Love

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
1 Cor 13:4-7

I've been reading out of the letters to the Corinthians recently. I'm in 2 right now, but finished 1 a little while ago. As I was reading through, I came across this section. Naturally, I remembered hearing/seeing it before. As I went through, I underlined how I felt I was loving (selfish? prideful? I was just trying to see how I felt about myself). I only underlined parts of this section that I thought I was. Give it a try, see how you view yourself as loving.
I didn't underline half of it. Of the 14 parts of love, I considered myself six and a half of them. I doubt I'm much of any of them, but it's how I perceive myself. Maybe I am those half of the time, or some of the time, but never all the time.
In at least one of the parts, I found that perhaps that part of my love was in fact a weakness in me. Not that love is a weakness. Hmm, maybe it's more that because of that love, evil has an easier time taking advantage of it.
Love is the first fruit of the Spirit. How can it go wrong? The fall is not in love itself, but that we fail in love. How can we be at all deprived, at all failing, at all undeserving if we simply love? Mark 12:30 says "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." Did not Jesus also say that the greatest commandments were this and to LOVE your neighbor as yourself?
[I'm no bible major (or minor), and I may have that wrong, but I am young still in my faith and am trying to be bold :). Correct me if I need it.]
Really, there is nothing new here. I am just reminding us all of our failures and just one way in which we do so. For lack of a better word or term- and after consulting my thesaurus- let us love until the cows come home. With love, we can not go wrong.

"And now these three remain; faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
1 Cor 13:13

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that our unity may one day be restored
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah they'll know we are Christians by our love

We will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we'll guard each man's dignity and save each man's pride
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah, they'll know we are Christians by our love.

- Jars of Clay - They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love

Blog-a-palooza!

Apparently I'm going post crazy today (is there more yet to come!?). This is at least because of something.
Today I asked Mama whereabouts a fabric store would be that would sell fleece by the yard (being that I want a fleece blanket, but it's cheaper to just get it like so) and she told me Pacific Fabrics was just out here in Issaquah over by Fred Meyer. And so there was! After the staff meeting finished (and all the non-plain donuts disappeared ;), I was basically free until 1:30, at which time I will have a bus run. I went over to PF to check it out, trying to figure out how much blanket to get and all.
I go in and meander around looking for the fleece section. I had apparently gone the wrong way around (I went all the way around the right side of the store, and fleece was in the back left corner), but eventually found my target. As I approached, I found a wonderful sign awaiting my arrival: "Fleece 25% off" Could this be? Surely they were expecting me!
After a somewhat long-winded perusal of their selection (and weighing prices), I finally decided on the fleece I was to have (two, in fact) and went and waited by a counter to get the attention of a sales woman (being that I didn't know how to go about getting this stuff). Of course, as I was choosing my fleece, it came upon me that- being as tall as I am- I would need more than two yards for a blanket. Drat! I figured two and a half yards of each would suffice my warming needs. Plus, if ever I entertain and there is a couch to be had, this blanket could easily take three persons!
The moral of the story is (there is no real moral, I just don't like always starting a new sentence with 'so,' or 'anyways' or any variation thereof), I got out of there with two 7.5'x5' fleece blankets, one a piano print, the other a light purple (lilac?). I went with the purple to get a little color instead of getting the black and white piano fleece and- what I was thinking at first- a gray fleece.
All in all, a fun trip to the fabric/craft store. It knocked my wallet a little harder than somewhat expected (with the whole extra half yard each), but I am still satisfied with my purchase. I remade my bed, now with Lyd's wonderful comforter, my clan tartan wool blanket and my piano fleece to top it off. Tonight will be the trial run to see if this is enough blankery to keep me comfy in the night, else I have another blanket from the house of L, my old school heavy-as-molasses (uuugh) afghan and another fleece. I think I'm set for the winter :).

As for potpurri, I also asked Mama about coming in laterish Sunday, and she had no problem with it. Which means I shall be able to stay for the potluck Sunday at EBC! Hooray! Let's make something for it! Maybe... I'm also (hopefully) switching shifts with Coley next week. Which will mean I'll be in kitchen next week (except for Friday dinner, as I have tentative plans for a certain film!) and Coley will take my kitch shift at the beginning of December (which means no working on concert day!). Quite good, quite good. Plus, Coley gets out with all she needs too. She doesn't like busing tables (which we'll be doing for next week's meals, because it's such a small group) so she gets her way, I get my way and everyone's happy! I love this part of the job :).

Victorie

Hooray for fixes! My survey post was just having some trouble remember how to behave itself, but after a quick copy and paste over from Moi's post code, all has been restored. Isn't that great?
In other news, I haven't been shopping for a couple weeks! Not sure if that's good or bad. No Alby's run last week, because Chris was weak. No Alby's run this week, because I'm a sicky And I have a program meeting (so no rest home). Oh, but on the upside of things, I've been getting great gas mileage on my car! I gased up today at 282 miles from 9.1 gallons, last week was 352 miles from 10.1 gallons. It's so great getting such good mileage (it happens when you only cruise up and down 405) and getting costco gas on top of it! Muahaha.
Staff meeting in a few minutes. I didn't have to work this morning, so I went out and got krispy kremes for the meeting again. I always like to do this (despite my poverty), just because it makes everyone happy and kind of makes the meeting feel more like a gathering than a...something? Not as forced, everyone loosens up. Plus, we have this auction this weekend, so this week is going to be Crazy, and I think everyone could use a good donut or two to get them off to a good start.
Ooh, I don't start until 11 on wednesday and thursday... :D That could be disastrously fun!
Have a good'n everyone. If you're in the Bellevue, Issaquah, Kirkland or Redmond area, feel free to take the extra time to come visit and see my humble abode. It's humble!

Fritz

Apparently my blog has cought whatever it is I've got!
At least on my computer running safari, it's gone for a loop-de-loop. Maybe other people aren't experiencing this? I'm hoping this post will return my blog to it's former self. This all came about when I was trying to put a new profile pick on.

Roll Call!

Let's see if everyone understands this and we can make it work, just for fun! Please represent when your name is called:
Moi?
Mel?
Lydia?
Grant?
Jacob?
Jake?
Mrs. A?
Mrs. H?
Robb?
Russ?
Em?
Kasey?
Sean?
Mr. A?
Adam?
Meg?
Rachel?
Heather?
Damien?

Firth of Forth

A quick update whilst I wait upon my impending doom at clubhouse (wednesday is always a half day, so we have the kids a couple hours longer, and they just Love being here in the first place...). Well, it won't be That bad.
I think (Think) that I'm on the tail of this bronchitis finally! Sunday was the last day that it wasn't so hot. The last couple days, it's been in submission most of the day and only throws a few weak swings at night.
So far I've been doing decent with my below-the-poverty-line budget. A couple weeks ago, I decided I was going to do the best I could to only spend money on gas and food and try to save the rest (what little it is). It's been going well to date. No new cd's, dvd's, clothes or other paraphernalia. There are, of course, liberties that must be taken ;). But those, me thinks, shall be only as often as is reasonable (especially when tickets aren't exactly...cheap). Of course, the season is upon us, and I must also be saving for the dreaded Christmas (just the part where I have to spend my life savings on my friends and family). I think I'll be going for thought over price this year.
Grant - I'm game for a Batman Begins showing. Perhaps a one Mancus may be so kind as to kindle our minds and get us thinking about the movie, rather than just watching for pleasure (I do love how he does that, pure genius).
As for me, I must quite be off to my duties. Children need to be picked up and told and shown how to behave proper in a loving manner (some times it's so hard...).
Thanks.

D-Day

Today is the day. The day! What day you may ask?
Why the Sabbath of course! Today is church and sunday school and Lyd coming home!
And lucky me, I'm still sick. Isn't that great [/Strongsad]! Didn't think so. This is totally the lamest kind of sick there ever were. I feel fine almost all the time. No upset stomach, no sore throat, no runny nose. I feel quite fun. Except for...it. I still hack and cough like the dickens, and it refuses to subside! Usually in the mornings it is better and at night it kicks up a notch. Perhaps it has to do with sleep? Maybe I'll nap this afternoon and that will help...
I steamed like a madman on wednesday, I think it was. The first try wasn't proper, I don't think. But the three times after that certainly were! I'm not sure it's exactly what I needed. I'm not saying it was negative, just not the positive effect I need to kick this. It did clear up my head a smidge, but it doesn't really help with bronchitis. I tried Hall's thursday and friday (no OD, which I don't have enough for anyway), and those did a little, but nothing spectacular. Took some Tussin friday and saturday night, which I can notice the help of both when I'm going to sleep and when I wake up. I'm hoping I really am near the end of this, because it's miserable being sick when you don't even feel sick!
On the reading front, I've finished all the Chronicles of Narnia as of yesterday. The Last Battle was quite good. I think it and Dawn Treader are my favorites (Silver Chair in close third). Last Battle stirred me up a little more than the others did. I was a little more attached to the characters or something. Speaking of which, I might try to get around to that last Harry Potter since I've been reading so much...oh wait, I probably won't any more :). But, I suppose I'll try. So far all I know about the newest HP is that...well, I suppose there's no use killing anyone elses fun, so I shan't speak. Ooh, ooh! There is a recent Goblet of Fire trailer out just a couple weeks ago. It's so good. It makes me want to see it such more (and perhaps re-read over Goblet). And of course there's the Narnia movie on December 9 (which I can understand so much more now that I've read the book).
While I'm on the movie tangent: Batman Begins has been out two weeks on Tuesday. Great movie to see in the theater (if you read this in the next couple hours, you can catch Batman Begins at the Imax today or tomorrow at like 7:30p) and I don't doubt it has some excellent features on the DVD. I do hope there are bloopers. Bloopers are the best special feature ever.
Hmm, I think Star Wars III comes out on DVD soon, and you know what that means... Muahahaha! That will be a day that shall live in infamy!

