Country Music Ruining My Life

Essentially the only genre of music I don't appreciate is country.

Today, when I went to lunch at Arby's they were broadcasting a country station through the speakers.  I didn't appreciate this.

In my confusion (I'm confident that music makes me lose common sense) and hurry (it's like torture) I left the restaurant without the coat I was wearing.

By the time I noticed and called, it was gone. 

Country music has passed annoyance, it has now ruined a lunch and stolen a coat from me.  Maybe i'll write a song about that!

Another Insight...

Jenny added another post to our adoption blog today...

Pastoral Holiday Choices

Because we work on so many holidays, Grace Fellowship has decided to just roll holidays into our "PTO" (paid time off) allotment.  Meaning, we don't take holidays off as a staff.  If we want the holiday off, we simply use our own PTO.  So for instance, I preached on Christmas morning.  Not exactly a day off work, so I won't take PTO for it.

We do however, also recognize that there are times that many of us will take our PTO and it isn't worth having the building open (with maintenance and office staff), for example, July 4th when not on a Sunday.  Today (Monday the 26th) was one of those days.  No building open, even though 4 of us were getting together for a meeting at 3:30.

I went in earlier and had to open the building by myself.  I was essentially alone all day until the meeting, when the other 3 showed up.  They took PTO for the rest of the day and just came in for our meeting.

I didn't actually accomplish much while I was there, but I put the hours in so I wouldn't have to use my PTO.  My holiday choices all now affect the time I have saved up to spend in Columbia when we travel (perverbially knocking on wood) to meet our future child.  So I'll sit in the building alone, tacking another day onto my stay in Columbia.

These are my pastor holiday choices.

When Santa Comes Early

There are occasions which bring Santa to a house earlier than Christmas.

I'm convinced that the elves at the North Pole are still jam packed with making all the toys to be delivered that night, but some gifts from Santa he needs to get out of the way early.

Home appliances fit that category...not really a gift, and definitely not made at the North Pole.  Something Santa has to go out of his way for and can do at any time of year.

We had him visit this week already.  He brought us a new vacuum.  Jenny jumped with joy like it was everything she would have actually asked Santa for, I found it mildly amusing.  Jenny even called it "her toy" when she was using it, a thought I'm comfortable with her keeping for a long time.

I think vacuums are one of the things that Santa will deliver early.

A Jury I Understand

Jenny and I watch Survivor.

We thoroughly enjoy watching it, and talking about our opinions of it.

This season was an interesting one, in that by the end, there wasn't anybody left I was rooting for to win, but also not anybody I was really strongly against.

I was fine with who the jury picked, it made sense, but what made more sense was the fact that they seemed more up in the air about their decision on the last night than is usual.

Me and the jury were finally on the same page.

Link of Awesomeness

Another post has been added in our adoption story on the Fearful. Wonderful. Secret. blog

Out of Tots!

A disappointing revelation when the waitress tells you that they are out of tator tots. 

More bad news came when she also told us that their custom brewed Ginger Ale was unavailable tonight.

Luckily, the dry rub wings are always delicious as well.  The third strike might have made me go crazy!

Done With Rehearsals

We've made it through all of our Christmas production rehearsals and I have yet to be fired from my lighting technician job.

I'll consider that a success...as it is too late for them to train a replacement now.

Looking forward to getting some actual performances under my belt now to pad any future resumes I may need to send out (I'm not planning on that anytime soon).

4 Performances coming.  Friday and Saturday nights at 7:00, Sunday morning at 9:00 and 10:30.

Hope I don't screw it all up now.

It Doesn't Slow Down

The holiday season isn't the relaxing time of reflecting on the birth of Christ I would want it to be.

In fact, things are often busier for me.  Our Church (and I hope most) are hoping to help others reflect on Christ and as such our workload is increased.  I had a staff commitment for every weekend in December.  Not just Sundays, I mean every weekend, either Friday night, Saturday night, or both...and often Saturday during the day as well.

This week, there isn't an evenening that won't have some form of "extra" hours spent at the church except Thursday when my "normal" hours keep me there until late anyway.

While it hasn't been slow on the schedule though, I've felt about as peaceful and low stressed as possible for all that's going on. 

Hoping that continues as this week's schedule remains the most hectic, until the next weekend shows up :)

White Elephant Gift Exchanges

Tomorrow night is our staff XChristmas party.  We are to bring a $5ish dollar gift to play the gift exchange game with.

Best idea so far...Stop at a Subway on the way and pick up a Five Dollar Foot Long.

I think I've convinced one of my co-workers to actually do this, and to order my favorite sandwich.  I will then pick it, eat it, and nobody can steal it from me.

This is the most genius Christmas party idea we've ever come up with.

Fearful. Wonderful. Secret. (Awesome)

I won't re-post everything here, but it's begun.

A joint blog from Jenny and I that will tell our adoption story.  The story we are beginning to participate in, that we see God authoring.

I'll post a link here anytime my blog for the day is about adoption (so you only need to check one place if you are already accustomed to that), but all of those posts will be kept on their own separate blog.

"The Beginning" of this process has been posted.  Or find that blog linked on the right side of this page!

Epic Post Looming

It's in Creation!

T-Minus 1 day to the epic "Fearful. Wonderful. Secret" post!

Expectation level:  Awesome!

Basketball? Really?

Some of the guys at our church are joining a basketball league.

I'm going to be on the team.

I'm not good at basketball.

I haven't played a lot of organized sports that I don't stay good at.  I tend to just not sign up for those things, but this team needed some more people, and I'm still fairly athletic.  I'll be the guy at the end of the bench only coming in when all the other old farts (other meaning I'm included) decide they need a short breather.

My goal will just be to not foul out of too many games.

Not the Special One

Sorry for the improper hype, I don't have the time to dedicate to the "special" upcoming post today, but it will happen before Jenny returns.

Got to spend this weekend hosting "The Skit Guys" at our church.  They are hilarious (a two-person skit driven comedy team if you don't know them) and are worth watching on youtube, even though they are much better live.

They are also far funnier when off-stage than they are on.  Over the course of the weekend, I spent roughly 8 hours with them, and had a great time getting to know them.

10 Days and Counting

Jenny is leaving me tomorrow for 10 days.

I'll try to still be alive when she gets back, otherwise she might not have a ride home from the airport.

Excited however, for my next blog (the first while she is actually out of town).

Been planning on it for a while, but the freedom for it doesn't come until she is away...

Prepare yoursevles.

She Gets Me

Birthday things from Jenny:

Junk Food (oreos)
Fast Food (chipotle gift card)
Buffet Food (all i can eat crab)

This woman understands me!

Grief and Celebration

I've noticed something awkward about the way that I'm wired (maybe that should read: "something else")...I feel more comfortable with my role in grief than I do in celebration.

What I mean by that isn't that I enjoy it more, for myself or other people, but that I'm comfortable with understanding what is an appropriate response.

If I hear that someone started a new relationship...I don't know what kind or level of celebration is appropriate.
If I hear that someone's relationship ended...I generally know how to walk through that process.

Similar things are true about death and healing, miscarriage and pregnancy, job acquiring and job losing, etc...

I tend to understand how to respond in times of grief but rarely in times of celebration.  I know better what to say to the family that has lost someone than to the family whose daughter or son just got married.

This might be strange, particularly as I've lived a life with far more to celebrate than to grieve, but sometimes celebration is hard for me.

Grief on the other hand, gives me a clear role to play.

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning has always looked a certain way in my head.  Family, food, gifts.

This year, for the first time, I'll add, preaching a sermon to that list.

We'll only be having one service (instead of our normal two) at Grace this year and I'll be preaching at it.

Suppose I'll have to get in the Christmas Spirit at some point now.

Helpful Movie Man

Having worked at a video store and remained a movie enjoyer myself, I tend to answer most people's movie questions from my experiences.

Today, I was asked to name a movie I had never seen.  One which I was told no actors who were in it.

Just "a skinny guy" and "it was a christmas movie" and "it had a snow globe" and "it wasn't recent" (as in from his childhood. 

While my experience couldn't answer, my research could. 

It took me about 3 minutes to find the answer.  It helped make his day.  It was fun.

Congress gets something right!

Many of you have ridiculed me as I have argued that pop (soda for those of you out of the midwest) is a vegetable because "corn" is the first word listed on its ingredients.

I get looked at like I'm using some sort of ridiculous logic.

