This New House

Well we finally slept in our new house last night. The Cutest Wife in the world has been hard at work nesting, and 90% of everything we own is there, much more of it is arranged than anyone would think, and we actually slept there.

We feel blessed and excited. There has been so much provision and help in this, from earthly and spiritual fathers, to friends and strangers who are now friends.

The next step is going through and unpacking everything. We have moved 3 times in the last 6 weeks, and part of me is scared to get rid of our boxes! As we unpack, there is a great ability to rearrange things, and put them away in ways that make life more easy.

In our family, when I have money, I go buy Kitchen Stuff, Danie buys Craft Stuff. Because Im older and bigger and we all have to eat, I got more stuff. Our Kitchen is fairly big, and it is already full. I have to go through all of it and figure out where I will do prep work,a nd where things need to be. Im already considering a remodel!!

Danie even has a room for the Baby. However, in my mind, babies stay with Moms and Dads until they are sleeping through the night all the time. This means we will have about a year of an empty room, and she is going to use it for a craft room etc... but I hope to convince her to bring all her stuff down to "my" room in the basement.

Danie and I have an odd life we figured out once. We spend a lot of time together. pretty much all day. And when the kids are here, all of us are on top of each other. Im used to it, and I like it. It got the point here in KC where Danie and I were finding ourselves sitting across from each other at tables in Panera Bread or at home or Higher Ground or Dunn Bros working on stuff regularly. I got so used to it, when she goes somewhere I get all confused. So Im hoping to lure her into the basement so when I work, she is doing her crafts.

The poor Dog! Every time the s leave, he gets sad. Really sad. Like a puppy who lost his little s. After he realizes they arent coming back today, he mopes around, and goes up to their room and lays down on their beds or their CLOTHES (that I told them to put away) and snuggles his nose into whatever smells like them, and does the sad puppy dog eyes at any passerby.

He got really excited last night when I took him over to the new house. Immediately he ran around, and then bolted up to the kids room. The door was closed, but I think he realized the kids werent there, but he was hoping they were!

Danielle and I were talking about how hard it will be for HuckleBerry when she is 2-3 years old and her favorite people in the world leave for a few days at a time. Oy Vey. Maybe she will have Zeb to commiserate with, if 2 year olds in fact do commiserate.

Turkey Day in a microscope

Prophetic vs. Sentimental

We went last night and saw August Rush with the kids, and some friends, and their kids. I have come immediately to terms with a few things...

1. It is ridiculous that you can go to a movie with a certain rating, and see previews for any movie with a higher rating. I went to a PG movie, and saw previews for PG-13 movies.

2. It isnt comfortable to see previews in a theater, because I cannot fast forward them, or skip them. At one point, all the Bohlender Boys, myself, and my kids all simultaneously turned our eyes to the side during a makeout scene involving a woman in her underwear.

The other thing that really struck me is that the BEST humans can come up with is sentimentality. At times, they transcend into myth, and those myths ultimately, if they are stirring the heart, eventually have their root in Gods heart or design. But for the most part, humans are anesthetized by a regular dose of sentimentality.

I, by the Grace and Mercy of God, know God. Not as well as I like, but better I realize at times. By definition, Im also prophetic because I am a born again believer who has received the Spirit who now lives in me communicating God both to me, and in miraculous situations (due to His ability to override my flesh) even through me.

I have met scores and scores of people like me. They all have a story of how and when God did what and how, and in hindsight how profound and powerful it was that He could connect the dots. How life changing it was, how awesome and awe inspiring, and how deeply it touched our heart. Heck, it just happenned last week.

So you go see a movie, and you need to realize that more often than not, some human, with a gift for writing, conjures up the best of human experience, and writes something out. And the result is PABLUM. In fact, it is dangerous because if you arent aware of it, you begin to have the majority of your profound experiences of the heart via 3rd party, fake, sentimental experiences that are of human (hopefully) origin.

This is really a problem. You become "In Love with Love". Not In Love itself, but in Love with the feeling of Love, or heartbroken by the experience of heartbrokeness. Your heart is fed a steady diet of junk food experience, and all of it is at best vicarious, and at worst completely unconnected to reality (such as a movie).

