Kentucky Wildcats Basketball Wins #2000 And I Was There!

Monday night, December 21st at 7 pm the Kentucky Wildcats started a game against Drexel University at Rupp Arena. I was in attendance with my wife, Lori, and sitting in section 230 row FF seats 5 and 6. The game was a blowout with UK winning 88-44. Demarcuse Cousins and Patrick Patterson led the team in scoring with 18 points a piece and John Wall had 16 points along with 7 assists. Cousins also led the way with 13 rebounds in the rout. #3 ranked Kentucky improved to 12-0 on the season with historical win #2000. Immediately after the game, confetti and streamers filled the air of Rupp Arena and the crowd stayed standing in their places. No one was leaving early from this celebration. After the game Coach John Calipari and his team came to center court with a microphone. He addressed the crowd about how this team has only had a small part in the wins at Kentucky but that the fans have been here the entire time. Calipari said, "People have a pride in their Commonwealth's team and it means something to them." He also handed the microphone to Coach Adolph Rupp's son who told of how proud his father would have been. Former coach, Joe B. Hall, and former players (Jamal Mashburn, Kenny "Sky" Walker, etc.) were all in attendance for the momentous occasion. The evening was great and I look forward to #3000 but first a National Championship is in order - maybe the 2010 one? :)

Went to NYC to Watch the CATS Play UConn

I was in New York City last week from Wednesday 12/9 to Saturday 12/12. Lori and I went to Madison Square Garden to watch the Kentucky Wildcats beat the UConn Huskies 64-61! The game was great as it came down to the wire with the CATS pulling it out. I made a sign and took it with me... it read "The Great Wall of Kentucky Stretches from Lexington to NYC". It was so good that it got me on ESPN several times. I got texts throughout the game from friends and family saying they saw me on TV. It made the game that much more fun! We also toured Yankee Stadium and saw the restaurant used in Seinfeld. We went to a Broadway show called "Memphis" which was also very good. We had a great time in NYC with Lori's friend Tashena who lives there. It made for a great trip and some wonderful memories!

The Month of July!!!!!!!!

WOW! July was a great month for me. It began with taking 11 youth to Cedarville, Ohio for Student Life Missions Camp (6-10). We had one girls get saved and another who rededicated her life to Christ. We did work at Adcare Hearth and Home for alzheimers patients. the kids really enjoyed it and now we will begin doing it hear in Lexington in September. Jeremy Kingsley was a great speaker and Rush of Fools did a great job leading worship. The lead singer, Wes, came and spoke to our group one night along with Dustin, the lead guitarist. It was great to meet and greet with those guys in a small personal setting. The day after we got back from camp I left for Peru for a week (11-18). Where do I begin... I got to preach on the 12th twice. Once in the morning to 53 youth where 27 were saved and once in the evening where over 25 were saved. We handed out hundreds of Bibles throughout the week in Lima, Gomorrah, and Pachacutec. We got to share the Gospel and hand out blankets to prostitutes in downtown Lima where several were saved. It was a great week where hundreds were saved and hundreds more had seeds planted. I came back to Lexington for a week before heading to Las Vegas/San Diego for Cory Wells' wedding (29-3). In Las Vegas we saw 2 Cirque du Soleil shows - LOVE and O. They were awesome! I got to play TPC Las Vegas where I shot 73. We drove to Riverside, CA for Cory's wedding on the 1st and then on the 2nd drive to LaJolla where I played Torrey Pines South with Marc Mangiafico. I shot 76 there with an eagle on 13. It was a great day... I loved it! Ahhhhhh the month of July is now over.

Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School was this week. We had a great turnout of close to 100 kids each day. The theme was Boomerang Express. I dressed up a little Australian on Sunday monring and did the announcements with an "aussie" accent and wrestled a blow up alligator, ummm gecko actually. I couldn't find an alligator. Anyways it was a great week and we had many families attend that are not affiliated with our church in any way which means we have a list of visits to make starting next week. Also, mine and Lori's anniversary was last night and we went to Malone's and ate some wonderful filet mignon. 3 years and counting!

It's been 2 1/2 months and I haven't written anything!

So i have been a little busy and haven't written a thing for 2 and 1/2 months. SO here is a recap of what has gone on in that time. Church softball has started and we stink. We are "un-victorious" this season with 4 games left. Lori and I went to Philadelphia to visit Andy and Kasey and had a great time. We saw the Rocky statue, ate cheesesteaks, went to a Phillies game, and saw the Liberty Bell and all the buildings there. Then there was the 30 Hour Famine with the youth on April 24-26 weekend. We didn't eat for 30 hours and we played games at the church and began the tearing down in the gym to make way for the renovation which starts next week. I also got to preach on Famine Sunday and the students did all the work in the service (ushers, greeters, singers, children's sermon, etc.). We raised $2500 for hungry children across the world. On May 11th I tried to qualify for the US Open and failed miserably. Wwell it wasn't that bad but I didn't qualify. I finish 33rd out of 80 or so. Not too bad for a youth pastor! Lastly I went on vacation last week to Destin, Florida with Lori, Stacey, TJ, and Madelyn. We had a blast. The weather was great, food was great, golf and swimming were great. We even got to meet up with the Lyons' family at AJ's for dinner our last night and there 2nd night there which was a great time! OH, and how could I forget that I won an all-expense paid trip to Los Angeles through Catalyst for my dominating NCAA bracket. I had 14 of Sweet 16, 8 of Elite 8, 4 of Final Four, 1 of Final 2, and the Champion picked correctly! I get to go on that trip next April. I won the trip out of 15,000 people which was awesome. OK now I have caught up everything so I can back to writing on here a little more frequently!

My Ordination Service

Last night, Sunday March 1, I was ordained at Broadway Baptist Church in Lexington, KY. Pastor John Birchett led the service with the Drex Kemplin, the chairman of the deacons, giving the candidate presentation on behalf of the deacons, Pastor John, Music Minister Jeff Randolph, and Brother James Heard after my completion of the council on February 21st. The service was great. Pastor John spoke out of 2 Timothy 2:14-30. Rebecca Seitz, Kevin Tolliver, and Megan Davis read scripture during the service as well. Brother Jeff led the singing with Amazing Grace, How Great Thou Art, Just as I am, and others. I was encouraged by the number of ordained men (pastor, music minister, and deacons) that prayed for me while laying their hands on me. I received a Bible and an Ordination certificate from the church. A reception of Chic-Fil-A nuggets, cupcakes, and fruit foolowed the service. My parents and grandparents, Lori's parents and grandparents, and my sister-in-law, brother-in-law, and niece Madelyn were all in attendance for the occasion. It was a great night for glorifying God and I pray that I can continue to do so.

New to blogging!

This is my first blog ever. It is exciting to think I have finally created a blog. So many people have them and I enjoy reading them but, I had never created one until now. The plans for this blog is to write down the things I am involved in as a student minister and how the Lord reveals various things to me. It will also include random thoughts of whatever comes to my mind. Let the BLOGGING begin!