Butterbean or Butterbette?

I can't claim that one. Someone else said it. I don't know who, off the top of my head, but thanks to whoever it was.

Tomorrow's the big day. XX or XY? Blue (ash) or Pink? Baseball or softball (but never soccer;)! Kim's feeling somewhat better. She went to our family dr. yesterday and paid him $20 to tell her she still has the same stupid virus and it has to run its course. She goes back to the family dr today to get a form filled out for working this summer. And then to the OB tomorrow. Can you say, lab coat oversaturation? We've had a couple peaceful nights lately where she starts feeling the baby flutter around inside her. A few more weeks and I'll be able to feel the soft kicks and moves as well. 21.5 weeks in and I'm really starting to get excited. We've passed the halfway point and it's all downhill from here.

I started the latest Donald Miller book about growing up without a father. I can't relate to everything he talks about, having grown up with a great dad. But it forces me to really see what it might be like to not have one.
My plecostamus (sp.) just made a huge splash in my tank. He's a monster now. Phil's tank pump died, so he gave me his 4 fish, so my school's back up to 8 again. And now I have 2 sucker fish! So if you're keeping score at home:
1 White Skirt Tetra (wimpy fish)
1 Black Skirt Tetra (he and the whitey ate his counterpart a couple weeks ago--he's huge!)
1 Headlight/Taillight Tetra (had since January 05!)
1 Monster Plecostamus
and from Phil's tank
2 Black/Gold Mollies (2nd generation--he actually had them since birth!)
1 Zebra Danio (patroller of the tank--picked up where my suicidal rainbow shark used to lord)
1 Plecostamus (a ways to go to equal the monster's size)

What a random post. And for that matter, a random day.
First Mall supper tonight...a 3rd year tradition that hopefully keeps going strong!

Speed bumps

Why do they put speed bumps in the most inappropriate places? I mean, surely they know that I need to zip through that parking lot as fast as I possibly can, right?

I think God knows we move constantly at breakneck speed. Every now and then, He throws a few speed bumps in our path to reel us in and help us to focus on what's important...His glory.

Take for instance this week. Being gone over the weekend, I got behind, and sitting with the boys has abbreviated all of my days this week. But I have finished everything I needed to. And I've avoided all the little sidetraps that often compete for my attention. About the only regret about this week so far has been my having to miss my morning Bible Study that I am so enjoying.
I finished another book. World record reader pace for the ADD poster child I am. I highly reccommend Blue Like Jazz and Searching for God Know's What, both by Donald Miller. I wonder if he's kin to Craig? Arkansas shout out!
Alan suggested reading these in his ever so subtle (I think you should read these!) way, and I thank him for his endorsement. I value his friendship more and more everyday, as I do with all of my friends.
The longer I do what I do, I'm convinced that relationships are the key to fulfilling Christ's goals for His church. God wired us to be relational. We were meant to be in groups, interacting with one another. The major theme I've been convicted of lately is the theme of disconnect. And explaining what I mean by that word is more difficult than I wish it was. I just sense this world moving towards a total disconnect with one another. A looking out for number one mentality, so that we don't give a flying flip about our neighbor. And this is completely contrary to Jesus' commands: "Love the Lord" and "Love your neighbor."
Wouldn't the world be a better place if you told someone you would pray for them and actually did it? I'm so guilty of that one. I have good intentions. But given a rock and good intentions, see which one breaks the window. I wish people would just do a better job of listening to people. Connect with their hearts. Talk about stuff that matters, not petty drivel or meaningless chatter designed to feign interest.
Wow. I'm a nutter budder.
And I'm late. So much for that speed bump.

Mpacting

I call our Wednesday night crowd time MPact. I know it's a ripoff of everybody else's, but I always have liked the seriousness of the word. My prayer has always been that this world will be impacted by what takes place here at Mt. Carmel.

Last night, it was. For the first time in a long time, we felt like a Student Ministry, and not just a Student Group. There was the opening volleyball game. Lots and lots of laughter. Unusual for this time of year. But refreshing.
Then there was our Crowdbreaker. I admit I borrowed it from Group Magazine. I had them design their own icons on an index card, like on a computer screen. Then on the back I had them write what happens when you right click on their icon. "Opens With": What gets you going? "Scan" What's the first thing people notice about you at first? "Create Shortcut" What one word describes you best? "Rename" If you could change your name or location, what or where would it be? Why? "Copy" Who is your idol or role model? Why? "Properties" Write 3 things about your past or family heritage that have helped shape who you are.
They grumbled and fussed. They hate doing work, but it turned out great. We shared our icons and what they meant, then we shared our "Create Shortcut" answers. Over the next few weeks, we'll share all our "Right Clicks."

Then the Junior High went to their class, and Senior High stayed with me. I explained that we were trying something different. I introduced the topic, about how we are not of this world. How this world is only temporary, and how we need to keep our eyes focused on the future glory Christ has prepared for us. After this, we watched a film clip from the movie, Aeon Flux, then we began a discussion. We read passages from I John and I Peter. The discussion was incredible. I heard kids say the most mature things to come out of their mouths in months. Even after the lesson, I had a student come and call me out on something I said, and he was 100% correct. I flippantly responded to something someone had said, and it was rude. I apologized and was forgiven. Maturity is showing up.
At least it did last night. The constant battle to keep my cynicism from overtaking my faith is a struggle, but nights like last night reinforce how Christ works, whether I allow Him to or not.

Feeling better about the next 2 weekends. Still lots to do and take care of, but shouldn't be a problem.
Kim's well. We heard the Butterbean again. Well, the doctor heard the Butterbean, and said he/she sounded great. We didn't actually make it out, but I trust the doctor. This is the third of 5 doctors that might deliver our baby. I liked her. Kim liked her, too, but she still likes Doc #2 better. I could care less. I just want my wife healthy and happy, and our baby healthy and happy too.
Woot! 8 weeks til Fuge. 23 weeks 'til Butterbean!
And oh yeah, as long as the Bean is cooperative, we'll find out boy vs. girl on June 1. Woo hoo!
Better actually get some work done! Today is Steak Day/Pay Day! Double Woot!