This morning I spent mowing our yard. Talk about breaking a sweat!

The yard looks better, and I felt like I actually did something while I got exercise.

Sometimes I wonder why I run or lift weights. Mowing actually seems practical!

By these pictures look like I mow more dirt than grass!

Jesse helped me pick up some gifts from Bruce and Karen Miller today.

They had a nice desk, chairs, school supplies and a trumpet we could have! What a blessing!

This evening I watched New Moon with Kathy. It’s the sequel in the Twilight series. Didn’t like it as much as the first one. Still pretty much a chick movie.

Today I spent setting up four locations for our team that will be serving in the Roswell Road area.

We’ve had on going work there in the past, but it all goes up and down depending on the volunteer labor.

I’m glad that we’re able to provide a week of camp for the kids in that neighborhood.

This afternoon I worked on admin duties.

This evening K and J and I went to Lawrenceville to celebrate my brother Lester’s birthday! What a great guy and a super family!

It was great seeing my other brother Tito, too!

As the children get older, we realize we’re getting older too!

Next Friday at this time, my son Jesse will be rolling towards New Hampshire for a few months. Not looking forward to that. But I reckon it’s all a part of growing up.

Got some heavy rain yesterday!

Didn’t last long though.

Still working on setting up locations for the teams coming in a week! Have almost all of them nailed down now. PTL!

Looks like we’ll be adding another team to the mix. Wow! I’m glad I have some extra time to make sure everything is perfect for them!

I heard from Ashley today! She made 5 thirty minute presentations at Main Street BC’s VBS today. MAN! She sounded pretty tired.

We had a good lunch with Keith Harrell and the manager from Huntington Village, Claudia Aguilar this afternoon. Good to spend time with them.

She wants us to take over the facility and run the program for her. I have another partner currently doing that. Have to be careful to lay the groundwork properly so no one gets their feelings hurt.

Keith, Jesse and I also went by a few locations to talk with the managers to make sure everything is good to go. Looks like we’ll be ok.

Came home and ran 4 miles.

Enjoyed watching Burn Notice with Kathy tonight.

This morning we had the sadness of wishing Ashley a “Bon Voyage!” on her trip to Texas. Our loss is my folk’s gain! She’s going there to speak to our supporters. Always good to have the personal touch!

Had a fiesty group to share with at the North American Mission Board today! Good bunch of candidates!

Jesse and I picked up some sound equipment from our partners at Open Table church today. Heavy.

Also got to see Ruthie North. She’s doing a great job with Refugee Beads!

Still working on the logistics for the big teams coming a week from now. Got most of it squared away. We’ll have teams at 34 complexes that week. Amen!

Enjoyed watching Castle with Kathy this evening! I record the shows on our DVR so we don’t have to watch the commercials.

I liked this Anole lizard.

And this from a carving on the merry go round at North Point Mall.

Just a tad creepy.

Had a fun lunch with my whole family–even Miles!

I enjoyed speaking Swahili to Mr. Patel, the owner of Vikhyat, my favorite Indian food place.

Rest of the day was spent going from one mission to another, confirming work with managers. Many of them are new, even some new owners, so it’s always a challenge.

I’m about 75% confirmed now on the 34 locations that we’ll be covering June 21-24. Still in negotiations with several companies. Takes time, no short cut for doing this.

Enjoyed watching the season premier of Burn Notice with Kathy tonight. Great to see Michael Westin back in action!

Back to admin work, speaking of action.

Jesse and I had a productive day today!

We’re getting ready for the big groups in town from Texas. Today we nailed down the missions they’ll be serving in around Clarkston and Decatur.

We talked to the managers at Elite at Avondale Crossing, Oak Forest, Kensington Manor, Southern Pines and Woodside Village to name a few!


Came home and ran 2 miles.

K and I enjoyed watching the Lie to Me season premier. GREAT show!

Another warning sign that got my attention!

Don’t diet! Get these instead!

Got back last night from my trip to NYC!

Had a great time. Went to a language conference. Learned how to better communicate with people. Very useful! I think Igor Ledochowski is a genius in his field.

Had fun in the evenings. High points included seeing Conan Obryan in his Banned from TV tour.

Saw several of my favorite paintings including Marilyn Monroe by Andy Warhol, Starry Night by Van Gogh and Persistance of Memory by Salvador Dali!

Also one of my favorite musicals, Hair!

Here’s a picture with the star, Ace Young. Remember him from American Idol? He rocked as Berger.

Ran miles and miles around NYC including a new favorite around Chinatown and over the Brooklyn Bridge.

One on of my runs I saw this guy. Maybe you know who he is!

Jesse and I took our Lumina to get the oil changed, emission sticker and the car checked before he heads to New Hampshire in a couple of weeks.

T & G does a good job for us!

Picked up a case for my new iPad which will delivered on the 16th. Looking forward to that!

While we were at the mall I saw my nephew David Doverspike. Groovy!

We went to Azalea to check on the kids.

They seem to be enjoying their holiday and the team from the Atlanta Chinese Christian Church!

I dropped Jesse off at the house then went on to Lawrenceville to do a presite visit with the staff from Oak Hill BC at three missions: Olde Salem, Cherokee Courts and Alexander Mill.

Also spent some time at the bookstore on the way home!

I liked this sign!

And this is what it seems like I hear this day.

I thought this was beauty!

My back is feeling better today. Amen!

Glad I was able to take a break yesterday.

Worked on email and admin duties this morning.

Ate lunch with Jesse and Kathy. Always a good thing.

Also finished my financial report. That usually takes about two hours at least.

Took a good 4 mile run this afternoon. Didn’t take my hat. Now my poor ol’ bald head is a bit burned. Bahd luck.

Finished up the last of the Costa Rica video projects. I’m glad that’s done. I just kept chipping away at them . . . .

Also produced a couple of new episodes for my podcast. I’ve decided on a 10 minute time limit for them. I take a couple of my proverbs and as my Daddy would say, “I talk until I think of something to say!”
Don\'t Worry About What Others Think–mp3

I watched Swing Vote with Kathy this evening followed by an episode of Lie To Me–our favorite show with Tim Roth. New episodes next week!

This morning I woke up with a really sore back. I hurt it a couple of days ago when I was carrying this heavy box of detergent to the car. Doesn’t take much I reckon.

Kathy went to Clarkston International Bible Church, while I rested.

The kids took me out to eat a hamburger for lunch at Red Robin.

Yumbo!

I liked this old map of New Hampshire. That’s where Jesse will be moving soon.

This afternoon I worked on editing a piece I shot in Costa Rica about frogs.

The Frog Pond, Monteverde, Costa Rica
And took care of my regular admin duties.

About once a week I put myself in a creative writing mode and work on my proverbs which I post on Twitter. I call the exercise Verbal Surgery. Worked on that for a while too.