What a fun toy GPS is. My dad gave me a GPS unit for the car, and, after learning how to use it (and suffering through some directions that had me going through fields, yards, and houses, and the occasional suggestion to drive the wrong way on a one-way street, not to mention the awful "GPS signal lost" comment), I decided to allow it to choose the way back from Amish country yesterday.
Shortly after I decided NOT to take a road clearly marked "No Outlet", we ended up on a gravel road (incidentally, a sign proclaimed it to be Ohio's first state road). We travelled approximately 20 miles on gravel, up and down appalachian foothills, all in THE WRONG DIRECTION from home. After more than an hour on small roads, we finally made it to the interstate...
...an interstate we could have reached in about 5 minutes had we just taken "common sense" directions.
The trip out took us 1 1/2 hours (incudling a wrong turn). The return trip took us 2 3/4 hours.
The moral of this story: uncheck "unpaved roads" on the GPS unit before taking trips to Amish country.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
What's Better than a Trip to the Zoo?
...a trip to the zoo and free burritos!
Today we went to the Columbus Zoo for the day. It was lots of fun. After that, we stopped at Whole Foods and bought some food and sampled a lot more, and as we were heading for home, we passed a Chipotle store.
It was Tara who noticed the sign: 100% off burritos: today from 5-8!
Although it was only just after 3:00, we stopped and shopped for a while in the nearby strip-mall. At 4:30, I went over and stood in line. By 5:00, we were heading in the door for free burritos. We got 4 burritos and 4 drinks at a total price of... $0.00!
Kudos to Chipotle for running a great gimmick!
...a trip to the zoo and free burritos!
Today we went to the Columbus Zoo for the day. It was lots of fun. After that, we stopped at Whole Foods and bought some food and sampled a lot more, and as we were heading for home, we passed a Chipotle store.
It was Tara who noticed the sign: 100% off burritos: today from 5-8!
Although it was only just after 3:00, we stopped and shopped for a while in the nearby strip-mall. At 4:30, I went over and stood in line. By 5:00, we were heading in the door for free burritos. We got 4 burritos and 4 drinks at a total price of... $0.00!
Kudos to Chipotle for running a great gimmick!
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
More on the Move
(huh huh huh, I said "more on") I found a little peace and quiet amongst the piles of books in my office and now it's time to blog.
On Monday, we picked up the U-Haul, and bright and early on Tuesday morning, Jeffrey and Riese (two boys from the confirmation class) showed up to help us move. Shortly thereafter, the soccer team and Coach Luthmann came. Now, as a clarification, the "receiving" church gets to pay moving bills; before you attack my new church for "doing it on the cheap" this was our choice. We have had professional movers move us twice, and both times things got broken and both moves were very expensive. When Coach Luthmann offered the help of the soccer team to load the truck, we decided that would be the way we'd go. They did it without charge (though the MUMC made a donation to the soccer program, and, quite honestly, it was one of the more lucrative fundraisers for the time they spent at work).
The soccer team did excellent and fast work (and had a lot of time to goof around, too - this was aided by the case of Mountain Dew I bought them for fuel). Then it was time to hit the road.
Jonathan rode with me in the truck, and Andrew rode with Tara in the car (along with all our musical instruments and our TV).
When we arrived at Millersport, we were greeted by lots of people; they were just finishing some work in the parsonage kitchen (installing all new cabinets and a new range). Then the hoardes started showing up! The Millersport football team came to help us move in!
I met a ton of people, and I hope to remember some names.
It's hard to believe that this all happened a week ago! Since then, we've had several visitors stop by, we've gone to Lancaster several times (including for a great picnic in Rising Park - where I spent a lot of time last year with the boys while Tara was playing at the Lancaster Festival), and I ran a 5K race in Lancaster (time: 21:31). I'll post sometime with results and pictures, but they didn't have results posted yet and didn't give out any age-group prizes, so I'm not sure where I ranked.
We also went to Thornville's safety day, where we saw firetrucks, police cars, a helicopter, and two very excited little boys. Again, pictures are forthcoming. It's tough not having internet access at home yet.
We went to church on Sunday and met more people. I'm looking forward to certain aspects; others are a little daunting!
I've been running all around town, which is fun. It's nice running around the lake, and I've even found some hilly areas to run in.
That's about it for now...
