100

Well I was hoping I would get this post in before my birthday, but sadly I did not. Blogging can be a real exercise sometimes. You have things happen and you think, I could write about that, but then think...ah probably not.

Anyway here it is #100. This is the most posting I have ever done on any blog period. I'm quite proud of myself.

I've been playing indoor soccer for two weeks now. We've lost both games but seem to be improving. It can be frustrating when you know your limitations with something and want to be better. My only limitation playing frisbee was not being able to run full bore all day. I made up for that with my throwing though. With soccer...lets just say...I need to get in shape.

Speaking of shapes I saw an interesting one on Tuesday. It was the shape of a dorsal fin sticking out of the water. Several of them to be exact. I went fishing with a guy from the church. We were out off of Bribie Island and we spotted them. One started swinning toward us and when he arrived at the boat he kinda just looked at us. So we started tossing him some of our bait fish. Mike was trying to get rid of it anyway and Flipper seemed to love it. Well that was until we tossed him a squid. You know the face kids make when they eat something they don't like? Yeah Flipper totally made that face and then swam off. So we lured him back with more fish. He hung around for a bit and kept swimming around the boat. We finally had to toss him a few and motor away. Didn't want to hit him with the propellor, looked like he had a few scrapes with those before. It really was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. A real wild dolphin a fingers length away from me. Truly majestic.

As for the fishing we caught 11 crabs and 0 fish. Well worth it if you ask me.

My only comment about the Presidential election will be this. I think it is a positive thing that America elected Mr. Obama. I agree with everything Heath stated in his blog about it.

I have to say I am a little disappointed in the comments that came after the election, especially from Christians. I find it funny that some Christians say you can't love Jesus and vote Democrat. To be honest most of the Republicans I wouldn't vote for either and I love Jesus. I didn't vote because honestly my conscience didn't allow me to and I'm not going to violate that. If you want to read how I feel about the issue, read Derek Webb's pre-election post about it, I really agree with him.

Our ultimate hope is not in politicians or powers or governments, but in a day coming when all things will be made right.

I think the decision was a good one and I am interested to see where we go from here. I will pray for the President-Elect, for his family and the difficult road ahead for America. I think it is important for us to remember that God is always in control.

Preached this past Sunday on Confession, I think it went well. At the end I allowed for a brief time of private confession and then prayed a prayer of confession I borrowed from the UMC, thanks Hank.

Preached three times on Hypocrisy. Really forced myself to open my eyes more. Couple that with my confession sermon and I'm getting some healthy doses of "Check your walk with Jesus" pills.

Well I think my time is up. Thanks for reading the first 100. You keep reading and I'll keep posting.

photographic evidence

so here are the photos of the car and me putting it back together.

walking in a fog

This week sure has been an interesting one. Led worship on Sunday and I thought it went well. By led I mean, I sang sorta, picked the songs and did the announcements. Stuff like that. I won a poker game on Saturday, my first in a very long time. We played for like 10 grand in chips. I pushed all in a couple of times and just kept winning. Reminded me of our late night games in Stu-Be. I could never win. Kinda satisfying.

Well for those that don't know I had a car accident on Tuesday night. It came up a really bad storm here really quick. I was on my way to Redcliffe after dinner and the worst of the storm had passed. Where it all went wrong was in a 60 k curve that is on an 80 k road. Everyone knows that a suggested speed you can usually hold 10 or so faster. Well it was raining and I did go slower. I was probably doing 65 or 70 k and when I came out of the curve I started to speed up. Must have hit a slick spot and spun the car around backwards across the other lane and hit the embankment. I was lucky. 1. Nobody was coming. 2. Don't do any body damage. I was around the block from the National Superintendents house, he came around and helped me out. I drove the car to his house with the bent axle and all. I hit the embankment with so much force I bent the pin that holds the sway bar and moved the secondary sway bar mounts across the bar.

