October 29, 2012

Monday- Day off. Woke up at 5:45. Did some course work before kids got up. Had the house to myself in the morning as Sarah took the kids over to the library. Paid bills. Took a long nap in the afternoon. Last soccer game of the year at 5:00pm. The game was tied 0-0 so it came down to penalty shots. Ultimately we lost. Bummer. After soccer Sarah and I attended a special meeting at the church for those of us who will be participating in the Friend-to-Friend ministry, which is a way of meeting the needs of the older ladies who live alone within our church family. Came away feeling stoked about the opportunity. Dinner and child care was also provided at the meeting. After the meeting we came home and put the kids to bed. Finished reading the Bronze Bow with Bowden and Lucy. Watched an episode of The Walking Dead with Sarah before going to bed at 10:00pm.

Dinner- Spicy Chili with a rice crispie treat.

Devotions- Matthew 26

October 28, 2012

Sunday- Woke up at 5:30am and did course work before heading down to check in with guest group and have breakfast in dining hall. At 8:30 I left camp on my bike to make my way down to Hurkey Creek where IBC was having a special combined service, picnic lunch and fun day at the meadow there. I walked my bike up the steep hill at the bottom of Saunder's Meadow and rode down Cowbell to where the May Valley road begins. It was a steep climb up and over the ridge, but then it was basically all downhill into Garner Valley after that. I got to Hurkey Creek shortly before 10:00am. Great time with church family at Hurkey Creek. Toward the end of the service Sarah and the kids showed up. Good to see them. After church I watched a little football (Redskins lost). Spoke briefly with Mom and Dad in the afternoon. Sarah received a call from Lisa (Richard) Tate in the afternoon as well. Went to bed at 10:00pm.

Dinner- Penne Pasta in a red sauce, green ripe olives, and garlic bread.

Devotions- Matthew 25

October 27, 2012

Saturday- Woke up at late again at 6:00am. Did a small amount of course work before taking a shower and heading down to work at approximately 7:45am. Worked from 7:45 until 5:00 with a half hour break for lunch and another half hour break in the afternoon. Mid-morning Sarah and the kids left for Nanny's house as there is a halloween/harvest festival up there that Nanny's church puts on. I did some more course work in the evening, made good progress on my paper. Went to bed at 10:30pm.

Dinner- Chicken Picatta, with fried and peppered green beans as well as roasted Redskin potatoes.

Devotions- Matthew 24

October 26, 2012

Friday- Woke up late at 6:00am. Got to work at 8:30am. Worked throughout the day, mostly in the office, taking a lunch break from 1:00-1:30pm. Gave a tour of the ground to Pure River Ministries after lunch. They liked the camp and contracted following their tour. The Valley Christian Assembly women's retreat arrived, and much of my afternoon was spent helping them get set up. At 6:00pm, Connie Benson came over to baysit the kids so Sarah and I could go out for a date night. I had made reservations at the Gastrognome. Had a nice time being alone without the kids. Went to bed kind of late at 11:15pm.

Dinner- 8oz Top Sirloin Steak with green beans and mashed potatoes.

Devotions- Matthew 23

October 25, 2012

Thursday- Woke up at 5:30am. Worked on course work until 7:00am. Got Jack out the door at 8:05am. Went to work at 8:30am after taking a quick shower. First order of business was taking the recycling to the dump. Did a small amount of trail maintenance later, but mostly worked in the office. Sarah had book club at the Whitney's house in the late-morning and early-afternoon so I picked up Jack and Miles during my lunch break. I took an hour lunch break from 12:00-1:00pm. Sarah returned from Whitneys with Reece Whitney in tow. He played with Bowden until it was time for soccer at 5:00. Danielle Whitney came over at 4:45 to give him his uniform and take possession of him. Left work at 4:30pm. Coached soccer game from 5-6:00. We were obliterated by the Dragon Slayers 5-0. After the game we loaded up the van and drove over to Matt and Tarrah Pritchett's house for dinner. Had a great time hanging out with them. Sarah and Tarrah left at 8:30pm to go to a ladies night at Marin Campbell's house. I hung out with Matt for a liitle while before loading up the kids and heading home. Matt and I arranged to meet for coffee on Wednesday morning at 7:00 am to talk some more. I borrowed Nacho Libre from them with the understanding that I would return it on Wednesday morning. Got the kids to bed all by my lonesome and then fell asleep on the coach watching Nacho Libre.

Dinner- Homemade chicken pot pie (Amazing!!! Thank you, Tarrah!), salad and olives with a tall glass of water and rice kirspie treats for dessert.