Well, the government is joining my side (that isn't an argument against ridiculousness, just authority) as they have labeled pizza a vegetable.

Don't take my word for it, read the article yourself:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45306416/ns/health-diet_and_nutrition/t/pizza-vegetable-congress-says-yes/#.TsiZ-sMk6nA

This is the best thing any person on Congress has done on their watch!

Go Big Blue

I was too consumed last night with actually getting sleep after watching the game to comment on the great start (as it pertains to wins) for the Wildcats.

Beating KU with that young of a squad this early in the season wasn't a gimme.

C-A-T-S, CATS, CATS, CATS!

What if Design is the Problem....?

I find myself in constant tension wondering if I should help broken processes.  When asked to be a part of something, knowing it won't come to pass the way those in charge hope, I often wonder my role.

What if the design of the project is off?

What if someone is trying to build a house, and the problem isn't the tools, the equipment, even the cost, it is the blueprints?  Being asked to help at that stage, where time is important and the blueprints can't/won't be redrawn, but the final product also won't meet it's goal is frustrating.

Do I just do my hammering and nailing?  Do I speak up and stop the work completely, knowing nothing will be accomplished?  Do I smile and hope for the best?

How can the tension be navigated so that the end result isn't as snobby as "i told you so" or the confirmation of my under-the-breath statements or unspoken thoughts?  How is it addressed that doesn't make me sound like an expert (i'm not) critiquing something I don't want to be a part of (i do want to be part of it) if the successful outcome isn't even on my radar?

A Whole Lot of Bus

The week in Flordia was relaxing.

The two 30 hour bus rides, not so much.

Thankfully, I have the spiritual gift of sleep and can find a way to fall asleep in almost any circumstance.  This proved valuable during those bus trips.  On seats, floors, against windows, whatever the position may have been, I found sleep.

On another note, both teams came back finishing one spot higher than they were seeded to finish (every time I have gone with a team we've finished better than expected) so we were pretty happy with the outcome of the trip.

I'm looking forward to getting back into the swing of things around here now, and normalizing my work schedule to not include practice in the middle of the day.

After this week's adjustment, I might actually start getting productive again.

I'm Away

Within the day I'll be leaving for Florida.  I'll be gone for a week, and won't be updating this while I'm gone.

My mind will be too busy with coralling 40 college students, enjoying the sunshine, and eating Chick-Fil-A.

See you in a week.

More Free Wear

Looks like the plane tickets to Florida are ridiculously expensive this late. 

So we'll be taking a 30 hour bus ride each way to Florida for the tournament.  Will add time for our travel but to soften the blow, we'll also be making more free shirts for the students (and by association, the coaches). 

Looking forward to adding more free stuff to the wardrobe via coaching.

The Baggage We Bring

I'm amazed sometimes at the baggage we bring as we long to understand.  This week, our church is looking at part of the sermon on the mount where Jesus addresses "divorce." 

Just the word has so much baggage. 

We don't know how to treat the subject.   Many people walk on eggshells as they begin talking about it, something that wasn't as much of a problem when we talked about murder/anger, or lust/adultery.

Crazy, how Jesus longs to free us of baggage, to take his yoke instead of bringing our own...yet we insist and bring plenty with us. 

Hoping for Grace in my words and in many people's lives as I teach on it this week as well.

Post 1500 (A Cynical Success Story)

For as pessimistic and cynical as my internal wiring tends to be, I'm consistently amazed, humbled, blessed, and lucky to find so much success in life.

Over 5 years ago, I thought I'd start sharing parts of my thoughts, journeys, days, and emotions publically on the internet.  This post marks 1500 unique posts to that effect.  Many of you have read all 1500 of them.  The cynic inside me does not understand this.

Life has been good to me.  Blessed with the best family to grow up in, with actual opportunity to become anything i would set out to, life has been good.  I found many skill sets to be average within myself, but others came alongside and helped me grow in those abilities.  Natural wirings and gifts from God have pushed me forward in both social, trivial, vocational, and meaningful pursuits throughout my life.

I've always critiqued the worst of myself and of other people, but find most others do the opposite for me.  While I judge, favor is extended to me.  Where I see faults in others, grace is extended to me.  Where I doubt myself, encouragement to overcome comes from others.

On top of all that, I've married up in a huge way, somehow convincing the best person in the world, that partnering through life with me will make both of us better.  We often look at our life cynically, analytically, and with a lens of idealism, but when I take those glasses off, even if only for a brief moment, our life is filled with joy that comes from each other, from our friends and family, and from our savior.

We are blessed beyond understanding.  This has been the story of my life.  I am the cynical success story.  I was against religion, against conformity, against abandoning the intellect (I thought faith required this) and combatant against others who thought it was a good idea.  But I've been captured by an overwhelming love, one that looks past what I thought the world should be and has shown me something better.  Captured by a savior who has redeemed me, transformed me, given me life, value and worth, I've been taken from cynic to success, not by my strength or works, but by His love, Grace and Sacrifice for me.

I've been seen, called valuable, and loved by God most importantly, followed closely by my wife, family and friends who have refused to let me walk through life just as a pessimistic cynic and have instead made my life to this point...success.

Looking forward to continued sharing of those successes (and my cynicism) with you.

P.S.  The soccer team won the regional tournament for the men for the first time since my senior year in college.  I get another trip to a national tournament in Florida.  It will be my 5th, I haven't deserved any of them.

Technology is Wonderful

I was downstairs playing a video game on the computer.  My phone beeped to let me know I had a new e-mail.

Jenny had e-mailed me from the laptop upstairs to bring her phone up to her from downstairs to be used as an alarm.

No part of me thinks this is lazy or weird.  I love technology.

Weekends With Breaks

When I played college soccer, we never had a weekend off.  We practiced or played every saturday, and dind't line up our schedules with school breaks.

When fall retreat weekends came, the team would take road trips, and any RA's would be forced to miss the road trip to fulfill the duties of the role, but the team never had a weekend off.

This weekend, is the second the team has off this year.  We don't ever practice on Saturdays, but have had many games those days.  This is the MEA week here (short for, an excuse for MN schools to have a couple days off) and historically our regional tournament was this weekend.  But since that tournament has been pushed back a week, the team (and now I) get a weekend break from soccer.

I like the scheduling freedom, but don't think it is best for our quality of soccer.  That said, i'm looking forward to sleeping in on Saturday, and being home for a more normal dinner time tomorrow.

Need Ideas

I will shortly hit blog number 1500.

I need ideas on what special to do for that occassion.

Comment Away

Blowouts of Blunder or Bliss

After tonight's soccer game, we've hit a point in the schedule where games should all be competitive now.

Our last two opponents should not have been on our schedule as we aren't even comparable in the quality that they put on the field.

We don't play again for a week, and that game should remain competitive.  At our regional tournament, if there is  a blowout, it should be because we beat another team, not lose to them, otherwise, the games should be competitive.

A blowout either signifies a blunder, or bliss, unlike tonight, where it was simply expectation.

In 11 days we'll either be regional champs and heading to Florida, or we'll be done for the season.

And Summer is Gone

We turned the heat on for the first time this year. 

I suppose that means summer is officially gone.  We managed to keep it off through the brief spurts of chilly weather that interspersed themselves between warmth, but now the chill looks like it might be here to stay.

The movie (Harry Potter 5) was better with the warmth, and looks like the remaining ones in the series will be watched with heat as well.

I'll start looking forward to golf seasons return again soon.

Another of the Four

I've told myself many times to live with certain expectation.  In a given year, I believe that I will teach 4 times that deserve an apology.  Just bad, incoherent teachings.  My guess is that 4 will also be on the other side of the spectrum, when everything comes together perfectly and smoothly in a way that stands beyond reason. 

Ultimately then, most of my teachings will fall in whatever is considered "normal" for me.

I believe this will happen when all other variables (preparation, excitement, health, etc) remain standard.

Tonight was one of the bottom 4.  I had prepared fine, understood my own material fine, but delivered it poorly tonight.  It felt off and unclear while I was delivering it, but I didn't know how to salvage that.  I left feeling bummed, probably more so than I should.  I knew I noticed, assumed everybody else did (they usually don't, or at least evaluate my relation to my norm different than me often enough that I don't care), and wanted a retry that won't be coming.

The comfort comes for me in the standard.  Until I get to more than 4 within a year, I'll simply move on tomorrow preparing for the next one.  No major concerns until the balance shifts and the norm is lowered.

