confessions of a rec center wreck…

One of the first things I did this morning when I came to work at the Rec Center was to have to empty a drainage spot for the kitchen sinks at the Rec Center. That was at 10 am this morning and I still cannot get that smell out of my nostrils. We were never able to get the original septic plans for how the Rec Center was originally built when we took over the building a few years back. Most of the water and drains like in the bathrooms and pop machines we have re done ourselves. However the sink that we have in the basement has a drainage pipe that goes out the building to a pit under the porch where it is supposed to fill up and go out another drainage pipe. That second pipe mysertiously has backed up causing the pit under the porch to back up and the drainage water to become stale and need bucketed out occasionally or it will over flow stinky sink water onto the porch. Today was my day to take care of draining this hole and it was not fun!

Other than that whole deal I just whined about today has been a really good day. I have been able to get caught up and get a lot accomplished on our Biggest Loser contest, like getting everyone’s stats caught up on. Also we were able to get the lanes prepped for tonight’s mixed bowling league and various other things.

I just found out there is no school in Lee County tomorrow. Be praying that many of these kids will come out and we will have an opportunity to share Jesus with them here tomorrow. Take care!!

Tonight I had a Bible study w/ one of my FCA students. We are working through a Bible study on Godly characteristics. Tonight’s study was on chivalry. To be honest most of the time when I have thought of chivalry I thought of medieval knights or manners towards women. However as we studied chivalry it was more on looking out and for those in need and helping the helpless. Our main passage of study was the story of how David sought out to help any of Jonathan’s surviving family, and ended up finding and helping Mephibosheth (hope I spelled that right). One of the things we discussed is how often we are looking for a big way to serve Christ, when in reality God gives us “small” (atleast in our own eyes) ways to serve those in need everyday. I pray that we all seek those opportunities to share God through our love and service everday…

Today has been a very busy but good and productive day. This morning Erin and I were up bright and early for our FCA huddle up at the high school. We were able to talk to the kids about how God’s rules and regulations for our lives are not Him being a cosmic killjoy, but rather looking out for our best interest. And also how following God’s guidelines is another way we change from the inside/out to have that closer relationship w/ Him.

Tonight is Men’s bowling league. Many of you who follow this blog know that this is a source of great joy and sorrow for me. A consistent bowler I am not. Some weeks I am amazing and other weeks I look like it is the first time I have picked up a bowling ball. I pray that I can one day be just a consistent bowler that doesn’t hurt his team.

Also with the men’s bowling league comes a chance to befriend the guys in the league and develop a testimony and relationship w/ them which will hopefully lead into opportunities to encourage them and share Christ with them. Please pray that these opportunities would develop and then that I would also recognize the chances that God gives me. Thanks so much for your prayers!!!

One of the funny things about living in a rural area is how everyone gets all excited and worked up over the possibility of snow. Today as I was in town and around the community I heard many stories of how we might be getting anywhere from 2 inches to 2 feet of snow over the next few days. Officially we are supposed to get 8 inches to a foot of snow, which granted is a lot for this area, but nothing compared to what we got when I lived in Chicago. Yet here ½ inch of snow shuts stuff totally down. Needless to say lots of people seemed to be worked up. I just pray that thing keep going strong at the Rec Center this weekend w/ lots of patrons!

Today has been a pretty busy day of doing various things around the Rec Center and then also going out to camp to help with a computer program at the camp office. Nothing to stressful. Sorry for the sorta blah update today, but didn’t want to have you all think I had forgotten to blog again!

I want to thank those of you who regularly check my blog and keep up with what is going on with things here in Beattyville. I wanted to take a moment and as a personal favor of you. This spring Erin and I have made it our goal to get into as many churches as possible to share about our ministry here in Kentucky as well as try and get some support appointments with individuals. For those of you who do not know what a support appointment is, this is where we come share with you about the history of our ministry, what led us here, what we do and why we do it in hopes of getting the individual to either partner with us prayerfully, financially, or both. If you are interested in us coming to share with your church or with you, or even know someone who might have a heart for the ministry we do here in Kentucky we would love to opportunity to come and share with you! Hope all is well and may God bless you!!

For the first time in over a month Erin and I went back to the high school today for FCA huddle. While our numbers were down a bit it was a great lesson and time spent with the kids as we talked about how we each have very special roles and gifts that God has given us in the Body of Christ! We are really trying to encourage our students this year to grow in their relationships with Christ and make him the Lord of their life and not just fire insurance. I pray our students will truly seek to serve and grow in their relationship with Christ!

For the first time in awhile the sun is shining here and it is actually warming up and turning into a beautiful day. And to be honest work hasn’t been that bad today either, with most things going smoothly. However, I am feeling a little down and frustrated. I just got another medical bill in the mail today. This one from some blood work I had done in May of last year and thought everything had been covered already by my insurance. Unfortunately that was not the case and I owe $160 by the end of the month. Add that on with all the bills from Erin’s surgery expenses it’s been pretty tight lately. God has been good and we have had the support we need to meet all these bills, but it’s just been a bit frustrating as we have been unable to get ahead to save money and make needed repairs to our home. When we think we are getting ahead…bam!!! Another bill pops up out of nowhere. I guess I am really just praying for a financial miracle…..

Once again the snow is coming down strong here in Beattyville today. For so much snow it really hasn’t accumumlated but has made things cold and miserable. For some reasons when snow came as a kid it was great, but as an adult with no prospect of getting to spend the day at home, I just wish for warm weather!!!

I’m also getting ready to head down and pick up my mom at the airport today. She has spent the past week visiting with her family in Florida and I am really jealous. When Erin and I went to Florida in August we loved it and keep trying to figure out how to get back. Hopefully next year!!

Well, today has been a rambling blog, but I just wanted to say hi to all!

For the past week we have been under a deep freeze it feels like here in Beattyville. Tomorrow, I think we are finally supposed to get above freezing. With this cold weather, snow, and everything else it has also ushered in the busy season at the Rec Center with all the people coming out to lose weight as a New Year’s resolution. It’s sad but part of me sits and makes wagers with myself on which people will truly stick it out and accomplish their weight loss goals. However, this year I am trying not to be as cynical since I too have joined the resolution to lose weight ranks. With working here at the Rec Center, Erin and I are not able to join the contest. However at our church, Emmanuel Baptist, we are having a contest there. My goal is to lose as much as possible and never have to pay the dollar fine that incurs if you gain weight in a given week!

In other news, Erin and I went forward yesterday at Emmanuel and became members. This is really the first time I have ever sought membership in a church. The church my folks went to when I was little said I was a member after I got baptized there, but I never asked to be a member so didn’t really understand that. Then going to Bear Track I think membership was more assumed than sought. And during my time in Chicago I knew I was coming back to KY so I never really sought membership there. However, it’s exciting to be part of a church family and ready to take on roles of members and dig in to getting plugged in and hopefully adding to the ministry of the church.