Halloween... spooky

Boo! Ahhh! Run! Yep, it is Halloween again, the spookiest (is that a word?) day of the year. Tonight all kinds of goblins, witches, super-heros and Jack-o-lanterns will be out door to door trick or treating. I would say the sacriest part of the whole thing would be if you have to be out driving, trying not to run over anyone! Whose idea was this anyways? Hey, lets get kids to dress in dark, spooky, clothes and then send them out into the dark streets on a sugar high so they can get hit by a truck!

Ahh it brings back memories of my trick or treating days. Hours would be spent contemplating the perfect costume. The day would arrive and I would get all my gear together only to have my mother make me wear my winter jacket over the costume anyways!But this can be a scary day with all kinds of bright lights of the community going around throwing eggs and setting things on fire. But I'm not worried. I showed up at work today only to find that I have some Super-Hero protection in the office next to me. Good day for him to show up I figure since some spooksters showed up outside my door this morning.

Happy Halloween.

Good Friends, Good Food, Good Fellowship

Yesterday was a good day. We had church in the morning where it was good to meet with the congregation in worship. I spoke on fellowship and felt that the message went well. We hung around and chatted for a while and then headed home to cook up a feast! We had good friends of ours Ian, Vic, and Barkley (the dog) over for a mid-afternoon pig-out. Jacquelyn and Victoria set the table, did up the corn and all that fun stuff while Ian and I handled the meat. And Kadin and Barkely played outside and got completely covered in mud.

It was just a great day to relax, eat and enjoy the company and fellowship of good friends. God has blessed us so much that we can all be a part of His body and live in harmony with one another. We have been so blessed with good friends and we thank God for it.

And the Leafs winning on Saturday night just makes it that much sweeter.
Good weekend.

Happy 500 Sundin

Wow, what a great game, what a great player, and what an amazing career! Mats Sundin led the Leafs to victory as Caption Clutch scored a shorthanded, hat-trick, overtime, 500th career goal. Now that is a mouthful. He is a player who has withstood a lot of criticism but his numbers and class are much louder then the Sundin and Leaf haters. Time and time again he is the one to step up and make the big play for the leafs. He is a big, strong exciting player and he is having a big year for the Leafs already. Way to go Mats!

Adding to the family

Well I had to keep the secrete until Thanksgiving and it was a close a few times but now I can blog about what most already know (if you know me personally that is) and that is there is a new little one in our family. Her name is Kadin and she is our little (getting big fast though) Golden Retriever puppy. She is wonderful and mostly everything she does is cute so it can be hard to discipline her. I wont go on and on though in case you are not a dog person but let me just tell you about her name and then I shall depart or at least hit the "publish post" button.

Kadin is (no doubt brutally mispronounced) Arabic for "friend." My first dog Chimo is Indian for "friend." The grandfather of all the dogs in Bonshaw was named "Woodstock" because that is where he was from in the late 80's or early 90's. Same place as Chimo so they are likely relatives. Very cool in my opinion. Anyways if you want to see some pics of her or just from my wonderful life then you can click here.

Crows... I hate them

I live in a pretty nice spot these days and you can see the sunrise here through the picture window. I really enjoy the space and the view. I like the sound and smell of the ocean. It really is a little piece of heaven... for the most part. You see there is one small set back and I'm sure you have guessed where this is going if you read the title. We have about 200-250 crows that hang out around here. I hate crows. I mean I really can't stand them. They are a bunch of chattereing desease bags, they crap all over everything they are loud and I just don't like them hanging around. I can't even believe how many there are. They come around a few times a day and when they do you can't hear a thing but crows. So if you are finding yourself with nothing to do some morning or evening and you want to come out and visit with a 20 gadge and make some target practise out of my little feathered friends I'll have my wife cook you dinner! How does that sound. Jacquelyn doesn't much care for the crows either as you can see.

I'm in

Well it's been a long road but I have finally been voted in as the Associate Minister at the Sherwood Church of Christ. It is certainly nice to know this is where we are going to be and we are excited to be here. We are also excited about all the new things we are experiencing in life. My wife and I are almost completely moved out to Canoe Cove and it is wonderful to live in the country again. I will post a pic later of the view from our back deck. We have our HOUSE (not really ours, we just live there but still!) pretty well set up and its not even embarrassing to have people over! It is wonderful to be out of that apartment with all the crazy's.

Side note
We had a neighbor who lived above us and across the hall who liked to borrow things a lot and while we were moving some of our furniture she actually asked me if we were moving out or moving in! She comes to my door all the time and I've lugged her groceries upstairs countless times! Moving out or moving in!!?? Holy cow.

So its nice to be out there and its wonderful to BBQ, Thanks Dan and Janelle! I'm enjoying this time in my life with my wife and I am feeling blessed today indeed!

Birthday Blog

Well today I turn 22 years old. Wow-wee. Last night I was young out back splitting wood by hand. Today I feel old and sore. Not really. I don't really make of birthday's. Not my own anyways. In fact I forgot it was my birthday this morning when I woke up until my wife wished me a happy birthday.

This birthday is a little different however. This is my first birthday as a married man and it is also the first time that I can remember where my twin brother Dan and I have been apart. (his birthday today too for anyone who might be a little behind) I've missed him a lot since fall arrived. We always lived apart in the summers but we always would be together again in the fall. It is still kind of weird to me not to have him close by where I can see him anytime I want. We still call a lot and stuff but it's still not the same. When you are a twin, your twin is a big part of what makes your birthday special. It's funny how when you're a kid you think it's kind of lame to have to share your birthday but now at 22 I'd like to be in Burtt's Corner or have Dan here in PEI.

He's my best friend (besides my wife of course) and I guess after 21 years of living together it takes a while to adjust. So here is something that only he, and maybe a few others will get on our birthday.

"Happy happy birthday on your special day!
Happy happy birthday in a special way NOW
Happy happy birthday may all your dreams com true
Happy happy birthday from all of us to you!"

Wheres my french fries, I've been here for four days!!!

And this is a look back at those 21 years from the toast I made for Dan's wedding stealing the song he used for mine. Happy Birthday Dan.

Big Day

Yesterday was the definition of a "Big Day." Now this term, "big day" is one that is most often coined by my buddy Graham or brother Dan from home. I've asked before when they say, "have a big day!" what it means and the explanation is like: An exciting meaningful kind of day like a birthday or something. Well yesterday was a birthday of sorts. But not mine. Yesterday I had the opportunity to preach on worship to @ the Sherwood Church of Christ which is nothing too out of the ordinary as I am currently one of the preaching ministers there. The worship service was great and the sermon went well but what made this a BIG DAY was when my good buddy Andrew Burt came to the front before I preached to give me a hug and some wonderful news and following the sermon when he carried out this news when I baptized Andrew into Christ. Wow! What an amazing thing. I'm so proud of you Andrew! Then we went to Pizza Delight with his folks and off to camp Sunday.

At camp Sunday we watched a video made by the amazing Tyler MacDougall, had a worship time, a testimony, and a short message. THEN we made our way down to the beach where I had the wonderful opportunity to baptize Tyler. What an amazing day. You could feel a strong presence of God throughout the day and it was AWESOME. I'm truly thankful for these two men who have made their commitments. God bless you both.

What a BIG DAY!

In Deep

Now by the looks of the title of this post it would seem that I am in trouble or in love or in a jam of some sort and while all of that may be true on some level it is not what this post is about. Actually it is because last night my wife and I purchased a "Deep Freeze." 5 cubic feet of cold because the tiny freezer on our tiny fridge just isn't going to cut it especially when we move out to the country hopefully by next week. Yet again, not my point. So before you give up on me I'll get to it. Last night to get this rig out to my new abode I needed a lift. Not a drive, but someone to help me lift it. So I called up my good buddy James. Why? Because James is a good friend who 9 times out of 10 will be there in a moments notice to help me with whatever I'm in need of. And I'm telling you it is good to have a few good friends you can count on. God has blessed me with some great friends and James is one of them. Someone who there whether I need a lift, an ear or a punch. You are rich indeed when you have people you can count on in this life.

