Father's Day 2008

Here's a list of things I'd love to have for Father's Day. The only thing is, I don't want Jody and the kids to get them for me. Why? Well, because they are dream items. If Jody and the kids get them, then it really comes out of my own money anyway. Make sense? Good.

1) Season passes for the family to Disney Land
2) Tickets to Sunday's Celtics vs. Lakers Finals Game (anyone out there want to hook
me up?)
3) A trip up the coast
4) Plane tickets home to visit family in GA
5) A trip to New York
6) A new (used) car

Hmmmm...looks like I need a trip somewhere, huh?

Okay...some things I don't want for Father's Day:

1) A pair of socks
2) A new tie
3) Deodorant
4) Cologne
5) Tools (I wouldn't know how to use them anyway)

Happy Father's Day!

3 Stripes

Caleb was awesome to watch on Tuesday night in his Mixed Martial Arts Class. They were grappling, and he was caught in a rear-naked choke hold. His face turning read, he somehow spun out of it and ended up on top of his opponent. At the end of class, his instructor, Brian Warren, commended him and awarded him 2 stripes on his belt for effort. He said "this little man fought harder and pushed himself more than anyone else tonight. I'm giving him 2 stripes!"

This brings Caleb to 3 stripes on his white belt. After the fourth stripe, he will be eligible to test for a belt promotion. He was so excited after class and made up a song on the way home. It goes like this:

I got 2 stripes on my belt.
I got 2 stripes on my belt.
I got 2 stripes on my belt and my mom is gonna scream!

Gettin' Ready

Next week is our annual staff retreat at Immanuel. We will be discussing many important issues that will impact the future of the church. I am gathering and preparing all of the Ministry Action Plans that I and my worship staff have put together, and will be presenting those at these meetings. A lot of time, work, prayer, and preparation goes into this, and I'm hoping God will do a great work through us. There is nothing more deflating than coming off of a staff retreat with no plan to execute. I'm trusting that we will come back renewed, excited, and ready to put into action new means for reaching this area for Christ.

Pray for us as we meet. I need it. We all need it. I can't wait to share with you the direction we feel the Lord is leading when I get back.

Abby Goes Hollywood

Abby had an audition with a talent agency in Hollywood yesterday. We haven't heard anything yet, but I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing. Honestly, we only began this quest to allow her to do some print work. She has asked for years to "be in a magazine" and do photo-shoots, so we decided to pursue that for her. When we got this call from an agency that does television, commercials, and movies we were shocked. But, we went on the interview as "a learning experience". If nothing comes of it, we've lost nothing. When she came out of the interview she said "that was so much fun". I'll keep you posted if anything comes of it. Until then, we have our hands full with our little Hollywood Diva. I guess I should go for now; Abby is requesting oreos, milk, and a shoulder massage. Ha!

Exciting Times at Immanuel

I love my church. I love most everything about it. I love our Pastor. Our Staff. Our people. I love the fact that our people want to see people fall in love with Jesus. As a part of that, we want to know what our people think. So, we took a poll of our congregation on April 20th, just to find out what they are thinking.

I don't want to steal our Pastor's thunder, so I won't tell you EVERYTHING we learned. However, we did find out that most people love the worship the way it is. But, along with that, we also learned that there are some changes that need to be made in the life of our church. So, we are looking at many many options. All of which will help us minister to our people better, reach out to the community more effectively, and meet the needs of Highland and the surrounding communities. I can't wait until staff retreat in a couple of weeks, when we will be discussing all of these issues and determining how to implement those new things that will help us to become the church Christ is leading us to be.

So, pray for us. Pray for our Pastor. Pray for our staff. Pray that we will follow the Lord's leadership. I don't want to be a church that offers programs for programs' sake. We can only be as effective as the ministries we offer. Together, Immanuel can see Christ do a work in and through us that will impact all of eternity for the Kingdom. I can't wait to see what's around the corner!

Again with the teeth?