Ok, enough is enough. I've got to leave for church in a bit, and I'm going to get in my daily reading before I set sail. Have a great week everyone, and be sure to remember to have fun, have God and have sleep (not in this order).

In honor of her majesty: pip-pip, cheerio and all that!

Shift and Puzzle

Yesterday I finished The Silver Chair and started The Last Battle. I'm only just yet a couple chapters in. That Shift is so cruel, and poor Puzzle is so abused. I do hope Aslan saves the day, or at least Tirian and Jewel do something about it all.

Today there is no independent post, as I'm sure you all don't want to get excited over seeing a new post, and all it saying is Uno.
Because, we of course all know that one is the loneliest number that there ever was. Two? Almost as lonely as one, but the loneliest number is the number one. And with that in mind, I couldn't with a right conscience leave One out on it's own in this cold white background of mine and no company to keep. So here he is, bundled up with his friend Update, present and accounted for :).

Blast it all. I had composed this post down to this point, then some key got jarred on my computer and I lost everything I said. I've pretty well recreated everything I said up to this point, but I've quite forgotten what was to come next! I suppose next is health? I'm doing pretty well off (for being sick anyway). It quite stinks though, I don't feel sick, my throat isn't any sort of noticably sore, my head is a little stuffy, but that's it. But, I still have this rambunctious cough! I usually get away with being ok, but every now and then I get a hardy fit of it. Last night on the way to bed (at 9:30, got up at 7:30) I acquired some of Danny's Robatussin, which I think has helped so far. I slept really well, woke up not drowsy, and haven't been coughing too much yet today. It does usually get worse as the day goes on, however. We'll see how I do.
Oh, yes! There's a choir group staying here this weekend, and at every meal instead of praying, they sing a blessing with parts and all! It is Oh so good to hear such a nice sounding choir again. I do miss it. Well, I miss good choirs, anyway. Perhaps I'll have to look around for some sort of choral event to whisk to. Or maybe a symphony...
Well then! That's enough post, time for me to get searching on chorals and symphonics in my area!

Hasta luego.

Zwei

So close, yet so far...

Stribog

Question, peoples:
I am wondering how the multitude feels about my posting style. Not how I write, that shan't change (it couldn't without too much effort), but my paragraphical form.
Do you prefer reading
line after line
with only single hard enters before a
new subject?

Or do you prefer a line break
between topics?

Do you like your blog bold
...or italic

Please do comment, as if you are reading this and are of the living, breathing sort, you must have some opinion in there somewhere. I would like my blog to be as easily readable to as many as possible as can be. No reason to keep with something if nobody likes it (in this case, anyhow). So please, tell me how you feel about this. Should I center my posts? Should I line break between subjects? Should I bother blogging? Excellent title, eh?

Only you can decide!


Also, I want to try experimenting with reformatting my blog, so don't be surprised to see minor changes here and there. And further down the road, a complete overhaul may be seen.

Trois

I can count in many languages...

Montjuïc

I have officially decided to start titling all my posts by the name of a random article from the english Wikipedia, just for fun (unless I already have a good title to use).
Today I decided to break down and buy...TEA! DUM, Dum, dum! I'm trying what I can to get better. I may even steam later (boil some water in the kitchen).
Basically, I went to Sbux on my way back from my bus run this morning, picked up a box of Tazo passion tea and a Top Pot old fashioned donut (memorialis). When I got back, I had my first ever, self-made, voluntary cup of tea! Wowie, wowie, wow. At first, I was still really skeptical. After steeping (ooh, words!) for a couple minutes, it started to smell like what I knew from Sbux (which is somewhat pleasant), but after a couple sips, the flavours were still a bit much for me. Luckily, if I ate some donut and succeeded it with some tea, it was less strong. So, I induced that some sugar in my tea would help, added a couple packets, and it did a little. I'm just going to have to wait for my barista to get home and show me how to prepare a proper cup 'o tea, mayhap in the style of the Scots. Of course, I'll hopefully be better by then anyhow, in which case I wouldn't bother with tea >:).
Oh! Oh! So last night, at Albertson's, I Totally scored on canned food. I got Spaghetti O's (I know, most of you probably think them gross) for 50¢/can, Nalley original chili for $1/can and I cleaned them fresh out of chicken corn chowder at $8/10 (I got the last five). In addition, I searched for a can opener last night. A regular old can opener that works like it should is like $10-14! So, I settled for the ridiculously cheap one at around $1.29. Today, I tried opening a can to no avail. Took it next door, and Ryan figured it out! So now I have this wicked cheap, kinda cool can opener that works! Yay for saving $10 on convenience and vanity!
Next item: reading. I finished Dawn Treader last night waiting outside Crista. It was good imagery to put with the song stuck in my head at the time (On Jordan's Stormy Banks) as I stood outside in the light rain and heavy wind. It was nice being out there by me onesies (though, I did consider that it may not have been the best for my cold), I just wish it would've been raining a bit harder and my hair were considerably shorter (but since it isn't and wasn't, no matter). Tomorrow if I don't see any reasonable difference in my health, I may start the pectin OD, so as to expunge this from me and get on with being healthy. But, we'll see about that tomorrow...
As for now, I've a Silver Chair to read about, maybe some tortilla chips to eat, life to ponder and work to be had (later).

In closing: 4 days.

Expeditious

Update while my english muffin toasts.
Feeling a bit better, coughing subsiding (still here, though), easier breathing. I think I may be on the tail end of whatever this was (hooray!). I've decided to go to resthome tonight, but no hugs.
3/4 or so done with Dawn Treader, taking it with me now to read in Edmonds (so I beat the traffic) before resthome.
More later, if there's more to say and time to say it.

Fall Morn

Originally uploaded by bruceofjericho.

First, I shall explain the picture. This morning I got up at 7, went about my morning routine, then went outside to head over to the kitchen. After I stepped outside, I noticed some fog to my left. It looked really cool to see it all, so I took a nice mystic picture with my phone. Normally, I just go black and white, but I thought the color showed the misty morning best. Oh, it was great.

As for an update, yesterday I worked a nice long day. I wasn't supposed to start until 8:30, but I forgot about that detail and started at 7:30 :). I had gotten up at 6:30, showered, devo'd and ate, then headed out with Danny to get to work. Wasn't much left to do, so we worked a bit in the kitchen, then Danny, Coley and I went to momma's for orange cranberry muffins and hot chocolate (quite good, quite good). Anyways, long day with Clubhouse and all. The Mowrer brothers' dad was a little late, so I stayed after with them and threw some football.
Basically, I was up at 6:30 and worked until 6:30 (with a lunch). After clubhouse was dinner, then I went to my place and read some more Prince Caspian, which drained me the little extra bit I needed, and went to bed at 9! Oh yeah, nice and really early. But I slept Really well. Bronwyn called me at 9something (30ish?) and I didn't even here my phone in the slightest.
As for now, I'm doing my laundry (finally!) and watching Mythbusters on Discovery Channel. Surprisingly, though, doing laundry is actually kind of nice. Same for folding it. It's just kind of a good time when I get to chill and do something nice and repetitive and organizing.
I'm doing a little better on the health front. I've still got my throaty stuff, but I've done it before. The upside is that all it is is the throat phlegm, and not something worse. I had like half a Hall's this morning, but that pectin isn't as happy as it used to be... I don't have any Airborne or tea (nor would I drink tea), so those are out. I think the thing is, I need a family in order to stay healthy. I don't get sick often enough to warrant purchasing medicine on my own. I would have it for the one time I got sick, then it would be useless.

My laundry load is finished, so I'm going to go rotate it. Thanks for the Hitchman comments, I always enjoy comments :). Enjoy your weekends, kids.

Ailing

Of all the times to get sick. Blast it all!
Just this afternoon I've been feeling a bit of something coming up in my throat, and it's a feeling I've feeled before. I may have to go hit me up some Hall's fruit breezers tomorrow (pectin OD to the rescue!) to soothe this silliness. My current self prescription thus far is plenty of water, pectin and no running (I want to try and keep from exerting myself much). Any other suggestions? It's mostly a bit of a throat scratch or something of that sort. Maybe it's nothing and my gullet is just recovering from the New Rugged Cross and resthome last night. That would be nice.
That's the update as it stands for now.

Redux

Get it?

Thought so.

Joyous! (Or Smiley To The Nth)

There is no single smiley that can accurately portray how I felt, so just use your imagination.

More to come...

The Lady Of The Lake

Originally uploaded by bruceofjericho.

