How many push ups can you do?

This past week, after reading about the benefits of the simple push up, I decided to embark on my own push up "program." Fortunately for me, there is a web site out there that can help. Especially if your goal happens to be doing one hundred push ups. Who knew there was a website set up for the sole purpose of helping me do 100 push ups?

Currently, I'm no where near being able to do 100 push ups, but I'm up for the challenge. Two days into my new program and I was sore all over my upper body and arms. Remember, no pain, no gain. I'm not quite finished with week one of the 6 week program, but I'll keep you posted.

So, how many push ups can you do?

21 Years!

Today Macy and I celebrate 21 years of incredible marriage. And I do mean incredible! Being married to Macy is a wonderful, fun adventure. She is the "ultimate" marriage partner. I enjoy living my life by her side as she enhances everything about my life.

"Many women are capable, but you surpass them all!" (Pr 31:29)

Macy, you are the best wife in the whole world! The past 21 years have been unbelievable. God has allowed us to experience so many things together. You are the ultimate blessing in my life and I thank God continually for you. You are the most loving, generous, kindhearted, gracious, funny, clumsy, joy-filled, spiritually growing, people loving person I know. And you're mine! Thank you for the blessing you are to me and to so many other people.

Google's Street View comes to town

Street View is a relatively new feature for Google Maps and Google Earth. But until recently, it was not available here in the Fort Myers area. Now it is! If you don't know what Street View is, it provides 360° panoramic street-level views and allows the user to view parts of selected cities and their surrounding metropolitan areas at ground level. It's makes using Google Maps a virtual trip.

Street View has lots of practical functions to it as in I recently used it in preparing for a trip to Indianapolis. But it can also be a lot of fun - I was able to spot my car and a couple of old houses I lived in at one time.

Here's a cheesy video to give you more info on Street View and how to get started.

What are you waiting for? Go see if you can find your house, car or maybe even face on Google Street View!

That Sinking Feeling

Sunday evening, as Macy and I were returning home from having dinner with some friends, we noticed a Sheriff's car at the end of our street. As we tried to turn down our street we were unable to because it was filled with Fire Trucks, lots of other emergency vehicles and lots of emergency personnel. That's when the sinking feeling started.

I parked the car in a friend's driveway, left Macy in the car and stated walking down the street toward our house, praying that all the activity was not going to be because our house had caught on fire. The sinking feeling continued.

After walking about 40 feet, it appeared that it was the house across the street diagonally from our house. As I got closer, that was in fact the case. I called Macy and told her to walk on down. We were very relieved to discover our house was fine, but were saddened about our neighbors.

So what happened? The house that caught on fire had been struck by lightning. Fortunately it did not burn down, but it did have a lot damage. Some good news, the owners of this house only live in it for a couple of months a year. This is not their primary home.

It did remind me, once again, how temporal our stuff really is. We can lose it all in a moment. And I don't need to put my confidence in my house or things...but in God alone.

Serving on Saturday

Saturday about 15 folks from our Bible Study class served at ECHO, a local mission ministry here in Lee County. It was ECHO's Super Saturday where they have a huge plant sale, give tours and do agricultural workshops all day.

ECHO is a really cool missions organization whose mission is "to network with community leaders in developing countries to seek hunger solutions for families growing food under difficult conditions."There vision is to " bring glory to God and a blessing to mankind by using science and technology to help the poor." Instead of just trying to give money to the poor around the world, they help educate people so they can learn to provide for themselves and their communities.

Saturday we served primarily by assisting with parking for the event and some moving of plants. The weather put a little damper on the event, but it was awesome to get out and serve together.

Way to go class!

Awesome Finish

Last night we wrapped up our VBS at McGregor. We decided to have our "Family Night" on Friday night and what a great idea (Dawn)! Tons of children and tons of parents gathered for our final night in the Worship Center and it was awesome...dude.

Highlights for the week...

• 92 children responded in giving their life to Christ!
• 12 were baptized last night!
• 444 children who came to VBS and have no affiliation with our church!
  
• Arthur Keeley dressed up in a grass skirt as the Big Kahuna (worth the price of admission)
• Miller and Russell getting a pie in the face
• The incredible volunteer team (hundreds) that made VBS really happen!!!
• Getting to play a surfer dude all week.
• Having the most incredible preschool and children's ministry leadership teams!
• The music - way to go Rob and Scott all the band members and singers!
• Being called Tad and being asked for my autograph by little kids (what an ego boost).
• The impact made on children's lives that is eternal!

It was an awesome week!!!

Surfer Dude Wig

I'm back. No excuses and hopefully back to my old consistency of posting.

Last night our church kicked off our annual Vacation Bible School. What an awesome start. I get to wear beach clothes and a cool surfer dude wig. How can someone not have fun with that?

Tons of kids and lots of excited volunteers make for an incredible experience. And the best part, children of all ages learning about God and His Word!

Hope to have some pictures for you soon.