Skolroods meet the Wongs and friends

Order of pics from Christmas in California!

1) My beautiful sis - Cindy and her son Mikey
2) My parents
3) A candid shot of our good friend Jenny with Michele sharing a laugh
4) Another great candid shot of Jon - Jenny's husband

Wongs...meet Skolrood

Order of pics

Michele with Gianna (cousin's baby)
Future mother in law (Louise) and her sister
Future brother in law - Greg and Michele
Michele with Ella - niece

What's the Heart's Treasure?

But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. LUKE 2:19

The verses before this spoke of shepherds who ran in haste to see the child of promise the angels heralded about.

You can imagine the moment when the shepherd bursted into the manger. They are sweaty, smelly and with eyes wide-like saucers. You can see Mary, clutching her baby and Joseph in a protective stance. What’s going on?

Then the shepherd’s story sputtering speech mixed with excitement retelling their angel encounter — it dawns on Mary once again — her child is truly profound. It feels like yesterday when Joseph told her of HIS angel encounter.

How many angel encounters does a mother get? Is there more?

It’s crazy enough when babies leap inside wombs upon your arrival and people starts talking of heaven.

But you'll never forget it - these moments where the heart is alive in joy, or pain.

Moments like : Your wedding. Your first kiss. Graduation. That win you never thought possible. 9/11. When someone close to you died. Holding your child the very first time.

This was a moment you write in your journal. A moment where you connect with the next one, and from the previous one...to see your life is with and for God Himself. It’s these spiritual moments where you can pull away like Mary from the diaper changes,the worries of money, the bad news of life – and see God through it all and He will carry you through.

The scripture is filled with God moments. Moments of despair RENEWED. The hopeless RESTORED. The weak made STRONG.

I cannot help but see Mary seeing her son on the cross, and flash backing to all these MOMENTS - these encounters with the Divine.

It’s a MOMENT that will define who you are.

Airport Nightmare with Security AAAARGH!

This is more up-to-the-minute then CNN.

Travel tip: TSA security caused Michele and I to drop out of our security check-in and go back to baggage check in. Anything - pills, toothpaste, hairspray, hair gel - cannot be brought on board the plane. Even an 8oz bottle of water Michele brought had to be finished before going through security.

So with all Michele's makeup, personal beauty products, vitamins, supplements - we had to transfer everything from our luggage to our carry-on. I was extremely fustrated and exasperated. But there was probably $40.00 wroth of goodies we would have to throw away if we didn't check in our baggage. Fortunately, our flight is not a transfer.

MY TRAVEL ADVICE: Ship all bottles, pills, personal beauty products to your location in advance - or prepared to do check-in baggage. I hope my guests for the wedding remember this advice - especially women and couples (or the husbands).

Other than that - the weather here is wonderful, but Michele and I agree: we are no fans of air travel.

Admit it

Call me a sucker for underdog stories. I admit it - a part of me wants to see this 'last' Rocky flick.

Rocky was one of those characters you just love to root for. I've always said, if you didn't care about the character in a movie - it's not going to be good...and it was good. The movie also won the Academy Award for Best Picture - which sounds so ludicrous until you watch the movie.

If that movie doesn't inspire you to root for an underdog, maybe this clip will. It's a touching clip of a father's commitment to his son -who was paralyzed after an umbilical cord wrapped around his neck as a baby. The two entered race after race and every time the father gives moments to the son where the son says he doesn't feel like he's handicap. It's absolutely inspiring.

Upcoming trip

Well, this week Michele and I will be off on our early Christmas visit to see my family and friends in California.

It's going to be whirlwind trip, but it'll be fun.

I missed my friends, and my family so it'll be nice to see everyone again. The weather is suppose to be gorgeous with a few cloudy days, but otherwise way nicer than Illinois! I sprung for two nice hotels near the airport after remembering that this entire trip is a business write-off...since I'm spending part of the time working.

It was earlier this week that I turned to Michele, "I cannot believe I'm actually visiting California." Visiting is a good word considering I've been pretty much a California native for over thirty plus years.

It's also going to be sweet jetting around with a beautiful girl.

REX GROSSMAN - You can stay another week

Craig, Michele's dad asked me recently - after Rex Grossman's redeeming performance, "Did I hear you say keep Rex?".

Knowing that I was a critic of the Chicago QB's past poor performances...he had to asked.

To wit, and my reply, "As Dominic would say- after a nice meal, ' You can stay another week.' "
(For those you don't know...Dominic is Michele's grandfather.)

Talk about living in EVERYONE LOVES RAYMOND!

Quote of the WEEK

Just this past Sunday at Heartland:

"Yesterday is History,

Tomorrow is a Mystery

Today is a gift, that's why it's called a Present"



Not living in the here and now will cause you to miss the moments of life that matters.

God places moments - and sometimes we let our past, our worries rob of what we have now.

No Words...the pic says it all...

Whether one agrees with the war, you have to agree on this: there's not many moments more sweet than a soldier returning home and being reunited with his/her loved ones.

To America's soldiers - we are proud of you.

James Kim Paranoia

James Kim, a man I didn't know personally, died yesterday. You maybe have seen it on the news.

I'm not all that different from James Kim: I'd do anything to protect Michele, and I have a paranoia protection streak in me.

Before the tragic news happened - Michele teased me when I packed both of our cars with emergency gear for any emergency situation: matches, toolset, flashlight, energy bars, rope, duct tape, and emergency blankets (the waterproof, reflective kind outside and inside). We also have our "emergency box" stocked with more gear to last us a week.

I'd even ran Michele through the '3 MUSTS' of SURVIVAL. 1) Shelter; 2) Water; 3) Warmth. (By the way, she knew it all)

Call me paranoid a bit, but it's no longer that when you find yourself in trouble, and being prepared may give you a chance to help someone else. Being a man, you have the PROTECTOR and sometimes that does put a bit of "preparation" in you.

I ache for his children who lost their daddy: a 7 month baby girl, a 4 year old girl, a 7 year old girl and a now widowed 30 year old wife.

Serious SuperBowl Questions

Well, I hate to tell my future father-in-law this: but I'm not sure if we're going to the Superbowl with this guy.

His passing drives me nuts. Granted he's still YOUNG. Young enough to drive one of my fantasy football friends nuts - Grossman had a rating of 1.3! QB rating of 1.3? That's like numbers used to rate a flea's weight. These are numbers used with measurement words like 'micron'.

It's really low. Really low. I think it's the first time in NFL history a QB rated that low in a game.

Despite the heart attack plays of Grossman I'm warming up to the Bears. I will admit, with each passing week, I'm becoming a BEARS fan. Urlacher and the Chicago D does excite me, but the offense needs tinkering Craig.

Admit it.

We should mortgage the next five years worth of picks for a guy named - Peyton Manning.

HEARTLAND -

http://www.heartland.cc/makingripples/HistoryofHeartlandVideo/tabid/89/Default.aspx

http://www.heartland.cc/Portals/0/media/simple/index.html

4100 people. 3 acres of carpet. Property of new church? SHOPPING MALL.

I never thought I would ever be participating and living life with a huge church. Heartland is what I called huge.

