TMNT

Spider-Man 3 is not the only movie I can't wait for and this one is even sooner!!!

McAdam Has Class

Well if I am going to blog and complain about unsportsmanlike conduct of certain teams, it is only fitting that when a team shows amazing sportsmanship I should blog about that too. On Thursday this past week our team , now 3-5 on the season, traveled to McAdam to play what we heard was the best team in the league. Previously after our win over Nackawic, a parent told me that there were three players on McAdam's team who were taller than I am. He also tole me that these players were in grade seven!

We arrived in McAdam to find the rumours were true. As we began our warm up the McAdam Warriors ran out to pumped up music and ran some impressive warm up drills. A large percentage of the town had shown up to support their team and I was pondering on the pounding we should soon encounter when the coach of the other team came over to introduce himself to me. We chatted about our teams and the kinds of seasons we were having and he seemed like a really nice guy.

Well the game began and McAdam jumped out to an early lead but pulled back after only leading by ten or so. They pulled their top line off and took most of their shots from outside. They applied zero pressure and their players even helped our our players with things like three in the key. My players raved about what nice guys were on the other team. They could have easily destroyed us but instead of running up the score they worked on weaker aspects of their game and helped our players out. I was really impressed.

McAdam has class.

Relax

So far this season the Keswick Valley Coyotes are 1-3 in league games with one exhibition win. It seems we either win or get beat really bad. We never seem to lose close. Not that I am discouraged by this. Despite my competitive spirit I am really focusing more on improving our play than winning games. I tell the boys to remember that this is the first year we have had a program in years and that the teams we play have been playing with each other for some time. The other thing is that I am a rookie coach and this is all new to me as well.

Aside from being new to this, I do understand that there are certain ethical rules that need to be followed by coaches. One of these rules is that if your team is up by twenty or more and are obviously superior, you call your players to pull the press. For those of you who don't know what that means, pulling the press means that you tell you players to get back to the defensive zone when they don't have the ball especially after scoring baskets. It is just common courtesy as there is no need to embarrass teams beyond what is needed.

Well last night we were playing against one of my old schools Albert St Middle. We were missing our top scorer from the last game which also messed up my top string as he is one of our point guards but that is what it is. Either way we were losing by a lot, maybe 35 or so and Albert St was still pressing the court! After they had just scored a basket the intercepted our inbounding pass and and got another, so I politely (I mean that too!) asked the coach if he could pull the press. Now I was completely calm here, I honestly wasn't all that upset about losing so bad as we have done it twice previously. But the other coach sternly tells me to "Relax."

Now I am a patient person, but nothing will stir up a person quicker than to tell calm person to calm down. It made me so mad. He was the one in the wrong and when I , very calmly, ask him to show some sportsmanship he tells me to "relax." Ben and I used to do that to stir each other up and man did it work. Anyways, despite my desire to hurt this guy and retaliate I didn't. But man that bugs me!

Snow Days and Satellite Eyes

While snow days are great I must admit that they are not what they used to be. When I was a kid, a snow day meant a day off school to lay around and watch TV, play in the snow, wrestle with the dog and so on. Ben and I would lay in for a while then usually shovel off the deck, jump off the deck wrestle for a while and then go inside and watch TV or if we were feeling adventurous we would walk to the store and rent a movie or video game.

Today not much of that is happening, I have some things to work on but I am here by myself today because Janelle has to work. I did shovel off the deck and jump off (the whole half a foot) but I can't even watch TV because, my guess is, the eye of the satellite is covered with snow.

This used to happen back when snow days were awesome too but when it did Ben and I would just grab the ladder, climb to the top of the house and clean it off. I remember holding the ladder for my brother on one occasion while he cleaned off the satellite. When he was done he jumped off the roof! Not into the snow or onto the deck but onto his brother, ME!

While I lay limp on the ground, he took off inside and locked me out leaving me to put the ladder away myself and promising I wouldn't get him back in order to gain entry to the house again.

I am sitting here chuckling to myself now. Good times.

The Name Game

Before you all start singing banana fanna bo banna that is not what I am talking about. For me the name game seems to happen almost weekly. I am talking about when someone approaches you and calls you by name with confidence. They know you, they know who your family is, they know where you are from and where you currently reside. They know where they know you from and probably have at the very least a hand full of stories about you.

You on the other hand have no idea who they are. Actually chances are (if you are like me) the only idea you really have is that you recognize them from somewhere and know them enough that you SHOULD know their name, but that is about it. You know you know them well enough that you CAN'T ask them their name. All you can do is stand there and hope that the bring up something familiar that will connect the dots for you.