At the same time, symbolism, art, imagery, when God ordained, Spirit led, or even just honestly inspiried, transcends simple experience, and draws upon the Spirit itself. It causes the longing of a human heart to manifest, and have a true answer, all in the same experience. It is EDIFYING
more than UPLIFTING.

See, I know God. So silly little cathartic scense like Good Will Hunting dont do it for me. A little tiny come to the truth scene on a movie doesnt compare with a drop down, drag out, crying from the depths of your soul until your stomach muscles are sore encounter with God who explains to you that He has known you your whole life, and hurts and aches with pain over your circumstances. Then you KNOW the Truth. You experience it spirit, soul, and body.

It doesnt have to be soap operas like mine have been, but it goes WAY past an emotional experience. It is an encounter. An unless you see that authentic spirit in something else, all I find myself doing is yawning. Im not jaded, quite the opposite. Im hungry, and I have eaten meat, and baby food sentimental emotion is a waste of my time.

Thank God for His Grace!!!!

Turkey Results Pt 1

Well thankfully, it was a fairly good success. I learned a LOT, and realized later I should have done it by myself first, then cooked for other people.

I used 2 small turkeys, 10 pounders. They were Deistel turkeys, with no brining in them at purchase etc... these are different than other turkeys as the arent injected with brine, arent raised to be super fat, etc...

The first one I put in the oil at 300F. At first, it really seemed as if my thermometer was 20-30 degrees off! The weather was about 25-30 degrees, a little bit of wind. It took about 45 mins for the oil to get hot,a s I couldnt see the flame, and was nervous about how the oil would heat up, so I started slow, and increased the flame until it got to 300.

I out the first turkey in, and didnt have enough oil to completely cover. About 1/4-1/2 inch low. I let it run like that for a bit, and then added more oil after I saw the temp come up. I had a difficult time getting the oil over 300, and ended up opening the valve and carb all the way. It finally got to about 320. I think with the cold weather, and the lack of heat in the beginning, momentum was against me.

I noticed the oil temp pick up quite a bit, which gave me the indicator that the turkey was about half way done. I backed the heat off a little to make sure I didnt cross 325-350. I pulled the turkey and temped it in the breast, and then where the thigh and the breast meetm whcih should be the last place to hit temp.

My plan was to pull at 151, and let it finish to 160-161. My first readings were low, so I put it back in for 5 minutes, and then pulled again. I actually dropped my thermometer in the oil! Deep Fried Thermo.

I had to go another 5 minutes or so, and found that my breat temp was 160! The thigh was 150. I pulled it, and then put the next turkey in.

The first turkey did have a slightly pink section at the fron of the breat. Im betting a few things happened:

1. Turkey was not thawed as much as I thought.
2. Oil wasnt high enough, and that was the section that wasnt 100% covered the whole time.
3. Turkey cooked unevenly because of above theories. Some of the breast meat was a little dry, as was some of the dark. some of the white meat was a little under, although to be honest I KNOW it was over 140 for a long enough time, it would have been great to keep it aside and use it for leftovers because reheateing would cook it perfect.

With the second turkey, I ed the heat from the beginning, and was able to keep the oil at 320-325. This bird cooked a lot faster (about 20-25 mins actually vs 30-35 mins for first bird, I forgot to measure exactly). I pulled it about 5 minutes after I saw the temps going up, checked it a little low, and then put it back in for about 5 mins. I pulled it,a nd this one was on 150-151 in the thigh, 160 in the breast.

The second turkey was much more evenly cooked, and juicy. My thoughts on this one are:

1. Turkey sat out for about 15 mins while other one cooked. A little more thawing.
2. Oil was completely covering and hot BEFORE it was inserted.
3. I cooked it faster.

One odd thing was the sin was MEGA crispy at first, but then softened up. I dont know why that is.

Next time Im going to try a 15 pounder, and get the heat at 350.
Im also going to build some wind blocks around the base both to keep wind from messing with the flame, but also to make it a little darker so I can see the flame and adjust it better.

It was suggested, and I agree, that we have a deep frying party. Everyone brings something to dip, and we go for it, kind of like Cajun Fondue. In fact, we might call it FunDue.

Another idea was to go to BurningMan, and bring lots of fishing poles. We sit in a circle, and put fish sticks on the end (with wire) and drop them in, then reel them out. It will be called "Deep Fat Fishing".

