Hospital Rounds

I have spent much of today making hospital calls. 6 people divided by 3 hospitals all over town. Lots of fun.

I actually don't mind doing hospitals, 6 is a little much though.

I got a call for the 6th person on the road however. There was a Jr. High girl just admitted to the hospital. I went in there not knowing what was wrong with her, and when I went to her room, she was laying there reading a magazine.

"Hi, I'm SoeBeck, what's going on?"

"I drank an entire bottle of Grey Goose, and passed out."

It was an 8th grade girl who I have never seen before. She told me she was an alcoholic, and was worried about her parents sending her back to rehab.

How has a 14 year old girl been in rehab before, and is now worried about having to go back?

I mean, people messed around with alcohol when I was in Jr. High, I know. To already be in rehab though? To call yourself an alcoholic? She wasn't at a party, she wasn't with friends. She drank a bottle of vodka by herself, on her own. She obviously needs the savior, but she has no interest. What do I do, invite her to youth group? I did. She didn't seem too interested. I mean and why not? Most of my kids are trying to find out whether or not they like girls or whether or not they have the right Ipod.

Goodness. I feel helpless. Kind of all my training goes out the window with something like this.

"Father, help your child. Help her find you."

People really don't like this guy.

Alright, this guy isn't a very good singer. I think that perhaps I could give him a run for his money, and I am definitely NOT one of the best 10 singers in the country.

However, hunger strikes? I mean, how in the world do you care about a show enough to actually go on a hunger strike over the results? I can see a hunger strike for awareness about the aids epidemic in Africa, or something worthy like, Oral Roberts raising 8 million dollars for something or other.

I guess, I can understand Simon saying he would quit American Idol over it. I mean, if you are the creator of a show, and it loses all credibility 2 years in a row by bad singers consistently doing well (that kid with the glasses last season?), maybe you've been exposed as being the laughing stock of the nation. Or perhaps you will realize that you are nothing more than a Karaoke competition and realize you don't have a lot of credibility in the first place.

Or maybe, I am an idiot.

I am excited about Bono perhaps showing up. Please let there be a U2 night, please.

Lazy Sunday

No, I don't have some rap about red vines being crazy delicious! I am listening to Waterdeep right now, and life is all good!

The last few days have been incredible! The weather has been ridiculous! It was 80 here yesterday. Holly and I went to take a walk around midnight last night, and the temperature outside was perfect! This weekend was the start of spring break for our students and all evening church activities were cancelled, so yesterday was simply a lazy Sunday (I don't get those very often), and it was everything I thought it could be! :)

The tourney has been kinda lame. No real upsets, kinda boring. If Florida wins though, I will finish 2nd in my tourney pool. That's like cash money, yo!

You may be seated.

Today was the day I married off my roomate and the church nursery coordinator. I have to say that for my first wedding, it went pretty well. There was tense moment when Darin was escorting the Brides dad down the aisle pushing his wheelchair as the bride stood next to her dad. The dad stopped him and got out of the wheelchair to walk the bride up the aisle, but Darin kept pushing him back down into the chair. Darin is a bit of a baby sometimes. Alright, that was an episode of the office, but man, you can imagine if Darin did that, right? Anybody?

I screwed up just one real noticable time. After the giving of the bride away and my prayer, I was supposed to tell the guests to be seated. Ya, kinda forgot about that.

They all sat down as one big unit about halfway through my sermon. To which I remarked, "Yup, there it is. Right here in my notes!"

It was fun. The end.

The mighty CPAP!

So, just imagine me laying there instead of that old guy. I just got done with my first night on the CPAP. I didn't sleep very well. Normally it takes me about 2 or 3 deep breaths to fall asleep. It took me at least 30-40 minutes to fall asleep with the facemask on.

Also, the lady that was setting my CPAP up was showing me the maximum pressure the mahine would attain during the night. The machine is automatic though, and it only distributes that pressure in those moments where you absolutely need it. The machine constantly monitors pressures and oxygen levels, so the machine is constantly blowing harder and softer throughout the night.

Except for mine. She accidentally set it for full pressure, all the time. Needless to say, I am very tired today. She apologized and ran over a new program card to set it right. I need a nap.

I am officiating my first wedding this weekend. I am marrying my roomate and the church's nursery coordinator. Which is cool, but I am losing a roomate. Anyone want to pay me rent and come live in my house?

Alright, peace out.

Results after Day 1

13-3 losing 1 sweet 16 team.

Go Illini!

A little help from my friends...

