Prayers of Thanksgiving: Mystery Ramble

Todd Wyrick, Minister of Youth at First Presbyterian Church of Midland, has been keeping us posted on developments as he, 65 junior high students and 10 adult leaders embarked upon the 2008 edition of Mystery Ramble. Their experiences have provided material for Postcards From the Edge, Todd's online journal of FPC's 2008 summer program, specifically journeys by our youth as they travel Texas and the United States in service and ministry, in fellowship and fun.

And now they are home, safe and sound ... and more than a little tired from their journey. We are thankful for that ... and we are especially thankful for the adult leaders who devoted A LOT of their time and energy to chaperoning two buslaods of teenagers for the better part of a week ... now THAT is something special.

Prayers of Thanksgiving: Blogging for Fair Havens

"THANKS!" to everyone who - right here and right now - joined our mission team, and helped share the love of Jesus Christ in the Tall City, doing their part to make Blogging for Fair Havens such a success.

As of this morning, the 24-hour event had raised $10,554 (and counting) for the local transitional housing facility, exceeding the goal that had been set while the blogathon was in its planning stages.

Thanks to Jimmy of Sticky Doorknobs, who organized this year's event.

Thanks to the members of West Texas' blogging community who provided virtual and actual support for this year's event - Jimmy, J.P. of Bleu Chocolate, Wallace of Streams, George of Sleepless In Midland, Janie of Sounding Forth and Ospurt of Opus Musings and Jessica's Well.

Thanks to Eric at Fire Ant Gazette. It is Eric who provided the original inspiration and direction for this annual event, and is deserving of some of the credit for this year's success.

Thanks to all the media for their participation - television, radio, newspaper ... they were all represented at some point or another during the blogathon, and doing their part to raise awareness and funds.

Thanks to the Fair Havens staff and volunteers who supported our efforts and contributed so much of the sweat equity needed to build a successful fundraising effort.

And A VERY BIG THANKS to the people of West Texas - and beyond! - who dug down and contributed $10,554 (and counting) to this year's blogathon. "Thanks!" hardly seems adequate for acknowledging how the donors came through ... but there it is, nonetheless.

BfFH: Ospurt's Turn .....

Warming-up in the batter's circle to take his turn as a BfFH Guest Blogger is Ospurt of Opus Musings and Jessica's Well.

The 2008 edition of Blogging for Fair Havens is now under way, and we hope you'll be a part of the fun and the fundraising. The actual/virtual event takes place over 24 hours, from 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 26th, thru 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 27th in the parking lot of Midland H.E.B. near the intersection of Wadley and N. Midkiff.
And remember, blogging throughout the event will be Jimmy of Sticky Doorknobs and J.P. at Bleu Chocolate. Be sure to check-in with them as well.

BfFH: Janie's Turn .....

Warming-up in the batter's circle to take her turn as a BfFH Guest Blogger is Janie of Sounding Forth.

The 2008 edition of Blogging for Fair Havens is now under way, and we hope you'll be a part of the fun and the fundraising. The actual/virtual event takes place over 24 hours, from 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 26th, thru 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 27th in the parking lot of Midland H.E.B. near the intersection of Wadley and N. Midkiff.
And remember, blogging throughout the event will be Jimmy of Sticky Doorknobs and J.P. at Bleu Chocolate. Be sure to check-in with them as well.

BfFH: George's Turn .....

Warming-up in the batter's circle to take his turn as a BfFH Guest Blogger is George of Sleepless in Midland.

The 2008 edition of Blogging for Fair Havens is now under way, and we hope you'll be a part of the fun and the fundraising. The actual/virtual event takes place over 24 hours, from 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 26th, thru 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 27th in the parking lot of Midland H.E.B. near the intersection of Wadley and N. Midkiff.
And remember, blogging throughout the event will be Jimmy of Sticky Doorknobs and J.P. at Bleu Chocolate. Be sure to check-in with them as well.

BfFH: Wallace's Turn

Warming-up in the batter's circle to take his turn as a BfFH Guest Blogger is Wallace of Streams.

