California by the numbers...

Hello, friends! 

Last week, I told you about our wild trip home from California. That trip was too wild for me to not post about it immediately. 

HOWEVER, the original plan was to post last week about the actual trip to California. It was a long, wild, delicious, and really fun time with family. Even as I just write down all the things that we did, it's staggering. You know those vacations that are so full that when you get back you actually kind of feel like you need a vacation from the vacation? Yeah, this was one of those. By the numbers:

- 8 days in California (Wednesday to Wednesday)

- 5 trips to the beach, including one at night

- 3 sandcrabs that Ezra found on those various trips to the beach

- 2 birthday parties for my nephew (he's totally worth it)

- 2 dates with Megan (1 of which was a double date with my older sister)

- 1 trip on a train with the grandkids (my mother's dream)

- 1 set of matching jammies for all the grandkids (my older sister's dream)

- 2 trips on a roller coaster (1 with each older kid; Megan's dream)

- 1 pickleball tournament (we did not do well...)

- 1 delicious bowl of beef noodle soup (to go along with the soon du bu, chili burger, korean bbq, dim sum, In & Out, Chinese food, Dairy Queen, and bubble tea)

- 3 bedrooms taken up by my family at my parent's place (which was a HUGE blessing)

- $4.25/gallon for gas, which is just about double what it is in Omaha

- 75 degrees in the house because my parents finally got an air conditioning

- 2 nephews and 1 niece who needed my utmost attention (to go along with my kids)

- 1 dinner with Megan's uncle and family

- 1 InstaGram famous moment when the men in the family were featured on a site that sells Tshirts

That doesn't even include how good it felt to see family members, both immediate and extended, and to bask in the beautiful California sunshine.

It had been almost a year since we were out in California. We didn't do Thanksgiving or Christmas last year because of the pandemic, so it had definitely been a while. Thankfully, we'll be out again in October for my sister's wedding reception and possibly again for Christmas. My hope is that as more and more people get vaccinated, we'll be able to see more and more people with each subsequent trip. Until then, we'll always have the beach... =0). 

Have an excellent day!

~Adam

A Wild Trip Home

Hello, friends! 

This is a photo of us as we got ready to head out from Omaha to California for a family vacation. You can see that we are excited, we are relaxed, and we are ready to go! 

What you will not see is a photo of us on the return trip. That trip was a hot mess. Allow me to break it down for you. 

Tuesday, 2:50pm. I log on to check into our flight and see that I can't actually check it. After doing some Twitter research, I see that the Southwest Airlines system had a failure and the whole system was down ACROSS THE COUNTRY. Thankfully, we're doing family boarding so it's not a big deal anyway.

Wednesday, 9:00am. I have an idea. Maybe if everyone had the same trouble I had, I could go straight to the airport and check in early to get a better boarding number. I drive to the airport, check in, and our numbers are pretty much trash, so we stick with family boarding. 

Wednesday, 10:00am. I look and see that our flight has been delayed from 2:50 to 4:35. This is actually a good thing because it means that our layover in Denver is shorter and we can spend more time with my parents. 

Wednesday, 2:00pm. Oops. I get another notification saying that our flight has been move UP to 4:10. Now we have to get going so we can check in on time. 

Wednesday, 2:45pm. Literally, the moment we get to the airport, I get ANOTHER notification saying that our flight has been moved BACK to 5:00pm. Suddenly, we're early again but even more crucially, we now have only a 25 minute layover in Denver, which is tight. 

Wednesday, 2:55pm. Try to check in using the kiosks but for some reason, I can't check any bags. Our best guess is it's because our flight's original flight time had already passed but the system hadn't been updated. We get in line for a ticket agent. 

Wednesday, 4:55pm. We're on the plane. Everyone has their dinners and we're ready to fly! Megan and I are checking our flight status on the flight to see if we can gain any time to make our connection. 

Wednesday, 7:10pm. The plane starts its descent but due to wind shears, has to pull up and circle around again. We're certain that we're going to miss our connection. 

Wednesday, 8:35pm. Finally of the flight and walking to the gate in Denver. Thankfully, the plane was held for us and another flight coming in from San Diego. 

Wednesday, 9:30pm. Wheel's up in Denver. We made it! 

Wednesday, 11:30pm. Touch down in Omaha. Praise the LORD!

Thursday, 12:30am. Get back to our house, put the kids to bed, and find out that our internet is down...

Oy! 

The important thing is that we're home and we're safe. It was a wild ride, but we made it! 

Have an excellent day! 

~Adam

MPD 201!!!

Hello, friends!

Starting Wednesday, I'll be leading our staff team through MPD 201, which is our Spring training for Ministry Partnership Development. I'm really excited about our time together, not just because I love taking about MPD but also because we have some really great stuff planned and I've enlisted the help of a few of our younger staff to help with various parts of the program.

