Camp Update

We had a wonderful Jr Camp. There were 12 saved, 13 sanctified and 3 filled with the Holy Ghost. I know one little girl was for sure. She has sought for Holy Ghost baptism for three years at camp. Not just a little bit either. We left Monday night at 11 pm and she was still praying. Everyone else had been ushered downstairs. These kids start getting rowdy if not occupied. The last evening service (Tuesday) she came once again to the altar and sough the Lord just as hard. She cried and hollered (Southern term in case you were wondering) and jerked. There was about 5 staff members and one camper still left wither her. At around 9:30 pm that little one finally yielded to the most glorious sounding tongue. It was so beautiful. I still well up just thinking about it. She was determined. How determined are we sometimes? What a lesson that little girl taught me. Often we may pray a bit and decide that it must not be the will of the Lord. I want to hold on like that little girl. Here is an excerpt from a poem I read:

So down he fell and with him hope--

He couldn't win it now--

Embarrassed, sad, he only wished

To disappear somehow.

But as he fell his dad stood up

And showed his anxious face,

Which to the boy so clearly said:

"Get up and win the race!"

He quickly rose, no damage done-

Behind a bit, that's all-

And ran with all his mind and might

To make up for his fall.

My heavenly Father is looking on, saying, "Get up and win this race!" I feel heavenly encouragement today! Praise the Lord!

Camping Out...

I am the evangelist at Jr Camp this year which started yesterday. I struggled for a message for these kids and seemed rather empty handed. When I feel like I have nothing is often the times that God really does a work. I have known about this for some time but there is so much that I have been preparing for. I have to get one thing out of the way then move on. So, struggled and struggled and struggled. Then I came across an old skit I had found. I adapted it and had Jr Camp's Got Talent. Different members of the staff came up and "performed." It was very interesting. Some said they were there because their moms made them or other reasons. r they thought they were very talented or very pretty. They got sent home. The contestants who did not feel they had a talent were the ones who went on. Then I read from Jeremiah chapter 9, the what to's and what not's of glorying. I told the story of me as a timid young child who was afraid to move when God asked me to move. I felt conviction in my heart at the age of 7-8 years old. I was too scared. I sat back while other came. Then every head bowed, every eye closed. I asked with a show of hands who wanted to have Jesus in their hearts. There were hands. I asked them to come. We went through sanctification and Holy Ghost baptism with show of hands. Then everyone else, just so that those bashful ones had the opportunity too. We were in the altar until 10:30 pm o later. There was one girl still there when we left. I don't know the number but so many of those kids we really seeking the Lord. It was amazing.

Let me tell why we had to leave. I knew that we were dangerously low on gas and the camp is in the middle of nowhere. Tabithia took my car Sunday to go to the beauty shop. She took my keys as well. She had to do to the Dr with her grandmother so she left around 1:30 pm so they could eat first. Shortly after she left I needed to go somewhere, but I could not find my keys. That is because they were in her purse. I was stranded at my own house. I did not get in the car until it was time to leave. We were almost there when I looked at the gauge. We barley had anything. The gas light should have come on at any second. God stayed the gas hand. We made it to camp and back to Jonesboro on a fraction of a tank. Thank God. Tonight is the last nigh o service for the Jr's. I pray God has His way again.

Nearly Disasterous...

As noted in my previous post, last weekend was our Regional Convention. It went well on Friday night. The boosts were going well, Bro Carter gave an excellent message. I had o leave right about he time for the altar call. Let me just tell you why. You knew I was going to anyway. I worked so hard to get all of my props and program ready and packed into the car. I had to leave the convention and go to work. I would be there all night. So I had to make sure that i had all of the things I needed for the next day. I had a change of clothes and all the essentials to take a shower the next morning. I had everything ready. While sitting in the convention I realized that I did not. I had forgotten my scrubs and my work shoes. I could not wear the hard soled shoes I had on, besides they would not match my scrubs at all. What scrubs. I leave the convention a little earlier than what I planned so that I could go to Wal-Mart and get a pair of shoes to work in. While I am doing that Tabithia is getting gas. I grabbed just a few food items to eat during the night on my way to the register. Off to Jonesboro we go. I get to the hospital in just enough time to go down stairs to surgery to borrow a pair of scrubs. Clocked in and worked my 12 hours.

That time passed rather well. It always does when you are busy. I did have a little time to look over my boost again at the beginning of the shift. That was all of the time I had. I realized I left my peanut butter I bought in the car. So when I got the chance to eat it was just a bread sandwich. Ummmmm. It was really good bread though. The time came for me to make my exit. I go down to surgery, take a shower, get all ready. I had everything I needed. I am all ready except my clothes which are hanging in the car. By this time it is 11:30 am. I started looking for my keys. Where oh where are my keys? At moments the panic of the situation begins to overcome me. What am I going to do? I needed to be on the road like then. I had extra time allowed because my props had to be assembled. I could not travel with them together. After a long period of looking everywhere again and again (even the stupid places where you know you would never put your keys of anything else). I called Tabithia again and she was making arrangements to get a spare key to me. She was booked and could not come. Finally she found someone to bring them, but they were eating. They had to finish first. Finally my key arrived at 1pm. I was on program at 1:45. It takes about that long to get there, change clothes, and make it back stage. Believe me i know. By the time I am trying to get my last minute preps done, remember my props are not together, I was being beckoned to the stage. Bro Smith said, "Bro Jason are you ready?" What kind of a question was that? No, I was not ready. I had to cut quite a bit out. God taught me a very important lesson. Maybe lessons...One...trust Him. He will get you there on time even if it was your own stupidity (by the way my keys were found in the back seat of the car. I had so much to carry in that night, I must have sat them down.). Two...Cut the pageantry and preach the word. Three...Just because I think I have it all together does not mean I have it all together. Four...Make a checklist days before while still clear headed. Then I will know everything is done.

That was Saturday. I went home to rest after that. I got my things for Sunday and that all went better except that I grabbed black socks instead of blue. Sunday at a convention is kind of a dreaded day. most people are ready to hear appointments by that time. They really don't care what else you have to say. I might be exaggerating of speaking of myself (surely not me). Well, that afternoon (no one had eaten or anything) appointments are made. No I am not pastoring for those wondering. I have had another Regional Coordinator change. I am now working back in Sunday School. It was a good convention what parts I was able to attend. It seemed that everyone mentioned getting along with one another. You would think we would have mastered that by now. Hmmm. It really is not the big things like smoking, drinking, swearing that are apt to take us down. But our adversary does sneak in Eden style to twist and turn small things into big deals. Christ said that love was an identifying mark of the Church. The devil would like nothing more than to steal that identity from us. That is our biggest fight. God help us all.

But A Short Time To Work...

Our regional Convention is just hours away. I need to get my boost finished. I know I mentioned blaming God for our craziness in an earlier comment. But the Lord has given me much to cover in 10 minutes. That seems an impossibility. I just wanted to post here while i can. It will be busy for a few days with convention, work, camp. So I will try to get in here when I can.

I have worked on a project for a few weeks now and I finished phase 1 yesterday. I have successfully stretched my faux stone pathway from the driveway to the back porch. It is faux stone because it is recycled concrete from a man down the street. he does concrete work. There was a mountain of broken concrete in his yard that I had wanted to stop in and ask if I could have. I never did, but one day he had it loaded in a truck to take to the dump. I turned that car around and asked him to dump that in my yard. It has been there for over a year. Finally I have begun to work it in. I tried to make a patio last year and that did not work out. I like the sidewalk much better. I have to go to the other side and do the same thing from the porch to the pool. Then the mound of dirt in my back yard can be put where it needs to be. I am really pleased with this. The best part is all I have in it is sweat equity. That is no freebie but at least it has not hurt the pocket.

