ESPN the tear jerker network...?

Saturday mornings come with a routine for me. I always catch ESPN College Game Day for the preview of the day's college football games. I love the trio of commentators at the desk which include Chris Fowler, Kirk Heibstreit, and the great Lee Corso.

Well as I had to take a break from watching to go get ready for the day. I was getting out of the shower when Amy walkes in teary-eyed and I thought something bad had happened. She tells me that as she was walking through the living room when GameDay started a piece on the head football coach of Georgia, Mark Richt and his family. I had to get online and watch it since I missed it and ESPN did a great job of player the tear-jerker with this great piece.

If this video does not, as Amy's college girl friends would say, "tug at your heart strings" just a little bit. You just might have a cold and hardend heart. ;)




Good one ESPN. And Go 'Dawgs!

Tuesday night we had the great opportunity to go see the Art Music Justice Tour in Franklin. I just wanted to go because Derek Webb and Sandra McCracken would be playing. But it turned out to be a great experience to show how we can get involved in helping oppressed people around the globe. Some of the artist shared stories of trips to third world countries and saw a need that they wanted to help be involved in and also be a voice for those people here in the states.
It is sad to know about the slavery of people that still exist is some countries and how truly oppressed they are. The stories we heard of people being victims of human trafficking and slavery are nothing compared to what we have to face here in the states.
Some of the struggles we as American Christians face are so insignificant and miniscule and yet we blow them up to being persecuted or oppressed. Given there are some families in America who are dealing with a lot right financially now with the economic downturn of our government. The reasons I refer to are examples of “I was reading my Bible at Starbucks and someone called me a Bible-thumper” and so this person gets upset and feels persecuted. (that is a bad example I know, but all I could think of)

I am not one to be too political but I have to go into this…
(***And this is not an endorsement of any type***)
So many Christians are so against Obama that all they do is talk about how he is going to change America for the worse. I have received countless email forwards of why not to vote for him and what the country will become if he gets elected president. I don’t know whether I believe them or not but I do believe and know this…God will still be watching over us.
Our God is big enough to do with America what He pleases. He knows who the president will be. He knows what bad or good decisions this person will make. We have freedom of choice under Him but He will still always be on our side.
I DO believe that.

I have come to terms that Obama may very well be our next president and all I can do is ask God for His guidance for our country, like I already do, and like I would also do if McCain is elected president.


I mention all of this because an email I received talked about how Christians will be outcasts and persecuted if the worse happens in the election. Shouldn’t we be bold enough to say “Bring it on!” Are we afraid to test the limits of our faith?
Even though the stories we heard on Tuesday night were not pleasant, I have not known a faith where all I had to rely on was God. Mainly because we are too comfortable in our big houses, nice cars, and stable jobs that we rely on those things to please us. But a 13 year old girl, stolen from her family, forced to see 15 to 20 men a day in a brothel, with no foreseeable way out…what does she have to rely on?

Only God.
and did he come through for her…YES! He saved her from that life.

We can only rely on God. But how many of us have really only HAD to rely on God. And in those times when we truly believe He will rescue us…will he come through for us…of course He will but in a way that He will be glorified.



Let's not be told who to vote for but seek into your conscience and seek your true feelings about what you agree with in the platforms of all the candidates. And know that the only change you will see make a true difference is the role YOU play out within your community.

Growing old...fast

We attended an early costume party since most of us that went have something going on next weekend and the night of Halloween. Amy had a great idea of us dressing up as elderly people and she would do our make-up like she has done before for stage performances. Well everyone thought we were a huge hit and we won best costume. Comments were even made that we are going to make awesome looking old people.

what do you think...

And no...that is not my real belly! I stuffed a shirt into my shirt.

I think I played the part pretty well...making comments about needing fiber and handing out candy. Well we had a lot of fun.

This might be our Christmas card. Look out for them in the mail!

Pumpkin Carving!!!

We all went over to the Harold's b/c they have a big front porch and carved some pumpkins ...here are the pics.

