Within Parenthesis

Hoping the Pointless Brings Rest

2012-01-30T03:30:00.000-06:00

It's 3:30 a.m.

I decided to read a little bit before falling asleep. Oddly, reading rarely makes me tired, regardless of the time of day, and as such, my mind woke up. Fascinatingly, I was reading a leadership development styled book (for my own fun) and started mentally applying some of it's teachings. I may have found a break-through to amplify my effectiveness in almost every area of my job (from my fun reading).

This is exciting to me, but making me not want to sleep. It's 3:30 a.m. and I want to go to work.

So i've resigned to finding something pointless on the internet to watch, hoping that it will cause enough boredom that my mind decides to sleep before work would be normal.

Stop Succeeding

2012-01-26T23:55:00.001-06:00

There are times when other people's positive life choices just don't come at my convenience.

This happens quite often actually as a young adults pastor.

As they get new jobs (or finally start careers), make new schooling decisions, or even just relocate to save money, it often comes with the result of them moving away.

Another Young Adult got an awesome job contract this week. He'll be back here eventually, but leaving us for at least 6 months.

Why do they need to keep succeeding?

Can't Stop Working

2012-01-26T00:19:00.001-06:00

The last bunch of nights have left me unable to leave work at work. Because our home computer is better than those at the office, it is much smoother to use for video editing.

Unfortunately that has meant that on Tuesday (my one night without something at church) I spent animating a 5 second opening. And tonight, after getting home from teaching class and eating dinner, I spent more time editing captured video with and combining it with audio and music.

I need to get quicker at these things so I don't stay consumed by them.

It's Over There

2012-01-25T00:41:00.003-06:00

The announcement is found buried in this post, on our adoption blog. You should read it!

Toying With Commitment

2012-01-23T23:50:00.001-06:00

As I think about making decisions, I often wonder if it is adecision I could go public with. The commitment to telling someoneabout a decision I've made provides extreme accountability for me.

I don't like failure.

Since last Friday afternoon I've been toying with making a public proclamation of a new decision that affects my life.

Ifit still sits comfortably with me, I'll make that public tomorrow. Asfor tonight, the commitment seems weighty enough to need another daysthoughts.

How's that for a teaser?

It's A Digital World

2012-01-22T23:59:00.001-06:00

I realized tonight that the world is getting increasingly digital. Though I suppose that information wasn't hidden or even new.

I'min the process of swtiching how some of our bills are payed (with thenew checking account we no longer need the middle man digital agency wehad used for our free bill pay) and to do so needed phone numbers, zipcodes, and account numbers for those bills.

Thisinformation is hard to find. The hardest part was finding zip codesand phone numbers for where bills get paid when not digital. Thiswasn't easy information to find, because apparently companies don'tthink this will ever be necessary to their consumers.

Today Was Cold

2012-01-19T23:45:00.001-06:00

Windchills in the -20s on the day I had to leave the office three different times for meetings.

That's just poor planning by whoever is in charge of the weather, or my schedule.

Not Just the Wardrobe

2012-01-16T22:24:00.001-06:00

I don't enjoy days where I have to put thought into what I wear. Wearing whatever is on top of the pile, or at the front of the hangers is my favorite way to decide clothes.

I thought this would be the most annoying part about attempting to do video announcements for the church. Actually having to pick out appropriate clothes on days besides Sunday.

It isn't the most annoying so far though. Figuring out how to get the best audio recording to play through our sound system is. My goal is to get two quality recordings, one from the camera mic that will be autosynced with the video, and one from one of our high end mics at the church saved digitially.

So far, the digital one has been a problem. Troubleshooting this problem has been extremely annoying and still isn't finished. It has caused more frustration than many days worth of having to pick appropriate clothes.

Expectations Matter

2012-01-15T23:15:00.001-06:00

I'm amazed at how much expectations can dictate an experience.

What stuck out as a new realization to me today was the differences when those expectations are positive or negative.

If,for instance, I go into a movie with high expectations (this happenedFriday night with Sherlock Holmes 2), then they are rarely met. Sometimes that leaves me frustrated, other times that just leaves mebland (Friday was the bland kind).

On the otherhand, going to a movie without expectations would generally provide a positive response.

Whatfascinates me is what happens in areas of life when we expect little,or even when we expect to be disappointed. I often find, that at thesetimes, our expectations become true. We find the faults, thefrustrations, the things we wished were different and we dwell onthem. Negative expectations are often realized.

