5 years

Okay, I'm usually not the cutesy kind of guy.  Sentimental, yes, but not cutesy.  However, there's a strange feeling you get when you realize you're in a relationship that has lasted longer than your stay in most cities.  Since I was born, I've lived several places, none longer that five years (except my current residence).  But this morning, I realized that my wife and I have been exclusively together for five years as of this evening.  I still remember the first date:  "My Fair Lady" at Juanita K. Hammons Hall and dinner at Bijan's downtown.  That was a whole lotta fun.  Now, five years later, my wife wasn't able to be here, today, but she'll be back tomorrow and we're gonna celebrate without any kids!!!

Now, in the scheme of things, five years is toddler-like, but my longest relationships always ended in disaster.  This relationship has been nothing short of amazing and it's getting better and better each and every day.  We've gotten through the first three years, nine months, fifteen days and seventeen hours of marriage still talking and earnestly desiring to have a fulfilling relationship.  It's amazing what happens with both parties are committed to each other and not willing to settle for anything less than the best.  'Course it gets hairy sometimes when the ideas of "the best" seem to be at odds, but it's really cool when something works out and you get to enjoy the after effects of the effort.

So, here's to you, baby for the last five years and 80 more!!!  I love you!!!

Finally...

Saturday, January 14, 2007 around 2:30pm our power went out.  That day, sixteen people; (six adults and ten children ranging in age from six months to fourteen years) were huddled in our living room around our fireplace insert.  Over the next week, we had as many as eleven people sleeping on our living room floor.  We cooked on our gas grill and tried to keep the little ones entertained.  The next Monday night, the neighbors across the street had power restored, so for the next few days, we had meals and did some laundry thanks to their kindness. 

Two nights ago, we were hopeless as far as power goes.  Our oldest was curled up in his mother's lap bawling his eyes out and I was just wondering around mumbling to myself.  The ten year old was the only composed one.  Yesterday, I went to church while the family stayed home to relax and try to gain some perspective.  We got home and tried playing games, again.  We played some chess, Uno and listened to five songs over and over on my phone's mp3 player.  We wanted to watch football, play PS2 and all that, but it wasn't going to happen.  So, the boys were invited to a neighbor's house for dinner and Jennifer and I got to have some alone time.  When the boys got home, we tried to get some sleep and at 3:30AM, after 9 days and 13 hours (almost exactly) our power came on.  Now, we can go to the bathroom without a flashlight and take a shower without running naked to the fire. 

But that's another story...

A Review

As I journeyed through Off-Road Disciplines, I found myself mentally applying these principles in every aspect of my life.  Currently, my wife and I lead a small, married couples class at a local church with a small circle of influence outside of that.  Aside from utilizing the book in this community (which, I assume is its primary purpose), I found myself applying certain principles to our family situation.  As step dad to two wonderful boys, I have found that, in order to be relevant to them, I have to be mentored by them.  I have to readjust my focus from what I want them to learn and be to how do I affectively communicate to them that I love them and in forming that relationship, hopefully, I will have a greater influence.  In all of these situations, I have to decrease and adjust to being others-centered.

I found myself trying to figure out how I could implement the ideas presented to me.  Is our present situation permissive enough to allow us to become the type of missional leader, or are there too many restrictions for someone in our position? Do we need to transition from our well-established community and partner with a brand new community in order to challenge ourselves and become missional leaders?  Do my wife and I need to transplant our family in order to lead a community of faith?  My perspective as to the purpose of this book, it is to provoke these questions.  The challenge of this book speaks to my complacency.  It asks if I am really doing enough to perpetuate the mission of Christ. 

The strength of this book is its timeliness.  It seems that the religious culture in the early part of the 21^st century is on the cusp of a radical transformation as the emerging leaders yearn to do church differently.  However, the weakness of this book may also be its timeliness.  The analogies and metaphors that poignantly challenge my status in life will be outdated when the next generation steps up to the plate.  Hopefully, the crux of the central message of the book: relevantly engaging the church to pursuing the “sought” while maintaining the integrity of the message, will reverberate into the next generation. 

