Triple Threat

For those of you that don’t know, I have been volunteering for an organization called Triple Threat Mentoring here in Aurora.  Their mission is to reach under-resourced youth in Aurora in the area of Academics, Athletics & Arts.

I work in a group called Money in Motion.  We have about 12 kids from a housing project here in Aurora called Jericho Circle.  Although the purpose of the group is to teach the kids (6th-11th grade) the basics of money and how to handle it, the real purpose is to get to know the kids and offer them encouragement in all avenues of their life.

What are you doing to reach those in need in YOUR community??

 

 

 

Our nations independence, a 737, and piccolo petes

Well California, you will be seeing us all real soon.  That’s right, at the end of June, we will be arriving at LAX for a visit to our wonderful parents and to anyone else who wants to see us.

Maybe we will be lucky enough to fly on Illinois One

I am excited that we will be there over 4th of July as that is one of my favorite holidays, and as you well know, I love fireworks.  Nothing is better than the smell of smoke on your clothes and the signed hairs on your hand.

I am a little bummed that I am missing a very important event happening on July 4th at The Orchard. For the first time ever, we are cancelling church that weekend and going out to serve in the community (as part of Generosity Challenge).  We are trying to get a few more churches on board to make this a huge event and really make an impact in Aurora.

Another exciting thing that is happening at church is we are starting The Garden Project.  We are partnering with Triple Threat to provide vegetables to under-resourced families in East Aurora.  How you might ask?  Well our church sits on 16 acres so we are setting aside some land to build a garden.  We start prepping the plot next weekend.

How to make an exploding piccolo pete (a piccolo pete is a firework that just makes a blood curdling screeching sound)

1) detach from base

2) put in vice so that about a 1/4 inch of bottom is sticking out (or if you don’t have one, a good set of pliers and strong muscles will work)

3) squeeze as hard as you can

4) light and run.  when it is finished screeching, it will explode.

Attach several together and light at the same time for added effect.

Generosity Challenge

My church, The Orchard Comminity, in Aurora, IL is doing a Generosity Challenge. This is not just a sermon series but a one year challenge to practice radical generosity in our community in 3 areas; how we live, how we serve and how we give.

Today it really hit me that God is calling all of us to be generous NOW, with what God has given to us through his generousity. Some us have a lot and some of us have a little but we all are able to practice radical generosity, no matter what our situation. Some of us have money but no time. Some of us have time but no money.

Too many times we stay idle and say “When I have more $, or when my kids are older, or when things are less busy at work, then I will be generous. If we aren’t generous when we have a little, we won’t be generous when we have a lot.

Stop waiting and just get started. Don’t be hindered by obstacles because God will take care of those.