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Great weekend. Really. It was long. Really. Wish it was longer. Really. Dreading work tomorrow. Really. Already making plans for next weekend. Really. Ready for bed. Really. Feels like I'm gonna sleep tonight. Really.

All Is Well . . .

Random Facts About Me

• I studied Vaccai's Method of Contemporary Italian Opera for three years.
• I played Woodstock in the Charlie Brown Musical, and Gad in Joseph and Technicolor Dream Coat.
• My new favorite color is a nice bright blue. Usually I'm a lime green fan. Not the crayon color lime green, but the actual color of limes (completely different!).
• I enjoy wearing my great big lion's feet house slippers when its cold.
• I love music, but seldom listen to it. Usually when I'm alone in the car, the radio is turned off so I can sing to myself and practice whatever new song I'm writing. Or I'll just drive in silence. Or think out loud.
• Banana runts are the best runts of all.
• My hair has been nearly every color imaginable except for green. Hm . . .
• I am credentialed as a juvenile sex offender professional through the state of Indiana after thirty-six hours of training and a six month supervision.
• I love to read, but have a very hard time finding a book I can really get into.
• I have probably written at least two-hundred songs within the past ten years. Maybe ten of them are what I'd consider good.
• I am addicted to Burt's Bees chap stick.
• I love food way more than what I should.
• I have a persistent pain in my right side that I have affectionately named Bob.
• I really enjoy being alone.
• Superheros fascinate me!
• I would much rather watch cartoons than anything else, except for Heroes.
• Sometimes I like to sleep in socks.
• I hate making the bed.
• Nerds are my favorite candy. I also love chocolate oranges.
• I fell in love with my wife when I was fifteen.
• My favorite article of clothing is zip-up hoodies.

I'm sure I have another hundred weird quarks, but for now, these will do ;o)

Following vs. Knowing

Today I carefully added all the blogs I follow using the blog list widget to the actual "Follow" function on the blogger dashboard. It took way to long! I quickly realized this was a waste of time. I enjoy keeping updated on everyone's blogs, but I would much rather visit blogs directly than simply reading posts through Google Reader or on my dashboard. You see, I feel like I'm actually stepping into someone else's turf when I visit their blog.

What does their template look like? What font do they type in? What widgets do they use? Are they playing music?

It's what a person writes about in combination with all these other factors that allows me to feel like I am getting to know them. Like following them versus knowing them. If only I realized this about myself before I spent forty-five minutes copying and pasting thirty-seven blog addresses ;o)

Look Who's Talking , and Singing, and Dancing, and . . .

Today my dad called me to let me know my cousin, Collins, passed away. I think he was fifteen years old. Collins was born with cerebral palsy. He was believed to have had a stroke when he was around two or three, worsening his condition. His communicative abilities where extremely limited and he was considered a spastic quadriplegic, having very little control over his body movement. He was unable to manipulate his muscles to the point he couldn't eat and was tube fed since he was about two years old. When Collins was about three, I started taking care of him off and on through the summers. When I turned eighteen I became employed through JRDS and became his caregiver. I worked with him in that capacity for about four years, then felt it was time for me to move on. After no longer being his caregiver, it was difficult to maintain contact with him due to the awkwardness that developed between myself and his parents because of my departure. Years have passed with only a couple of scattered visits here and there. My mom has kept me updated on his status, and I learned he was having some new health complications. His lungs were not functioning properly and his bones were fragile and breaking. After a long stint in the hospital, he returned home the other day and I strongly felt I should visit him and give his parents support, but I found every excuse not to; Thanksgiving was coming up, I've been sick, I'm lazy. And now he's gone. I am so happy that this young soul, once unable to speak, is now singing praises to God. He is no longer bound to the confines of his bed, but is dancing for His glory. There is joy in my heart for him. There is some sadness, some unanswered questions, and some regret. But mostly joy.

Too Many Blessings to Count! Had TWO Great Thanksgivings!

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving too!

