Worth the full read!
Josh and Mama Shirley
Shannon's uncle died, her mom's brother. He'd been suffering from cancer and lived long enough to see his daughter get married. Shirley, my mother-in-law, was at his side. Now she's with us for a while.
Josh gets baptized on Sunday. My dad's officiating. We were worried Shirley was going to miss this important milestone because of her brother. She was with him when Josh was born. But she just did make it down: she buried her brother on Monday in Wisconsin, flew back to San Diego later that day and then boarded a plane for Birmingham on Tuesday. Thank you airline for your understanding and flexibility.
I'm waiting for Shirley's luggage and who do I see at baggage claim? Nina Reeves! She was coming home from an event in upstate New York. It was really cool getting to introduce her to my mother-in-law.
So yep, Josh is getting baptized. We asked him if he accepts Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour and he made a "raspberry". We're taking that as an answer in the affirmative. He's going to be baptized by immersion, of course. I'm a little uncomfortable with him getting baptized at Vestavia Hills. But it isn't my dad's fault that he got appointed to such a liberal church. It's a mission field opportunity.
(That was a joke! But just in case you're about to stroke out, again: that was a joke!)
Camp Stuff
We've reached $1 million in Psalm 16 pledges! They say the first million is the toughest, so I guess the next $3.8 million will just roll in? Bob has been kicking butt on fund-raising.
We now have a google calendar of events and availability on the website: sumatanga.org/calendar.php. But it's hard to find from the home page...we're fixing that. I'm working on PDF's of menu options, a fall newsletter, upcoming events, and Summer 2009 staff and volunteer electronic applications. Those are all very practical things we could use. A 360 degree tour of facilities would be very helpful to those who have never been here before. A boy can dream.
I hope we can also integrate a registration software system for both summer campers and year-round guests. Sumatanga Infinity?
We have a really cool new person in the office: Suzy Rutledge. She's helping with book-keeping, etc. The staff continues to change and evolve. We are evolving into a very hospitality and guest experience focused camp and retreat center.
We may be close to having a real, honest-to-goodness gift shop! I'm keeping my fingers crossed and am very optimistic.
All of these things that are happening are due to hard work and great ideas throughout our staff coming to fruition. Next time you're here, remember to thank the hourly employees especially who are stepping up big time. They have been incredible.
Politics with an SEC football metaphor
A couple of days ago, I watched a clip of Sarah Palin in a gubernatorial debate. I knew she had been in broadcasting so she had good presence. But she also did well in that debate. So I didn't think she'd totally crash and burn as many expected last night. But she needed to stay in a comfort zone of keywords that spoke to values-voters. I think she did a pretty good job of that. Biden definitely was able to convey the in-depth knowledge and nuance of a senator of 30 years. But Palin didn't hurt herself or McCain. The problem is, she couldn't help much either.
It's like Mississippi State's offense: it can't win games but it can sure lose them. Well, Palin didn't lose for McCain last night but she's no game-changer as the fourth quarter nears. Obama may be able to just run three downs and punt for the whole second half, if something big doesn't happen soon in McCain's favor. Can McCain win with 118 yards of total offense? If Obama was running a campaign similar to Auburn's spread offense, yes. But Obama's campaign is controlling the time of possession and converting on 3rd downs. McCain pulled out of Michigan. That's a sign he's giving up on the running game and is going to start throwing on every down. Will this gamble pay off? I don't think it will but there is still enough time on the clock if some things go his way.
Possibly blasphemous yet safe for work!
www.churchofsaban.com
Alabama Fan doesn't have a problem and he's storming out of the intervention! ROLL TIDE!!
Shannon's uncle died, her mom's brother. He'd been suffering from cancer and lived long enough to see his daughter get married. Shirley, my mother-in-law, was at his side. Now she's with us for a while.
Josh gets baptized on Sunday. My dad's officiating. We were worried Shirley was going to miss this important milestone because of her brother. She was with him when Josh was born. But she just did make it down: she buried her brother on Monday in Wisconsin, flew back to San Diego later that day and then boarded a plane for Birmingham on Tuesday. Thank you airline for your understanding and flexibility.
I'm waiting for Shirley's luggage and who do I see at baggage claim? Nina Reeves! She was coming home from an event in upstate New York. It was really cool getting to introduce her to my mother-in-law.
So yep, Josh is getting baptized. We asked him if he accepts Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour and he made a "raspberry". We're taking that as an answer in the affirmative. He's going to be baptized by immersion, of course. I'm a little uncomfortable with him getting baptized at Vestavia Hills. But it isn't my dad's fault that he got appointed to such a liberal church. It's a mission field opportunity.
(That was a joke! But just in case you're about to stroke out, again: that was a joke!)
Camp Stuff
We've reached $1 million in Psalm 16 pledges! They say the first million is the toughest, so I guess the next $3.8 million will just roll in? Bob has been kicking butt on fund-raising.
We now have a google calendar of events and availability on the website: sumatanga.org/calendar.php. But it's hard to find from the home page...we're fixing that. I'm working on PDF's of menu options, a fall newsletter, upcoming events, and Summer 2009 staff and volunteer electronic applications. Those are all very practical things we could use. A 360 degree tour of facilities would be very helpful to those who have never been here before. A boy can dream.
I hope we can also integrate a registration software system for both summer campers and year-round guests. Sumatanga Infinity?
We have a really cool new person in the office: Suzy Rutledge. She's helping with book-keeping, etc. The staff continues to change and evolve. We are evolving into a very hospitality and guest experience focused camp and retreat center.
We may be close to having a real, honest-to-goodness gift shop! I'm keeping my fingers crossed and am very optimistic.
All of these things that are happening are due to hard work and great ideas throughout our staff coming to fruition. Next time you're here, remember to thank the hourly employees especially who are stepping up big time. They have been incredible.
Politics with an SEC football metaphor
A couple of days ago, I watched a clip of Sarah Palin in a gubernatorial debate. I knew she had been in broadcasting so she had good presence. But she also did well in that debate. So I didn't think she'd totally crash and burn as many expected last night. But she needed to stay in a comfort zone of keywords that spoke to values-voters. I think she did a pretty good job of that. Biden definitely was able to convey the in-depth knowledge and nuance of a senator of 30 years. But Palin didn't hurt herself or McCain. The problem is, she couldn't help much either.
It's like Mississippi State's offense: it can't win games but it can sure lose them. Well, Palin didn't lose for McCain last night but she's no game-changer as the fourth quarter nears. Obama may be able to just run three downs and punt for the whole second half, if something big doesn't happen soon in McCain's favor. Can McCain win with 118 yards of total offense? If Obama was running a campaign similar to Auburn's spread offense, yes. But Obama's campaign is controlling the time of possession and converting on 3rd downs. McCain pulled out of Michigan. That's a sign he's giving up on the running game and is going to start throwing on every down. Will this gamble pay off? I don't think it will but there is still enough time on the clock if some things go his way.
Possibly blasphemous yet safe for work!
www.churchofsaban.com
Alabama Fan doesn't have a problem and he's storming out of the intervention! ROLL TIDE!!