So much has happened in the past two weeks, it's difficult to know where to begin. Let's begin with the Thank-yous.
Thanks so very much to Pastor Rusty Abbott, his wife Lou Ann, daughter Jessica and all of the folks at First Baptist Browning. I had a very good weekend with them. It was great to be re-acquainted with the members there and to get to share some magic and a message from God's Word. The church is unlike many in the rural area of northern Missouri. In spite of the economics of the surrounding areas, this fellowship seems to be prospering. They genuinely love each other and their Lord. I believe that they are on the verge of doing a great work in their community. I'm really not sure what it will be. I just know that they want to do something. God wants them to do something. And when they seek His will and move accordingly, something really cool will happen.
To George and Mary who rededicated themselves to Jesus, continue to strive to seek Him out and to live for Him. For my part, I will continue to be in prayer for all of you and yours.
On the home front...
We are buying a new piece of property. Actually, it's an old piece of property. At one time it was the hospital in Ozark. It is located just a block off of the square and in an area that has had much growth over the past few years. The area just to the west of the property, is a part of a New Urbanist Development project that is just beginning. Our immediate plans are to rehab the inside to provide us with living space and an office for myself. It will need a lot of work and we still have to do some checking on restrictions from the Historic Society and on some special financing and grants that are available. We will need to add off street parking and get our existing home ready for the market. As if we didn't have enough to do already! Just the same, we are excited about the move to downtown and looking forward to the finished product. I'll try to get some more pics (inside) at a future time.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Happy Birthday, Aaron
Today Aaron is 18! He is growing to be a fine young man.
Aaron, I am very proud of you. Happy birthday.
I'll sign this post as...
Dad
Aaron, I am very proud of you. Happy birthday.
I'll sign this post as...
Dad
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Slow Learner
Ever feel like you're the one in the class that gets things just a little bit after everybody else? They're moving on and the little light bulb in your head is just coming on. I had that feeling this past weekend.
I was in Northern Missouri again for another weekend revival. Medicine Valley Community Ministries serves four small communities and the surrounding rural area. From south to north the towns are Humphreys (pop. 160), Osgood (51), Harris (105) and Newtown (206). I think it is about 25 miles from Humphreys to Newtown. The pastor lives in Humphreys, the church is in Newtown. It is a very depressed area; not much in the way of work, opportunity or hope.
Pastor Lewis Rogers works the area harder than a man half his age might work it. He invites families to church and if parents won't come, he brings their kids. He made three trips one night to bring kids to the church. Sometimes I felt that he was wasting his time talking to some of the people. It seemed obvious to me that he had made no connection with them and they were serious when they said that they were not coming to church. On Saturday night, I told my wife about two such young men. Lewis was not going to get them to church and he was wasting his time trying.
I know that God was laughing at me Sunday morning when one of them walked in with his grandmother. I'm not sure if Sunday morning was more of an encouragement to me or to Pastor Rogers. It didn't seem like the first three nights were very well attended by the locals. Some guests from Zion Baptist in Cainsville were there each night and helped with the attendance on those nights. Sunday morning saw many of the people that we had visited on Friday and Saturday in attendance. One girl made a profession of faith in Jesus as Savior. One boy that had made his profession a couple of weeks ago came forward for baptism. Two others asked to move their membership to Medicine Valley Community Ministries and I heard another adult talking to Pastor Rogers later about moving his membership to MVCM as well. I spoke with one man that had never come with his wife and little girl before Friday night. He was back on Sunday and I believe that he will continue to attend. I believe that soon he will make his public profession of faith in Jesus.
I had a great time at the Newtown-Harris school on Friday morning. Congrats to Principal Ms. Foster. Her students were well behaved and attentive. I hope that they enjoyed the assembly as more than a break from class!
Next weekend, Browning MO.
John
I was in Northern Missouri again for another weekend revival. Medicine Valley Community Ministries serves four small communities and the surrounding rural area. From south to north the towns are Humphreys (pop. 160), Osgood (51), Harris (105) and Newtown (206). I think it is about 25 miles from Humphreys to Newtown. The pastor lives in Humphreys, the church is in Newtown. It is a very depressed area; not much in the way of work, opportunity or hope.
Pastor Lewis Rogers works the area harder than a man half his age might work it. He invites families to church and if parents won't come, he brings their kids. He made three trips one night to bring kids to the church. Sometimes I felt that he was wasting his time talking to some of the people. It seemed obvious to me that he had made no connection with them and they were serious when they said that they were not coming to church. On Saturday night, I told my wife about two such young men. Lewis was not going to get them to church and he was wasting his time trying.