Iwonder if there are areas of life that it would be better for me tojust stop having expectations for. To allow life just to beexperienced, instead of always analyzed. To find emotions when theycome, not when and where I look for them.

Maybe then I'll have a more positive experience, but then again, as a pessimist, I suppose that wouldn't be much like me!

A Lot To Say

2012-01-11T23:12:00.000-06:00

Last Wednesday I started a new class at the church. It is a class designed to enter discussion on many debatable topics.

We started with gender roles and what the Bible says. Tonight's topics were scheduled to be Homosexuality followed by Politics.

We never made it to Politics. Homosexuality had enough opinions, as well as enough things I needed to clarify, to last us the entire time. Now I'll have to start with Politics next week.

Love my job!

More Pessimistic Than I Knew

2012-01-10T23:43:00.001-06:00

I've always had a negative outlook. I'm more likely to analyze and critique than celebrate and encourage.

Thiswas made abundantly clear to me when in our all day staff meeting, Igot bored while we were "celebrating" and thanking God for the goodthings of last year. All I wanted to do was jump the analysis,changes, and improvement portions of reflection.

Iwanted to leave celebration and enter tension. While I'm not excitedabout a desire to "leave celebration" there is something that feelscomforable inside with the "entering tension" portion. It used to besomething I avoided, but as my confidence in myself has grown, myaversion to tension has diminished.

I know its the pessimism talking, but I'm comfortable in the tension!

Love Breakfast Foods, Hate Breakfast

2012-01-09T23:09:00.001-06:00

I had tater tots for a late night snack again today.

That's two days in a row, three of the last four.

I love breakfast foods, yet hate eating close to when I wake up. Unfortunately tomorrow I have a staff meeting (all day) that starts at Perkins. At least the food will be free if I have to eat it that close to getting up.

ManVision

2012-01-08T23:47:00.001-06:00

It is interesting how different my t.v. selection is when Jenny isn't in the house.

After a well-needed nap this afternoon, I started watchings some football playoffs. Jenny decided to leave and do other things, so after watching the game (glad the Broncos beat the Steelers) I continued with Sons of Anarchy.

Motorcycles and Gangs aren't what typically draws Jenny to a t.v. show, but I'm hooked!

Words With Friends

2012-01-06T00:37:00.002-06:00

Words With Friends is the new additction in our household.

It is essentially scrabble on smartphones played 1 on 1 at your convenience. Can also be played on Facebook.

Helps me kill my phone battery, but makes me use my brain throughout the day.

Feel free to play against me.

B.S. Skills In Use

2012-01-04T00:23:00.001-06:00

I was brought into the senior high schooler's drama team practice to help today.

My task, B.S. my way through believable and relatable stories around subjects that students will be writing monologues for.

See mom, learning to B.S. has paid off. I needed it today for work!

Don't Be Shady

2012-01-02T22:58:00.001-06:00

I'm a pretty casual guy I think. I can't remember complaining aboutservice at a restaurant. I don't send things back. I hate to evenreturn something to a store. All i ask in return is that you try to doyour job, and you don't be shady about it.

Some places can't keep that standart though...so another local bank is on my naughty list.

Bye, bye TCF. I'll gladly take my checking accounts elsewhereas you change your side of our contract and neglect to do any kind ofdiligence of informing me.

USAA, you've always treated me well, I'm happy to open another account with you now.

Happy New Year

2012-01-02T00:05:00.001-06:00

I'm excited for the New Year.

Different than mostof them recently, I've actually made some goals for this year, thoughpublicizing them will make me more accountable to actually trying toaccomplish them.

So I'll just start with one.

This year, I want to memorize the book of Amos.

That is all for now.

Country Music Ruining My Life

2011-12-28T22:08:00.000-06:00

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...

2011-12-28T11:44:00.000-06:00

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

Pastoral Holiday Choices

2011-12-26T22:35:00.001-06:00

Because we work on so many holidays, Grace Fellowship has decided tojust 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, wesimply use our own PTO. So for instance, I preached on Christmasmorning. Not exactly a day off work, so I won't take PTO for it.

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

Iwent in earlier and had to open the building by myself. I wasessentially alone all day until the meeting, when the other 3 showedup. They took PTO for the rest of the day and just came in for ourmeeting.

I didn't actually accomplish much while I wasthere, but I put the hours in so I wouldn't have to use my PTO. Myholiday choices all now affect the time I have saved up to spend inColumbia when we travel (perverbially knocking on wood) to meet ourfuture child. So I'll sit in the building alone, tacking another dayonto my stay in Columbia.

These are my pastor holiday choices.