(huh huh huh, I said "more on") I found a little peace and quiet amongst the piles of books in my office and now it's time to blog.
On Monday, we picked up the U-Haul, and bright and early on Tuesday morning, Jeffrey and Riese (two boys from the confirmation class) showed up to help us move. Shortly thereafter, the soccer team and Coach Luthmann came. Now, as a clarification, the "receiving" church gets to pay moving bills; before you attack my new church for "doing it on the cheap" this was our choice. We have had professional movers move us twice, and both times things got broken and both moves were very expensive. When Coach Luthmann offered the help of the soccer team to load the truck, we decided that would be the way we'd go. They did it without charge (though the MUMC made a donation to the soccer program, and, quite honestly, it was one of the more lucrative fundraisers for the time they spent at work).
The soccer team did excellent and fast work (and had a lot of time to goof around, too - this was aided by the case of Mountain Dew I bought them for fuel). Then it was time to hit the road.
Jonathan rode with me in the truck, and Andrew rode with Tara in the car (along with all our musical instruments and our TV).
When we arrived at Millersport, we were greeted by lots of people; they were just finishing some work in the parsonage kitchen (installing all new cabinets and a new range). Then the hoardes started showing up! The Millersport football team came to help us move in!
I met a ton of people, and I hope to remember some names.
It's hard to believe that this all happened a week ago! Since then, we've had several visitors stop by, we've gone to Lancaster several times (including for a great picnic in Rising Park - where I spent a lot of time last year with the boys while Tara was playing at the Lancaster Festival), and I ran a 5K race in Lancaster (time: 21:31). I'll post sometime with results and pictures, but they didn't have results posted yet and didn't give out any age-group prizes, so I'm not sure where I ranked.
We also went to Thornville's safety day, where we saw firetrucks, police cars, a helicopter, and two very excited little boys. Again, pictures are forthcoming. It's tough not having internet access at home yet.
We went to church on Sunday and met more people. I'm looking forward to certain aspects; others are a little daunting!
I've been running all around town, which is fun. It's nice running around the lake, and I've even found some hilly areas to run in.
That's about it for now...
Sunday, June 22, 2008
We're moved. We still don't have internet access at home yet. The NK soccer team filled the truck for us, and the Millersport football team unloaded for us!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
When It All Means Something
Today (as usual for Sunday afternoons) I played soccer. One of the guys came by in street clothes. A couple of us started to jab him: where's your gear? You're too young to retire! But he wasn't up for his usual game.
Turns out his wife just died, but he wanted to come out and tell us when the memorial service would be and also to say "Bye" to me, as this was my last Sunday to play before moving.
As we all gathered around to hear the sad news, I felt like we needed to support him, not just with kind words, but with prayer, so I asked him if it would be OK for us to pray for him. He agreed, so we gathered around, put (sweaty) arms around each other, and prayed for our friend.
When I played high school soccer and club soccer in college and even on various indoor and outdoor teams, there were always games that "meant something" - meaning that this game was somehow more important than others. Perhaps we were playing against our big rival, or a team had beaten us badly last year and we had something to prove. Or maybe it was a big game, like a championship. Those games "meant something."
These games I've been playing are for fun. Nobody remembers who wins, or even who scores the last goal (except that I did today - mostly because it was determined that once I scored again, that would be the final goal). But today I was reminded that these games mean something. They mean friendship and brotherhood, and they mean having a group of guys who care enough to pray with you through a tough time.
Today (as usual for Sunday afternoons) I played soccer. One of the guys came by in street clothes. A couple of us started to jab him: where's your gear? You're too young to retire! But he wasn't up for his usual game.
Turns out his wife just died, but he wanted to come out and tell us when the memorial service would be and also to say "Bye" to me, as this was my last Sunday to play before moving.
As we all gathered around to hear the sad news, I felt like we needed to support him, not just with kind words, but with prayer, so I asked him if it would be OK for us to pray for him. He agreed, so we gathered around, put (sweaty) arms around each other, and prayed for our friend.
When I played high school soccer and club soccer in college and even on various indoor and outdoor teams, there were always games that "meant something" - meaning that this game was somehow more important than others. Perhaps we were playing against our big rival, or a team had beaten us badly last year and we had something to prove. Or maybe it was a big game, like a championship. Those games "meant something."