Sawin Wood

Last night after I picked up my lap top from Future Shop (Yessssss!) I checked my messages and heard a message from by good buddy Jason who told me if I wanted to get some of the winter's wood sawed up that he'd give me a hand. This was very helpful seeing as he has a chainsaw and I don't. So I grabbed my work boots and headed out the door and we arrived at the wood pile and got a good bunch of wood sawed up given the time we had. I really enjoyed it. There really isn't anything fun about it really, I'm not all to sure why I find it so relaxing. You have to move and lug heavy logs, smell chainsaw exhaust, get sawdust in your eyes and it can be hard work. But the sweat, wood, and the smell of the saw really took me home. I couldn't help but think of the many years I lived at home and we put wood in every year. We always did it together. My Dad, my brother, Chimo (supervisor) and I. And we would often have some other family help as well. Again it was hot, hard work but when I look back on it I can't help but think, "Man, that was fun." I guess sometimes you don't realize the fun you're having while you're having it. Those were good days and I guess I really miss them a lot sometimes.

Back To School

Yes indeed, it is that time of year again. Back to school, but not for me! Yes it is hard to believe but for the first time in 16 years, School is starting and it is doing so without me. It is a dark day for school indeed. Sort of a weird day for me though. I very much have a feeling like "holy crap, I must be late or something I better get to school!" But it must be just gas or something because I have graduated High School, I have graduated from college and School is something I don't have to do again, for a little while anyways.

So this is the real world. No school but a job and an wife to support. We are in the middle of moving. Man I hate moving. And I have to get all my information switched over to PEI. I need to find out if we can get a cheaper insurance rate before my wife's runs out very soon. I have to get my tire for the truck fixed and the car needs a new muffler. I'm all sweaty, I can't breathe... I'm cold and there are wolves after me.

I think I miss school.

Or at least the last class, I get very glad in the last class. S'glad.

Exhausted & Deflated

Well I've been running pretty steady for almost 3 weeks, maybe more, and I'm just about out of gas. I hear gas could be going down tomorrow though so I guess I'll wait until then. Yes I think tomorrow will have to be day of rest. After undercoating I had a week of VBS, a week of camp and this week a few wakes and funerals and all that goes with it and I'm just ready for bed I think. I'm a little run down. Also to keep with my clever title. After replacing a hanger on my lovely little red car and a fan belt it has come to my attention that we will need a new muffler soon. After picking up the car and heading back to the church it was also discovered that the truck had a flat tire and it has quite a hole, let me tell ya! Luckily I have a spare so it was no big deal for now other then the fact that I just undercoated the truck and the tire was covered in oil. Life is good. I'm sure I'll have lots of energy left to keep packing for the move. I cannot wait to get out of our dumpy apartment and into the country! YEEE HAW! I need a nap.

It's Coming

Well folks it is coming. The air is getting cooler the leaves are looking a little droopy, all sorts of magazines with all sorts of predictions are coming out. That's right, hockey will soon be back in full swing. Last night I was @ the Super Store with my lovely wife (because that's what you do in the evenings for fun when you're married) and I decided after reading an article on Mats Sundin to sport my 3rd Leafs Jersey with "7" "ROBERTS" on it. It caught the eye of a fellow fan and he struck up on conversation with me about the upcoming season and the offseason's activities. Man I love that. Whether you love hockey or hate it you have to admit that it brings people together and anytime during the season in the Maritimes anyways (probably all over Canada) you can strike up a conversation about hockey. I love it. I can't wait for this season and I can't wait to play.

Go Leafs Go

Cha cha cha FIESTA!

Well folks another summer is drawing to an end and that can mean only one thing. VBS (VB-Stress) time! Ya-hoo! And this year we are doing a Mexican Fiesta theme. We have 70 plus kids running around learning about Jesus, singing songs, making crafts, playing games and eating some pretty good food. And as stressful as it all can be it really is an awesome thing to see the kids shouting and remembering things like Jesus is our friend, Jesus is our life, and Jesus is our Leader! Viva!!!! (those are the ones we've done so far) They jump and shout this among their peers. It sort of makes me think. Would I do that? Jump and yell about my love for Christ and what he has done for me. Would you? I think these kids possess something very special in their lack of fear to participate in something like this. Not many of us beyond the age of school will do much more then come and watch whatever is happening up front at a Sunday service. We seem to be fine until something is required of us. So as we teach these kids lessons I think I need to learn a few of my own from them. Maybe you do too.

Back In Black

No I'm not an AC/DC fan, that is not what the title of this post is about. I am back from my undercoating job which tends to get me rather covered in oil and a tad darker then normal. It is now done and the little time I got to spend with family and friends was great. Although I'm quite tired and sore and feeling like I'm getting sick. This is not good as VBS or VB-Stress, as I affectionately call it, is this week and I'm not feeling to festive for our Fiesta.

Also I have some more news (don't I always) about our beloved car. This time I will not place the blame on GM. This morning when my beautiful wife and I ran out to the car to go to church (I was guest preaching in Cornwall) we hopped in and looked at the dash and then to each other waiting and hoping for an explanation as to the whereabouts of the CD player stereo system our car once had that is now an empty space. They even took the antenna! Un-stinking-believable. So that is gone forever. They pried the window open (this will require another visit to my pal Luke at Canadian Tire) and whipped the sucker out of there last night while we were sleeping. Now I am even more excited to move out of this dump! And my new Third Day CD was in the player too so that is also gone. But on the plus side of life maybe the jerk who stole the thing might listen to the CD and be converted or something. Never know.

AND as long as I'm ranting here is another little something for you. MSN is not going to cost money and your account wont be deleted if you don't send it along AND Bill Gates is not going to give you money for free for using e-mail AND your "crush" thinks you're a dork and wont go out with you (whatever that means) if you send that e-mail along to me. I already married my crush by the way. So stop sending those stupid e-mails or wasting your time reading them.

That is all.

So it seems I missed July

I can't believe it! It has occurred to me that I missed blogging the entire month of July! That is nuts. I even blogged the month I graduated and got married. I bloged around exams and term papers and yet in July I missed it! That is crackers. I just went back to date a post in last July but apparently I am now unable to do that. That is what i did for my photo hosting one. But that option seems to have vanished. So this is my apology for that... sorry. I'm sure all your lives were empty and incomplete without reading the wonderful adventures I find myself in. So to make up for it I will let you in on a sweet podcast I have found called "Ask a Ninja." It is stinking hilarious. Here is a sample, enjoy.

Charged

Well here is another post and hopfully you'll get a charge out of it. Yesterday my wife called me to tell me the car wouldn't start. The one with the new engine and new front end pretty much that has sucked my wallet dry from the day I knew the hunk of crap existed! Yeah that one. So I drove home to give her a boost. We got it going with some difficulty and she was on her way. I told her to drive it around for a while to build the charge back up and she did because I'm the one in charge! Yeah right. So later that afternoon she called again because the car died again and this time it would not boost at all. So I wept openly and went to get her. So because our battery wouldn't charge we got charged to get towed over to crappy tire (only across the street) and for a new battery that will charge.

Lucky for you, this post if free of charge.
I should be charged for making this crappy jokes.

Back at it

Hello there faithful readers. It has been a few days since I posted and that whole Roberts thing didn't really pan out. Oh well, thats the way it goes I guess. Life has certainly been busy and interesting over the past few weeks with camp going on as well as a Wedding in between. Getting back to the office seems strange after two weeks of running around non-stop. It was a good time ministering to the kids as well as hanging out with the counselors. And as long as you are reading about my boring life, here is an interesting story:

On the Thursday of the last camp I was swimming about 12 8 & 9th grade girls in from the raft at the camp. I swim on my back in front of them so I can see everyone and also if we encounter any trouble I am the first to hit it. And so I was, indeed, first. The first one to touch a jellyfish. Now this is not that big of a deal but when I bumped into it I warned the others by calling out, "Jellyfish!" This word in the language of the Jr High girl means "FREAK OUT." Although they may have done so with good reason as when I turned around to see the jelly I had touched I found an amazing school of Jellyfish floating our way and in a matter of seconds we were completely surrounded by jellyfish. It was like we weren't even swimming in water but jellies instead. It was crazy, never in my life have I ever seen jellyfish like that.
But here is the good news, 9 out of 10 jellies were white which means they can't sting. But this does not matter to Jr. High girls. It was still really really freaky. Anyways to make a long story short it took us quite a while to swim in and I did so with several people attatched to my arms and back. I was wiped let me tell you!

