Luck can't last a lifetime...unless you die young.

When Blondes Write Letters to the Editor

Some days are boring. This hasn't been one of them.

I went from writing last night's post to our elder meeting. If you know me you know I am not given to gratuitous compliments and certainly not effusive praise. So you can take me seriously when I say that we haven't had an elder meeting yet after which, on my drive home, I didn't thank God for the great group of guys he gave this pastor. If you were a fly on the wall you'd shake your head at how our meetings go. Not exactly the dignity most associate with "elder meeting." And keeping these guys anywhere close to the agenda is like herding cats. But we get a ton done, do it well and have fun in the process.
The highlight of last night's meeting was the direct mail piece Matt brought to show us. It will go out to about 5,000 households in three segments beginning on the 27th. The mailing department will send it to those homes who have identified themselves as "Protestant."
Words cannot describe how sharp this piece is. Just outstanding. Creative, engaging, accurately describes who we are and what we're doing. We fully agree that any results from this effort can only come through God's blessing and so we are earnestly asking him for that. But we're not praying into the wind on this one.
Exciting!

I spent time this morning working on the curriculum and my sermon for Sunday. When I needed a break (I'm ADD so that happens frequently) I went out to the garage and tinkered with Gerta. I pulled the "electromechanical idle fuel cut-off switch" twice for cleaning. I adjusted the two screws on the side of the carb, one which adjusts mixture and the other which adjusts idle speed. All of this had NO effect whatsoever. She starts, and I can keep her running so long as I work the gas pedal, but as soon as I take my foot off the gas she dies.
I've called in reserves.
But I did figure out why the speedo doesn't work. When I put the unit back in the case the needle landed on the wrong side of the peg at zero. So when I put the other end of the new cable in my drill and ran it one direction the speedo went backward from zero. Reverse direction and I pegged it at zero. That's the only way I'll ever peg the speedo in Gerta!
So now I need to R&R again, and this time I have to figure out how to drop the unit into the shell with the needle on the left side of that peg.
Frustrating!

I got a call from Nichole this morning. The judge issued his ruling today and the parental rights of the twins' mom have been officially terminated. I'll check with John and Nichole to make sure it's OK for me to post a picture of those 2-year old twins. If/when you see them - I don't care if your heart is made of Italian granite - you will utter an audible, "ohhhh." The word adorable doesn't do them justice. And now they have a mom and dad who will love them and care for them for the rest of their lives. We had the four of them up in front at Pathway a month ago so we could pray together for the hearing and its outcome. This Sunday they'll be back up front so we can tell our great God, "Thank You!"
Awesome!

I had some things to take care of in town this afternoon, and with Gerta under the weather I drove Stealth Reliabity. I should explain that a few months ago I got fed up with covering up my lettering everytime I pulled into the driveway so I took the signage off. It's not like it was generating a whole lot of business. But I still haven't cleaned off all of the adhesive, so you can still make out the lettering that used to be there.
On the way home I got pulled over by a Maricopa County Sherrif's Officer. I knew I wasn't speeding and I hadn't been through anything but very green lights, so what's this about?
He came up to my passenger side window with his gun drawn! When I saw that in my mirror I made sure the van was turned off and my hands were on the steering wheel. I nodded for him to open the passenger door. He did and told me he pulled me over for a dangerously cracked windshield. I'm sure he saw the immediate look of relief combined with disgust that come uncontrollably over my face.
He asked me some questions. "Is this a company van?" No; it's my personal van. "Do you use it for business?" I had a handyman business but it was so slow that I took the lettering off to save hassles from the HOA. "Where are you headed?" I have another errand to run, and then home."
I game him my paperwork and license and he went back to his patrol car. He came back a few minutes later and handed my stuff back. "I'm going to let you off with a verbal warning on that windshield. Is it OK if I look in the back of your van?" Yes. It's full of stuff from church. We do set-up and take-down every week and I usually just leave the stuff in my van through the week.
He opened the side door, looked inside at folding chairs, speakers and misc. stuff, said "Have a nice day," and I was on my way.

OK, here's what that was really about...'cause it sure wasn't about my windshield! Sherrif Joe Arapaio is on a crusade to rid Maricopa County of illegal aliens. The feds are looking into his department's practices because he's been accused of racial profiling. I don't know if his dept. does that or not. I do know that he's a publicity freak, has an ego the size of Montana and does not play well with others. Ask the mayors of every city in the county and most of the police chiefs.
A white cargo van with the remnants of company lettering could be full of illegals being transported from one place to another. So one of Joe's officers finds an opportunity - a cracked windshield -to pull it over so he can check out what might be in back. Another bust of illegals means more publicity for "the toughest Sherrif in America." If he did, in fact, stop me for a cracked windshield he'd have written me a fix-it ticket.
I don't know if the MCSO is guilty of racial profiling like they've said, but I'm thinking they practice vehicle profiling.
Discriminating?

I got home, changed my clothes and got on my bike for a brisk ride in a brisk wind. They call it hammering - riding head down and legs pushing hard. It was only about 68-70 degrees and the wind made it feel colder. But I gave it stong effort out and back. Got home whooped but feeling good about the workout.
Refreshing!

Pam and I are going on an outing tomorrow night, so my post might come pretty late in the evening. I'll tell you about it when we get home, but I'm looking forward to it!
Anticipating!

My daughter is competing in the local "Tri- for the Cure" Sunday. Aubri's aunt and cousin both have breast cancer and Aubri is doing a triathlon to raise money for research. You go, girl!
Inspiring!

I leave you with a picture Aubri took last Sunday of a portion of the kids at Pathway. I can think of at least three that aren't in this pic, and you can see at least one out of the frame. Can you imagine a greater blessing on a small, new church than this many young children? What a privilege; what a responsibility.
Sobering!