Team Casas Weekend

A week and a half ago I was blessed with the opportunity to head down to Juarez and Join people for across the US to build a home for a single mom Eva and her 4 children Gisell 13, Emily 10, Saul 6, and Yailin 5. This family had been on the waiting list for 3 years I believe they had giving up any hope of ever getting a house from Casas because it wasn't until just a few days before Miguel the Representative of Casas por Cristo in Juarez finally got ahold of them to inform them that there was a team on the way to begin building her and her children a home. This was the first Team Casas build I have been a part of in the 30 homes that I have helped so to be perfectly honest I was a little skeptical on how smooth the build was going to go. I had no worries of the house getting finished or the family being blessed but with the group coming from Maine, Colorado and all over Texas. And ages varying from 17-50s I was interested to see how the Chemistry of the team that was so diverse would work out. To say the least I was incredible surprised. Our love for the ministry of Casas, the people of Juarez, and most of all our Love of Christ bonded us together as if we had known each other. From the moment we all met in the lobby of our hotel on friday morning I knew it was going to be a great weekend laughing, and joking around at 630 in the morning is always a good sign for a build. It was one of the quickest builds that I have ever been a part of but at the same time one of the most enjoyable. I was able to truly interact with my teamates as well as be able to spend some time getting to know the family. Even got to get the kids to help put nails in the Chicken wire.

During the dedication Eva(the Mother) accepted Christ into her life. It was a first for me I hadn't been part of a dedication where I instantly knew the effects that the past few days had on the family while I don't know everything that will come, I do know that their lives are eternally changed and for that I am very grateful.  After the build Brandon was kind enough to show the city of Juarez to those who hadn't seen it. we went to Anapra, and the kilometros and we ate brunch at 2 4 which was a great little place close to one of the Churches we stay at. After crossing back over we were able to eat dinner as a team and play games in the hotel. The next morning Kevin Claire and myself met up with a Brandon and Brittany at Hueco tanks for a little Bouldering before coming home. I was glad that I got to show friends most every aspect of why I love Casas por Cristo, El Paso and Juarez.

Goals

      So its been 2 months since I have posted anything and sitting here I feel like its time to just fill you in on what has been going on. Sad things is nothing to exciting has happen but here are the few things that are important to me that have happen.

      If you didn't already know I had applied for the Amarillo Police Departments Police Academy it can be a long drawn out process taking 5 months. I began this process in June by taking a couple of test and filling out a 20 page background, after that it was just a waiting game on them to go through people that scored higher than me until they got to my name which happen about 3 weeks ago They called my references past employers coworkers the whole 9 yards I was called in for an interview and then told that i was in pretty good shape depending on how many people the city of Amarillo allowed them to hire I should be hearing back from them in the coming weeks. A week ago I got an email saying that I had not been chosen to be part of the academy at this time. It was a little bit of a blow because this had been one of the things I had felt most peaceful about in a long time but if there is one thing I have come to understand is everything happens for a reason and Gods plan is always better for me than my own so after a couple of hours of being bummed I was ok. I think being around my old crew that weekend for two of my best friends getting married was very beneficial to getting my mind off of it. Not getting into the academy has changed a few things for me. I hadn't been making any long term plans because I didn't know how everything was going to pan out and I didn't want to have to cancel anything because of the academy. My last post I posted a few realizations and the still hold true but I have made progress on one front I have begun taking Acoustic Guitar lessons from an awesome teacher named Zak Wilkerson. Zak is the guy who is determined to teach you what you need to know none of the fluff crap that you don't which is really good. While I'm no where near as good as I want to be at this point I have come to realize that its going to take a lot of work and even more patience because its not easy.


       I have gained a few responsibilities in the last few weeks in the fact that I have become the oversight for Xtreme on Wednesday nights. Aside from making sure everything runs smoothly like it has ever since I became a volunteer in 06 my biggest goal is to lower the average age of volunteers. Many of the volunteers are parents of children in Xtreme so they are in their mid 30s and up. Don't get me wrong I love all of them and they have become my family but I really think that my generation is a generation that can really connect with the 5th and 6th graders in a way that the older volunteers can't. So if you are reading this and want to check out Xtreme let me know I would love to talk to you about it and see if you would be a fit in this amazing ministry.

