Sunday Night Thoughts...

• I think I became an official "Michigander" today. Why, you ask? Because I stained my deck. I think staining a deck is a right of passage for people who live in Michigan. It seems like people are always "staining their deck." At least that is true of my friends - especially Matt. Now, I don't want to just pick on Matt. When I was in college, it seemed like my friends were always "staining their deck" sometime during the summer. And, now, this California boy joins the Michigan club.
• Speaking of California, I'm jealous of Ty. He's in San Diego attending Youth Specialties' "National Youth Workers Convention." Some year I'll have to attend that thing in San Diego. They also have the convention in other cities - like St. Louis, Nashville, Atlanta, etc., but there's nothing like going back home to San Diego.
  
• However, if I could pick anywhere to live it would not be San Diego -- Too many people. I think I would choose somewhere in Colorado, or Washington, or New Mexico -- seriously.
• While I'm on a San Diego kick -- I don't like when the Chargers have a bye. Sunday football just isn't the same. So, that's why I stained my deck!
• Currently, I'm losing 43-38 in one of my fantasy football leagues. Fantasy football is weird. One week I score 119 points and lose. This week, it looks like if I score 50 points I will win. Weird. Both me and the guy I'm playing have players tomorrow night.
• Right now, I'm watching game 7 of the ALCS. Boston is up 2-0! (Edit - 3-0) I rooting for Boston. I don't know why, I just like Boston, but I hate the Patriots. I sure hope they lose soon.
• This morning, I was crabby at church. There were a lot of things that got under my skin. I won't name them here, because I don't want to make people mad. But I was crabby. I apologize to anyone I offended.
  
• One of the things that has ticked me off lately is how busy teenagers are, and how stressed out they are! And yes, hearing how busy teens are again this morning was one of the things that made me mad. Do teenagers really need to be this busy? Personally, I think teenagers don't even know how to have fun anymore. I want to seen teenagers full of life again -- laughing, talking singing, etc. Hey teenagers - take some time and relax and be a kid.
  
• Next weekend I'm going on our annual cloud 9 retreat. Last year, this retreat rocked my socks off!
• Some teenagers might not be able to go because they signed up late. I'm going to try and get them in, but it's going to be tough. I hate being the bad guy, but maybe this will teach them to get their stuff to me on time.
• This morning Jared did a great job teaching on Roman 14. He really helped me understand the passage a little better. Great stuff Jared! Also, I'm jealous you got to talk with that guy. In my opinion those are always fun conversations.
  
• My wife is great. Just thought I would throw that in there. But seriously she is great. And this weekend we did two projects together. First, we worked on her "red chair" project. Second, we stained the deck together. We really are a good team when we get focused on one thing. It's just the focusing part that takes a little bit of time.
• Mallory is one wild kid. She keeps bumping her head and hurting herself. She is very different that Elliana.
  
• I'm still liking the Office, even though the last two episodes haven' been that funny. But I do have another clip from this week's show that I'm going to use some day in a message. The Office always provides good message material.
• Troy just got back from the Congo. It looks like it was a great trip. I'm looking forward to my trip to Africa in February. A lot of work to do yet, but it will be a great trip.