I know that God was laughing at me Sunday morning when one of them walked in with his grandmother. I'm not sure if Sunday morning was more of an encouragement to me or to Pastor Rogers. It didn't seem like the first three nights were very well attended by the locals. Some guests from Zion Baptist in Cainsville were there each night and helped with the attendance on those nights. Sunday morning saw many of the people that we had visited on Friday and Saturday in attendance. One girl made a profession of faith in Jesus as Savior. One boy that had made his profession a couple of weeks ago came forward for baptism. Two others asked to move their membership to Medicine Valley Community Ministries and I heard another adult talking to Pastor Rogers later about moving his membership to MVCM as well. I spoke with one man that had never come with his wife and little girl before Friday night. He was back on Sunday and I believe that he will continue to attend. I believe that soon he will make his public profession of faith in Jesus.
I had a great time at the Newtown-Harris school on Friday morning. Congrats to Principal Ms. Foster. Her students were well behaved and attentive. I hope that they enjoyed the assembly as more than a break from class!
Next weekend, Browning MO.
John
Sunday, April 08, 2007
He is Risen
He is risen, indeed!
I hope that this Easter finds you rejoicing in the risen Savior, Jesus.
Hopedale Baptist had an incredible Easter Musical, performed on Friday and Saturday nights. Kudos to Rich Langston on selection of material as well as the preparation and direction of the adult choir. Sunday morning service was also awesome--two professions of faith; one child, one adult!
He is risen, indeed!
Saturday morning had the kids of Mountain Home, Arkansas looking for Easter eggs in freezing temps. I was at East Side Baptist for their annual event. The kids had a magic show, some door prizes, the egg hunt, egg decorating contests and some homemade snacks. They really seem to have a great children's department. If you're in the area and have kids, check them out. It was great to be able to celebrate Easter with them again. Thanks, Lora!
It's Humphreys, MO later this week for a weekend (Thurs-Sunday) Revival. Keep me in your prayers!
John
I hope that this Easter finds you rejoicing in the risen Savior, Jesus.
Hopedale Baptist had an incredible Easter Musical, performed on Friday and Saturday nights. Kudos to Rich Langston on selection of material as well as the preparation and direction of the adult choir. Sunday morning service was also awesome--two professions of faith; one child, one adult!
He is risen, indeed!
Saturday morning had the kids of Mountain Home, Arkansas looking for Easter eggs in freezing temps. I was at East Side Baptist for their annual event. The kids had a magic show, some door prizes, the egg hunt, egg decorating contests and some homemade snacks. They really seem to have a great children's department. If you're in the area and have kids, check them out. It was great to be able to celebrate Easter with them again. Thanks, Lora!
It's Humphreys, MO later this week for a weekend (Thurs-Sunday) Revival. Keep me in your prayers!
John
Friday, April 06, 2007
Giving Comfort, Giving Life
I doubt if there are very many reading this that don't know and care deeply for someone that is afflicted with some type of cancer. It would be more likely that we all know and love someone with some type of cancer and in some stage of treatment.
It was many years ago that another air traffic controller's daughter had leukemia. That was when I first found out that chemo-therapy destroys the body's blood platelets. Some times they would have to take her to the hospital because of nose bleeds that wouldn't stop. They would often give her donated platelets to help control the bleeding. That's what got me started on platelet donations. Apheresis is a process that takes whole blood and separates the platelets. The platelets are collected and the rest of the blood is returned to the donor.
Over the past several years, the machines used for this process have advanced a great deal. Today, you can give platelets, plasma, and a unit of whole blood in a matter of a couple of hours. The shelf life of donated platelets is only a few days. Therefore it is necessary to have a regular supply of donors. Unlike whole blood, you can make a platelet donation every few days (although the American Red Cross restricts you to a maximum of 24 donations in a year). Qualifications for donors are pretty much the same as for whole blood. There are some additional restrictions. You should check with your local Red Cross or community blood center.
It's been a little while since I've made a donation. It's not that I haven't thought about it, it's just a little bit inconvenient most of the time. By the time I drive into Springfield, answer the standard questions make the donation and have the obligatory liquids and snack--it's half of a day! On the other hand, it is nothing like the inconvenience of the treatment that creates the need for donors. When you are done, you're not going to feel bad or get sick. You're not going to lose your hair. You're not going to worry about your health, your family, your medical bills or any of the other many worries of a cancer patient.
Well I have convinced myself of the need to make a donation. Any other takers?