Devotions- Matthew 22

October 24, 2012

Wednesday- Woke up at 5:30am. Worked on a paper before Jack woke up at 7:00am. Got Jack out the door at 8:10am for school, and then went to work right after at 8:30am. Worked throughout the day, taking a lunch from 12:30-1:00am, mostly in the office. Came home at 4:00pm, and helped tidy up the house before LIFE group arrived at 6:00pm. After group we hung out with Dennis Cavanaugh and the Bayers for quite some time, before putting the kids to bed late. Fell asleep in front of the TV at 10:15ish.

Dinner- Various kinds of pasta with various kinds of sauce, two different kinds of salad, cake and unsweetened iced tea.

Devotions- Matthew chapter 20 and 21

October 23, 2012

Tuesday- Slept in until 6:00am. Out the door for work at 8:00am. Worked throughout the day, mostly in the office, with a half hour lunch break. Left office at 4:30pm. Met Auto at coffee shop at noon to play a game of chess. Sarah and kids went into town for grand opening of the new library. Large crowd was on hand for the event. Quiet, uneventful evening. Went to bed at 9:30pm.

Dinner- Breakfast burrito and lemonade

Devotions- Matthew 19

October 16, 2012

Tuesday- Woke up at 3:00 am. Worked on sermon prep for this weekend from 4:00 to 7:00am. Worked from 8:00am until 5:00pm with an hour break for lunch. Primarily worked in the office. Came home at 5:00pm, did the dishes, ate dinner and watched the second presidential debate. Paid  bills and did some prep work for tommorrow night's LIFE group before going to bed at 10:00pm.

Dinner- Pasta, garlic bread and water.

Devotions- Matthew Chapter 13

October 15, 2012

Monday- Woke up at 5:00am. Worked for a little on sermon preparation for this Sunday, and also hung out with Steve Leader who also woke up early. Although normoally Monday is my day off I worked today at Sarah's request so that we can take Wednesday off together to go do some shopping off the hill. After breakfast, Steve took his leave and I went to work. I worked from 8-4 with a half hour lunch break from 12:30-1:00. I stopped by the Bayer's house in the afternoon briefly to see how thigns were getting on with their reflooring project. At 4:00 we went over to the soccer fields for Jack's and then Lucy's games. Wrapped up soccer at 6:00pm. Dinner at La Casita. After putting the kids to bed I worked briefly on completing a placemat and watched the conclusion of the Monday night football game. The Broncos led by Peyton Manning came back from a 24-0 deficit at half time to beat the Chargers in a second half meltdown of epic proportions. It was fun to watch. I went to bed at 9:30pm.

Dinner- Three Veggie Tacos, Chips, Salsa and a diet coke

Devotions- Matthew 13

October 12-14, 2012 weekend

Hosted two groups, ACCSC MEN'S GRACE BEARERS and GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN. Both groups arrived in Friday night. I attended much of the Grace Bearers sessions over the course of the weekend. Steve Leader came up for the weekend, arriving late Friday night and staying through Monday morning. Great to reconnect with him. Worked throughout the weekend, mostly in the office and attending Grace Bearers conference. On Saturday left the camp from 10:00-11:00 for a soccer game, which we lost. In the evening we got a babysitter for Jack and Miles and and went over to the Whites with Bowden, Lucy and Steve Leader to celebrate Josh White's 34th birthday. On Sunday went to church and watched some football with Steve. In the evening Steve took a nap, and I went over to the Allen's new aprtment on Idyllbrook to help them move in. Sarah took the kids to a party for Luke Olivier who just turned one. I came and got Bowden from the party and he helped me unload stuff at the Allens. In the evening we played Ticket to Ride with Steve and then I turned in.

October 11, 2012

Thursday- Woke up early and started the first fire of the season. Cold, blustery, rainy day. Sarah and the kids complained of being cold all day. Got some course work done before heading out to work at 8:00am. Worked mostly in the office except for a dump run in the morning. Sarah met with her book club (Marin and Crystal) from 11:00am until the early afternoon. I came home for a late lunch at 1:00pm. Left work at 4:30pm to ride my bike over to the soccer fields to coach a soccer game. We tied 3-3, and showed a lot of improvement. After the kids went to bed, Sarah went down to the office to use the internet as it wasn't working in our house. I fell asleep on the couch, but when she came home I woke up and went upstairs to bed.

Dinner- Chilli on rice with a glass of water.

