Redneck Mecca

I traveled through the tunnel to the big city today, making a pilgrimage to the Bass Pro Shop. It was amazing.

As I parked my pick-up truck in the far corner of the lot and began to approach the front doors I felt the transformation begin--the shoulders pull back as the chest swells, the walk morphs into a macho swagger--I could literally feel the testosterone levels rising with each step.

What is it about this place? The kids can have Disney World, this is the real Magic Kingdom.

The brochure touts the 105,000 feet of shopping space filled with gear for all your outdoor needs. It's mostly about hunting and fishing, with a small section of gifts and trinkets for NASCAR enthusiasts. I'm not really into killing wildlife, but could do some serious damage to my wallet in the hiking, camping and kayaking departments.

My favorite part is the 19,000 gallon fresh water aquarium with the 40-foot rock climbing wall and cascading waterfall.

491 Years Ago Today

On October 31, 1517 a little-known Monk named Martin Luther tacked a piece of paper to the doors of The Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. This small act of courage changed the world. This was not an act of defiance as is usually thought. The church faced the main thoroughfare of the town and the church doors functioned as a public bulletin board, a logical place for posting notices and announcements about upcoming events.

Luther's "Ninety-five Theses" proposed a debate about the powerful Roman Catholic Church's practice of selling indulgences. An Indulgence is granted by the church after the sinner has confessed and been absolved of one’s sins. In Luther's Day Indulgences were being sold. Forgiveness was becoming a commercial transaction instead of a genuine change of heart.

Instead of granting an indulgence as a remission of the penalty for breaking church law, making a confession, and then restoring whatever had been damaged - property or human relationships or other serious sins - an indulgence could be purchased.

This was a gross violation of the original intention of confession and forgiveness. As Luther saw it, people were being lied to by church leaders and were being falsely told that they could find forgiveness of their sins, through the purchase of indulgences, rather than through the free gift of God's mercy offered in and through Jesus Christ.

This small act created a controversy between Luther and those allied with the Pope over a variety of doctrines and practices. The Protest-ant movement was born which would reform the Church. When Luther and his supporters were excommunicated in 1520, the Lutheran tradition was born. This in turn would later ease the creation of the Reformed and Anabaptist traditions as well.

So 491 years later the modern church (Catholic and Protestant traditions) is in need of a new Reformation. As Alan Hirsch said, "We've got to get to the place where we believe Jesus is absolutely right about absolutely everything." All reformation is Christ-centered. (Alan also said, "If you're not ticking off religious people you're not following Christ." Can't have a reformation without offending a few Pharisees along the way!)

We need a reformation of deeds more than creeds. A larger percentage of church budgets ought to go "to the least of these" instead of building larger buildings--less focus on personal kingdoms and more focus on the kingdom of God. The church needs to be less self-serving and focus more on serving the broken people among us. The Church needs to put our money where our mouth is, especially in nations like America where the church is consumed with consumerism and materialism.

Our level of biblical knowledge needs to grow, and our level of obedience needs to catch up with our level of biblical knowledge. We need to DO what we KNOW. George Barna recently observed that "Christianity has become a way of thought instead of a way of life." We've created a church culture where we know more and do less all the while thinking we're growing spiritually. A new reformation has begun--may it grow like Kudzu.

Good to Be Back Home Again...At Least for a Little While

The silence on this blog for the past few days has been due to my Mother-in-law. I’m not saying it’s her fault, just that there have been much more important things than blog posts to occupy our attention.

She was hospitalized on Tuesday, October 21 and is still in the hospital. Today is day 11 and each day has brought a new complication. She was moved to ICU Wednesday evening. Her heart is weak following the stroke she suffered in July. Blood clots have formed in her legs and spleen.

It feels as though we’ve been spending every non-working minute at the hospital. Things began looking up yesterday. Her eating has improved, as she had gone several days without food. Her blood pressure, which had been rather low for several days, has been raised and stabilized with medication.

So our past two weeks have been a little crazy. It’s amazing how emergencies clarify one’s priorities; sifting out what’s really important; what’s really deserving of our time and attention. It’s interesting how things going on in the world, things that normally demand our attention and seem so important, fade into the background and become virtually irrelevant when a crisis hits.