Jamaica

As January quickly approaches, I become more and more excited about our upcoming missions' trip to Jamaica. This past summer, God decided He wanted to use my unskilled hands in New Orleans and I haven't been able to stop thanking Him for that experience since. From the day I returned home from the trip, I've been anticipating another missions' trip, and its finally about to happen. Over the past couple months, God has really been working in my heart, molding me and guiding me. He has spoke to me, in his quiet yet resounding voice, telling me"Sing." I am trying hard to be obedient, to follow where He leads my heart, and as I do so, I'm beginning to understand more about what He wants from me. The revelations I experienced in New Orleans were tremendous and impossible to explain. I can only imagine the volumes He will speak to my heart in Jamaica. I am so blessed to not only be attending this trip, but to be going alongside my wife. I already feel that God's presence will be so strong on this trip, that we will grow so much closer to Him and to one another as well. I am asking for your prayers, as we begin to prepare our hearts for this experience. We want to learn more about God's will while in Jamaica, getting to know Him more intimately while demonstrating His love to others. Kimberly and I have continued to place our faith in God as we have taken on the financial commitment of this trip. Although we have been saving funds, it will be an impossible task of paying for it without the blessings of God. Along with your prayers, financial support is needed. If you are interested in providing us with financial support, you may mail checks to:

CSI Ministries 1714 W Royale Drive Muncie, IN 47304

Please include our names, Nathan and/or Kimberly Harris, on your check. Donations are tax refundable. All funds must be in by 12/15/08. Any support is greatly appreciated and we truly thank you for your consideration and prayers.

Thinking about changing my template . . .

MUST-SEE-THIS-MOVIE!!!

I can't wait!!!

What If

I've been trying to learn more about the birth of Christ the past few nights. Its very easy to find embellished nativity scenes, completed with fake snow on top, but its not so easy to find an accurate view of what things really looked like. I've been reading and looking at images trying to find answers, and happened to come across advertisements for a musical called Liverpool Nativity. Its a modern day story of the Virgin birth, and it really triggered me to wonder what if Mary and Joseph really were an interracial couple traveling in present day, looking for acceptance, or an asylum as in the musical. What if our Christ was born under a bus stop shelter, or in a cardboard box to a homeless woman? What would the nativity scenes look like then, 2,000 years afterwards? Would they be accurate portrayals? And how would this affect believers? Would it be harder to believe in a virgin birth happening in today's world? Would this world accept a 'new' savior? I can't image this world without Him . . . What do you think?

Like Christ

Ephesians 4:22-24 Put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds, and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 2 Corinthians 3:18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 1 John 3:2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

Dr. Seuss With Insomnia

Last night, you see, I could not sleep. Too many thoughts in one big heap. A jumbled song. An endless care. Nerves and worry, what a pair! A story to tell but no one's awake, All coiled inside like a big snake. Fragments of days forgotten about. A whisper of joy, almost a shout. I counted backwards. I counted sheep. I counted the hours I could not sleep. I read and I wrote. I tossed and I turned. But still could not have the sleep that I yearned. As the night past, I nearly wept, Feeling such envy as my wife slept. Then sometime past four, I drifted away, The answer to hours of prayers that I prayed. ZZZ

2:58 am can't sleep too many thoughts grrr!

Wow

Church was great! Pink led a wonderful worship service that I had looked forward to participating in since Thursday night practice, but alas, my cold would not allow it. They sounded great! PK delivered an awesome message that was so uplifting and spoke directly to the heart of the congregation. As I sat there in church today, I watched all the pastors and volunteers of our church; Pink leading with the band and singers making beautiful music, PK preaching, Margie praising, Jeff and Debbie at the alters, Brian and the AV crew doing everything they do, the greeters, Tammy at the coffee shop with her helpers, and Tonya with her volunteers teaching the children. I just felt so grateful to be there at that very moment, to be somehow a part of something so amazing. Just watching it function. Flow. Serve one purpose. After church we had a very enjoyable lunch with Kimberly's mother, then headed to Youth group for the annual Thanksgiving Turkey Drop. Another incredible 'just-watch-it-happen' kind of thing. Absolutely wonderful. Not only will eight families-in-need have a wonderful Thanksgiving meal, but ALL THOSE KIDS that participated in the activity are beginning to learn so early in life what it means to be the HANDS of GOD!

Operation: Rest

Kimberly and I fall into the same category as so many other American families: BUSY. It just seems like there is always something to do. And the truth is, I like our lifestyle. I love being around great people. And I like to always be doing something. The problem is, its starting to take it's toll on me. Yesterday, the doctor told me he thinks I have perforated ulcers in my stomach, meaning the ulcer(s) have most likely already ate away a hole in the lining of my stomach. He attributed most of this to lifestyle. A busy life usually means a poor diet and a high level of stress, which is mostly true for me personally. He also blamed lifestyle for this dumb cold I've had that's been lingering for weeks, saying my immune system can't catch up. He asked me a few questions and determined that I needed a career change. He went on to tell me it sounds like I enjoy my life outside of work but need to make a few changes to get plenty of rest because even positive stress can be difficult on the body. The fact is, he's right. I've been considering a career change for a while now and need to manage stress better. But making these types of big changes just seems . . . hard. Changes are on the way, but its a process. So for the time being, I am just thanking God for all my blessings, asking Him for strength, and have taken this whole day, and hopefully more to come, just to rest. And I kinda like it ;o)

WHO AM I?

