We do

I Don't WANNA!

I'm a pretty stubborn baby and know it. I know it, honestly, because of how many times God keeps me from getting my way. Wanna know what else I've learned? Listen to Pastor Joel's Sermon from a couple of weeks ago. We have alot of different speakers lined up for Sundays while Pastor Ritch is on sabbatical

Joel's study and biblical vision on this topic has made a big impact on my life. And what I've found is the importance of these views and checks not only in trouble, but in good times.

I did NOT wanna work in the nursery tonight. AWANA is a good time for me, though tiring at times. I enjoy messin' with the kids, listening to a good speaker, and then bashing some heads together during handbook time. But there was a need and I was available for most of the time.

What was the benefit and great outcome?

Willy!

I dunno what's up with that kid on the slide. Probably broke his leg or something. Whatever.

And spending time talking to Dustin and his wife.

Happy Passover!

So my Easterish post was on Passover and my Passover post is about Easter day. Sue me.

Easter service was great. Pastor Fred gave the choir and congregation an opportunity to enjoy the proclamation of the Gospel in song as much as possible and Pastor Chris's final message to the church was excellent. I am grateful, even if I am naive.

Another great Easter lunch with the fam that Mother lovingly prepared for us knowing I would probably rush out the door again with a busy schedule.

Lambfest 2009
To celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Nan (left) organized and worked very hard at preparing a dinner which included many traditional Jewish dishes (lots of lamb), and highlighted the Passover Seder tradition. Thank you Nan!!










...Yum.












Ted and Lisa hosted and helped prepare for a great crowd. Not all pictured thanks to someone who didn't stop eating when I took the picture!! :-)


Between the meal and dessert, Josh entertained the children with some information about tax law. Seriously.

Nan also gave me the opportunity to share with the guests a little information and visual aid about the Seder tradition. It was a pitiful job at best pulling together information about the original and traditional aspects of the meal, but I was glad to learn alot, share some info and talk about the greatest sacrifice and gift ever given. Leave it to me to forget to take a picture of the Seder plate. Honestly. Here's Wiki's version.

Relapse

So it looks like I had a relapse of my hectic weekend days. I don't know why it's been so long since I've had one, but we all know I have a bad habit of making Saturdays a marathon of four or more events. Not good and I know it.

I pride myself in being able to enjoy being around anyone God puts me with. If I'm not enjoying it, I'm hoping to understand why I'm there so that I can be used and perhaps enjoy it. Well...pride gone. While it's hard enough to enjoy time with people when you're terribly distracted by depressing thoughts (been there done that), it's even worse when you know you told people in similar situations (not knowing at the time) that they have no excuse. I'm sorry.

That said, here's Saturday.

My 4th grade buddies at school were having a guy weekend sponsored by my boss and his son. I was honored to be invited by Josh and glad to double as an extra chaperon. We took over the school for about four hours playing all kinds of stuff.

Capture the flag. I got to guard the back hallway. Everything was going great until a huge blitz at the end. The old man wins again.


I never read "Lord Of The Flies", but for some reason, this picture seemed to remind me of the short version I was told.

Basketball. I was out after a few short minutes when my old duck-duck-goose injury was agitated by a run in with the wall.

You know what this means. Definitely got a work-out in this weekend.

It was a beautiful day and I was blessed to get to chat with the B-man outside for a while. But it was off to dinner at another hood house, John and Lori's. They were having several people over from their college ministry and I was so lucky to get to enjoy it with them.



Lastly, another evening of spades at Noah's with team Sarah this time. Everything is so clear at Noah's place. Ha....get it???

Happy Resurection

This weekend (ok week for me) surely underscores God's sovereignty and work in our lives as He presses the meaning and significance of the acts and love of Christ's death. Besides His atonement for my sins and opening a way for me to fellowship with God and spend eternity with Him in heaven, He demonstrated a love that we can never stop learning from and pursuing in our lives.

On reason why I say that is because our group Bible study just happened to hit 1 Corinthians 11, regarding the Lord's supper the day before Good Friday. Not just considering the ritual of Communion, it was an opportunity to think on the meaning and acts it represents...Christ's punishment for us!

But that's not the only reason you read my blog right? Here they are.

Goof Balls

Yes...yes. Eat and mingle our little minions as we watch and wait.