So thats whats up in my life. Chow.

Roberts!!!

Ok so I know that most of you wont care about this and it isn't a done deal but it's my blog and I can do whatever I want! So here is the news. My favorite player Gary Roberts has requested to be traded back to the Maple Leafs!!

That would be awesome. In other exciting news. Brian McCabe has signed a 5 year deal. This is good to have him and Kaberle locked up for 5 years. And now with Raycroft as well things seem to be shaping up good for the Leafs.

Let me explain

The post below was to see if I had actually found a way to host my own videos online. It seems that I have.

Gotta Laugh

Video Hosting - Upload Video - Video Sharing

God is good and He is in control

Sometimes life turns out exactly the way you thought it would and other times it turns out so completely different that you are completely blindsided by the whole thing.  I can make all the plans I want, check and double check their security, and even so things can turn out totally different then anticipated.  Sometimes that is tough, even heartbreaking.  But even when everything is wrong and you feel completely out of control, that is ok.  Because God’s wisdom is much bigger then ours and this is something that will build a real trust and faith in him.  (one sentence starts with “but,” the next one with “because,” grammar teachers everywhere have broken out in a cold sweat)

The thing is that God has a plan… even when I don’t understand it or know what it is.  But I don’t have to.  What I do have to do is trust that He is good and that He is in control and even though I may have to endure some unpleasantness He is Lord so I will trust.  This all sounds pretty easy eh (yeah right) but I need to decide what my attitude will be.  I am doing my best to stay positive no matter what comes my way.

At the end of the day, Christ is still Lord and I will trust him.

Good to have friends

Well well well, I can't believe I am writing this but I have the sunfire back! The car that blew up on the end of our honeymoon was dropped off to super nice guy named Luke. I've known Luke for a little while, I play in a worship team with him and play hockey with him in the fall.

Anyway! I dropped the car off to him on Monday morning so he could put a new engine in it and he worked steady at it (way more then he had to) and had it back to be yesterday. One day later. He did it up fast and undercharged me for sure. It certainly is nice to have friends and I hope that someday I can do a favor for him. Thanks Luke! You're AWESOME!

Breathless

Sorry to disappoint folks, but this post is not about a breath taking beauty, but rather the breathlessness I speak off (in between short gasps) is what I am mananging to get out after I have returned from taking a little rip on my new bike. And by this I mean bicycle, not motorcycle though I wish it were the latter.

I haven't had a bike in a while since the last one got stolen, but I ain't bitter, so I was a little out of it, but not to worry, It's just like riding a... well you get it. So the peddling and such I can handle but what made this whole ordeal so "blogworthy," (like that takes a lot) is that I am out of shape! Pathetically so. I mean, I went from my place to the Church which is NOT far at all. I even stopped to look at a corolla that was for sale on the way. (95 with almost 250.000 on Oak Dr if you are interested... I'm not) Anyway, when I got back to my apartment I was so winded I could hardly lug my bike up the stairs. I really gotta get more active before camp rolls around or I'm gonna die. Good thing I might be playing hockey again soon. I need to get in shape! This is just sad.

Way of Thinking

I have to admit, now that we are in the Stanley Cup Finals that things in the NHL are pretty exciting. With Edmonton in the finals and winning in overtime on a shorthanded goal I was brought right out of my seat and slapping high five with my buddy Ian. However I still find myself saying that I am not a big fan of the new NHL. Especially when in an exciting game like last night Carolina scored 3 power-play goals.

They say they are changing the game to make it better; more exciting. They say they want to draw in more fans... new fans. They want the game to be easier to understand so more people who don’t know the game will be drawn to it. And still I find myself saying, “No, don’t change the game at all! I like it just the way it is.” I’ve been a fan for as long as I’ve known the great game existed. I love it, don’t think there is anything wrong with it and simply did not welcome the change. However, I fear I might be wrong.

I am a young preacher; fresh out of college and ready to set the world on fire for Christ. I have lots of new ideas and methods of doing things and am always dreaming and scheming to figure out new ways to do church and to do ministry. I want new Christians and I want people who have never considered or never understood Christ before. To me the old way of doing things is not reaching the new generation and therefore it has to change and cannot stay the same for the sake of, “I like it the way it is.” That kind of thinking, I feel, is a stumbling block to the growth of the church. Yet I stand back and see how easy it is to feel fear and rejection when something you love is changing to accommodate the new. I felt like the NHL was leaving its loyal fans behind but that is not what they are doing. They are trying to draw in new fans, more fans, so the game can be bigger and better. How easy it is for me to spot the flaws of resistance in those who oppose me without realizing that I, myself, due to my own personal preferences can hold many biases as well.

I feel like I have a new appreciation for this feeling of a change in something that has been the same for a long time, maybe since its existence. However I will still admit now, that even though I like the 2-1 playoff game better then the 8-6 ones it really isn’t about me. And if I like style of worship more then another that is ok because worship is definitely not about me either. And for the sake of those who do not know Christ I need to be willing to accommodate them because I CANNOT value my own preferences and my own comfort over the relationship someone might be able to have with Christ. I must change as the game changes. Those who made the playoffs this year were the ones who best adjusted to the new hockey world and those did not adjust, who clung to their old style, were left behind. We will win and change lives for Christ as we change our methods to reach them.

We may even win some converts to hockey too.

Go Oilers Go

Go Church Go

Full Weekend

Well I'm back from the weekend's fun, and yes I know that it is Wednesday but my weekend lasted from last Wednesday until Tuesday so there you go. My brother's wedding was on the weekend and it was another emotional rollercoaster for sure. I wrote out my entire toast to him so I would not be a big baby and cry but I only managed to spout out about 3 words before tears pervaled. What can you do. It was what he would call a "big" day and it was lots of fun. Janelle (his wife) looked amazing and it was a wonderful time. I also had a wedding shower to attend with my wife for... us! A little late but much appricated for sure! My home Church of Burtt's Corner Church of Christ held a shower for us and it should mostly cover the cost of the engine I'm going to order! Fun fun indeed.

X 3 Times 3

So I have now seen X-3 The Last Stand a total of 3 times. Yes I am a nerd. But so is my wife because she saw it with me 2 of those times. All I have to say is that it was awesome. And if you liked the other two then you will like this one. It is by far the most intense. I wont give away any plot or info because I HATE it when people do that but I will tell you this if you have not seen it or plan on seeing it again. Wait until after the credits pass before you get up and leave. There is an extra scene at the end of them and you will be missing out big time if you don't see it. I missed it the first time but saw it at the drive in and again yesterday afternoon. It is great. Go X-men!

Eyes on me

So being recently married meant a change in living accommodations for my wife and I and we are in an apartment that is not quite set up yet. We have also recently been on a curtain kick. And by we I mean my wife. Well I've finally started to get the message as she asked me one night last week, "Can you look out the office window and tell me if there is someone looking in here?" I assured her that no one would be looking in but said I would check anyway. And holy crap there was someone staring in! In the apartment building right next to us there was someone holding open a slit in the blinds showing only a pair of eyes that thought if they didn't look right at me I wouldn't see them. CREEPY. So the other night I was working in my little office at the apartment and I was "ready for bed" as I worked. I was working until about 1am when I glanced over my shoulder though our window that still doesn't have blinds and saw those same eyes staring at me! It scared me half to death and as I looked back, he didn't even move! He slipped back behind the blinds but his freaking light was on so I could still see the silhouette of him standing there and pulling the blinds aside every now and again. Very creepy. So the point is that OUR blinds are going up TODAY. And every window will now have curtains or blinds.

So if you are at your computer (not a big leap, but I'm there) and perhaps it's night time, you may want to look out your window to see if anyone is watching... It is possible

My Life...

I think this is my life… it has changed so much so quickly that it is kind of hard to tell sometimes. So here is the run down my friends.

I did, in fact, graduate from Maritime Christian College, woot, and no longer have to do the school thing. This is where I exhale a sigh of relief, excuse me… ok I’m back. It was an emotional day and a great one filled with family and friends. I was blessed with the opportunity to address the class of 2006 and was honoured to do so. Here are a few pics.

