More Random Thoughts

Lately, the easiest posts for me to make are just random thoughts so here's some more...

• I think it's cool that I can connect to the internet through my phone so I can blog
  
• I missed having Thanksgiving with the Daraja Children's choir, but enjoyed having it with my family in FL (Laci posted some pics)
  
• 13 people in a 1200 sq ft house wasn't nearly as chaotic as I thought it would be.  Actually slept pretty well and things went well too (mostly)
  
• Ordered a new HD tapeless digital camcorder (it just arrived! - can't wait to play with it)
  
• We brought the lizard with us.  When she gets cold she doesn't move and looks dead.  Glad she's not though
  
• Lora's dad took us out wild boar hunting.  It was amazing - you actually head out into the brush to confront it head on (after the dogs have found it)  Tyler had to [squeamish people stop reading here] take out his knife and stab one in the heart a couple of times to finish it off since it was still dangerously kicking around.  Great father/son moment.  (got some pics below)
  
• Gonna go see my mom and dad in a few hours and spend a few days there. 
  
• I'm already done Christmas decorating (did you hear my music?)
  
• Guess who didn't get up early to go shopping on Black Friday?  yep, that's right - ME!  I honestly don't get that whole idea
  
• Potty training a kid can be a bit of a challenge - that's all I'm going to say about that.
  
• Hoping I get a round of golf in over the next few days
  
• I think we'll be in Brandon, FL on Tuesday - just don't know where.  Trying to find a place so we can see as many people as possible while we're down here without having to drive all over the place (don't get much time with people that way either)  We'll let you know as soon as we have a better plan
  
• I love using our GPS - I never use mapquest anymore
  
• Loved spending the night with Ali Terry (Gilman) on our way down here.  She's got two cute little kids that my boys (particularly Champ) loved.
  
• Traveling with 5 kids is actually pretty fun for my family
  
• Excited for Christmas - love that people are open to hearing and talking about Jesus
  
• Jonathan Combs is speaking at Discovery this week.  Stinks that I have to miss it but I'm sure he'll do great.
  
• I think people should be able to take a vacation at least every two months.  This is great.
  

The first one that Tyler shot. 

He got away when we first got to him,

but then ran into a watering hole and 

Tyler finished him off.  He was almost 200 pounds

Here's the one I got to shoot. 

 Couldn't tell until after we got him

 that he was old and scrawny.  

The guides didn't even bother loading him up 

he was so boney.  I got the reject Pig.

I let Tyler shoot the second hog too.  

This thing was running all over the woods, 

was mean and ornery and even after Tyler shot it, 

he had to take out his knife and stab the thing TWICE

It wasn't even 10AM in the morning yet, 

and we got our two hogs.  Now we're curing it 

and trying to figure out what to do with a couple hundred pounds of pork!

Yep, I'm Decorating For Christmas! Ho Ho Ho

Thoughts to Catch Me up

It's been too long since I wrote and wanted to make some comments on the Marriage Conference, church, Cabbage, the holidays, and other stuff.  Here's my thoughts in bullet form:

• Marriage Conference went great I thought.  Had about 40 who actually showed up for the whole thing and feedback and response has been great.  Shout out to Randi Kirkland, her parents, my wife and older kids for their help doing childcare.  All day Sat made for a long day
  
• I can't believe I'm saying this, but I really am enjoying the Cabbage series at church.  The set looks great, the shirts are a hit, and well, 1 John has never been so interesting.  Check out the message videos HERE  (wk 1   wk 2   wk 3) or a promo video or two HERE (there's 20 or so, but I think there's only 4 up)
  
• The marriage conference (or at least the prep leading up to it) didn't make a positive impact on my marriage.  But things are all better now.
  
• There may be up to three new churches starting around Greenville in the next year that I know about.  I'm meeting with one potential guy tonight and a couple others after Thanksgiving.  That's exciting.
  
• I'm super excited about some of the stuff we have planned already for 2009.  Particularly stoked about Easter - yep, Easter.  That series is going to be amazing!
  
• Excited about Christmas too - the new series kicks off Dec 7.  You should hear more about it this weekend
  
• So proud of the heart of the people at Discovery.  The Daraja Children's Choir is going to be in Greenville and some of our people decided to adopt them, house them and provide them with a real American Thanksgiving meal on Thanksgiving.  Sad I'm going to be out of town for this.  These kids were amazing when we saw them at Catalyst.  Go read about them HERE.  They'll actually be giving a concert here in Greenville on Tues, Nov 25th at 8PM.  More details.
  
• Been good to see some Outlets are starting to multiply to new locations and new ones will be starting soon - particularly excited for the new one that will give the college crowd a place to go.
  
• My oldest boy turned twelve on Tuesday.  Wow.  When we get to FL next week, we're going boar hunting.  It's what he wanted to do.
  
• I took down the crib that I made in the girls room.  That was kinda sad because I'm probably not going to be putting it back up until I'm a grandpa (although we could still adopt right Lora?)
  
• I am so in love with the fact that my girls will not go to bed until Lora or I sing "Amazing Grace" with them.  I've got to get video of Hannah singing along....
  
• The Boys and Girls Club wants us to see how much more we might be able to pay in rent.  I wonder if "nothing" is an option?  We'll see
  
• The kids (girls in particular) a slowly wearing us down....Hannah's potty trained so apparently someone (mommy!) promised them we could get a dog then.  We're shopping.
  
