Sunday January 7, 2007

Just got back from church. It was our Vision Sunday 2007.  Biggest news is that Sugarloaf Community Church is now Stone Mill Church!  That's cool.  All three of the Pastors did a good job.  I thought Tito was terrific.  He had the letter E--for Engaged (the total word is STONES).  I believe engaging the church is critical.

Clouds on the ground today.  Wet, foggy, what I call "Limuru" weather.  Limuru is a little town just up the escarpment from Nairobi.  At about 7,000 feet it's foggy and cold a lot.  Brakenhurst is an old British Hotel that S. Baptists bought back in the 60s and is located in Limuru.  It's used as a conference center and language school now.  I went there a lot as a kid and lived there with my family for six months back in '95.

Family time!

Peace.



Posted 1/7/2007 at 12:9 PM
Saturday January 6, 2007

I worked for hours figuring out the interface between the Firebox and our sound mixer.  I was finally able to get some tunes on the computer!  I'm looking forward to getting more song writing done in 2007.

I ran 4 miles in beautiful weather.

Went to eat Chinese food with Ashley. 

We also went out to buy Miles, her boyfriend, the One Year Bible.  I'm not sure if you read the Bible every day or not, but you should.  The OYBible is great as a simple way to systematically read the Bible.  There's a section from the Old Testament, the New Testament a Psalm and a Proverb.  Kathy gave me my OYB when I turned 30.  I've now read the whole Bible through 18 times. 

I finally found the camera that I wanted to buy my Mom.  Best Buy had been out of stock. I'll send it off to her on Monday.

Got a few more of those telescoping pens to carry around.  Handy!

Peace.


Friday, January 05, 2007

Jesse and I have been working on revamping our core web site:  www.whirlwindmissions.org.  One of the most valuable sections of that site is the maps.  I went through all of them, corrected and made some additions and took them over to Jerry Counselman at FBC Mountain Park to work on.  Jerry used to be the graphics design guy for the North American Mission Board.  He did a great job on our logo too!  We enjoyed talking about W. Africa where he used to serve and where I'll be going in February. 

I also set up the date for the Whirlwind Missions Banquet for May 5th at FBC Mountain Park.  I look forward to getting as many of our folks together as possible to say "Thanks!" and talk about the future of our ministry!  Exciting!

We're also working on the Photo Gallery section of our web site at Smugmug.  Jesse showed me some analytic software I'd like to run to see where the hits on our sites are coming from.  It's really cool stuff.  I just went over 30,000 pictures on our site. That's averaging about 10,000 per year!

Severe weather blew through.  Pre-tornado conditions.  "Rotating wall cloud" to be exact!  Nothing too bad happened.  PTL. 

Worked on out weights for 30 minutes.

Figuring out the new equipment I bought to do multitrack recording on the computer.  I'd like to be able to mix music and burn cds for our band to hand out when we do concerts.   Kind of a steep learning curve.  I'm getting it!  I thrive on learning new things.

Started looking at the Fula/Pular language groups.  I'll do some study before I go to Niger-although not too much, because it'll be somewhat different and I don't want to relearn stuff.

Peace.

Posted 1/6/2007 at 9:20 AM
Thursday January 4, 2007

I had a great time in Clarkston today with my partners:  Bennett Ekandem, Phil Kitchin, Jay and Adam Hoyt.  Plus I got to meet a new partner, Alex Doty.  He is applying to work with the Mission Service Corps program of the North American Mission Board.  I look forward to working with him!  We had a great lunch at Madina.  I always enjoy taking new guys to eat roast goat.

We also went over to Indian Creek to meet the new manager and over to Kensington Station to see the new facilities the manager wants us to use.  It's a great place for ministry.

We got Alex some new Office software to help him get started in ministry.

Went by Parkview High School this morning to apply for the ACT test for Ashley.  Jesse says it won't be long before he's ready to take the GED test.  He'll graduate as a first semester Sophomore.

Answered all my email and made a few small changes to the web site.  Man!  Jesse has just turbocharged the site.  It's incredible how fast everything loads now. 

Make sure and check out the video log too!  Go to www.whirlwindmissions.org!

Peace.



Posted 1/4/2007 at 8:31 PM
Wednesday January 3, 2007

I took care of the lease at Concept 21--the Corners this morning.  They had a little trouble tracking the paperwork down, but we got it taken care of no problem.

Stopped by KMart to pick up a new tire and pump for Ernest for the bicycle I got him to ride to work.,  His old tire went flat.  Bahd luck.  Went by the mission to check on the kids and drop off the stuff with Ernest.

Picked up the money order for the Niger Embassy in Washington this morning.  I pretty much have all the info I need to get that going now.

Jesse and I stayed up late last night working on the web site.  We're doing some innovative stuff with the video/audio feeds.  He has completely revamped the code for the whole site--a gargantuan job.  He is really focused.  I'm really proud of how it's coming together.  We completely redid the home page last night.  Take a look at www.whirlwindmissions.org and see what you think!  Click on the Video Log and Mission Videos buttons while you're there!

I ran 4 miles yesterday.  My knee was still a bit sore and I had to stop a couple of times to walk a few steps before I kept going.  No pain afterwards nor today.  Sweet.  I gained about 5 pounds over the holidays.  Back to dieting.  Never much fun.  I get a laugh out of all these "Melt fat away" pills.  What a load of poop.  Run and stop eating junk.  That's the key.

One of my resolutions this year is to take 2 baby aspirins every day to help with inflammation and heart attack prevention.  I take a bunch of other vitamins as well.

I'm looking forward to working out on weights when I get home.

Also working on the new prayer card for 2007 and new business cards too.  Just about out of both.  I hand those things out a LOT.

Peace.





Posted 1/3/2007 at 2:30 PM
Tuesday January 2, 2007

Went to my office in Doraville today.  Piles of bills in the last two weeks.  C'est la vie, baby.  I'll deliver them to my treasurer tomorrow.

Picked up the line to mic level adapter for our band at Guitar Center.

Made three passport pictures for my visa application for my trip to Niger in February.

Added more info to the end of the year Financial report.

Went through all my email/letters. I'd kept up with most of my email while I was in Texas, but the snail mail sure piled up.

Went by the Corners apartments to sign the new lease, but the manager wasn't there and they couldn't find the document.  I'll go back tomorrow or when they call me.

I'm going by the bank and to the mission at Azalea before I head back to the house.

I have two new Mission Service Corps people interested in working with us.  One is a nurse, the other wants to work with Muslims in Clarkston.  PTL.

Peace.

Posted 1/2/2007 at 12:53 PM
Monday January 1, 2007

Lots of office work today.  Finished my financial report and mailed in all my bills.

Ran 4 miles.

Working on my visa applications for my trip to Niger.

Helped Ashley get her computer going.

Peace.

Posted 1/1/2007 at 8:13 PM
Monday January 1, 2007

Sunday, December 31, 2006

Kathy and I got up and headed over to Sugarloaf Community Church.  Tito had a good sermon on resolutions from Nehemiah.  It takes a lot of concentration to keep up with what's going on in Spanish.  The best news is that Tito is now full time as our pastor!  That is so exciting!  We've been working towards that for such a long time.

We left church and went to my brother in law David  Doverspike's house.  Nell--Kathy's Mom--had been staying the last week at his house.  We enjoyed visiting with him and his family before we packed up all of Mama's stuff into the Chrysler and brought her home.  She pretty much went straight to bed for a nap.

Kathy and I enjoyed a three mile walk to the park and back.

We watched Mission Impossible 3 on dvd.  I liked it. 

I stayed up to watch the ball drop in Times Square--and the Peach drop in Atlanta!

I enjoyed watching a documentary on the Discovery channel about climbing Everest.  There is no way I could do something like that.  Those guys are just superhuman tough.  25 degrees below zero.  100mph wind gusts.  5 miles above sea level.  One guy even tried to do it without oxygen!

See you next year!


Saturday, December 30, 2006

We jumped back in the car around 9:30am and headed off to the beautiful ATL!

We drove through rain most of the time.  I was still driving pretty fast.  Most of the cars were going between 75-80mph.  Not great for gas mileage, but when you're driving 500 miles, it helps.

We got home around 6:30pm.  Man, I was pooped!


Friday, December 29, 2006

Kathy and I got up around 7:30am to start packing our stuff up.  We went over to my folk's house around 9:30 and were in the car packed up and heading down the road around 10am after a good breakfast.  I got everything that I wanted to do done.  The Powerpoint slide show for my folk's 50th anniversary was my number one project.  Sure am glad that's done!

We drove 570 miles.  We finally crashed out just outside of Jackson, Mississippi in a little town called Pearl.




Thursday, December 28, 2006

Today Kathy and I have to act like adults--we've been married for 21 years!  We enjoyed walking around historic Georgetown--lots of houses over 100 years old.

We had lunch with my brother Jim and his wife Kathy.

Went out looking for arrowheads with my niece Katie.

Fun day--and our last in Texas for a while.

Posted 1/1/2007 at 9:40 AM
force5's Xanga Archives
Wednesday December 27, 2006

I worked on my folk's roof most of the afternoon.  It had been leaking over their sun room.  I cleaned it off, cleared out the gutters and resealed all the connections.  I used this special metal tape that has aluminum foil on one side and adhesive on the other.

Kathy and I hiked around historic Georgetown this morning.  There are a lot of houses over 100 years old.  I like taking pictures of them.  After I finished with the roof we went back out to watch the sun set over the lake.

I finished the Power Point presentation for the folk's 50th anniversary party.  I still need to add some music, but my Mom needs to figure out what she'd like.

We have one more full day together.  Sure does go by fast.

Peace.


Tuesday, December 26, 2006

More hiking in the woods!  We went to the old quarry near Lake Georgetown.

Worked on the Power Point presentation for my folk's 50th wedding anniversary!  I've never really used that application.  My mom and I went through all the old pictures I took from all her photo albums.

Enjoyed fun time with my folks and Kathy.

Peace.

Posted 12/27/2006 at 10:0 PM
Monday December 25, 2006

High pressure blew in this morning eliminating the clouds and the rain.  Sure is great to see the sun again.  Cold and windy right now.

We just finished eating a delicious lunch complete with turkey and dressing.

I'm looking forward to searching some new areas for arrowheads.  I always find that fun and relaxing.  Texas is better when it's cold because you don't have to worry about getting bit by a rattlesnake.