But it's been the most incredible place of 'transformational teaching' I've encountered yet. The messages are simple, practical and deep. That's the philosophy of Bill Hybels: teaching from the Word of God where anyone regardless of their spiritual journey can benefit from it. Heartland has officially partnered with Willow Creek Community Church. The church grew from 1998 with 22 people to now 4100. That's small compared to Willow's 20,000+, but Heartland expects the number to double in a year.

The biggest thing I noted from Heartland: the church is ALIVE, because the people are being transformed. It's certainly not alive because of mere emotion but God is stirring the people. You can't help but sense the 'buzz'.

I think people who frown upon evangelical Christianity have a rightful reason: too smug, too judgemental, too stiff, too religious and sometimes too unforgiving. We Christians have become stale and lost a sense of transparency in our lives.

Michele and I went to the Wednesday bible study at Willow and we saw the worship leader stopped after worship to discuss the health issues of his daughter in relating to a upcoming worship song he was leading to.

He was choking back the tears as he described how at times he doesn't want to be up there worshipping because his heart was just breaking over his daughter, but he knows life is bigger than just him. This guy literally sang with tears rolling down his eyes. It was true transparency. Afterwards Bill Hybels, in a very touching moment got up and asked everyone at Willow to stretch out their hand in unity to pray for this couple. It was a very poignant moment...seeing a sea of hands reaching out to pray for this couple. I heard many people weeping among thte 5000 in attendance at the bible study.

The church is truly alive and well.

Michele's car - after the storm.

Possibility of Gordon' going out to shovel: zero.

Michele's clients all cancelled.

Gordon thankful.

Gordon has a great idea: drive Subaru.

Subaru gets out like a tiger clawing on the African plains - easily.

We will get another Subaru.

Gordon is cold

Ok, today is nippy - 21 right now.

In California, I can run errands with shorts and a tee. Today, I really, really did feel the cold get to me a bit. My finger tips are cold. This truly does feel like winter now.

Speaking of that - you wouldn't believe it - and I almost found it hard to believe either:

Dunkin Donuts makes a great coffee. No kidding. Yeh, the logo sucks, but man - it's toe-to-toe with Starbucks.
Check them out and throw the savings into a bank for your retirement.

COST OF BEAUTY AND DEPENDING ON MAKE-UP too much

HOLLYWOOD MAGIC MAKEUP BEFORE AND AFTER




VS. My fiance BEFORE AND AFTER MAKEUP


Ok, short blog entry. I just love Michele - why? She doesn't use alot of a makeup. I recently saw how J-Lo, and some movie stars looked WITHOUT makeup. I was shocked.

I've seen Michele get up late and eat breakfast, and she looooks fine still. Maybe she'll throw on some lipstick, but I can't help crack Will Ferrel from his movie, "Thank you Baby Jesus for my hot wife."

Of course beauty is inward projected outward. You should see how radiant Michele is when I surprise her with flowers or a note * Yeh, Gordon has a flower budget and and endless supply of notes telling Michele the woman she is: radiantly gorgeous. J-LO ...bet your husband doesn't do that eh??? Yeah, I didn't think so.

What's on the TV VIEWING LIST of Gordon and Michele?

It was amazing, six Brazilian policeman trying to contain a 20 foot anaconda. One of the officers let the snake's 100 curved teeth of the snake wrap around the officer's arm! We both winced and squirmed under the blanket.

A typical viewing night for Gordon and Michele - something educational, wondrous and sometimes squirmy. TV is usually not the big thing for Michele, but I'll put in a few extra hours for NFL football. However, when Michele and I get together we watch things that normal couples wouldn't.

A quick-rundown:
Discovery Channel: Man vs. Wild - every week former British SAS (elite super Brit version of SEALS) gets dropped off in some remote place and has nothing more than a knife to get back to civilization. Saw the guy climb trees in the Ecuador rainforest, and Rambo in Alaska. Didn't know you should go "YO BEAR!" to alert bears - (tip) never surprise one in the wilderness...they will attack.

National Geographic: Explore- Oh yeah, we watched the case study from EXPLORER on rats - a hilarious and scary tale of a Detroit woman who found a rat in her toilet to the amazing possibility of super snakes eating people! We actually did see a picture of a man with his head in the snake's mouth. These super snakes can exert enough squeezing pressure (per square inch) equivalent to the weight of a school bus on a person - literally breaking every rib in the body. Michele and i thought it was both creepy and facinating: 300lbs, 20 to 30 foot long and incredible jaws.

History Channel: Revolution - We got hooked on the beginning tales of the American Revolution. The founding fathers literally put everything on the line for freedom. Great reminders that our fundamental freedoms came with a cost. Also don't mess with George Washington - he may be on the currrency today, but the man was a holy terror in war.

On a side note - Michele wanted to get a new (high def Michele) TV after we get married. I'm game for ESPN HD, but I think Michele just wants to see science terror in greater detail.

Gordon,
I just opened your note...thank you is not a big enough sentiment to express my gratitude of having you as a friend and encourager. You have been there quietly encouraging me and praying me through my trials and grief...

***

Wrote a simple note to a friend back in California. She's a great lady going through some struggles right now, and I'm still amazed and encouraged as to how powerful a letter can be. It wasn't even me who really wrote it...God just placed it in my heart to write a three or four sentences...that's it.

Some people thought I was joking about the power of a letter on the last post. I wasn't.

The New Testatment was compromised of letters written by Paul - and to this day pastors preach from Paul's letters. Yes, Paul's letter gave guidance to the confused, strength and hope to the weary, and a fervor faith to a people that would carry the good news to all the lands.

Or think of how much hope, strength and refreshment that tired, young USA soldier gets when he reads a letter from his wife with a hint of purfume and it says: "I love you baby. Miss you much. Praying you come back to me and kids safely." That simple letter means so much to that soldier leaning on his M-16 in his small bunk after a night patrol in Iraq.

A million women out there tonight would walk on clouds for a few minutes if their husband slipped a note under their pillow that said, "After all these years, I'm still in love with the most beautiful woman."

That down-on-his-luck teen would find reneweal if he got a note from his parents that read, "We believe in you son, and we are proud of you."

WORDS ARE POWERFUL.

Gordon's tips for keeping your sanity for T-Day Sale.

With the 'crazy deals' offered by stores the Day After Thanksgiving for shopping I thought I would offer a few tips to keep your sanity. BUT before I do that, I like to suggest that the T-Day sale is a US government-initiative to save Americans.

Think about it from last night at THAT moment you swore to yourself there isn't possibly another bite of Grandma's pumpkin pie you could take. You just stuffed your face with turkey, stuffing, beans, cranberries, rolls and gravy. You slyly unbuckled that jean button and let your belly flop over the waistband like a cascading waterfall. The soles of your shoe just compressed a bit more under that weight. Hello Jenny Craig!!!

With all the caloric intake Americans took in on T-Day, the government created a retail media madness blitz to get you out like a runner at the Boston Marathon. Some federally funded think-tank created a program to save our lives!