Okay Okay...I know it has been a while between blog postings. Sorry about that. I seem to get caught up in other things from time to time and before you know it...no blogs for a week. I've got several things to catch you up on, but be patient. One thing at a time.

Tonight, I've got to tell you about this crazy daughter of mine. I told you already about the strawberry medicine (jelly) that "makes your loose teeth come on out". Well, I'm starting to believe it really works. Since beginning our strawberry jelly medicine technique on loose teeth, she has had 3 more teeth become loose. Abby now has both top front teeth missing, one bottom one came out today, and 2 more are loose on the bottom. I've never seen a child lose teeth at the rate she is.

That crazy fairy better remember to come tonight with the dough.

May 22nd

8 years ago today, God blessed us with our first born, Caleb. Our lives have never been the same since. Today, we celebrated with his favorite meal, his choice of cake (vanilla cake with vanilla icing), and his share of gifts. He finally got that Webkinz he's been wanting, but the site was down. What a disappointment! Tomorrow, we will be taking some friends of his to John's Incredible Pizza Company for a party, some Glow Golf (that I will dominate), and all the fun they can handle.

Happy Birthday Caleb! You are Daddy's Pride and Joy!

GOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLL!

Caleb and Abby each had games on Saturday. Remember? I told you about that already. Anyway, it was a great day. Both of them scored their first goals...ever! It was amazing that they both had their first goal the same day. But, it happened. As a parent, it is a bigger deal to me when they succeed than when I succeed myself. I am filled with such pride and joy on their behalf, that I feel like I'm going to explode. Way to go kids!

That Crazy Fairy

Abby lost one of her front teeth yesterday. Actually, I ended up having to pull it out for her. She didn't like that at all. I had to convince her that the red juice (strawberry jam) that I had on a napkin would cause the tooth to fall the rest of the way out. Once she was convinced, I inserted the napkin with "red juice", grabbed the tooth and gave it a quick tug. It came out with ease, and NO pain. She loves the red juice!

Jody and I went on a double date last night, so when we got home our baby sitter Brittany, already had them in bed with Abby's tooth tucked nicely away under her pillow. For those of you who have lost teeth...some more than others grandpa...you know that those front teeth are tooth fairy gold. I think "she" sends them to be made into cool necklaces for those island people who shrink heads and stuff.

But, that crazy fairy was a no-show. Abby woke up this morning at 6am, came into our room and declared that "the tooth fairy forgot to come get her tooth". We quickly told her to get back to bed because it was still early. I later went in, only to find her awake. A few moments after I left her room, she came in to tell us "that crazy fairy left my money under Brown Bear's Pillow and took my tooth while I was awake!" For the record, Brown Bear is her creatively named stuffed animal that sleeps beside her each night.

That crazy fairy better get it right next time. We want a punctual fairy. Not some late comer.

Crazy Daze

Here we go. It's one of those Saturdays that we've been "looking forward to" for weeks. Yes...we've seen it coming. But, there is just no way to prepare for a day like today. You work it all up in your mind of how you're going to handle it, but now that its here, we're just planning on doing our best to survive. We have 2 soccer games today. 8am and 9am. I am leading devotions at every soccer time today. 8am, 9am, 10am, and 11am. Today is also picture day, so each team has to be there prior to their game time. Which also means that the games will all start later than planned. In addition to our day of sports, we have 2 birthday parties the kids have been invited to. Each of those are on opposite sides of town. I'm also have a music writing session today. So, crazy crazy.

A Southern Boy in Southern California

Have you ever had one of those days when you just didn't care?

Sure, everyone has. But me...well, I have one of those days about every 17 minutes. You can tell if you look at my yard right now. I have friends of mine who, without fail, are behind a lawnmower every Saturday at 8:30am cutting that grass. The yard is edged and manicured, and the edge of the grass looks like it is about 6 feet thick.

You know what I'm talking about. You've seen those yards.

