'm very sorry to hear about your cat.

Loved the video! Very, very cute. Looks like Dylan had a blast! I'm a tad jealous of all those kids playing in the snow without hats (and some without jackets!) on. Here when it snows, it's generally too cold to not wear all the gear.

 

[mom3sonstt]

Thanks for checking back and for encouraging Wendy and me with our cat. Nikko was in her latter stages of life and it was probably best not to make her suffer but Wendy is missing her. I was closer to our boy cat who disappeared 3 years ago the night we brought Ashlyn home from the hospital.....maybe it was a bad trade after all.....just kidding.

They say animals can sense things that people can't. Your cat may have known what was in store for him once Ashlyn got bigger and figured he'd better make his getaway while he could. My #3 child was "meaner than dirt" - and it was my Dad that "cursed" him with it. When he was born my dad said that Mark would have to be the "meanest and orneriest kid in town" - he was coming home to 2 older brothers, and Dad figured Mark would have to get tough to survive. I still haven't forgiven Dad

 

[Blueyed Girl]

So glad to read the update on Jordan and that he will get to head home for a week before finishing up to April. We are still sending prayers his way. I'm excited that he is about to enter this new part of his life.

What a wonderful ministry on the streets of LA!! I bet it was both rewarding and heart wrenching at the same time. What a great thing you guys are doing. It is awful that anyone has to live on the streets.

Sorry to hear about Nikko! The loss of a dear pet can be awful. They are our family members. I'm sure Nikko will be greatly missed. But I bet she is playing with my "furry baby" (my Yorkie) Spencer, at Rainbow Bridge.

 

[DisneyDerek]

Jordan called tonight to let us know he will be graduating from Pure Life on Thursday, March 3rd

Thanks everyone for your prayers, support, and encouragement for Jordy. The end is near......we'll have to see where God takes him next.

I'll fill in more details as ours/Wendy's plans to visit him during his graduation firm up. Unfortunately, we have some other events during that weekend (Dylan's opening day with T-Ball) so we'll have to see if Wendy goes by herself or if I go too.

Please keep Jordan in your prayers.

 

[DisneyDerek]

Just today I was walking along our street and went under a bridge, there was a man sleeping under several blankets, being snowed on. It broke my heart. It's an everyday sight here in NYC, but it's still hard to see. What an awesome ministry to serve these people!! And what a blessing it must have been to be part of it.

Thanks Brooke. The event last weekend to serve the folks on LA's skid row has made me more aware of their needs and I'm hoping that I don't lose that sensitivity and awareness for them.

I'm very sorry to hear about your cat.

Thanks for the condolences for Nikko. She was a good cat and she will be missed but the kids always keep the house noisy (and messy) that it's not any more quiet without her

Loved the video! Very, very cute. Looks like Dylan had a blast! I'm a tad jealous of all those kids playing in the snow without hats (and some without jackets!) on. Here when it snows, it's generally too cold to not wear all the gear.

Yeah, Dylan loved making snow balls. I'm glad I captured it on video. I was still getting the hang of our new Sony Bloggie HD video camera.

They say animals can sense things that people can't. Your cat may have known what was in store for him once Ashlyn got bigger and figured he'd better make his getaway while he could. My #3 child was "meaner than dirt" - and it was my Dad that "cursed" him with it. When he was born my dad said that Mark would have to be the "meanest and orneriest kid in town" - he was coming home to 2 older brothers, and Dad figured Mark would have to get tough to survive. I still haven't forgiven Dad

You're probably right, Taiko sensed that Ashlyn would be running the house and decided to head out of town

So glad to read the update on Jordan and that he will get to head home for a week before finishing up to April. We are still sending prayers his way. I'm excited that he is about to enter this new part of his life.

Thanks Cherie, this will definitely be a new chapter in his life.

Just today I was walking along our street and went under a bridge, there was a man sleeping under several blankets, being snowed on. It broke my heart. It's an everyday sight here in NYC, but it's still hard to see. What an awesome ministry to serve these people!! And what a blessing it must have been to be part of it.