These games I've been playing are for fun. Nobody remembers who wins, or even who scores the last goal (except that I did today - mostly because it was determined that once I scored again, that would be the final goal). But today I was reminded that these games mean something. They mean friendship and brotherhood, and they mean having a group of guys who care enough to pray with you through a tough time.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Annual Conference, Day 4
This morning's run was a nearly 10 mile circuit of the Marblehead peninsula. I hadn't run that far at once since the Kentucky Derby Festival over a year ago! I was impressed that Brent Watson, the assistant DS from the Foothills District, ran the whole way with us and we had to rein him back so we could keep up with him (the preceding statement was brought to you through the generous sponsorship of Rev. B. Watson). We (Brent, Rob, Blaine, and I) had some great conversation - some silly and some serious. We talked a lot about doing ministry in this day and with young people and how to respond to "the homosexuality question."
This run and our conversation was worth the whole conference, in my opinion (this is, after all, my blog).
When we finished, we walked for a while, and I got to meet the lay delegate from Millersport. She seemed really neat. Then I ran into my former DS, who I mentioned the other day. I have to admit that I now feel bad for thinking her fall during the net games was so funny, especially since she was needing a cane to help her get around. And the fact that she greeted me very nicely; we had a little chat about my new appointment and she expressed excitement for the fit, for us and for the church.
After this exciting morning, it was time to go back to session... which included a little worship and the Bishop setting appointments. Then we debated a couple more resolutions and it was time to go. We were out by lunch time (well, it was a little after noon, but it wasn't yet 1).
At General Conference, there had been an auction for a basketball, and the West Ohio Conference bid $80,000 on it (with the money going to the Nothing But Nets program). By the end of conference, $434,017 had been raised (to be split among that program and two other missions: in Cambodia and Vietnam). Additionally we commited two million dollars to go to the pension program for Central Conferences in Africa, the Philippines, and Eastern Europe.
When I got back to the house, I found that the family had gone to Put-in-Bay without me. So I thought I'd get some ice cream or maybe buy Pastor Rudy's book at Cokesbury... except my wallet was in the car. So I walked out to the dock and visited my friends and came back here for a nap...
...which I'm now ready to take!
This morning's run was a nearly 10 mile circuit of the Marblehead peninsula. I hadn't run that far at once since the Kentucky Derby Festival over a year ago! I was impressed that Brent Watson, the assistant DS from the Foothills District, ran the whole way with us and we had to rein him back so we could keep up with him (the preceding statement was brought to you through the generous sponsorship of Rev. B. Watson). We (Brent, Rob, Blaine, and I) had some great conversation - some silly and some serious. We talked a lot about doing ministry in this day and with young people and how to respond to "the homosexuality question."
This run and our conversation was worth the whole conference, in my opinion (this is, after all, my blog).
When we finished, we walked for a while, and I got to meet the lay delegate from Millersport. She seemed really neat. Then I ran into my former DS, who I mentioned the other day. I have to admit that I now feel bad for thinking her fall during the net games was so funny, especially since she was needing a cane to help her get around. And the fact that she greeted me very nicely; we had a little chat about my new appointment and she expressed excitement for the fit, for us and for the church.
After this exciting morning, it was time to go back to session... which included a little worship and the Bishop setting appointments. Then we debated a couple more resolutions and it was time to go. We were out by lunch time (well, it was a little after noon, but it wasn't yet 1).
At General Conference, there had been an auction for a basketball, and the West Ohio Conference bid $80,000 on it (with the money going to the Nothing But Nets program). By the end of conference, $434,017 had been raised (to be split among that program and two other missions: in Cambodia and Vietnam). Additionally we commited two million dollars to go to the pension program for Central Conferences in Africa, the Philippines, and Eastern Europe.
When I got back to the house, I found that the family had gone to Put-in-Bay without me. So I thought I'd get some ice cream or maybe buy Pastor Rudy's book at Cokesbury... except my wallet was in the car. So I walked out to the dock and visited my friends and came back here for a nap...
...which I'm now ready to take!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Annual Conference, Day 3
Again the day began with a run - again twice around Lakeside with a walk to cool off. As I got there, the sunrise was beautiful, full of brilliant color. The blues, oranges, and greens were spectacular. The youth delegates showed up there at "4:46" in the morning... but I got there at 6:00am and saw it. The run was good and tiring.
