Weekend of Fun!

This weekend was the annual Highland Father/Son camp out. Until the day of, Sam hadn't wanted to spend the night. Luckily, he changed his mind! What a blast we had! We came back dirty, stinky, and tired but we played hard and loved every minute of it!

We started off the trip with a visit to Sonic!

The Abilene State Park is so awesome! Great trees, awesome trails, and great camp sites.

I loved this concentrated Sam time

Sam hanging out on the top of my truck

My buddy Greg inspecting the tent construction

What's a camp out without hot dogs??

Jim Etheredge and Steve Eller did a great job of cooking and planning.

Sam enjoying a mouth full of s'mores

Brandon Young and Lee Penya brought guitars for a camp fire sing along

Sam and I played an early morning game of chess

It was cold enough to really hug the fire

one of the trails

Sam and Cason Kilmer

On Saturday morning I went hiking with a mess of kids...it was a blast! Lots of "whoaaaaa's" and "COOOOOOL's"

We came home and rested a bit and got ready to go to the Abilene Zoo for "Boo at the Zoo". We were all excited to go. Abilene actually has a great zoo. Little did we know that the zoo was expecting 10,000 people on Saturday. UGH!

Sam (Frank), Ella as an Asian princess and Maddie as Queen Elizabeth

After the Zoo we had an AWESOME night with our buddies the Sullivans. Slade, Dava Lynn, Clark, Bennett, Griffin, and Nolan. Sam was in heaven playing ball, ping pong, etc. We had a blast with them. Slade and I have been friends since ACU days. It's fun to see what a great dad he is. I love his whole family. Dava Lynn sings with us at Highland.

We roasted marshmallows in the Sullivan's outdoor grill

The Sullivan and Thomas kids...a whole lot of fun!

All in all it was an awesome weekend. This morning was another amazing morning at Highland. God is doing great things here. I feel so thankful for getting to be a part of it all!

"The World As I See It" by Madeline Thomas

This is a poem written this week by my 10 year old, Maddie.

The world as I see it is so green and so blue.
The world as I see it is full of people just like me and you.
The world as I see it has days and nights.
The world as I see it has darkness and lights. 
The world as I see it has dogs and cats.
The world as I see it has hippos and rats.
The world as I see it has clouds like doves.
The world as I see it has never ending love. 

~Madeline Thomas

New Music Atlanta

Have you registered yet for New Music Atlanta with ZOE? It's not too late! Randy Gill, D. J. Bulls, the ZOE Group, Dusty Rush and others are preparing an amazing weekend of worship and an awesome music workshop for praise teams and anyone who loves to sing. You do not want to miss this! The registration price is ridiculously low too...probably the lowest of any conference you could find. Very affordable and with registration you'll also leave with a folio of brand new music. Go today to www.campuschurch.org/nma and register. We want you there!

Sunday Morning

Sunday morning had to have been one of the coolest experiences I've had in a while. The worship center was packed with ACU Homecoming guests but there was an intimacy about the morning that could have only come from the Lord. From the moment we began you could feel it in the room. And the Spirit just blessed us with an abundance of power that day. There was a transparency on the praise team that moved me to tears...scriptures being read through tears, songs being sung boldly, hearts being laid before Him. It was a wonderful day. Our friend Amanda Vickers from Nashville was in town and sang with us. She sang Hallowed...completely awesome. Sheryl sang Redeemer...it was just one of those days...a day I'll remember.

Jonathan Storment, our preacher, is great at using visuals as he preaches...props and other creative elements. This Sunday was no exception. Here's a picture of Jonathan during his sermon...

He confessed that he might look a little like "Fonzie's nerdy nephew". HA! Loved that!

Another thing I love about Highland is that Our children's minister Suzetta Nutt has taught the kids at Highland to "pray in color". It is one of the most formative things I've seen. Brilliant! (praying in color is drawing what you see and hear in your head and heart as you pray) Sunday as the story of Joshua was being read, one of the 4th graders drew this picture. This is incredible...from a 4th grader! Landry Bonneau (one of Maddie's good buddies) drew this and explained...the wall represents our struggles and the horn is the word of the Lord. When His truth is spoken, it tears down our walls. I love that Suzetta and others are giving our children the freedom and mentoring to pray in such creative and abstract ways. Check out what Landry wrote on the wall...just such a powerful image! I love this!

Highland has been deep in prayer for Liam and Tatum, two Highland children struggling with cancer. At a prayer service for them, Ella drew this while praying in color. I loved this too. I praise God for the children's ministry at Highland...one of the big reasons we love it here so much!