Brant chastized, er, encouraged me yesterday to blog, even if it's ridiculous. Well, be careful what you ask for:

My girlfriend has been in Colorado since Saturday. She is not getting home til sometime Saturday evening. I want to scratch someone's eyes out.

Although I miss my boo, I am kinda excited about the tourney starting today! Stupid CBS here isn't showing the Illinois game here... something about the Purdue game being a team from Indiana, and Illinois being a mere 12 seed or something.

Speaking of a 12 seed, there is always at least one 12 seed to beat a 5. Is this the year? Since the days of Lou-dou, I believe no Illinois team has beaten a higher seed tournament seed in the tourney. This would be a great year to start. Well, maybe. Problem is the nightmare of teams we would have to play if we won. We win the first round, and we then have to go get spanked by our red-headed step child, in state rival, SIU? That would set recruiting even farther back than it is! And if somehow we were to get past SIU? Kansas, and former Illini traitor, Bill Self. No way I want to get spanked by them! He's such a jerk, he recently said that we didn't belong in the tourney. Comon' Bill, do you have to kick us when we are down?

I have to get a CPAP machine. Ask me how excited I am about that? I think my heart stops like 43 times a night or something like that. :)

24 has been a major disappointment this year. 'Nuff said.

Studio 60 got pulled. That makes me sad, I don't agree with Sorkin's political views, but the man can write a compelling show. Sports Night was one of the best shows that no one ever watched.

Every one should watch this guy: He pretty much stole my entire shtick.

Oh man, while I am pointing out awesome you tube stuff: This made me remember why I love college basketball.

Everyone should go to this here site and listen to my baby lead worship. Click on "The Edge" Icon. She alternates weeks in which she leads, so you will have to click on different ones to find her. One of my favorites is Part 4 of Better Together. They are all great though!

My sister graduates from Nursing School in May. She'll be 27 years old! Way to be SoeYun, way to be! Gotta keep up the Song family tradition of not finishing school til the late 20's!

I am doing my first wedding next week. I better figure out what to do before then...

out

Best Girlfriend ever!

That's my baby! Had this delivered to my place of employment!!

O Lord, rebuke me not in your anger,
nor discipline me in your wrath!
For your arrows have sunk into me,
and your hand has come down on me.

There is no soundness in my flesh
because of your indignation;
there is no health in my bones
because of my sin.
For my iniquities have gone over my head;
like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.

My wounds stink and fester
because of my foolishness,
I am utterly bowed down and prostrate;
all the day I go about mourning.
For my sides are filled with burning,
and there is no soundness in my flesh.
I am feeble and crushed;
I groan because of the tumult of my heart.

O Lord, all my longing is before you;
my sighing is not hidden from you.
My heart throbs; my strength fails me,
and the light of my eyes—it also has gone from me.
My friends and companions stand aloof from my plague,
and my nearest kin stand far off.

Those who seek my life lay their snares;
those who seek my hurt speak of ruin
and meditate treachery all day long.

But I am like a deaf man; I do not hear,
like a mute man who does not open his mouth.
I have become like a man who does not hear,
and in whose mouth are no rebukes.

But for you, O Lord, do I wait;
it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.
For I said, “Only let them not rejoice over me,
who boast against me when my foot slips!”

For I am ready to fall,
and my pain is ever before me.
I confess my iniquity;
I am sorry for my sin.
But my foes are vigorous, they are mighty,
and many are those who hate me wrongfully.
Those who render me evil for good
accuse me because I follow after good.

Do not forsake me, O Lord!
O my God, be not far from me!
Make haste to help me,
O Lord, my salvation!

Paging Adolf...

The NFL is ridiculous!

Memo to Bruce Weber.

Please stop killing our basketball program.

We are bad. We are playing ugly basketball. None of the players are buying in. We can't seem to land a recruit that shows signs of being a future stud.

Bruce, I love you as a coach. You have got to show me something else though! Show me you can recruit your way out of a paper bag. Show me that you can get players to buy into your system!

Anyway...

Sunday school yesterday was a pretty great day for my ministry. I think we may have turned a big corner.

I totally plagiarized a Mark Driscoll sermon, but it's ok because I told the students that I stole it, and really he totally plagiarized from God anyway. Anyway, I ended the sermon with a decision time, and 19 people came forward! No music, no emotional plea, just if you need to make a change in your life come forward. 9 people said they wanted to ask Jesus to be the savior of their lives, and 10 wanted prayer because of the fact that they wanted to change the way that they are.

I love days in ministry like that! Kind of makes you think that it is worth it.

I love this guy!

