Balloon 25

Thank-you, Lord, for the morning bike/ride guys.

Thank-you for planting the idea to get a group of people out moving in the mornings to begin with, but more importantly, thank-you for the guys who have been joining me. Todd, Dusty, Mike, Mitch, Burt, Dan, Jason. I know I would not still be out biking and running if I didn't think they would be there waiting for me. I love the biking, I am coming around on the running, and with both I can feel myself getting stronger.

I pray you continue to give me the strength to improve myself, and keep the guys interested and showing up. I know the exercise and the comradery is good for us all.

Thank-you, Lord, for the morning bike/ride guys.

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Balloon 24

Thank-you, Lord, for a successful launch for Hope Johnston-Grimes.

What a fantastic start to another mission in building your kingdom. I don't think anyone on the team imagined we would have over 500 people in attendance. The way you work never ceases to amaze me. It is my understanding that many of the people in attendance do not currently have a church home. I pray that you send all of those people and more back to us next week and beyond.

We had been preparing for that day or a long time and were amazed at the blessing you gave us. We joyfully accept the responsibility and the privilege to be a blessing to others.

Thank-you, Lord, for a successful launch for Hope Johnston-Grimes.

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Balloon 23

Thank-you, Lord, for. Pastor Tom.

It has been a long time since I have seen Pastor Tom, but at one time we were pretty close. Tom was instrumental in my journey back to you, Lord.

I still remember the first time I met Tom. I had been looking for a place to start rediscovering you and attended Point of Grace church one Sunday on the suggestion of a co-worker. The next day, Tom was in the office for a meeting that I was not involved in, but he made a point to stop in my cube to introduce himself and thank me for attending on Sunday.

After that, we met often to talk about many things, I joined his morning seeker bible study, and on March 28, 2000, in Tom's living room, he helped me ask Jesus into my heart and my life.

Sadly, Tom and I grew apart, but as I write this blog, and think about my faith walk, I can't help but think about Pastor Tom and the role he played in my journey.

Thank-you, Lord, for Pastor Tom.

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Balloon 22

Thank-you, Lord, for this beautiful morning.

Wow, Lord. What a beautiful morning you provided for us today. The moon was bright, even as a waining crescent, the stars we brilliant, and the run was improved. If is were not for my wheezing and plodding footsteps, it would have been the perfect opportunity to gaze at your creation in wondrous silence.

Thank-you, Lord, for this beautiful morning.

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Balloon 21

Thank-you, Lord, for the opportunity you have presented us with Hope Johnston-Grimes.

At first I thought it would be a fun excuse to get out of my comfort zone and be a part of something from the beginning. It has turned out to be so much more. I know I am getting a better understanding of what it means to serve you and be a part of your Kingdom. Church is more than Sunday mornings. Prayer is for more than before dinner and at bed time. I am especially moved by the fact that the stress I should be feeling right now, as we are up against our deadline and not finished with all of our tasks, is virtually non-existent for me. I pray the rest of the team is not feeling any undue stress. I contend that it is the imperfections that will make the memories as we move forward in this adventure.

Thank-you, Lord, for the opportunity you have presented us with Hope Johnston-Grimes.

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Balloon 20

Thank-you, Lord, for my Grandma Castello.

I am still thinking about my Grandmas.

Grandma Castello left us less than two years ago, but she led a full life and left us with lots of memories.

We would travel to St. Louis every Thanksgiving and spend it at Grandma's house. Be it 1005 Lafayette or 1112 Marxkors.

I tried to help Grandma out with her specialty advertising business. She was patient with my in and out interest in the business. In the end, I made a few sales, but more importantly learned that I didn't want to go into sales.

Grandma used to take me golfing. I always enjoyed our time on the course. We didn't play nearly enough. The last few times we went out, she would only play a few holes, but it really wasn't about the golf.

Thank-you, Lord, for my Grandma Castello.

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Balloon 19

Thank-you, Lord, for my Grandma Willrich.

With the loss of Heather's Grandma, I got to thinking about my Grandmas. I know she is with you know, but I have many fun memories of Grandma Willrich.

Christmases at her house are the first to come to mind. Grandma was always good for a pair of sock and some cash. However, if you got a gift from Grandma with the tag written in all caps, you usually didn't want it. I don't think those were really from Grandma.

One time I was at Grandma's for some reason, I don't remember exactly why, but she took me to Stuart for dinner at the local diner. It seemed to me to be the best taco salad I ever had. I have since eaten at that place, and the taco salad wasn't as good the second time. I think it was the company I was with that made it so good.

Grandma went to be with you a week before my wedding. It was sad that she couldn't be there with us physically on our special day, but I know her spirit was with us.

Thank-you, Lord, for my Grandma Willrich.

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Balloon 18

Thank-you, Lord, for those who risk our lives to save others.

