I am Legend... I Hope

Haven't blogged in a while. Had a relaxing day with Joy, woke up... went to Corner Bakery for some Swiss Oatmeal and coffee with our reflection time over Beth Moore or Dallas Willard. 

There was a, not so shy or quiet, self-promoting soccer coach sitting with some soccer parents and all their kids nearby outside. Joy and I laughed as we left there about 1 hour later and he LITERALLY had not stopped talking the WHOLE time - we couldn't believe it, an amazing feat for someone so obviously humble. 

We went shopping for PEOPLE and then we headed home for an afternoon of gift wrapping (JOY) and Halo xbox live (with Irons)... we later hit the gym and came home. Joy made an amazing stir fry with a full on vegetable platter left over from her staff Christmas party the night before. WOW... nice.

And now... I am hoping and blogging that we can go see I Am Legend with Will Smith. That's it, that's all I got. I don't know if anyone cares but that IS what the Socal Kerrs did today:). 

Isella Visit - Oh, I mean Thanksgiving too!

We had EVERYONE over the Thanksgiving weekend starting off with Joy's mom and brother (Ben) who came down Wednesday. My parents also came down early and crashed at a nearby hotel. We had a Kurian sighting and got the latest on his SF adventures. Thanksgiving Day was a blast with Randy and "Nanner" (my name for Joy's grandmother) driving down from ventura around noon... and the fact that the Cowboys won didn't hurt the day either:).

Did I mention that my WIFE did an AWESOME job with the turkey this year? And did I also mention how incredible Nancy, Carol and Nanner helped pull off such a great feast? Thanks women - it was sooo good.

Games, food and a memorable Thanksgiving "thank" session over speakerphone with Jordan and Lindsey (who are in Maryland) filled our day. God is good all the time but it was fun thinking about it together. Randy and Nanner had to head out after some serious "speed uno" and an attempt at learning how to play Halo 3:). I am proud of you Randy.

Tony, Wendy and Isella arrived on Friday morning and got to hang with Nancy and Ben before they left back for Ventura. The rest of the weekend was hanging out with the Kerr/Gap side - doddling Isella, seeing movies, working out together (with Tony and Wen) and even going to Saddleback Church on Saturday night.

The Kerr/Gap entourage left Monday morning for the "short" drive up the 5 back to NorCal. It was a great weekend - Joy and I had a blast with our families we love and appreciate them so much for making the trek!

Maryland Trip and 2 yr Anniversary!

We have a TON of picts so be forewarned (and they are out of order-sorry!)




THURSDAY NIGHT and FRIDAY

We had a great time with Jordan and Lindsey! Arriving Thursday Night at Baltimore Airport, we spent all day with him dropping off his Audi in Alexandria and taking the metro to the "Mall" where we went to the Natural History Museum, the Art Museum (lunch), the National Archives (Declaration of Independence) and finished strong at the Air & Space Museum (my fav).

There was so much to see but didn't have the time so we have an excuse for another trip to see the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, the Holocaust Museum, etc.

We met up with Lindsey on Friday night (she has to drive so far to work she sometimes stays at a coworkers house to alleviate the commute!) and had an awesome Italian dinner at Carrababa's (sp?).

SATURDAY

We "chilled" all day on Saturday - the girls went shopping and so Jordan and I were FORCED to play Halo 3 for 5 hrs... it was rough. I even took Charlie for a little walk at night in the neighborhood - yeah, it was cold and Charlie liked to sniff everything every 5 feet - good times.

SUNDAY

Sunday we went to Bay Area Community Church in Annapolis and met up with Jordan and Lindsey's friends. We grabbed a bite at "Pusser's" - our waitress was so sweet and she even asked for prayer as she saw us pray before our myriad of seafood platters. Turns out she needed some encouragement and so we connected her with Bay Area Community - it was very cool.

