Quote of the Day

"Sin is not letting God be God"

(I can't remember where I heard this, but it's too good not to post)

BEING a Christian

Holiday '08 Rundown

Well, this is my first post post-holidays, and I must say it has been difficult catching back up.  I've been checking emails and blogs and fantasy football for almost 2 hours now.  Once you get behind, it's difficult to catch up.  Here's a small recap of the past couple of weeks:

Thanksgiving was great.  We stayed up here, so it was my first Thanksgiving without my parents.  Almost panicked because I thought there was no Dressing--but the day was saved.

Went to Nashville for our annual Staff Planning Retreat.  Had a blast.  Nashville is one of my favorite cities.  Still think I only saw about half of the Opryland hotel (I think I read somewhere that it has around 70 square acres of space INSIDE).  

Upon returning from Nashville I was stricken with the rotavirus (see pics on earlier post).  That sucked!!!  I would not recommend the rotavirus to anyone.  Uncontrollable puking.  Fatigue.  Can't sleep.  Miserable.  (As I side note, I believe it was Jack's in Harpersville that got me sick.  Anyone who wants to join my boycott feel free to do so).  

Drove to my Grandma's (Dad's mom) in West Va for Christmas.  It took us 14 hours to get there, but only 12 to get back (I know we ate an extra meal, but that still leaves and extra hour.  Perhaps driving downhill helped???).  I love my family.  Dad's side is definitely more lively than my mother's (and louder!).  We saw a little snow, but there wasn't enough to play in.  :(  We froze our tails off when we visited D.C. (I think it was around 20 w/ 30+ mph winds).  Saw Bush's dog chasing a frisbee.  There was a U-Haul in front of the White House (I guess to move Bush out).  I got hustled by a semi-homeless guy.  When went to 1 of 5 (?) Smithsonian buildings--and didn't get to see all of it!!!  D.C. is also probably one of my favorite cities (I love the city, in case you can't tell)

Had a great Christmas with my family (though there was no Dressing).  My Grandmother fixed the SHARPEST homemade mac-n-cheese I've ever tasted.  Had a little bad news.  My Dad's brother has been given a year to live (lung cancer).  On Christmas Day, he had to go to the hospital.  The cancer has spread to his other lung and throughout his body.  Remember him in your prayers.

There was tons of other details, but right now my mind is going hay-wire (I had two cups of coffee this morning).  I am glad to be back.

Thanks to everyone who reads and posts comments.  I love you guys.  I look forward to a great 09!  

Instructions

Found these great tips on Brad Leach's blog.  I think these will definitely help my parenting skills:

Weekend Update

So, I've missed a couple of days--my apologies.  Last Thursday, I went to Nashville for our annual staff planning retreat.  Had a great time staying in the Opryland Hotel.  Got home Saturday.  Unfortunately, I got sick with these bad boys:

This is a microscopic shot of the rotavirus.  They caused me to puke my brains out and feel like complete poop.  Thanks a lot rotavirus.

Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday

Have you ever gone on a huge trip and the day before, all you can think about is going on the trip.  That's where I'm at today.  Tomorrow morning we head out for our annual Staff Planning Retreat.  We go and plan out what direction the church is going to take for the next year--which is a great thing.  The only downside is that we leave on a Thursday and this year we are staying at the Opryland hotel in Nashville.  I stayed at the O'land when I was a Senior in high school; it was awesome!  So needless to say I can't wait to leave.  But, when you have a service to minister to teenagers, you don't usually want a bunch of distractions. 

 Oh well.

Are You Kidding Me?

Hurricanes in December

I would like to start off stating the obvious: Hurricanes don't occur in December.  And though a meteorological hurricane may be far from present, a "life hurricane" is not.  Last week was--in a word--crazy for me.  Things started off slow.  I had a hard time focusing--especially at the church, I lacked energy, and nothing was going on.  It was setting up to be quite a pedestrian week.  

Then Wednesday came.  I'm not entirely sure that I've ever had a day like Wednesday.  The closest I could compare Wednesday to would be an experience I had in 3rd Grade:  Hurricane Opal.  I lived in Southeast Alabama then, so we lived relatively close to the Gulf.  Hurricane Opal came through and wreaked havoc on our area.  We were without power for a day or two, there were trees down (my granddad lost his barn/shed).  It was chaotic.  Wednesday was kind of like that.  For whatever reason, I felt depressed (I guess that's the right word) when I woke up.  Then the day continued to get worse as several "flare-ups" occurred.  Then there was a mediocre worship service, which got slightly better because I actually didn't feel like the teaching went that bad, then slightly worse because people didn't respond to the altar call.

So I went home and my wife and I unpacked the day's happenings and were about to head to bed, when one of us got the wacky idea to check if Amanda was pregnant.  Three minutes later we went from extremely low to the top of the world...we are pregnant!  

So the rest of the week was spent telling family and friends about our exciting news.  So this week has definitely been like a hurricane.  Turns out the hurricanes in December aren't that bad :)  

On the Way

I had a really cool way I was going to announce this, but I don't have time to get the stinkin pic to upload, so here it is>>>

Amanda and I are having a baby!!!

Needless to say, I'm thrilled (really quite an understatement)!!

Sensory Overload

Wish List

So I'm a book freak.  I love to get new books.  I already have so many that I haven't read, but it's an addiction, I need more!! :)

In case you're wondering what I'm anxious to read, here's a list I made at amazon:

The Greatest Life Group EVER!!!

Attention all 20 and 30-somethings at VRC:  the greatest Life Group EVER is coming this February.  By popular demand Shawn and Amy Martin will again be hosting the Life Group for 20-30-somethings.  If you've never been, you do not want to miss out.  We'll meet together every other week--once at their home and once at a restaurant.  It's going to be awesome.

World AIDS Day

Today is the 20th Anniversary of World AIDS Day.  It's a day to remember those who have died from this terrible disease and those who are currently suffering--most of whom live in poverty.  Remember to take time to pray for those suffering from AIDS and their families today.