We went to the Round Rock Express baseball game tonight. The Express is the AA team for the Houston Astros. We had a blast. Unfortunately, we missed out on the bobblehead giveaway because we weren't in the first 3,000 to arrive, but we still managed to catch a couple t-shirts and a souvenir baseball.
We ate way-too-pricey dinners in the park and danced with the Pluckers chicken. The game ended up scoreless through nine innings, and it wasn't until the 11th that the New Orleans Zephyrs scored four runs to seemingly put the Express away. But we stuck around and cheered on the home team to five runs in the bottom of the 11th, and they got the big win. A very exciting finish. And a great time for all of us.
We had a short recap meeting here at the hotel where we looked back on the trip to discuss our likes and dislikes, then we spent about half an hour looking at all the pictures on the tv. It was awesome to look back and laugh at all we did. Really a great trip.
And not over yet. It's on to Austin Stone tomorrow morning. I'll try to post a summary sometime this week.
Until then...
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Saturday, June 20, 2009
McKinney Falls
We made the drive to south Austin, where McKinney Falls State Park is located. The park is not terribly scenic, but it did make a nice place for us to have a cookout.
One group of us immediately went on a hike on one of the park trails. We hiked about a mile and a half, saw the dripping falls (very dry because of lack of rain), and enjoyed playing on the rock ledges. It was a hot hike, but really fun.
Everyone else played games and threw the frisbee at our picnic site near Onion Creek.
When we all met back together, we grilled some hot dogs and smoked sausage and enjoyed a picnic. It was a nice afternoon in the park.
It was pretty hot, so we came back to the hotel early. We spent some time playing games in the great hotel lobby, just enjoying each other's company. Now we're getting ready for tonight's ball game.
One group of us immediately went on a hike on one of the park trails. We hiked about a mile and a half, saw the dripping falls (very dry because of lack of rain), and enjoyed playing on the rock ledges. It was a hot hike, but really fun.
Everyone else played games and threw the frisbee at our picnic site near Onion Creek.
When we all met back together, we grilled some hot dogs and smoked sausage and enjoyed a picnic. It was a nice afternoon in the park.
It was pretty hot, so we came back to the hotel early. We spent some time playing games in the great hotel lobby, just enjoying each other's company. Now we're getting ready for tonight's ball game.
Gentrified
That's the title of Logan and Amber's blog. Just thought it would make a nice title for this post. After relaxing at the hotel for awhile, we went to their house in north Austin for some dessert. They've got a really busy weekend (family in town, birthday party for the one-year old today), but they were still gracious enough to host us and serve us milkshakes, sundaes, and Dr. Pepper floats. We had a nice time hanging with them for awhile and getting to meet Justin Lopez's wife Sally and their daughter Annie (15 mos.).
Cool people.
We ended our evening back at the hotel with an excellent discussion about what kind of people we are. What kind of leanings we have in life. What spiritual gifts we've been given. Etc. We had this exercise to help us determine what needs we might best at filling in the church and for the lost. Great stuff.
Then it was to bed.
We just got up because it is sleep-in Saturday. We're on our way to breakfast, then a hike!
Cool people.
We ended our evening back at the hotel with an excellent discussion about what kind of people we are. What kind of leanings we have in life. What spiritual gifts we've been given. Etc. We had this exercise to help us determine what needs we might best at filling in the church and for the lost. Great stuff.
Then it was to bed.
We just got up because it is sleep-in Saturday. We're on our way to breakfast, then a hike!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Schlitter-fun
We had our usual breakfast this morning and got challenged by our devotional to find relief from our fears in the Lord. As has been the theme of the week, we discussed how having a solid understanding of the gospel and letting it truly take root in our lives is the beginning to really living a godly life in reliance on and pleasing to God. Fears leave as a result of believing the gospel.
We made our way down to New Braunfels for a fun day at Schlitterbahn. We split up into groups, and everyone had plenty to do in the waters of the Comal River. It was really a nice day at the park - not too hot.
On our drive back to Austin, we stopped at Fazoli's in San Marcos for a fast Italian dinner. No traffic after that, so we're back at the hotel early to get changed and ready for a night with the Gentry and Lopez families.
We made our way down to New Braunfels for a fun day at Schlitterbahn. We split up into groups, and everyone had plenty to do in the waters of the Comal River. It was really a nice day at the park - not too hot.