Finally, Jordan and Lindsey gave us a drive through tour of Annapolis (beautiful naval town due to the academy) and brought us to our bed and breakfast spot at Fell's Point in a historic district of Baltimore near the Inner Habor. Praise God, for once, the internet investigation of a location to go to a bed&breakfast worked out! I had no prior reference - just picked it after some research online. Celie's Waterfront Inn - it was a great little charming place. Simple but with personality and it is located in a cobblestone laden, colonial feel street right near the water.

It wasn't Maui or anything but it was cool. There are a lot of taverns and random eateries all over that area. We even got to see a Naval ship docked in the harbor, playing music on Monday morning - we thought it was a US vessel though I believe the flag was South Korean - not sure.

But with Jordan and Lindsey still with us on Sunday afternoon, we walked around and landed on Bonaparte's Cafe which was a french boulagerie - we played speed uno's and drank coffee - Jordan finally vindicated himself as he was on a hefty losing streak until then.

We said our good byes and later grabbed dinner at a GREAT Mediterranean restaurant called Mezze. Food was awesome and the ambience was warm/fun and contemporary. We loved it.
We asked the waitress if there was a movie theater around so we walked over to the Inner Harbor area and saw the movie "Lions for Lambs" with Cruise, Streep and Redford.

We both enjoyed the movie, recognizing that it was designed to motivate people to vote or simply get off their passive seats and be involved in finding your stance on present matters in the world. It seemed to give arguments for and against both sides of the war in Afghanistan but it had some other interesting character interactions - with Redford as a college professor talking with a disillusioned but apparently gifted political science student, two ethnic minorities deciding to "be a part of the solution" and signing up for the military and Cruise as a young congressman or senator articulating his vision to Streep (a reporter) for modifications in waging a successful military strategy overseas. It was interesting.

MONDAY

We wrapped up our weekend, took a taxi to the BWI airport that was driven by a great guy named Isaiah who had only been in America for five years from Ethiopia. He was such a good hearted and positive spirited person - he shared about his newfound love for American football, his bouts with considering being a nurse and realizing he hates hospitals. Now he is trying to finish his degree in dental hygiene - hilarious.

Pardon me: Iraq and Bin Laden

Pardon me for the seemingly "random' nature of this entry in light of my wife's previous Halloween post but I have to mention something I have thinking a lot about lately: Iraq and Bin Laden.

What is REALLY going on? HOW did we get here? Where did Bin Laden come from and what's his problem anyway? HOW did we decide to go into Iraq anyway - I mean, what were the detailed sources of evidence (and lack of) that we purportedly had?

I have watched CNN. I have read the paper. I have discussed the subjects with friends and aquaintances but even after a few years of Bin Laden and Iraq becoming household names, I still haven't felt informed enough to have a grasp on these two subjects.

Oh I have EMOTIONAL opinions about them but not detailed understandings where I could speak with even pseudo authority.

So, I have read these two books over the last two months and I HIGHLY recommend both of them in getting a grasp of the subjects aforementioned.

Fiasco: The American Military Adventure in Iraq by Thomas E. Ricks

I found myself saying "AHA" or "OHHHHH" as the journalistic testomonies illuminated the leadership decisions, flops and lessons in the US deciding to invade and through the occupation of Iraq.

Suspend your rightist or leftist judgements. This book is about costs - not that avoiding costs was/is the solution to Iraq, but that the costs of poor planning, communication and leadership have contributed to the present mire. A key takeaway for me was the profound leadership errors - large and small - made by good people who, at pivotal times, made decisions not taking into account their own blindspots or mistaking humility with cowardice. Not all of the book was negative - there are some refreshing examples of military and civilian leaders that responded in this fog of uncertainty - with courageous leadership and tremendous sacrifice. A very helpful read.