Thankful...

It seems that we go through life thinking that the things we face are impossible. I now know that is not so. Last night at Church, I sang the song, "The Anchor Holds." I later testified how steadfast, immovable Christ is. He is the leaning place, the anchor, deliverer, shield...No matter what we have faced in our lives, He is more than sufficient. He is superfluous. We have all been through things in our lives that really tested that. We learned about grace and faith and are still learning.

Well, the brother in charge of the service began to tell his story. Al that he had faced in his life. His title was "Getting Past Your Past." He told the story of Joseph and how he was his OT hero. He went through so much at the hands of his own family and yet was merciful toward them later. He was used as an instrument of God to save His covenant people. The brother's story was unfathomable. He was subjected to all forms of abuse beginning at age seven. "Rescued" by DHS only to be passed around from family member to family member where he only suffered more abuse. One year after coming back from basic training he felt impressed to go to Church camp. He had to quit his job just in order to be there. Once there he went through each service and nothing happened. Until the next to the last night, the Lord prompted him to tell his story. The nature of some of the abuse was so hard to talk about that he was reluctant especially in front of the young crowd that was there. He refused to do it. The Lord dealt with him all night long until the next day he told his counselor that he wanted to testify. That night he told all the details of his story. The altar filled with those who thought they were the only ones who had faced such abuses. Some of the campers had held things in even from their parents. Suddenly there was a moment of relief.

I thank God for the mercies He has shown in my life. I for the most part have had a good life with few scars to haunt me. I just thought during all of that, this man forgave and overcame that. How small are the things, mostly trivial, that stand between people today! We really must get past our pasts. I have endured nothing like this brother. O' may mercy and grace be just as superfluous from me.

More Babies At 16750 N Ozark...

Yes I am back from the most horrible work weekend I have had. I was so tired. In fact, I still feel quite drained from the chaos. I scanned patients nonstop all night long. Many of these were the baser sorts of people. They were the drunk, the od'd, the inmates of society. Augh!!! Enough was enough.

Tabithia mowed the yard Sunday in my hour of rest. She mentioned seeing some baby rabbits at the south end of the house. I was out with the dogs on Monday for a little while, all of us getting our exercise. I can actually out-do the lazy dogs. They end up lagging behind. It is so hot though. Well, I had my camera and noticed that there was a gold finch perched on the sunflowers. i just had to try to snap a picture. So I took a picture, moved in closer, took another. I was so focused on the bird that I was not paying much attention to what the dogs were doing on the "south side of the house." I turn and catch a glimpse of the master hunter lab of mine, Carlie (see slide show on previous post). She was intent on getting something next to the house. She raises her head from the flowers/grass/weeds and has a little brown bunny in her mouth. I yelled her name (she just happens to be yell trained very well) She dropped what she was doing. The little brown bunny falls to the ground motionless. I picked it up and sat it (or tossed it lightly) back in its shelter. I got the dogs out of there quickly and repenned them. I went back to check the bunny snack. It was already gone. I had seen one hopping around after that. I trust it lived to hop again. It really was a hoppy ending.

It has been an honor to be home to all of God's creation this year. I have a butterfly cocoon I am keeping watch on too. It is just a regular Wild America at my house. I loved that show.

Empty Nest Syndrome...

Well, as of last Tuesday the bird nest was empty. I wish I could say it went well for all of them. Hopefully some of them. I know at least one possibly two did not. Let me just say that Mushu was not responsible. Besides he drags all of his prey back to the garage. the other day I threw out a piece of pizza, the really big slices that the people were too lazy to cut small enough that it would actually fit in your mouth. I knew the dogs were about to get out and they love to find a treat, kind of like Easter eggs. Well, I went back around the corner later and Mushu who was about the size of the enormous slice of pizza had dragged it back tot he house and eaten much of it. What a piggy!

I have to get get my Dad's birthday present here in a little bit. His birthday is tomorrow. I always have to call my Mom to ask her when it is. I cannot remember the day. I know it is shortly after the 4th. He is so hard to buy for. For Father's Day we got him a care package stuffed full of goodies. He has been through much of that but I do not want to make him any fatter. He wants a new wallet so I may check into that. I am the same way. I am hard to buy for. I have everything I need and most of what I want. We sure go crazy trying to buy for folks that don't need anything. Think of all of the money that is wasted each year on something that is of no use to the giftee. I am starting a nationwide campaign today for SENSIBLE GIFTING! I just have to come up with a catchy name. Far too many are asking for bread and receiving stones, asking for fish and receiving scorpions. Something must be done. Society must be saved from bad gifts. National Association for Gifting Smartly (NAGS). I like it. Please do your part to gift smart today and everyday!

Another Page in the Mushu Chronicles

I do not have a picture for this one so I will have to paint one with words. Have you ever watched those old ladies on public television? They can really paint. They just start smearing stuff around and before you know it there is a work of art right before you. Okay, I will begin to smear.

I had to work yesterday on call for 12 hours. I went to the hospital at 11 am and was there for 2 hours before I had nothing to do. Then Tabithia and i ran all over Jonesboro shopping like we had money or something. Well, I finally went back at right around 4 pm. I was there the remainder of the night. No one blew themselves up with pyrotechnics or anything, or at least that I had to deal with in CT. I did have one guy that said he was, "Rocking out too hard." He feel and hit his head. He really was a head banger, lol. People are so crazy. Others had had problems for over a week that were non emergent, yet I am stuck spending my holiday 9getting paid very well to do it) dealing with them. I have grown out of the firework thing anyway.

I am supposed to be talking about Mushu. While we were out shopping we found a very nice suit for me at Kohl's. They did not have my size so they said we could find it online. Tabithia had gone across town last night to do that cause we are too cheap to have internet at our house. When she came home, right before I made it, she was on the phone with me. She said there were all kinds of animals in the yard. Rabbits and unknown creatures and an armadillo. She said the the armadillo was not the least bit frightened by her but of course she was of it. So she did not know what to do. The thing went underneath her truck and she was afraid to move. She got that situation under control and made it to the driveway. She opened the garage door and Mushu, the current resident (there have been so many animals kept in out garage, you can park your car or your horse). He ran out of that garage like a ex con from jail and stopped dead in his track waving his tail in the air in rhythmic motions in an agitated way. He knew the armored beast was just beyond the darkness somewhere. He could sense him, smell him. Tabithia manages to get some lights on to further investigate the situation. She had as much curiosity as the cat. All of a sudden as a ferocious lion, Mushu runs from the garage in killer attack cat form in a direct path toward the armadillo. His blood thirsty appearance...fizzled out as he could not figure out what in the world this beast was and where he could strike a fatal blow. That all changed just a few moments later when for some reason he tucked tail and ran back to the garage like a defeated army.

Cats are like people in some ways. Some are so quick to jump in without all or any of the facts. Once they get mixed up in something that seems over their heads they run home and try to paint the armadillo as the aggressor. You can really learn a lot from observation. What lessons do I teach those watching me?

Don't Want To Break the Habit...

