Happy Halloween Opportunity

As a parent, moments like these are what you long for your kids to experience... Opportunities for kids to live out the truths of scripture. Just up the street is an older woman who lost her husband about 10 years ago to a heart attack. She is sometimes very sweet, and other times completely opposite. One time my friend parked on the street in front of her house, and she yelled out to him, "I hope your car blows up and you're still in it!"
Yesterday she had a tree fall down in her yard, so another neighbor friend of mine and our young boys went over there to cut the wood into small pieces and stack it for her to use in her fireplace. I used my chainsaw and my 5, 7, and 8 year old sons carried the wood and stacked it in a nice pile. It took us about 30 minutes. Afterward, i gathered everyone together and told them that what they did was doing exactly what the Bible tells us to do as Christians: Taking care of widows. It isn't going to church that makes you a Christian, but loving others. I asked them, "Videogames are fun, but not nearly as fun as doing this, are they? And, we sure made our neighbor happy, didn't we?" They all shook their heads in agreement. I don't think they'll forget this lesson. Living lessons like this tend to stick with you, and the scripture hits home. We really did have a Happy Halloween!

The Man

A few months ago, the fellas pictured above jumped in a van and left Branson with one purpose in mind: have the chance to see our old friend Richard Beach.

Richard is, for all practical purposes, "the man." I wouldn't say that about many that I have met in my life, but I will say it about Rich.

He was the man who showed me how to evangelize others. His wit and humor enabled him to melt even the hardest hearts as he always seemed to find common ground with every stranger that crossed his path. He led so many to Christ.

He was the man that taught me about discipleship. His friendship and leadership over his lifetime produced countless followers that will ending up lining the crowns he lays at the feet of Jesus.

He was the man who taught me how to do kamp. He was my first director at K1 and was also the man who interviewed and hired me after meeting him on a basketball court during a retreat.

He was the man who stood the closest to me when I said my vows with my wife over two decades ago. He reminded me to never loose the "wow" I was feeling that day and I can honestly say that I haven't.

He was the man to his wife Marsha and to his three kids, not to mention his grandchildren. He honored and loved so them so well.

In the middle of my sons basketball game today I received a call from a friend informing me that Richard had succumbed to cancer. He had battled like a champ and the Lord took him home.

I call Richard my spiritual dad. He was the man in my life in so many ways, and next to my own father, he has impacted me and helped lay a foundation of vision for ministry.

I miss the man.

Kanakuk K-West "TV to Life" Episode #2

Look out for Darth Hunter! He's got the Jedi death grip that'll choke ya!


It's superhero time at the Rapp house! Well, pretty much everyday is superhero time at the Rapp house. We have about 15 different superhero costumes. Besides Superman and Batman, we have Ninja Turtles, Thor, and even the little known Sportacus, from a show called "Lazy Town." But at this time, our favorites are the Star Wars characters. Todd and Bronwyn made the mistake of allowing the boys to view a Star Wars movie this summer. It's a mistake because they got HOOKED and Star Wars conversations never cease! They know twice as much about the characters and plot than I do. They have Star Wars Legos. We have checked out library books, and netflix rentals. It's nuts. So if you ever want to discuss Star Wars, my kids are ready for you.
Speaking of Superheroes, I've attached the next episode of the "TV to Life" video series from this summer.
Click on the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAarkN2aAgE for Episode 2!

Enjoy!

Todd

Wow...the Sweetness Continues

22 years ago at this moment, Beth and I were just finishing our vows standing at the alter of a church in Kansas City. Tom Ryan and Richard Beach had helped officiate our covenant of marriage. It was fun. It was serious. It was holy. It was....well, what we had dreamed it would be...the perfect day.

Two of my favorite memories continue to make me smile when I think back to that historic event. The first is that we were married at 11am on a Saturday morning. Why in the world would anyone get married in the morning? My bride reminds me that my only input into our wedding plans was that I just wanted to wake up, brush my teeth, and then get married. She humbly complied with my request. I have to laugh. It did make things easy.

