Jazz and Honey

I've been preparing for tomorrow night - Pastor is out of town, and I'm speaking.

In my preparation, I finally got around to reading Blue Like Jazz, by Donald Miller. We heard him speak at the Willow Arts Conference in June, and I've wanted to read his book ever since.

Great book. I can't agree with him on everything, but part of what I got from the book was that we let those less-important things get in the way of true relationship.

So, while I may have different views on politics, social issues, and the importance of certain standards, he was very thought-provoking and made me reassess the priorities I give to certain things.

One of my favorite parts was his story of the confession booth he helped create on a college campus. I won't spoil the story by telling it here, but I thought it was a great idea, and I hope others do it, too.

Even though I enjoyed the book, I don't think I'm specifically using anything from it for tomorrow night. I think I'm only borrowing his attitude.

Buca di Drama

The kids slept in this morning while I went to the business session of the General Council. A new superintendent was elected for the A/G - George Wood. Alton Garrison was elected as the new Assistant Superintendent and John Palmer was chosen to replace Bro. Wood as the General Secretary.

Just after noon we got word that the kids had been chosen in the callbacks for their small drama group. Out of 124 entries, they were one of only 17 callbacks.

We spent a couple of hours practicing and getting ready for their big performance. And it was...um...well, I think we were all a little disappointed.

Don't get me wrong - they did well once again. But it wasn't their best. And the crowd didn't seem to be with them at all. But they already exceeded our goals by getting a callback, so we're pretty happy. It will be interesting to see tomorrow if they made it into the top 10.

After more of the business session, we went to Buca di Beppo with Pastor Goss and his family, where we ate ALOT of Italian food.

On the way back to the hotel, we swung by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, then by a fancy mall so I could look at the new iMac in the Apple store.

Last day in Indy tomorrow.

Prelude to a Decision

Today was a big day.

We started with competition, as Shae, Sam and Adam presented their Drama Ensemble, Small to a partially empty (or partially full) room. They did a great job, but you never know what the judges might be looking for.

The results were back quickly and they were good - a "Superior with Honors" rating. That is quite an accomplishment since - as of this writing - 115 entries have been judged in this category and only 22 have received a "Superior with Honors" rating.

Now we wait, since the category doesn't finish until noon tomorrow, then we will see if they have to do a "callback" performance.

This afternoon I participated in the General Council business session. Even though I've been ordained since 1996, this has been my first opportunity to vote at a General Council. There were several resolutions that were voted upon, but the biggest issue was the election of a new General Superintendent. After the 3rd electoral ballot, the field has been narrowed to three - George Wood, Alton Garrison, and Doug Clay, with Wood the favorite.

Voting on this and other offices will continue tomorrow. I'll be there.

This evening we attended the Youth service. Rich Wilkerson was the speaker and did a good job. And the music of Planet Shakers was good, too.

Now we are relaxing back at the hotel, getting ready for another big day tomorrow.

(Pictured: Mom and Dad before the Council's afternoon business session. Mom's not a registered voter - she was just holding the voting device before leaving to sit elsewhere.)

Farmers' Fine Arts

A.K.A. The Indiana State Fair.

More on that in a minute. First, some real Fine Arts results.

Ashley Pounders performed her Sign Language Solo today and did an absolutely fantastic job. At least, as far as I know, since I don't know sign language. I honestly had no doubt she would receive a "Superior with Honors" rating. However, I was wrong, and she only received a "Superior" rating.

Along with that, Shae's Book Chapter also received a "Superior" rating. I have no idea why it wasn't a better rating, because it was a great piece of writing. Yes, I'm biased.

Aaaargh.

But at least there was the fair.

After a day of watching Fine Arts events and walking around the exhibit areas and time practicing, we headed to the opening day of the 151st Indiana State Fair. It's a very large fair. We saw pigs and cows and a donkey competition and horses and mules, we walked through the midway, and rode the tram around the grounds, and rode go-karts around a track.

Then there was the deep fried Pepsi. And deep-fried Oreos and deep-fried Snickers and deep-fried Reese's. Not bad.

There was dancing and corn and the world's largest boar and the world's largest strawberry shortcake and a very scary baby rattler. (If you see Sam, ask him about it.)

I think everyone had a good time. Now a very tired group gets ready for another big day tomorrow.

(Pictures: top-Ashley, Shae, and Sam try the deep-fried sweets, including Pepsi, Oreos, Snickers, and Reese's; middle-Sam and Evan; bottom-Adam had the fast car at the track.)

Indy-pendent

Sam, Shae, and I - along with friends Adam, Ashley, and Jeff - are in Indianapolis for the National Fine Arts competition and A/G General Council. After a lo-o-o-o-ong drive, a night in Nashville, and more driving, we arrived yesterday at the RCA Dome.

There are alot of people here, and we've already seen a few people we know.

Last night we went to Cracker Barrel, where we tried to let our server, Kate, earn her second star. Then it was on to the youth service in the Dome. Planet Shakers led worship and Reggie Dabbs was the speaker in front of about 10,000 people.

It was very good.

Then we stopped by McDonalds on our way back to the hotel.

Today we are headed to watch some competition, including Shazmynn Barnard this morning. Ashley performs her sign language solo at 1:56pm today, and Adam, Shae, and Sam do their small drama ensemble tomorrow at 9:08am.

Random Thoughts

I've tried to keep posts to one subject, but there are too many little thoughts that don't deserve their own post, yet deserve to be mentioned. Well, I guess you'll be the judge of that.

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Just finished reading a long discussion about the upcoming General Council of the A/G and the Relational District Resolution on the FutureAG blog. Interesting. I understand the reasons for the resolution, but I'm not convinced this (re)solution is the best one.

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Mark Teixiera and a pitcher for Jarrod Saltalamacchia and five other players. I hate losing Salty. I think he's going to be great. But I hope it works out for the Braves.

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Much has been said and written about When Bad Things Happen to Good People. But why do Good People Do Stupid Things? {sigh}

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I am reminded almost everyday that our time with all our children in the home is growing shorter. This is a golden time.

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Speaking of our children, Sam and Shae are working hard, getting ready for next week's National Fine Arts Festival. They are performing a sketch (along with their friend, Adam). Shae also has a Book Chapter entered. We leave Monday.

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I have been sitting on an idea for a new podcast. For about a year. Sometimes it's hard to pull the trigger.

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A new poll is on the right side of the main page. If you don't know what the poll is asking, choose "Neither".

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Many people participated in yesterday's prayer and fasting for families. I'm looking forward to hearing some testimonies. I already know the enemy didn't like it.

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I feel sorry for Barry Bonds. I wish he wasn't going to break the record, but I still feel bad that people treat him as an object, instead of a human being.

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I haven't done a new episode of the Bible Quiz Podcast since I went to Arizona, and I really need to. Hopefully soon.

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We had a GREAT episode of the Church Drama Podcast on Sunday. Maybe it wasn't so great - but I laughed much. It should be posted soon. (It's taking forever to encode the video.)

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I still like my iPhone. And next week - the new iMac!

We are His hands

Here's a nice idea someone implemented...

Summer @ Eleven

It's one of those big days around here.

Summer is eleven today. Time flies. It seems only last week we were celebrating her fifth birthday in Rock Springs, Wyoming. (Never forget that big cowboy hat.) Of course, that was six years ago.

But she still has the big grin, unlimited energy, and wide open nature. We celebrated with chicken quesadillas and dirt cake. Then she opened her presents and was brought to tears by her new fish - the most recent names given to them were "Jess" and "Leslie".

She is a blessing to our family, and true summer sunshine when she smiles.

Have a great birthday, Summer!