Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Fun with Fae

This past weekend, my family traveled to Panama City Beach for our church's family beach retreat. We fully expected to be hit by Fae according to the weather reports. We were there from Thursday until Sunday and all we got was a little drizzle. It was windy at times, but no big rains.

On Sunday morning it was sunny and we were able to have church out on the beach.

The ironic thing was is that Fae hit Montgomery. We had branches down all over the place when we got home and Monday there were tornado warnings all morning. It is funny how a storm is forecasted to hit a certain place and then it totally misses. I guess I should learn to expect that out of weather forecasts.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

School has started

My daughter Anna is in school now and she is doing great. She stayed on green her first day which means she didn't get in trouble. I'm thankful for that. The traffic situation at her school is terrifying. They are building a new school in the front part of the school, while they are in pods and the other building in the back of the property. The lines are horrific and long and are going to be extremely annoying this year.

Bekah is staying with one of the moms at church during the day until September when preschool starts here at the church.

Summer is doing well at her new job. I think she really likes it.

I have had 3 computers come across my desk over the past 2 weeks that have had a ton of viruses. It has been really frustrating fighting them. It makes me glad I'm on a Mac. No viruses or spyware.

If you have a PC, please keep your virus protection and spyware protection updated and running on a regular basis. This will take care of the majority of problems.

Also, don't open unknown attachments or links. Viruses and spyware can even send email from people you know.

I say this so that your life may be less stressful.

Friday, August 01, 2008

Strange Dreams and Swimming

Monday was a day to remember. If you don't know my wife very well, then you probably didn't know that she has ever since I've known her been terrified of water. So much so that she could not put her head under water for more than a fraction of a second without having a panic attack.

Our two oldest are jumping in the deep end and off the diving board head first without floaties, so she decided she needed to get over this intense fear that she has. Monday I worked with her for 2 hours. We started by holding our breath above water, then holding our breath under water. I then had her go underwater and push off the side of the pool and glide to the other side. (this is all in the shallow end at this point.) Then I had her jump in the deep end. She stood there forever and even got emotional trying to convince herself to do it. After she did it was a mixed bag of tears and smiles on her part. Later she jumped off the diving board, dove in head first and treaded water in the deep end. I'm so proud of her for overcoming her fear of water.

Maybe next Monday she can help me overcome my fear of bumble bees. :)

I've been having crazy dreams the past two nights. Last night I dreamed about barbershop judges torturing a quartet and Ben Young of all people. In my dream I wouldn't have it and I retaliated and was going to bring the whole thing down. Crazy isn't it. My wife even heard me talking in my sleep when they were torturing Ben and I was saying "No, you can't do this anymore"

The funny thing about it all is that the past couple of mornings, I've felt very rested which is not normal. I'm usually tired every day because I don't sleep well. Oh well. Maybe I'll keep dreaming.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Bad Day, Good Day

Yesterday was a bad day. My van has had an engine light on and we took it yesterday to get it fixed. It cost us $320. Ouch. When I got to work, we figured out we had mold in the office kitchen from a leak on the other side of the wall. When I get around mold, my head starts to hurt and my throat starts to hurt.

My iMac has had lots of trouble that is a very long story, but the short version is it has given me problems for 2 months and they are finally sending me a new one which was supposed to arrive yesterday which is good since my iMac will power up, but it won't show anything on the screen. The problem is I call Apple to see where my Apple is and they never processed the order. Lovely.

I've been trying to get an iPhone, but when we moved to Alabama and did a relocation to get our numbers local, the computer reset our eligible dates to 2010. I've been dealing with this for about 3 weeks now. Yesterday, they were supposed to have it fixed, but of course they didn't and a manager was supposed to call, but they didn't.

The printer at home would not power up so it looked like I was going to fork out some money for a new printer.

I was supposed to get a call from the couple about our house and they weren't able to call yesterday which was making me nervous.

To top it all off, my van's engine light turned on again last night after getting fixed.

Let's just say I had a bad day yesterday.....

Today is a different day, Praise the Lord. His mercies are new every morning.

Apple called today and the computer is being shipped today or tommorrow via overnight and they are going to give me a free $200 program I have been wanting. I called AT&T and everything is fixed and my iPhone has been ordered. The couple called this morning and it looks like things might work out. And my printer is working today.

The van still needs to be looked at, but the place we took it yesterday will look at it tomorrow.

By the way, Summer got her job. Yeah. Everything seems to be happening in God's timing.