Far be it for me to break this blogging roll that I am on. Wouldn't you know it though it seems I have so very little to blog about today. I am off today but tomorrow I have to work 12 hours. It seems that people get sick even on holidays. It is safe to say that there will be no brilliant post from me tomorrow. That being said I am under such an obligation to make this a brilliant post. I suppose I could change the color of the font. That would be brilliant. I fear not enough. I am pouring back over my mental archives of the last few days and there just is not much material there. It is not the fault of the archives for all of those smarty pants out there who will post your cute little insulting comments. Poor me.

I have agreed to be the evangelist for Jr Camp this year. I was greatly inspired by the pile of CD's from the Western states' camp. Joshua formed a monument under the direction of God. It was an example of what they were delived from. I am asking the staff to bring an item that serves the same perpose for the pile.

Before that is our regional convention. I dreamed last night that I was on my way and did not have my prop done. I was a nervous wreck. I knew what it was going to be about and now it seems that it is changing somewhat. Same elements just a little different. It is a lot to accomplish in 10 minutes. Our program is so packed this year. The region is still somewhat divided with two different staffs. So time is short as each coordinator has their time on program. I hope at this convention we become offically "married" and the two staffs become one. I would gladly allow my office to be filled by another. I have so much to do over the next couple of weeks. I keep you "posted"on my progress.

Why Stop When You Are On A Roll...

Yeah! I don't know how many posts I have had this week. I go to work tonight and start my busy weekend hours. So, I know this will be the last post for a few days. I have been working on a sidewalk in the back yard. It does not take long to realize it is hot out there. Whew! It is such a scorcher. I planted 5 new rose bushes this past week. Wal-Mart had them on sale for $3. I love when they do that. They start marking down their shrubs and things because they know they are just going to kill them. They kill a bunch of stuff. It is sickening. Sometimes I think if they would just give that to someone it would be better.They are some plant murderers. I got a lot of stuff from the yard around this time when they start cutting prices back.

(I can't get this stupid thing to put a space in here not matter how hard I try.)

On a different note we have booked our vacation this year for Hawaii!!!!!! Aloha! We will take on on September 24 and be back on the 1st. I really want to go see the Dole Plantation. They grow pineapples there. They give tours, have a gift shop. Awesome. I also want to go on some hikes. They say there are 11 different climates within the islands. I have never stepped foot in the ocean, so that will be a new experience. Our room is right on the beach. I am the type that I take ziplock bags and bring back sand and crazy stuff like that. I suppose it is cheap. We are starting to develop our itinerary. This year is our 10 year anniversary. We might just get remarried out there. Who knows.

Here's the Baby Birdies

Here is one of the pictures I took. Sorry hey are not better but I was risking my life to get them. I have a close up but I could not get this sorry internet service to cooperate for some reason.

Yesterday I put a flea collar on Mushu. He did not really resist. It went pretty well. Later he was in the garage with his tongue hanging out, panting. I thought at first it was just really hot. Then he started to fall over. Even over his food he could scarcely keep his head raised. It just kept dropping down. I panicked. "What if the collar is too tight?" I thought. I checked it and it was fine. Again later he started falling over on the garage floor. I panicked again. That cat was trying to convince me to take that thing off of him. Made me feel sorry for him again. Sympathy returns. Animals can have their own unique sometimes challenging personalities. They are so funny. Really he was not bluffing, we are under some hot conditions right now. he played outside and was hot, worn out. Bless his little heart.

The End of Sympathy

No, I am not becoming hardened. I have a very good reason for that title. Mushu, the precious cat that he is, who coincidentally is spending much more time outdoors lately, has been fighting all week long with two mocking birds. that just happens to be our state bird for those trivia lovers out there. Anyway, I have pitied that poor innocent because it seemed that he was minding his own business and was repeated, viciously attack from above. It all started last week when he was in my white pine tree. It is a very good tree for him to play in. Well, I decided to inspect a little more closely. Sure enough there was a nest in there with three so ugly they were hatchlings in there. Suddenly I did not feel so sorry for the menacing cat anymore. He was threatening these poor birds babies. That just was not right. What do I do but run after my camera. I come flying back in there and just start to snap a picture when there is a swoosh and a high pitch shrill sound coming to join me in the small tree. I jump back having seen my brother attacked by blue jays one time. It was hilarious from a distance and another story altogether. But to be the spectacle and not the spectator is no fun at all. I got myself out of there like lightning. Mushu was not that quick. I really think he was the reason for the swoosh. They go after him even in the front yard. They did not forget his looks. Another cat vs. bird battle ensued. This time I was rooting for the birds. I actually was able to sneak back in later and get a couple of better pictures. I will try to get them from my camera and get them on here maybe tomorrow morning, stressing the maybe.

Threre is another post. Y'all never saw that coming did you?

Here I Go Again

Today is more of a struggle. I just have nothing to blog about. Now that does not mean that you can stop reading now because somewhere in this rambling I might actually communicate some deep thought(more likely some deep something else). For some reason I cannot R-L justify this and that really bothers me. Aren't nerves strange things. The stuff that bothers one may not bother another at all. I suppose that is precisely why we should not be easily offended. On the other hand there is the carefulness with which we must walk so as not to offend. Paul spoke of meats and legality saying it was fine to eat what you want, but not to offend your brother in the process. If it causes a problem with someone, although it shouldn't, don't do it. Yes, I paraphrased all of that, but I did not have to tell you that. You bloggers are smart, wordy people. You know that sort of thing. So why don't we just tell those people that nit-pick not to be offended? Because it would do no good. They can't help it. So if my unjustified lines is a bother to you as it is to me. I am sorry. I can't fix it at this moment. If it is a serious enough offence, then I can delete this post all together. If it were not for technical problems I would have no blog topic for today.

I will be the last to tell you although I may think it several time, to get over it. Really there are things that peole do that get to me. I am very OCD over folding towels. It has got to be perfect or I will redo it. Why? You dry off with a towel one time and throw it back in the hamper. How do we pick the things we are crazy about? We don't. That is just what our sick minds latch onto. At work, I am not relaxed until i have turned down all the lights and stocked the rooms with supplies. I can't be at ease until that is done. When things are just like I like them, *augh* it is a sigh of relief. When are things truly just like we like them? Yes this is rambling in a way, but i am trying to better understans the human psyche. My own perhaps. Does anyone else have some crazy tendencies?

Loading new pic for profile

I'm Ba-ack!

Wow! I am just getting so good at this blogging thing again. It seems as though no one is checking though. I know there are lurkers are there. You know who you are. Anyway, I had a very nice weekend at work. Church services were good as well. Went to the dentist yesterday. I have not been since 2003. My insurance had ceased to exist at that time and I was a lowly poor student. Tabithia and i have an unofficial contest. I call it the cavity contest. It all began one year she went to the dentist a few days before me. She had maybe 2 cavities. I gave her such a hard time, called her rot-mouth. It was great fun. Then my turn came and I had 4. I could not even show my face at home. It was terrible. That is why it is more unofficial now. If you don't say muc about it then when you loose you are the only one that knows. Have you ever raced someone whether in a car or doing some task and you never told the other person that a contest was underway? Well, that is the sort of thing that goes on at the dentist. t was looking good for me yesterday. They worked so hard to find something and would not give up until they did. Finally they proclaimed one cavity. After 4 years of not dentistry and very little flossing, I just despise flossing, 1 measly cavity. I thought that was pretty good. Tabithia was still waiting on the Dr and she had 2 questionable places. He came in and confirmed that she in fact had--NO CAVITIES! I was crushed. It is terrible to wsh misfortune or bad health on someone, but I sure wanted to win. They all knew it, too. They gave her a fancy-smancy certificate, "Great Smile." How cruel to rub in my misfortune! Now I have to go back and undergo the drill. Augh!!! I hate that thing. It was our first time at this office. They were all very nice even if they did have to wirk so hard to find something to bill me for later. Okay I am a sore loser even in an unproclaimed contest.

