JMizzle Goes Shopping

Happy Valentine's Day

Today was supposed to be a workday for me, but the job site was not prepared and I had to re-schedule the installation. Long time, no write...I feel as if I should re-cap the previous month, but just don't feel like it. I have been all over Central Texas and Galveston during the past few weeks and enjoyed every moment of the travel and work.

My title is deceiving because some of you may think I still think it is February or maybe I just haven't flipped my calendar, but that's not the case. For Valentine's Day, Kari gave me tickets to a New York Yankees' game in August. They will be playing the Detroit Tigers on Sat. August 18th, and I am getting very excited. During the move, I missed placed the tickets. You know when you lie in bed and you think about the many overwhelming things in life: bills, work, children, etc., and you just can't sleep? Well, my thoughts were on the misplaced Yankees' tickets. I'd lie in bed and try to re-play the entire move and somehow every time I saw the tickets going into my laptop bag, but they were no where to be found. It so happens Kari and I finally brokedown and searched the house: A. Because August 18th is getting near, B. They needed to be found and C. I probably was annoying Kari by asking periodically, "Where did we pack those tickets at?" They were in a box of mail and paperwork in the closet and thankfully, now I only lie in bed awake and dread the Fall Semester. I am looking forward to my Valentine's Day present in New York as Kari and I travel with our friends Warren and Nicole.

News update: All is well in the Hellums household. Kari and I had a few days not on the road this week. We will be heading to Milano this weekend to see her family and celebrate Kari's 21st birthday. On Monday, I will be going back to camp and Kari is heading north to Kaleo Lodge to see her sister, brother in law, and nephew.

God Bless to all.

Happy Fourth of July

It has been a busy first half of the summer. The Astros are 12 games back, but what's new, they are a second half season team anyway. The rain won't seem to stop, but if you consider the lack of rain we have had the past few years, I am enjoying the rainy weather. My attempt at Spanish Two did not go well. I ususally spent four hours devoted to homework nightly and all for a pending D, so I dropped the course. I have not lost hope yet for graduation because I have learned that I can take a placement test and hopeful get out of Spanish Two. All to say, I did learn a lot and know much of the material hopefully allowing me to do well on the placement test. Camp is going great. Worship in a tent is amazing, each week has taught me something new, weather it is about myself and my relationship with God or just relationships with others, camp is a mighty blessing.

Recent happenings: I got to hang out with JMob some last week, we ate some Chipotle and hung out at Waterloo. Kari and I went to YEC with Stan and Windy in Dallas and we worked with the FX Bands. The four selected bands were amazing this year. They were all humble students who knew why they were their, to worship God. After I was done working stage with Stan, Windy and Kari, we stayed to watch Kutless. We had dinner with Stan and Windy and than went to worship with Shane and Shane. After YEC, we went to Little Elm to visit Aunt Martha and Uncle Doyle. We had a great time and got to see Evan Almighty and enjoy a great dinner. That evening we played games and went to church the next morning, it was a wonderful time with our aunt and uncle. Our nephew came to visit and after one night and a day by ourselves with Daniel; James, Ashley, Ruth and Shelbi all came to visit. We went and saw Ratatouille and than hung out the rest of the rainy Tuesday. Tuesday evening, Kari cooked dinner and than Ruth and Kari made a hotdog and fries cake. The summer is about half over and I have to say that it has been one of the most amazing summers, so far. I hope that each of you have a blessed fourth and stay safe. God Bless.

Drivers' Ten Commandments

The Vatican on Tuesday issued a set of Ten Commandments for drivers, the "Drivers' Ten Commandments," as listed by the document, are:

1. You shall not kill.

2. The road shall be for you a means of communion between people and not of mortal harm.

3. Courtesy, uprightness and prudence will help you deal with unforeseen events.

4. Be charitable and help your neighbor in need, especially victims of accidents.

5. Cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination, and an occasion of sin.

6. Charitably convince the young and not so young not to drive when they are not in a fitting condition to do so.

7. Support the families of accident victims.

8. Bring guilty motorists and their victims together, at the appropriate time, so that they can undergo the liberating experience of forgiveness.

9. On the road, protect the more vulnerable party.

10. Feel responsible toward others.

BUSY BUSY BUSY

I do apoligize for my constant pattern of video posting, but right now it seems the only thing easy and quick enough to do right now. Kari and I seem to be doing something all them time. If it isn't a dear friends wedding, than we are spending time with our families in Bastrop, Cedar Creek, College Station and Milano. During the afternoons I am taking Spanish Two at Austin Community College and plan to take Spanish Three during the second Summer session. Spanish Two homework lasts about 3-4 hours, completely eliminating any activity during the week. At nights however, I have committed to being at Highland Lakes Encampment to run sound for the worship services. This is just a glimplse of how busy the summer has been so far, I hope you will understand my lack of blogging. I hope everyone is doing well and staying cool. Until next time, God Bless.

A Little More fun @ Austin Parks

Overhaulin: Week One

A Little Upset About a Call

"There were some issues that needed to be addressed," Wellman said after the outburst. "There were several things going on during the game, and when some of your players are getting the short end, there comes a time when you've got to stand up."

Phillip Wellman, Mississippi Braves Manager

Express Fall 11-6 to Memphis

Hangin' Out w/ Kari and the Burnett's

Click on the picture to see more.

Hangin' w/ Jordan

Neil Cole Quote

"I think you would be amazed to see what God can do when we decide to go to the places where the sinners hang out."

Neil Cole makes this statement after he talks about a group of students going to a club to share the Gospel. Christians should be boldly stepping in to "uncomfortable" places in order to share Jesus with the lost. Have you done this lately? God Bless.