Of course, we all don't have the discipline to get out that early so there has to be great deals to get you out at 5am feeling like a bear woken up in the middle of winter. You got to get up to save $10 on that shirt made by some skinny child in some country you cannot pronounced, and of course you have to buy that HDTV that's $200 off, but the name brand of the tv sounds like a Korean restaurant dish. AND yes, yes, buy DVDS of movies that no one wants, but the 2 DVDs for $8 just feels good to stick it back to the big man...doesn't it?!

Well, here's my tip: plan early, and sleep in and watch tv of consumers who runs into poles:
http://www.themilwaukeechannel.com/video/10339676/index.html

Or do something so old fashioned as a gift: write a beautiful letter of reflection of someone you love and send it them.

It will brighten their day more than that DVD movie, "Steven Seagal saves the Brown family - a Thanksgiving Tale".

Thanksgiving is more than food. The word THANKS should remind us what we should be thankful for.

THANKSGIVING:

I am thankful to God Almighty, for all the things I have and experienced this year. I am thankful for His Grace, Protection, Mercies, and Forgiveness and that He loves mankind. Without you - I would be alone with no future... adrift.

I am thankful for my new home church Heartland. It has been truly inspirational - transformational teachings and heart-felt worship. Without you - I would not have the guidance, strength and joy to move in life.

I am thankful for a fiancee, and all the the experiences she has given, and all that she means to me. Michele, you're my angel princess, and you are truly a gift from heaven. Without you - I would be a wandering knight looking for his princess...I found mine.

I am thankful for my family and my immediate family. The Wongs, Tarquinis, Skolroods...of course, I am grateful for my mom and dad and siblings, but am also for the family that has accepted me with opened arms. God has blessed me with you all.
Without you - I would be lonely wondering what a family is about.

I am thankful for my country, the USA. I am thankful right now for the soldiers who serve abroad and are away from their families. You're in my prayers. Without my country and the men, women who serve - I would be without the taken-for-granted freedoms we enjoy in this country - a freedom to be a better human being and dream big dreams.

I am thankful for company, and the job I have. The people in the company from the executives, to my creative team and my friends there - I am thankful for you all. I prayed for you all. Without you, I would not know the model of a Christian worker and team.

I am thankful for my friends back in California, it shows distance doesn't matter. And my great fantasy football buds...life is not boring with this bunch. Without you, there wouldn't be those moments of laughter and commonality of living life.

I am thankful for my upcoming wedding - and the celebration in can be - God puts on a great wedding!

I am thankful for my doctors, and everyone who have prayed for my knee. This year long skin condition from surgery has tested my faith.

And most of all - none of this world's events, blessings, and life itself is random. It is full of purpose - and for that I am faithful to God. The life, the very breath I have is from Him. I know I've disappointed you, but you always have been there. Always forgiven, and always drawn my heart back to yourself. You are truly amazing God.

AMERICA

Talk about the pot calling the kettle black (so to speak).
Conservative Republicans and/or Neo-Cons calling Dems/Liberals 'mean-spirited'.....
.....when youse folks have the likes of:
Rush Limbaugh
Ann Coulter
Sean Hannity
Bill O'Reilly
Matt Drudge
Laura Ingraham
etal.

Spewing their hate-mongering drivel!!
Geesh.....check in with reality, will ya, huh?!
Posted by: Mark Young | Nov 22, 2006 11:05:04 AM

To Proud Liberal. That's Vietnam and he should have gone there. Not went there.
Exactly what I would expect.
Posted by: Mike in Loganville | Nov 22, 2006 11:04:42 AM

***

Some of the emotional-charged comments on a blog on USA TODAY. The blog was about the story of a series of mishaps suffered by the White House. Bush's daughter got robbed in South America, the motorcade for Bush had an accident with some officers - this wasn't even a story of politics and people jumped all over each other just for a chance to rip into the conservative, or into the liberal.

America, you are NOT like this.

I can't help but think of my father telling me the stories after he immigrated from China - running away from the Communists and the bombs of the Japanese. Then he talked about America - yes, America - as this oasis - this dream that people talked about across the shorelines of other countries.

Other countries:

1) Where you couldn't vote....much less speak.
2) Where your entire family could be kidnapped and there wasn't any answers where they are.
3) Living in a mud hut eating salted-soybean curd without modern heat or air conditioning.
4) Eeking out a living as nothing more than poor farmer under the mercies of the weather.
5) Sucking on herbs because there wasn't any modern hospitals.

I still believe in America - as a land of opportunity, as the last place on earth where dreams can be made if you pursued it hard enough. Where can a 6-1 Austrian bodybuilder who can't say his 'r's become governor of California?

I maybe a registered Republican, but I have to think of a Democratic president who echoed one of the finest challenges to the American people, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country."

I

Whatcha listening to Gordon AND WHY DO YOU SMELL FUNNY??!

Here's a bit out of the normal discoveries this week:

Two albums that I had to get - Diana Krall - smooth as silk jazz vocals and a reminder that I'm still a California boy - Jack Johnson (surfer, filmaker, songwriter, and Mr. Talent). * I bought these songs on ITunes on the cheap.

Jack does such a great job with his music...so simple and so laid-back it's unbelievably relaxing listening to him. He came up with a few great tracks on the Curious George soundtrack. I highly recommend checking it out for the kids. The soundtrack is pure, guileless, and a beautiful dash of naiveness (something this pragmatic world needs). I DARE you to listen to Jack Johnson and NOT feel chill! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED...makes me feel California even in the Winter. Absolutely cool and original!!! The CD ya'll should check is IN BETWEEN DREAMS.

As for Diana, what can I say about a lady that upon stumbling her first album - I predicted a Grammy. And I was right - for once in my life. Diana just ebbs classy, smooth and silky jazz - something I am not presently.

I have my doctor putting 18 patches for finding what I'm allergic to and haven't taken a shower for four days now. I get to take a shower after today, but my the doctor is going to smell MAN. Yeh, I did a few bath sponge dips, but nothing like a shower. Feelin' grungy for sure.

Michele, what??? No hugggg???

Legacy

This morning Michele was crying again - we were talking about her grandmother.

I was telling Michele as to how I was amazed in the simple ways her grandmother's faith endured and left a legacy. Michele wept, and softy through her tears, "You don't realize how much you missed them til their gone."

"But she left so much more ..." as I pointed out.

Michele and I couldn't help but smile weakly at the poems, bibles, letters her grandmother left behind. We laughed at the old 1968 article of how to clean mildew off your luggage to the laminated confirmation message at Michele's baptism and confirmation.

I told Michele, "I hope our children finds our lives filled with legacy not of money, or items, but a legacy of character, faith and hope."

I guess this is one of the reasons beside writing for family and friends, is to leave a legacy of who I am to my children.

***


So, to my child(ren), before you are born:

Before you are born, I wanted to say, how much I wanted to welcome you into this life, and to say how I how proud, am joyful I am that you will coming to this world. I've waited for quite a bit of time to become a father, and you are truly heaven's gift - and I am already praying you know the Creator of this world to whom all majesty and praise belong.

I hope you will realize the beautiful love, bond, and intimacy between a man and woman in marriage is the beautiful bundle of joy a child can be. I'm a bit frighten and insecure of what's to come, but I know the moment I hold you my child, you're going to make this world briefy fade away and take me to a place of miracle. I know alot of diapers are coming, but the many moments of trials will not compare to those brief moments of smiles, laughter and seeing you grow like a seed to a blooming flower.