Sadly, I forgot my camera on the last night so I have to show some from previous nights. One picture is what i think most of the kids looked forward to...SNACKS. The other one is Perciful (purse-full) Perch who coughed up the dough for Peter to pay His and Jesus' taxes. I don't know it that picture shows that Perciful is a modified handbag. I tried so hard to get a picture of Blubbergut the whale on there but it just won't upload for some reason. Last night we had 22 children present. Cap'n Hijack became Cap'n Hygene. His old black heart was clean and white for the final presentation. His old shaggy hair was gone and even his pet slug, Slimey, came home. God really made a change in ole Cap'n Hijack. It was a very fun and different experience. I have never ministered blind before. We could not see the crowd much of the time. Very odd. The kids all enjoyed it. We got the nicest card. I did not look at it until today, but everyone signed it even the kids. It was very special.

I'm back on land today and have much to do. I have to catch up. Here I sit blogging. Oh, well! I did not want to let you all down. I will not be back here until probably Tuesday morning. Those of you going to family camp, may God bless you all.

Going Deep...

I have had a little trouble getting these pics up. I think it is this connection. The fish you see tell the story. The pirate, Cap'n Hijack and the mermaid of Mermaid Cleaning Service, Carrrie Underwater (who coincidentally sings Jesus take the fin) start the night off. Carrie takes Cap'n Hijack under for a life changing experience. Tey Go Deep and learn from the Fish's Tail or Tale. Anyway. The fish are Finley and Angel. The little one at the top is Pee Wee who is the resident comedian. We have cover thems such as Jonah and Blubbergut (who knew the whale had a name) and Peter and Perciful (Purse-full) Perch. I will try to get some pics up on those supporting actors. It has been great. The boy pictured with Cap'n Hijack is Kyle. He was in my class at church camp last year. Tonight is the last night. We started with 12 kids and last night had 29. They go from service to snack to craft. They seem to really be enjoing it.

The Crusade Is Underwater, I Mean Underway...

Yes, It has begun. Let me just thank God first. I scrambled all day to get things done. The props were not all together, or shall I say not at all. So I got up (later than I had planned) and hopped too it. I had to build a pirate ship and finish the backdrops and make a whale and paint the sharks fin and put all the props together and and and and and...There was just enough time to get all of that finished and make it to Wlanut Ridge early enough to et all of the stuff in place and ready to go. Above are some pictures of the miraculous finish. The characters are Cap'n Hijack and Carrie Underwater.

Better Day...

Yesterday was such a better Heritage Day than last year. I can remember last year that we were all anxiously awaiting word from the Presbytery Meeting. We were waiting for that poof of smoke to appear over the building. Although not much was mentioned about it at Church, I thought on it all day long. I thought of how it must have been to climbed the mountain that day seeking God and finally finding the Church. I thought of how it felt when I realized what I was a part of. I kind of just showed up and worked my way in. I waited for God to reveal to me that I should take the covenant. I have never wanted to take that covenant lightly. I do no want to be a mediocre member. Sometimes I fell like the pre-Pentecostal Peter. He was sucha problem child. He did overcome that to be a wonderful leader and man of God. Just his shadow passing upon the lame left them changed forever.

It was such a better day. Such a change for the better. It is wonderful to be free from that oppression. I hope you all had a better day as well. (Mark me down...2 days in a row!)

Where to begin...

I must post, must post. I know that I have not been so good at this latley and it makes all of you flee from the same old post that has been there for a week. I am sorry. It has been crazy. My new work schedule is from Friday 11 pm to Saturday 11am, then Saturday 10 pm to Sunday 10 am. Then back Monday at 3-11pm. This way I just work 3 days and am of four. The was i was workig before excluded me from any revival we held at our local Church or I was asked to do. It has freed m up. The first call i get is for the Kid's Crusade next week. it should be interesting. I have that Disney song, Under the Sea stuck in my head. Make it stop!!!!!! So The weekends are pretty busy. Last weekend I worked a little extra so out of 48 hours I worked around 32 of them counting Children's Church and Sunday evening service.

The cat is still a menace. He cannot be left unattended or he will get into everything. Have any of you other cat owners had this problem. He is into everything from the curtains to the potted plants. Not to mention everything in between. That is the absolutely sneakiest cat I've ever seen. You can loose him and the next thing you know out of no where a miniature version of a lion is flying at you to attack.

Speaking of attack let me tell you about yesterday. My wife's grandfather has a small farm behind our house. It is a good distance down the road, thank God. It is the junkiest eyesore you have nearly ever seen. The landfill has nothing on him. Well, there are duck, chickens, rabbits, dogs, cats, horses and RATS!!!!!! yes, RATS!!!!!! They are nearly the sive of the cats. Well, we had heard about this the day before when Tabithia's cousin put a water hose in a hole to flood them out. He said that there had to have been at least 20 that came out of the hole across his boot and everywhere. Well, we went to Tractor Supply and bout $30 worth of poison and bombs. Bombs like sticks of dynamite that you like and drop in the hole. There was not explosion which is good since they are in the pump house. Well, we ignited these carbon monoxide gas bowms and got back. The adventure began. Tabithia, Darek, her cousin, and I chased rats for hours. We were so blood thirsty. I am sure we looked like the angry villagers storming Frankenstein's castle. We weilded rakes, hoes, sticks. We flipped over nearly everything there was to flip over. It was a disater area after we were done for sure. I could not tell you how many of those filthy rodents we saw. It was deplorable. About 6 of them are no longer running around done there. That was not even a dent in the population. There were screams, shouts, dogs going crazy. The cats just laid back and watched the show. What good were they. Of course the rats were bigger than them. This is what rednecks do for entertainment. I could not imagine if those things came to the house for the winter. EEEEEKKKKKK!!!! Perhaps the poison will finish the job. Now if any of you pity the poor rats, I can box some up and ship them to your address. I would have to toch them first, though and I don't plan on that. We spent time cleaning up some of the junk. We burned an enormous pile of debris and threatened the junk master that we will be back to finish the job. NASTY!!!!

Getting Back Into the Habit

I am tryin gto get back to blogging again. I really am, so all of you can get back to reading it again or it is otherwise pointless. It is hard to believe that this is Thrursday already. I will soon be returning to work for a 3 day run. It really is a run while it is on. But then 4 days off. Tis nice. I have got to get ready for a Kid's Crusade coming up. I don't know how i got mixed up in that. It is "Going Deep" The "Tails" of 2 Fish. We are alking about down under happenings such as Jonah, Money from a fishes mouth and Peter walking on water from a bit different perspective. All of these stories will demonstrate that God knows where we are what we need and where the what we need is. He cares for even the smallest details of our lives such as taxes. Hopefully two fish will be able to convince kids of that. Everynight we will close with the removal of sins cast into the sea. It should all be very interesting.

So much work to be down between now and then. So if I am not that faithful in the next couple weeks, forgive me. Gotta go! Work to be done.

Call off the search party...