So my camera phone is coming in as handy as I was hoping it would. When you're out and about and don't bring a camera, it's always good to know you have one in your pocket!
Here we have everyone's favorite middle Hitchman at our schnappy dinner last Saturday (favorite little Hitchman below). At first I was really excited about it, but then P.F.Chang's couldn't seat all 11 of us! They had some lame homecoming group or something (I'm pretty sure on the phone they said prom...), so we switched it up and got an easy reservation at Buca di Beppo's. However, BdB's turned out extraordinarily good. PFC's was the utmost of schnappy atmosphere, but the food isn't really That great. I was pleasantly surprised at BdB's with their excellent service, wonderful food and our appropriate attire (I looked like some kind of mob boss in my striped suit). It was a much friendlier, upbeat atmosphere as well which helped ease my grumpery at not going to PFC's.
Anyways, that's the story from Saturday (or most of it). All that was left was some pumpkin carving as follows:
Moi- Winter theme pumpkin
Bruce- Spring theme pumpkin
Peter- Summer theme pumpkin
Lyd- Fall theme pumpkin
Mel- Homestar Runner outline
Chris- Strongbad head...kinda
Russ- Trogdor outline
Wink- UofW 'W'
Brianna- A goofy face thing
Jason- R.I.P. (chopped to death)
Jenny- Baked pumpkin seeds

Walk

Originally uploaded by bruceofjericho.

The second of a few pictures from our schnappy dinner night on Saturday. This is me taking shots behind me without looking as we were walking out. Quite fun. I like the motion blur effect that was achieved while we were walking.

Patagonia

How's about a little update action? I think I'm going to try to post every couple of days, if just to stave off some boredom.
This week almost all the full-time staff are on a retreat through Wednesday (only Chris Bova stayed), so my schedule this week is a wee bit crazy. I've got works and breaks and all manner of lunacy. I open (which I enjoy) every day at 6:30 (get up at 5:45), break for an hour or so at 9, do a van run close to 11, break for lunch, then accomodations and clubhouse. I do lots of driving, which is kind of fun.
Oh dear! My bank just called (the conveniently placed Bellevue branch) and my debit card is in, so I shall have to bid you adieu for now. I'll continue this later...

(And it had such a good title!)

A Beautiful Letdown

I don't have much to say, or much time to say it.
Basically, no David Crowder concert for me last night :(. I guess it was sold-out by the time Fugee's whoever got to buying the tickets (L- pet peeve?) and on top of it, they apparently changed venues to some church in Mill Creek of all places...
So instead, I went to Bellevue Square with Satchmo, Pookie and Danny (it was Satchmo's birthday). P, D and I got Panda Express while Satch did some perusing of stores. After we were done eating we went over to Helly Hansen (one of the kids' dads apparently works at HH corporate or something and dropped off coupons for 25% off your whole purchase). Satch got a fleece for himself, and one for his brother, and I got one for myself. Satch ended up getting the same one as mine for his brother (plus a size). I justified the expense by saying it's just a little more I would've payed for David Crowder. $19 for a solo ticket, ~$20 for a t-shirt, a few bucks for gas, and maybe some other souvenir and some food. Plus, Mindy made junior mint brownies for Satch's birthday and served with ice cream at her place when we were watching Lost on ABC.
That's about all for me, I need to finish my pop-tarts and get to work.
Be cool, stay in school, and don't get more sick.

The Phantom Of The Opera Is Here...

"...Inside my mind."
My instinal defect was as short lived as was hoped. The worst of it was Saturday (which was my busiest day of work- no good), then after a full night's rest, I was feeling considerably better Sunday morning. It turned out I only had to work Sunday breakfast and lunch, but not dinner! So I got to go have fun with the famous foursome (Mel, Lyd, Jason and I) watching Equilibrium (under Jenny's suggestion, though I'd already seen it) and eating my wonderful cookies (no names named... :D). Too bad I didn't have any white chocolate chips to put in my cookies, or they would've been the toppest of notches (and surprisingly so).
Today work was a slow start, but that's life. I at least get more rest each night to recover from this mad weekend (getting up at 8 instead of 7). All I ate Saturday dinner through lunch today was basically toast with toast for snack except for some chicken noodle soup Sunday lunch and a corndog at lunch today. Tonight we made cornbread- and bacon-stuffed porkchops for dinner with some herb & butter rice (-a-roni), a little salad with baby spinach for greens and french silk pie (kudos to the Tamm's for buying it) for dessert. It was quite the respite from all this toast I had to actually try and take care of myself (what with being all on me onesies).
Ah yes, as for those two letters I was going to send out, I only had time for one (so the other person is quite out of luck). However, I now have two more articles to post and shall be quite happy to get them on their way as their time comes. But enough of all that, it's time for sleepy. I even brought in the only blanket I hadn't yet from my car, a nice old afghan to try and keep me warm at night (L- your help is unspeakably immense).
For now, au revoir, and don't let ze bed bugs bite.
Ah yes, and everyone pray for Short-stack.

Les Misérables

Mmmmmmmk. So today was The longest day ever. I suppose it's payment due for the last week, even for when I worked yesterday. Yesterday was a great day at work, I was blasting music, dancing and singing and goin all over the place. I even got done at 8:20 (that's fast)!
After work yesterday, I go say hi to some friends, come back and go to bed. 4am rolls around and I awoke to the most unpleasant of conditions. I go to the bathroom. I come back, try to get back to sleep, then go to the bathroom again. After the second round, I decide to load up my Nalgene and drink some water, which actually helped and I was able to get to sleep. Then came the longest day ever. I worked from 7:30am-9pm, with an upset stomach, diarrhea, and a group of ~150 at lunch and only an hour and a half break from 3-4:30. Not fun. I think my title pretty well sums it up (though I have no idea what the play is about). Erica was kind enough to help me out with dishes, and when she left she instructed me to just leave when the dishes were finished (there were lots).
I had two pieces of toast for dinner, and I'll most likely have toast again for breakfast.
I want this weekend to be over...
On the upside, the kids come home next weekend (hooray!), and although diarrhea sucks (ironic?), it at least only lasts a couple of days (in theory). Hopefully I'll get better soon, because it doesn't get easier from here on out. No break after tomorrow, just straight back into the usual swing of things.
Hope everyone else is doing better off than I am. Speaking of, I heard the Tamm car returned home? Eh?

DC*B

So as to copy Jacob's post back in the day for Nickel Creek, I would like to cordially invite you all to learn that the new David Crowder*Band CD- A Collision- was released on Tuesday. I haven't gotten quite all the way through it, but so far it is a very good CD. They are still David Crowder holding to their worship roots, but within that they still manage a wide variety of genre sounds on a single disc (there are songs that sound like their usual fare, as well as a song that sounds like a Jesus ho-down). David Crowder Band pleases me, their music style is fresh and unlike any other. Their style inspires me to worship. They don't try to play to a particular emotion as it seems like some songs do by being really slow and sappy and trying to be so meaningful, but they just be themselves and that just happens to be the kind of music I like.
Basically, David Crowder*Band rocks, rolls, worships and praises, and if you be so inclined, pick up a disc or go check them out live at Overlake next Wednesday (I will be :D).
I'm swamped all weekend here in the kitchen (though I did get the week off, and I wouldn't trade Monday for the world, so it's worth it), but today it's just a few dozen people so it's pretty easy. Tomorrow is going to be crazy with over 100 people at (I think) every meal.

Kasey- when are we sailing?
R&D- how's the flat?
L- Thanks.
M- you don't go back to school after December :D.
J- you go back to school after December :(. But I still love you.
UCU-types- when shall I visit? Perhaps next weekend?
Mel- update your blog so we can all know how you're doing!
Etc.- thanks for visiting my blog.

Ah yes, and everyone RSVP for the 8th, I hope you can all make it (I'm So excited for it! bring your camera!).

Regalia

A post for update's sake.
Work is good. I traded shifts with Brad this week (because he wanted the weekend off), so I'm in the kitchen again. Lucky me, there have been miscommunications both times I've been on kitchen (first week and this week), resulting in a meal shift that I have to work some time during the week that didn't get put onto my schedule! So, I always make plans for whatever day that is because my schedule doesn't show me as working, then I come to find out there's a meal and- being that I'm intelligent- I know that I'm supposed to work at that time because I'm on kitchen, whether my schedule says so or not. So that kind of ruined my outlook on the week yesterday (today was going to be so fun!), but on the upside, I had a spectacular weekend with the canucks. I got to enjoy the ride up with Lydia, tickle Jenny, hang out with the Moira and the Robert and the Matt and the Jen, I got to see John and Tash (twice, very briefly), meet some of John and Rob's hallmates, attend Moi's Proverbs and Wisdom class (great prof, by the by) and enjoy the drive back down with some Edaleen's ice cream, one of my greatest friends, and some kettle corn and The Love Bug to top it off when we got back (with water that wasn't bottled!).
As for today, I have to work that unextpected lunch (instead of going to Seattle for lunch with Tamm's and Lydia and exploring Bellevue!) which kind of kills my day. I may go out to Boater's World, I may go to the library (and finally return this book and movie), I may just read more Chronicles. Oh, on a positive note, I get to go buy my new stamps tomorrow! Hooray! So far I only know two letters to send with such exciting stamps on them, but I'll see what else I can think of to send to people. And if you get your hopes up because you think you are one of these two but don't get anything, feel free to send me a letter telling me how much you miss me and that you feel like you should've gotten a letter, and I'll be sure to write back :D.
Tonight is the first RUF of the year. I want to go, but I'm kind of meh about it. I'll have to see how I'm feeling when the time rolls around. Ah yes, last night was our HIV/AIDS education class (and Heps A, B, C). Our teacher was nice and there were two women from the area taking the class with us. It was pretty fun. We laughed, we cried...
I suppose that's good for now. Oh, no it's not! No, it is. That'll come in time...
So long, farewell and all that jazz.
Toodles, poodles.

