Just a cruising...

My bride on the top deck!

Mandatory US Coast Guard Boat Drills!

Beautiful sunsets!

Evening dinner with our friends the Jackson's

First port of call: Cozumel, Mexico

What's up with this guy?

Beautiful gardens flanked by the ship in the background!

Taking a transport boat from the ship to the Belizean port!

Belize dock

Costa Maya

Before dinner @ night

Remember the ping pong tourney...I finally won the 3rd one!

Towel art creations each evening

Starbucks in the Bahamas!

My sweetheart with Atlantis in the background

SeaWorld across from our hotel in Orlando

The famous trolley ride each morning in Orlando

Thought I would share a little more about our recent 25th Anniversary in Ministry cruise that we took before General Council. This was a gift from our CFA family...totally enjoyable!

We loved every minute of our 7 day cruise. So many activities...so many decks...so many shops...so many pools...so many shows...so many restaurants...so many elevators...so many workers...and around 3,600 passengers, not including the crew (that's more than twice the size of the city where I first pastored!).

Of course, there were things available on the ship that we chose not to participate in: bars, casinos and dancing. Many were up to the wee hours of the morning. They delivered a daily copy of the Carnival Capers, which was our ship's guide to all the fun. That's where I discovered the ping-pong tournament and free-throw contest. Plus, they also had putt-putt too!

It was our dream trip that we had looked forward to for so long. Thanks CFA for making it happen. We sincerely appreciated your action of love back in May of 2008 celebrating my 25 years in pastoral ministry.

Now it's back to work and back to running a different ship...the CFA ministry cruise liner!

Love to all.

Meeting Rick Warren in Orlando!

Great chance to connect with Rick Warren!

Fascinating Pastor and Renowned Author!

One of the speakers we heard at General Council this year was Rick Warren.

What a powerful and inspiring communicator. He spoke for about 2 hours and then answered questions. I learned that his book, "Purpose-Driven Life", was the 2nd most published book second only to the Bible. WOW! He had no idea that this book was going to have this much of an impact on not only the United States...but the world!

This book has opened up a highway of influential opportunities all around the world.

He has had the opportunity to pray for two incoming Presidents on their Inauguration Day. The last one made much more of a "media splash" than the first one. Something pretty cool...Billy Graham sent him the black hat that he used when he prayed for countless Presidential Inaugurations. It appears the hat has been passed!

Thank God for men to lead and teach others to achieve great things for God!

Side note: Would you believe that I didn't even have my digital camera on hand when Rick Warren spoke...a pastor from Orlando took these photos and emailed them to me. How cool is that? Thanks Pastor Gary Rice!

Trip to the Caribbean and Big O!

Arriving in Port Canaveral, Florida

Checking out the sites before setting sail...

Tammy and I before evening dinner...

With our friends, Joe & Tammy!

Tammy at one of our port stops

Me dwarfed by the mammoth vessel of the Carnival Glory!

Celebrating our 22nd Anniversary on the cruise!

53rd General Council in Orlando

We just returned from a fabulous 7 day cruise to the Caribbean and also attended the Assemblies of God General Council in Orlando, Florida. Wow, what a trip!

These last two weeks were awesome...especially after a 13 month long journey of rebuilding our church worship center after the Flood of '08. You would have thought I wanted anywhere but where there was water, but this cruise to the Caribbean was amazing. Tammy and I had such a wonderful time...relaxing and refreshing! We even took this journey with some of our ministry friends. There was so much to do and so much food to try out...we're talking tons of food here.

We ported at four popular vacation locations....

1. Cozumel, Mexico
2. Belize, Central America
3. Costa Maya, Mexico
4. Nassau, Bahamas

Each city had its own rich traditions and tourist attractions. Shopping at each port city brought great opportunities for some great deals (it's just in my Andreasen blood!).

I even entered the Carnival Glory's ping-pong tournaments. We played out on deck 12 under a partially covered deck 13. One day the wind was just blowing ridiculously and we still had to play each match in that weather. Ask me how I did and I'll pass along the inside scoop...

The 53rd General Council in Orlando was packed full of business, elections, leadership conference, luncheons and dinners, speakers, services, reports, exhibition booths, National Fine Arts Festival, college reunions, meeting and catching up with friends, trolley rides to the motel and convention center (an average of about 30 minutes each way), etc. etc. We were extremely busy...but enjoying this once every two years opportunity for ministers, delegates and friends.

I'll write more later but wanted to post something quickly to share a few memorable pictures and thoughts from our trip.

