ht: Marko
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Rate Your Blog
For all you bloggers out there, here's a tool to tell you the 'readability' of your blog. I have to say, I wouldn't have expected a 'postgrad' reading level, but, who knows who makes these things up? (And still, I can't resist...)
Monday, November 12, 2007
Friday, November 9, 2007
Happy Birthday to me!
As many of you know, G-Dub and I just celebrated our thirtieth birthdays (he is only 9 days older than me). For his big day, I schemed with out of town friends to surprise him with a fun birthday weekend. This week, for me, Gary put together a wonderful day trip to Napa for a birthday ride on the wine train!
Since we arrived in Concord about 9 months ago, we haven't really gotten around to doing much exploring (I guess traveling through 23 countries last year got it out of our system!). I knew Napa wasn't too far, but it hadn't really sunk in that we're only a 45 minute drive away from the beautiful rolling hills of Napa Valley. Now that we've been, I hope to return much more often!
Anyways, our afternoon on the train was wonderful. We enjoyed a delicious meal in the elegant dining car... sampled fantastic varieties of red wine... made new friends... relaxed in the lounge and watched the countryside go by as we ate fresh creme brulee. We had a fabulous day, the most fun we've had just the two of us in a while!
Without further ado, here are a few more pictures from our afternoon on the wine train:
Thank you, Gary!
Since we arrived in Concord about 9 months ago, we haven't really gotten around to doing much exploring (I guess traveling through 23 countries last year got it out of our system!). I knew Napa wasn't too far, but it hadn't really sunk in that we're only a 45 minute drive away from the beautiful rolling hills of Napa Valley. Now that we've been, I hope to return much more often!
Anyways, our afternoon on the train was wonderful. We enjoyed a delicious meal in the elegant dining car... sampled fantastic varieties of red wine... made new friends... relaxed in the lounge and watched the countryside go by as we ate fresh creme brulee. We had a fabulous day, the most fun we've had just the two of us in a while!
Without further ado, here are a few more pictures from our afternoon on the wine train:
Thank you, Gary!
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Vote to end child slavery
Help Us Get Zach's Voice Heard
YS author and teen abolitionist Zach Hunter, has been featured on CNN for the work he's doing to end slavery. Now he has the opportunity to appear on a prime-time special where he'll have the chance to tell millions about modern day slavery. He needs your votes to be featured as the CNN Hero in the category of young people making a difference. There is a cash prize involved which Zach would like to use toward the aftercare and education of rescued child slaves.
Vote at www.cnn.com/heroes as many times as you'd like and please share this link with others.
Voting ends Monday, November 12th at noon.
If you're not familiar with Zach Hunter, he is the fifteen year old author of "Be the Change", a book about how students can work together to end child slavery around the world.
YS author and teen abolitionist Zach Hunter, has been featured on CNN for the work he's doing to end slavery. Now he has the opportunity to appear on a prime-time special where he'll have the chance to tell millions about modern day slavery. He needs your votes to be featured as the CNN Hero in the category of young people making a difference. There is a cash prize involved which Zach would like to use toward the aftercare and education of rescued child slaves.
Vote at www.cnn.com/heroes as many times as you'd like and please share this link with others.
Voting ends Monday, November 12th at noon.
If you're not familiar with Zach Hunter, he is the fifteen year old author of "Be the Change", a book about how students can work together to end child slavery around the world.
Teach in the Philippines for a year!
At Fair Oaks Church, we support many endeavours around the world. One of them is a Christian school in the Philippines, called Bethel International. As the school grows, they add a grade every year. I just received this notice from our contact there:
**Teachers Needed**:
Next school year Bethel International School will be adding the ninth grade. We are trusting in God to provide teachers for ninth grade subjects as well as a music teacher, an art teacher, an English teacher and coaches for boys as well as girls sports. If you know someone who would like to have an exciting adventurous year helping meet any of these needs please have them email me.
(Please leave a comment with your e-mail address, or e-mail me directly if you would like the contact info.)
Monday, November 5, 2007
Book Review: Youth Ministry Edition
Seven years ago, when God saw fit to drop pre-teens on our doorstep, Gary and I didn't have a clue about youth ministry. Our first 'youth group' meeting literally consisted of an adult bible lesson with a treasure hunt slapped on the front (you know, to kid it up).
We've come a long way since then, mainly due to the grace of God, but I also give credit to the good training we've been given through books and conferences. The following are two youth ministry "must-haves" that I've recently read. Or re-read. If you're in youth ministry, and you haven't perused these yet, add these to your Christmas list:
hurt: inside the world of today's TEENAGERS, by Chap Clark
For this book, Chap Clark spent a year in a high school observing and interviewing students. What he came back with is an eye-opening look at the reality that today's teenagers are living in. With the explosion of technology, change in culture, expansion of adolescence and breakdown in families, it is a very different world today than when I was in high school fifteen years ago. I recommend this to all youth workers, teachers, and parents that want a deeper understanding of the lives of today's teenagers.
your first two years in youth ministry: a personal and practical guide to starting right, by Doug Fields
I was blessed to get my hands on this one as a volunteer early on. It is a treasure trove of advice from a seasoned youth worker, looking to help others learn from his mistakes. I credit Doug Fields for helping me develop a realistic picture of what healthy youth ministry looks like. I found it invaluable during my volunteer years, and have recently brought it out to read again from my new perspective of full-time youth pastor's wife. It still rules.
Fellow Youth Ministry Peeps: What are your ministry or culture "must-reads"? Drop me a comment!