Just for kicks

A post just to say:
go to Sambica's website!
Why? Because if you scroll to the bottom, you can see the interns! Which happens to include me.
That's about it. M- send me that contentment picture when you get it computered ;).

Jibe!

Only the coolest of the cool know it! Ok, the rest of you are cool too. But you're just extra cool if you know your sailing terms :).
My new hobby-to-be is sailing! I'm so excited. Kasey, the second you get back here we're goingn sailing at UW...or whatever. But we're going! So far I read a book about the fundamentals of sailing that I got from the library Monday (now Wednesday). I can only have two items out until I prove my address is My address (I have Matchstick Men out as well, I hear it's good), so I'm returning fundamentals and picking up The Everything Sailing Book. I really Really want to go sailing! Anyways, that time will come.
As for life, Sambica is going well. Today I got to do more maintenance (my favorite!) with Magnum, installing new plumbing under 4022 (staff housing). We piped the tub, washer and bathroom sink. Tomorrow is the kitchen sink (bigger because we have to install a food disposal too) and whatever else.
I really want to sail...
I have been and will be opening all this week at Clubhouse, which means I get to be there at 6:30 for when parents drop kids. But it's cool, the morning is the chill part of the day (haha, CHILL!). The kids show, and just play games, color, whateva until they leave for school. I get up at 6 (three alarms: Cosmo that beeps, I hit sleep; three minutes later is Phantom of the Opera, which I turn off; last is Cosmo's sleep going off again, then I get on up :D), eat my poptarts for breakfast (not crackin good), drink a cup of water or so, and head out for Clubhouse. Next week I'm doing afternoon Clubhouse working with junior highers. I sat in the JH group a day or so ago, and there are two boys that are going to be a handful. Kristof Demands attention and Harley refuses to listen (he lives in his own little world). [catamaran...] It's going to be a handful, but I just hope I'm able to deal with them and help them see where I'm coming from rather than just getting frustrated with them and being their enemy (or it'll be a long nine months...).
Hope everyone's doing well. Everyone feel free to call me (if you have my number, otherwise call or email someone cool to get it). Oh yeah, and everyone who has a microphone should get Skype. It's an online talking service (telephone for the pootermobile!). You can talk to anyone else who has Skype over it, and Canadian borders don't restrict it! Woohoo! The days of phonecards are gone! Which is good, because [spinnaker...] I used half of the minutes I had left talking to Tash! Good to talk to, though.
Ah yes, I am reminded. Send me mason jars with baking ingredients. No, seriously though, that's not what I remembered. Thursday all of us interns are going in together to get wireless internet! I guess Ryan called already and we're supposed to be getting it tomorrow! That'll be cool. It will make my brain much more pleased to use the computer. Currently at camp I just use the junko computer that we're allowed to to check my email and blogs. It's hard to look at. The color on the monitor is so bad... And it has low resolution. 800x600? Welcome to the 50's. Psh, seriously. So yeah, I should be blogging, onlining and whatnots more often then.
For now I'm going to continue sailing, err I mean surfing the internet. Salud, and farewell for now dear friends.

(L)

Bellevue Hills 98008

Here I be at Sambica. So far my first two days have gone very well and the third is as well. Tuesday and Wednesday I was working with Chris "Magnum" in maintenance and that was a good experience. Chris is a general contractor outside of camp to help pay the bills. I like working with him. Good guy, good physical labor. Tuesday I mostly began painting the back side of Bethel, then Wednesday I painted in the morning and at the end of my shift, and in the middle Magnum and I were in and under 4022 (the house next to the office) chopping through pipes of various sorts with a sawzall to get them out of the house so we can replumb the whole thing (which I'm not sure I'll be a huge part of, since I'm in the kitchen the rest of the week). Oh yes, speaking of schedules. I do have to be out here on Saturday for the lunch shift, which hopefully won't go much past 2 or 3 (hopefully at the latest, 3:30).
As I'm sure so many know, it is traditional that most camps give staff "camp names." This is the case here at Sambica. However, since Lake Retreat didn't do such a thing the last two years, I didn't have one coming out here, so they decided they would give me one while I was here. Well, today Momma (the head chef/cook) unofficially camp named me Reach (because of my...reach). We'll see if it sticks.
I think that's about enough for now. This isn't the best keyboard to type on because of its position :). However, I might try to hit up the Issaquah library (a mere 5 miles away!) and see if they have wireless internet for me to laptop with (or I may just call first...). Hope everyone is having as much fun as I am :). M- where's my email :(?

Slow And Steady Wins The...Race...

Well, well, well. Look who's back. I had some fun turning my blog inside-out (color-wise) and fiddling with features in my template, and this is what came out. Life so far as a lonely old man is pretty good, I must say. I guess I overestimated how bad it was going to be, and many times in the past couple weeks I've been able to see that I'm still not so bad off (though still not in the best of positions...).
Last Tuesday, Tedrow and I went to QFC to get some food (and I decided I would get my own, since I would be needing some for Sam[bica]). Well, I got a few things, just $16 dollars of groceries or something to that effect. Over the next couple days, I came to realize that food in the store is WAY cheaper than any where else. I thought I was being cheap paying $3 for a meal at Dick's, then I had a PB&H sammich and a pickle for lunch, and the overall cost must've been no more than 75 cents! Brilliant! Anyways, on with business. Today, I was looking through the QFC ad for this week and saw some good deals. So I beckoned Chris and he and I went over there. Let me tell you, I made out like a bandit today! I got $67.91 worth of groceries for... $38.60! Bandito! My favorite part about shopping at QFC is that at the bottom of the receipt, it tells you your savings of the day and then tells you the percent of your savings (which is totally exciting). I saved $29.31 (43%)! I was so happy when I saw that. While I was shopping it looked like I was loading up for a family (but it's just me :D). I had three boxes of wheat thins, four 12-packs of soda (I know, naughty, but it was a good deal and I plan on making them last a long time...or giving them out as good-will offerings :D), some jello packs, a gallon of OJ, two loaves of bread, ketchup, Kroger brand pop-tarts, corn, chicken, and pork and beans. I'm so loaded up for the days to come! Plus- bonus points- Chris is giving me mustard, tater tots and corn dogs! So, I'm excited for my days to come, as they are not as bleak as I made them out to be. I even got a toaster oven (with toaster oven sized cookie sheet!) and brita pitcher today (thanks for the company ;). I'll have to have all you friends out for lunch or dinner some day (then Chris will see what a Real meager meal is!).
Ah yes, as long as I'm on the topic, I would like to cordially invite anyone who feels led to to send me mason jars! They would be handy for cups. And while you're at it, feel free to fill said jar with the appropriate measurements of dry ingredients to make things (cookies, brownies, whatever...) and I'll be sure they find their way to the ole Black & Decker T-O (I can find the wet stuff, I'm sure).
Anyways, I hope everyone else's life is looking up as well. I love you all and will miss you while I'm way out on Samm. I should be back before long, I do hope. We're even supposed to have weekends off...nudge, nudge.
Ah Yes! As long as I'm on the topic (in my mind), I would also like to cordially invite anyone who wants to be cordially invited to P.F.Chang's! It is a "shnappy" (Jenny's word) chinese restaurant (there's one in Alderwood Mall) with good food, good service, and- in theory- good company! I got some new pants at Old Navy yesterday, and they are just so shnappy that they must be worn there! Yes Jenny, shnappy pants (not snappy)! So we'll have to get a sturdy group together, make some reservations there (you don't have to, but wouldn't it be fun?) and head our dress-casual selves over there.
I think that's enough for now. Enjoy what God gives you, because it's on loan!

(L)

The Previously Unheard Of Americans...

Saturday, Russ and I attended the one and only Improvathon (details below). We got there around 3:15 and didn't leave until abut 9:30! It was a most delightful menagerie of amusement. And when I got there, one of the players was none other than Brian Macmillan himself! What a surprise to see him.
UP was usually changing the format, if you will, of the presentation of their improv about every hour, and the last presentation we were there for was Shakespeare! What a preformance it was! French, English, Greeks, Americans, cranberries, love, hate, snorkels and shoes! It was the most entertaining hour or so I've seen in a long time, and it was most enjoyed. I encourage all of you to try and get to the Improvathon next year if at all feasible (especially if you can make Shakespeare hour if they have it again!).
Also, check out my new links section. I have reupdated, reordered, and renewed it. See if you like any of the new additions.
Since everyone keeps asking (perhaps I officially forgot to put it on here), yes, I am an official Sambica intern for the next nine months. I'm not sure if my official mailing address will be the same as the one from below, but I will be sure to post whatever it is as soon as I find out (so I can get lots of mail from all my wonderful friends...or at least the two of you :D). Until then (even after then), feel free to give me a ringy-loo on my cell phone if you so desire. And send some emails while you're at it, too. Those are always good to get.