The second thing I remember was Richard Beach encouraged us that day to never loose the sense wonder and "Wow!" that we were feeling as we nervously stood in front of friends and family. Let me assure you, it was a "wow" experience that day and it has continued to be "wow" year after year. I wish I had time to tell all of the stories.

There are a couple of things I am particular thankful for when I mull over our marriage and all that has happened. Primarily I am grateful that the Lord has been the center and the foundation of our friendship. We have had joy, trials, great times, and tough times and in it all, the Lord has carried us every step of the way.

The other is my wife's unselfishness. I may be guilty of being a "glass is half full" guy at times, but I am married to a friend whose glass is "always full" which is how she views all of life.

Wow...22 years and counting. All I can say is thank you Lord and thank you Beth. By the grace of those two, we will never stop being amazed and experiencing "Wow!"

Episode 1: K-West K-Life Summer Video Series

Looking for a little Kamp during the winter? Well, you've come to the right place. We want to keep Kamp going on via this blog all year long. So tell your friends about this, and let them jump in. The latest thing we've got for you is the first episode of our K-Life video from this summer. Remember Avi, Troy and Gabriella, Iron Man and Iceberg? It's called, "TV to Life,"and you can watch it by clicking on the youtube link below.
Stay tuned for episodes 2 and 3 to be posted at a later date!
Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XL-DTdmSqr8

Feeling Renewed!

Feeling down? Loosing Sleep? Is your balance off and your muscles a little weak? I have just what you need!

I keep seeing advertising for this miracle band that you slip on your wrist and you get instant results that literally change things about your physical health, balance, and even your sleep. Pretty amazing if you ask me especially since it's only $19.95...and that's for two of them! Trust me...I will never trust those claims.

This fall, I have had a couple of things happen to me that literally have made me feel "renewed." One was at the end of kamp when I was given a new bike by the Kwest staff for my birthday. I was blown away. I have ridden bikes for quite some time, but never a bike like this one. In the past month or so, I have logged around 500 miles. I feel like I have new energy every time I get on the bike. I am so thankful. Not just for the bike, but friends like Allen who made it all happen.

A second event that happened a few weeks ago that lit my fire on a Friday afternoon at a neighborhood home. Some of the directors had agreed to gather and help out a mom that was hurting and needed all kinds of assistance with yard work, electrical, plumbing, and hosts of other little "honey dos." I felt more energized and full of life after serving and helping for the afternoon than I have in years. It was such a blessing.

Stopping to be thankful for friends can be renewing for all of us. Getting our I'M THIRD apron on and serving others in the name of Christ can lift us to levels we never dreamed. It's what Christ calls us to do and I know ultimately that's the best.

Do you want to feel renewed? Ask God to show you how you can serve someone today or this week.

This miracle band's website does have a disclaimer. It says "MAY promote strength...MAY promote balance...MAY increase endurance." Finding strength, listening for balance, and asking for help to persevere with my hope in Christ will ALWAYS leave me feeling renewed. I think I will skip buying the band and stick to the Word.

K-West Staff Rendezvous in Dallas

Good times in Dallas were had by all when we met for a Reunion of our staff last night. Thanks to all who made the journey! Here's a pic of some of those who were able to make it. We had tons of give-away prizes, including some skit clothes and a pair of old snow skis! Everyone left with at least one thing from the Kanakuk store, like Luke with his new yellow Kamp shirt displayed above. The group was blessed to be the first ever audience of the brand new 2010 Kanakuk Highlight film, which went over with rave reviews.

Lots of candy, ping pong, billiards and drinks, but the best part was fellowshipping with some really wonderful kamp friends.

Erin Groth made it from Waco! What a joy. Carter had the time of his life! The only Rapp boy who could come. He stayed up until about 10:30pm, then crashed on the couch with his backpack on! Thanks to everyone who was able to come! There were actually 2 guys that had flown in from Duke to join us!

