Redundant Yet?

One reason (but not the biggest) why it's harder to blog these days is that after a year of doing so, you're pretty aware of any activities going on around me and know what it's like to see them through my eyes. For instance, it was another great Love Feast at church yesterday. About the only difference I can note besides some new faces would be Joey's permission to start eating dessert early. I'm likin' this table.


We also started a new semester of EE last night, and it's just as exciting as ever. The great part about EE is that it's a different group every time. Different people to learn about and talk to, and different stories of what God's doing every week! Side-bonus is that it opens up my Tuesday nights, but that's a long story.

And let me just say that not only would Madison make any would-be attacker run away and cry with her clavicle crusher move, she is also really good at advice!! Thank you Mads!

Another Workday

Real quick. You've all felt the intense urge to bang on a drum or other percussion instrument as you walk by right? Me too. So if Mr. Walker isn't around to hear his instruments...did I really hit them?

What's new that could be said about another Saturday morning at the new church building? Well, we just installed a skating rink.

"Yup." "Mmmmm Hmm." "Eeeeeeeeyup."

There are still some great pieces of scripture graffiti showing on the bare beams. I'm glad for what they chose. I love that they didn't need to sign their name, since it's not about who but what. Makes me wonder if I did...probably.


The other day, Huckleberry Hobbs pointed out that our friend Nan blew past him on the trail. I was still stupid enough to jog with him today. The man is a blur!! It was great though, being pushed harder than ever before. We all need that.

Later was Dinner with the boys. I came a little early though and caught Wes sharing Nan's dialysis machine. Poor guy.


Okay, MAYBE it was actually electro-acupuncture. Pretty cool considering how much better they've felt after a short time of treatments. Pretty not cool after you see how long some of the needles are.



How long has it been since we had the food tag on here? Too long. Red Lobster with Jeffrey and Lisa from a while back. Mmmm Mmmmmm.

Words

So anyway, about me...

Today let me do a few things worth reflecting on. Work was busy because we had to prep for alot of stuff. I was grateful for the motivation (aka my boss being around for half the day). I got to clean an area with a kid from my church who talked my ear off and cracked me up doing so. I've never heard such confident deep thoughts and advice from a 7th grader before. Then there was a good conversation about dating and intentions with a dude at Bible study.

But the favorite words today had to be Ryan and Wes' short answer to Peter's question, "What did you guys gain during Men's Bible study this summer?" - Weight!

Ditto

I'm just going to claim "same here" on this one and go to bed.

Except that I don't live with anyone named Bill or Gabby

haven't been to a parade

nor do I find them especially exciting.

Chicagowen

Don't waste a good post title (you know it is) I always say, even when it's not true anymore. Josh and I were supposed to head to Chicago today. However, the lack of people to share it with and the prospect of doing productive things around the house instead lead us to change plans. But the part about Owen was totally true. He took me on a 4-mile jog to start the day off right. Thanks for letting us go jogging Storm! Sorry that this was the best picture I got.

You might be getting tired of seeing pictures of the new church, but I'm not!

Another big work day at Bethany's new building. It's looking fantastic. I stayed outside with the parking lot sealing team, which is pretty much on fire with their steamlined process now. The rest of the crew was working on either landscaping or cleaning up.
I was asked to take this in order to demonstrate to you who's doing the real work. Joey's shovel cleary shows he meant business.

This is my first time really checking out the new sanctuary. I think I'll sit somewhere around the S-60 sunbelt lift area.


Work at the site was promplty followed by absolutely nothing. Ya, I wasted the rest of the day...won't deny it, not proud of it.

Fast forward to Sunday. Brooke took a second shot at hosting a bonfire at her place, and she did suceed. I'm glad to have gotten to know someone new and spend some needed quality time with some guys I haven't talked with much. It's great when people get together to do more than just be entertained.

Choir, Cats And....Some Other 'C' Word.

Still pretending like the blog isn't running slower than molasses.

Christmas choir finally started up again! It wasn't a big deal until the first big practice when a sanctuary full (figuratively...) of members brought back all the excitement and enjoyment we spent together last year, especially the final week when choir gave me the opportunity to sing of God's glory rather than dwell on getting laid off. What was Ryan thinking about? "I wanna be a bass like those guys".

Next, a moment of silence please for a dearly loved kitty named Vicki...

