Sugarfeast.

I had a GREAT and bountiful Halloween! What I don't understand is why all the children who rang my doorbell went away upset (some even in tears).

Halloween is a holiday of generosity, correct? You are to give freely of what you have to bring joy to others and yourself. I thought I had this nailed down. Apparently, I was wrong.

Here's the scenario:

Doorbell rings.

I answer it as I normally would when a Girlscout, Amway Lady, or other salesperson visits.

However, on this night of the year, the visitors greated me with arms outstretched and bags or buckets overflowing with sweet delights. I was overcome with the spirit of the holiday and reacted in the only way that is natural:

I scooped handfulls of candy out of their stockpiles and into my bowl and shut the door.

Happy Halloween!

just kidding.

on a not-so-fun note: more house stress.

So Jordan is moving out on Friday, which leaves me with 2 roommates (Kyle and Zach). I was hoping to land a new job so I wouldn't have to add another roommate to make the mortgage payments. But 2 is doable.

Then Zack informs me last night that he has to move out in 2 weeks.

Which leaves me with 1 roommate. Which makes it impossible to pay the mortgage.

Freak out time?

Bri (the ultimate worrier) is not worried. This is very strange, but may be a sign from the divine.

Is HE clearing out my house the way I wanted in preparation for a career advancement?

Or am I royally screwed?

Yeah God

Rejuvenating, refreshing, resolving. A retreat from the whirlwind of life is what I needed. Thank you. I had an amazing time at Great Oaks this weekend. Between the high ropes course, fishing, flag football, worship, teaching, and reflection, the Holy Spirit inundated our cabins and spoke through the voice of falling leaves. What a beautiful weekend to be in His kingdom!

Brandon (http://brownsquirrel.blogspot.com/) spoke about being in the presence, but missing the Spirit. How easily it is done. There are so many distractions we fill our lives with-cell phones, iPods, the internet, movies, TV, planes, trains, and automobiles, serving in 20 different aspects of ministry, etc. We are so concerned with the details (Martha) that we totally miss the one thing that matters (Mary). If only we could slow down, tear down the idols that consume us and focus on Him. What a difference it would make. Fill your mind with the Word, which brings you closer to God and satisfies. Filling your mind with media only leaves you wanting more.

Last night was the Converge conference at the civic center. It was so encouraging to see young people bring friends on their arms to hear about God, some for the first time. The music from The Afters, Pillar, and worship leaders from local churches was powerful. Jeff Schwarzentraub gave the message: everyone was intentionally brought into this world and into the civic center that night. They are loved. And they can be certain of where they will spend eternity if they just accept Jesus and give Him their lives. He then invited those who wanted to know Him to the front of the stage. At first, no one arose. Then a couple, then a few more, then dozens, then hundreds of people made their way through the crowd. Adults and kids began counseling and praying for those newborn in the Spirit. No doubt, the masses left that place with a new sense of hope, direction, and belonging. How great is the Lord!

Hazed and Confused.

For the past two weeks or so it’s been hard to get out of bed in the morning. I don’t think it’s the weather, I’ve just used that as an excuse to try and convince myself that everything else is ok. It’s not the pressure of getting things done around the house because all that’s left now is odds and ends and the problem of not having any roommates to help pay the mortgage has been more than covered. God provided several more offers as roommates in the past week or so than I can accommodate! I’m serving more than ever at church in Nexus, Reality, drama and music. Relationships with friends and family are strong.

Why do I still feel so drained? Empty?

Is it just a season of the heart? So that when I move into the next season, I taste how good it truly is?

I can’t help but blame this job I’m in. It was a blessing at first. It was more money that helped me buy a great house. But it gets harder and harder to come in to work each day. I dread answering the phone, wondering who will be yelling at me next. Demanding money they have no right to. I want to feed every new claim that the secretaries put in my “inbox” into the “outbox” (which ideally is a paper shredder). I leave the office in a sullen, somber, and sometimes angry mood, unless it’s Friday.

All I look forward to is small group Wednesday night with the kids, Thursday with my friends and nexus/reality on the weekends. But it’s so hard to get through the weekdays that seem to never end. Am I wasting my life here?