First on the agenda was Pastor Rudy Rasmus again, and this worship service was again excellent. He spoke from John 5 on Jesus healing the paralytic by the pool near the sheep gate. He was fantastic once again, speaking with a prophetic voice to our conference.
Our legislations actually went well, and I had my covenant group over for lunch. After lunch came the potentially divisive recommendations... two of which were tabled. One guy angrily "requested" that they be untabled, but that was soundly defeated.
I've never experienced such a pleasant environment in A.C. in the 7 years I've gone.
This year's theme was "love first" and it seems that people have taken it seriously. The ones who decorated the stage did a fantastic job. There were dancing shadow figures of various colors and they were used all over the stage in different ways (including wearing basketball jerseys one day). It is neat to have such talented people able to do such cool things!
Again the day began with a run - again twice around Lakeside with a walk to cool off. As I got there, the sunrise was beautiful, full of brilliant color. The blues, oranges, and greens were spectacular. The youth delegates showed up there at "4:46" in the morning... but I got there at 6:00am and saw it. The run was good and tiring.
First on the agenda was Pastor Rudy Rasmus again, and this worship service was again excellent. He spoke from John 5 on Jesus healing the paralytic by the pool near the sheep gate. He was fantastic once again, speaking with a prophetic voice to our conference.
Our legislations actually went well, and I had my covenant group over for lunch. After lunch came the potentially divisive recommendations... two of which were tabled. One guy angrily "requested" that they be untabled, but that was soundly defeated.
I've never experienced such a pleasant environment in A.C. in the 7 years I've gone.
This year's theme was "love first" and it seems that people have taken it seriously. The ones who decorated the stage did a fantastic job. There were dancing shadow figures of various colors and they were used all over the stage in different ways (including wearing basketball jerseys one day). It is neat to have such talented people able to do such cool things!
Annual Conference, Day 2
The day began with a run in the rain at 6:00 am. It was warm enough outside that a little water wouldn't hurt us, and we were shortly going to be soaked anyway. Four of us, including a pastor who grew up in Millersport (his dad was pastor there for 17 years) ran a couple of laps around Lakeside. Then I walked another lap with our lay delegate.
As we were finishing up our walk, it started raining again just a little, then a huge rainbow filled the western sky. It looked like its end was right in the lake. It was beautiful!
The morning worship featured Pastor Rudy Rasmus, pastor of St. John's in Houston, TX. He was awesome. I have never experienced his truthful, in-your-face, honest, authentic, prophetic preaching at Annual Conference (or maybe anywhere else). It's no wonder "his" church has grown.
Some choice quotes from Pastor Rudy:
The day began with a run in the rain at 6:00 am. It was warm enough outside that a little water wouldn't hurt us, and we were shortly going to be soaked anyway. Four of us, including a pastor who grew up in Millersport (his dad was pastor there for 17 years) ran a couple of laps around Lakeside. Then I walked another lap with our lay delegate.
As we were finishing up our walk, it started raining again just a little, then a huge rainbow filled the western sky. It looked like its end was right in the lake. It was beautiful!
The morning worship featured Pastor Rudy Rasmus, pastor of St. John's in Houston, TX. He was awesome. I have never experienced his truthful, in-your-face, honest, authentic, prophetic preaching at Annual Conference (or maybe anywhere else). It's no wonder "his" church has grown.
Some choice quotes from Pastor Rudy:
- Birthdays are the best thing since pimping. Free money at somebody else's expense.
- Bishop, you a gangsta!
I never expected to hear either one of those phrases... not at Annual Conference, especially from the stage!
Some evangelism awards were given, including to Neil Whitney, and I couldn't agree more with that award. He has patterned his life, church, and ministry around giving the Good News. Way to go, Neil.
I left session early in order to help set up the Nets games (for the Nothing But Nets campaign). My soccer kick game didn't take much set-up, so I helped some others and played some "volleyball" with some kids. The soccer kick was kind of off-the-beaten-path, but after a while, kids found it. It was basically a free "ticket" for anyone who played (the tickets could be turned in for prizes). A nice thing was that kids of any age could be successful at this game.
The cabinet had challenged the youth to a game of volleyball, and it ended up being played with a water balloon! It was hysterical! The DS from my former district took a spill, and seeing that was worth the price of admission.
The Nets games were a huge hit, especially for the kids (but just as successful for the adults), and this was one of the better days of AC I've had yet.
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