After Anthony Reyes won Game 1 with 8 innings and 2 earned runs pitching the game of his life and Albert Pujols hitting his first World Series home run:

The Cardinals entered Game 1 with fewer regular-season victories (83) than any team in World Series history except the 1973 Mets (82). The Tigers, like the Cardinals, struggled badly in the second half. Both teams entered the playoffs on a dubious note, with the Tigers being swept by Kansas City in the final regular-season series and thus handing the NL Central to Minnesota while settling for the Wild Card.

It didn't matter.  (by Mark Newman)

When Moses came down the mountain with the stone tablets, upon which God's fundamental instructions to mankind were written, he may not have fully understood the full meaning of the 11th Commandment:

"Do not pitch to Albert Pujols when something is at stake and first base is open."

You can see where this commandment might not have the moral weight of those commandments forbidding, for instance, murder or adultery. But in its own way, it is just as basic. There are things that you just can't do. Maybe the waters of the Red Sea can be parted. But, eventually, Albert Pujols will get you. (by Mike Bauman @ MLB.com)

After the Cardinals won game 3 5-0 behind a Carpenter 3 hit, 0 earned runs pitching clinic:

The Tigers are playing as if they'll be charged a late fee if the Series lasts seven games. Carpenter handcuffed them to the bedpost and noogied them to death, allowing just three hits, issuing no walks and striking out six. He was more efficient than a Swiss train schedule. (By Gene Wojciechowski @ ESPN.com)

Chris Carpenter could not be hit by the Tigers. But he also could not be questioned by the authorities.  (by Mike Bauman from MLB.com)

"Nothing is more important to a new house than a good Carpenter." (Tim Kurkjian on ESPN Sportscenter)

After the Cardinals won the World Series in five games behind great pitching from Jeff Weaver.

Dancing, then falling as a group before 46,638 paid, the Cardinals, a team seemingly splitting at its seams weeks ago, celebrated the redemptive power of October more than any team before them Friday night.

The first team to baptize a new facility with a World Series championship since 1923, the CArdinals won their first Series title since 1982 by completing a five-game domination of the Detroit Tigers with a 4-2 validation oat Busch Stadium.

(by Joe Strass @ The St. Louis Post Dispatch, the one with "YES!" on the cover.  I have one...had to wait for an awfully long time and guard it with my life leaving Barnes and Noble, but I have one.

In his 1,851st game as the Cardinals manager, regular season and postseason, Tony LaRussa got it don.  The number on his back is no longer 10 pounds of burdenome weight, or the symbol of an unfulfilled promise.  It stands for 10 World Series championships.  An imperfect team delivered a perfect 10.

(by Bernie Miklasz @ St. Louis Post Dispatch, same paper)

In the end, Adam Wainwright, who said he didn't know if he'd make the team out of spring training and hadn't closed before September, finished the World Series for the Cardinals, who (censored) near blew a 12-game lead, and the final game was won Jeff Weaver, who was designated for assignment in Anaheim because he lost his job to his younger brother. Oh, true, the Cardinals had the lowest winning percentage of any champion, and there were all those mudstains from Tiger pitchers whose throws went bump in the night...

But who is left standing at the end is not about wrong or right, but good -- and bad -- and the convergence of time and place. And this wet, frigid World Series will forever stand as testament to the rusted signs we ignore throughout our lives, choosing the shiny ones instead. It's not about the best player at every position. October baseball is like March college hoops -- random, streaky, proof that most of the sport's predictions are invalid and intellectually dishonest.

(by Peter Gammons on ESPN.com)

I guess that about says it all, huh?

NLCS Game 7

   The Cardinals are going to give me an ulcer.  Why-oh-why do they torment me so?  This is the second time they will be going for win number 4 in a 7 game series.  All the hopes are on the arm of Jeff Suppan

and the bat  of Albert Pujols.

I only hope that the bench gets to come in and make some magic.  Maybe,  

So Taguchi will be able to come up big.  I just know the defense needs to pick it up starting with

Yadier Molina.

I just know that Old Busch was good to us. 












So, hopefully Busch Stadium III will see its first World Series.

(Had I been to Busch III this year, you would see a gorgeous photo of it.  All of the above photos were taken during a glorious anniversary weekend with my gorgeous bride

and FredBird!!!

Go Cards!!!