Why do we have so many Monday holidays?
Not something people really complain about until you have Monday as one of your off work days (Saturday and Monday for me) and realize that you don't really feel like you are celebrating a holiday when it doesn't come with a day off work.
To add one of our traveling holidays (July 4th) to the Monday rotation this year really means I don't feel like many holidays come.
I want more midweek holidays!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Stressless Catch-Up
Outside of volunteering myself for some video creation, my task list has felt very stress free as I catch up from the 10 day missions trip.
It helps that being a holiday weekend, my class for Sunday is canceled, so the prep work is even cut down this week.
Otherwise, it is a lot of debriefing meetings and fall planning meetings, but generally pleasant conversation outside the office at restaurants/coffee shops.
Managed to hit a Chinese Restaurant for lunch, a Burger King for shakes, and a Sonic of a slushy in back to back meetings today.
Hopefully tomorrow's meetings are as exciting.
It helps that being a holiday weekend, my class for Sunday is canceled, so the prep work is even cut down this week.
Otherwise, it is a lot of debriefing meetings and fall planning meetings, but generally pleasant conversation outside the office at restaurants/coffee shops.
Managed to hit a Chinese Restaurant for lunch, a Burger King for shakes, and a Sonic of a slushy in back to back meetings today.
Hopefully tomorrow's meetings are as exciting.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Impulse Researching
I invented a new term for an activity I took part in today..."impulse researching."
I have some projects coming up that are going to require some digital video shooting, and was hoping to have a good camera to do so with.
I knew I wouldn't be buying today, but wanted to get a bunch of research out of the way, so I randomly ventured into a National Camera and Video Exchange.
After an hour and a half of asking questions, my research was near completion.
Now I just need to figure out how to pay for the stuff I need.
I have some projects coming up that are going to require some digital video shooting, and was hoping to have a good camera to do so with.
I knew I wouldn't be buying today, but wanted to get a bunch of research out of the way, so I randomly ventured into a National Camera and Video Exchange.
After an hour and a half of asking questions, my research was near completion.
Now I just need to figure out how to pay for the stuff I need.
Revisiting the Office
10 days of work were done in California with no office.
Tomorrow, I return to the office. Not looking forward to all the e-mails that await me, but it will feel nice to be back at the home base again.
Had a great time on the trip to Cali, and excited about a lot of the relationships I formed/strengthened there.
As for now, time to get one more good night's sleep in before the normal work routine is back.
Tomorrow, I return to the office. Not looking forward to all the e-mails that await me, but it will feel nice to be back at the home base again.
Had a great time on the trip to Cali, and excited about a lot of the relationships I formed/strengthened there.
As for now, time to get one more good night's sleep in before the normal work routine is back.
Friday, June 17, 2011
A World Once Lived In
I'm heading to California for 9 days, as a volunteer leader on our Senior High Groups missions trip.
It feel in lots of ways like returning to a world once lived in.
I've physically lived in California before. I've lived as a youth pastor before. I've been the volunteer before. I've done ministry before. I've needed to be ministered to before. I've felt like the foreigner before.
Lots of worlds I'll see this week, lots of them feel like places I've lived before.
See you in 10 days or so.
It feel in lots of ways like returning to a world once lived in.
I've physically lived in California before. I've lived as a youth pastor before. I've been the volunteer before. I've done ministry before. I've needed to be ministered to before. I've felt like the foreigner before.
Lots of worlds I'll see this week, lots of them feel like places I've lived before.
See you in 10 days or so.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Dry Throat
3 hours straight of teaching can really dry out a throat. I didn't realize how much water I go through in that process either. Maybe even more than in high intensity sports.
I enjoy teaching, but even for me, a 3 hour block can be a long time. It makes me feel sorry for the people who are there to "listen" but nobody walked out on me so I'll count that as a bonus.
Time to rest so I can get up and talk some more.
I enjoy teaching, but even for me, a 3 hour block can be a long time. It makes me feel sorry for the people who are there to "listen" but nobody walked out on me so I'll count that as a bonus.
Time to rest so I can get up and talk some more.
