Kicking off Halloween in Horror

This morning (Halloween day) I went to the DMV and oh, what a horrorible place that is. They talk about the rise and fall of civilizations.  If the “wait time” at the Driver’s License Bureau is any indication, I’d say America is on the rocks. I’ve been twice in two days.  Yesterday I went at …

In the OZARKS, where the Internet is RARE, and the heat is BLAZING

Here at Turkey Hill Bible Camp, finding internet is like finding a burning bush on the North Pole, it just ain’t happening.  Last weekend I didn’t even have time to post a single jot or tiddle on simplefollower.  Making up for it now by posting twice in one fell swoop.  Impressive, I know. So here …

What’s Been Happening, Not Neccesarily How I Feel About It

I’ve been eating fumes this last week so finally made a run to the grocery store.  It was down to the last crumbs at my apartment. Literally, I had crackers and chocolate chips for my mandatory snack last night.  I’ve been living off Taco Bell, church potluck, and free food from family. Though a few …

Home Is Where Your Toothbrush Is

That’s what my brother Luke always says, and I think it’s true. When I got back to Wichita after five weeks of being gone I first went by my parents house because I had given them the key to my apartment.  But then I got to talking with them until late so I just spent …

21 Highlights and Lowlights of Camp Counseling

It’s midnight and I can’t sleep.  This is the beginning of my third week at camp.  Tonight I’m in a new room sharing with 10 other guy staffers.  Right now the lights are out but I don’t think many are sleeping yet.  Several of us are sick. The white noise is incredible.  I think we …

Time Rich. It’s Weird.

I went beach camping most this past week.  It wasn’t until the 3rd afternoon I finally got bored.  Not miserable bored… just relaxed bored.  The picture above shows one of the spots I camped at.  I set my tent up underneath the shade of those Kansas Palm Trees (aka Cottonwoods). Now that I have so …

Sailing in Jesus’ Footsteps

In all the exciting hubbub recently, I forgot I had a blog.  “What exciting is going on?” you may wonder. Several things, but for one, this past Friday was my last day working at my old job! Now before you ask what my next plans are, just let me say the future looks bright and …

Having a Vision as Big as Vuthers

On my way down to Haiti I talked with a Haitian man in the Miami airport for several hours. His name was Vuther and he told me straight-up he doesn’t like America. His reason? The immorality we are exporting to his country. ouch. I find this a common complaint among Internationals. American culture is seen …

The Power of Stick Shift

I got a surprise when I left work the other day: My car wouldn’t start.   The battery was dead because I’d left my headlights on at lunch. Who should I call?  How long would it take for Dad to show up?  How long would it take for Mallikar or Pat to show up?  How …

The Power of Serenity

Last week I visited Botanica Gardens.  It’s my favorite local destination here in Wichita and I’ve been many times.  In fact, think I’m on my third annual membership.  The best time of year to visit is Spring.  Right now, in fact, as the tulips are currently in bloom and breathtaking.  If you go, I recommend …

Arby’s, We Are On To Your Tricks

With all the heavy talk on here recently about people going hungry (like this post about very hungry people I met in Haiti), perhaps it’s time to take a lighter look at food. In particular, Arby’s fast-food. I don’t eat Arby’s much. Not that I don’t like it, I do. It’s just that I’ve found …

20 Things I Learned From a Week on Jury Duty

This past week I worked as a juror on a case involving a string of burglaries.  We the jury found the defendant guilty of 5 of the 7 theft and burglary charges leveled, which involved over $30,000 worth of stolen property.  The punishment will likely be several years on parole. Here are some of my …

Did My Life Peak at Six?

Talking about everything changing… even I’M changing.  Even within a single day I change:  In mornings I’m most creative, in afternoons most tired, in evenings most busy, at night most WIRED.  Once I was a baby, then I was a youth, then I morphed to teen-hood and now I’m just a goof.  Soon I will …

Blizzard Ho in Kansas!

I’ve noticed that Things Change. The temperature, for instance. Over the last few days in Wichita, we have had: 69 degree weather (Saturday) 40 degree weather (Sunday) 24 degree weather (Monday) 7 degree weather (Today) Today is a blizzard. Outside it feels perhaps the coldest I can remember. Howling 40 mph winds are churning snow …

Are We Listening?

It’s easy to talk. It’s harder to listen and I think even harder to ask good questions. As a Math Tutor in the public schools I am reminded over and over the importance of listening. A student asks me for help so I kneel next to him, look over the problem they’re struggling with and… …

What’s for Lunch?

Every morning in the High Schools I’m working in there are morning announcements broadcasted to all the students via intercom. Usually among the announcements a lunch menu for the day is given. Recently I heard one particularly un-appetizing sounding lunch menu, I forget what it was, something like burned lime flavored goulash delight with sides …

Labor Day: Weather & Prayer

Earlier this week, a friend of mine and I specifically prayed it wouldn’t rain over Labor Day. At the time we prayed, the weather forecasters were predicting scattered thunderstorms all weekend. We wanted to take a couple guys out camping on my big boat (before it sells) Sunday night and couldn’t do that if there …

Things Happen When You Do Something

I’ve noticed nothing usually happens unless I go do something. Then something happens. Not always something BIG, but usually something interesting. Case in point, I just got back from a relaxing bike ride. I needed the fresh air and not much was happening here at the ol’ apartment (except for school, and how fun is …

The Fine Art of Procrastination

Last week my professor informed our class of a large assignment that would soon be due. I clearly recall her sternly warning us all, “Now don’t wait until the night before to start on this project because it’s going to take longer than that!” Well, I took her words to heart. I followed her advice …

A Piece of Advice From a Cancer Survivor

In my post yesterday on being late to class I mentioned I had to give a presentation for school. The topic I was assigned to discuss was children diagnosed with malignant cancer. I was supposed to address specific issues or concerns teachers might face or at least need to be aware of while instructing said …

That’s the Story of My Life – A Day Late and a Dollar Short

So how do I respond when things aren’t going as planned? This morning I got to find out. Here was the problem: I needed to print thirty handouts for a presentation I was scheduled to deliver this morning in my college summer class. The class started at 7:30am. On this particular project I had procrastinated …

First day of Graduate School

Today I began my first day of class as a graduate student. I am currently enrolled in a “Master of Arts in Teaching” degree. Don’t ask. As typical for the first day of any course the instructor started with an icebreaker activity. It went like this, each student was supposed to share two things. First, …

Is Teaching Supposed to be This Hard?

Some of my students are very difficult to deal with (er… instruct). Since I haven’t been a teacher long my first reaction is, “Well, this all must be because of me, I must be the problem.” So I try to be nicer, more accomadating, more helpful, and more patient. And then I find out they’re …