Monday, July 27, 2009
Day Six at CSU
Sunday, we left Ft. Collins and traveled south to Aurora, CO to attend church with the Crawfords (friends from TBC) and spent the afternoon at their lovely home, catching up and sharing about FamilyLife with them. Amy had a good time playing with their daughter, Holly. We left at about 4:30 from their house to enjoy visiting over dinner with a friend I traveled with when I worked for National Seminars. On the way back to Ft. Collins, Charlotte enjoyed catching pictures of giant cloud formations and the sun setting over the mountains. We finally arrived back at CSU around 9pm after putting about 200 miles on the car.
Hal
Mark, Dena, and Holly Crawford
Hal
Mark, Dena, and Holly Crawford
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Day Five at CSU
Day five began as the previous days except Hal slept in until 6:30a. :-) So with renewed energy we went into a day off to catch up on laundry, make calls, etc. We had more time to get to know a few more FamilyLife staff, which gave us some insight into housing in Little Rock. Charlotte spent some time with her FamilyLife coach getting more information on home school and realizing she really has to get out of the rigid daily schedule of traditional school.
Amy went to her Bible study in the morning and decided to skip the food fight in the afernoon. We took about an hour before dinner to see Old Ft. Collins, a rebuilt area of shops, etc. This is where Ft. Collins started. Amy decided that if she had to live somewhere it would be here (now check out the logic) because there isn't much snow, it doesn't get too hot, and it seems like a nice town. I think she has been around the adults too much.
After dinner we had our last session of the week (Sunday is open). All of the 'new staff' sat together and took up most of the chairs on the main floor. Praise and Worship kicked it off followed by an interview of 2 boys in the kids program (under Jr. High age). The majority of the questions began with the typical; having fun? what did you like the best so far?, etc. The interview led to the mission project they were working on for the entire conference. They are raising money for one of the staff in Nupaul who is going to use is to help orphans get into homes. The money will buy them land, a house, food, and tuition for school. At the end, it was revealed that the 2 boys were also orphans from Russia. How fitting they would be the ones to tell about this project. The boys then went through the audience collecting money from everyone. They had it figured that if everyone in the audience (about 5000) would give $3-5, they would reach their goal that night. We will see in the next few days if they made it.
Steve Douglass (President of CCC) talked about all of the 'behind the sceens' things that most of us don't see. The majority of talk revolved around the people who came to know the Lord through the different ministries. What we found out also is how CCC and other mission organizations are partnering together to reach the world for Christ by 2020. With technology and manpower he showed how this could be a reality in our lifetime. Never before have we had the ability to reach everyone with the Gospel so quickly.
Lastly, all of the people who had accepted God's call on their lives since the last conference to join staff were introduced in a parade fassion across the stage. There were about 350 of the 1500 there to participate. Amy was also part of this since the Lord has called our FAMILY to FamilyLife.
After the session, our FamilyLife group from New Staff Training in May of 2008 got together for Starbucks (bet you'll never guess who's idea that was) and enjoyed each other's company until 10. When our day was complete we realized that we have the second half of the conference to look forward to.
Today we see the Crawfords from TBC and a friend Hal traveled with doing conferences with National Seminars.
More tomorrow.
Amy went to her Bible study in the morning and decided to skip the food fight in the afernoon. We took about an hour before dinner to see Old Ft. Collins, a rebuilt area of shops, etc. This is where Ft. Collins started. Amy decided that if she had to live somewhere it would be here (now check out the logic) because there isn't much snow, it doesn't get too hot, and it seems like a nice town. I think she has been around the adults too much.
After dinner we had our last session of the week (Sunday is open). All of the 'new staff' sat together and took up most of the chairs on the main floor. Praise and Worship kicked it off followed by an interview of 2 boys in the kids program (under Jr. High age). The majority of the questions began with the typical; having fun? what did you like the best so far?, etc. The interview led to the mission project they were working on for the entire conference. They are raising money for one of the staff in Nupaul who is going to use is to help orphans get into homes. The money will buy them land, a house, food, and tuition for school. At the end, it was revealed that the 2 boys were also orphans from Russia. How fitting they would be the ones to tell about this project. The boys then went through the audience collecting money from everyone. They had it figured that if everyone in the audience (about 5000) would give $3-5, they would reach their goal that night. We will see in the next few days if they made it.