Now to Him who is able to immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. According to His power that is at work within us. To Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all genrations, for ever and ever! Amen Eph. 3:20

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Big day

Today is a big day. First, there is a couple interested in our house. We are praying that this would be a good move for them. We may hear back from them today on if they want to purchase our house.

Also, Summer has an interview with ACA, Alabama Christian Academy. This would be for a full-time salaried position as a full-time sub. This would be an awesome opportunity for her if it is the right fit. It will also help her decide if she will finish her degree in education. It will also help us be able to afford the rest of her degree.

It is amazing how two huge things like these come into alignment on the same day. Keep us in your prayers today as decisions are being made.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Wait for an iPhone, I think not

I went to AT&T this morning just to see the line for the iPhone. If it wasn't bad, I'd wait, but there had to have been 100 people out there. I want an iPhone pretty badly, but I'm not willing to stand in a line that looks to take several hours to get through. I'll wait until there is no line and I can just go right in and get one. Sure, they may run out and I'll have to wait for another shipment, but I can wait. I'm wanting to be able to do email on my phone and this is most economical way to do it.

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

30 points

Just 30 little points. My quartet's goal at international was to make the top 20. We got within 30 points of making it. We ended up 29th this year. It was one of the best contests in a long time. There was more talent on stage this year than I've ever seen in a contest like this. It is awesome just to be able to be competitive with these guys. As soon as we get the DVD in, we'll put up a Youtube of our contest set.

The praise team did incredible at Lipscomb. I'm so proud of them. We got lots of compliments and I'm sure they will want us to come back next year if we can.

My favorite part of the weekend was when my quartet and praise team got together and sang for each other. It was neat seeing the praise team react to a style of music that they don't hear often and it was awesome to see my quartet react to the great sound of our praise team. It was a unique experience I will treasure.

The funniest part of the weekend was one night about 11:45pm when the session for the day was over and we were walking to our van. There were two late 80's looking people struggling up the hill. Summer decided to stop and help them. When she asked where their car was they explained that they couldn't remember.

That was a major understatement.

We drove them around downtown Nashville looking for their car for an hour. The lady was in our back seat and I recall her at least 5 times saying, "Oh God, Earl, what have we done. I just can't remember. I knew we would do this." We finally found it in a place they were sure it was not at the beginning.

All in all we had a great time. The kids were with Summer's mom and my mom was with us at the convention. It was just a great week.

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Nashville Bound

Well, today the family and I head to Nashville for the Barbershop International Convention. As of now, my quartet is going in ranked number 19 in the competition. We will be singing in front of 10,000+ people. This will be my 3rd time competing with a quartet on the international stage.

If you are unfamiliar with the barbershop hobby, the international convention is the huge contest every year where all the best quartets and choruses from around the world come and compete in this one contest. There are competitors from Switzerland, Canada, Germany, Japan, Australia to name a few.

The first round of competition narrows the 55 quartets competing down to 20, which gets you on the Convention DVD. The second night of competition they narrow it down to 10, and then on Saturday night 3, 4, and 5th place quartets get bronze medals, 2nd gets a silver, and the 1st place gets a gold medal which is the dream of anybody in the hobby.

In the chorus contest there are about 30 choruses that compete. Choruses will have anywhere from 40 guys to 160 guys. There is just one round of competition for the choruses. When I lived in Texas, I was a part of the Vocal Majority and was able to win a gold medal with them in 2006.

My dream is to someday is to be a gold medal quartet winner. Hopefully this year my quartet will be in the top 20, which would be a major accomplishment with as little practice as we are able to have.

I'll give results as I know them and eventually a youtube link to the video of our competition.

Monday, June 23, 2008

VBS and Summer's 30

VBS is this week. Summer and I are the MC's and singers. She is cute up there leading the songs. We are having fun. We made up moves to two songs that we have been teaching. We laughed a lot today when each of us would miss a move or two.

Summer's 30th birthday was this past weekend. We had a blast. We went to Nashville and I dropped her off with her best friends that live in Dallas, Fort Worth, and Elizabethtown, KY. They all met in Nashville and had fun for a couple of days. I picked her back up on Friday evening and we went to eat and see the movie "Get Smart." It was an awesome and very funny movie.

We then spent the night at her mom's house. On Saturday we had a surprise party for her with all of her family which was really fun and we actually had her surprised. (Ok, it wasn't that hard to surprise her. She is very gullible) The coolest thing was her uncle from Illinois and his wife who is in a wheelchair drove down for the occasion. It was that aunt and uncle that was responsible for Summer and I getting together.