Flag Day
Did you all celebrate Flag Day yesterday?
I don't think I had ever paid attention to this holiday before. Seeing it as nothing more than ignorable text on most pre-manufactured calendars, I had never even considered it as meaningful.
But this year, someone decided to throw a Flag Day party. They often throw Superbowl and Halloween parties and thought summer deserved an awesome party as well, so Flag Day it was.
It was quite entertaining as some dressed up in costumes, others brought creatively themed treats (like American Cheese slices), but most of all we just gathered and had a good time.
The pledge was said.
I don't think I had ever paid attention to this holiday before. Seeing it as nothing more than ignorable text on most pre-manufactured calendars, I had never even considered it as meaningful.
But this year, someone decided to throw a Flag Day party. They often throw Superbowl and Halloween parties and thought summer deserved an awesome party as well, so Flag Day it was.
It was quite entertaining as some dressed up in costumes, others brought creatively themed treats (like American Cheese slices), but most of all we just gathered and had a good time.
The pledge was said.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
One Small Item
Sometimes it takes one small item to get something accomplished.
Tonight, Jenny and I went to Home Depot to pick up some stuff for our yard. We got home and realized we forgot one small, but important piece, so I made the journey back.
Wanting to feel justified in making the trip, I picked up an extra thing, a furnace filter to be exact.
We always seem to forget buying those, but this time I got one. All because i needed to go back and buy a $0.56 item we had forgotten.
Tonight, Jenny and I went to Home Depot to pick up some stuff for our yard. We got home and realized we forgot one small, but important piece, so I made the journey back.
Wanting to feel justified in making the trip, I picked up an extra thing, a furnace filter to be exact.
We always seem to forget buying those, but this time I got one. All because i needed to go back and buy a $0.56 item we had forgotten.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Birthday Party Filled Day
A birthday party for a 4 year old nephew at 4:00 and a surpise 40th birthday party for a brother-in-law at 7:00.
That's a lot of party.
Suppose I'll have to have some downtime (read alone time) on Monday so my introverted self can deal without the mass party scene for a while.
That's a lot of party.
Suppose I'll have to have some downtime (read alone time) on Monday so my introverted self can deal without the mass party scene for a while.
Thursday, June 09, 2011
Am I the Only One?
I get tired of talking about the weather. I understand that things change sometimes when the weather does, but I don't need everyone I see to constantly be complaining, making jokes, are ranting about the weather.
Yes, it is 40 degrees different than the other day. Yes, winters are long here. I understand (and am often guilty) of desiring the coming season, but the day to day commentary is sometimes a little much for me.
If it has to be between 70-75, sunny, with some clouds, but not humid, and not windy, and....and....and...then I feel bad for you. Enjoy more days of life please.
I can't be the only one that is tired of this right?
(edit:) You'll have to forgive me, I've been quite "snippy" today.
Yes, it is 40 degrees different than the other day. Yes, winters are long here. I understand (and am often guilty) of desiring the coming season, but the day to day commentary is sometimes a little much for me.
If it has to be between 70-75, sunny, with some clouds, but not humid, and not windy, and....and....and...then I feel bad for you. Enjoy more days of life please.
I can't be the only one that is tired of this right?
(edit:) You'll have to forgive me, I've been quite "snippy" today.
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
9 Days
In 9 days I leave for a 9 day missions trip to California.
Looking forward to some of the children's programming we'll organize, and serving at the Dream Center on Skid Row.
Many other experiences and service projects organized as well, and to top it off, I'll get both In-N-Out and Chick-Fil-A while on the trip.
The whirlwind of summer continues.
Looking forward to some of the children's programming we'll organize, and serving at the Dream Center on Skid Row.
Many other experiences and service projects organized as well, and to top it off, I'll get both In-N-Out and Chick-Fil-A while on the trip.
The whirlwind of summer continues.
Tuesday, June 07, 2011
Ice Cream
When the thermometer gets above 100, even I want Ice Cream.
I still had to get salty right before it, and watch as Jenny taught our nephew to dip his french fries in Ice Cream (actually, dip my french fries in his ice cream), but sweets tasted great in the heat tonight.