Not Just a Foot Thing

I got to coach a shooting practice today.

It shocks me how many players at the college level have never been taught how to properly shoot a soccer ball.  Most of the team uses there foot in the exact opposite way that they should, and relies on their leg alone to get power in the shot.

Taking some time to reteach them the proper fundamentals of shooting was funny to watch at first as they all looked goofy trying to get the hang of kicking a ball properly, but many were shooting better by the end of the day.

Hopefully tomorrow will start making the action more comfortable and natural for them so they can finally put some power and accuracy together on the same shot.

Interns Are Great

I currently have an intern serving alongside me at Grace Fellowship.  I'm starting to realize how fun this can be.

This week, I won't be writing my Thursday night message (nor delivering one) and will have part of my Sunday School Class taught by him as well.

I might actually get ahead on a few things, or at least get to put proper attention and detailed thought towards some of the other areas that need it.

Maybe I should always have an intern.

A Weird Season

I typically preach at the Young Adults Service when I'm in town.  I've realized that I have 3 of the next 4 weeks (if tonight was included) that I won't be doing that.  Only one of those will I be gone. 

Had a guest tonight, have a guest again next week, then I'll take my turn, and multiple guests coming in the following week.

Was interesting not having to prepare for it, but didn't notice it too much since I kick off two new classes this week, so there is still plenty of prep to do.

More Free Clothes

One of the largest benefits to coaching college soccer is all the free clothes.

So far this year, I've racked up 4 T-Shirts, 1 Coaches Jersey, 1 Pair of shorts, 1 Warm Up Jacket, 1 Warm Up Pants, and 2 water bottles.

I don't know of any more that are coming, but 8 new wardrobe pieces and two new kitchen pieces isn't a bad deal so far.

A Little Cold

Camping this weekend was a really good time.  It got a little cold at nights, but for the most part, everybody stayed warm and slept well.

The days had gorgeous weather for us to spend hiking and taking pictures, but also included the coolest (both in terms of experience and temperature) moment.

One of the young adults asked if they could be baptised.  So as a group, we hiked a trail to a waterfall, had him tell us his journey and then prayed over him.  He and I then entered the water (hence the coldness of the experience) and baptised him at the falls of the Caribou River. 

I imagine only a polar plunge baptism would have been done in colder water.  It was a little cold, but easily the highlight of the weekend.

Dry Weather

So it's going to be a little cold this weekend.

At least it will be dry. 

Camping on the border of Lake Superior in the chilly weather is going to be adventerous fun.

Blog Statistics

Google gives an amazing amount of statistical data for their blogs (blogspot is owned by google).

2 weeks ago, when we started the new fall series at Grace, I made a blog that just hosts the 7 videos created for our personal devotions all on one blog.

It's creepy to see how many people are watching videos of me.  A little more creepy that I can see what sites they are coming from, how many times its shared through e-mail, viewed on an Ipad or a phone, etc.

I'm weirded out that videos of me have been used in so many ways.

I kinda wish Google didn't give me that info, but I can't look away.  I even know which videos people are "cheating" on and looking at in advance.  One particular topic seems to have garnered more interest than the rest.

I'll be creeped out, but i'll have fun analyzing these things over the remaining 6 weeks.

New Patterns Require New Patterns

With the way our bedroom currently is, we've put the outlet splitter (from 2 power outlets to 6) on Jenny's side of the bed.  With my lamp and phone charger taking my two outlets that has left our laptop plugged in on her side and by her nightstand.

I didn't know how significant this would be until I began to notice the lack of consistency in my blogging recently.  When the easy access hasn't been their to see my former "routine" feel natural, I've missed a bunch of days.

I suppose as the pattern of laptop placement has changed that may require a new pattern of blogging for me.

Don't know what that means for me yet, but I can't remember the last time I wrote a blog at 1:33 in the afternoon instead of late night or early morning.

Regardless....Long Live McDonald's Monopoly :)

I Want To Speak Up

We ran a soccer practice today that focused the team on decision making, situational awareness, and leadership. 

As such, we didn't get to coach them in the process of the drills, just debrief with them afterwards.  That is hard.  Players do lots of things that are easily correctable, but not when you can't say anything to them.  Then you just get frustrated.

Overall, they'll start getting the hang of things more, and hopefully become better soccer players, but today, Coach Jake and I just found ourselves wanting to speak up.  Restraint was difficult, hopefully it was helpful.

Un-Planned Switch

The calendar always changes.  I ended up with a different outcome than intended or hoped for, but still something to look forward to.

I had been slated to preach on October 2nd for both of the Sunday morning services. 

It looks like now, I'll be out of town, at the end of the Young Adults Camping Trip that morning instead, as the need for my filling in has become non-existant.

It wasn't what I would have hoped for, but the camping trip is at least a worthwhile event to take its place. 

If you had marked that morning on your calendar, sorry to let you know it has been cancelled.  I'll keep you informed of what I know if/when future opportunities come.

Off Center

Putting ourselves at the center of life is all too natural.  I find that often, when I'm frustrated, I've somehow put myself at the center again.  My emotions are dictated by circumstance out of my control or the actions of others.  I respond reactively instead of pro-actively, putting my desires at the center.

That isn't the goal though.  I think we've been created to, and find ourselves most happy when we live off-center lives.  At least as it pertains to ourselves.  I am not the center of my life.  Everytime I pretend to be, I should be frustrated.

Christ should always be center.  The more I can remember and practice this, the more I'll likely deal with negative circumstance or unfortunate decisions of others better.

Punishment Time :)

We played our best game of soccer so far this year on Saturday.

Our first conference game, against Faith Baptist Bible College, began with us scoring 6 goals in the first half.

We played well most of the game, only making 2 mistakes defensively, and 1 emotionally.  Those three things will all be punished tomorrow as I am in control of a conditioning practice.

I wouldn't want to be the team members as I get to let out my frustrations on their bodies as we are in the longest break in the season without games (it will be 10 days between games).

Welcome to the 15 flights of stairs on the U of M campus.  187 steps up.  We'll have fun tomorrow boys.

Unwelcome News

Found out this evening that one of the people who lived on my floor for 2 years in college passed away in a house fire this morning.

That just isn't the kind of news you ever expect to receive.  It was on the local news in the area here, which is how some of my floormates found out.  I had been contacted earlier in the evenin about it, so heard from a friend.

Thoughts and prayers for his family and close friends. 

Hard to Narrow the Filter

Some people at work, both the church and soccer field, have requested I start sharing my opinions more.

I don't know if they realize how negative, pessamistic and critical my mind really is.

It is hard for me to figure out how to narrow a filter I've tried to train over time.  Not saying things that would get me in trouble or send the wrong impression has become a discipline, one that was needed, and now some are asking me to loosen up those reigns.

I'm scared of what may come out.

What About the Pit in My Stomach?

13,000 feet in the air I was told to sit with my feet hanging out the side of the airplane.  A final wave to Jenny (getting ready to do the same) and I was out the door.

A brief flip to look at the plane and another to return facing the ground and I was falling at over 120 mph and wondering, why don't I feel this in my stomach?

There isn't the feeling of falling you get like on a roller coaster when you skydive.  It's much more like a powerful fan blowing against your face.

After roughly a minute, the parachute was pulled and then we played around with it, spinning in circles and navigating towards our landing area, for the next 5 minutes or so.  The experience, at 6 minutes(ish) actually lasted longer than I had thought it would.

The strangest part, watching the plane you took off in land while you are still in the air.

Jenny and I both made it down with big smiles and no injuries.

We'd both be excited about an opportunity to do it again sometime.

Bring on the Heights

I haven't often felt uneasy about heights.  Tomorrow will be the biggest test of that.

As Jenny turns 30, we are celebrating by jumping out of a plane.

Not nervous yet.  Not planning on getting nervous, but we'll see when I'm looking out of the plane to the ground getting further and further away.

30's are starting off awesome!

Long Week (Both Jobs)

Both work and soccer have been keeping me busy this week.  Yesterday's (tuesday) soccer game and travel to it took up roughly 9 hours of my day.  Double overtime never helps the exhaustion, but the guys played great for the entirety of the match and we were thrilled with the tie.

That day however, started with me pulling out of the driveway just before 8:00 and returning to it after 1:30, not the one that is only 5 hours later.

