dave's blog

Waiting on Baby

2010-01-04T09:23:00.002-05:00

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted. Haven't felt like I had anything Blog-Worthy to say. In 2010 I just plan to write stuff up here and see how it goes.

If you're checking this blog you probably already know that my wife and I are expecting our first child. The official due date is January 6. When, however, the baby will actually come is anyones guess. I find it amazing that the doctors even give a due date. The due date really doesn't mean anything. It's just a guess. Kinda like weather forecasting. At least with forecasting they give a percentage (40% chance or rain etc.). The forecasters do this to say "Hey we have no clue what's going to happen, it should rain, but it might not". Due dates should be like this. The doctors should just say "Early January" or "Middle of March" . This would be much easier on the parents. Knowing that our child could come any day now, maybe today, maybe tomorrow, maybe on the due date. I wonder how many kids are actually born on their due date? I doubt the number is very high.

Anyways, I now sit and wait. Wait on the baby to come. We have the room ready, the car seat installed and enough clothes to outfit a baby army.

I hate waiting.

Waiting on Sunday

2009-11-22T08:43:00.002-05:00

As I sit in my office waiting for our morning gathering to start. I wondering how little we prepare ourselves to come together in an act of worship. Sure the band practices and someone is preparing a message, but as people planning on worshiping together do we really prepare ourselves before we come to the Lord? Are we more concerned with what we are going to have for lunch than what we are going to bring before our heavenly Father? Just a thought. (I'm trying to update this blog more, so random thoughts are going to make it through)

COLTS WIN!!!

2009-11-16T09:51:00.002-05:00

So I'm a Colts fan. I've been a Colts fan since I lived in Indiana (I moved to Indiana right about the time Peyton Manning joined the team). And I've been used to watching the Colts get beaten by the Patriots. There have been games that the Colts have won, but it seems the majority of the time we loose to the Patriots. And for some reason loosing to the Patriots is harder than any other loss. So last night as I watched the first 3 Quarters of the Colts/Pats game I started to prepare myself for yet another loss. With a little over 3 minutes left in the game everything changed. The Patriots were up by 6 points and Indy had just driven the entire field to score a touchdown. The Colts defense had not been playing "great" in this game allowing 34 points. So everyone expected Indy to onside kick, after all they could stop Brady anyways. But the Colts did something different they decided to kick to the Patriots. They decided to believe that their defense could hold. Jim Caldwell was saying "I believe in my team". On the next drive the Pats went what appeared to go 3 and out, but then Belichick did something strange. He should have punted and made Peyton Manning drive the ball 70 yards for the win. Instead he went for a first down, on his own 30 yard line, and the win. Pretty much he was saying he didn't think his defense could stop the Colts. He was saying "I DON'T believe in my team". His gamble backfired. The Colts defense held, the Colts scored, the Colts WIN!!!

As I think about this game I will be happy or course because the Colts won (and they beat the evil Patriots). But there may be a lesson learned. Both coaches we shown struggling defense on their teams. Both coaches had choices to make. Both had to answer the question "Do I believe in my team?". One coached believed in his team and one didn't.

It reminds me of how God is with us. Even when we, as the church (his people or "team"), continue to play terrible He continues to believe in us. I am always amazed that God continues to believe in his church. That He continues to use people to accomplish His plan. I don't know what kind of coach I would make, I don't know if I could believe in my team when they are playing poorly. But I know if I was God, I would have stopped believing my me a long time ago. So thank you God for believing in me and GO COLTS!!!

Water Bottles

2009-10-02T10:20:00.003-04:00

So yesterday Evan Oxner (the KVWC intern) and I decide to go down to Calais to pick up our new Water Bottles for Kings Valley. Not a big deal right? Well, we're going down to pick them so Jim asks us if we would also pick up the church baptismal liner that has also come in. To do this we must first borrow a full size pick up truck which we do (and a special thanks to Gary Myles for the use of your sweet rig). This is the reason I am called in at all to this assignment as Evan is not yet 25 and the insurance requires a drive of 25 years of age.

So, we have the truck, we have the directions, we're all set, Gary even has a GPS in the truck so there's no way we can get lost. We drive down, get across the border fine, make it to the pick up place (C&E Feeds, which by the way is loaded with boxes of things delivered there for Canadians to pick up, why it cost so must for UPS or FedEx to send something an hour further up the road I don't know, but I was about to find out). So we get the Baptismal liner in the truck (and we're glad that we have the full size, cause the thing just fits). As a matter of interest the guy at the Feed store informs me that this is the first baptismal he's had shipped through his location.

Now, we have the baptismal and 9 boxes of water bottles (out of 10 boxes of water bottles, but that's another post, and if anyone is traveling through Calais and wouldn't mind picking up a box for the church, we'd appreciate it). We travel back to the border, get through the check point they send us in to the office to pay our duty. When we get in there, guard tells us that we're at the wrong bring. SO apparently a baptismal is considered a commercial good and must be taken to the commercial warehouse which located through the Millstream crossing just up the river. SO we turn around and head back through the border, now entering the United States with a very strange and very large looking object strapped to a vehicle we don't own. We explain to the guard what we have, it takes a minute, as, like the Feed Store, they haven't had many baptismal tanks come through this location. At this moment Jim decided to call Evan to see how things are going. And if you've ever been on a cell phone at a border crossing you know, this does not make the guards any happier. Now we have a strange, large piece of cargo and my accomplice is on his cell phone (and won't hang up after repeated attempts by the guards to have him do so). Luckily, we get everything explained to the guards and they send us on our way.

Now we find our way to the Millstream crossing and they send us to the commercial warehouse. We get there and now have to be come import agents. Fill out about 10 forms put stickers on things, check where each item was manufacture, what state is traveled from and the overall cost of our goods. About and hour and 100 or so dollars later we are on our way. We get everything to the church fine (water bottles will be available for $10 this Sunday if you would like your own) realizing at this point that we only have 9 of 10 water bottle boxes.

That brings us to an end to my adventure, I'm left with the sense of a good days work and a few fiberglass splinters to remember the occasion.

Great Baby

2009-09-27T14:45:00.003-04:00

I'm all for keeping kids away from television as much as possible, but if this is the result, it's pretty sweet.

Great Dad

2009-09-17T11:06:00.003-04:00

Here's the kind of dad I would like to be someday

The Power or Two

2009-09-16T05:22:00.004-04:00

So we're starting this new thing this year for KV Youth. Well, I guess it's a old thing for the church here but a new thing for KV Youth (which is what we've been calling the Youth Ministry at Kings Valley since I arrive, simple I know, but it works). We've gone to two nights for Youth ministry. Tuesday night (last night being the Kick-OFF) will be dedicated to Middle School (grade 6-8) and Wednesday night will be dedicated to High School (grade 9-12).

