arms wide open

Last night was one of those night's where God continues to confirm in my life the calling of caring for and shepherding teens. Last night at missions fest, those who were youth pastors & youth leaders were asked to stand, and then have those around them pray over them.

I was then blessed by one of the most spiritually moving experiences ever. My students who were there sitting with me--as I extended my arms wide open--laid hands on me and prayed over me. Hearing those prayers...knowing the power in those words spoken to God about ME, was truly incredible.

Thank you God for last night. For those students. May you continue to reveal to me the calling to which you have called me to...

-Tyler

Pick Me

In honour of the Super Bowl this weekend (GO CARDINALS), here's a great post that's gonna leave you saying to yourself "that's incredible!"



-Ty

Kung-Fu Baby!

Late on Saturday evening I felt my baby kick for the first time. This was AWESOME! That little bugger has been kicking up a storm these past few days...

We also assembled the kids crib this weekend. After having to send the crib back because of some defective craftsmanship, Babies R' Us sent us a new one (same day!), and after some more grunting the thing is assembled. It looks awesome, and we're now on the hunt for a crib mattress.

The nursery is coming together, and continues to be filled with Winnie-The-Pooh stuffed animals, blankets, murals, and pretty much anything you can imagine!

Baby comes in a few months...at least we get a lovely vacation to Costa Rica in a few weeks to relax before the chaos begins!

and it continues to snow...!!!!

-Tyler

Middle School Hockey Game

Tonight our middle school ministry is heading down to watch the Vancouver Giants vs. Kamloops Blazers. It's a yearly tradition that I take my youth down for Giants' games. I am excited to start this new tradition with my new church tonight.

This is also the 2nd installment in our "family"nights that I have very much enjoyed this year. Rather than simply taking students out for events, I have come to enjoy inviting their parents/guardians & even other siblings to come along.

Spending time getting to know more parents, and enjoying a game of hockey together is awesome. Ultimately student ministry is all about partnering with parents to raise their students. Oh...and who can argue about attending hockey games as a part of their "job description".

Tough life eh?

-Tyler

My Kid!

They are not the greatest quality...but this is my kid! Say hello to baby-hagan! For whatever reason our Ultrasound-tech said their company doesn't email you a digital copy of the pictures they take!

Hello? Are we not in a digital age? My dentist even email's me pictures of all my cavities! And then writes nasty comments like how I should floss more!

Oh well, Charity and I are so exited to begin our lives as parents! I know that this blog will soon begin to morph into a place for me to share my thoughts/hopes/dreams/frustrations etc... about being a daddy!

It all begins sometime around June 6th...

-Tyler

A New Year.

2009 is going to change my life. Literally. There is so much that I look forward to with great anticipation. So much that I look forward to with a healthy amount of fear.

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" (1st Cor. 2:9)

This verse has incredible significance for my life right now, and will be a verse that I will keep coming back to this coming year. Here are a few of the things that I am looking forward to in 2009.

1) Costa Rica Vacation: In February for 10 days Charity and I are meeting up with her parents in Jaco, Costa Rica! Her parents have rented a house for the entire month, and we are incredibly excited to get to visit them!

2) June 6th is my baby's due date! This single event is going to change my world forever! I am excited, nervous, freaked out, elated, joyful, and a myriad of other emotions when I consider the shear fact that I'm going to be a daddy.

3) 1 year at Eagle Ridge Bible Fellowship: I can't believe that May will mark me being at ERBF for an entire year already.

4) My Wife on Mat-Leave: Can anyone say home-cooked meals! Ok, maybe this is a bit of a stretch, since she'll be home taking care of our child...but just the thought of walking in the front door to a home-cooked meal gets me excited.

5) Reading More: I have a ton of books that I would love to read this year. Somehow I am going to be more diligent with my time, and attempt to read 1 book per month. That's my goal.

6) ________________________________________

Truth is, that I leave number 6 blank because this list isn't finished. There will certainly be more events that will come to fruition this year that I'll be incredibly excited to experience. Reality is, if and when these events happen...chances are I'll blog about them.

Happy New Year,

Tyler