Here are Bill and Ashley Harold

Adam and Julie Mast

Sarah and Brian Calcara

Leah and Wes Bishop

Matt and Alis Henderson

Amy and I

Here are all of our finished pumpkins in all their glory.
Our pumpkin, I modeled it after Domo from the Target Halloween advertising,
is on the far right of the line up.

the gorilla suit

Today is Olivia’s birthday and last night Amy and I picked her up and took her out for dinner to celebrate. Amy could not make it to her party this past Saturday so we agreed to take her out another night. So we picked her up and went to eat at Red Robin which is pretty close to their house. We figured it was a lively place to go since she is turning 4 today she would enjoy it. When the servers came out singing her a birthday song with an ice cream sundae she froze…it was too funny.

The best part of last night was when we went to Target afterward. Amy wanted to buy her something and as they looked around I went off looking for a pumpkin carving tool kit, since that is what we are doing tonight with our friends, then they came looking for me. Naturally the kits were near all of the costumes and Olivia went over and started looking at them. Well there was this full body gorilla suit. The front side of the gorilla suit was rubber as it was the chest and they had no hair on the chest. Of course the gorilla chest had nipples on it. Then we hear “BOOBIES!” as Olivia is pointing at it and then everyone within hearing distance looks toward our direction. And of course…she said it more than once. As somewhat embarrassing as it was…it was way too funny.

Maybe it was something that you had to be there for to be funny. But Amy and I had a really good laugh…so I thought I would share.

Color Of A Lonely Heart Is Blue

...as sing the Old 97's. The color of this blog is blue and it's been lonely, so very lonely.

I am here to clear off the cobwebs, dust the menus, and write a new post. However the color of this blog will stay blue (that is unless you are using a reader to read this).

A lot has happened since the last time there was posted...here we go...

+ Isaac's trip to Houston. I was able to fly down to Houston the last weekend of Sept. to attend the wedding of my friends Tony and Angela. And it was a blast! I stayed out later than I have in a really long time...but it was worth it to be able to hang out with friends I had not seen in forever. Also had a great lunch with some cousins of mine...great times. And as always...great to visit with Andy and Mom and Dad. Those who i did not get to see...i'll be in the area for a few days in December.

+ It's already October! This past year has flown by! As of Sept. 24th I have been working for Passport for a year...and it has felt like i have worked here for 2 months! I still enjoy my job...so that is something that i am very very grateful for. Now we are heavy into football season and post-season baseball...Oct. is a good month. Not to mention the weather around here as been so amazing...it is unreal.

+ Spring Hill's Country Ham Festival. This is a huge festival held in our little suburban town and it brings out everyone to join in. Still not sure why they call it the Country Ham Festival other than they sell country ham's. But they do also have pig races, hog calling competitions, and pig chases. OK...now we sound like true Tennessee hillbillies in our town.

Amy and I volunteered and we had trash duty...in the food area...at the height of the lunch rush. We were so busy. And if you want to be a servant...spend an afternoon picking up everyone's trash as they eat nachos, funnel cakes, fried snickers, BBQ Sandwiches, and all your favorite carnival style foods. When you are handling trash...you get some interesting looks...but you never hear..."thanks for your service!" If you are at an event and there are volunteers...please be sure to thank them b/c if it were not for volunteers the event would not be a success.

Also learned that we as Americans waste a lot of food. We threw away so many bags full of food that i was getting so irritated. I know it is an obvious thing that we waste a lot of food...but right there in front of us was clear evidence, so the thought of it is still fresh on my mind.

+ TV Shows Back in Full Swing. Now that all the shows are back...we have so much stuff recorded on our DVR. DVR is so awesome b/c instead of always being in front of the TV we can watch our favorite shows whenever we want to or have time to sit down and enjoy them. As bad as reality TV is...our favorites have always been Survivor and Amazing Race and Top Chef will soon be back on again with a new season. We are TV junkies...it's embarassing. And trying to watch TV shows around football and baseball...I am frying my brain.

+ New Listenings.

The Gabe Dixon Band's self titled album that was recently released.
I have been listening to a lot of this album and I am still amazed by it.
It's just really good piano driven tunes that are an easy listen.

I am not usually really impressed by most Christian artists but Brandon Heath
is really good and we both have really enjoyed his music.
This is his sophmore album that was released in August.
And props to my little brother Andy for turning me on to
his music while I borrowed the truck in Houston.

Unbelievable

I am actually undefeated and ranked #1 in my fantasy football league.
After I thought I had drafted a mediocre team, yet it looks like my
risks of picking up 2 rookie running backs and a 1st year QB starter
has paid off.

However, b/c I am posting this, I am sure my 1st loss will come this
next weekend.