Here are suggestions for making people laugh.  These crack me up!  I've actually witnessed Claire paging herself on the intercom.  And, I'll give a dollar to anyone that will try #6.  Smolik, are you interested? 

1. At Lunch Time, Sit in Your Parked Car with Sunglasses on and point

your Hair Dryer at Passing Cars. See If They Slow Down.

2. Page Yourself Over The Intercom. Don't Disguise Your Voice.

3.  Don't use any punctuation.

4. As Often As Possible, Skip Rather Than Walk.

5. Specify That Your Drive-through Order Is "To Go."

6. Put Mosquito Netting Around Your Work Area And Play tropical Sounds

All Day.

7. When Leaving The Zoo, Start Running Towards The Parking lot, Yelling"Run For Your Lives, They're Loose!!"

So...i was just kidding about Claire.   She didn't really do that : )

As many of you know, a major theme this summer with Parker Road youth was to "connect" with others and then "connect" them to God.   Well, I decided during the summer to try and connect with my friend and colleaque Noelle.  She and I have been friends for five years but as she's not a Christian we've never truly connected.   I had invited her to church a few years ago and when she said no I just decided not to try anymore.  I assumed that she would never want anything to do with knowing Christ.   But since I've intenionally and strategically been spending time with her (and her new baby boy), I've seen God doing incredible things.  I've praying for God to give me boldness and opportunity and He's doing just that.  Noelle and I are having great conversations about mission work that I've done, teaching that I'm doing at church, etc.  We even had a conversation about Batism on Tuesday.  It's awesome.  But, it's gets better.  Noelle's husband's best friend (did you get that?), has also recently "found Jesus" (Noelle's words).  The best friend Todd and his wife are actively involved in a Baptist church.   So...I feel like God is working from both sides...through Noelle's friend (me) and her husband's best friend (Todd).  How cool is that?   Please pray for Noelle and her husband Chip.  Pray for their salvation.  Also, pray that I would continue being bold and intentionally spending time with her.  Lastly, when I went to her house on Tuesday Noelle said I was her only "real" friend.  None of her other friends had been to see her baby boy in the last four weeks.   I'm excited to see what God's going to do with this.

***I encourage all of you to connect with someone this fall.  We can't truly connect with everyone, but we can start with one person.  Pray and God will lead you.   ***Lindsay and LeeAnna...I miss your blogs!   Welcome, Amanda.  Claire, write soon!  Joc...you're awesome.  Hi, Dusty!  Alicia...how u doin?

I just came across a poem I wrote one night while I was sick in Singapore.  I was all alone in the hotel room and I never went to sleep the night I wrote it.  Keep in mind that we didn't have alarm clocks in the rooms so we had an automated recording each morning with a man's voice that said, "Good day to you...."  The voice spoke English with a heavy accent.

Here goes...(I can't type it in poetic form, but you will get the idea.  i also labeled personification, alliteration, etc. but I'll spare you that part)

Dear Fever,

You came upon me quickly like an afternoon shower in Singapore.  So I wonder and wait while I ponder your intrusive affects.  I pray for a short duration like the ice cream cone at Swenson's last night.  Please know that while I recognize you I don't submit to you.   Have you noticed that I'm writing in free verse?  I don't mind if I've offended you--in fact, I giggle quietly inside as I analyze the possibility.  You see, I intentionally reserve end rhyme for those that come in peace. 

I know that at 6:45am he will call.  He will say, "Good day to you."  At first he will sound like the Nigerian but I will recognize him.  Then, I must utter, "liar!"  I wonder now, has he not heard and does he not know that you have crept into my chambers?   Fevers are not rational.

The end. 

Okay...so this is my first blog experience ever.  I'm not quite sure how I feel about all of this.   As I write, I suppose I'll process my feelings about blogging and go from there.  First, I'm a little intimidated.  I'm intimidated because I fear potential readers jugding my thoughts.   But, now that I think about it, this should be the least of my concerns as I just read an entry about raccoons...sure enough.   I read more than I ever wanted to know about racoons.  So, I realize now that there is no shame at xanga.com   Therefore, let the blogging begin.

I heard a phrase used last week that made an impression on me:  "grace is scandalous."  I believe it's true.  The more I think about God's grace, the less I understand it.   It's simply wrong.  I don't deserve it.  And, I absolutely don't give it.   There you have it:  scandalous.   But, I thank God for it today.  I thank God that He loves me just the way I am.   And, well, for those of you that know me well, you understand what an awesome task that is : )

Lastly, I think I will share with you that I agree with Smolik's last entry about living a life of obediance and purpose.  Our mission field is right here, right now--regardless of whether or not we are in seminary, on staff at a church, or wherever.   Right here, right now.   We need to focus on our relationships and disciple our younger believers in Christ while leading our nonbelivers to Him.  Knowing Christ surpasses anything else that has ever happened in my life.  So, I wonder...why is it that I hesistate to tell my good friends about Him....

Peace y'all.