So yesterday I took the the entire rear end out of the car. I've got pictures to prove it. 200 bucks later I put a new rear end in, put the tires back on and lowered the car off the blocks. Car fixed. Well I think so at least. The shocks sound a little funny, but wouldn't have had anything to do with me. It was really satisfying to take it apart and put it all back together.

Anyway, thats been the week so far. Sorta been mind numb the whole week. I have had my newsletter completed since Monday but just haven't had a chance to get it sent out. Probably gonna have it out tomorrow. I'm preaching on Sunday. I can't say I'm super excited about it. More excited about preaching on Sunday night for a youth service.

Trying to get to 100 blog post before my birthday. See you between now and then.

start of a new week

well last week to be quite honest was crap. Just a long, drawn out, mentally exhausting week. Oh and I preached on Sunday. It went alright I suppose. I'm planning a big youth event for the end of this month. Halloween night to be exact. We'll see how that goes.

Kinda planning it big so I hope we can get a lot of kids to come. Gonna have a Wii bowling tourney, smash bros tourney, guitar hero and the main event which I hope I can pull off is a three on three nerf gauntlet.

We used to do them at the church when I was in youth. They were so much fun. I can remember trying to dodge those little yellow suction cup bullets and trying not to fall into the coat rack along the wall. I still have my ratchet blaster somewhere and as far as I'm concerned I'm still undefeated. The difficult thing is gonna be: 1. Getting enough guns for people. 2. Getting the same guns so its fair. 3. creating and constructing a decent arena.

If you got ideas let me have em.

I've started to ride my bike on a regular basis. I quite enjoy it. It gives me the sense of freedom, kinda the reason I wanted to get a motorbike. Still considering that too. My goal is to get up to 30 k which is like 18 miles. Trying to get rid of the gut and find my long lost abs.

The Red Sox need to shut the Rays down in this next game. We should get a ace showing from Jon Lester. If we can get 7 or 8 innings out of him with a lead of 3 or 4 we can bring in Pap's and close the game out. I do have one question...why was Youk playing second base? I know he's good at just about anywhere you put him but come on. I hope to watch the game tomorrow after noon with a couple from my church. They have satellite and they get the games live. YAY!!

KRISTIE YOU BETTER WATCH!!!!! Hank my teams chances are riding on your wife watching the game.

It is so funny to think that last year at this time I was sitting in Sardie's Den eating wings and watching Boston stick it out and beat the Indians. Kinda funny one of the cooks had money against the Sox. I wonder how he's betting this year. Good times.


My grandmother had congestive heart failure the other day. Seems to be doing fine but she's 81. When my grandfather died I was out at Hatteras. I really pray that grandma is strong enough and holds out til I get home cause...I really just want to see her again. Sucks being a world away sometimes.

The Watchman movie is coming out next year. I'm always excited to hear another comic book adaptation is coming out. I know Alan Moore hates all the movies based on his work but I think this one might be top notch. I read the graphic novel the other day. Kinda hard to follow at parts but over all good. I was kinda shocked at some of the content I wouldn't recommend it to very many people. I know with Zack Snyder directing the movie there will be nudity because well he added it to 300. Definitely won't be going to see it opening day. I'll wait and see the content reviews.

Also reading European History for dummies. Don't ask.

Anyway thats enough for now. I can't decide weather I like numbered lists or paragraphs. I seem to not restrict myself with the lists. Ah well off to bed.

number 95

Well it hasn't been too long since my last post so I don't feel so bad this time.

1. Played tennis with the youth tonight. After some very long sets in the later rounds me and my friend David were victorious. I know beating teenagers isn't that monumental but I don't play tennis and there were other guys my age there too stacking the teams.

2. I really want the Red Sox to beat the Rays. KRISTIE YOU BETTER WATCH EVERY GAME!!!! you are my Red Sox victory muse. I talked it over with Hank, he agrees with me.