I’ve applied for a new job with the potential to make 2 or 3 times what I make now. And it sounds like something I’d enjoy and I could take an active leadership role there. But will the phone call ever come? Is that just going to lead to another dead end?

So lost in the haze.

I need a new light.
Jesus, grant me patience. Let your will be done.

i swear i didn't do it.

maybe i did.

Post Secrets

I have not yet lost hope. I hope my patience does not wear out...

Joking, of course....somewhat.

Um, yeah.

I think we've failed our children.

No comment necessary.

Random thought o' the day.

Does anybody else miss these?

I miss them more than Michael Bay missed the boat when he made Pearl Harbor.

Stupidest Idea Ever.

Apparently, people in Nevada are also stupid. Why would anyone put $180,000 into a 1982 Italian clunker? Good luck moving this piece, buddy.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170037422944&fromMakeTrack=true

Serious question.

If someone offered you a free zoo animal, what would you get and why?

It sure is monday.

After an amazing week at Catalyst, I returned to the office this morning.

Highlights: 60 emails, 14 voice mails, discovering the McDonald's policies (over 2,000) have not been renewed by the underwriting dept. in our system so we have to do all work on new files on paper instead of on our file system and then transfer everything over later.

I got a call from an 83 year old woman who said she was at Wal-Mart and a McDonald's employee knocked her over into some bicycles and now her ankle hurts and she can't wear her shoes. The funny part is that as I put her on hold and started getting out of my chair to go ask if anyone had her claim (since the computer system isn't working), I dropped my headset, wrapping the cord around my foot and stepping on it all in one fluid movement. It still works. kind of.

The prospects of a new job are getting more and more attractive...

Monkeys and Foxes

This afternoon was…interesting. It started out with a monkey eating a lollipop, transitioned into some incredibly powerful worship, which was followed by a moving Q&A session and challenge with Andy Stanley and John C Maxwell.

Then they brought out a member of Northpoint Community Church (the host of the conference) to speak to the masses. The emcee introduced him as an active member, a friend, and a partner in his bible study. Then he said he also has sold millions of comedy albums throughout the US. Georgia’s own, Jeff Foxworthy. Insane. So he came out with the usual redneck jokes and Southern humor, which was hilarious. But then something profound happened…he started preaching!

He said that when he was younger he questioned God a lot and often tried to unveil Him. But one day he came to a realization: “If I could figure God out, He probably wouldn’t be worthy of my worship, ‘cause I ain’t that bright.”

He continued, “I know God loves rednecks ‘cause His book is full of rednecks. Jesus came to earth as a redneck-born in a manger to a peasant girl and a carpenter in a small town. It wasn’t in a palace like everybody expected…He started at the bottom because his love is for everybody.”

Other biblical rednecks include:
Sampson-who had “the mother of all mullets”
-who caught 300 foxes, tied their tales together, lit them on fire and sent them through the crops of the Philistines. “You don’t get more redneck than that!”
-who killed 1,000 people with a donkey jaw bone. “You know that’s a redneck WWF move right there.”

David-who killed a guy with a sling shot, tried to kill another one in a cave when he was going to the bathroom, and peeked over a wall to see another man’s wife bathing-“totally redneck.”

John the Baptist-a guy who wore animal skins and ate locust. “Screams West Virginia!” (some audience member near the stage cheered). “You folks from West Virginia?” (Looks back at the stage lights) “What do you think of this electricity?”

The woman in the well-a lady who was divorced 5 times, shacked up with the 6th…if there had been trailers back then…

Then Mr. Foxworthy brought it back to the point by saying God took unremarkable people and did remarkable things with them over and over again.

My favorite point, since this is a leadership conference: “Even on our very best day, we are sheep leading other sheep. There is only one Good Shepard.”
Awesome.

conference update

Wow, it's been an adventure and a journey already and we've only been through 2 sessions.

If you haven't read the other guys' blogs, here's what's happened so far...