I am back. I have been a little busy latley and then again a little blogger blocked and...It goes on and on. I could try to excuse my absence with a million excuses. I am just lazy. I am. I don'y know where the time has gone. Maybe it was lost when i flipped every piece of furniture in the living room and vaccumed the Mushu hair off of everything. Maybe it was lost when i took our bed apart that has not been moved in 4 years and cleaned all of the allergens from under neath it. Work, did that zap my time and energy or perhaps that severe sinus infection that held me in its grips the last week. It sure beats me. I don't know. But I am back. For just a little while. Tomorrow I have a rehearsal dinner an hour away, Saturday a wedding after working 12 hours, then get what sleep I can and back to work. Then to Church, nap back to Church. Then Backyard Burgers. That seems to be an every Sunday night thing for us. The people who work there know us. One woman was transferring in a different store, she passed out hugs Sunday night.

I have great pics on my camera that I should post someday. They are still on my camera...all 431 of them. I am lazy. I really am.

I am gonna go. I am off to the Church to do a little organization.

Can anyone help fix this thing?

No, I am not talking about my poor, pitiful, uneventful, boring life. I am okay with that. What I am talking about is this layout. I thought I would seek a new template from some of these other sites. I found a cool one I liked and got the codes for it and everything. Plug it all in and what do I have but a plain white boring template that is even more boring that my poor, pitiful, uneventful, boring life. I spent all of my blogging time last week trying to fix that and had no time to share the events of my poor, pitiful, uneventful, boring life. There is an air of redundancy here. It is pitiful. I have had to work extra days lately so that has taken some of my time. I have an awesome template if I can ever figure out how to get the picture on it. Any ideas?

Here's my other kids

Ahhhh, Spring Again!

It seems that I got too excited the other day. It was not spring yet. The terrible freeze is over and things are beginning to heal again. Here is a pic that is proof.

Introducing Mushu

Hoh Hummm!!!

Well, let me see. I will not keep you long in this post. I just ned to post because it has been over a week and NARS will be at my door ready to confiscate my computer. I did get a new cat, Mushu. He is quite the little devil. He really is. His name is really fitting, such a bad kitten. My swimming pool arrived and will be full of water today, allbeit ice-cold water. It will warm up eventually. I have a huge mound of dirt that needs to be moved now. So much to do so little time. Okay, I have time...I just don't want to. I hope all is well in the rest of blog world. God bless you guys.

I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter...

Yes, away to the kitchen I flew like a flash. Friday morning about 4:45 am, the dead of the night was interrupted by the horrible screaching sirens of my burglar alarm. I know that the only way to set that off is for something to be open. If someone opens something at that hour with you home, the results are not usually good. So I jump up in the bed, spring down the hall. My first instint is to make noise so that it sounds as if there are more than one. So I holler and clap my hands really loud. In retrospect that may not have been the wisest thing to do. Here is me running down the hall ready to go hand to hand with an unknown assailant.

This is a very exciting story, isn't it? You are probably on the edge of your seat right now.

To be continued...

Just kidding. I get to the kitchen and the back door is open. The intruder...(play suspenseful music)...none other than the wind. It seems that the door had not been closed well. The wind blew hard from the east and pushed it open. It took me an hour to go back to sleep. It was quite alarming. More alarming than that was the fact that Tabithia grabbed the handgun from the drawer and was behind me. I guess after my hand to hand failed she was ready to shoot one of us or both. She had never even fired he thing. That could have been very interesting.

Oh, well, it does make good blog material.

In Need of Assistance

Hello everyone. It is me again. Who else would it be this is my blog. Anyway. I need a little help. A member from Oklahoma is trying to get to BTI. I said in the district conventions i would try to work out everything that tries to hinder that effort. This member has no transportation to get there. Here is where I need help. Does anyone know of anyone that is going? If someone from out west is passing through that area it could really be a blessing. PLease let me know if you know anyone that is going. Please. This member has raised the funds to go but has no way.

Any takers?

Que Music, "You're my brother, you're my sister, so take me by the hand, together we will work until He comes. There's no foe that can defeat us when we're working side by side. As long as there is love we will stand."

Been Busy

I must first apologize for the weakness of that last post. That must be the reason I only had one comment on it. Bless you, Sister Smith. I hope to redeem myself somewhat here. Hopefully all of my other readers have not been bored to death.

I do not have a comical story to share, merely just a longing. I was reading through 1 Kings chapter 8 the other day. Solomon had finished the work on the temple. He worked 20 years to make this thing perfect. He made sure that even parts of this place that were not even visible of noticeable were impressive to God. They went all out. While dedicating the temple, Solomon did not boast about how great it was, he did not go on and on about all that was performed. He said there was no God like our God, great in mercy and grace (not so much in those words). He said that the heavens and the heaven of heaven could not contain Him. He filled the place so that the ministers could not minister. God does not inhabit inanimate temples, but rather these fleshly ones. I want to ensure that this is the most wonderful temple (my heart an life). I want to go all out as did Solomon and ensure even the hidden parts that no one sees are pleasing unto Him.

The temple was the place to bear His name and I have covenanted that I, too, bear His name. There were those in the Bible that wanted to marry/covenant solely to take away their reproach but stated they would wear their own clothes, eat their own food. I desire what God has prepared for me. I desire that superfluous presence as noted in the day of Solomon. He cannot be contained. I desire not to contain, but rather that overflowing presence run over and touch everyone that I come in contact with. Time is so very short and souls are in eminent danger.

God could not be contained in the writings of Malachi as the windows of heaven open. He could not be contained to the widow woman who borrowed vessels not a few. She was asking her sons for another. He could not be contained in the life of Mary who was overshadowed by the Holy Ghost. She had a Truth within her that had to be delivered. He could not be contained in the prophecy of Joel and the upper room fruition of that prophecy. The upper room itself could not contain Him as they hit the street with the all nations message. Jeremiah said He was as fire shut up in his bones.

I want to go all out for Him! I want to cross over that threshold that I find myself standing at so many times. Mary questioned how what Gabriel told her could be. She knew of no natural way for that to happen. We serve a supernatural God. I desire the power of the Highest to overshadow me and perform His divine will.

God bless you all. I have this longing within me, do you?

What to say...

Hmm...let me see. Our beautiful warm weather has taken leave for a few days. In fact I am covering the apple trees tonight. Brrrrrr. It has been exceptionally busy at work this week. I have been rather sluggish at home.

Tuesday I went to Memphis and bought a swimming pool. I have thought about that thing ever since. It will be installed on the 20th. So until then I wait. I would not want to be in a pool for a few days anyway. Too cold.

Looks like we will have an Egg hunt on Saturday. That should be interesting to see these kids scrap it out for some hard boiled eggs. Also some plastic. I will try to take lots of pictures, especially if a fight breaks out. I will get a few pics then intervene. I have to have evidence you know. Kids are so like that. One minute they are playing together well, the next someone is peeling then apart. They have such short fuses. I know some adults like that. For some reason they failed to develop. With kids they have such short attention spans, they are over it so quickly. They usually hold no grudge. These adults on he other hand do. I have noone in mind as I write this or anything I have experienced recently. I've been around. I know things, a few. I know what this needs...another springtime pic.

More Spring Pics

Warm Weather Pics

I have been saving these for a while. I tried to post ehm yesterday but had trouble getting them on there. Here's just a few pics since the weather has gotten nice. Enjoy!

Big News!!!!!