So, I am sick, I am on vacation, and it is Dog Whisperer week on National Geographic Channel. Let me explain why I love this guy, Cesar Millan, for the 2 of you out there that do not love him already. He goes in and basically tells dog owners the reason why their dogs act retarded is because the owners are treating them like they are retarded (not the dogs, but the owners). This interaction is classic:

Cesar: So, you have 3 dogs, and you favor one dog over the other 2?

Couple: Well, yes, we have had her the longest and we joke that she is our kid and the other 2 dogs are her pets. Is that a problem?

Cesar: So, one is human and the other 2 are dogs?

Couple: Is this creating a problem (laughing)?

Cesar: Yes. It is absolutely a problem.

Couple: (No longer laughing, kind of offended) Well, don't you have a favorite?

Cesar: No. I have over 30 dogs at my compound, and I love them all equally. If I rescue a dog, or if a celebrity gives me a dog, I love them all the same. They are all number two to me.

Couple: Oh? Well, who's number one?

Cesar: I am.

I love this guy! He totally goes off and these dog owners, but he does it with his mexican accent, and coupled with the fact that his tactics are unbelievably effective and make total sense, he totally gets away with it.

I was telling Holly that that I think this guy is a genius and his teachings are right on so many different levels. Excercise, Discipline, and Affection. You can apply his thoughts all over the place, parenting, spiritual growth, etc. Although, that may be the many different flu remedies I am taking at the moment speaking, however.

Christmas party fun!

This clip is pretty funny.

We have not learned much, have we?

Oh ya, and this movie looks like it may be sweet!

Reason #666 why I like my girlfriend...

She leaves me inappropriate messages. On the hood of my truck, in a card, etc. It's for fun (Best Nacho Libre impression there).

Today is a cool day. My friends the Douglass's come back from China today with their new daughter, Ruthanne Jing Douglass. Here she is:

Man, those chumps in the midwest...

It's snowing like crazy and freezing up there. I am glad I live here in Florida, er, crap. I hate this weather, I am seriously going to die. It is so flippin' cold and windy!

At least I get to wear my Navy P coat. Actually that is no consolation, I hate this weather!

The itch

So, I took 2 Sundays off in a row. Almost 3 weeks of not talking about Jesus to my Jr. High Students. I was itching yesterday! I love the affirmation that I am in the right line of work! Now if I could only figure out how to teach well...

Holly met the fam, she did very well with that. Although she did fib to my mom when asked whether or not she liked the seaweed soup (I will be getting yelled at for making that public)!

SoeYun loved her! Let's go ahead and be honest about it, her opinion was really the only family member who's opinion I really worried about. She (my sister) has an uncanny ability to read a person right off the bat. Holly passed with flying colors!

Thanksgiving was awesome! Thanks for asking!

***Warning: This post is ridiculous.****

I am in day 4 of a 5 day stint of not seeing Holly. This time is what I like to refer to as, "The Suck." I hate "The Suck", as it tends to leave me grumpy and feeling sorry for myself.

In other news, the family is doing well. I really miss SoeYun. I wish that she lived in Evansville. I miss seeing her whenever I wish to. I even kind of miss Beth! :)

If you remember, pray for my friends the Douglass's. They are on a plane right now leaving from Detroit, and headed to Tokyo. From there they are going to board a plane to China, to pick up their newly adopted little girl. They will be in China for a couple weeks, and I will be there to meet them back in Evansville when they step off the plane on December 6th. They are dear friends, and I am excited to hear of their adventures when they return.

Turkey Day tommorrow! Mmmmm, turkey. Go Bucs!

And the walls came tumbling down...

I am sitting here blogging from the old alma matter! I need to tell you what I saw today. I was outside when I saw the whole procession of Holers in full holer regalia. The pope was out, the ark of the covenant was carried by ashen poles, and that crazy oblong thing was there.

Anyway, it was odd because they were all marching by the new building. In fact they were marching around the new building. Perplexed I asked a holer what it was they were doing? This was a new event that I had not seen before. The holer ignored me. I was confused, and so I asked another holer what was going on. That holer also ignored me.

It was then that I realized what they were doing. They all suddenly stopped and blew trumpets and started screaming. They had marched around the building once for 6 days, and today they marched around 7 times and then blew horns and screamed! One of the funniest things I have seen in a long time!

Yesterday was my ordination. It was the coolest ordination I have ever been to, I know it was mine and all, but it was really fun!

LCC has changed a lot since I have been here, but one thing remains the same:

When the hole is called up yonder,
When the hole is called up yonder,
When the hole is called up yonder,
When the hole is called up yonder,
I'll be there.