Stephan's vocal concert for the Christmas season was held on Friday morning, December 21st at Oak Grove High School. Steph and I had to leave the house by 6am to make it to Oak Grove in time to get a little breakfast and take in this concert. Stephan is in the 2nd row, middle with the maroon shirt under the microphone. He is in two vocal groups at his school!
All three vocal groups did an outstanding job and their principal was very excited about the school's spirit in backing the efforts of their classmates! I hope each of you had a wonderful Christmas and enjoyed time with family and friends.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Friday, December 21, 2007
Frances Turner Was Laid To Rest
What a blessing it was to see many people come out to Frances' visitation then funeral yesterday in Harrisonville, MO. Frances was like my 2nd mom. I grew up with Paul Turner as my best friend and often enjoyed a meal at my house to go next door and have another meal with the Turners. Frances was an inspiration for courage and grace as she made her way into heaven early Monday morning.
I recieved a very special honor the morning of Frances' funeral. While visiting with friends who have come a great distance to say their farewells, Paul approached me as I was joining the crowd to take our seats before the funeral began. He asked me where I was going and I gestured to the crowd. He said, "come on back with us, you're as much a part of this family as others back here. Anyway, that's how mom would have wanted it!" I felt a sense of pride well up in me as I joined the family in the back room before they were ushered in.
Charles opened the service and helped us all laugh alittle and set the tone for a fellowship of joy at Frances' jouney home. Chuck was always great at bringing laughter into God's message for us. I'm very proud of him...the strength of the Lord was ever present in him!
James, the oldest son, had a recorded harmonica song played just for his mom...you could almost see Frances sitting there in her chair, leaning forward with a big smile on he face, ever attentive as she showed her pride for her son's song! Paul read from a letter he had written to his mom paying tribute to her teachings, strengths and always eliciting God's direction in all things that she did. It was a loving letter from a son who missed his mom but knew that one day he would experience her arms around him again when they meet in heaven.
What an inspriation this family is to others. Frances was the backbone of this family and will be missed! The great thing is her inspiration for others to follow the walk God sets before them and the willingness to stay close to the path that God has made. We may not be able to be that backbone, but what we can do is emulate the best we can because of the great teacher God sent to us to learn from these past 65 years. Thanks to everyone who said a special prayer for the Turner family - it was evident that God heard your prayers!
I recieved a very special honor the morning of Frances' funeral. While visiting with friends who have come a great distance to say their farewells, Paul approached me as I was joining the crowd to take our seats before the funeral began. He asked me where I was going and I gestured to the crowd. He said, "come on back with us, you're as much a part of this family as others back here. Anyway, that's how mom would have wanted it!" I felt a sense of pride well up in me as I joined the family in the back room before they were ushered in.
Charles opened the service and helped us all laugh alittle and set the tone for a fellowship of joy at Frances' jouney home. Chuck was always great at bringing laughter into God's message for us. I'm very proud of him...the strength of the Lord was ever present in him!
James, the oldest son, had a recorded harmonica song played just for his mom...you could almost see Frances sitting there in her chair, leaning forward with a big smile on he face, ever attentive as she showed her pride for her son's song! Paul read from a letter he had written to his mom paying tribute to her teachings, strengths and always eliciting God's direction in all things that she did. It was a loving letter from a son who missed his mom but knew that one day he would experience her arms around him again when they meet in heaven.
What an inspriation this family is to others. Frances was the backbone of this family and will be missed! The great thing is her inspiration for others to follow the walk God sets before them and the willingness to stay close to the path that God has made. We may not be able to be that backbone, but what we can do is emulate the best we can because of the great teacher God sent to us to learn from these past 65 years. Thanks to everyone who said a special prayer for the Turner family - it was evident that God heard your prayers!
Monday, December 17, 2007
Christmas Concert in Platte City
Sunday afternoon was the annual Christmas Concert at the high school. That's Shallen on the end of the first row (she is first chair on flute). Shallen played piccolo and flute and had a solo in one of their songs. The music department at Platte City is very strong - each year, they win many awards in marching band and Districts. Following the concert, Shirley (Steph's mom), took us all out for a little dinner. We talked her into Sushi - I really don't think she liked it much...Steph, Shallen and I enjoyed it! I think she'll pick the place next time!