Devotions- Matthew 11

October 10, 2012

Wednesday- Woke up early and got some work done before the house came alive. Went to work at 8:15am. First day since the spring that could be described as sweater weather all day long. Not uncomfortable at all, but just chilly enough you wanted a sweatshirt. Forecast calls for rain over the next couple days with snow at 7000 feet and higher. Primarily I worked in the office today. Left work at 4:00pm to help get the house ready for LIFE group. The LIFE group came over from 6-8:00pm. Dennis Cavanaugh and the Bayers ended up hanging out for some time afterward. Sarah requested a fire in the morning so I cleaned out the fireplace from last season's ashes and built a fire so it would be all ready to go in the morning. I'm not sure what time I went to bed as I fell asleep on the couch in front of the TV. I woke up some time later to find that Sarah had put a blanket over me. I went upstairs and went to bed proper.

Dinner- Although the dinner for the LIFE group was potato bar with all the fixins and cake besides. I wasn't feeling hungry until afterward so before bed I ate a bowl of multigrain cheerios.

Devotions- Matthew Chapter 10.

October, 9, 2012

Tuesday- Worked from 8:00 am until 3:30pm with a half hour lunch break from 1:00-1:30pm. I spent most of the day in the office. Came home early at 3:30pm as I had to shower before an Elder Team Meeting at 4:00pm. Sarah packed me a dinner to go. The meeting let our at 8:45 pm. Sarah and the kids had been attending a baby shower for Jess Miller over at the church which let out at roughly the same time, which worked out great as I did not need to walk home. In truth, however, I always enjoy that walk home. It is possibly my favorite thing about Elder Team Meetings. It's a great way to debrief and pray over the meeting. Got the kids to bed and hung with Sarah for a while before heading to bed myself at 10:00pm.

Dinner- Rice with Teriyaki Chicken, 3 apples, some cookies, a fruit roll up and a large container of iced tea.

Devotions- Matthew Chapter 9.

October 8, 2012

Monday- Day off- Slept in, then met Jeremy Allen at Higher Grounds for coffee. Kind of a slow morning, which was nice. Worked a little on placemats. Busy afternoon. Sarah and Lucy went to girl scouts. Bowden went to Karate. I straightened the house and made waffle batter for dinner. The Whitneys came over at around 5:30pm and stayed until approximately 9:00pm. Fell asleep at 11:00pm.

Dinner- Waffles, Bacon, Assorted fruits with a glass of orange juice.

Devotions- Reviewed a memory verse, Philippians 2:3-11.

October 7, 2012

Sunday- Breakfast in the dining hall. Following breakfast I served as the camp photographer to snap a few group shots of JPL before they packed up and left. Along with Nick Sanden I met with the Fogles at 9:45am for an elder interview pursuant to church membership. At 10:15 we met also with Desiree Zimmerman for the same reason. Church at 10:45am. After church returned home to watch football on TV. Redskins lost to Falcons. Quiet afternoon. Sarah spoke with my Mom briefly in the afternoon and later on to Rosie. My phone went unused. Worked for a little while on placemats in the afternoon. Kids went to bed and then so did I.

Dinner- Taquitos, corn, chips and salsa with a glass of water.

Devotions- Matthew Chapter 8.

October 5, 2012

Up at 6:00 am. Did a small amount of course work. I am waiting on a resource I need before starting a paper to complete the course, Principles Of Church Growth. I did outline my approach to the paper and wrote a few thoughts. Sarah came home mid-morning. All were glad to see her. Aint no sunshine when she's gone. I worked from 9:00am until 6:00 pm with a brief lunch break from 2:00-2:30pm. A tour from LA Open Door Church arrived at 12:30 to tour the grounds. For the most part I spent the day in the office however. Sarah took the kids and met some friends at the park in the afternoon. When she returned she reported that she had accidentally damaged her phone so that none of the display screens are readable. Otherwise it is still a functioning phone. JPL Bible Church Women's Retreat arrived in the afternoon as I was wrapping up my tour. After dinner in the dining hall, Sarah gave baths, and then we let the kids watch a little TV as a treat before sending them to bed. Stayed up for a while with Sarah afterwards. Made some progress on another placemat. Started falling asleep on the couch, but Sarah caught me in time and sent me to bed. I have a habit of going to sleep before going to bed. Went to bed at 11:00 pm.

Dinner- Chicken Cordon Bleu, Rice Pilaf, Rolls, Caesar Salad, Green Beans and a glass of milk.

Devotions- The second half of Matthew Chapter 7.

