A few random updates for you, since we haven't had the time or energy to update our blog. I am usually on other people's cases to keep their journal accurate. Now it is time for the pot to call himself the kettle.
Uh, whatever.
Here are a few random updates from Jennie, Gary, and Allie for this week...
(1) Allie is almost 16 pounds now. She's doing great, smiling a lot, and has a little bit of a rash. Nothing serious. She had more shots on Monday, and she was a little sensitive for the rest of the day (go figure). She is smiling a lot, laughing a lot, and still the cutest baby we've ever seen.
(2) Jennie is still working about one day a week doing home-care Occupational Therapy. Some of her patients refer to Halloween as "beggar's night," whatever that means.
(3) Gary gets "installed, inducted, and initiated" as Senior Pastor tomorrow at Delaware Grace Brethren Church (Shouldn't I be asleep by now, getting rested up for this enormous task of spiritual discipline and leadership? Well, please consider update #4 before making hasty observations like that.)
(4) Tomorrow is Daylight Savings Time here in Ohio. Turn your clock back an hour. In other words, one more hour of sleep for the Underwoods. One less hour of sleep for anyone named Cooper, Becksfort, Arnold, Bear, or Larned. Ohio rules!
(5) Allie is starting to eat solid foods. Some sort of mushy rice cereal. It is fun to spoon it into her willing mouth, only to see it all fall out within seconds. I suppose the talent of "eating" arrives by nurture instead of nature.
(6) Jennie and I had our last big Mosaic (young marrieds) event tonight, a Hayride, Bonfire, and Farm party with our friends. An eight-foot-tall Ostrich kept trying to peck at my head from above. I am grateful for fences and for good friends like Ryan and Ozella Zehner, who arranged this gig for the second year in a row. I got some great pics and raw footage from this party, after which Jennie and I hitched a Honda ride for Delaware.
(7) Drove by our new home tonight once we got here. Don't worry, we were quick about it and didn't stare. Unlike that black camaro that kept driving our home in Akron, only to park so he could gawk at our backyard. Seriously, the guy parked several times in front of our house. Maybe he's the buyer. Or maybe he's one of our backup buyers coming in tomorrow for a showing!
(8) Signed a contract to sell our current home on Thursday - thanks for praying, everyone! We are thrilled at God's timing for this, and can't wait to start actually moving here and settling in.
(9) We love you all, and can't wait for this new adventure God has in store for us. I started "at the office" this past Monday, and have had many positive meetings and interactions at our new church. Thanks for praying for us and all the encouragement.
(10) Again, huge thanks to Knute Larson, Doug Clark, Donna Holmes, and the rest of the staff and people of The Chapel. That is clearly a tremendous church, and they have treated Jennie and me with nothing but class, support, encouragement, and mentoring as we take this huge step. I seriously could not have asked for a better send-off. A longer description of this would bring me to tears, even before Daylight Savings Time kicks in. Nothing but love for The Chapel.
Ten updates seems a little excessive. More in a few days, of course!
Saturday, October 30, 2004
Sunday, October 24, 2004
Speaking of Farewell?
Our friends, Bob & Lori Siffert, helped us unwind after our exciting Sunday with dinner at Parasson's on Waterloo Road. Of course I had their deluxe peronal pizza with hot peppers on it, and plenty of italian dressing to dip my crust in.
Meanwhile, the Sifferts updated us about their plans to move to Ocala, Florida. We've known Bob & Lori for over two years, and they have been great encouragers and friends to us in a lot of ways. We'll miss them, but we're glad that Delaware is on their way from Akron to Florida...
The Sifferrts probably won't move until sometime after Thanksgiving, so you still have time to catch up with them before they go. I told them this picture was for the website, and it's definitely worthy!
Meanwhile, the Sifferts updated us about their plans to move to Ocala, Florida. We've known Bob & Lori for over two years, and they have been great encouragers and friends to us in a lot of ways. We'll miss them, but we're glad that Delaware is on their way from Akron to Florida...
The Sifferrts probably won't move until sometime after Thanksgiving, so you still have time to catch up with them before they go. I told them this picture was for the website, and it's definitely worthy!
Saying Farewell...
