Gifts

So we tried to do something different this year with Chris's family when it came to Christmas presents. For the most part I think it went well. We all decided that instead of going out and buying gifts for each other we should make things for each other.

So Joyce, my mother-in-law, made our three boys bathrobes, which they love and I think are pretty sweet. My sister-in-law made this amazing coffee scented bath body scrub. Chris loves it. Chris made everybody her homemade laundry soap, which I have been trying to convince her to sell and have even contacted a shop that would sell it. And I had some of my raspberries, that I had frozen from this summer, which I made into jam. All in all, I think it was a pretty cool idea and I hope we do it again.

Wii

I am very excited!!

We have not really been looking to buy a Wii, but I had kind of joked about it every now and again. And I have friends who have been frantically looking for one. Seems they are very hard to find right now. Wonder if Nintendo has anything to do with that? Hmmmm....

Anyways, yesterday Chris and I were doing a couple last minute shopping things while we were in Boise. We stopped in EB Games, simply out of curiosity, and asked the clerk if they had a Wii. He paused, and then said they only had one left. Without really even thinking or asking Chris I said I would take it. Then he tells me, well the shipping box got messed up and as a result the Wii box got wet. He said he had checked it out and nothing inside was wet and everything checked out OK. Several people prior to us said they did not want it because of the wet box.

When we got home I checked it all out and nothing inside was even damp. I wonder how long that was sitting there. And all the stores, I have heard, are not getting any more until after Christmas. So, five days before Christmas we stumbled onto this little treasure. Needless to say, I am pretty jazzed. Then Chris told me, "Well, guess this is your Christmas present." She was a little excited as well. A little.

a good day

today is a very good day in the house of dean. every year that i have been on staff there has been a couple who have graciously given us a smoked turkey. now you have to understand. this seems to be a labor of love for them. they make like 25 of them every december and it takes about 12 hours per turkey. i think they said they get up every 3 hours and do something with them. not really sure what that something is, but it must be something good because these things are awesome. no awesome does not really describe it. divine. yeah! that would do it, they are divine.

a nice thick smokey flavor that is in the skin and all the way to the bone. i really do look forward to this and always end up eating parts of it before it gets home. it is sitting in my office right now missing both legs. i only ate one. i gave the other to a friend who stopped by. i must say that i hesitated to do that. then chris and i decided that we would invite them over for dinner tonight to partake in the further consumption of this divineness. i am pretty sure they are coming from the look on my friends face.

yes, it truly is a good day in the house of dean.

Change of plans

We did it. We scraped together the remaining $318.18 that it took to pay off the house after selling my truck. It is now official, we have made our last payment on our house. Man it feels really good. Now to a couple of other small debts and debt free we will be!

My Truck

I loved my truck. I say loved because I just sold it. I am bummed for a couple of reasons. First, I loved my truck. It was an awesome truck, low milage, great shape and I could haul stuff whenever I needed to. I even loaned it out to my friends so they could haul stuff with my truck that I loved. Second, a very good friend sold me that truck for a smoking deal.

But mostly I am happy that I sold my truck. First, we don't need three vehicles. About six months ago I bought a 1989 Nissan Sentra. Not exactly an eye grabber and does not fit in as well as my truck here in Baker City, OR. where we have lots and lots of ranchers and cowboys. But it gets an average of 32 miles per gallon and that makes up for it all. the second reason that I wanted to sell my truck, and honestly it was the major factor in this decision, is that in selling it we take another big step towards being debt free. I mean really debt free. I have written a nice check to the mortgage company and our payoff on the house is now $433.16. I know, it is very exciting isn't it!! At least we think so. We figure that by Feb. we will have all debt paid off including Chris's van, and will be 100% debt free. I am very excited about this. I think it was worth selling my truck that I loved.

Buy Nothing Day

Here are some challenging words that Eugene Cho has for me and maybe others about Buy Nothing Day.

(ht. Scot McKnight)

Thankful

I am thankful for my amazing and beautiful wife, for my three boys and the fact that I have friends.

I am thankful for that and oh so much more.....

RVL

Chris and I recently went to Twin Falls, Idaho to hear Ray Vanderlaan (RVL), "That the World May Know Ministries", speak. I can only say AMAZING!!! I was once again blown away by the insight that RVL has into scripture and the context that it was written in. Once again, I walked away challenged and inspired. I am doing everything I can to go to Israel as a result of this weekend.

