Random Signage III

We saw this one on the back of a van in Colorado Springs. I'm not really sure if this person's proud of being from Kansas or not.

Reflections on Speedos

Thanks to a blog post by a missionary friend in France, I've only now begun to realize that I will never be able to swim once we move to Germany. It's not that swimming pools are bad over there or that I don't enjoy swimming. It's for the simple reason that I will never never ever ever wear a Speedo. And since that is simply the only swimwear men use over in Europe, I've conclude that I just will never swim. Kathi challenged me in this declaration and said that she wouldn't mind me wearing a Speedo if we went to Greece or something. In that situation, being able to lounge on the beautiful white beaches of the Aegean would be worth my utter humiliation. I responded with the absolute statement that I will NEVER put on a Speedo. I know that people say never say never and that God likes to thwart these sort of declarations, but I'm stating it now for the public record that a Speedo will never embrace my mid-section.

Dr. Greg Waybright: Pop Sensation

This post is mostly for those people out there who attended or had some other connection with Trinity International University. For everyone who fits into that category, most of you know the former President of the university, Greg Waybright. Dr. Waybright is an amazing, godly, joyful man who really was the pastoral heart of that school for more than ten years. He recently resigned from that position to take up a pastorate in Pasadena, California.

Well, we found out today that years before Dr. Waybright established his professional ministerial career, he saw some modest success in the German music world! I pulled this gem off of a German ebay-site. This is no joke...Isn't that AMAZING!?!

Reflections on Greener Grass

Some of you may be wondering why I've posted a picture of SFB? This is quite possibly the coolest family picture ever. Salentine's were one among many visits we've been making the past few days. All of these joyful reunions are making it really hard not wanting to just move back. The grass truly is greener. When we were here, we couldn't wait to leave the suburbs and get on with our lives in professional ministry. But, being back we are finding ourselves missing some of the very things we decried while we were here - like strip malls and suburban conformism.

Of course, we mostly miss the people. We worshiped yesterday at our old church in the midst of so many people dear to us. And, the next few nights we are hanging out with Frank and Betsy, and many others. With that said, it's completely frustrating knowing that we're not going to be able to see many of our close friends while we are here. There's just not enough time. So, if there's anybody reading this whom we haven't been able to see, please know we do love you. It kills us that we haven't had enough time to see everyone.

Reflections on Hanging in Chicago

Welcome back to Chicago, Crams! We drove in yesterday and hung out with our friend, Tony in the city. We were very excited to finally meet Tony's new girlfriend, Hannah. We really like Hannah. We approve, Tony. Anyway, now we're up in the suburbs spending time with some other friends of ours. We are, however, up here to do a little support raising as well. We'll be meeting with a church missions committee on Tuesday, and we're hoping to arrange some other meetings in the meantime. With all of that on our plate, we are going to be really busy the next couple of days. Kathi actually got a migraine this morning brought on by our frenetic pace.

Reflections on Our 2nd Anniversary

Two years ago on this day, I married my wife, Kathi. I always think it's funny when people say that their wedding day is the happiest day of their lives. If you think about it, that's kind of sad. They're basically saying that it's all downhill from there. For Kathi and I, it seems we keep having those "happiest days" continually. I'm so thankful that I married her, and I look forward to many, many more years of joy, companionship, love, and triumph with my wife.

The only sad thing is that we haven't been able to have a "proper" anniversary yet. Last year at this time, we were in Colorado doing our orientation training. This year we've been consumed with support raising. Hopefully, next year I'll be able to treat her to something a bit more special. But, if you asked her, she would say that being near her is special enough.

On a funny note, we did decide to go out and get a bottle of wine to celebrate. We went to the local IGA only to discover there was no wine there (plenty of cheap beer though). Apparently, there's no market for fine wine in Carroll County, Ohio. We ended up getting some Amish wine at a local Speedway. So romantic.

Reflections on Reds Curse

I'm pretty sure when it comes to the Cincinnati Reds that I am thoroughly cursed. To start with, I haven't seen a winning Reds game in person since at least 1999. I think it all started when I saw the Mets beat the Reds in a season ending playoff game of that year sending the Mets to the post-season and the Redlegs to an early winter break. Since then they have lost every game I have attended whether it's been in Cincinnati or away.

Now I think the curse has even extended to even watching Reds games on television. I can't even remember the last time I've seen them win. It seems that whenever I'm busy in the evening and I can't catch the game, they win. But, when I'm at home and watching, they blow it. I just don't get it. It sucks being a Reds fan.

Reflections on Leslie Visit

Last weekend, we got a great surprise when one of Kathi's friends gave us a call out of the blue to let us know they were in town. So, we got together with Leslie and Nathan for some coffee, and then we proceeded to steal Leslie from Nathan, taking her home for the night. We went to a neighbors for a cook out and stayed up late looking at college pictures. Nothing but a down-home good time.

I love watching Leslie and Kathi together, because Leslie is one of those people that brings out so much joy and laughter from my wife. You can't help but laugh hysterically when you're around this person. Unfortunately, though we see her way too seldom. She and her husband live in Philly and are in the process of going into the Peace Corp to serve in the Caucasus. I know, right...Peace Corp...hippies.