Back from the boonies...

Well, we're back. What can I say it took me a day to recoup, but we got back, no broken bones, and all is well. The trip went good, except for one late pick-up from our driver, who by the way, would make any NASCAR fan cheer by the way he takes the turns in WV. I loved the time we had to spend with the youth, and I think and hope many of them made decisions this weekend to draw nearer to God, and let go of some things that were holding them back from being 100% sold out for Christ. Well anyways, Winterplace so blows Cataloochee out of the water as far as skiing goes. They have much better slopes, and for the most part, I thought better food. The only thing was I thought Chris was gonna have to beat-up on of the lift attendants. Which I guess if I was gonna take sides, I would have put my money on the lift attendant, sorry Chris. Later.

Is it Monday, Tuesday, or Friday???????

Well, I spent yesterday at home with the kids, cause Tracy's got a stomach bug. I am trying to stay away 'cause we leave for Winterplace, WV on Thursday for our youth ski trip, and I don't wanna be sick. That would suck. I first went skiing last year, and I love the crap out of it. It rocks, the only thing better is paintball. Anyway, I am at work for the first and last time this week, so today is my Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, cause I am off the rest of the week. Well, I am just trying to make the day and then I am off for the slopes of WV. Peace.

I love this commercial !!!!

I don't know why, but this commercial made me laugh. I know I'm a dork.

I hate waiting.

Man waiting sucks. I have been trying to sell my house for awhile now, and I have had several offers, but just can't seem to make it click. I get excited about it whenever people come over and look, and get my hopes up everytime. It just seems like something happens, and we can't make it work. Just within the last week, I have had a guy come to my house on 3 seperate occasions, and my realtor says he is gonna make an offer, and offer that I like, but it is just killing me all of this waiting.

Well, I got to thinking about it, and I guess we do this same thing with God. We want something to happen so bad, and so fast, and when it doesn't we wonder, what happened. We know that this is what God wants, we have prayed about it, sought Him out, and now want to know what is taking so long. I have come to realize in all of this, that things go according to God's timing, not ours. That sometimes just because we want something, we don't always get it exactly when we want it. I have also realized though, that if during this time, that if we stay truly focused on Him, and not all the things we want, that there will come a time when we will be able to see God's timing in things too. We will know what to expect, and when to expect it. I have, in the past month or 2 had to really change my focus, and turn and run closer to God with several areas in my life, one of these being patience. I truly believe too, that the closer we are to Him the more we will know exactly what God wants, and when He wants it.

Well that's what I think anyway, for what it's worth....Peace out.

Blog, blog, blog.....

Wow. Doesn't seem like it, but I haven't blogged in a few days. Well a few things going on here. I have been so busy lately. I had a conference with Ashley's, my oldest (for those who don't know), counselor yesterday about some college stuff. School has always been a struggle for her, and I was a little worried about her even being able to go to school. Well my mind was set at ease and for now it looks like she will be able to got to the school she has been wanting to go to. CSU (Charleston Southern University). I have been to the school twice on mission camps, and want her to attend. For the whole 2 of you who view this, pray for her.


Also I'm stressing over V-day. I felt like I set a high bar last year, and I am trying to top it.

I am also excited about date night this week. My bro is watching the girls, and Tracy and I are going to a HOCKEY game. Yes, I am heading back to see the Gladiators, 3rd row seats!!!! We will grab something to eat too.

Lastly, if you happen to read this tonight, or later, cause I will be going to several schools over the next month, I am going to Creekview HS in the morning to speak at FCA, just say a little prayer for me. I just finished studying for tomorrow, printed up my notes, and am ready to rock. Preston is gonna go with me. I am excited, but I always get a little nervous too. Love God and Rock n' Roll.

Joe

Footballs over.....finally...

Well the Super Bowl's finally over, the party was a sucess, now I can focus on bigger and better things, namely HOCKEY. You know I have been asked many times how a country boy (AKA Big Country) like me can like such a communist sport...well I will have to answer like this, ever known a country boy that didn't like to see a good fight? Well, anyhow, I went to a game Saturday, the ECHL Gwinnett Gladiators. These guys are awesome, plus you see more fights in one night at one of these games than you do in the whole season of the Thrashers. Don't get me wrong, the Thrashers are awesome too, they're my boys and all, but they just don't get it on like the Gladiators, who BTW are the minor league team for the Thrashers. Both teams are at the top of there respective divisions right now, but in my opinion, the Thrashers need to step it up. They're 5-5-0 in the last 10, which ain't gonna cut it for a team trying to make the play-offs. I hope I can make a few more games before the end of the season anyway. Well peace out.

My brother is so stupid.........