October 4, 2012

Slept in until 6:30am. No course work this morning. Out the door for work at 8:00 am. Had three placemats laminated at the Town Crier. Came home late for lunch at 12:30pm. Went back to work at 1:00pm, worked until 2:00 then came back home. Sarah left overnight to take in a Tegan and Sarah concert in San Diego with Marin Campbell. Katie Bayer came by at 12:45 to watch the kids until I could come home from work at 2:00pm. Jenn and Emma Anderson popped in a for surprise visit in the afternoon. Fun to see them again. Shortly after I got home from work Sarah called to say that she had accidentally taken the key to the van with her to San Diego which left me without transportation. I called Keith and asked if I could use the camp's vehicle to get the kids to soccer. He graciously agreed. Took the kids over to the soccer fields at 4:00, first Jack's game and then Lucy's which I coached. In Lucy's game we fought our opponents to a scoreless draw. It was the best we have played up to this point. Chris and Katie Bayer came over to the soccer fields to watch my other three kids so I was free to coach, which was amazingly generous of them. After soccer we went over to La Casita for dollar taco night with the Bayers, Chr's brother, Bryan, and his girlfriend, Nataly plus Jenn and Emma Anderson. Fun time, and, of course, great food. Came home, skipped baths, watched a little TV with the kids, and then put everybody to bed. Worked a little on placemats before falling asleep at 10:30pm.

Dinner- Four Veggie Tacos, chips, salsa and a diet coke.

Devotions- Failed to happen today in a purposeful way. Still I obviously need to be more disciplined in this area.

October 3, 2012

Wednesday- Pay Day- Worked from 8:00am until 5:00pm, mostly in the office finishing up a newsletter and organizing the upcoming Grace Bearers Men's retreat and a marriage retreat for the ACCSC churches to be held in January. Came home from work and tidied up a bit before the LIFE group showed up at 6:00pm. Had a great time with them. Although we were missing the Clowers, Zimmermans, Sonniers and McLeans we still had a good crowd of about a dozen or so. After the group left we hung out with the Bayers for a while. Internet not working at our house so Sarah went down to the office for a bit and I stayed up for a while watching news coverage from the first presidential debate of this election. By all accounts liberals and conservatives alike were handing the night to Romney as the clear winner. That surprised me. Obama will no doubt be better prepared next time.

Dinner- French bread pizzas, chocolate cake, and chocolate chip cookies with a glass of diet pepsi.

Devotions- First part of Matthew 7.

October 2, 2012

Tueday- Worked from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm with a half hour break for lunch. Mostly worked in the office- meetings, newsletter, processing Lost and Found items, answering phone and e-mail messages. Came home at 5:00pm. Sarah left for a baby shower at the church for Maria Reyes at 6:30pm. I gave baths and got all the kids to bed. Finshed reading Snow Treasure to Bowden and Lucy before bed. Worked on making placemats before going to bed at midnight.

Dinner- Baked potatoes with a glass of water.

Devotions- Matthew Chapter 6.

October 1, 2012

Monday- My day off. Slept in until 7:30am. Paid bills and cleaned up the house in the morning and early afternoon. After lunch the Bayers popped in for a brief visit along with Chris's brother Bryan and his girlfriend, Nataly. They had just returned from a vacation in Mexico and brought me a Redskins-themed Mexican wrestler's mask as a souvenir. It may very well be the coolest gift I have ever received. I took a nap for an hour and a half in the afternoon before heading over to the soccer fields to coach another game. Bowden also had karate from 5-6. We lost again but the team played much better. After the game we zipped home as Jeremy and Amy Allen were coming over for dinner. Had a nice visit with them. They left at around 10:30pm. I fell asleep shortly thereafter.

Dinner- Chicken Piccata on a bed of pasta with green beans, homemade bread and peanut butter chocolate bars for dessert.

Devotions- Matthew chapter 5

September 30, 2012

Sunday- Slept in until 7:30am. Woke up with a sore back which nagged all day long. Sarah still gone with kids so walked to church by my lonesome. After church returned home straight away and watched football for much of the afternoon. Took a nap during the afternoon. Sarah left for home around 9pm. She called at approximately 11pm to advise me that she had seen two guys stranded next to 243 and wanted to know if I would come back out and help them once she got home. Once Sarah got home I drove back out to see what I could do for the two men, but when I got there CalFire was there helpign them and CHP was on the way. Came back home and went to bed.

Dinner- Salad with a few carrots and some water

Devotions- Matthew Chaps. 2 & 3