Today marked Gary & Jennie's last official day at The Chapel. During the morning services, Pastor Doug Clark asked us to share with the Green Campus congregation about our new opportunity to Senior Pastor at Delaware Grace Brethren, and prayed for us with the whole church. During our young marrieds group, our friends gave us a beautiful and heart-felt collection of letters and pictures and scrapbook for us to remember forever the friendships and times that God has given us here at the Green Campus. Dan Bahry, our class leader, led the class in a prayer for us and was terrific at encouraging us! For lunch, my parents and our wonderful young marrieds group, MOSAIC, threw us a huge celebration party in the senior high room. After quickly feeding Allison, we then went to a Baby Dedication for two families we love from Akron, Dave & Kasey Firestine (their son, Benjamin), and Ryan & Kristi Sacha (Luke). Later this evening, we went to The Chapel's "Illuminate" evening service, where Pastor Knute Larson introduced us and prayed for us with the evening congregation.
We rejoice with Mike Arnold (pictured, with me above) and his wife Rachelle - as The Chapel also gave them a royal "sendoff" to their new ministry in Las Vegas. Yes, THAT Vegas! Mike is going to be the lead pastor for the young adult ministry at Central Christian Church, one of the most exciting and progressive churches in the country! Over the last two years, I have grown to know and love Mike for his passion for Christ and his love for young adults both inside and outside of faith in Christ. Mike and Rachelle (and Laney) will be sorely missed at The Chapel, but they are also following God's lead in this Great Adventure!
While Jennie and I are excited about this next chapter of our lives together, this time at The Chapel has been phenomenal. I want to publicly (on my blogger?) thank Pastor Knute Larson (and everyone else at The Chapel) for their support and encouragement of me (and Mike Arnold) with this new opportunity. This church really does have the heart to impact the world - not just Akron and Green - and we are thrilled to be part of this ministry at this point in our lives.
I'm sure I'll have a lot more to journal about this whole transition and all that we are thinking and praying through, but today was definitely one of the most memorable days in our lives!
We rejoice with Mike Arnold (pictured, with me above) and his wife Rachelle - as The Chapel also gave them a royal "sendoff" to their new ministry in Las Vegas. Yes, THAT Vegas! Mike is going to be the lead pastor for the young adult ministry at Central Christian Church, one of the most exciting and progressive churches in the country! Over the last two years, I have grown to know and love Mike for his passion for Christ and his love for young adults both inside and outside of faith in Christ. Mike and Rachelle (and Laney) will be sorely missed at The Chapel, but they are also following God's lead in this Great Adventure!
While Jennie and I are excited about this next chapter of our lives together, this time at The Chapel has been phenomenal. I want to publicly (on my blogger?) thank Pastor Knute Larson (and everyone else at The Chapel) for their support and encouragement of me (and Mike Arnold) with this new opportunity. This church really does have the heart to impact the world - not just Akron and Green - and we are thrilled to be part of this ministry at this point in our lives.
I'm sure I'll have a lot more to journal about this whole transition and all that we are thinking and praying through, but today was definitely one of the most memorable days in our lives!
Allie with Uncle Steve Walta
Somebody liked meeting her relatives in Michigan! We are sooo fortunate to have such a happy baby!
Saturday, October 23, 2004
Tour de Midwest 2004
For the past eight days or so, Jennie, Allie, and I have been touring the glorious Midwest, for family, friendship, ministry, and sports.
Family? Yeah, that's spending Tuesday night and Wednesday morning with Grandma Walta in Chicago, and then heading to Big Rapids, Michigan for three days with Jennie's parents - Bill & Sue Walta. The whole Walta clan was there, including Brian & Lynna and Steve. Allie got to meet her uncles and aunt for the first time!
Friendship? Yeah, we spent last weekend in Indiana with friends from our days at Grace College and Seminary (see pic from previous post).
Ministry? I attended Willow Creek's second-annual conference on Preaching & Teaching. I got to see my friend Jeremy Helmuth, who is also a senior pastor in north-central Indiana. We got to hear terrific teaching from Bill Hybels, Erwin McManus, Ed Young, Richard Allen Farmer, and Larry Crabb.
Sports? Well, I didn't "play" any sports. I did, however, draft a fantasy team with my friends from Grace. Got all my "usual suspects," including Peja Stojakovic, Eric Snow, Rodney Rogers, Aaron McKie, and Steve Nash (if you care).
I'm sure I'll post more about our terrific week together, and some really cute pictures of Allie. We are excited and even sad to see her growing up so fast!!
Family? Yeah, that's spending Tuesday night and Wednesday morning with Grandma Walta in Chicago, and then heading to Big Rapids, Michigan for three days with Jennie's parents - Bill & Sue Walta. The whole Walta clan was there, including Brian & Lynna and Steve. Allie got to meet her uncles and aunt for the first time!
