School & Early Birthday

School began on August 23, 2006. I ended up with a good schedule, but have to be on campus everyday excluding Fridays. I am a full-time student this semester taking 12 hours. The classes will require some reading, but more writing. After this semester, I will officially announce my classification as a senior. I have already received two early birthday presents from Kari. Sunday evening Kari was returning home from Milano and she said to me on the phone, "I have a surprise for you!" As I returned to San Marcos after morning and evening church, she asked me to meet her at her apartment. Within four minutes of our conversation, she had already given me a hint and I had guessed that she was giving me a kitten. While we were in California, my mother, Kari and I went to an animal shelter and I enjoyed watching four kittens play and tackle one another. Being mindful of this, Kari got me a kitten. We named her Calli. My second present was a Canon Powershot Camera that I have been window-shopping for a few months now. The pictures posted today were taken by my new camera. It has already been a wonderful birthday, made possible by Kari, and it is not even my birthday yet!

Family News:

My Granny was taken to the hospital last weekend. She was diagnosed with lung cancer and will not be able to receive treatment due to various factors. Matthew left for Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX to begin his college career. Please keep both of these in your prayers, as Granny struggles with the cancer, the passing of her husband, and Matthew begins school. Have a blessed day.

California

Kari and I made it safely to California. I decided to take a last minute pre-school vacation to go see my mother in California. We flew into San Diego on Tuesday morning and spent the day in and around my mothers house. We swam, visited and Kari cooked dinner. We spent Wednesday evening in San Diego on a cruise of the San Diego Bay and ate steak and salmon. Thursday was a day in Los Angeles. We cruised the Hollywood Hills, stumbled upon Batman's cave, a shot of an episode of Cold Case, and the movie release of Snakes on a Plane. In the evening, we went to the Santa Monica Pier. Tune in later for more...

Interesting

After the Wednesday night service concluded, Nic, Johanna, Mrs. Pittman, and the Pittman clan went to Taco Bell. It was a delightful meal, but Michael and I were still hungry. We proceeded to wait in line for one more taco. At this time, only one cashier was working the counter and we were third in line. The man placing the order asked many questions concerning his meal, but finally placed an order. After paying for the meal he attempted to put his coins and bills back into his wallet. With no success, the man continued to drop his coins and pick them back up. Michael and I ordered, but the man remained in front of the cashier. While he was attempting to pick up his change, I offered to help him with the coins, he replied, "No, thanks, I am just having trouble." At this point it was evident the man was not of sound mind. Either he was drunk or high, but the circus continued. He got his drink cup, and attempted to put ice in it, but failed. His food came out, and he asked, "Is this my burger?" He took his bag to the condiments stand and filled the bag with hot sauce. Somehow, he spilled his cup of tea and ended up in the women's' restroom. I called to police and reported that it was probably a good idea that this man should not drive. After we figured out that he had actually driven to Taco Bell, we were surprised to learn he parked next to Nic. The Lockhart Police Department (LPD) came and took control of the situation.

It is sad to consider that many people can lose themselves in such addicting outlets. We all over, neighbors and even family members turn to such things for a variety of reasons, but in the end it only does more harm than good. These things can be overcome, "...because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). God can deliver people in these conditions and with constant prayer the chains of evil can be broken. In the book of James we are encouraged, "Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise" (James 5:13). Both in bad times and good times, we should lift up prayers to God. People who are struggling in whatever stronghold need the Lord, they%

Mission LTX plus some...

It is amazing to watch God work all over. His presence is everywhere, you just have to be tuned in. It is hard to listen to your favorite tunes on a radio station when you do not know the frequency and there is a lack of antenna. Our focus should be on God and we should be tuned in. The student ministry at First Lockhart took church to the world. With permission from two communities in Lockhart, the students spent an hour and a half for four days with over 34 children playing games, singing songs, talking about God, and making crafts. This was a chance for our students to get outside the walls and boldly share the Good News. When we go out into our communities and give our time to God by sharing the Word, His love, and His goodness, He showers blessings on you. Three children came to our church on Wednesday night because our young people's willingness to step out of the comfort zones and share God's love. Jesus says, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19). Go out, smile and share God's love. Find out how you can help someone, encourage your brother/sister when they are down and continue to live as Christ did. If you need help ask the Lord for boldness and strength, Jesus says, "Have faith in God...I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours" (Mark 11:22,24). Have a blessed day.

Months...

