WOW! There have been such cool and amazing things happening lately, I can’t even describe it! It has to be the blessings of the Lord–that can be the only explanation! (Thanks Lord!)

For starters, there is a cool article about me and the Midway Praise Choir on the new Purpose Driven worship community site. I am blown away and totally humbled that these guys decided to write an article on us. The page is linked from the Purpose Driven home page or you can go straight to the site here.

Additionally, our choir was asked out of the blue to premiere a new Christmas musical at MUSICalifornia this year. This is like, the biggest music conference in the country, and it happens to be here in San Diego–and we’re singing at it!! It is perhaps one of the coolest things ever! We are all feeling so excited and privileged to do it!

There are some other things going on, too. But regardless, I feel very honored to be where I am at right now. Although sometimes I don’t show it…

HEY-Midway Praise Choir: Tuesday’s rehearsal was undoubtedly the best choir rehearsal I have ever led in my entire life! You guys are awesome! Thanks for all your hard work! Yahoo!! I am so excited!

By the way-just a side note. Any of you American Idol folks that got voted off, you are welcome in the Midway Praise Choir. Anytime…just call me!

No- I will not support you by going premium…

Nathaniel’s fever is gone. He was much more chipper today than before. I think his fever must of broke last night either during the time when he was screaming and had a bloody nose and wouldn’t let me wipe it, or during the other time when all I heard was him yelling from his bedroom in some kind of sleepy stupor “NO BABY NOAH! NO! NO!” over and over again like an angry pirate. I was like, great, now he has brain damage…but he’s ok today. With such a long day (7AM-2:30PM non-stop with church/choir practice + Christy went back for Kids Choir after that) the kids didn’t get their naps, so we just kept them up ’til about 6:15PM and said, “OK time for bed!” Nathaniel was like “but Dad, it’s still sunny outisde. It isn’t dark yet?” (which is his cue for waking up and going to bed…) I just told him to go to sleep…I haven’t heard so much quiet in this house since b4 kids…

New sketch show on tonight-we’ll see how it goes. I love sketch comedy. I’ve watched SNL for a good 12 years or so (off and on during college) and still love it–even though it can get dirty and nasty (I tape it–I wouldn’t usually stay up that late–so it’s an easy Fast-Forward if it gets too gross). I’m not sure why I like it so much, but I think I’ll be loyal to SNL forever. There is something about laughter that is so good, and I usually watch that show and LAUGH. David Spade hosted last night. He’s not the most successful SNL alum (compared to recent grads like Will Farell, Mike Meyers, or even Adam Sandler) but it was a good show. I’ve never heard of the musical guest before either, but he was cool–Jack Johnson anyone?

OK-just looked up this guy (above)-fun music. I bought a couple of songs from iTunes…LIKE IT!

I guess you really can’t see it, but here’s a picture of my ENTIRE family. I think that’s everyone…all my brothers and sisters and their kids + spouses and my mom and dad. That may have been the last time we were altogether for a while…

Nathaniel’s been really sick. He has had a temp over 100 degrees for 2 days now. Last night it got up to 104.3. That’s scary. Poor kid. Poor us. Hopefully he’ll recover here pretty soon…

OK just a few notes…

Star Wars trailer was the best movie trailer EVER. Mike has a link to it if you haven’t seen it. Also, in response to someone on his blog mentioning that they would dress up to see it on May 19th, I wrote the following:
—
My buddies and I dressed up as original characters when the original trilogy was re-released in 1997. We went all the way to Sacramento (a 2 1/2 hour drive) and saw it on a really big screen. I was Han Solo-not too convincing, but I did have an original blaster from the early 80′s that my friend kept. With us we had a storm trooper (complete w/white sweats that had electrical tape around the joints), Darth Vader, and Luke Skywalker. It was hilarious-a shout out to my homies Josh, Leif, and Ben!! People were actually getting autographs from us and stuff. We created quite a buzz… then we went to the mall–still dressed in our costumes. People started making fun of us so we got outta there…good times…
—

