I won't spoil any details until they post, but I wanted to say congrats to the new family. The little dude still isn't quite as big as my brother and I were (Mom, what did you DO?), but he definitely made a big entrance. Can't wait to meet him!! A group of us baby lovers is headed out for Colorado this weekend making way for the non-skiers with nothing better to do to take turns holding the baby. So jealous.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Kaiserhof
Last Friday was a trip to Peoria's newest German restaurant, the Kaiserhof. All the friendly faces turned out for a new experience which included, accordion sing-alongs!
This dude shows up on Friday and Saturday nights and offers a great time either just listening to his music, listening to his jokes, or joining in on some really simple songs and toasts. Thanks Amanda for helping us try it out!
Afterward, a movie suggestion from the ladies. Saving Sarah Cain Have you ever read a Christian romance? I've read a cheap version before. They put a prayer somewhere in the middle and the strong independent woman in the story ends up happy after some struggle. Sorry ladies, but I'm pretty sure Fox Faith caught on to the watered down money maker that authors have known about for years. It was really funny and enjoyable though. Five super cute Amish children in the big city. But I'm left feeling a little cheating when it comes to values that are taught, weather you are looking for them or not. Wondering, was Anna Mae doing wrong by trying to look cute in her new outfit which clearly accomplishes getting bad attention (whether it's her goal or not) when she knew it was against her beliefs, or was enjoying ourselves something we need to do more? Don't strain yourself too hard looking for the answer. I'm pretty sure the writers didn't want to reflect right or wrong Biblicaly any more than alot of people my age. The Bible just says be happy and be nice as far as they're concerned. That understanding dripping from each scene is eerily similar to the lack of knowledge and purely emotionally charged responses exposed by the secular commenters on this article recently written by a friend, Dustin.
This dude shows up on Friday and Saturday nights and offers a great time either just listening to his music, listening to his jokes, or joining in on some really simple songs and toasts. Thanks Amanda for helping us try it out!
Afterward, a movie suggestion from the ladies. Saving Sarah Cain Have you ever read a Christian romance? I've read a cheap version before. They put a prayer somewhere in the middle and the strong independent woman in the story ends up happy after some struggle. Sorry ladies, but I'm pretty sure Fox Faith caught on to the watered down money maker that authors have known about for years. It was really funny and enjoyable though. Five super cute Amish children in the big city. But I'm left feeling a little cheating when it comes to values that are taught, weather you are looking for them or not. Wondering, was Anna Mae doing wrong by trying to look cute in her new outfit which clearly accomplishes getting bad attention (whether it's her goal or not) when she knew it was against her beliefs, or was enjoying ourselves something we need to do more? Don't strain yourself too hard looking for the answer. I'm pretty sure the writers didn't want to reflect right or wrong Biblicaly any more than alot of people my age. The Bible just says be happy and be nice as far as they're concerned. That understanding dripping from each scene is eerily similar to the lack of knowledge and purely emotionally charged responses exposed by the secular commenters on this article recently written by a friend, Dustin.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Break Time
This week was spring break for the kids at school. That meant that I got alot of quiet time at work to get things done. Sounds like a huge bonus, and I thought so too. But really it wasn't that great. Why? Well, just skip to the later pics if you're sick of narrative blogs about the author.
During a normal work day, my maintenance boss really motivates me to get work done, and my IT boss is there to help me figure out what to do about IT problems. They both took the week off. First day on the job I started three things on the long todo list and all of them got stuck in the mud with problems I couldn't immediately solve. The next two days, same thing. By Thursday I started thinking about how you're supposed to handle when nothing goes right, and I remembered the "How To Handle Trouble" class our church teaches during the six week electives courses they teach. You first see God in the problem. The action items which come about from a Biblical view of trouble is that you need to understand what God is teaching you through the situation, yours and other people's mistakes, and how God wants you to use that to glorify Him in the response.
So what did I learn? Checking out the situation ahead of time, patience and time in planning, and starting the day off with the right perspective. God is in control and will be glorified with or without me. If I submit to what HE wants me to do and not what I feel like, then I can enjoy the glorifying plan for which He is using me.
