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

Partly Cloudy

So I haven't done a very good job keeping up the blog this month. I blame it on work. Monday starts a new work schedule. That's right, I'm back to part-time IT work. However, it's "salaried" part time IT work with maintenance, which means "get lots of work done you slacker", so no promises. To keep you from leaving me altogether, let me introduce you to some of my weird interests. I like clouds. Ever heard the question, "if you could have one superhero ability, what would it be?" Well, my answer would be to fly, because I love clouds. Here's some Peoria clouds from July.





Ominous, tall, colorful. These are some of the things that make clouds cool.






Car? These look like they were taken from a moving vehicle? I don't know what you're talking about.
Cloud picture? Actually, it's a cloud picture meant to remind me to complain to the IDOT guy I know about how the only alternate route around I-74 construction was plagued with one-lane traffic due to construction on 150 with no visible signs of actual work being performed.

Birthday Week

It's bout time to give credit to all those jerks (except you Mom, you're not a jerk) who wanted to do something for my Birthday over a week ago.

Tuesday 14th

A couple of the dudes at work, Ron and Frank, treated me to donuts at Trefzgers since it was my first time on a donut run. Before leaving the store, I saw the cake I really wanted. The week went by though...and no one got it for me. (sigh)

The Stubers made up for the lost cake dream with a gigantic "Harms Recipe" mint chocolate brownie when I got home from d-group. Amazing. Yes, it went well with the milk I brought home. There was also a singing voicemail left on my phone from a couple of crazy ladies!

Finally. Mail call had the cutest card ever made!!! Thank you!
There's a little heart at the top of the "n"! Did you see it!?!

Wednesday
Nan would not take no for an answer about hosting a dinner at his place. He asked me what my favorite food was. I spent a little more time thinking about it than usual. Usual is "I have no idea". It occurred to me that cheese is often in my favorite dishes...so I said anything with cheese!

The result was an appetizer of fruit and three types of gourmet cheese.

Along with Filet Mignon covered in goat cheese.....amazing.

You can't help but talk about food at Nan's house. A long conversation about various herbs and spices lead someone to bring up the existence of an herb named anise. That's right, anise. And it's pronounced almost like the word you're hoping it doesn't. I think the jokes would have died down relatively quickly if Nan hadn't announced, "I have anise, let me show you!"

Thanks to Wes (thanks Wes) the men managed to sing Happy Birthday to me in three different styles.


Thursday

Wanting a fourth excuse to sing Happy Birthday, the guys planned another celebration during Thursday night Bible study. Don't let the smile deceive you...I want to kill them.


Friday

Knowing my knack for over-packing evening plans, the fam held off on birthday celebrations for Dad and I (Happy Birthday Dad!!) until Friday. Someone recently made a comment about how many of my peers are being more health conscious at meal time. The fam is being no different. Knowing that no one wants to be stuck with leftover birthday cake, Mom found the smallest cake I had ever seen.

Perfect!! Four pieces and you're done!

Thank you for everyone who reminded me that they care!