I'm excited for the change, but inevitably change brings with it pain (nothing major, just when things change it can cause growth that is not always comfortable). Two nights means two youth groups (but still only one me) which will be a stretch. It also means double the staff, double the preparation, double pretty much everything. But two nights can also mean double the effectiveness of the youth ministry, double the opportunities to serve, double the chances I get to interact with students, and double the chances we get to see Jesus at work in the lives of students.

I know there are pros and cons to everything done in youth ministry, you try one thing and you fail at another, then you fix one area only to find yourself coming up short somewhere else. But this is what we're going to try this year. I think some great things are going to come from it. One thing being student leadership, I think I had 8 high school students helping me the last night (something that doesn't just take them away from participating in their own night, but takes what they're learning in KV Youth HS and allows them to apply it), we also had some new leaders helping for the first time (some for the first time in a while, but it's good to have them back).

As I sit here in my home office at 6:30AM (double the stress of pulling off two nights a week is waking me up early) I am hopeful for what God is going to do in KV Youth this year. I am constantly reminded that God loves these kids more then I ever could and when he wants to do things, he will provide. So pray for me, if you would, and for all our leaders as we stand in the gap between heaven and this world and try and represent Jesus as best we can. May love flow though the doors of KV Youth and may lives be changed.

NOW.... time to do it all again KV Youth High School Kick-OFF Tonight 7-9PM

Ball Hockey Coming Soon!!!

2009-09-13T09:23:00.002-04:00

People Are Stupid

2009-09-09T09:51:00.003-04:00

Further evidence to the fact that people, as a whole, are stupid... Apparently this guy even had to sign a waiver to put this on his car, then blew out both rear tires and recked his shocks... Oh and he had like 6 bags of cement in the back seat... Brilliant!!!

New River Beach

2009-09-07T18:04:00.004-04:00

This Labor Day we had the pleasure of heading up to New River Beach with our friends Dave & Corrine for an afternoon picnic. We figured that it was about time we headed up that way. We've lived here going on 4 years now and are just getting around to going to New River now. I've been told by many people that this beach is the nicest around, and as it turns out, I think they are right. It's a beautiful beach, and unlike many Fundy region beaches, it actually has sand (instead of the pebbles that most beaches around here have).

We had a great time and were able to get some great pictures (the joys of being married to a photographer). My thought now is how come it took me so long to go enjoy this place? And how many other places are just around me that I'm not taking advantage of? How often do we live in a place and never actually enjoy it? We drive by this beautiful landscape but never actually go explore it. We take our vacations to far off places, but during our "ordinary" lives we don't go do any of the fun things that are all around us. Like today, we drove by a cruise ship in the harbor. People actually take vacations and stop in Saint John, NB? What a thought?

I guess it's "the grass is alway greener" thing. So I'm trying to live my life in the now. Make the most out of where I'm at, when I'm at. Not look to the future and how things "can be" or look to the past and how things "were", but look and enjoy how things are right here, right now.

Anyways, those are my thoughts for the day... Enjoy

TORONTO 09

2009-08-29T12:05:00.003-04:00

Here's our video from our Toronto Mission Trip this summer. Every year we take the grade 8 students from KV Youth on a Mission Trip to Toronto, here's the video from this year's trip.

Week at Youth Camp

2009-08-11T08:58:00.002-04:00

This week happens to be the week of Atlantic District Youth Camp. So I've been driving back and forth from the Island so I can keep stuff going here and stay in contact with our group up at Caton's. This year, by my count, we have 9 KV Youth teens working on staff at Caton's and 2 campers that are taking in this week. Please pray that God would use this week to affect the live of our teens.

This week features Atlantic leading worship and Mike MacNeil as the camp speaker. Prayer for both as they lead us towards Jesus. Camp runs till Friday, then I'm off to Ontario to speak at the Silver Lake Wesleyan Youth Camp. Pray for safe travel and that God would fill me with his words.

Yard Sale

2009-08-08T08:41:00.003-04:00

We had a yard sale today at our house. We cleaned out all our old stuff from the basement and our closets and took them outside to sell to anyone that was interested. It really is amazing how we can collect junk of time. I don't know if you're like us but our basement (which is unfinished and makes things worse) is just full of stuff that we are not using anymore. I look at the stuff and I think I should trow it out, but I don't, I hold on to it, and now it's in a yard sale.

I wonder if our lives are sometimes like my basement. We hold on to past hurts or unattained expectations and they take over (much like my stuff taking over my basement and closets). I don't think we mean to be carrying all this "baggage" around with us, it just happens. And like my basement, if I don't go down there and clean it out and get ride of some of the stuff it will just keep piling up.

I'm speaking at a camp in Ontario in a couple week and I want to talk to the teens about this idea. Of Christians walking around carrying the sins of their past and the expectation that others (and themselves) have put on them of what a Christian is "supposed" to be like. I think Jesus came to give us freedom from our past and freedom to live in the moment.

So I'm going back out to my yard sale now. Hope I sell most of my stuff so it doesn't have to go back in the basement.

Canadian Pride, Caramel Reese and a Digital Camera

2006-05-17T20:19:00.000-04:00

I keep talking to people who ask me what we're up to, y'know besides starting a new job, moving to another country and buying a home. Well if those things aren't enough for us to be up to I will tell you what else is going on in my life.

Lynnette is at work tonight, and as I wait to watch LOST @9PM on ABC I tuned into the Hockey Night in Canada broadcast of the Oilers/Sharks game 6. I almost came to tears with the pride I felt for my countrymen on this night. First of all I must tell you about what happened in game 5. Before the game, during the singing of the Canadian National Anthem the San Jose fans could be heard booing (for witch the Mayor of San Jose later appologized). I half expected to hear the Canadian fans return the favor (a la Yankees/Red Sox hatred kind of thing). To my utter surprise, instead of booing the people of Edmonton returned hate with love, almost drowning out the singer. Then when the Canadian Anthem was sung, they sang it with all their hearts. This is just another example of why I'm Proud to be Canadian. GO OILERS!!!

Also tonight I purchased the Reese Cups with Caramel. It was delicious. I recomend trying one. Very sweet though, I was only able to eat one. If you choose to try them I suggest following them with milk.

The other thing going on is we bought a digital camera. A Sony Cyber-Shot 6 MP. It's fantastic. The quality is amazing and it even shoots some pretty good video. It's taken me a while to join the digital revolution. I was waiting for the quality to go up and the price to go down. I think we waited long enough. I'm going to use the camera on my trip to Saint John to look at homes. Hopefully soon I will be able to post some pictures of a new home with the camera.

Anyways. That's what we're up to. Oh yeah and Edmonton won 2-0, bring on the Anaheim Might Sucks.

What We're Up To

2006-05-03T10:03:00.000-04:00

Sorry it has been so long since I've posted, but we've been busy discovering God's direction for our lives. I didn't think looking for a Youth Pastor job would be so hard. We were lucky enough to visit three amazing churches. I kind of was hoping that we would hate two of them and love one of them, but it wasn't like that. They were all amazing in their own ways. So it made our decision all that much harder. In the end though, we feel God is leading us East to New Brunswick. Quispamsis, NB to be exact (try saying that 10 times fast, I dare you). We are headed to Kings Valley Wesleyan Church to take on the position of Youth and Outreach pastor. The church is amazing and the staff is great. We are excited to get started in our new ministry. I don't know why God has taken us on the journey we've been on this last year, but perhaps it was to wait until this position opened up.