When Santa Comes Early

2011-12-21T22:34:00.001-06:00

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

2011-12-19T23:48:00.000-06:00

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

2011-12-18T21:43:00.002-06:00

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

Out of Tots!

2011-12-15T23:36:00.000-06:00

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

2011-12-14T23:50:00.001-06:00

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

2011-12-13T01:05:00.001-06:00

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

2011-12-08T23:38:00.001-06:00

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)

2011-12-07T22:26:00.001-06:00

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

2011-12-06T23:57:00.001-06:00

It's in Creation!

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

Expectation level: Awesome!

Basketball? Really?

2011-12-06T00:52:00.001-06:00

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

2011-12-04T22:21:00.001-06:00

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

2011-12-02T00:03:00.000-06:00

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

2011-12-01T00:09:00.001-06:00

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

2011-11-29T11:44:00.000-06:00

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

2011-11-22T23:58:00.000-06:00

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

2011-11-21T23:46:00.000-06:00

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!

2011-11-20T00:13:00.001-06:00

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

2011-11-16T23:57:00.000-06:00

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....?

2011-11-16T10:51:00.000-06:00

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

2011-11-15T00:10:00.000-06:00

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

2011-11-05T22:19:00.001-05:00

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

2011-11-03T12:25:00.000-05:00

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

2011-11-01T22:14:00.000-05:00

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)

2011-10-30T23:22:00.000-05:00

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

2011-10-23T23:21:00.000-05:00

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

2011-10-20T23:24:00.000-05:00

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

2011-10-20T01:36:00.001-05:00

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

2011-10-18T23:20:00.000-05:00

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

2011-10-17T21:54:00.000-05:00

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

2011-10-12T22:29:00.000-05:00

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

2011-10-11T23:25:00.000-05:00

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

2011-10-10T23:27:00.000-05:00

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

2011-10-06T23:24:00.000-05:00

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

2011-10-04T11:38:00.000-05:00

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

2011-10-03T13:10:00.000-05:00

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

2011-09-29T23:16:00.000-05:00

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

2011-09-28T22:22:00.000-05:00

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

2011-09-28T13:36:00.000-05:00

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

2011-09-26T22:13:00.000-05:00

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

2011-09-22T00:06:00.000-05:00

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

2011-09-20T23:51:00.000-05:00

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 :)

2011-09-19T23:12:00.000-05:00

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

2011-09-14T22:47:00.000-05:00

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

2011-09-13T22:49:00.000-05:00

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?

2011-09-12T22:47:00.000-05:00

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

2011-09-11T23:08:00.002-05:00

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)

2011-09-08T01:03:00.000-05:00

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

2011-09-05T22:41:00.000-05:00

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

2011-08-31T22:40:00.000-05:00

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

2011-08-30T22:22:00.000-05:00

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

2011-08-29T22:45:00.000-05:00

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

2011-08-28T23:25:00.000-05:00

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

2011-08-24T23:18:00.000-05:00

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

2011-08-23T22:30:00.000-05:00

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

2011-08-22T22:54:00.002-05:00

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 :(

2011-08-21T21:54:00.000-05:00

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

2011-08-19T00:01:00.002-05:00

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

2011-08-17T22:19:00.001-05:00

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.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.2

Football Season

2011-08-16T22:20:00.002-05:00

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?

2011-08-15T23:01:00.000-05:00

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

2011-08-14T22:09:00.001-05:00

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.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.2

So Much To Process

2011-08-12T00:04:00.002-05:00

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"

2011-08-09T23:07:00.000-05:00

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

2011-08-08T23:15:00.000-05:00

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

2011-08-07T23:12:00.000-05:00

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!

2011-08-03T22:53:00.000-05:00

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

2011-08-03T00:11:00.000-05:00

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

2011-08-01T23:36:00.000-05:00

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

2011-07-31T22:46:00.000-05:00

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

2011-07-27T23:32:00.000-05:00

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

2011-07-27T00:19:00.002-05:00

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

2011-07-25T22:55:00.000-05:00

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!

2011-07-24T23:43:00.002-05:00

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

Successful day...check

A Familiar Voice?

2011-07-22T00:51:00.000-05:00

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

2011-07-20T23:46:00.000-05:00

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

2011-07-18T23:56:00.001-05:00

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

2011-07-18T00:38:00.000-05:00

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

2011-07-14T23:54:00.001-05:00

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!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.2

Wit's End

2011-07-13T23:23:00.001-05:00

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

2011-07-12T23:53:00.000-05:00

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?