At Bible study this week, we hit up the Apostle Paul's teaching about woman's hair styles. Borrriiiiiing. After putting 15 minutes of thought into all the ways we DON'T need to submit and be humbled in today's world (since Paul apparently wasted a bunch of time witting down how we should be focused on giving UP our rights) we landed on the topic of literal vs. figurative commands in the bible, like the "holy kiss" scripture for example. There's alot of cultures these days who still practice a greeting kiss among dudes. And yes ma'am, the French do kiss. Perhaps one day your husband will demonstrate.
Ryan totally popped John's personal space bubble.
During a normal work day, my maintenance boss really motivates me to get work done, and my IT boss is there to help me figure out what to do about IT problems. They both took the week off. First day on the job I started three things on the long todo list and all of them got stuck in the mud with problems I couldn't immediately solve. The next two days, same thing. By Thursday I started thinking about how you're supposed to handle when nothing goes right, and I remembered the "How To Handle Trouble" class our church teaches during the six week electives courses they teach. You first see God in the problem. The action items which come about from a Biblical view of trouble is that you need to understand what God is teaching you through the situation, yours and other people's mistakes, and how God wants you to use that to glorify Him in the response.
So what did I learn? Checking out the situation ahead of time, patience and time in planning, and starting the day off with the right perspective. God is in control and will be glorified with or without me. If I submit to what HE wants me to do and not what I feel like, then I can enjoy the glorifying plan for which He is using me.
At Bible study this week, we hit up the Apostle Paul's teaching about woman's hair styles. Borrriiiiiing. After putting 15 minutes of thought into all the ways we DON'T need to submit and be humbled in today's world (since Paul apparently wasted a bunch of time witting down how we should be focused on giving UP our rights) we landed on the topic of literal vs. figurative commands in the bible, like the "holy kiss" scripture for example. There's alot of cultures these days who still practice a greeting kiss among dudes. And yes ma'am, the French do kiss. Perhaps one day your husband will demonstrate.
Ryan totally popped John's personal space bubble.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Another Late Weekend Update
Buckmaster
Russell Thornberry, editor of Buckmaster magazine, was invited once again to give a short seminar about bow hunting with a great question an answer time, followed by a solid personal testimony and gospel presentation. It was great to see upwards of 60 new faces at the event with a total of 130ish.
It was also good to see FOOD. Lots of coffee cake, Deer meat and cheeeeeeese.
For you crazies who don't like to eat anything that once had a face, let me make something clear. It still has a face, hangin' comfortably on the wall.
Lee Wedding
TimLee and his almost bride, Nicole, sing with their guests during another fantastic wedding at Bethany. I'm kinda getting sick of time flying by so fast. It really really really felt like just yesterday that we were counting down the days when Tim would be leaving for the UK after a few months spent working in the US, probably never to return. And then again the next year...and again the next year :-) There were a ton of Brits who flew in for the awesome occasion. The best man, Tim's friend Ian, gave a good message during the service and a hilaious (spelled like Tim says it) toast at the reception. I then hitched a ride with a carpool to the reception...
We've had alot of teaching and thoughts about singleness and contentment in my Sunday School group recently. I have some doubt about contentedness when best friends can easily consider each other as ticking biological clocks and waiting for a prince or princess. I'd like to offer clear and simple proof that I am currently having very little struggle with being content as a single.
I submit that no guy can post a picture like that on a blog, read largely by women (I did not say large women) or allow pictures like this on other blogs and still place a high priority on finding a woman. But wait, is that a girl hungin' all over you? No, I'm not so naive and lied to as to say I'm content in front of a bunch of people...as long as I got a woman sitting next to me or a baby on my lap. That's Becky playing "corners" as the driver, Amanda, swerves wildly around corners. Noah was on the other side getting squished on right turns.
Reception was great. It was the same place as Greg and Steph's wedding what...two years ago??? Sheesh.