Yeah, I know it ain't necessarily cool to talk about others, but I just had to tell y'all about this one. My brother, who I have accused a time or two of not being the sharpest knife in the drawer, went grocery shopping this morning. He gets his items, checks out, places said items in the mini-van, puts away the buggy, gets in the van and tries to crank it. He inserts the key, and tries to turn the ignition, but the van won't crank. He, I assume, tries several more times, until he realizes that, IT ISN"T HIS VAN. What a moron. He actually put his groceries in someone elses van. Then he in a mad dash removes all his groceries before the rightful owner emerges from the store. Well anyways, just thought I would let y'all know about my bro.

Snow Day Dance....

You've heard the old saying, you learn something new everyday. Well yesterday I learned from my 10 year old, Adriana, via my wife, that there IS a snow day dance, and it does work. For all of you skeptics and non-believers out there, let me tell you, she did it Wednesday night, and they were out of school yesterday. After hearing that, I have placed her on Snow Day Dance suspension for the remainder of the season. See, for those of you who don't know, I work for the power company, and when it snows I go to work (see post Work Sucks....).

Anyhow, I feel inclined to tell you how the dance is done with this disclaimer, DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME, DURING THE WINTER, OR ANY OTHER TIME THE TEMP DROPS BELOW SUB-FREEZING. Thank You. Now for the dance.

After taking a shower you must immediately after drying off put your PJ's on inside out. Then proceed with urgency (hair still dripping) to the freezer. At this point, you fling wide the door, of said freezer, and commence to getting your groove on. When your are thoroughly exhausted your straight forth retire to the bedroom, turn out the light, and go to sleep.

As soon as Tracy told me about this I died laughing, simply because I could envision Tracy standing in the shadows quietly cheering her on, cause she, being a T.A., wouldn't have to go to work either. So in conclusion they got their snow day and I got 3 and a half hours over time. Thanks Baby Girl.

Hobbies Aquired

As you can tell, I have alot of time on my hands today. So I just thought I would list some of the new things I have done in the past 12 months. Here it goes:

1. Skiing- this was the bomb. At the age of 36 I just went skiing for the first time, and by day 2 was doing pretty darn good if I do say so myself. The only way I could see to improve on skiing would be to find a way to incorporate paintball (my alltime fav) into it. I am gonna work on that.

2. Deer Hunting- yes another stupid redneck has entered the woods. I used to go squirrel hunting when I was a kid, and even tried deer hunting a time or two (rained on the first time it was about 34 degrees, the second time my buddy and I got lost and almost missed supper), but this year I made it official. I AM HUNTER, SEE ME KILL. I officially became a man on Saturday November 25th around 9:45 am when I shot my first deer (a nice wall hanging 8 point buck, which by the way will probably never make it on my wall if Tracy has anything to say about it).

3. Hog Hunting- yep that's what I said HOG. I made my first feeble attempt at this one last weekend, and came back with nothing but cold feet and lost time. Maybe I will try again this weekend. If I kill one I will post the picture.

4. Geo caching- What is this you may ask. Well let's see. You basically go out into the woods to find stuff that people have hidden, usually in a box or something, take stuff out of the box, put stuff in the box, sign the log book inside to prove you found it, then re-hide it again for the next buffoon to find. Not really sure if I will stick to this one. Didn't really have a good first outing yesterday. Went looking for 6 and only found 2, but I am convinced the others just weren't there.

Well that's it. Wonder what exciting adventurous things are in store for me down the road,..........hum I wonder.......

Thanks.

Just finished reading one of my all time favorite chapters out of the Bible, Hebrews 11. I just love the way that Paul list all these different guys (and gals) in the Bible and how they had faith to see beyond their circumstances. That no matter what situation they were facing, they saw past it all and focused on one thing, God's vision for not only their lives, but the lives of people for generations to come.

I said that to say this. I am so thankful to finally feel like I am truly a part of God's plans. I had searched for a church that lined up with what I felt was God's design for a long time. I finally found it at the Stone. I have been attending this church for about a year and a half, and since coming here, have seen the numbers more than triple. This is only because the staff at RSC are totally focused on one thing, reaching the lost. No matter what the situation, ridicule from the skeptics, or straight out bashing from the "religious" leaders in our community, the staff at the Stone never allow that to blur the vision that God has laid out for this church.

I guess what this is, is a big THANK YOU first and foremost to God, and then to the staff at the the Stone for allowing me to serve in just a small part of what I feel is God's design for a church.

Work SUCKS.........

What the crap? My boss calls at 7pm last night and tells me that I have to be in by 3am, cause we are under a winter weather advisory. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love my job and all, but........
Well anyways I was just sitting here at 2:20am waiting on my carpool buddy and thought what the heck nothing better to do than blog on the old laptop. Oh well gotta go keep the lights burning.