A little bit about the church. It's part of the Atlantic District of the Wesleyan church. From what I've heard a very cool district. They have two, count 'em, two camps. Beulah and Caton's Island (yeah that's right the students camp on an island on the St. John River). Quispamsis is also the home town of Tim Horsman for those of you that know him. It is located just outside of St. John, NB on the Bay of Fundy off the Atlantic Ocean. Pretty cool huh. Anyways, we will be spending the next few weeks wrapping stuff up here and looking for a place to live there. Once we're settled you're all welcome to visit. Maybe we can go whale watching, I heard it's mostly boring, but sometimes you actually see a whale.

Well that's it for now. I'm sure many things will be happening in the next few weeks and months and I will trying to update you all as things happen. Thank you to all of you out there that have been praying for us this past year. I believe God has his hand on us.

Take Me Out To The Ballgame

2006-04-04T21:13:00.000-04:00

So here I am in Southern California. Last Thursday I landed at LAX. I'm out here to do some work with my good friend Dwayne Taylor. On Friday we prepared our worksite for the sod we will be laying down this Saturday. This week I am working in San Dimas helping the Wright family prepare their new home for them to move in.

As you may have been able to tell from the picture to this post I was able to attend a Dodgers/Angels game on Friday. Now I know it wasn't officially a regular season game it had the regular season feel as the "Freeway Series" is pretty big down here. Anyways, we went to the game intent of purchasing tickets from a scalper. Knowing the game wasn't completely sold out I figured this would be a pretty easy thing to do. What's difficult about L.A. is that Dodge Stadium is far away from everything else. At other parks you have the time you walk up to the stadium to make your deal. Here the scalper was on a street corner 4 blocks from the field. So we pass him on the corner and Dwayne and Jose (the guy we're putting in the lawn for) send me to get the tickets. Why they send the Canadian who's never been to Dodger Stadium I don't know. But here I am out of the car and it's raining a little and the large man (6'5" 300 lbs easy) comes towards me dressed all in black (and it he was wearing one of those puffy coats which made him look even bigger). So he comes towards me and says "Get back in the car before the cops show up!". So I jump in the car and he's like "move over, move over". He gets in and we're all in the car and he asks what tickets we want and we're all quite, like-what-the-crap-did-we-get-ourselves-into-we're-gonna-die kind of thing. I'm thinking this doesn't work. The one out you have when dealing with a scalper is that you can walk away. He's in the car! How are we going to walk away. Plus he's talking about sections of Dodger Stadium which I know nothing about. He pulls out some tickets and says $15. I look at the tickets. $3 seats, for $15 are you nuts, the games not even sold out I can buy these at the window. Finally he says he's tired and will give us $50 seats for $25 (we'd decided that we weren't spending over $20 so we couldn't). At this point, I'm figuring out how I'm going to get this guy out of the car. My plan was to reach across and open his door and say "sorry dude". If he didn't get out I was making sure my door was locked so I could brace against it to push him with my legs (as I said he was big, that's all I could think to do). Luckily for me this never happened. We apparently sat there long enough and looked blankly long enough that he got sick of us and gave us the tickets for $20. We got into the game and had a great time. The tickets were amazing, put it this way, when left-handed batters were up, I paid close attention as to not get killed by a foul ball, this, fortunately, too did not happen.

So now I can cross Dodger Stadium of my ballpark list which includes: Olympic Stadium (Montreal), SkyDome (Toronto), Three Rivers (Pittsburgh), Great Americans Ballpark (Cincinnati), and Wrigley Field (Chicago).

As far as the game went 6-6 tie rained out in the 6th ("Mark of the Beast" or just a weird coincidence you decide he he).

Well... I will continue my California Adventure later. See ya.

Welcome to America!

2006-03-21T12:20:00.000-05:00

Our interview was yesterday and now I join John Lennon (and many other non-Beatles) in becoming a Permanent Resident of the U.S. of America. Lynnette and I were in Detroit yesterday afternoon for our interview for Immigration. We passed. Yipee!! Anyways, now I am officially a Permanent Resident. This means I can work anywhere I want, and stay here as long as I want (I have to reapply every 10 years or so for a new card, but other than that I'm good to go). Not being able to vote is about the only difference between permanent residence and Citizenship. The interview was rather uneventful. He believed we were really married right away and barely asked any questions. The question that did get my attention, though, was "Have you ever tortured anyone?" I guess they have to ask, but it was a little weird. Well, that's about it. I would like to thank the acadamy, and my agent, and everyone else that made this day possible.

The Newlywed Game:Green Card Edition

2006-03-15T17:32:00.000-05:00

So I'm going in next Monday for an interview with a Homeland Security Officer to determine whether or not I will recieve my Work Authorization Permit (aka a "green card" since the card you recieved used to be green). I was thinking about this process and what kinds of questions they may ask Lynnette and I. You see the questions are for a few reasons, to see if our marriage is legitimate, if we will be able to support ourselves, and to see if I'm a threat to National Security. These are all good things to know of course. I just thought it would be funny if they did the questioning like a game show. You could have 3 couples come in: Lynnette and Me, some dude that ordered a Russian Bride off the internet, and a Mexican couple. It would be great. We could write down our answers on a piece of paper and if they matched our spouses we got point. And the winning couple would get the Green Card. You wouldn't even have to ask the regular INS questions like "Are you a member of Al Queda?" instead you could ask Newlywed Game questions like "If your spouse was an appliance, what appliance would they be?". Y'know how on the show the couples would get mad at each other when they got a question wrong and the woman would end up hitting her husband with the answer card. Image how mad the couples would get when if you loose you immediately get sent out of the country. When a couple gets disqualified a Homeland Security Officer would come in with a machine gun and drag the spouse that isn't American away. It would be awesome (well maybe it wouldn't, but I know people would watch).

Anyways, maybe it's best that I'm not in charge of Homeland Security. I'm excited to take the interview. I'm a little nervous, but I've heard it's not that bad. Anyways, I'll let you know Tuesday how it goes.

The Pretender

2006-03-08T15:35:00.000-05:00

People keep asking me how we're doing and what we're up to now. So this post is about that. Lynnette is working at Curves for Women and Ruby Tuesday as a waitress. I am guest teaching in the Midland Public School system. We're sending out resumes and figuring out what God has next for us. If you're praying for us, keep it up. Please pray for encouragment and direction, Thanks. Anyways, as for what I'm up to.

The life of a substitute teacher is quite interesting to me actually. I feel like I take on the personality of the teacher that I am subbing for every time I enter a classroom. Today for example I am an Art teacher. I get to be creative and help students make works of art (by Art I mean those peices your mom used to hang on the fridge). Other days I may be a Math teacher or a Kindergarten teacher or even a gym teacher.

