Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Still praying.

Tuesday morning my aunt Barb was hit head on, then t-boned by an SUV on 180th & Center. She and the kids were on their way to Target and Walmart to get some last minute shopping done before Christmas.

The passenger of the other vehicle was killed and the driver (Stacy Fleener) is in critical condition at UNMC. Please continue to pray for Stacy and her family. I can't imagine what they are going through.

It's been hard trying to stomach the accident, seeing tears streaming down Annie's face, thinking about the "what ifs," etc. But we are fortunate to still have them with us. And that's what I'm most thankful for this Christmas.

Love you Peg, Barb, Annie & Ryan.



Pictures at the tow lot of my aunts car.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

A new pair of eyes

Winter's always been my least favorite season. Why you ask? Well, could be the extra 10 el bees I put on each year...ok maybe only 5. Or could be the fact that I have to wear my coat indoors all day long. Sorry co-workers. Either way, it's cold, messy and lifeless. At least that's what I thought until yesterday. I was driving on HWY 50 just past Springfield. I was rockin out to pink and noticing how much dust had accumulated on my dash. My mind was racing with thoughts about who I still need to shop for, when all the sudden things got quiet. It was kinda eerie at first, then it kinda felt like that happy place you go when the dentist gives you the good stuff.
I bet you're wondering what's the cause of this wonderful out-of-body experience? It was nothing more than the thing I loathe most about winter. Ice! Ice??? Yup. Ice. The trees were covered in it and as the sun appeared behind the clouds it caused this brilliant phenomenon. Luckily for me, there wasn't really anyone on the road because I veered into the wrong lane several times.


"The Mighty One, God, the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets. From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth. Our God comes and will not be silent." Psalm 50:1-3

So ugly it makes your face look good.

Some people wish for a White Christmas, some wish for a Merry Christmas. I wished for an Ugly Christmas. What could be better than that?
Thanks to Linsey for the vest. P.S. You're never getting it back!

Highly entertained...not only by ourselves but by my new favorite band. "Fork In The Road" http://www.myspace.com/forkintheroad

Yay! Danelle & Joel made it.

Owner of E'Z place. What a jolly fella.

What a response!



To all who gave gifts to Hope Center for Kids...thank you, thank you, thank you. From new barbies to Italian bread crumbs. Yes, I said Italian bread crumbs.
I humbled by the generosity of so many. Especially when money is tight, the economy is bad, etc. Looking forward to giving a full report from them soon. In the mean time, check out their website. http://www.hopecenterforkids.com/ Maybe you want to get involved some other way?

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

in fat u a shun


My favorite songs:
How The Day Sounds
Comes And Goes In Waves
And Then You
Days Go On
What A Day
Amazed
High And Low



I want this shirt!


Monday, December 8, 2008

Double OH 7

"Do you expect me to talk?" "No Mr Bond I expect you to die"

A couple weeks ago we had a shin dig to celebrate one less job for Linsey and Danelle. Danelle made some delicious meatballs, Joel bought a flippin sweet Christmas tree, Josh brought over his nintendo 64 and me? Well, I played almost a full round of 007 thinking I was a shooting people left and right only to find out that I was really the one at the bottom of the screen running into the wall, drawing my weapon, running into the wall, drawing my weapon, turning, running into the wall, turning...turning...turrrning, running into the wall, drawing my weapon, hiding my weapon, drawing my weapon, hiding my weapon...you get the point.



These clips are a little late but too good not to post.



Monday, December 1, 2008

Give 'um some love


I've always been better at giving gifts then receiving gifts. Maybe because I have too much stuff or maybe because I feel guilty that others don't have what I have??? Okay lets be honest, I fear the gift I receive might be so hideous that I throw up in my mouth. Not a lot. Just a little. Gift cards = greatest invention ever!

But this isn't about me. Cough cough...Starbucks...cough cough...Old Chigago. No really. It's not.

It's about the kids! Hope Center for Kids is helping our inner-city youth learn what it means to give. This Christmas, with your help kids will have the opportunity to shop and select gifts for their parents, siblings, etc.


If you're feelin' generous and would like to donate to the Hope Center for Kids Family Christmas Program, here's some more info.

Gift ideas: cologne/perfume, tools, sweatshirts (any size), outdoor grill/kitchen accessories, sports items (basketball, footballs), gloves, slippers, winter hats/scarves, jewelry, gift cards (Target/Wal-Mart/grocery store), DVDs /CDs, body lotions, candles, candy/snacks, picture frames, toys, coloring books, books, hand held electronic games.

They could also use Christmas paper, gift bags and tape to wrap the items. Gifts can be dropped off at the Hope Center until December 16th. Or drop it by the office at King of Kings.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Thank you for gum...chewing gum. Hmm.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Where would I be without the interweb?

Shopping
http://www.etsy.com/
http://www.woot.com/

Laughing
http://www.dooce.com/

Sniffing
http://www.makepovertyhistory.org/
http://www.nehumanesociety.org/
http://www.love146.org/

Designing
http://www.dafont.com/
http://www.sxc.hu/
http://myphotoshopbrushes.com/

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Media Mayhem


Last night I saw an interview on Hannity & Colmes with a guy named John Ziegler. On Election day, John interviewed twelve voters in his words "to learn how the news media impacted their knowledge of what occurred during the campaign."
I'm not a big fan of how this interview was conducted however I found the results of this interview along with a telephone poll with the same questions to be quite interesting.



Although I didn't vote for Obama, my intention is not to slam him in anyway. I won't do that until after he's taken office and made a mistake. :)

So what is this post about? Well, it's twofold. First off, my frustrations with the media. Those who are in this line of work know we have the power to influence a lot of people. It doesn't take a genius to see how one sided media coverage was during the presidential campaigns. It's scary to think of how some people in this country can so easily be persuaded.

Secondly, my frustration with the American people. Remember that old saying "You shouldn't believe everything you read?" Well, that's true you can't believe everything you read, but more importantly, you shouldn't believe everything if you don't read. Catch that?
I admit, I haven't always been a big fan of politics and there's a lot I don't know about, but I'm willing to learn. And if you are too, then that makes two of us. Hey, it's a start.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Photos, oh so many photos

Tomorrow I start staff photo shoot day 1 of 3. Now I'm not a professional photog and I don't know half of what my camera does, but I'm up for the challenge. Thanks Laurie for being my test subject tonight.




Friday, November 7, 2008

Something to chew on

One of the earliest records (I'm sure there are others) we have of persecution existing in the church was when Manasseh of Judah was King. This dude "shed so much innocent blood that he filled Jerusalem from end to end." (2 Kings 21:16) Why? Because godly people opposed his evil practices of building altars to Baal. It was during Manasseh's reign that Isaiah was sawed in two.

Psycho!

Anyway, persecution isn't a topic that is talked about much in the present day church. But it's an issue that is real, that isn't simply "something that happened back in the day." People are being harassed, oppressed and killed for their faith RIGHT NOW.

After reading some of the current reports on http://www.persecution.com/ . I felt compelled to put together a video for our worship service this weekend. What I hope people take away from it, is not only a sense of urgency to pray and educate themselves further, but most of all to be thankful for and not take for granted the freedoms we have in our country.



One last thing, the next time you hear me complaining that I didn't get a good parking spot at church or the pastor's message is too long...please remind me of the woman whose health is deteriorating in a jail cell or the pastor who's being clubbed by religious police.