ACU Homecoming 2011

This weekend is ACU Homecoming. Growing up, this was one of my all-time favorite weekends of the year. Our kids have been anticipating and looking forward to this for weeks!

The weekend got kicked off last night with the Homecoming Carnival and Jam Fest on the front lawn.

It ended with a fireworks show...but we didn't last that long. The kids jumped themselves into exhaustion...there was even rock wall climbing and laser tag.

This morning was the Homecoming Parade. We took our normal spot right in front of Bitsy's Flower Shop. The kids brought bags to collect all the candy being tossed from each float.

Kelly Wilson Litton and Meredith Speck on the Coming Home Court

Willie the Wildcat is very environmentally friendly

Gata Float

Siggie Float

My intern, Trey Wrape, (in white) marching with Gamma Sigs

Our dear friends--the Brown Family. Tod, Lee Ann, Bailey, Hutton, and Reagan

life-long friends--Corey Patterson and Amy Nichols Boone

Homecoming Chapel in Moody Coliseum

Tonight is the annual Homecoming musical. This year they are doing "The King and I". We've been resting this afternoon since it will be a late night. The kids are excited about seeing some of their friends in the show. More pictures to come!

Sam A. Thomas

‎20 years ago today I said goodbye and hugged my father one last time. I've missed him every single day. Thanks to Amy Boone for this wonderful quote by Andy Raine from Common Prayer..."Do not hurry as you walk with grief; it does not help the journey. Walk slowly, pausing often; do not hurry as you walk with grief. Be not disturbed by memories that come unbidden. Swiftly forgive; and let Christ speak for you unspoken words. Unfinished conversation will be resolved in Him. Be not disturbed. Be gentle with the one who walks with grief. If it is you, be gentle with yourself. Swiftly forgive; walk slowly, pausing often. Take time, be gentle as you walk with grief."

I wanted to share this in honor of my dad. I love this because of Sheryl's voice singing and thinking about how much Dad would have LOVED hearing her. And I love the end of this slide show seeing the heritage of faithfulness passed down and having our own "Sam Thomas" who brings joy to my life every day. We all miss you, Dad! I only wish I could see what you see and hear what you hear in that great cloud of witnesses. Someday!

New Music Atlanta

All of us in ZOE are excited about New Music Atlanta coming up next month. We want you there! Our first conference in 2 years. Randy Gill and the folks at Campus Church are working like crazy to prepare. You don't want to miss this. Awesome worship, clinics where we'll learn tons of new music and great fellowship! Go here to register www.campuschurch.org/nma

Braces!

Maddie is sporting new braces! She looks so cute! I can't believe she's old enough to be getting them. We celebrated yesterday by taking her to get frozen yogurt. I love this girl so much!

Prayers for Judy Fisher

For those of you who've been reading this blog for the past 8 years, you know that my 3 college roommates, Craig Fisher, Stephen Bailey, and Chris Doggett remain like brothers to me. There aren't many in my life who've been through more with me than these 3. We've done it all...life, deaths, marriage, struggles, illness...etc. Some things are just too difficult to think about much less write about. Craig's mom, Judy, who is family to me, is ill. She's been fighting cancer for a while now.

The 4 of us guys are a cord that cannot be broken. We've held on tight for many years. I come to you today begging you to pray for Judy. She is not well. We are praying that God would bless her, bless Jim-Ed, bless Craig and all of his family. I'm asking you this selfishly. I love this dear woman. I hate...truly HATE to see her suffering. Will you please pray for Judy? Would you ask God to rain down his healing power in her life? Would you ask God to give all of us grace to walk the days ahead? Will you specifically lift up Craig, Beth Ann, Riley and Owen Fisher? I'm asking you, my blog family. Please war for them all right now. I love these people more than my words can say. I'm so grateful for all of you who have stood in the gap with me over the years. I need you today.

Sunday Ibok Memorial

Memorial services for Sunday are as follows:

Tuesday October 4
Funeral at Skyvue Funeral Home
7220 FM 1187 Mansfield, TX 76063
Phone: 817-478-6955

Viewing--10-11:30am
Graveside service--noon
Memorial Celebration--Good News International Christian Church 3:00pm
1919 South Collins Street, Arlington, TX 76010
817-380-5406

For more details, please visit www.GNICC.org

Sunday Ibok

Over the last few months it seems that pain, suffering and grief are on the rise. Losing Sheryl's mom has made us even more aware, I'm sure. We're approaching the 20th anniversary of my father's death next month. At Highland we're praying for several families with young children who are fighting cancer. It makes you just ask all the WHY questions.