Last night we came back to the hotel after dinner. Jake and I went into the lobby to get an iron and ironing board while Chris and Charlie went up to the room. As we were waiting in line at the front desk (the attendant was busy answering the constantly ringing phone since the fire alarm was going off for the second time that eveing), we noticed a stream of water that had formed along a line in the ceiling and was dripping into a bucket. When the clerk asked what room we were in, we said "228" and she pointed to the water coming down and said, "that's your room!" The owner of the hotel then quickly snapped, "Is anyone taking a shower right now?" We replied, no that we had been at dinner for over an hour. He then said that the water had been running constantly and our room was flooding the lobby below it. Um...this can't be. So we ran upstairs and sure enough, the floor was soaked with toilet water. Apparently it didn't stop running the whole time we were gone. The maintenance guy (who speaks only a few words of english) attempted to vaccuum up the water, but it still smells like "gross." Luckily, the only casualty was Jake's pillow-no clothes, laptops, etc.

On the contrary, the worship, entertainment, and teaching at the conference has been great. Can't wait for more! Check out Chris's and Charlie's blogs for more details.

ALSO-Please pray healing for Bri's father. He was bitten by a brown recluse spider and has been flown to the ICU in Nashville with a life-threatening infection.

dorks.

So, we just arrived in our hotel in HotLanta and the four of us have been without internet for approximately 35 hours. We have been craving wi-fi like a pregnant woman craves peppermint orange juice. We had been praying that once we arrived we would be able to check our emails, sports scores, myspace's, etc...And alas, we are here, and we have free wi-fi. What a glorious afternoon this has become. Here you see us all in our most satisfying positions...laptops on laps.

Cattle-ist

I’m excited.

Tomorrow I, Jake, Charlie, and Chris (two “J’s”, two “C’s”) are headed to Atlanta for the Catalyst Conference (i know it's improper grammar, but it was necessary for the acronym).

I’m so ready to just be a sponge, soaking up all kinds of knowledge and ideas for the ministry at Nexus.

It’s time for some rejuvenation after a month of hard labor working on the house and stress at work.

Refresh my soul!

I think Charlie will be posting updates here: http://charliedean.blogspot.com/

Domicile.

Move-in day was a success. The only casualty was Bri’s phone, which managed to ride for more than 8 blocks on the trunk of her car before sliding off and getting run over several times on War Memorial Drive. Poor Bri.

Other highlights included:

Rapid-fire pneumatic staple gun.

My dad calling me a “mongoloid” after I ducked to allow my bed frame, which was leaning against the inside wall of the trailer, to flip over my head and crash to the floor rather than catching it (picture a cartoon where the façade of the building falls and the character survives by standing in an open window frame).

Discovering a lost civilization under the kitchen counter and cabinets where several 100 generations of mice must have lived (this revelation was only made because it was necessary to pull out the cabinets to replace the floor. Fun. And gross.).

Buying an 8-foot long dryer vent pipe, which was 5 feet too short to actually function.

Cougar hiding on the top shelf of the storage room in the basement for 6 hours because he was freaked out by the new house.

Attempting to roll the dryer out of the trailer on a cart without using a ramp, resulting in a very loud crash when the strap came off and the side of the dryer hit the concrete. I hope it still works.

Using brute strength and pent up frustration to tear out and destroy the old kitchen floor. Priceless.

TGIF (Talking Giraffes Infest Florida)

It's going to be a good day.
I got an email from my boss this morning, informing the liability unit that we just denied renewal of two of our largest accounts. One is a huge corporation that owns Krispy Kreme franchises, several hotels, catering services, and restaurants in PA. The other owns 53 McDonald's in FL. Collectively, I've handled 50 claims for the two accounts in the past 6 months. That's more than a claim a week/per account. Considering we have 10 examiners in our unit, that's approximately 960 claims a year in liability alone. Good riddance!

Church Squirrels.

There were four country churches in a small Texas town: The Presbyterian Church, the Baptist Church, the Methodist Church and the Catholic Church. Each church was overrun with pesky squirrels.

One day, the Presbyterian Church called a meeting to decide what to do about the squirrels. After much prayer and consideration they determined that the squirrels were predestined to be there and they shouldn't interfere with God's divine will.