We've come a long way since then, mainly due to the grace of God, but I also give credit to the good training we've been given through books and conferences. The following are two youth ministry "must-haves" that I've recently read. Or re-read. If you're in youth ministry, and you haven't perused these yet, add these to your Christmas list:
hurt: inside the world of today's TEENAGERS, by Chap Clark
For this book, Chap Clark spent a year in a high school observing and interviewing students. What he came back with is an eye-opening look at the reality that today's teenagers are living in. With the explosion of technology, change in culture, expansion of adolescence and breakdown in families, it is a very different world today than when I was in high school fifteen years ago. I recommend this to all youth workers, teachers, and parents that want a deeper understanding of the lives of today's teenagers.
your first two years in youth ministry: a personal and practical guide to starting right, by Doug Fields
I was blessed to get my hands on this one as a volunteer early on. It is a treasure trove of advice from a seasoned youth worker, looking to help others learn from his mistakes. I credit Doug Fields for helping me develop a realistic picture of what healthy youth ministry looks like. I found it invaluable during my volunteer years, and have recently brought it out to read again from my new perspective of full-time youth pastor's wife. It still rules.
Fellow Youth Ministry Peeps: What are your ministry or culture "must-reads"? Drop me a comment!
Pray for Mexico
Hi friends.
Please keep the people of Mexico in your prayers as they deal with some of the worst flooding in their history.
This USA Today article states that after a week of flooding, 80% of the state of Tabasco is under water. 20,000 people are trapped on their rooftops, without access to food or a way to escape to safety. The state capital, Villahermosa, is completely under water. The city is huge, and I can't imagine how many people are without food, separated from family, or at risk of losing everything they own. Pray God's protection and comfort on them at this time.
This does hit close to home, as Gary and I spent the night with a kind family there in Villahermosa during the World Race. Our team translator Juan Carlos knew the family, so our team stopped to stay with them during our road trip from Veracruz to Palenque, Chiapas. They kindly fed us tamales and gave up their beds for us.
Lord, be with them, and all your children in Mexico right now. Be with the rescuers, and those working to get the flooding under control. Help everyone to get enough food, clean water, and medicine. May your goodness and love be poured out during this time of tragedy. Amen.
Please keep the people of Mexico in your prayers as they deal with some of the worst flooding in their history.
This USA Today article states that after a week of flooding, 80% of the state of Tabasco is under water. 20,000 people are trapped on their rooftops, without access to food or a way to escape to safety. The state capital, Villahermosa, is completely under water. The city is huge, and I can't imagine how many people are without food, separated from family, or at risk of losing everything they own. Pray God's protection and comfort on them at this time.
This does hit close to home, as Gary and I spent the night with a kind family there in Villahermosa during the World Race. Our team translator Juan Carlos knew the family, so our team stopped to stay with them during our road trip from Veracruz to Palenque, Chiapas. They kindly fed us tamales and gave up their beds for us.
Lord, be with them, and all your children in Mexico right now. Be with the rescuers, and those working to get the flooding under control. Help everyone to get enough food, clean water, and medicine. May your goodness and love be poured out during this time of tragedy. Amen.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Happy Birthday, G-Dub!
Hooray! Gary's birthday weekend turned out to be a smashing success! (Hence the obvious lack of blogging over the past week)
A couple of months ago, Gary's best friend from high school, Jason, and his brother, affectionately nicknamed the Bonus, began to conspire with me about how to properly celebrate G-Dub's 30th. They each worked it out to fly out here (from Seattle and San Diego, respectively) to surprise Gary and enjoy a weekend of birthday fun! (For those of you confused by Gary's earlier post, Jason arrived a day earlier than the Bonus, thus prolonging the surpris-i-ness of the weekend)
My house overrun with testosterone, thus commenced plenty of birthday fun... the sort I participated in (going out to dinner, visiting Apple Hill), and the sort I did not (Halo tournaments, rasslin', Risk). They say guys need their buddies, and to see these guys reunited, I would definitely have to agree.
Since Gary and I have been married, we've had friend after friend move away, and his brother we barely saw during his stint at the FOX station in Minnesota. I can't speak for Gary, but the best part of the weekend for me was to look at the familiar faces around the table and appreciate the ease that comes with knowing one another forever. The more friends we've had come and go, the more I cherish those that remain. Hopefully it won't be another year or three before we do it all again...
THANK YOU JASON!!!! THANK YOU BONUS!!!!
(and thanks Bonnie for making part 2 possible!)
A couple of months ago, Gary's best friend from high school, Jason, and his brother, affectionately nicknamed the Bonus, began to conspire with me about how to properly celebrate G-Dub's 30th. They each worked it out to fly out here (from Seattle and San Diego, respectively) to surprise Gary and enjoy a weekend of birthday fun! (For those of you confused by Gary's earlier post, Jason arrived a day earlier than the Bonus, thus prolonging the surpris-i-ness of the weekend)
My house overrun with testosterone, thus commenced plenty of birthday fun... the sort I participated in (going out to dinner, visiting Apple Hill), and the sort I did not (Halo tournaments, rasslin', Risk). They say guys need their buddies, and to see these guys reunited, I would definitely have to agree.
Since Gary and I have been married, we've had friend after friend move away, and his brother we barely saw during his stint at the FOX station in Minnesota. I can't speak for Gary, but the best part of the weekend for me was to look at the familiar faces around the table and appreciate the ease that comes with knowing one another forever. The more friends we've had come and go, the more I cherish those that remain. Hopefully it won't be another year or three before we do it all again...
THANK YOU JASON!!!! THANK YOU BONUS!!!!
(and thanks Bonnie for making part 2 possible!)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