On our drive back to Austin, we stopped at Fazoli's in San Marcos for a fast Italian dinner. No traffic after that, so we're back at the hotel early to get changed and ready for a night with the Gentry and Lopez families.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Scavenging UT
After winding our way through downtown Austin trying to avoid rush hour traffic, we made it to the campus of the University of Texas. Logan had recruited four awesome college students from Austin Stone to lead us around in teams on a photo scavenger hunt. It was really hot, but also really cool to get see all the amazing sites of the campus. It's massive. Logan had also prepared a statistics quiz for us that showed us the spiritual climate of the campus. It was really a neat experience for all of us.
Sweaty and thirsty we made our way to a local dive called Sandy's Hamburgers. On Thursdays they have a great special - 1/4 lb. burger, fries, and a drink for $3.39. Wow! Really good stuff, too. We ate at the picnic table outside on their property. Logan and his wife Amber (my Bible study partner in college) and their two boys joined us for dinner. Logan also talked to us a little about Austin Stone's vision for college ministry at UT.
We just wrapped our evening here at the hotel with some excellent discussion about total depravity and idolatry. Everyone was really open in admitting areas in our lives that demonstrate the most struggle and idolatry. We saw that we share many of the same struggles and challenged each other to be more intentional to talk about these things in order to gain freedom from them. A great night.
Tomorrow, it's on to the water slides.
Sweaty and thirsty we made our way to a local dive called Sandy's Hamburgers. On Thursdays they have a great special - 1/4 lb. burger, fries, and a drink for $3.39. Wow! Really good stuff, too. We ate at the picnic table outside on their property. Logan and his wife Amber (my Bible study partner in college) and their two boys joined us for dinner. Logan also talked to us a little about Austin Stone's vision for college ministry at UT.
We just wrapped our evening here at the hotel with some excellent discussion about total depravity and idolatry. Everyone was really open in admitting areas in our lives that demonstrate the most struggle and idolatry. We saw that we share many of the same struggles and challenged each other to be more intentional to talk about these things in order to gain freedom from them. A great night.
Tomorrow, it's on to the water slides.
Hamilton Pool
Another bright and early breakfast at 7:30am. Then we had our devotion time. We read about how much faith pleases God. And we challenged each other to make sure that the things we've been working on (speaking better to each other and including each other) are coming from hearts of faith that are longing to please God - not just doing these things because we feel like we should.
After a prayer, we headed west about 45 minutes to Hamilton Pool Preserve, near Dripping Springs. What a beautiful place! We were basically the first people down there for the day, and we had a blast swimming in this natural pool, hiking along the trails, and wading in the Pedernales River. We ate our picnic lunches on the shore and enjoyed the sunshine and the views.
Now our sleepy crew has returned to the hotel to hang out and rest for the afternoon to get ready for tonight's scavenger hunt!
After a prayer, we headed west about 45 minutes to Hamilton Pool Preserve, near Dripping Springs. What a beautiful place! We were basically the first people down there for the day, and we had a blast swimming in this natural pool, hiking along the trails, and wading in the Pedernales River. We ate our picnic lunches on the shore and enjoyed the sunshine and the views.
Now our sleepy crew has returned to the hotel to hang out and rest for the afternoon to get ready for tonight's scavenger hunt!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
The Split
After we rested up, the high school went to Hula Hut for a fun hawaiian tex-mex dinner. Guidry smoked Tony in a massive enchilada eating contest.
Meanwhile the jr. high finally found Chipotle and ate there. Then they came back to the hotel for some mafia and other games in the lobby, which happens to be perfect for groups like us.
After the high school ate, we met Logan at Hill Country Bible Church UT. This was right across the street from the BSM where we were last night. Tonight was a sort of practical follow-up to last night's training. We spread out at different tables with college students and talked with them about what it means to be mission-minded in the places where we have influence. Good stuff.
Logan led us to Amy's Ice Cream (an Austin staple) after the Bible study. We got some of the good stuff, including Mexican Vanilla and Belgian Chocolate.
We all met briefly just now to recap the day. It was a long one, but a good time was had by all. Lights out in another hour to rest up for another good day in Travis County.
Meanwhile the jr. high finally found Chipotle and ate there. Then they came back to the hotel for some mafia and other games in the lobby, which happens to be perfect for groups like us.
After the high school ate, we met Logan at Hill Country Bible Church UT. This was right across the street from the BSM where we were last night. Tonight was a sort of practical follow-up to last night's training. We spread out at different tables with college students and talked with them about what it means to be mission-minded in the places where we have influence. Good stuff.
Logan led us to Amy's Ice Cream (an Austin staple) after the Bible study. We got some of the good stuff, including Mexican Vanilla and Belgian Chocolate.
We all met briefly just now to recap the day. It was a long one, but a good time was had by all. Lights out in another hour to rest up for another good day in Travis County.