I'll be going all day Wednesday, all day Thursday, and the first part of Friday. Megan will be taking the kids with her up to South Dakota so her parents can help watch the kids while we're both in session, so that will be a blessing. But, she also has a wedding on Saturday and since they wedding is kids only (and the kids have tball on Saturday), right after I finish on Friday, I'll be driving up to SoDak to pick up the kids then bring them back to Omaha for a dad weekend. 

Needless to say, it's going to be a really hectic week next week. Prayers appreciated for peace, wisdom, and good health (both Megan and I are fighting colds right now). A lot goes into planning these trainings but ultimately, it's all up to Jesus. My hope and prayer is that God will do what he needs to do in our team and through me.

Have an excellent day!

~Adam

Two Takes On Getaway...

Hello, friends!

Thank you so much to everyone who prayed for Mini International Getaway. Here's Megan's update: 

I can't thank you enough for your prayers! Mini International Getaway was such a wonderful event and I am still hearing stories from how God moved. Over 85 students participated and 15 countries were represented. On Saturday, great connections were made with students after a year of not being able to gather that often in person. One student from India shared that she had lost many members of her family back home and a group of students were able to pray for her. Many students shared how they missed community and had been looking for it. One staff said they want to plant an international group next year when they move to a new campus. 

I am so so grateful for God answering prayers and for sparking joy in staff and students. 

While Megan was running the show, I was running around with the kiddos. Here's a rundown.  - In the morning and early afternoon, before Megan started working, as a family, we went to the farmer's market, Ezra had his last soccer game of the season, and had a soccer team pizza party! - After we got back, we dropped off Megan and went to drop off the tabs that Ezra and Thaliea had been collecting for the Ronald McDonald House. - From there, we went to the Wildlife Safari Park in Ashland to look at birds, buffalo, and some elk - Next stop, was a trip to Lincoln to meet one of my curling buddies for dinner and ice cream. - We got home just in time for me to switch with Megan so she could put the kids to bed while I led a Cultural Showcase for the Mini-Getaway.

Friends, it was a SUPER long day but lots of fun. The kids did great and I enjoyed spending the day with them. 

In a few weeks, I'll be leading a training for our Region, which means the roles will be flipped. Prayers appreciated for Megan. =0).

Have an excellent day!

~Adam

Getaway On Its Way!

Hello, friends! 

Tomorrow (Friday) night starts mini-international Getaway! Here's an update from Megan so you can be praying! Also, if you'd like to sign up to pray, you can sign up here!

Mini International Getaway is Here! It's finally here. We have been praying, planning, preparing for months now. After over a year of pandemic and many virtual conferences, we are excited to offer a hybrid option for students. Friday evening Christian students will be pastored through Psalm 23 and invited to ask brave questions with their non-Christian friends. Saturday afternoon, local groups gather for fun outreaches to engage new and old students in conversation and fun. Saturday night, we will debrief together and send students out into the summer.  Would you pray and intercede for our time? Click the link above to sign up to intercede for particular time blocks over the weekend.  For last minute recruitment efforts. We are praying for at least 6 more for the evening sessions.  For the Lord to shepherd staff and students through the weekend - offering protection, guidance, comfort. For me (Megan) as I direct the time to hear from God and to make courageous choices.

Happy Birthday, Thaliea!

Hello, friends! 

Last week, I celebrated my mom's birthday. This week, we get to celebrate Thaliea's birthday! She's turning 4 this year, which is a big deal, if for no other reason than because now she gets 2 vitamins in the morning instead of 1. =0). 

As per tradition, here's the birthday song I wrote for her. The kids are old enough now for me to ask them what their favorite songs are. "Memories" by Maroon 5 is her current favorite because it reminds her of her great grandmothers, both of whom have died since she's been born. (Isn't she the sweetest thing?!?!).

So, happy birthday, dearest girl! Here's to (at least) 4 more years! 

Have an excellent day!

~Adam

Happy Birthday, Mama!!!

Hello, friends!

On Sunday, my wonderful mother will be turning (static, static, static) years old! I can't be in California for the festivities but that doesn't mean I can't dote on her virtually!

Mama Leong is one special lady. Not only did she birth and raise 4 kids and have 3 of them turn out pretty well, for a really solid .750 batting average (just kidding, we're all great!) but she's also been "mom" to literally dozens of other people, offering a pastoral word to wherever needs it. She has a special knack for connecting with women who don't have a mother figure state-side. It's something I didn't always appreciate growing up, but very much appreciate now.

Of course, Mama Leong isn't just a mother but also an Ama. I've always known my mom to be generous but once the grandchildren came along, things went up to a whole new level. I'm not saying she tries to spoil my kids. I'm just saying that I've gotten more than one phone call asking if she can buy my kids things they obviously don't need but said they wanted at some point. (Note: regardless of what my answer is, she usually buys it anyway)

So, here's to a wonderful mom, Ama, and woman! Happiest of birthdays and sorry I can't be there with you to celebrate. When you visited, Megan took most of the photos so this is the only one I have on my phone. I think it captures who you are pretty well. =0).

Have an excellent day!

~Adam