The 2008 edition of Blogging for Fair Havens is now under way, and we hope you'll be a part of the fun and the fundraising. The actual/virtual event takes place over 24 hours, from 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 26th, thru 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 27th in the parking lot of Midland H.E.B. near the intersection of Wadley and N. Midkiff.
And remember, blogging throughout the event will be Jimmy of Sticky Doorknobs and J.P. at Bleu Chocolate. Be sure to check-in with them as well.

BfFH: Handing Off

The 2008 edition of Blogging for Fair Havens is now under way in the parking lot of the Midland H.E.B. I've just wrapped-up an two hours of blogging at ArchaeoTexture and West Texas Missioner, and I'm now handing-off to other members of our blogging community.

I hope you will follow the progress of this event, through their words and images.

Blogging for Fair Havens takes place over 24 hours, from 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 26th, thru 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 27th in the parking lot of Midland H.E.B. near the intersection of Wadley and N. Midkiff.

Fair Havens opened its doors as a transitional housing program in Midland a little over 10 years ago. In October of 1997, executive director DiAnn Koehl set up her office in a ranch style house on Andrews Highway. She began developing the program, furnishing that 4-bedroom house while continuing to raise funds needed to support the ministry.

This faith-based organization gives women in a broken relationship a place to call home for a couple of years while they find their way again. It gives them and it gives their children a security they may have never had. And it gives the women who are taken in an opportunity to achieve a higher education so that when they do complete the program, they can go out on their own and be the success many of them know they can be.

A good cause, providing for a genuine need in our community ... and it shouldn't be any surprise that a wide variety of West Texas' blogging community wants to do their part to help. They will include Jimmy of Sticky Doorknobs, J.P. Hearn of Bleu Chocolate, Wallace Craig of Streams, George Johns of Sleepless In Midland, Janie Snelson of Sounding Forth and Ospurt of Jessica's Well.

You can go to the Blogging for Fair Havens link for a bloggers schedule, as well as a preview of everything else going on during this very-special 24 hours.

BfFH: Media Coverage

The word is getting out every which way - in the newspaper, on the internet, through the blogosphere, and now on television.

A late night anchoring KMID-TV's news desk notwithstanding, Mel Hudman was here bright and early, doing his part to raise awareness and funds for a worthy cause. Mr. Hudman (shown with this year's blogathon organizer, Jimmy Patterson), did his part on the microphone, then shot video of the event for a television news report.

Thanks, Mel!

The 2008 edition of Blogging for Fair Havens is now under way in the parking lot of the Midland H.E.B. I've just wrapped-up an hour of blogging at ArchaeoTexture, and I am now in the midst of an hour of blogging at West Texas Missioner.

Blogging for Fair Havens takes place over 24 hours, from 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 26th, thru 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 27th in the parking lot of Midland H.E.B. near the intersection of Wadley and N. Midkiff.

Fair Havens opened its doors as a transitional housing program in Midland a little over 10 years ago. In October of 1997, executive director DiAnn Koehl set up her office in a ranch style house on Andrews Highway. She began developing the program, furnishing that 4-bedroom house while continuing to raise funds needed to support the ministry.

This faith-based organization gives women in a broken relationship a place to call home for a couple of years while they find their way again. It gives them and it gives their children a security they may have never had. And it gives the women who are taken in an opportunity to achieve a higher education so that when they do complete the program, they can go out on their own and be the success many of them know they can be.

A good cause, providing for a genuine need in our community ... and it shouldn't be any surprise that a wide variety of West Texas' blogging community wants to do their part to help .....

We hope you will, too ... won't you join our team?

You can go to the Blogging for Fair Havens link for a bloggers schedule, as well as a preview of everything else going on during this very-special 24 hours.

