"Good" morning...

What a beautiful day today. It feels like it is 70 degrees outside. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, even the trees look a deeper shade of green today.

Well, not much new on the homefront today. A couple of weekends ago, Brenda and I (along with several other couple leaders from our church) attended a Family Life Marriage seminar in Sunriver. I can not tell you how great it was. Words just won't do it. If you have a chance... GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO!!!!!!
I am going to get a little wierd on you for a sec... How is it that we go through life with our spouse and not really know anything about them? I am not talking about their favorite color or hobbies they enjoy. And I am not talking about the food they like... I am talking about knowing your spouses love languages (does your wife love "words of affirmation" or "acts of service?"), having some idea how to get your spouse to laugh until their face muscles hurt. I am talking about doing things for your spouse that they sit back and thank the good Lord above for you.

I wasn't sure that Brenda and I could do that again, but here it comes. I just pray that I am man enough to stay the course and be all that God intended for me to be.

Whew... anyway, we had a great time. The speakers were fun to listen to. One of the bigger topics over the weekend was calling men to be just that... MEN. It was amazing to hear (and actually picture in my mind) where the men in our society are failing. It sounds tough the hear, but it wasn't. It was true. It is probably one of the biggest issues in failing marriages all around us. I could talk forever about it, but won't. If you are interested, read "Tender Warrior." An amazing book written by Stu Weber.

Saturday night was date night, so we barbequed for the other couples and spent the rest of the night just being together and talking about faith and where He has our churches ministries headed.

The kids are healthy! The checking account is still in the positive. My wife (allegedly) still loves me. Did I mention the sun is shining?

God bless you and yours!
CJ

Oops. Been busy I guess.

Ok, so it's official... I am not good at keeping my blog updated. Things are fine. Kenzie will be 16 in less then a month. She just had surgery today and all went well. Cody is in rehab for his shoulder. Cyrus got into a HUGE fight last week, got arrested and then expelled from school. Jacob scored 28 points in his basketball game on Saturday. Shane's girlfriend of almost 2 years, broke up with him for another boy, and now is calling and asking him back. John seems to be having troubles finding a job, and his son (my grandson) are at least healthy. Finally, Brenda has been having wierd (irregular) heart beats (I wonder why...;) and has been wearing a wierd EKG Bra type thingy.

Otherwise, we are completely BORED!

Oh, I know. Brenda and I just moved up ranks in our churches Marriage Ministries. We get a key to the church... yippeee... right? I mean that has got to mean something, doesn't it? I have always dreamed of working at church. Well, anyway, I am excited about the change. Probably just means more responsibility.

Finally, Brenda and I are going to a "Weekend to Remember" in Sunriver. Our church paid for us to go and so it will be a mini vacation that we probably otherwise could not afford. Can't wait!!! It is going to be a ball!

Love you all!
CJ