Today seemed short in comparison I guess, leaving right around 9, and pulling in at 1, again, not the 4 hour one.

Soccer doesn't get any more of my time this week, as I skip Thursdays from it for work, and Friday they are 6 hours away on a game, which I can't make because this week also has a wedding thrown into the mix.  So, tomorrow has work and the rehearsal, while Friday will be packed with work and then the wedding.

Looking forward to Sunday evening (i have a late afternoon work meeting) when I can finally breathe a sigh of relief.  The "big church" kick-off responsibilities will be done then and I can return to focusing on the areas of work that are my primary job description responsibilities.

Hoping tomorrow is shorter and that I return home before 1:00.

Be Back Soon

I'll be back to write something with hopeful value soon.

I've been overwhelmed with busy-ness the last few days and haven't felt motivated to revisit any of it in digital writing.

Looking forward to having something to say again.

Season Opener

Tomorrow officially starts the NCU soccer season.  As the school has entered the NCAA Division 3 process, we can't count or have any official games before September 1st. 

Naturally then, on September 1st we have our first game.  It will be good to get one under our belts before we play a competitive match against Crown on Saturday. 

Hoping to win by a couple of goals tomorrow to put our confidence at a high level.

Wish us luck!

Hello Elder

Went out to lunch with another staff member today.  We hadn't decided when we went if we were going to eat at the restaurant or if we were going to take our meals back to our office.  We decided to eat there, and 5 minutes into eating, one of the church elders happened to come to the same place on his lunch break.

Ended up having a fine conversation with him about life and our jobs.  Maybe even a timely discussion since tomorrow night there is an elder board meeting at church.

Suppose it will also serve to keep us on our toes with what we say in public at our lunch meetings now... :)

Long Days

Today was a long day.  While a day off from church, many appointments kept the morning and early afternoon busy...the soccer job kept the evening busy and fantasy football drafts kept me busy till 11:00.

Tomorrow will be long because of the two jobs.  Grace will get me up early and keep me busy through late afternoon, and our first soccer game (technically a scrimmage, but still another actual team, and 3 refs) will keep me busy late into the evening.

Two long days already leaves me looking forward to a more relaxed Wednesday, though really excited about tomorrow evenings game.

Goodbye Hell Week

The 3-a-day practices are over.  In 5 days we had 12 practices and 1 game.  Despite the fact that we put them through 4 days with 6 hours spent training, on day 5, we won the game we played.

This is encouraging.

I'm also encouraged that I don't have to be downtown at 6:00 a.m. this week at all.  It's odd that being somewhere tomorrow morning at 7:00 feels like I get to sleep in for a little bit.

Hoping for big things from the team this year.  We play another scrimmage game this week against a community college, have our first "official" game on Thursday, which also isn't at the par of our normal competition, and will face our first similar size school competitor on Saturday. 

Hopefully we'll be going into that one with confidence from the first two this week.  We'll be pretty dissapointed with poor performances there, but any body can win on any given day.

For now, i'm excited to sleep in.

Time to Fly......errrr Jump

Well, the reservations have been made.  Within the month, Jenny and I plan on jumping out of a plane.

We'll have a parachute.

It will be memorable.

Skydiving is on our calendar and we're excited about it.

The Back Row Kids

Everyone knows to be careful about the kids that choose the back row.

We found out yesterday that those of us who will be driving the team vans at North Central had to go to a 2-hour long safety training that is new for the school this year.

We weren't excited.  We've all watched the videos and taken the large van specific tests before and now adding another 2-hour class with just a day's notice wasn't high on our excitment list.

Especially after a day that started at 6:00 a.m. and now wouldn't be over until 9:00 at night.  Tomorrow's 6:00 a.m. practice will feel especially early to me.

That said, the men's soccer representatives filled the back row for this particular class.  We texted jokes to each other and played games on our phones, listening occassionally as well, and filling out all the parts of the packet as we went along.

I actually had a joke at one point that caused someone to spit out the water in their mouth and awesomely disrupt the class.  It was a boy joke, so we couldn't repeat it to everyone, but we did then text most of the men in the room.

Fortunately, we didn't get reprimanded for our "back row" behavior.  Even the guy teaching the class didn't like the new insurance requirment.

Old and Wanted

It was nice to feel wanted today.  Having a couple of teams both wishing i'd be helping with them is a gratifying feeling.

We finished day 1 with 3 practices, 22 players, and still undefeated.

It wasn't so nice to feel old today.  It was my first time out running around on a soccer field since turning 30.  I don't have the speed or stamina I did when I was the age of these players.  The game hasn't gotten any faster, my mind still keeps up, but my body doesn't get to the places it wants as fast as it used to, and the soreness that follows lasts a lot longer now.

Today I felt old and wanted.  Tomorrow I know i'll still feel old.

Early Mornings :(

Hell week is beginning.

For the soccer team that is, but it still means I have to get up early.

This is the camp week for NCU soccer.  For the men's team, we've decided on 3-a-day practices Mon-Thurs. 

The latest I'll get to sleep this week is 6:00.  The guys better come ready to work, cause I won't be happy when I see them.

Last Free Weekend

Starting early Monday morning, the life schedule gets a little more hectic.

Next week, soccer season starts for North Central University.

I'm helping out with the men's team for sure, maybe the women as well.

Free time has to be planned a little more carefully...but at least the Wednesday night classes don't start unitl October.

Life Ambitions

Somebody asked me about life goals today.

Wondering if I'm weird to say that I have some but don't care to work at them right now. I hope to accomplish them, but effort towards starting that process now might limit my effectiveness in things I am currently doing and feel the need to do.

The future will be there when I get there I think.

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Football Season

Had a couple of text message conversations about fantasy football leagues today.  It's about that time of year.

Going to soon make the switch of radio station and internet bookmarks to keep me as informed as I need to be to do well in those leagues.

Sorry Jenny, it's almost here.

Now How to Apply It?

Over the course of Thursday and Friday last week, I heard lots of speakers talking about leadership.

CEO's, Presidents of Colleges, Consultants, Counselors, Authors, Mayors, School District Counselors, Pastors, Nobel Peace Prize Nominees, all with lists of credentials that intimidate me.

Each speaker gave me something to think about, process and come to conclusion on.  So far, all but 1 have given me something to feel the need to apply at some point in my life.  The question for me to start processing now is...what should I be doing now with the motivation and learning garnered over those two days?

I don't simply want to act out of sheer ambition, and end up moving in the wrong direction, or more nervously, taking an "organization" (in my case a ministry or program) in the wrong direction...but also don't want to sit idly by and watcht the conference become two days where I was filled with knowledge and inspiration but left me and my leadership unchanged.

I'm hoping that as we have a staff meeting tomorrow (17 of us from Grace went, included in that 17 is everyone from this particular staff meeting) and debrief the conference that more of the themes will be illuminated, or at least hear from others what they think might be positive first steps.

Regardless of the application though, my range of emotions during the conference went spanned humbled, honored, challenged, motivated, bored, priveleged, restored (my faith in some in the political realm), frustrated, excited, blessed, and encouraged.

If most of those happened everyday, I'd be a lucky man.

Spent

Two-day conference. Wedding rehearsal. Sunday morning preaching for two serices. Sunday evening wedding.

This weekend wore me out. I'll process it later. Brain is currently mush.

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So Much To Process

Spent a wonderful day at a Leadership Conference today.  Heard great speakers.  Some whose ability to inspire was off the charts, others whose content was.

I've got a lot of thoughts to process, but no time, as tomorrow is day 2 of the conference and then I hit the busiest weekend I've had in a long time with wedding rehearsal, guest preaching, wedding coming up.

Looking forward to seeing what has sunk in the most sometime next week when I get to think about it for a more extended period.

"Welcome Back"

Summer is a pretty hectic time for the children and youth portion of our staff.  Leading missions trips, going on retreats, leading vacation bible schools, summer days with the kids out of school and such leave the offices out of normal routine.

The people that will hit stride come October are often hard to track down because their off reaching out and discipling outside our walls.

At the same time, many important decisions about the upcoming school year are being made by each of these ministries during the summer to be ready for the fall kick-off when it comes.

Unfortunately this creates a unique scenario.  Decisions being made that affect multiple ministries, but without all of those ministries present at the discussion. 

I've watched a couple of times this year, someone return from a trip to be informed of a decision that has major impact for their job, that they had no influence over, and may have tension because of.

