Run Forrest Run!

I'm not counting Storm out, but until we get on a schedule, I've got some more running buddies on Fridays. Ryan is paired up with me on the Rock Island Trail which is a great break from running in the boring hood (in the morning Mom, in the morning)



Josh and Peter are just blur (pictured) after almost a mile. The good news is I'll be home, showered and fed before they see this spot again :-)





Kelli and Brooke do catch up eventually, but not forever!!

Peter hosted a showing of "Chariots Of Fire" at his place later on that night because of the recent prep several people are in for long races. Glad I finally got to see the movie. I did not know how relevant and moving the story was in a Christian context. Eric Liddell's sacrifice, fortitude and vision for God's glory were clearly pronounced in the movie and applied. Praise the Lord!

After a great week of exercise and diet discipline, I totally failed to get to bed early enough for a race Saturday morning. At least I hadn't registered yet. After running about the equivalent at home, I can proudly say some productivity was had.

Among other things, those stupid trees are now firewood. :-P

Spotted The Man

Forgot to tell you earlier this week that buddy Ryan is in Las Vegas for a McDonald's convention. Yes, the big yellow arches have a convention and franchise management is there to...I have no idea what they're doing there. Top secret shots of THE big man himself were smuggled out, however, for our amusement. Enjoy.

Post Material Abounds!

Baby Huse!

The other one. Much cuter. MUCH cuter. Much Much Much....getting stale? Alright


The third grade AWANA girls needed a missionary to interview. Normally you make them work on it throughout the week via email or scheduled meeting with a visiting missionary. But with this being the last week of AWANA for the year, the dude who signs up for way too many trips is the best they got.
I did NOT tell them to spell Slovenia or Ecuador like that. And we've gone over it a MILLION times. MAINTENANCE ENGINEER!!

And Bob made fun of Diane's age...as usual.

I am grateful, though exhausted, for God's faithfulness in putting life in perspective as he teaches grows and disciplines me. He gives me so many opportunities to learn submission, patience and action, and I slowly learn to grab them as tired or unmotivated as I may be. I am also grateful for where he has lead me because I know I could be much worse off and further behind.

From Cradle to Grave

Food food food.


Just had to let you know that the leftovers from the PCS auction were amazing.

Monday night was the PCS staff appreciation banquet. I am now staff therefore I am now appreciated. Thank you. And guess what they had at the banquet? Food!

It was my pleasure to get to sit with the Fays and my boss. Peoria pops was there to entertain, as well as alot of the staff. Mr. Bruer led the secret identity game which basically is the game show version of the tried and true Career Impact "secret fact about yourself" game.





It was great to see my old English teacher who had to put up with me win the High School teacher of the year award. Mrs. Bordeux, who's 3rd grade class I am trying to learn all the names of, won for elementary, and Bruce, a Bethany guy, won for the Middle School.


The board put on most of the show organizing and leading it as an act of service to the staff. Nice to see them more and get to know who's making all the decisions.

The staff put their names on pieces of paper and dropped them in baskets next to prizes they wanted to win. You could choose as many prizes as you wanted, but only one name per basket. We then spent over an hour watching Nate draw names from each basket. The first prize you win is the one you take home (no more). I....got the door prize like several other folks. If only I was a fan of Vera Bradley designs, I totally could have walked away with a stationary set.

So what's with the title? Two very special birthdays. My boss and a nine year old share the same birth date. Guess which one invited me to the lunch party? The nine year old.


Twas a great little party hosted by the principal (he doesn't know it) with cake, balloons and laughs.

Aloha Strike!!

Saturday afternoon brought a little work setting up for the Peoria Christian School auction. The annual fundraiser and excuse for fun (and work) is a pretty big event. Donations keep getting bigger and the silent auction keeps expanding. Yes, that is a real auctioneer calling.




Yes that is my boss. They finally told him he didn't need to wear the coconut bra.












Had to work the auction for a couple of short stints in order to learn how the auction software is used for next year.


Baby break!

I picked the wrong week to quit caffeine!!! That's right. If you see it in my hand, take it.


Career Bowling!

SarahK organized a big bowling event which ALSO fell on Saturday. We had tons of food and creative scoring and team mixers.

"Look, we're thumb twins!!!"
(riiiight)

The event brought on a large crowd from a church singles group we're trying to partner up with in Bloomington. Welcome Bloomingtonianiteses...


"Why Kevin Why!?!"

SARAH!!

That's better





I think both ways worked out equally well for Ryan. Poor guy.



I've got a secret!!


Alright I'm done.

Slow Down Saturday!

Augh. Documenting another busy Saturday seemed like a great idea at the time. But I have no desire to stay up late telling you all about it. Sorry. (grunt) lets get started.

The ladies of Bethany made breakfast for 70 guys look easy, as usual. I filled in for someone so that I too would know what it's like to be on a cook team for Men's Breakfast this month.

Beth is a great lead and Laura's experience is obvious.


Donna kicks butt on the skillet!


Attendance was a little more than we had expected. About 70 guys showed up. And even though they only cooked for 45, the ladies and Lyall rocked out enough food for everyone. This month was Pastor Chris' last talk for the men's ministry before leaving this pastoral position. His presentation on "Discerning God's Will" will be available for download (power point only, sorry) as soon as I or one of the other guys get a hold of it. It will be found here, which is something that needs to be updated ASAP I see. Oops.



Hey guess who's got a sweet sun roof and let me drive their car today?

Noah!

Nan provided nourishment before the workout. An awesome stew. Thanks Nan!




A little friz to cancel out breakfast and dinner.



To be continued...

So quiet

As I fall desperately behind in other folk's blogs, I still feel bad when my posts slow down. So something needs to be posted right? Did not get a picture of the guys jogging, but Ryan and Peter let J-gerb and I tag along on the trail today and Ryan let me spend some time enjoying his company on his sweet deck. Did you know he has a deck??? I missed that.



This ruined it though. It must go.


To spend time talking about lives changed and growth and challenge in each other's lives and those around me is utter joy. I'm excited for what God has in store, despite knowing it's not always the plan I want. Thanks Ryan!