This is my hedgehog. Her name is Chloe and she is just a baby. Why I think I needed one, I have no idea. Now she lives next to Bacon, the blind guinea pig, (the “baconator”)…. while Sophie and Maddie (the rats) live in Megan’s room… then there is Sox, the dwarf hamster that lives in Tori’s room, and Jenna, the dwarf Rabbit that now lives in Hannah’s room…. and oh yeah… the four cats, Sabrina, Ozzie, Deliliah and Kovu (in order of age) that have the run of the house.
So why do I need a hedgehog? The answer is simple… I don’t. Except that one day several weeks ago, I was at PetLand, and noticed them. ThenI started researching them. The I kept going back to visit her. And finally, while on a brief outing Saturday, I lost my mind, and I stopped and bought her. She has quills like a porcupine, only not as sharp and she doesn’t shoot them at you. As long as she knows you are coming, she doesn’t bristle up and you can handle her very easily. She is like the kids… sleeps all day and up all night, so she fits in around here just fine.
So I had her out tonight, and she’s very inquisitive, she likes to root around like a pig, checking out everything she can find. Due to the storm, there seems to be a lot of bug type creatures that are trying to move inside my house, much to my disapproval. Granted, I have a lot of pets in this house, but many of them are refugees from a cruel world. I found one of those critters that resembled an ant on steroids and thought that banging it on the head with a shoe would end it’s life, but being the tough little booger that it was, ittried to trudge on… until Chloe found it. Then it became desert!
Needless to say, Chloe had found her purpose in this house. As far as I am concerned, she can have all the ants she can stomach.
I have had to change up my planned list a little, as Marc was planned for a little further down the line. The thing I need everyone to keep in mind is that this “Hall of Fame” of mine is not meant to establish any kind of favoritism. I just merely want to randomly bless those who bless me and my family. Just recently, James Keller reminded me that we should hug our loved ones everyday because you never know when life will change, as we have all witnessed, much too much for my liking recently. This is my way of “hugging” my peeps. The reason I picked Marc (with a C) today is because ITS HIS BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And since I have not been able to get my act together to even call him today and wish him a Happy Birthday (how lame is that?!?!), I thought that this was the least I could do… seeing as how I only have 40 minutes left in his birthday.
For those of you who don’t know, Marc (shown here with Chris at the San Isidro Outreach - although I’m not real sure what is it they are trying to do in the picture) is our Youth Pastor, along with his beautiful wife, Tara. I don’t even know how long I have known Marc… he’s just always kinda been around. He has a HUGE heart, especially for young people to come to the saving knowledge of Christ. He’s not perfect (what….? did I just hear Gideon throw out a faint ‘amen’ just now???) but he’s a great friend. For those of you who do know Marc… ’nuff said.
Through the years, one of my favorite things to do, was wait until Marc took the mic, and then hit the mute button. Then, as he would inspect the mic to see why it wasn’t on, I would un-mute. I knew that he knew what I was doing but it was a fun game. Cool thing about Marc, he is a good sport pretty much all the time. Until the BBQ is delivered thirty minutes before the banquet only to find out no one is coming to serve it. THEN he’s not a happy camper, but that’s understandable.
It’s not easy being the leader of any gang, much less this gang. I am sure there are days when he just sits with his head in his hands wondering why he messes with us. But that’s what he is called to do. He’s the gang leader of the AGCC’s Messiah’s Misfits. And he’s a good one too. I doubt there is anyone in our group right now that could- or would even want to- take his place. It’s not as easy as he make’s it seem.
So… Happy Birthday Marc! - What’s left of it! I’m here for ya bud!