I cannot believe that I am so dumb. I am not talking about the fact that i walked into a sliding glass door last night. Yes, I did. I was at work trying to eat my lunch, when this enormous fly began to fly around me. I noticed it went into the back section of the department so I closed it in with a sliding glass door that divides the two. It is never closed. When i finished my lunch I got up and went to go to the back section, Wham!!!!!! I hit that door so hard that i bounced off of it. I just laughed. What else can you do when you do something that stupid in front of your co-workers. It was hilarious. I had a big red spot on my right temple where I hit so hard. But that is not the big news or the reason of my "dumbness."

On Sunday the 18th, I was in charge of Sunday pm services. I preached that message about overcoming our enemies. I asked those who needed special prayer to come up after the altar service. We prayed for each one. When we made it down the line, I asked for prayer for migraines. I normally have 2-3 headaches a week minimum. The week prior to this service I had headaches 5 out of 7 days. Monday came, no headache. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday (and still going). I forgot that I had asked for prayer. I realized that I had no headaches and thanked the Lord for it. I asked Tabithia in Sunday School if I had been prayed for. She said I had. I even got someone to confirm it. I was so excited. I could not contain the joy. I could not wait until service. I sat there hoping I would be asked to testify. And sure enough I was. I left it all out. Thank the Lord for healing!!!!!!!! I just had to tell the news! I have suffered for I don't know how long with these terrible headaches. I t feels great to be free!!!! Thank you Jesus!!!!

Mostly Lurking

Well, I have been around your blogs lately nosing around. It isn't really nosing if you post it publicly for everyone to see. I have been reading them. I just don't have much to say. my quick wit has slowed a bit along with my metabolism. Just a sign of age. I am no fogey yet though. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Don't anyone be offended by my age comment. I know many that read this that are way older than me which would say that their wit is nearly nonexistent. Oh, I am not helping matters one bit. Really though, I think if you post something totally obnoxious you are much more likely to get comments. I guess most people are just lurking, too.

Really I have so very little to blog about. I preached Sunday pm at my local Church. I had very little along the lines of notes. It went very well. It was taken from the 17-18 Psalms. In the 18 David said that he cried unto the Lord and the Lord heard. Chapter 17 is the cry. Chapter 18 is the evidence that God answered. He stated that he was surrounded by those who sought his life, those that were out to destroy him. He was innocent and Saul and him men were after him like an enemy of state. He sought refuge in a barren, harsh wasteland. In chapter 18 he stated that God came down. It seemed to him that God stopped all He was doing to minister to his need. Doesn't it seem that way sometimes. Our problems like to encircle us and leave us dead in our tracks. They like to tell us we can't do it, can't make it. David said his enemies prevented him, they stopped him, disrupted his life. He went on to say that the Lord was his stay. The Lord was his rock, his courage, his feeling that enough is enough. Our enemies surround us to heckle and prevent us from serving God with all our hearts. They try to prevent us and disrupt our lives. But God is our stay. Enough is enough already. David went on later to say that jumped over his enemies and how he fought all of this by the Lord. Somewhere around verse 42, he beat his enemies and cast them out as the dust of the street. That night I had signs posted around the front that named some of our adversaries that come against us; sin, self loathing, self promotion, depression, sickness, fear, entanglement, unbelief...We prayed as David did and then took these foes casting them out as the dust of the streets. There is victory in Jesus. There is power to overcome our ugly enemies. We can do this.

God bless you all.

Spring Rains

Well, I hope all have recovered since the loss of sleep over the weekend. I must admit i slept in a bit yesterday to compensate. I have been accused of staleness so I thought it best to freshen things up a bit here. Saturday was such wonderful day. It was so warm and so nice. Ahhhhh!


Early that morning I had decided to borrow a chainsaw and trim some branches on my trees out front. Tabithia's grandpa came down and was craking the saw trying to get it to start. he has this really stupid dog that came down with him (his farm is right behind our house). This dog ran up and bit the chainsaw blade. It was not started but it sure cause a moment of panic for me. Well, it finally started and who should run up and attack but the stupid dog. It bit the moving chain. It took off running with a bloody mouth. He examined her and said he could not tell much about it. It must not have been too bad, because she tried it again and again. How dumb. I had horrible flashbacks all day long. But I still had a very good day.


I even mowed the yard. Finished a bird feeder with a twig roof. It is very neat. I have not tried the diner out yet to see if it will work.


Sunday was another good day in spite of the headache I got. That morning I taught the kids about prayer. I got very excited talking at one point. I took an old phone from the house and told them that talking to God in prayer was like talking (respectfully) to somone on the phone. There was no number to dial but it is a direct line. When you start it picked up on immediately. It does not matter whether there are many praying at the same time, He can make sense of it all. The kids struggle with prayer. They even stated they do not really know how to pray. So we talked about the pattern that Christ gave (the Lord's Prayer). It was a very good class. At the end we passed the telephone around to see if that would help them. They each took turns praying. One of them talked into the phone and said, "Okay, here he is." Then he handed the phone to me. That girl is such a mess.


That night we went to Pocahontas to preach there. I had a message ready but on the way up there I felt something totally different. I had Tabithia get my Bible out and turn to John 9 for me and tell me if that was where I wanted to be. It was what I was looking for. I had not a note one to fall back on. It was all on the spot. I had so much liberty. I t was so different for me some of what took place. The blind man there had suffered for all of those years for that moment. During the altar, I felt led to let the congregation know that this could be their moment. They lined the center isle for anointing anf prayer. It was a wonderful night.


Yesterday was a lazy day and that brings me to the rain we are having today. It is much needed. My yard is dry.


There is my update.

Fresh Stuff

Everyone likes fresh stuff. There's nothing like fresh laundry, fresh baked pies, fresh home-grown fruits and vegetables, the fresh smell after a rain and of course fresh blog posts. Did I get the word "fresh" in there enough? I decided it was a good time to make a new post. If thre anything fresh around here? I have already mentioned in a previous post that Spring is arriving. Well, it must have heard me and become offended because this weekend turned cold and windy. Brrrrr! There was even a big frost this morning. I have dafodils and hyacinths blooming in the yard. Tulips are not far behind. The lawn is looking somewhat gren wth clover and other weeds but, hey, at least it is green.

Children's Church has few stories to yield this week. It was fairly uneventful. You know we have the Ladybug Club. Well, I told them that they were collectively going to be a $100 worker. They seemed a bit overwhelmed by that. Two of them, sisters, went home and were talking it over with their mom. They insisted on making cookies. So they went to work and did so all afternoon long. Then came to Church and sold their cookies. They made $23.50. It was totally unexpected. They made me very proud. They went right to work. Now I know why there are some ways that we should be like children. On the other hand there are some ways that we should stop being like children. You know who I'm tlking to. No, I don't have anyone in mind. Or at least not anyone who is reading this. Well, maybe a couple of you. No, I am kidding. Oh, you are offended. I am sorry but you should not be such a child. Okay, maybe I am the one being childish.

Well this post should do for a few days. Maybe less. Last Tuesday, I posted 2 on the same day *applause* I am not that industrious today. Have a great Monday!!!!

