S.A.D. is Coming to Town

That's right. Almost hot of the press. Neil Kring Cole's latest Christmas release.



enjoy!

the early formation of kringkong

I saw this recently, and it reminded me of the days that i was a manager of the eighth grade basketball team learning for the first time about this new music called rap music. i was a couple of years behind reality, but here's a song off of the first hip hop cassette tape i ever owned - Fat Boys. Enjoy . . .

Happy Thanksgiving

During most holidays I usually have to ask myself if I am truly finding meaning during all the festivities. It seems like during this holiday, giving thanks would be appropriate meaning to derive from the day.

Psalm 100
A psalm. For giving thanks.
1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
2 Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

May reality of His presence dwell in your hearts during this day of thankfulness.

I love a good fight . . . BUT

. . . there are 2 guys that I'm tired of listening to - one is a black man, the other is an old man. Its the same old political BS that we were listening to 4, 8, 12 years ago. If I sound frustrated it's probably because I'm disappointed. I thought this one would be different. I would rather see them in the octagon.

2 Losses ...

Colts lost and I lost my voice screaming in delight!

Urinal biscuits

I laugh almost every time the bathroom in the building where our church office is located gets "cleaned." The urinal gets cleaned by adding more of those pink biscuits. Once I counted 12 biscuits in there at one time (of course I didn't move them around to make sure I counted correctly). If I add some of those biscuits to the desk in my office maybe it will get "cleaned" as well.

The other picture is of the faucet in that same bathroom turned to the off position. I imagine 150 gallons of water go down the drain every day while the sink is "off." The management doesn't care, even with repeated calls from the conscientious pastor in our office. I'm assuming they're diverting all of their resources toward acquiring and storing more urinal biscuits.

Unbelievable Video . . .

This has restored my faith in Christian music . . .

Mouth Explosion . . .

I came home from church tonight, and my son Dyllan told me to eat "this piece of fruit." Besides the fact that his dirty fingers had been all over it, and besides the fact that I could clearly see it was not a fruit, I indulged him (I could see it was some sort of onion or hot pepper he got at a picnic we went to out at a friend's farm). I washed it and said, "boy this looks really sweet." I took a very small bite of it and I about blew up. Now, I am one who likes spicy food, and I can handle most peppers, but this tiny bite of pepper almost made me pass out. I kept most of it in my mouth, but accidentally swallowed a little. He told me, after I had to spit it out in the trash can, that it was a Bolivian Rainbow Pepper. I have new respect for any Bolivian who can eat that pepper without flenching.

In the absence of friends

Here's what the kids have been doing in the absence of their friends, the Pace children. Like a dog returning to it's vomit . . .

Ronald's in the Hizzouse

This was the most ridiculous Ronald McDonald I've ever seen. He was Ronald from the hood (could be because we saw him at a McDonalds in the hood), complete with Urban slang and a bad attitude. My kids thought he was funny though. Must be all that hip-hop they listen to.

Though the fig tree should not blossom . . .

Last Sunday many from our church community had the privilege of joining the Urban Light Community Church to prepare a meal for them as well as join them for their worship service. Many in their community as well as some from our own (as the mother used to attend our church when she was a student here) were dealing with the loss of one of their couple's newborn baby. It was a very difficult, emotional time. One of their leaders shared from Habbakuk,

3:17-18
Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

I have been meditating on this passage of scripture most of the week, thinking about how the circumstances of my life often cause me pull away from the God of my salvation. This reminder has been like a breath of fresh air for my wandering heart.

Spring Concerts

This was Dyllan's Spring Choir Concert.  The fourth grade always learns the recorder for choir and in fifth grade they learn to play the hand bells.  Something to look forward to.  We will be attending Wesley's strings concert tomorrow (he plays the violin) and we already attended Wesley's choir concert when Dyllan was at Camp Crosley.  I'm sure they'll be several activities over the next two weeks and enjoy them all.  What will we find to do with ourselves this summer?  There's always the pool.  I'll try to update this a little more often instead of catching everyone up on five months activity in one day.  Hope you enjoyed!