There used to be a show on television called "The Pretender" where this guy Jerod was a super genius and he would "pretend" to be other people. He would be a Doctor or a Lawyer or a Garbage man even. Y'know solve a mystery in 60 minutes and make the bad guys pay. It was a great show. In my own small way that's what I feel like every day. I get to "pretend" to be other people. It's quite fun actually. I'm not saying I'm a genius (maybe I am maybe I'm not) I'm just saying it's kind of cool to be something totally different everyday. I don't get to solve mysteries either, but who knows tomorrow is another day. Today Art tomorrow Kindergarten, Friday solve mystery. Not bad.

A couple of observations about subsitute teaching:

1. It's really not that bad. I thought this would be payback for all the subs that I was mean to over the years, but it's not. For the most part the classes I get treat me pretty well. And if they don't I just don't come back, it's great. If I have a class that is totally terrible, I simple don't accept positions at that placement anymore. It's like starting a job and feeling free to quit any time I want. FANTASTIC!!! Plus I get $10/hr. not the best but at least it's not minimum wage.

2. Subs don't care. I used to think that I ruined the days of the subs that taught me when I was "less than an angel". But the truth is the subs don't care. At least I don't. If a student doesn't want to do their work. I don't care. If they want to goof around and distract others. I don't care. It's not like it's causing me bodily harm. I'm not their regular teacher. I had a High School Math class the other day and they had a test. This one kid sat there sleeping and didn't write a thing on his test. I think he was a Senior on his second time in Algebra I. Did I care. Of course not. I felt bad for the kid. But if he wants to flunk out of High School that's his business. Hey $10/hr is not enough to care. Caring starts at $20. he he... Sorry if I sound mean.

3. It's the easiest/best part of teaching. When I was in school the part I liked the least was writing lesson plans. I liked teaching the lessons alright. It's just the writing out of everything we were to do was time consuming and boring. Now I don't have to do that. I show up and the lesson is there I teach it. I go home. If there's a student teacher even better. I just sit there and get paid. Wicked awesome. Plus a lot of Elementary Teachers plan an extra recess when there's a sub. Recess is the best. I think life would be better if all jobs had recess. I mean. You stop what you're doing and you go and trow a football around, or swing, or play hop scotch. Think about your job, wouldn't it be better if you had recess twice a day?

4. Time off anytime I want. Yeah I don't get paid when I don't work. But I can go anywhere and do anything I want. At the end of the month I'm going to California to work for my good friend Dwayne. We're doing some yard work. Kind of ironic that two Canadians will be doing yard work in California since a lot of workers in Cali come from across the other U.S. Border.

Well, that's about it for me. Oh yeah, on the 20th of March we're going for my Green Card interview. I'm calling it the "Newlywed Game: Greencard Edition", but I'll write more about that later. Rock on.

_dave

Ice Storm '06

2006-02-21T15:26:00.000-05:00

Last Thursday we had an Ice Storm here in Midland that left us without power from Thursday through Saturday evening. It made me realize how much I take electricity for granted. I mean I never think about it. I just continue to use it. Right now for example I'm typing here on the computer while watching TV. It's day so I don't have the lights on but if it were night I'd be using that too. Not to mention the heat and water use.

For last weekend luckily we had a generator handy and a wood stove so all wasn't bad. But I wasn't able to watch the Canadian Men's hockey game on Saturday morning (I guess that wasn't such a bad thing a they blew it agains the Swiss 2-0). But seriously it was really boring. I read some and sat around alot. Once we got the generator going I had the TV hooked up and watched my Simpsons DVD as the cable was also out. I thought about going to a movie and couldn't look up the times on the internet. I had to go old school and look up the times in the newspaper.

To tell you the truth it really wasn't that bad. I mean I had The Simpsons and heat. The only really bad part was lack of a shower and flushing the toilet with melted snow (not fun). I guess all I'm saying is it's funny how fast technology comes into our lives and takes it over. When we first get cables it's like wow there's so much on TV then we want the extra sports channels and MTV 15. When we have internet we want High Speed then that's not fast enough. We want everything faster and faster from intant quotes on auto insurance to Rice Krispy Squares we don't have to prepare ourselves.

I think what I'll take away from my 48 hours without power is that I need slow down and enjoy things. Since the weekend I've taken extra pleasure in turning on a light switch and flushing the toilette. Thank you Consumer Electric.

Teaching in a Blue State

2006-02-14T16:10:00.000-05:00

Let me just say that I don't understand politics. I don't really even want to understand politics. I mean, I know I should take an interest in what is going on in the political world, but every time I try to learn more I just get frustrated. People should just make me King of the World and everything would be fine. Anyways. I know it's Valentine's Day and for all you that are single I'm sorry it's a depressing day, isn't it? For everyone else I hope you're having a good one. Lynnette bought me The Simpson Complete First Season (I know I should already have owned it but I didn't). Nothing says I love you like stupid cartoons. Best gift ever!!

Back to the point. So I'm teaching in a Blue State. Today I was the substitute for a 4th grade class here in Michigan. This is what happened. You see Elementary students get a thing called "Times for Kids" its a news magazine aimed to show kids what's going on in their world. Today's TFK (as the hipsters call it) had an article about gDub's (That's George W. Bush for those that don't speak hipster) State of the Union Address. The students are given an assignment paper that goes with the TFK (hipster) to gaige what they're learning. Today's paper had the students writting a letter to The President in response to his address. This is where it get's interesting. A student comes up to me and says he doesn't want to write the letter. I ask why? and he says "I wanted Gore to win and so I don't like George Bush". He ended up writting the letter and I noticed a few other's with comments like "Please stop spying on us" and "Don't be the President".

I know from the media that a lot of people don't like gDub. But for a kid not to want to write a letter to The President because his guy lost. Isn't this a little much. Is it just that this country is so divided? Or is there more to it. I remember going to the Prime Minister's Office (he's like the "President of Canada" for those that aren't hipsters) when I was in 4th grade and being excited just to be there. I didn't know who my parents voted for or didn't vote for, I was just excited. They gave us this cool book with all these facts about Canada and we got to see all over. I even saw the red phone (I don't know who the red phone calls in Canada but it was there, maybe it's to order Tim Horton's).

Do you think that America is simply too divided? Is it that people actually disagree with everything Bush has ever done, or are they simply upset that they lost? Is politics like sports you hate Tom Brady if you're from Indy just cause he's a Patriot even though I'm sure he's a really nice guy? I mean this is supposed to be a democratic society, they believe in it so much they are forcing other countries to be like them. Yet in a fair "democratic" election a President was chosen "by the people for the people" (or something like that) and half the country hates him. I just don't get it.

All I know for sure is that it made me sad to think an American kid had nothing nice to say to The President of the United States of America. I guess "if you can't say something nice don't say anything at all". I wonder what kind of letter's Saddam got when he was still dictator?

