Happy Easter!

Jesus Blood Never Failed Me Yet

This is an amazing recording composed by Gavin Bryars.  The song is a loop of a homeless man singing.  The homeless man was recorded in London in 1971.  Gavin composed the music and released it in 1993.  It is very powerful and been stuck in my head all week for Easter.

Beauty and the Beast.

We had the privelage to see see Beauty and the Beast twice this past week.  Once by Trilogy and then by Act One.  Both were done well and we were amazed and proud of the youth who performed it.

Watching it will always remind me of watching it with my daughter Joyanna when she was little but Belle's love for books is more like Dana.  Anyway, viewing this will always have some sentimental value to me.

There is something else that has always intrigued me about this story.  I was hooked from the first song where Belle sings, "There must be more than this provincial life."  The key to this shown all through the story and is not the fairy tale ending that one would suppose.
Maurice sets off to make a better life for him and his daughter.  Belle gives up her freedom for her father.  Lumiere, Mrs. Potts and all serve Belle despite there adversity.  The Beast releases Belle in an act of love.  Belle returns to love a beast.

Living a life that is lived for others is the key.  When we live in such a way that others benefit and see love in us and through us, we live the life we were designed to live - a life than is anything but "provincial."

Here is our April Newsletter

Here is our April Newsletter. We appreciate all of our friends and supporters!

Trotter's April Newsletter

Back to normal

I never expected it to take me a whole week to fully recover from the trip to the Philippines, but I am feeling back to normal. It hasn't helped that I have been working non-stop to get my house ready for sheetrock. I got all of the walls and floors insulated and got everything prepped. There is a stack of 70 sheets of drywall in front of my house and I'm off to Home Depot in a few minutes to pick up a jack to hang the ceilings.

I had lunch with a friend who lives here in my neighborhood. We talked and dreamed of ways to reach this neighborhood. I can't wait to be able to act on some of our dreams. Two of my big dreams are to have a youth Bible study in my house and to develop a youth worship service in the area. Pray with me that this will come around.

More video and pictures from the Philipinnes

Here is a video that we showed in church last week along with a slide show of all of the pictures that Michael and I took.

Philippines Video                            Slideshow

Phase One Complete

I've been back from the Philippines for almost a week now.  I didn't anticipate how worn out I was from the trip, the long flight, and the time change.  Since I've been back, I finished all of my rough-in requirements and have received an approval inspection.  That simply means that I have a green light to finish the house!  The next step is to sheetrock the house.  I am looking for a company to do this, but haven't found anyone yet.  I'll be on the phone today.  

Started bike club back up yesterday.  I've been adjusting the times to try to include more kids.  I've got some from different school and some who have soccer practice...  

Time to get going it and hang some insulation.

Pictures From the Philippines

Here is a slideshow of some pictures we took in the Philippines.  We will put more together later.  Michael and I will be sharing about our trip in church this weekend.  Thanks for your prayers.