Kathy and I went for a two mile walk this morning.  Beauty!

Although we have a wi fi system at my folk's house, it's not working correctly.  That's frustrating for Jesse who always enjoys studying with the internet.  He brought his computer with him.  He's been working on the Whirlwind web site.

Peace.


Sunday, December 24, 2006

We enjoyed church at the Worshp Place in Sun City where my Dad is pastor.  He preached on God revealing himself--in conclusion through the birth of his son!

It was a drizzly, rainy and cold day.  But the fellowship was warm and made up for the weather!

In the Cummins' family we give most of our gifts to each other on Christmas Eve.  We had my brother Jim and his family at my Mom's house for the great unwrapping.  That's always fun!

Peace.

Posted 12/25/2006 at 2:49 PM
1 Comments

Merry Christmas! Wi fi's like that..fantastically convenient WHEN IT WORKS. I love Texas..have spent a fair amount of time there when working in border missions..never thought about rattlesnakes, though . The worst things I've come across (on the Mexican side of the border) were scorpions and a black widow spider. (Did you know that black widows squish just like other spiders?  Really!)

Well, just getting my greetings out..Merry Christmas!

blessings...Jim

Posted 12/26/2006 at 7:9 AM by corazondecristo
Saturday December 23, 2006


Kathy and I left our room to go enjoy breakfast with my folks and kids. 

Later we walked the Good Water Trail around the San Gabriel River.  I took some great shots.  Check out the Photo Gallery at whirlwindmissions.org.

Fantastic cloud formations as the low pressure system came through the region.

I had a great time hiking and looking for Tonkawa Indian artifacts. I've found a knife, hatchet and one arrowhead.  Did that stuff.  I like being out in the bush, listening to the birds, watching the deer.  Tranquilizing.

I'm at my Mom's house right now.  Absolutely stuffed with Shepherd's Pie.

Great to be home.

Peace.

Posted 12/23/2006 at 8:10 PM
Friday December 22, 2006

Kathy and I changed our room to what we'll be using for the rest of the week this morning.  We're in room 108 now.

We came over to my folk's house to check on the kids and my folks.

K and I went out to the cliffs to hike around.

I came back to my folk's house to help Jesse get his computer going.  He brought it with him on this trip.

I'm going to get some exercise.

Peace.



Thursday, December 21, 2006

We drove straight through to Texas today arriving in Georgetown at around 8:30 pm.  Tired, but glad we're here!

Kathy and I slept at the San Gabriel Moto Court.  It was pretty comfortable.

Peace.


Wednesday, December 20, 2006

We waited for Ashley to finish her finals and we jumped in the car and headed for Texas.

We slept over in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.


Posted 12/22/2006 at 6:3 PM
Tuesday December 19, 2006

 

Busy day!

I finished up the newsletter last night and went to the UPS store to make my copies this morning.  Went by the Post Office to get the stamps I need for that mail out.  214 letters out this month.  Next month I send the "sheep and goat" letter out.  If I haven't heard from a person in a year, they receive a notice that if I don't hear from them they will drop off the list.  I try to keep the percentage of donors to mailouts at about 80% givers.  If you don't really want to hear from you, you won't.

Dropped by FBC Atlanta to pick up a LOT of Christmas presents.  I used my van to carry all the stuff over to Adelaide Park, Don Juan, Pearl Lane and Morningside apartments!  That'll make a lot of kids happy this weekend!  We've had parties at Adelaide Park, the Ambers, Don Juan, Pearl Lane, Highland Gardens, Huntington Station, Huntington Creek, Huntington Village, Shallowford Gardens, Morningside and Azalea Place.  We gave toys away to over 500 kids.

I'm at the Chamblee library right now taking care of my office work.  I'm so glad that I have all this stuff available on line now. 

I'll go over to the mission at Azalea in a few minutes.  I'll have the kids help me get all the envelopes addressed, stuffed and sealed this afternoon.  Then I'll drop off the January newsletter (which our supporters will receive before Christmas) to the Post Office.

Just about ready for a rest and a trip to Texas to visit with my parents and brother!  We'll leave Wednesday afternoon just as soon as Ashley gets back from her last final at Parkview.  I'll get my packing done this evening.

Uploaded more videos onto our YouTube website.  I'm still working on what is the best compression rate to use for that site.  Jesse always keeps me in on my toes with what I do on line.  He's especially interested in how fast the material downloads and how big the files are. Of course I have to pay attention to what he tells me, the kid's a genius with this stuff.

A couple of days ago I bought him this huge (over 1,000 page) programming book on Python--his programming language of choice.  He was so happy.  The last one I bought him was about 850 pages.  He read it in three days.

Pray for us as we travel.

Love to you and yours!

Tim

Posted 12/19/2006 at 2:37 PM
Monday December 18, 2006

I've been working on office stuff all day. 

I'm trying to get the Outreach Update mailed out before we leave for Texas.  It'll be an early January edition, but it gives sponsors a couple of times to help before the end of the year.  I have most of the labels done.  Ashley already has her page done. 

Still working on editing, compressing and up loading the video I shot of the teams this weekend.  This stuff takes time to do.  Especially the upload wait.

Jesse and I just got back from the Post Office (which was packed--I'll buy stamps tomorrow) and Staples where we needed some supplies for the mailout and the office.

I ran four miles this morning.

Perfect weather.  I call it "Nakuru weather" after where I lived in the Rift Valley of Kenya.  At 6,000 ft on the equator the weather is 65 degrees all year round.  Sweet.

Lots of cool stuff happening on the web site, including the video of the missions and pod casts!  Jesse and I are still working out all the bugs.

Peace.

Posted 12/18/2006 at 3:13 PM
Sunday December 17, 2006

We had a long night last night.

Ashley went to a friend's house and then slept over with her girl friend.  Unfortunately, she didn't call and we weren't sure what was going on.  Pretty scary.  We finally got in touch with her about 4:30 this morning.  She had been sleeping since around 11pm.  Sure was good to know she was safe.  Even though she's an 18 year old young woman, I guess she'll always be our little girl.

After all the evening stress and prayer vigil I spent the morning with Kathy.  We walked around Stone Mountain for a while enjoying the beautiful weather.

When we got home, I took my mother in law out to eat at Piccadilly.  We had a good time visiting.  Her cognitive skills are really slowing down.  I have to finish most of her sentences for her.  It's like I'm carrying on both sides of the conversation. 

I rested this afternoon.  Finished working on my email.  I need to get the newsletter going.  I'd like to have that in the mail before we leave for Texas on Wednesday after Ashley's last test.

I'm watching Man On Fire on TV.  One of Denzel's best.

Peace.


Posted 12/17/2006 at 9:35 PM
Saturday December 16, 2006

Our team from Chattanooga hosted Christmas parties at Highland Gardens, Huntington Creek, Huntington Station and Azalea Place this morning.  The kids were delighted!  I took some great pictures of the team---all on our photo gallery. www.whirlwindmissions.org.

Went over to Guitar Center to pick up some recording equipment.  I want our ministry to have a presence on all the major media outlets.  Some of them are expensive--like broadcast network TV.  But so much is free:  You Tube, Xanga--both great platforms, free.

So a simple web cam, and adaptors turns a laptop into a sophisticated music recording device.

After picking up the hardware, I went over to help host the Christmas Outreach at Adelaide Park and the Ambers.  We had over 120 kids attend.  We had a great time with First Baptist Church Duluth!

Then for the highlight of the day: Tori's 4th birthday party!  Lester's daughter is such a blessing, she has such a sweet attitude.

I'm back home at my office.  Went through all my email and sent off the links to the galleries I put on line.

Peace.

Posted 12/16/2006 at 11:38 PM
Friday December 15, 2006

I was on old lady patrol today.  I took my 81 year old mother in law Nell with me to the missions in Chamblee.  We went to check on our team from the University of Tennessee who was doing a trash pick up service project in the mornings around Chamblee-Dunwoody road.  I took a bunch of pictures of the team in action.

Checked the mail and for calls at my office at First Baptist Doraville.

Went to Barnes and Nobles to pick up Jesse a couple of new books on programming.  He read a computer manual over 850 pages long in three days last week.  That's focus.

Been working this morning on uploading more videos of our Outreach Band CRUZ on to our whirlwindmissions YouTube account.  Stuff looks/sounds pretty good.

I'm back in my home office right now.  Finished up email.

Uploading more video and the pictures I took of the UT team from Chattanooga.

I'm getting ready to run my 4 miles as soon as my pictures start to upload.

Peace.

Posted 12/15/2006 at 2:46 PM
Thursday December 14, 2006

Today was shot day.

I really wasn't worried about it.  Ended up having to have five shots:  meningitus, hepatitus A, hepatitus B, typhoid and tetanus.  Lots of antibodies floating around my body fer sure!

I got there around 9:45am.  My appointment was for 11am, but for some reason I had this feeling that I needed to go early.  I was the only one in the waiting room.  I had a book and was studying, settling in for the long wait.  Suddenly they called my name!  I went in a little after 10am!  Took nearly two hours trying to figure out exactly what I've kind of innoculations I had already had.

I've been given shots in Savannah, Houston, Antananarivo, Madagascar and Tours, France to name a few.  So the handwriting is horrible and some of the meds are in French.  So the doctors just look at it and go, "Hmmmmm"  I told them, "Listen,  gimme the meds.  Too much is always better than not enough."  The nurses nodded their heads in unison.

So I have 5 little round bandaids on both of my shoulders.  I'm supposed to do the "Chicken Dance" to exercise my deltoid muscles.  Think I'll stick to the gym instead.

I'm riding back to Chamblee from Decatur where the Health Center is, when I get a call from my team.  One of the young men has fallen and sliced his forehead open with a broken beer bottle.  It turned out to be ok, but could've been really bad.

I took him over to see Dr. Pat Barrington.  She took a look at him to make sure he was ok and give him a tetanus shot.  Deja vu.  Been there, done that.  Five times.

We went back to Chamblee from Snellville where my doctor works.  I took him back to his team and went around to the other three sites before heading to the house.

Just finished my email.

Need to work out so I won't be too sore from those shots.

We call them "injections" in Kenya.  That's the Brit word for "shot."

Peace.



Posted 12/14/2006 at 7:0 PM
Wednesday December 13, 2006

Tito reminded me last night that I have video of CRUZ!  So last night and this morning I worked on preparing the video (editing and compressing it into MPEG4) so I can start uploading video of our band!  GREAT!

