Whirlwind Missions

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Español! Walk! Azalea! Podcast! 9.19.23

Tim A. Cummins @ 8:57 pm  

This should be good.

OYB!

Español!

Walked 2.84 miles.

Sixteen hills.

Good talk with my buddy Anthony while I was at Stone Mountain.

Listened to Don Cheto. I was super tuned into it today. Understood big chunks of the program. Really makes me feel good when I can do that.

Watered my little Pink Magnolia tree. She’s had a rough start in life, but I think she’s improving. Hope she survives the winter ok.

Helped the kids at the mission. Big crowd. Lots of middle schoolers just hanging out.

Went to my offices to check the mail.

Walmart for bananas. All the honey crisp apples were sold out. Bahd luck.

Fine tuning my plans for my trip. This afternoon I thought about the airport and the Marta train to get me there. Even though it’s an international flight, I leave from gate E14 which I can easily access from the Domestic Terminal. I’ll probably shoot for getting to the Doraville Marta station around 6:30 AM.


I recorded a new episode of Verbal Surgery called “Winners and Whiners.” Released it the same day. That’s pretty unusual for me.

Looks like tight competition. I like that.

Monday, September 18, 2023

Español! Anthony! Walk! Azalea! Prep! 9.18.23

Tim A. Cummins @ 8:57 pm  

Came in #2 last week.

I’ve enjoyed playing Horizon Forbidden West. Such a beautiful game.

OYB!

Had a fun chat with my buddy Anthony. Always makes me laugh and laugh.

Kathy dropped her phone and cracked the protective screen cover. Fortunately, the iPhone screen was undamaged. Amen.

Español!

Walked 3.64 miles.

Twenty hills.

Watered my banana plants. When they get dry, the leaves actually go limp.

Ordered some new touch screen pens for Penelope.

Helped the kids at the mission. Big crowd. Hard to keep focused with that many kids all saying, “Mr. Tim! Mr. Tim!” at the same time. Yow.

Listened to Don Cheto on the way home.

Checked the mail.

Didn’t get home till after 8:00 PM. I had one kid whose teacher told her, “If you don’t get all your week’s homework done by tomorrow I’ll give you an F for it.” Ridiculous! We didn’t get it all done, but I certainly gave it my best shot.

Did more prep work for my trip. Today I got out all my winter clothes and washed them. Doubt I’ll need most of that gear except at the top of the volcano. The weather is nearly exactly the same as the ATL.

The finals of the tournament each month always has a lot of competition. I think #1 is tied up, but the #2 and #3 spots will be a fight between three of us. Should be close.

Sunday, September 17, 2023

Español! Walk! Oil! Prep! 9.17.23

Tim A. Cummins @ 7:23 pm  

Glad to see Baylor win yesterday after a 0-2 start! I never watch the games live. I just watch the highlights. Kind of like I did with the World Cup.

OYB!

Español!

I’m still trying to figure out all the quirks of the past subjunctive tense.

I leave for Guatemala in less than two weeks. I’ve been checking the weather in the two locations I’ll be staying at regularly. Actually, quite similar temperatures to the ATL. The altitude is over 4,000 ft higher, however!

A piece of pithy wisdom from one of my heroes, Kevin Kelly of Wired magazine.

Walked my hill nineteen times this morning.

3.44 miles in all. I walked for a 1.52 hours.

Where the pace suddenly skyrockets is when I went inside.

I trimmed K’s toenails for her. It’s a hard job that she can’t do.

Also checked and added some oil to her truck. I use my headlight to see inside the depths of the engine.

Swept the deck. seemed like about 1,000 acorns.

I’ve still got a bit of a cold. Had a headache today. Rested rather than biking. Just seemed like the wise thing to do.

Made a set of copies of all my valuable documents for my money belt. I’m still getting all my gear together. Worked on finding all my cold weather stuff today. I’m washing a lot of it before I put it in my backpack in my suitcase. I doubt I’ll need it much until I climb the volcano. Some of the evenings might get nippy, but doubt I’ll need my full winter stuff then.

Enjoyed playing Horizon Zero Dawn.

I’ll be coming in a strong second this week.

Saturday, September 16, 2023

Español! Rain! Walk! 9.16.23

Tim A. Cummins @ 9:11 pm  

OYB!

Drizzly wet morning. We got about 1/2″ of rain.

Español!

Kathy and I went to eat lunch at MJ’s. It was good.

Since it was wet it made sense to have a rest day. I’ve had a bit of a cold, which I think is what caused my eye problem, which is pretty much fine now. I’m still using some lubricating eye drops.