John
It was many years ago that another air traffic controller's daughter had leukemia. That was when I first found out that chemo-therapy destroys the body's blood platelets. Some times they would have to take her to the hospital because of nose bleeds that wouldn't stop. They would often give her donated platelets to help control the bleeding. That's what got me started on platelet donations. Apheresis is a process that takes whole blood and separates the platelets. The platelets are collected and the rest of the blood is returned to the donor.
Over the past several years, the machines used for this process have advanced a great deal. Today, you can give platelets, plasma, and a unit of whole blood in a matter of a couple of hours. The shelf life of donated platelets is only a few days. Therefore it is necessary to have a regular supply of donors. Unlike whole blood, you can make a platelet donation every few days (although the American Red Cross restricts you to a maximum of 24 donations in a year). Qualifications for donors are pretty much the same as for whole blood. There are some additional restrictions. You should check with your local Red Cross or community blood center.
It's been a little while since I've made a donation. It's not that I haven't thought about it, it's just a little bit inconvenient most of the time. By the time I drive into Springfield, answer the standard questions make the donation and have the obligatory liquids and snack--it's half of a day! On the other hand, it is nothing like the inconvenience of the treatment that creates the need for donors. When you are done, you're not going to feel bad or get sick. You're not going to lose your hair. You're not going to worry about your health, your family, your medical bills or any of the other many worries of a cancer patient.
Well I have convinced myself of the need to make a donation. Any other takers?
John
Monday, April 02, 2007
Revival at Zion Baptist
Well, it was a wonderful weekend! Friday was a bit of a long day as I made the nearly five hour drive from Ozark to Cainsville after working the midnight shift at the tower. I was a little concerned about making it to the school program on time but had a few minutes to spare. Like many small, rural communities, Cainsville houses all grades, K-12 in the same building. All 120 students attended the assembly/magic show except for a few that were at an FFA event. It’s a little different trying to put together a “Self Esteem” program that is both entertaining and informative when your audience ranges from elementary ages through high school. You want the entertainment to be fun for the younger kids without boring the older ones and want to speak to the older kids without losing the younger ones or being age inappropriate in content.
Friday night at the church was well attended with several in attendance from neighboring churches and a great representation from the members of Zion Baptist. We even had a local guest, Silas, make a brief appearance. Notably absent were Jordan and Brandi Crouse, as they were celebrating the arrival of young daughter Carly, born Friday afternoon. I missed getting to hear Jordan sing this year, but I certainly understand his absence. Saturday night and Sunday morning services were also well attended. Lunch at the church on Sunday was awesome! Great job, ladies!
All in all, I had a great time. Kudos to Pastor Richard and all of the family at Zion Baptist. A special thanks to Brother Bob for opening his home to me. I only hope that they all had as much fun as I did.
The spring continues to be busy with a trip next Saturday to Mountain Home, AR. I’ll be at the Easter Egg Hunt at Eastside Baptist Church. My own church, Hopedale will have the Easter Musical, Forever Triumphant at 7 pm Friday and Saturday nights. Please come and celebrate with us!
Easter Sunday will find me at work in the evening. Thanks to Tammy for trading days off with me. That will allow me to be in Humphreys, MO for a Thursday-Sunday Revival the following weekend. It is a great joy to work with Christian brothers and sisters that take part in my ministry by trading shifts or by working so that I can be gone. Thanks to you all!
He is risen!
He is risen, indeed!
John
Friday night at the church was well attended with several in attendance from neighboring churches and a great representation from the members of Zion Baptist. We even had a local guest, Silas, make a brief appearance. Notably absent were Jordan and Brandi Crouse, as they were celebrating the arrival of young daughter Carly, born Friday afternoon. I missed getting to hear Jordan sing this year, but I certainly understand his absence. Saturday night and Sunday morning services were also well attended. Lunch at the church on Sunday was awesome! Great job, ladies!
All in all, I had a great time. Kudos to Pastor Richard and all of the family at Zion Baptist. A special thanks to Brother Bob for opening his home to me. I only hope that they all had as much fun as I did.
The spring continues to be busy with a trip next Saturday to Mountain Home, AR. I’ll be at the Easter Egg Hunt at Eastside Baptist Church. My own church, Hopedale will have the Easter Musical, Forever Triumphant at 7 pm Friday and Saturday nights. Please come and celebrate with us!
Easter Sunday will find me at work in the evening. Thanks to Tammy for trading days off with me. That will allow me to be in Humphreys, MO for a Thursday-Sunday Revival the following weekend. It is a great joy to work with Christian brothers and sisters that take part in my ministry by trading shifts or by working so that I can be gone. Thanks to you all!
He is risen!
He is risen, indeed!