The Looming Tower: Al Quaeda and the Road to 9/11 by Lawrence Wright

As for Bin Laden, this books is so much more than just about him. It provides the overall worldview and context that led to 9/11. I could NOT PUT IT DOWN - little did I know that the Al Qaeda belief in takfir - 'a license to kill' interpretation of the Quran - found its inspiration in the writings of Sayyd Qutb in the 1940s as he visited the U.S. - specifically Greeley, CO of all places! Like most of history, stuff just doesn't happen but is a culmination of individual choices based on beliefs, socio-economic events or conditions, disasters and paradigm shifts - this is a tragic and fascinating account of the emerging extremists the US faces.

I don't know if I can say 'enjoy' but definitely 'dive in' and be better informed - it's worth it.

A substitute in Mrs. Kerr's class

A little late...but definitely worth it! On Halloween the students were definitely surprised to see a strange but familiar person come hobbling up to the classroom. Students and parents alike were whispering "Is that Mrs. Kerr?" "It is Mrs. Kerr!" "No, it's not!" She stepped up to the very curious students in line for the day (stifling a burst of laughter) and said: "Is this Mrs. Kerr's class?? I'll be your substitute for the day."
Yes, it's true, I dressed up like an old lady for Halloween and surprised not only my students but my entire staff and parents! The inspiration was the gray wig I was given several years back and a pair of old reading glasses. The rest just came together the night before (with a little help from my friend Christy). The makeup was one of the best parts since I made my skin super pale and used eye shadow to exaggerate lines of aging all over my face. Erin was out of the house bright and early that day, but nevertheless, I was literally cracking myself up getting ready in the morning. My ultimate goal was to remain in "substitute" character all day long and I did well until my students realized it was me (10 minutes into the day!) For the parade, I had one of my students, Brett (who dressed up as a girl) escort me around the school since I was quite feeble and unstable...luckily I had a cane!
The day was unforgettable and I couldn't stop laughing. Finally, at the end of the day Colton said "Enough already Mrs. Kerr! We know it's you! You can take your wig off now!" Hilarious! Oh, and the icing on the cake was getting to visit my sweet Jessie at her home after school where I acted in character saying: "I've aged a bit since you last saw me." To which she replied: "I know it's you Mrs. Kerr!" between precious chuckles and smiles. -Joy

Guys Weekend

Once a year in October - a bunch of buddies from college get together to descend upon a hapless beachside village and corrupt it with non-stop rotations of stuffing our faces, playing xbox, sharing stories and an occasional football toss before we all keel over from pulled hamstrings... this year: MISSION BAY, SAN DIEGO.





Vorbau, Westphal, Eakin, Irons, Lang and Kerr in the mix.

It was actually more hilarious and fun than these photos seem but don't take our melancholic stares too literally... they are merely a restrained veneer so that our wonderful families at home won't be too jealous while our spouses take care of all the kiddos for 3-4 days!

Thank you women - we appreciate it deeply!

PS: Thanks to ALEX and CHRIS for their great pictures (all the good ones are theirs -most from ALEX).

Ever heard of a 'trap game'?

Definition: A game between a supposed 'dominant' team (Cowboys) and a 'weaker' opponent (Bills) where although all odds are in favor of the superior team to DOMINATE, they succumb to little mistakes [5 interceptions, 1 fumble, a kick return for TD, TO dropped passes] and cause faithful cowboy fans to go into what some would call 'pensive moments' about life, love and football... for example:

1st Quarter




2nd Quarter



3rd Quarter



4th Quarter



4th Quarter 00:02 left - when Nick Folk kicks the winning 53 yard field goal



I'll be honest - I was a little worried there for a minute.

Cowboys 25 Bills 24

Great, now New England.

Game Time

The Cowboys are playing the Bills in less than an hour and frankly I am scared. Why should I be scared - with the number one offense in the league in TDS, YDS and POINTS as of last week... playing against the young, inexperienced and depleted Bills... it should be a Romofest.

BUT crazy things happen... Notre Dame seriously upset UCLA and USC (2) lost to bottom of the barrel, Stanford and my wife regularly beats me in Bocce Ball.

