What I'm Thankful For

I've tried to shy away from random lists, but this one is just too easy to put together and to important not to post. Please keep in mind that this is very much a stream of consciousness list.

What I'm Thankful For

1. My fantastically happy and extremely healthy son Ezekiel.
2. My fantastically patient, beautiful, and spunky wife Jill.
3. My loving family. Mom and Dad, I wouldn't be here (obviously) without you.
4. My brother and sister. You two are the best. Thanks for all the parenting tips.
5. My In-Laws. Nobody could ask for better. Nobody. John, Joyce, Julie and Randy, you all Rock!
6. ESPN
7. Dr. Sharon Shields. Thanks for taking a chance on a scrawny science teacher.
8. La Vega ISD - the best kept secret in the Waco area.
9. Northside Church of Christ - my home away from home and the only thing that kept me in Waco until I rediscovered Jill.
10. The Abrahams family. My family away from home. Lonnie, Mary, Wes and Bob, I miss you guys. I'm a schmuck for not visiting more often.
11. Email
12. The internet in general.
13. My Mom taking me (and my siblings) to the library every summer...
14. My Dad for instilling in me a good work ethic (much against my will, I might add).
15. My brown Toyota pickup (I'm sure it's still running up and down the highway SOMEWHERE.)
16. My students at school. They drive me crazy, but I'm always up on the latest slang and fads...
17. Cartoon Network
18. Scott Freeman - this blog is his fault.
19. The Dallas Cowboys - not because they win or lose, but because I remember how much fun it was to watch the games with my uncles at my Granma's in the good old days.
20. Every single individual who currently or ever has donned the uniform of the United States Military. I feel safer knowing there are dedicated individuals looking out for me. I want them on that wall. I NEED them on that wall.
21. That I have a list that's longer than 20 entries, and the knowledge that I could list blessings forever and still need more room.
22. That I"m my Mom's "Favorite". (except for when Lance is the favorite or when Whitney is...)
23. That if I ever need advice on anything (no really...anything). My Dad is imminently qualified to give it.
24. That I'm finally smart enough to realize how smart my Dad is.
25. That I'm finally smart enough to realize how funny my Dad is.
26. That I'm finally smart enough to realize that I needed every spanking I ever got, plus roughly 5000 more.
27. That Jill and I agree that Zeke may need several hundred himself before it's done.
28. Jill likes motorcycles too.
29. Jill likes golf too.
30. Jill lets me indulge in the previous two.
31. Jill lets me win at 29.
32. If we ride together, Jill lets me drive (#28).

I can now see the appeal of these lists. Hopefully I'll be able to restrain myself and save them for important occasions.

I'm trying to work up a rant over something reasonably important...maybe about how it's wrong to start Christmas until about December 12th....we'll see.

Being a Loner

I like people. I like to sit and talk, I like to people watch, I like to read about other people and how they live their lives. On my report card, it was often noted "works well with others."

So explain to me why I hate group projects so much.

I've yet to be in a group that I didn't really like all the members. I've not been let down by a group member not pulling their weight (although a few members had to have some "encouragement"). I've not failed a project, as a matter of fact we usually score pretty well. But all of that doesn't change the fact that group projects stress me out.

Once again, seems that I'm discovering that I'm a bit more type A personality that I ever wanted to admit.

Chris

Sing Hallelujah...

I like to sing (a, about the moona and the juna and springa....).

I'm not fantastic, but I can carry a tune. I've even been assigned the title of worship leader at my church. I lead singing during our three worships each week with some other gentlemen that spell me from time to time.

It's not easy. I spent years sitting in the pew making snide comments about how each song was too slow, too fast, too low, too high, or just one that I didn't like. Singing from your heart is much easier in the relative anonymity of the congregation. It's amazing how much easier it is to be sharp or flat with a microphone in front of you. I have a much better understanding what it means to "lead singing." The singing isn't the issue, it's the leading.

Everyone leads a little differently, (some more differently that others granted) but the key for me is to keep going no matter what...I've only had a few MAJOR train wrecks, and even those weren't as bad as I perceived them to be. There have been songs that I've led (and continue to lead) that strictly subscribe to the Joyful Noise theory. There have been songs that I've led that left me with goose bumps (in a good way.)

All this to say the following:

1. I apologize to all those I've criticized (fairly or unfairly) in the past. I now know how hard you work and realize the collective guts it takes to do it.
2. I apologize for all the songs that I've "murdered" in the last 6 months. Either it was purely accidental, or I just thought I knew it better than I did.
3. I apologize for not singing your favorite song often enough, or for singing the song you hate more often than you can take.
4. I apologize for singing new songs if you like the old and vice versa.
5. I apologize for being too intent when I watch someone else lead, I'm just trying to learn...
6. I apologize for getting caught up in singing instead of praising God.

This is clearly a work in progress. I spend part of each day trying to learn something new or polish something I should already know.

I appreciate all those who support me with voices and pats on the back, it keeps me singing as I go.

Chris