It has been hot the last couple of days! Summer is here and the temps are supposed to be in the high 90’s to high 80’s all week. I love it and fully intend on taking advantage of the river that is a mile from our house and the numerous lakes.

In preparation for our California trip, this week is going to be spent studying. When we head back to Cali I’ll be speaking on Sunday morning at our former church, speaking at a Jr. High Summer Camp for 5 days, and then officiating a wedding. I best be prepared.

Happy Birthday to me!

What is my homeland best known for? Read on.

This is going to kill the economy.

I’m a pretty big sports nut. Whatever I can get my hands on to play I will and I love the competition. Moving to a new area can be difficult sports wise because sports teams are pretty cliquey. As a result I haven’t been very active since we moved here because sports are my primary source of working out.

I had mentioned to a guy I know that I’ve played softball for years and today I got the call that they are short players and need me. It’s my time to shine and show the slow-pitch softball league of Spokane that I have what it takes.

I better not screw this one up.

I wasn’t initially a Coldplay fan when their first hit song ‘Yellow’ was being over played on the radio. Since then though I’ve been won over by the emotion that singer Chris Martin stirs up and their latest album is no exception. I recommend the ‘Violet Hill’ and ‘Viva La Vida’ tracks off their latest release.

I just read an interesting article about the web site wikileaks.org

Much like the other wiki media type sites it depends on user submitted information. This site however is fairly controversial as some of the documents that they have got their hands on have resulted in threatened law suits by the LDS church and the cult of Scientology.

With graduations and the end of school all behind me, this week is our transition into summer. Things in Youth Ministry don’t necessarily get less busy during the summer they just shift gears. We won’t be doing our weekly youth church/gathering but instead transition to small group Bible studies and events like summer camp. Right now I’m taking advantage of a low key week but things start heating up real quick.

Here’s a brief rundown of events of the summer:

2 Summer Camps - one in California
3 Weddings (one I’m officiating)
Many visitors to La Maison Fouché between June and September
Several summer youth gatherings

It’s been a great few days as my beautiful wife has gone out of her way to bless me for my Birthday and Fathers Day. My birthday was a two day affair which included a movie and dinner on my Birthday. The next night was a double date with friends and we went to an improv theater and then a late meal at PF Chang’s.

Yesterday we enjoyed the 80 degree weather by doing yard work, trying to get Jude to go into his kiddie pool, watching sports, eating a delicious meal of salmon, and wrapping the day up sitting by the fire in the backyard. A perfect Father’s Day.

When I was a kid we had kind of a family tradition of going to a local restaurant called the Sweet River Saloon for a free Birthday meal. Since we’ve moved to Washington and have access to all of the mid-range restaurant chains, I decided to sign up for all of their online ‘clubs’ and see what they might dish out for my Birthday this week.

Here’s what I got so far:

Boston’s - Dessert
Dairy Queen - Blizzard
TGI Fridays - Appetizer
Red Robin - Hamburger Meal
Black Angus Steak House - Steak Dinner

While I didn’t receive an e-coupon from them, I also know that Applebees, Chili’s, and Outback all give free desserts to people with Birthdays.

Listen very carefully, then vote accordingly this November.

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