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.