Bike Trip and More
Well, tomorrow I leave for the start of the bike trip. Since I am driving the truck and it will probably take about 20 hours (slow speed of the truck, plus stopping at all the weigh stations, agriculture inspection stations, etc) to get to Cumberland, MD, I will depart Saturday afternoon after the truck is completely loaded. I hope to get 5 or 6 hours of driving done so that Sunday will not be so long.
I figure with the main group leaving at 5:30 am on Sunday (hopefully, I'll still be sleeping soundly in my motel room at that time), they will catch up with me somewhere along the way on Sunday before I get to Cumberland.
I'm really excited about this, but there is a downside to being gone. By the time we get back from the bike trip, many others will have departed on summer mission trips and they will be greatly missed. I know for a fact that Calyn and Lori will already have departed for their trip to Ukraine (Lori, I left the "The" off just for you). I'm not sure when Janelle leaves for her trip, but she might be gone also. I want everyone to know that I'll be praying for your safety and for the work you will be doing. You (not just the ones I mentioned, but all the others going on mission trips) truly are "good and faithful servants" and I salute you.
I do ask everyone to keep the bike trip in their prayers. Specifically, pray for: safe travel to and from the bike trip; safety on the biking portion of the trip; good weather; and for the program that will be performed and that it's messages reach the audiences.
A Busy Weekend
I know it's Tuesday already, but the busy weekend extended through Monday. We left Friday morning for Tampa. We spent the afternoon shopping at the BX and Commissary at MacDill AFB. Being retired and not near an Air Force Base or Army Post, we try and take the opportunity to catch up on shopping whenever we're near a base. It's also nice just being on the base and seeing people walking around in uniform. No, I don't miss it so much that I want to go back to work. :)
After shopping all afternoon, we checked into our hotel just north of Tampa (near where we would be going to church on Sunday). Early Saturday morning, we drove down to Punta Gorda (about 1 1/2 hours from Tampa, but since Hurricane Charley, that's about as close as you can find a hotel) to wish my grandfather happy birthday. We hadn't visited him for almost a year (again, because of the hurricane) and I was slightly surprised that he recognized me as soon I am walked into his room. We told him happy birthday and asked him if he knew how old he was and he said, "204". Close--well, maybe not that close, but he got the "04" right. Of course, he realized his mistake. We really had a good visit, but were a little disappointed that no one else visited him on his birthday (he's in an "elderly care" facility). I called my uncle (my grandfather's only remaining child) who lives about 5 minutes from the facility to see if him and my aunt would meet us there, but that said they hadn't planned on visiting that day. While my grandfather ate lunch, Lucy and I went and got a bite to eat and then went by my uncle's house and spent an hour or so with them and then went back to the elderly care facility to say goodbye to my grandfather.
We got back to our hotel in Tampa in just enough time to turn around and go back out to dinner. We met Greg and Maria Shepherd (along with Maria's mom and stepdad) for dinner. It was great seeing them and catching up on everything that's going on in their lives. Of course, we really went to see Caleb (now 10 1/2 months old) and he has really grown in the few months they've been gone. On Sunday, we went to Greg's church and really enjoyed it. The church is only about a year old, but it growing greatly. It started with less than 25 people last year and now they average 200 people for the Sunday service. They are really on fire for Jesus Christ and really inspiring that community.
After church we headed home so that I could make it to ROC for the second part of "A Crazy Little Thing Called Love." Despite, some (ok, many) technical difficulties, I think it still went well. Congratulations to Christina and JD for adlibbing so well and continuing to adjust. Of course, I know it was also very frustrating to those working the equipment (it wasn't their fault). But, as I said, it was still good and I hope that the boys and girls not only enjoyed the humor, but listened and understood the message from THE LOVE DOCTOR.
Four more days until I leave on the bike trip. Everybody else leave on Sunday, but since I'm driving the slooooooow truck and even have to stop at all weigh stations and agriculture stations, etc, I need a head start. I'm not sure who all the boys and girls are who are going on the trip, but I'm sure I'll know some of them already and hope to use this opportunity to get to know the rest of them.