Spent the day playing Horizon Forbidden West and watching The Rookie.

It cleared off around dusk.

I got a 2.37 mile walk in before it got dark.

Did my hill twelve times.

Good effort.

Got a notice in the mail from the Health Marketplace guys. I sent this picture to my health insurance guy. Sure am glad I have Tim Deter to help me out with this stuff!

I needed a rest day. I’ve really been pushing myself hard physically the last few months to prepare for the Guatemala trip. Especially since I’ve been a bit sick. Not bad. What I call “Sickish.”

Friday, September 15, 2023

Español! Washer! Eye Doctor! Bank! 9.15.23

Tim A. Cummins @ 8:04 pm  

The International Mission Board has a new logo. Hope they didn’t spend much money on it. Looks like a turkey head to me.

Called Walgreens about the new Covid booster. It will be in next week. Also went by there to pick up meds for Jessi.

This was one of my favorite bikes ever.

Kathy and I were talking about how her sister needs a full service gas station. It’s really hard for her to get out of the car and pump it herself.

This is true.

Jessi washed her blanket which gets super heavy when it’s wet. Got unbalanced in the spin cycle. I thought our machine was going to be destroyed. Wrung it out by hand and put it back in and checked for balance. Seemed to be ok then.

OYB!

We had a great trip to California together! Three of my other Brit friends were there too. Awesome time.

Drizzly this morning. No walk for me.

Called T&G to ask about getting a copy of all the work that’s been done on the Mercury and Expedition.

Deposited checks. Our account keeps getting lower. Help us, Father!

I’m doing research on Covid booster and flu shots. Here’s what I got last year.

Went to the Eye doctor after lunch.

Look into my eyes.

I was told that I have 20/15 vision. That means I can see at 20 feet what most people can only see at 15. Not bad for a 65 year old!

Ashley made me some new lenses for my sunglasses. Excellent!

Never too much Ashley!

Great to see Dr. Baird too! He’s Ashley’s best friend’s dad.

Paid bills.

Data breaches are always concerning. Happened to part of our Health Insurance Carrier.

I left a good review for my eye Doctor Smith. Briggs Vision Group really is first class!

Keep pushing consistently. It’s the secret to studying languages. Every day.

Thursday, September 14, 2023

Español! Walk! Anthony! Azalea! 9.14.23

Tim A. Cummins @ 9:41 pm  

This sounds like fun!

Put David on our mailing list.

A friend of mine sent me this from our 7th grade yearbook from Nairobi International School.

OYB!

Español!

Good chat with my buddy Anthony. He’s in Portugal right now.

Walked 3.34 miles. Eighteen hills.

Cool morning.

Listened to Don Cheto.

Got rained on.

They need a sticker that says “Student Sticker Putter Oner.”

Gassed up my car and checked the oil and transmission fluids.

Talked to my buddy Ian about his insurance.

Chatted with Andrew about bringing teams into town. Hope that works out!

I saw an advertisement about the Mitzvah House on a billboard. I thought that sounded interesting.

Even thought it was raining I had a good group of kids come for help. Most of the kids finished all their homework yesterday.

Brought some bubble wrap for the girls to pop.

Went to my office to check the mail.

Called Walmart about the new Covid shots. Never could get anyone to answer.

Got my Lifestraw in the mail. You can use this to filter water to drink. Amazing little piece of gear.

Sigue adelante!

Wednesday, September 13, 2023

Class! Walk! Azalea! FaceTime! 9.13.23

Tim A. Cummins @ 9:05 pm  

I helped Kathy with her classwork last night. Got it all done!

Studied hard this morning.

My eyes are better today thanks to the antibiotic drops!

I did some research on the medicine I’m using. I’m going to see an eye doctor on Friday. Amen. He’s interested in doing mission work so it’s a real win-win!

OYB!

Did some work on my calendar.

Español!


This type of mushroom was blooming all over my yard.

Walked 2.36 miles this morning. Still not feeling great so I tried not to overdo it.

Thirteen hills.

Taking this to filter my drinking water when I’m in Guatemala.

Jessi came with me to help with the kids.

The girls showed me some of their gymnastic moves. They’d fall over and laugh and laugh.

Helped the kids with their homework. Big crowd.

I had a good FaceTime this evening with a group of 1-5th grade boys from Devine, Texas this evening. I told them about our work in the ATL with the international population.

My sister-in-law Ann asked me about Property Tax Homestead Exemptions. Turned out I had put them all in place when I first got my martgage. I showed her how to do the same.

