Wayne Jacobson coming to Prescott

Wayne will be in Prescott next weekend and the UCYC staff will have some time with him. If you are unfamiliar with Wayne, he co-authored "The Shack", "So, You Don't Want To Go To Church Anymore", "He Love Me" and many others.

His website has much more on him and resources. http://www.lifestream.org/index.html

If you have questions that I could ask him from you, contact me or comment on this post!

Wet Thanksgiving

We left Prescott about 4pm on Tuesday and drove to Barstow, CA. It was an interesting night in the Econo Lodge. We called for a roll-a-way bed for Jordan, but when we arrived there is no space to put it up. I ended up shoving the desk in front of the entry door and squeezed it in.

That night it rained and most of the rest of the trip to Mariposa! The best parts were seeing the clouds/fog roll into the mountains as we came from Tehachapi into Bakersfield.

Wet or not, I am grateful to have my family of 5 with the rest of Lori's family. Hope your food, family and travel is amazing.

Visual Update

Here is my eye, 9 days after reconstructive surgery. Amazing.

Throughout the process, NO PAIN. Crazy, but it was never an issue in any way. Thanks for God for sparing me, You did not have too!

Uncharted Territory

Today, three of us headed out for the longest run that any of us has ever attempted. Tye ran 14 miles (3 more than ever). Greg and I attempted 17 (3 more than our best) and made it. It was a great run...up til Miles 15-17!

At that point in time, both of us cranked up the music and finished. I was thinking about the mental game of trying to do something new. Trying to finish a run 3 miles further than ever attempted is a daunting task and one that nearly got to us! Our legs were screaming the last 3 and our minds were wondering if we could even make it. To make matters a little more challenging, we climbing slowly for a 1.5 miles and then finished with 1.5 miles of downhill.

This one thought occured to me as we were trying to finish. "When you find yourself in uncharted territory, just keep doing the same things you would do when you are familiar with what to expect." For us that meant just keep moving forward like we had been doing for the first 14 miles. It Worked!!!

We finished in a total time of 2 hours 33 minutes and with an average of 9:02 miles! Pretty good for a couple of clowns!

Just another day

Helping kids with homework is actually fun for me...until last night! Both Maddie and Austin had a lot of homework to accomplish and it was lots of writing and thinking.

While I love to teach and empower those around me, it was the end of a long day and I just couldn't do it. I remember having a brief conversation in my own head about why this is important.

I have the chance to really help my children learn to think and express themselves in writing. Wow, that's a great gift and one that I am proud to see developed. So, tired or not, I have signed up to help my children because they are mine!

I offer these words to remind you of how valuable your role is in the lives of others, especially your children!

Dreaming about Kauai

September 06 Lori and I traveled to Kauai with the Smiths! While standing on the scenic overlook of this waterfall, we realized that someone was down in the pool of water.

What the heck! We need to go down there as well. You see the evidence of swimming in this amazing place. While I have many memories of this trip I have a cheap coffee mug from Hilo Hatties that reminds most about that great week.

What do you dream about? What destination inspires you? Is the beauty of this planet we call home? Is the the people you meet and spend time with?

For me...I am going to keep dreaming about a return to Kauai and trips to new places as well! We all need great memories...Lord knows we have enough bad ones stuck in our heads!

Simple Things are just that...Simple

I am not alarmed by having cancer. I have known since August and the doctors have not been overly concerned, so I have not. While it's cancer, it's just going to be removed and we continue on. The GOOD thing about having a "brush" with death is that it reminds you about what is really valuable.

Here is my short list of things that are very special...simple pleasures.
1. A kiss from Jordan (he's 4 years old)
2. Holding Austin on my lap (9 years)
3. Talking with Maddie about her friends and how cool my eye is to her! She can't wait to take pics.
4. Laying down with Lori and keeping warm under a blanket.
5. Holding Lori's hand.
6. Coffee with a friend.
7. A great discussion with friends or a belly laugh with them as well.

If you have been missing these simple things, I recommend you take some time right now and enjoy a few!

James 2 thoughts

Last night our small group of friends who attend every different church in town met together to discuss James 2. So you don't have to look it's about showing favoritism and faith/deeds. What a great discussion!