Slow Down...Work Ahead

Our new bridge at the end of Lakeshore Drive is taking forever to build. As I rode my bike yesterday I passed through the construction area and a sign flashed, "Slow Down...Work Ahead." "Who has time to slow down?" I thought to myself. Even on my bike I try to pedal a little faster just to see my mph flash on the radar sign. Those nagging signs have been there for months and are just slowing down anyone who drives by.

I was working with one of our staff this past week and had the chance to listen to how crazy their school schedule had been and how little spare time they actually had to be still. It seemed like every second of the day was already preplanned for them. Anybody relate to that one?

Philippians 1:6 says "For I am confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you, will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."

Have you and I thought lately about the fact that we need to slow down our life long enough to allow God to work? After all, we are in the process of becoming more like Christ every day the sun rises, but if our heart isn't set up to be a construction zone, we could be in trouble.

Here are a few things to slow down and check:

• Have you thanked God lately for how He is at work molding and shaping you to be more like His Son? If not, tell Him now and stop long enough to consider His work. We will be a finished product when Christ returns. Until then, be patient and teachable.


• Do you have a time built into your schedule every day where you can sit for a few minutes and be still before the Lord? We all have 86,400 seconds in a day. Some of those should be set aside to be quiet. Schedule and keep it.


• Slow down long enough to recognize that God is at work in you and through you. Don't miss the opportunity to love someone today by just taking an extra minute to ask how they are doing and what you can pray for.

This past week in church, I was reminded of my private disciplines that no one else sees (giving, praying, and fasting). Private disciplines are just what they mean: private...things that no one else sees (or should see). We practice these things without an audience and as we do, we are rewarded by God. The reward is that our faith will grow because we see His hand at work and trust more.

Slow down, there is work ahead in your life. Stop running so fast, look to the Lord, and listen to what He is trying to tell you. He is working at building you into Christ likeness. Shift down, put on the brakes at some point today and consider how God is at work. Don't miss the flashing signs. They are there to help.

Letters for Lindsay

Dear friends, family, and anyone else who may care,

I write to you today with a heavy heart. Kidding, for some reason I’ve just always wanted to say that. I do write you today to tell you I will no longer be writing on the K-West blog. Many of you are holding your breath, hoping...praying I didn’t lose my job. Good news: I’m still employed. Bad news: I’m starting my own blog. It’s not really bad news, but it made the good news have a more dramatic ending.

Check it out here.

You'll find the detailed description in the "about" section and the first few posts. The official K-West blog, this one, will live on; mine will only serve as a supplement to what Ward and Todd contribute here.

Enjoy this first week of October!!

Sincerely,
Lindsay

Kanakuk's Dr. Doofenschnietzel and Syndrome Change Their Toon

Despite many attempts to take over K-West, the two sinister villains pictured above have had an extreme heart makeover, it appears. As you know, one of the best things about coming to K-West is time spent in God's word. From K-Life, to 10 x 10's, to devos, to memory verses--- you get fired up about the Bible! Well as crazy as it seems, both Dr. Doofenschnietzel and Syndrome decided to become Christians last week and begin reading their Bible. They even signed up to do the Victor's Crown Bible study. When asked how he became a Christian, Syndrome replied, "the Evil thing just wasn't working for me anymore. I started reading Deuteronomy, and said to myself, "I've been a bad boy. So I just signed up for Victor's Crown Bible study." Dr. Doofenschnietzel said, "It (Victor's Crown) has made a difference in my life. I no longer want to wreak havoc wherever I go, I've sent an apology letter to Ward Wiebe for being a menace, and my long-term goal is to be a counselor there someday.... I know I'll have to get a haircut and a new wardrobe, but, you know, one thing at a time!"
Today we stand up and applaud the villains as well as the kampers who have stepped forward to commit to reading the Bible everyday! Standing "O!"