Guess who I got to meet? Check back soon for the picture that captured my rare opportunity in shaking hands with a nationally known Christian pastor, best-selling author and world leader.

It's great to be home.

Love to all!

Carpet Job Complete!

The amazing dream team carpet crew!!

The last piece of the flood rebuild puzzle has been filled in. It was rather late in coming...but the job is done nonetheless.

If you've been a follower of my blog you know the troubles I have endured with our carpet company. From the beginning and all the way through to the end I have had nothing but difficulties, delays and disappointments. Well, this past week the carpet guys were here and finished the job!

Something to note...it took a team from Columbus, Ohio to get in here and do what had to be done. We had defective carpet that was delivered to our church (months ago) and then it was installed. There were bubble-like areas all over the place where the glue never adhered to the carpet. So a large portion of the carpet had to be demoed out and removed. Some areas were already glued down...but they got r done...what a messy job!

This hard-working crew that worked about three 12-hour days finished up the last piece of our rebuild project. How do I spell r-e-l-i-e-f?? Carpet---DONE! With this last carpet project completed I can now rest a little easier with the tasks on the check list completed and behind me!! Thank you Jesus!!

Now I'm looking forward to traveling with my wife to Orlando, Florida and embarking on a 7-day cruise. I hope to sit back and unwind a little after 13 long months of renovation and restoration on our church facilities after the Flood of 2008. The cruise is something that we've wanted to do for a long time but always put it off. Well, tomorrow morning we fly out of Indianapolis and head down to Orlando, then on to Port Canaveral. Following this relaxing getaway, we will be participating in our national church's biennial business schedule called the General Council.

Next time I post a new blog you should be hearing and seeing a little bit more of our trip to Florida.

Love to all.

Give Me Your Eyes

Take me out to the ballgame...NOT!

Oh, what a day! It was July 4th up at Victory Field in Indianapolis.

The event was sold out. It was supposed to be the busiest day of the Indians baseball schedule. Volunteers were positioned at every station in the ballpark. My group, representing Columbus East Band Boosters, was lined up to work in the Rowdies South pavilion.

We started out in the rain...a good steady rain...as we made our way up Interstate 65. We arrived at the ballpark...in the rain. We set up...with rain still falling. We saw the gates opened up...in the rain. Fans arrived with all the gear...amazing. Families came...with babies and toddlers and children of all ages. They waited...and waited...and waited...and waited!

There was hopes that the rain would stop and the game could be played...albeit with a delayed start time. That didn't happen. Little by little the fans left...with their umbrella's and jackets (it got pretty cold!)...and coolers...and kids!

Then they shut our booth down. I think it was around 7:30 or 8 pm. We cleaned up...counted our money...and discovered an error. We were short $50. Later, we learned they gave us $50 less than what they thought they gave us at the start.

Guess what we sold all day in the rain?? A grand, spanking total of $76!!! It should have been at least $5,000 or maybe even closer to $8,000. WOW...what a day. Could have been at home with the wife and family...but duty called.

Lesson learned: Into every life and scheduled activity the potential for rain exists. Make the best of every opportunity and keep a good attitude. You never know who is watching!

I'm Watching You Dad!

Celebrations!

Taking a road trip...

...St. Louis Arch...

...Crossing the Mississippi River...

...Missouri roads...

CFA's New Steeple

Dedication Day Worship Celebration

Greeting Mayor Fred Armstrong

Introducing my mom

Doug Clay making a point

Dedication Altar Time

Karl & Cindy Fleig, Tammy and I, Mom, Doug Clay

Fellowship Time over Lunch

Judy Hanson, great volunteer

Deyo and more workers

Marcia and a plate of sandwiches

My CFA Dedication Ball with CFA Member Signatures

Found a visible spot on my office booksheves!

It's been over two weeks since my last blog. In all reality, it's been a flurry of activity around here, both home and at church...plus I needed a little "blog" break too!

Two weeks ago my daughter Ashlyn and I took a road trip to Nixa, Missouri. We were headed for Grandma's house to pick her up for our Church Dedication Day. Our mini-van was turned into a little RV, according to Ashlyn, as we removed two of the captains seats which provided her her own space. She loved the room to lay down and watch videos and eat her munchies. Trip took about eight hours and before you knew it we were pulling in to Grandma's house; spent the night and then did it all over again the next day to return back to Columbus! Great time with my daughter and on the return trip with my mother. Those moments were priceless!