I have a team from the University of Tennessee in town for the week.  I did a briefing with them and split them up into four groups so they'll cover more locations.  I got everyone on site and started.  After I finish my office work, I'll go back and check on them to make sure that everything is going well.

I have the great joy of getting a bunch of shots tomorrow morning for my mission trip to Niger in February.  Carl assures me they don't hurt.  This will be the fourth time in my life I've gotten them.  I can't hardly believe that modern medicine has advanced THAT much, but I hope so.

Ran four miles this morning.  Felt great!

Peace.

Posted 12/13/2006 at 4:40 PM
Tuesday December 12, 2006

Turned in my financial report to my treasurer this morning.

Picked up the food for our Apartment Managers group for our Christmas Party.  We had a good time and plenty of excellent food.  I brought Mexican food. 

Just loaded up a bunch of chairs for our mission at Adelaide Park with the director there Don Devlin. He's such a great guy.  One of the best directors ever.

I need to get back to making phone calls to let the managers know what's going on with the Crusade team.

I have a team coming in to work with me for three days starting tomorrow.  I'm making sure I have everything lined up for that too.

Worked out on weights 40 minutes this morning before heading to Chamblee.

I'll go over to the mission at Azalea to check on the kids in a few minutes.  I also need to pick up a key from one of the managers for this team coming in tomorrow.

Peace.

Posted 12/12/2006 at 2:35 PM
Monday December 11, 2006

Been taking care of office work.  Financial reports and email.

Lots of calls this morning related to parties and outreach events coming up.

Looks like we'll max out the Crusade event on December 30 with about 65 locations.  Still working on that.

Lots of errands to run including buying gifts for the parties, coordinating work with some of the managers and signing a new lease.

Ran 4 miles this morning.  Pretty much pain free.

Peace.

Posted 12/11/2006 at 2:18 PM
Sunday December 10, 2006

I had such a long day yesterday I was really pooped.  Kathy and I spent the morning together then went out for lunch.  I need to spend more time with my family.

Peace.


Saturday, December 09, 2006

I had a team from Cartersville come up with their Jam Street van to play and feed the kids at Preston Chase in Marietta.

Also hosted a team at Springchase apartments where Ashley works.  Glover Baptist Church came over with games, cookies and presents for the kids who live there.  Everyone had a great time.  I also shot some video and posted it on our YouTube channel. 

Tired.


Friday, December 08, 2006

I helped take care of my mother in law today.

My ankle still hurts.  No running yet.

Took care of my calls and email.

I took Kathy and her mom to the movies.  We saw James Bond.  I liked the scene in Madagascar.

Peace.


Posted 12/10/2006 at 4:11 PM
Thursday December 7, 2006

Back to the phones this morning.  Confirming Christmas parties for the 17th as well as Crusade stuff on the 30th.

Had a great conversation with the manager of the new Walmart coming to Chamblee early next year.  He's a prayed up, church going kind of guy!  We hit it off immediately.  He told me, "We have a $5,000 grant we want to give to a group helping in this community.  We talked to Kathy Brannon (manager of Chamblee) and she said, 'If you want something done, call Tim Cummins.'"   I thought that was a nice promo!  We'll see what happens.

Pray for the meeting I'll have at 2pm with the manager of Kensington Station.  They have about 1,200 units.  It's a small city  I'm looking forward to seeing the new place they have just remodeled for a community center.  I hope to take that over.

I hurt my ankle yesterday.  Not sure what I did, but running is out for a while.  Bahd luck.

Peace.


Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Been calling folks for the Crusade outreach on December 30th.  Not every manager (that's putting it mildly) is willing to have a bunch of Christians going door to door sharing the Gospel--even if they have boxes of food to give away.  There's a lot of trust in managers giving me their approval for this.  I think we're at 64 locations now.  I had one manager email me that corporate didn't ok the give away in two of their complexes.  C'est la vie, baby.

Interested in seeing the VLOG?  Even know what that is?  Video Log  as opposed to WeBlog.  I have several accounts on Youtube.com.  Go to search on youtube.com and search for timacummins.  I also have some video on whirlwindmissions.  I'm trying to do regular posts on the timacummins account to give folks more info on what it's like to be Mr. Tim.  For folks who enjoy this blog, check out the vlog.

I'm also putting together a Youtube band.  I like the opportunity to share music with friends too.  Miles Kendall is Ashley's boyfriend.  He wants to be a sound engineer, so I'm trying to teach him about the industry as well as musical techniques.  Ashley will help with the band too.  I just want the performances to be on youtube.com, but we might play in the "real world" too.

It's not polished stuff.  I'm not looking for slick at this point.

Peace.

Posted 12/7/2006 at 12:6 PM
Tuesday December 5, 2006

Just got finished with my email.

Stayed around Lilburn this morning to help take care of my mother in law.

I have a meeting with Drew Grubbs of Youth Outreach United in a few minutes.  I always look forward to hanging out with him.

Ran 4 miles early this morning.  Cold.

I brought a bike to give to one of the mission kids this afternoon.  He has to walk more than an hour to get to work. 

I'll be over to help the kids with their homework before heading back to Stone Mountain.

Peace.


Monday, December 04, 2006

I enjoyed a great time of fellowship with Chip Sweeney this afternoon over lunch.  He's been my longest term partner in this city.  He continues to do a great job at Perimeter and around the city uniting churches to work together.  It's such a blessing to have friends like Chip.

Went over to the mission at Azalea to help the kids with their homework and to hand out a few more gifts to kids.

Worked out 40 minutes on weights.

Spent about two hours working on setting up the other 15 complexes for the Crusade outreach on December 30th.
 
Ever seen Youtube.com on line?  It's a major phenomenon.  I've posted some video from teams that came to work with us.  I plan on doing more video in 2007.   I'll have what is known as a VLOG, or video log along with music.

Peace.


Posted 12/5/2006 at 2:39 PM
Sunday December 3, 2006

Rested today.  Need that quiet time. 

Peace.


Saturday, December 02, 2006

Got up early to make sure Ashley was ready to go for the Perimeter Mission Fair/Open House.  She had to be there to set up before 10am.  She made it fine.

I started out at Huntington Creek.  I waited for my team from MY church at Sugarloaf Community Church, but no show.  I called Pastor Tito and he told me that there had been a change of plans.  The team was going to Huntington Village instead.  I thought that was a much better location since it's a LOT closer to our church.  Unfortunately I couldn't to do the Jimmy Carter H. Village gig and Perimeter.  I chose the missions fair because I knew that Tito wouldn't really need my help, he has tons of experience.  I had a great time at Perimeter and have shots of the fair on the Photo Gallery from www.whirlwindmissions.org.

At 2pm I met up with my team from Villa Rica--Midway Macedonia Baptist Church.  They hosted a party for the kids at Azalea.  We have so many Bengali kids now.  About 75% of my youth group is Muslim.  Makes for kind of a weird Christmas Party.  We handed out Bibles to all the families.  Only one family returned the Bible.

At 4pm I was getting changed into my suit for the wedding.  Efee Chang is such a good friend of mine.  I'm so glad that she found John.  It was the first time for me to perform a wedding.  I did fine.

Enjoyed the reception dinner at the country club in Marietta.  Kathy and I had a good time.

I got home, Kathy crashed out and I watched John Wayne movies to nearly 2am.  Can't beat the Duke.

Peace.


Friday, Decenber 01, 2006

I took care of my mother in law this morning.  Later, I took her over to her sister's house.  She'll be staying the weekend there while I do this wedding event on Friday and Saturday with Kathy. 

Ran four miles.

Took care of my calls/email.

Peace.
Posted 12/3/2006 at 12:28 PM
force5's Xanga Archives
Thursday November 30, 2006

Spent the morning working on financial stuff.

Had a great lunch meeting with Todd Harrison, a long term supporter of our ministry!

We went by Springchase to check on the mission there where Ashley works.  Looks good!

Also went to check on Oak Forest where we have a mission that needs to be redone.  Everything looks in order except for the floors.  We'll have a team go by and knock that out in the next couple of weeks.

I'm headed over to Azalea to check on my kids.

Peace.



Posted 11/30/2006 at 4:4 PM
Wednesday November 29, 2006

I took care of my 81 year old mother in law today.  I don't see how Kathy does it day after day.  We went to Walmart and I pushed her around in a wheel chair.

Finished my email.  Looks like Crusade wants to add 15 more complexes. 

Also got word from the manager of the new Walmart that he wants to meet with me.  Kathy Brannon--the city manager for Chamblee--put in a good word for us.  All those service projects the teams do around the city really pay off in good will.

Jesse, Kathy and I went to a new Chinese place tonight:  Asian Square.  I thought it was great--even a Sushi Chef that can make what you want.  Included in the buffet price.

Peace.

Posted 11/29/2006 at 8:53 PM
Tuesday November 28, 2006

Just finished up my monthly financial report.

Went through my email and checked on team assignments.

Been spending time with Kathy and helping out around the house with her Mom.  She really needs a break.  This 24/7 care is really hard on her.

Kathy and I spent some time working out on weights.  I couldn't believe she really wanted to!  She seemed to have a good time.

Back to check on my mother-in-law.  She'll be 81 tomorrow.  We took her to IHOP this morning.

Peace.

Posted 11/28/2006 at 3:27 PM
Monday November 27, 2006

Finally finished the Christmas mailout!  It's always a challenge.  I sure am glad that Ashley is such a big helper!  Kathy spent some time helping write letters too!  Sure helps!

I just finished going through my email.  Teams are already starting to line up for the 2007 season.

I'll go by the bank to drop off a deposit then over to the mission at Azalea to check on my kids.

I ran 4 miles early this afternoon before coming over to Chamblee.

Peace.

Posted 11/27/2006 at 4:40 PM
Friday November 24, 2006

Sunday, November 26, 2006

Kathy, Nell and I went to church at Sugarloaf Community Church to listen to Tito and Lester.  I played congas with the band.  I prefer the djembe, but it was still fun!  Banging on stuff for Jesus.  Don't get no better!

Ashley and I worked for hours on the mailout.  Still not completely done.  I have a neck ache so I decided to finish up tomorrow.  As long as I get them out by noon, everything is fine.  I still have to add the stamps to the larger packets.  I didn't know how heavy they'd be with the inserts.  I'll weigh them, then multiply that amount by 112.  I'll stamp them then get them in the mail stream.