I still had to get salty right before it, and watch as Jenny taught our nephew to dip his french fries in Ice Cream (actually, dip my french fries in his ice cream), but sweets tasted great in the heat tonight.
Monday, June 06, 2011
All Day Meetings
Tomorrow is a day comprised of one long meeting. There will be multiple discussions/informative sessions led by numerous different people.
That I know.
What I don't know, but wish I was convinced of, is that it will be worth it. That something will be better because we spent the day doing this.
I'll try to bring the best attitude and help towards that goal that I can. Maybe the free breakfast will put us all in the right mood.
Worst case scenario...I'll be slightly more practiced at doodling when we're done.
That I know.
What I don't know, but wish I was convinced of, is that it will be worth it. That something will be better because we spent the day doing this.
I'll try to bring the best attitude and help towards that goal that I can. Maybe the free breakfast will put us all in the right mood.
Worst case scenario...I'll be slightly more practiced at doodling when we're done.
And the Award Goes To...
I've been to lots of graduation parties, but one today gets a prize.
Most creative way to hold the drinks....
Drew Ballanger's Grad Party...June 5, 2011.
A hand made canoe filled with ice and drinks in the garage. Awesome, you win!
Most creative way to hold the drinks....
Drew Ballanger's Grad Party...June 5, 2011.
A hand made canoe filled with ice and drinks in the garage. Awesome, you win!
Friday, June 03, 2011
Wedding Season
I'll spend a good chunk of my workday tomorrow preparing for a wedding i'm officiating on Saturday.
I'll also be scheduling 12 hours worth of pre-marital counseling appointments with a different couple. And am starting the process of getting to know another couple that wants me to officiate their wedding in a year.
It must be wedding season.
I'll also be scheduling 12 hours worth of pre-marital counseling appointments with a different couple. And am starting the process of getting to know another couple that wants me to officiate their wedding in a year.
It must be wedding season.
Thursday, June 02, 2011
Before or After?
My mind often has weird discussion going on throughout the day. I don't know if it thinks it needs to be sharpening itself always, but I find myself debating, analyzing, and arguing about answers to questions I don't even think matter.
Strangely though, it is these internal debates/discussions that cause so much life development and often produces thoughts that sometime later will turn into words spoken in conversation that mean something to someone.
I had one of those debates for about half of my day awake today. But I suppose I asked for it. I went to a funeral this afternoon because I often find myself having meaningful thoughts and experiences in seeing people remember, celebrate, grieve, reflect and share about parts of life we so often keep hidden. My thoughts didn't relate to this particular funeral in any clear way, but they happened nonetheless.
For roughly 10 hours I debated...is the current state of my life better described as a "before picture" or an "after picture?"
I said the conversations sometimes start with questions that don't matter right? Does it matter in any consequentially important way that I even ask the question? Do I need to know? Are these categories that anyone else finds the need to put me in, or I feel the need to discover?
...but my mind won't let the question go. Once it infiltrates, it begs for an answer, or at least a well thought through defense on why the question is unanswerable ( i never win an argument that says answering is unimportant )
So think about it for just a second. Before? or After?
About to start the journey towards the goal, towards completeness, towards change...or arrived, completed, the result of effort?
Thinking primarily in terms of future hopes...or enjoying the results of healthy past?
Worried about future problems...or frustrated with misguided past?
Before.................After
10 hours...and I want to refuse to answer. I'm close to convincing myself it is unanswerable, but my mind will make me play mental gymnastics for at least a little longer (I mean, I do have to finish typing this and all).
Before: I am incomplete. I hope that most of life is still ahead of me. I don't feel capable of accomplishing much of what I dream for myself or others dream for me. I believe I'm still highly moldable, highly shapable, highly in need of reform. I feel like there is a lot of unused effort. I feel unsatisfied with some parts of the man I am...not in a depressed way, but I know there is better. I don't want this to be all I end up being.
