in about 231 days we are expecting another child. yep, you read right… we are in for more adventure. Julie has started getting her weekly updates, and this week was informed that our child is the size of a blueberry with hands, legs, an appendix and a pancreas.

read more about “week 7″ on Baby Center

we are taking name suggestions…
so far Julie is leaning toward Joshua Jude [as in “hey jude”], and i want Charles Allen [both our Dad’s middle names] if a boy.
if a girl, Julie likes Rachel Alice [for Margie] , and i like Claire [see: Elizabeth Town movie] or Moriah [region where the mountain was for Abe to kill Isaac] (until tonight when i read the meaning… although it really fits this season of our journey).

i hope i can let Julie do the name deciding this time…

Natalie is developing her spelling and writing skills. tonight she just sat down and wrote her name, and i had to share it with you. you can also see the video from our spelling session. she learned the word “PIG” tonight.

in other news, i have finally realized i might be dependent on caffeine. i went to bes last night at 11pm and opened (4am) this morning at Starbucks, and it was my worst morning ever. i think everyone else could tell too. i was just so tired. the funny thing is i get free coffee on my shift, and i didn’t drink any, and i didn’t drink any the rest of my day. that was not a good idea. it turns out i need it more than i thought - i could hardly function. i have also been putting in long hours, and not seeing much sleep. so am i addicted to caffeine, or just need rest, or both?

see: defend your coffee habit

I wanted to write about what we’ve been “doing” the last couple weeks… let you get an idea of what’s been going on in the ministry & influence realm. I can’t really tell you everything… but i will be as detailed as i can be about the things i can share.

Monday nights we host a college bible study in our home. We have about 20 students from the University, Community College, and others that just fit the group. We have had some super encouraging times. the last two weeks i have led worship, and Nathan Hart has taught. Nathan launched the group through Pantano Christian Church, and when the small group began to outgrow his apartment, we relocated to the Colburn’s Living Room.

I lead worship at Valley Christian Church, and one night each week i meet with the team to practice. Wednesdays i love to go to “the corner” of 4th and highland on campus (usually about 8:00 PM) and just sit and play guitar and mix with the edgy students until late into the night.

Nathan has started a part time job - and at first we were tempted to get discouraged becasue this limited our time together on campus, but God has really turned it around to make our time more effective. So we try to spend intentional time on campus tuesday or wednesday or both. We spend time praying and seeking God, and meeting one-on-one with the students we know and have started relationships with. One of these students is Stiva - He’s an international student form India, and all i can say is he such a treasure. One time in his dorm room we got on the topic of scripture and we discovered he had never been exposed to “the bible” or even seen or read any of it. He said “give me a chapter of the bible and i will read it, and if i like it i will read the rest.” Talk about exciting? We chose Mark 2. Stiva read it in front of us the next week while sitting in a restaurant, and asked some awesome questions, among which was ” so you believe this really happened?” He was stunned to hear that we believe Jesus actually did miraculous things, and that the bible is full of eye-witness accounts. I was almost in tears as we talked, just in awe of his raw enthusiasm. We continue to give Him more scripture….

This last week was spring break so we should take some time off right?
Monday night Bible Study - Wednesday night we met with Eric and Stiva at the Harts for a meal. Thursday night was worship practice for me (if there can be such a thing!) Friday night we had 5 students from Valley spend the night at our house and prepare for the Yard sale earlier this morning. We we raising money for the high school group to go to camp.

To top it all off… this last Sunday i finished a three-part sermon series at Valley on prayer (Nathan Dalrymple - the preacher - just had a baby!). I also spoke last Sunday night at Christ’s Church in the Desert (i preach once a month). This Sunday i speak at Veritas - the gathering of college agers at Pantano Christian Church.

I have also been trying my best to get organized and really pour into raising partners for this ministry, and the funds we need to survive as a family. I won’t lie here… peace with money has been our hardest struggle, and we wrestle with it constantly in our marriage.

It sounds like a busy schedule, but i am feeling new peace from God, and my schedule has been working together smoothly. Most importantly - my time with God has been extravagant, and God continues to impress me, and weed out the pride and surrender issues in my heart.

By the way… if you didn’t get my email,
I am taking this next Tuesday (21st) off to fast and be with God.
For some reason i feel this is an especially crucial appointment - so beg God to protect it… please.