Oh...some much to review and so little time to do it, cause i am sleepy! I wanted to say a few words. July 5, 2006 was a sad day for me and my family. Two weeks prior on a Saturday, I had gone to visit my grandfather (Grandad) in Cedar Creek. He had been diagnosed with dementia and was declining rapidly. I saw him in a state of confusion, unable to speak, and he seemed to be else where. I prepared my self for the coming days, but instead received a phone call that he was doing a lot better. I was planning to attend Patterson's wedding on July 7th, but the phone call I got altered my plans. I called Patterson and nothing but consoling words and understanding from a Godly man who knew that family came first. Regrettably, I was unable to attend and take part in his wedding, but the closure that came by staying home was needed. Grandad always said, "Don't tear up the grass," and in reply to 'I love you,' "same back." These few words and many more will be with me till the day that I go home to see the Lord and be reunited with him. I thank all those for their condolences and prayers. I ask that you would continue to pray for my family. Few words turned in to many, and I only covered one topic, but that is all I have tonight.

On the Road Again

I will be hitting the road again with the FLBC youth. We are leaving for Dallas tomorrow to attend the Youth Evangelism Conference where we will see KJ-52, Barlow Girl, Tree 63, and Big Daddy Weave. The drama will be provided by the Skit Guys and illusions by Lou Leventhal. The featured speaker is Voddie Baucham. According to his website, www.voddiebaucham.org Baucham is "an author, Bible teacher, churchman and an apologist. His unique blend of sound biblical exposition and cutting-edge relevance make him one of the most unique and compelling voices in modern evangelical circles." It should be a blessed time for myself and the young people on the trip. On Monday, Pre-Teen Camp one begins at Highland Lakes Encampment. Tune in next time.

Last Full Day of Camp

It has been a fun week at camp for JMob and I. I was AD of Security this week and got to stay up late to make sure that the students stayed in their assigned dorms. Tonight is the last night, so that basically guarantees someone will attempt to escape. We will be there waiting to catch them. We worked with Billy Bob White and Brandon Barnard. I will be heading home some time on Friday afternoon.

On another note, I went down to the docks and helped Kari get her boat in and out on the water. She took one group out and told me one of the girls practiced Wicca. During worship, Kari got up and gave her testimony. After she did so, Billy Bob got up and asked if anyone wanted to come to know Christ based on what they had heard. A young man stood up and threw his hands up. It was an exciting time. In addition, Kari spotted the young lady who claimed to practice Wicca. She leaned over and asked me to prayer for the young lady throughout worship. We both lifted up prayers and during the invitation the young lady arose and went to the back to receive counseling. What an awesome God we serve. Just thought I would share these highlights.

At Camp

Journey II is begins tomorrow afternoon. JMob and I drove out to Highland Lakes Encampment tonight so we would not have to get out of bed too early. It was a great Sunday. The new youth minister spoke at FLBC this morning and encouraged the church to look at the early church in Acts. They fellowshipped together, got to know one another, loved one another, and welcomed anyone who would join them. A church is a body of believers who love one another and their neighbors. It was a refreshing reminder. I got some sweets gifts from Kari this evening. She got to go to town and do a little shopping. While in Houston I got her a 2005 National League Champions Astros shirt. She gave me a card celebrating our one year date anniversary, some Skittles, and other items that I can't spell! Oh, if you are trying to reach me and you can get my voicemail try email: jhellums@austin.rr.com

Goodnight to all.

Back in San Marcos

JMob and I returned from Houston this evening. The Saturday game did not go as well as Friday nights game, but it was still fun to be at the ballpark. Clay and Megan meet us at Union Station and we all enjoyed the game. The Astros lost the game 4-2. I am putting together some VBS video footage for church tomorrow. That is about all I have. Good night.

Astros Trip

I wrapped up VBS with a pie in the face today. As a competition for the boys and girls this week I agreed to take a pie in the face if the girls raised more money than the boys. Our mission offering this past week would go to buy bibles in India and we encouraged the children to support this cause by either myself getting a pie in the face or the children's minister. The boys were short all week, but one giver thought to make it interesting and made the final difference a penny, but still wanted me to get the pie. I smiled and took one for the boys. Afterward, and still tonight, the smell of the nasty ready wipe is still on me (yes, I have showered). JMob and I planned by the seat of our pants and our in Houston tonight. We saw Game Two of the Braves vs. Astros tonight in which the Astros won 7-2. The game began with C. Jones getting on base with a single and than A. Jones hit a homerun, scoring the only two runs for the Braves. In the bottom of the 1st, Biggio and Lamb hit homeruns back to back. So, we are staying in Houston tonight and meeting Clay and Megan for the Saturday afternoon game. It is a blast being at the game. Kari is sick today. She went to the doctor this afternoon and got some medication. Please keep her in your prayers. That is all for tonight. Go Astros.

