Retreats Over!

Well, our final retreat for the year is over and I'M NOT SICK! It's amazing, but God has spared me from my usual state of much sickness and sorrow. Two retreats done and I didn't lose my voice OR get sick! God's grace is amazing!

Now, I gear up for our all school Christmas Concert on December 7. Along with a full month of muscial rehearsals for "Seussical". We are in a crucial time of rehearsals, trying to nail down choreography and music for some of our bigger/full cast songs. Also, we are working on getting costumes made, set design done, and very soon will be starting our orchestra rehearsals with the instrumentalists. Plus, I am driving a huge promotional push with T-shirts, banners, posters, and bumper stickers and decals. So it is a fun stage of production.

In more personal life, Sarah has a doctor's appointment today. We are just seeking advice now from her doctor to make sure that everything is all right healthwise. We really desire to have another child and the waiting time is hard; and we want to do our part to make sure we are both healthy and that there is nothing hindering this process except for the Almighty. Please be praying for us.

Rennah is AMAZING! Whenever I get some time at home, I will post some more pictures of her here so you can see how much she is growing.

We love and pray for you our friends! Keep us updated on your lives as well.

One Down . . . One to Go!

Well, we got back from choir retreat #1. All in all, everything went well. This weekend, we took our entire high school (about 80 students) down to Life Action Retreat and Conference Center (my home stomping grounds) for a couple of days to learn our music for the year. The weather was cold and breezy, but we got a lot accomplished. Our worship time together on Thursday night was awesome and God worked in the hearts of the students through it.

Now, I am gearing up for one more choir retreat this coming weekend. This time out, we are taking our auditioned elementary choir (the Singing Crusaders) to a place called Camp Beechpoint. We will be there Friday and Saturday. You can pray that it goes well.

Good news! I didn't get really sick and lose my voice on our High School Retreat. That usually happens, but this year, God kept me healthy. So that is nice. Especially since we have another big weekend ahead.

Thursday, we teachers are headed to Grand Rapids for our annual teacher convention. No school once again for the kids. They like that a lot.

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I do need to clear up what might be some confusion from my last post. I mentioned that I was "in a state of depression and frustration" without really explaining what was going on. I understand that could have communicated the wrong thing to some of you who are faithful to read this blog. That was simply how I was feeling that particular day and I was really just spilling my feelings. I was only discouraged because a good friend on mine (my accountability partner, in fact) had been going through a rough time and really had no desire or passion for God. And nothing that I could say to him would change his heart. I was at a loss with really no one to talk to about it. Things seem to be getting a little better with him, but that is still a definite prayer need.

Just for clarification, that depression and frustration was not in relationship to my marriage or family. Sarah and I are doing well and loving life and what God is teaching us. Just keep praying for strength in the midst of business.

Thanks for reading. Love you all!

First Snow!

Well, it's official. Cold weather is here! I woke up today to see the first touches of winter on the ground . . . and my first morning of scraping the car windshield. I like the snow today . . . but by tomorrow, I will be tired of it . . .

Maybe not that soon, but I really don't like cold weather. So, why am I living in Michigan? Well, I am still trying to figure that out for myself. Maybe because I love our church and school . . . the people here . . . my friends. Just a few reasons. Although life is not without its ups and downs.

Recently, I have been in a state of depression and frustration. Just because of some things going on around here. Today, I am doing all right . . . though I am still worried about a couple of things. But I know that my God is bigger than any problem, worry, or frustration.

BIG weekend ahead. Actually, 3 big weekends ahead. Tomorrow is Grandparents day at our school, so that means all of my choirs are singing. Then we have two Big Play practices on Friday and Saturday. Next weekend is our High School Choir Retreat, and the following weekend is the Singing Crusader Choir Retreat (Elementary choir). So I will be busy.

If you read these posts, please be in prayer that God will keep me healthy and give me strength for what is ahead. I hope everyone has a great week.

Seussical Video Clip

Here's a clip of the show we will be doing at Calvary this year. The camera work is awful, but the high school cast here is extremely talented. I especially love the closing number of "Green Egs and Ham". We are planning on useing their choreography for our show! Enjoy!

Life for the St. Clairs?

I know, I haven't posted about our life for quite some time. In fact, what you have seen on our blog in recent days IS our life right now. Producing and directing a school musical is absolutely consuming! Both in time, energy, and thought. The show is not until February but in order to pull off such a big production, it is necessary for us to get a jump start on the process. With only a few rehearsals under our belt, the cast is getting fired up about the show and a good foundation has been set for this long journey. I am in charge of basically everything except for choreography and dance. That is left up to my wife and one other person. So, Sarah Dawn is really enjoying getting back into some of her roots with dance. In fact, she has started taking a ballet class again and is really thrilled about that.

In other news, life goes on. Our biggest burden right now is for another child. Sarah and I have been praying for another baby for quite some time now and God has chosen not to bless yet. So we are in the painful stage of waiting. And every month it gets harder for us, especially for Sarah. You guys can pray for us in that area.

We just recently celebrated Sarah's 27th birthday last Saturday. And part of that celebration was taking to family to "The Greatest Show on Earth" Barnum and Bailey Circus. Rennah totally ate up the whole experience! We had such an awesome time. Especially before the show, when they let everyone come down into the rings to meet the performers and the animals. Rennah wasn't sure what to think when a 6,000 pound elephant named Aisa walked into the arena and painted a picture for us! She loved the clowns, which was a comfort for me that they didn't scare her. And she danced and giggled the whole night.

Life goes on. It's OCTOBER already! And school and church ministry keeps us busy. But our hearts are full of Joy in Christ as we continue to serve him and trust him with our lives. Continue to pray for protection from the enemy this year as we are heavily involved in minstry and I know the devil loves to attack.

Thank you all for your support and prayers. I know that many of you read this blog (even if you don't make a comment) and it's encouraging to know that we can keep people updated to pray through the wonder of the blogger world.

Keep CHRIST as the center of your focus. We love you all!