Your mother and I have prayed for your health, and your soul. I pray you will be a person that will leave and affect this world for good. I hope you live your life with integrity, and know how precious of a soul you are. You are a valued child of mine and the most High God. You will always be loved...even in your times of doubt. Your mother and I have loved you now, and always.

If you're a girl, you will always be daddy's princess, and don't let the world dictate to you your beauty. The eyes, the smile, the personality that you are have crested you to the heavens and you are a princess and always beautiful. Don't let anyone steal your heart, but God. Shine in this world so that people will know what's truly behind your life. I think I'm going to turn into a sack of sobbing mess when I give you away at your wedding. Advance apologies from daddy.

If you're a boy, you will always be daddy's knight, warrior...and I am so proud of you, and love you. You are my son, and you will be a man one day. Make me proud by being a provider, protector and spiritual leader. Don't be a man who lives selfishly, but live as a man who lays down his life for what is good, what is noble, what is just...and love God simply with all your heart. There's nothing in this world you cannot do if you set your mind on it. I hope you are a 'Braveheart'...live for things not seen or touched, but for nobler things. What is said and done here is echoed into eternity. Yeah, daddy stole that from a movie, but I had to pass onto my beloved son.

Lastly, life is not a life worth living without knowing you are forgiven and loved. John 3:16.

And don't take yourself too seriously...laugh at yourself.

IMing your Father-in-Law.

Micheles's dad and I have been having a bit of fun.

With the Bears just thrashing the league and leaving little drama, I decided to play with Craig a bit. I sent him an instant message on the phone telling him I heard from ESPN that the Bears' star QB was out with an ankle injury.

Craig replied: ESPN sometimes gets it wrong...

My reply: Sent some panic didn't I (he caught the drift now)

Craig: I lost a bundle on the stock market, cut the guest list (our weddding) in half

My reply: (I laughed at that reply) We can drop annoying relatives then

***

I know I make a poor sub for Craig's dad on football, but I couldn't help but rib Craig a bit on his team. It was too tempting to have some fun with your father-in-law. It's like a hot apple pie on the window sill cooling off on a summer's day. Toooo tempting.

I should now tell Craig, "Did you hear Urlacher is out for the season because he went back to school to become a cheese maker for Wisconsin? I heard the school is in GREEN BAY!"

Michele's new car

Short story: Michele gets mail of rebate offer. We noticed she never got ABS on her current car - ABS needed in snow. Tempted to trade in for 2007 model of her 2005. Didn't like offer with loan, started to sniff out new car with a zero interest loan and a vehicle $1000 cheaper.

ABS - It's must-have in snow and ice conditions. I cannot believe some car makers consider this 'optional'. Optional is for something like coffee - sugar is optional. The very idea of Michele without ABS driving in icy conditions is a bad thought. Anyone without ABS in icy conditions is playing a bit of a gamble. And the very idea of car makers taking away ABS on the base model translates to me this: "We as a car maker know you cannot afford ABS so we'll take it away and let you gamble with your life and increase the chances of an accident."

Come on car makers, exercise some social conscience. If you put more safety features you'll keep more of your customers alive.

I really pushed for this car for Michele because there were too many pros and chiefly is safety. But also it's a zero interest loan AND you'll get a discount on auto insurance for ABS and anti-theft.

So Michele is driving around in a spiffy 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander - a mini SUV. Got great ratings and review from consumers. Built on the reliable Gallant platform.

Why my fiance is beautiful

It just occurred to me like a bolt of lighting as I faced Michele one day while we were chatting: I have a beautiful woman in my life.

There she was in her bathrobe and brushing her teeth: she doesn't need a ton of make-up to look absolutely radiant. I know I'm a little bias, but this here's why my Michele is just so darn gorgeous to me:

* She wore sweats while we went for grocery shopping. She is that beautiful - that inner confidence that her clothes don't make her - it's who she is inside. Very secure with her self image in public. If she did go super-fly dressing up, I think I'd be blown away.

* Doesn't wear alot of make-up. This is more revealing than you can imagine. Her face is beautiful enough she doesn't have to camo her face like some US Marine. I've known some women when they took off the stuff off their face, you can use it to pain a closet door several times over.

* She is undeniably faithful and loyal. I see her heart. and she's a lioness pledging her loyalty to me. She is always concerned with what I think and with that preciousness how can I as a man not do everything to protect, and nurture her in that manner of such a beautiful woman!

Simple discoveries about Love

Well, Michele and I have been together now for over a year now, and we've discovered commonality is a good builder in a relationship. Even more so are the shared interests we've discovered and the joys of it.

I've seen too many couples sit in a restaurant with nothing to talk about, and am determined that we do no such thing. We are determine to keep our relationship growing and thriving: a few highlights we've done as a couple that keeps us fresh...and it doesn't even cost much!

* Getting away to a small town and just walking around and finding shops
* Hiking in the woods and stepping on rustling leaves - Michele loves that childhood activity
* Walking in the neighborhood together talking about anything
* Sending unlimited IMs to each other on phone with phrases like, "Hi Beautiful", "Time to eat my love"
* Kissing and saying "I love you" everyday
* Complimenting each other
* Praying with one another and our families
* Being 'bad', by going out and doing our sweet tooth cheating with a run to the store for Ben and Jerry's New York Super Chocolate Chunk
* Watching cable shows like DISCOVERY CHANNEL LIVE HEART SURGERY together...yah we're both weird in that respect
* Getting a bit too excited about finding a good organic healthy soup
* Keeping our relationship playful with silliness - we post IT notes like crazy with crazy phrases to happy phrases
* Tying ourselves spiritually together
* Taking time to be a couple
* Developing our very own sign language...wouldn't you like to know?!!

Gordon's TIPs for planning your wedding

1) If you go to a cake baker's* 'kitchen' and see dogs that looks and smells like a construction worker who forgot the word 'bath' or 'shower' in their volcabulary; it's probably not a good place to get your wedding cake. (* or whatever they call them - baker, cake engineer...etc)

BONUS HINT: If you're not really all that bright, the additional hint of a cat purring on the kitchen counter, and you find out the baker makes wedding cakes there it's probably not a good idea to buy your cake from that person...unless you have a wedding for your pet. Yes, Michele and I found this out quickly. We finally settled on a very impressive baker who went to Europe for culinary secrets and extolled Belgian chocolates like a sommelier with wine.

2) Be thankful you're a dude, DUDE. For the wedding, I just got to make sure I shower, and look good. My selection is a classic tuxedo and it's either black or white. If you're a girl...oh girl, you got some serious window shopping. What styles! What colors! (At this point guys, you need to supportive by being with your woman and bringing a book). We finally found a bridemaid color! I want my girl to be happy, and she is, but I'm glad I don't have to fret about this. Popping on a dude wedding outfit is as simple as a tee shirt - Do I want black or white? Does it fit? Cool, I'm ready to go!

3) Love your wedding planner. Ours is great...and is Michele's mom! Love her to death! She's so excited. And I'm glad she doesn't talk like Martin Short in FATHER OF THE BRIDE. Much love to her!!!