     I get to go to Juarez a week from today to build a house for a family with Casas por Cristo. Something I have been looking forward to for a long time I haven't been since the last week of december and its been killing me. It will be good to get to go back an just surround myself in brokeness because it seems to be at that time that I truly am able to converse with God and fall in love with him even more.  

      Now to what is in my future and the Honest answer is I have no clue and Im ok with that. I have come up with a few goals for the next few months that I think will keep me plenty busy and help me grow as a Christian and a person.

Hanging out with friends and grow deeper in Christian community with them.
Be truly prepared for my marathon in December.
Ride my bike more not only in Palo Duro Canyon but also around town.
I just met up with a friend and we are applying for Amazing Race which will be an awesome experience just applying but I'm hopeful for a true opportunity to compete.
Become a more avid reader
Learn guitar well enough that I feel comfortable enough to actually play in front of a group of friends.

Thats my last couple of months in a nutshell and my goals for the next few months. Hopefully it wont be that long before my next post. Im going to try and post bi-weekly if not weekly and hopefully will be able to have progress reports on my goals and maybe some other good news as well.

Realizations

This weekend was great I went to Dallas and got to go to Brad Paisleys H2O tour with Blake Shelton, Jerrod Nieman, Sunny Sweeney, Edens Edge, and Jane Dear Girls Amazing Show if you ever get the chance take it. I also had the opportunity to watch my first professional sporting event Chivas USA vs. FC Dallas, FC Dallas was the home team so I rooted for them and the final score was 1-0 with Dallas winning and the Keeper tallying his league leading 12 shut out. Well the game ended about 8pm so i had a long drive home ahead of me since I had to be at work the next morning. Well Dallas to Amarillo is a little bit of a drive so I had a lot of time to think and I have come to a few realizations

1) Im a small town kid I do not like driving toll roads and highways to get ANYWHERE. I don't mind visiting but I don't think I could do that as a daily commute.

2) I want to learn to play keys, Acoustic guitar, Fiddle, and Steel guitar (not asking for much here am I?)

3) I have awesome friends who care about me. (a few texts and phone calls making sure im doing good on the drive and staying awake)

4) I live a ridiculously blessed life and I don't deserve it.

5) No matter what you want or don't want something are gonna happen and you're gonna have to accept it sooner or later.

Coffee shops

So I have been working in coffee shops for almost 3 years now, a little over 2 and a half at Roasters Coffee and Tea Company in Amarillo, Texas and Just over a month at Palace Coffee Company in little old Canyon Texas USA. Because of these two Coffee Shops I have gained a greater appreciation for coffee as an industry, its taste and the skill behind making the drink. from watching the coloration of the espresso as it comes out of the portofilter to microfoam you get when you steam the milk just right. The different tastes you get from coffee by the method you brew it, the length of time you brew it. Being a good barista requires so much more skill then people give us credit for. I had the priviledge of going to a couple coffee shops in the Dallas Fortworth over the weekend Im sad to say that I wasn't impressed. I have been to great coffee shops ones that anytime I visit the town or am driving through the town I make it a point to visit, and I have been to ok coffee shops where I could care less if I ever went there. I may just be super spoiled now with Palace Coffee, But I was not impressed at all with the Coffee Shops/house I visited. The baristas couldn't tell me anything about the coffee they were using, I mean Im no expert but I can atleast tell you what country the beans are from, what the roast is, who we get our beans from. The guys I dealt with this weekend couldn't do that. They had no personality which translated into the culture of the place. Drinks were poorly made and no care was put into it. Today while I was at work I did some latte art and managed to pull off a really good heart and just for grins I told the guy that it was proof that we made all of our drinks with love he laughed and went about his day but hey I got him to laugh and i think if i can do that with everyone that I come in contact with then I'm doing my job.

Todays thoughts

Well its been a while since I have had something I felt was worthy of writing about. Here is my thought of the day.

