Winter Retreat '09

God is Amazing.



For the first time in several months I really feel like I am where I need to be. I feel like God has placed me in a position that I am loving more and more each week. I love the teens that I am working with. The volunteers that are helping me out are phenomenal. Thank you God for affirming what I am doing.



Now to this past weekend.



We had a wonderful trip to Gull Lake Retreat Center . We took 22 teens (15 guys and 7 girls) with us to Hickory Corners, MI. You can look at the accommodations that we had by going to "retreats" and then to "accommodations." The guys were in the "Galatians" condo, and the girls were in the "Ben Gordon" condo. They were nice.

This year they had several things available for us. They had sledding which I hear was awesome, they had movies, board games, a game room with foosball, ping pong, pool, air hockey,and many other fun things. Friday night they had a trip to the YMCA (which we didn't go to because we ran out of gas on the way there.)

I had a really good time this past weekend but I am super excited about the trip next year. They are adding an on-site gym, bowling alley,etc... it is going to be awesome.

Thanks again Tina and Steve for going with us. We couldn't do it without you.

It's Really a Bathroom Break

Ok, I know that this may get me in trouble but I am going to say it anyways. I have been extremely dissapointed with the recent trend at the Superbowl halftime shows. In the past 5 years there has been nothing but "old fart" male performers. First off, I want you to realize that I just called; Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, The Artist Formerly Known as Prince, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band old farts. I called them that because they are. I understand that at one time they were all very relevant and very entertaining.
The obvious reason for this testosterone party is the exposure that JJ received 6 years ago at the expense of JT. I totally agree that what happened on stage was inappropriate, but was it bad enough to torture all viewers under the age of 40?
Look at the list of performers the 5 years previous to the malfunction.

1999 - Stevie Wonder, Gloria Estefan, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Savion Glover

2000 - Phil Collins, Christina Aguilera, Enrique Iglesias, Toni Braxton, 80-person choir, Edward James Olmos

2001 - Ben Stiller, Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Aerosmith, 'N Sync, Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige, Nelly

2002 - U2 (Tribute to 9/11 victims)

2003 - Shania Twain, No Doubt, Sting

Notice every year besides 2002 contained at least one female. 4/5 pre-pasty, 0/5 post-pasty. Even more importantly they contained artists that were relevant to the time. I feel like instead of making the halftime show entertaining they have turned it into History 101.

I am making a concious decision to stop going on about this.

Here are my two questions.

1) If you could go back and watch any halftime show live from a seat on stage, who would it be?

2) Who would be a couple of people that you would like to see do the halftime show next year?

Water

Fantasies

***Quick note: Sometimes when I write out words they don't "look right." So, sometimes I use the convenient Google search bar located on the browser to search a word and see if it corrects my spelling of it. Don't ever search "Fantasies."***

Ok, now about my fantasies.

Every year near the end of August people around the country and world get together to compile a team that can beat their friends teams throughout a friendly season of fantasy football.

Well, that time has come to a close. I am feeling the loneliness that continues to set in year after year in December. (The loneliness would be deferred to February if the Bears could ever decide to show up and play.)

So after looking at my options...(Fantasy NASCAR, or Fantasy Baseball) I have decided to start a Fantasy NASCAR league.

Who's with me?