School

School is going to start for me next Monday. Life as I know it is going to change a lot. Having to take two classes and not really excited about that. To be honest, I am not really even sure what two classes I am taking. Guess I should get in contact with the school.

Officically....

....the vacation is over. It was good times had by all. We went to Yellowstone National Park and had an awesome time. We saw bison and elk. No bears, but that is ok. The boys really loved it. I got to do my 23 mile hike which was a year in the waiting. Got some yard work done that has been waiting for some time now. The boys were all in school for part of it so Chris and I got to hang out, just the two of us. That is something rather new to us. All said, great vacation. Just the way we like 'em.

Done

Well, I got it done. 23 miles on the Elkhorn Crest Trail took us 7 1/2 hours. Better then I thought we would do.

It was awesome. My feet are a little tender and I am starting to feel a little stiff. Need to make sure I go on a hike tomorrow to work some of this out.

I was really jazzed that Loren and Sue went with me. It makes it so much more enjoyable to hike with others.

Next, traverse the Eagle Caps. Next weekend.

Man I love this stuff!

Today's adventure

It is 4:40am. I am tired because I really did not sleep well last night. I think it was because I am excited and nervous. It may be because I knew that I had to get up really early this morning.

I am getting ready to walk out the door and go meet my friends Loren and Sue. We are going to hike the entire Elkhorn Crest Trail today. 23 miles. Loren has done it before in 7 hours. He is in better shape then I am.

I have been wanting to do this for over a year now. It is going to be sweet!!!

Serve God, Save the Planet

I am currently reading several books, which I always end up doing. I can't just grab one and read it through.

One of the books is titled, "Serve God, Save the Planet". I have been very challenged and very encouraged by this book so for.

It is not just telling me what we are doing wrong, it is also opening my eyes to what I as a follower of Christ can and should be doing. Chris and I are reading this together and are moving in directions to make changes in how we live. The really cool thing is that our oldest son is picking up on this stuff as well. He is pointing out ways that we can be a part of saving the planet and be more eco-friendly.

OH! NO! The Barnes clan is becoming a tree hugger family.

This past week

This past week has been a trying week for me. I have been excited, frustrated, sad, angry, confused, enlightened, and so much more. I have learned much about those around me and much about myself. Some good and bad in both cases.

Mostly I am being forced to ask myself some very difficult questions. What am I a part of? What is God calling me to? What is the purpose of the church? Is it fulfilling that purpose? Am I? Where is God leading our youth ministry? What steps do I need to take to fulfill that? Am I willing to take those steps? What is God doing in Baker City? Those are just a few of the questions. I wish I could say that I have come up with some answers.

I really have been feeling that something is going to explode in Baker, something good. Not just in Baker, but everywhere. I am just speaking of what I am noticing here. I really feel like we are on the brink of something. I am not exactly sure what that is, I just have the distinct impression that it is coming and that I want and need to be a part of it. I just don't know what that looks like right now. That is the frustrating and scary part.

Great! More waiting

A walk

Took a walk this afternoon after having lunch with my wife and oldest son. It was exactly what I needed. Time alone, on the local pathway, smelling the plants, trees, nature, looking at the clouds, noticing people and just everything. It was a great time to clear my head and think about my upcoming sermon, Aug 26. Was listening to Casting Crowns new album, The Altar and The Door. "What the World Needs" is an amazing song and actually quite appropriate for some of what I have been going through. What the world really needs is Jesus, not all the other stuff that we attach to Him or to the Gospel.

It was a good walk

Baker County Fair

I have to say, I am so super proud of my son, Matthew. This is his first year in the fair and he has done awesome. He has been so responsible with his lamb. Making sure it gets fed twice a day and working with it each time. It paid off for him. He got reserve champ in his class, jr. novice, for confimation. Then he got champion for showmanship in his class. It has ben pretty awesome for him. Tomorrow, market auction. Not sure how well that is going to go. It is starting to sink in that his lamb is going to go to market.

Kenny Wade

I got to hang out with my friend Kenny Wade today and am staying with his family tonight. It has been pretty sweet I must say. He is like wearing an old pair of well broken in shoes, comfortable. It was good to be with him.