Really the best thing you can do is just ask. Just ask them outright from the beginning. You have to do it at the very beginning of the conversation or not at all. You can't carry on the conversation and then ask at the middle or end who they are. My best attempt at tactfulness seems to leave me carrying on as if I know while I wonder throughout the conversation and still wondering at the end. Anyways, if I haven't seen you in a while and you come speak to me try to work your name in somehow to rescue me and don't be offended if I forgot, half the time I can't remember my own name... anyways, how is that for the first post of 2007?

Whatever,

Sam...

D'I mean, Dan

Well Staffed

Well yesterday I attended our staff Christmas party and most of you have figured out by now that I mean Graham, Murray and I went out for lunch. We went to Bruno's at the Delta for the pasta buffet where for a very reasonable price you get all you can eat soup and salad, pasta with unlimited ingredients, rolls, deserts and a refillable drink! It was so good. We were lucky to get in too. Only one table in the restaurant was not reserved and we got it! What luck!

The food was amazing but that was not the draw nor the highlight of the meal. You the faithful readers know that I get overly excited about food and believe me I was, the pasta buffet comes highly recommended by yours truly. The fact of the matter is however that we could have been eating at Wendy's or even someones house and it wouldn't have mattered.

The staff at our church is really something. I count myself blessed to be able to work with my long time friends and mentors. Graham has been a friend to me and my family since before I knew it! He has been a bright spot in my day on countless occasions and continues to be one of the wisest examples I have ever had the privilege of learning from. Murray became my youth minister when I was in junior high and quickly became one of my best friends. He has been there for me on numerous occasions and was perhaps my biggest inspiration to enter ministry. He has kind of been the Mr. Fini of my life, moving when I do.

Lunch was great because we are so well staffed and I praise God for these men everyday.

The Persuit

This past week I have found myself on a few missoins or persuits if you will. The first was on Wednesday, after hockey which ended very early due to a lack of attendence. For once we actually had enough interest for a bunch of us to go out to Tim Hortons afterword. I have been wanting to try the new Holiday Spice hot smoothe and finally got one Wednesday night... It was really good! Success.

Next on Thursday, I ran my first basketball practice. I have been to a bunch of them but I actually led this one. It went pretty good although I had one of my best players go down during suicides and we needed to call parametics to check him out. Little sceary but he was ok. Other than that I felt it went well.

Then on Friday, I had perviously heard a rumour that the Tim Hortons on Prospect St had hot apple cider! I have been nothing short of devestated since they stopped serving it, so I went and ordered a large and yes Anna it was a really good mix! My mouth and taste buds celebrated with me as we enjoyed every drop.

Finally today, I coached my first ever Basket Ball game. I have to admit I was a little nervous, but I rallied the troops, or the Keswick Valley Coyotes, agaist the Nackawick Jay-hawks and WE WON! 67-48 I was so pumped, and apparently quite loud as Janelle has informed me.

Anyways, it was a crazy week of multiple persuits, really only of basket ball and Tim Hortons but still. Good times!

Why Pack A Lunch?

Every morning that my bride and I have to work we have a similar morning routine. You probably do too. We get up, get cleaned up, dressed and so on and so on. Every morning Janelle makes breakfast and packs herself a lunch. Personally, I eat breakfast but never pack a lunch.

Janelle is a great wife. There are many reasons for this and making a nice breakfast almost every morning is merely one of them. The reason I don't pack a lunch however is not because she packs it for me. I am sure she would if I asked but why pack a lunch?

I don't because my office days are spent in Burtt's Corner. Around 11:00 I just call my grandparents place and let them know I will be there around noon. Usually Gramps and I eat leftovers, which is fine by me! It is always a nice meal and great conversation. Today however, I called to find that Grammie and Gramps were just on their way to town so would not be available for lunch. As I began to ponder what I would do since I hadn't packed one my grandmother checked with my cousin Dustie if she would be around.

So today for the first time in a long time, just Dustie and I had an awesome lunch that she made. Baked pasta and fresh cinnamon buns for desert. We had a great chat and it was just a really nice time.

I praise God for the way that he takes care of me. Today he has blessed me with a great wife, a great cousin and great food and it is only 1:00 in the afternoon!

Life is good.

Great Trip

Well on Saturday Janelle and I and Ben and Jac got up at 4:00am to drive through the snow and rain all the way to Montreal. Dispite the poor driving conditions, the drive was really enjoyable. It was so nice to spend time with Ben and Jac agian, we had some great conversation and big laughs.

We arrived in Montreal around 1:00pm EST and actually did pretty well with the Montreal driving. We got rigged up for the game and walked to the Bell Centre. We took the tour which was awesome and then had an afternoon meal at Le Cage aux Sports. Really cool place. We then spent "some" money in "Le Boutique." My Habs room loved it!