It's good to be home for awhile and get caught up on things. Hopefully we'll get Mom home in the next few days.

Ancient Praise

The lyrics to a 3,000 year-old worship song:

I waited patiently for the LORD;
And He inclined to me,
And heard my cry.

He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,
Out of the miry clay,
And set my feet upon a rock,
And established my steps.

He has put a new song in my mouth--Praise to our God;
Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the LORD.

Blessed is that man who makes the LORD his trust,
And does not respect the proud,
nor such as turn aside to lies.

Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works
Which You have done;
And Your thoughts toward us
Cannot be recounted to You in order;
If I would declare and speak of them,
They are more than can be numbered.

Psalm 40

Broken Hearted

A Christian relief worker was gunned down in Afghanistan today. Her crime? Telling people there is a God who loves them, and showing them in small ways what that love looks like.

Thirty-four year old Gayle Williams worked for SERVE Afghanistan (Serving Emergency Relief and Vocational Enterprise), an inter-denominational Christian charity that helps the disabled.

CNN reported, "The Taliban claimed responsibility for the death, saying on its Web site that it killed the "foreign woman" for preaching Christianity in the country and adding that it had been following the woman for some time."

Walking to work. That's when her murderers took the opportunity to silence her, permanently they thought. They gave her message a wider audience than they realize, and afforded her greater influence than she ever dreamed. Someone so unassuming and non-threatening. And yet these men were so threatened by her presence, her message, her love.

We share with her family and friends in their sorrow and grief. But we grieve with hope. We know there is more to this life than meets the eye, and believe that after this life the best is yet to come.

Uncertainty is Certain

I have a friend who owns a special notebook. It contains questions he's been collecting for several years--questions he wants to ask God. Some are funny:
Why did you make mosquitoes?
Why does the sun lighten our hair, but darken our skin?
Why can't women put mascara on with their mouth closed?
Why don't psychics ever win the Lottery?
Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?

Others are deeper, and more difficult:
Why do you allow so much suffering in the world?
If you know everything that's going to happen, do we really have a choice?

We like answers, resolution, loose ends tied down, certainty. Sometimes our faith is challenged by our lack of answers. Like Jacob, we wrestle with God until the dark night fades. We come away with a new identity and a limp; marked for life as a result of the struggle. (see Genesis 32:22-32)

Uncertainty often makes us timid disciples; shrinking back into the comfort of the sanctuary rather than following Jesus into the unknown.

Mark Batterson observes, "Many people think faith reduces uncertainty. Faith doesn’t reduce uncertainty; faith embraces uncertain."

The truth is, we’ll never have all the answers. For some people that's problematic, they feel they can never trust God because He won't answer all their questions.

Jesus never promised security, but he did promise uncertainty. What happens when 'tab A' of experience doesn’t fit into 'slot B' of your beliefs? Our confidence isn’t contingent upon our circumstances. Our confidence is contingent upon the character of God.

To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways; we do not know what a day may bring forth. This is generally said with a sigh of sadness; it should rather be an expression of breathless expectation. ~ Oswald Chambers

"Keep asking, and it will be given to you; keep seeking, and you will find; keep knocking, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened." ~ Jesus of Nazareth

Let It Be

This guy is amazing! In addition to his unique talent, I love his voice and the passion with which he sings this song.

(If you can't get this video to show up using Mozilla Firefox browser try opening it in Internet Explorer)

Staple Free

I went to see the surgeon today. Turns out he didn't insert the mesh as he had originally planned. The hole was smaller than expected, repaired with five internal stitches.

He removed the nine staples from the incision he made a week ago. It was cool to watch...and painless.

The staple remover was a neat little tool. So I'm not allowed to lift anything over 20 pounds for the next five weeks. No kayaking.
No straining of any sort or we may have to do this all over again.

No raking or mowing because of the pushing and/or pulling motion. The timing stinks with leaves falling and yard work waiting.