I saw a sign tonight on the way home from tonight from the movies. It was on the marquis if the Central Christian Church at Nolana and 12th. It said:
“Pray for the Sarver Family - I am a life that was changed - Love you Cheri”
Cheri Sarver passed away in a car accident Thursday. The news spread fast. Everyone in the community is shocked. Things like this just are not supposed to happened to good people and Cheri was one of the best. I’ve known Cheri and her family for over twenty years now. This was a needless tragedy, taking one of this community’s most prized possessions away from us. We all know where Cheri is right now, and she’s loving every minute of it - I can almost picture her and Richard Brumley and Aunt Rosemary creating all kinds of ruckus in Heaven! One thing that I know for sure though, is that Cheri lived for the sole purpose of changing lives. Apparently, there is a life at Central Christian that she changed. I suspect that come Tuesday, and Baptist Temple begins to fill up with those that love her, they will find the facility is not large enough to hold everyone that loves Cheri. So wear purple on Tuesday, as it was her favorite color and change a life, in Cheri’s honor.
Everyone that knows me, knows about John Keller, so we won’t even spend time talking about what got him to this point. He has come a long way since February 17th, but he’s going to make it. In this video, he is holding and kissing his baby boy. This was signficiant because he did not tense up. He’s coming back! And I can’t wait to hear what he has been thinking about all this time!
This is my Mexican Shrek, Rico. He is one of my two “gentle giants”. If you met Rico on the street in the middle of the night, not knowing who he was, you would - I would for sure- cross the street and take the long way home to avoid him. But, as you get to know him, he is just a big teddy bear. Here is a guy that has several major challenges in his life, but he hangs in there. I have had him on a “girl fast” for awhile. All these cute little things chasing him…. yeah. That spells trouble, among other things. He behaves in front of me, but I know when I’m not around, he gives in, and talks to about 23 of them.
Rico is really shy - until you get him on the football field. Then its a full on in-your-face-stomp-your-butt kinda deal. Rico is faithful to the Department, and able to do just about any of it. Much longer and he could take over and just do it all. We could not do a lot of what we do without him.
Sorry… got a little interrupted by life. I now resume my Hall of Fame.
This is Art. No… he didn’t fall down, but yes, he was laying on the floor in this picture. It was seven thousand degrees outside and the poor guy was just trying to cool off. Art came to us in the Media Dept not too long ago. Quiet, but one of the most awesome guys you will ever meet. His heart is as big as Dallas, and his desire is to see people come to a saving knowledge of Christ. Art gets up at an un-godly time in the morning to make the men’s prayer meeting, and once a month you will find him hanging out in the back parking lot loading out Churches with food for their communities.
Art is dedicated to his family and his friends. He is crazy-talented in the Graphic Arts and will undoubtedly, do well in his life. His family is equally as awesome. They are supportive of their kids and family as a whole. Art is a major blessing in my life.
This is Sara(h). I’m not sure if there is an “h” on the end of her name or not, so I have elected to spell it my way. Sara(h) is beautiful. Her smile is contagious and she carries enough electricity in her personality to keep the Eastern sea board lit for a thousand years. There is absolutely no way you can be in this girl’s presence and not be in a good mood, but it’s her heart that sets her apart. You don’t even have to ask her to do anything, you just point your finger in a direction, and she takes off and does it. She is content whether on the move or not , and OH MY GOD, can this girl bake!!!!! She showed up to Glory and the Fire the night that Marty was attacked by the base of the cross, with an entire gallon zip lock baggie full of homemade cookies. After my birthday, she brought me a little bag of cookies just for me. I didn’t have to share them with anyone. I felt so honored.
This girl was a mover and a shaker in San Isidro. She helped keep the costume room in control and limited the chaos that can sometimes go on in there. She was a tremendous help and very fun to be with (even if she did crash out on us early in the evening for awhile).
Watching Sara(h) grow in the Lord is awesome. She is such a blessing. I am reminded of the scripture that says “the joy of the Lord is my strength”. Two words that definitely define Sara(h)…. joy and strength. When I think of Sara(h), I think of Isaiah 61: 1-3 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, to grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting, so they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord that he may be glorified.
