The wall

I had kind of forgotten about the words painted on the living room wall of the Exodus House until Jane took these pics the other day. Good, good stuff. [I think if you click on the pic it will enlarge. maybe]

The left side.

The right side.

The whole thing.

Moving isaac & ricci to atlanta

We helped son Isaac and his bride Ricci to Atlanta, GA this past week. Carrie took Jane and me down to Anderson Tuesday night so we could drive one of Isaac's cars down and then fly home. The guys from the Exodus House had already loaded the Uhaul with all their belongings, so the two of us spent the night at the Anderson Hampton Inn (which was really nice). Carrie said her goodbye's and headed back to Fort Wayne. Then Wednesday, July 5th was moving day.

We arrived at the Exodus House around 8, and after loading up a few extra items, it was time to leave. Stevo was there, and the five of us had a time of prayer. It was the first time I'd really felt like praying as a group in a long time. All of a sudden things got a bit emotional and then we all got teary-eyed and said our good-byes. Stevo and Isaac had started the House four years ago, and they've been through quite a bit together. It was a little sad to see this phase of life come to a close. They are good guys, but the House is in good shape and I'm sure Isaac's replacement (Randy) will do well.

We finally pulled out around 8:40 am with Ricci leading the way in the Focus (and Crosby the dog in the back seat under the influence of sleeping aids). Isaac was in the middle with the Uhaul because he was the only one that didn't have a GPS-capable phone in his vehicle. Jane and I brought up the rear in the Subaru. We made our way to I-69 South and took that to I-465 in Indy, then we caught I-65 south of Indy and took that through Indiana, Kentucy, and into Nashville, TN. I think we caught I-24 in Nashville and took it to I-75 which took us to Atlanta. If I remember correctly we only stopped three times (or maybe four) for gas. There was a little road construction, and we got caught in rush-hour traffic in Chattanooga, but somehow we all managed to stay together for the whole trip. On one of those 6% inclines in Tennessee the Uhaul started smoking as we were chugging uphill. We pulled off at a rest area and a trucker told us what was wrong and just to let it cool off. It was fine after that. We finally got to Atlanta and had to take I-275 (?) from the Northwest side to the Northeast side. All in all it was a good trip, but it did take us a little longer to get there than we anticipated. Eleven hours of staring at the back of a Uhaul without ever using cruise control was a little tiring, but I didn't really feel too bad.

The house they are renting is in the suburb of Stone Mountain. It is less than ten miles off the interstate (do they call it the Loop, or Belt?), but it seemed we wound around and around. Anyway, we finally arrived at their house on Ellis Street around 7:30 pm or so. We had to do a little maneuvering to get the truck and both cars in the driveway, but we managed. We were glad the electricity was on. We unloaded some things Wednesday night and it was hot, hot, hot. I worked up quite a sweat. The biggest thing we did that night was CLEAN though. The house was a bit dirty. The fridge, sinks, tub, and toilet were especially dirty. The toilet seat was actually black, but Jane managed to get it a fairly clean white again. After doing all we could for the night, Jane and I then headed to our Super 8 hotel in Decatur. It was about 10-15 minutes away. I don't know if we could have found it without GPS on Jane's phone. It wasn't a 'super' hotel, but it had a bed and it was about as cheap as we could find. It ended up being located in a nice area too. Decatur is a growing burb with lots to do. Not that we saw anything Wednesday night, as we passed out sweaty and gross.

Thursday we got up and headed back to Isaac's. We cleaned some more, then unloaded the truck. It didn't go too bad. The heaviest things were the two couches and the motorcycle. My back was a little sore, but not as bad as I thought it might be since I'm so out of shape. So we got the kitchen, dining room and living room looking pretty good, then we all went to downtown Decatur for supper and kind of walked around. It's a neat little place.

Friday we slept in and Isaac and Ricci came and picked us up at our hotel. We went for breakfast/lunch in Decatur, then walked through the Emory campus where Isaac will go to school. It is a pretty nice school. After that we drove over to where Ricci will be teaching.

Hess Academy is located in a Presbyterian Church and Ricci describes it as sort of a "hippy grade school." I think that's great. After that we drove around and then just went to their house for supper. Isaac cooked brats on the grill and we just visited the rest of the night until they took us back to our hotel - which happened to be right about when everyone's 4th of July fireworks were getting done, so there was a little traffic. Another good day.

Saturday we flew back home. We drove from our hotel and got to Isaac and Ricci's around 8 am. They then took us to the Atlanta airport - which is on the Southwest side of town. It only took about 30 minutes as there wasn't much traffic at that time of day. So they dropped us off and we said our goodbyes. We felt much better about the situation when we left than when we arrived. We were a little concerned at first because the house was so dirty, plus there didn't seem to be a lot of white people in the neighborhood where their house is. It's not a 'bad' neighborhood though, and after helping them get settled a little I think it will be a nice place. I'm sure there will be a period of adjustment - they are used to being around a lot of friends all the time - but it will probably be good for them to have some alone time together, and I imagine before long they will have a whole new group of friends.