"I am so...cheesed off!"
Au revoir!

Long Shot.

Yes, it is. But who wants to go to Improvathon? Of course, I don't mean to see all of it. But I think it would be enjoyable to go see. But what do I know?

...I thought so. So would anyone like to attend? Friday night? Saturday day/night? What's up my friends? Why does nobody enjoy the theater...
Oh well, perhaps I can find someone to go.

Somebody More Like You. -Nickel Creek

I didn't hear you say you're sorry
The fault must be mine
I wish you all the best of luck
At finding somebody more like you

You said you'd love me always, truly
I must have changed
Cause you don't need me like you used to
I hope you find somebody more like you

I hope you finally find someone
Someone that you trust
And give him everything
I hope you meet someone your height
So you can see eye-to-eye
With someone as small as you

You came out of nowhere, made me smile
Then tore me in two
Saying, "We're very different people"
So dear, I hope you find somebody more like you

I hope you find somebody more like you




I would like to thank Jacob for introducing this band to me (and for giving me all of his music library...). Good song. No Moi, don't flatter yourself, the small part isn't because I was thinking of you ;).

God's Drive-in.

First, I would like to say God provides! Never before have I had such a quick turnaround in attitude than last night.
I posted the below post, most downtrodden. After a small bit, I hopped on my bike and headed to Dick's for dinner (it's cheap and good, and I need CHEAP). I got my food, sat down in front of my bike, and prayed for my food. I prayed that it nourish me and fill me but I also prayed that God help me.
Yesterday I was reading my Perspectives book, and in it was a story about the author's nephew (I think) mimmicking his actions and words. The boy was trying to open out a recliner chair and after not being able to do so in his own strength, turned to his uncle and said "Please help me." knowing that all he need do was ask. Faith like a child. So I did just so, I said to God "Please help me." He is my creator, my overseer and my God and he has his plan, though my capacity to comprehend it is miniscule. After I finished eating my single hamburger and french fries, I began to sip on my water. Then the woman in this car next to me rolls down her window and asks if I can eat another burger! And she throws me her Dick's Deluxe! Nothing could I think but "God provides!" Prayer answered, life changed, SO GOOD! I was nearly tearing with joy at this answer to prayer. The woman told me that her head was bigger than her stomach and she could eat no more. I assured her that I had a big head ;). Wow.

In response to all these comments about what I think about meaningless:
I understand what you all are saying, that life is meaningless without God and that this is what view Ecclesiastes comes from. I know this. My Ecclesiasticality is not that life itself is meaningless but- being that we are in this world, not of it- that worldly things are vastly meaningless. My new sight is only an understanding of where my treasures must lie.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.
- Matthew 6:19-20

But yes, I am up for discussion of life, love, happiness and the meaning of it all (or meaningless of it all?...). Perhaps we shall some time have to summon together in a forum to discuss all our thoughts on such matters.
Until then, go and be for God.
Oh, and see you at resthome...I think...

Wow.

I would like to officially label this as the hardest time I've ever experienced in my life. I don't know what lies ahead of me, or even what I want to lie ahead of me. I've just got this big gaping hole before me, and I don't know what I'm doing with it. I have my Sambica training in a little bit, so that should help me get un...depressed? I hate this word. I refuse to believe I am depressed. Melancholy? We'll say I'm melancholy :).
Perhaps finding some goals for myself will help my brain figure this out. Perhaps this is just a time where I'm going to be going through hell and must simply press on toward God and remain in Him only. I don't know.
I'm scared, confused and without home. And I know not when home will again be...
Hopefully I'll see you all on the other side...

Wait.

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried:
Quietly, patiently, lovingly God replied.
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate,
And the Master so gently said, "Child, you must wait."

"Wait? You say, wait!" my indignant reply.
"Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!
Is your hand shortened? Or have You not heard?
By Faith, I have asked, and am claiming your Word.

My future and all to which I can relate
Hangs in the balance, and YOU tell me to WAIT?
I'm needing a 'yes,' a go-ahead sign,
Or even a 'no' to which I can resign.

And Lord, You promised that if we believe
We need but to ask, and we shall receive.
And Lord, I've been asking, and this is my cry:
I'm weary of asking! I need a reply!"

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate
As my Master replied once again, "You must wait."

So, I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut
And grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting...for what?"

He seemed, then, to kneel, and His eyes wept with mine,
And He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heavens, and darken the sun.
I could raise the dead, and cause mountains to run.

All you seek, I could give, and pleased you would be.
You would have what you want-But, you wouldn't know Me.

You'd not know the depth of My love for each saint;
You'd not know the power that I give to the faint;
You'd not learn to see through the clouds of despair;
You'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there;

You'd not know the joy of resting in Me
When darkness and silence were all you could see.
You'd never experience that fullness of love
As the peace of My Spirit descends like a dove;
You'd know that I give and I save...(for a start),
But you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart.

The glow of My comfort late into the night,
The faith that I give when you walk without sight,
The depth that's beyond getting just what you asked
Of an infinite God, who makes what you have LAST.

You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee,
What it means that 'My grace is sufficient for Thee.'
Yes, your dreams for your loved one overnight would come true,
But, Oh, the Loss! If I lost what I'm doing in you!

So, be silent, My child, and in time you will see
That the greatest of gifts is to get to know Me.
And thought oft' may My answers seem terribly late,
My most precious answer of all is still, 'WAIT.'"

-Unknown Author

This Way...

This Way
Originally uploaded by bruceofjericho.

Henry V! A wonderful play is written by Bill Shakespeare his self. It happened to have been attended by Jacob, Chris, Robb and myself. Quite the enjoyable experience, let me tell you. Unfortunately, Greenstage's run for the summer is done this year. I'll just have to plan for next year when they will be showing A Midsummer Night's Dream and Henry VI - 1, 2, 3.
Discovery park was a nice little place. They have a good area set up for where they do their shows. Good shade, good view, though the hill was a little steep (but we'll just ignore that part). I look forward to attending more Greenstage next year, and to other companies perhaps this year.
For all you men who missed out, there shall be more Shakespeare to come (no more free Greenstage, but we'll find some cheap stuff) so you shall have thine chance.

"That's the humour of it."

Janitor

Janitor
Originally uploaded by bruceofjericho.

HMMMMM? Truly a masterpiece! One day such brilliance shall grace the walls af art galleries and museums! Just you wait and see. Wait and see...
Anyways, I had some spare one on one time between me and my camera phone in the car today while my mom and sister were in Mervyn's, so I decided to goof around (and boy did I!). I don't usually like pictures of myself (does anyone?) but this one I am somewhat fond of...

An Oldie But A Goodie.

Every now and then I like to go back through all my old blog posts (almost a full year old!) just to see how I've changed or grown, what my thoughts were (I'm not a journaler, so my blog is the best I've got). Since I'm on my new computer, I downloaded a few pictures while I was at it :). But, I ran into some old posts that speak more to me now than they did when I posted at the time. I give you a quote from my time reading through Ecclesiastes (now my official life book?):


"Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun - all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun."
- Ecclesiastes 9:9

Ladies and gentlekin! Folk and Shefolk! Hims, hers, hes and shes!
Welcome to ye olde official announcement of the first (hopefully a lot more than) annual meeting of RMRS (pronounced rimmers), the unofficially official group of real men going out and seeing real Shakespeare (reenactments). We shall go, we shall see, we shall recite! Well, maybe we'll just learn some good lines to use :). Girls like Shakespeare right?
The first meet shall be this Sunday, August 21 at 3pm. It is ye olde reenactment of Henry V as performed by Greenstage. On the NWSource website, the show is listed as being at Seward Park Amphitheater (5898 Lake Washington Blvd S) but the Greenstage website lists it at Discovery Park (3801 W. Government Way). I suppose I'll call someone to figure out what the official locale shall be.
So there you have it. It's official. Now you can't say nobody told you (whether or not you came here).
SHALOM!

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers. - King Henry V

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity-Jig.

We've made it. We're at my mom's rental home (until she finds a real house to move into). My mom has two job interviews tomorrow and my sister has to go back to the MVD (Motor Vehicle Division) to get her WA plates switched to AZ plates.
Hey, did you check out this sweet new blog title? Man that things wicked... In the house we have cable tv and cable internet. So we have this crazy setup. The cable runs from the wall, to a splitter. One side of the splitter runs to the cable modem, which then runs to the Applie AirPort Express Base Station (which turns our single ethernet cable into a wireless signal so our house is wi-fi), the other side of the splitter runs from the splitter to the digital cable box, from the box to the VCR, and from the VCR to the TV. So many cords... But that's ok. And did you see this sweet fan we've got? Go check that out further down on the blog.
I miss home. Well, whatever home is... The Croziers are camping until Sunday, so I'll have two or three nights back with no bed! Anyone want to host me :D? It's like I'm a missionary! Except, you know, I'm just going "home." But that's ok. You know why? Because I'm an official Camp Sambica intern! Woohoo! I start September 1. bad news is that next week I'm swamped (22-26). Each day I'll be working from 7-3 at my mom's friend's company (easy work) then each night I'll be heading out to Lake Sammamish for intern training/orientation from 7-10! This of course means no resthome :(. But, the following week I believe that I shall be able to go! I do hope I have time to hang out with everyone before school starts for everyone.
Anyhow, see most of you Friday or this weekend or something (hopefully). Russ, did you ever get that banjo? I hope so. I'm sure you can pick that thing a bit better than I can ;). G'day y'all (southern Oz accent).