• Excited to invite people to do Christmas a little different this year...you'll have to wait.  Let's just say it should have a global impact.
  
• I'm glad football is over for the boys.  We went to turn in their equipment the other night and there was still one team practicing because they're in the finals.  Thought to myself "that's what you get for winning."
  
• Mentioned on my twitter that Chandler went to the orthodontist and we were told it's gonna cost $10,000 to fix his teeth and mouth.  I told Chandler, "I hope you like Jell-O"  Funny thing was, Lora heard that and her response was "I love my husband."  Why?  Because I set up an HSA and we can pay for it out of that!  Dang, I love me too!
  
• Apparently, some people really like their cats.  I made a comment about the difference between cats and dogs in church and got a lot of feedback.  Funny stuff.  The next week I showed this video ("he's a very loving cat" my butt).  Was talked out of showing this one (made this in FL years ago)
  
• Been sick the last few days but feeling better today.  Hate when you feel sick - it takes twice as long to think and do stuff (at least for me) and I didn't have the time to waste.
  
• Guest speaker - Jonathan Combs - gonna be speaking the last week of Cabbage (Nov 30)
  
• Dr. Frank Lodeserto is speaking Dec 14th during our Christmas series.
  
• I love my wife.
  
• I love my kids.
  
• Can't wait to head down to FL and see family, go boar hunting and just chill
  
• I still think there's a small, small chance that Notre Dame beats USC on Nov 29.  That would make my year.
  
• If you're wondering what to get me for Christmas - did I mention I'd love an iPhone?  (and if you really love me you'll pay for the first 2 years right?)
  
• My dad got a Mac,  and he's already learned to iChat (and I can help him remotely without having to try and "talk" him through it)
  
• Gonna decorate for Christmas tomorrow.  It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!!
  
• If you made it to the end of this, you have too much time on your hands (or you really love me - which means you're going to buy me an iPhone right?)

Marriage Support

It's a sad but true fact that all too many marriages are far from the picture of "wedded bliss."  Now I don't suppose to know the reasons for it, but I know I've experienced periods of the same disappointment and frustration in my marriage.  I also know this.  We didn't quit, we got help, we're better because of it.  So in the spirit of blessing others, in just a few hours we'll be hosting our first ever marriage conference for Discovery Church.  And I'm excited.

We have what looks to be about 20 couples and a few singles that are coming to this two day investment in relationships.  You see, I'm committed to doing what I can to stem the tide of dissatisfaction and divorce.  I'm willing to invest in others because others have invested in me.  I honestly believe that if the marriages we see today were being lived out in the way God designed them (a covenant, life-long commitment, NOT a contract) then people would be happier, more productive and those looking for a relationship might use marriage as a standard rather than as an excuse for non-commitment.

So if you would, please pray for this weekend, pray for these couples, pray for these marriages and pray that the effort we put in will reap benefits far beyond today, but into the next generation.  Just like in life, it doesn't matter where you've come from, what you've done or how hopeless things appear.  With Jesus Christ, ANY marriage can become a beautiful blessing to you and all who see.

It's About Time!!

Since we switched to Macs, the only thing I really miss is my Bible study software.  I've got thousands of dollars worth of books and resources, but have to run Windows on my Mac to use them and it gets frustrating sometimes but hasn't been impossible - just annoying.  Well, great news (at least for me - some of you might not care).  Logos, the maker of the best Bible study software on the planet, just announced that they're taking pre-orders for the soon-to-be-released Mac version.  Amen!!

Check it out here

Election Thoughts

I've had a couple days now to think and reflect about the election in 2008.  Figured I'd just share some thoughts.

• While I don't agree with his policies (or what I expect his policies to be) I can say I am excited that our nation, which was so divided by color just a few decades ago, can move beyond that and elect a black President (with a name like Barak even)
  
• I'm glad the commercials are over
  
• I'm disappointed in a large segment of McCain backers who simply complained or threatened to leave the country (even in jest it sounds foolish)
  
• It looks like Obama has at least for now, given many foreigners a better view of America
  
• I'm so glad I don't live in California - where they are more concerned with hens that lay eggs in cramped metal cages [Proposition 2]  then they are with allowing parents to be involved in making medical decisions concerning their kids [Proposition 4]
  
• Stuart Smalley (aka Al Franken) seems to have lost his bid to become a Senator from MN by less than 500 votes - I thought he was good enough, and smart enough....and doggone it, people like him!  Just not quite enough people I guess
  
• Obama gave a great acceptance speech to a huge and excited crowd - it was fun to watch history being made
  
• The world didn't end (if you're a McCain supporter) and the Messiah hasn't come (if you're an Obama supporter).  Jesus will determine the timing for both thank you.
  
• There were a lot of campaign signs around Greenville....way more than this, but a few roads, street corners and polling stations were cleaned up early.

[edit] The "victims" ran into the husband of the candidate shown on one of the big signs and they wanted it back.  The sign for Marrian McLawhorn will be happily returned.  They report that he was quite good natured about it.

Don't Forget To Vote

Today's the day.  Whatever you think of the candidates, the campaign, the state of America or status of Iraq, if you plan on sharing your opinion about government in any way, you better get out and vote.  It's your right, your privilege and your responsibility.