Number One Fan - Cassie

Last year I awarded the first ever Number One Fan award on May 23, 2008. Since that date Insert Title Here has over 5,300+ visits from 41 countries. Thanks, to all the readers.

It is that time again to announce the Number One Fan of 2009, Cassie. Cassie and her family moved to Washington a little over a year ago and through the internet and e-mail we continue to stay in contact. She is the author of PACIFIC NORTHWEST: THE SAGA BEGINS... and keeps us all up to date on what they are up to in WA state. It is exciting to read about.

Cassie and her husband, James, were my Senior year Sunday school teachers and she will never let me forget the one time I taught Sunday school, but never returned the teacher book. I am not sure exactly when I finally returned the book, but I did give it back. Cassie, thanks for reading and for investing your time in students even if they don't return your Sunday school book. Seriously, thanks.

I hope that everyone has had a blessed week.

Oh and you have an opportunity to become my number one fan in 2010...so keep reading!

God Bless

Thursday Update

Yesterday I completed the CPR/AED/First Aid training course without to much problem. It was an all day process filled with video instruction, teacher demonstrations and practicing some of these life saving applications.

Kari went to the doctor concerning Baby Hellums for our scheduled appointment. This will be one of the few that I miss. She said the results for the gestational diabetes were fine and everything else looked great. Besides a little back pain, Kari and baby are doing great. It is still very exciting to me that God is forming and weaving a life within my wife. Each day brings something new and Kari and I are both very excited.

Last night I had my first thoughts along the lines of, "Awe man, how am I going to react when my son gets hurt?" I recently hurt my foot and it is scraped and bruised; as I dodged hot water in the shower I was overcome with fear for my child. This pain I was feeling in my foot could one day be a pain my only child has to overcome one day. I winced through the pain, but feared watching or the thought of my son experiencing any similar experience.

I took a moment before bed and was reminded of the following verse, "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full and well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place" (Psalm 139:14-25 NIV). Not only is God "wonderfully" making a precious gift for Kari and I, but He is in charge. He knew, knows and will continue to know our son before we even knew he was there. What a thought. This squashed much of the "fear" I was having previous, because I know that ultimately God is in charge because our son is His creation.

Every morning I have an opportunity to have chapel with the Highland Lakes staff. Every aspect of this morning time is "church." We meet, sing praises to God, discuss God's word, encourage one another, etc. (it is a great way to start the morning). Currently, we are preparing for the summer and reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan. He compares his fatherhood and his desire for his children "only a faint echo of God's great love" (pg. 53). What a concept that I look forward to.

Please continue to keep us in your prayers. Work is going well. There is always something to do, from cleaning to setting up I am always busy (it is great!).

God Bless and take care.

Save the Tax Dollars and Photoshop It!

According to "military officials estimated that the mission and photo shoot, aimed at updating file photos of Air Force One, cost about $328,835 in taxpayer money."

I am uncertain as to why this was worth the money or fear that this stunt caused NYC citizens. Maybe it is just more evidence the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing.

If you need to update your file, please let me know, I would be more than willing to photoshop this picture in order to update your file for half of what was spent.

This concludes the rant. I hope everyone is having a great week. God Bless.

It's Friday...Not Really, Sorta

Today is my Friday because tomorrow I have Sunday off. Right now, Kari is on her way home from Milano and I am hanging out with Brandon and Carter in the PR Shack. The new PR Shack is going to be located in the new Miles Auditorium (pictured to the right). Currently we are preparing the floors in the new PR Shack for the move in. Time flies when you are at camp and sometimes you don't even know what day it is.

Kari and Baby's first shower was today. I have not got all the details, but she said she had a wonderful time and is thankful for all the gifts given. I am looking forward to seeing and hanging out with my wife in about an hour.

I hope that everyone had a blessed week. God Bless.