Ways To Be Annoying

Adjust the tint on your tv so that all the people are green, and insist to others that you "like it that way".
Drum on every available surface.
Sing the Batman theme incessantly.
Staple papers in the middle of the page.
Ask 800 operators for dates.
Produce a rental video consisting entirely of dire FBI copy warnings.
Sew anti-theft detector strips into people's backpacks.
Hide dairy products in inaccessible places.
Write the surprise ending to a novel on its first page.
Specify that your drive-through order is "to go".
Set alarms for random times.
Learn Morse code, and have conversations with friends in public consisting entirely of "Beeeep Bip Bip Beeeep Bip..."
Buy large quantities of mint dental floss just to lick the flavor off.
Order a side of pork rinds with your filet mignon.
Leave your Nine Inch Nails tape in Great Uncle Ed's stereo, with the volume properly adjusted.
Publicly investigate just how slowly you can make a "croaking" noise.
Honk and wave to strangers.
Dress only in clothes colored Hunter's Orange.
Change channels five minutes before the end of every show.
Tape pieces of "Sweating to the Oldies" over climactic parts of rental movies.
Wear your pants backwards.
Decline to be seated at a restaurant, and simply eat their complementary mints by the cash register.
Begin all your sentences with "ooh la la!"
Rouse your roommates from slumber each morning with Lou Reed's "Metal Machine Music".
Leave someones printer in compressed-italic-cyrillic-landscape mode.
ONLY TYPE IN UPPERCASE.
only type in lowercase.
dont use any punctuation either
Buy a large quantity of orange traffic cones and reroute whole streets.
Pay for your dinner with pennies.
Tie jingle bells to all your clothes.
Repeat everything someone says, as a question.
Write "X - BURIED TREASURE" in random spots on all of someone's roadmaps.
Inform everyone you meet of your personal Kennedy assasination/UFO/OJ Simpson conspiracy theories.
Repeat the following conversation a dozen times: "Do you hear that?" "What?" "Never mind, it's gone now."
Light road flares on a birthday cake.
Wander around the restaurant, asking other diners for their parsley.
Leave tips in Bolivian currency.
Demand that everyone address you as "Conquistador".
Push all the flat Lego pieces together tightly.
At the laundromat, use one dryer for each of your socks.
When Christmas carolling, sing "Jingle Bells, Batman smells" until physically restrained.
Wear a cape that says "Magnificent One".
As much as possible, skip rather than walk.
Stand over someone's shoulder, mumbling, as they read.
Sing the "This is the song that never ends..." song. (Ya know, Lamb Chops?)
Leave your turn signal on for fifty miles.
Pretend your mouse is a CB radio, and talk to it.
Try playing the William Tell Overture by tapping on the bottom of your chin. When nearly done, announce "no, wait, I messed it up", and repeat.
Drive half a block.
Name your dog "Dog".
Inform others that they exist only in your imagination.
Reply to everything someone says with "that's what YOU think."
Lick the filling out of all the Oreos, and place the cookie parts back in the tray.
Cultivate a Norwegian accent. If Norwegian, affect a Southern Drawl.
Forget the punchline to a long joke, but assure the listener it was a "real hoot".
Routinely handcuff yourself to furniture, informing the curious that you don't want to fall off "in case the big one comes".
Follow a few paces behind someone, spraying everything they touch with a can of Lysol.
Deliberately hum songs that will remain lodged in co-workers' brains, such as "Feliz Navidad", the Archies' "Sugar" or the Mr. Rogers theme song.
While making presentations, occasionally bob your head like a parakeet.
Lie obviously about trivial things such as the time of day.
Make beeping noises when a person backs up.
Leave your Christmas lights up and lit until September.
Change your name to John Aaaaasmith for the great glory of being first in the phone book. Claim it's a Hawaiian name, and demand that people pronounce each A.
Sit in your front yard pointing a hair dryer at passing cars to see if they slow down.
Chew on pens that you've borrowed.
Invent nonsense computer jargon in conversations, and see if people play along to avoid the appearance of ignorance.
Wear a LOT of cologne.
Ask to "interface" with someone.
Listen to 33rpm records at 45rpm speed, and claim the faster speed is necessary because of your "superior mental processing".
Sing along at the opera.
Mow your lawn with scissors.
At a golf tournament, chant "swing-batatatatatata-suhWING-batter!"
Finish all your sentences with the words "in accordance with prophesy".
Ask the waitress for an extra seat for your "imaginary friend".
Go to a poetry recital and ask why each poem doesn't rhyme.
Ask your co-workers mysterious questions, and scribble their answers in a notebook. Mutter something about "psychological profiles".
Incessantly recite annoying phrases, such as "sticky wicket isn't cricket."
Stare at static on the tv and claim you can see a "magic picture".
Select the same song on the jukebox fifty times.
Scuff your feet on a dry, shaggy carpet and seek out victims.
Do not add any inflection to the end of your sentences, producing awkward silences with the impression that you'll be saying more any moment.
Never make eye contact.
Never break eye contact.
Signal that a conversation is over by clamping your hands over your ears.
Construct elaborate "crop circles" in your front lawn.
Construct your own pretend "tricorder", and "scan" people with it, announcing the results.
Give a play-by-play account of a person's every action in a nasal Howard Cossell voice.
Holler random numbers while someone is counting.
Make appointments for the 31st of September.
Invite lots of people to other people's parties.

Time For a New Post

Hmmmmmm. Hmmmm. Hmmmm. I am searching. Thinking really hard. Oh, I just strained a neuron. I think I'll have to reboot. Please wait.

Well, the cold weather seems to have broken for just a moment. There are beautiful blue clear skies, warmer temps. I have raked nearly all of the leaves. Of course the magnolia tree will soon shed making the chore begin all of again. That is okay. It is just nice to be able to go out. I know it has been much colder in some the places where you live. But, hey, I never said I was tough.

Sunday morning we had a sick child in Children's Church. It began right before Children's Church. It was prety nasty. I had to detour the kids through the sanctuary to get them by the scene. I went to get the grandparent. I just knew the child was going home. We get started and the next thing I know, there is the child. I was horrified because I was just sick a couple of weeks ago. Where is my faith, huh? Well, it was struggling at that point. I was so scared we were all going to be sick. I anointed everything with clorox disinfectant. Hallelujah! I even sprayed myself down till it ran down my beard. I was just horrified. After Church I told our pastor's daughter that I resigned. It was just too much. Wouldn't i make a great parent? As soon as a diaper needed changed or some mess cleaned up, I woul try to bail.

I know it is different with your own child. I am at the office doing this and there is a customer next door that is telling the longest stroy. It is loud and I cannot concentrate. I think they have been here at least 15 minutes and have not started their taxes yet. I thought I was a bad story teller. This woman is a terrible one. It took 15 minutes to tell a two minute story. I am exausted just trying not to listen. Mercy!!!!!!

I tried to put somethng of some substance in here to put a smile on your face. So smile!

What Day Is this?

My, how quickly time flies. Already days have passed since my non-post last week. Here I am non-posting again. No surely this will be one that you will not regret reading all of. I am once again eating solid foods again. Life is grand again. Isn't that pitiful that we base life upon the meals we eat. No wonder fasting is such a spiritual thing. It truly is a worthy sacrifice. It really does cost something.

Sunday we went over to the former organization. Tabithia and her mother were asked to come sing. So we went there around 4pm. They rescheduled their services so that we could still attnd ours. It was a low turn out really but it was a good place for them to start if they plan to do this singing thing. They actually made a CD recently. This has made them exceptionally hard to deal with. They think they are divas now. They want dressing rooms, they want water...demands..demands...demands. Actually I made all of that up for entertainment purposes. They really did sing at the COGOP. I had to sing a song too. That was a real treat. I don't know how that happened. There was not much response from the crowd aside from the occaisional hand clap.

It was very different to what I am accustomed. The weather has turned wonderful here. It is so warm, so nice. The wind has been rather blustery. Well that is about all that is on my mind for now. Hope you are not too disappointed. Nothing fascinating going on here.