Now the bummer is that we are losing Sara(h) soon. She will be leaving for school in a few months, and I am not sure there is way to fill that void. However, for the time we have her, we are grateful. I am a better person for have Sara(h) in my life… whether she has an “h” on the end of her name or not.
Yet another Finley. This one though, marches to the beat of a different drum. The cool thing about THIS Finley is that he is definitely unique and original. He is not afraid to be different and he is not afraid to be real. Gideon is a very transparent person. He is what he is and you get what you get - honesty, integrity, hard-working, creative and kindness. He has a servant’s heart and gives of his time and his talents endlessly. It seems that anytime there is a project to be done, Gideon is one of the first ones to volunteer, there early, and he leaves last.
For the longest time, I spelled his name incorrectly. I would always put two “ds” in there. He never said a word about it. In fact, it was one of my other boys who pointed it out, and while I am feeling real stupid about it, he tells me “no big deal, everyone does it”. That’s Gideon… always has everyone’s back.
When I think of Gideon, this is the scripture that comes to mind: II Tim 2:10, but from The Message: That’s why I stick it out here- so that everyone God calls, will get in on the Salvation of Christ in all its glory. This is a sure thing.
This I know for sure: Gideon is a great man of God. He is no different that some of the Disciples that Christ called to follow Him. His heart is to see people coming to a saving knowledge of Christ and he doesn’t mind what he ask him to do in the process of capturing those hearts and THAT is why Gideon is special.
Mark with a “K”. You have to differentiate between the two, otherwise, Marc with a “C” thinks you are talking to/about him (just kidding Marc with a “c”) I have to say that I have probably known Mark since he was 4… maybe 5…? It’s been a long time. Mark was always kind of like the Lone Ranger. You would see him, he would help you, but he would never talk to you. About a year and a half ago, Mark showed interest and wanted to work in the department. So, we did what we always do. We threw him on Camera 4. He did well from the get go. Then we brought him into the sacred “media office” and started letting him shadow in the controlling and directing of the services. He did well at that too. Here recently, he could be seen on stage during service using Camera 5.
Mark is awesome. He has a sense of humor that will just floor you- assuming that you can get him to talk loud enough to hear him. So when the call went out for the San Isidro project, Mark stepped up to the plate. This kid sacrificed his Friday night and all day Saturday that weekend to come and hang with us. He promptly got wind-blown to death (sorry about the hair, dude), heat exhaustion, but hey, you got to sleep in a tent under the…. eh…. well… um…. pavilion - BUT the stars were out over the pavilion!!!!!!!!!!! Mark helped film and did a wonderful job. And for that, he gets a cut of the blessings from the people who made decisions for Christ that day.
I see Mark as a Messenger of God. Malachi 3: 1 “Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming”, says the Lord of hosts. Mark is the a messenger of God. And if Jesus came walking through our midst one day, it wouldn’t surprise me at all that He would walk right past all of us, and right up to Mark, and say “job well done, son”.
Talk about a trooper! This is my bud, Tros. She comes from the Finley Clan where the entire family is just a bunch of special people (and I mean that in a good way). All I ever have to do is look at her and say something to the effect of: “Hey, you wanna….???” and she’s there. No questions asked. So when the opportunity to do the outreach came up, she was on board real quick. Tros is a perfect example of peace and patience. Anytime you become overwhelmed, she will help bring things back into perspective. She doesn’t mind being in the background, but she doesn’t mind being right out front. She will improvise and go with the flow.
Word of advice about this girl though… if she is chasing you down with a bottle of juice or water, and its 106 degrees outside, just humor her and drink the bottle. Otherwise, this little meek and mild sweetheart just might hurt you.
So I googled the origin of the name “Troslene”. I can’t find it. It must be something that Barry and Tel made up. At least they didn’t name her something like… Frederica. Now, that would just be wrong. Anyway… I love Tros. Always a smile, always a hug, always a cheerful face. A perfect example of a servants heart, this one is, and I feel privileged to have her in my life!
If I had to pick a scripture for Tros, it would be Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Your rock Tros!
