Oceans

One windy day, we took a drive to the see the English Channel in Wales. As we drove up, I remember thinking that the water looked incredibly mean and powerful. It actually scared me. When I got out of the car, I found myself in a wind that made it impossible to stand up straight. I can't remember any wind as strong as that ocean gale. As I stood on the edge of a hill that became a cliff above the rough water, not daring to wander too close to the edge in case the wind might suddenly let up and make fall over, I saw the the sunlight reflecting across the water. I wondered how powerful the wind that parted the Red Sea must have been. Even this wind made it hard for me to keep my balance. No wonder the Israelites begged Moses to shield them from God's presence.

The splendour of the King
Clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice

He wraps Himself in light
Darkness tries to hide
It trembles at His voice

How great is our God!
Sing with me how great is our God!
And all will see how great, how great is our God!

Lancing College Chapel

If Anyone wonders how churchgoers could possibly enjoy singing the old hymns for centuries before we discovered rock music, try singing in one of these chapels/cathedrals. It's amazing. In fact, a full band would sound awful in there because of the echo, but one voice sounds like a thousand.
Next week, Germany. I am feeling really good right now. God had an attitude check with me and things are better for me now. Everyone is tired, of course, but that's a way of life now. In Germany, we are working with a band called Groundstaff. They said they're going to go easier on us than the team last year because they burned them out a bit. Apparently, that didn't work out so well. That seems too obvious to me, but our team is not totally innocent of overworking ourselves either. For the most part, it hasn't been brutal, so I think our team is very fortunate in terms of business.
We have a lot of prep work to do before Germany that won't all get done. We'd like to have some more program items running; some dramas and maybe a few songs, but that's not looking so promising right now. We'll have to play it by ear. Coralie is the scheduler and I feel bad for her. I know how frustrating it is when there is never enough time to do everything and she can be hard on herself when she makes a scheduling error. She does such a good job! Some things just have to be pushed out of the way if we're ever going to take a break. Thanks for your prayers.

A Letter Home

Dear Father,
"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not whither. Whatever he does prospers." Psalm 1:1-3
My God, there is nothing I want more than to be in your will. "One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple." (Psalm 27:4) Lead me. Do not let me go anywhere that you don't want me. Make me do things that make you happy. Destroy my pride. Leave no trace of self-service in me except to enjoy the good things you give me. Let me do even that in complete gratitude, knowing that everything good comes from you. Make me only always for you, my King. For everything you have done, giving me life, rebirth, creation to enjoy, giving Jesus as a sacrifice for my sin, the Holy Spirit to show how to live, give me the ability to live a life of constant gratitude. I trust you. You have my life. Do want you want with it. Help me trust you more.

Your adopted and eternally grateful son,
Bryce

Puppets are taking over!!!!

We've decided that the puppets will do the children's ministry from now because they relate better to kids. However, they get a little out of control on the instruments. We're still ironing out a few bugs.

Pictures

I have been bad at posting pictures this year, so I'll start trying to make up for it now.