Kids and McDonalds

I am sitting in McDonalds watching my kids play.  That's always a great idea right after loading them up with ice cream. Tonight, we have 3 Amberg offspring with us and they are having a blast. But, McDonalds has changed since I was a kid.

I remember the days of the Hamburglar, Ronald, the fry guys and the whole crew. None of these kids know any of the characters beyond the big headed clown. I remember the days when a cheeseburger and fries, and a kids size cup of water made for an amazing day. Now, a kid isn't satisfied unless they have 12 chicken Mcnuggets, 8 return trips to the soda fountain,  and a McFlurry to cap it all off.

But, there are some things That are still the same. The prices are still pretty cheap, kids think they're in some kind of greasy version of child-heaven, and the food is still awful. Oh well....I guess things haven't changed so much after all.

17 Songs in 2 Months

The Immanuel Choir is no working on music for our Carnegie Hall Concert on October, 18, 2010. We have 2 months to put together 17 songs. Though that's a huge task, I have no doubt we're going to do it - and do it well. 40 of our choir members will be joining us on the trip. I can't wait!

Come join us on Wednesday nights at 6:30pm and lead worship with us each Sunday morning.

Video Hits

A friend of our family's, Gretchen Rush, has just posted a video for Gold Canyon Candles on youtube. It is a contest for the best Gold Canyon Commercial. Help her win by watching the video. You can also create a youtube account and "like" the video to give her an extra boost. "Likes" count is a factor in determining the winner. Also, you can "favorite" the video, which will help her win, as well. Thanks for checking it out!

YouTube's 5th Birthday - Video Favorite #4

Alright - this one is going to seem like a knock on the guy singing at first. But, keep your eyes on what's going on around him. Soon it will be obvious why this video has quickly become one of my favorites.

Disclaimer: The owner/operator of this blog does not approve of or condone the actions of the people in this video. The intent is simply to provide the viewer with high quality funny.

YouTube is 5 Years Old

It seems like YouTube has been around forever. But, they are just celebrating their 5th birthday. In honor of YouTube's Celebration, I am going to be posting some of my favorite all time YouTube Videos. Some of them are new favorites. Check this one out. This is in my top 5. Make sure you have your volume up for the end. What are your favorite YouTube videos?

New Family Addition

Jody and I decided we didn't have enough going on in our lives with a full time ministry, 4 kids, and everything else that comes with that. So, we decided to extend the family. Last week we brought home our newest edition that the kids so affectionately named "Dodger". Yep, after their baseball team....the Dodgers. Check him out below:

Nana's in town

We have loved having my mom in town this week. Every time we see kids at restaurants, stores, or church with their grandparents we think about how our kids are growing up without theirs. So, when we have that opportunity for them to spend some time together, it's always special.

Nana has read dozens of books, worked on homework, sang songs, had girls' dance time, fed the baby and countless other things in just 3 short days. Her departure on Saturday is just lurking at the end of the week like a bad diaper in the bottom of the trashcan.

Don't go Nana!  (OK...maybe that's a little over the top)

Sickness and Success

Something hit me last night that was awful. I have either food poisoning or some kind of stomach bug. I was up all night last night and cant remember feeling this bad in a very long time. I ended up having to stay home from church this morning. I think that was the hardest part. I love being with our people and I hate missing any opportunity. However......

....one great thing that came out of this was the timing. I got the opportunity to just lay in bed and watch The Masters. Being from Augusta, GA this tournament is very special to me. I worked there as a teenager in the concession stand and then later in the golf shop. AND....my favorite golfer is Phil Mickelson. I followed him as an amateur when I worked the tournament my first year as a 16 year old, and I am thrilled to see him win his 3rd green jacket. Way to go Lefty!

Please be in prayer for the Mickelson family as they continue in their battle with breast cancer. Both his wife and mother are in their own battles.

Monday is a 'comin'

I'm so looking forward to seeing Jody this Monday. She has been gone since last Monday to visit family in Georgia. I'm really glad that she got to go, but I really miss hanging out with her and having her here. I've spent the week with our three oldest and it has been great. But, I'm looking forward to having things back to normal and seeing my sweet baby girl, Ava Drew. Monday can't get here fast enough.

LAX on a Rainy Day

Headed out right now to take Jody to the airport. She is flying to GA with Ava.  We have a lot of family who haven't met Ava yet, so her first plane ride and southern experience is coming her way this week.

We got up this morning to a rainy day. I'm happy to see the rain.  It always means I can turn off my sprinklers for the day which equals $$$$.  So, a week with my other 3 kids. I'm looking forward to hanging out with them this week. Should be fun!

Easter 2010

Ava Drew's First Easter. She capped off the day with an Easter nap...which caused a hairband malfunction.

Easter 2010

Our Easter worship services were so exciting this morning at Immanuel. It was as if people were singing with a newfound realization that Jesus is alive. The energy in the room was so powerful. It was a great conclusion to what had begun on Fridays night with our Good Friday services.

The day was capped off with Ham and Turkey sandwiches and Jody's Raspberry Lime-aid Cake. *singing* Glorious!  What a great day. We are capping off the day with family movie time. Alvin and the Chipmunks, The Squeakquel. 

Here is a pic of the stage set up for our Good Friday Service. This is what I was sewing in a picture you can see in a previous blog. Byron Mathe, our Media Director at Immanuel, did an amazing job with lighting and staging.

Prayers of the Children

I love praying with my kids at bedtime each night. Sometimes there's comedy. Other times I'm shocked at how much they seem to understand. Here are examples of tonight's prayers:

Caleb - Lord, thank you for my sisters, Abby, Ella, and Ava. Thank you for my mommy and daddy.........please don't let anyone in the whole world have bad dreams. Help the surgeons to find cures to all of the sickness in the world.

Abby - thank you for dying on the cross for my sins and rising on the third day, which was Easter, and my favorite holiday....ever.

Ella - thank you for our food and drinks and everything. Surround our house with angels and be with all the dead people.

Take it for what it is, but I love hearing them pray. There's always something new.

First Time for Everything

I did something today that I've never done before in my life. I sewed. It was pretty fun, actually. My media director, Byron Mathe, and I are working together to make the stage setting for our Good Friday Service. Even Brad Stephens, our Media Assistant, was in on the action. I am so excited about this service. It being our first one ever, I have no idea how many people to expect. But, one thing I do know is it is going to be a great service. I'll post some pictures here of the finished product late this week. For now, check out the picture Brad took of my first sewing expedition.