Just keep going.

Heard from one of my church partners about bringing teams this Fall. Amen to that!

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Grandparent’s Day! Eyes! Azalea! Podcast! 9.12.23

Tim A. Cummins @ 8:37 pm  

Kathy and I have to work on another of her trainings.

It’s less than three weeks away from my trip to Guatemala! Looking forward to that. Lake Atitilan where I’ll be staying most of my trip is at 5,200 ft! Quite a bit higher than the ATL. Being at that altitude should help me prepare for climbing the Acatenango volcano which tops out at over 13,000 ft!

I woke up a lot last night. My eyes were bothering me. I had a lot of mucus in them and they were itchy. Could be caused my this head cold I’ve had. Ashley gave me some meds that Penelope took when she had a similar condition. If it’s not better in a couple of days, I’ll make a doctor appointment to have it looked it.

OYB!

I didn’t study very much and it’s the first day in over six weeks that I didn’t exercise. We had to be at Everly’s school before 10:00AM and as I mentioned before I didn’t sleep well last night.

Tightened up the screws on the front door handle.

Got to the school right on time.

We lucked out and got to spend time with Penelope at the Book Fair. Groovy!

Met up with Everly for lunch. Great to see Miles’ folks too!

Dropped by to see Everly’s class room.

Everly will be going to this field trip soon. She’s very excited about it.

Big rain storm barely missed us at the mission.

Helped the kids at the mission. I’m working with six 2nd graders, plus the middle school and other elementary kids.

I’ve been in touch with David Cooke who is the leader of a missions group in Texas. If all goes well, I’ll have a FaceTime with him tomorrow and the kids.

Trash day tomorrow.

Released a new episode of Verbal Surgery called, “Wild Animal.” GRRRReat!

Even with my eye problem I made a good effort.

Monday, September 11, 2023

Walk! Español! Azalea! 9.11.23

Tim A. Cummins @ 9:42 pm  

Came in top three.

Keep moving forward!

Ordered groceries. First week to use my own bags for curbside pickup.

OYB!

Español!


Hot and sweaty.

Walked 4.72 miles.

I was soaked with sweat.

Twenty-six hills. My record is twenty-nine.

After I work out, I lay all my clothes out to completely dry before I put them in the basket. I drink a lot of water while I’m walking as well as taking an electrolyte chewable tablet. Keeps me going.

Listened to Don Cheto on the way into Chamblee.

Heard from Noah. He helps me on Thursdays. At least he has a couple of times. Honestly, I’m always surprised when anyone shows up.

Went to my office to check the mail and process checks.

Picked up the girls at the bus and took them to Cici’s pizza. It was good. The girls had fun.

Amazon delivered our new camping chairs. I got them to support Penelope while she’s playing soccer.

Everly had a gift for Natalia. She didn’t get to go to her party.

Deposited checks. Thank you, Jesus.

Helped the kids with their homework.


Some just come to play.

While I was putting up the table I noticed this on the ground. Tire killers.

Talked to my Mom while I was driving home.

Picked up my groceries from Walmart. I still have to go inside to get bananas because the stupid app is messed up.

I checked the “recycle” bin to see what was in it. It’s the main reason I started using my own bags again.

Most people just throw their trash in it.

Always enjoy hearing from fans of my podcast.

It’s interesting how after one day I can usually tell how the top three will turn out. It’s all about seeing what they’ve done in the past. Wraith’s language that he’s studying is Arabic! Wow.

Sunday, September 10, 2023

Español! Walk! Bike! 9.10.23

Tim A. Cummins @ 9:21 pm  

I like that the character is hiking in the mountains this month. If all goes well, I should be completing that challenge as well!

My Mom met with a youth director recently. His church is studying Atlanta in their missions time. I’ll probably get a FaceTime going with them soon.


OYB!

Deposited some money into my bank account.

Español!

Walked 3.96 miles.

Walked my hill 21 times.

Lovely weather, but sweaty.

Ate Chinese food with K. Rested.

Prepped my bike.

Listened to music and Don Cheto.

Just keep going. Sigue adelante!

15.40 miles. Any time I go faster than 9.00 mph, I feel like I’m doing great. My ride is tough. I seek out the hardest hills. Climbed over 1,000 ft.

Beautiful clouds this evening.

Ordered some meds for J.

I’ll come in #3 this week. My score would’ve earned me #1 most weeks, just depends on who I’m competing with. Richard scored a giant amount. One of the highest single weeks I’ve seen.

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