Steve Douglass (President of CCC) talked about all of the 'behind the sceens' things that most of us don't see. The majority of talk revolved around the people who came to know the Lord through the different ministries. What we found out also is how CCC and other mission organizations are partnering together to reach the world for Christ by 2020. With technology and manpower he showed how this could be a reality in our lifetime. Never before have we had the ability to reach everyone with the Gospel so quickly.
Lastly, all of the people who had accepted God's call on their lives since the last conference to join staff were introduced in a parade fassion across the stage. There were about 350 of the 1500 there to participate. Amy was also part of this since the Lord has called our FAMILY to FamilyLife.
After the session, our FamilyLife group from New Staff Training in May of 2008 got together for Starbucks (bet you'll never guess who's idea that was) and enjoyed each other's company until 10. When our day was complete we realized that we have the second half of the conference to look forward to.
Today we see the Crawfords from TBC and a friend Hal traveled with doing conferences with National Seminars.
More tomorrow.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Day Four CSU
We began our day, once again, with Praise & Worship, followed by Steve Douglass, President of CCC, presenting a talk on Adversity. His points showed us how to 'Grow Through Adversity' (I Peter 4:12), how to see with an 'Eye of Faith', and how to 'Draw from the Holy Spirit' through adversity. He was followed by an unusual multimedia presentation, since the voice over was all done personally by Tim McKenzie. He spoke from memory on the days of creation and the power of God. It was all scripture and lasted 45 minutes. Imagine reciting from memory for 45 min. As the band returned, Charlotte was thinking what song could possibly follow such a marvelous presentation and only "How Great Thou Art" came to mind. So, after we were all awed with the majesty of God, the Praise & Worship team lead us in 'How Great is Our God", which has the chorus of "How Great Thou Art" in the song. Of course, after all the pictures of creation and God's majesty, the tears came again. We were overwhelmed!
The afternoon breakout session took Hal to "How to Use Film Shorts in Evangelism". We would love to see Ryan Dunlap use his talents in creating the shorts for this ministry! Amy was at a Water Park all day where she connected with her new friends and brought back a good sunburn. Today she has her bible study and a food fight this afternoon. Oh, boy! Tomorrow she will be working on filling food bags for Africa to feed the hungry. GAIN (Global Aid Network) is one of the CCC ministries that provides humanitarian relief world wide.
Steve Sellers, VP of CCC, spoke in the evening, presenting a talk "Worthy of the Calling" based on Eph, 4:1. We ended the evening about 11:30 after 1:45 of Tim Hawkins comedian where we laughed for almost the entire time. It was good to laugh after all our serious days previously. We were blessed, beat, and bed was good.
Hal
The afternoon breakout session took Hal to "How to Use Film Shorts in Evangelism". We would love to see Ryan Dunlap use his talents in creating the shorts for this ministry! Amy was at a Water Park all day where she connected with her new friends and brought back a good sunburn. Today she has her bible study and a food fight this afternoon. Oh, boy! Tomorrow she will be working on filling food bags for Africa to feed the hungry. GAIN (Global Aid Network) is one of the CCC ministries that provides humanitarian relief world wide.
Steve Sellers, VP of CCC, spoke in the evening, presenting a talk "Worthy of the Calling" based on Eph, 4:1. We ended the evening about 11:30 after 1:45 of Tim Hawkins comedian where we laughed for almost the entire time. It was good to laugh after all our serious days previously. We were blessed, beat, and bed was good.
Hal
Friday, July 24, 2009
Day Three at CSU
The Praise and Worship was even better than the previous day. They also gave us an opportunity to give financially to help ethnic missionaries raising support reach their assignment. We learned about Impact Ministries, which is like Student Venture for high school students, except targeted at the black culture. Philip Abode at Crossover Bible would love this!
Tim Keller continued his talk on reaching the world for Christ. We had breakout sessions all afternoon, Charlotte went to a session on life-coachhing women, while I attended a session on Facebook and one by Josh McDowell. His session was mostly creating the case with stats on how we are losing our kids coming out of high school within the church. The most staggering stat was 91% of Christian kids do not believe there is absolute truth. Also, research indicates that most people have adopted their religious beliefs by age 12.
The day ended with a gathering of many FamilyLife families. We met so many new families my head was spinning. I can't even begin to remember all the names, but it really got us more excited about finishing support and getting to Little Rock. I did ask about many on their churches, and still haven't found TBC in Little Rock.
Hal
Tim Keller continued his talk on reaching the world for Christ. We had breakout sessions all afternoon, Charlotte went to a session on life-coachhing women, while I attended a session on Facebook and one by Josh McDowell. His session was mostly creating the case with stats on how we are losing our kids coming out of high school within the church. The most staggering stat was 91% of Christian kids do not believe there is absolute truth. Also, research indicates that most people have adopted their religious beliefs by age 12.
