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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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Crippled for a Week! (and counting)

Labor Day 2005 – I can’t remember a better one ever, and this one ended up in the Emergency Room! (Yes, with me getting shots and stiches!) A family in my church invited Sara and I to go out on their boat on Lake Geneva (WI) for some fun boating, swimming, eating in town, tubing, and bleeding. ;) Well, ok, they didn’t invite me to bleed, but oh the memories! I had never ‘tubed’ like this before. WOW! What fun! As I always say, “I have a new hobbie!” (Though I’ve said that about many things I’ve only done once!) But the tubing was a blast and I went with the eldest of the three adorable girls. If you want to see me eat water, watch this: WIPE OUT! (QuickTime 7MB) This was before the accident. Then it was in to town for lunch with my cute date. :) Ahhhh, isn’t that romantic? :) (not pictured, the bandages and stains on the carpet.) Each of the girls is a sweetheart! Bundles of fun, energy and laughter! When sunset came, the view was wonderful. (By this time, the bleeding still hadn’t stopped) My highlight (besides bleeding) was holding on to this…

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Gas Prices Killin’ Ya?

Gas prices are nuts! I’m thinking of starting a new ministry: Gasaholics Annonymous. (GA for short) “Hi, my name is Karl Bastian, and I am addicted to gasoline.” Which is why, over a year ago, after seeing the prices, at that time, nearing $2.00, I sold my gas-eating trailblazer and got the PK Cruiser. I REALLY liked my TrailBlazer (especially the On Star On Board) but every time I gas up I am so glad I jumped the tank. TRADED IN THE GAS-HUNGRY TRAILBLAZER FOR THE MUCH MORE GAS-FRIENDLY PK CRUISER! Another gas-related story… while on sabbatical, we drove thousands of miles, so were often in the hunt for good gas prices… then one day, we saw a sign off the side of the road: GAS 4 LESS?!?!?! We did a U-TURN and headed back! WOW! These were SUPER PRICES!!! I sped into the station only to see: I guess there prices were just to good to be true…. it was an old out-dated sign. Well, if you are depressed over gas prices – COMMENT BELOW and give us your city/state and what the price is there. We aren’t to $3.00 yet, but it is getting close. I got $2.77…

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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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