Great Message

Bryan delivered a great message yesterday at church. The drama set him up and he spiked the ball hard (excuse the volleyball analogy) to motivate all of us to think differently about the random encounters with other people we experience. Using Jesus' own life and some thoughts from a book called Consequential Strangers both Ingrid and I were challenged to rethink our finances.

We did some work and cut back in places to make space for some money that can be used to bless others. So now its up to God to tell us where to use the money he has provided to bless others.

Thanks Bryan for a challenging and thought provoking message. To hear it go to http://www.grace.org/audio and listen to the message Consequential Strangers.

Fall, Falling, Fallest

Fall is definitely here and with so much going on at work and at home, whose got time to blog, let alone read them.

But thought I would give a quick update: Kevin at school for his first pre-school year, Connor is turning one and Ingrid and I have celebrated our 10th Wedding anniversary at L'Espelier. I highly recommend it. We booked the chef's table (in the kitchen) and enjoyed an 18 (yes 18) course dinner. The courses were small in size but we left the evening solidly full and having eaten a range of dishes for the first time:

caviar, frog's legs, oysters, cucumber foam (yummy), rabbit, escargot and more. Check it out as it is worth every cent for the memory (but it is way, way up there in price!)

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the two mothers I am proud of - my own mom, whose constant sacrifice for others is inspiring and frightening to behold. She truly lives beyond herself. To my wife and mother of my children - whose ability to engage our boys in constant enjoyment and laughter despite exhaustion and a million other stresses is amazing.

I grew up surrounded by strong women who lived for others and today I find myself trying to teach my boys what it means to be strong men together with strong women. The next few years should be interesting.

God bless each of you as you continue the never ending task of mothering.

Economic Woes Become Consumer Annoyances

I find myself wandering the malls these days trying to keep one toddler happy and an infant quiet. We almost never spend anything and have become aware of a few mall rats like us.

1. The Walk Zealot - these are people who use the malls as their personal gyms walking at brisk paces in laps around the mall. Usually a bad idea to get in their way.
2. The "Mom and Stroller Group" - a group of moms walking sedately pushing any number of children in strollers around the mall - often taking up the entire passageway.
3. The "Business Professional Playing Truant" - any professional looking person, often a man, wandering around the mall talking on a cell phone trying to look like he or she is doing business, but actually they are just avoiding the office.
4. The "Do You Have a Minute Retail Clerk" - my personal all time worst. This person stands with some sort of "freebie" trying to entice all of the above people to come into their store and spend money. They are annoying, invasive and often oblivious to body language and their environment. I was stopped by the same person inside 5 minutes as I walked past a store going one way and back past the store going the other way. I, especially, hate it when they stop to ask you if you are interested in beauty products and try to make up for the obvious mistake by asking if you have a special woman in your life. IT'S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!

I personally fall into the "Leave Me Alone, If I Had Money I Would Hire a Personal Shopper" Category. I go to the mall because it's warm, offers choice and provides places for kids to be fed, changed and played with. I do most of my shopping online - not in the mall. So, while the walkers walk and the strollers stroll, and the wanderer wanders, retail clerks - leave me alone!