Also! I got married to the most beautiful, wonderful, amazing person I have ever met and am still getting used to calling her my “wife” and introducing her as Jacquelyn Foreman. (note the correct spelling for future reference) Now that was an emotional day FOR SURE. Yes, I will go ahead and say it myself so you don’t have to: I am a cry baby. I am what I am. What a great day. My family and friends mean so much to me and I was delighted by the ones who shared in our special day. My minister had beautiful service for us, my brother made me cry, my youth helped out at the reception, how wonderful it was indeed. Here are a few pics.

Then we had the honeymoon! You don’t get the details on that one. I’ll just say it was a great week and we went to the Hopewell Rocks. Very nice. Here is a pic.

And on that week after the wedding I got a new (to me) truck that my mother gave me! Thanks Mom!!!! Here is the new truck.

And in that same week (on the way home from the honeymoon) our car died so now all we have is the truck which loves gas which is not cheap. Here is my reaction to the dead engine in the car.
I think that is all for now so there you go and I hope to get more posts on here now that I am only terribly busy instead of insanely-out-of-control busy. Have a great day and if you want to give me a 2.4 litre engine I would be your best friend. Ok?

Tough Day

Some things in life are pretty easy and other days things are pretty rough. Today was rough. Today we said good-bye to a dear friend. A furry friend as well. Maxwell "House Coffee" MacKinnon was laid to rest today at the age of 15 years. He was the beloved dog of my finance's family. This afternoon we said our good-byes and gathered Max up into the van and headed into town. It was a long and difficult drive even for me and I have only known Max for a little over 3 years. We were almost there when we decided to take a detour to Burger King for a cheese burger and then on to McDonalds for an ice cream. He scarfed it down right away and was very relaxed.

Tonight we buried him and said good bye with a miniature service and a prayer. I don't know what happens to animals when they die but I would like to think that we will see the animals we love so much again and I do believe that Max is in a better place now.

God love you Max, thanks for the memories.

Back at it.

Well folks, I am alive. I made it through all the papers, exams and studying. I graduated last Sunday and am now hard at work at the Church. I'm in the middle of moving junk into my new apartment, then moving some junk from that apartment to the office, then from the office to the apartment and then some right to the trash and then to the Wal-Mart to get new things to replace the stuff that apparently wasn't "junk" that I should not have thrown out! So I'm still as busy as ever! No time to slow down for me! I was in a wedding of my good pal Corey Dickinson (whose 20th birthday is tomorrow) last Saturday and mine is in less then 2 weeks!!! Yup lots to do on top of getting stuff ready for the up coming youth conference that I cannot attend but need to find leaders for!! YIKES! And I am WAY to busy to talk to you any longer so I must be off! Here is a pic of me and Corey before he ran off to get married and one from Graduation. Bye.

This Sucks

Well for the first time since 1998 the Leafs are going to miss the play offs. They needed to win most of their final games to make it possible and have done that but it is just too little too late. They beat the Sens badly tonight by a 5-1 score that could have been even higher but Tampa scored an OT winner in Carolina that broke the hopes of the playoffs and hearts of Leaf fans. "There's always next year" seems to ring in my head as it does every year at some point. Its funny how something that you have no control over can have such and impact on you. I have 6 more things on my to do list and could get at least one of them done but my mind just wont work right now. I'm going to bed and hopefully will fall asleep quickly.

Well boys you never gave up, I'm still proud to be a fan.

Go Leafs Go

Calmer of the Storm - Downhere

When everything is wrong
The day has passed and nothing's done
And the whole world seems against me
When I'm rolling in my bed,
there's a storm in my head
I'm afraid of sinking in despair.

CHORUS
Teach me, Lord to have faith
In what you're bringing me will
Change my life and bring you glory and...

There on the storm I am learning to let go
Of the will that I so long to control
There may I be in your arms eternally
I thank you, Lord,
You are the calmer of the storm.

You rebuke the wind and the waves
Once again I find I'm amazed
At the power of your will
Cuz I'm a child of little faith
I feel the wind and forget your grace
And you say, "Peace, be still."

There on the storm I am learning to let go
The white wave's high,
It's crashing o'er the deck
And I don't know where I go
Where are you Lord, is my ship going down?
The mast is gone so throw the anchor
Should I jump and try to swim to land?

There on the storm,
Teach me God to understand
Of the Will that I just cannot control
There may I see all you love protecting me
I thank you Lord,
You are the calmer of the storm.

My Prayer for Today

God,
How awesome you truly are
You are so big and I am so small
You are mighty and I am so, so, so very weak
Thank you for loving me with a love that is bigger then my mind can imagine

Lord, help me to be real
Let honesty flow from me
I want to be a genuine person
I want to be a person who desires to seek and serve you all the time
Help me to mature and to understand your ways
Give me acceptance of what comes my way
Give me trust in your plans

God protect me from Satan and all the crap he wants to put in my life
Protect my eyes
Protect my ears
Protect my lips Lord, that I would please you with my mind and body
Please keep a close guard on my attitude
Remind me of the joy and victory that is only found in you

Thank you Lord so much that you have saved me
When I look at my life and see the person I am
Especially compared to your greatness I don’t understand why you want me
You have not only given me life but blessed me in it
You are so good to me, help me to remember that
Help me to always remember you
To speak to you
To allow you to speak to me

Lord,
Please help me to remember that I will not face anything today that you and I cannot handle…
Together

I love you Lord
Amen

Sportsmanlike

Let me tell this: When I was a kid, sportsmanlike is not an adjective you would use to describe me as a player in minor hockey. I was mouthy, had a short temper and my retaliation penalties were very predictable. Sportsmanship was something my father always emphasized. I can hear him still saying "just skate away, just skate away." I just couldn't do it.

Well Dad, that is all in the past! Last night was our final night of "Friday Night Hockey" of the season and Seraphim (who is awesome for organizing the ice time) had the 3 esso medals for us which was kind of fun. And holy cow, I won "Most Sportsmanlike!" So there you go Dad, your words didn't fall on deaf ears. James Stevenson: Most Improved, David Marshall: Most Dedicated, Ben Foreman: Most Sportsmanlike.

What a fun Season.

Great Game, Bad Memory

So last night I went to watch my good buddy Andrew Burt play in what would be the deciding game in the Midget AAA finals. It was an awesome hockey game, very intense. Scoreless for two periods and it seemed that the first goal would be all too important. Finally it came but it was not Sherwood, who I was rooting for, it was Montague. It looked as though this would be absolutely deflating for the Sherwood team but less then a minute later my good buddy Burt (Parkdale) scored to make it even (TSN Turning Point) and less then a minute after that Sherwood scored to pull ahead. I was thinking this is amazing!!! I reached into my pocket for my camera, sensing a win and when I turned it on I was horrified to read "No Memory Card." So now I have to buy a freaking news paper to get a picture of it. Nice going eh, geez. I'll put the pic up when I get it scanned

Here is the newspaper clipping, the writer obvioulsy wasn't at the game or knows nothing about hockey... notice the line about the "shut out" and "other goal" which was huge! Anyways...

Encouragement

Some people in this life are “Encouragers.”  And I would like to encourage them to keep on.  Because I love them, and I NEED them.  (I just started one sentence with “and,” and another with “because.”  This thing is a grammatical nightmare already!)  You see, I am someone who really thrives on people and positive energy.  I like to think of myself as a pretty light hearted person who is very easygoing.  However I tend to be someone to takes a lot on at once, too much really… according to my beautiful bride to be.  So my stress level can be a little high.

This is why I so much appreciate people who can give that extra push by saying something nice, leaving a note, or making a telephone call.  These things can really turn a situation around.  And I have really appreciated people in my life who really keep me going with encouragement.  Ephesians 4:29 says we should build others up according to their needs.  I encourage you to consider it!