Sunday, June 7th was the much anticipated Dedication Day for CFA (Columbus First Assembly). It was exactly one year ago to the day that our church was completely flooded out by the Flood of 2008. The flood washed out a good portion of our city and wreaked tremendous havoc too. But in the last twelve months we have learned to trust God for each new day and for each provision needed in this long journey of faith in putting our church back together. June 7th was a day of celebration! It was a great day as we recognized the faithfulness of our Great God, as we honored all the companies and workers that labored on our facilities, and as we rejoiced in the completion of our fully rebuilt regional worship center. I was honored to have a classmate of mine at CBC, Doug Clay, serve as our Dedication Speaker. Doug presently serves our fellowship as the General Treasurer and sits on the Executive Leadership Team as well. His message was a great challenge to our church.

Sunday, June 14th launched the next big event here @ CFA: a Kid's & Family Explosion with the Jubilee Gang. It was an outreach that replaced our normal VBS annual outreach, since all our VBS supplies were washed away in the flood of last year. The three nights were enjoyed by children and parents too. The greatest thing that occurred this week was that 18 kids gave their hearts to Jesus Christ and were born agin. Nothing better than that!

Sunday, June 21st is Father's Day. Gonna be another great service with the people, and especially every father, here @ CFA.

The summer is here and my family has been going here and going there. Work, summer school, school band practices, youth camp and ministry activites are flying around. Each one is staying busy. Got to schedule a family get-away real soon. We look forward to our mini-vacation every year.

Remember the bird nest on my front porch? Well, each little one has grown up and flown out already with a quick flight lesson from their mother. We were amazed at the rapid growth of these little babies bodies that overtook their tiny nest and quickly were deployed out to who knows where...

Take care and be blessed.

Much love to all!

Dash to Dedication Day!

CFA one year later...

...we've experienced many transformations...

What little detail has been added?...

...here as well...

...and also here!

Remember our robin friend from last year?

She's back...and her family is growing too!

All systems are a "GO" for the flood rebuild DEDICATION this coming Sunday, June 7th!

It's going to be an awesome celebration and also a holy time of consecration. We are planning to dedicate this entire regional worship center for the glory of the Kingdom of God. One year ago our church was leveled by the floods that hit our area. One year later, on the exact flood anniversary date, we have scheduled our Dedication Sunday. What was meant to destroy us has instead rebounded toward a renovated, restored and renewed worship center!

Our church master theme is "2009: The Year to Rebound!" Yes, we're going up!

There are a ton of details in getting ready for the BIG DAY. Lots and lots of preparations are being handled by my dedication committee and also staff member team. Each one is working their check list off. Each one is excited about the BIG DAY. Each one is eager to see what God will do in this service.

Invitations have been mailed out. Calls are being made. Schedules are being set. Food has been ordered. Fellowship Hall will be ready. Our Guest Speaker Doug Clay will be traveling soon from Springfield, Missouri. Worship set and worship leaders are anxious to bring us into God's presence. Greeters and ushers will be at their posts. Children's workers will love on your kids. Guests will be coming from all over to witness this historic occasion with us!

Let me personally invite you to attend this momentous dedication. YOU ARE INVITED TO CFA ON SUNDAY, JUNE 7th @ 10 am! Our goal is to point our praise upward to the One who helped navigate us through the uncharted waters (literally!) from Flood Date all the way through to Dedication Sunday. Lord, you are more than wonderful to CFA! Thank you for everything. We love you and look forward to honoring you this coming Sunday!

This past Sunday I preached a message entitled, "The Day of Dedication." It set the stage for what we will experience this Sunday. One part that I am inviting everyone in our church to be involved in is the DEDICATION DAY OFFERING. David and Solomon gave their best for acts of worship at the temple of God's dedication. We can do no less! Plus, do not forget that we are believing God for a DEBT FREE MIRACLE the size of $200,000! Let's do our part to witness a miracle the initial size of 2 loaves and 5 fishes, but ended up with 12 baskets of leftovers! If you want to get in on this miracle blessing please visit the online giving site @ www.columbusfirstassembly.org.

One very special guest that I am thrilled to have in attendance at the dedication will be my mother. She has been a constant source of strength and encouragement during this trying and difficult year. Thanks Mom for all you prayers and words of blessing spoken to your son. I love you and am happy to have you share this big moment with us!

I can't wait until Sunday. Hope you will be able to be in attendance. If you can't, please leave your words of congratulations as "comments" left at the end of this blog post. It's real easy to do. Thanks for following along with us in this most amazing race of faith this past year!

Love to all!