China's Quake

The 7.9 earthquake that hit China had an epicenter in the SiChuan Province which is where I went 3 times on short term missions trips. It originated a little more than 50 miles from Chengdu which is the airport I flew into. Communications are, for the most part, cut-off from these areas. If you will, please pray for my friends at Da Qiao school.

On another note, one of my mentors, Fran Strong, is currently in China. This year, he did not go to the SiChuan Province. He was in Beijing at the time of the quake (the earthquake was felt even in Beijing). He is OK. Thanks to the Lord.

TV Update

Here's what I've been watching lately:

House Hunters: I actually really enjoy this show!
The Office: Not the best season, but still great
Lost: I can't decide if it's awesome or horrible
American Idol: I've enjoyed most of the season
American Gladiators: STARTS TONIGHT!

Mother's Day

I met my mother when I was very little. She seemed tired. And ever since then, my mom has had plenty of reasons to stay tired (though she's since regained her vigor). My mother has been a full-time mom while all along being a part-time employee. She's been a faithful daughter, wife, mother & friend. She's been a problem solver, a ministry leader, and a worry wart (but in the way that reminds you that she cares, a lot). I have never, for one moment, doubted that my mom loves me (and I know that not all people can say that). I've seen her weep when one of us hurts her. I've noticed her enjoying when we're all together. My mom is fun (truth be told, most of the girlfriends I've had have liked her better than they liked me!). My mom calls me 'Cutie Man!' on MSN almost every day. My mom wants nothing more than to have her children love the Lord and live happy lives. Well, I love the Lord and I'm very happy. And I owe an awful lot of that love and happiness to my mom. Happy Mother's Day to my mother and to all mother's reading this blog.

The Office

NBC's 'The Office' is struggling, in my opinion, to overcome the fact that Jim & Pam are now together. It seems to me that one of the most important aspects of a TV show is the unresolved romantic tension. Waiting for an inevitable engagement isn't really tension. Because of this, a few of this season's episodes have been below par compared to the normal brilliance. One of the most difficult decisions of a TV Show producer is when/if to resolve the tension. It's a catch 22. If you wait too long, the fans get frustrated (Gilmore Girls). If you deliver too quickly, the show loses its edge (The Office?). One show that seemed to make the decision well was 'Frasier' where Niles & Daphne hooked up toward the end of the series. It'll be very interesting to see if the makers of The Office find a way to bring some tension back into the Jim/Pam storyline. It's possible they will do this in next weeks season finale by having a career change for either Jim or Pam.

Bird Poop

Yesterday I was in the parking lot of a post office when some bird droppings fell just a few inches from where I was standing. As far as I can remember, this is the closest I've ever come to being hit by bird poop. So I have 2 questions:

1) Why aren't we hit more often?
2) Who HAS been hit?