After that we started our journey home and stopped in Nashville for her last surprise which was having Crysty Kimberlin, one of her best friends meet us at a gas station that we stopped at and get in the car with us. She has spent Sunday and today with us. Summer is taking her to the airport this evening.

So Summer is 30. make sure you rub it in and yes, I still know I'm older than she is.

Monday, June 16, 2008

First Sunday to Preach

Yesterday, I preached for the first time at Vaughn Park. Everything went really well. Part of my family came to visit for the weekend. My mom, my youngest sister and her hubby and kids came to see us. It was good to be able to visit with them. They left yesterday and we are keeping 2 of their 3 children until Thursday. On Thursday I'm dropping Summer off in Nashville with 3 of her close friends and then going on to Paducah to see the rest of my family.

This week, it is myself and the children's minister in the office. Our senior minister and our involvement minister is in Mexico on a mission trip and both of our youth ministers just left this morning for a mission trip in Miami.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Family

I'm so excited about my family coming to visit this weekend. They are coming tomorrow night and then they will have to leave on Sunday afternoon. My sister has a new job and she can't miss work for the first several months. I'm excited to see them though.

I preach for the first time at Vaughn Park this Sunday. I'm excited about that as well. It is not something I don't think I'd want to do weekly at this point in my life, but I enjoy preaching occasionally.

4 of our ministers will be gone on 2 different mission trips next week which will leave me and the children's minister to take up the slack in the office for the week.

I'm still missing being at camp this week at Palmetto Bible Camp. I was a camper and staff member for 15 years. I so badly want to get back to going. I'm hoping next year will be the year of my return to PBC Superweek. I'm only 4.5-5 hours away now.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

iPhone 3G

Have you seen the new iPhone 3G that is coming out? It is going to be a great product. I thought the iPhone was a great product already, but they have improved the speed, the 3rd party support, the way it works with things like exchange, and best of all they are dropping the price by $200. It isn't often that you can get the newest model for half the price. I just might have to purchase one when they come out. I've been wanting one for a year now, but I wasn't about to pay $400 for one, but for $200 it just might be worth it. I've always wanted email on my phone and GPS would be nice as well especially when I'm out of town.

It looks like I'm going to have to take my new iMac to the shop. I think there is something wrong with the power cable. It will occasionally just shut down. I worked with technical support on the phone and we did all the diagnostics and it looks like it is the power cord. The unfortunate thing is that I have to take it to the store for them to check it out and make sure that is the problem. The store said it could take up to 5 business days to get it tested and get the right part in. I know it isn't Apple's fault, we just don't have any Apple stores around here, so the only one that works on them around here won't have the part on hand. Oh, well. I'll just schedule it for a time when I'll be out of town for a few days.

Friday, June 06, 2008

Am I getting old?

It is days like today that you start to realize your age. I started out ministry as a youth minister. When I started youth ministry, Josh Lee was a little wild 12 year old that drove everyone nuts. Of course, over time he matured into a great leader in our youth program. Fast forward to today. He is getting married at 6:00 tonight.

My family and I will be traveling to witness this great event. Thankfully, it is in north Alabama so I only have to drive 2.5 hours to get there. It is awesome to see people that you love grow up and succeed in life. Josh has grown to be an awesome guy. No thanks to me of course. There are so many that I worked with that I'm so proud of the things they have done in their lives. Josh is definitely one of those guys. He and his bride to be are praying about what mission they want to serve together on. My job tonight is to pray about that specific thing in their wedding tonight.

If you know Josh, take a moment and pray for him and his bride to be that God will give them opportunities in missions to serve together.

I love you Josh and I'm proud of you and may God bless you and your new wife.

Thursday, June 05, 2008

My First Alabama Post

It is official. I'm an Alabamian. I never thought I'd ever live in Alabama, but so far it is great. The church here in Montgomery is wonderful. The people here are some of the most loving people we have ever met.

In just 5 short weeks, we are already starting to love the people here. This has definitely been a good move for us. We have already seen all of Summer's family twice since we've gotten here and that doesn't include her parents helping us move. My family is coming to visit next weekend.

Next weekend I will be preaching at Vaughn Park for the first time. I'm kind of excited about it actually. It is kind of funny that the first week my family get to see the church, they won't even be seeing me do what I do which is lead worship. Oh, well, I'm sure they will visit again sometime when I am.

The staff here is great. There are 6 ministers, including myself. We have 2 youth ministers (a guy and a girl), our senior minister, a children's minister, and a connections minister (small groups and involvement).