I received report this morning from my good friend Paul, that his mother passed away early in the morning. They didn't really think they would be sharing a Thanksgiving this year with Frances as her cancer was very active - I guess someone forgot to tell the cancer just how tough Frances really was! She was a remarkable lady, one I wish all of you would have had the opportunity to have known. She will be greatly missed by family and friends alike. She's with her Heavenly Father now and probably glowing in his presence! Please remember this family in your prayers as they remember the wonderful life they had with their mother, grandmother, sister, friend, and devoted wife!
Friday, December 14, 2007
A Slow Day
Some days are just not made for a lot of activity...you can see it on the faces of people you run into and you kind of feel it yourself - I think this is one of those days. We have a lot of people missing from work and I spent 35 minutes, to no avail, trying to get some information from four people that were all out on vacation or home sick. This is going to be a very long day, for some! Not for me, my wife is picking me up at 12:30 and we are gone from work until Monday.
We haven't seen a movie in awhile, and with "I Am Legend" on at the shows tonight, I think we'll be checking it out. I remember seeing the earlier version in the 70's starring Charleton Heston (The Omega Man); it was one of my favorites back then. I'm hearing a lot of good chatter about this version with Will Smith.
We're expecting more snow tonight and tomorrow. Up north of the river, we should only see a couple of inches, but I understand south of the I-435 loop, they could get upwards of 8 inches - we'll keep our fingers crossed. I really love snow this time of the year...it seems so much more like Christmas time with a blanket of the white stuff covering my lawn. I really don't mind the cold, because I know my fireplace is only a short distance away.
Shallen has a swim meet tomorrow at the Independence pool (Bridger) for Platte County. She's been doing well in practice - now we'll see if that progresses to the meet. Platte County should have a pretty good showing this year considering they have a pretty small squad and don't have their own pool to practice in.
Stephan's school choir Christmas Concert was cancelled Monday night because of possible ice. It's been rescheduled for a week from today (12/21) at 7:30am at Oak Grove High School! I'm not sure if the school doesn't want anyone to attend or that was the only time available. This will be my first opportunity to see Stephan in something around school this year.
Have a great day everybody and be safe!
We haven't seen a movie in awhile, and with "I Am Legend" on at the shows tonight, I think we'll be checking it out. I remember seeing the earlier version in the 70's starring Charleton Heston (The Omega Man); it was one of my favorites back then. I'm hearing a lot of good chatter about this version with Will Smith.
We're expecting more snow tonight and tomorrow. Up north of the river, we should only see a couple of inches, but I understand south of the I-435 loop, they could get upwards of 8 inches - we'll keep our fingers crossed. I really love snow this time of the year...it seems so much more like Christmas time with a blanket of the white stuff covering my lawn. I really don't mind the cold, because I know my fireplace is only a short distance away.
Shallen has a swim meet tomorrow at the Independence pool (Bridger) for Platte County. She's been doing well in practice - now we'll see if that progresses to the meet. Platte County should have a pretty good showing this year considering they have a pretty small squad and don't have their own pool to practice in.
Stephan's school choir Christmas Concert was cancelled Monday night because of possible ice. It's been rescheduled for a week from today (12/21) at 7:30am at Oak Grove High School! I'm not sure if the school doesn't want anyone to attend or that was the only time available. This will be my first opportunity to see Stephan in something around school this year.
Have a great day everybody and be safe!
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Cold...as in, I've got ONE!
I just can't shake this darn cold! I felt it coming on when I woke on the last day of our cruise. The throat was a little scatchy and I felt a little soreness in my joints - I just thought it was from my run on the deck the afternoon before; I pushed it a little bit. I'm now about five days into it with little sleep at night and my chest weighing twice as much. I feel like I've got that little green guy from the Mucinex commercial setting up house in my chest!
The worst part about all of this is, I was so good about keeping up with my running over the cruise (word is, most average people gain between 7-14 pounds after a week-long cruise because of the available food and general lack of exercise from being on vacation). I think I only gained about a pound and the first day we were on the ship, Steph and I decided to walk the stairs everywhere we went instead of taking the elevator. We definately got our exercise since we were on the 1st deck and the food and activities were either on the 5th or 9th decks.
I haven't done a long run (8-12 miles) in a couple of weeks and was really looking forward to getting back to run with my group on Saturday morning. If I get past this cold by then, the most I can probably expect to go is 6-8 at a much slower pace.