Ahhh high school. For those of you that are shocked to discover I was in high school in 1997, let me just say that it was my senior year…to those of you who were in 1st grade in 1997, I say shutup-at least I’m not as old as farty Mike-who is sooo rude that he never talks to people in Starbucks when he gets drinks. He doesn’t even know their names. Oh- and by the way-it’s not like I do this at EVERY Starbucks-just the one on Palm and Saturn.
Ok-you wouldn’t know what I’m talking about unless you read Mike’s blog (link above).
I think Mike is getting old and grumpy, THAT’S why he doesn’t want to talk to people…

Star Wars III – word. May 19th, 12:01 AM, BE THERE!

It’s been a few days…things have been pretty crazy and busy, I don’t know what to say. Hopefully I’ll get a break here pretty soon…argh Easter! Why did you have to be so soon?

I am bummed that LOST was a rerun, although, there are 2 or 3 episodes I missed.
Am I happy with the top 12 of American Idol? maybe. I DON’T think white-Rueban-wannabe Scott Sable whould be there. But that’s cool. Him and Lindsey will be the first to go unless something REALLY goes wrong with someone else.

I’m hoping the new pdworshipcommunity.com website goes live soon!!!

—–EDIT—
the pdworshipcommunity site is 97.34% done! and is up for preview…I can’t give you the link…but it’s WAAAAY cool!! There’s an article on there about our choir-what a cool thing and a blessing! I’ll let you know when they launch-probably this monday or something…

Worked out with Billy Blanks again today…ouch. It was eaiser the 2nd time, a little.
I won at Nertz again last night. I’m still the King-the Nertz King. None have defeated me that I have not defeated back! (except Tina-who I’m challenging to a rematch!).
hmmm…choir was awesome yesterday. Everything from the special in church, to the practice afterwards. We are definatley going to pull off this premiere! And I must say, we are making some music!!!
Props to the Midway Praise Choir! Those guys are my homies!

Alright, go ahead. Read my blog, but don’t comment. That’s cool, no problem…it’s not like I care or anything…(said in my best 7th grader voice…)

A while ago Christy ordered from an infomercial these Tae-bo videos with that guy, Billy Blanks. When I heard this I said, “WHAT!?!”. Well, they came a few days ago, and Christy used it, she was sore and tired. So yesterday she convinced me to do it with her, and I was excited because I need the exercise, but I was thinking, “This will be good and I’ll definately be able to handle it.” NOPE. O MY GOSH!!!! How tiring can this stuff be??!?! I was totally OUT after about thirty minutes–granted, I used the little black strechy resistance bands, so it was harder than without…but still. It was HARD! Good for Christy, though. She kept going. It WAS her second time…but I’m not giving up. I’ll do it again, and I’ll go longer this time-you just WAIT!

We got some old Twilight Zone VHS tapes from my parents. It’s fun watching those things. They are so corny-old. The make-up and special effects are so rediculous compared to what we can do today. But it is still fun, and a classic series that will forever be alive because of it’s originality and that cool theme song. I mean, hey, Disneyland just built a Twilight Zone ride last year! This show aired forty years ago!

———-
Psalm 47: 1-2, 6-7
 1 Clap your hands, all you nations;
    shout to God with cries of joy.
 2 How awesome is the LORD Most High,
    the great King over all the earth!

6 Sing praises to God, sing praises;
    sing praises to our King, sing praises.
 7 For God is the King of all the earth;
    sing to him a psalm of praise.
———-

I love the scriptures that command us to worship! David expressed himself to the Lord in many different ways. He lamented, he cried out in depair, he danced, he sang, he rejoiced. He was exressive to the Lord! I think that may be one thing lacking in my life, the freedom to express myself with abandon like David did. I’m not sure if it’s part of my personality, or what. If you read the Psalms, you’ll see David is pretty unashamed with himself. I know I’m not that free with myself before the Lord. Is that necessary? Is it a missing componant in my walk with Christ? Or just David’s style?
Something for me to think about…(and you too!)