Edit: Hmm, well after further investigation (and the Sambica website being updated), I would like to make the offer of a life-time to all you blog fans! Here's how it goes:

"Raising Funds to serve at SAMBICA:

As a 501c3 non-profit SAMBICA can offer a means for your family and friends to support you and receive a tax deduction in the process. We did not have this set up in the past but will for the coming year. You can raise funds up to a designated limited. These funds, up to the limit, will be put aside to supplement your income. Any amount raised above and beyond that will go to assist other interns who could not raise the needed amount. Funds raised beyond the total will be used to assist in the purchase of training and discipleship materials used in the intern program. If this is an option you would like to pursue, then please contact Executive Director Mike McCorkle for more details.

Checks will be sent to:
SAMBICA CAMP AND CONFERENCE CENTER
4114 West Lake Sammamish Pkwy S.E.,
Bellevue, WA 98008

For more information call:
Executive Director Mike McCorkle at 206-730-3668 or 425-746-9110"

In summary, I'm doing this whole adult life thing. I'll be flying solo and I'm not sure how I'll fair. But, if you'd like to support me, then you'll get this wonderful tax deduction! I think I send out support letters so it's a little more formal, but there you have it...
:)

It's Alive!

Fan Move
Originally uploaded by bruceofjericho.

Ok, so this is the closest you'll get to seeing The Fan in motion. But hey, I think this picture is a much better one than the still. Yay for The Fan!
Oh yeah, and be sure you look down to read the important stuff on my blog past all the aesthetic beauty of these pictures...

The Fan

The Fan
Originally uploaded by bruceofjericho.

So we get to our house. It turns out the "garage" is more like a big automatic door. It's not enclosed. It's basically a wall with a really big door. But it's ok, because it's like a free back patio with lots of shade (and this is Arizona...).
Anyways, most of our house fans are just regular type, but our living room fan is so sweet! Check it out, yo. It's all got leaf-type blades and whatnot. It' looks really cool when you see it spin (which you probably won't ever).
Unloading the truck was a Lot easier than loading it up. It hardly took any time to get the thing empty. Maybe two hours or something. We had to take the door off again to get the couch in (but this time we took out the pins instead of the whole hinges). All in all, a pretty good move. Oh, except that I have to be away from all my friends for over a week! But we don't count that...right?

Fixed.

Ok, I finally figured out a few important things about this mac-amajig of mine. Important things.
Time for lunch. I can post pictures now. Go read my serious post then czech out the pics. BYE!

Bridge Over Calm Waters.

BridgeView
Originally uploaded by bruceofjericho.

I had a really nice view out of my window when I was approaching and passing over this random bridge in CA. So, while I was driving I got out my camera phone and snapped a couple shots. The first one didn't turn out so hot, but I'm actually surprised and how good this one did. Yay for views!

Covenant Transport.

CovenantTransport
Originally uploaded by bruceofjericho.

I only saw two of these trucks the whole trip, but I was happy when I saw the first one at a gas stop. Did we ever figure it out?
Classic.

Just Czechin!

Czechin
Originally uploaded by bruceofjericho.

Saturday during our stop for dinner (where I picked up the Mulan soundtrack on tape for listening to in the truck!) our stop was next door to the General Patton museum )or something to that effect). Outside they had this here assault vehicle from the Czech Republic, and so I decided to take a picture of it and post it with an appropriate title.

A Girl Worth Fighting For!

First, the serious part. After my Ecclesiastical rampage last Wednesday (packing up the odds and ends of our house into the truck we were running out of time, so I just started throwing everything into a pile for goodwill, all the time my brain screaming "meaningless! meaningless! everything is meaningless!") my brain kind of got into that mind set. Let me tell you all, it is not a fun way to have your brain but at the same time, it's exactly how we should think (it gets a lot better after the first day). I suppose this is where the title makes a little more sense (besides the fact that I got the Mulan soundtrack on cassette and have been listening to it in the truck) because this same view got into the - for lack of a better term - sex-drive in my brain :S. Sounds weird, yes, but still very relevant. You see, it has gotten through my thick skull that although I really, really want a girlfriend (so as to have a place to vent my romantic lunacies) that it's, well, Meaningless! I have come to the conclusion that since I intend on 'dating' with the intent of marriage, no manner or extent of worrying, struggling or otherwise making a fuss with myself will matter. It's all Meaningless (my new favorite word)! Since I'm not there yet, none of this matters a bit (except for my own sanity) until the very day that I am ready to ask Ashley (as Em has dubbed her) to marry me. So that front is quite taken care of for the moment (hoorah!). M- feel free to remind me of anything important I forgot to mention :).
Now for the rest.
I was going to download Hello so as to post pictures I've been taking onto my blog, but they haven't made Hello for Macs yet! So unless I can find another way to get them up, you'll just have to wait! Today we made it to Phoenix! I'm in our hotel room now typing all this. Day one was home down to Tigard, OR. Day two was computers, Rob and driving from Tigard down to Yreka, CA. Day three was Yreka, In'n'Out for lunch in Redding and on down to Kettleman, CA. Today was Kettleman all the way to Phoenix, AZ! Thus endeth our road trip! Tomorrow we're going to meet up with my mom's cousins somewhere around. Monday or Tuesday we move my mom into her place and Thursday we move my sister into her dorm and then I fly home! Speaking of home, apparently my mom's friend's company desperately wants me to work for them! So after I get back, I'll have an easy breezy steady job for the two weeks before I (almost 100%!) head to Sambica on Sept. 1. God provides (and abundantly)! I'm going to see if I can convince my mom to rent a convertible some time this week (Meaningless!)...Or perhaps one of her cousins has one (that would be too handy)...
Ok next is towns that I've driven past! Hopefully I can remember all the really important ones. Such as:
[Darth] Vader, Los Banos [The Bathrooms], Battle Ground [I'm sure someone during camp was from there...], Palm Springs, and a few others that I totally knew I wouldn't remember long enough to get to my computer! Anyways, it was fun seeing some places I'd only heard of on signs as I drove by.
Oh, to whom it applies: I think we're getting my plane ticket some time tomorrow or something to that effect, so I should know when I'm flying home soon enough. Who's ready for a house-warming party!? For some reason I feel like it's already a lot later in the week than it is (it's not even Sunday yet!). But that's ok, it shall be as so soon enough! See you all when I see you, if not sooner or later.

Ecclesliasticles.

Hooray! Here I sit, in room 116 of the Best Western Miner's Inn in Yreka, CA. How might I be posting from there, you may ask? Well, well, let me tell you. Whilst in Tigard, OR visiting my man Rob, we went to the Apple Store in the mall and my mom got herself a 14" iBook for her computer at her home-to-be, my sister got a 14" iBook for school at ASU and I myself recieved a 12" iBook for keeping in touch for the next however long. In my case, I asked if they sold the display models of computers and they do (some times). But, our helper informed me that the 12" iBook just got revamped two weeks prior with bluetooth and touchpad scrolling and that I could get the "older" model if I could do without those two options (which I most certainly can!) and got a discount on it.
So as it happens, I shall be posting periodically on this road trip of ours to update everyone on life and whatnot. Oh yeah! Major update to boot: I called Mike McCorkle (of Sambica) today and guess what! He said he has a few things left to finalize and then I'll be an intern! Woohooooooo! I have to call him back Monday to get final word on it, but yippy-skippy I say! So in theory, I may go stay with a certain Crozier clan for a few days or some, then head my little self on over to Lake Sammamish for nine months! I'm so excited!
Everyone please feel free to email with whatever you feel the need to tell me (mycityofpalms@hotmail.com) no matter how big or small. I'll be checking when I can.

Good night, friends!

Detroit, What A Silly Place

Welp kids, this is my last post until who-knows-when. Tomorrow we leave for Oregon to go visit my good man Rob! That's a super bonus prize. Unfortunately, that's the only one. Packing the truck was completely not fun to start. It was cloudy, boring and like I was digging my own grave. Then Scott showed up! Then Marlae came! And moments later drove Mel! So that made everything automatically fun. Plus the sun came out to join us! If you haven't heard, I'm like Superman and I get my powers from the sun (powers? chyeah). So packing the truck turned from depressing to fun, which is good. We all went for Taco Del Mar for lunch, and after we were done for the day we went out for some Jamba Juice.
Life is entirely confusing. On one side, nothing makes sense and it seems like everything is going downhill. But on the other end I always come back to remembering that my god is for me not against me (Happy Song). It's quite the cycle and I am quite tired of it. It stinks, because when I'm all by me onesies is when I start thinking downhill and can't get out of it, but then when I get around all my good friends I forget about all that and am reminded of God's goodness and plan for me. If you want to hear more about my messed up life, please feel free to call (you never know when both of us will have a couple hours to kill at the same time), I'll have my phone on during the trip (we have good coverage).
Adios mi amigos, yo quiero dormir! ö
Some day I shall post again. When that day comes is something else...