My kids and I raked the leaves in the front grass.  We leave them in the back.  If we rake them up, the ground gets real muddy when it rains.  Looks better in the front.

Good to be working with the sweet children.  They are both go getters.  Especially Ashley.  She gets with the program, baby!

Peace.


Saturday, November 25, 2006

I made my copies for the December Outreach Update and got a hair cut.

Met up with my good friend Ian North.  We went down to Chamblee to pick up my little gifts for our supporters for this mailout.  We also went to Perimeter Mall to check out the fancy teas they have.  Roibos pearls, Jasmine dragon. . . yowza!

Ran 4 miles.

Peace.


Friday, November 24, 2006

I worked on writing the newsletter and laying the pictures out.  Rested.  Did some errands at the bank.

Good to have days to catch your breath.

Peace.



Thursday, November 23, 2006

We had a great Thanksgving at our house yesterday.  Kathy's mom, Nell and her sister Orene were the matrons of honor.  Bill and his girlfriend Deborah came as well as Ruth and David Sullivan and their kids Jason and Ali plus her boyfriend from Russia, Ivan.  Bob and Ann also came with their daughters Katie, Laura and Mary.  We had 18 people gobble up turkey and all the fixin's!  Kathy did a terrific job on the bird--very moist.

Kathy and I enjoyed watching "How to Lose a Guy in 10 days," in the evening.  Matthew McConaughey's mother goes to my Dad's church in Sun City.  I think that's a pretty cool connection!

Ran four miles.  Not sure all the lunch was gone after that!

Peace.
Posted 11/24/2006 at 10:28 AM
Wednesday November 22, 2006

Sunday, November 26, 2006


Finished calling the rest of the 60 apartment managers for the outreach on December 30th.  I have everyone confirmed except for two.

I need to go by and check on the gifts for the Christmas mail out.  I hope the stores will be open today.  May have to wait till later.

Took care of all my email and calls.  Great stuff is happening.  I'll clarify as it's confirmed!

I'll go by the mission to check on the kids and see if I can get some of them to help me with the labels for the Christmas mail out.

I'll lift weights this afternoon if all goes well.


Tuesday, November 21, 2006

I've been working on calling managers for the outreach on December 30th.  Lots of phone calls!

We had our annual Board Meeting tonight.  I really love the guys on my board.  They have helped my family and our ministry SO much over the years.

2007 looks like it'll be the best year ever!

Peace.






Posted 11/22/2006 at 12:31 PM
Monday November 20, 2006

Finished work on the Christmas mail out list.  Also got the 60 apartment complexes together for December 30th.  I still need to call all the locations, but just figuring out where to put everyone is the first big job.

I had lunch with Daniel Boot from Parkview Chuirch and Bennett Ekandem over at Madina in Clarkston.  We also visited Willow Branch.

I went over to the office to check on mail at FBC Doraville then to make sure the kids were doing ok at the mission.  No homework this week.  Sweet!

Worked out on weights.

Peace.

Sunday, November 19, 2006

Kathy and I went to church at Sugarloaf Community Church.  I enjoyed being with my brothers Tito and Lester.  I missed playing in the band with them but I enjoyed sitting with Kathy.

Worked for hours at home on the Board Report for this Tuesday, the wedding ceremony for Efee and John's wedding, the Christmas mail out list and the Outreach Event for December 30 with Campus Crusade. Takes time.  No way around it.

Jesse and I had another session with practicing driving.  I think he'll do really well.

Peace.

Posted 11/20/2006 at 10:47 PM
Saturday November 18, 2006

I spent the whole day with Ashley.  Excellente! 

We started off at Ashton Place in Roswell with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes from Alpharetta High School.  They helped my partners from World Harvest Church with an outreach at the complex.  It was a great time with the kids from the mission and from the FCA.

Then we went to Azlalea Place to work with Peachtree Corners BC.  We cleaned up the mission right quick then handed out over 60 bags of food to needy family.  It was a great time.  She helped me work on the Christmas mailout too!

I discovered that one of the young men in my youth group has been thrown out of his house and has been living at the mission at Azalea for the last several nights.  He's been a regular, solid helper at the mission for about 4 months.  I'm always willing to help people that have been helping me.  I'll probably offer him a position as co-director of the mission with Jouvens and let him stay there until he gets on his feet.

Ashley and I then went over to Perimeter mall to check out clothes and get something to eat.  She got some really cute sweaters and a groovy hat.  Later, we went to Global Imports which is the largest dealership of Mini Morris autos in America.  We got to test drive a Mini Morris S, automatic, colored Astro black.  Super tight.  I got some great pictures of her with the cars.  Go to our Photo Galery to see that and pix from the teams this morning.

Just got home a few minutes ago, fed my mother in law and checked on Jesse.

Finished working out on weights for about 40 minutes.  I'm looking forward to spending time with K this evening.

Peace.


Friday, November 17, 2006

I worked on my upcoming Christmas newsletter.  I put little gifts in most of the letters.  I have to analyze what was given by whom.

Jesse and I practiced parallel and 90degree parking.  He's doing very well!

Kathy and I watched the DVDs of the second season of The Office.  Scrubs and The Office are my two favorite TV shows.  Great writing.  Funny.

Ran 4 miles.

Posted 11/18/2006 at 6:53 PM
Thursday November 16, 2006

Practiced parking with Jesse today.  That car of mine is even longer than the van!  I couldn't believe it until Jesse pointed it out to me.  I'd say nearly three feet longer.  It's a real challenge to parallel park.

We did the shopping in the morning after practicing parking in the Kroger parking lot.

Met Greg Shlepak and Don at Preston Chase in Marietta off of Franklin Road.  They're two new partners we're working with in that very problematic area.  Tyler Recker came too.  He's the regional director for us in Marietta. 

Helped the kids at Azalea with their homework.  I sure have gotten tired of explaining regrouping in subtraction.  The girls really seem to have a hard time with it.  Whether they're from Bangladesh or Guatemala, still the same.

Had my counseling session with Efee and John this evening.  We had a good time talking about getting married.  It was fun to really think through what I think is important for both sides to know.

Didn't get to exercise today. Almost feel like running right now.  It's just so cold out there.  Eleven pm isn't exactly the safest time for running.

Peace.

Posted 11/16/2006 at 11:7 PM
Wednesday November 15, 2006

Rainy, crappy weather day.

Spent most of the morning at the Red Cross.  We have a monthly meeting of the Center Precinct Dekalb County Police Department and apartment managers.  I made a presentation at the end of the meeting concerning the big outreach on December 30th with Campus Crusade.  All the managers present wanted to participate. 

Big news too was that there's a new owner at Kensington Station.  Last owner lasted less than two years.  New manager sounded VERY interested in our ministry.  He said they just renovated a community building that could seat 150 people.  Sounds like a church plant to me.  As I'm writing this I'm thinking about potential partners in the area.  Wonder what Robert Carter is doing?

Had a good work out on the weights this morning.  I can really feel my muscles this evening.  Not sore, just alive.  Do a push up for Jesus.

Peace.



Posted 11/15/2006 at 8:44 PM
Tuesday November 14, 2006

I spent some extra time with Jesse today.  We practiced parallel parking.  It's really hard with my car.  The Chrysler is pretty long and doesn't exactly turn on a dime.  He's really a great kid. 

Went to Azalea to check on the kids.  They've all got projects at the same time.  It's this barrage of "Mr. Tim,  I need help!"  a hundred times from seven children at once.  I think my wife is right when she said that I have a much higher capacity of handling chaos than most people. 

I'm getting psyched up about preforming a wedding next week.  Never done that before.  Sweet.

Ran 4 miles this morning.  Fantastic weather.  Great cloud watching today. 

Been printing the Treasurer's Report for my board.  I have such terrific people working with me.  I'm so blessed.

I got email from Carl Barrington today reminding me about the shots for the Niger Trip.  I've had all of these shots at least three times in my life, but all were over 10 years ago.  Hepatitus A, Yellow Fever (I hate that one!), Tetanus, Meningitis, Polio, plus some pills for Typhoid.  What a blessing!  I think I'll save that joy till January.  Give me something to look forward to.  Or behind, as the case may be.

Peace.

Posted 11/14/2006 at 10:7 PM
Monday November 13, 2006

Got some great news today from my partners in Campus Crusade for Christ.  Looks like we'll be hosting at least 600 students.  We're shooting for handing out "Boxes of Love" to five families in 60 apartment complexes. 

We could conceivably do 100 with smaller teams.  Think about how many people that would impact?  It's orders of scale that I dig. 

Mobilize!

It's my sweet Ashey's 18th birthday today!  I didn't do a single thing special.  Well we gave her a check for $180.18. But that's not like a big party.  I guess 16 was the big party.  I'll take her for a test ride of the mini this week.  She loves those little cars.

Sometimes I think, if I would have put all my energy and passion into making money I'd be filthy rich and I could buy my sweet Ashley whatever she wanted. But as it is she drives a beat up old, Lumina, and she still loves it and treats it with care.  I have one standard saying, "Never too much Ashley." For those of you who have the chance to hang out with my daughter, do it.  She's an incredible blessing to so many people.

Peace.
Posted 11/13/2006 at 9:22 PM
Sunday November 12, 2006


Kathy did a terrific job driving home.  Van rode beautifully.  We stopped every hour to stretch our legs.  That helps a lot.

Everyone seemed happy to see us.  Ashley had cleaned up a LOT.  The house really looked excellent. Such a sweet heart!

Ashley turns 18 tomorrow.  An exceptional adult!

Lots of homework.  I never was able to check my email in Tybee.  The library down there has odd hours.  Piles up. Took about 2 hours to go through so not too bad.

Peace.

Saturday, November 11, 2006

Kathy and I rode bikes to the Tybee Lighthouse.  I went through the Fort Screvin museum which had a great history about Tybee.  Savannah/Tybee Island is such a GREAT place!

Hiked up the 178 steps to the top of the lighthouse.  I always come down backwards--so much easier on the knees.

Ran 4.2 miles.  Felt a lot longer.

Went by the Tybee Arts and Crafts fair.  I was hoping for rocks and fossil displays. Alas, none were found.  Bahd luck.

We went back to eat at the Sunday Cafe for fried fish and the spring mix salad.  Beauty!

Can't believe we have to go home already. 