In the Baptist Church the squirrels had taken up habitation in the baptistery. The deacons met and decided to put a cover on the baptistery and drown the squirrels in it. The squirrels escaped somehow and there were twice as many there the next week.

The Methodist Church got together and decided that they were not in a position to harm any of God's creation. So, they humanely trapped the Squirrels and set them free a few miles outside of town. Three days later, the squirrels were back.

The Catholic Church came up with the best and most effective solution. They baptized the squirrels and registered them as members of the church. Now they only see them on Christmas and Easter.

sorry, i couldn't resist.

Weekend, what's a weekend?

I don't remember what it's like to relax.

maybe soon...

I did it-sanded 4 floors in 24 hours. Couldn't have done it without Bri! I'm still feeling it in every muscle and joint. It was worth it though. Bri and I are putting the second coat of finish on the floors tonight and maybe finishing painting the kitchen if we have time. The carpet was installed in the theatre saturday morning, so all that's left for the floors is the kitchen and breakfast area.

Still on schedule to move in Saturday!!

then i can relax...(probably not).

Almost there!

Mint green before, beautiful blue after...

Horrendous, psychedelic “Magic Eye” wallpaper in bedroom 1 before, soothing neutrals after…

Progress-slow, but steady.

Theatre room before. Notice the nasty, stained blue carpet.
Theatre room after. Light beige carpet is coming next week! The 52" HDTV is going at the end of the room, with suspended 7.1 Dolby Digital THX speakers surrounding the viewers.


Before and after of bedroom two. Blue wallpaper is gone! Hardwood floors in both upstairs bedrooms, the office, and the dining room are being refinished starting tomorrow night. Can I do 4 rooms in 24 hours? I sure hope so.

I am eagerly seeking volunteers to help pull up linoleum in the kitchen or to pull staples from the hardwood tomorrow night or saturday. I will be finishing the floors sunday if you would like to apply urethane! Or you could help Bri paint trim. Or just come make us laugh. Or bring cookies.

Updates.

After working diligently on the house for the past week and a half, we only have the kitchen and trim left to paint (finally removed the last of the wallpaper last night), staples and carpet tack strips to pull from the wood floors, linoleum to remove from the kitchen and breakfast area, then sanding and sealing the hardwood in the bedrooms and office. Yesterday, a friend at work asked me if i'd like a free 32" Sony Trinitron TV that his parents were getting rid of. Gee, let me think....um, sure. So now I have a TV for the living room or my bedroom, if I can lug the 200lb beast up the stairs. sweet. The floors in the kitchen and "theatre" are getting measured today for new vinyl and carpet.

I tried 5 times to upload pictures, but blogger is being difficult. Will add them later.

tag, you're it!

Three things that scare me.
1. Caves
2. Needles
3. Goats (I just don't trust them)

Three people who make me laugh.
1. Bri (when she used words and phrases like "redonkulous" and "crazy as a moon chicken")
2. Will Ferrell
3. Steve Carrell

Three things I hate.
1. Freakin' wallpaper
2. Allergies
3. Hopelessly tangled speaker wires

Three things I am doing right now.
1. Acting like I am working diligently (I've mastered this)
2. Thinking about linoleum
3. Wishing it was October (Catalyst, here we come!)

Three things I want to do before I die.
1. Sing in front of a screaming crowd (hopefully not screamed because i'm bad)
2. Climb a mountain
3. Raise a happy family (sappy, i know)

Three things I can do.
1. Taxidermy
2. Mix random ingredients into a delightful meal
3. Make the most of any situation

Three ways to describe my personality.
1. Easy-going
2. Laughable
3. Determined

Three things I can’t do.
1. A flawlessly executed kartwheel.
2. Breathe under water
3. Knit

Three things I think you should listen to.
1. Kids-they're funny when they don't even try.
2. People with life experience-not just an education.
3. Rob Bell

Three favorite foods.
1. Chicken
2. Chicken
3. Chicken

Three shows I watched as a kid.
1. Animaniacs
2. X-Files
3. He-Man

Three people I tag.
http://mediumgreen.blogspot.com/
http://blandthought.blogspot.com/
http://swishthedish.blogspot.com/

Memoirs of a Ganschow (and other obscure movie references)

I few dozen blogs ago, I posted a list of things that I am fond of and not so fond of. At the top of the list of things that drive me berserk was the Dodge Neon. I just hate them and I can’t explain why. However, home ownership has now brought to light something far more sinister.