Got news yesterday from mom that the Elkins Christmas party will be at my brother Jeff's house in Lee's Summit on December 29th. We always have a great time; from Derek's weird gifts to everyone (it's become quite a tradition), to seeing all the kids tear into their presents as they exchanged names on Thanksgiving. The food is always great as well: from Caron's famous rolls and baked items to a big ham or turkey for sandwiches. I have a great family and it's always nice to be able to share these times of year with each of them.
Please pray for me that I can get past this cold and back into gear - there's a run (13.1 miles) I'm looking at in January for "hardcore" runners; very hilly and matched with the cold we get around here in January, no wimps need apply!
The worst part about all of this is, I was so good about keeping up with my running over the cruise (word is, most average people gain between 7-14 pounds after a week-long cruise because of the available food and general lack of exercise from being on vacation). I think I only gained about a pound and the first day we were on the ship, Steph and I decided to walk the stairs everywhere we went instead of taking the elevator. We definately got our exercise since we were on the 1st deck and the food and activities were either on the 5th or 9th decks.
I haven't done a long run (8-12 miles) in a couple of weeks and was really looking forward to getting back to run with my group on Saturday morning. If I get past this cold by then, the most I can probably expect to go is 6-8 at a much slower pace.
Got news yesterday from mom that the Elkins Christmas party will be at my brother Jeff's house in Lee's Summit on December 29th. We always have a great time; from Derek's weird gifts to everyone (it's become quite a tradition), to seeing all the kids tear into their presents as they exchanged names on Thanksgiving. The food is always great as well: from Caron's famous rolls and baked items to a big ham or turkey for sandwiches. I have a great family and it's always nice to be able to share these times of year with each of them.
Please pray for me that I can get past this cold and back into gear - there's a run (13.1 miles) I'm looking at in January for "hardcore" runners; very hilly and matched with the cold we get around here in January, no wimps need apply!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
It's Good To Be Home
Even with all the bad weather we are currently experiencing in Kansas City (freezing rain to be followed by snow tomorrow), it's nice to have a place to return to that you call home after a trip. All the familiar things waiting for us after our week-long cruise made it easier for us to enjoy our trip that much more.
Our cruise departed from Galveston on 12/2 with three days at sea before we reached the island of Jamaca, mon, in Montego Bay! This was a very nice place to visit, but really wouldn't want to live there. Steph and I climbed up a 900 foot waterfall and spent our afternoon on a beach basking in the warm 90 degree sun (yes, I'm rubbing it in a little bit)!
Our second stop the next day brought us to the Grand Cayman Island. This was a very beautiful paradise where we had the chance to swim with stingrays and spend the remainder of our day doing a little shopping on the warf.
Our final stop brought us to the Mexican island of Cosumel - very beautiful, but very commericalized. We rode ATV's and visited an ancient Mayan temple. We also did a little bit of snorkling and enjoyed our time relaxing at a small beach resort. All in all, we had a very good time and enjoyed the fine dining aboard the Carnival ship - we will definately be going aboard another cruise ship in the future.
Coming from 90 degree weather back to 20 degree freezing rain was a bit of an adjustment! Honestly, I didn't really care, I had a nice tan for my troubles and some great memories with Steph...what more could I ask for!
Our cruise departed from Galveston on 12/2 with three days at sea before we reached the island of Jamaca, mon, in Montego Bay! This was a very nice place to visit, but really wouldn't want to live there. Steph and I climbed up a 900 foot waterfall and spent our afternoon on a beach basking in the warm 90 degree sun (yes, I'm rubbing it in a little bit)!
Our second stop the next day brought us to the Grand Cayman Island. This was a very beautiful paradise where we had the chance to swim with stingrays and spend the remainder of our day doing a little shopping on the warf.
Our final stop brought us to the Mexican island of Cosumel - very beautiful, but very commericalized. We rode ATV's and visited an ancient Mayan temple. We also did a little bit of snorkling and enjoyed our time relaxing at a small beach resort. All in all, we had a very good time and enjoyed the fine dining aboard the Carnival ship - we will definately be going aboard another cruise ship in the future.
Coming from 90 degree weather back to 20 degree freezing rain was a bit of an adjustment! Honestly, I didn't really care, I had a nice tan for my troubles and some great memories with Steph...what more could I ask for!
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