Friendship? Yeah, we spent last weekend in Indiana with friends from our days at Grace College and Seminary (see pic from previous post).
Ministry? I attended Willow Creek's second-annual conference on Preaching & Teaching. I got to see my friend Jeremy Helmuth, who is also a senior pastor in north-central Indiana. We got to hear terrific teaching from Bill Hybels, Erwin McManus, Ed Young, Richard Allen Farmer, and Larry Crabb.
Sports? Well, I didn't "play" any sports. I did, however, draft a fantasy team with my friends from Grace. Got all my "usual suspects," including Peja Stojakovic, Eric Snow, Rodney Rogers, Aaron McKie, and Steve Nash (if you care).
I'm sure I'll post more about our terrific week together, and some really cute pictures of Allie. We are excited and even sad to see her growing up so fast!!
Thursday, October 14, 2004
It's THAT time again...
Every 3rd weekend of October, Jennie and I make the pilgrimage to Winona Lake, Indiana. It's the town where I spent seven of the most challenging and wonderful years of my life. It's the place where I found some of the most meaningful and deep friendships a guy could ever have. It's the place where I ate literally tons of Mexican food. And, oh yeah, it's the place where I met my wife Jennie at the Hacienda Mexican Restaurant.
But why go there every third weekend in October?
Is it the beautiful fall colors and weather that provide a brilliant God-induced backdrop on the sentimental shores of Winona Lake?
Is it the exciting fall Homecoming and class reunion stuff that some people live for and always strive to keep in touch?
Is it the Mexican food?
Nay. Nope. Nada. Nein. Never.
I pack up the Accord and drive six hours and spend three days in the friendly confines of central Indiana because of the FBL.
Sure, I use these times as an opportunity to connect with friends old and new, and Jennie is planning to see several of her bridesmaids and also spend time with friends who are going with us.
But we're there for the FBL.
"What in the world is an FBL?" you ask?
The Grace FBL (Fantasy Basketball League) formed in the fall of 1994 in Jason Knavel's dorm room at Grace. Ten years later, most of the guys who started this league are still together. It has become sort of a reunion and a time to catch up and have a great weekend together.
We have all gone our separate ways, with new lives, jobs, families, ministries -- and yet, a stupid basketball league keeps us together for at least one weekend a year.
When we get together, we do a big Saturday breakfast. It started at Bob Evans, but Bob's is always packed on Saturday mornings, and one year we had a party of 24 people and the breakfast natives were restless. We now go to nearby Mentone, and Teel's, for their excellent breakfast buffet.
Last year, the draft was on Saturday afternoon, but this year it is Sunday, due to several Saturday weddings.
"The draft?" Yeah, we still do the basketball thing, where each of us picks players from pro basketball teams and forms our own "fantasy team." I usually wind up with some random combination of players, plus my customary lineup of Eric Snow, Rodney Rogers, Peja Stojakovic, and Kenny Thomas.
"Too much information - who cares about your league?"
Well, some of the guys keep up with it, and some don't. We all think the draft weekend is the most fun, and it is our chance to just be college guys again. It is also great to catch up and see where everyone is in life. Then it's great to eat breakfast, play basketball, do the draft, joke around, and reminisce about the great times we've had together.
Dave Pacheco will recieve his championship trophy this Sunday - his second such title - for his team, the "Johnsonville Bratwursts."
My team, The Village Idiots, is a perennial contender and 2-time champion as well.
It's FBL week, everyone! Let's get it started!
But why go there every third weekend in October?
Is it the beautiful fall colors and weather that provide a brilliant God-induced backdrop on the sentimental shores of Winona Lake?
Is it the exciting fall Homecoming and class reunion stuff that some people live for and always strive to keep in touch?
Is it the Mexican food?
Nay. Nope. Nada. Nein. Never.
I pack up the Accord and drive six hours and spend three days in the friendly confines of central Indiana because of the FBL.
Sure, I use these times as an opportunity to connect with friends old and new, and Jennie is planning to see several of her bridesmaids and also spend time with friends who are going with us.
But we're there for the FBL.
"What in the world is an FBL?" you ask?
The Grace FBL (Fantasy Basketball League) formed in the fall of 1994 in Jason Knavel's dorm room at Grace. Ten years later, most of the guys who started this league are still together. It has become sort of a reunion and a time to catch up and have a great weekend together.
We have all gone our separate ways, with new lives, jobs, families, ministries -- and yet, a stupid basketball league keeps us together for at least one weekend a year.