Up and Down I-35
We started off the morning right with another good breakfast here in the hotel, as well as devotions regarding the love of God. We challenged each other to allow others to see God in that they see the love we have for each other (1 John 4).
After some prayer, we headed north to Georgetown and Inner Space Cavern. Arriving at opening time (9:00am), we were able to go down on the first tour all by ourselves. We had a nice tour of a neat cave. Fun stuff.
Next was the drive south back through Austin to San Marcos and the massive outlet extravaganza. We ate our picnic lunch there, then dispersed for several hours of shopping. I'm pretty sure everyone got to the stores they wanted to see. That place is huge.
We're back now at the hotel resting and cleaning up for a split night out. The jr. high will be hanging out with free time tonight, while the high school will go back to college leader training. Leaving soon...
After some prayer, we headed north to Georgetown and Inner Space Cavern. Arriving at opening time (9:00am), we were able to go down on the first tour all by ourselves. We had a nice tour of a neat cave. Fun stuff.
Next was the drive south back through Austin to San Marcos and the massive outlet extravaganza. We ate our picnic lunch there, then dispersed for several hours of shopping. I'm pretty sure everyone got to the stores they wanted to see. That place is huge.
We're back now at the hotel resting and cleaning up for a split night out. The jr. high will be hanging out with free time tonight, while the high school will go back to college leader training. Leaving soon...
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Buffet and BSM
After chilling at the hotel for awhile and giving the ladies ample time to get ready, we went north of town for dinner at the Buffet Palace Restaurant. I'm pretty sure Will ate a small octopus. Needless to say, it was interesting selection.
At the end of dinner, my good friend Logan Gentry met us at the buffet and led us down to the Baptist Student Ministry building right next to the UT campus. I introduced the group to Logan, who is in leadership for the college ministry at Austin Stone. He and some other area college leaders are teaming up for combined summer college ministry leader training. He invited us to sit in on their meeting tonight.
Wow! The quarters were tight. There were probably 200 college students and us packed into a pretty small room, but the atmosphere was incredible. We joined the students in praise and worship that was free and passionate. Then the college pastor from Hill Country Bible Church UT delivered a message about the sending character of God. We were all encouraged and challenged by the passion of the college students as they worshiped the Lord. It was a great experience that I pray has lasting impact.
We headed back to the hotel for group time, but not before a quick stop at Target for random shopping and Starbucks.
A great discussion ensued back at the hotel regarding the time we spent this evening. Our challenge to each other for the future was to put pride aside and worship the Lord freely and passionately regardless of surroundings, people, or music styles.
At the end of dinner, my good friend Logan Gentry met us at the buffet and led us down to the Baptist Student Ministry building right next to the UT campus. I introduced the group to Logan, who is in leadership for the college ministry at Austin Stone. He and some other area college leaders are teaming up for combined summer college ministry leader training. He invited us to sit in on their meeting tonight.
Wow! The quarters were tight. There were probably 200 college students and us packed into a pretty small room, but the atmosphere was incredible. We joined the students in praise and worship that was free and passionate. Then the college pastor from Hill Country Bible Church UT delivered a message about the sending character of God. We were all encouraged and challenged by the passion of the college students as they worshiped the Lord. It was a great experience that I pray has lasting impact.
We headed back to the hotel for group time, but not before a quick stop at Target for random shopping and Starbucks.
A great discussion ensued back at the hotel regarding the time we spent this evening. Our challenge to each other for the future was to put pride aside and worship the Lord freely and passionately regardless of surroundings, people, or music styles.
Cleanup in the Creek
We met for breakfast at 7:30am. Of course, all the guys had already eaten, so they just watched everyone else eat. The breakfast here in the hotel is great - a cooked to order buffet with something for everyone.
After we ate, we spread out all over the hotel lobby for quiet times. Each of our trip leaders wrote a devotional, giving us one for each morning. This morning we all read a devotion about our speech. So when we gathered again as a group to pray before starting our day, we challenged each other to really concentrate on building each other up with our words and stay away from sarcasm and biting comments. The students are doing great with it today!
We headed over to the St. Johns community, a poorer area of Austin. There we met Justin Lopez, a good friend of mine from college who is on staff at Austin Stone. He's heading up the church's inner city ministry in St. Johns. Justin introduced us to the community leader, who gave us a brief history of the area and sent us on to our work.
We spent almost 3 hours picking up trash in a big creek that is part of the community park. The stretch we cleaned was probably at least 1/3 of a mile. And the creek was really wide. We had a great time and wore ourselves out. The creek was spotless when we were through with it. Lots of community kids play in the creek, which has slabs of limestone throughout, so it's great for them to have a cleaner place to play.