Summer is gone, Winter blows

**

I looked out today in the throes of the Midwest season to see the myraid colors of oranges, reds, yellows and green leaves decorating the country side. It's breathtaking during a pause from life.

Another part of the year is changing, and time passes by. You know, it's amazing...you don't really notice how magnificent the colors are sometimes because you're too busy, too worried, too pre-occupied. BUT when you pause...the beauty you find even in the leaves falling!

***

Dale S.: Loyal father, loving husband, WW2 soldier, and Michele's grandfather, passed away suddenly today.
Dale never lived like a pre-occupied life. He knew what mattered.

Before Dale passed away, he left the magnificent words "I love you son" to Michele's dad.

It was the finest example of the human experience in the most difficult of times.

I think of God's mercy, and grace on Dale's life and he was a fine man.

In the short time, I got to know Dale - I could tell immediately he was a special man, and one with values. He'd look at you straight into your eyes as he shook your hand. He was calm, he was vocal about his values and full of cordiality. I remembered the day I was engaged to his granddaughter he made a public announcement at the retirement home. He was proud and glad his granddaughter was engaged - I was flattered. And you cannot help, but think with a special warmth when he played cards and talked about diamonds. He was sharp as a tack on cards, nothing got past him. Don't even try to pull a fast one on him. And his voice would boom with excitement talking about diamonds since he use to sell them.

And the caliber of Dale as a father? Look no further than his son, my future father-in-law. A great father and grandfather.

Another of 'The Greatest Generation' is gone.

In God's mercy, I didnt' miss any of the beauty of a new season to come. Not even this one leaf falling, that marked the change of another season as it danced a whirl of beauty into God's hands.

NOT PREPARED

There certainly is a difference between wisdom and knowledge.

Knowledge is book learning. Wisdom is learning from experiences in life.
Learning is great, if you do that: learn.

This week Wisdom has spoken to me alot in lIfe and work.

Like what?

Using alot of chapstick or some lip protectant because winter robs your skin of moisture.

I think I got the winter living aspect of not licking a pole on a winter day, but there were a few curve balls I just didn't see coming.


Dry winters.

The result? Lips that chap, bleed, and peel. Yuck. One of the things you take for granted being in California is how good the weather is for your skin. I mean, how was I suppose to know that?

Well NOW I know. And a fustrating thing in the MidWest: buying a device to TAKE WATER OUT OF THE AIR in the summer, and then a device to ADD it back in. That's right a humidifier and DEhumidifier.

California is perfect along the Central Coast because you have God putting a humidifier and DEhumdifier going at the SAME time. That's why the weather is perfect. No humid sweaty, nor winter-cold chapped skinned.

I think one of the angels in the MidWest pulls the DEhumidifier away during the summer, and vice-versa. I hope God takes notices and brings those two together.

Really funny Gabriel.

"It is better to pay the price of endurance, than the price of drifting."

- Bill Hybels

Funny how things come full circle. I heard a great message by Bill Hybels, and that quote got me thinking.

Thinking that quote the following morning after I saw my knee's rash was coming back.

I was getting discouraged. I thought I was near the end, and then the itching came back.

When I got to Michele's apartment, I told her about it briefly. She could tell I was down.

A few minutes later, I went into the living room for some solitude - fell down my knees to pray. I was tired of fighting this knee. It's been a year, and thousands of dollars spent - and the person I know who could help was God. A few minutes passed as I was praying quietly, and I felt a hand on my shoulder. Michele knelt right next to me.

Michele wrapped her arms around me as we bow silently, and I saw a glimpse of what Christ loved. A bride who will kneel next to Him, and be ready to identify with him. Loyalty, love, faithfulness, and such nobility.

When I finished, praying - I looked to Michele and my heart was so moved and touched. Her face streamed tears, and she whispered, "I'm so sorry about your knee." I couldn't help but be a bit overwhelmed. My Michele was identified with me, my pain hers....I was struck with a bit of awe.



I can tell my future kids, and my grandchildren - your mother was noble. She was radiantly beautiful and so devoted.
You are wonderful Michele.

9/11/01

We took time to pause - Michele and I.

That day that children, women, and men died in one unspeakable act of evil. A day that as Americans we must not forget.

The silence should serve us as a reminder the preciousness of life.

Mayor Guliani at a funeral for a firefighter said, "He got there first....when they went up - the firefighers, the cops, none of them were saying, 'Wonder how much these people make that we're trying to rescue? Am I going to rescue a white, hispanic, or black?

God wants us to live like that. I'm not saying I live this way, but I feel like I should say this, but I asked God to help me live like those firefighters. To not be a respecter of persons and to see all life precious and supremely important. ' "

Gifts.

It's seldom for me sentimental. It's functional, and rarely a lust factor. Unless it's from Apple, but that's another story. So when I decided to propose to Michele I knew I was getting one practical soul, like my own.

Today is Michele's birthday, and she doesn't look a day over 29. Her eyes are big and deep - the ones that you can just stare at it for awhile, and also she's get a killer smile that makes me sigh on a bad day. I like to keep that smile going without costing me a wad of cash a few years from now...so I bought her a steroid toothbrush. It's the Sonicare 5300. I highly recommend it unless you're the type of individual enjoys the music of drilling and color of bleeding gums.

Get this toothbrush...it's a hoot to use and you can be lazy about your brushing since the brush does all the work!

Michele got a bit spoiled today (cards, teriyaki salmon with potatoe medley and NO DISHES TO DO FOR DINNER), but it's the joy of loving someone...you let them know they are special to you...and you are to me Michele that - very special.

Smile alot to me babe, because I just invested in seeing that smile go on till I be in heaven. Love you M.

Meet the Parents was a funny movie. Meet the Parents for me, thankfully, isn't like the movie.

I know God has been good to me to bless me with great in-laws. Michele's parents are super people.

Her dad (I know you're reading this C) is a great guy - like me, he loves the outdoors, and even taught me how to fish (more on that) during a weekend at a Wisconsin cabin Michele's parents have, and I had a great time. Michele's dad was washing and waxing her car the day we were about to leave.

A true servant. He's a guy you cannot help, but take a few character strengths and add it to your life knowing you will be a better man. If he's reading this, maybe he'll score me some fresh fish.

Felt like part of the family pretty much from the get-go. Michele's mom is a sweet, energetic Italian lady with a heart of gold. She smiled alot. She takes time to drive an elderly lady named Franny and fusses over me to make sure I eat enough. Michele's grandmother REALLY fusses over me to make sure I'm getting good reasons to go to the gym. Eating one plate is not enough in the Italian household - they have to rollllllll you out - you didn't eat enough until you chug a bottle of Pepto Bismol.

Ray Romano was right, "If you want a little, tell them you DON'T WANT...ANYTHING."

Which really got me to thinking, MIchele and I will be able to have 'date nights' when we have kids. We have decided we're more than willing to let our parents play grandparents all they want. Actually, watching a PBS program on education, I got a chance to see first hand the strength of a life is found within the strength of a family. Grandparents - are a highly valued commodity. Too bad America lost her respect for the elderly. In China, you do that, and Grandpa spin-kick your sad bottom back to humility. The bible says we should do it too (not the kicking) - respecting those older than you.

