Getting Clean

Our van was filthy. It seemed like it has been raining for months. Our driveway was a mess. Mud holes and mud left a brown haze on our van and little incentive to wash it. We could wash it, have it spotless, and drive on our driveway once and be back where we started.

So, while we were visiting family after Christmas, I decided to take the van and go through one of the 'spotless' car washes. Kaleb went with me and we picked an 'Auto Spa'. The lines were long for two-bay automated wash. We waited patiently and even calculated that the 'super wash' lasted 7 minutes. That's what we were getting.

We were in luck. The 'super wash' was only $6, $2 off. Cool. We spend out 7 minutes getting sprayed on, soaked, rinsed, clear coat protected and a bunch of other stuff. Finally, we're done and clean.

We were home admiring how clean was when Kaleb says, "I've never noticed that before." What?

One of the wheel covers was missing. Dang! Must have come off in the car wash. So we went back to get it.

There was still a line at the car wash. Luckily, when we arrived, the car in the bay we used was leaving. I ran up to the car waiting to enter and asked if I could look for my wheel cover. Sure!

Kaleb and I ran in quickly to see if we could find the wheel cover. Not seeing it, I was on my way out when the laser sensor detected me and assumed I was the next car and proceeded to blast me!

The half second I was in there was enough to soak me! I mean, soaked to the bone. When I ran around to the car wash exit, I found my wheel cover.

Kaleb didn't get a drop on him, but he did have a big smile on his face.

Didn't Take the Easy Way

Yesterday was my bride's birthday. Usually the kids and I just buy a cake from the grocery store to make things quicker and easier - but we didn't do that yesterday. Katherine and I made Amy's birthday cake!

Don't get too excited . . . it was box cake. You know - the kind that you empty the box, mix in some oil, eggs, water and then bake for 30 minutes.

We had fun, but I couldn't wait for the layers to cool to put icing on them, so I stuck them in the fridge. It worked. Also, being a big fan of icing, we put more than the normal amount to make it 'extra good'.

For some reason, that cake looked better and tasted better - at least to Katherine and I. Sometimes it has to do with what you put into it.

Oh, yeah, Happy Birthday Amy!

Faith in Action Video

Several have asked, so here is the video that we showed today at church from our Faith in Action day on October 11.

Faith in Action

This past Sunday was Faith in Action Sunday at Bagley Swamp! You can check out the story here.

Too Bad My Kids Weren't With Me . . .

This morning I went to the YMCA for my morning workout. I took a change of clothes to shower there. My plan was to then head to the local coffee house for a time of resting, reflection and reading. Then run a few errands before heading to the office.

After getting out of the shower and getting dressed, I realized that I had forgotten my shoes. All I had was my work-out sneakers. No big deal, except for the fact that I had on dark pants and dark socks. Crud. Embarrassment or Coffee. Who cares, I put on my white sneakers and head on over to the coffee house.

I know I looked like a dork, but I wanted my coffee and my time of resting, reflecting and reading. My only regret, my kids weren't with me. It was a wasted chance for me to once again embarrass them in public . . . (Usually I can do that without trying - this would have been especially good!)

Sunday Night Download

Just a few thoughts this evening:

• Grill Fest was really amazing this morning at Bagley Swamp Church. Our outdoor worship was moved inside due to the weather. Our team had to do a lot of improvising, and it turned out great. Huge crowd. Way to go Bagley Swamp!
• Met a pile of new folks this morning, made a lot of connections. Lots of folks searching.
• Despite 2 inches of rain overnight, we still had most of our activity outside. With around 300 folks there, we didn't have enough room inside anywhere to eat. The radar showed us getting rain at noon, but we never saw any. Thank you, Lord.
• Can't believe the Tarheels got spanked by Georgia Tech yesterday. Looks like we didn't really show up.
• The Redskins haven't looked too hot this year, so I wasn't real surprised that they lost to the Lions (their first win in 20 games). Disappointed, but not surprised.
• Soccer kicks into high gear this week at our house. A game each night, Monday-Thursday. I believe that is our schedule for the month of October.
• Looking forward to our Faith In Action projects coming up on October 11!
• Got some great news from one of my buddies about how God has provided relief from some medical bills!

Time to get some rest!

Early Morning Runs

I have switched my exercise routine some lately. I was going to the YMCA five mornings a week, but lately have I have been jogging a few mornings a week in our neighborhood and going to the Y on the other days.

On my jogging days, I enjoy the cool mornings, the bright stars, the sounds of nature waking and the gradual lightening of the skies. Somehow, this makes me feel closer to God.

When do you feel close to God?