Brandon the Ski Bunny

2006-02-12T16:26:00.000-05:00

This past weekend the amazing Brandon Schenck came to visit us in Michigan. The original plan was to make it all the way to Ottawa for the wonderful time known as Winterlude, but poor weather in the nation's capital kept us in Midland. The weather here wasn't a whole lot better. We wanted to get out on an outdoor rink to prove who is the better hockey player. Unfortunately we had to settle on taking in an OHL game in Saginaw. How a Michigan city has an Ontario Hockey League team I don't know. On Monday we did get the chance to head to Caberfae Peaks for a day of skiing/snowboarding. We had a great time. This was Lynnette's first time on ski's and she did wonderful. It was great to have Brandon here for a while. Thanks for the visit Brandon. Hopefully next time you visit we won't be living in Lynnette's parent's basement.

New Nephew

2006-02-10T15:16:00.000-05:00

Peyton
Originally uploaded by Babymase.

Welcome to the world Peyton James Perkins. Lynnette's sister Leah had her second child on Wednesday. He weighed something and was a certain length long, but since I have no clue what any of that stuff means I won't write about it on my blog. Unless the kid came out 6'6" and 250 is it really a big deal how big the kid is?

Anyways, here he is. So far we know that he sleeps a lot and likes to eat. Sounds like he's set for a great life. He was born around 7:30 Wednesday morning. We met him shortly after that. Leah and the baby are doing well and expect to be released from the hospital Saturday morning.

So put your hands together for the one and only Peyton James Perkins.

End of the Spear

2006-01-22T18:44:00.000-05:00

spear
Originally uploaded by Babymase.

Now, hopefully you've already heard of this movie. If you haven't and you're reading this blog go see it. You know those stories you heard in children's church about the really cool missionaries? The ones where church is held in a secret room in the basement, or angels show up to protect a village. Yeah, those stories. This movie is like those. They've taken the amazing story of Steve Saint (I mean could he have a better name?) and his (and his father's) work with the native people of Equador. The movie simply is amazing. It share the gospel of Christ and the theme of the movie is centered around the love of Christ, but it's not overty "Christian". I half expected Billy Graham to come on the screne at the end and tell everyone to pray with him. But he didn't. It's just the story speaking for itself. The perpectives of the missionaries as well as that of the natives is given. It's simply amazing. The amazing thing I find is that movie come out in the year that "Broke Back Mountain" will likely win best picture. There's something odd about that to me. Anyways, if you get a chance check it out. It really is that good. And stick around for the credits cause there's an interview with the real guy that is quite funny.

U2 for 11.99

2006-01-10T18:50:00.000-05:00

Now I sit enjoying my latest Digital Video Disc purchase "Vertigo 2005: U2 Live from Chicago". The concert (which I got to see in Los Angeles with my wife and the likes of Dwayne and Christin Taylor and Sam and Rosie Bills, not to mention Flea and Brad Pitt although I did not talk to the later two) was one of my top experiences of 2005. The DVD is definitely the next best thing to being there. I know U2 isn't as cool as some of the underground bands people I know listen to, but their still good and put on a great show. The DVD attest to this (check it out). Plus the show ends with "40" which happens to be my favorite U2 song and my 3rd favorite worship song in general (next to Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble? and Amazing Grace that is).

Now my Public Service Announcement and the title of this post. This week at Best Buy the ad (from Sunday) says the 2 DVD set is only 11.99. Now this was obviously a mistake as the 2 disc set is usually 29.99 and there is a one disc version for 14.99 that Best Buy was trying to sell. But there it was in the ad 2 DVD's for 11.99. If you know me you know I love to argue price with people in retail (let's not call it argue, that sounds me, I like to negotiate). So this is what I did tonight I went in and asked to get the 2 DVD's for 11.99. Of course they didn't want to sell it as the "All-Powerful-All-Knowing price gun" read 29.99. I persisted and showed the ad. I talked the manager and she brought up a blueshirt from that section of the store where they sell DVD's to try to "explain" to me that the 2 DVD meant one DVD that was "dual layered". I pointed out that The Rolling Stone's 4 DVD collection (also on sale this week) did not consist of 2 "dual layered" discs. I even got to talk to a general manager. They said he was in the back an I asked to talk to him, this tactic usually works to get what you want in a store. Cashiers never like to call the General Manager. But he was right there and gave me the disc for the price I asked. It turns out some one earlier had tried the same thing and the manager had given them the 1 disc version. I was smarter than that.. Ha ha.. Just my way of sticking it to the man. I paid 11.99 for some plastic and paper that was probably manufactured for under a dollar. I rock!

Anyways... If you would like to enjor "Vertigo 2005: U2 Live from Chicago" for 11.99 as well, simple take the add from your paper into your local Best Buy and try it. They even have the ad at the front of the store if you don't have a paper. Try it and tell me how it goes. Peace and good luck sticking it to the man!! But do it before Saturday, cause that's when the man get's his power back.

Sorry About the Delay

2006-01-08T23:21:00.000-05:00

To anyone that ever checks this site, sorry that I've not updated in a while. Not much is going on really... I did get my papers to cross the border and was able to go home for Christmas, which was awesome. My mom's the best mom I've ever had... he he (no really it's true!) She made all my favorite foods and even took me to the store to buy candy (sour soothers, big foots and winegums, the best) I was like a kid again (Not that's not like a kid most of the time anyways.)

Also I'm able to work in this country legally now (no more getting in the back of pick-ups to pick melons anymore, just kidding to any INS agents out there)... I am taking in my app. for substitute teaching tomorrow, I hope I get a gym class cause I really miss playing dodgeball. I also applied at the Movie Theatre, but don't think I will get it since I had to write in "none" under what High School I go to. Too bad since it would totally rock to work at a Movie Theatre, I could start telling people "I'm in the movie business".

Well, that's about it for what's new. I'm still looking around for youth jobs but there aren't a ton out there that are open right now, hopefully soon. Keep praying.

Fun with Friends

2005-12-01T18:22:00.000-05:00

Got the chance to go back to Marion after the holidays... The trip was quite enjoyable. I spent Friday and Saturday with my good friends the Campbell family. Todd Bushong, Jacob Bills, Ryan Hutchinson and the whole Boivin family were there for a Friday night gathering. It was like Bodyshop reruns from about 5 years ago. It was wonderful to see them all. Check out Dan's bands CD when it drops in March "Death of Fashion". Of go to their website for more info. On Saturday I had the chance to see my good friends the Crisps house. Paul has been a great friend of mine over the years that has gotten me out of so many jams I can't even tell you. Paul is the kind of guy that would do anything to help a friend. He's a great guy and his family has been blessed with an amazing home. It's like God saying good things can happen to those that serve him.

