home with the littlest man.

welcome to the world.

Instantaneous joy. More love than any one person could adequately articulate. We are blessed with another little person to love ... humbled at the intricacies of God's creation. More pictures to come when we get home from the hospital. To sign up for our e-newsletter, click here

 

                                               

luke will be here tomorrow.

This post won't be long -- but enough to say that we can't wait to meet Matthew Luke Dean.

I remember driving to Atlanta 9 months ago, when April told me -- she was pregnant. Wow. 

Hard to believe he's here. More info, pictures, and stories to come. In the meantime, we are getting last minute things ready, and are more than excited. 

cupcakes + friends = good night.

Tonight we got to hang out with old friends. Robin - thanks for the great dinner! The boys obviously loved it all. Katie and Biscuet - it's always good to be around you both. At this point, the boys are asleep, I just painted April's toenails (yeah, I said that) and we are watching the Olympics / CNN... and April's stomach as Luke flips around in there. 

the cardboard castle

awaken me

First times are always interesting in a new room with new people, but tonight was incredible. What a great opportunity to aim our hearts towards God, and remember our souls are restless until they find their rest in Him. Thanks to Jason Morant and Daniel Bashta for leading us so well last night. The GraceCampus staff and volunteers did an outstanding job serving the students. 

120 minutes

Two hours from now, I'll be in the ballroom of the new student center where we anticipate to see hundreds (or more) to assemble for encounter.  I can't wait. Not so much because of how many people will be there, but because He will be there. Being a part of encounter has been such a rhythm of grace in my life. For seven years now, I have experienced the power and presence of God, as we humbly seek to lead a small part of this generation in knowing Jesus. So much preparation, planning, thinking, dreaming, stressing (when we are not praying), praying, and work from our team goes into this weekly event, and I am so thankful for our staff team and volunteers. 

I just needed to say that, before I walk into the room to see their creativity and hard work. Because of their dedication, it has allowed me to be focused on my unique role and walk in prepared to lead in spirit and in truth. 

And -- April gets to be there tonight. My parents (who are awesome) so often drive up and keep the boys so she can still be a part of this. Tonight, I plan on sharing the basic idea that our souls are restless until they find their rest in Him. Colossians 1:15-17 is our anchor text for tonight. Can't wait. More later. 

aaah.

Normally on wednesdays, I am locked away somewhere preparing for encounter, but today was different. Not having taught/spoken in my normal environment in nearly 4 months, I have about 100 sermons brewing in my head, and with April being in "pre-labor" everything seems tentative. So, flexibility is the name of the game. Today, while meditating on Colossians 1:15-17 which is what I plan on speaking from tomorrow night, I built a "castle" out of cardboard boxes and took the boys to the dentist, while my sweet swollen wife did her best to just hang in there...the whole time, I have been reminded that He alone holds all things together. Baby Luke -- we are ready for you to be with us in the outside world. 

toothbrushes and pirates.

                  All I can say is that they do little things like this all the time. 

surrounded.

I have lots of thoughts, but the most important ones right now are honest words about how grateful we are for our family and friends. Yep. Things are a wee-bit-hectic, with the impending baby arrival, encounter starting in a new (and slightly challenging) venue in three days, unpacking our new home, and doing our best to love the two little men already in our lives, and be nice to each other as well. The thing is -- we couldn't really do any of that, and certainly not well, if it weren't for our parents, our staff team, and our friends. We haven't felt this loved and cared for in a long time -- and it's humbling. Today, at our weekly staff prayer time - I reached the end, of a rope I've consistently found the end of, and once again, I found the all-sufficient one: Jesus. 

End of me = More of Jesus. 

As we all prayed together, some face down, many with tears in our eyes, I realized over the past month, how tempted I can be to do stuff on my own --- all the while, there are people who genuinely care for us. Isn't it easier to care for others sometimes? It's really humbling to have people bring dinner, wash my feet, take on some of  "my" responsibilities at work, to have guys spend a weekend helping me move boxes and furniture, or see our moms spend all days unpacking things for us. 

A few minutes ago, April and I ate some Haagan Dazs coffee ice cream... brought to us, by one of many sweet friends who are bringing dinner this week. Thanks to each of you. It's a beautiful picture of belonging to the body of Christ.