Waiting Room

So I’m sitting here in the Sherwood clinic and its lots of fun like usual. I’ve had this bug for 2 weeks and at different points I was sure I had it beat but I’ve finally come to get some drugs. Man I hate being sick. My life operates at such a fast pace and I have so many things to get done so it makes slowing down very inconvenient and rather irritating. So I’m 24th on the list and they keeping calling people up to give their health cards I’m eyeing the people who are being called up and trying to remember if I was here before them. Man I hate waiting. I guess that’s just part of life…waiting. We live in such a world of convenience that when we have to wait for something (for once) it’s just a great big pain isn’t it. It really sucks sitting here because I know what it is I need and I just need to get it. I have something like strep throat or a virus of some sort, I take amoxisilian for it. It’s the same freaking thing every time. I wish amateur MD’s like myself could just to the pharmacy and request our antibiotic and get the heck out of here. But instead here I sit and they … oh they called my name! Ok so I’m ahead one step because I just gave my health card info… why don’t they file that information somewhere anyways? It’s the same thing every time. I mean, every time I run myself into the ground and get sick I always come here and every time I give them the same information. Card #, Dr., no allergies. How much space could that possibly take up. Not that it’s a big deal to give it to them every time. I just feel like complaining. I really shouldn’t even be writing this. I should be working on one of my many reports or assignments I have due. I just can’t seem to concentrate on them in here and I need to pass the time some how. People keep trying to look over my shoulder and read what I’m writing. Man I hope I get in soon. My throat is killing me, just on one side. And there seems to be a never ending mass of snot in my head and throat. I really would like to know how it all fits in there. Geez. I’m such an idiot. Normally as soon as I start to get the bug I just go to clinic right away, they give me some drugs and I pretty much avoid the whole thing but for some reason I decided this was a good time to tough it out. I’m insanely busy right now and just don’t have time to be sick and this is when I decide my immune system needs a challenge. The person beside me totally just coughed all over my arm. I hope whatever they give me cures whatever he has too! Geez. I really hope they call me soon… although they haven’t called anyone in a while. I just want to get out of here. My laptop found a connection but it’s a secured network so I can’t use it. No web surfing for the sick-o I guess. Well I’m getting bored with this and I’m sure you are too so I’m gonna see if I can occupy myself some other way. Hope you don’t get the bug… take your Flintstone Vitamins!

Some time has passed

Well its been a while since I’ve written on this old thing and I’m sure that very few people check it these days. I have been (and still am) in the middle of the busiest time I have ever experienced in my life to this point. Between school, church, work, getting married in three months, traveling, speaking and the little time I have for sleep my life is about as jam-packed as it can get.

I’ve been saying throughout the duration of this time that it is rather amazing to me that I haven’t gotten sick yet. Usually my pattern is: Push till you can’t push anymore and then get sick for a week or two… repeat. Well, I’m finally sick. Yee Haw, with a project or two overdue and several more on the horizon.

And its funny how I’m so overwhelmed with speaking engagements, youth group, Christian college and the like yet I seem to find it difficult to remember to fit in my own time with God. I’m so busy preparing to aid others into a better relationship with the creator that I neglect the most important thing in my life. Isn’t that nuts? I really need to take care of my prayer life before this gets out of hand.



I’m so run down right now, this is the first weekend in while that I get to sleep in my own bed. 2 weeks ago I spoke at a men’s retreat in L’Etete. That is a very small town in the southern part of New Brunswick. It was a good time, but carried along with it stresses of its own. Then last weekend my good friend James and I were promoting Maritime Christian College in Ontario where I ended up speaking 3 times between the camp and preaching at Keele Street Christian in Toronto. www.keelestreet.ca It was fun, and by and large successful. But everything that James and I attempted in the city didn’t pan out at all. Then our flight back home was delayed for 20 minutes and then cancelled altogether because of a snow storm in the Maritimes. We ended up getting to Hamilton the next day in the afternoon and made it home in time for me to go to a meeting. I’m still trying to recover but when you’re tired, sick, and a little grumpy it makes things tough. I’ll be ok once I get my overdue crap finished. I should likely get at it instead of talking to you fine people. If you have read this in its entirety then you are likely procrastinating too. Either that or you really like to read about nothing. Whichever you are, get back to work and have a good one eh!


Later on I throw the list of things that went wrong on the trip to Ontario. I think there are 27 things.

BE MY ESCAPE (Relient K)

Video Code provided by VideoCodeZone.Com

"Be My Escape"

I’ve given up on giving up slowly,
I’m blending in so
You won’t even know me
apart from this whole world that shares my fate
This one last bullet you mention
is my one last shot at redemption
because I know to live you must give your life away
And I’ve been housing all this doubt and insecurity and
I’ve been locked inside that house
all the while You hold the key
And I’ve been dying to get out
and that might be the death of me
And even though, there’s no way in knowing
where to go, promise I’m going because
I gotta get outta here
I’m stuck inside this rut that I fell into by mistake
I gotta get outta here
And I’m begging You, I’m begging You,
I’m begging You to be my escape.

I’m giving up on doing this alone now
Cause I’ve failed and I’m ready to be shown how
He’s told me the way and I’m trying to get there
And this life sentence that I’m serving
I admit that I’m every bit deserving
But the beauty of grace is that it makes life not fair

Cause I’ve been housing all this doubt and insecurity and
I’ve been locked inside that house
all the while You hold the key
And I’ve been dying to get out
and that might be the death of me
And even though, there’s no way in knowing
where to go, promise I’m going because
I gotta get outta here
Cause I’m afraid that this complacency
is something I can’t shake
I gotta get outta here
And I’m begging You, I’m begging You,
I’m begging You to be my escape.

I am a hostage to my own humanity
Self detained and forced to live in this mess I’ve made
And all I’m asking is for You to do what You can with me
But I can’t ask You to give what You already gave

Cause I’ve been housing all this doubt and insecurity and
I’ve been locked inside that house
all the while you hold the key
And I’ve been dying to get out
and that might be the death of me
And even though, there’s no way in knowing
where to go, promise I’m going because
I’ve gotta get outta here
I’m stuck inside this rut that I fell into by mistake
I’ve gotta get outta here
And I’m begging You, I’m begging You,
I’m begging You to be my escape.

I fought You for so long
I should have let You in
Oh how we regret those things we do
And all I was trying to do was save my own skin
But so were You

So were You

I'll be home For Christmas

Let me just get the obligatory apology for not writing in a long long while: Sorry.   And now on to the post. Well it is that time of year again, Christmas. And as such many people travel home and I happen to fall into that category. Yes, I am home for Christmas. Traveling down familiar roads, seeing familiar faces and not having to eat Kraft Dinner.  It is a nice break from the everyday stress of school, papers, my crappy apartment, and the like.  However I must admit that I still tend to feel homesick over the holiday regardless of resting on old stomping grounds.  This Christmas is one, like last year that will be different from Christmas’ past.  The family is split up now so this makes Christmas kind of weird.  Opening presents without Mom and Christmas dinner without Dad are both firsts for me.  I don’t really like it but I guess this is part of life.

Yet as much as that sucks I’m sure Christmas will still be fine and we will get through it.  And there are better years ahead for sure.  There are certainly worse things in life.  Either way that is what I’m doing over the holidays so there you go.  If you are lucky enough to be able to spend this time with your family I encourage you to do so.  You never know what life will bring.

Merry Christmas.

Raw

Last night I did something that I hadn't done in years. I tuned in to Monday Night Raw. Now this isn't because I now plan to actively watch the show because for the most part, lets face it, it really isn't worth watching. Rather, I chose to watch last night because it had come to my attention that professional wrestler Eddie Guerrero had passed away that morning. This was obviously a tragedy as Guerrero was only 38 years old and because I am a fan of the sport but not the wwe I wanted to check it out.

I was able to watch most of the show, I only changed the channel for about 10 minutes while they had the girls on the show dance around with their selected ring attire to meet their quota but I was impressed to hear what the other wrestlers had to say about their fallen friend. They all said that he was one among them that really stood out. Just an outstanding person and friend. And over and over they refered to his faith and that he was a "born again" Christian. Now to be honest my initial reaction was skeptical but the more I heard from the others and the more they documented his status and relationship with the locker room the more I heard about someone who shined in the darkness. He had led a few of the others in the locker room to Christ as well. I was absolutely impressed and began to feel loss myself despite the fact that I haven't followed wrestling since they used to wrestle on that show. (remember that!) Seeing these huge grown men crying over their fallen friend because of what a great person he was.

What a great mission field that he worked in and if he did have that relationship with the Lord then he is in a better place and his life is a testimony that will still impact many. I hope and pray that many will draw to Christ in Eddie's passing as they did because of the impression he left when he lived. He found Christ after a life of addiction involving drinking and drugs but allowed the Lord to lead him out of it. Heart failure because of that past was the reason for Eddie's passing.

It was nice to see that show and I'm glad I tuned in. The message of Christ was mentioned over and over and I hope that it inspires the WWE organization to see where Eddie's hope came from.