I hate not being able to go 100%. But it was really cool watching the doc take the staples out of my belly.

In the Shack

A friend recommended "The Shack" by Wm. P. Young. I get lots of book recommendations, and even a few books as gifts (thanks, Roy!). Rarely do I get a recommendation like this one; "Have you read The Shack yet? Whatever else you're reading put it down and read this first!"

It wasn't just the invitation, but the look on his face--eyes twinkling, huge grin--he was glowing. This story had obviously made a huge impact on his life, in his thinking.

So I'm in the shack right now... More later.

Favorite idea:
“Do all paths lead to God?”
“Not at all; most roads don’t lead anywhere, but God will travel down any road to find you.”

Shame on Me!

"Shame on you!" I was being taken to task by a Republican friend who was angry about my post on Monday regarding the McCain-Palin rally in our area.

Her complaints were three-fold:
1: "Preachers should keep their mouths shut about politics."
2: "You heard a racist comment where there wasn't one intended."
3: "Real Christians should be more supportive of the Republican platform."

Interesting.

My replies to her complaints went something like this:
1: "I guess the first amendment right guaranteeing freedom of speech only includes certain citizens."

2: "It is certainly possible that I heard a racist comment where none was intended. I will go back back and read what he (McCain) actually said."

3: "Wow. I would encourage you to read 'Jesus for President' by Shane Claiborne, or just about anything by a guy named Jim Wallis. I assure you, there are people who are Christ followers who are not Republicans...or Democrats...or even Americans."

In addition, at some point in the conversation, I said something like, "Your first and third points seem to contradict each other. Should Christians be Republicans or stay out of politics? What about folks like Mike Huckabee?"

Her reply, and I quote: "If they're not going to support the right party then they should keep their mouths shut!"

(Again, wow!)
---------------------

After she repeated her claim that I heard a racist comment where one had not been intended, I went back to reevaluate my comments.

Here's what McCain actually said (or intended to say, according to the pre-speech manuscript; keeping in mind that sometimes what is actually written is not what is actually said):

John McCain (on Monday): "Let me give you the state of the race today. We have 22 days to go. We're 6 points down. The national media has written us off. Senator Obama is measuring the drapes, and planning with Speaker Pelosi and Senator Reid to raise taxes, increase spending, take away your right to vote by secret ballot in labor elections, and concede defeat in Iraq. But they forgot to let you decide. My friends, we've got them just where we want them."

She is right, there is no racially-based comment included in his remarks. That's what he said. So maybe it's racial hypersensitivity on my part. Here's why I heard it that way:

When I consider the many comments I've heard in recent months like "I never thought I'd live to see the day that a black man was living in our white house", and then hear McCain speak of Obama "measuring the drapes", it seemed to me that he was intentionally putting that image in people's minds to stir up fear and motivate some potential voters. I could be wrong.

His point was that "everyone has written us off, but it's not over yet." What people took away from what he said could be another point altogether, and one that he didn't intend to make.

He probably did tap into some people's fears and/or prejudices with the "measuring the drapes" comment even though that was not his intent.

It's Over

The McCain-Palin rally at the Virginia Beach Convention Center just ended (Noon, EST). It's the most energetic I've seen McCain in a while. No, I wasn't there--I watched as a curious citizen via a live webcast by the local newspaper, The Virginian-Pilot.

Most striking oddity: seeing Cindy McCain and Hank Williams, Jr. side-by-side.

Most striking comment: McCain sought to strike fear in the heart of his supporters and motivate them to action by pointing out that he is six points behind in the polls and that Obama is "measuring the drapes" in the White House.

Wholly Terror

One of my biggest concerns: can the dog and Mother-in-law co-exist? Don't get me wrong, they get along great and are good companions to each other. The problem is the dog: he is very protective. I never put it together before, but "terriers" are territorial--duh.

So anyone who enters his space receives a welcome/warning of incessant barking that can endure for hours on end. I'm surprised the neighbors haven't "had him arrested" or "taken him out".

With the parade of would-be home health care providers being interviewed during the past week, the little beast has had ample opportunity to practice his "greeting". I'm to the point where I'm seriously thinking about him needing to find a new place to live.