VBS Day Two

As the co-recreation guy, it was planned to play a certain game, but my partner tried the game on his own children and it was decided the game would not work. Without hesitation, we pulled out the five gallon buckets and filled them up with ice and water and got wet again! I went out to lunch the new youth minister and his wife and than came home to put together another daily video for VBS. Tomorrow I am headed out to camp to help JMob do worship because Stan will be working at his church. It should be an eventful day, as was today.

VBS Day One: Complete

I believe today was a great first day of VBS. We played a relay game today where the students were divided into two teams and they had to retrieve marbles from two five gallon buckets of ice water. The cold water kept some of the students from getting any marbles, but most of the time they withstood the cold and found some marbles. I set my alarm clock last night for seven in the morning, but forgot to turn it on and thankfully awoke and 7:10am. In addition, as I tried to fall asleep, either I was anxious about the first day of VBS or the two grande cups of Starbucks I had earlier were keeping me wide awake. I am currently reading Dan Brown's Angels and Demons and Mark Steele's Flashbang. The first is a easy read in a fiction world and the second is Steele's realization that Christianity is just more that claiming to be a Christian. Tune in next time.

Camp plus more!

It has been too long. My little brother graduated, I moved to San Marcos and I have begun working out at Highland Lakes Encampment. JMob and I completed our first week of camp, Hyde Park’s Camp Travis. We had the pleasure of working with By The Tree (picture above) and Ed Newton. The camp went very smooth and the schedule was very easy on JMob and I. In fact, it was so easy, we usually had time in the day to get in two naps. One day we browsed the web for about four hours, played at the waterfront, and then went to town to get a few necessities (Target!). It was a blessed week, about sixty students came to know Jesus as Lord. Journey Camps will start today, but I will only be out there for some of the worship because this week is also Vacation Bible School (VBS) week at First Lockhart Baptist Church (FLBC). I was asked to be the host and the recreation guy this year and am looking forward to another fun summer week of VBS with the children in our community. Kari's father came home from Iraq, so she and I spent the weekend in Milano. We spent time with her family and enjoyed a good sermon at her home church. That is it for now...check back soon for more updates.

Last Official Week of School

I will hit a few highlights of last week and this week in today's post. We did a Cory Morrow show on Thursday night in San Marcos. I went to the cargo truck to get some extra cable and a sound of a marble or small rocks began hitting the truck. I looked out side and realized it began to hail. The sound increased and the thought of being hit by ice was not pleasant, but I came to realize it was the lack of insulation in the truck that made the sound so loud and terrifying. My car did not suffer any hail damage, but sadly a few miles south at the San Marcos outlet mall, many cars were so damaged they were declared totaled.

Friday night and on into Saturday morning, I had the pleasure of being the Master of Ceremonies at the Lockhart Relay for Life. Basically that meant, I got to do most of the speaking at the event. It was a successful event. At last check, Lockhart had raised almost $65,000 for the American Cancer Society. After sleeping the day away, JMob and I went to the Lockhart theater and saw the new Michael Douglas and Kiefer Sutherland movie The Sentinel. I am a huge fan of 24, so I enjoyed seeing Kiefer Sutherland in this new movie. He is always saving the world or the president.

Today began at 7am with a cool shower, granola bar, and a small sip of Dr. Pepper. This is the last week of school and than finals will spill over into the first week of May. I only have to take two finals, but this Thursday I will turn in a 12 page book review/contrast paper. Tonight, pending weather (there is a 50% chance of rain), we have a softball game scheduled. I am looking forward to taking the field. Will and I are two documents away from having an apartment in San Marcos. I have to go pick up a notarized document from my aunt on Wednesday morning and that should seal the deal. Tune in next time...

Without Further Ado...

Tomorrow is Good Friday and Kari and I are in College Station with her cousin Nelie. Yesterday evening at church, the youth and I read from Luke 23-24 and discussed what Christ did for us on the cross that day described in those scriptures. As a conclusion, we watched the last scene in the Passion of the Christ. The scene goes black, you hear a rumbling and see a light. The stone that was placed in front of the tomb was being moved away and light illuminated the tomb. The camera pans to the left and you see white burial clothes, but there is no longer anyone wrapped inside. The camera pans a little more left and a dark skinned, long haired, and bearded man sits in silence. He rises and the scene reveals the open wound where a nail had previously been and he walks out of the tomb. Jesus is risen. Luke 24:1-8 states,

"On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' " Then they remembered his words."

Have a blessed Easter weekend.

One Week of School Post-Spring Break

The school week went well. I do have to admit, I extended my Spring Break on Tuesday morning by skipping my 8am. I has been a delightful week that brings the start of a new softball season. Formerly the Kingsmen, and now just simply First Lockhart Baptist Church, we open with a double header tonight at 7pm. I am sure it will be a time for us to knock the rust off. School is going well, my writing is much improved over last semester and seems to be pulling me through two of my classes (I had a professor last semester who beat writing into everyone, I am thankful). Bundle up if you are coming out to the game cause it is chilly! Have a great evening.