So, on Tuesday at lunch, one of the greeters asked me if I used to go to a church in Fishers. I reminded her that the last time I ate at this establishment a few months previous, she asked me the same question. "Sorry lady, I'm not your long-lost friend or his twin brother." Then yesterday I went to a doctor I've never seen before. As soon as he entered the room he began insisting he knew me. I explained that this is the first time we've met, then he jokingly suggested that I have a twin that he knows. He continued to say he knows me and teased me, saying that maybe I seem to be familiar to him because he's 'watched my latest movie.' After my appointment, I returned to work to help host a Thanksgiving dinner for our kids and their families. I was the water and coffee server. Towards the end of the dinner a teenage girl came up to me to tell me I looked like a country singer. As I was leaving the event several minutes later, a few kids stopped me to let me know they thought I was 'Hanna Montanna's dad' when they first saw me. I get this stuff a lot. Someone is always telling me I am someone I am not. Occasionally it is annoying, sometimes it's awkward, but usually it's just funny. Every now and then it's a tad bit insulting. "Please don't tell me I look like them!" but again, it's usually just funny. But what's funny is, how many different people can one person look 'just' like?

Love Song

Psalm 95:1-2 Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song

The Gears are Turning

. . . but not in the direction they are suppose to be. It seems like I have a thousand things I should be doing at work right now, but all I can think about is this HERE.

What it means. How to make it mean more. Matching emotion with meaning. Maximizing the emotion.

It's a message weighing heavy in my heart. Something I feel I am suppose to perfect to the best of my ability. But then what? God just seems to be whispering to me, "It's not done."

So many thoughts! Oh, the blessing that is my lunch hour. I would go crazy without it!

Rumor

Today I fell victim to the rumor mill. I just got back to work from a very nice lunch, when a staff told me that we needed to talk. I looked at him and said, "Uh Oh!" He told me that there was a concern I needed to be aware of, but that it also involved a compliment. He shut my office door then proceeded to tell me that he heard from a reliable source that another position on campus is being eliminated, leaving a veteran supervisor without a job. He said he heard from this 'reliable source' that the solution to this problem was to fire me, so the other supervisor could take my spot. He said the word is that I'm getting fired for 'not writing people up enough.' He said he liked having me as his supervisor so he wanted to warn me immediately. Of course, I did not believe anything he was saying, but to squash the rumor right away, I called my supervisor who assured me I was a great manager and that there was no better fit for my program. Rumor squashed.

Winter Cheer!

Hooray, it was snowing! I was overjoyed, While stepping on campus, where I am employed. Warm in my coat, I zipped up with one yank, While someone was yelling, “Help! I’ve been shanked!” I breathed in the chill, I lavished the peace, Then nearly I slipped, in frozen feces. The snowflakes where growing, ‘til big as popcorn, When a child was caught, trying to smuggle in porn. Then I reached the cottage and what do I see? Juvenile sex offenders looking at me. Now, remember the chill. It made my throat sore. When I went to greet them, it came out a roar. Frozen they stood, so silent in fear. Shanks, feces, and porn. Hooray! Winter cheer.

Woo Hoo!!!

I am feeling really great right now! I've been spending the past couple hours working on a song I've blogged about a couple times previously. It's got a long ways to go, but here's what I've got so far. Let me know what you think!

V1// i've walked away/ from those awful things/ i've closed the door/ on all that before/ i've poured the shame/ and poison down the drain/ i have repented / how many times will i hurt you lord //CHORUS// father i just want to make you proud/ every time i stand i fall down / these are your clothes / no one would know/ i have covered them in mud/ holy father wrap me in your arms/ tell me how to be more like you are/ these are your clothes / no one would know/ i have covered them in mud //V2// lord i have turned/ to you, i have learned/ what is right/ guided by your light/ i've found my way/ lord if i stray/ i will repent/ how many times will i hurt you //CHORUS// these are your clothes/ no one would know / lord wash away the mud / these are your clothes / i want the world to know/ your mercy and your love/ these are your clothes/ these are you clothes

Mr. Sensitive

If you've spoke to me within the past week or so, or if you've just looked at me, chances are I complicated it in my mind way too much. You see, for whatever reason, I have been Mr. Sensitive lately. Wound too tight. I have left nearly every conversation I've had feeling like I've done or said something wrong, that the person I have spoken with doesn't like me, or that they are upset with me. Today it finally occurred to me that I was in fact being attacked, but not by the people I would assume. Instead, I am attacking myself, sabotaging nearly every interaction I've had and each relationship. I hate that, because it just isn't unpleasant for me, but for everyone around me. Hardly anyone has been able to say anything without me taking offense, which isn't fair. So, here I am. Trying to chill out a bit. Remembering it's not about me. Mr. Sensitive.