On Sunday I went to Exit 59 church in Gas City, IN. If you are in the Grant County area and have a Sunday available you should check out a service. You even get to have Latte's in the sanctuary (which if you like coffee is cool, if you're like me and hate coffee the service is still cool to attend). In the evening I went to a totally different kind of chuch in Indianapolis simply called Trinity. A gathering of people getting to know Christ better. It was also very cool and another friend of mine is a Pastor their. David Zigler, if you know him, is a great guy from the Indy area that I had the pleasure of knowing in College. He and his wife allowed me to stay with them Sunday and Monday night. That was a blast. Zig and I even got to watch the Colts game from Champs downtown. And let me tell you this. Watching the game in a sportsbar in Indy as opposed to a basement in Michigan is wonderful. Go Colts.

Tuesday I had to leave Indiana and come back here to Michigan. Which was sad to leave friends again, but it was alright since I had to leave my best friend here. One thing I've realized as I've gone through all I've gone through the past few months is that friends are more important than anything else in this world. Also I am the luckiest man in the world for having found the greatest girl in the world to spend my life with. I don't know where I would be without Lynnette. She seems to make any situation better. Even being unemployed and homeless. I know things can always get worse, and our situation isn't the best right now, but I'm thankful for my wife and family and friends all over this world we live in.

Thanks to all that made my Indiana trip so wonderful. I miss you all. And to all my friend elsewhere in the world, I miss you too and wish you were here.

The Power of One

2005-11-21T13:56:00.000-05:00

The Power of One
Originally uploaded by Babymase.

Lynnette and I had a chance to watch my favorite movie last night. If you have not watched this movie you have missed out on what I feel is the greatest film of the last 20 years. It's a story set against the backdrop of the racial tension in World War II South Africa. The context leaves room for amazing scenes of the beauty of Africa as well as the amazing music of the people. This is a movie of the triumph of one person against great persecution. If you have not seen this movie you must. It will inspire you to make a difference in the world you live. To quote the movie “a mighty water falls stars will a single drop of water”.

The movie got me thinking about my role on this planet. Am I working to make the world a better place? Can I, just one person, really make a difference anyways? I heard a quote that said “democracy is one generation away from extinction”. If this is true then it would also be true that poverty, hatred, injustice, etc can also be a generation away from extinction. If people will work to make the world a better place instead of complaining of the problems we now face maybe things will get better. If nothing else the church could become a place of unconditional love. Where people would feel comfortable seeking God no matter their age, skin color, style, history or whatever. Where the church could use love instead of guilt to draw people to Jesus.

Finally!!!

2005-11-08T12:09:00.000-05:00

Marvin Harrison
Originally uploaded by Babymase.

ABC referred to Peyton Manning and the Colt’s inability to beat Tom Brady and the Patriots as “the Hump”. Was it something physical? Were the New England Patriots just that much better athletes? Was it psychological? Were the Pats in Peyton’s head? Who knows why the Colts have had such a tough time beating the Patriots the last few years. And it’s tough on the fans too. It’s one thing to be a team that looses consistently I mean I was a Montreal Expos fan until they stopped existing, I know what it’s like to cheer for a loosing team. But to loose to the same team two years in a row in the playoffs. And last year in that opening game that was so close. And then to have that team win it all so they’re on the cover of every magazine and on every talk show just to rub in the fact that my team lost to their team. It’s starts to hurt after a while.

None of that matters now. The Colts beat the Patriots last night. And it wasn’t even close. 40-21 for anyone not watching. The defense played well forcing a fumble after Peyton through another one of his Patriot interceptions that was leading to a halftime tie until the fumble. The Pats even tried an onside kick just to show how much better they thought the Colts were then them. It was very much a pleasure to watch.

I know the playoffs are a long way away and the Colts could still loose to the Patriots, or someone else for that matter, but today is a great day nonetheless. To quote the dying man from Search For the Holy Grail “I feel Happy!!!”

GO COLTS!!!

Happy Halloween

2005-10-31T23:29:00.000-05:00

Judgement House
Originally uploaded by Babymase.

I know it's been while since I've posted, but nothing much has really been happening. We're still living in Lynnette's parents basement and I'm still taking my Master's classes. I just finished a class on Holiness and you can now consider me officially "Master of Holiness" you have to say it loud with a lot of reverb and a little echo. Like a superhero. Maybe that's what I can do? If I can't find a job as a youth pastor I will be a superhero, how hard could it be? I already have the name Master of Holiness or maybe it could be "The Master's of Holiness" and we could be like the Justice League. That would mean I would need a name maybe the Flying Canuck.

Judgement House 2
Originally uploaded by Babymase.

Anyways.. There's not much going on. I did get a chance to go down to Hillside Wesleyan church for the start of last week and help with their Judgement House. It was quite amazing actually, a haunted house to tell people about Christ and it wasn't cheezy. I know it's hard to believe a Christian haunted house that wasn't cheezy but there it was. It was cool. The devil's lair and a moving car accident. With sound effect and lights, very cool. I really have to give out mad props to Mitch Olson and the whole gang at Hillside Wesleyan for their efforts on that one. Keep on rockin it like Stryper!

Halloween
Originally uploaded by Babymase.

Tonight is Halloween and we're taking our nephew Jensen Trick or Treating... I don't know if he get's the whole concept of the trick part, perhaps I will give him some eggs and just see what happens.. He he.. just kidding, egging homes is wrong, even if they don't give out candy......and by the way this is me pretending to give him candy for the photo I am not, as you may have thought, giving him eggs, although a 2-year old with eggs would be pretty funny... Happy Halloween to all and to all a good night.. Peace.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

2005-10-09T17:33:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving
Originally uploaded by Babymase.

Just wanted to take a chance to wish all out there a Happy Thankgiving. This is Thanksgiving Weekend in Canada for all of you that may be reading this outside of the "Great White North". I will spend my Thanksgiving Monday watching the CFL on CBC with a possible trip to Tim Horton's for the tradition Thanksgivnig meal of an Everything Bagel toasted with Cream Cheese. Hope your Thanksgiving Monday goes as well.

Game On!

2005-10-06T12:28:00.000-05:00

Sens
Originally uploaded by Babymase.

It's official hockey is back and the Ottawa Senators once again prove they are the greatest team on the planet (personal opinion of course). The Senators beat the evil Toronto Maple Leafs in the first ever NHL shoot out. I'm still not sure what I think of the "new" NHL, but the Sens pick up one of the greatest one-on-one goalies of all time Dominic Hasek. So I guess I have to be happy with shoot outs because it's going to be good for the Sens. Also I was able to see the high lights on Sports Center and NHL on OLN (darn those execs at ESPN that traded hockey for pocker, like the world doesn't have enough people with gambling addictions, they have to put the stupid "sport" on television, what's next professional Euchre). Back to Hockey. This is Dominic's chance to redeem himself after beating Canada in, go figure, a shoot out in the Nagano games. With his help we can get to the promised land of the NHL finals. Forget the White Sox's 50 year drought or whatever it is the Senators last won a championship in 1927. This is our year. And to all Red Wings fans out there, why be from "Hockey Town" when you be from the capital of "Hockey Country", country beats town anyday.