Until this morning. She was disguised as a nurse, but she is a dog whisperer. Quiet. peace. Calm.

Ridiculous Prayers

I want to see comedian Bill Maher’s new documentary “Religulous”. I love Bill Maher, and agree with him that much of religion is ridiculous--there is some weird stuff out there! I'll admit that much of what I believe is not rational...or logical. Talking serpents, people walking on water, people being raised from the dead. I believe all that stuff is possible.

I like what Mark Batterson writes: "Faith is not logical. But it isn't illogical either. Faith is theological. It does not ignore reality; it just adds God into the equation. Faith is not mindless ignorance; it simply refuses to limit God to the logical constraints of the left brain."

The cartoons in my Sunday newspaper are two-dimensional--width and height. If there is a God (and I believe there is) he would not be 2-D, 3-D, or 4-D. He would not be limited by time and space, or any other dimensional limits. He would be omni-dimensional.

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

Light travels at 186,000 miles per second. The sun is 93 million miles from planet earth. Sunlight is only eight minutes old by the time it reaches us. There are galaxies 12.3 billion light years from earth!

Again, Batterson writes: "It’s time to stop putting God in a box the size of our cerebral cortex. When you live with a sense of destiny, rooted in the Sovereignty of God, you can pray the unthinkable and attempt the impossible. To the infinite, all finites are equal.

When you really believe anything is possible with God it changes the way we pray, because we are asking the One who knows no limits!

"Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:18-20)

I want to pray ridiculous, God-sized prayers, and watch miracles happen!

Feeling Rotten

The past three nights have been rough and I'm feeling rather rotten this morning. Not to be a complainer, I think I just overdid it Thursday and Friday with the running of errands, cooking and doing the dishes, and grocery shopping, etc.

This morning, per the surgeon's instructions, was the first day to change the dressings and get a shower. The "reveal" uncovered nine silver Frankenstein-esque staples across a still-swollen belly that bears evidence of recent "manscaping" in preparation for the surgery.

I have cleared the schedule to have a day of rest. I gave up trying to go to a Men's Breakfast at church this morning; will bow out of the fundraiser event this afternoon and have canceled the movie date-night with Kim this evening.

I'm hoping to go strong Sunday morning...Sunday afternoon and evening will be "wait and see" at this point.

The other big heartbreak (aside from not going to the movie with Kim): Next weekend's kayak campout with the guys is a "no-go" for me. I can't see kayaking at this point. So today is kick back and rest like I should have, but didn't do, the past couple of days.

My First Surgery

I had surgery Wednesday morning for a ventral hernia located just above my navel. It has been there for several years, unsightly but painless. It's been bothering me lately so I finally decided to have it repaired.

Here's the TMI portion for some of you, but the best part for those of you who like all the gory details (Hi, Caroline!):
Often, this type of hernia is painless, but may be tender and can cause discomfort during any type of physical strain, such as lifting heavy objects, coughing, or straining during bowel movements. The bulge may disappear when lying down, and be more visible when standing up. Symptoms include pain, which may be a sharp or dull ache that feels worse towards the end of the day. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and the inability to have a bowel movement. Continuous or severe discomfort, or nausea related to the bulge are signs that the hernia may be entrapped or strangulated. If you have these symptoms, be sure to contact your physician immediately.

The video below shows the laparoscopic procedure for repairs. I went old school, with an incision several inches long, push the tissue back through the opening in the muscles, and put a mesh patch underneath the muscles so it doesn't (hopefully) pop back through at a later date.



Check in was at 6am with the surgery scheduled for 7:30. All went according to plan except a smaller incision than previously planned (yea!) but a longer recovery time than usual. I could not wake up!! I was feeling a little nauseated, and no one wanted me heaving just moments after the incision and stitches--least of all, me! The medicine they gave me to alleviate the nausea--you guessed it-- made me sleepy.

