Chance to witness history

I just got invited to go down to the Dodger, Giants game on Thursday night.
Unless Bonds hits two dingers before then, I will have the chance to watch him tie or break the all time Home Run record.
Too bad Im not sitting in Right field. That ball will be worth some money.

Who would I be?

This is an interesting game. I kind of like being myself, but if I had to be some other people, this is who it would be.

If I could be a famous historical figure I would be Joseph.

Although disowned by his brothers and faced many trials and temptations, he was truly blessed by God and was rewarded greatly for his faith and integrity. Plus he was one good looking dude that couldn't keep the ladies away.

·If I could be a celebrity I would be Scott Baio.

I only picked him because I am watching his show (45 and single) on VH1 right now and realized that I am just as scared of commitment as he is. Plus it would be cool to be recognized the rest of my life even if I never acted again.

·If I could be a famous athlete I would be Michael Jordon! At first, I thought of Tony Romo. Although just becoming famous, he is the qb for the cowboys and dating Carrie Underwood. What a great life! But instead Ill go down as the greatest basketball player ever.


·If I could be a famous musician I would be Weird Al Yankovic.

His entire career is made up of making fun of other peoples music. And he brings laughter to dozens and dozens of people. How could you not want to be him?

·If I could be a famous Christian Mover and Shaker I would be Billy Graham.

Yes, this seems like the obvious answer, but I think of all the people who have come to know Christ through his ministry and wonder how I could not pick him.

Im sorry for doing this but I must tag some people.
How about John Snyder, Becky, and Lovato.

Have fun!

Its that time again..

So sorry for the lack of posts. I have been sick the last couple of days but that should not be an excuse.
But its that time again. Training camps have started, and unfortunately this will be my first time in 4 years that I wont get to make it to the Cowboys training camp.
The past 3 years they have been in California, and it was pretty cool to get to watch them practice up close, get autographs and of course see the cowboys cheerleaders. But this year they are practicing in TX. Its okay, I am with them in spirit. By the way, we need to get a fantasy league going.

Why I am in Youth Ministry

If you are in youth ministry, you know that there are times when you feel really tired, discouraged, and may even wonder the point of at all. At least I do. My biggest fear is always wondering if I am making a difference.
Today after church, I received this email from one of my 8th grade girls. I just wanted to share it with you. (with her permission of course.)

Why I am in Youth Ministry:

Hey Whats up Eric?
I just wanted to say thank you for today's message.
It really helped me to think about what I am distracted
by and what sin I need to focus on getting rid of on my
walk with Christ. I really liked how we went around in the
room to be by ourselves because sometimes being with
friends can be a a distraction from what you are really
are trying to focus on. I also like how we wrote down what
we need to work on and then tore it up and throw it in the
trashcan.
I have also really enjoyed the current series we are going through.
It has helped alot with just thinking about my
purpose in life, my sin, my walk with Christ and some other
stuff too. It covers a lot and really gets my thoughts focused

Thank you so much for being there as a youth pastor and
as a friend. I really think that God sent you into my life
to help me straighten out my thoughts and expectations
of myself and work things out with God. Thanks again for
being an awesome influence and a great speaker in our
Jr.high group.
Sincerely,
Taryn

I am officially a nerd

Right before camp I splurged and bought an Xbox 360.
That doesnt make me a nerd. I think it is a requirement that every youth pastor has some sort of video game system. But I also got the Xbox live. (with good reason.) My excuse is that its a way to fellowship and stay connected with friends that I dont see anymore. But I have yet to do that. Right now it is just playing against strangers. I never thought I would be the one with the headset on talking trash to people I didnt even know. But that is who I have become.

Prayer Please

Just wanted to ask for prayers for my mom.
She is having a major surgery in San Francisco tommorrow afternoon.
She has had non stop pain and problems for over 5 years now.
If you could just take a minute and send up a prayer that everything will go well, I would really appreciate it. Thanks!

Im embarrassed

We have a local radio station that is promoting an event called 8th inning date.
They pick 8 single guys and 8 single girls to go on a group date to a baseball game in Fresno.
Without my knowledge, a friend from church signed me up for it.
Now I just have to pray to God that I don't get picked or else the entire central valley will think there is a desperate youth pastor looking for someone.

