It has just begun. The first time of the year when the layering begins. My favorite time of year is the fall. The weather changes, the leaves fall, football is in full swing, and the temperature dips below 50. The perfect time of your to throw on a sweatshirt, drink some great coffee (or hot apple cider), and enjoy the amazing season God has created for us.
My wife and I recently moved to Michigan in the Down River District of Detroit (or as I have named it the DWR). We are just beginning to get used to the place, but nothing excites me more than the fall weather which is just beginning. Just a couple of weeks ago I began to follow my favorite football teams (Florida Gators & Indianapolis Colts) and are so excited for the rest of the season to continue. But besides football season being in high gear, there is much to love about the fall.
This is the first time of the year that we are not dripping with sweat while wearing our favorite pair of jeans. It is just now getting acceptable to wear those awesome beanies that we all have been waiting months to wear (maybe that is just me), but most of all we get to hang out with friends outside around a bonfire or grill enjoying some of our favorite food and company. What could be better than spending a fall evening grilling out, listening to music, and reminiscing with old friends.
Since we are new to the place, I have some goals for the fall season that I hope I can achieve before the dreadful cold of winter hits. They are as follows (in no particular order):
Play 10 more rounds of golf (shoot below 80 again)
Play a couple games of pick up football
Watch my St. Louis Cardinals win the 2012 Fall Classic
Enjoy multiple bonfires with new friends
Train our awesome new puppy to go to the bathroom outside (not as easy as it looks)
Purchase and read Tony Larussa's new book
Road trip to Northern Michigan
Enjoy my 23rd Birthday (October 9th if you were wondering)
Begin brainstorming ideas for my first book
Watch a couple new shows on Netflix (the best thing for a TV/Movie buff)
Visit Canada for the first time
Discover some new music (that no one has ever heard of)
Go to an Apple Orchard and get some great caramel apples
Throw a Halloween Party in our new home
Begin the adventure of finding Detroit's best burger joint
Find a couple great local coffee shops (any suggestions)
Go on many a walks with my beautiful bride
These are just a couple of my many goals for the coming months as we settle into the great weather and watch as God, once again, performs one of his many miracles. Such an exciting time of the year and I am so blessed to be spending it in one of the most beautiful states in America. Wish me luck.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Indie Thoughts // Normal Mind
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
All Things New...
As you may know, there are a lot of changes that have taken place recently in my wife and I's life. We have moved to a new home (Southgate, MI), accepted a new job (Student Ministries Pastor @ Twin Oaks Christian Church), as well as a couple other things.
We are really excited for the future and our lives here in Michigan. We are still exploring and hoping for a wonderful time here. God is so good and we are so happy to be here. If you would like to come visit, get in touch. We would love to see you.
We have recently purchased a great new vehicle for Jennifer to drive and have gotten rid of the Olds. It was a sad day when we saw the Olds drive away, but we were happy to have the new Pontiac Torrent in our grasp. It is a 2WD SUV, with a Sunroof, all the great technology items inside, tons of room, not to mention pretty great gas mileage (for an SUV).
We have also adopted a wonderful 10 week old mini dachshund puppy by the name of Indie. He is a really great, cute, fun puppy, but man are they a lot of work. Our lives have changed, which is tougher than we thought, but we are happy.
As well as the new additions to our family and our garage, I also designed my office with some great help from Jennifer Tod. I am still working on the wall decor, but it is a work in progress.
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| 2007 Pontiac Torrent |
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| Indie at 6 weeks old |
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| One of the Great Pictures found at Urban Outfitters |
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| The view home the front door of the new Office @ Twin Oaks |
Lastly, Jenny and I just become official Michiganders by receiving our Michigan License Plates as well as our Michigan Licenses (temporaries for the next 10 business days).
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| Temp Michigan License |
till another day,
normallyINDIE
The New Guy...
My wife and I most recently decided to take a leap of faith and accept a position in a state we have never visited, moving further away from family, and did I mention doing all of this in 2 weeks. Yes, my wife and had recently decided to accept a position at Twin Oaks Christian Church in Woodhaven, Michigan as their Student Ministries Pastor.
We did not know much about the church or about Michigan in general before visiting just a few weeks ago. But as we had our first Sunday this past week as well as my 2nd week in the office, I could not be more pleased with the decision that God allowed us to make. The church is filled with hundreds of great people that are truly seeking after God and his mission and vision for their lives as well as students that are fully engaged in their relationships with christ.
Upon our meeting this past Sunday Night, I challenged the students with the idea that there are 10,000 students in the Down River District, many of which who do not have a church home. Our students here at Twin Oaks Christian Church have begun to shift their focus away from themselves, but to the 10,000. As the year continues, we will continue to focus on this number believing that our mission is not complete until all 10,000 people have heard the message of the love of Christ as well as have found a place to grow and fellowship with other believers.