So I was hanging out with some friends Monday night after work we went and bowled for dollar bowl night then afterwards we went to Waffle house. Now before I get to the story I just want to say I wasn’t a fan of waffle house till I was introduced to their hashbrowns where you can get them smothered, covered, chunked and diced. (onions, cheese, ham and tomatoes) Amazing if you haven’t tried them you should. Ok back to the story. By the time we get to Waffle house its almost midnight we all had come in our own vehicles so when the “Salesperson” that’s what Patricias name tag said. She preferred to be called Patty and really didn’t care if the name tag said salesperson or waitress she was there to take care of us and that’s all that mattered to her. She asked if it was just the 5 of us because she had seen all of our cars come in the parking lot. I joked and said “you thought it was a little early for the bars to close” and she said something that still bothers me this morning. “I would rather have the drunks then the churched” “The drunks are a lot more patient and kind” “I have worked the Saturday nights and the Sunday afternoon and I would rather work Saturday night” Now I don’t know if you the reader are a Christian, Believer, Atheist, Agnostic. If you are one of the first two you should be offended that this was said. I was and am. I don’t like the fact that there are people who say they are Christians and proclaim to be Christians yet don’t act it out. Don’t get me wrong I have been one of those people before and maybe still am from time to time but I try to be aware of my actions and who I’m around. I want my life to reflect His life. I am nowhere near perfect and never will be but I can always strive to be better and more Christ like. I have heard servers, waiters or whatever title you want to give them talk about how they dislike working Sundays because they feel like they are disrespected by church goers when they go to lunch after service. A few of them are believers then a few of them are but the ones that aren’t don’t like the idea of church because they see these “hypocrites” (their words not mine) say one thing in church and do another outside of the walls. I hate to admit it but that never really bothered me until last night. Because it was someone I didn’t know who said that. Regardless I hope that our actions give her hope that “Churched” people aren’t all hypocritical and hateful, unpatient, I hope that last night me and my group of friends were able to show Jesus in our actions towards her in our conversation and just in our presence. Just a thought people are watching you everywhere you go and if you proclaim to be a follower of Jesus they are going to expect you to be a Saint, don’t try to be because you will fail miserably but the least you can do is be kind, and love on people regardless of who they are and what they do because we all sin but Jesus still loves us and died for us. We should live our life in a manner that reflects Him and His love. Our actions should make one want to turn to God not turn away. Just something to think about the next time you go out to eat or go to the Grocery store.

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Want to serve?

Have you had the desire to serve Jesus, just don't know where or how? Do you have a passion for kids or think that teaching kids about Jesus is something you would enjoy? I bet we have a spot for you. There are hundreds of kids newborn to 7th grade, at Trinity Fellowship Church who need someone to tell them about Jesus. There a couple hundred just in Xtreme that just want someone to hangout with them and make them feel like someone cares about them. So many of these kids just want someone to hang out with them, listen to what they have to say and actually care about what is going on in their lives. I think that we have some awesome kids and we have great leaders but we have way more kids then we do leaders. Just this past sunday in our 11 am service we had 85 kids and only 4 leaders thats 21 and a 1/4 kids per leader. We can make an impact with number like that because My God is a great God and he will use those who will let him and miracles will happen. But imagine what he could do if the ratios were 1:10 or even better 1:7 thats a ways off but I have faith that leaders will come, are you one of them? Im sure if I wanted to I could find scripture that would tell you why you should serve but thats not how I do things. I want to challenge you. Pray...pray about what your calling in life is if its not serving in childrens ministry its to be a mission worker in Africa or South America awesome do that. But there is mission work to be done here in your own backyard it may not be as glamorous in the eyes of those around you but its just as important to the Lord of Lord and King of Kings these Children are his and someone needs to tell them that. Xtreme is a lot of fun I spend a lot of my time volunteering there because I love the kids but also because in the last 5 years that I have been doing this I have made some great friends and I get to serve along side them. It feels great to serve ask anyone who has done it and 90% of the time I think people will agree. It feels even better when you get to serve with your friends. If this has enticed you to want to know more about being involved in Childrens ministry let me know I would love to help you get started on the path of helping kids find Jesus is a reward that I can't even explain.