I dropped the turkey

Ok, not really, but I couldn't think of a good title. I'm glad I didn't drop the turkey. I'm sure some unfortunate soul out there did though. Couldn't you just wash it off? I'm happy to report thanksgiving went well here at my little humble abode. It was nice to see my family and the food turned out good i think. It wasn't nearly as stressful as I thought it would be, so that was a relief. It was strange to not go "home" for the long weekend. Usually its a much needed break from school and 4 days at my parents house is a nice breather, but this year people came here for a few hours Thursday and then I had a quiet weekend in my own place. I did make it out shopping for a few things and got some pretty sweet deals. When I shop for new clothes I have to pay attention to the brand so that I can wear whatever I get to work. Quite honestly it makes me buy things that I normally wouldn't or care about the brand when I normally wouldn't. I was in PacSun and I could only look at Hurley things because I can wear that brand to work because it is owned by Nike. I did find some nice sweaters and a hoody so it worked out ok. I really needed some new brown shoes and haven't found any "appropriate" ones so I splurged and bought some cute sketchers. I don't think you can see the brand name so hopefully no one comments on them. I hate being so conscious of what brand I'm wearing. I feel so materalistic. I only have 4 weeks left at Nike. It makes me kinda sad cuz I'm really going to miss it and the people I work with. I really like my job. It has worked out for me so greatly. The Lord has really taken care of me :) I hope I have made an impact for Jesus on the lives around me.

I got some of my books from Amazon that i have to read for my trip. I have to read 3 books and write 3 papers by Friday and then I have to bring 7 others with me. All of them are dealing with Jesus, the poor and his ministry to the poor. I think I have started to believe less in christianity and believe more in Jesus. If we take a clear candid picture of his life through the Gospels I have wondered if Jesus, the man, would even be in my church. I'm starting to wonder. I hope people can tell, not what I'm following, but who...

Thanksgiving, Soccer and Catholics

Thanksgiving:

I don't think I announced to bloggerland that Thanksgiving is at my house this year. Yep, that is right. My family and friends are coming here and I'm cooking. I have learned a lot in the last week about how to cook a thanksgiving dinner. Its been an open training room discussion many times and today's topic was "how many people cook the stuffing in the turkey?" I haven't decided what I'm going to do, so I bought a box of stuffing that can be cooked in the oven, on the stove top or in the turkey. Would anyone like to weigh in on this poll? I also learned there are a billion ways to cook a turkey. I'm not experienced enough to have my own special touch so I'm just going to roast it like my mom does. Its always delicous when she does it so we will see if I can pull it off too. So that covers stuffing, turkey... gotta do potatoes, rolls, my mom is making greenbean cassarole and my grandma is making pumpkin pie. I think that is it...oh yeah and Lefse. (Its kinda like a norweigen style tortilla) There will be 8-12 people over at my place and a 19lb turkey. I'm excited to see how this all goes. Wish me luck.

Soccer:

My end of the year banquet is tomorrow for my soccer team. We are having it in Sherwood and each of the girls gets a certificate, embroidered scarf and a speech from the coaches. Heidi and I were practicing what to say for each girl. I hope we can come up with enough unique things to say about each one so they all feel special. You can only say "and they were a hard worker..." so many times :)

Catholics:

In a conversation with Lacey about Catholics she says, "They are like big into Mary, like you talk to her when Jesus is busy."

Jesus, Name Above All Names

Is it possible to understand the impact and reality of the above statement? I wish I could.

Why now?

Well i guess i'll starting blogging again today. I don't know how many "agains" this is, but its exactly 3 months since my last blog so why not start now. I want to maybe try and keep a blog while I'm in india cuz it would be a good way to share my experiences during my time there. I don't know if that will be possible or if it will be a priority to keep posting, but I can always try. I just realized that in exactly 3 months from today I will be leaving for India; strange.... It doesn't even feel real or like I'm actually going, but I am and I know I can't imagine what it will be like. I do have to read 3 books and write 3 papers by December 1. I'm currently reading The Jesus I Never Knew by Phillip Yancey. I think it is really good and offers a great perspective on Jesus' life and the poor. It faces the fact that Jesus was in the company of the poor and the outcasts, yet in today's christianity those are the people groups most unlikely to step a foot into church. It touches on the fact that the Jesus represented in Christianity today may not be the Jesus we read about in the bible. I would recommend it.

Last time I wrote I had just started coaching the sherwood soccer team and now our last game is this Saturday. I can't believe how fast it has gone by. We have our end of the year party next Tuesday in Sherwood and then I'll be done. Its been a really fun experience and I hope I was able to make a positive impact on their impressible lives. I mean ate age 11 they are at my house eating spaghetti and decorating sugar cookies and at age 15 they will be getting drunk and having sex with boys. Oh Lord help them.

Well i guess that is it for my blogging debut, once again. Over and out.