Peace.


Friday, November 10, 2006

Hung out by the pool.  I'd forgotten what a pain sand gnats can be.  Ay caramba!

Heard from Freddy's at about 8am.  They found a bad cable which they replaced.  Seemed to work fine after that. Great news!

Biked 5.1 miles.  Spent time watching birds and looking for fossils.

Kathy and I enjoyed a fabulous sunset over the marsh.

Peace.


Thursday, November 09, 2006

We woke up to find that our van "Nellie" wouldn't start.  Just a clicking sound, which usually means a bad starter.  I called AAA, but got it started just before they came to tow it.  How about that?  I took it to Freddy's to get worked on.  Most of today was spent waiting around for the car to get fixed.

Ran 4.2 miles.  Biked 5.1 miles.

Peace.


Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Really started to finally feel up to speed.  Not full speed, but 80%.  Walked 5 miles around the mountain.  I take my GPS with me and get kind of obsessive about tracking distances run, walked, biked.  Biked 3.5 miles.  We ate at the Sugar Shack for breakfast.  It's at the North end of the island.  Kathy and I each had the Shack breakfast:  2 eggs, 2 strips of bacon, 2 pancakes.  Excellente.

We also ate at the Sundae Cafe.  Great fish, salads, oysters.  Yum!

Peace.


Tuesday, November 07, 2006

A rainy election day.  I think people are ready for change, don't you?

Kathy talked me into heading out of town.  I really need the sick leave.  I'm feeling some better after I slept about 12 hours last night.

We headed out around lunchtime just to land into the worst traffic jam ever near 675.  Some 18 wheeler had flipped and blocked off all of 285 near Bouldercrest.  Added about an hour and a half to our trip.  But neither of us cared.  Kathy's been under so much stress taking care of her mom, and I've just had 7 weeks in a row with 3 days off.  We were both at the breaking point and really needed some time off.

We got to Savannah in the evening and ate at Vinne Van Go Go's pizza place near River Street.  Always lots of SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) students so it's hip.

We checked into our room in Tybee at the Royal Palms after 9pm.  We decided to take an upper room this time 129.  Groovy.  $50/night for two double beds with fridge and microwave.  It's a beautiful thing, baby.

Peace.


Monday, November 06, 2006

Today's my Dad's birthday!  He's 76 and still pastoring a church!  He has been my best role model over the years.  His congregation of the Worship Place in Sun City in Georgetown, Texas is doing fantastic!

I had a fun time talking with him.  He got a new car--a silver Mercedez Benz sportscar!  Sweet potato pie!  Can't wait to check that bad boy out.  Happy Birthday, Dad!

I took the grills back over to Perimeter after I picked them up from FBC Atlanta.

Still feeling weak. 

Checked on the mission then went back to bed.


Posted 11/12/2006 at 8:20 PM
Sunday November 5, 2006

I had a great time speaking to the Middle and High Schoolers of First Baptist Church of Atlanta this morning.  Ashley went with me and was a great example of what missions is all about.

Later we had our booth out in the missions hall of the church and I got to talk with hundreds of people.  It's hard to tell the ripple effect those conversations have.

I've been sick this weekend.  Which translates that I feel sort of weak.  It's hard to get up and give it 100% when you're feeling around 30%.  Seems like when I'm weakest, HE'S strongest.  That's such a hard lesson for me to learn.  It's a real tendency for me to want to make things happen, rather than letting the Father work it out.  Many times it's better to take a deep breath and just be patient.  Things come around and if you're constantly doing good, good things come back.

I heard this evening was the final count of professions of faith yesterday for Impact Atlanta was 78!  Incredible.

Peace.



Posted 11/5/2006 at 9:13 PM
Sunday November 5, 2006

Saturday, November 04, 2006

Impact Atlanta was a terrific success.  We hosted Outreach Events in 27 locations!  Over 64 people made professions of faith!

It was wonderful to see over 200 people take to the streets with the Gospel!

A blessed day was had by all!

Peace.

Posted 11/5/2006 at 8:35 AM
Friday November 3, 2006

Fred Jones, Kevin and I loaded all the gear for Impact Atlanta from our local Kroger store.  They had all the supplies we needed and we managed to get everything stored and sorted in record time!

We're ready for big things Saturday!

I'm still feeling a bit under the weather.  Trying to rest now.  I strained my right shoulder lifting all those bags of ice and charcoal.  C'est la vie, baby.

Peace.


Thursday, November 02, 2006

I took care of my 82 year old mother in law today.  Kathy had to go to the doctor for tests.  Unfortunately, looks like she's got diabetes now.  Kathy hates to take pills, so I'm pretty concerned that she'll keep up with her medication.

All these days working in a row finally caught up with me.  Feel kind of weak, one of my ears is hurting and scratchy throat.  I tried to rest most of the afternoon and evening.

Pray for me.

Peace.

Posted 11/3/2006 at 9:32 AM
Wednesday November 1, 2006

I took the van this morning to go and pick up 25 grills from my partners at Perimeter Church.  That church has done more to help our ministry expand than any other and they continue to spearhead many ministries around Gwinnett County.  I really appreciate their generosity and can do attitude!

After I picked up the grills I took them over to FBC Atlanta in preparation for our huge Outreach Event this coming Saturday where we will host 27 block parties simultaneously!  I also set up my display for the Missions Fair this evening.

I came home after lunch to run 4 miles, work on office stuff an pick up a few more things for the celebration tonight at FBC Atlanta.

I'll head back to the church in just a few minutes.

Peace.

Posted 11/1/2006 at 3:47 PM
force5's Xanga Archives
Tuesday October 31, 2006

I took Jesse for his placement test for the GED this morning at Dekalb Tech.  He has to do well on a test to qualify to even take the GED.  He said it was "easy."  He says that about every test he takes.  Soon he'll start his on line curriculum which may take as many as 9 more hours to complete.  My guess is he won't need half that time.

I think studying for the SAT test will probably be more challenging.  He'll need a good grade on that to get in the Tech schools he's interested in.

Deposited checks at the bank.  Always like to do that!  Picked up extra supplies for Impact Atlanta.  I think I have everything now.

We had a terrific time with True Tabernacle of Praise at Stanford Oaks this evening.  Face painting, balloon animals and the great candy throw were big hits.  I was glad to see the pastor there.  VERY few pastors actually show up for the missions stuff.  I always found that strangely sad.

Turned in my financial report this morning. 

I got the Office on Netflix this week.  I've enjoyed watching the series in consecutive order.  That show is too funny.

After all that candy I threw the last two days, I didn't have any left to give to my neighbor's kids!  Bummer.  I made some balloon animals for them instead.  They seemed to think that was fair.

Peace.

Posted 10/31/2006 at 9:35 PM
Monday October 30, 2006

Started out this morning with the tough news that my mother in law had fallen while trying to go to the bathroom last night.  I had caught her from falling twice yesterday.  Not good.

Jesse and I spent some time driving this morning.  He needs to be ready for his driving test on November 21.  Tuesday morning we go to Dekalb Tech where he'll take his Placement test for the GED he plans on taking soon.  He'll graduate from high school as a first semester Sophomore!  He'll take an on line curriculum to take the GED.

I went to Roswell this afternoon to sign the new lease for 2007 for our apartment at Concept 21.  I also went over to Walmart.  I'm still collecting more face paint.

Checked on the office at FBC Doraville.  The work the men did last weekend looks fantastic! 

We had the Great Candy Throw at the mission at Azalea after I helped the kids with their homework.  We have such a good time!  We threw candy for about thirty minutes.  Best $80 I've spent in a long time.  The parents really get into diving for candy too!  It's a hoot.

Been finishing up my Financial Report.  Got that knocked out.

Maybe now I can relax.

Peace.

Posted 10/30/2006 at 8:54 PM
Sunday October 29, 2006

Ashley and I went to Grace Fellowship this morning to speak at their missions conference called "Oasis."  I had the pleasure of working with the middle school kids, of which there had to be over 200!  I spoke on missions (duh!) but in the context of the book of Job. 

Most people come to Jesus when things aren't going well, so it's an easy fit.

I mailed the last of the newsletters this afternoon.

Nice to have an extra hour of sleep, even though I woke up at my regular time around 7:30am.

I'll start working on the videos again, now that I have some time.

Everything seems to be good to go for next Saturday's "Impact Atlanta" with FBC Atlanta.  I still need to get a few more kits for face painting, otherwise everything else is nailed down.

Peace.

Posted 10/29/2006 at 12:16 PM
3 Comments
Or "T" as in "Tim".  Now Tad has some company.
Posted 10/30/2006 at 3:16 PM by eternaldig
Sweet!
Posted 10/30/2006 at 8:49 PM by force5
Sweet!
Posted 10/30/2006 at 8:49 PM by force5
Saturday October 28, 2006

Went to Crosspointe Church this morning to make a presentation to the volunteers working at six apartment complexes in the Lawrenceville area.  We worked at Cherokee Courts, Olde Salem, Magnolia Village and Brighton Springs.

I also went down to FBC Doraville to check on my team FBC Mountain Park working on the educational building.  They're doing a great job and the building will look fantastic!

I've been writing newsletters this evening as well as studying for a presentation on Job that I'll make tomorrow morning at Grace Fellowship.

Ran 4 miles and picked up trash along my trail.

Peace.

Posted 10/28/2006 at 9:46 PM
Friday October 27, 2006
Today I've been taking care of my 80 year old Mother in Law, Nell Doverspike.  She's been getting around pretty well.  I brought her back some Philly Cheesesteak for lunch. 

I finished writing the newletter and pasting it up last night.  I say "pasting" but it's all done electronically on MS Publisher.  Which is a program I really like.

Went to the UPS store to make my copies.  Then over to Staples for some more ink for the printer.

Also did the grocery shopping.  Always extraordinarily thrilling.

I'm at home now working on writing my newsletters.  I have about three more hours of that to go.

Rainy day.

I need to run.  Hope it dries up later.

I took Jesse out for Zaxby's chicken then we went to Borders to check out books.We both love to read.  Of course he just stares at all the programming books.  We got a couple of books on Python.  He likes to write code in Python (which he studied last summer) and Common Lisp. 

Back to writing newsletters and listening to the History Channel.

Peace.

Peace.

Posted 10/27/2006 at 3:41 PM
Thursday October 26, 2006

So much of ministry is about networking.  Who you know, where they are, what they can do.