Somethings SHOULDN'T happen but they do. Stay tuned for my mood update in a few hours.

In other news, reading Renovation of the Heart by Willard (again) - Chapter 3 is amazing to me.

Do you Barf at "Being Religous"? I do.

My friend just became a follower of Jesus a few weeks ago. It was a process involving months of dialogue, questioning, reading the bible - answering difficult questions - some which had simple answers and some had answers he wasn't expecting.

And then, almost anti-climactically one day he simply said - "Well, I was expecting it to be an emotional moment but... I just believe." I asked him what he meant. He clarified - "Yep, God - Jesus dying and being raised for me... I believe."

He then prayed to acknowledge his need for Jesus Christ - for His forgiveness and his desire to make Him his life leader. It was so simple and genuine. It was awesome. (Here's a brief video that explains this - Watch here.)


We were talking a few weeks later, reviewing now what it meant to follow Christ daily. In that discussion he mentioned he thought of things differently "now that he was 'religous'."

I chuckled silently - knowing what he meant but proceeded to VOMIT on the inside against the term: "being religous." He genuinely was experiencing life changing perspectives - he didn't know how to articulate it so that is what he said. I got it - but...

I think many people still get "being religous" mixed up with following Christ.

As Brennan Manning put it in his book, The Signature of Jesus:

"Religiosity per se is not discipleship; in fact, it may be a safe refuge from the revolutionary lifestyle proposed by Jesus."

"Being religous", as used by people in culture, usually connotes... doing "religous things" like going to church, praying or wearing Jesus t-shirts. In other words, being religous focuses on outward signs or activities that display ones piety. And 99.9% of the time, if we are focused on the outward signs it isn't for God - but for others who are watching us.

Interestingly, Jesus' harshest words came to those who thought of themselves as pious or religous in this sense. Jesus made it clear that this understanding of "religion" would only impress some people but not God. God sees into our heart - bummer for us, if we care more about what others think than God himself. In contrast, when we acknowledge our heart's deceitfulness and impurity (sin) before God, His grace can activate us with resources of love we don't have on our own. So not "acts" of religion, but abundant love flows, founded on God's truth in Christ.

The truth is we all follow something or someone. The question is who or what (money, relationship, Buddha, 'religion', atheism, capitalism). One of my greatest fears is for people in my life to make the mistake of thinking of me as a "religous" guy. Please don't make me barf. My sole desire is to be known as "a guy who loves and follows Jesus".

Motherly Encouragement

I love my Mom. She has a distinctive and unique way of connecting with her son. She pays close attention weekly to an area of the paper that she normally doesn't read - all because she loves him - she actually reads the sports page.

Why? So she can see how the Cowboys did this week and relate to her son.

I can tell you story after story of my Mom over the years offering me motherly encouragement:

"I was really hurt the way that guy tackled Troy Aikman honey. Are they allowed to do that?"

"Yes Mom, that's called a sack."

Or when my Mom was working at a Christian bookstore and saw a guy with a Cowboys shirt on, she immediately called me at college:

"Honey, I have someone who wants to talk with you."

"Uh, hello?" says a strange, confused voice on the line.

"Hello?" I say, not knowing who my Mom handed the phone to.

"Yeah, I just walked into the store and I guess your mom wanted us to talk because I'm Cowboy fan too."

Yep, that's my Mom! And look at how thoughtful she was in congratulating me on the Cowboy win yesterday.

A pink ecard.

Thanks Mom! You are the best!

4-0: Da Boys Weekly Update

Cowboys 35 Rams 7

Kurian World Unleashed

Here is a man who needs no introduction - but for the four people on this planet who have yet to meet him... here is the face of my buddy and roommate (circa. Irvine, Feb 2002-Oct 2005) - the self proclaimed "Mexican Jew", who is also Norwegian but never mentions his Nordic roots unless I remind him, Mark "Kurian".