3. I read a really interesting article about Manny Ramerez last week. Manny being Manipulated is the title check it out. I kinda feel bad about being mad at him now. Still though...you don't take a swing in the dugout at Youk...you just don't do that.

4. My big decision panned out. I'm staying in Australia. Disaster averted. I just had to straighten some stuff out with my student loans. Thought I might have to come home because of them. I had to put on my big boy pants and step up to the plate.

5. Visited some folks from the church this week. I really enjoy the whole relationship building/being visible and available to people approach. The pastoral care aspect of ministry. I think I've finally figured out my biggest spiritual gift. Outreach.

6. Preaching on Sunday. Pray for me.

7. I realize why I haven't really dated in 2 years. I'm really scared. Oh and I'm a moron.

8. I really miss Jittery Joes

9. I don't really have a 9.

10. Can I say how much I love the exchange rate on USD vs AUD. I get richer by the day.

11. I think 10 is enough.

stuff

Well another post. I gotta keep them coming my readership is falling off.

1. Watched the VP debate this morning. I wasn't impressed really by either one of them. Personal I have gotten to the point with debates and politics in general where I just want to see the bloodshed. I watch these things now for the fights. I know that is really juvenile of me but I find it hilarious that our chosen representatives in government behave like they do. I can't say that I have the solution to the problem but I'm disenfranchised with the whole political system now. So on that note...thats the last thing I'll ever say about it on this blog. Following my boy Cody's lead and just letting it all go.

2. Probably the real reason I'm writing this post is for prayer. I've got to make a big decision that has only really been thrust on me in the last 24 hours. I have to deal with it and I just don't really know what to do. But I've come to a place where "I'm just a kid" no longer acts as a legitimate excuse or reason for anything anymore. Don't get all scared I'm not in any trouble and I'm actually doing quite well. I've just gotta make a decision. So prayers and prayers would be welcome.

3. I'll let everyone know when I can what it is concerning but I promise....I will let you know.

4. On a positive note I met with a Captain from the Salvation Army on Wednesday and we discussed some new initiatives that he wants to get started with the churches to help the homeless in our area. Quite excited to see what unfolds for us.

5. Red Sox won!!!!!

6. How did I miss that Heroes and Supernatural were both back on the air? They should tide me over til Lost in 2009. Sad I can't watch them here. :(

7. I am alive and breathing.

8. Thank you God for letting that be so. :)

catch up

Whoa. It has been a really long time since my last post. Let me try to get you up to speed.

1. Stan retired last Sunday. He is so ready to just kick back and travel around with his wife and a caravan. It is kinda bittersweet though. More than 30 years service...thats a rare thing. He's an awesome guy...i'm lucky to be here really.

2. Australia is starting to really feel like home. It usually takes me a while to settle and I think I've gotten there...a little. I still miss people and places but...its not earth shattering anymore.

3. I really don't like the cops from today. Not all cops...just the ones that harassed me.

4. I am about to be 25 and a strange thing has hit me. I'm single. Not really strange but I really have started to desire for that next step in life. I've even started to pray about "her". I've never done that before. And it isn't my age or anything like that but...I would really like to find the right girl and get married. Now to kill the new sentimental perception you may have of me.

5. I have not lost our bet yet Jayne nor have I found "Claire" yet Raquel.

6. I've been saying goodbye to my Korean friends. It's not easy, not easy at all.

7. I really enjoy visiting people from the church congregation. It's really nice to make someone's day.

8. Red Sox are in the playoffs. Wildcards again, how appropriate. Guess who isn't in the playoffs. I'll give you a hint...they are having their historical stadium demolished and turned into a parking lot. That just leaves two Jewel Boxes left.

9. I am officially the worlds worst at keeping in touch with people. I really want to get better at it. I get all side tracked and ooo a really big kangaroo outside and...whoops there goes my attention to writing that email. Love you all my friends...I do miss you....I mean it.

10. There is a really big kangaroo outside.........