In relation to a prior post Pt II

Mr Bohlender posted a fair warning for his street and anyone West of Holmes and North of Red Bridge.

We fry today. We fry in one of the only devices in common household use without a UL approval.

My first attempt to get the turkey ready on Monday freaked me out, and I had to go buy some more yesterday. I was afraid my frozen turkey thawed to more than 40 degrees F, without my realizing it. The main problem with this is that certain bacteria begin to grow between 40-140F, and I dont intend to overcook my bird. However, what freaked me out worse was the finding that certain bacteria product heat resistant toxins that wont go away no matter how hard you cook it.

It is too much risk. I literally work up at 4:10 am Wednesday, and tested the temp. It was 41 degrees. That is probably ok, but I have no idea how warm it got before I added ice etc...

So we bought 2 10 pounders, with the intention of bringing one, and leaving one standard and trying them. As I was under the gun, I quick thawed them both CORRECTLY (cold water), and tossed them in my 5 gallon drink cooler. They read 38 degrees ambient brine temp, and the underside of the bird was 30 degrees. Possibly still frozen a little, however the unique properties of salt lowering the freezing temp of water might mean it is thawed, just REAL cold.

I was going to cook the first bird anyhow (it is still in the backyard covered in ice) and test it to see if the voice in myhead was divine or not. I honestly felt like I was warned. As I pondered testing it on myself to see if I was right, I heard another voices say "Youre going to be sorry"

Oh well. I was so stupd I didnt throw it away on trash day (wednesday!) So now I get a week of stinky turkey carcass. I hope it stays real cold this week.


Will post pics and description for anyone interested, and my new Daniel Academy students.

I am really thankful

It really isn't cliche to stop and be thankful today. IT is a GREAT excuse to remind oneself, almost a discipline as it were.

It is obvious what Im mostly thankful for. If I could boil it down to the thing behind the thing, it is all about Gods goodness as expressed in His Will. Simply put, He has never let up on me. My whole life is now balancing on the historical fact, and the future hope/confidence that He will simply not relent in my life.

Via that Perfect Will, all these good things have come. God does not have one intention towards me that will ever not be completely good. When we say all things are possible with God, or with God all things are possible, we dont realize some things are impossible for God to do.

He cannot EVER think, intend, act or succeed in doing anything for me or to me that is anything other than good.

And all the "bad" has either been my rebellion, my brokenness, or others. Even some of the bad, in hindsight, wasnt. It was God taking things away from me that were hurting or even me.

All the details of this goodness, all the outworkings of it, those are facts evident in my life. I couldnt list all of them, and to broadcast some of them are to reduce them down into a list.

But it is still a great thing to stop, think about it, thank God for it, and enjoy it.

The Turkey Derrick

In response to an anonymous comment, here is the link my Food Jedi developed.



I am unworhty, and will not be able to duplicate this, so I plan on using teenagers.

Fry Turkey Fry

Alton Brown is probably the only mentor I have truly had. I am attempting to fry Turkey Thursday.

This is why I want to be careful....

Sometimes YouTube pays off

I love this. I dont know why.

God is not generous...

All I can say is prepare yourself. I had a wild encounter with Holy Spirit this week. Interspersed with crying, laughing, and screaming came the reality that generous is too small a word for God. In fact, while from my human perspective it makes sense, it isnt correct.

Although I do believe God is generous, I think I misunderstand it when He is, and when He is doing something else.

It is safe to say my kids have been rocked by attending a few sessions of The Daniel Academy. That might be an understatement.

And God has seemed to provide a way not only to attend it, but to provide financially. At that point when I realized it, I simply just got overwhelmed. I didnt know what to say or think. All I could do is play catch up with my spirit and say "Thank you God for your generosity, and your..." and I was stopped pretty short.

I cannot say I heard the clear voice of God in my ears, I dont normally anyhow. But I can tell you that what came very clear to me was something very close to a feeling that can be paraphrased in the following words:

"I am NOT being generous here. I am releasing MY PROVISION, to do MY THING, for MY PURPOSES to accomplish MY WILL. When I decide to do something, I PAY FOR IT MYSELF".
As I began to catch up with this, and then all the obvious implications and examples of this such as Jesus Christ on the Cross, manna, miracles, etc... I began to realize I was thinking in far too small a concept about God.

