Saturday I enjoyed a good 5.06 mile run. Even though I don’t feel great, slow jogging helps me to feel better. Always something beautiful to see.


I thought this was cool.

Enjoyed watching Baylor football. We clobbered OSU.

Went to sleep early.

Had a hard time sleeping. Stopped up nose and headache.

Sunday, I met up with a team from Perimeter Church.

An all girls team is always better than an all guys team.

Took them on a tour of the Buford Highway Farmers Market. We also ate lunch there.

Always something different to see.

Then over to the mission at Azalea. I helped round up the kids. You can tell a Bengali family lives here.

They had nail polish for the girls. Most of the kids were from Bangladesh. We had an interesting discussion on the common roots of Christianity and Islam, which is Judaism.

Everyone had a grand time even though the weather was cold and rainy.

Came home to work on admin duties.

Ashley and I enjoyed showing our new friends from Roopville Road Baptist Church, Pastor Stephen Peeples and his friend Tony Padgett around the International Village. I also had a friend of mine from FBC Mountain Park, Eddie Mayfield, come with us!

We showed them around Asian Square and Plaza Fiesta. Always something interesting to see.

What? Camel milk yogurt?!

They left to go back to Roopville and Ash and I took Eddie over to Global Mall and Al Madina.

Eddie rocked the Sublime Blue Mariachi Hat.

Then to the mission to work with the kids!

Came home to work on admin duties.

About 4:30 am I woke up with a really bad sore throat. Got up and gargled and took some tylenol.

Friday morning I met up with Eduardo Zamora and Jeanine Crawford at FBC Mountain park to do a walk through of their mission house.

We are expecting a family from Venuezuela next week who will be helping us with missions.

Went to Walmart after the house exploration to get some groceries and a cable for my computer. Don’t know why a heavy duty cable would suddenly just cease to function, but it did.

Came home this afternoon and rested for a couple of hours.

K and I enjoyed watching Elementary and the BBC version of Sherlock Holmes this evening.

My throat is feeling better, but I still feel kind of weak.

Admin duties now. Then rest.

They are making progress on the new QT station that is opening near my house. Awesome!

Tuesday was a big day for us, it’s our annual board meeting! Did more printing and worked on the presentation for the board.

It was also the coldest day of the year dropping into the teens. When I woke up, it was still below freezing. That’s not zesty.

We had over 1.5″ of rain. I was glad it dried off before it froze. Atlanta doesn’t do well in that kind of weather. You know when it’s cold when the water in the gauge freezes solid.

Recorded a new podcast! WOOT. Did you know that you can hold your body in different ways and actually change your mood? I explore the newest research on the mind body connection in Verbal Surgery -299- “PROsition!”

Just click on the title and groove!

Picked up supplies for the house and the mission.

Walmart has some interesting Christmas decorations. Dinosaurs? Really? I want one.

The start of freedom!

Enjoyed working with the kids at the mission.

Then off to our office at FBC Doraville to meet with our Board!

We each made a presentation.

They are real soldiers of the LORD. What a blessing Carl Barrington, Tito Ruiz, Jon Paul and Sandy Defoe are to our ministry!

I got home from the meeting and eating with Jesse at about 10:30pm. Went straight to bed.

Wednesday morning it started to warm up. Yeah, baby!

K and I spent most of the morning going through all the files for 2014 for Whirlwind Missions.

We had to break out some banking and tax information and collate it. Sure was glad I had her help!

I had a great meeting with my friend Eduardo Zamora. He’s the missionary in charge of the work at Huntington Ridge.

Had a good time with the kids. Kawsar wrote an essay called, “Counting my blessings.”

He was thankful for three things: his family, education and Mr. Tim. I thought that was sweet.

Jesse has a good time instilling a love for science and education into the kids.

Came home to watch Castle with Kathy.

Admin duties now.

I’ve really enjoyed the clouds the last couple of days. Unusual ripple patterns.

Ashley and I had a fun time hosting Loren Hildebrandt of Chestnut Mountain Baptist Church in Flowery Branch. I actually met Loren in Amsterdam at the Schipol airport! He was on his way back from Uganda. Brandon Bridgewater is the youth director. They’re both awesome! We’re looking forward to working with this great church!

My ultra-beautiful daughter.

We went to the Hindu temple at Global Mall. Ate at Al Madina. Then over to Plaza Fiesta. These pictures were at the Shiv Mandir.

Prakesh is the main priest of the temple.

They liked the boots at Laredo Wear in Plaza Fiesta!

Ashley and I then went to our office at FBC Doraville. We’ve been preparing for the annual Board Meeting of Whirlwind Missions on Tuesday evening. This afternoon we went through our notes to make sure we had everything covered.

Then to the missions! Always fun!



Practicing cursive. Does anyone still use that?

Came home to watch Grey’s Anatomy with K. It’s kind of a new show to me. Really powerful stuff.

Admin duties now.

Saturday I received the largest package ever from Amazon: a lawnmower.

I’ll put it together when it gets a bit warmer.

Enjoyed a nice lunch with Jesse for Greek food.

Saturday evening K and I went to a party that her ladies at the Mommy and Me program had. It was fun to meet some new folks. I took her out to eat Vietnamese food after the party. I like the decor at Saigon Cafe.


Sunday morning I rested. I’ve been getting a lot of sleep. I’m feeling better.

Enjoyed watching Meadow BC on TV this morning. Good message by Jeff Lyle from 1st Timothy. Always good to fan the flame.

Did some creative writing.

Went for a 5.06 mile run. I guess that’s the proof I’m getting better.