Thanks Brooke. The event last weekend to serve the folks on LA's skid row has made me more aware of their needs and I'm hoping that I don't lose that sensitivity and awareness for them.

I'm very sorry to hear about your cat.

Thanks for the condolences for Nikko. She was a good cat and she will be missed but the kids always keep the house noisy (and messy) that it's not any more quiet without her

Loved the video! Very, very cute. Looks like Dylan had a blast! I'm a tad jealous of all those kids playing in the snow without hats (and some without jackets!) on. Here when it snows, it's generally too cold to not wear all the gear.

Yeah, Dylan loved making snow balls. I'm glad I captured it on video. I was still getting the hang of our new Sony Bloggie HD video camera.

They say animals can sense things that people can't. Your cat may have known what was in store for him once Ashlyn got bigger and figured he'd better make his getaway while he could. My #3 child was "meaner than dirt" - and it was my Dad that "cursed" him with it. When he was born my dad said that Mark would have to be the "meanest and orneriest kid in town" - he was coming home to 2 older brothers, and Dad figured Mark would have to get tough to survive. I still haven't forgiven Dad

You're probably right, Taiko sensed that Ashlyn would be running the house and decided to head out of town

What a wonderful ministry on the streets of LA!! I bet it was both rewarding and heart wrenching at the same time. What a great thing you guys are doing. It is awful that anyone has to live on the streets.

Yeah, it's completely sad about the circumstances of the homeless. I want to do so much more but am happy for that our church has a partnership with the Fred Jordan Mission.

Sorry to hear about Nikko! The loss of a dear pet can be awful. They are our family members. I'm sure Nikko will be greatly missed. But I bet she is playing with my "furry baby" (my Yorkie) Spencer, at Rainbow Bridge.

Yep, they're having a great time together. We keep joking that Wendy's Dad, Rev. David, is petting Nikko (she used to growl or whatever noise cat's make, whenever he picked her up to pet her).

 

[englishrose47]

Great News about March 3rd !!!!!

 

[*Seanaci*]

Yay! Congrats to Jordan. It's fabulous that he is graduating from the program.

Continued prayers, thoughts, and support from me.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Jordan called tonight to let us know he will be graduating from Pure Life on Thursday, March 3rd

Thanks everyone for your prayers, support, and encouragement for Jordy. The end is near......we'll have to see where God takes him next.

I'll fill in more details as ours/Wendy's plans to visit him during his graduation firm up. Unfortunately, we have some other events during that weekend (Dylan's opening day with T-Ball) so we'll have to see if Wendy goes by herself or if I go too.

Please keep Jordan in your prayers.

So excited for Jordan! Praise God for the work He is doing!
I'm not caught up - need to go back and see the video, etc. But I saw this wonderful announcement. I'm having trouble catching up since my Vegas trip.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Okay, love the video! Looks like so much fun with your little warrior!

Derek, God Bless you for your street ministry. Thanks for the reminder of how blessed we are. I am taking a Bible Study called the Love Revolution - Joyce Meyer - she is teaching about how we can look past our own little world and see the bigger picture in serving and reaching others. Looks like you have found yours. I am serving in a Life Recovery ministry - teaching the children of recovering addicts, abusers, etc. So I guess I have found a piece of mine, but I feel there is more I could do.

P.S. So sorry about the cat. hugs to Wendy.

 

[DisneyDerek]

Great News about March 3rd !!!!!

Yes it is!. Thanks for your support Rosie.

Yay! Congrats to Jordan. It's fabulous that he is graduating from the program.

Continued prayers, thoughts, and support from me.

Thanks for keeping him in your thoughts and prayers!

So excited for Jordan! Praise God for the work He is doing!
I'm not caught up - need to go back and see the video, etc. But I saw this wonderful announcement. I'm having trouble catching up since my Vegas trip.

Tammie, congrats on your Vegas trip. Hope you had more wins thans losses. No worries about the video. Jordan is almost a free man!

