Our God is an Awesome God!

Today started out very early and ended up on an incredibly high note. If you ever despair about the future of our denomination or our congregation - don't. It is in good hands.

Our day started at 6 a.m. with a very long walk to the convention center. We boarded the bus for our service day at 6:30, and left around 7. We went to work on Habitat for Humanity houses in the Artist's Village in the Lower Ninth Ward. Our group worked on a total of three different houses. Shelby, Elizabeth, Raymond, and I worked on painting the home belonging to Mr. Tyrone and his wife. They lost everything during Katrina, and relocated to Dallas for a year before Mr. Tyrone's job was ready for him to come back. They have spent the past year working on their home and the homes of other Habitat homeowners, and now their home will be ready for them to move in within a month.

David spent the day caulking at Mr. Tyrone's neighbor's house. He also spent quite a bit of time getting to know folks from other congregations. He really discovered a gift for welcome and evangelism on this trip.

Josh and Ian spent the day being manly men. They helped to install a floor in yet another house.

I wish I had pictures to share, but I spent part of the day working and the other part taking care of a kid with a nosebleed. She's fine - don't worry!

We came back from our service project exhausted, but a shower and a nap did much to revive us. Then it was off to the Dome.

We got there in time to get better seats today - and it was worth it. The theme tonight was all about jazz. I wish I could share with you how amazing the program was, and how engaged our kids were. The evening ended with a concert by the Katinas - powerful worship music. Our kids heard "How Great Thou Art" in a whole new light.

Now we are enjoying pizza and America's Funniest Home Videos before we pray, pack, and go to bed.

All that's left now is worship tomorrow and the journey home. Pastor John invited us to be his guests on the floor of the dome tomorrow, which is really exciting.

Until tomorrow...

Peace!