Still Mending

Well, it seems that I am recovering from the Bleuk of last week. Our convention was canceled for today due to weather. I suppose weather there not here as it is nothing but cloudy here. This will be a short post as I am at a tax office and fear someone will come up to my desk thinking I know how to do that sort of thing. I don't like all of those numbers. I suppose that our disaster of a house might get some TLC today. It looks like a spring tornado hit it.

I have nothing to blog about. So I really guess it is not nice to just keep on typing and typing, making you read all the way throught this, thinking it is going to get better but it never does. I have watched movies like that. Someone might say a movie is hilarious. So you watch it and it goes on and you think that it is going to get better but it never does. You won't stop because you think you might miss the funny part until you get to the very end and think you have totally wasted your time watching that stupid thing. That is just time you will never get back. Yep, never get it back. So here you are reading this and it is not getting any better. You think I might have one wise crack at the end that just makes your day. Well, it will just be time that you can not bring back. Nope, never. So really i gues I should stop, because I know some of you are addicts and you will have to read if not have the last word. I will do you the favor.

THE END!

Bleuk!!! Bleuk!!!!!!!

I hope those sound effects are not too graphic. It does speak of the Monday I had. My 13 year streak of no projectile illness ended abruptly on Monday morning. Yes, I am bloging about vomiting. How sick is that? It was pretty sick, just let me tell you. I have some pictures if you would like me to post them. No, really I did not take pictures. We had district convention near Little Rock last weekend. This weekend is the last one for this side of the region. It will be in Missouri. I have got to recooperate some before them. Bleuk!!! Bleuk!!! All of that is over. Thank God!!!!!! Only He knows how many times I cried out His name Monday.

Happy Valentine's Day all. I hope the love of Christ fills your hearts warmly on this cold winter day. There have been some snow flurries here today. I am ready for singing birds and budding trees, blooming flowers and warmer days. Everybody loves spring!

God bless you all!

I Need Something

I need some help and was wondering if any of you might know. I need a picture of Sis. Edith Brown, a very good picture. I have started a BTI Memorial Scholarship in her name. I need a really good picture of her to help boost it. Does anyone have one. I saw one some somewhere before. It may have been in the slideshow for Bro and Sis Pruitt. Can anyone help. If you have something my email address is brojasonmullins@yahoo.com. God bless you all.

Good Graces?

Well I hope that this post will find me back in everyone's good graces since my lack of posting. It has been over a week, I can't believe it. It passed so quickly. I actually have to drive across town to do this at an H & R Block office. There are people outside the door already. They can't see me though. It does not open for another 30 minutes. The phone has rang multiple times since I have been here. If these people had to pay in like me, they would be in no hurry. See you April 15th. So that is distracting. Some people have called multiple times. Do they not know that there is someone in here that is trying to concentrate on a blog. Good grief!!!! Give me a break!!!!

It actually snowed here last week so that kept me out of the office too. Today is Tabithia's 30th Birthday!!! She claims it is her 25th, but I know that we were in the same class in school. Hmmm! What is so bad about 30? I survived it without any real complications. Is it different for women? Older men are considered seasoned, more mature, wiser. Is it the same for women. Why is it so hard to own up to the big 3-0?

We had district convention last Saturday. It went very well. I was in charge of our service last night. There was a wonderful Spirit there. For the altar service, we paired up and prayed with someone. It was a very sweet time of prayer. I noticed that we all tarried much longer. It is good to bear one another's burdens. It was a wonderful service. The message lacked a bit. i don't wnat to seem like I was bragging. God treated us so well last night. He was the one that made it so special.

In the last 3 weeks I was also reading a book which might be why I could not blog. I was reading so much of it that I could not read blogs and stuff. It was the Chronicles of Narnia. I had heard of the Christian imagery in it and wanted to see for myself. So I did and finished the whole thing. Aside from the Bible and other short books, I have never read one that long. There was some imagery that was very good and some things I did not like that well. Overall, I did enjoy reading it. Since I have conquered that long book, I have decided to go bak to another long book I started and stopped on several times.

So that is what I have been doing this last week. I have some great snow pictures of my children (dogs). I will try to get them on here. Well the Blockers are here talking an I cannot concentrate. How rude, them come in their office acting like they own the place. Oh wait, they do. Well I gotta go.

Your Kindest Mercies

With the decision still within the boardroom as to my banishment from blogland, I fall upon the mercy of the board (who is the board?) As the dear ole good book says, "Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy." Have a heart NARR.

With that being said, what has been going on with me. I have worked near a full week and am so ready for the weekend. The weekend goes by so fast though and before I know it is starting all over again. I have such bloggers block. Hmmm! What could I blog about. I have had battles with the utility company for needlessly damaging my property. THey are bringing me a load of dirt to repair the damage. The boss sided with me and was very polite. My duck flapped from its fiendish prison the other day. It just so happened that all of the dogs were out. I stood very still and they got ready for one sudden movement. Unfortunately my lab instinctively prepared for a sudden movement. We both wrestled like football players for a fumbled ball. She never made contact as hard as she tried. I was so excited that i won that I accidently spiked the ball, I mean duck. Oops! Sorry Duckie! I really did not spike her. I placed her very lovingly back into her cage. Do not send PETA to my house.

That will do. I have appeased my guilty conscience.

I knew that all of the angy villagers could not resist my smiling face! I am now beginning my colorful apology which has been my sentence that was handed down. I am sorry for my weak efforts at blogging. I hope that was colorful enough. I worked very hard at it. It seems lately that my mind has been on other things. Don't act like this charming chap in this picture doesn't make you feel like you're in good company. I must say now that i don't think I have mentioned it sooner, rapture hair has for the time being been tamed. My hair looks about the same as the pic at left.

Some people accused me of looking like I had come in from a tempest. I would not hold that against her. Just thinking now, perhaps we should have the preacher fashion show some time. I have seen chaps in their sleevless suitcoats and different things. There are all kinds of styles and colors. There are many different hairstyles, combovers and no hair at all. The possibilities are endless. from the pulpit to the runway. Actually I fear that some of them may be more faux pas than something you would actually want to do. Who ever decided that you should comb the hair from the back of your head over the top and hope it stays there. That is crazy. There is a guy at the hospital that has a hair piece. It is okay to be sensitive to that. But if you are going to get a cheap one that don't even look real, don't expect everyone to believe that. Yes, I know that in that picture above there are some receding lines. I know all too well. But I am not going to cover that up with some cheap piece of shag carpet. How did I get on this subject. That is why I call it rambling.

What else can I ramble on about? Hmmm? I am not sure. I think I shall save that for the next session. Whenever that may be. Oh, I mean, soon, realy soon!

Barely Started

It has been rather busy this week with a couple of very bad days. I have had some headaches this week that have nearly been the death of me. Today is off to a good start. I hope everyone is doing well. There have been those posts asking about the length of time it take to undecorate. Well, it is barely even started. Perhaps toady though i will accomplish something. yesterday i rushed around as much as I could with my head pounding. I had to be at a funeral at 1:30. I just did get ready in time and rush to the funeral home. As I rounded the courner I noticed there were only three cars. I was at the wrong place. For a moment I did not even know where it was. I did not go late. I went back home and rested before going to work. Yesterday was a total wash. I did nothing productive. I think I might hire a team of undecorators. If I filthy stinking rich I would. I am everything except the third descriptor. Well, anyway, I must go. More things to do.