I think some people feel afraid of questions. Solid answers are much safer...much stronger...much more resolute. But how can thinking people live fully in faith in a God who sent His Son to Earth through the womb of a virgin, healed sick people, raised the dead, and then came back to life Himself WITHOUT asking questions??

God is certainly big enough for my questions. He isn't shaken. He doesn't fret when I doubt. He doesn't doubt His ability to be King of Kings, Lord of Lords and the Alpha and Omega. Actually, I believe He allows me to dive into deeper places in Him through times when my understanding just doesn't cut it. I hear echos of His words to Job. My heart hears the songs of faithfulness that He so lovingly sings over me.

My friend Sunday Ibok who went to ACU, would visit Nashville frequently, and whom I loved to hang with in NYC when I was there on work, had a freakish brain aneurysm Sunday night while on a visit to Texas for a wedding of a mutual friend.

Sunday had come through Abilene last week to see friends here and then traveled to Dallas for the wedding. While sitting in a hot tub Sunday night he began to complain of his head hurting. He went and laid down and his friends knew something wasn't right. He was taken to the hospital and then care flighted to Baylor Medical Center. Sunday was declared brain dead on Monday afternoon. As friends have gathered and prayed over him for a miracle...for healing...it struck me--God's been healing Sunday for years! That man was an overcomer. We see in part...but God sees in full. He knows ultimate healing. People may say, "Where is your God"? I would point to Sunday's life and say, behold the matchless grace of Jesus. 

Why? Why, God, would you want to allow this light to leave our world? Why so early? I don't understand. I don't have to.


Sunday loved Jesus. In fact...his last post on Twitter on Sunday before anything went wrong was "FAITHFUL". God has been, is, and will be faithful. I miss you, Sunday! My heart grieves for those of us left behind who will greatly miss you. But I rejoice for you. Go dance with Jesus!

Happy Birthday, Sally!

Happy birthday to one of our dear friends today...Sally Gary. I won't even mention her age. I just wanted to give her a birthday shout out! :)

Built Ram Tough

I know it may seem crazy to some of you but there is a part of me...the part raised in the country on a farm...that LOVES trucks. I made the move to Texas in another way last week when we traded my car for a Dodge Ram. Yes, I'm serious. And can I just say how much I am LOVING it? It swallows me, but it is fun to drive! You won't be seeing a gun rack or NRA sticker on this one, but I am thinking about adding some custom made ZOE mud flaps. ;) Just kidding!

A Duet with Haven

Last night before bed I got to do an impromptu duet with my buddy, Haven Heflin (daughter of Houston and Karen). She is 3 years old...and completely adorable. This made my whole day!

 Haven Heflin and BST singing "Hear Our Praises" by BrandonSThomas

KTAB News story update

Here's the link to the story on KTAB last night...

http://bigcountryhomepage.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=412017

Thank you again to Jessica Reyes and KTAB!

KTAB News story update

Well...long story short...the morning the interview was scheduled last week Sheryl fell and we thought she broke her ankle (still might be...although she is much better). So, it was postponed. It airs tonight at 6pm on KTAB channel 10 in the Abilene area. It should be available online afterwards at KTAB News Stories . We have decided to DVR it and we are going to the West Texas Fair tonight. Yeee-HAWW!

KTAB News

Tomorrow, Abilene CBS affiliate KTAB will be doing a story on our family for their series called "Beyond the Book". I'm not sure whether it airs at 6 or 10 tomorrow night but if you're in the area, tune in!

* well, this morning Sheryl fell off a stack of boxes at storage and we thought she had broken her ankle. Very painful! Xrays showed no apparent fracture but she has a really bad sprain. All that to say...the interview was postponed until Thursday. Not sure when it will air but I'll let you know. Thanks in advance for your prayers for quick healing for Sheryl. :)

ACU Recreation and Wellness Center Grand Opening

Yesterday marked the grand opening of the incredible "Royce and Pam Money Student Recreation and Wellness Center". It is beyond anything you can imagine...and certainly beyond anything we ever had as students. Huge fitness class areas, gyms, rock climbing wall, unbelievable pool area complete with a lazy river, indoor track, and more.

Here are some pictures I took yesterday during the grand opening...

Entry way into the center

rock wall climbing

indoor pool area

view from above

fitness classrooms

view of the bell tower from one of the wellness center balconies

It is a great day for ACU and a wonderful day for all current and future students! What an awesome recruiting tool and perk for all students, faculty and staff!