I noticed this time around that any happy couple gets so used to people taking drive by pictures that they pose without missing a beat. I'm pretty sure they had no idea who was taking this picture or even remembered it happened two seconds later.
Yup, definitely dancing at this gig. I was not thoughtful enough to realize that I had carpooled with the dancing crew to the reception, and that it would be a full night before I would get to leave. Darn hippies! :-) Thank you Joey and Kari for giving me a ride home early!
The DJ at the reception has been used for Ben and Ashley's, The Moons and Andrew and Ashley's weddings. So he's developed a comfort with this crowd, and some knowledge about what they like to do. JoshM had to step up to the plate with a dance he did at his own wedding.
Eventually the rest of the wedding party followed suit.
I like to think that Nicole is saying, "What did I tell you about dancing like that at our wedding? And take off these silly British flag suspenders!!" Juuuuust kidding Nicole.
Sunday Lunch
Sunday, Tom and Bev, one of our married Sunday School leaders, hospitalitized us with lunch at their place. Very enjoyable and a great job prepping! Here we have the big table.
Here we have the comfort zone, Food.
And the kiddie table. :-)
Russell Thornberry, editor of Buckmaster magazine, was invited once again to give a short seminar about bow hunting with a great question an answer time, followed by a solid personal testimony and gospel presentation. It was great to see upwards of 60 new faces at the event with a total of 130ish.
It was also good to see FOOD. Lots of coffee cake, Deer meat and cheeeeeeese.
For you crazies who don't like to eat anything that once had a face, let me make something clear. It still has a face, hangin' comfortably on the wall.
Lee Wedding
TimLee and his almost bride, Nicole, sing with their guests during another fantastic wedding at Bethany. I'm kinda getting sick of time flying by so fast. It really really really felt like just yesterday that we were counting down the days when Tim would be leaving for the UK after a few months spent working in the US, probably never to return. And then again the next year...and again the next year :-) There were a ton of Brits who flew in for the awesome occasion. The best man, Tim's friend Ian, gave a good message during the service and a hilaious (spelled like Tim says it) toast at the reception. I then hitched a ride with a carpool to the reception...We've had alot of teaching and thoughts about singleness and contentment in my Sunday School group recently. I have some doubt about contentedness when best friends can easily consider each other as ticking biological clocks and waiting for a prince or princess. I'd like to offer clear and simple proof that I am currently having very little struggle with being content as a single.
I submit that no guy can post a picture like that on a blog, read largely by women (I did not say large women) or allow pictures like this on other blogs and still place a high priority on finding a woman. But wait, is that a girl hungin' all over you? No, I'm not so naive and lied to as to say I'm content in front of a bunch of people...as long as I got a woman sitting next to me or a baby on my lap. That's Becky playing "corners" as the driver, Amanda, swerves wildly around corners. Noah was on the other side getting squished on right turns.
Reception was great. It was the same place as Greg and Steph's wedding what...two years ago??? Sheesh.
I noticed this time around that any happy couple gets so used to people taking drive by pictures that they pose without missing a beat. I'm pretty sure they had no idea who was taking this picture or even remembered it happened two seconds later.
Yup, definitely dancing at this gig. I was not thoughtful enough to realize that I had carpooled with the dancing crew to the reception, and that it would be a full night before I would get to leave. Darn hippies! :-) Thank you Joey and Kari for giving me a ride home early!
The DJ at the reception has been used for Ben and Ashley's, The Moons and Andrew and Ashley's weddings. So he's developed a comfort with this crowd, and some knowledge about what they like to do. JoshM had to step up to the plate with a dance he did at his own wedding.
Eventually the rest of the wedding party followed suit.
I like to think that Nicole is saying, "What did I tell you about dancing like that at our wedding? And take off these silly British flag suspenders!!" Juuuuust kidding Nicole.
Sunday Lunch
Sunday, Tom and Bev, one of our married Sunday School leaders, hospitalitized us with lunch at their place. Very enjoyable and a great job prepping! Here we have the big table.
Here we have the comfort zone, Food.