A nice "welcome back."

It's a weird site to see.  The decisions haven't really affected me or the departments I oversee, but have clearly affected staff dynamic and reputation.  I sometimes get to watch objectively and see both sides of stories, and then see the potential problems as well.  Figuring out my role (if there is/should be one) constantly leaves me analyzing my function within a staff of peers.

Hopefully, these critical moments with potential for harm and good equally will all work out well in the end.........hopefully.

Motivational Kicks

Its funny for me to sometimes notice when "motivation" strikes me.  When i feel inspired to work towards a goal and what that goal might be.

Largely, its funny because I usually know that the motivation for most of those things is going to be short-lived.

I'm going to study and get good at chess, for a while...until something more fascinating garners my attention.

I'm going to get fascinated by poker...for a while.

Spend my free time focused on health and nutrition...for a while.

Do immense amount of studying on financial things...for a while.

Last night's obsession was a return one (many of those things come and go) and I wanted to be more disciplined at trying to become good at golf.

I'm fairly competent at golf for now, understanding when shots don't go the way I wanted them to, what I did wrong with my swing.  But i'm not good.  I want to be good someday, but that will take work.  It isn't even the work that is hard for me, it is the time commitment that work requires.

I have a current motivational kick to get better at golf, but unless that is a journey I go on with someone, I'm likely to see this kick fade too, and another one take over...for a while.

Possibly Career Ending

I golf with the senior high pastor about once a week during the good weather times of year.  This is the third summer we've done this.

In those 3 summers, I've beaten him exactly twice.  They happen to be the last two times we golfed together.

We are going out again tomorrow.

He says that three in a row may be career ending for him.  Should be a good time for us, playing the course that for us, is the most difficult we play all year. 

Emotions will be tense on the course tomorrow, and I'll probably get beaten by about 10 strokes.

Let's Go Golfers!

If you don't care about PGA Tour Golf, feel free to stop reading now.

I'm excited about the golf tournaments this weekend.  That's right, it is plural.  There are two qualifying tournaments for my fantasy golf league this week, meaning almost anybody could move from last to first if they picked both winners.

I need a week like that, so if you're rooting, we want Bo VanPelt and Chez Reavie to do well this weekend.

I'm also excited about Tiger's return.  He hasn't done much to make excitement.  He's been letting the people who helped him become succesful go, hasn't played much good golf this year, and hasn't played at all in 3 months, but regardless, he brings interest to the game when he's there.

I actually hope he does well.  He can lose in a playoff to VanPelt or something.  I hope he gets his life back in order and that his golf game follows suit, but doubt it at this point.  Either way, I'll be watching.

Guest Preaching

I was bummed about a month ago when I was called on a Wednesday night to see if I could fill in preaching at a different church on that Sunday.  Not bummed I got called, in fact I was ecstatic about that, but knew that I had to turn it down to properly do the things I was commited to at Grace.

Two days later, I got asked to guest preach at a different church, with much more lead time and notice.  It was still in the brainstorming stage then, but I'm excited now about the opportunity to guest preach at a church in Monticello on August 14th.

Both invites were because I have had some connection with the current worship pastors at those churches, but it makes me feel valued to know that they would mention my name in their respective staff environments without me in the room. 

I'm looking forward to this opportunity.  Fitting within a series theme that church is in, but given all freedom within that theme, I get to preach a message on "potential."

Some of the other speakers already took some themes, but I like to avoid the first-to-mind topics sometimes just because they often get covered, so I'm still debating a couple potential ideas, but hope to know by Friday this week what topic I'll cover specifically.

Anyone willing to drive to Monticello and come to church at "The Quarry" on August 14th are more than welcome. 

Half a Hole Too Much

4 of us braved golfing this morning.  When we showed up, the course was under a lightning advisory so the hopes of playing seemed limited, but we ultimately got out, and saw nobody else on the course.

After 9 holes, two people decided they were satisfied with the amount of golf they had played and called it a day, while 2 of us kept going.

The lightning warnings continued to go on and off, with little to cause concern in the area.

Until halfway through hole 16.  Then it wasn't a course notification, but the Tornado/Severe Weather sirens for the city that started going off.  Not much seemed to change in the weather so we decided we'd finish the hole we were on and then re-evaluate.  After that hole we decided we'd just head in and call it a day.

That half hole proved to be the breaking point.  As we drove back we watched it get darker.  Getting to the end of the course we felt the first drop.  By the drive across the parking lot we were soaked. 

Half a hole sooner and we would have been in the car dry. 

We Like Road Trips

One of the Young Adults was flying back from Italy to Chicago this weekend.

We volunteered to go pick her up.  6 hours each way.  We spent a night with some friends in the area down there and made a two-day turnaround of the weekend.

It actually was enjoyable and fun for us.  We simply like road trips.  We don't really even need a destination, we enjoy the time in the car, even the company of each other most of that time :)

Any cool places we could road trip to in a weekend that you all know of?

Just Be Up Front About It

I have a pet peeve when I'm online.  I have a strong dislike for places that sell a product, but have no way of finding out the price on their website.

I get it, you want someone to want the product really bad and not let the price tag be a distraction from that, but some of us just want to know what the ballpark figure even might be.

It simply isn't worth my time if the number is too high, but I'll stretch to get what I want, so just let me know.

Now I'm getting to fed up with your company to even care about buying from you.  I'll hope a competitor has a similar product.

All I Can Eat

Two meals today.  Both all I could eat.

Enjoyed a time with 6 Senior High students and myself at Buffalo Wild Wings for all you can eat wings.

Then had a guys dinner with two friends at a Don Pablos for all you can eat tacos.

I'm full.  I won't need to eat much tomorrow, but I will probably.  Jenny made great pasta salad and I want to eat as much of that as possible too!

These are the troubles in my life right now.  This is how I remember how blessed I am.

The Price Test

There are times when you start to wonder if the price something is asking is worth it.

Is there really a difference in quality between a cheap shoe and a more expensive one?

Today, I ran that test.  We were out shoe shopping, and not finding the pair that made Jenny most excited.  I tried a new tactic.  I scoured the aisle for the most expensive shoe that didn't have any pink on it, grabbed it from the box and handed it to her.

Unfortunately, there is a difference.  Now, we like more expensive shoes.  Didn't purchase any yet, but were spoiled by trying them on.

Can't decide if my test was a good idea or not, but thank you to Asics for at least pricing your shoes according to our (Jenny's) scale of quality, and not just randomly.

Yup!

Pool...check.
Hot Tub...check.
Boat...check.
Grill...check.

Successful day...check

A Familiar Voice?

It's been two years since i've seen one of my mentors.  I've talked with him numerous times over that span, but haven't been with him in person for quite some time.

Tomorrow we are having coffee.  Excited to see and hear how life has treated him, share the same for me and Jenny, and garner all wisdom available.

Welcome Back Paul!

Different Schedule

My schedule isn't always consistent, and I actually like that, but today was one I don't need to repeat.

It isn't often that my workday starts before 7:00 a.m. and doens't end until after 9:30.

I don't need those days to repeat themselves very often.

But it did keep me out of the heat today, and that is starting to subside some tomorrow from what other people tell me.

One of these days I'll start paying attention to upcoming weather forecasts.

Fit and Expertise

I interviewed a potential soccer coach today.  It was an interesting experience.

The candidate had more coaching experience and knowledge of the game than anybody who had come through North Central's doors, probably ever.

But expertise isn't the only thing we need to be evaluating.

In fact, we were asked to place each candidate's "fit" with the North Central environment as first priority, and expertise to accomplish the goals of the program as the second priority.

I'll be interested to see how their decision for this particular candidate goes.  He, without a doubt, has the expertise required.  The fit is a little more risky though.  Not huge red flags, but no clear guarantees either.

I Wish There Were a Better Way

I truly wish there were a better way to decide World Cup matches that have ended in a tie, but need a winner.

I understand why play just can't continue, but I'm not satisfied with the current penalty kick shootout format.

I don't know that the MLS model they started with (the 5 seconds, 35 yards model) was right either, but it did at least seem far more skill based than the shootout.

I've played in enough shootouts to know how much luck is involved.  I've been on the fortunate side of that luck more often than not, but I don't like it at all when games come down to that...not even as a spectator.

Ghana

Jenny and I had helped send on of the young adults to Ghana for 10 months.