Apparently, he has decided to scare women, children and even men with his photos, thoughts and adventures for public viewing on his NEW BLOG.

He speaks 5 different languages (that I am aware of), enjoys swimsuit modeling on the side, is single, and has a crush on Oprah Winfrey. Let me tell you here first - you have been warned. Good luck and may God be with you as you enter: The Kurian World.

Erin Goes to Cowboy vs Bears Game! (Mini Videos included)

Yep, my good buddy Michael Von Ebers was kind enough to buy me a ticket to the game as long as I got myself out there. In addition, his friend Ilya (seen in first pict getting a cab for us after our first night at Kingston Mines Blues Club) was generous enough to crash at his place.

I flew in late Saturday Night where Von Ebers (aka Vebbes) picked me up at Ohare and immediately took me downtown to experience the Chop House. Vebbes grew up in Chicago so he had a blast showing me his turf. Even though I spent two years going to seminary there, my meager budget didn't allow me to have the type of dinner he had in store for me.

It was incredible - I had the Prime Rib (the largest piece of meat I think I had ever had), mushrooms, asparagus, salad, warm sourdough bread and some cheesecake to top it off.
Vebbes had some wine while I went crazy with my club soda.

Later that night, we had heard of the famous blues brother "Hooche-Man" (thanks Mcfadden and Huy) and so Vebbes got Ilya and I to join him and experience true Chicago Blues -- funny thing was, Ilya and I both noticed - that he ended up humming a lot while allowing the audience to participate so we didn't think he lived up to the hype... but you could tell, people loved him and the vibe was cool. We also met "Spruce-like the tree", "Venicia" and "Spruce's girlfriend" who I can't remember her name but she instantly wanted to hug Ilya a lot due to his striking taste in cologne.

When one of them heard we were from OC and that I was the sole Cowboy fan they actually tried to intimidate me with some impressive rips but as my Norcal family/friends are well aware - I have taken it all my life and this was well... a fairly uncreative taunting and unworthy of other colorful phrases I have heard in the past.

Anyway... more stories later... I thought I should get these picts (and mini vids) up ASAP since many of you who heard I was going to represent my Cowboys in hostile territory weren't sure if I would survive (Irons told me if I died on the plan - "Could I have yer laptop?" Thanks Irons.)

Big thanks to my bro Vebbes who made this thing possible and my sweet wife who graciously allowed me to satiate my addictive fanaticism for DA BOYS.

Final Score: 34-10 Da Cowboys over Da Bears.

Saddleback Church HealthCare Ministry

These are some Saddleback Church volunteers who are learning how serving can not only change others lives but their own lives as well.

Hypo - what?

Well... for those of you are NOT aware, I have been diagnosed with HYPOTHYROIDISM (Erin, not Joy). Turns out, I have an underactive thyroid. What does the thyroid do?

Went to the doctor's a few weeks ago for a bad cold (ear issues) and as he checked me over, he noticed my thyroid seemed slightly enlarged indicating "vascular activity".

Anyway, two blood tests and a Thyroid scan later, my results came back with extremely high levels of TSH (don't quote me on that acronym) which indicates my antibodies are attacking my thyroid gland - thus the increase of blood flow in the area.

There are many symptoms... but the one I can most identify with is lethargy and mental fatigue (no wonder I am addicted to coffee!)

Anyway, treatment is taking a pill for the rest of my life once a day, called Levoxyl.

Here is an article on the issue if interested.

105 Ain't Enough to Stop the Party!

Yep - it was like 105 down here. Thats what I was told and it felt like it. Who on earth would even consider hsoting a BARBEQUE on a day like today - well the Kerrs.

But the draw to meet one another's neighbors must have pulled people out of obscurity. 7 of our neighbors, plus about 12 of our friends came together for some Extreme Bocce (amidst the playground) and some Speed "Uno" (thanks Gaps for that one). We had a great time and look forward to more time with everyone in the future.

Check out the picts.