BfFH: Putting the "Fun" in Fundraising

So, what kind of joker gets up early on a Saturday morning to raise awareness and funds for a worthy cause? Well, one visitor to our blogathon site this morning gave us a pretty good idea. The 2008 edition of Blogging for Fair Havens is now under way in the parking lot of the Midland H.E.B. I've just wrapped-up an hour of blogging at ArchaeoTexture, and I am now in the midst of an hour of blogging at West Texas Missioner. Blogging for Fair Havens takes place over 24 hours, from 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 26th, thru 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 27th in the parking lot of Midland H.E.B. near the intersection of Wadley and N. Midkiff. Fair Havens opened its doors as a transitional housing program in Midland a little over 10 years ago. In October of 1997, executive director DiAnn Koehl set up her office in a ranch style house on Andrews Highway. She began developing the program, furnishing that 4-bedroom house while continuing to raise funds needed to support the ministry. This faith-based organization gives women in a broken relationship a place to call home for a couple of years while they find their way again. It gives them and it gives their children a security they may have never had. And it gives the women who are taken in an opportunity to achieve a higher education so that when they do complete the program, they can go out on their own and be the success many of them know they can be. A good cause, providing for a genuine need in our community ... and it shouldn't be any surprise that a wide variety of West Texas' blogging community wants to do their part to help ..... We hope you will, too ... won't you join our team? You can go to the Blogging for Fair Havens link for a bloggers schedule, as well as a preview of everything else going on during this very-special 24 hours.

BfFH: Join the Team

Right here and right now .... won't you join our mission team, and help share the love of Jesus Christ in the Tall City?

The 2008 edition of Blogging for Fair Havens is now under way in the parking lot of the Midland H.E.B. I've just wrapped-up an hour of blogging at ArchaeoTexture, and I am now in the midst of an hour of blogging at West Texas Missioner.

Blogging for Fair Havens takes place over 24 hours, from 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 26th, thru 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 27th in the parking lot of Midland H.E.B. near the intersection of Wadley and N. Midkiff.

Fair Havens opened its doors as a transitional housing program in Midland a little over 10 years ago. In October of 1997, executive director DiAnn Koehl set up her office in a ranch style house on Andrews Highway. She began developing the program, furnishing that 4-bedroom house while continuing to raise funds needed to support the ministry.

This faith-based organization gives women in a broken relationship a place to call home for a couple of years while they find their way again. It gives them and it gives their children a security they may have never had. And it gives the women who are taken in an opportunity to achieve a higher education so that when they do complete the program, they can go out on their own and be the success many of them know they can be.

A good cause, providing for a genuine need in our community ... and it shouldn't be any surprise that a wide variety of West Texas' blogging community wants to do their part to help .....

We hope you will, too ... won't you join our team?

You can go to the Blogging for Fair Havens link for a bloggers schedule, as well as a preview of everything else going on during this very-special 24 hours.

BfFH: Taking the Handoff .....

The 2008 edition of Blogging for Fair Havens is now under way in the parking lot of the Midland H.E.B. I've just wrapped-up an hour of blogging at ArchaeoTexture, and I am now beginning an hour of blogging at West Texas Missioner.

Blogging for Fair Havens takes place over 24 hours, from 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 26th, thru 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 27th in the parking lot of Midland H.E.B. near the intersection of Wadley and N. Midkiff.

Fair Havens opened its doors as a transitional housing program in Midland a little over 10 years ago. In October of 1997, executive director DiAnn Koehl set up her office in a ranch style house on Andrews Highway. She began developing the program, furnishing that 4-bedroom house while continuing to raise funds needed to support the ministry.

This faith-based organization gives women in a broken relationship a place to call home for a couple of years while they find their way again. It gives them and it gives their children a security they may have never had. And it gives the women who are taken in an opportunity to achieve a higher education so that when they do complete the program, they can go out on their own and be the success many of them know they can be.

A good cause, providing for a genuine need in our community ... and it shouldn't be any surprise that a wide variety of West Texas' blogging community wants to do their part to help. They will include Jimmy, J.P. Hearn of Bleu Chocolate, Wallace Craig of Streams, George Johns of Sleepless In Midland, Janie Snelson of Sounding Forth and Ospurt of Jessica's Well.