Sunday gave me a chance to enjoy my usual time at Bethany, but also a special chance to worship with a totally different set of great folks. Mike has been harassing me for weeks to visit and a friend wanted to go to see a baptism there. The baptisms were awesome. Great testimonies of God's faithfulness in enormous struggle which God intended for good, not just to be gotten through with a smile.

So my job changed enormously since last semester. Not only did it change from summer project mode to mostly daily routine mode, but most of my routine is different from last time. I now handle all of the IT needs and most of the maintenance needs for PCS's Middle School. I had very little experience there and knew none of the staff, so I had no reason to get excited about it at first. But it turns out that the smaller building and staff make my job less complex, even though it's just as busy. I'm in charge of a large project and challenged to get certain things done before being asked (that's tough for me). The staff and teachers are at least as helpful and friendly as the other campus, and I'm always appreciated. How many people can say that of their job?

Aaaaaaanyway. Thanks for sticking with me!

The Lake

If I pretend like I haven't blogged in a week and a half, will people notice?

That big event that I haven't had the energy to tackle on the blog was the Lake Carroll retreat with my Sunday School class a couple weekends ago. Ryan's family owns a lake house in northern Illinois and graciously offered to let a couple dozen of us stay for the weekend.

Like most retreats, we had the great opportunity to relax in the morning and enjoy God's Word along with His creation.

Some guys had the right idea and slept under the stars on a gorgeous night.


There were jet skis, which I was broken into by one of the craziest drivers alive...and I wouldn't have it any other way. Thanks Ben!

There was tubing in the Big Mable thanks to Ryan's Dad who pulled us around all day!!

And there was home base on the pontoon boat. Ryan, you're so awesome and sensitive, at least that's what I heard.

Speaking of Mr. sensitive, here he tries to document Saturday morning's Birthday celebration, with the camera phone pointed in the wrong direction.

There ya go. Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday TO you.

Happy Birthday dear Peter.

Happy Birthday to youuuuuuu.

Not mentioned or pictured were the folks who helped with all the meals and the time we enjoyed worshiping over a camp fire and sharing thoughts in the afternoon. Thanks guys! Oh, and thanks to Hobbsy and Timmy for letting me steal several of their pictures without knowing it.

Next Time on "What's Goin' On"...Peter makes friends in his apartment complex with some soothing night time music on the didgeridoo.

CLEAR!!

You gotta clear out pics from the previous weekend's activities before posting the current! Last weekend was a purposeful time fellowshiping with our single friends from Bloomington at Comlara Park.

Water balloon volleyball.

Ryan looking for attention.

On Wednesday the Bethany Baptist choir had the chance to sing before the Chiefs game again for Bethany night. Nate and Butch belted the national anthem with pride.

And Ryan looking for attention.

Tonight the boys of Bible study checked out another aspect of the Rescue mission. A few got to serve food for the men staying the mission and everyone helped clean/set up.
Afterward, a couple Bethany faves lead worship in the chapel service with a surprise on piano!



Alright, ready for lake fun pics....later.

Ketchup

It's time to dangle some pics in front of you to satisfy those loyal fans who have been asking where the posts are, and to get Ryan off back!

Ryan constantly asks me where his brotherly love pictures went from Emily's outdoor bray party. Here they are.


The motivation usually just isn't there for home projects at my place. I'm more likely to get something done at the parent's place. A couple weeks ago, a plumbing job took three times as long as it should have, as usual. I was talking to a buddy shortly after about what it's like working on home projects with your father. It always reveals the impatience of the son and the experience of the father. And if you're smart the learning opportunity for the younger. Stupid faucet!


Things at the new land are going splendidly. I was long over due for some work out there and got myself on the parking lot sealing team. Bad idea for the lower back but rewarding since it's something I can see results from for years to come.


We found out for Butch's bday that in the absence of proper candles, Doritos work almost too well.


I didn't have the heart to put the hose away without satisfying Tilly's burning desire to attack the water.


Will someone please invent candles made of frosting? It would have made Butch's other cake much easier to eat. :-)


Last week was too hot and busy for Sunday volleyball. But the week before it, Ben and Jon played a serious game while some spectators we didn't know gladly joined us. It could be a great opportunity for the future if they haven't given up after we ditched them last week.


Joe (left) and I had the pain pleasure of being thrust out into the local mission field a couple years ago by our discipleship leader, Danny. I've never gotten to hear Joe speak there until this month though. On my favorite verse as well...he's so thoughtful. Psalm 37:4