On Constant Replay in My Mind

And Yet Another Friday

Today I spent my work day in Wayne County, assisting the family of the child I wrote about yesterday prepare for his return home. We spent a while creating a safety plan and just discussing potential risk factors they will have to address. I was disturbed to learn that not only was this teen being released to go home with his victim, but to live right next door to a preschool, no less. The therapist I work with and I just made the most of the day we could, doing our very best to protect the family and community from our client, and to force ourselves and each other to relax throughout the process. We even went out to a late lunch afterwards and managed to laugh some. Then after work, Kimberly and I headed out to the Canady's house for a very nice dinner and some time just hanging out. They are such kind people and it is rejuvenating to be around them. All the tension from my day quickly melted away. Now, all I can think about is just how thankful I am its Friday! To me, Friday means:

Bad to Better

The first half of my day was bad. Very bad. I can't begin to fathom how or why some things happen in life, but I guess its not for me to understand right now. Today I watched a 16 year old boy be released from my program to go home. Not good. He molested his 4 year old brother on 200 to 300 different accounts, and now he's being sent back home to him. As we left him, the teen begged me not to let this happen. "Please Mr. Nathan! Don't let them send me home! I'm not ready! It's going to happen again! I can't stop it!" He made these same pleas to the judge, but it didn't matter. The county is done paying for him to be in placement. I told the lost youngster that the only way he could avoid hurting his brother again is to completely consume himself with Christ. We had a brief conversation that I hope he took seriously. Then . . . it got better. Way better. Tonight we went with the Vickery's to see David Crowder's Band. God's presence was very strong, and I left feeling very motivated and inspired. One of my favorite songs he sang was "Can You Feel it?". Its a simple song, but is much like an anthem for me on days like today. He sings, "Life makes it so hard sometimes to know what's real." Uhh, so true. I'm so glad I had this timely reminder of what's real!!!!

Like a Child

Lately I have been thinking a lot about what it means to be a child of God. I have been looking back to a song I started to write not too long ago that says "These are Your clothes. No one would know, because I've covered them in mud." Almost everyone has, at some point as a child, attempted to wear their parents' clothes. Maybe it was a grandparent, or an older sibling. Whoever it was, most of us have wanted to be like someone we look up to so much that we've slipped on their shoes, or we've pulled on their work uniform. But somehow this usually ends up the same. Maybe its because the boots were 8 sizes too big, or maybe its because the shirt was long enough to trip over. Either way, we end up falling, not quite ready to live up to our role model. Like a child, I want to be so much more like Christ, and so I imitate him. In a sense, I am wearing His clothes. But just like the small child who cannot walk in his father's coat without tripping over it, I always end up failing, too covered in sin and worldliness afterwards for anyone to recognize that I am indeed trying to be more like my heavenly Father. As I continue to think about this whole concept of being a 'child of God' I am reminded of another piece I started to write but never finished a while back. It was called Like a Child. I took everyday things that children do and reformed them to be something I want to do as a child of God. For example:

I will play in Your light like rain. I will dance while I sing Your praise. I will jump when You call my name. I will grow more like You everyday. Like a child.

So now my mind is racing to blend these two songs together somehow. I've got an idea or two, but it might take some time. Unfortunately I get very impatient with things like this, coincidently, much like a child. All while trying to wrap my mind around this concept, that God has called us to be His children and what that exactly means for our lives.

1 John 3:1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

Song From Memory Lane

Since I've been done with school, I've been able to start messing around with my keyboard again. I haven't really written much of anything new on it as of yet, but I've been strolling down memory lane, listening to the music I've recorded on it of songs I've written in the past. Most of the songs are from a sad and frustrating time in our life, directly following the loss of someone we love very much to murder. We were already facing some other unfavorable obstacles at the time, so the sudden death was overwhelming for us. Songwriting was such an effective coping skill for me during that time, as I wrote several songs about the untimely loss of our dear friend. Today I was playing the music to one of those songs on the keyboard and singing along. I decided to record it on my laptop to share with everyone out there in Blog Land. The lyrics are very simple, but honest. The music and melody of the lyrics were designed to provoke emotion. The sound quality is very poor, since it's only recorded using the internal mic on my computer, but I'll post the lyrics below so you can make them out. Hope you enjoy!