They have WISDOM. Wisdom is from living, knowledge is from book-worming.

SPEAKING OF worms, I caught my first couple of fishes from a lake a few weeks ago, and I am hooked - no pun intended.

Earthquakes or Tornados? Vanilla vs. Chocolate

Well, this Labor Day was certainly different.

I spent the afternoon dodging the biggest raindrops I've ever seen and nickel-sized hail. Right after our church's block party - Michele and I scrambled out of the parking lot in the middle of a rainstorm. In the process we were soaked. Then driving - I was absolutely facinated with the weather conditions: it was baaaad.

Bad for a Californian. I'm am accustomed to seeing sunny days, and having warm sunshine basking over my skin.

Later that day when we got home - I turned on the tv to discover that a tornado touch-downed a mere one mile away from where we were driving.

Which brings me to the question. Vanilla or chocolate? Or in California we use to ask, "Earthquakes or tornados?" I replied consistently, "Tornados. With good reason: you get some warning. Earthquakes just happens and it's the most terrifying feeling ever. You don't feel like you're in control."

The first Illinois storm I went through - it spooked me. I never heard thunder like this! It sounded like God was dropping mirrors from heaven.

Then -every storm - after that was just water off a duck's back.

Even while watching the newscast I was pretty calm.....and I even did think if the tornado moved towards Michele and I what we would do: hide in the closet debating about chocolate or vanilla.

HIPPIE COUPLE - like-minded.

Michele and I have our hemp.

We pop our pills.

We are health nuts. A Christian granola couple.

The hemp is a cereal from hemp seeds - not the same as weed everyone! The pills are natural food supplements and I pop about 16 of these a day.

The pills have cured my skin infection on my knee that has bugged for me one year. I literally spent over 5g's fighting this and it wasn't until I went to a nautropathy doctor that there was a breakthrough. I went through five different anti-biotics and numerous one hundred dollar tubes of skin cream before i got a handle on this. The pills are all vitamin foods -- by a Dr. Robert Thiel, who has publicly declared he cured 96% of his patients...and I'm one of the 96%. Check him out at doctorsreasearch.com

I look back and have to thank God he put someone with a consciousness of healthy living into my life. I firmly believe today many people are too medicated and alot of health problems are self-induced. We are literally dying in our riches. We will eat junk so we can spend time making more money - and the long term it's going to cost you later dearly. We ignore the only one vehicle we can exist on planet earth and we will pay a price. We pay already pay a price for our souls...with the ignorance of a moral compass.

***

One another note - growing closer allows for great hilarity. Michele and I are a bunch of kids when it comes to humor...and here's one that brings us to giggle like high school kids. (COPY AND PASTE INTO YOUR BROWSER ADDRESS BAR)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZoSfKxmMLos&mode=related&search=

Was I going to hurl?

5:45pm: I was getting sick. My stomach felt like those poor blokes on James Cameron's ALIEN movie when baby aliens would wiggle their way into some victim's body. I was hoping to just get through this without barfing.

The whole plan already was set into place, but I was afraid there might be a slip-up. I was sitting at my desk staring at THE emails coming in and thought about the plan.

GOING OVER THE PLAN
2:00pm: I dropped by the store to pick up the ring. I was very excited about it. It was custom-made and had an almost flawless stone.

I was ushered in, and the lady smiled sensing my anticipation - and brought out the ring. The cuts were perfect. One diamond in the middle surrounded by ten smaller diamonds. CHECK OFF RING.

I've already made arrangements with a dozen roses and a sign that read "Michele, will you marry me?" at a local eatery near the church. The waitresses were more than eager to go with my plan and thought it was 'romantic' and 'cute'. CHECK OFF TEAM.

I devised an elaborate plan where I would burn the dinner and make an excuse to just go out since dinner was at 6:00pm, and worship/communion was at 7:00pm. I would have to do a 'method acting' to convince Michele and make sure nothing was suspicious. Sure enough, when she came home at 5:00pm, she found the lamb chops burnt to a crisp on the pan and Mr. Grumpy.

PLAN EXECUTED
5:15PM: I came over and acted fustrated and mad at myself. She said we should try to eat it, I said no. She then noticed I was 'down' and offered to cook dinner. She suggested making salmon patties - and she could do it in ten minutes - I said no again. I was pretending to get more irate and have her wilt to my schemes. I pointed the logic in going to eat at this local eatery since it was on our way to church.

Out of pity, she relented with concern concern for 'Mr. Grumpy'.

THE DRIVE OVER

6:15PM: We were driving over, and I was continuing my Oscar-worthy performance. I pretended to be impatient and irate. Michele was being a trooper and being Miss Cheer. I was Mr. Grumpy. I could tell she was really concerned and it took all of me to not laugh.

I opened the door at the parking lot, only to catch on the corner of my eye, the gift bag from the jewelry store. I cussed silently, my cover could be blown. Michele didn't notice it, and we walked inside the eatery - and I was greatly relieved.

We were standing in line, I saw one of the waitresses. The cashier noticed I winked at the waitress - probably thinking I was flirting, when in actuality I was signaling her. Michele notice me quickly ordering, I turned and huffed to her, "Aren't you ready to order?". She ordered and I had to quickly turn around because I was giggling so hard, to not laugh.

I escorted her to the table and pulled a chair for her to make sure her back WAS FACING THE WAITRESSES.

6:30PM: We talked a bit at the table and I made up a story about the fustrating day at work. Michele listened with patience hearing me rant and rave. After several minutes our order came, but Michele noticed we didn't have water. She got out of seat to get some....but I rushed in insisting she sit down.

As I turned the corner, I noticed the two girls holding the roses and sign. They were bug-eyed ready to round the corner. I motioned to them to wait. They nodded as I frantically asked on the of waiters to find me a glass of water.

I came back with one glass, and mumbled to Michele, "They are coming with the othe glass..." and before I could finish Michele got up. Mr. Grumpy turned to Mr. Panic, and right on cue the two waitress came out. Michele stood shocked. And then she read the sign and she turned red and then I got down on my knee and asked, "Michele Skolrood, will you marry me?"

Michele exclaimed with a huge smile, and said, "Of course-- yes!"

The entire eatery clapped as we kissed.

***

During the coversation Michele leaned over and hit my arm, "This entire time it was an ACT!"

I laughed, "Yep."

"And you burned perfectly good lamp chops."

I shrugged my shoulder, "I had to...it made the whole deception genuine. They were $6.00 only."

Michele wrinkled her nose and smiled, "I even felt bad for you....you had me going, I had no idea."

**

Later we worshipped, and I could feel Michele grab my hand at a song with a verse "..thank you for the blessing in my life." That's what it's about...a relationship bound by value, heart, soul, and Christ.

**

Later that night Michele said something to me that made it all worth it, "I will never forget this day...Gordon Wong."

Same here Michele.

8hrs, One Muslim, One House and Everlasting Impact

Michele was crying hearing the story of Raza.

This Muslim mother of four, wept recalling the ethnic cleansing in Bosnia as she described weeks of not finding food for her newborn baby. She was desperate and had to resort to digging in garbage to find a piece of bread, soaking in dirty water to keep her daughter alive.

This was my Saturday.