And as this reality began to trickle into my conscious thought, all sorts of other facets and dimensions of information came too. They came in parallel, so I was basically screaming and then crying and then laughing a different points trying to receive so much. I must either be very slow, or God is very gene... never mind.

Anyhow it became clear my kids needed to be here. Tracie Loux said it to me "Oh, you realized you are here for your kids too. It took us 2 days to realize it". Took me 4 weeks.

Not only is it important for them to be here, it is important for Huckleberry (the new one coming) to be here. God has ordained it, for His own purposes, to accomplish His Will, and provided all that was needed, from changing peoples hearts to providing money.

We can talk like this all the time, but to have Him tell it to me straight away was another thing. I have a new faith right now. I almost feel as if I have a spiritual credit card. God gave it to me to use, and when I am confident I am using it for His purposes, for His Will, I can exercise it.

There is other dimensions to this. Like the reality that my children are mine. It is my delight, but also my prerogative to provide for them. I get the privilege, and the right to do this because they have been given to me. If I decide and/or request my children to do something, it is both my prerogative to support and provide for it, but it is also my OBLIGATION.

I could even use the cool term noblesse oblige because to my rank, the honorable and responsible action for me, not another, to provide for my own wishes.

How much more God?

I dont take this as an opportunity to reduce God down to an ATM. FAR FROM IT! What it does (in my heart at least( is forces me to realize how perfect, responsible, trustworthy, righteous etc... God is. He doesnt expect someone else to pick up after Him. He owns everything. No one else gets the credit for providing anything. No one will claim at any point "I did this part here God when you didnt provide for x and y so I loaned you some of my..."

And because His rank is THE HIGHEST, He obligates Himself to the HIGHEST. He save me by paying for it, sanctifies me by His own Spirit, entrusts me to work by His own Authority, and completes it all by His own Grace.

There are lots more things to think about in this, such as no wonder things suck when I am not found in His Will. It requires so much work and toil and such, Im simply not able to fulfill it. No wonder sin has such tremendous consequence. No wonder it is impossible without His Spirit.

No wonder I am here... Now... in light of all this, what is God doing for YOU? What provision is coming down the way for YOU?? If He not only loves me this much, but out of His own High rank and honor provides whatever I need to do His thing, what is He called you to do and wants to provide for?

Girls Part 3

I have found out I am hurtling headlong into the "estrogen ocean" as Jeff Foxworthy says. The newest Henry is a... duh!

I must say, Im fairly confident with s. I have had a crash course in it, and came out better off. Yeah GOD!!

It is hard for me to imagine how God can make another s as awesome as Beba and Boomer. It will be simply amazing to experience.

Can you imagine what it would be like to be born with a 13 year old sister like Israel? This is a walking baby magnet. I have honestly never seen someone who can attract children like her. And what a role . Israel is/has become such a fantastic kid sure, but more than that, she is a good example. It is almost like my newest baby will get a chance to have her own Katie Mae in the house, like Israel had. I can remember watching Katie Mae playing "Super Beba" int he living room with Israel on a yoga ball. Israel was surrounded by an older sister type, who to this day, is still a tremendous role and influence.

And what kid wouldnt be rocked with a Judah Lion around? A wild, fearless, creative kid that can stop at a moments notice, put underwear on her head, 3 different color socks, a hat, and inside out pants and dance around the house singing "One of these kids is not like the other one".

And then a mother like Danielle. What kid wouldnt want her for a mom? She has already demonstrated so much character and class, besides self sacrifice, in being with us. Im serious when I say I have never seen anything like her, and the benefit my family has already had by being together with her is enormous. I have had more time with my kids, had more help understanding them and changing my behavior, learning to enjoy them... I just cannot factor all the parts and explain them . She is finally getting a very little belly, but it is growing almost daily. Mine is too!

So its just me and Zeb representing testosterone. And unfortunately for me (and Zeb) he just got snipped last week, so we are kind of at a deficit. But we will manage. Last night I took him outside, and after he "got busy", I told him "Come on buddy, lets go back inside". He stopped and looked at me. Then I said "Come on, we got to go take care of the s and put them all to bed", then he perked up, and led the way back inside and up the stairs. Hes a good dog, and he knows what he needs to do.