See John

See John hide
See John learn how to be secure in his manhood.


Pictures courtesy of "the wife".

Wrap It Up Fuzz Ball

There are yet more pictures posted on Picasa for you. Alot of other folks took alot of great pics, but organizing them in a viewer friendly way is a serious pain. You may notice that a few captions have been put on the pictures. They are a fun way to help describe the scene and comments on the pics are welcome.

I'm sorry that my heart has not been into blogging this week. We'll hopefully get a Bible study post up later today.

Terrible Reason For A Food Post

Lets take a break from the ski review for a little news on the home front

While we were in Colorado, my buddy Pete was on the job plastering over a doorway in my house. Yes, this is the same doorway Chris helped stud up three months ago. Sad isn't it? Pete is a great friend from high school choir, track and wrestling. His expertiece is much appreciated. I am most happy with the job he did and that he documented the progress!


What Pete also documented was the mischief going on in the ghetto. After going back to clean up from the job, Pete noticed something odd about the place. Do you see what I see? I'll give you a few seconds.



Yup, that's right! The pots on the porch were moved...

Despite our ability to spot subtle differences in the ladscape, we didn't find all the mischief that went on until the next day. It appears that an exchange was made. We received 200-300 forks in the lawn and were relieved of all silverware in the house. Yup, not a single piece left lying around to use. But just in case muddy forks weren't to our liking, some alternatives were provided. Observe now, a portrait of a hungry bachelor.

Perplexity

Desperation

Progress

Failure

Frustration

Success!

One quarter teaspoon at a time.



Yup, nooo silverware to be found anywhere. If a few people would be interested in receiving a home cooked meal, provided that they bring their own forks (or ours), we would be happy to entertain.

In Action

Here's the video I promised. After looking through all the stuff from today, these ones from Thursday don't seem nearly as good, but it'll be a while before more get uploaded. Check out the album for the rest of my pics. I'd like to post the rest of the team's photos as well, but it's getting late.

For those keeping a close eye on weather for us, we will probably be coming back through Kansas in the morning out of lack of better options (road closings) and just to be safe.

Good night!

Ski Flyby (Kari, PeterH, Ryan)


Great conditions Thursday (Kari, Josh)


(Josh, Kelli, PeterH)


PeterH was doing awesome on the blues.


BenHobbs caught some air (and snow)

First day on the mount

Don't forget to check out the picture album, fully up to date now.

New skiers, Kristi and Andrea, headed off to ski school for the day and the rest of the group (minus fearless leader Lyall) headed off in a group starting with the good ole green "Schoolmarm". A long and easy trail which scurries all over the front of the Keystone slopes. Eventually some of us were adventurous enough to hit the back two mountain faces. Alot more difficult separating the inexperienced from the speed demons (by about a quarter mile).

Twas fun being able to remember many of the routes we have been on in past years and know ahead of time what we were getting in to.

Conditions were nearly perfect with somewhat clear skies, high (but below freezing) temperatures and a few inches of fresh snow.

Ryan found that his natural position skiing is the same as in ultimate frisbee. Butt on the ground. Everyone has had their share of falls, proving that no one is holding back.
In the evening, chef Lyall almost outdid himself cooking a huge meal, including steak leftover from a church event.
Most people fell limp wherever the plopped down after dinner. Lyall encouraged us to share a little bit about recent things we've learned from scripture, or our favorite verses. Most years, the first day is pretty rough, but we've agreed that this was one of the most exhausted first night groups ever. No one stayed up past 9:30.



Second day

Andrea missed the first half of ski school on the first day due to a ski boot malfunction, so she went back to catch what she missed on the second day. Before then, however, she got to take a trip up with us in the Gondola.

Perfect opportunity for a group picture. No one missing this time!

The conditions fluctuated between not so great to perfect with heavy snow and low visibility before lunch and clear skies after. Still high temps below freezing.

Today a few of us followed Lyall down the back mountains testing out some new blues and a black diamond. Nothing serious though.

(PeterH not pictured)
A long lunch back at the condo cut the ski day a little short with only a couple of hours left after that.

Too late to blog about the evening. You'll also get some video next time around.

Ski Colorado

Day one of the annual ski trip to Colorado with pastor Lyall and gang was exhausting. You get three sentances and a Picasa album. Enjoy.