When we get together, we do a big Saturday breakfast. It started at Bob Evans, but Bob's is always packed on Saturday mornings, and one year we had a party of 24 people and the breakfast natives were restless. We now go to nearby Mentone, and Teel's, for their excellent breakfast buffet.
Last year, the draft was on Saturday afternoon, but this year it is Sunday, due to several Saturday weddings.
"The draft?" Yeah, we still do the basketball thing, where each of us picks players from pro basketball teams and forms our own "fantasy team." I usually wind up with some random combination of players, plus my customary lineup of Eric Snow, Rodney Rogers, Peja Stojakovic, and Kenny Thomas.
"Too much information - who cares about your league?"
Well, some of the guys keep up with it, and some don't. We all think the draft weekend is the most fun, and it is our chance to just be college guys again. It is also great to catch up and see where everyone is in life. Then it's great to eat breakfast, play basketball, do the draft, joke around, and reminisce about the great times we've had together.
Dave Pacheco will recieve his championship trophy this Sunday - his second such title - for his team, the "Johnsonville Bratwursts."
My team, The Village Idiots, is a perennial contender and 2-time champion as well.
It's FBL week, everyone! Let's get it started!
Sunday, October 10, 2004
One Dedicated Baby!
Today, at The Chapel's Green Campus, we had a Baby Dedication for our young married friends - the Mosaic group. This is a group of friends who we've grown to know and love over the last year and a half.
It was great, as a pastor and friend, to be able to encourage and dedicate the children in this group and dedicate their parents to the terrific responsibility and honor of Christian parenthood. This picture is of Allison Joy Underwood, my favorite child in the group.
No offense to the other kids in the group, but Allie has just caught a piece of my heart for whatever reason. I'm sure you understand. My parents were here and were very proud of Allie, in a beautiful white dress.
It was great, as a pastor and friend, to be able to encourage and dedicate the children in this group and dedicate their parents to the terrific responsibility and honor of Christian parenthood. This picture is of Allison Joy Underwood, my favorite child in the group.
No offense to the other kids in the group, but Allie has just caught a piece of my heart for whatever reason. I'm sure you understand. My parents were here and were very proud of Allie, in a beautiful white dress.
Growing up Fast!
Allie is 3.75 months old. Can't believe how quickly she's growing!
She can now...
- almost roll over
- see, reach for, and grab objects
- laugh!
- blow bubbles with her mouth and drool
- suck her thumb, or at least several fingers
- smile a lot
- raise one eyebrow or the other in a very cute and curious manner.
- handle, and even appreciate being hoisted in the air horizontally. Hoisted, not thrown. Not yet, that is. Please, don't try throwing her into the air just yet. One trick at a time, please.
- she likes to "talk" a lot. Words are coming fast, slurred, and loud. Look out world!
She can now...
- almost roll over
- see, reach for, and grab objects
- laugh!
- blow bubbles with her mouth and drool
- suck her thumb, or at least several fingers
- smile a lot
- raise one eyebrow or the other in a very cute and curious manner.
- handle, and even appreciate being hoisted in the air horizontally. Hoisted, not thrown. Not yet, that is. Please, don't try throwing her into the air just yet. One trick at a time, please.
- she likes to "talk" a lot. Words are coming fast, slurred, and loud. Look out world!
Friday, October 08, 2004
Rock'em, Blue Streaks!
Tonight, Jennie and I went with some friends to see Lake play GlenOak. Two of the best teams in Stark County this year, playing with a shot at the Federal League championship on the line.
Though it's been 12 years now since I graduated from Lake, I am still pretty excited about their football tradition. Lake is the smallest school in the league (Division 2), but has had tremendous success in the last fifteen years under the leadership of their outstanding coach, Jeff Durbin. Durbin's teams have made it to three state championship games, and made the state playoffs more times than any other school in the area in the last 10 and 15 years.
Earlier this season, Lake beat perennial power Canton McKinley in front of a sellout crowd. During homecoming, Lake beat North Canton Hoover 38-7 in an embarrassing blowout. Tonight, against GlenOak, we would see if Lake (5-1) would set itself up to play for the Federal League championship soon against unbeaten Austintown Fitch.
Tonight, Lake absolutely dominated the hapless Golden Eagles, 28-14. The Blue Streaks have an explosive, controlling offense with running back A.J. Workman (38 carries, 176 yards) and all-league quarterback John Rutan. GlenOak was helpless against Lake's offense, and kept giving them the ball! The Eagles' promising junior QB Mike Hartline threw three interceptions to the Blue Streaks' opportunistic defense.
