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 …
Category Archives: That’s the Story of My Life
Life in the Slow Lane
So after five weeks working at summer Bible camp, I’m back in Wichita. There were friends I made at camp I most likely won’t see again anytime soon. Sad. But, there are friends here I’m getting re-acquainted with. The whole last year of my life seems to be a long series of “hellos” and “goodbye’s.” …
Crocs, Moby Dick, a Lost Toothbrush and a Light Princess
I was too quick to laud the merits of Crocs in my last post. This week one of mine sat out in the sun an entire day and (would you know it?) shrunk down at least two whole sizes! No joke. Made me feel like one of Cinderella’s sisters trying to jam a foot into …
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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 …
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Wilderness Week
Two weeks ago (July 15-21) I was one of four leaders on a week-long Current River canoe trip with fifteen teenagers. Here are a few pictures: ‘ A highlight was the time I spent up late talking with different guys. One night until 2am! When I was a kid (8?) I went on a week …
Teen Week Counseling Update
So I don’t have time to write an update so I’m not going to. Except to say Week 1 of camp went by quickly, and is now over. And true to prediction, I am now officially sleep deprived and worn out. But, it starts all over again tomorrow! So I didn’t use e-mail or phone …
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 …
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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 …
Got Mud?
So this is what we looked like before leaving on our cave adventure: And this is what we looked like after exiting El Cavo de Muddo: And this was taken at a scenic overlook on our way back: I know this blog is supposed to be about following Jesus, but I don’t have …
Life Continues
I’m in the office checking my e-mail. Thought I’d write a short blurb on here as well. I’m still at camp… this week I’m working as a Lifeguard. It’s cool because last week I got Red Cross certified for Lifeguard (as well as updated my Red Cross certifications in First Aid, CPR, and AED). This …
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 …
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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 …
Meantime, Back at the Ranch
I notice there has been a dearth of content on this blog as of late. What’s happened? The answer is I’ve had plenty of ideas to blog about, but been too busy to write them. Too pre-occupied. Most people, when they get pre-occupied, raise suspicion by acting pre-occupied. Which, come to think of it, I …
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 …
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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 …
What Legacy Will We Leave?
Recently I overheard a man on the phone talking to a funeral home. The conversation went something like this: "My sister died Friday. No, we weren’t very close. Yeah… it’s a strange story, haven’t seen her in years. We’re estranged. Sure. Now, you need to understand our family is very small so I want to …
The Way I See Things
Here is a little known fact about me: I have an eye disorder called strabismus. The Symptoms Include: Crossed eyes Double vision Loss of ability to see in 3-D (loss of depth perception) For grins, I photo-shopped the picture below to how I would see it: Yep, that’s how I walk around seeing things all …
And Americans Drive Fast Because…?
On a recent trip down to Oklahoma with my friend Krishnan (who is here in the States short term from India), I noticed how impressed he was at our speed: "120 kilometers per hour! And it doesn’t even feel like we’re moving!" He assured me we could never go that fast in India. "Why? Do …
Accosted at QuickTrip
Was running late to work the other morning. Empty on gasoline. Stopped at QuickTrip. Filled the Jeep. Was ready to leave when a guy comes over to my car. Had a story: Low on gas, wife wouldn’t give him any money, etc. Could he have $10? This has happened before, but it’s been awhile so …
My Nieces
Last night… I hung out with family. After dinner, we went outside and sat around in lawn chairs talking. It was a beautiful evening. I spent time playing with my two little nieces – they’re two and four years old. I tried teaching them how to blow a piece of grass between their thumbs and …
Memorization Inspiration
I attended our annual AWANA awards banquet last Sunday. Many young people were recognized, but one young girl in particular stood out to me. In case you’re unfamiliar with AWANA, it’s a fun program for youth offered in many churches and has a heavy emphasis on Bible memorization. But back to our young heroine, Emily. …
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 …
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Summertime… Hip hip hoorah!
It is now officially summertime. At least in my book. And this means… lots of free time. For the next month all I have going is one college class that meets daily from 7:30am to 9:10am. I have to get up early but then most of my day is unscheduled. Today is the second day …
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, …
Arizona Desert
Arizona. Phoenix. Hot. Very hot. I just checked the temperature: 101 degrees. Fortunately our car has a strong air conditioner. Even though the air temperature in the vehicle is cool, my skin still feels like it is crawling. It must be the radiant heat. UV rays. My face feels flushed and my arms are becoming …
Did I Just Eat an Entire Pizza?
Let me share with you something quite personal… for the last week or two I have had an incredible craving for pizza. Yesterday morning I left for work before 7am and didn’t return to my apartment until 10pm. Driving home I had the bright idea to order a pizza from Papa Johns. Being the type …
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 …
I’ve Really Gotta Go!
Earlier this week in one of my classes a student suddenly out of the blue loudly blurted out, “Can I get a bathroom pass? I’ve really gotta go!” “No.” This is my characteristic response. It’s easy for students to ask for hall passes and special privileges but it’s equally easy for me to say no. …