The day ended with a gathering of many FamilyLife families. We met so many new families my head was spinning. I can't even begin to remember all the names, but it really got us more excited about finishing support and getting to Little Rock. I did ask about many on their churches, and still haven't found TBC in Little Rock.
Hal
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Day Two CSU
It began as any other day, get up, eat, and leave for our first general session. As we walked up to the arena, it was crowded, and everyone was handed the long awaited seminar book with our schedule. We flipped to page 6 and there it was, the TIMES for everything. Wow, now we know where to be and when! This was an important moment for trying to connect with Amy each day.
As we moved along into the CSU arena with the masses, we had to stop just to look around. I had been to many conferences, and this was so cool from my perspective, as a graphics and video person. Video screens everywhere, five cameras and a 'hand held' for recording every session, lighting like it should be done, everything had that Campus Crusade stamp of excellence on it for our Lord.
We met some new FamilyLife staff and wondered across to the other side of the arena and eventually planted ourselves. Of course, my mouth was still open still trying to take it all in. The two minute countdown started on the screens, and right at 9am, Keynote (music side of Campus Crusade) started playing. Our first half hour of Praise and Worship began. Then it hit, I couldn't sing. I was overwhelmed with emotion, the tears started, and all I could do is ask God "Why us? Why are we so fortunate to be the ones to receive such a blessing? Why have we been called to ministry and not others more qualified?" It was beyond words how thankful I was to be able to enjoy praising God with all the other thousands of missionaries in the arena at this time. How great and awesome our God is!
The remainder of the day proceeded like most conferences, hard seats, cramped areas for our legs, etc. but none of this seemed to matter, since our focus was elsewhere. We heard from Tim Keller, a pastor of a church in NYC talk about justification. Then we had a time of prayer, with times to ask forgiveness, sharing about what God is making us 'wait for', such as our move to Little Rock, and then we prayed about these specific things.
We had lunch, our afternoon session with Tim Keller, picked up Amy, dinner, then another highlight...Steve Sellers, Campus Crusade VP, shared the future of Campus Crusade. It is not an organization, but a tool to reach everyone for Christ. How refreshing to see such a large organization not losing sight of its original vision (DNA) like so many secular organizations have this past year and totally collapse from greed.
Most people would think that Amy had the most fun all day. She got to go to Six Flags and her asthma never bothered her. PTL! In actuality, she did have fun, but we received the biggest blessing in our meetings. God is good all the time, all the time, God is good!!
Hal
As we moved along into the CSU arena with the masses, we had to stop just to look around. I had been to many conferences, and this was so cool from my perspective, as a graphics and video person. Video screens everywhere, five cameras and a 'hand held' for recording every session, lighting like it should be done, everything had that Campus Crusade stamp of excellence on it for our Lord.
We met some new FamilyLife staff and wondered across to the other side of the arena and eventually planted ourselves. Of course, my mouth was still open still trying to take it all in. The two minute countdown started on the screens, and right at 9am, Keynote (music side of Campus Crusade) started playing. Our first half hour of Praise and Worship began. Then it hit, I couldn't sing. I was overwhelmed with emotion, the tears started, and all I could do is ask God "Why us? Why are we so fortunate to be the ones to receive such a blessing? Why have we been called to ministry and not others more qualified?" It was beyond words how thankful I was to be able to enjoy praising God with all the other thousands of missionaries in the arena at this time. How great and awesome our God is!
The remainder of the day proceeded like most conferences, hard seats, cramped areas for our legs, etc. but none of this seemed to matter, since our focus was elsewhere. We heard from Tim Keller, a pastor of a church in NYC talk about justification. Then we had a time of prayer, with times to ask forgiveness, sharing about what God is making us 'wait for', such as our move to Little Rock, and then we prayed about these specific things.
We had lunch, our afternoon session with Tim Keller, picked up Amy, dinner, then another highlight...Steve Sellers, Campus Crusade VP, shared the future of Campus Crusade. It is not an organization, but a tool to reach everyone for Christ. How refreshing to see such a large organization not losing sight of its original vision (DNA) like so many secular organizations have this past year and totally collapse from greed.
Most people would think that Amy had the most fun all day. She got to go to Six Flags and her asthma never bothered her. PTL! In actuality, she did have fun, but we received the biggest blessing in our meetings. God is good all the time, all the time, God is good!!