This is the mighty stained glass window in the chapel of Covenant College! It's great. This post isn't very important, it's just putting up this picture. Scroll down for the good stuff. This post size doesn't do it justice, so you have to click on it to get a little closer to full size (but even that isn't the real deal. email me if you want the real deal).

Ladder Of Life.

I figured I would post an update of life while I still had the chance.
As far as camps go, I'm done at Lake Retreat (did I already say that?). I applied at Qwanoes, but the staff assistant they had last year is coming back this year, so no Canada for me. I turned in my application at Sambica yesterday and got to sit down with Mike McCorkle for a quick interview of sorts. It sounds like a really good way to learn about camping (it's a way to get a look at what the off-season offers without going in all the way and regretting it). I'm optimistic about getting this intern position and from what I got talking with Mike, there's a good chance for it! I'm really, really, Really, really, really, hoping I get this internship there. I found out one of the guys that came to Lake Retreat last year is also doing this internship, so I'm glad if I do it that I already know somebody.
I also sent an email to Craig Piefer at Black Lacke Bible Camp (down south of Olympia on Black Lake), but no word back from him yet. But I don't care, I'm just praying that I get to go to Sambica. I'm so pumped up for it I can't contain myself! Perhaps that just means I'm setting myself up for a big letdown but meh, I think I have a good possibility of getting it.
Tomorrow morning we're packing up our truck for the move to AZ. Speaking of, if any of you aren't busy tomorrow morning, please come help! I'm the only guy here, and we need a few more strong arms to help lift big things (like the couch and such), so I hope some of you read this soon enough and can make it (Jacob?...). We're leaving Wednesday morning and stopping down in OR to visit Rob for a bit. I guess I'm staying down there until about next thursday or friday? My sister moves into her dorm on the 18th, and hopefully I can get a late flight out on that night so I can be back for the weekend!
I need lots of prayer for my life coming ahead. Travel, work, home, life...everything really. This is the craziest thing ever, and I'm really not looking forward to it. Well, I'm looking forward to Sambica (hopefully) but none of the rest. Hopefully I won't die... Or lose my funny ;).
Catch y'all on the other side...some time...ever...I think...yeah...

Prayer Is The Key In...

First, I would like to apologize to everyone I've hurt this summer. I've been thoroughly informed of (and have thoroughly regretted) things I've said or done. Don't you hate it when you turn into exactly what you don't want to be, but don't even notice? Let me tell you, it sucks (hindsight is 20/20). I love you all and I've realized things I should've figured out a long time ago (on my own or with the help of another...). For example, I value my friendships too much to let camp get in the way (I've been waiting and waiting for the end of this week when I could come home. I didn't want to go back after Creation). I suppose in ways camp was an answer to a prayer or two, but now that the end has come, I have realized that it may have only been an answer to prayer so that God could say to me "see what you wanted? sucks doesn't it?". Yes, it does. It seems that happens each summer from camp. Some big prayer is answered, but only so God can say "there you go. Now come my way." A wise man once told me "you can be who you want to be at camp, because nobody really Knows you. But here, you're Bruce." I'm Bruce, not camp. If I'm going full-time camp, I need to put Bruce in camp, not put camp in Bruce.
Anyways, on with the rest of business.
I have been blinded recently by camp and my circumstances (crazy as they are) and I've been trying too hard to accomplish things on my own and take care of myself (forgetting who is in control). Basically, I'm realizing I need to turn to God rather than rely on myself (or anyone for that matter). So I'm asking for prayer. Just today I discovered a possible opportunity at Sambica (on Lake Sammamish) for an internship team! A team! That makes me so much more excited than the Staff Assistant position at Qwanoes (sorry, Canada). So I ask for prayer that this might be the opportunity I'm looking for, that I can figure things out for my life (in many areas) and see God's plan for me (but who doesn't want that one?).
For now I need to get to packing and go drop off this Sambica application!

So I decided to take a random picture while I was chillin out at the Gorge during Creation (Lyd and Mel were working, so I was "chillin with my bad self" as some put it). I like how it looks like I have somebody's arm stuck under me. Captured! But lo and behold, I come home and check blogs, and none other than the Russtafarian himself has also put a B&W pic of himself upon the intarnet. So yeah, we're cool. 

Victory In Jesus!

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the ruler, against the authorities, against the power of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the spirit on all occassions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me that I may be able to fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
- Ephesians 6:10-20

There you have my memory section of the bible for the summer. Took about two and a half weeks :). I was actually surprised because I never thought I would be good at memorizing things, but I just went to it and now you see the fruits of my labor. I'm pretty sure I may have a couple parts off a notch, and I don't know where the line breaks are. But hey, that's ok.
Got memory?

Oh snap! L- Maybe that's what happened, I was just remembering the better things :D.

Zing! Look forward to seeing you all soon. I'm not "working" next week, just Creation Wed-Sat, but I may be here at camp for staff activities Monday and/or Tuesday (about time we got some of those). Hope everyone is enjoying their summer. Hitchmans, give me a call when you need help taping your house.
Oh yeah! This just in: I may be able to train here at camp to be a lifeguard, and to "pay" for it, I would be able to stay out here and work a couple more weeks! God provides.
Thanks friends. Zort!

Phil the CiT. He was the first one asleep (I soon followed). He and I were the first two up this morning (8am), so we had brefast and hung out with Ingy. Go team! 

Mike, with quite the look on his face. I think he's got kind of an old-man look (is he trying too hard?). 

That's me! Boys will be boys (hope this makes at least one person laugh). 

Rob (with Aaron in the window!), pondering lifes mysteries and...other stuff. 

John, the middlest Crozier. He has been working at LR since the beginning of el summer. Good man, glad he's there. "I wonder what's going down in Fallujah..." 

Scotty, the littlest Crozier. He worked at camp this last week (and boy did he have a rough cabin). Go Scotty, go! 

The Boys Are Back In Town.

Yay for the end of the camp week. This is the first time it's felt like I'm actually going to have a real weekend. Usually Friday disappears, then Saturday comes and goes and before I know it I'm back there. But this time, Friday took it's time and I enjoyed it.
Last night, 12 of us came back to John's from camp (Rob, John, Scott, Marlae, Mike, Erica, Terri, Bronwyn, Phil, Aaron, Jessica and myself) for dinner, hanging out, then Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy at the Crest followed by sleep! Girls went to Erica's place, guys are at John's. We boys had some fun with photos last night, but I have to wait to get to my own computer to post those on here. Oh yeah, I got a raise at camp! That's cool. God provides, you know.
Oh, and I added vs. 16 and 17 to memory.

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
- Ephesians 6:16-17

So yeah, fun times. And Ingy says it's time to eat. Bye!

PS- Where are all your posts? I even posted at camp, and still squid from the rest of ya... Oh, and thanks for the letters, they're gret!

Sneaky Man!

So I'm at camp on the boss's computer (I'm working on getting the design done for our summer staff shirts), and I checked my email (that's legit though, because I'm waiting for a response from Mcduck about said staff shirts) and decided to be extra sneaky and check my blog comments. Then I figured while I was at it, why not post :O.
All I'm going to say is that Sunday I got to church a few minutes early, so I memorized Ephesians 6:13, then yesterday (and sorta Sunday too) I memorized 14 and 15 so now I have:

Finally, be strong in the LORD and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes with the gospel of peace.
- Ephesians 6:10-15

Only five more verses to go (until 20), then I think I may just try the whole book of Ephesians! I'm excited!

Thanks for your prayers. I do still pray for you all. Oh yeah, and I got letters yesterday from a couple of sisters (and John from Wiebe). M- As a matter of fact, the Only picture I did bring to camp is that very one :D. But, A for Affort.
Remember kids, I write back when I get mail ; ). [wink, wink, nudge, nudge]

Wicked Cool.

Ok, so I figured I would post about camp before I went to bed, church and back to it. Wednesday night camp fire is the chapel camp fire; serious skits, big devo, all that. It just so happens that this past Wed. at camp fire was totally Captain Insano for the junior high camp. By the end of camp fire, every camper was out of their seat and down by the fire, singing, praying, whatnot. After camp fire, the kids went back to their cabins. When I arrived back at their cabins however long later, they were all still outside, all standing in one big circle, holding hands. So we moved the party into the chapel and played Holy is the Lord (gret song) and Blessed Be Your Name (because those were the two sheets of music on the stand on stage). Then we prayed more. At the time, one of the campers had symptoms of pnemonia and was getting cold. We prayed for him specifically (he was in the nurses station at the time). As we were exiting the chapel and Actually going to our cabins (now 11pm, quite past lights out), someone came up and said that the camper who we were praying for said he was feeling something inside him and feeling better (and approximately the time we were praying). Crazy beans!
All that to say that I put camp on a prayer request card two weeks ago at church (I figured "hey, why not?"). Last week at church, I was surprised to see my name in the prayer list, with my request beside it. Coincidence? Me thinkest not! I'm not saying Esperance is praying Lake Retreat to glory by itself, I'm just saying God is good (all the time. all the time, God is good), and life is worth the living.

And if that isn't already encouragement enough for y'all, I'll just be blunt and say it: keep praying for us!

Holy is the Lord God almighty...

The Armor of God.