WALLPAPER.

Who the “h” invented this crap? Seriously. Let’s take some 1,000 year Ultra-Bond and permanently cement the most heinous floral pattern onto this wall (especially into every crevice that will be utterly impossibly to remove with a scraper, trowel, or jack hammer). Sometimes I honestly feel it would be easier to take it off with a claw hammer and put up a new wall. Or burn it down. Or go totally “trailer” and just paint over it.

Other than that, the improvement are going well (and draining all financial reserves).

And I’ve replaced my blood with a caffeine-laced substance resembling maple syrup to keep me going at the office after long nights at Yellow House.

And I think I’m going to change the name of my blog to “Memoirs of a Ganschow.”

Boosts energy, makes you taste colors...

So I'm trying this new diet where all I eat is the following product:

No wonder those people on Chinese game shows are always so hyper!

House=Work.

It was a crazy, messy, fun, tiring weekend at the new house. 8 rooms now have either been painted, stripped of wall paper, primed, or a combination of these. Hopefully all painting will be done by this weekend so I can start tearing up the stained and disgusting carpet and linoleum in preparation of floor restoration.

Are we there yet?

A special thanks to Mr. Eric Potter, who snuck into the house in the wee hours of Saturday morning to paint the breakfast room before I could get there...
To my parents for all of their hard work painting and for bringing down the food to keep us going!
To Beth Bernard for helping me prime and paint yesterday afternoon!
To everyone who came over for the feast on Friday evening...

And of course, to my wonderful BRI for all of her hard work, endless ideas, and determination!
She stayed at the house Friday night after everyone left and painted until 5am! Then she came back after sleeping for a few hours and worked until 2am Sunday (then worked all day at he mall). Love you Bri!!!

This is funny...if it's fraudulent.

Another examiner got a new file yesterday where a lady is alleging she was eating some delicious Mickey Dee's food while driving. She suddenly began vomiting, passed out, and crashed her car.

Sounds very unfortunate right?

This is just speculation, but experience tell me that THIS is what actually happened: The claimant has no car insurance, was most likely driving drunk, wrecked her car, and is now looking for deep pockets to pay her bills.

I'll keep you posted.

Gathering Tonight.

Friends:
7pm tonight at Yellow House. There will be feasting and fellowship. If you are reading this, you are invited. I'm cooking some fresh goose and dove, but if you'd like to bring snacks and beverages, it would be much appreciated. Wall paper removal and painting begins tomorrow if you would like to help! See you soon.

1014 E. Elmhurst

Performance Review

Yesterday afternoon, my boss came over and asked if he could speak with me for a few minutes in the conference room. I said sure. What else could I say?

I walked into the room ahead of him, he entered, closed the door, and asked me to have a seat.

Still standing, with a stack of papers in hand he stared at me and said, “Radio Shack fires people through email, but I have the dignity to do it in person.” Blank stare, no expression.


Then he burst out laughing.
And told me I was “awesome.”

That’s why I love my job. Well, like it…sometimes.

DL

Anyone know where I can get a robot arm? After years of arm wrestling, weight lifting, wall climbing, moutain biking, wild boar hunting, etc., my right arm officially has a partially torn bicep. I didn't even do it while doing something cool or dangerous like knife fighting or kangaroo boxing. All I did was throw a softball. Not cool. Not cool at all.

Doctor said I can't throw for 2-3 weeks. ouch.

Winged Weekend.

What a weekend! I went hunting with my dad and uncle and some of their friends Saturday and Sunday. While dove hunting Saturday, we all limited out (15 birds a piece) within 3 hours! I think I shot 3 and a half boxes of shells. My jaw was a little sore by the end of the afternoon from all the recoil, but it was a blast. Literally. I got a lot on video with the helmet cam.