Oh, I guess I left out Monday. That, of course, was GOLF day. Although I didn't really score badly, I didn't play that well. I think it was a combination of being really tired from the weekend trip and the 95 degree weather (I walk when I play; I don't ride a cart). Being tired, I thought about skipping it yesterday, but realized it would be my last chance for 2 weeks. We usually play every Monday and Friday, but this Friday I will be making final preparations for the bike trip (and don't want to leave Lucy all day for golf when I'm leaving for 8 days) and then I'll be gone all next week.
Me and my Grandfather on his 104th birthday.
(BTW, that's me on the right as you look at the picture.)
What a Turnout
Yesterday evening we did some more videoing for the second part of the "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" series for ROC. I was truly impressed at the great turnout (you can read Paul's blog to see most of who were there). I was expecting about the same numbers that we had for the first two shoots. I believe there are two main reasons for last night's participation: (1) Calyn probably wore out her cell phone calling people; and (2) everyone who saw Part I last Sunday realized how much fun we had and wanted to be part of it.
All I can say about this Sunday (as far as the "commercials" and "that's true love" segments) is that you don't want to miss it--especially you xbox junkies :). My original plans were that I was going to miss ROC this Sunday because we are going out of town on Friday, but I am now about 90% sure I'll be back in time for ROC that evening.
Nothing much else exciting has happened in my life this week. Well, Monday, which is one of my regular golf days didn't turn out so well. We got in only 10 holes before the heavens opened up and flooded the course and we had to quit. I mean it was really a downpour and it wasn't quick either. However, when I got home I realized that it didn't rain a single drop on our side of town. (Now today, it was raining hard on our side when I left for WOW, but it didn't rain in the NW at the church.) Actually, cutting golf short wasn't so bad because I had to put together the video of Sunday evening's show. Although the video came out good, it doesn't look like the original idea of putting it on the internet is going to work out. Even at the best compression, it is still almost 700MB. Yes, I could upload it, but who is going to wait several hours (of downloading) to be able to see it.
Well, I finished that dvd on Tuesday afternoon just in time to do last night's videoing. With me going out of town on Friday, I needed to get last night's stuff done quickly so I could get it to Todd at WOW. I started on it when I got home from filming (about 9:00) and went until about 2:00 am and was back at it about 8:00 this morning. Lori came over at 9:00 and brought Jenna's video camera with the tape of the latest Lake Ella interviews. There was a lot of editing to do and I basically got it all editing and the dvd authored at 6:00 pm (just in time to get to church). Talking about Lori bringing Jenna's camera to me reminds me that I must mention what a great person and servant she is. Thank you Lori for all you do. (Of course, I dont' want to take away from all the rest of you who give you time and talents so generously, but this was the second time in week that she has volunteered to bring the camera to my side of town).
So, tomorrow, I just have to decide what to take on our trip this weekend. I know I've said it many times, but I'm really excited about seeing my grandfather and celebrating his birthday with him (yes, I'll say it again--he'll be 104 on Saturday). Equally, exciting is seeing our good friends Greg and Maria (and Caleb) Shepherd and going to their church on Sunday.
Life is so great! After this great weekend coming up, only 6 days until the bike trip. I'm sure going to miss many of the the people who went last year, but know I will meet some great new boys and girls.
This will be my last blog until next week. God bless you all.
A Crazy Little Thing
Last night we did our second video session for the upcoming Youth series called "A Crazy Little Thing Called Love." I want to give a special shout out to Calyn all the work she is doing (not to take away from all the others also working hard on this project) and taking on the responsibility of coordinating this project. She is learning how hard it is to manage such a project with a diverse group of people who all have their own time constraints and other commitments. Calyn, you have much more patience than I do and I salute you.
My biggest weakness is impatience. I know it might not show on the outside, but it is true. God knows I need to work on that so He has called me into service in situations where I need to learn patience. Nowhere is that more evident than teaching 2nd grade Sunday School. The boys and girls are simply great, but they ARE boys and girls. My reaction comes from my 32 years in the very structured (and many times intense) environment of the military. Maybe we need to enlist the 2nd graders in the miiltary! I really try to "ease up" and do pray all the time for patience. It's an inspiration watching people like Calyn work in a challenging and time sensitive situation and dealing with all the distractions.