Not shown - but the highlight for me was receiving an authentically autographed Dallas Cowboy jersey from Superbowl XVIII from the MVP of that game - Dallas Safety James Washington. My friend Eddie works with him at Fox Sports and got it for me! Eddie - nice! OK, well, if you know the NFL - Emmitt was MVP (and as much as I love Emmitt) Washington ARGUABLY should have had the MVP for the game. He had a fumble recovery for a TD, another forced fumble (recovered by Dallas) and an interception. My friend Eddie told me he apreciates that I realize he was "robbed".

Anyway... enjoy a few picts.

Taste of Compassion

We are hosting a Labor Day Party with our neighbors this Monday. Should be a blast. I have no idea if people are going to show up but I walked up and down our little townhome walkway, knocking on doors and handing people invites... yep, felt like a salesman but it was cool meeting some new friends.

Pastor Rick came up with the idea and I am "point" man on it for our church which just means I make sure communications goes out to everyone who was planning on hosting one.


Why does this party look so official? Why is it called Taste of Compassion?

• Saddleback created 'personalizable' invitations so that anyone could invite friends to their own party.
  
• Cool thing is that - everyone is supposed to bring their favorite appetizer/dish and the recipe with it.
• Then, as a party, we vote on which one we lilke the best.
• The best ones from all the Labor Day Parties being hosted through Southern Cal (host parties in 40 cities) will be compiled in a recipe book and sold - with all proceeds going to help feed the homeless in OC during Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Very cool - we shall how it all works.

My Niece Already has a Favorite Football Team!

Wow - Isella already choosing to follow America's Team. I think she mentioned that her favorite player is Tony Romo (see pict). Finally someone who can cheer for the Cowboys on Thanksgiving with me... phewww.

And the most amazing thing about this is that I didn't even get her this outfit! My bro-in-laws' brother, Chris, who is a diehard Bears fan, was so thoughtful and kind as to buy her this outfit himself! How awesome is that? I always knew I liked Chris, even though he lives halfway across the country. But this is a sure sign of destined friendship. I just hope his buddies in Chicago don't get wind of this... it may spell trouble.

OK, OK... here are the REAL pictures:). Nothing like a little 'Photoshop'.

Joy Gets Eye Surgery

Thanks for all your prayers yesterday.

Joy is out and at home recovering since yesterday. Her infamous "Pirate" pict - RIGHT AFTER SURGERY and STILL ENJOYING HER VALIUM - has been cleared for the public.

• She said “that it was the weirdest surgery” but it seems to have gone well.
• We went back today for a follow up where she had her “patch” removed (we will upload this pict soon) and start taking ointment medication.
• It will take about a week for the swelling and irritation from the surgery to go down so her 5^th graders are going to LOVE her new look – albeit temporary.
• What was the problem? Pterygium surgery.

Eye Surgery Survival Kit - See Below





Ok, the three movies on the left were my idea (3 for $20 at BB).

Top 5 Things Women Do to Mess Up Their Lives

Dr. Laura step aside.

I decided to spend some time this morning listening to my good friend Cathy Constanz's message at the Saddleback College Ministry a few weeks back via podcast. The Series is a gender series called "Genderful".



As her husband lovingly says: "Cathy doesn't have a private thought in her head!" The cool thing is that Cathy doesn't sugarcoat anything and she is ridiculously real. Perfect for every woman (and man) to be reminded on what reality matters in life.


This was the title of her message:
Top Five Things (Christian) Women Do to Mess Up Their Lives


Here is an overview (Men, listen up, cause we contirbute to the lies):


1. Waste too much time comparing on what they aren't good at and not focusing on what they excel at

2. Being more concerned about convention rather than calling

3. Waste their best ministry time waiting to do the married "script"

4. Christian women want to marry for the wrong reasons

5. Christian women compromise their walk with God to get married


It is worth a listen!