Tonight she shared about her trip to our group. The team she was with shared the gospel over 7,000 times and had over 1,000 people make decisions for Jesus to be their savior.

It was encouraging to hear the stories.

Made me even more appreciative oof the gifts she brought for us!

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Wit's End

Somebody challenged me to "Tweet" 15 times today.

All my wit and thought were spent there.  None is left.

Does that put me at wit's end?

I don't feel the way most people do when they say they are there, but I have no more wit left today.

Foot Cream

My feet have never been the most pleasant to look at.  Highly caloused and the nails don't look right as many of them regrew weird after falling off completely at some point.

I started using foot cream this morning.  It makes my feet slippery.  I'm not used to that.  While it may help, the package itself says it doesn't work on nails.  To me, those are the ugliest part.

So maybe I'll end up with silky smooth feet that still look disgusting.  Will that be worth it?  Or am I in for more creams to come?

Stormy

I love lying in bed hearing the thunderstorm outside.

A great cap to a great family filled weekend.

Happy Birthday Dad, you don't seem any older to me!

Lights, Friends, Impromptu Meetings

Enjoyed spending a couple of hours up in the catwalk above the Sanctuary working on lights this afternoon.

Followed it up with seeing one of the Young Adults who was gone serving as a missionary in Africa the last 10 months but has returned to us now.

Ended with an hour and a half impromptu meeting at Applebees after everyone else had left.

It was a good day.

Turned Down Opportunity

I love to preach.  Today, I got asked if I could fill in (last minute) for a church this Sunday.  Not the church I work at, but one I have a close contact at.

I wished I could have said yes.  I have a class to teach and some other responsibilites at my own church though.

I could normally get out of those things without much of a problem, but the California trip had me find subs for two weeks and then class was cancelled on the fourth.  For an 8 week class, I figured I couldn't miss 4 straight weeks and still call myself the teacher of the class.

So...unfortunately...I had to turn down the opportunity to preach the Sunday morning service at another church.

First To Bed

There aren't many nights that I am first to bed in our house, but tonight I just feel drained.

10:00 bedtime for me.  Jenny heading down to get in a workout.

Oh how the roles changed for a day.

Hit and Miss

I didn't eat outside at all as part of a holiday celebration...Miss.

I did grill outside as part of a holiday celebration...Hit.

There were no paper plates involved...Miss.

I saw a professional fireworks show...Hit.

I didn't light off any of my own fireworks...Miss.

I watched a house made fireworks show...Hit.

I didn't see all of my family...Miss.

I slept in past noon...Hit.

It was a hit and miss holiday weekend.  Enjoyable regardless of the misses.

Monday Holidays

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

How Wide is the Top of the Pyramid?

On almost a daily basis I have at least one discussion about what life would be like if I were a lead pastor of a church.  Sometimes it takes the form of church planting, other times taking over for a church soon, and the most comfortable discussions for me...the hypothetical, long-time out idealism kinds of conversations.

It's interesting to me though as I reflect on those things away from conversation, away from the opinions of whoever has asked me the question, away from the perceptions of a mutual experience to be critiqued, that I find myself weighing the gifts necessary through many different lenses.  The most common of these, church size.

Assuming that the lead pastor is near the top of the hiearchy/pyramid of the organization, I wonder how wide that particular "top" starts.  Is it the tiniest of points, asking for precision from its lead pastor (like often found in many churches that get large enough that they share the point between "executive" and "teaching" pastor) who get to then function in one or two primary areas of gifting.  Or is it like a food pyramid, with a rather large base to even the top section, requiring gifting and leadership in multiple areas of ministry and staff development.

It causes me to wonder often, which gifts should I be spending the most time developing.  I've got a lot to learn across the board, believe I will have the need for learning forever, and as such, my resources are limited.  Time only allows so much development. 

Do I take the model that says focus on what you do best and become a "professional" in that area, or the other common sense argument which seeks well-roundedness.  It seems in many ways, the ability to function well in either of those things may be dictated in the future primarily by the size of the church.

Is it conceded then to try to develop yourself as if you will be at a large and empowering place...or limiting to decide now to focus on improving secondary gifts, or even weaknesses?

No real crisis here...though to this point, I think I've been reading my future in one light, and started to wonder if that is determined to be self-fulfilling, or if I should evaluate a different model of self/life/gift development within myself as well.

Thoughts always welcome.

Annual Tradition

Today we made our second annual trip for what must now be considered a Memorial Day tradition.

We headed out to the Outlet Mall in Albertville for some updating of our wardrobes.

I found a bunch of stuff I liked, and purchased 4 of those items (all from my favorite store there) and Jenny found some things for her as well.

We even got a gift for our nephew's upcoming birthday crossed off the to-do list.

Not too bad of a tradition I guess.

Under the Weather

Jenny was feeling under the weather today which meant we got to have fun "sick people" meals.

That meant Panera soups for lunch, and what has become a comical favorite of mine for our sick person dinner.

We added the chicken this time, but the KFC Cole Slaw and Biscuits have become a staple of sick person food for us, sometimes leaving our order at just that.  Today it included the chicken, and some Raspberry Lemonade (the "Simply" version) from the grocery store.

Hope she feels better in the morning.

Video Equipment

I am anticipating wanting to make some live action videos for an upcoming sermon series.

Does anyone have high end video cameras, mics for them, or video lighting that they are willing to use alongside me, or let me borrow to get some video stuff shot?

If not, does anyone even know what kind of stuff I should be looking for that can be taken to locations as opposed to just setting up as a studio?

Process = Results

Often I believe that people are finding the exact results they should expect.

Many leadership and church organization books talk about how the results you are getting are a result of what you've chosen to do.  Wanting different results requires you to change some things.  While that isn't always statistically relevant advice, I have found it to generally be wise advice.

Unfortunately, this leaves me finding myself in many meetings wondering why someone would be upset that their goal for the meeting isn't being accomplished.

For example:  if someone calls a meeting, invites a substantial number of people, the same ones that were at the last 3 or 4 meetings, and then complains or wonders...why aren't decisions getting made quickly, this group seems to be dragging its feet just like in the last 4 meetings.

Lead the same way, by the same person, with the same agenda, getting the exact same discussion, they are surprised that somehow their goals don't magically get met.  I want to just tell them...these are the exact results you should be expecting.  They won't change until part of the process does.

Instead, i'll put the next meeting date on my calendar and doodle on my notepad as I hear the same discussion echo in my head.

Shirt Envy

I bought 3 new shirts today.

I told one of my co-workers it was his fault.  Sitting across from me in staff meeting I looked at our Junior High Pastor and thought "I like that shirt."

This was apparently one of the most applicable thoughts I had during the meeting as I went to three different stores (2 on lunchbreak, 1 after work) looking at new shirts because of my shirt envy.

I found 3 (1 on lunchbreak, 2 after work) that caught my fancy enough to buy.

There was a fourth that I liked, but didn't know if it was worth it's non-sale price so I sent a picture of me trying it on to Jenny (smartphones rock) to get her opinion...as a result, I didn't end up getting that one.

Glad to get her opinion before she knew the price, because knowing the price she would definitely have said no.

Without Checks and Balances

There aren't many things I find more frightening that people who are put in positions of authority but have no checks and balances in place.

Unfortunately, I keep hearing stories of pastors who have managed to find themselves in that position.  Some I know sought it, but others I am guessing just let accountablilty fall to the back burner.  They weren't trying to put themselves in an unheatlhy lifestyle, but stumbled into it without notice, and then refused to change things.

I'd be a horrible leader if left to my own devices.  Temptations may not always win, but with only my own power to rely on, I'm sure I'd give in at some point.

I hope to always find myself and my leadership to be one which has plenty of people who can influence what goes on, and that I've never placed myself above the need of help.

Another Weekend Away

Tomorrow will be a long day as Thursday's generally are for me.

This one will be especially long though because when it is done I'll be making the drive up to a camp for our Men's Retreat.  I'll be teaching some of the time on Saturday (about family values passed on by the men in the Old Testament), which means I get to go for free.

I'll also get in 36 holes of golf and maybe some paintball or trap shooting.

Should be an enjoyable weekend away.

Season Finale

I tend to really look forward to season finale episodes of shows, but then don't know what to do  the week after when my "normal" t.v. watching routine is all shaken up.

Anyone have any advice for this difficult transition time of life?

One

One Day:

One round of golf.

One season of a television show.