So here we are, the tide is rising. Thankfully next week we move into our new house. It is huge, bugger than anything I have lived in before I think. We just increased our potty capacity by a factor of 2.5, and have extra rooms for storming off in a fit. Not that Ill need that of course...

"Now I know why we moved to Kansas City"

I heard this in the car yesterday. The person who said it was 12, and I think we all kind of came to that realization as well...

We just came back from an exploratory trip here. We get a special dispensation of Grace and will be allowed to join this group of wild, fun, organic, build this boat at sea group of marvelous comrades. All I can say is I knew it would be neat, I had no clue it would be so powerful.

At one point, I was in Judahs class, sitting in and trying to get a picture of what we need to do to get caught up to jump in the second semester. Immediately, the 2 other young s at the table began warming up to Judah. Now, Judah is wild, she is outgoing, and she is exuberant. But most people dont realize she is also a little shy! It is quite cute, but a little surprising if you didn't know it. These s, Sara and Jessica, without asking or being prompted, offer their bibles, their money, their supplies etc... to Judah to use. Judah sat there almost catatonic! I was almost crying. These were absolutely the warmest children I have ever met. Within an hour, Judah had memorized the bible verse, and was coloring, and I had to tell her to be quite 3 times. PERFECT.

During this process. Danie was with Israel. I send a text message (a no no except Im a new) with the word "Status?" in it. I get back "All these s are flocking around Israel talking to her" or something like that. The next one is "Im so happy I could cry". After about the forst hour, I go over there to see.

I walk into a large room, with this lady at the helm. There are 40-50 kids, and they are going around the room sharing what God is doing in their heart. It is obvious that the right people are in the right places organizing this. After a while, Danie goes over to Judahs class, and I stay with Beba. We listen to all these kids wrestle with being teens, wanting God, living in a hyper charged atmosphere like IHOP, some of whom have either grown up on, or been involved in missions work etc... and you realize "Im in SCHOOL".

We end by praying and asking God to come and do something like HE did in Acts, and finish by praying for a young who needs a creative miracle. It was similar to a mosh pit by the end, the whole mess of them rocking and swaying and yelling in tongues, against the devil, at God in petition, at her body,

On the way put, we have a few interesting conversations, I meet a young man I have been watching for weeks who God has got PLANS for, stumble to the car, and drive off.

And on the way to lunch, my kids said it all... "Now I know why we moved to Kansas City"

I guess I do too.

Were off to the races...err school

We just had our meeting with the powers that be at The Daniel Academy. It is hard to describe this school, but the word "ORGANIC" fairly screams at me. It is delightful, crazy, bursting with life, and all the things that come out of life.

We are honored because in exchange for our involvement teaching there, we are being allowed to join mid year. It has become clear to us we simply cannot accommodate our kids needs for connection with other kids on a consistent basis without involvement in something fairly structured. On top of that, the intent and the curriculum as well as the environment is so surperior to anything I have been able to consider that it is worth the cost and effort.

The main point (that I can tell) is equipping kids for their calling via the educational requirements needed for our modern American societal mindset with a solid, biblical paradigm. This preparation come mainly through a curriculum that is centered around Daniels example in Scripture; prayer, worship, fasting, excellence and service. The context for this instruction is heavily social, i.e. among "excellent comrades", Daniel had his fellow exiles, and they went through their own trials as well. This created a tremendous camaraderie that facilitated the success and fulfillment of Daniels calling and impact.

This is a great opportunity for us as a family, and a real kiss from God. We get to do this because we/I am teaching a culinary arts class!! LOL. I cannot wait to see how much fun we can get ourselves into. It will be for High School and another for Jr High on Thurs afternoon. We dont know about a kitchen, so a lot is instruction and I will have to figure out how to do demonstration. Im hoping to include a lot of field trips and maybe work from our house for the cooking. This is a great opportunity to work with kids, help them, encourage them, and EAT!!!

Im intrigued by the intensity this school has generated. The story is amazing, and many people across the world are interested in using the . I hope I can help grow the organization in a way that allows everyone to fulfill their calling, and shape the next gen of precious children here in KC.

Updates... and Auntie Michelle!!!

Things are going well out here. Weller than Im able to process. If I shared it all, it would sound odd, and probably not mean as much to anyone else as to me/us, but suffice to say it is well.