My Version of Our Governor - Art Class 1995

What Erin Does on Tuesday Mornings

(Starting with the 'Asian Persuasion' and moving clockwise... Huy (Do-Bee), Me, McFadden, OC, Vebbes and Irons pronounced 'Ains').

This motley crew needs some help-which is why we get together EVERY STINKIN' TUESDAY at 6:30am! Thankfully we get to have Diedrichs Coffee to wake us up... and aside from ridiculous tangents and rips on "purpose-driven" lingo... we just get real and honest about our lives as we strive to be more like Jesus - in our relationships, at work, wherever. And as you can see, we aren't the sharpest dudes around, so lately, we have been reading through Proverbs. Practical and memorable pieces of Godly wisdom.


Here's a few notes and a sample:

• Verse 3 - what is right, just and fair... in other words ethics based on God's moral law.
• Verse 4 - love it because you don't need to be a scholar to figure these out.
• And verse 7 - where "fear" means "respect, reverance, awe" - that is, without humility, you are not going to live wisely according to God's economy.

Proverbs 1:1-7 (NLT)

1 These are the proverbs of Solomon, David's son, king of Israel. 2 The purpose of these proverbs is to teach people wisdom and discipline, and to help them understand wise sayings. 3 Through these proverbs, people will receive instruction in discipline, good conduct, and doing what is right, just, and fair. 4 These proverbs will make the simpleminded clever. They will give knowledge and purpose to young people. 5 Let those who are wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. And let those who understand receive guidance 6 by exploring the depth of meaning in these proverbs, parables, wise sayings, and riddles. 7 Fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge. Only fools despise wisdom and discipline.

If YOU HAVE TIME... A PONDERING MOMENT:

It makes me wonder where do most people get their source of wisdom for life from - probably parents, society, other religous faiths, even the media or music?

But which one is "best" - they can't all be "best" or we wouldn't cry out when we see injustice happening (that's just WRONG!) - so there is a "best"... it would seem to me that you would have to go back to the original source of that wisdom and ethic to determine which source was "best"... but then how would you determine it? Without a standard, everyone could choose their own "wisdom" but then again, how is it wisdom then since this, by definition, assumes there is a WISE and UNWISE way to live... which leads me to a favorite movie quote of mine.

I think Owen Wilson said it best in the movie Meet the Parents (though the humor is in regards to Wilson's inspiration for his passion for carpentry being from Jesus Christ), the double entendre is still fitting... "Who better to have as a mentor than JC himself?" (paraphrase).

My Gorgeous, Beautiful, Wonderful Niece!

Chillin on the Patio (s)

Birthday money...new patio furniture!
Thanks to Mama and Papa Kerr we were able to purchase a patio table set for our front porch and balcony. It was a fun Friday excursion and fairly easy to assemble. Now we just have to add some greenery and we're good to go! Thanks again Mom and Pops for the birthday gift card! -Joy :-)

Isella Rose and Memorial Day Weekend

Generation ME - How do we reach them?

I was talking with my friend Doug the other day (yeah some of you know him-crazy teddy bear of a jesus freak) and as we talked, the conversation turned to reaching the 20 somethings.

He mentioned the learnings of the US Army in how its old training methods weren't working anymore with this generation ( the screaming in your face, top-down authoritative model, whatever else they normally did was failing).

They turned to the work of a sociologist who was an expert in this area. One of the learnings Doug shared was the fact that when these guys were sent to Iraq, they were better taught by their buddies who had already been in the environment - in other words, they seemed more receptive learning peer to peer, smaller groups. Yeah not rocket science but they made the shift and who did they turn to?

They turned to this book by Jean Twenge (a prof in San Diego) Generation Me. I need to read it first but it may be a helpful resource in understanding how to connect with this next Generation and introduce them to Jesus. Order it.

Little Jesse

Please pray for Jesse. She has a brain tumor and is one of Joy's kids from her class. We are devastated by this news and though she went into surgery last night - so far she has a lot of challenges ahead - with radiation, chemo, etc.