Hal
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Opening Day at CCC Conference
Tuesday was a lazy day getting settled in, finding our way around Colorado State University (CSU), hooking up with FamilyLife friends, and seeing Josh Geppelt in Denver at a Starbucks (where else?).
The conference started last night with a carnival for fun, & fellowship, where missionary folks, who only see each other every two years here, could re-unite. Amy finally got to do something she enjoyed and got me on one of the 'spinning' rides, which I survived just fine. Amy & I got to take 3 little kids with us whose parents didn't want to get sick on the ride! Charlotte got to go the second time with Amy since I was feeling a head- ache coming on (good excuse). They had burgers, corn dogs, and all the other 'stuff' to go with them, but it took 3 hours to get one! The line was forever long at 6p, so we waited until about 9p to get in line to eat. It only took 10 min. that way. We saw the rest of our FamilyLife friends and met many new ones we knew only through Twitter and Facebook.
Today starts the first general session with Tim Keller (a pastor in Manhattan), Praise & Worship, and time in the Word. We have a full slate of sessions to choose from this afternoon, while Amy spends the day at Elich Gardens (Six Flags). Many of the adults were trying to get Amy to trade places with them for the day!
Kristi heads to Guatemala on a mission trip today. Pray for safety and a good time of ministry for her.
More tomorrow ...
Hal
The conference started last night with a carnival for fun, & fellowship, where missionary folks, who only see each other every two years here, could re-unite. Amy finally got to do something she enjoyed and got me on one of the 'spinning' rides, which I survived just fine. Amy & I got to take 3 little kids with us whose parents didn't want to get sick on the ride! Charlotte got to go the second time with Amy since I was feeling a head- ache coming on (good excuse). They had burgers, corn dogs, and all the other 'stuff' to go with them, but it took 3 hours to get one! The line was forever long at 6p, so we waited until about 9p to get in line to eat. It only took 10 min. that way. We saw the rest of our FamilyLife friends and met many new ones we knew only through Twitter and Facebook.
Today starts the first general session with Tim Keller (a pastor in Manhattan), Praise & Worship, and time in the Word. We have a full slate of sessions to choose from this afternoon, while Amy spends the day at Elich Gardens (Six Flags). Many of the adults were trying to get Amy to trade places with them for the day!
Kristi heads to Guatemala on a mission trip today. Pray for safety and a good time of ministry for her.
More tomorrow ...
Hal
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Arrival in Ft. Collins
We made it to Ft. Collins with no issues and a smooth trip. Amy was able to entertain herself with school work and a couple of movies. Charlotte was able to stop at Lindsborg, KS to see a little of her Swedish heritage and bought a trivet with a saying on it that her mother repeated many times while she was growing up (in Swedish).
The trip started at 5:15a central time and ended right on schedule at 5:15p mountain time. We registered, settled into our dorm room on the CSU campus and started living the life of a college student again. How we survived those conditions I'll never know. I mean twin beds, common bath with next door neighbor (thank goodness it was Amy) hard matresses, etc.
Cell phones are great; we hooked up with one of our friends, the Davaults, and had dinner together. Guess what we talked about? Yeah. Getting to Little Rock as soon as possible and God's faithfullness in raising up partners for each of us.
The day ended at about 11:00, but we are excited.
Harold
The trip started at 5:15a central time and ended right on schedule at 5:15p mountain time. We registered, settled into our dorm room on the CSU campus and started living the life of a college student again. How we survived those conditions I'll never know. I mean twin beds, common bath with next door neighbor (thank goodness it was Amy) hard matresses, etc.
Cell phones are great; we hooked up with one of our friends, the Davaults, and had dinner together. Guess what we talked about? Yeah. Getting to Little Rock as soon as possible and God's faithfullness in raising up partners for each of us.
The day ended at about 11:00, but we are excited.
Harold
Sunday, July 12, 2009
R & R
Before we leave for the Campus Crusade conference, we are going to spend what could be our last time together as a family in Tulsa. Katie and Gage will be there, Joel, Jon, Kristi and Amy. We will only be missing David and Sarah Beth.
We will also be celebrating Charlotte's 29th birthday again while we are away. Pray that we will have quality time together as a family.
We will also be celebrating Charlotte's 29th birthday again while we are away. Pray that we will have quality time together as a family.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Travel Again
The Drivers are preparing to leave for Colorado on July 20, which means that Harold is back to traveling again. We plan on visiting friends and catching up with our training group. We will spend about 10 days with thousands of other Campus Crusade staff from all over the US for Bible studies, prayer, praise and worship time, plus encouraging seminars to help us in the ministry. In our case, many of the seminars we attend will be related to development of our partner team.