In other words, I still love high school football, and it's great to see my alma mater playing at such a dominant level once again. If they do beat Fitch, people will start to say that Lake could once again roll through the playoffs, and maybe finally win that elusive state championship.
Even if they don't, it's pretty amazing to see a great coach stay for such a long time (16 years now?), and Jeff Durbin's teams always seem disciplined, competitive, and exciting.
We had a great time with the Debevecs and the Greynolds, and even bumped into Rob Hardy!
Did Allie go? No, but she did make it to dinner at the Hartville Kitchen with us before the game. What baby in her right mind would miss that?
Though it's been 12 years now since I graduated from Lake, I am still pretty excited about their football tradition. Lake is the smallest school in the league (Division 2), but has had tremendous success in the last fifteen years under the leadership of their outstanding coach, Jeff Durbin. Durbin's teams have made it to three state championship games, and made the state playoffs more times than any other school in the area in the last 10 and 15 years.
Earlier this season, Lake beat perennial power Canton McKinley in front of a sellout crowd. During homecoming, Lake beat North Canton Hoover 38-7 in an embarrassing blowout. Tonight, against GlenOak, we would see if Lake (5-1) would set itself up to play for the Federal League championship soon against unbeaten Austintown Fitch.
Tonight, Lake absolutely dominated the hapless Golden Eagles, 28-14. The Blue Streaks have an explosive, controlling offense with running back A.J. Workman (38 carries, 176 yards) and all-league quarterback John Rutan. GlenOak was helpless against Lake's offense, and kept giving them the ball! The Eagles' promising junior QB Mike Hartline threw three interceptions to the Blue Streaks' opportunistic defense.
In other words, I still love high school football, and it's great to see my alma mater playing at such a dominant level once again. If they do beat Fitch, people will start to say that Lake could once again roll through the playoffs, and maybe finally win that elusive state championship.
Even if they don't, it's pretty amazing to see a great coach stay for such a long time (16 years now?), and Jeff Durbin's teams always seem disciplined, competitive, and exciting.
We had a great time with the Debevecs and the Greynolds, and even bumped into Rob Hardy!
Did Allie go? No, but she did make it to dinner at the Hartville Kitchen with us before the game. What baby in her right mind would miss that?
Thursday, October 07, 2004
Uh, the future?
I realize that, if you're selling a house, it's probably a bad idea to indicate that you've already found the place you're moving to.
You know, don't act like in a hurry to sell or anything.
We're really not in a hurry to sell. For real. I mean it. No doubt. No need to rush.
I just like posting pics of random houses that we may or may not already envision ourselves as owning.
Then again, it is probably bad strategy when trying to sell a house. I mean, you never know who could see this website. Can't you see potential buyers for our home accidentally logging on to see that we've already got our eyes fixed on our next home? That is a clean recipe for disaster.
As a result, I'd like you to please disregard this picture. Pretend I pulled it off a random website and that we really haven't entered some sort of contact with the seller. Pretend that you didn't read this post, and that your friend who wants to buy a home in Green really does need to take his time looking through our house.
Pretend you never read this blog.
You know, don't act like in a hurry to sell or anything.
We're really not in a hurry to sell. For real. I mean it. No doubt. No need to rush.
I just like posting pics of random houses that we may or may not already envision ourselves as owning.
Then again, it is probably bad strategy when trying to sell a house. I mean, you never know who could see this website. Can't you see potential buyers for our home accidentally logging on to see that we've already got our eyes fixed on our next home? That is a clean recipe for disaster.
As a result, I'd like you to please disregard this picture. Pretend I pulled it off a random website and that we really haven't entered some sort of contact with the seller. Pretend that you didn't read this post, and that your friend who wants to buy a home in Green really does need to take his time looking through our house.
Pretend you never read this blog.
For Sale!
Friends, if you know anyone looking for a house in Green, here is my shameless plug for you to spread the word!
This is our home, and we've loved it, but now we are headed to Delaware, Ohio.
Seriously, if you know anyone who is interested, have them call Wanda at 330-958-9316.
Also, there is an open house this Saturday (10/9) from 12-2pm. Don't miss out on this terrific family home on a large corner lot. We'll include the basketball hoop and the mailbox for the right price.
This is our home, and we've loved it, but now we are headed to Delaware, Ohio.
Seriously, if you know anyone who is interested, have them call Wanda at 330-958-9316.
Also, there is an open house this Saturday (10/9) from 12-2pm. Don't miss out on this terrific family home on a large corner lot. We'll include the basketball hoop and the mailbox for the right price.
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