Did someone say Pot hole?

After 14 plus inches of snow, here is some helpful information for those in the Chicago-land area.

Copy and paste this link into the address bar:
http://www.wbbm780.com/Potholes-Causing-Serious-Problems/1621615

New Year~New Me

So, it's been a long time since I've written. I want to say that there are a lot of things that have changed, but really most things are the same. There has been one big change. After nearly five years as a children's pastor, I have resigned. It is different now because instead of being It is strange, and I'm still processing the whole thing.

So now, I don't know who I am. I think that I've dealt with this my whole life. I went from one thing to another, and using all things as my source of identity. And now, I am nameless- or identity-less?

So I am sad, and excited. Despondent and yet, there is this hope that lays out in front of me. The hope, is that there is Life waiting for me. Life that is mine to have and make of it as I will...

One week ago I started my last year in my twenties. So, what does that mean?

Only time will tell.

"Dare to be unusual."

Let me win, but if I cannot win...

Let me be brave in the attempt.

This is from the Illinois Special Olympic website.
Read this story about an amazing girl!

http://soill-org.secure05.anaxanet.com/news.php?newsID=239

"A delicate shade of pink has become a very powerful thing."
-Mary Kay Ash

German Fest and the Beach

On Sunday (July 29th to be exact) I went with some friends up to the German Fest in Milwaukee, WI. You may never have experienced something as entertaining as the German Fest so here are some pictures of the entertainment:

It really was a lot of fun. A lot of music, a lot of dancing, and a lot of eating. Not to mention all the people walking around in hats with feathers, and "lederhosen." (see picture below)

Please keep in mind I am very serious- these groups really get the crowd moving and dancing!

And finally-

We had the pleasure of seeing this woman (pictured above). She happens to be a world famous yoddler.

Did you know that potato pancakes with applesauce are amazing? Sounds weird, but it's true. There are other things that I ate, but I cannot remember what they are called.

Later on Sunday after having my fill of food at the German Fest I made my way to my favorite place- Kenosha Beach. I saw the most amazing sunset over the lake. It was incredible! That is the one place that when I go there, time stops, everything else fades away, and all seems at peace.

As clear as it gets

(Sent in an email, and I really liked it):

Cindy Sheehan asked President Bush, "Why did my son have to die in Iraq?"
Another mother asked President Kennedy, "Why did my son have to die in Viet Nam?"
Another mother asked President Truman, "Why did my son have to die in Korea?"
Another mother asked President F.D. Roosevelt, "Why did my son have to die at Iwo Jima?"
Another mother asked President W. Wilson, "Why did my son have to die on the battlefield of France?"
Yet another mother asked President Lincoln, "Why did my son have to die at Gettysburg?"
And yet another mother asked President G. Washington, "Why did my son have to die near Valley Forge?"
Long, long ago, a mother asked, "Heavenly Father, why did my Son have to die on a cross outside of Jerusalem?"
The answers to all these are similar -- "So that others may have life and dwell in peace, happiness, and freedom."
This was emailed to me with no author and I thought the magnitude and the simplicity were awesome.
IF YOU DON'T STAND BEHIND OUR TROOPS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO STAND IN FRONT OF THEM!!!
Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American Soldier - one died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

Light in the Dark

"Never fear shadows. They simply mean there’s a light shining somewhere nearby."

~ Ruth Renkel

I have always found that the story of Abraham being called to go to a land far away fascinating. The fact that God asked Abraham to go, not so crazy. The fact that Abraham went- is.

Who does such a thing?

Yet, the fact is that every day as I open my eyes, I find myself being asked by God to do the very same thing. Every day is a mystery. The beginning, the middle and the end. Where is God going to take me? What will God ask me to do? Where might He ask me to go? It is a scary thought. Shadows surround us. The unknown overtakes us. But there is something about the freedom that we live in when we surrender our lives to God.

There is this poster that hung on my wall when I was younger. There was a little girl swinging being held up by a large hand. Underneath the picture were the verses, Proverbs 3:5,6. At any moment the hand could have let go of the girl. But, of course the hand doesn't. And, of course the girl doesn't going flying wild-ly through the air, eventually landing on a heap on the ground. (I know- that's comforting). Our lives are the same way. God may ask us to go places we don't know, places we cannot see, places we have never been. And yet, we are not left alone.

This is amazing!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17506125/site/newsweek/

and

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17876321/displaymode/1107/s/2/?GT1=10056

Everything...

"There is nothing on my horizon except everything.Everything is on my horizon."

- Dwight Shrute

Bubba

Bubba, an airline mechanic, was bragging to his boss one day. "You know, I know everyone
there is to know. Just name someone, anyone and I know them."

Tired of his boasting, his boss called his bluff, "Okay, Bubba, how about Tom Cruise?"

"Sure, yes, Tom and I are old friends and I can prove it."

So, Bubba and his boss fly out to Hollywood and knock on Tom Cruise's door and sure
enough, Tom Cruise, shouts, "Bubba ! Great to see You! You and your friend come right in
and join me for lunch!"

Although impressed, Bubba's boss is still skeptical. After they leave Cruise's house, he
tells Bubba that he thinks Bubba's knowing Cruise was just lucky.

"No, no, just name anyone else," Bubba says.

"President Bush," his Boss quickly retorts.

"Yep", Bubba says, "I know him, let's fly out to Washington ."

So, off they go. At the White House, Bush spots Bubba on the tour and motions him and his
boss over, saying, "Bubba, what a surprise. I was just on my way to a meeting, but you
and your friend come on in and let's have a cup of coffee first and catch up."

Well, the boss is very shaken by now, but still not totally convinced. After they leave
the White House grounds, he expresses his doubts to Bubba, who again implores him to name
anyone else.

"The new Pope," his boss replies.

"Sure!" says Bubba. "I've known the Pope a long time."

So, off they fly to Rome .

Bubba and his boss are assembled with the masses in Vatican Square when Bubba says, this
will never work. I can't catch the Pope's eye among all these people. Tell you what, I
know all the guards, so let me just go upstairs and I'll come out on the balcony with the
Pope."

He disappears into the crowd headed toward St. Peter's.

Sure enough, half an hour later, Bubba emerges with the Pope on the balcony. But by the
time Bubba returns, he finds that his Boss has had a heart attack and is surrounded by
paramedics.

Working his way to his boss' side, Bubba asks him, "What happened"?

His boss looks up and says, "I was doing fine until you and The Pope came out on the
balcony and the Japanese tourist next to me asked, "Who's that on the balcony with
Bubba"?