First winter trees.

In this season I start seeing bird’s nests.

This reminded me of some kind of Pink Floyd album cover.

I had a restful morning and a fun lunch with Kathy today.

We dropped some food off for her sister Ann who just had knee surgery.

She washed the car on the way home.

Went for a 5.01 mile run this afternoon. Got pretty cold at the end—in the 30s. This was our high.

Beautiful. I ran just before sunset.

I thought these clouds were interesting.

I saw this taped to a mailbox.

I got this for the kids at the mission. I thought we could teach them some things about aerodynamics.

This one is for me.

Admin duties now. Feels good to be under the blanket.

It almost looked like this tree didn’t have a top.

One of my favorite things this morning—RECORDING! Always fun and challenging.

Have you ever noticed the titles that we give ourselves? “I’m bad at remembering names.” “I’m not good at math.” “I’m shy.” These titles are accepted because WE are the ones saying them! Take a listen to Verbal Surgery -298- “INtitled.”

Just click on the title and groove!

Met up for lunch with Jesse and Kathy. Always good. Ashley got her hair done and met us there. Beauty, beauty, BEAUTY! YEAH!

After lunch, we went to Walmart to get supplies for the party at Azalea for the kids and Ashley.

I thought these images were interesting.

We worked on homework.

Then had the party!

The kids sang Happy Birthday in English and Spanish. When I asked them to do it in Bangla, they said, “We just say Happy Birthday.”

Blowing out the candles in the dark is always a dramatic point of the evening.

I was glad that Miles could be with her today at the mission.

After working with the kids, Ash, Miles, Jesse and I met up with Kathy in Snellville to eat at Provinos. We ate lunch at Always Fresh. BOTH of these restaurants gave Ashley a free dinner and dessert. Yeah, baby!

Home now to work on admin duties.

This morning I went for a 5.06 mile run.

I haven’t been feeling super great, so I wasn’t sure how well I’d do. Felt just fine. The trees are absolutely amazing now. Sometimes I just stop and praise the Lord for his amazing artistry and infinite variety!

I officially love geese.

I got of a shot of this hawk before he left the scene. See it?

I always find these “zipper” clouds interesting.

Got home and rested for 1.5 hours. I slept nearly 10 hours last night. I really do think rest is the best medicine.

Went by White Windmill for a little treat and to get Ashley a couple of birthday goodies. She’s AWESOME!

I loved the geraniums outside.

Went to the mission to work with the kids.

We decorated the mission for Ashley’s birthday tomorrow. She hasn’t been feeling well. Cold symptoms. She looked better this evening when I dropped off a couple of small gifts and the notes the kids made.

I gave one of our volunteers a list of the best books for kids. I want to start a small library.

Ate supper with Jesse.

Always good. He drew a diagram on the board to illustrate how the alcohol in the hand sanitizer kills ebola.

Royal China is my favorite in Chamblee. Their new menu is huge. It includes this delicacy.

I don’t think so.

Admin duties now.

I plan on watching the comet landing show this evening. What an amazing accomplishment for mankind!

When was the last time you saw one of these on a roof top?

The back of this truck was packed with bread.

Seimper fi, Marines!

You guys are:

One of my favorite things! Podcast!

I really like this edition called, “Not too late!” It’s important to tell those significant others how special they are! Take the time to reconnect.

This podcast will motivate you to do that! Just click on the title and groove!

I met up with Kathy and Ashley for Mexican food. Ashley taught her ESL class this morning. I know she’s a terrific teacher and is also learning a lot! She hasn’t been feeling well.

After lunch A and I went to Walmart to pick up some groceries as well as get her some meds.

Came home to rest. I’ve been trying to get a little extra rest. Usually I’m sick this time of year. A, J and K have all been sick. So far, I’ve been healthy, just feel a little run down.

Got gas. GREAT to see the prices going down.

Enjoyed working with the kids at the mission. I told Ashley to stay at home. She needs the rest too.

Watched the new Castle with Kathy. They finally get married! Yeah!

Admin duties now.

I thought these waves were interesting.

One of the mission kids made this little hangman’s noose. She had a little doll in it. Her teacher told her that was “inappropriate.”

Ashley and I had a fun lunch with Trent DeLoach.

He’s the Missions Pastor for Rehoboth Baptist Church.

I’m glad to hear that things are looking up for them. We talked about housing teams at their church. They want to charge $20/night/person. I thought that was pretty high.

After our lunch, we went by North Lake Church of Christ.

They are another church willing to host teams. They’ve just added showers to their facilities so people could stay there longer than overnight. We talked with the secretary and left information for the Pastor.

Went to the ATT store for Ashley to pick up her new phone! I reckon we do about 70% of our work on the phone. Now our phones can do everything!

We’re on the Next program with ATT, so we can upgrade once a year . . . .but we have to give our old phone back to them.

I just found out this afternoon that those old phones are given to returning soldiers. Hooo ah to that!

Then to Briarcliff United Methodist Church.

We tried to find a staff person on site, wasn’t possible. We left a note. Again, we’re trying to solidify possible housing opportunities for our teams.

We had a great conversation with John Sayger from Memphis, TN this afternoon. I’ll be going to their church over MLK day to do a training with their students.

It was fun passing the phone around to my Bengali kids at the mission to talk with them. They got a kick out of that.

Then worked with the kids. Always good!

Jesse showed the kids some science toys. I love J’s enthusiasm!

K and I watched a couple of episodes of Grey’s Anatomy. I’ve only started watching it. Good show.

Admin duties now.

This seems early to me.

Makes me smile.