Saturday update instead ;-)

I'm thinking it's time for an update, although I'm not sure I have much to say.... lol.

I was watching some of the coverage of Hurricane Rita last night. I finally stopped -- it just made me worry even more about Carrie & Kent and the kids. Praying that they are all okay. I haven't watched anything today, just checked a few reports on the Internet.

Set up the Pirate Ship this week... that's been fun. :-D I love this stuff, and haven't done any website-related creating since I did the Teens Encounter Christ site a few years ago. This was minor compared to that, all I did was sign up for the board and then make some changes to the skins -- color schemes, etc. But still fun. I'm a dork.... lol.

I'm glad you guys are enjoying it. It really does feel more like "home", like the "old days". I'm very happy with it.

Talked to my girl earlier in the week -- that's always good. She makes me laugh. :-) The kids and I have talked about Christmas, and we all feel that we want to spend it by ourselves this year. Just us, no extended family. I think we need that. I'm sure that they will spend Christmas Eve with their dad and his side of the family (which is when they always celebrate), although Chantelle did mention that she still wants to go to church that night -- that is important to her. Christmas has been kinda rough for me for some time now... I don't know how it will be this year, but I think it will be okay. I actually feel better about it now than I have for a long time.

Had to go over some legal stuff this week, and have papers to sign next week. It went fine -- things are okay -- I'm okay. :-)

Well, once again I'm posting at work, so I should get back to it. I hope you all have a great weekend!

(Please keep Carrie and her family in your prayers.)

EDIT: Received an update from Carrie, and they are fine. Heavy rain and high winds, but no major damage.

Hurricane Rita... praying...

Please pray for all of those in the path of Hurricane Rita. Some of my friends will be effected, and I'm especially worried about Carrie and her family, who have not evacuated. Praying they will be safe....

The Back of a Smiley

Ever wonder what the back of a smiley looks like? ;-)

Find out here. :-D

Photojournal of Katrina

This is a very cool photojournal from a New Orleans resident -- before, during and after. It's long -- 197 photos -- but along with the descriptive captions is very interesting and worth the time to view.

Alvaro's Gallery

EDITED on Sept. 30/05: I believe this link should work now. The original album looks to have been moved, maybe because of so many hits. Dallas found this new link and posted on the Pirate Ship. Thanks Dallas!

Flash presentation for Cry Out to Jesus

Thanks to Joyce for this link to a presentation of Cry Out to Jesus .

(A nice presentation, but I found Emi's to be much more moving. Just MHO.)

Update

I suppose I should update with something other than songs to download and videos to watch. ;-)

So yeah... on Monday Sheldon and I went to Regina to see Chantelle before she headed back to Calgary. Picked her up about 1:00, and went to the closest mall. We were going to have something to eat, but decided to see what was playing at the cheap theatre. The only show that worked for us time-wise was Madagascar. What a great movie! Fuunnny! We quite enjoyed it.

Afterward we went for a late lunch, and spent considerable time yakking. ;-) A few stops in the mall, then we drove her to the bus station. Made a 7-11 run, then sat in the bus station coffeeshop and visited until it was time for her to leave. It wasn't a long time (a little more than 5 hours), but it was so great to see her and to just be able to relax and enjoy. Only a few months now till she's home for Christmas. :-D

Yesterday I got a wonderful surprise at work! My friend Joyce only lives about 3 hours from me, but we haven't seen each other in..... I don't know how long, but several years. She stopped in to see me yesterday! Totally unexpected. I was in the back shelving videos, and I turned around and there she was walking toward me! :-D It was a very brief visit as her and Fred were just passing through, but it was awesome! Joyce has been my rock and my sounding board and one of my main sources of encouragement in the past couple of years, and I've missed her so much. A real live hug was long overdue, and much appreciated. ;-)

That's about my excitement for the week... lol. Have a great weekend, everyone!

Praise You in This Storm

I want to share with you a moving tribute to the Katrina victims that a young member of the SCC boards has created. Thank you for sharing it with us, Emi. It is wonderful.

Praise You in This Storm

Cry Out to Jesus

I got an email from Third Day a few days ago, but didn't read it until tonight. I want to post it here. Check out the free downloads of their new single Cry Out to Jesus -- the album version as well as the extended media version. Good stuff....

~~~

Three weeks ago we all decided our first single from Wherever You Are would be a new song called CRY OUT TO JESUS. Little did we know at that time there would be a larger purpose. Originally scheduled to go to radio September 16, we want to let everyone know that the single, "Cry Out To Jesus," was rushed to radio stations earlier this week in the wake of the tragedy throughout the Gulf states. The band, the label, management and everyone involved have been shaken by the devastation that has occurred to our brothers and sisters in the south. Â Our hope is that this song will be like salve on the wounds of those who are hurting"We can't turn on the news without our hearts breaking for the people suffering through the devastation left by Katrina. Our sincere desire for this record and "Cry Out To Jesus" is to offer hope to hurting people. We know people's lives will be forever changed by the storm that hit this week. Our prayers and thoughts are with our brothers and sisters and their families in the Gulf States. We hope this song can bring even a small amount of hope and light to this dark hour." - Mac Powell
Third Day and Essential Records are happy to allow you to download the song 'Cry Out to Jesus.' free of charge. If you are at all inspired by this song, we hope and pray that you would translate those feelings into acts of compassion for those that are suffering on the Gulf Coast. Please consider making a donation to an organization such as World Vision or the American Red Cross that is already on the ground responding to this crisis. None of us will ever look back and wish we had done less to help those suffering at this horrible crossroads.

Click here for download information and links

Mac, Tai, David, Brad and Mark
http://www.thirdday.com

Not much to update, things have been pretty quiet. Which is okay -- no complaints here... lol.

Sheldon and I are leaving shortly to go to Regina to see Chantelle. Yay!!! :-D

She was able to meet up with her dad in Moose Jaw on her way down on Saturday, and they went to visit my grandma, which is good. I imagine Grammie was quite thrilled. He then drove her to Regina. Robbie went to the football game with a bunch of friends yesterday, so he and Chantelle will have hooked up there for a bit. And we're going down today. So, even though this trip was to see her friends from Winnipeg and she wasn't able to make it home, we all get to spend some time with her. Kind of an odd way of accomplishing it maybe, but it's working and that's all that counts. ;-)

I hope everyone has had a great weekend!

~~~

Currently playing: Lightning Crashes ~ Live

Pray for all those affected by Hurricane Katrina.... :-(

http://wnharrell.com/hurricanekatrina/katrinadocumentary.wmv

(Thank you, Carrie, for this link.)