Sunday we went goose hunting. My dad’s best friend’s wife owns a golf course up by Utica, IL. Across the road are a couple of ponds and a cabin that they also own. The geese like to fly between the cabin and the lakes on the golf course. Geese on a golf course don’t make anyone happy. Hunting geese makes us happy. Therefore, it is logical that shooting geese on or near the golf course should make everyone happy, right?

Our morning began bright and early, with the guys calling over an impressive spread of decoys. However, nothing came in. At about 9:30, we decided to take a drive over to the course to see if there were any birds hanging out in the water hazards. We had no more than loaded up in the truck and pulled out from under the trees by the cabin when a flock of 7 honkers came in right over top of us and locked up their wings to land right in the decoys! My uncle threw the truck in reverse and hunters rolled out of the bed and doors. Like ants, everybody crept up to the cabin (where the guns were locked up) in single-file trying not to be spotted by the geese that were now wandering around looking at the decoys. Once inside, it was a mad dash for guns and ammo. 2 guys slipped back out the door and around one side of the building, while the other 3 went out the other way. Then everyone ran for the decoys. The geese all took off at once. None escaped. It was beautifully executed.

About an hour later we got a call from the golf course. There were birds on the 4th hole. With bow and arrows in hand, we boarded two golf carts and headed across the fairways, dodging golf balls. When we got to the water’s edge, the geese took off from the bank and started swimming for the middle. Now you would think that most people would be impressed by a 30-40 yard shot on a target as small as a goose with a bow. However, there were 2 golfers nearby that were less than thrilled. And we heard about it. But there are now 3 less geese to plant “landmines” on the greens. Sorry fellas.

Then we had to get a boat, haul it across the course in the back of a truck and paddle out to retrieve the birds and slew of arrows. It was an impressive sight to say the least. And it’s all on video.

oh it gets better (or worse).

I got a call on a typical broken tooth from a bone chip in a hamburger patty (I get about 3 of these a week, so if you frequent McD's, chew carefully). I always ask how they discovered and preserved the object, as it is important for forensic analysis.


Normal answers are: 1. I spit it out and saved it.
OR
2. I threw it away (destruction of evidence).

When I asked this woman if she spit it out after her injury, she said "not exactly."
"So you swallowed it?"
"Yes."
"But you still have the object?"
"Yes."
"I see."
The retrieval method involved a clothespin and plastic gloves.
Talk about determination.
She's sending to me in the mail.
sweet.

Would you like to SuperSize that?

One of our Senior Claims Examiners just came over and showed me some pictures an attorney sent him of an opened McD’s burger with an unusual “condiment” sitting atop the meat patty . At first I thought it was just an onion and was confused as to why he came over to show me a photos of a sandwich.

Then I realized it was no onion. All I’ll say is that it was the same color and shape as an onion slice, about 1.5’’ in diameter, had rolled edges, and was made of latex.

I seriously almost hurled in my garbage can…but at least it wasn’t used.

But still…

For your viewing pleasure...

I took all of these while I worked at wildlife prairie park. Most were taken while doing my graduate research on the deer.

Something I can't explain...

There’s something about music that I can’t explain. In nearly every culture around the world, people use music to celebrate, to relax, to worship, and to mourn. What is it about the vibration of air created by striking metal, wood, string, or hide that stirs the soul? What purpose does it serve in the evolution of our species? Is creating music a behavior that would have aided in natural selection? If not, why and how did it come about?

Regardless of whether the music is orchestral, rock, jazz, pop or polka, the simple fact that such noises are produced from the rocks and trees should be enough to even put atheists in a state of awe and wonder.

These thoughts come as a result of listening to two amazing groups of musicians at Northwoods over the past two weekend, “Sleeping at Last” & “The Nathan Peterson Band.” I can’t stop listening to them. Both have incredible talent and a powerful message. Check them out here, NPB: http://www.nathanpetersonband.com/home.html or (if you have myspace, http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=31597275
) AND Sleeping at Last: http://www.sleepingatlast.com/ or
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=2236166 .