Eddie Guerrero 1967-2005

Blessed by Radio today

Today, just like the past two days, I woke up and did not pray but sighed. I grumbled to myself about the weather, how tired I am, and how much there is to get done. I complained about our incredibly messy apartment of which my room would take first place for messiness closely followed by the kitchen and bathroom. I have been in a sour mood for the past few days and as a result have not been productive or all that pleasant to be around I'm sure. We are just coming into the thick of mid-terms and papers and I already have assignments that are behind. Christmas is less than two months away so I'm trying to glean some of the joy that seems to radiate from my brother/roommate but to tell you the truth I'm finding it quite hard to be excited about it this year.

So I decided that I should clean up the kitchen because it was starting to stink... again and I put on "Walk in the word" to listen to while I did the dishes. And what did good old James MacDonald have for me today. Why a message about contentment in his series on Joy. It is really weird but most of the time when I tune in to walk in the word I find that James preaching right to me. This is a great message and I want to encourage you to tune in to it. It has really blessed my day and helped me, at least for today, change my attitude and choose joy. God has richly blessed me in so many ways it is just too hard to stay sour today.

I encourage you to click on "walk in the word" in my "links" list and click on today's broadcast to hear this message and any other message. More often than not it is a real blessing.

HOCKEY

It has been a little while since I've posted so let me just tell you a bit about what is running through my head today... HOCKEY!

I played 3 times on Friday and almost died from being so tired. It is so nice to be back into hockey season again. But I really need to wash my gear. I've been playing for a month now and don't always get the time or weather to air out my gear and I was informed by the guy next to me on the bench that I should seriously consider washing my gear because it was seriously making him sick! So its on the deck right now and I gave it some serious Fabreeze action. I might be playing tonight too... we'll see how I feel, how much money I have, and how much of my paper is done.

Also it is just nice to have NHL hockey back on TV. I love watching it. And the Leafs are on a 3 game winning streak so that is good. Everyone jumped on them right away when they lost a few to start but I knew we'd be fine. So that is good.


But now is my, much anticipated I'm sure, review of the "New NHL" as we know it.
Here is what I like:
I like the 2 line passes. I will tell you right now that in my heart of hearts I am a traditionalist but the no red line game is pretty exciting. I like that players are allowed to move up ice without being hooked or held back but players that are too slow to keep up. It allows skilled players to shine and really show what they can do. I like that Goalies gear is regulated so we don't have Garth Snow in his enormous pads filling the whole net because he isn't that quick. And I love the tag up offside that should never have been messed with in the first place.
But I'm afraid there are a few things I don't care for:
First of all Shoot outs are not hockey. No other sport does them except the oh so exciting game of soccer. Hockey is a team sport and should be won or lost as a team. I don't like that Defencemen can't do their job. Now forwards like 80 pound Martin St. Louis can stand in front of the net and there isn't a thing the defense can do because if they touch him, they will get a penalty. It is going to take the intensity out of the game. I also still don't understand what the point of limiting the goalie's play of the puck is all about. Most goaltenders don't do it well enough to even worry about it. In fact, I bet there are more goals when they do play the puck behind the net and so on.

The thing is, the NHL is trying to get people to watch Hockey after wasting an entire year arguing. So they have frigged with the game so it will be more exciting and people will watch. But in reality there was nothing wrong with the game! Remember the 2004 play-offs? If you didn't like it, you don't like hockey! Why would the NHL disrespect its loyal fans, especially those of us who hung in there from the lock out, by messing with the integrity of the game all to cater to fans who DON'T KNOW THE GAME! That is the new target, they want a new kind of fan I guess. But I'm not sure how they accommodate the "new and improved" fan when the whistle blows and no one in the building or watching at home has a sweet clue why the play stopped. Great move.

But hey, like I said, more than anything I'm just glad the NHL is back. If I can sit home and watch the leafs and Don Cherry's Coaches corner on CBC on a Saturday night. I'm a happy man.

I Fought the Law... And I won!

Yes I fought the law... sort of... Let me explain. A few months ago, August 5th to be exact, I was pulled over by Charlottetown's finest. I pulled up to the stop sign by my apartment, where about half an hour earlier I saw someone else pulled over, I saw that I had time to pull out (after stopping) so I did. Then I see the lights flashing in my mirror so I pull over. The officer begins his song and dance but we're in the middle of an intersection so I have to pull around the corner. I end up moving again into a parking lot because he has no idea what to do with my out of province even though I explain that I am a student. He asked me if I knew why I was pulled over and I told him that I had no idea. He says I ran the stop sign and then held me up for almost half an hour getting me to move three times and had no idea what to do with me. Then he says you are getting a ticket for 70 bucks!

Now fast forward to yesterday when I took this issue to court because I did stop at that sign. And even if I hadn't, there was still no need to hold me up that long AND he should know what he was doing. So I ran all over town looking for a parking place, showed up good and early and waited for the worst. But luckily for me my case was "stayed" so I would say the City of Charlottetown had more important things to worry about then prosecuting me for stopping at a sign. So there you have it. Saving me 70 bucks and even more on insurance--because when points go down, insurance goes up--highlights my week already.

Sleeping In

Man l love sleeping in. I have been so busy lately that I've made myself sick. I've been behind and over tired but this morning I decided that everything could wait a couple hours because I needed a rest. There is just something about waking up at 7 and not getting up, but rolling over. Sure there is lots to be done around here. My room has been more than disgusting since before camp started in July, I have more than enough school work to get caught up and start on, Sunday School lessons, and Youth Group prep all need to get done but rest is the priority of this Saturday because if I don't I'll die before I see graduation.

But alas, now it is 4 o'clock and I have yet to accomplish anything. Arg sometimes I wish I could get my rest in without time going by. Oh well, I'm sure I'll have plenty of time for rest when I'm dead.

Off to work I go!

Time

Wow, this sure is a dull place to be lately. And that last post has got to be the stupidest thing I have put on this thing. You see, the thing is I really don't have a lot of time to come up with interesting little things to put on this sucker because I am an insane kind of busy these days. Let me tell you about it. I've just started my Senior year at Maritime Christian College (www.maritimechristiancollege.pe.ca) and already it is my toughest year yet. Add my job of being the youth minister at Sherwood Church of Christ to that and Jr. High Sunday school and I am one busy guy. I literally have hardly a moment to spare in my day other than Sunday afternoons (like this) where I force myself to slow down so I don't get sick. But I guess it's really not all that bad. I really enjoy most aspects of all of it and it is a means to an end... sort of.

But with all the busyness it really is amazing how time goes by without me really realizing it. I've been on PEI for what is now my fourth year and sometimes it feels like I just got here. And now there are "kids" from my youth group who are graduating and in class with me! Makes me feel old. And I'm not old, I'm turning 21 and a few days. That is not old. And I know it will be no time before Christmas is here and gone, second semester will be done, and I'll be married! Imagine that! Wow. I really wasn't sure what this was going to be when I started but I think I better quit... I need a nap or something... Sweet dreams.

New Stick

Well for all of you who I'm sure care, I bought a new hockey stick! Now normally I wouldn't post about something like that, that really makes no difference... well maybe I would! But I tell you because it is a one piece composite stick! (and I haven't posted for a while) Before I broke down and got one and used it on Sunday night I normally would say, "they don't make a difference," or "It only improves the power of your shot if you already have a 100 mph slapshot" But it really works! I actually have a halfway respectable slapshot now! Cool! So there you have it. First post in a while and really about nothing and if you don't like it, LEAVE! And come back some other time when I actually have something to write about.

Back To School

Well, it is that time of year again when we all head back to school and if you're like me you head back to the bank to draw out every penny you have to your name so you can pay for it. I just finished paying for this semester and buying books and I have very little left. That really sucks but I guess that is the way it goes. What can ya do.

But broke or not this should be a good year. At Maritime Christian College we have great group of freshmen and then there are some returning students like myself and we're fixing to have a memorable year for sure. AND we have NHL hockey this year so who can complain really? I probably will! But not right now! Later Skaters.

Summer, are you really over?

Wow, September is tomorrow and I can't believe it! Where did the time go. I seems like just yesterday I was freaking out wondering if I had a job and now I'll be cutting back to 10 to 12 hours a week very soon. And School is starting! What's up with that! Forget summer where did 3 years go. I'm graduating from college this year! When did I get so old that I could spend an afternoon looking at house models... yikes. I'm starting to feel desperate to feel young... Do you think my new hair cut helps?