BTW, IMHO, the three clips we shot last night all came out much better than I thought they would when we were actually doing them. Northwoods is blessed to have such talented boys and girls and young men and women. I've said it before on my blog, I'm truly excited about this series and will continue to pray that the final preparations go smoothly, that attendance is great on Sunday and that this important message reaches the minds and hearts of those that are there.
Odds and Ends
It's been a fairly uneventful week, but to keep Calyn happy, I guess I better think of something to blog. Here are some random thoughts:
- Monday was a good day (golf day is always a good day!). Not only were we blessed with great weather, I always enjoy the fellowship of our golfing group. Of course, sometimes I enjoy it more than others (depending on how I play).
- We were concerned when our son (who lives in Waco, TX) didn't call his mom on mother's day (and he didn't call on her Lucy's birthday last month) and we hadn't heard from him in a couple of months so we called him on Monday evening. He was at work so we got to talk to our daughter-in-law. We were very relieved to hear that everything was fine, but they had just been really busy. Our daughter-in-law even said she had reminded him to call on Mother's Day. We really need to call them more (but we're as guilty as them about not making time). Our son just finished his first year of grad school and has a couple of weeks off before starting summer classes (of course, he works full time plus also).
- Although we have plenty of plans in the next few months (bike trip, New Orleans trip, visit to my grandfather, Promise Keepers, etc), we need to find a week to go back out and visit. It will probably be after summer, but if school is back in session, Tamara will be in Waco attending Baylor University and maybe we can all take her out to dinner.
- 10 more days until my grandfather's 104th birthday! I'm excited about going to visit him in Punta Gorda and celebrating that day with him and other relatives. I talked to one of cousins (who lives in Punta Gorda) on Monday evening and she said our grandfather just had a physical a couple of weeks ago and the doctor said he is extremely healthy (and he didnt' even add, "for someone 104 years old"). He did have to move into an assisted living facility last year. Before that he was living completly by himself (at 103) since my grandmother passed away a couple of years ago (after 76 years of marraige).
- Tomorrow (Thursday) we will do some more videoing for the youth drama. I'm really excited about this. I had so much fun last week when we did the bits. I'm looking forward to seeing how everything comes out and how it all comes together Sunday at ROC.
- I know jealousy is not a good thing, but I'm getting really jealous hearing about all the mission trips people are going one--Scott to Africa, the Radooga trip, and the other Northwoods mission trips that are coming up. I really envy Calyn, Lori and the rest who are going to The Ukraine. I've been there twice (lecturing at the Ukraine National Military College) and really love that city.
- I am really excited about the teaching series Pastor John will be starting this Sunday on the Book of Ephesians.
That's about it for this week.
Thank God for Moms
I want to wish all the moms out there Happy Mother's Day. To see some of the reasons children appreciate their mothers, check out this short video -
http://ourmedia.org/node/10262.
This is a fairly large file and might take several minutes to load (even with a broadband connection.
A Lot of Fun
Last night I met with Calyn (THE Drama Director), Jenna and the rest of the Northwoods' drama team to help with some filming for their upcoming drama series. I really had a blast. It's too bad some of the best footage won't make it into the final product. As I was editing it today, it was even funnier than I remembered. I guess I was paying too much attention to filming last night.
Calyn/Jenna - we will have to do one scene over again. When I videoed the "park bench" scene with the green screen, I failed to notice that Christina didn't just have on the long-sleeve white blouse she did in the earlier scenes. It was unbuttoned over another blouse. The problem is that the other blouse (although not truly green) had too much green shading on the video. You know what that means? It means that when I apply the "chroma-key" to eliminate the green background, Christina's torso disappears also. The good news is that it is a very quick scene and only involves Christina and Aaron so we can probably re-shoot it easily (even outside without the green screen).
Anyway, I just had to post about how much fun I had and what a great group of young men and women they all are. BTW, for those there last night, the video clip for this Sunday came out good--you are all naturals.
