being jake wood

Trips were so much easier when we had no kids.  What was supposed to be a simple flight out to the west coast turned into a nightmare starting with the hotel that sounded like a tech corporation more than a living establishment.  

The day began simple.  Me, Kim and the girls would leave home around 6 PM and travel to Philadelphia to stay for the night so that we could catch a 6:30 AM flight out to visit Kim’s parents in Oregon for a week’s vacation.  When we arrived at “MICROTEL” hotel we dropped our things in our room and immediately began the process of getting the children to sleep.  4:30 Am would come quick and cranky kids make for an unpleasant trip.  Have you ever tried to fall asleep when you’re not tired?   My mind began to think about every little thing.  

Why do non-smoking rooms always smell like smoke?

Why did I not bring warmer clothes?

I need to buy some warmer clothes…

And if this wasn’t enough, we found ourselves trapped in the worst hotel in the world.  Apparently “MICROTEL” is a techy word for “our rooms have paper thin walls”.  By the time we finally fell asleep (2 AM) we had heard what our neighbors favorite TV show was, that they like to take multiple showers and enjoy tap dancing at 12 AM (or at least that’s what it sounded like).  About this time the alarm clock begins freaking out, making morse code to the rooms asking for more noise.  After unplugging the clock, I thanked God for the iPhone (which has now become my alarm clock as of late).  “Well, at least the kids are sleeping through this”, I whispered to Kim.

The iPhone buzzed as we expected all too early.  And off we were to the airport.  We would remain in “Airport world” until 6PM our time.  

More than 5 hours on a 747.

A 4 hour stop in Salt Lake City.

An almost 2 hour flight in a CRJ400 plane.  (if you’ve never heard of this plane it’s because it’s the only model ever created.  It held 30 people, all of who looked at us with 2 kids in anxious horror) 

We were nervous flying out of Salt Lake in such a small plane with the girls who were already very restless and VERY tired.  As soon as we hit the runway Elli passed out with Hannah not far behind.  They didn’t wake up till we landed.  I was wondering what we did so well, so we could do the same on the way back.  Anyways, we got into town and have been hanging out with all the family.  It’s good to see everyone.  I haven’t seen many of them for almost 2 years, and most of them remember “Chunky Jake”, not new “Skinny Jake”.  Many of the little one’s look at me like I’m someone new.  

If there’s one thing I learned from traveling today, it’s that God didn’t create us to fly for a reason.  And especially not with young kids.  But what do I know, I stayed at a “MICROTEL” hotel last night.

I’ve been recently watching a new show based on the behavioral psychology behind it.  It’s called “Kid Nation” and it captures the lives of 20 or so kids who are brought together to “build” their own town from scratch.  The kids range from 7 years old to 13 and from all over the US.  Many different stories, many different beliefs.  Each week the for elected leaders are brought into a room where they read from an old journal of the townspeople who originally started the town and failed.  They record reasons why they failed and how they can avoid it.  This is obviously fake, but it gives the kids some goals to reach for each week.  

In one particular week, (forgive me, I’m several shows behind) the journal challenges them to start a religious service of some kind.  Interesting.  So the four kid leaders decide (as to not offend), the best thing to do is have a big church service where everyone from different beliefs can all come and share something with everyone.  Of course there is instant discussion amongst the kids.  And in the end the leaders basically tell them all to just come.

Click here for a clip of the episode

The next day the leaders ring the bell to start the “church” service and a funny thing happens.  No one shows.  Not one kid wanted anything to do with an organized “church” service.  Later on, one of the mature girls gathers everyone outside by the campfire to just “say prayers”.  Christian prayers, jewish prayers, whatever prayers you wanted to pray.  

This time, EVERYONE shows.  

They all gather round this fire.  Kids from different religious backgrounds, freezing cold, praying.  It was a very powerful moment. 

As me and Kim are fighting back the tears, I couldn’t help but feel encouraged.  Sitting right in front of me is the “future” of the church.  Pastor Sam was telling me about a recent pastor who talked about how the next generation of leaders are not waiting to come out, they’re already among us.  Just like Joshua was already there before Moses died.  David was there before Saul had “Retired”.  The future of the church and our future leaders aren’t hiding away.  They’re in our youth ministry and children’s ministry NOW.  As I watch this, I’m literally watching what would be the “church” in 20 years. 

I think people can watch something like this and feel discouraged about where the church is going to be in 20 years from now.  I watch it and feel a revolution is on it’s way.  I see a future generation of people who are sick of “meeting” in a building to have a religious service!  I see a church that is coming that’s more homegrown and organic.  Interested in relationships and not programs.  People and not buildings.  Giving and not taking.  I see a the future of the church, and I think it’s good.  I can only hope all of us old folks can hang on for the ride.  

What do you think?  Does this encourage you?  Or does this worry you?

I’m sitting at home in bed trying to heal up from my surgery today.  About a week ago I discovered (rather, experienced) my first and hopefully last hernia.  After a trip to the emergency room they told me to schedule a surgery to fix the problem.  A week later, and a third surgery in the bag I find myself here, sharing my experience with the blogging world.  

It was a minor surgery, so I’m very sore and swollen as you would expect.  They are telling me that this will only last a couple of days.  I hope this is true.  I have to admit it was rather weird having the doctors and nurses explain to me that my recovery time wouldn’t be that bad, being that I’m a skinny and fit young man.  Skinny and fit?  It has been almost a year since I have lost all my weight, but in my mind I still don’t think I’m “Fit Jake”, little own “Skinny Jake”.  I also find it humorous when people find out and immediately ask, “HOW DID YOU DO IT?”.  I want to say… “I don’t know, I just woke up and it was all gone”.  Then they always seem surprised when I tell them that doing a cleanse, diet and exercise alone did it.  I guess most people want the magic “Chunk-Away” pill.  I know would have!  Anyways, they needed to knock me out completely for the “hernia repair” and apparently I get really weird in that half comatose state.  The surgeon told my wife that the surgery went well and that he also found out how dedicated of a Denver Bronco fan I was.  This was a surprise to me as I don’t REMEMBER SAYING ANYTHING!  (I guess my loyalty to the Broncos show even under anesthesia)  I was also told by the nurses later, that directly following the surgery, I was trying to get out of my bed to apparently get my daughter out of her crib?!?  Of course I remember only counting sheep.  But after 3 and half hours of surgery and what I now call the “lost minutes of Jake’s life” (recovery time), I was on my way home and completely numb on my right side.  After 2 major back surgeries, this was as easy as the Red Sox rolling over the Rockies in the World Series.  I hope this will be my last run in with any doctors and those anxious knives they carry.  Thanks, for everyone who called and prayed for me during my surgery.  I am truly blessed!