Harold
Harold
Friday, June 5, 2009
Now What?
We have now been raising support full time for a month now and it seems like it started yesterday. We have enjoyed meeting new people and renewing old friendships and are averaging about 4 appointments a week.
We placed the house on the market last Monday and we have our first open house this Sunday. Pray we will get lookers and potential buyers. Pray also that it will sell quickly so we can make the move to Little Rock easier.
We have increased our goal percentage to 68%, but still need the remaining 32% to move. It is going to be fantastic to be able to tell people the remaining percentage once that reaches 30%, hopefully next week. We are still on course for moving in September, pray that this is the Lord's timing also.
Harold
We placed the house on the market last Monday and we have our first open house this Sunday. Pray we will get lookers and potential buyers. Pray also that it will sell quickly so we can make the move to Little Rock easier.
We have increased our goal percentage to 68%, but still need the remaining 32% to move. It is going to be fantastic to be able to tell people the remaining percentage once that reaches 30%, hopefully next week. We are still on course for moving in September, pray that this is the Lord's timing also.
Harold
Friday, May 1, 2009
No More Travel
Travel as I have known it for the past 16 years has concluded. Now we move into high gear to finish raising up partners so we can report to FamilyLife. Pray that we partner with the remaining people in the next four months. Many of you are praying for a move in September and that is still the goal. Praise the Lord for the work over the past 16 years.
Harold
Harold
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Commissioning at Tulsa Bible Church
What an exciting day: Sunday, March 15, 2009. Today, we had Bob Lepine speak at church, who is the VP of Content at FamilyLife and co-host of FamilyLife Today. He delivered a message from Colossians 3 about the things that suck life out of your marriage and what puts life back into it. He used a biology analogy of red blood cells shaped like hearts. The things that take life out of those romantic blood cells are lying, slander, malice, and all self centeredness. The things that put life back into marriage are all selfless things that put the other person first. Christ is our example, giving His life for us.
After the message, we were privileged to be commissioned to serve with FamilyLife by our home church. Not only did we have the privilege of having our Elders pray over us and our family, but also, Bob Lepine was there to participate in our commissioning. We could never have orchestrated such an event; it was all God. We also found out that Bob was asked to come and speak over four months ago, long before we had any idea when we would be commissioned. God is awesome!
After the message, we were privileged to be commissioned to serve with FamilyLife by our home church. Not only did we have the privilege of having our Elders pray over us and our family, but also, Bob Lepine was there to participate in our commissioning. We could never have orchestrated such an event; it was all God. We also found out that Bob was asked to come and speak over four months ago, long before we had any idea when we would be commissioned. God is awesome!
Saturday, March 7, 2009
David & Sarah Beth Driver's Wedding Pictures
The wedding pictures are finally where everyone can see them. Click on the link below to view them.
Wedding Pictures
Wedding Pictures
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
God's Orchestration pt 2
Raising up a team of partners for our ministry with FamilyLife has opened a new dimension in our awareness of God’s hand. We get so busy we sometimes don’t even slow down enough to see God at work.
Over the past month, God has placed in our path friends from the past. One couple was at a restaurant sitting at a table next to Harold and the other showed up in a class Harold team-teaches in Tulsa. Both have become part of our team. Again, the world sees this as coincidence, but we saw both as divine appointments God orchestrated.
The last thing, which took place the last week of February was the appointment of our family as missionaries representing our home church of 28 years. It was an exciting half hour of sharing and Q&A, then a 100% affirming vote approving us as missionaries to FamilyLife. The most humbling part was the time of prayer at the end where the Elders gathered around us, laid hands on us and prayed. It was overwhelming to hear how God has, once again, affirmed our call into ministry through these godly men.
Over the past month, God has placed in our path friends from the past. One couple was at a restaurant sitting at a table next to Harold and the other showed up in a class Harold team-teaches in Tulsa. Both have become part of our team. Again, the world sees this as coincidence, but we saw both as divine appointments God orchestrated.
The last thing, which took place the last week of February was the appointment of our family as missionaries representing our home church of 28 years. It was an exciting half hour of sharing and Q&A, then a 100% affirming vote approving us as missionaries to FamilyLife. The most humbling part was the time of prayer at the end where the Elders gathered around us, laid hands on us and prayed. It was overwhelming to hear how God has, once again, affirmed our call into ministry through these godly men.
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