Spring Break, Here and Gone

It was a great spring break. It ended with a trip to Wonder World with Kari, Kari's little sister and Stine. It is a cave beneath the Balcones fault line. It is very interesting to see how this plate has pulled apart and created an area of exploration and intrigue. My mother was in town this spring break as well. I was able to have dinner with her on Wednesday and Friday night. On the way home Friday night, a DPS officer decided he wanted to have a word with me, so our trip home was delayed. Saturday night JMob and I worked at the Six Lounge in the Warehouse District of Austin. It was an easy night, but very interesting. The opening act was an urban cowboy act based out of Los Angles, CA called King Straggler. One of the members was actor Brentley Gore. He was recently in a film entitled Zoe and a Saved By the Bell knock-off entitled California Dreams. He was a laid back guy and easy to work with. The second and last act was a one man band named Bob Log III. He shows up with two guitars, a kick drum, a kick cymbal (for lack of better names), two drum machines, and a helmet. This helmet was retrofitted with an old phone receiver that served as his microphone which he ran through an amp. The vocal was distorted and the clanging cymbal was the majority of his show. I have posted a picture above. I would never recommend Bob Log III to anyone looking for good music, but maybe for a good laugh. That concluded my Spring Break.

Kansas Aftermath and More...

We made it safely home from Kansas and than proceeded southeast to Galveston. In Galveston Kari and I meet her grandparents, mother, and sister. For those of you who do not know, I am not a seafood eater, but it turns out crab maybe good. We had dinner at the Rainforest Cafe and rode the super scary ride that is in the restaurant (really, some fake spider drop down and scare you!). The next day was an exploring day, we hit some souvenir shops and went to the strand. The Strand is the old Main Street of Galveston. These buildings withstood the hurricane of 1900 and only took small amounts of water damage on the lower floors. One old advertisement painted on the side of the buildings stated 1866. We ate a restaurant called Shrimp and Stuff, and after much search, I did not find much "stuff". With much hesitation, I ordered a Crab Poboy. It was excellent. I still claim I do not eat seafood, cause it is so darn expensive. Kari and I than made a day out of the Kemah Boardwalk. We rode many rides, a speed boat, and got a really sweet happy hour deal on dinner. These tales just about cover the first part of my Spring Break. I need to study for Sunday School now...tune in next time.

How to get to 287 8th Road, Clyde, KS?

At first glance, it seems simple enough, street name with the block number and town name. Yet, it turns out this address is deceiving. As Kari, Bonnie and I arrived in Clyde, Kansas, we were surprised to not find 8th Road. I hopped into a local bar (cause it was the only thing open) and inquired from the locals, "Do you know where 8th Road is?" I told them I was looking for a for a wedding and they told me where the three church were in Clyde. We checked all three churches and all the parking lots were empty. We came to the conclusion that there could be a possibility that we had the incorrect address. We made a phone call to an informant and learned that the brides hometown was Clifton. After flagging down a couple in a red jeep cherokee, we were told to take KS HWY 9 east about 12 miles. We found Clifton and the only two churches in the town were deserted. It had been a while since we had stopped for a restroom break, I insisted we go to the local store. I walk into the store first and to my right are about 10 elderly folks. We had found the old folks hangout. Kari bursts into the door behind me and seems to announce to the entire store, "Does anyone know where 8th Road is?" The man behind the counter thinks a moment and says you mean Eight Mile Road. He than say, "You all are looking for the wedding." We are taken aback and heave a sigh of relief, "YES!" He explains that 8th Road means eight miles down another road. We are confused, but he continues to explain, we are to take a right at a road in between Clyde and Clifton and go eight miles. The church was on the left down an eight mile gravel road, we walked in as the preacher pronounces them husband and wife and watched them kiss. That is how we got to 287 8th Road, Clyde, KS. Have a great evening.

Free Wi-Fi is Great!

Kari and I made it to Chickasha, OK safely. We have had a great trip so far, and an added bonus...I am stealing Wi-Fi from someone at Bonnie's apartment complex. Bonnie took us to Wal-Mart to check the Gift Registry and the machine froze up. Bonnie decided to take us on a tour of Chickasha, once we left Wal-Mart, she said the tour was over. We have a five hour trip ahead of us to Clyde, KS that will take us through Oklahoma City. We were informed that Oklahoma City is simply referred to as "The City". Neither Kari, nor I have ever been to Kansas. I know that is farmland and no trees is not anything to jump up and down about, but it is a new state that we can add to the checklist of states. Happy Trails.