More on Jesus 2.

Here is the video from the Today show. insane.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=037HvQ1TyGM

False Prophet MUCH?

I heard a brief news headline about this guy as I was getting ready for work this morning so I looked into it while bored out of my gourd at work.

Please check out this website for more insight http://www.rickross.com/groups/creciendo.html, but apparently this guy claims he is the Second coming of Christ and that all modern Christianity is preaching the “wrong gospel.” You can also see a video here:

Check out his claims:

When De Jesús founded Creciendo en Gracia in a Hialeah warehouse 20 years ago, he claimed a few hundred followers. As his movement and reputation grew, so did his title. In 1988, he announced he was the reincarnation of the Apostle Paul. In 1999, he dubbed himself "the Other," a spiritual super-being who would pave the way for Christ's second coming. In 2004, he proclaimed himself to be Jesus Christ and the sole interpreter of the gospel.

His doctrines are bizarre. He tells his followers they can live any way they want to because sin doesn't exist and the devil is dead. He also teaches that Christian churches are led by "ministers of Satan," and he encourages members of his organization to stage protests at church services and Christian events. Creciendo en Gracia members are encouraged to scream at people and carry placard with messages such as "THE DEVIL WAS DESTROYED."

"I don't study the Bible," he said, chuckling. "I don't go into rooms for prayer. Who am I going to pray to?"

Over the past five months, Creciendo en Gracia parishioners have held at least 40 protests in more than a dozen countries. And De Jesus says this is just the beginning. "My purpose," he explains, "is to close down every church so the true church can begin. You could say I'm leading the greatest reformation that has ever happened."

De Jesús fits the classic profile of an egotistical religious con man. He lives in a mansion, drives a BMW, wears lots of diamonds and spends $300,000 a year on bodyguards. Meanwhile many of his staff volunteer their time and give up to 80 percent of their income to the church.

What is most alarming about Creciendo en Gracia is the level of blind loyalty his followers display. The group's Web site proclaims: "We are going to shut the mouths of those dogs [speaking of Christian churches.] We are ready to give our lives for this!"


The scary part? He’s got supporters and the supporters have money. Any they’re giving it all to this guy. $MILLIONS$. They actually believe him. And from what I’ve read, he’s taking the claims of Christ and totally re-writing them to make it perfectly acceptable to be materialistic, self-centered, egomaniacal, sinners without any consequences. Keep your eyes out for these folks…

i suck.

I’ve been sickly ever since returning from the McDonald’s conference in Chicago last Wednesday. I think the endless activity and travel of the weekend consumed the reminder of my energy reserve and yesterday I finally caved to the cooties that have attacked my immune system. I went home from work at 10:30am and stayed in bed until 6:30 this morning. I’m hoping the 18 hours of sleep resulted in my body winning the war on micro-terror raging inside me.

Softball is at 6pm. I think I can do it. maybe.

3 Weekends, 3 Weddings. Done.

Wedding season is now over for me. Whew! Peoria, Joliet, Tennessee. It’s been fun, but also harsh on the ole’ bank account. This past weekend was a blast. I finally got to meet some of Bri’s family! It was great to hang out with them and get a little dirt on the Bri-ster. I especially liked her grandparents, who live near D.C. Her grandfather (a.k.a. Papa Bear) worked for the feds for over 30 years in the military and FAA, and now is an independent consultant for airline insurance companies and travels all over the world to inspect aircraft. Cool.
We made the 7.5 hour trip back yesterday and got to Northwoods just in time to catch a concert by an awesome band called “Sleeping at Last.” Check them out! They sound a lot like Coldplay. I was completely exhausted from driving all day (on top of being in a self-induced allergy medicine coma for day 4 of a sinus nightmare) but it was fun to see all the Reality people again. I couldn’t wait to be sleeping at last (ha), but when I finally got to bed, I couldn’t sleep. I had dream after dream involving insurance claims. Literal nightmare. And now I’m living it. Oh well.