To close, I'm happy that hockey is back and look forward to a great year. Being in Michigan I even get to watch Hockey Night in Canada Saturday night on CBC. Bufalo at Ottawa. Rock on!!

Basement Room

2005-09-23T13:04:00.000-05:00

Basement Room 1
Originally uploaded by Babymase.

Welcome to our basement residence, complete with fabric walls and peicemeal carpet. We've made it home though, and hey, it's got cable. We took our rug and furniture from the storage room and made the basement room not so bad. It's complete with cinderblock walls and a working oil drum, neatly dressed with a Canadian flag. We were even able bring in our own bed. Hope you can stop by.

Basement Room 2
Originally uploaded by Babymase.

Basement Room 3
Originally uploaded by Babymase.

Basement Room 4
Originally uploaded by Babymase.

Life Goes On

2005-09-23T12:09:00.000-05:00

Hey.. Life continues to be good for Lynnette and I. We continue to live in her parent's basement, which we've managed to make into a pretty nice little living space (let's just hope it doesn't flood). I will try and take some pics for everyone to see. As for Lynnette she is splitting her time between Ruby Tuesdays (waitress) and Curves for Women (fitness guru). I am continuing my pursuit of a Master's I am currently taking a class on the fine Wesleyan subject of holiness. I am right now reading Steve DeNeff's book "Holiness, Lies, and Videotape" (just kidding it's Whatever Became of Holiness). It's a little bit of a weird read because a lot of it has come up in his messages, so it's all a little familiar, which is a help to me since I usually have trouble wrapping my mind around these kinds of books (although I will say "Holiness for Ordinary People" by Drury was right up my alley and I still think it would be a best seller if it was titled Holiness for Dummies, but that's just me).

We should be sending in for my Green Card soon. Lynnette was getting some documents notarized today and so it should be good to go. Please pray that this process happens quickly. From they we will see. We will visit a church on Sunday near Detroit that is looking for a Youth Ministries Director. I don't know if it will lead to anything, but we'll see.

I guess that's it for now, thank you to all that have posted notes of encouragement, it's very soothing to know you have people that care about you out there.

Catch you on the flip.

So Here We Are

2005-08-24T13:06:00.000-05:00

I would first like to thank evryone who wrote messages of encouragement on that last post. It's nice to hear good things said about Lynnette and I after hearing such negative things. To tell you the truth we really don't feel that bad. I mean yeah our confidence is shaken and I question whether I should be working with young people at all, but there's another confidence, I guess you can call it faith, that God IS is controll, and that God uses bad things for good reasons.

As for an update on us. We are living in Midland, MI with Lynnette's parents. We will most likely be here a while. The plan is (everybody always wants to know our "plan", well this is the closest thing we have):

Lynnette got a job at Ruby Tuesday's today. So she is going to work there. I am going to continue my Masters of Arts in Ministry with and Emphasis in Youth (I know it's long, but that's what they call it) from Indiana Weslyan University. I will also continue the application process for my "Green Card" (Work Authorization) so that I can get a job her in the good ol' U.S. of A. I will contact some District Superintendents to see if any postions are available. You see I would like to continue working with Jr. High students as a Jr. High Pastor, the problem is there are very few churches looking for that. Now if I wanted be a Worship/Youth/Janitor I think there are about 3 million Wesleyan churches looking for that. The other thing is that I don't want ministry to be a job. I worked at College Church for 4 years without ever getting paid before I was hired on. I did it because God led me there to do it. I feel God had led us to Traverse City, but since that hasn't happen I need to wait for God to lead us elsewhere. But we do need to make money to live, I will not take a position at a church just to make money, that is why I need my Green Card so that I can work wherever. If I'm just going to work for money I might as well work somewhere I actually want to be and find a ministry to volunteer in. Make sense.

Well that is the "plan". Sorry it's not better or more elaborate, but that's what we're donig for now. Please pray that God opens doors, or windows, or busts holes in walls or something like that. You all rock.

Our Story

2005-08-20T19:07:00.000-05:00

Hey... To anyone that checks this sight, I'm sorry it's been a while since I've updated.. Over a month to be exact.. And a lot has happened, one thing being I haven't been around the internet for quiet some time...

As you have read Lynnette and I excepted a position in Traverse City, MI as Jr. High Pastor.. We went to camp in Houghton, NY with the teens in an effort to get to know them... To make a long story short, without my knowledge, camp really sucked.. Apparently some of the leaders to the trip got the entirely wrong impression of Lynnette and I...

I was called Sunday evening, with our trucked packed with all our belonging, by the Senior Pastor at the church we were headed to and told not to sign on the house we were to purchase the next day and come up for meetings.. These meetings were rough.. To explain I will tell one story, Larry (the High School Pastor at the church) had told the leaders that they need to have the girls in bed by Midnight, as students were getting sick and needed rest... Lynnette, trying to do this, went around after midnight tell girls "lights out" and asking girls to go to sleep... If you know Lynnette you know she wears glasses, she was not wearing her glasses as she did this.. She asked for lights out in a room that Deanne (Larry's wife and fellow Youth Pastor) was talking to some girls in... Lynnette, of course, did not know that Deanne was in the room..

An honest mistake, right? Well, I guess not, rather than talk to Lynnnette "hey, why did you do that?" Deanne and the other lady's on the trip along with Pastor Larry called together a meeting to say harsh things about Lynnette and myself, all derived from circumstances like the one described.. This meeting led to the phone call to myself, more meetings with the Senior Pastor, Youth Pastors and leaders involved... In the end the Senior Pastor decided it would be best that Lynnette and I not be offered the job there...

So here we are homeless and out of work... My belief in myself and the church is very shaken, but my belief in God has not changed, I know God will be glorified, even through this... I don't know what's going to happen next, our things are all in storage in Midland, MI and we are staying in Lynnette's parent's basement for the time being... Please pray for us that God will show us his will... I believe God had called us to Traverse City, but that calling was blocked... What this means I don't know and am trying to figure out.... Thanks for taking the time to read this.... It's a messed up world we live in and people all over the world are dying needless deaths, loosing a job and a house isn't the worst thing that could happen to us... To God Be The Glory

Camp Days

2005-07-13T15:24:00.000-05:00

This week I have been spending my time split between Indiana North District Jr. High Camp and finalizing the purchase of a home. Let me tell you it's been a very interesting week. Camp has been going great and started out stressful with a lot of work on my part, but is starting to smooth out. I'm still finding out there is a lot of stuff to do to buy a home and get a home loan... But it will be worth it I think. Next week Lynnette and I go to came in Houghton, NY with New Hope church. After that we have a week to get moved then take a group of 8th graders from College Church to New York City. The next few week should prove to be some great ones. I hope to blog some of my experiences as they happen until then I hope all is well with anyone reading this.