I met with the Latin American Association this morning.  They are interested in working more aggressively with the faith based community.  There were a number of areas where I think we can help each other.  We'll see what happens. . .

After the meeting, I met with Alex Villasana from Mexico.  He's working as a church planter with my partners at Perimeter church.  I took him around the area where he feels led to plant a church.  Fortunately, I had a lunch meeting with the director of our mission at Adelaide Park, which is the area where he feels led to start.  I love it when the Lord works out all the timing!

I still have one complex that hasn't confirmed for the November 4th Impact Atlanta Outreach Events.  I talked with the manager yesterday.  I gave them until 3pm today.  If they don't sign off on it, then I'll move the team to another area.

I need to work on my Outreach Update newsletter in a few minutes.  Then I'll go over to the mission to check on my kids and see if they need any help with their homework.  I went by yesterday, but looked like everyone had it pretty much complete.

I worked out hard on weights last night, stress relief.

Peace.

Posted 10/26/2006 at 1:56 PM
Wednesday October 25, 2006

Man!  Talk about a full speed day!

I was under a lot of pressure today.  Not like when I used to do live shots for CBS, but close.

I have two major events going on the next two weekends:  Outreach Events in 31 locations with two major churches in Atlanta.  Crosspointe will host 4 events in Lawrenceville and FBC Atlanta will host another 27 all over Metro Atlanta including as far as Marietta, Duluth and Avondale Station.

Today I got the food order in for Kroger.  Can you imagine getting 486 packs of hot dog buns?  We'll be feeding and sharing the Gospel with over 3,000 people.

Whirlwind people--we have something to be proud about.  I don't know of anyone else trying to do anything at this level.

And yet, it's not nearly enough.  Inside the perimeter there are over 700 apartment complexes!

I called all the managers to let them know about the event.  Went by to see the hardest ones to make sure and "sell" the deal.  There's definitely marketing involved with this sort of stuff.  It's mighty hard to tell me "no."  It's hard to argue with FREE!

Jesse fixed some of the drivers on my laptop.  Now I can go back to editing video.

Sure am glad this day is behind me.  I feel so relieved.

Peace.



Posted 10/25/2006 at 9:40 PM
Wednesday October 25, 2006

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

 Took Jesse to school this morning.  I helped him get his paperwork together for his final day in High School.  We already have it scoped out for him to take his GED and go on to take his SATs and start University level classes in the Spring if all goes well.  Worked on email and returned phone calls for hours. Got confirmation on the 27 locations we’ll be doing for the Impact Atlanta outreach with FBC Atlanta.  Working on confirming the locations for the outreach with Crosspointe Church this weekend.  Trying to get Magnolia Point to sign off on our work. 

 
 Monday, October 23, 2006

 Finished dubbing the 8mm film to Mini DV.  Shot pictures of the old photo albums for my folk’s 50’s anniversary.  Flew back to Austin on an McDonald Douglas 88.  Totally exhausted, I slept almost the entire 2 hours.  GREAT to be back home!


 Sunday, October 22, 2006

 Started the 8mm film transfer to Mini DV of our old (1960’s) home movies.  Preached at the Worship Place.  Great meeting with the members!  Very enthusiastic reception.  Nothing beats that personal touch with supporters. It makes all the difference!  Finished shooting the film with Pat at the bluffs.  Looked for arrowheads and fossils near the club at Oakcrest.

 
Saturday, October 21, 2006

 Marched in the parade.  Rode in the 1942 fire truck of Pappa Rollos.  Ran the main PA mic for the float.  Went to the Baylor game—saw them pull off a squeaker against Kansas 36-35!  Ate at Kitoks with the rest of the Brotherz.


 Friday, October 20, 2006

Drove to Waco with Pat Young.  Went to Geoff’s house to visit with the other Brotherz.  Presented the $7.26 check to Baylor at the Pigskin Review.  Practiced and shot video with the KKG.  Checked out the bonfire.  Stayed with Thai at the Centre.

 

 Thursday, October 19, 2006

 Flew from Atlanta to Austin on a Canadaire Regional Jet 200—50 passenger plane.  Delayed leaving because of extremely dense cloud cover nearly to the surface.  Ran 4 miles to Oakcrest subdivision in Georgetown.  Pat Young drove into town from McAllen.  Went to watch the sunset at the bluffs at the Falls.  Visited over at my brother Jim’s house with his family.



Posted 10/25/2006 at 8:51 AM
Wednesday October 18, 2006
   
I spent this morning over at Dekalb Tech in Clarkston researching the GED test for Jesse.  He can take the online prep course and then take the main GED test.  My guess is that he'll have the high school degree in hand before Christmas.  That's pretty amazing for a first semester Sophomore in High School!

I ate lunch with Bennett Ekandem.  It's always good to touch base with my directors to see if there's any way I can help accelerate his work.  He's such a great guy.

Went over to the mission to help the kids with their homework.  Lots of projects coming due.  Lots of stuff they needed for the projects. 

I got the bad news that some gang bangers came into the mission looking for one of my kids older brother.  They came stomping into the mission with bats and knives and scared the hell out of the kids.  They also took Ernest's laptop that we just got him.  That really pisses me off. 

I'm getting ready for my trip to TX.  I look forward to seeing my Mom and Dad tomorrow!

Peace.

Posted 10/18/2006 at 10:16 PM
Tuesday October 17, 2006

      
Dreary, rainy day today.  Good day for resting.  Lord knows I need it.

The video YouTube account is coming along.  I'm still figuring out all the ins and outs of the deal.  The first few times are always the hardest.  Once I have it figured out it'll be like the Photo Gallery--tons of stuff!

I had a great talk with my brother Tito Ruiz this morning.  He's excited about he video sharing too.  Can't wait to help him get all his sermons on line.  Excellente!

Went over to Parkview High School this morning to work through withdrawing Jesse from school.  He's already started his independent study.  I'll keep him on track.  He took the practice GED test last night on ihis computer and scored an 87 without any additional studying!  I tell him, "You got your brains from me, son."  He just says, "mainly from the internet, Dad."  It is amazing the availability of information.

I'm trying to take advantage of it too!

I'm still getting ready for my trip to Texas on Thursday.  I have most of the stuff I need ready to go.

Went by Best Buy this morning to pick up another USB hub for my computer.  I have a LOT of stuff plugged into it!

Peace.

Posted 10/17/2006 at 3:22 PM
Monday October 16, 2006
      
It seems I'm always happiest when I'm in the middle of a big project. I believe that the best ministries keep their partners informed.  I've spent an enormous amount of time fine tuning the www.whirlwindmissions.org web site.  It is a wealth of information about our ministry and how to start similar ministries. 

The Photo Gallery was my next addition.  Latest count is we have over 26,000 photographs in our galleries.  I started shooting pictures in a digital domain in 2004.

Later, with the encouragement of Ian North, I started our blog.  I keep up with this blog daily.

The latest iteration is the YouTube account.  I've added videos from the event on Saturday in Avondale Station on to our whirlwindmissions channel.  I hope to have personal messages to our supporters in the weeks to come by video!

I went by the bank and gas station this morning.  Went over to Best Buy to get some editing software and tapes.

Back to editing!

Peace.
Posted 10/16/2006 at 3:8 PM
Sunday October 15, 2006
   
I had a great time preaching at Zion Baptist Church in Covington this morning!  I did my "Take the Church, to the People" presentation.

Lord willing there will be some people mobilized because of this morning's effort.

I'm working on establishing more of a video presence for Whirlwind.  I shot some video with my camera yesterday--my Canon Powershot SD600--not my Camcorder!  The Canon does both: stills and video.  I've never really used the video before.  I was astonished to hear that Google had just payed YouTube 1.6 BILLION dollars for the video distribution system.

I'd like the video to be just as easy to access as the blog or photo gallery.

We're supposed to go to my nephew Jason Sullivan's house this evening for a bit of a family party.  K and her mom Nell and I will go.  Ashley's going to a concert with her boy friend and Jesse is completly engrossed with studying this programming language called LISP.  He spends HOURS listening to on line video series from Dr. Sussman, a computer professor at MIT back in the 80's.   J's a trip!

I need to go run. 

Peace.

Posted 10/15/2006 at 2:59 PM
Saturday October 14, 2006
   
   
I got home around 9pm tonight after a missions marathon of a day!

Woke up early to go over to the Holiday Inn to lead the team from NC over to the mission at Oak Forest.  We made it there with no problem and thanks to the help of Ms. Vickie, we ended up with nearly 80 people watching and participating with the clowns.  It was great!  I made a short Gospel presentation at the end at at least 12 kids said they had prayed to receive Christ!  Wow!  I hope that a few of the adults watching the show also prayed the prayer!

After a quick lunch at Piccadilly we went over to Clarkston Station--which used to be called Wyncrest.  They are still in the middle of a massive reconstruction process.  We had a hard time gathering up kids because the families had to keep all the toys and stuff inside the house!  Never seen that before.  We got about 20 people before I had to leave to go to my next assignment in Covington.

The missions conference at Zion Baptist Church in Covington started this afternoon at 4pm.  I got there around 4:30pm, so I wasn't too late.  Crowd didn't really start to arrive until about 5:30pm so I was fine.  One of the missionaries spoke about reaching the over 120,000 Jews in Atlanta.  I really liked his presentation which was based on a historical perspective on the persecution of the Jews.

I'm up to bat at the 11am service in the morning.  I feel honored to be the main preacher and will come out both guns blazing.

Did I mention I FINALLY got my laptop back!  She's running like a dream. 

Peace.

Posted 10/14/2006 at 10:40 PM
Friday October 13, 2006

 I have a team from NC coming into town today to do a puppet/clown ministry with me at three complexes.  I still have one complex that I thought was set up that is now needing "approval from corporate."  I have a back up plan, but I hate this last minute change stuff.  I know the Father always has a plan worked out.  I try not and get too up tight about it.

I'm taking care of my mother in law today until this afternoon when I meet with my team.

Still adding stuff to my board report.  It'll be over 80 pages long.

Jesse is planning on graduating from high school early.  He wants to start taking university level courses.  I got him all the GED study material yesterday.  He's only a sophomore, but my guess is he can still ace that test.  He turns 16 on October 24th.  He sure is a serious kid for being so young.  I think his lowest grade right now is a 95 in Language Arts.  I think he's missing out on the social aspects of school, but he is so focused on computers and programming that he considers all that stuff superfluous.  Pray for him.

