Blake Thompson daht NetI'm just saying….

Seems that when I get in bed at night and everything is quiet, I begin to think of things that need to get done and things that I should have done already and things that I wish would change in my life. It’s quite a wide variety of things. Everything from I wish my daughter would whine less to I wish I had more of a hunger for reading God’s word to I wish my back never felt stiff. Not bad things at all. But I find myself starting to talk to God about these things and I’m saying, “God, here’s a few things I need from you…” and then sometimes I actually start giving him my grocery list.

But what is it that I really need from God? I think it’s that I need more of Him. Not just to help finish some project I’m behind on or ideas for new projects or a greater realization of huge truths around me, but Him. Him and only Him.

But why are the most simple things sometimes the hardest to live?

I’m unhealthy.

If you were to look at me, especially when I suck in my tummy, you’d think I looked healthy. I could probably even expend some energy to flex or something and look healthy that way too. But I know I’m out of shape. But I’m ready to so something about it. I think I’m going to start running some, and work on my core elements (stomach, back, hips, shoulders) and try to eat right most of the time. I figure if I do that, I’ll be around longer and be able to play w/ some grandkids. That’s a really crazy thought when my oldest is now only 4 years old. But I know that I feel really stiff as a 31 year old guy and expect my back and legs to get even stiffer as the years go on if I do nothing.

Some friends ran a marathon a few weeks ago. My wife ran one a few years ago. I fully believe I can do one if I were to put in the time to train. I’m thinking of doing a half marathon in April. How cool could that be? 187 days from now.

Both girls have had some fever this weekend. Not good. I think Addie’s over it, but Ella’s on the front end of it. Fever is never fun w/ kids.

Friday’s Feast #67

Appetizer
Do you button shirts top-to-bottom or bottom-to-top?
Top to bottom. Is there any other way?

Soup
What is your favorite sandwich?
Probably a Reuben if I’m ordering out. But a good PB&J.

Salad
What was a family project you helped work on as a child?
Family project? What’s that?

Main Course
When have you acted phony?
I think if I ever tried to act like a pony people would have thought I was just acting fake.

Dessert
Do you write letters or postcards? If so, to whom?
Not tons, but sometimes to youth and thank you letters to folks.

We were in Target last Saturday. Looking around. Went down the One Dollar aisle. Saw some things that might be worth a dollar. Then I found a cd with scary sounds. Said it had moans and chains and doors creaking and heartbeats and spooky laughter. All that good stuff. And a scary face was on the front. I wanted to get it. Bev thought it was pointless. But it was only a dollar. So why not.

Bev was afraid it’d scare Addie. But she actually held onto the cd the whole time in the cart. Seems she was both drawn to it and scared of it. I can relate. Sorta like when I used to like going to haunted houses and all growing up. But we got home and she wanted me to put it in the stereo. I did. She ran from the room. I turned it off. She came back and told me to turn it back on. I reached for the stereo and she left again. Oh well.

But now she wants to sleep w/ a light on somewhere. And told Bev that she had scary dreams of things grabbing her and a witch. There was no witch anywhere on the cd. But Bev says it’s because of that stupid cd. Who knows.

But there will be some interesting decisions to be made in the next handful of days. Halloween has been something we’ve skillfully avoided the last couple of years. But it’s going to be decision time. Do we let Addie go get some candy dressed up in a costume? Is it participating in an evil holiday? Or is it like eating meat sacrificed to idols?

More to come later this weekend I think.

The Mississippi State Fair is apparently a big thing. It came to Jackson last Wednesday I believe. Everyone here in Clinton was asking “are you going to the fair?” over and over. And when I told them I’d never been before you’d think I was telling them I’m just now thinking of getting indoor plumbing.

So last night I went. Got started late because of a fight at church. Long story. Sad story, actually. Pray for J and J. Nuff said for now, but maybe more later.

But me and fairs have a love/hate relationship. I think I like them a lot, but they hate me. Or more directly they hate the food in my stomach. Pulling up to the fair I remembered that I’d not eaten supper. That was most def a good thing. But in the front gates they were giving away free Lily White Biscuits. FREE man! How can you turn that down. And with almost the whole thing eaten Bev said,”Are we going to see that later tonight?” Holy Cow! I forgot. So I throw the crumbs away and realize it’s going to be an interesting night.

After a few rides I’m actually feeling weaker of stomach than usual. Drat! So I realize it’s going to happen, so I figgure go ahead and have fun on a few rides while I can. After the one that plays rap music and tribal music really loud with the lightning like stobe lights, I knew it was coming soon. So we wait in line for a Sling-You-Upside-Around-And-Around-Ride and after it was over, Bev looked at me and said, “That wasn’t so bad was it?” I just give a nod and say “yep”.

So I brush past folks and mad dash it to a garbage can. Held it in before i got to it. But let’s just say that Lily White going down is a lot whiter than Lily White coming up…and out of my nose even. So after Cory tries to take a picture of the spew, I clean up and buy a coke. The Large Coke that could satisfy a herd of sheep. I figure I’ll let the acid from the Coke clean the you know what off my teeth.

I wait while Bev, Alex, and Cory ride a ride, then I think I’m ready for another. It wasn’t TOO sick. But the night is almost over. So lets ride the Ferris Wheel before we head out. My body is still feeling a little “swimmy” but I figured the breeze and view of the Ferris Wheel would be good for me. But at mid point, something happened. Something flipflopped in my stomach. Mouth started wattering. And I barely made it past folks to spew my Coke out behind an 18 Wheeler.

So all in all it was a good night. Made it home, watched LOST, and refilled my stomach w/ Cap’n Crunch.

I’m at home. The only one awake. Wife is at some certification class learning muscles and arteries and stuff. My oldest daughter is taking a nap w/ my grandmonther in the guest bedroom. My mom is on the couch asleep. And my baby is in her bed napping too. No clue what the two dogs are doing outside.

I’m tired, but not sleepy. Or the other way around. But not both. I think I’m going to go read some more in Black. Tonight is game night at the Goolsby’s. It’s been dubbed “Fondu A GoGo” what ever the heck that means. John thought giving it a cool name would make it more fun. But I guess we’ll play some classic board/card games. And of course I’ll try to introduce Dance Dance Revolution to everyone. I must be honest. Last Friday night was the first time I’d ever played. But it was quite fun.

Things have been busy at work. Adding a new full time Associate Youth Minister has made me keep on my toes a little more. That’s a good thing though. Small groups on Wednesday nights are booming too.

The girls are doing awesome. Addie likes soccer (doesn’t love it, but you know) and Ella loves life.