John
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Magic Conference
Here's the promised post regarding the Conference in Branson, May 3-5(Bonus day May 2). My friends Marty and Brenda Hahne, along with Duane and Mary Laflin have been bringing this conference to Branson for the past several years. As in years past, I will be out of town for that weekend and will again miss the conference. In addition to the lectures and the dealers, you also get to experience some of the magic entertainment in Branson. If you need a church to attend on Sunday morning, I invite you to take a short drive north to Ozark and visit us at Hopedale Baptist Church. Sunday evening is our annual Community Day event from 4-7 pm. Look me up. I'll be back by Sunday morning.
If you're looking for information on the conference, here is the link. I'm also adding their site (Dazzling Magic) to the links section in the right column. Marty and Brenda produce many of the props that they sell on their site and chances are good that you have seen them in the dealer room of a conference or workshop that you have been to in the past. Marty and Brenda are both talented entertainers in addition to being expert craftsmen. Try them for their silks or other products.
Let me know if you plan on attending the conference and also send me a post conference comment if you care to take the time.
My own weekend plans will find me in Phoenix for a National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) National Constitution Committee meeting. Since the Diamondbacks will be in town against the Mets, I'll be forced to endure yet another MLB event this year. I'll be back sometime Saturday afternoon and be working midnight to 8 am at the tower.
Life is good, God is great!
John
If you're looking for information on the conference, here is the link. I'm also adding their site (Dazzling Magic) to the links section in the right column. Marty and Brenda produce many of the props that they sell on their site and chances are good that you have seen them in the dealer room of a conference or workshop that you have been to in the past. Marty and Brenda are both talented entertainers in addition to being expert craftsmen. Try them for their silks or other products.
Let me know if you plan on attending the conference and also send me a post conference comment if you care to take the time.
My own weekend plans will find me in Phoenix for a National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) National Constitution Committee meeting. Since the Diamondbacks will be in town against the Mets, I'll be forced to endure yet another MLB event this year. I'll be back sometime Saturday afternoon and be working midnight to 8 am at the tower.
Life is good, God is great!
John
Busy, Busy, Busy!
Alright, maybe unorganized would be a better description of my time than busy. Let me try to put things in a nutshell.
First of all, you may have noticed that I've added a blog to the Blogs I Frequent section of this page. "It's a Numeric Life" is a fun blog, full of some very interesting statistics. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I do.
I added an AFL-CIO blog for a short time but removed it because I really don't frequent it. However, here is a good article dealing with some aspects of my work life. (4 years, 9months, 11 days!)
This weekend is the revival in Cainsville, MO. I am looking forward to renewing some old friendships and enjoying my time in Northern Missouri. Sunday evening is the kick-off event for the Deacon Family Ministry at Hopedale Baptist Church. I'll do everything I can to be back in time for the evening fellowship. Since I will be gone for most of the month, Rob Halley will be teaching our Sunday School class throughout the month of April, thanks Rob.
On Friday the 6th and Saturday the 7th, Hopedale's choir will be presenting this year's Easter Musical. Yours truly is one of the narrators. That's just over a week to memorize the narration. Should've started earlier! Busy, busy, bu...I mean unorganized (again!). Saturday morning will find me in Mountain Home, Arkansas for an Easter egg hunt/magic program. Another church that I have the pleasure of returning to. It is always good to be asked to come back to a place.
Speaking of being asked back, I'll be returning to Baptist Hill Children's Camp again this year. This year, the Association has asked me to serve as Camp Pastor. What an honor! I've been to camp on two or three previous occasions for a one night magic program. This year, I'm looking forward to spending the entire (almost) week with them. I'll still need to work a couple of days/nights at the tower, but thanks to my Christian brothers at work that have traded shifts or covered my days, I'll be able to satisfy both obligations.
In my next post, I'll tell you about a magic conference in Branson and about another book recommendation. (I'm not finished reading it yet!) For now, the horses need tending to and my pillow is calling my name (I have another mid-watch tonight).
First of all, you may have noticed that I've added a blog to the Blogs I Frequent section of this page. "It's a Numeric Life" is a fun blog, full of some very interesting statistics. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I do.
I added an AFL-CIO blog for a short time but removed it because I really don't frequent it. However, here is a good article dealing with some aspects of my work life. (4 years, 9months, 11 days!)
This weekend is the revival in Cainsville, MO. I am looking forward to renewing some old friendships and enjoying my time in Northern Missouri. Sunday evening is the kick-off event for the Deacon Family Ministry at Hopedale Baptist Church. I'll do everything I can to be back in time for the evening fellowship. Since I will be gone for most of the month, Rob Halley will be teaching our Sunday School class throughout the month of April, thanks Rob.