New Address

2005-07-08T22:32:00.000-05:00

For anyone that wants to know my new mailing address will be:

4820 Springbrook Dr.
Williamsburg, MI 49690

I will have a new e-mail soon, but I will keep my hotmail as well:

dave.mason@hotmail.com

I will post my new cell when I get it switched over... see ya

Last Call

2005-07-06T12:30:00.000-05:00

Bodyshop
Originally uploaded by Babymase.

Tonight is my last Bodyshop. If you know me you know that Bodyshop has meant a lot to my life. I will miss this place very much, but it's not the place that I will miss the most but the people. The students and the sponsors that I've gotten to work with over the last few years are quite frankly the coolest people in the world.
I'm not sure what tonight will bring, I'm sure laughter and tears, this group has been a huge part of my life and it will be tough to leave behind.
But God has new adventures for me to take part in. New people to meet, new friends to be had. I look forward to what God has for Lynnette and I, and at the same time take a moment to remember the great times that I've had here.

If you have any Bodyshop memories you'd like to share I would love to hear them, please post them to this entry.

.....Goodbye Old Friend

Meet Noah

2005-06-30T11:42:00.000-05:00

Noah
Originally uploaded by Babymase.

This is my youngest nephew Noah.. He's a really cool dude and I just thought that you'd like to meet him. He was born last year right around this time, soon enough to make it to his Uncle Dave's wedding. Just thought you'd like this pic.

Doesn't he kinda look like the Michelin Man?

Worship

2005-06-29T13:39:00.000-05:00

Worship
Originally uploaded by Babymase.

The past few days I've had the opportunity to play bass for High School Camp in Fairmount, IN. Leading us in worship for the week is the good man Justin Johnson. I love the opportunity to lead worship with talented musicians like Justin. Not that God needs good musicians to worship, but I think it makes it so much easier to allow yourself to not focus on the act of playing and get past that to actually worshiping. The music becomes organic and a part of you as you play.

I don't know why this is or how even to explain it, except to say I will miss playing with Justin and the guys (Mark Shepherd, Geoff Buck, Caleb Swyers). At College Church I've had the priviledge to play with some amazing musician. But more than that they were all amazing worshipers. I will miss that. I hope I can find more musicians that love music and love Jesus to play with in Traverse City. Thank you to every one that has allowed me to worship with them at College Church you will be missed.

Traverse Home

2005-06-27T13:45:00.000-05:00

Springbrook House
Originally uploaded by Babymase.

So this is the house we bid on... What that means to those of you (like me) that have never purchased a home is I act like I'm at a rummage sale and tell the person that the price they have on the item (a house) is too high and I'd like to purchase it for less. From what I understand then they tell me a price they would like to sell it for and we go back and forth until we reach a price we can both be satisfied with. Right now I'm sitting here waiting to see if the price get's accepted. The plan is to "close" (another home buying term meaning the final handshake) by July 24th and get in that week sometime.

The house does have 3 bedrooms, which means we should have plenty of room to have everyone over. The lot is 286 by 193, which, if I can figure out a way should be just big enough for homerun derby... sweet!!!

House or Home?

2005-06-23T11:17:00.000-05:00

House
Originally uploaded by Babymase.

This weekend Lynnette and I will go to look at houses in Traverse City. I've never purchased a house before and honestly I'm a little scared, that's a lot of money to be purchasing one item. I don't like spending more than $10 on a CD (which I need to soon to get the new MXPX disc). The home pictured here is one of a few we will be looking at. When we find one I will certainly put up more pics.
What makes a house a home anyway?

The Weekend

2005-06-20T13:37:00.000-05:00

This weekend was a great one for me... It started with a Friday of enjoyment with Dave Zigler and Brandon Schenck. We were supposed to be taking a group of Jr. High Boys into the woods to teach them what it means to be a man of God, but the trip got cancelled due to lack of interest. Instead Brandon, Zig and I ate some burgers and brats and played a some Home Run Derby, which I of course won 9-5-2..

Saturday was spent with more great friends of ours.. Lynnette and I spent the day up at Darren and Nancy Campbell's lake house on Lake Tippy.. This was a fun filled day of Jet Skiing, Tubing and Skiing.. A lot of fun and another great day...

Sunday was another beautiful day with much fun being had.. Now it's Monday and I'm on my way to "hit the back nine" with Jeremy Summers, this should be another adventure into the world of golf..

I can't say that I will actually miss the city of Marion itself, but I sure will miss all the great people here.. Thanks everyone..

City By The Bay

2005-06-11T13:26:00.000-05:00

Traverse
Originally uploaded by Babymase.

To let all know.. Lynnette and I will soon be living in Traverse City, MI. The beautiful city by the bay in Northern Michigan. Also home of the Cherry Festival and most recent home town of Sam Bills himself.

We've accepted a job at New Hope Community Church as Jr. High Pastor. It should prove to be a great experience and a fun place to adventure. I hope to have many visitors and great times with all. Continue to pray for us as we take this leap into a new world.

The Run is Over

2005-06-11T13:04:00.000-05:00

It's official... Lynnette and I are now leaving Marion, IN. It's a very sad thought to be leaving behind a church and a place that has become home to me over the past 9 years. I know most of my friends left Marion shortly after graduation, but I stayed a little while longer. 5 years to be exact.

It's been a great ride and I'm glad that Marion has been a part of my life here. I've met many friends, and had many adventures in the place. I've also grown a lot and learned about who I am. I will miss you Marion, IN I will think of you kindly... thanks for the memories.

The Office

2005-06-01T11:07:00.000-05:00

dave2
Originally uploaded by Babymase.

So this is my office, at least it's my office at this moment... As you may already know Lynnette was let go by College Church and after much prayer and seeking of counsel we decided to resign from our postition here. Many ask where we're going next, supposing that we would have a plan before we up and leave our jobs, but that is not the case. We simply feel that God has released us from this place and has another place for us to serve him, even though we don't know where that place is as of yet.. There are a few possibilities and we are exploring them, God will reveal where he wants us in his time, until then continue to pray that God will lead and direct our path..

As for this office, it's been a great office. The color red really spiced up your days and working on a mac is always a fun experience.. The best part of this office is the people I've shared it with, first with Sam Bills and Darren Campbell two remarkable men of God who inspire me to be a better person and now with Jeremy and Andrea Summer, two more great people who've shown me what a Christian marriage and family that is serving in ministry can look like.. This is also the office where I started my relationship with my beautiful wife Lynnette, she worked a few feet on the other side of the wall from me, what a beautiful woman, coming to work, not knowing that she will be here is the saddest thing in my days right now, but knowing that she will be at home when I get there continues to bring joy to my moments.

Here Goes Nothin'

2005-05-31T14:22:00.000-05:00

Well, I don't supose anyone will read this as I have yet to mention to anyone that I am starting a blog.. To be honest I'm still not quite sure what a blog is, anyways.. From what I understand it's a way to tell people about what I'm up to.. Seeing as I have recently resigned from my position at College Church and am currently looking for a new position, this could be a time that might be interesting to read about. So this is what this blog will be about, just telling anyone that wants to know, what my wife and I are up to. Hope it is fun for you.