I hear I was in rare form, comedically speaking, and kept the recovery staff cracking up. I don't recall this, but apparently at one point "The Boys Are Back in Town" was playing over the sound system and I was accompanying with my air guitar, lavender gown, and surgery socks. Why no one got a picture is beyond me. I suspect they kept me doped up on purpose just to get a few more laughs.

I vaguely and groggily heard the nurse saying that if I didn't wake up they would put me in a room and keep me over night. Not happening!!! I willed myself awake long enough to get dressed and get wheeled down to the loading zone.

Once seatbelted into the van I was out like a light. Between me and my Mother-in-law our home looks like a hospital ward. I slept most of the afternoon, enjoying the effects of the vicodin. I'll have to take it easy for a few days--no lifting anything over 4 pounds--and hopefully get a good report when I check in with the doctor next week.

Let me just say, my wife is incredible!!!! What a saint!!! What a blest, but sore, man I am!

The 'Not-So-Great' Debate

Tuesday night saw the second of three debates between the top two presidential contenders, Republican John McCain, Senator from Arizona, and Democrat Barack Obama, Senator for Illinois. It did not hold my attention as much as the Vice Presidential Debate last week.

Last night's debate was a 90 minute exchange in a town-hall-style meeting in front of 80 selected voters, and focused on a nation in economic crisis. Each candidate promised anxious Americans that he had the better plan and vision to lead the country through what both men agreed was the America's worst financial situation since the Great Depression.

The audience mostly watched in silence -- not applauding or laughing — and the debate was without dramatic confrontations or the personal exchanges that have characterized both campaigns in recent weeks. I saw no evidence that this debate would change the course of the campaign.

Part of the reason it didn't hold my attention was because I was preoccupied with other things: my own ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder); my outpatient surgery which was less than 24 hours away at the time of the debate (more about that in a later post); and assisting my son with a project due for his Spanish class about the great boxer, Oscar De la Hoya.

One more debate, scheduled for next Wednesday, will be the last before the November 4 election day. Hopefully it will give those voters who are as yet undecided the clarity they need to vote for "The Maverick" (a.k.a. McNasty) or "That one"... or one of the other four major candidates we never hear about.

Destiny

Almost like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, we are part coward and part daredevil. The coward is constantly whispering, Better safe than sorry. The daredevil is whispering, Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

I asked God a dangerous question: "What do you want me to do with my life?" (By the way, the only thing more dangerous than asking that question is not asking that question).

~ Mark Batterson, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day

Venture

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do.

So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.

Explore. Dream. Discover.

~ Mark Twain


"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)

Watchful

Watch your thoughts
they become words.

Watch your words
they become actions.

Watch your actions
they become habits.

Watch your habits
they become your character.

Watch your character
it becomes your destiny.

from an Argus inspirational poster in my 10th grader's classroom.

Ready!

The preparations are nearly complete for my Mother-in-law to move in with us. With the help of some great friends the wheelchair ramp was completed today--including some fancy saw work on the tops of the posts and a nice landing. The hospital bed has been delivered along with a new wheelchair. The bathroom is not finished but sufficient. She is "eating like crazy" according to the Mrs. after being told that she has to be able to eat in order to go home. Monday is moving day and I think we're ready for her.

When There Are No Words

How shall I pray?
Are tears prayers, Lord?
Are screams prayers,
or groans
or sighs
or curses?

Can trembling hands be lifted to you,
or clenched fists
or the cold sweat that trickles down my back
or the cramps that knot my stomach?

Will you accept my prayers, Lord,
my real prayers,
rooted in the muck and mud and rock of my life,

and not just the pretty, cut-flower, gracefully arranged
bouquet of words?

Will you accept me, Lord,
as I really am,
messed up mixture of glory and grime?

by Ted Loder, Guerillas of Grace: Prayers for the Battle, (Philadelphia: Innisfree Press, 1984), 69.

One of the ways in which we process grief is sighing. It is a physiological response to distress; when we don't know how to verbalize our feeling we often sigh. And we can take comfort from the scriptures, especially when our hearts are heavy...
"Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing." (Psalm 5:1)

"The Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don't even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words." (Romans 8:26)

The Great Debate

I've had the debate on my calendar for weeks, watched the debate last night with great anticipation, and was very pleased. I think both candidates did a great job of presenting their positions and challenging the positions of the opposing party. Contrary to what the "talking heads" are saying this morning I think Gwen Ifill did a good job of moderating and asked pertinent questions.