After reading Mr. Tedrow's blog, I remembered something I could post. My co- at camp, a one Bronwyn Miller (I won't give her full name, so that no certain persons can scare her off if they meet her...) is going on a mission to Mexico in mid-August. For said trip, she has to memorize Ephesians 6:10-20. In an effort to assist her (as well as grow myself), I have begun doing the same. On Wed-Thur this week, I memorized 10-12 (she's got 10-11 so far, 12 is a bit longer than the prior), and it's quite fun. I never thought I would be much of a memorizer, but apparently I'm not so bad.

Finally, be strong in the LORD and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggles are not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realms.
- Ephesians 6:10-12

More to come.

Humble

hum·ble adj
1. Marked by meekness or modesty in behavior, attitude, or spirit; not arrogant or prideful.
2. Showing deferential or submissive respect: a humble apology.
3. Low in rank, quality, or station; unpretentious or lowly: a humble cottage.

It is very hard to see that the things you want so badly, God does not give you to take. Perhaps now is not the time or perhaps there will never be a time. Anyways, I'm old, tired and it's late; I think I've quite run out of things to say.

Pray. Thank you.

Samsung.

Amazing what difference a week makes. This past week was the first that we had campers, so it was good to finally put into action what was before only theory. This was both good and bad. The upside is that Bronwyn and I are basically the ones 'running' camp and getting things done. The downside is that Bronwyn and I are basically the ones 'running' camp and getting things done. Neither B or I get much free time at camp, what with our responsibilities and whatnot, but I did find a minute or two for a payphone call once during the week (did you know it's stinkin $1 for a four minute "long distance" call [aka from LR to here]!) which was most good. My job at camp is basically to run all over the place all day (8am-11:30pm), checking on activities, rounding up cabins, sending groups to their activities, making announcements and the such. It's quite tiring. However, it is satisfying because when a predicament arises, I can fix it - as opposed to being a counselor, in which case I would just sit idly with my cabin and wait for it to get fixed.
My bed is too small for me, so I have to sleep crooked-like (not very comfortable) and on top of that, my 'matress' is so thin, I can basically feel the springs underneath me that I'm sleeping on. So as it stands, my back isn't top-notch, my neck and shoulders are quite sore, and I only get one night a week to sleep at home (two max). But, that is neither here nor there.
The second note to be brought to attention is home. I miss it dearly whilst at camp. This week I got my first letter (from the littlest one. PS- M, same day I got yours, John got a letter with a par avion sticker on it, and I was like 'what the I know where that's from'), so that was quite nice. The rest of you feel free to follow suit (anyone who reads this blog, really). Oh yeah M, I took what you said to heart and have been asking myself each day at camp "why shouldn't I be crazy," because I'm always tired and I I'm not terribly in the mood for doing so without provocation, but I'm like "yeah, why not?" and I do. So there.
Prayers have once again been answered (well, what I was praying for, and what I'm hoping to be prayed for) and my mind is getting more focused on camp and less on...other things (don't worry, it's not sketch) as each week at camp progresses.
Thank you friends, family, friend's family and family friends.

I believe a wise old man once said "don't fray the fish too far, or you'll be too 'fraid and have no fish to fry."

In conclusion: heart.

Father Abraham Had Many Sons...

First, I would like to state that for dinner tonight I consumed one Kingburger, one Fatburger, an order of Fat Fries and a drink and a halfish. Mmmmm, fullness (and not from camp food!).

Review of this week:
Freedom toast eating contest (I won with 10, had an 11th for a victory piece), as well as a cantaloupe eating contest (which I also won). That same day, I continued to a breastick eating contest at lunch (tied for victory at 10, but only because we ate all they had :D).
I am so much more tired this week, which is Quite unfortunate, because I have little room for rest this weekend (tonight at home, errands in the morning, doc appt at noon fifteen tomorrow, followed by going straight to LR to work the dock, followed by going to Dustin's for friends and food, then going back to camp again for the night). Hopefully some of my prayers will be answered, and I will lose all will to be tired and shall rise above the nations like a phoenix taking flight, and enjoy my pants off (but I'll really keep them on). I finished reading Life of Pi, good ending. Next up is War of the Worlds, so that we can go see it in the theater when it releases (Rob, Liz and I are all reading buffs, so we've been reading during down-time this past week, and we're all going to read War and watch the movie).
I miss my friends e'er so much. I was so disappointed I couldn't make the work day. I was totally psyched about it last weekend when I heard of it, but as this weekend approached, I decided to let life get the better of me (which is likely a step in the right direction, as I won't Always be able to play when I want to and I'll just have to suck it up). But I do want you all to know I dearly miss you and eagerly await seeing all y'all.
As for blogging, the M's did good :). Plus I got an email back from L, which I was hoping for but not expecting (yay!). Boy/girl, let me tell you, life makes you appreciate what you've got. From my experience, camp in particular. I'm now beginning to realize what my hopes of full-time camping ministry may turn into, but I'm willing to take that and get'er done.

For now friends, I bid you adieu (oh yeah, Liz the lifguard at camp knows fluent French!), and hope for more from everyone next week (my hopes were somewhat dashed with what limitedness I saw - no offense. I just really need to see happyness on my breaks when I get back from camp each week. You have No idea).

HEART!

Ah yes, PS- Thank you for prayers (whoever may do so). They were somewhat answered this week. My mind was getting more into full blown camp mode, and less of homesick mode. I do still fight bouts of 'wants' and 'wish-I-weres', but I have realized what I'm here for, and must press on with all the strength I can muster (and then some, because I'll need it).
Pray friends. I will. Oh yeah, and pray for our ministry at camp (I suggest daily ;), we need all the defense we can against Satan, and all the offense we can for getting our work done. Love.

"Black Hole in the Sun." Edited for intended content (there was a little bit on the bottom I couldn't see on my phone that I took off). 

Bad Is Bad - Good Is Good!

Quote from Thumb Wars.
Amazing what (little) difference a week makes! I was hoping to come home to emails, blog posts, wild stories from Timbuktu. Instead, I come to three new posts, an email from Hotmail Staff and not-a-one story yet (though I did just get here). I need to bathe, then get spiffed up for my sister's dance recital tonight.
Rob is coming to camp tomorrow! Hallelujah! Anybody know the origin of Hallelujah? It's particular definition? Thanks.)
On the upside, I did get to talk to a few people during breaks at camp (though I forgot my charger, so I had to be frugal with my phone). It was good hearing a mom laugh last night, too (better than talking to Moi...? : O ).
So, here's to more posts, more emails, and snail mail to boot!

Bruce McLeod
c/o Lake Retreat
27850 Retreat-Kanaskat Rd. SE
Ravensdale, WA 98051

Write STAFF in the bottom left corner of whatever it may be to expediate the delivery process once it gets to camp :). I'll do my best to reply to return addresses as I see them (since I don't have everbody's).

Everyone enjoy life, be encouraging and go camping!

Post Script - Thanks for prayers. Camp helped distract me from myself (as I thought it would) most of the time, but I still could not forget that which I think. I ask for continued prayer and I will be praying for all of you!

To Bee, Or Not To Be A Bee? What A Silly Question.

Hello friends.
Tonight I post, for I may not for a small while. Tomorrow, as of 3pm, I will officially be at camp! This is going to be some kinda summer for me, but I know that I am working for God, He has a plan for me and that it will be worked out. In other, very mixed news: Rob Steinkamp didn't raise enough money to go to Italy, which is totally lame, because that would have been awesome. However, on the very opposite upside of things, that means we're back together for the summer! Havoc shall ensue! I SO look forward to seeing him again, and seeing what work the Lord has for us (a cord of three strands is not easily broken...).
In other news, I sincerely ask for prayer for me. It's something very hard in my life right now, and I've already spilled too many beans about it (somewhat regretfully, but very comfortingly), so I leave it at this quote:
"Never explain--your friends do not need it and your enemies will not believe you anyway."
- Elbert Hubbard
So I say to you, I shall not explain myself, but trust that you (you? yoo-hoo? har har) will know what to do.
"Houses and wealth are inherited from parents,
but a prudent wife is from the LORD."
- Proverbs 19:14

From Chipotle on The Ave. I liked it. 

My most recent phone photo (or foto). This was taken live at Ikea in Renton. They have these lamps there. Their brand is called NOT. It's funny. 

Tribute

Because it needs to be done, a tribute to Luke and Luke (not necessarily in that order).
I must confess, I will be most gloomed to see these two fellows no longer a part of RUF. My experience (though somewhat limited) there was because of their welcoming spirits and serving hearts. Without their openness and willingness to welcome new students (UW or no), they helped make RUF what I knew it to be. If there were someway to express my appreciation of these two, I may try to convey it over what limited means I am allowed on my blog. However, I'm not sure what said means would be, and all I can say is - as they do every week - "go in peace."
Lukes: live long and prosper. I will be praying for you. Hopefully some time I can come down south to visit ;), but that's just being hopeful optimistic (as I tend to be).
Brodie: I'll keep practicing, and I hope that someday (besides any we may have between now and soon) we can jam like those that jam like there will be no tomorrow.
Mortie...?: Thank you for welcoming me to RUF, without you I may not have gotten to know much of anyone there (present company discluded - which just happens to be me, myself and I at the moment).