 

[DisneyDerek]

Okay, love the video! Looks like so much fun with your little warrior!

Derek, God Bless you for your street ministry. Thanks for the reminder of how blessed we are. I am taking a Bible Study called the Love Revolution - Joyce Meyer - she is teaching about how we can look past our own little world and see the bigger picture in serving and reaching others. Looks like you have found yours. I am serving in a Life Recovery ministry - teaching the children of recovering addicts, abusers, etc. So I guess I have found a piece of mine, but I feel there is more I could do.

P.S. So sorry about the cat. hugs to Wendy.

Saw this post after I responded to your earlier one.....Glad you liked the video. Dylan had a blast.

Thanks for your encouragement and for your work with Life Recovery . Isn't it great to be serving where God has equipped us? I've been asked to step up my help at the church, being a small group coach and possibly serving on a Children's Ministry Commission but I'm looking forward to returning to a servant role in church leadership.

I've heard about the Joyce Meyer's studies (I think they offer it at our church) and it sounds like such a wonderful study. In addition to our Bible study that I co-lead, I've been attending an In-Depth Discipleship Men's study on Thursdays and a Saturday morning separate Men's Discipleship group so I've got a lot of reading to do on a weekly basis

Praising God for His goodness and for good friends on DIS

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Saw this post after I responded to your earlier one.....Glad you liked the video. Dylan had a blast.

Thanks for your encouragement and for your work with Life Recovery . Isn't it great to be serving where God has equipped us? I've been asked to step up my help at the church, being a small group coach and possibly serving on a Children's Ministry Commission but I'm looking forward to returning to a servant role in church leadership.

I've heard about the Joyce Meyer's studies (I think they offer it at our church) and it sounds like such a wonderful study. In addition to our Bible study that I co-lead, I've been attending an In-Depth Discipleship Men's study on Thursdays and a Saturday morning separate Men's Discipleship group so I've got a lot of reading to do on a weekly basis

Praising God for His goodness and for good friends on DIS

Amen Sounds like you have alot of good works to do, too!

 

[lovealldisney]

Jordan called tonight to let us know he will be graduating from Pure Life on Thursday, March 3rd

Thanks everyone for your prayers, support, and encouragement for Jordy. The end is near......we'll have to see where God takes him next.

I'll fill in more details as ours/Wendy's plans to visit him during his graduation firm up. Unfortunately, we have some other events during that weekend (Dylan's opening day with T-Ball) so we'll have to see if Wendy goes by herself or if I go too.

Please keep Jordan in your prayers.

Great news!! Thanks for sharing!

Ok now I have to go back and watch that video! Your kids are just to darn stinkin cute for words!

 

[lovealldisney]

Sorry to hear about Nikko! The loss of a dear pet can be awful. They are our family members. I'm sure Nikko will be greatly missed. But I bet she is playing with my "furry baby" (my Yorkie) Spencer, at Rainbow Bridge.

Oh so sorry about your cat! Did you read the rainbow bridge?? I can't to makes me cry. We lost our Springer over a year ago and I just haven't been able to get over his loss. He was really special to me (a mommy dog) my DH wants another Springer but I just can bear getting one at this point. I would want him to be like our Springer we lost and I know that is not possible. It's weird I feel as if he is still around, he died at home in his sleep so I wonder if his presence lingered? But ever so often I get the feeling he's standing next to me.

 

[Blueyed Girl]

Jordan called tonight to let us know he will be graduating from Pure Life on Thursday, March 3rd

Thanks everyone for your prayers, support, and encouragement for Jordy. The end is near......we'll have to see where God takes him next.

I'll fill in more details as ours/Wendy's plans to visit him during his graduation firm up. Unfortunately, we have some other events during that weekend (Dylan's opening day with T-Ball) so we'll have to see if Wendy goes by herself or if I go too.

Please keep Jordan in your prayers.

HOORAY!!!!! We were watching for a date and wondering if by some chance we would be able to make a quick trip to Kentucky. However, it's just not in the cards for us. We are super excited for Jordan and can't wait to talk to him soon!