The Perfect Mother's Day - She's Having A Baby!

No, I'm not having a baby, my friend Jenni Barrett is having a baby.  On the day before Mother's Day I went down to Indy with some friend's for Jenni's shower.  I told Neil this was my mother's day.  I went to a garage sale that morning (always fun and kind of exciting to see what you might find, even though I found nothing), went to the shower with my friends and then came home to go on a date with my husband - and my mom even kept the kids overnight.  I couldn't have asked for a better day - unless I could have somehow thrown scrapbooking into the mix.  It was great fun to go to the shower and see our friend who was a freshman at Ball State and involved in our church when Neil and I were first married.  We have a long history with her and her husband Marc and are very excited about their upcoming parenthood.  Congrats!

He's Growing Up!

It finally came- Dyllan's class trip to Camp Crosley at Lake Tippecanoe in Northern Indiana.  When we first heard about the upcoming trip at the beginning of the school year, we wondered how in the world will this all work out.  Can Dyllan be trusted for such a long time away from his parents' supervision?  Well, I guess they rose to the challenge.  He was there for 4 days and 3 nights and to our knowledge not a lot of drama - at least not reported to the parents.  It was an outdoor education camp where they fished, did a ropes course, rock wall climbing, outdoor games, nature hikes, etc.  He survived and we did too.  We missed him and yet as you cam imagine it didn't change things too much as far as the noise and activity levels when there were still 4 healthy, rambunctious children at home.  We're glad he's back safe and sound.

Baseball - It's our life! ! !

Well, it's only just begun I believe.  All the kids are playing baseball/softball this summer and I am coaching Wesley's team.  Before you all think I steamrolled Neil into this let me tell you that it was his idea.  Of course, that was during the dreary, boring, uneventful month of February when you send in your sign up info.  I predicted that we would never again have all of our children participating in a sport at the same time.  Well, that may come true.  We had practice 6 nights a week when we started out and some nights more than one.  In some ways it has calmed down now that the games have begun.  I feel like I'm in my element (although I must confess that it is a little overwhelming to have dinner ready at 4:30) and I think Neil feels like he's sort of in hell.  He has had fun working with the kids on their skills and going to the games and all but I think it's that multiplication factor. I'm waiting for the day that we get to go to the ball diamond and the thermometer reads above 50 degrees.

Aunt Donna's 60th Birthday

Well, the kids discovered a new trick on our camera just before we headed to Brownsburg (Neil's brothers house) for Aunt Donna's 60th birthday celebration.  You can change the color of certain images in the picture while leaving the rest of the photo black and white.  Well, this entertained them most of the way there and during the day - until the battery ran out.  I do tend to be the more permissive of us as parents but someone has to be, right?!  Anyway, I still don't even know how to use this feature but it came in handy for entertainment value on this day.  I hope you enjoy Dyllan's drama.  He had to perform something that would go along with the color scheme of the photo.  I'm sure he got his acting talent from his father.

Second Spring Break

Second Spring Break!  What in the world is that?!  Some beautiful thing Burris made up.  Ha! Ha!  Well, we had an extra long weekend in April (the friday and monday off) so we just had to do something, right?!  Well, we called up Grandma B and asked if we could go to the Indy zoo.  Of course it was perfect timing for the butterfly gardens too which I had never seen.  I think the kids had a good time.  Maybe Taylor will get into Burris next year and we can all enjoy it together.

Party Time

One of our good friends and co-laborers here at Ball State decided she wanted a dance party for her birthday.  So, we all obliged.  We got all dressed up, got a babysitter (thanks grandma- my kids great grandma) and cut some rug.  It was a good time of fun, fellowship, dessert and brushing up on some of our ball room dancing skills.  It's been a long time since we got married and took our first class. I don't think we've added much to our knowledge since them.

Midwest Fo Life

Well, it may be true.  Neil's good friend who now lives and ministers in LA sent him this shirt.  I'm not sure if we should be excited or what.  But maybe it's true . . .