Peace.


Posted 10/13/2006 at 8:28 AM
Thursday October 12, 2006
   
Still working on my Board Report.  I thought of a couple more sections I needed to add.  I have most of it done now.  It'll be about 80 pages long.

Finished up my email.  I have a team coming from NC this weekend.  Still have some last minute confirmations to make re: time/place.  Seems like it's all coming together.

I need to go run before my lunch appointment with Sam Bandela.  He was my mentor when I was first getting started doing ministry in this town.

The kids at the mission are doing the CRCT test.  Hardly any homework.  I'll still go by to check on them today.

Peace.

Posted 10/12/2006 at 9:23 AM
Wednesday October 11, 2006
   
   
Got up early.  Worked out for an hour on weights.

Just got finished going through my email.  I heard from Orville Boyd Jenkins today.  He's the Ethnology/Culture/Language expert for literally the whole world!  He's had a huge impact on me over the years.  Terrific musician, a real linguist, brilliant educator. . . he's like a modern day Da Vinci--minus the wacky code.  He's working in Johannesburg, S. Africa now.

I continue to work on my annual report.  Our board will meet soon.  Everyone's so busy. . . ay caramba.

Beautiful day today.

Peace.

Posted 10/11/2006 at 11:44 AM
Monday October 9, 2006

I've been working at home this morning.  My laptop is still in the shop.  What a hassle. 

I have a meeting with partners from True Tabernacle of Praise at lunch at Madina in a few minutes.  We'll talk about what it's like to work in a Muslim environment then we'll go by to check on a possible location for work.


Later I'll go by to check on my kids at Azalea.  Didn't get to help them much last week because of hanging out with one of our big sponsors.

Looks like another beautiful day!  I got up early and worked out on weights for about an hour.  Great stress relief.  My knees and one achilles tendon is a little sore from the extensive run yesterday.  Feel like a dad gum tiger tank!

I had a great meeting this afternoon with Pat and Hugh from True Tabernacle of Praise.  We visited Spring Chase, Willow Branch and started new work at Stanford Oaks.

Peace.


Posted 10/9/2006 at 11:13 AM
Monday October 9, 2006


Sunday, October 08, 2006

Another early morning.  Got dressed and headed over to Roswell Street Baptist Church in Marietta for their Missions Conference.  I spoke in the morning to the Spanish Sunday School class.  At least one couple said that they wanted to help us in the mission.  GREAT news!  I did my best to make a presentation in Spanish.  I spoke for about 15 minutes.  Normally I'm speaking to a class of gringos and I explain what it's like to be an immigrant in this country.  This class was all immigrants, so I didn't have as much to talk about!

After church I went over to Kennesaw mountain to see the Civil War exhibit they had there.  I ran to the top of Kennesaw mountain and Little Kennesaw mountain then took the back path around to the visitor's center.  According to my GPS I ran a little over 8 miles.  Woosh!

After running I went over to the McCollom airport to watch the small planes and business jets take off.  I'm learning different aircraft the same way I learn types of birds-from a field guide.  It's fun!

Went back to church for the evening sessions which had the missions fair.  I spoke to a lot of people about our ministry.  A few sounded like they want to help.  Sure hope so.

Packed up and got home around 10 pm.  Long day.

Peace.


Saturday, October 07, 2006


Woke up early to go get supplies for the block party at the Buford Housing Authority.  We hosted that with the help of Crossroads Community Church and a family from Victory World Church.  We had a good turn out of volunteers (around 20) and residents--about 60.  Weather was great.  Besides the food, games, face painting and balloon animals, we also cleaned up the facility where we plan to have an after-school program and helped rake leaves for some of the senior citizens.

Great day!


Posted 10/9/2006 at 11:10 AM
Friday October 6, 2006

I've spent hours today working on the Photo Gallery of our Whirlwind Missions.org web site.  I uploaded over 500 pictures that I've taken in the last week.

I have some great shots of the work project we did yesterday with Perimeter Christian School in the Chamblee-Dunwoody road area.

I also posted and organized all the shots I have of the highlights of Atlanta.

Finished my calls, email and now blog.

Still working on the Annual Report for my board.

Ran 4 miles this morning early.  Picked up 5 bags of trash while I ran.  Roads are looking a LOT better now.

Peace.


Thursday, October 05, 2006

I met with Perimeter Christian School this morning at the big soccer fields in Chamblee.  About 70 folks showed up.  We picked upo garbage along the Chamblee--Dunwoody road area.  Looks a lot beter now.

Made my reservations for my annual trip to Texas.  I'll see a lot of major supporters at one time.

Dropped off a bunch of back packs at the mission at Azalea.  Had a good talk with Jouvens.  The mission really looked good.

Kathy and I spent some time on Stone Mountain this evening.  Full moon.  What a beauty!

Peace.


Posted 10/6/2006 at 2:7 PM
Wednesday October 4, 2006
   
I took Pat to the airport today.  He's one of my best friends and has been a big supporter of our ministry for over 20 years!  I hope to see him in Texas in October.  I'm working on a trip to the Austin area to contact supporters in the fall.  It's important to give a personal touch from time to time.

I've started working on my Annual Report for the Whirlwind Missions Board of Directors.  It's always interesting for me to take a hard look at what has actually been accomplished.  I'm always surprised by the amount of ministry that takes place when you add it all up!  PTL!

Peace.



Posted 10/4/2006 at 3:43 PM
Wednesday October 4, 2006
   
   
Tuesday, October 3, 2006

Today Pat Young, my friend from Texas, and I went to check out the Cyclorama and the Atlanta Zoo.  Both were very interesting!

We ate a tasty restaurant directly across the street from Oakland Cemetary.  It was called, "Six Foot Under."  It's also a fish place.  I thought it was a wonderfully whimsal title!

I had a great time preaching in the evening at True Tabernacle of Praise.  They're a church plant in Tucker and just great to work with.  I'm looking forward to getting them plugged into the community!

Peace.

Posted 10/4/2006 at 3:40 PM
Tuesday October 3, 2006
   
Monday, October 2, 2006

My tire got a flat last night. I got it pumped up and took it to Tires Plus this morning.  Unfortunately the tire was ruined because of where the nail went in.  Actually it wasn't a nail, it was the tip from a soldering gun.  Bahd luck.  I got four new tires (mine were just about slick), an alignment (it had been pulling to the right) and some new wiper blades.  That took all morning.

Picked up Pat and we went over to Fernbank museum where they had a special exhibition of Imperial Rome.  It was awesome.  My favorite were the busts of Julius Caesar--also born on July 12--along with Bill Cosby and Henry David Thoreau!  That's a variety of birthday boys!

After Fernbank I took Pat over to check out Cafe Istanbul.  My favorite place for Turkish food.  We had some excellent kabobs.

Pat is a huge sports fanatic.  I've watched more football in the last four days than I have in the last decade!  It's been fun for a change.  I still prefer the History channel to ESPN!

We hiked up Stone Mountain to watch the sun set over our city.

Atlanta sure does have a lot to offer.

Atlanta sure does need Jesus!

Peace.

Posted 10/3/2006 at 8:35 AM
Tuesday October 3, 2006
   
Saturday, September 30, 2006

Still on the tourist trail with Pat Young, one of our ministry's supporters.

Today we went downtown to see the Aquarium, eat at the Varsity and check out Georgia Tech.  We enjoyed watching the Tech football game at Jocks and Jills on Peachtree Industrial.

Peace.

Posted 10/3/2006 at 8:29 AM
Tuesday October 3, 2006
   
Friday, September 29, 2006

Pat Young and I went to visit Underground Atlanta, the Capitol building, went up the cable cars to the top of Stone Mountain and also checked out the museums at Stone Mountain.

Later we also checked out the World of Coke and finished off the day watching the Braves beat the Astros.  We got down to within 10 yards of home plate and got to watch Chipper Jones slug one out of the ball field.  It was a beautiful thing!

Fun day.

Peace.

Posted 10/3/2006 at 8:26 AM
force5's Xanga Archives
Thursday September 28, 2006
   
Finished writing the newletters.  PTL.

I'll take them over the the post office in a few minutes.  Still need to put stamps on them before I put them in the mail.

Finished a budget proposal for a local church partner.  Paper work seems to take up more and more of my time.  It's a trend I fight against.  Seems like our best field operatives almost always end up doing nothing but admin work.

I'll go pick up Pat at the airport in the early afternoon.

Got all my office work done early.  I got up before sunrise to start working on it.

I hope I get to pick up my computer this morning.  It's supposed to be in.

I got my log book in from my Flight Instructor yesterday.  That means I can now go take the FAA written test for the Sport Pilot certification.  I'm just about ready for it.

Peace.

Posted 9/28/2006 at 10:37 AM
Thursday September 28, 2006
   
Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Worked on the newsletters most of the morning.

Followed up on my calls and email.  Looks like another team is coming to help us in 2007 from Mississippi.

Ran 5.3 miles. worked out on weights for an hour.

Back to writing newletters in the evening.

Spent a long time talking to a pastor friend of mine who's having financial problems.

I have my best friend coming to visit me for 6 days.  His family has been a huge supporter of our ministry for ten years.  I look forward to Pat being in town.  I like showing people around the missions.  Spent some time planning out the schedule.

Peace.

Posted 9/28/2006 at 10:33 AM
Thursday September 28, 2006
   
Tuesday, September 26, 2006

My computer is still down.  Hard to keep up with stuff.

Spent my day primarily in Covington.  Saw Kevin Riley with Zion BC.  We scoped out the housing community called The Silos.  I'll be speaking at their mission conference in a couple of weeks.

Had practice with our Worship Band at Sugarloaf CC.

Ran 4 miles.

Peace.

Posted 9/28/2006 at 10:29 AM
Monday September 25, 2006

Absolutely beauty weather today!

Worked on my newsletter most of the morning.  It's a hassle to use other computers.  I have to keep installing stuff, takes forever.

Just finished up my email.  Already have teams coming from 2007.  Excellente!

Followed up on a few phone calls.

Pray for the missions at Magnolia Pointe and Glennbrooke.  Both are new for us or new owners.

Worked out 45 minutes this morning.