Off to Camp

Well I'm off for another week of camp, the final one of the summer. High School Camp. So that should be fun, HS camp usually pretty much runs itself and several of the "campers" have been on as staff different weeks so they know the ropes. I'm just coming off a week of undercoating buses so I'm kind of tired and not quite in camp mode yet but I'm sure I'll get there. Should be fun. It will be an 8 day camp this time around from sunday to sunday. So that is cool. It is nice to see that Canoe Cove is extending their work with High School Students instead of cutting them back to a weekend like most places. Even if only 10 show up i think they still deserve their FULL week of camp. We will have more than 10 though... we have more than 40! arg. Should be good, I should go get ready.

Trying a New Leaf

Ok so anyone who checks this blog on a semi-regular basis knows by now that I'm a leafs fan. Huge. I am on the team. Anyway, they have added a new member to the club that being the "Big E" Eric Lindros. Now I have to say that I am not an huge Lindros fan, in fact I would go in the other direction for the most part. However. He is now a Leaf so in some respect I am now a Lindros fan as well. So lets go Eric, and Go Leafs Go! And man if you get another concussion Eric... anyways... go leafs.

man they better sign LeClair or Carter... frig.

Happy Birthday Blog!

Well holy cow! It just occurred to me that It was my blog's birthday yesterday! I've been random thoughts, concerns, complaints, joys, and fears for a whole year which is pretty good for a blog if I do say so myself which I did. So there you go! One year, all the way back to August 10, 2004 when I came up with the name for this stupid thing because the sidewalk was so crowded. Well there you have it. Lets see if I can go for 2!

Mourning Morning

Arg, when did I stop being a morning person? I used to be so good at getting up and around! Now I can hardly pull myself out of bed to get to the overwhelming amount of work I need to accomplish today. Frig. And then to top off my morning, I log on www.tsn.ca (which is usually the first thing I do in the morning) and read that Lindros is an MRI away from becoming a leaf! Nothing's going right in my life. O Lord please let this double double and fritter jump start my day that I may be effective in accomplishing all the work I need to get done. I need your help. Amen.

Taking It Easy

Yesterday was Sunday and for me, finally, it was a day of rest. We had church in the morning and ate at Wendy's like usual. Then it was nap time for a few hours which was so nice. Then my lovely bride to be and myself hoped in the car and drove out to the beach because it was just beautiful outside and we had yet to make it to the beach this summer which is terrible! Summer is almost over folks. But it was just nice to take the afternoon and spend it with her. It was just a really good time to look out on the water and just reflect on all that God has provided. Even the opportunity just to hang out at the beach with this wonderful person that God has placed in my life. I'm often guilty of placing her on the back burner sometimes and getting caught up in all the things I busy myself with and I need to watch that. I'm very blessed and I needn't take her for granted. Either way it was just nice to take the whole day and spend it with her. We came back from the beach, got cleaned up and she made supper, I did the dishes and we just hung out for the evening. It was just a super day and reminded me of what a blessed person I am.

I Just Don't Get It

Well I can't believe it. The NHL is back with a face lift and a salary cap and teams are switching players left and right but I really didn't think the Leafs would let "One man wrecking crew" Gary Roberts get away. Sure, Roberts is 39, but scoring 28 goals and adding 20 assists in 72 games in 2003-04 puts him second in scoring behind captain Mats that year. He even wanted to stay in Toronto. How could they let him go!!! Stupid Stupid Stupid! I love the Leafs but man they do some dumb things. And now I hear rumors of them maybe accruing Lindros?! That would be terrible! And they've added Jeff O'Neal which is good I guess... but why are we wasting money on him and losing one of the best in the game?!!! We're also losing Nieuwendyk which sucks. I'll I know is that if we lose anymore good players like Alexander Mogilny and then pay for some bum like Eric Lindros then Leafs Nation will be in trouble! My grandmother (who doesn't even like hockey) would be a better choice than Lindros! Unless he does well upon which you can disregard all of this. At this point I'm hoping it's just a rumor. Either way we've lost Robs and I wish him and Joe the best of luck in Florida.

The Reason Why

Over the past 2 weeks I've been at Canoe Cove Christian Camp. Over those two weeks I destroyed my voice, wrenched a muscle in my back, got strep throat, took cold showers, and got hardly any sleep. And I did this along side of others who had spent much more time out there than me. Its tiring, draining, and the longer you're out there, the longer it takes to recover.
As a youth minister there are times I have to hang my head and wonder why I do what I do. There are times that youth ministry discourages me, makes me mad, makes me cry. But this why we do what we do. This week I had the pleasure of baptizing 3 amazing young people. To introduce young people to Christ and have them accept a saving relationship with him is the most thrilling part of my job. I love my youth group and the young people at camp and they are what make every hour and every effort worth it. If there is one thing they need it is Jesus and to be even a small part of their path to getting there makes any pitfalls worth it.

Divine Intervention

2 days ago I picked up my lovely bride to be from work like I normally do at 2:00pm and usually we head back to the office so she can drop me off and head of to do whatever it is she wants to do to occupy her afternoon. But on this day I dropped her off at my apartment and headed to the office only to get a few things. Upon my return I went up the stairs and opened my door and could hear a constant chirping. And to my surprise I found that She had a baby bird in my apartment!

I barged in and asked rhetorically, "IS THAT A BIRD?!!" Which scared the stupid thing and made him bounce in behind the television. She captured the bird and informed me that we we're going to take him to the vet college (she had just got off the phone with them) so they could fix him up, call his parents, and do whatever it is they do over there. So we stuck him (or maybe it was a her, I couldn't tell) in a box and drove him over and said good-bye. Jacquelyn refrained from naming the bird. She then told me about how she found the bird on the back step. It appeared that it had been abandoned and there are several cats all over our area, not exactly the safest place in the world for a baby bird who can't fly! So Jacquelyn intervened, scooped up the bird and took him under her "wing." The bird didn't quite understand what was going on I'm sure and looked more than a little scared by times but ultimately this was the best thing for the bird.

It makes me wonder how much God does that for us... God must direct our paths and protect us from so many things we could never see or understand. And just like for this little bird, a power goes up that is bigger than us and we cannot see or understand it. But it's there. Be sure to offer thanks to God for the many ways he visibly touches your life, and thank him for the many ways I'm sure, that we never see at all.

How Big is Your God?

This is a question I've needed to ask myself several times and one God is showing me more every day. As a minister there are many things I try to accomplish in the church, with the youth, and in general and I've failed so many times and also basked in much success. And I'm realizing more all the time that my short comings are most often when I'm playing hero and trying to do things on my own and my way. But that isn't how it works. God is here for me and He is HUGE! The only reason I can ever accomplish anything is because He is huge and almighty and uses me.

And that is why I can dream big because my helper is the creator of everything and Him and I are a team that is unbeatable! And this is the same for anyone who wants to team up with the one true God. Many people make many different things their God; money, success, sports, relationships, lust, pornography, and several other things that are temporary or evil. But I choose to do my best (and it is a constant struggle) to let Jesus drive and take me where he'll lead. My success in this life will NOT come from me or any methodology that I have but from what I BELIEVE about God and that is that he is big enough to do whatever he wants using whomever he will.

Lord, use me today.
Amen

Good Weekend

It all started at the camp on Friday when I met with the people who would be working out at the camp this summer (I'll be there for 3 out of 5 weeks) and met several of them for the first time and I'm very impressed with the staff. We time to hang out, build a fire, eat some pizza and drop it on my shorts and we just had a blast. The next day was beautiful and sunny and we just had a great day in the sun, tipping canoes and eating. But none of this could be matched by Sunday when I had the pleasure of baptizing a young man in youth group who has made his decision to follow Christ. What could be more exciting? This is easily the highlight of my work @ Sherwood Church of Christ so far! It set the tone for a great Camp Sunday where there was lots of food, fellowship and fun. I also had the opportunity to preach on Opposition & opportunity that evening. Just a great weekend and I am encouraged!

Dad

Well for the 3rd year in a row Father's Day has come and I haven't been home. I wish I could have been but my work and everything else that has been going on just hasn't permitted me leaving the Island. So instead of my being home let me just tell you a little bit about my Dad.