A couple of students also got to paint over some graffiti in the bridge area, and a couple more did a little yard work! As we worked, we began to realize the need for times like this in certain areas of Kaufman which came to mind.
After a quick picnic lunch at the park, we headed down to Barton Springs Pool. This is a really cool (in more ways than one) spring-fed city pool. We had a great time playing elbow tag and more. After we all got used to the cold water, we enjoyed just hanging out and being refreshed.
Now we're back at the hotel to rest a bit and get ready for dinner and tonight's college leadership training!
After we ate, we spread out all over the hotel lobby for quiet times. Each of our trip leaders wrote a devotional, giving us one for each morning. This morning we all read a devotion about our speech. So when we gathered again as a group to pray before starting our day, we challenged each other to really concentrate on building each other up with our words and stay away from sarcasm and biting comments. The students are doing great with it today!
We headed over to the St. Johns community, a poorer area of Austin. There we met Justin Lopez, a good friend of mine from college who is on staff at Austin Stone. He's heading up the church's inner city ministry in St. Johns. Justin introduced us to the community leader, who gave us a brief history of the area and sent us on to our work.
We spent almost 3 hours picking up trash in a big creek that is part of the community park. The stretch we cleaned was probably at least 1/3 of a mile. And the creek was really wide. We had a great time and wore ourselves out. The creek was spotless when we were through with it. Lots of community kids play in the creek, which has slabs of limestone throughout, so it's great for them to have a cleaner place to play.
A couple of students also got to paint over some graffiti in the bridge area, and a couple more did a little yard work! As we worked, we began to realize the need for times like this in certain areas of Kaufman which came to mind.
After a quick picnic lunch at the park, we headed down to Barton Springs Pool. This is a really cool (in more ways than one) spring-fed city pool. We had a great time playing elbow tag and more. After we all got used to the cold water, we enjoyed just hanging out and being refreshed.
Now we're back at the hotel to rest a bit and get ready for dinner and tonight's college leadership training!
A.M. Weirdness
Okay so this is weird...
It's 7:15am and all the guys have already gotten up, worked out, gotten dressed and eaten breakfast. According to the schedule, they didn't have to be ready until 7:30am. They got up at 5:00am. The apocalypse is upon us.
It's 7:15am and all the guys have already gotten up, worked out, gotten dressed and eaten breakfast. According to the schedule, they didn't have to be ready until 7:30am. They got up at 5:00am. The apocalypse is upon us.
Monday, June 15, 2009
We're here!
We made it to Austin!
We made a quick stop at Poppa Rollo's in Waco for pizza and arcade games, then it was off to the Dr. Pepper Museum down the street. We took a guided tour (which didn't quite hold the ole attention spans), then created our own soft drinks. Three teams concocted drinks and marketed them. Nice teamwork.
After enjoying Dr. Pepper floats, it was on to Austin. We checked into the awesome Embassy Suites Arboretum around 3:30pm and got settled in and unpacked. Everyone is enthralled with the swans in the lobby. Really.
We took a little trip to P. Terry's (a retro burger joint with no relation to our music pastor) for dinner. Good fries. And then it was on to HEB for groceries. Everyone got a little shopping done, and we came back to the hotel for group meeting time.
We had a great discussion about the Gospel and its effects in our lives. We are going through some college ministry curriculum together every night this week. It should be amazing. We're all hanging out in our rooms now, enjoying community CELL-PHONE AND FACEBOOK FREE!
Looking forward to cleaning up an inner-city park tomorrow!
We made a quick stop at Poppa Rollo's in Waco for pizza and arcade games, then it was off to the Dr. Pepper Museum down the street. We took a guided tour (which didn't quite hold the ole attention spans), then created our own soft drinks. Three teams concocted drinks and marketed them. Nice teamwork.
After enjoying Dr. Pepper floats, it was on to Austin. We checked into the awesome Embassy Suites Arboretum around 3:30pm and got settled in and unpacked. Everyone is enthralled with the swans in the lobby. Really.
We took a little trip to P. Terry's (a retro burger joint with no relation to our music pastor) for dinner. Good fries. And then it was on to HEB for groceries. Everyone got a little shopping done, and we came back to the hotel for group meeting time.
We had a great discussion about the Gospel and its effects in our lives. We are going through some college ministry curriculum together every night this week. It should be amazing. We're all hanging out in our rooms now, enjoying community CELL-PHONE AND FACEBOOK FREE!
Looking forward to cleaning up an inner-city park tomorrow!
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