We saw THE AVIATOR last night, and I now see why this film was nominated for several Oscars. It was truly incredible-but not in a “rush out and go see this film right now!” kinda way, more in a “it was a feat of filmmaking” kinda way. If that makes sense…I had no idea about Howard Hughes…
The acting in this flick was absolutely outstanding! Dido the directing…in addition, there was one scene that made my stomach turn. I never actually had gotten to the point where I might vomit in a movie before. Not because of visual violence or gore on the screen (o, I’ve seen Saving Private Ryan, Black Hawk Down, Passion of the Christ) it was a scene after his plane crash when the Dr. was describing VERBALLY his injuries. This is crushed, that is shattered, his heart has completely moved from the left side of his chest cavity to his right…and so on. I had to put my head between my legs so I wouldn’t pass out…Mike and Karen thought I was falling asleep…NOPE!
It was remarkable and disturbing. It was also inspiring to see someone with as much vision and drive as HH…too bad he was pretty much crazy-at least according to this film.

Last night someone broke into our friend Shantelle’s car at the theatre. It was a bummer. All they grabbed was an Old Navy bag full of new clothes. Not the radio, or her purse…she was really shaken up. Poor Shantelle!! Beware of parking in the side lots at the AMC 24 up there on Palm! Park in the front part of the parking! Don’t leave valuables in your car! (oops. No one stole my iPod!)

———–
Psalm 46:1-3
   1 God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
    2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
    3 though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.
———–

This is comforting stuff. Today I need strength, Lord! Thank you for providing for me! Thanks for giving me rest!

I saw this on someone else’s xanga…evidently if I post this on my site, then I am eligible to win a lifetime subscription to xanga premium. I think I’d rather have a lifetime subscription to TIVO…but I’ll take what I can get!! (hee hee hee)…it’s actually fun…

Solving this jigsaw puzzle and posting about this sweepstakes for Big Red makes me eligible for free Xanga Premium for life…

I have had a great day today. I don’t recall a time when I’ve actually spent so much time playing with my kids, alone or together…it’s not like we went to the park or Disneyland or something. We were in a Dr. office, at home…it was great! Nathaniel and I played my N64 for a good hour and a half while Christy got her haircut (which looks great, btw). On a side note, I played Super Mario 64 last night for a couple of hours by myself, too! It was sooooo fun!! I haven’t played video games in a long time. I find a great sense of accomplishment when I beat a level and stuff…granted, I do have the Nintendo Power issue that explains the ENTIRE game in great detail. I’d be lost without it…HA!!

We went grocery shopping last night, and as we loaded up our minivan with a couple hundred dollars worth of groceries, I couldn’t help thinking how blessed we are to be able to have food when so many go without. Nothing profound or insightful about that thought, I was just reminded by the Lord how He provides. Thanks Lord for our car full of food!

LOST is definately the best show on TV. No other is like it, or even comes close. Last night’s episode was brilliant, as are most. There is just too much going on in this show to not last forever. I am amazed at the geniouses that come up with this stuff, it really makes me wish I could be involved in something in the TV or Movie business just for the creative process. I love creativity. When I see things that are truly creative or innovative, I feel like God is honored, for He is our creator (the creator of everything).

American Idol: shocked to see Aloha go home. It should have been Janay-I don’t know WHO is voting for her over anyone else…things like that make me so mad…Maybe Aloha will come back in the Wild Card round. Remember Clay Aiken? That’s where he got in, the wild card-NOT from America’s voting. And for some reason, he seems to be the most successful of all the IDOL contestants (including winners).

Today is trash day. I better go.

Ooh- and I borrowed Super Mario 64 (for N64) from my parents in Twain Harte. It was fun, I only got to play it for a few minutes up in TH. I am looking forward to Friday (my day off) to get in a couple of hours to beat some rounds. I also got a Nintendo Power cheating magazine that tells me everything about the levels…hmmm…yummy…