My Dad can still woop me... easily. I have not reached that time in my life where I can take him and let me tell you, it still looks pretty far off. Dad is someone who always made time for his kids and had many help, instruction, advice, and wisdom offer. Which is why I still value and seek his opinion on most everything today.

There are many things about my Dad I respect. One of the biggest would have to be his servant's heart. Something I noticed about my Dad from a young age was that if Dad was able to help in anyway for anyone, he was going to do it. Whether he was fixing something, building something, or just an ear, he's there. I also admire his patience, he has way more than I do, and his patience has paid off for me more than a few times.

There are tons of things I love about my Dad that I could go on forever about but who would want to read that? Let me just say this: When I think about the man I want to be like, Dad is pretty high on the list. Its funny, I was looking at pictures of Dad and the dog and saw how she looks at him likes he's the greatest guy in the world... She might be on to something.

Now This is a Rant

Just a few things I need to get out, I know I rant and rave on this thing all the time but there are a few things that I need to talk to you about...

Birthday calendars, what is with these birthday calendars? And "friends networks," what is this?! It's just a freaking company that wants to sell your AND MY information to internet companies. Can't you see that?! Furthermore, why in world do you even want to know my birthday? Are going to get me a gift?! And if it is a "friends" network (aww lets not lose touch) you obviously have my e-mail, don't want to lose touch? Send me a note!! Do not send me a freaking web information window that I have to fill out my name, address, blood type etc. If we are friends then why don't you just e-mail me like I'm a human being or call or something! Man! Don't send anymore of this crap.

Smoking, does everyone in the world smoke now? I was dropping off my bride to be at work yesterday and while this very clever woman stood right out in the middle of the road taking to the equally clever crossing guard she was smoking a cigarette and then blowing the smoke right down on her child that was in a stroller. HELLO! You are filling your tiny little girl's lungs with tar! I mean, it's one thing to fill your own stupid lungs that you obviously don't care about with disease but to do it to a little child who is strapped in and can't get away. Its sick! It should be illegal! And where do kids get cigarettes by the way? Every time I drive by the schools of Charlottetown I see some 12 year old, who thinks they are very cool, smoking, You're not cool! You look ridiculous!

Construction, I know that summer means Construction but some of the people we have working on the roads need to become more aware of their surroudings. I was pulling down a side street to get back on to University Ave. And there was this guy with one of those orange vests with his wheelbarrow full of stuff and he was standing there with his hands in his pockets while his wheelbarrow sat (no kidding) right in the middle of the road. There was no one on the road but him and I and there he stood doing nothing while this thing is right in my way!! COME ON! I had to drive almost up on the sidewalk to get around and he looks at me like I'm the crazy one!

Shopping, I'm not always a big fan but it is even worse when the service is poor. I mean, what ever happened to service with a smile. I was getting some pictures developed at shoppers drug mart the other day and I could hardly peel the girl behind the counter from her book to punch in the code so I could place my order. She was very put out each time she had to get up and DO HER JOB! She was very rude and less than helpful, I was scanning the store to find a manager or a suggestion box to suggest that they hire some better help!

And I don't know which one of you has your shoes off but you better put your shoes back on cause you're making your mother sick!

Well, that's all for now, I feel much better. ahhh.

Future Shop

Are you a future shop fan? I am. I love going in and looking at all the cool stuff they have (that I could never afford) and they seem to have better prices or they'll match the price of any flyer you show them. They are a cool currant store that usually has the latest and greatest gadgets around. So why do they have the oldest computers known to man at the cash? Has anyone else noticed this? I mean, they're Future Shop! Why do they have those old crappy computers with the black screen with the green writing? I would think for all the high tech stuff they sell they would at least use some modern technology in their own store. Weird.

Palm Reading

So on Saturday I dropped my palm pilot all the 3 inches on the table and the batteries popped out and I lost all my information out of the handheld unit. No biggie, I can just sync the thing and get it all back so I didn't worry about it. I took the opportunity to charge the batteries and headed out for the work day. When I got back I realized that my palm cradle which I use to sync it was at the office. No biggie, I can just get it at Church and all will be well with the world. So I tried for like an hour when I got home to get it to sync and it kept giving me errors and fatal exceptions and messages saying the port was already in use! I put it down and came back to it frigging with it for a bit longer this time. I don't have time for this! So I left it at home and went out to visit my future Inlaws and help with service in Bredalbane. Once I finally got home I messed with the stupid thing until after midnight and FINALLY it worked. Ah, relief. I then vowed never to allow the batteries fly out of the thing again. So this morning I went to push a button on it while it lay there on my desk just to be sure it worked... And didn't that stupid thing fall right of the desk and on to floor and yes, the batteries fell out. And a bad word formed at the back of my head... didn't make it to my lips though. So I grabbed the thing and quickly put the batteries in the same as I did when I dropped it on Saturday and to my pleasant surprise it was still in good working order which is good because without it, I don't have a clue what my schedule is or what I'm supposed to be doing!

Well that is all for now... Bye.

Played Out

Well I've been back from my camping trip since the Monday before last and I've worked every day and quite a few evenings since I've been back. I'm very tired. But I really can't complain. Things with my new job are going really well and I love it. God is showing me how he can use even someone like me. I have to admit that my prayer and reading life aren't where they need to be right now but things are getting better and God is opening doors. It is very exciting to see where He leads when you let him. But I still get run down and I still need a little break. I can't run on fumes. So I'm going to take a mental health day and get things calmed down a bit and spend some Me & God time. I really need it. And then off to the work day at the camp on Saturday. Oh the fun. Well this post is pretty exciting... Don't you think?

I Blew it!

I have just returned from "Souled Out" 2005 and it was a blast. And I think all the youth and youth leaders alike had a great time. By and large it was a lot of fun but I did come back however with a story of disappointment. You see they called all youth leaders who were willing to do something stupid for a prize to the stage so naturally I ran right up. Then they showed us a lovely air hockey table that would be donated to the youth group of the winner of the contest. The contest was then given to the leaders, that being cram a bunch of jaw breakers in your mouth and in two minutes and see who could blow the biggest bubble! So I'm chewing like a mad man trying to get the gum soft enough that I could blow a bubble let alone a good big one! I had a little comfort being at the end of the line and being sure I would have a little extra time to get my gum good and soft before they got to me. Well that didn't happen, because they decided that they would start at the end of the line so instead of being second to last, now I was second! Each contestant got to trys at blowing the best bubble. The first guy blew two that were about the same size but not very big which was understandable since the gum was likely still quite hard. Then came my turn. I had been chewing furiously till my mouth was aching trying to get a good bubble going and blew one good enough to get the lead but still not very big. And then when I began my second bubble I totally “blew it” and didn’t really get much of anything going. And so I lost the table, woe is me.

However I did sort of redeem myself by catching one of the several balls thrown into the crowd because the one I caught, and quickly handed off to one of the youth, was one of the two that won a prize. The prize my ball won was a mega huge 5 pound Hershey Chocolate Bar. So it wasn’t a total loss. Would have been nice to get that table though… sigh.

Not enough 

June Bugs

Well folks, It's June. And you know what that means, JUNE BUGS! It's like they know the freaking calender or something, right from June first there have been june bugs everywhere, like swarms of them. I don't know about where you are, but here in good ol Charlottetown we have more than our fair share of the delightful light seeking buzzer. Last night I got a call in distress to head over the apartment building just at the end of my street to kill one that was inside and I couldn't believe how many I encountered on the way! I could hear them on all sides and I killed 4 on the road on my way over and 3 on the way back and they were still all over the place. And they are quite a gross little bug arn't they? I mean, they can't hurt you, but they are really gross and crunchy-then gooey when you step on one.

And to continue with our theme of "June Bugs," now that we are in the month of June, I've got a really bad bug that won't go away! I finally, after a week of suffering, went to the clinic last night and now I have to take to HUGE pills at once, once a day for 10 days and it should clear right up they tell me. And these are some expensive pills folks. But you know you're getting the good stuff when they ask, "do you have a drug plan?" before they give you your little sheet of paper that makes all your problems go away. So hopfully it works because right now I can hardly speak... and I have to preach and worship lead on Sunday... oh the fun. We'll see how it goes.