On Friday the 6th and Saturday the 7th, Hopedale's choir will be presenting this year's Easter Musical. Yours truly is one of the narrators. That's just over a week to memorize the narration. Should've started earlier! Busy, busy, bu...I mean unorganized (again!). Saturday morning will find me in Mountain Home, Arkansas for an Easter egg hunt/magic program. Another church that I have the pleasure of returning to. It is always good to be asked to come back to a place.
Speaking of being asked back, I'll be returning to Baptist Hill Children's Camp again this year. This year, the Association has asked me to serve as Camp Pastor. What an honor! I've been to camp on two or three previous occasions for a one night magic program. This year, I'm looking forward to spending the entire (almost) week with them. I'll still need to work a couple of days/nights at the tower, but thanks to my Christian brothers at work that have traded shifts or covered my days, I'll be able to satisfy both obligations.
In my next post, I'll tell you about a magic conference in Branson and about another book recommendation. (I'm not finished reading it yet!) For now, the horses need tending to and my pillow is calling my name (I have another mid-watch tonight).
Friday, March 16, 2007
Baseball in the Midwest
The summer baseball trip with my son Aaron is shaping up nicely. I now have tickets for six of the seven games in our week long adventure. The trip begins in Kansas City on June 14th with the Royals playing the Cardinals. Friday we drive to Chicago and Wrigley Field for the Cubs and Padres. Saturday is Cleveland's Jacob's Field for the Indians and Braves--a battle of the tribes. Sunday is Cincinnati against the Rangers, Monday we're back to Chicago for the White Sox vs. the Marlins, Tuesday up to Milwaulkee for the Brewers vs. the Giants (we have right field bleacher seats for this one!). We end in St. Louis for another Cardinals vs. Royals game. All-in-all, six different cities (Chicago twice), seven different ballparks in seven days. I still have to get tickets for the St. Louis version of the Cards/Royals match up.
I look forward to spending time with Aaron, seeing which Midwest park has the best hotdog, and adding three ballparks to the list of major league parks where I've watched a ballgame. I'm planning on a post or two during the week just to let you know what a great time we're having.
John
I look forward to spending time with Aaron, seeing which Midwest park has the best hotdog, and adding three ballparks to the list of major league parks where I've watched a ballgame. I'm planning on a post or two during the week just to let you know what a great time we're having.
John
Thursday, March 15, 2007
When Volunteering Becomes Mandatory
Well the FAA strikes again. More lies to the press. The problem is that when the press reports what they are told by the FAA, everybody assumes that it is the truth.
Our adminstrator has said that new hires to the air traffic controller workforce will be making $90,000 in five years. I think that I'd be better off to quit and hire in at the new pay scale (about half of my current pay). That way in five years I'd be making more than I'm making now after fifteen years. Since they have frozen my current pay, I'd come out ahead, right? Yeah, right!
The latest lie? If you have been following any of the news related to the shortage of controllers, you already know that many of the busiest facilities in the country are scheduling controllers to work six days per week. Yesterday we found out that we've been volunteering to work this overtime! FAA spokesperson Diane Spitaliere told the Cleveland Plain-Dealer in yesterday's (March 14) editions:"We do have overtime at some facilities, but it is strictly voluntary," she said.
With our own shortages at Springfield (SGF), I've been volunteered to work an overtime shift on Saturday. Unfortunately, that means that I won't be at Silver Dollar City this weekend. My apologies to my friend Chris Newsom at the magic shop. Stop in and see them anyways!
Only 1,759 days to retirement eligibility!
John
Our adminstrator has said that new hires to the air traffic controller workforce will be making $90,000 in five years. I think that I'd be better off to quit and hire in at the new pay scale (about half of my current pay). That way in five years I'd be making more than I'm making now after fifteen years. Since they have frozen my current pay, I'd come out ahead, right? Yeah, right!
The latest lie? If you have been following any of the news related to the shortage of controllers, you already know that many of the busiest facilities in the country are scheduling controllers to work six days per week. Yesterday we found out that we've been volunteering to work this overtime! FAA spokesperson Diane Spitaliere told the Cleveland Plain-Dealer in yesterday's (March 14) editions:"We do have overtime at some facilities, but it is strictly voluntary," she said.
With our own shortages at Springfield (SGF), I've been volunteered to work an overtime shift on Saturday. Unfortunately, that means that I won't be at Silver Dollar City this weekend. My apologies to my friend Chris Newsom at the magic shop. Stop in and see them anyways!
Only 1,759 days to retirement eligibility!
John
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