As far as Student Ministries goes, their will be a couple changes that take place very soon and I am very excited to unveil those changes on October 7th at our Fall Kickoff. I am so ready to see what God has in store for me with these students here as well as what role my wife and I can play in the family of Twin Oaks Christian Church
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Goodbye OTR, Hello DWR...
Goodbye Cincinnati and our wonderful downtown apartment, what an amazing and adventurous 8 months it was living on 8th and Main St. in downtown Cincinnati, but we have traded in our city digs for a much nicer, quiet, hipster, 2 bedroom 2 bath apartment in Southgate, MI.
We have just recently moved into the beautiful state of Michigan, specifically south of Detroit in the Down River District. It is a beautiful area filled with nature, wildlife, urban culture, and not to mention restaurants. Although we very much loved the history and culture of Over the Rhine we are really excited to call the Down River District our new home.
From what we have heard is that Detroit is one of the worst areas to live in America, but all we have found is fun loving, beautiful, great people that have a hospitality unlike any other city I have been a part of. Not to mention, I hope that I pick of the accent that is so great up here in the north. We have spent much of our time in Trenton, Wynadotte, Southgate, Taylor, & Woodhaven and we love the historical old homes as well as the convenience of having a Target, Walmart, Starbucks, CVS, & Redbox right near by.
We most recently received our Michigan License plates as well as our official (temporary) Michigan Driver's Licenses (after a two hour adventure at the SOS office). What we have been told now is all we have to get is a Red Wings jersey and a Michigan Maize and Blue hat and we will become true Michiganders.
We are so excited to have moved a new home, with new adventures, people, and places. Stay tuned for more updates about our favorite places to go in the DWR as well as Downtown Detroit.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Our First Home...
It has been quite awhile since I have been able to blog, but I am going to promise you that will stop this week. I will begin back on my weekly tradition this week.
From where I left off, my beautiful wife Jennifer and I had a pretty big decision to make. Beginning of August we were approached by a Pastor in Michigan about the opportunity for a position in youth ministry. From the very beginning of conversations with Randy Wheeler we were excited about the opportunity, but most of all saddened by the fact that it meant we would be leaving our home in Cincinnati.
I started my time at Groesbeck Church in January of 2012 fresh out of college and ready to see what God had in store. I could not have asked for more. My time spent at Groesbeck was great and an amazing learning experience as I had an opportunity to work with some great students and volunteers at the After School Program as well as mold the minds of our six student leaders. Nothing excited me more than to see the passion in the eyes of the students of CHAOS//Student Ministries. It truly was a wonderful experience.
But as you know, we felt that when we were offered the position of Student Ministries Pastor at Twin Oaks Christian Church we truly felt that God was calling us out of our ministry at Groesbeck and to partner with him in a new city, a new church, and a new home. It was a huge risk, but my wife and I find that the best situations always come out of a little risk.
Therefore, as of August 31st, 2012 we began to call Southgate, MI and Twin Oaks Christian Church our home.
Again, Groesbeck Church, thank you so much for the hospitality, the friendship, the love, and the fun that we had with you all for a short time. We will be praying for you and the journey that you guys are on.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
From where I left off, my beautiful wife Jennifer and I had a pretty big decision to make. Beginning of August we were approached by a Pastor in Michigan about the opportunity for a position in youth ministry. From the very beginning of conversations with Randy Wheeler we were excited about the opportunity, but most of all saddened by the fact that it meant we would be leaving our home in Cincinnati.
I started my time at Groesbeck Church in January of 2012 fresh out of college and ready to see what God had in store. I could not have asked for more. My time spent at Groesbeck was great and an amazing learning experience as I had an opportunity to work with some great students and volunteers at the After School Program as well as mold the minds of our six student leaders. Nothing excited me more than to see the passion in the eyes of the students of CHAOS//Student Ministries. It truly was a wonderful experience.
But as you know, we felt that when we were offered the position of Student Ministries Pastor at Twin Oaks Christian Church we truly felt that God was calling us out of our ministry at Groesbeck and to partner with him in a new city, a new church, and a new home. It was a huge risk, but my wife and I find that the best situations always come out of a little risk.
Therefore, as of August 31st, 2012 we began to call Southgate, MI and Twin Oaks Christian Church our home.
Again, Groesbeck Church, thank you so much for the hospitality, the friendship, the love, and the fun that we had with you all for a short time. We will be praying for you and the journey that you guys are on.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Just another week...
Yes, it is the middle of August 2012 and there is really not much to talk about in life. We are in the midst of something amazing here at Groesbeck Church with a rebranding campaign in full swing. We are just one month away from the relaunch of our Contemporary Service at 11:00am on Sundays and we could not be more excited about the opportunities that are going to come our way as we begin to serve the church.