On 9/11, I was reminded of those who selflessly risk their lives to help other despite the danger. So many people died that day in an effort to save the people trapped in the buildings. Certainly some didn't know exactly how much danger they were charging into, but those who went into the second tower after seeing the first tower collapse had an amazing love for their fellow man.

Thank-you, Lord, for those who risk our lives to save others.

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Balloon 17

Thank-you, Lord, for this beautiful evening.

I have spent the last hour or so outside with my awesome boys this evening. Right now, Levi is reading, Ben is a puppy and Seth is eating a pencil. I guess I had better get that away from him before he hurts himself.

Thank-you, Lord, for this beautiful evening.

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Balloon 16

Thank-you, Lord, for the financial position you have put me in.

I know many times I think about what I could do if I made more money, be it more charity, more savings, more for the kids or just an improved lifestyle. However, last weekend you reminded me to be thankful for what I have. Sunday morning we went out to discover an issue with the van. After getting it fixed I thought about how thankful I was that an unexpected vehicle repair did not put our budget into a tailspin. Certainly I was frustrated that we had to deal with it, but thankful that we could handle it.

Thank-you, Lord, for the financial position you have put me in.

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Balloon 15

Thank-you, Lord, for my sister Libby.

Libby is my baby sister, a lawyer, soon to be a wife, and an awesome aunt.

Since Libby is the baby, she and I did not do much together as kids. She is the only sibling I remember being born. As I recall, grandma Castello came to stay with us while mom and dad went to the hospital.

I really enjoyed the few sporting events that I attended that Libby played in. I was most impressed with her soccer playing. A good leader of the defence and not afraid to mix it up anywhere on the field.

I had more fun playing sports with Libby. She joined us on the soccer field a few times. In one game we all learned she had an aversion to people diving to get a call. On another occasion we were playing volleyball together and she took a hard shot right in the face. After a few minutes, she was back in there without showing any fear.

I look forward to Libby's wedding in January. Sounds like it is going to be quite the party. I like that she is taking a different approach from what the typical ceremony is, but that is her attitude. She doesn't do what everyone else does just because "that is the way it is done".

Libby lives in California with her fiancee, Matt. Please be with them and keep them happy, healthy, and safe.

Thank-you, Lord, for my sister Libby.

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Balloon 14

Thank-you, Lord, for my brother, Jake.

Jake is my little brother, a husband, a coach, and a dad. Somewhere along the way I dubbed him "Jakey Poo Poo Head."

I should probably apologize for the mean big brother things I did to Jake, like handcuffing him to the swing and putting sand down his pants, playing bull fighter and running him head first into a wall, missing his spring football game due to excessive celebration of my 25th birthday the night before, to name a few.

Being the boys, Jake and I played together quite a bit, even though we are several years apart.

My biggest memory as kids was playing football in the yard. I was in junior high and had all of my football gear. I would wear the pants, and Jake would wear the helmet and shoulder pads. We would play our version of one-on-one football for hours. I like to think I had something to do with his later success on the football field. I know it really comes from his hard work and dedication.

I always enjoyed making the trip to Kirksville to watch him play football. Then go back to his place and hang out. I am not sure where it went, but we made a sign for him to hang on the fence at the field. I wanted to put his nickname on the sign, but my wife talked me out of it, lucky for him.

Jake is now married to Erin and has a boy of his own, Payton, and another kid on the way. Lord, please be with them all and keep them happy, healthy, and safe.

Thank-you, Lord, for my brother, Jake.

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Balloon 13

Thank-you, Lord, for my sister, Erin..

Erin is my younger sister, a wife, a coach, a teacher, and a mom.

I remember a time when we tried to get the nickname "Moose" to stick for Erin. Turns out mom was not a big fan of that nickname. In the end, we settled on "Bear". I do not remember how we ended up with that name, but it stuck, and to this day many of us still refer to her as "Bear."

Growing up, I have a few memories of playing together with Bear. One particular memory was an accident ... I think. I must have been 6 or 7 and she was 4 or 5. We were with a group of friends digging in the yard with the claw end of hammers. I guess we didn't give Erin enough room, and when she took a swing, she hit me squarely in the top of the head. I ended up in the doctor's office getting stitches, and I still have a dent in my head today.

In high school, we had separate friends and did not hang out much. I do remember watching her dominate the basketball court back in the days of 6 on 6 girls basketball. It always made me proud to see my sister be the star of the game.

Erin has become quite a volleyball coach. Some in southeastern Missouri even call her a legend. She met with success almost immediately when she became a head coach. Many times I have heard her say that her teams continue to exceed expectations. Her teams are regulars at the state tournament. I can't think of a better person to shape the lives of young women and teach them the lessons of team work.

Erin is now married to Dave and has a feisty little girl, Lexi. Lord, please be with them and keep them happy, healthy, and safe.

Thank-you, Lord, for my sister, Erin.

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