Kaleo Lodge: An Overview

2008 Baseball Season Kickoff

Its spring time; the leather smell is fresh, grass clippings scattered on the turf and red dirt manicured with rake and drag. Although, my excitement wasn’t great enough to get me out of bed to watch the Red Sox face off against the A’s in Japan, I am ready for opening day. On March 31, 2008 the Astros will begin there march to October. With a complete “cleaning of house” this off season, only 5 players remain from the 2005 National League Championship Team. Some notable additions that peek my curiosity:

Miguel Tejada – I have enjoyed watching this guy play since he began making a name for himself in Oakland. He is exciting to watch and hopefully will bring that MVP caliber play he is known for to the Astros. I was a bit surprised to find his name in the Mitchell Report, but these allegations will not hinder my support for this new addition.

Kazuo Matsui – After coming from the 2007 National League Championship team, Matsui brings some of the winning “attitude” with him from Colorado. During the streak, this guy was a key player in keeping the Rockies in the game. Although, during the World Series his number sunk a bit, this guy is worth watching. Hopefully he will be healthy to start the season off.

I am not excited about the pitching staff. With Woody Williams on and off the injured reserve list, the only proven and reliable arm on the staff is Roy Oswalt. I enjoy watching Oswalt throw, but I guess the GM isn’t worried about arms this season, only bats. The rooster is bat heavy, hopefully making up for the lack of talent on the pitching staff.

All in all; it looks to be a great season of Major League Baseball. Play ball!

PS: I got Astros tickets for Valentines Day!

Excited News and Times in the Hellums Household

Besides being busy all that time, it seems, God decided to throw us a curveball. I try not to make plans, but if and when I do, God shakes them up. Most of you know, we are currently serving as seventh grade boys Sunday school teachers at FBC Pflugerville. We felt God calling us to that area almost a year ago and have been blessed mightily by the students, ministers and many members of the church. The easy and most comfortable thing to do would be stay and enjoy more of this wonderful fellowship, but God has called us somewhere else. After much prayer, Kari and I both feel God calling us to another church. On March 23, 2008, we will be moving to the Well in Austin; there I will serve as the Youth Minister and Media Guy.

Other news: In November of 2007, I took a job with Great American Supplemental Benefits as a Client Service Representative (Customer service). After being with the company four months, I received my first raise and promotion. I am now a Client Services Specialist II. Also, we love our current location, but to make things a little easier on the budget, we have found a considerable cheaper apartment and will be moving to Northwest Austin during April. This will not only save us money in the rent column, but also in the fuel consumption column. I have considered riding my bike to work, but feel I should probably get a little practice in before I do because I might find out that I am too outta shape to actually make it to work on time.

We pray that each of you is doing well. God Bless, and see you next time.