But when I really think about it...what seems to keep coming to my mind is why we do what we do? What is the purpose of living a life as a pastor to a congregation of people who are looking for something. It is really just that. All of us inside are seeking something in our lives whether it be fame, fortune, love, happiness, but all of those things still really cannot fill the void that seems to get more vast every second of every day. That is the amazing gift that we pastors have the opportunity to share on a weekly basis.
The idea that hope can be find in a relationship with Christ Jesus and Christ Jesus alone. It makes all those other things seem insignificant. It brings to light the reason that we pastors stay up late and wake up early, visit the sick, preach on sundays, counsel during the week, because there is a community we are a part of that is looking for something. We have that something and it is our job to show that to them.
God has revealed in me that despite all things, he power and hope reigns true in all things. It is an exciting feeling and most of all a feeling that makes me want to drive to work every morning. A feeling that excites me when I have the chance to interact with students. A chance that excites me when I am able to share the gospel with a student and they get it. There is not a better feeling in life then knowing that you shared the gift of life with someone, the gift of life in Jesus Christ.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
Monday, August 6, 2012
Seasons Change...
As the weather starts to change, the leaves start to fall, and you begin to hear the sound of the marching band coming your way, something stirs in your heart. Their is just something about the end of a season and the transition of a new way that always gets to me. It always seems to make me feel sentimental for what happened in the past few months and hopeful for what is to come.
For us here in the midwest United States, it is about time for fall and when I think of fall I think of sweatshirts, college football, a great bowl of chili, beautiful weather, perfection. But as I think of the future perfection to come, I cannot help but look back at the summer that was 2012 and all it had to bring.
As many of you know, this past spring I married the love of my life Jenny Tod in Indianapolis, IN on March 10th, 2012. It was the most magical experience of my life. Such an unexplainable feeling to see something you have dreamed of for so many years finally come true. Not to mention the fact that for the rest of my life I get to spend time with my best friend, sharing in the good, the bad, and the ugly. This being said, this was Jenny and I's first summer together and most of all our first summer in Cincinnati. Man was it hot. Record heat killed us in our downtown apartment because of the lack of Central A/C (something you don't appreciate until it is gone). All in all, we had a wonderful summer together downtown just steps away from Street Pops, all the events in OTR, and not to mention Graeter's Ice Cream on Fountain Square.
This was also my first summer at Groesbeck Church as their Pastor of Student Ministries. It was an exciting event filled summer with trips jam packed into the month of July that I almost felt as though I was not home at all (not a good feeling). I went on my first trip to Ichthus, Minot, ND, and Awaken the City. All of these trips giving me the opportunity to get closer with our church family and really begin to feel at home. This summer also gave me the drive to get work done as we have begun in our process of redesigning the church as a whole from the ground up. It is a really exciting, yet scary process as we begin to rethink what God has in store for Groesbeck Church.
This summer being exciting and fun-filled only gives me the sense of hope for the fall. What is in store just around the corner? I will never know for sure what is going to happen next, but what I do know is that the Lord is leading us in the direction we are supposed to go and I am so excited to follow him humbly and serve him with all of my heart. God sure is doing some amazing things in our lives and I am so excited for him to show himself in miraculous ways once again.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
For us here in the midwest United States, it is about time for fall and when I think of fall I think of sweatshirts, college football, a great bowl of chili, beautiful weather, perfection. But as I think of the future perfection to come, I cannot help but look back at the summer that was 2012 and all it had to bring.
As many of you know, this past spring I married the love of my life Jenny Tod in Indianapolis, IN on March 10th, 2012. It was the most magical experience of my life. Such an unexplainable feeling to see something you have dreamed of for so many years finally come true. Not to mention the fact that for the rest of my life I get to spend time with my best friend, sharing in the good, the bad, and the ugly. This being said, this was Jenny and I's first summer together and most of all our first summer in Cincinnati. Man was it hot. Record heat killed us in our downtown apartment because of the lack of Central A/C (something you don't appreciate until it is gone). All in all, we had a wonderful summer together downtown just steps away from Street Pops, all the events in OTR, and not to mention Graeter's Ice Cream on Fountain Square.
This was also my first summer at Groesbeck Church as their Pastor of Student Ministries. It was an exciting event filled summer with trips jam packed into the month of July that I almost felt as though I was not home at all (not a good feeling). I went on my first trip to Ichthus, Minot, ND, and Awaken the City. All of these trips giving me the opportunity to get closer with our church family and really begin to feel at home. This summer also gave me the drive to get work done as we have begun in our process of redesigning the church as a whole from the ground up. It is a really exciting, yet scary process as we begin to rethink what God has in store for Groesbeck Church.
This summer being exciting and fun-filled only gives me the sense of hope for the fall. What is in store just around the corner? I will never know for sure what is going to happen next, but what I do know is that the Lord is leading us in the direction we are supposed to go and I am so excited to follow him humbly and serve him with all of my heart. God sure is doing some amazing things in our lives and I am so excited for him to show himself in miraculous ways once again.
till another day,
normallyINDIE
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