One friend who will soon be moving back to the cities.

It was a good day.

Blessed

I have one of the most wonderful jobs in the world. Days like today remind me of that.

The call to teach and preach God's Word and a community that supports and pays me to make this my vocation has me feeling very blessed.

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High Hopes

We had a brainstorming meeting at work today for what we'll be doing as a whole church in the fall.  Something we'll ask all the different ministries to do for 7 weeks.

I was thrilled by a lot of the ideas that came up, and hope that we can get somewhere close to accomplishing the things we dreamed today.

My hopes are high. 

Clean Space

The whirlwind of Easter left my office in dissaray.  Generally I'm fine with some clutter, but even I was annoyed at my lack of organization. 

Cleaned the office today and things look far more simplified now.

Suppose that means tomorrow I need to do something produtive in the space waiting to be used.

Returning To Responsibility

Returning to Responsibility isn't nearly as fun as vacation.

I eased myself into it.  Golfed with a co-worker this morning, before an evening meeting had me working for 2 hours tonight.

First full day back in the office is tomorrow and I'm not looking forward to having that routine over the wake-up, eat, lay around, do whatever, eat some more routine I had all last week.

Oh well, it's not all bad.  One of my responsibilities this week is to preach the Sunday Services and I always look forward to that opportunity, so at least some of the week's work will be exciting.

Time to Set Sail

Finalizing the packing, heading to the parent's house where our airport ride awaits.

Will be at the airport before the sun peeks out tomorrow and on our way to catch our Oasis of the Seas for our vacation home.

See you in over a week.

2 Days

Only two more days to get through until we leave for our cruise. 

Lots of small details to take care of, but no big things left on the agenda for me after I preach tomorrow night.  Looking forward to having little to think of besides the sun.

Mind numbing process 60% complete.

Eventual Crisis

My mind is wired with a combination of analysis and strategy.  I generally assume that consequences are a result from behavior, and many consequences can be seen far in advance if you look at all the behaviors you know will preceed them.

Sometimes this leads me to question decisions and actions, or at least to want to discuss them strategically and objectively to ensure we get as close to the results that we want.

I'm learning more and more than not everyone is wired this way.  I see decisions get made that will lead to an eventual crisis.  It isn't a present crisis, and the decisions can be easily made for the short term, but are lending towards a far more dangerous territory if not thought in advance.

It causes me mental pain when people don't even want to think about the consequences of said decisions and prefer instead to move forward with the status quo.

Sometimes it is your fault if you run into the iceberg in the distance, there are plenty of warning signs along the way.

A Day of Rest

After the business of Easter week and weekend, today was a day of relaxing.

I got out golfing for the first time this season, and did about as expected, not great scores, but some good putts and some good shots mixed in as well.  Not horrible, but not at where I was when last season ended.

Hopefully I'll get out one more time before the weekend when we leave for our cruise, which is what I'll be spending most of my time thinking about this week.

It's Good Friday

I get to watch people be baptized today.

I also get to help baptize some people today.

It's hard for Good Friday to feel anything but Good when you have that to look forward to this evening.

Late Night Week

Another class of Growing U is now complete.  An 8 class program has now had 3 of the 8 classes completely written and taught.  Feels good to take a short break before the next one begins now.

Especially since it is Easter week, and the 8:20 I got home tonight will be the earliest I get home all week.

That's the life of a pastor I guess.

May 15th Sermon Text

The Church schedule has gotten more clear and I have now been given the text I'm supposed to preach on at the May 15th message slots.

If you have any thoughts, opinions, questions that arise as you read them, feel free to let me know.

1 Peter 1:13-21

"13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”[a]

 17 Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. "

Where'd Spring Go?

Went on a retreat this weekend.  It sleeted and snowed.  In the middle of April.

Snow is in the forecast again. 

"I've been dreaming of a white easter" just doesn't have the same ring to it.  I've made it to the driving range once, but haven't golfed yet.  Last year, I had at least 10 rounds in by now.  I'm starting to go a little stir crazy.

Senior's Retreat

I'm heading out for a retreat this weekend, and excited that my planning involvement has been minimal.

With most of the "retreats" i go on, i'm behind the scenes as highly involved in the planning, but this time, I'm heading along with the youth group on a retreat designed only for the graduating seniors.  I'm there to make the connections with them as they will next year be disallowed from Senior High and invited to Young Adults.

And...all I have to plan is a 15 minute devotional with a topic given to me.  Most of the weekend I just get to enjoy as a participant.

Bring on the Senior Retreat.

Workouts Return

I didn't continue working out while Jenny was gone.

We started again recently with the weight workout, and last night were scheduled for cardio, but one of us wasn't feeling well, and since Jenny had today off, decided we'd do a morning workout (cardio) and then our normal evening/night workout (this night was weights). 

Morning workouts just seem more painful.  Morning cardio after not doing it for 14 days, even more so.  Adding a later workout didn't make it any more fun.

At least laying down is fun now though.

Preaching Dates Changed

A while ago, I had told people they could pencil in July 17th as a Sunday I might preach at Grace.

That date has changed.

I will now for sure be preaching on May 15th (as part of our 1 Peter series), and am penciled in for August 28th (where I might get to choose my own topic).

Adjust plans/ignore accordingly.

The Roars at Augusta

A thrilling Master's today.

Felt bad for Rory Mcilroy after the triple bogey on 10, but the tournament action today was exciting from beginning to end.

A deserving champion, even though he wasn't one of the glamorous names.

Master's Week

Bummed I have to miss a bunch of the golf tomorrow, but looking forward to watching the coverage Friday through the weekend.

This may also be serving as my fair warning to my parents.  You'll likely be seeing me on Friday.

Giddy!

The Creative Process

Sometimes the creative process is irritating, other times, the work seems enjoyable.

I spent quite a bit of time today trying to turn a 2 minute script into a 1 minute script for a video promo.  After doing so, and recording the voice track a couple of times to make sure it was the right length (though we aren't planning on using my voice), we started the photo shooting part of the process.

By the end of the photo shoot, we had changed the concept slightly and roughly 45 seconds of that minute script now need to be changed/re-written to focus on a slightly different imagery now.

This time though, it's enjoyable.  The day didn't feel wasted, and I'm excited to start working on the new script tomorrow.

I'll plan on posting the video once it is finished...

Surviving

Still mourning UK's loss.

Not eating healthy.

Not sleeping normal hours.

But i'm surviving.  Will be nice to have Jenny home again.

Inside Time

Planned an inside day with a friend tomorrow.

Bachelor life won't be so bad, we grocery shopped for junk food today so we are set for maximum laziness starting tomorrow afternoon through Saturday afternoon.

Bachelor Time

Jenny is leaving the morning for 11 days.

Hopefully the house will still be standing, and I will find food during that time.

Hopefully, by the time she gets back, UK will be Champions.

If you can think of anything I should/would want to do while she is gone, let me know.

Madness Only Begins To Describe It

Between Friday night's UK/Ohio St game, and todays UK/UNC game, I don't know how my living room can take it.

Jenny and I have been doing workouts for a week and a half now, but the rug might have gotten more wear from my pacing during those intense basketball games, the jumping at key shots, crouching on defense, fist pumping when results were almost final, etc... than it was getting from the cardio and weight lifting routines two of us were doing.

The Final Four were essentially an unpredictable group, but as long as UK is there, I wouldn't want it any other way.

Go Big Blue!

The Coaching Hat

Time to play the coach role again.

This week is college days at North Central so I'm being summoned in to meet potential players with my morning tomorrow.

Will be nice to talk soccer again, but will be far too early in the morning to appreciate properly.

The Day of Rest

6 days of Power 90 workouts done, which means tomorrow is the first day of rest for Jenny and I.

To be fair, we rested plenty of days before starting the program, but tomorrow's rest is actually earned.

My body is ready for it and welcomes it with arms hung heavy.

Sump Pump Season

Our sump pump is working overdrive these days.

The ground is completely saturated with water, and until we buy a longer hose, our sump pump puts water back onto our ground.

We hooked up our hose today, and need to change it for sure.  It isn't long enough to reach the street, and because ice froze inside it this winter, it actually has some holes that make the water shoot out in funny ways as well.

Hopefully, tomorrow we'll get that taken care of.

60 feet of hose here we come.

Day 1 in the Books

March Madness day 1 is in the books.

Kentucky survived (barely).

Louisville didn't.  Both of those are good things.

