An Amazing Week!

This past week has been absolutely amazing! I can hardly believe all that has happened.

We began renovation of our new office suite and meeting room (we're calling it "The Basement"). The offices include space for current and additional staff as well as a conference room, some storage, and a bathroom. They've now been painted, the bathroom overhauled (poor Mick Martin and his hatred of plumbing!), and are mostly ready to go. Thanks to some offices closing in Arlington, we've even got new furniture... and it is nice nice! There are a few little details to finish up, but for now we're up and running.

The Basement saw the biggest changes -- the removal of a wall, relocating electrical outlets, lots of paint, a bathroom renovation, cutting all sorts of trim, etc. There are still a couple of big projects to go -- installing carpeting, putting in a kitchenette, trimming out some of the windows, hanging drapes, installing the A/V system (speakers throughout, a big video screen, some fun lighting), hanging corrugated metal along the bottom half of the walls, putting up a shelf around the room, cleaning out the storage room, etc. But it's amazing how far we've come already.

Of course, embracing a renovation project and moving offices the week before Easter Sunday is pretty crazy for a church. But it was also exciting, and it was great to see so many folks pitching in with the work.

Easter was a very special celebration at Hope. It was amazing to look into so many faces and see that special "twinkle of the eye" at the joy of new life and new beginnings. And it was an honor to share the heart of the Christian faith and to see so many seasoned believers sitting there praying for the people around them. Really cool!

After church, we had a quick meeting at "The Basement" to iron out some details for this week's work, and then we spent the afternoon with friends. Great food (and lots of it!), goofing around (including an all-ages egg hunt), playing games, and even sneaking in a few minutes for a quick nap. I came home feeling totally fulfilled and refreshed.

In the evening, we settled in for a movie together, and then I realized that the BBC broadcast a new episode of Doctor Who for the holiday. Thanks to the Internet, we finished the night off with a family favorite.

And to top off this amazing week, I'm confirmed for a trip to Israel next September. It's something I've wanted to do all my life. My Dad is taking me -- talk about the ultimate Father-Son experience, eh? I can hardly wait... I'm so excited!