Proirities

It seems the older I get...the busier I get. I thought it was supposed to be opposite of that! I'm a little frustrated sometimes at the lack of time to do everything I want. Maybe if I only slept for 1 hour each night, I could get more done. We all know that if I slept for only 1 hour, whatever work I did accomplish would not be my best.

I guess I have resolved to try and prioritize things. That said, your (and my) family needs to be a priority. You won't always have your kids, so cherish every moment with them now. Make time to spend time with them...make it a priority. I date my daughters - not often enough - but I want them to know what its like to be with a man that loves and respect them...not one that will take advantage or use them. How would they know the difference unless we teach them? I try to do "guy" stuff with my boys - again, not often enough - so they know what a real man is like, how they behave, how they treat women, etc.

Kids always model the behavior they see - good or bad! Your children are one investment you make that can draw eternal dividends.

Organization in ministry

Systems in ministry are a huge problem. Structure and organization loom large too because most of the people involved in ministry have never really been a part of a larger business organization. I've now been involved in ministry for over 10 years, but in business for over 20 years. I want to challenge people in ministry to not be afraid to ask for help, insight, maybe even pay for consulting services from people who know what they are doing! It's interesting to me how many people try to go at it alone and just stumble and fumble through things rather than look for help and expertise. Remember what the Bible says about pride, the fall, and all that!

The hype

Yes, all the hype around Tropical Storm FAY failed to deliver even one drop of rain in my area. I love how influential the media is!

Time to go have a good time with the family - we're going to play cards or something. Anyone ever hear of the game "hand and foot"? What a blast!

T.S. Fay

Gotta love hurricane season in Florida. Nothing like going back to the first day of school and then have the second day of school canceled!!!!! My work just notified all of us to work from home tomorrow - no complaint there!

I know everyone is trying to be "careful" but I think this whole hurricane thing gets blown way out of proportion by the media. I'm certainly not planning to buy anything special or stockpile items. There needs to be something done about places price gouging and stuff anyway. There is nothing I can do to stop the storm from coming this way, so why get so frantic about it anyway? If it comes this way, then so be it, I'll just do everything I can to protect my family.

Pray for Florida and I'll update you tomorrow...

Da Truth...

It's been a while since I had a rant...

Why can't people just tell the truth? Why is it so hard to admit you were wrong or had a bad day and did something stupid? Instead of just being honest, we employ the latest and greatest "spin-doctor" technology and avoid responsibility at all costs. How does that benefit anyone...except yourself? We're so selfish that we would, by virtue of our actions, drag the name of Jesus (via our testimony) through the mud while trying to maintain our own personal image!

The idea that Christians are "better than" everyone else is why we get caught up in maintaining an image anyway. Hopefully you are not a condemning or judgmental "christian" that looks down on others for their mistakes, but tries to hide our own. Hopefully you haven't forgotten that you're just as prone to mistakes as the next person...christian or not. If we are really interested in being Christ-like, we'll tell the truth and take responsibility for our actions.

Be more concerned about what God thinks than what people think about who you are...

Some media for a change...

Here's some pics from the fine arts experience. The boys weren't around much, so I didn't many pics of them. Here's Megan and Makayla...

Here's a picture of the whole group we were with...

The police in Charlotte had a unique was of getting around...

It's already started

The summer is over before it's actually over! The kids don't start school until next week, but already the madness has begun. We picked up school supplies today - what a mad-house!

Makayla has started practices with the swim team already! She has 7 meets, 6 of which are on WED's. After swimming is basketball...after that is track. Since she made the regional finals last year, we are expecting her to reach the state finals this year - as a sophomore.

Justin got his tonsils out today - we tried to slide that in before school so he would have enough time to recover. He's doing pretty good, all things considered. He's looking forward to playing sports at school this year, with his eye already on basketball, soccer and track.

Megan is quiting her job to concentrate on school...that was kind of my idea, since she has 3 AP classes and needs to bump her GPA for college entrance. It's a 3.75 weighted already, but the competition is fierce to get into college these days.

Jacob is excited about his last year at junior high. His asthma has been under control for some time now - so he is doing well. He's told me he plans on getting all A's at least once this year...he missed with only 1 B three of the 4 quarters last year!

Diane and I are doing ok...perpetually tired, but ok!

Fine Arts results....

The kids did great...I'm still recovering!

Here are some of the results:
Megan Strickland - superior with honors in her short sermon, her human video team advanced to round 2 and ended up in the top 25, her sign language solo was awesome!

Makayla Strickland - vocal ensemble placed 4th overall!

Jacob and Justin Strickland - human video group missed superior with invitation by 0.17 points!

Megan Russo - drum solo placed 3rd overall!

Amy VanHeerden - won the performance art category!

Michelle Rooks - placed 3rd overall in the 2-D art category


We had a great time and the kids all picked up a lot of good experience! We're going to really put a dent in the festivities next year in Orlando!

I'm going to try to get back on a regular blogging schedule this week!

FAF

We're headed out to the National Fine Arts Festival this weekend. All four of the kids qualified for at least one event, Megan actually qualified for 3 events. I'm not sure if I will get to blog at all next week ... so we will see!