I didn't get to watch many of the games today, because of work, but got to see that last 5 minutes of the Louisville game, and all of the UK game.

I should see more of them tomorrow.  A great time of year.

Just an Accent

I'm constantly learning more about interior decorating.  Our living room walls aren't red anymore.  They have been painted.  Some of the artwork no longer is in that room, as now red has become an accent color.

That apparently gets picked at the same time as the wall color.

The trimwork is a different color now as well, from its wood finish to a white that matches what we put in upstairs.

I'd put up pictures, but the new drapes aren't up yet.  I've known for a while that was part of the process, but was also something I didn't know was typical to think about when we talked about painting the room a different color.

Guys really are this clueless.  I'm learning though!

Tournament Brackets

I have to officially turn in my March Madness bracket sometime Wed. afternoon for our work pool.

Anyone have any crazy insights I should know before I hand it over?

Daylight???

We did the rediculous lose and hour of sleep thing for you daylight.  You better start making it worth it.

Melt the snow, green the grass, bring on the golf.

If you won't, i demand my hour back.

The Oasis

April 30 - May 7!

Royal Carribean's Oasis of the Seas cruise ship will be our home for a week.

Can't wait.

Golf Weather

I have the itch to play. 

I need to weather to start co-operating.

Make this happen for me somehow.

Preparing For Easter

Lent starts today.

I'm kicking it off right with a meal at Chick-Fil-A.

Anyone doing anything creative or giving up anything creative for Lent this year?

Starburst Jelly-Beans

These are the greatest things about the commercialization of Easter.

Cadbury Eggs are a close second.

I like when these two things can be found at most grocery stores.

Was that a Typo?

This weekend was filled with lots of excitement.  None that trumps the new addition added to our family though. Our niece, Alyssa Rose Kemper was born on Friday.

The phone call woke us up, enough that I didn't coherently remember her name after going back to sleep but an e-mail informed me of that as well.  That e-mail also said that the labor took 1 hour 40 minutes.

I just assumed that was a typo.  It had to be 11 hours 40 minutes right?

When we got to the hospital to meet Alyssa, the first question we asked Jason was about that timeframe and if it was a typo.

Then we got the story of the 7 minutes that they were at the hospital before Alyssa came to greet the world.  2:15 wake-up from contraction to birth at the hospital at 3:55.  Not bad Kempers, not bad.

The People Around

I get to work with the greatest volunteers, peers, and support staff around me.

Life is made easy when your job keeps you working with so many people you love on every level of involvement.

I'm blessed to be in the position i'm in.

Now lets hope that fantasy golf and UK basketball go as well for me in the next couple of months as work does.

Weird Shows

The more I find out about shows I never watched as a child, the more I realize I had it good.

Not that sorry I missed you "Gospel Bill."

I admire a lot about the church you pastor now, but your acting then left a lot to be desired.

Scraped

My knuckles are scraped. 

But the ceiling is done being scraped.

Time to patch some holes and start painting...means we'll have this renovation project marked off the list soon.

2 More Down

This last week wrapped up 2 more classes.  I'm now done teaching the Old Testament overview for the second time, and the New Testament overview for the first time.

Starting this week, I'll teach the second round of New Testament, and get to start a new class, The Life of the Believer.

Looking forward to diving into the disciplines, behaviors, gifts, etc... that are expected of a follower of Christ and how those may adjust depending on who you are.

After this set of classes, I'll even get a couple of weeks off from teaching classes and find myself with only the weekly sermons to prepare.

My Confidence Shaken

Sometimes when I have the opportunity to teach, I get far more concerned about what people will think of me than other times.

This tends to happen when the topic I am teaching on requires more of "my insight" due to a lack of scriptural bluntness.

Tonight I was talking about wisdom in relationships, and while the Bible has plenty to say on that, it doesn't blunty address the dating for of relationships.  And i wanted to talk specifically about the dating form of relationships, requiring more of "my insight" than "scriptural insight." 

I try to be clear when I make this shift, even in the midst of a teaching so that I don't misrepresent scripture, but also find that I feel less confident when I have to use this style of preaching.

I believe that is a good thing, as the Bible and God are the authority, and everything should be tested in that way, but regardless, my confidence gets shaken, and I have to deal with those emotions as well.

Luckily, next week we'll be moving on from the relationship series and talking about things the Bible is far more blunt about.

Is There a Positive?

I can turn most weather situations into some form of positive.

Excuses to not go outside because it is unsafe...reasons to snowboard...creating lots of insurance claims and economic growth...etc.

But slush has me confused.  I hate when parking lots are super slushy.  I can't find a big enough positive yet about being warm enough to melt snow, but still leave parts of the snow.  Stupid slush, I can't think of a positive about you.

Pizza Day Today

I had my first experience at Mesa Pizza in Dinkytown today.

Love the creativity they put into their pizzas.  I had a slice of Chili Cheese Fry Pizza and a slice of Chicken Pot Pie Pizza.

Liked both, preffered the Pot Pie.  Have to go back sometime to try nacho pizza, macaronni and cheese pizza, and a few others that sparked my curiosity.

Topped it off with Jenny and I making a Deluxe (read: normal) frozen pizza for dinner.

Snowed In

Sometimes, when the snow has come and Jenny is away for the night (with a work thing) and I don't have to work the next day, I decide to watch a movie, at 12:15 a.m.

That then puts me in the movie watching mood.  It is now 2:11 a.m. and I think I may start another.

Sometimes being snowed in isn't so bad.

You Could Have Charged Me

Sometimes I can't believe I get paid to do what I do.  Tonight was one of those nights.

The service started off with awesome worship, enough that the worship leader added extra stuff on the fly as God lead Him.  I didn't really want to speak, so I took some of the time to read verses as he played to prolong that moment.

After I eventually did preach, I kept thinking, I just want to worship more so I closed with inviting Aaron back to the stage to reprise one of the songs.

He did so, and then chose to continue leading us in worship for 9 more songs, roughly another hour.

It was one of those moments I would have paid to experience.  You literally could have charged me admission and I would have paid.  But, I am fortunate enough not to just get that for free (as all those there did) but to be paid for being there.

Some days are super encouraging and make you love your job.  This was one of those days.

Job Shadow

Bethel University has decided that a third student may benefit from watching what I do day to day, so I've been given a junior who will job shadow me for a while to see what ministry is like.

I'm convinced that they keep picking the wrong person, as I do a lot of things differently than what many consider "normal" for a pastor.

Oh well, the previous students must have said something good enough that they haven't decided I'm too bad of an influence yet.

I look forward to getting to know Zach and seeing what his thoughts of ministry are.

Welcome to my world.

No More Islands

I'm a very systematic person in most of what I do.  I think through actions, generally doing them logically. 

We've been scraping paint off a ceiling and its coves.  I want to start somewhere and work systematically until it is finished.

Others find themselves jumping around to what is making the most immediate progress.  They create islands of work left to be done in my systematic world.  I don't like the islands.

We are at the point now where only the four corners of the coves remain.  No more islands exist except these four. 

It looks systematic.  It always should.

Fantasy Golf Update

There are around 40 people in the fantasy golf league i'm playing in this year.

I'm currently in 12th place, but can jump to first with one good week.

The goal is to finish in the top 10 by the end of the year, but there is still a long time until we find that out.

I Like Fresh Starts

Some people like New Years Day because it feels like a fresh start.  Some people like new school years for the same reason.

I've been trying to work on finding motivation more frequently, and have decided that ideally, each moment should feel like a fresh start.

I'm good at doing that with some behavior, making sure not to let things out of my control get me down, but other times, I can't shake what is going on.

I know I should be able to define right now, this instant, as a time for a fresh start, but I can't.

Monday is a good time for a fresh start though, and that arrives in just an hour.

Jello-Time

We did our research. Bought our Jello, the extra Gelatin, and got the string to suspend the object.

We picked our victim, took something from his work desk, and have proceeded to put it in the center of a Jello mold.

Tomorrow we get to put it on his desk and watch his reaction as he has to fetch it out.

I'm excited for Jello-Time!

Vacation

If anyone knows of a way to free Jenny and I from work obligations for longer than we were thinking, and give us money so we can spend more than we were thinking, I found the vacation I want to go on.

A 12 night cruise that makes stops all along the sites of the Bible.

A combination of two trips I want to take.  Sounds awesome.  Someone make this happen for me!