Because of my position as pastor I tend to keep my political views close to the vest. Most of my Democratic friends think I'm a Republican, and my Republican friends think I'm a Democrat. I like to challenge the values (and behavior) of both parties and contrast them to the Way of Jesus and his political solutions. I would never insult my congregants' intelligence by telling them for whom to vote, but encourage them to do their research, think for themselves and vote their convictions; and VOTE. It's not only a privilege, but a patriotic duty.

My friend John e-mailed me at 10:52 last night proclaiming "Palin proves that she has what it takes to run the government!!!!!!! Sure wish she could debate Obama as she debates at least as well as him!!!!"

She did a good job. She not only met, but exceeded expectations, which were pretty low to begin with considering all the negative press and comedic mocking she received in recent weeks. Her strategy was evident: deliver your talking points and pivot to an attack on Barack Obama - regardless of what the moderator is asking.

Joe Biden did what he needed to do as well. He never seemed arrogant, condescending or chauvinistic. He didn't drone on endlessly and never put his foot in his mouth. More importantly, Mr Biden did what he came to do - make a clear case against John McCain. He also did a good job and made a strong case for his and Obama's positions on the issues.

I live in one of those handful of "battleground states" or "swing states" that could be crucial in determining the outcome of this election. Our area has a huge military population and tends to vote Republican. When the local newspaper polled readers online as to "who won the vice presidential debate on Thursday night?" the results looked like this:

Sen Joe Biden: 78% (5829 votes), Gov. Sarah Palin: 22% (1651 votes)

I won't declare a winner. Both candidates did what they needed to... and didn't do what they didn't need to do -- no slip ups. I will make one prediction however: The next 30 historic days will be intoxicating for all the political junkies out there.

I Love Fall

The morning air was cool and crisp--i could "see my breath". I sat on the patio in the pre-dawn chill, wrapped in a blanket, with a cup of hot hazelnut coffee. I sat silently and watched the sun rise, accompanied by songbirds--heaven on earth. I love Fall!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, exceeded only by lung cancer. The chance of developing invasive breast cancer at some time in a woman’s life is about 1 in 8 (12%), and women living in North America have the highest rate of breast cancer in the world (National Cancer Institute).

Early detection is paramount for successful treatment.

To help out, go to www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive

Your click on the "Click Here to Give - it's FREE" button helps fund free mammograms for women in need — low-income, inner-city and minority women whose awareness of breast cancer and opportunity for help is often limited.

Preparations

My Mother-in-law is moving in...and that's a good thing. She suffered a stroke on July 9. In late August we moved her from her home (4 states away) to a physical rehab center near us. She has made improvements in some areas and plateaued in others. It looks like Monday will be transition day to move her in and begin at-home care with us.

We've been busy getting things ready--interviewing home health care providers, refitting the bathroom, transforming a "living room" into a handicap accessible bedroom, and building a wheelchair ramp. (A quick shout out to Mark, Jeff, Jimmy, Jeremy, Mike and James--thanks guys!!) We were on a roll until darkness and and a thunderstorm set in. Weather permitting we'll finish it off in short order by the weekend.

I'm glad we can have mom with us, as we cannot bear the thought of putting her in a nursing home. Given her physical needs and limitations we may be "getting in over our heads", but want to do everything possible to give her the best living situation. Her life has been turned upside down physically, she's been uprooted from her house and home... getting her settled with her family will give her a sense of stability and hope.

Scout (our little "building inspector" in the lower right-hand corner of the picture) will be a good companion. The people in our church are like a big extended family (dysfunctional and loving), ready to welcome her in and provide lots of encouragement and friendship. So everything is getting ready to change again in ways we can't even imagine yet, I'm sure.

I told the Mrs. the other day, "Our 23 years together has been a lot like riding a roller coaster; hold on tight, here we go again!!!"