After: I am a new creation. I am different than I was heading towards. I've been made new. I have spent numerous seasons of life in highly devoted intentional development and find myself capable, useful and energized because of the transformation that has taken place. I refuse to regress, have found awesome identity and don't believe that can be taken from me.
Before: Tomorrow is a new day, and not taking more steps forward is failure.
After: Yesterday just ended. My conscious is clean and I feel generally confident that I lived it the way I was supposed to.
Before: If all of my private world was public, everyone would know there is work to be done.
After: People's thoughts don't matter (often including my own), Christ says I have been made complete in Him.
Before: I'm 5+ years into a marriage that has just begun to scratch the surface of what being "one flesh" means.
After: I can't imagine being more in love with Jenny (that is until tomorrow).
Before: The influence I think I can have in partnering with God and the calling I believe He has placed on my life is incomplete.
After: The influence of others have had in my life, partinering with God, have made me the person I am today.
Before........After.
Seriously, 10hours...and all I can come to is the "cop-out" answer of "in progress."
Every other argument has a counterpoint. Family, friends, faith...they can all argue both sides. I can't label myself "Before" or "After" and yet I'll continue to debate the answer for many more hours, days, weeks.
Strangely though, it is these internal debates/discussions that cause so much life development and often produces thoughts that sometime later will turn into words spoken in conversation that mean something to someone.
I had one of those debates for about half of my day awake today. But I suppose I asked for it. I went to a funeral this afternoon because I often find myself having meaningful thoughts and experiences in seeing people remember, celebrate, grieve, reflect and share about parts of life we so often keep hidden. My thoughts didn't relate to this particular funeral in any clear way, but they happened nonetheless.
For roughly 10 hours I debated...is the current state of my life better described as a "before picture" or an "after picture?"
I said the conversations sometimes start with questions that don't matter right? Does it matter in any consequentially important way that I even ask the question? Do I need to know? Are these categories that anyone else finds the need to put me in, or I feel the need to discover?
...but my mind won't let the question go. Once it infiltrates, it begs for an answer, or at least a well thought through defense on why the question is unanswerable ( i never win an argument that says answering is unimportant )
So think about it for just a second. Before? or After?
About to start the journey towards the goal, towards completeness, towards change...or arrived, completed, the result of effort?
Thinking primarily in terms of future hopes...or enjoying the results of healthy past?
Worried about future problems...or frustrated with misguided past?
Before.................After
10 hours...and I want to refuse to answer. I'm close to convincing myself it is unanswerable, but my mind will make me play mental gymnastics for at least a little longer (I mean, I do have to finish typing this and all).
Before: I am incomplete. I hope that most of life is still ahead of me. I don't feel capable of accomplishing much of what I dream for myself or others dream for me. I believe I'm still highly moldable, highly shapable, highly in need of reform. I feel like there is a lot of unused effort. I feel unsatisfied with some parts of the man I am...not in a depressed way, but I know there is better. I don't want this to be all I end up being.
After: I am a new creation. I am different than I was heading towards. I've been made new. I have spent numerous seasons of life in highly devoted intentional development and find myself capable, useful and energized because of the transformation that has taken place. I refuse to regress, have found awesome identity and don't believe that can be taken from me.
Before: Tomorrow is a new day, and not taking more steps forward is failure.
After: Yesterday just ended. My conscious is clean and I feel generally confident that I lived it the way I was supposed to.
Before: If all of my private world was public, everyone would know there is work to be done.
After: People's thoughts don't matter (often including my own), Christ says I have been made complete in Him.
Before: I'm 5+ years into a marriage that has just begun to scratch the surface of what being "one flesh" means.
After: I can't imagine being more in love with Jenny (that is until tomorrow).
Before: The influence I think I can have in partnering with God and the calling I believe He has placed on my life is incomplete.
After: The influence of others have had in my life, partinering with God, have made me the person I am today.
Before........After.
Seriously, 10hours...and all I can come to is the "cop-out" answer of "in progress."
Every other argument has a counterpoint. Family, friends, faith...they can all argue both sides. I can't label myself "Before" or "After" and yet I'll continue to debate the answer for many more hours, days, weeks.
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