We spent the majority of the time discussing how we, as followers of Jesus Christ, must wade into humanity even when we don't have answers or know what to say. If we are really going to be THE CHURCH, then we must get involved.

For some reason "the church" has labeled issues like Abortion & Homosexuality as the worst kinds of acts, yet I don't see them as unforgivable or something the church should elevate over other sins not as visible. Sins like mine! If I really love people, then I must be willing to love them where they are regardless of performance or choices made!

We agreed to work on our issues of favoritism and to show our faith by what we do! God help us...God help me to REALLY LOVE PEOPLE without strings! Help me to listen, encourage and walk through life with others on this planet.

May the Church not be separate from the culture it lives in any longer.
May the Church be Holy as God describes, yet up to it's elbows in humanity!

The morning after

Friday morning I underwent plastic surgery. It was an odd experience and you can see the results. I suppose there is only so much you can do with the subject...ME!

While I have made light of this whole ordeal, having cancer is not a laughing matter. I have been positive and rather unconcerned about having cancer. It's not fake, it's just what I have and what I am going to do about it!

When it's all said and done, I would rather loose an eyebrow with cancer than keep them both!

There are times in your life when you have a simple statement given. This morning it was my wife saying, "I'm grateful everyday I have with you". I know that life is a gift, my life is a gift! I recently found out that a long time friend lost his wife after only 8 years. It was devastation to consider, but all the more motivating to love Lori and these kids while I have time. Love those around you who matter as well. Who knows what life will bring!

The Grusome Details

Here are the pics from the surgery. A little graphic so be careful! Lori almost passed out!

Cancer Surgery!

I'm 41 and have been diagnosed with skin cancer. Specifically is Basal Cell Carcinoma. It's a non-agressive localized type of cancer. The funny part is that it is located in my left eyebrow!

Well, it's a long story, but yesterday it was succesfully removed...along with most of my eyebrow. Yeah! I am cancer free!

Next I will see a plastic surgeon to repair the eyebrow and try to make it look natural. Below I will be taking a poll of the best solutions. Choose your favorite and post back to me your choice.

A. Have a dry erase board inserted so I can pencil in my mood.
B. Borrow some of Chris Holohan's pale skin.
C. Take some back or butt hair from a "friend"
D. Leave it scarred and look even tougher!

Boys just want to have fun!

I love playing with my sons. Jordan on the left, Austin in the middle and the old guy (me) on the right!

We spent a few hours on a family photo shoot recently and this is one of my favorites!

I have been reading this book. Very cool. I recommend it highly because it talks about the Jesus that we SHOULD have met as His followers. Sometimes that "Church" does not do a good job teaching us about what He was really like.

CAUTION!!! Reading a book like this may shake your faith because it will challenge you! My hope it that a book like this will expose you, as it has done for me, to the Real Jesus. He might confront you because you follow Him by the rules of others instead of embracing a relationship with Him, based on His rules.

Lots of Love

Prescott is a cool place. On Sunday we took the family downtown for pictures. We were all over the square, parking garage area, the Palace and more. We found this area next Chase Bank down in the Granite Creek drainage.

For me, this picture represents more than just a man & woman. It represents what brings us together as husband & wife. It represents why we parent the way we do. It represents the love that God has for us and we strive to have for others.

Love (not being too sappy) is what can make a difference in everyone!

THIS picture says a thousand words

Candy!!!! At 4 years old, Jordan figured this "trick or treat" thing! He was hilarious.

Late night McCain and voting

Lori went downtown last night with two other friends to witness the mass of people in downtown Prescott! McCain arrived about 12:30am and spoke to thousands of supporters and "not" supporters. I chose to stay home with the kids (and sleep). It's just cool to be part of history like that event or voting in a great election.

If you voted, thanks for participating in making this country great.

I love Prescott!

The weather, the houses full of people who get into the holidays, scores of families with children and our family right in the middle of it all. It was Halloween and Prescott is one of the best places to celebrate. Thanks people of Prescott for doing your part to make this a great place. Thanks God for creating an amazing place in the mountains that we can enjoy!