Sex God by Rob Bell

Usually when a band releases its second album it is known as the sophomore album. In this case, Rob Bell has released his sophomore publication entitled Sex God. Bell continues to use his casual writing style to convey deep thoughts about sexuality, human relationships, and our relationship with God. Bell writes, "This path Jesus has chosen, which he continues day after day...He finds himself at odds with those in power...A conflict between love and controlling power." Bell explores the relationship God establishes with his "chosen people" in the old testament and then explores how God sent his son Jesus to die for you and I. The author calls the reader to approach life differently. In some cases, direct all our passions towards causes God might have us pursue and other times, encourages the married reader to submit to one another. This exploration of sexuality and relationships according to how God planned, is insightful and thought provoking. It is not written specifically to single or married individuals, so I would recommend to anyone striving to figure out how Sex and God fit together. Check it out.

Kwik Scuba Wash

2nd Month Anniversary

By Request

Spiderman, Spiderman,
Does whatever a spider can.
Spins a web, any size,
Catches thieves just like flies.
Look out! Here comes the Spiderman.

Is he strong? Listen bud—
He's got radioactive blood.
Can he swing from a thread?
Take a look overhead.
Hey there! There goes the Spiderman.

In the chill of the night,
At the scene of the crime,
Like a streak of light,
He arrives just in time!

Spiderman, Spiderman,
Friendly neighborhood Spiderman.
Wealth and fame, he's ignored—
Action is his reward.
To him,
Life is a great big bang-up—
Wherever there's a hang-up,
You'll find the Spiderman!

Spiderman, spiderman...

I am not one to review movies, but I thought it was necessary that I say something about the third installment of Spiderman. I also do not put much stock in movie reviews I read, so without further delay...here's my review.

Spiderman 3: This film seems to start slow, but picks up speed quickly and doesn't slow down until the end. Peter Parker, or Spiderman unknowingly encounters an alien that amplifies his aggression and attitude. It is a Spiderman many aren't familiar with, so this quickly changes the type of Spiderman film. The typical "Friendly Neighborhood Spiderman," is not so friendly in this film, but the internal battle Parker faces mirrors many characteristics that you and I struggle with. We all have choices, we can be good or bad, but we decided. This aspect of the film is very thought provoking and might be explored futher in later posts. Without spoiling the film, there are a few twists and surprises that will catch the viewer off guard. I highly recommend this film and plan on seeing it a second time in the theater. Don't always believe the newspaper or blog reviews though, go see for yourself and form your own opinion. Have a blessed day.

School Comes to a Close

My last final is today at three pm. I am looking forward to being off for about a month. After this summer, I will be in line to graduate in Dec. '07. I am registered to take seven hours of Spanish this summer at Austin Community College, yeppie! This weekend Kari and I attended Second Baptist Church in La Grange, TX to see my cousin, aunt and uncle sing in their Spring Musical. It was a delightful presentation through song about the divinity of Jesus. Afterward, we went to the country club and at lunch together.

Kari and I finally got all our stuff moved to Pflugerville. It sounds like we just got it all moved, but that is not the case, we have already been in our new place since the first of May. Although, there is more unpacking to take place in the near future, we are both very excited about our new home. We have already noticed that Pflugerville is not a college town.

Other thoughts: I hope the Astros can pull it together. Jamarcus Russell is a Raider...who drafted Brady Quinn?

Some Flower, Country, Baseball Pictures to View

Click on the photo to see more!

Country Settings & Baseball

Wedding Reception Video

JMob got bored over Spring Break and came up with this...

Easter 2007

Easter 2007 will be remembered as the “the cold one” and “the day we thought Ashley was in labor.” It all began at about eight in the morning in Milano, Texas. Kari and I were awoken by Kari’s little sister, Shelbi. The Easter Bunny had come and …

The Night Before
Prior to the Easter Bunny on Sunday morning, Kari and I celebrated Easter with my mother side of the family in Bastrop. Everyone except for my mother was in attendance to the Lueders Easter Celebration, so we had a house full. We enjoyed each others company and had a wonderful meal. We left Bastrop about 8:45 p.m. and drove through sleet most of the way to Milano. We were getting phone calls and text messages that in many areas of Texas snow was falling, in some places six inches. Kari and I both were wearing jackets and were riding with the heater on. That is why we will remember our first Easter together as “the cold one.”

Continued: Easter Day
The Easter Bunny had come and…brought many goodies to everyone. We went to church and had lunch with Kari’s grandparents, aunt and uncle, and a few cousins. About 4ish, when Kari and I were about to get on the road to Cedar Creek, Ashley called the ER because she thought her water had broke. I am not a medical doctor, nor am I familiar with pregnancy, so I just figure this was the real deal. We decided that we would go with Ashley and James to the hospital in case our new nephew was born. Ashley and James were swept into a maternity room, and the rest of us were sent to the waiting room. It was a stressful hour, but that the soon to be grandmother (my mother-in-law) could not tolerate. She proactively set out for answers leaving Kari, Shebli, and I to wait. Than, my mother-in-law came and got Kari...so Shelbi and I waited. Finally, we were all invited back to the room to learn it was not time for the baby to be born. That is the second reason it will be known as “the day we thought Ashley was in labor.” (See below for a link to pictures)

Sidenote: Kari was helping me get my fall schedule lined up and she did some math and decided I could graduate in December. After checking with an Advisor, going to summer school and completing Fall 2007, it is possible for me to graduate in December. Save your applause, till I let you know I pass! I hope that each of you had a wonderful and blessed Easter Day. God Bless.