Happy Birthday to Me. :)

I woke up this morning to a nice surprise, our web director had posted my birthday on the Kidology.org homepage with a forum post for people to say ‘Happy Birthday.’ It was fun to read those posts! I even got a cell phone call from a Kidology member in Colorado! Today I am 36. And since I love numbers, I was reflecting today that I have lived to be six years old, six times! When I hit the first ‘6’, I was still a youngling at Bellflower Baptist Church in California. By ’12’ I was a young Gospel Magician already doing shows at church and in my friends’ churches. Six more years and I was a senior in high school, at ’18.’ By the end of the next six, I would be ’24,’ a graduate of MBI and married! The next six took me through several ministries, but by ’30’ I was at my present ministry. What amazed me the most reflecting, was that I have been in the same ministry for the last six years. Which means, that a 1/6th of my life has been at the Village Church! It doesn’t seem that long, so I must still be…

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Kid U Columbus has begun…

Tonight was the Kid U Pre-conference: Creativity Blitz! It was a showcase of our speakers talents all centered around the theme of “Bear Much Fruit!” We have people attending from Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, West Virginia, Michigan in addition to throughout Ohio. (not counting our speakers from Illinois and Indiana.) Kid U has begun! First to arrive was Pastor Kal Kilchrist, her amazing son Chad (not pictured here) and a youth helper Cheryl. (http://kidzkick.org) Kal is one of the most creative children’s pastors I have met! She is highly energetic and always brings a bunch of people with her and a host of props. She had to drive from Chicago because of all the props she brings to her workshops! Next, the Laflins arrived! (David and Teesha) They are the BEST Christian Illustionist team in the country! We have used them at our church for an outreach, as well as featured at Kid U North last year! Their performances are incredible – but even more amazing is their heart and kids and ministry. They came all the way from Sterling, Colorado! On of our sponsors for the event is Discipleland. They have been long time supporters of Kidology…

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Off to Kid U Columbus!

It all started this morning, at some insane hour of the morning. I didn’t bother praying, because I’m not sure God was awake yet. (just kidding!) It was still dark when the team assembled at the church to head to O’Hare to fly to Columbus. Pictured here: Theresa, Sara, and Kelly. Getting onto the plane… Tanner (Kidology Director of Web Operations) joined us at the airport. He lives in Chicago, and has the coolest blog. How to stay awake on the plane? Dew and Tazo Chai. ‘Cept, I still fell asleep. Kelly is my preschool director/a Kidology customer support rep/ and most recently, my book editor. It gonna be a fun weekend with the team here in Columbus. Branden was supposed to be here, but it home sick with mono… (everyone who reads this, say a prayer for him – we need him back and well soon!) Despite Tanner’s fears, we arrived safely in Columbus! (Yes, I am still walking with a cane) Kim Bobb – one of the coolest children’s pastors in the world – from Grove City Church of the Nazarene. Her ministry is called Kids Matter Ministries. I visited Kim’s church on my sabbatical and the picture…

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What a Week!

I’m always saying to my wife, Sara, ‘As soon as life returns to normal….,’ to which she replies, ‘this is normal.’ Whew! What a week! Busy! But lots of fun. Crazy, insane, but exciting at the same time. The thing I like best about this blog is that it helps ME to keep perspective on all the great things God is doing – so that in the midst of all the deadlines, e-mails, paperwork, and chaos I don’t overlook all the good things that have happened. I often look at this blog and marvel at the fun things here, and know it looks like all I ever do is play – the hours at the computer, late nights at the office, nearly missed deadines, and overall scatter-brained activity isn’t blogged. People often ask me, “How do you find time for all the fun stuff when you have two very full time ministries to lead.” My answer is always, “I don’t find the time, I make the time.” If you don’t schedule fun, time with people, recreation, and travel – you’ll never do it. The important things in life never ‘pop up’ – you must make them happen in the midst…

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The Music of Star Wars…

After living in Chicago since 1985, I finally have been to Ravinia, and boy am I late! I’d heard good things about it, but somehow never went there. I must be the only Moody guy who didn’t take a date there (which is part of why I didn’t), and it exceeded my expectations. (the girls all playing a game as we wait for the music to start) Well, it took the ‘Music of Star Wars’ – to get me to finally go – with a very large group of friends from church… it was a great group date with no kids. For only $12 you get to sit on the lawn with your blankets, chairs, snacks, etc. and enjoy the music coming from the Pavillion. If you squink, you can see stormtrooper in the front of the orchestra. (Boba Fett if you have great eyes!) I would have gotten a better picture, but the ushers came over and said I couldn’t take any more pictures with zoom. The actor who played the young Boba Fett narrated the story as the music wove through all six movies in order. His accent was fun – “Queen I’m a Dollar,” or “Luke went…

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