Marva Rhea V1: marva rhea/ what a wild name/ but those who loved her knew it fit her fine/ marva rhea/ should be here today/ but she's not and we don't know why/ REPEAT V1// V2: marva rhea/ she had baby/ when she held him she shined like the sun/ marva rhea should be here today/ its almost like her life had just begun/ REPEAT V2// she was beautiful/ she was amazing/ she was marvelous/ marva rhea/ what a wild name/ but those who loved her knew it fit her fine//V2// marva rhea/ what a wild name/ marva rhea/marva rhea

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Greak Weekend

This was such a wonderful weekend. On Friday, after work, Kimberly and I just relaxed in our apartment. I later decided to move the furniture around in our living room, which is oddly satisfying for me, then went to bed.

When I woke, I just laid around for a while and created a new template for my blog, which again is very satisfying. When I got up, I played Thundercat DVDs while I cleaned the house, which was demolished after the busy week we have had and after moving the furniture.

Later that day we went to the Black's house for a game night. It's always great to go to the Black's. A few other cool people from our growth group came and we munched on yummy snacks and played Whatniff. It was a lot of fun!

Sunday I went to church early for worship practice, which is always such a fulfilling experience. Debbie did wonderfully, giving us a great message.

Then I was off to the SCRIP table where someone came and introduced himself to me and told me a song I sang a while back is still ministering to his heart and wanted to know if he could find a recording of it anywhere. I was really touched by the man's kind words and knowing that God had used me to do something in this man's life.

Then it was back to Muncie to have lunch with the Lott's, which was a blast! They are such fun people to be around. After lunch, Kimberly and I headed to the Canady's house so Kimberly could cut Isaiah's hair.

Then it was time for Youth Group. Bryan Vickery did a great job delivering the message and it was a lot of fun to eat candy and hang out with the kids. Then we went home and relaxed, preparing ourselves for Monday.

My Dream Job Would Consist of:

• a high level of creativity permeating every aspect of what I do
• glorifying and serving God in a manner that is direct and genuine
• guiding people through experiencing God's presence in a way that feels authentic to them for wherever they are in their walk with Christ
• working alongside high-spirited, good-hearted people
• helping people who have been broken
• a sense of purpose
• laughter
• challenges and accomplishments
• being part of a lasting change
• being a leader in an environment where I can truly, whole-heartedly believe in and live for everything I am leading others towards

Just a bit different than my current position ;o) Just some thoughts, though. A few things here and there. You know, I wouldn't want to be picky or anything ;o)

Today is a Good Day

I started out feeling sick this morning, scratchy, sore throat and fading voice, but I began feeling better throughout the day. I went to a quick seminar about healthy vs. unhealthy sexuality and masturbating rituals. (Apparently it is considered normal and healthy to masturbate twice a day as long as it doesn't interfere with your daily schedule.) I then drove to Winchester to meet with one of my biggest customers, the Randolph County juvenile probation officer. She is great to work with and there is always lots to discuss with her as we share many cases. Then I returned to my office to do some conversing with staff, and then my work day was done! It just flew by. It did involve some concerning conversations, but overall it was a descent day. Kimberly and I went to the Jamaica missions trip meeting, and I'm really starting to get excited! Then I stuck around for worship practice, which was a blast because everyone there is so fun to be around. There was a moment when we were playing that I could really feel God's presence, which is always awesome. After worship practice I hung out at the Black's for a while, had a good time, and got to eat some good food. YAY!!! Today is a good day!

Morale

How do you boost the morale of a group of people facing real problems? How do you make them feel appreciated in an environment where they probably aren't really appreciated all that much? How can you convince someone to support an organization, when there are no real counters for their complaints?

These are some of the thoughts running through my mind right now. One of the parts of my job that I take very seriously is being a strong source of support for my staff. I refuse to weave some motivational speech designed to change their minds. I've never done that to them before, and I don't want to start. Instead, I try to offer new thoughts or perspectives and simply ask them to consider them while I support their current thinking. But now I find myself in situations where there are no new thoughts. There are no different perspectives. Just facts. Unpleasant facts.