We went to our 4pm intercession set yesterday. The s and Danielle and I have made a commitment to go. We have filled out our GodTv prayer guides, and we dig in. People dont realize how hard it is to pray for 2 hours straight for everything else but yourself!! LOL.

We actually stayed for about an hour. By the time the first session ended, at about the 45 minute mark, Judah, who had been rocking forward and back on her 2 feet, praying very loudly (although I couldnt hear the actual words), semi-collapsed in her chair, and said "WHEW, Im tired!!". No kidding!!! She had been yelling and praying and speaking life over her list, and I have no clue how many lives just got altered because she asked God to do a LOT of stuff. Take her imagination, mix it with anointed atmosphere, and give her some stimulus (music, lights, people) and you have something that is quite powerful. If Hurricane Leah and Jenai Dreger were here, I think the rest of us wouldnt have to pray, they would take care of it for us.

Israel has been growing in many ways, but they arent as obvious, but still very powerful. I believe God is beginning to use her intuitive, and sensitive aspects of her heart and speaking through it. It is more of an under the surface thing, but only God truly knows all the subtleties of my lovely . I think it might be He even hides some of it just to keep for Himself, and she is beginning to change in so many ways.

Danielle is getting a very little belly! We find out what Huck is (well we know what Huck is... a baby human, but dingle or no dingle via ultrasound next Friday). Danielle is a tremendous woman, and most people tell me that regularly. She is so productive, in such a chaotic environment for her. She has done so much, for so many, with so little. Most of you are already aware of this, but to live with such a Godly example has helped teach me and shape things in me. She is really a leader to me in so many ways, and yet she is never ting or controlling, but very thoughtful and considerate.

Im rolling along, picking up speed. Im intimidated about some changes coming with work, as it looks as if I am about to get much, much more busy than I anticipated. With that comes more resources, which is something we really want. Im going to have a food budget bigger than my mortgage because we are having so much fun the few times we have had people over for food. Our new house is almost ready for us to move into (3 weeks early!!) but we might not actually move until after Thanksgiving.

I have some opportunities to get involved with real estate that are unreal, and Im a little overwhelmed. I wasnt thinking inner city landlord type stuff, but the scenarios look really good for us to either do that, or some thing around here. I believe we need to transition our income out of direct software over the next 10 years, and that is both daunting and exciting.

God is moving around here. Being here almost 4 weeks straight has shown me some of the reality of IHOP. It is still a tremendous place, and God is moving so strongly here. But it isnt that far off when people like Mike Bickle say "Our very weak expression of the prayer movement here in Kansas City". It is lovely, and great, but shocking to the flesh to realize how much God is actually doing because we cannot, and probably never will be able to do. If we were able, He wouldnt be needed.

It is somewhat of an assault to the flesh how unnecessary it really is to night and day prayer. Your flesh (body etc...) is good for getting you to the prayer room, but worthless once inside it. Unanointed prayer still counts! But without the Spirit of prayer, it is wooden. And sometimes I can actually perceive the resistance grow, and dissipate. But you keep showing up, because more often than not it is great, and periodically, it is dramatic.

Aunti Michelle is here for the Joseph Company summit! One of the best friends of my life has come here, and the s are going crazy waiting to get to see her. She is even staying at Katchens house, so friends with friends, does it get any better?

We miss many people. We are close to manipulating and guilt tripping Jason to come here, and find ourselves getting restrained from cursing his job and house to make him have to move. We miss our friends in California via the Dregers gatherings, and the Phillips family, along with many others. It is surreal to be so busy and excited, and find place of the heart hurting for its friends.

Off the Ihop.

What IHOP does for Halloween-Millenium Practice

I wish my picture came out....

Some groups trick or treat. I personally refuse to participate in Halloween. Others make "HArvest PArties".

At IHOP, considering the nature of supported missionaries, youth, and overall zaniness...

They go to Chipotle.

We drove by the place, and there was a line around the building. And we recognized 76% ("Thats a made up number!") of them, all in various states of foil decoration.

If you wear foil, you get free food.

So think about the potential. You get to eat out, for free. When Starbucks is a luxury, this deal is a precursor to the New Millenium. "Those who have no meny come and buy" kind of thing, but in real life, and instead of milk and honey, it is beans, onions, pork, sour cream, and guac.

It was hillarious.