Speaking with Conviction

An awesome poem that just about everyone has on their blog, featuring Taylor Mali:

World Wildlife Federation trying to gain Hulk Hogan's support

I got this from Monkeys For Helping. Pretty funny site.

Lessons in Submission from Working Out . . .

It may come as a surprise for many of you, but I'm not as tough and manly as I appear. I know it's hard to believe, but trust me. This semester, I started working out with a couple of guys much younger than me. We've been lifting weights 3-4 days a week. Since it has been nearly 8 years since the last time I lifted weights regularly, it would be an understatement to say it has been hard. One of these guys pushes himself so hard that he works out most exercises to the point of failure. I won't begin a set if I'm not absolutely sure I can finish all 10 reps. Anyway, they always want to do the hard exercises. I look around for the exercises that are easier for me, they always suggest lat pulls, squats, shoulder press, pull-ups and dips. Each time they do, I find myself saying on the inside, "Do we have to?" But there's too much testosterone floating around to say it out loud. I've learned with these guys to submit to what they're doing, knowing it will make me stronger than what I would do if I got to choose the exercise. I guess there's a lesson in there for me, probably a larger life lesson: Let those around me push me toward greater sacrifice in order to accomplish a greater goal. Or - Don't let me be your personal trainer.

Dyllan Rocks

We had Dyllan's 10th birthday party on Saturday.  Of course I always try to figure out how to fit in a few crafts and games.  We melted lps in to the shape of bowls (much to my father's disapproval), made guitar picks out of shrinky dinks, and had a guitar tournament playing Guitar Hero III for the Wii.  It was quite the time and Neil always helps to put the finishing touch on things.  He decided to dress up and I told him I was game as well.  Check out the pictures.  He even did my hair.

4 Random Thoughts and 1 Random Picture

Here are 4 random things I've been thinking about:

1) Politicians (especially those running for president) in no way represent ideals that would be synonymous with Christ-like character. "You have to do what you have to do to get elected," I hear the defenders of their favorite presidential candidates say. Well, I'll say this, "don't go telling me that they're a good Christian person."

2) The Total Money Makeover is a good book. I know it is good and mostly true because it provides a difficult, challenging plan for getting out of debt and being financially responsible. As opposed to this.

3) My daughter Taylor is very athletic. Somehow she just excels in sports with very little effort, teaching or practice. That doesn't keep me from being one of the yelling parents at her 5th grade basketball games - or my wife (I'll have to get that on video for you sometime - talk about uncomfortable).

4) This is a good verse: James 3:17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Those are all things I would like to become.

Lent

For the first 15 years of my Christian life, I never observed Lent. To me it was a Catholic tradition that made some of my friends feel better about their lack of spirituality during the rest of the year (not saying that is true of all Catholics - just my experience with some people I knew). But a few years ago, I decided along with some friends to observe the tradition of Lent. For a 40 day period (from Ash Wednesday - which is to today by the way - until Easter Sunday) I fasted from something as a way of identifying with Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness, and to prepare for what should be the greatest celebration in the Christian faith (not Christmas - Easter!). I think I stopped reading blogs and news feeds on my computer and only used my computer for emailing and writing teachings that first year. It was challenging for me, but showed me how dependent I was on my computer for escaping from real things. I've fasted from pop, or entertainment, or food altogether at different times. But this year I decided that rather than take something away to show myself how dependent on that thing I have become, I would add something that would help me draw closer to God. Since Lent is 40 days, I have committed to taking a 40 minute prayer walk every day for these 40 days. I'm looking forward to seeing how He uses that to draw me nearer to His heart.

How are you observing Lent (if you are)?

Everything Evens Out

I have some good news and I have some bad news. First the bad news and you've probably already heard it: The Patriots lost the SuperBowl. Now the good news: I ate alot of junkfood while I was watching the game . . . So Even Steven. Things tend to work out for me like that.

Jesus is not Messiah?

I have to admit I was a little suprised by this. Not that I view John Hagee as the source of sound doctrine, nor have I even read this book. But Jesus, not the Messiah????? . . .