2011 ended with a bang for the Hurley household when our grandson was born on December 31. He arrived after a long 26 hour journey (for both baby and mother), but everyone is doing well. I cannot describe the feeling that ran through my heart as I heard him crying behind the closed door soon after his birth. I felt this overwhelming mixture of love, joy, a fierce protectiveness — I started crying as I stood there waiting to see him for the first time. What a gift this little man is for our family!
Talking with my son as they prepared to bring him home a couple days later, I asked, “Are you feeling the fear of fatherhood?” His reply, “Oh, yeah!” I reminded him that the initial fear of being entrusted with this new life would soon leave (but never be completely gone) and told him that he will be a great daddy to his son. I also told him as I watched him with his son, “you have so many new things coming ahead of you, enjoy them all”.
With the arrival of 2012, we all have a new calendar ahead of us. I know the new things that are on Ignite’s horizon: another new church plant around O’Hare (in Elmhurst), new partnerships to be formed, new planters to be recruited, the beginning of the cluster model for planting in this region. I look forward to what is coming. Each church start brings the new life of Jesus into communities of Chicagoland. New life that brings joy and love to many different lives. I think that 2012 is going to be a great year!!
Ignite Church Planting 
Whatever our relationship in the coming year, I am excited as well.
You are going to be a great grandpa.