You can go to the Blogging for Fair Havens link for a bloggers schedule, as well as a preview of everything else going on during this very-special 24 hours.

Mystery Ramble: Update #4

Postcards' Todd Wyrick, Minister of Youth at First Presbyterian Church of Midland, will be keeping us posted on developments as he, 65 junior high students and 10 adult leaders embark on the 2008 edition of Mystery Ramble, the latest chapter in his online journal of FPC's 2008 summer program, specifically journeys by our youth as they travel Texas and the United States in service and ministry, in fellowship and fun. Here is a report from Midland's 2008 Mystery Ramble Mission Team.

MR-08 … Thursday come and gone …

Mystery Ramble: Update #3

Postcards' Todd Wyrick, Minister of Youth at First Presbyterian Church of Midland, will be keeping us posted on developments as he, 65 junior high students and 10 adult leaders embark on the 2008 edition of Mystery Ramble, the latest chapter in his online journal of FPC's 2008 summer program, specifically journeys by our youth as they travel Texas and the United States in service and ministry, in fellowship and fun. Here is a report from Midland's 2008 Mystery Ramble Mission Team.

MR-08 … Wednesday Full o’ Fun!!!

Mystery Ramble: Update #2

Postcards' Todd Wyrick, Minister of Youth at First Presbyterian Church of Midland, will be keeping us posted on developments as he, 65 junior high students and 10 adult leaders embark on the 2008 edition of Mystery Ramble, the latest chapter in his online journal of FPC's 2008 summer program, specifially journeys by our youth as they travel Texas and the United States in service and ministry, in fellowship and fun. Here is a report from Midland's 2008 Mystery Ramble Mission Team.

MR-08 … Pics from Travel

Mystery Ramble: Update #1

Midland's mobile, missionioning blog, "Postcards from the Edge," is on the road again, this time enroute to ... well, it's a mystery.

Postcards' Todd Wyrick, Minister of Youth at First Presbyterian Church of Midland, will be keeping us posted on developments as he, 65 junior high students and 10 adult leaders embark on the 2008 edition of Mystery Ramble, the latest chapter in his online journal of FPC's 2008 summer program, specifically journeys by our youth as they travel Texas and the United States in service and ministry, in fellowship and fun. Here is a report from Midland's 2008 Mystery Ramble Mission Team.

MR-08 … Sojourn Begins

New Orleans: Update #6

A team of our brothers and sisters in Christ - thirty junior high students and five adult leaders - are in New Orleans for the purpose of participating in the Katrina relief effort, as part of Youth Conference Ministries. Here is the latest report from Midland's 2008 Son Servants Mission Team.

Student Reflection from the Week ... Total wrap-up to come

New Orleans: Update #5

A team of our brothers and sisters in Christ - thirty junior high students and five adult leaders - are in New Orleans for the purpose of participating in the Katrina relief effort, as part of Youth Conference Ministries. Here is the latest report from Midland's 2008 Son Servants Mission Team.

Just a few pictures from this week ...

New Orleans: Update #4

A team of our brothers and sisters in Christ - thirty junior high students and five adult leaders - are in New Orleans for the purpose of participating in the Katrina relief effort, as part of Youth Conference Ministries. Here is the latest report from Midland's 2008 Son Servants Mission Team.

Day 4 … Student Reflections from Workday 2 in New Orleans

New Orleans: Update #3

A team of our brothers and sisters in Christ - thirty junior high students and five adult leaders - are in New Orleans for the purpose of participating in the Katrina relief effort, as part of Youth Conference Ministries. Here is the latest report from Midland's 2008 Son Servants Mission Team.

Day 3 … Student Reflections from Workday 1 in New Orleans

New Orleans: Update #2

A team of our brothers and sisters in Christ - thirty junior high students and five adult leaders - are in New Orleans for the purpose of participating in the Katrina relief effort, as part of Youth Conference Ministries. Here is the latest report from Midland's 2008 Son Servants Mission Team.

Day 2 … Having Marinated for a Day