It was a day full of irony, and one of answered prayers. I was praying that Michele and I would impact this world as a couple and building this house for Habitat for Humanity we did just that.

We were able to be involved with several things:

1) Teach this moderate Muslim mother of four that Christians are way different from what they are taught. This mother was not a radical Muslim extremist (she hasn't been to a mosque for years and didn't stop once to pray to Saudia Arabia). We were able to shed light about Christians and hopefully shed the love of Jesus to this woman.

2) See and contribute to the strength of this country: immigrants with vision and drive can power America to her strength: helping people realize a dream of freedom and common decency. Raza, only eight years ago was weeping helplessly realizing she could lose her baby, three years ago she was crammed into a tiny apartment and now, working eighty hours to support four children and a husband who lost his legs in the Bosnia war -- now exclaimed with joy, "America is still the land of dreams."

3) Opened the door sharing Christ. Raza was struck by the background I had about Bosnia and the events that transpired there. She was struck by my goal that day of impacting her: I told her she had a second chance in America and told her it was my joy with my fiancee to set aside the day to labor with her to help her realize a dream. Obviously the Lord opened a door, because Raza wanted a picture of Michele and I for her new home. She made me promise.

Michele and I went home and we forgot about the sweat, and labor to realize we might be bringing another child back home to heaven.

New Events

Diana Krall is releasing a new album Sept 2006! Woo-hoo! Didn't even know about this.

Wedding is set for May 12th! Got only three major things to wrap up - limo, invites and rerhersal dinner.

Apple just gave a preview of Leopard, the new OS X operating system, and it looks like a winner. Shameless copy-cat by Microsoft with their VISTA system. The most impressive demo of Leopard was Time Machine - a 3D interface for backup and retrieval.

God scares me

JEREMIAH 13:14
And I will dash them one against another, even the fathers and the sons together,” says the Lord. “I will not pity nor spare nor have mercy, but will destroy them.”

***

Just been reading the Old Testament again. God in His righteous anger, is a terrible and awesome presence. Think about the above verse - we've seen ruthless military operations where there isn't any mercy, but God in His righteous anger lumps whole families together. That's just heavy. BUT, I find it encouraging because what I should have been accountable to, in my sin and failure God was no-holds bar on our Savior.

Jesus died in our stead that we might have life. NO MATTER where we come from, or what we've done: there is mercy with God under the cross.

Our God is TRULY an awesome God.

http://www.rachelrathburn.blogspot.com

***

Check the above blog, of a friend, and great meditator on God's things. Rachel, is moving to Chile, and I thought to myself : that is faith. Throwing caution to the wind on a comfortable life in San Luis Obispo and going to serve little children in a country where no sane educated woman should be going - unless you're reckless by Grace.

Who says life has to be boring?

Recently Franklin Covey.com had a quote that went something like this: "Success is not the measure of accomplishments and awards, but it is the ability of self-mastery." In the case of my friend Rachel, it's God's hold on you.

I'll be reading your blog Rachel!

**

Democracy of Death

There isn't any equal rights in this life. We all don't have the same talent, the same education, or the same opportunity. But we all do have the SAME amount of time.

We also like to control time, and in the process - we waste it by saying, "I'll get to that tomorrow, or do that tomorrow." There is certainly something within us to distort, or lie to ourselves that we are IN CONTROL. We're not. When time passes, we face the most democratic stroke of humanity: death.

Death doesn't care if you're rich, or poor. Black or white. Republican or Democratic. If you say 'tomatoe' as with 'to-maa-tow' or 'to-may-toe' death will touch you regardless. Death is democratic. Nothing like death to stare you in the face and make you wonder what this life is about. All of sudden, your priorities are not so important.

For one Swedish woman, at her memorial, it was a high-noon stare down.

Death, you have no claim upon me.

Death blinked. Another soul slipped through the hands of death and right into the presence of Christ. Yes, the memorial service that I was at - this lady had all these hymns she wanted us to sing. Songs about victory, songs about a beautiful place called heaven, and this wonderful place where dreams are no longer broken or taken away because God is there.

Death blinked, because Christ 'stared' him down at the high noon showdown.

It wasn't even a contest.

I take comfort in that - I will be smacking on Swedish meatballs and pickled herring with a remarkable lady who had the faith, and courage to pass that on to my future wife.

Thanks be to God...there is hope beyond the grave.

Save a place for me V, we'll smack on meatballs and herring.

The Brevity and Preciousness of Life

July 16, 2006 -

Several moments of life transpired today.

• Michele's brother's daughter was baptized today
• One of her cousins had a baby shower today
• Genevie, Michele's grandmother died today suddenly

It was a shock, like any other - no one expected Michele's grandmother to pass away, but now with my Michele grieving alone, and wanting some time alone, I write sobered by today's events. We were suppose to go to Michele's niece's baptism, instead we spend the day in vigil, and comforting family members.

I was at the hospital, and the immediate family was there. I firmly believe in being proactive with a patient in bed, and started to tell Michele's grandmother stories that made her laugh. Then I remembered her grandmother use to sing the old hymns, and started to sing a few, and among them, HOW GREAT THOU ART, and MY JESUS I LOVED THEE. In moments of seeing tears running down from Michele's father's eyes broken by the failing health of her mother, I turned once more to my faith, my songs and Christ Himself. And in the process, of that singing, I couldn't help but think that morning, this is how you want to send someone before the Lord. I was the lone singer, but I was there for a reason, and the only thing I could do was tell stories, and engage Genevie's heart and mind.

Later that afternoon, Genevie passed away suddenly. I was asked by the family to comfort Genevie's husband. I arrived at the resting home, and tried my best. I interviewed Dale about how they met, and how their relationship was. It was good, I had a time to remind him of the verse that Christ holds the keys of death. In God's grace I was able to see the preciousness of Christ and the fact I could share Him during this difficult time.

In times of grief, most people freeze, or attempt words of comfort that appears so trite. People mean well, but grief is so un-natural. I saw for the first time for myself the call of a Christian is to embrace realities of death, and face it to comfort others. You cannot sit there and say nothing. What is our Christian faith if we cannot pour the balm of comfort?

My thoughts of this event: It's so easy to jump on the circus wheel of life and go for a spin, but I saw the brevity and preciousness of life in the hospital room and in the silence tears of aching hearts. That's where life begins because death in his darkness, amplifies the light of life. It strips man of his hope and leaves him facing eternity, and mortality. It reminded me of the preciousness of Christ and His promise: I AM the resurrection and the LIFE. Christ doesn't seem to mean alot when the circus wheel spin, but you see Life in a totally different manner when death comes. It has a cruel way of making reality clear. No shadows or mirages.

Death has a habit of giving pause to the mind and soul.


Thank God for the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.


Prayer requests
• Pray for the comfort and strength of the family
• Pray for Craig, Michele's dad who is the only child and taking this hard
• Pray for the memorial service this Wednesday afternoon

Ultimate Fighting and Wedding Plans

What's with the above pictures? Believe it not, it's from the UFC's welterweight champion Matt Hughes website. Yep, it's the picture that got Matt thinking about his life, and looking at the picture Matt said he knew he was one of the people in the water. I thought it's a good picture of Christians maybe living life as normal, and not realizing people are going to hell on a daily basis. It made me think and raises that thought provoking question, "Who cares?"