Another note: closing date on the house has been moved up to Sept. 8th. I think we’re having a little celebration and you ALL are invited. That’s right, I just invited the world. It may involve tearing off wallpaper and painting and ripping up carpet, so it’s going to be FUN!!!

I need a roommate.

Are you or anyone you know looking for somewhere to live? As you may know, I recently purchased a home and am now looking for a roommate. You can move in October 1! Please let me know ASAP if you are interested so we can go over details. Thanks!

This is what I've always dreamed of...

The Litter Robot Turns Cat Litter Into Easter EggsIf you've got a cat that weighs more than 5 pounds, this Litter Robot will turn his waste into little pre-packaged eggs for you to easily throw away—no more pee covered hands.
Your cat goes into the spaceship-like ball to do his business, steps out, and his droppings automatically get turned into little red and yellow balls of delight. A few caveats though. A cat more than 15 pounds most likely won't fit into the sphere, and diabetic cats make urine clumps that are too large. Then there's elderly and skittish cats, who won't like to get in the sphere in the first place.
If your cat meets all the qualifications, you can pick up a Litter Robot for 299 ($570).

My question is, can you then eat the eggs? Because that would be well-worth the investment. I love chickens because they are delicious and they produce nutricious eggs. If Cougar could also produce eggs, that would make him even greater!

ho hum.

I don’t think I mentioned this before, but a couple of weeks ago I was parked in front of Bri’s house and became the victim of a hit-and-run accident. Some cowardly fiend hit the rear driver’s side fender and bumper of my red car with their white jalopy and drove away into the night. When I discovered the damage, I was more insulted and annoyed than anything else, as paint on the sheet metal is only scuffed and the molding is just missing a few spots of paint and suffered a few small scratches. In other words, I can fix some of it myself, and the rest I can live with. But I decided to turn it into my insurance anyway, as I am entitled. I got a check for $640 for the damage.

I’ve been needing new tires VERY badly for quite some time and had just scratched up enough money for them before having to put money down on this house that was too good to pass up. So I was back to broke. And then my car got hit. And I got money. So this morning I got a new set of tires to the tune of $575.

So thank you, villainous criminal o’ the night for my new set of tires. They are lovely.

wHy nOt.

I saw this on "post secret" and couldn't help myself.



Another reason cats are better: dogs eat their vomit.

Is it monday already?

Wow, what a weekend…
My best friend, Corey, got married on Saturday night at the Cornerstone here in Peoria. It was beautiful and fun to see two people so in love finally (after almost 8 years of dating) joined! Amy’s dad performed the ceremony, which he wrote and has now performed at each of his three daughters’ weddings. The lovely couple left this morning for Cabo San Lucas. Lucky ducks.



Yesterday, we took the high school kids to Lake Shelbyville and I think it’s safe to say I had more fun than should be allowed. It was my first experience on a jet ski and I am HOOKED. I loved launching off the big wakes of ski boats, whipping 180’s and occasionally dumping it to throw the rider. It’s just such a free feeling being in complete control of a small craft on the water-kind of like mtn. biking-but wetter. The only thing I could think of that would be owning a couple of these things is knowing a close friend who does!

yellow house.

here are some pics of the new crib.



more at: http://www.tradersrealty.com/search/listing.asp?mls=1076731&LoggedIn=Yes&Type=&LM=True

It's Official.

I am a home owner. I made the first offer after going through the house with my realtor and family on tuesday. I offered the owner the asking price if they would just cover the closing costs. And they said no! I couldn't believe it. So I put in another offer for them to cover 1/2 of the closing costs. And they said yes! Closing is on Sept. 15th. I want to do some interior work before I move in, so I'll be refinishing the hardwood floors (under carpet and linoleum) in the kitchen and bedrooms, and painted a couple rooms if anyone would like to help. Thanks for all your prayers and support!

p.s. cats have 18 toes, 5 on each front food and 4 on each back foot.

CAT FEET!

how many toes do cats have?



p.s. I should know tomorrow if I got the house. Making a new offer to counter the counter-offer in 5 minutes. Say a quick prayer if you want. and then i'll make you a hot dog.