So... Jane and I flew out of Atlanta around 10 am Saturday. I actually like the Atlanta airport - now that I am familiar with the 'plain train.' It was a smallish plain, and the stewardess actually stopped me and had me show the pilots my t-shirt. I wore my Bob Ross shirt that says, "No mistakes - just happy accidents." We had to fly into Chicago O'Hare, and had a three hour layover there. We got lunch and just hung around - and only had one gate change - and finally flew out of there back to Fort Wayne. Carrie and Anna picked us up around 4 pm. They were all fairly good flights but I will be glad when we can get direct flights from FW to Atlanta. Then it will only be a 2-hour trip.

We were a little tired Saturday night and Sunday morning. I'm glad we came back on Saturday so I could have a day to recoup before starting work again today (Jane has Monday off this week). Now it's back to the ol' grind. I am really glad we were able to help move the kids down there. Crosby and I even bonded a little. I look forward to making a few trips down south over the next few years. It should be quite an adventure. Here are a few random pics...

 

EH fundraiser, leaves, treadmill, silent treatment

We went to the second annual Exodus House fundraiser last night in Anderson, IN. We took Mary from church along with us. She was pretty excited and I'm glad she went. It was held at the church where Isaac's church is now meeting. They meet in the basement of the First UM church in Anderson. A nice place. There weren't a lot of people there - maybe 15 or 20 - and most if not all of them were already involved with the EH in some capacity, either living there, volunteering there, or supporting them in some way. It started at 6:30, but we probably didn't get going until closer to 7. They had some desserts and drinks for us. They showed this video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7Efhv9zW_I&feature=share - (which I love watching), then Steve and Isaac talked, and two of the residents - Anthony and Nick - talked. Anthony has been there almost from the beginning two years ago. Nick just came last week. They all did great. It is quite humbling watching Isaac talk. I teared up a few times (not just when Isaac talked). After the thing was over we took Mary over to the house to give her a tour. We got home around 10 pm. It was a nice time. I was all pumped up to actually do some ministry on the way home. Today it's back to reality.

When I woke up this morning I heard the leaf trucks out front. I knew they were coming to pick up our leaves along the curb sometime soon, but I didn't know it would be this week. I hadn't raked any yet. At first I just said "screw it" and lolly-gagged around. When I saw that they had basically just scooped them into big piles I decided to maybe try to rake up a few of the denser spots. So I got a tarp and a rake and took about three loads out before they came to pick up the big piles. At least I got rid of some of them.

Then I decided to give the treadmill a try. I tried running last Friday outside (the first time since the half marathon). I didn't do so well because my left knee started hurting again. So I just went nice and slow on the treadmill. It was fine for 10 minutes, then it started to tighten up and hurt again. And I was only going 4.5 mph. That's about as slow as you can go without walking. So I backed it down and just walked for another 20 minutes. It's depressing. I don't know if I just need to walk for awhile and build some strength back, or if I just need to break down and see a doctor. Ugh.

Otherwise it's just a gloomy lonely day...

Up and running

For the sake of posterity... I found out last night that The Exodus House is up and running. They got their first resident this past week (Thursday, I believe). Not exactly how they expected things to go; but then again, what ever happens as expected.

Long may you run. Lord, have mercy.

It put me in the mood for this song by Fernando Ortega (Grace & Peace): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pForMWdavzQ

The exodus house - anderson

Here is the new video for The Exodus House in Anderson, IN. Son Isaac is in this one, about 4:30 into it. Nicely done, guys!

Isaac at church

[My apologies if this is embarrassing, Isaac]

Son Isaac spoke at our Sunday worship gathering yesterday (for the first time). How much prouder could a father be? He and friend, Steve Sipka, were invited in to tell us about the transitional living home they are starting in Anderson, IN called The Exodus House. They presented a 12-minute video, then each of them talked for a bit. I think it went over quite well. I believe they gathered almost $2,000 yesterday, and hopefully recruited some continuing financial partners too.

As far as watching my son speak in church... I'm not sure if it was like I expected or not. I mean, how could I not feel just as proud as punch; but at the same time, it seemed like the most natural thing in the world. When Isaac was talking it didn't really even seem like he was my son; certainly not my "little boy." It was just like listening to anyone that was interesting and easy to listen to. Both he and Steve seemed very at ease and confident. And I'm sure the boy doesn't want to hear it, but I can still see him preaching and/or teaching someday. It just looked like something he was born to do. Although I realize he will likely be doing that very thing at The Exodus House too, just in a little different manner. So it's all good. All in all it was a very satisfying morning. I wish I could talk him into coming and preaching here every once in awhile though... :)

And how blessed am I? My son spoke at my church yesterday, my son-in-law helped lead the singing, my daughter runs the computer and takes care of things when I'm gone, and my wife does a little bit of everything. I'm thinking it doesn't get much better than this for a poor country preacher like me. :)

I included this picture of the kids and I (Carrie is behind the branch) because if you can see the boots I have on... those are the same exact boots Isaac was wearing yesterday. He "borrowed" them from me a few years ago, and I think he must wear them about all the time. Though the sole is just about gone. so he's going to need a new pair shortly. I bought those boots not long after I got out of high school in 1981 at a Kmart. I don't think they make 'em like that anymore.