Food for thought.

***

Well, a few good things. One of them is this link to get some good deals: http://dealmac.com/

***

Michele and I went looking for a place with Michele's mom for the wedding. We stopped at a few places and afterwards Michele's mom told me, after I was trying to drum up some design business, "You realize you're not responsible for the wedding costs?". I shrugged my shoulders, "Well, it's not this is my sixth time around." jokingly.

At one point walking out of a beautiful ballroom I looked over to MIchele and whispered, "Seem all kind of surreal doesn't it?".
She nodded.

I'm glad we're doing it early because wedding takes time. Our guest list is approaching 230. My invites are 30 and that's about it. California is a long way to travel for a wedding, but I do know, I want to make it worthwhile for my guests. It's going to be great. We're aiming for good food.

My sister Doris was gracious and generous to send us off to Italy for our honeymoon. Cannot beat that. Much love sis.


****

Devotions. Michele and i made a commitment to keep our Sundays open for rest, and recreation. We began a word for word study in the scriptures as a couple. We had a great time...so much fun together we almost missed lunch. My commitment to Michele is to be a spiritual leader. Life ain't going to fly too well if I'm not a bread winner, I owe it to my future wife to care for her spiritually like Christ does.

There's isn't any qualms from God that I need to keep my focus - it's not just about me...it's about another soul that i need to care for. What a joy, responsibilty and privilege.

DOING THINGS BACKWARD

Well, IT HAS been interesting. Life is interesting.

In the time I've been here -

...dropped some money on new furniture, and living expense. Which in the schemes of things is not all that bad. California is sooo much more expensive than Illinois. My rent for a 1200 sq ft apartment is $550.00 and homes are about $150,000 here. Food is relatively inexpensive and so is gas.

...supported Michele after her grandmother was rushed to the emergency. Doctors find a hole in her appendix. That's never good, and the prognosis was bad at first, but for 83, she impressed me. It's really the prayers of soooo many people.

...Michele's parents came over for dinner, and I just sensed there was so much bad news, I decided to make it fun. I asked Michele's dad for permission of their daughter in marriage. Dad gave me a hug...I guess that means it went well. :OP
We asked Michele's ma to plan the wedding. She squealed with delight.

...as a cheer-u up event, we're taking Michele's grandpa out for ring shopping. He use to be a jewel buyer and we thought it would cheer him up since his wife is not there.

...weather has been SLO-like. Not a drop of humidity this week. I am blessed! Michele and I went to the 4th of July fireworks show and let me tell you- everyone and their mama came out. LITERALLY. Awesome show. Made me very thankful for the good old USA!

***

Picture description: Michele and I attended a 4th of July celebration (yeh, they do things early here) and at first it seem awfully corny, but I was reminded how blessed I am to live in America. But the most remarkable moment was this Marine who joined the singers as he came out during the salute to our soldiers. He came out a fluid, discipline march and every movement was controlled and intentional.

If you have time - thank a soldier you see.



QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

Is it always humid? - Ray D

The answer is no. The weather here is bizarre and maddening. Why? One moment it will rain, the next hour it won't and the cycles repeats. The weather keeps you on your toes. You might exit your house with shorts only to find yourself in a rainstorm an hour later.


***

For DAVE M:

My review of the Garmin i30 ( pic is with Japanese language option on)

When you unwrap the Garmin i30 from the package you cannot help but think it's a toy. It's about the size of a baseball, and it only have three buttons, and one of the buttons is a scroll wheel. The remarkable fact that this thing has all the street maps of the USA loaded into memory is a remarkable feat in itself (9 gigs worth), but to add a GPS system on top is just ridiculous.

My recommendation: get it. This is the easiest-to-use GPS device I've seen. The scroll wheel makes finding street names and points of interests easy as pie. Think 'iPOD' scroll wheel speed on a GPS system. Only a monkey could get lost with this GPS device.

Key points:

1) Ease of use. When you don't have to read a manual, enough said. You don't have to be a techno geek to know either. Great for moms and anyone who doesn't like technology.

2) Speed. The GPS recalibration and sensitivity is first rate.

3) Features. You can go with several languages on the voice instructions. I prefer a British accent, but the coolest feature? The very fact you can get real time GPS positions, time of arrival to any point of interest where you are currently at. Example, you're in the middle of Broadway, and you want to find a Chinese restaurant. The i30 will give you all the Chinese restaraunts within 15 miles, and tells you how far each one is. When you select one, not only will it tell you how to get there, but tell you how long it takes. Don't worry about missing your turn, the i30 will automatically recalculate the shortest route to get you there.

You know those credit card commercials?

Here's mine:

2100 miles
38 hours of driving
10 refills on the gas tank
8 Monster Energy drinks
Subway Sandwhiches

****

Well, it started in San Luis Obispo with goodbyes to my co-workers, friends at Grace Church and many others.

Then off I went, with a faithful guy - Daniel L (kid is only 16 but you won't find a better guy on planet earth). He went along to keep me company, keep me awake, and I found out he really likes Subway sandwhiches. I couldn't have done it without him, and my love Michele agrees: Daniel you are awesome.

Anyone who is going to read this post is going to find some journaling here very much the same - so I'll skip the extras and get to the heart of the matter.

First week here wasn't easy. Had to move out of my apartment to another one because of a mysterious water leak and it smelled the apartment up like a sewer leak. Niiiice. Then I found out - there's not much DSL here. That's another niiiiice since I need broadband for work, which I'm also eager to do.

Finding my groove, my routine is important. Change is always difficult, but someone said life CHANGES whether we like it or not, but personal progress/change is not. That is a matter of the will. God has been very, very good to me. In my doubts whether I done the right thing ( you think about that alot as a Christian) in alllll my phone calls for customer reps from phone to cable it has been gals named, "Michele". How's that for coincidence? I think it's God saying, "Hey, I'm watching over you."

Psalm 2 reminded me the Christian life is truly of faith / belief. If I started let the doubts, discouragement I would make a God a liar basically saying he sent me to the MidWest to mess with my life. God has goodness for us...we just have to walk with Him on a daily basis.

Yes, it was discouragingw with my long trip, infection on my knee and the apartment switching, but I am THANKFUL for email because it keeps in touch with alot of you. I will make it a habit to post to keep in contact with everyone.

I do miss everyone, but building a new life out here in the MidWest has some benefits, namely a gal called Michele.

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Questions: How is Rockford different from SLO? People are certainly more friendly here...I think I will be making oodles of friends soon enough. The weather is the one that certainly throws me off. Thunderstorms one moment, and then a few hours later bright sunshine. One thing I will not enjoy here: humidity.

How is it so far? I really have to say, finding a routine, and schedule will help your transition. I don't know how personally people can move anywhere by themselves and then find it hunky-dory. It doesn't work that way with me, but with Michele on a daily basis helps. We're transitioning into a couples life. I think it will help ease into marriage.

Well everything should be coming down the pipe: a new computer monitor, broadband, office furniture and then getting back to work, which I am excited about again. I hope everyone at the Parable knows I am praying for them and my many friends...that I have not forgotten.