Her mother lost her dad when she was only 7 months old. Though remarried, her mom is overwhelmed at the posibility of losing her only daughter as well. This is where God's people grieve and intercede with the family in prayer. Please pray for little Jesse.

Though God has a greater love for Jesse than we can possibly fathom, it does not minimize the pain we all feel for her and her family. We feel powerless and yet know that God is very real and very involved with his goodness, His presence and His comfort. I am reminded that our bodies are only containers for our souls - perishable containers that cannot destroy who we are in spirit. God has taken care of that possibility with Jesus. Nonetheless, we can pray. It can heal us physically, heal us emotionally and spiritually... but alos provide us with a grander perspective in the eternal hope that comes from a loving God.

James 5.13-18
13 Are you hurting? Pray. Do you feel great? Sing. 14 Are you sick? Call the church leaders together to pray and anoint you with oil in the name of the Master. 15 Believing-prayer will heal you, and Jesus will put you on your feet. And if you've sinned, you'll be forgiven—healed inside and out. 16 Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with. 17 Elijah, for instance, human just like us, prayed hard that it wouldn't rain, and it didn't—not a drop for three and a half years. 18 Then he prayed that it would rain, and it did. The showers came and everything started growing again.

My Sis

My Sister, Wendy, as many of you well know was whisked into surgery today. Many of you rallied and prayed for her - THANK YOU! She is doing fine, just getting out of surgery for a BURST APPENDIX - yes all you experienced appendix burstees knew from the description and so the doctors got with the program and are taking care of it. At this point, she will be in for a few more days but should be out soon. Please continue to pray for her quick and full recovery. Poor Husband Tony has been balancing bedside duty and making sure Isella is in good hands with Grandpa and MorMor (swedish for Grandma) Kerr.

Wendy - no more surgeries allowed. We love you!

Thank you Lord for your comfort, peace and presence.

Our Sweet Small Group

Here we are right after we had a BBQ feast to celebrate all the guys moving a 450 lb. tree fort from the back yard to the Lanfried's front yard. Yeah - good thing Skip has a small group to help him:). Matt squatted it while we watched.

"We are better together" is totally true. Not only is this group meeting every other Tuesday Night wrestling with God's word together, but we actually enjoy being together. Go figure. Living a life following Jesus was never intended to be an individual adventure - we are in it together. We love these guys (and gals)! (From left to right - Skip and Lara Lanfried, Kelly and Mike McFadden, Matt and Kristy Irons, Erin and Joy Kerr, Justin and Kirsten Sogoian).

They are some of the peeps I notified to pray for Wendy's surgery going on as we speak! Wen - we love you and are praying for you!

Easter, Ben's Surprise Bday and Sound of Music Serenade

Birthdays & Blackout Period

Don't let this picture of Joy deceive you (from Xmas 06).

The OC Kerrs have been busy this week. In between packing stints, we have been working and EVEN PREPARTYING my Joyus' 28th birthday (OK we just went out to one of our lil Italian places - Garduno's). So we be tired!

Anyway, we have to disconnect internet and HOPEFULLY get our keys to the new home tomorrow so hang in there - we will post again soon. In the mean time, you may want to send my wife a lil happy bday email or something.

She is very cool and I am stoked to have her in my life for part of her 28 years as of tomorrow! And she can make these really impressive birdy faces - just ask her some time. I love you Joyus!

I am an Uncle and Joy is an Aunt!

ISELLA Rose Gapastione

Isella Rose Gapastione
7lbs 13 oz
19 inches
Born 2:57am
March 25, 2007

Stoked and Scared

Flooring is going in!

Almost there...

[Above] Our final paint job - Joy and I LOVE it. We started off thinking it was going to be grey green, then it was white and then POW we find out its this grey/blue with red highlights - awesome.

[Below] The tile in the Kitchen.




The slate for the Master bath. We love it...

The tile in the guest bath.