Friday, June 26, 2009

memories of michael

Michael Jackson was our Elvis, Beatles, etc., here are a few memories I have of him:

- I remember riding on the bus during kindergarten and when the bus would pass this store in downtown Brighton that had a poster of MJ in the window we would all go nuts!

- I remember being away at a soccer tournament with the Karabelskis. We were in the Jeep driving, when Brian started asking to go back to the hotel. Finally Mr. K turned around with the sternest look on his face and said, "Brian, All I want to do right now is drive this car and listen to Michael Jackson tapes!!"

-And of course there is the Halloween that I went around in blackface. Not so sure we would get away with that these days!


Wednesday, June 24, 2009

crees en milagros?


US BEATS #1 Ranked SPAIN 2-0!!! You gotta ESPN360 this one!

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Happy Father's Day!




Yesterday the Lampi's drove down so we could all brave the heat and the crowds for a day at the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo. It was fun to see the boys play together. Before they left Caleb said, "I drew a picture of me and Eden and Cash in the bathtub (with tub crayons, of course) because I'm gonna miss you guys." Sweet.

It made me wish we could all celebrate Father's Day together. I must say, we've got some pretty exceptional dads in this family. Happy Father's Day!Link

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Summer Vacation

It's that glorious time of year again...mid-June which for me and many other Gaines-Lampi teachers means summer vacation and none too soon. I've been kicking it so far sans Abigail who is on Day 10 in Bohol, one of the 7,107 islands that make up the Philippines. Click here for more info. Grace and I have been really missing her and can't wait for her return next Monday. From the text messages, brief phone calls and emails it sounds like she's had an amazing time and I'll let her blog about it with pics and such when she gets back. This extended daddy/daughter time has been nice after a long school year and we've been having lots of laughs and fun. She is amazingly witty and I'm so proud to be her dad.

So in honor of the rest of the summer I give you perhaps my favorite Andy Bernard monologue from The Office as he reflects on his summer vacation. The last line is the best!

Thursday, June 11, 2009

churchy stuff


I've been preparing for this Sunday's sermon, reading through Stanley Hauerwas' commentary on Matthew and its getting me fired up, this guy is so good, here are his thoughts the parable of the sower in Mt. 13:

"It is hard to imagine a text more relevant to the situation of the church in the West. Why we are dying seems very simple. It is hard to be a disciple and be rich. Surely, we may think it cannot be that simple. The lure of wealth and the cares of the world produced by wealth quite simply darken and choke our imaginations. As a result the church falls prey to the deepest enemy of the gospel - sentimentality. The gospel becomes a formula for "giving our lives meaning" without judgment. Too often those who propose strategies to recover the lost status of the church do so hoping people can be attracted to become members of a church without facing the demands of being a disciple of Jesus. The church in America is simply not capable of growing deep roots. It may seem odd that wealth makes it impossible to grow the word. Wealth, we assume, should create the power necessary for the church to do much good. But wealth stills the imagination because we are not forced as the disciples of Jesus were forced, to be an alternative to the world that only necessity can create. Possessed by possessions, we desire to act in the world, often on behalf of the poor, without having to lose our possessions. A church that is shrinking in membership may actually be a church in which the soil of the gospel is being prepared in which deeper roots are possible"

Wow! I'm also reading "The Shaping of Things to Come" by Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch, which offers the best analysis I've read of why the church in the West is in the position it is in and how we must reshape and rethink our concept of church to survive. Sorry, just getting fired up! Peace. Miss you all! Wes

Sunday, June 07, 2009

The Lost Summers?

Is anyone sure that Roger Federer is not a Summers?

Thursday, June 04, 2009

FELIZ 3 BDAY 6/4/06 eden!!!



BIG - E! U ARE OUR SUNSHINE! You bring so much joy to your mommy, daddy and bro. We love your imaginative songs, out-of-control dances, random make-believe, stories, and yes, your keen obsession for furry fauna. You are a blessing to us and a real encourager to everyone around you. Caleb is so lucky to have you. HAPPY B-DAY today!!!!!!

Obamaman!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhhkF3dqXR0
check the link, copy and paste
He makes it all good. A little fun on the Bob and Tom show from Greg Morten.

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

Clearwater

I've been working in Clearwater, Florida all week (don't ask...). Here is the view outside my hotel tonight. I guess I can't really make fun of dad anymore for all those beach football pics we stumbled on. Its been fun but I'd rather be in Indiana with my family!

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Way To Go Ben!





Ben finished yet another marathon! He did great and we were happy to be there to cheer him on:)