I will be taking Outreach as well as Worship. It looks like one of my roles will be to co-lead the Upwards program at Vaughn Park. That should be fun since I love to play basketball.

On Fridays, one of the other staff members and myself go and play basketball with some guys at Faulkner University at lunch. This has been good because I need the exercise.

I'm running a new iMac 20" with 4 GB of memory. I love it. The Entourage email client is not as robust as Outlook, but it does everything I need it to do.

I hope everyone has a blessed day.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

My Quartet "Speakeasy" at International Prelims

We are qualified to go to International this year to compete against the top 45 quartets around the world.  This year it will be in Nashville, TN.  Right now we are going in ranked number 15.  I hope we can move up from there.



Monday, April 07, 2008

Move Date

Our official move date is April 27-28.  We should arrive  on Monday afternoon to our new address.  We are excited about the move.  We will only be a few miles from church which will be great for commuting to work.  

3 weeks away and lots to do.  the house still hasn't sold yet, but hopefully it will sell soon.  Please stay in prayer about that.  

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Montgomery Bound

My family and I have accepted a position in Montgomery, AL.  I will be the new worship minister for Vaughn Park Church of Christ.  My family and I are excited about this move because it gets us closer to family and we will be able to live within 5 minutes of the church instead of 30+ miles away in a high traffic city.  We are not for sure of our move date, but hopefully by mid April or beginning of May our house will have sold and we will be transitioning to Alabama.  It was a tough decision because there are many things about Preston Road that we loved.  However this will be a good move for our family.  We look forward to seeing our friends and family a little more that live in the TN and KY areas.  I hope to also get back involved with PBC.  

I'm only 2 hours from Atlanta, so I'll hopefully get to jam a little with Mike Polutta occasionally.  Maybe we should start a worship band.  :)

I will greatly miss the relationships that have been built while here in Dallas.  Please be in prayer that our house sell quickly in this stagnate market.  

Friday, January 25, 2008

Did you know I'm published?

I'm not much of a writer, but i did an article for Heartlight online several years ago. It is still up on the site. Here is the link:

http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200007/20000720_imitating.html


Thursday, January 24, 2008

PRCC's Got Talent

This Sunday evening we are having a talent show that we are naming PRCC's got talent. It is going to be an awesome night. We will have our normal great acts that volunteer, but we have added 3 judges that impersonate 3 judges from America's Got Talent and American Idol. They will be impersonating Ryan Seacrest, Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and David Hasselhoff.

We have also planned some "bad" acts as well as put together a staff tryout for the show which is hysterical of our staff singing badly.

Lots of video editing to do.

We might get freezing rain tonight. Probably not, because every time they forecast it, it almost never does what is says it is going to do.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Spurt Blogger

I'm a spurt blogger. I blog in spurts. Most of my hobbies are done in spurts. I will barbershop for a while, then I'll play Warhammer for a while, then I'll play a video game a while, and then I'll rotate back to something else again.

Blogging for me is the same. I will blog for a while and then I take a break and then I'll blog again. Some times my spurts last longer than others.

I can't tell you how long this blogging spurt will last, but time will tell.

I had Friday off and I switched my day off this week from Friday to Monday and I took a personal day yesterday on my birthday. (by the way 33 is such a forgetable age. )

My children and wife also had Friday, Monday, and Tuesday off so what did our family do over this long weekend? Go on vacation? Sit around and be lazy? Go shopping? None of those. We painted and painted and painted and painted.

We've had paint for months and have only painted the kitchen, the living room, and the two girls room. Left to be painted is the hallways and stairwells (the most difficult project), the two front rooms, our bedroom, the downstairs bathrooms, and the kitchen again since Summer didn't like the color.

We finished the two front rooms and the hallways and stairwells, and all but a little trim in one of the bathrooms (we ran out of paint)

This Sunday night at our church we are having a talent show called "PRCC"S Got Talent" We will have 3 judges and some really terrible acts planted along the way. It will be a hoot.

Kids are doing well. We are trying to get Bekah to potty train to no avail. We have tried everything. Literally. When I was a new parent I heard some really wild ways of potty training that I thought were a little out there and borderline cruel. I don't know that I think that anymore as I'm rather tempted to try some of those myself.

She won't budge. She has control, she just wants to go in her diaper. She hates the potty. I think it goes back to an event of sitting on the potty in a target and the automatic flush activated while she was sitting there. She hasn't been the same since. We did have a small victory over the weekend though. We were able to get her to pee in her potty once. Yeah.

Thats all for now. Sorry about the randomness.