All I can do is nod and say "You're right, and I'm sorry," and I don't like that. I could tell them God appreciates them, that He has a purpose for everything happening right now, and that they can still glorify Him under any conditions. But then again, I can't tell them that. I'm not allowed. Perhaps I should just use the stress kit seen above and encourage them to do so as well.

2 Corinthians 4:6

For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

Conflicting Feedback

Today I was told that I "sparkle" and "glow." I was also told I am too apt to keep hidden and asked if I felt like I was a "part of the organization." ?????????????????????????????? Today I was told I am a good supervisor with a realistic view of what's going on when I'm not around. I was also told I'm just a "nice guy with no clue." ?????????????????????????????? Today I was told some situations I have addressed with my staff are still problematic. I was also told things are better now. ????????????????????????????? Today I was told about what a big deal something is that's coming up. I was also told not to worry about it. ???????????????????????????? Seriously, people! Let's focus on what we want to communicate before we open our mouths! That would be greatly helpful!

"Remember This Conversation?"

So, a while back I posted a song I wrote called "Do it Again," and haven't thought much about it since. Today the song has been running through my mind and I've caught myself singing it several times. Its almost like God is asking me, "Remember this conversation?"

Do it Again

The light is dimming / As I wander from Your path / I don’t know where I’m going / But I know right where I’m at / I’ve been down this road before / Traveling in the dark / But then you lit the way for me / That led right where You are / And I lived in Your light / I shared in Your life / The blood of Jesus Christ made me clean //chorus// Do it again / Here I am / Bowing down / I lift up my hands/ Do it again/ I repent / Father God / Hosanna! Amen /Do it again // The truth is with me / When I live my life for You / Lovingly You guide me / When I allow You to / God I’ve been unfaithful / My eyes have turned from Your face / Now here I am all lost again / Lord, I need Your grace / To live in Your light / To share in Your life / By the blood of Jesus Christ / Make me clean //chorus// I will live in Your light / I will share in Your life / The blood of Jesus Christ makes me clean / I will live in Your light / I will share in Your life /The blood of Jesus Christ makes me clean //chorus// Yeah God, I remember.

Just Wondering . . .

-why everything happens at once -why Velveeta Shells and Cheese is so good -when some people will finally be seen for who they truly are/aren't -how many criminals know me by name now -how to get the tuna smell out of my car -where God wants me in life and doing what -how court will turn out on Wednesday -what the results of my ultrasound will be -what the next 'big thing' will be when I have kids -whether or not to call a friend someday soon -why my muscles are so sore -when and where we should put up our Christmas tree this year -whether I should take piano lessons again, or try guitar this time -if working two hours tonight to do a tour makes up for two hours of being gone for an appointment, or if I should still use PDO's -whether or not I should change my blog template for a while

What can I say? I'm random.

Monday

Well, it was a fast-paced weekend, with no moments to rest, but it was a lot of fun. I didn't have to step a foot in Muncie, but felt like I was at work most of the time, receiving and making almost twenty business calls over the weekend. And now it's Monday. I am going to the doctor today, getting an ultrasound on my right upper side, hoping to find our what is causing me all this pain. Then its back to work. I've been subpoenaed to court tomorrow for a very unpleasant case and I really just don't want to go, but obviously have no choice. Most of my day will be spent preparing for that. So BOO for Monday!

Youth Group Halloween Party 2008 Was a Success!

Welcome! Allow me to be your guide through Holler Hills Haunted Forest.

Beware of the giant spider. The color of her web is brilliant, and will be the last thing you will ever see if you get too close. Watch your step as we pass this resident. He enjoys tripping people, hoping someone will finally hit their head just so, giving him the life-long companion he longs for. The moans of the white ghost can be heard throughout the forest. It would be wise to cover your ears. It is said that if you hear his moaning for too long, the sound will haunt your dreams.

Do not be fooled by this trickster. He poses as a parishing prisoner, hoping you'll stop to help him and end up as a snack.

The origins of the bones on the Bone Tree are unknown. It would be best to view from a distance, just to be certain the tree will not soon bare your bones for all to see.

The pumpkins of the Floating Pumpkin Patch already grin menacing. Do not attempt to pick one, or you might get carved.

Tip-toe lightly across the graveyard. The dead can be so cranky when awakened.

You can be certain that something dangerous is brewing when the witch's couldron is bubbling. Perhaps you should attempt to pacify her. Or not. Congratulations! You have survived your tour. Please feel free to stop by anytime. The giant spider likes to eat, I mean receive guests around dusk.

Happy Halloween!