Peace.
Posted 9/25/2006 at 6:36 PM
Sunday September 24, 2006

Got up early.  I was excited about going to church. I'm really enjoying being part of the praise and worship team.  Lester asked me to play guitar next week.  That'll be fun.  I also really had a blast beating on the djembe.  Our drummer wasn't there today.  Bahd luck.

Tito preached on memories today.  How important it is to remember what God has done in the past to save you.  Man, do I have lots of stories like that.

Rewired my basement this evening.  The video cable with the TV feed got fried during the fire.  I got around to replacing it.  What a hassle.  I had to take down a bunch of the ceiling material to get at the wires. Nothing is ever easy.

I spent about an hour this afternoon running to a trashed out area of my neighborhood and collecting the junk as I jog.  Lots of beer bottles, chic-fil-a cups (just around the corner), gum wrappers, empty boxes of cigarettes.  Yuck.  But I figure if I'm upset about the garbage on my streets, I ought to be willing to do something about it.  Now that I regularly clean up the three miles around my house, I feel a certain protectiveness about it.  Trash on my trail is a personal affront.

I'm so weird.

Peace.


Posted 9/24/2006 at 8:26 PM
Sunday September 24, 2006

Saturday, September 23, 2006

I redid the area behind my house today.  Cleared out some bushes.  It's about the flattest part of our yard, which sits on a very steep hill.  It's my dojo, where I work out and practice Tai Chi.  Sure looks a lot better.

Ran 4 miles.  Worked out for an hour.

Peace.
Posted 9/24/2006 at 8:18 PM
Friday September 22, 2006


Ashley and I just got back from seeing "Fearless" Jet Li's new movie. Awesome stuff. I sure hope this isn'r really his last martial arts movie. The guy is a genius. Of corse the movie is kind of sad. Chinese movies remind me of Shakespearean tragedies. They never have a happy ending.

Worked this morning cleaning the carpets in our house.

Enjoyed good time with Kathy and Ashley today!

Peace.
Posted 9/22/2006 at 7:27 PM
Friday September 22, 2006


Thursday, September 21, 2006

I had a terrific meeting with Brandon from Truth Tabernacle of Praise and Bennett Ekandem today. We ate a delicious lunch of roast goat and njira and then went to Clarkston to check out the mission work we have there. I'm expecting big things from this church!

I helped the kids at the mission with their projects for school. Glad that's coming along.

Coolest thing happened when I was running my four miles this morning. I was near the river and I saw a COYOTE run across the road right in front of me! What a trip!

Great day.

Peace.
Posted 9/22/2006 at 7:21 PM
Wednesday September 20, 2006
   
Gorgeous weather today.  Cool.  60s.  Clear sky.  It's what I call, "Nakuru weather."  The Rift Valley of Kenya produces some fantastic weather.  And all year long!

I preached at Clarkston International Bible Church this morning.  It's always fun to be around so many Africans.

Had a meeting with my friends from the Unite churches.  The Compassion in Action weekend is happening in a couple of weeks.  I met some new contacts.  Hopefully, I can plug them into the action.

Mr. Clatie fixed the computer for me.  Turned out to be a firewall issue.  It fired right up back at the mission.  Several kids got to work on their projects.

Peace.
Posted 9/20/2006 at 8:30 PM
Tuesday September 19, 2006
   
A beautiful day with awesome clouds.  I spent a lot of time looking towards Heaven!  Very interesting wispy cirrus clouds.

Talked to my insurance agent.  Sure enough looks like Whirlwind will be paying nearly $1,000/month for insurance.  Bahd luck.

Went over to Azalea to help the kids with their homework.  Internet wasn't working. I took the computer back over to Clatie to work on.  Hope we get it back fast.  At least five kids had projects going on.

Did all my office work at home on Jesse's computer this morning.

I just got back from rehearsal with the worship band from Sugarloaf Community Church.  Lester and I had a chance to jam for a few minutes.  Man, that guy can ROCK! What a blessing to get to play with him every week.  Sure wish I could play with both brothers.  Tito is doing a great job at preaching.  I sure do miss playing with both my brothers.  Whenever our band Cruz plays, it's just flat awesome.

It's about 10:30 pm now.  I need to check my email before I crash.

Peace.
Posted 9/19/2006 at 10:28 PM
Monday September 18, 2006
   
Been catching up on office work today.

Staying around the home office working on Jesse's computer until mine gets repaired.

Just finished my calls and email for the day.  Looks like we will have to pay the $10,000 for our insurance after all.  No other insurance agency wants to work with us because of the sheer number of locations we have missions.  The carrier said if it was the same number of people we work with on a weekly basis (around 400) in ONE location it would be no problem.  But having nearly 40 locations!  They just don't want any part of that liability risk.  C'est la vie, baby.  The Lord has covered our finances in the past, no reason to think He can't cover this too.

I'll go run my 4 miles in just a minute.

Peace.
Posted 9/18/2006 at 3:28 PM
Monday September 18, 2006
   
Sunday, September 17, 2006

Final day of the Global Impact Conference at N. Peachtree Baptist Church.  They had an offering of about $150,000 pledged as a faith promise gift.  I think that's really incredible!

Got some firm committments to some folks working in Chamblee and in Clarkston.  We sure need the help.

Worked out an hour on weights.

Peace.
Posted 9/18/2006 at 3:25 PM
Monday September 18, 2006
   
Saturday, September 16, 2006

Ran 4 miles.  Watched Kill Bill 2.  Had a rest day.  PTL.

Peace.
Posted 9/18/2006 at 3:23 PM
Monday September 18, 2006
   
Friday, September 15, 2006

Kathy and I went to the Missions Banquet at N. Peachtree BC tonight.  Larry Reesor from Global Focus interviewed my and about 10 other missionaries in front of the two congregations.

Worked out and rested.

Peace.
Posted 9/18/2006 at 3:22 PM
Monday September 18, 2006
   
Thursday, September 14, 2006

My laptop is still dead.  Got the news that my hard drive and motherboard are dead.  Bahd luck. Went to Best Buy to get my back ups.  What a hassle.

Jesse helped me get my Sport Pilot FAA Test Prep onto my Ipaq.  That's been great for helping me study.

Still working at the N. Peachtree/True Tabernacle of Praise Missions Conference.  It's been some great music and many people seem to be interested in helping at the mission.

Peace.


Posted 9/18/2006 at 3:21 PM
Wednesday September 13, 2006

 

Rainy day.  Gloom city.

Went to Best Buy first thing this morning to check on the laptop.  News is bad:  hard drive down, mother board gonesville.  Could be WEEKS before I get my computer back.  That's not zesty!  C'est la vie, baby.  Pray that the service center will fix it quick!

Just got finished with the Chamblee-Doraville Property Manager's Association meeting.  Not many people.  Not sure why, maybe the weather.  We had a report from one of the doctors from the new Good Samaritan's Clinic in Doraville.  That's good news and good info.

Went by my office at the church to get mail.

I'm at the Chamblee Library now working on my email and this blog.

In a little while I'll go over to Azalea to help the kids with their homework.

Then I have a Missions Conference going on this evening at N. Peachtree Baptist Church.  That will probably go on till 9pm.  Another late night.  The conference will end on Sunday.

Peace.

 

Posted 9/13/2006 at 1:58 PM
Tuesday September 12, 2006
   
For a techno kind of guy, I had a disaster happen.  My computer would not boot up.  I've already taken it to Best Buy to have them look at it.  Looks like hard drive problems.  That's not zesty.  Hopefully, whatever info they can't get off it, Jesse can.

I have an external hard drive and have most of the stuff backed up, but not everything.

Consider this your reminder--BACK UP!

Thanks to Jesse I now have web based mail:  gmail.com.  I highly recommend you going the web based route.  A LOT less spam/virus issues.  Google really has their stuff together. 

So bottom line, my email still works.  Of course Xanga--my blog--is web based so that's no big deal.

And my 25,000 plus pictures are all on the Smugmug servers, so that's good to go too.  PTL.  That's an archive that's irreplaceable.

When I had the fire in my house it burned a lot of pictures.  That was a loss for sure.

Went to the office in Doraville to pick up mail and make phone calls.  Usually I work on my computer there, but alas no computer. 

I'm using Jesse's computer now. He's resting.  I sure am glad I don't have to get up at 5:30am!  Ay caramba!

Went to help the kids at Azalea with their homework.  Had about 20 kids there today.  Lots of Bengali kids.  Most of the kids in my youth group now are muslim.

9/11 was yesterday.  Even though I hate what they did in NYC, I still can't hate them.  I reckon that's because of the muslim children I love.

Worked out 45 minutes this morning.

Peace.
Posted 9/12/2006 at 6:23 PM
Monday September 11, 2006
   
I hung around my house today, catching up with some office work.  Did some local errands.

I try and rest when I don't have a full up schedule.

Been studying.

Took care of a problem with a bill at one of the missions.

Kathy is feeling better.

Ran 4 miles.

Peace.
Posted 9/11/2006 at 7:1 PM
Sunday September 10, 2006
   
I had a great time at church today.  I played my djembe in the worship band.  We had a terrific drummer with us today, so it was fun jamming out for Jesus.  I bruised my right hand for my enthusiasm!  The best kind of pain.

Tito preached on parenthood today.  The father's resposibility is to train up the children.  Too true.

Worked out for an hour this afternoon.  Ran four miles.

Studying for my Sports Pilot Knowledge Test.  Ground school for ultralight pilots.  Fascinating stuff.

Check out www.flyhardtrikes.com to see the web site that Jesse and I put together for my teacher.

Peace.
Posted 9/10/2006 at 11:0 PM
Saturday September 9, 2006
   
I helped a new partner get started in a new ministry today!  First United Methodist Alpharetta have been partnering with Youth Outreach United for a year plus.  I hooked them up with a complex in Roswell that is MUCH closer to where they live.  I have other good partners that work at Aspen Pointe where we were at today, including World Harvest Church and Restoration Church of God.  We have a real openness with the management right now so we need to put more resources that direction.

We had a cookout with games and our friends from World Harvest Church did a full production for the kids including dramas!  It was really cool.

Weird thing was we got stuck out there.  A drunk guy ran into a telephone pole and knocked it down.  Power lines blocked the road, so we were committed!  It all worked out fine.

Ashley and I didn't get home till late last night from Villa Rica.  I got home from Roswell and took a nice nap.

Kathy hasn't been feeling well.  Sore throat and stuffy nose.  Pray for her.

Peace.
Posted 9/9/2006 at 7:31 PM