Well, I won't pretend that my yard is that. I've been out there. I've used the weed eater to edge (that's what we do in the south). I've gotten dirt slung up in my eyes and smelled like gasoline. And for what? So that my yard still won't look as good as everyone else's? IT'S GRASS PEOPLE! That's all. Dogs even chew it and throw it up. I've got better things to do than sculpt my yard...like, watching tv or something.

Please don't misunderstand me. I will keep my yard nice looking, and mowed...most of the time. Just don't hate on me if there is a patch of crab-grass growing somewhere, or if one of those ugly little yellow flowers peeks itself above the grass line. It's just grass.

One day, when I make my first million, I will hire a gardener who will keep my yard in tip-top shape. In the south, that means that there will be no broken down cars on cement blocks out there, and that my flower-bed covering is not pine straw. I will then spin and dance on my 6-feet thick cold, squishy grass
as I celebrate as one who has the Augusta National golf course in front of my house. But, until that day, I'll go on being average. And like the common-folk, will just have regular, somewhat green grass out there. I think I'm okay with that.

Like Father Like Daughter

Okay...so I've been telling you about Abby in the children's choir performance for several days now. Wait no longer...I finally have the video. Unfortunately, the choir mics were not ran to the DVD, so you can't hear the choir. All of the audio you get is from the track. However, just to watch it is hilarious. If you don't have time to sit through the entire thing, just go to the end. It is worth the watch. For those who don't know, Abby is the tall blond in the middle. She is what some have referred to as "the rocker chick" in the group. You'll know why they call her that when you see the end of the video. Let me know what you think.

Recording in Nashville

This is me with Brown Bannister. He is "da man" in Christian music.




Here I am with Mike Harland. Mike is the President of LIFEWAY Worship and sang with us on the recording. He and I go way back. We've been friends since..hmmmm...February. He has a great heart and ministry. So, I guess I'm kinda saying I like him okay and all.





So, here I am with Travis Cottrell. This was taken at Ocean Way Studio on Music Row. (I'll spare you the description of the crazy statue that welcomes you to that area of town.)

Great Trip

My trip to Nashville was pretty amazing. I loved getting to spend time with old friends, and meeting some new ones. The experience of meeting one of the greatest producers and engineers in Christian music was an honor. Brown Bannister was so nice and gracious, and so talented. It was a joy to meet him and work with him. Now, he can put me on his list of "artist" that he's worked with. Okay, all wishful thinking aside, it was a great experience.

Travis and Angela: thank you so much for your hospitality and love for me. You took great care of me (the fajitas were amazing) and I felt like family in your home. Thank Jack for me for the use of his bedroom. I loved staring at Travis' glossy 8x10 headshot all night.

As soon as Travis sends me some pics of the recording, I'll post them here for you to see. That video of Abby and the children's choir is coming soon, too. I know, I know...promises, promises.

Chillin' in the NV

So, I'm hanging in Nashville right now. You forget how green everything is in the south until you come home. I'm on Travis' computer blogging right now. Sorry I haven't posted anything in so long. I have had a lot going on that has had me out of the office lately. And, when in the office, I've been doing a lot of arranging for our choir. So, busy busy. BUT, all good. This will be a whirlwind trip. I flew in this afternoon, and will be flying back home tomorrow night. I am in Nashville to sing on Travis' Christmas CD.

I absolutely love Christmas. It truly IS the most wonderful time of the year. And Jody and I LOVE Christmas music. We listen to it all through the year...when the mood strikes. So, singing this music will be a treat. Tonight, I have plans to destroy Travis, his children, and whoever else may stand in my way at MarioCart on WII. Rest assured bloggers, I will dominate....(hopefully).

I'll post the results here when the massacre is over. Check back regularly. In the next couple of days I will be posting the video of Abby singing in the children's choir at church. She was unusually disruptive. There was a lot of giggling, hand-gestures, slapping of the bottoms of other children around her, and much much more. You'll want to see this!