And the kiddie table. :-)
Friday, March 27, 2009
Spades
Noah's got this strange notion that mingling in small groups without all your besties is a great way to encourage other people and find joy stepping outside your comfort zone. Weirdo! So, once again, on Friday he got together a spades night with some random folks. Clockwise from the top - Kelly, Emily (trying to intimidate you!), Sarah and Noah. They weren't sitting in that order, but I couldn't trim Sarah's picture and no one will know I lied except Emily and Sarah.
After looking at that collage up there, it occurred to me that Noah is totally the ladies man. I was there though too! Doing what you say? After a couple of demo hands for Sarah, I got to work in the kitchen. The annual buckmaster hunters event at church required some goodies for which I volunteered. Technically an entire committee volunteered, but found out later they would all be busy...in the same room...at the same event...chumps.
Despite the pain and struggle most people seem to have in finding four real people interested in real conversation with an open evening and setting up so much in preparation (a table and a deck of cards), Noah seems to have found the strength over and over again. Thanks dude.
After looking at that collage up there, it occurred to me that Noah is totally the ladies man. I was there though too! Doing what you say? After a couple of demo hands for Sarah, I got to work in the kitchen. The annual buckmaster hunters event at church required some goodies for which I volunteered. Technically an entire committee volunteered, but found out later they would all be busy...in the same room...at the same event...chumps.
Despite the pain and struggle most people seem to have in finding four real people interested in real conversation with an open evening and setting up so much in preparation (a table and a deck of cards), Noah seems to have found the strength over and over again. Thanks dude.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Pushing Back The Frontier Of Ignorance
I previously mentioned that work last week was a little different. That's because PCS has this weird thing now called miniterm. It's where the students are required to take one or two short classes about interesting and creative topics. The classes only scratch the surface of what they are about, but it's a great opportunity to have fun, learn something new and think about learning more. Mr. Walker commands an army reserve band (I think that's what you call it) and so he's showing videos and taking field trips to expose students to military life.
Mr. Moser heads up the A/V tech crew so those guys are setting up a bunch of new equipment. We have alot of do-it-yourself talent at school between the IT guys and the A/V guys. So Ryan, who has been a HUGE help to me during break THIS week (we're getting there, be patient) is soldering connections for a custom bundle of cables. Soldering is one of the cool things I've picked up and get to do alot of today actually.There's also baking, sewing, carpentry, art, sign language. Alot of classes are off-site. Mr. Fay's aviation class is off-site. Speaking of Mr. Fay...
And speaking of funny signs. The elementary is doing a bunch of Dr. Seuss stuff this year. I get a kick out of this bathroom sign every time.
The new site for Bethany Baptist Church is coming along nicely. It's been way t0o long since I've checked it out, because I was blown away with the progress.
Wednesday was the day our Sunday School class had been given to offer the construction workers an on-site snack and coffee break. Various groups at church do snacks and lunches as a ministry to the workers. Some how Ryan snagged a bunch of goodies from McDonald's. After brunch, Pastor Lyall gave the special access tour. Pretty sweet to walk the halls and see the rooms already! The pastors have already called dibs on their offices :-)
Monday, March 23, 2009
Step One, Admit The Problem
I have a problem with food. There, I said it. This post clearly calls out my vice and comfort. A while back my mother (I love you Mom) stated that she was surprised I was losing weight considering how many blog posts are about food. It's true. 27% of the 286 posts have a food tag.
Career Impact headed out to Qdoba for lunch a week ago after church. Philip and Katie, from the married class, were headed out there with a new couple and invited us to fellowship with them. It was great to meet Matt and Janelle (above) and learn about them first hand.
Monday night, the fam went out to a semi-new place in P-town called Hickory River. Turns out that it's a light version of Famous Daves. Very nice. For those dedicated Career blog readers, you now have a hint about where we're going for lunch next Sunday.
My bro easily put down Hickory's awesome version of a horseshoe.
This week at work was a little different than usual, but not in the free food department.
Friday (not pictured) a couple of kids were sick so their teacher and I got their hot meal. Back off, it's fair!!
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