Deion helping students

Just read an article
where Deion Sanders is starting a biblically based mentoring program for students. He even has 14 children living at his house.
I had the chance to meet him a few times in high school and even went to Bible studies at his house. He also donated a lot to our Christian high school.
It's pretty cool to see such a big celebrity have Christian values and using his resources to help students.

Im Back

If you have read my previous posts, you know that I have been at Hume Lake Summer Camp for the past week. I would of posted earlier today, but I just woke up from one of the best naps that I have ever taken.
Being my first time at Hume Summer camp, I spent a lot of the week comparing this camp to the previous camp that I have attended the last few years.
All I can say is Hume wins.
It was a great experience. There are a few words that describe it.
1. Professional.
Every minute from the beginning to the end was well planned out.
The opening skit at the pond is something you would see at Disneyland or Treasure Island.
The band and speaker were really good, free time had many options of things to do and recreation time was actually somewhat fun.

2. Personal.
The Hume staff would wanted to help us in anyway. There was one day where I had a bad headache and a hume staff guy stepped in and hungout with my guys.
All the youth pastors got a great tri tip dinner at the end of the week.

Only downside: Food was not good at all.

Overall it was a great week. Hung out with some great students, played frisbee golf, connected with youth pastors and hungout at the lake.

I think we will be back next year.

Off to Camp

Just wanted to let everyone know that I will be blogless for the next 6 days.
We are heading up to Hume Lake for Jr. High Summer Camp. It will be a change. The last three years I have gone to Thousand Pines and have many memories there but Hume is pretty awesome though. I cant complain.

Here is what I am hoping for:
Getting to know and build relationships with the new students.
Hanging out with my leaders.
Many Rounds of Disc Golf
Great Worship
Great Speaker
Decisions being made
Great Food (not likely)
Silent Football
Many Rounds of Disc Golf

Here are things that have happened in the past that I pray to God wont happen again:
Staying up all night with a kid who is puking
Sending students home for being sick
Getting shot in the crotch three times while playing paintball
Getting stung by stinging nettle
Disciplining a student for calling 911
Not being able to make it up the rock climbing wall
Students being told to pick up trash during free time
Getting shot in the crotch three times while playing paintball

Chick-fil-A and I are not on speaking terms

I have had the biggest crave for this the past few months. O how I long for the mixture of sweet tea and lemonade, the lemon pie, the cookies and cream shake.
This could be my favorite eating place of all time. It must be considering I camped out in the drive thru 2 years ago. But unfortunately, I only get to go there ever few months when I visit my good friends in the OC.
They slowly continue to build in California but they are not working with me to put one in the central valley.
I have emailed them twice requesting one and they keep turning me down.
But I refuse to give up. I am going to email them once a month for the next year requesting one here. If they dont, well there is pretty much nothing I can do about it. I will still try. I will do whatever I can in my power to see this happen.

10 Day Forecast

Here is the weather for the next 10 days in Visalia.
Good thing I leave for camp up in the mountains on Sunday. I would probably die otherwise.
Today
Jul 04 Sunny 105°/70°
Thur
Jul 05 Sunny 109°/72°
Fri
Jul 06 Partly Cloudy 109°/72°
Sat
Jul 07 Sunny 105°/70°
Sun
Jul 08 Sunny 102°/67°
Mon
Jul 09 Sunny 100°/65°
Tue
Jul 10 Sunny 100°/66°
Wed
Jul 11 Sunny 99°/68°
Thu
Jul 12 Mostly Sunny 100°/67°
Fri
Jul 13 Sunny 99°/67°

A New Putman

I posted back in January that my brother and sister-in-law had twins.
Unfortunately, the only times I have seen them have been through a computer camera or pictures. I get my first chance this November when they come out to Cal.
But I just found out this week that they are pregnant again. The Putman family just keeps growing. Its a beautiful thing.

Top movies that I have never seen.

This happens all the time. People start to quote movies or discuss movies that they love and I realize that I have never seen them even though most of the world has. And as soon as I tell them that I haven't seen that particular movie, they look at me like I am crazy or that I fell off the face of the earth.
So off the top of my head, I have come up with the top movies that for some reason I have never seen. Some look good and others I probably never will.
These are in no paticular order.