Blast 2011 has come to a close, and once again I am one grateful father.  Over 800 students and leaders converged on the Kalahari Indoor Water Park at the Wisconsin Dells over President's Day Weekend.  For the first time ever, I had not only two kids who experienced our StuCo Winter Retreat, but my wife, Lisa, also enjoyed this power-packed weekend.  I remember when I was a kid and how much I depended on what I thought at the time was a large group of kids in the student ministry in my home church - Deer Creek Christian Church in the south burbs of Chicago.  There were probably 20-25 of us.   When it was difficult navigating the waters of my teenage world, it was that group of friends that I knew I could count on.  I loved my student ministry and I always hoped that my kids would be able to experience something similar themselves.  As a father, I can't even begin to express how grateful I am that my kids are part of one of the greatest student ministries on the planet.  Thank you Tim, Brett, Dori, Jake, BT, Brian, Zach, Gina, Jordan, Dennis, Renee, and the many volunteer leaders, musicians, and coaches who make Blast possible.