At this point we went to stand in line to get in the Bell Centre for the game but they don't open the doors until 5:30. When we got in the atmosphere was AMAZING! There were so many Go Leafs Go chants and Go Habs Go chants before the building was even half full!

When the game started you couldn't even hear! It was unbelieveable. I was high fiving and hugging strangers like crazy!! Things looked bleak for the habs all the way up to the beginning of the 3rd period but with two late period goals from Captian Koivu and a shoot out goal, the Habs took it.


This Janelle and I at the press conference after the game

We drove back Sunday morning and I think Ben and I laughed the whole way. It was SO fun, I can't wait to do it again next year!

Audi Later!

(that was for you Ben, the rest of you don't ask)

God Reads My Blog

On Friday as you (the blog faithful) read, I was excited about Ben coming but also missing my family, the way it used to be. Well that night Ben and Jacquelyn arrived and we were eating supper sharing some conversation and some laughs, when my Mom dropped in. She said that she might and she came in a sat down to some additional supper. Moments later, my Dad and Shelby (my dog) arrived! We all spent the evening together telling stories, reminiscing, sharing news and laughing! It was so weird because it was so normal. Almost how I had pictured it long ago, the way it should be.

God reads my blog. He saw the prayer of my heart on Friday and answered it. Sometimes in the run of our work, school, church activities and everything else that packs up our lives we forget that God cares about every aspect of our daily lives, including the little thoughts and dreams that go through our heads on any given day. God checks your blog too, and your website, and your diary or journal. He hears your thoughts, comments and prayers.

I really like the comment feature on this blog but on my last post God commented with action. Thank you God, you always know just what to say!

Family Ties

I have to admit that I am having a little trouble concentrating today. The reason you ask? (and even if you didn't) I am very excited because today my brother and his wife are coming to stay with us. They won't be here long, up today and back tomorrow after the wedding they are here to attend but still it will be awesome to spend even a little bit of time with them.

I often tell my youth group to watch how they treat their family and especially their siblings. I emphasize this because I don't want them or you for that matter to miss out on the blessing their is in family ties that one may not always be able to count on whenever they want. I say be nice to your brother or hug you sister because tomorrow you will wake up and you'll be 19, and you won't live at home anymore and your brother won't live in the same province as you and your sister will be in another country. You will wish they were there to go to the game with you or play a game with, watch TV with or even just have a coffee and chat. Let me tell you, I would love to live near my brother again and I pray that someday I will. Someone told me in college we would lose touch and not be as close when we moved apart and got married but we still talk almost every day.

You know, my family is a lot different than it used to be. I would give most anything to get it back but that is out of my control. But I do cherish the times we spent. Take the time, bury the hatchet and be the family member you would want to have. That way no mater what happens tomorrow, you will always have those times. Don't miss out on the good and perfect gifts that God has for you, take them, hold them and cherish them. I will too.

MCChristmas

Well as you all know, the Christmas season has been in full swing for me for a while. In face I have only a few more things to pick up in the way of Christmas shopping and one of those things is wrapping paper! I must say though that right now my thoughts have turned some to my college days at MCC. I was kind of Mr. Christmas there for a while. I would dig out the Christmas decorations for my dorm room or apartment and make everyone listen to Christmas music everyday in class and tried to have a cup of cheer each day!
Don't get me wrong, I love being home and wouldn't trade spending more of the holidays here for anything but I do miss the good times spent at Maritime Christian College as well. I know that they are getting ready for the parade right now and that also takes me back. I was always pumped about putting a band on the float and although the weather wrecked my plans one year, it didn't for two! Anyways, to the students of MCC, make Christmas a special time you cherish with your family at MCC before you go home. You won't regret it, I promise!

174 Days To Go!

Let It Snow

As I laid in my bed this morning and the alarm came on I listened to the news... ok I wasn't really listening but I could hear it and my wife asked me if I had heard what it said. I hadn't. She said that the weather forecast was calling for 2-4 cm of snow. I told her I doubted if that would be the case as yesterday we got a few flurries but they never amount to much. She suggested that I have a look out side and pulled up the blinds and I was delightfully proven wrong!

I say let it snow! Actually it says that in front of my house right now as for the past few days Janelle and I have been putting up what Janelle calls "winter" decorations and I call "Christmas" decorations. The house is a little messy right now but is looking better everyday. I love the snow and even though the first snow goes away as quick as it comes I do hope it is here to stay. I know that winter is cold and makes for bad driving and short days and so on and so forth but I am glad to live in a place with four seasons. I think the snow is beautiful and I can't wait until there is enough to make snow angels and snowmen!

I think there is enough to make snow balls though... I can't wait for Janelle to get home!

My New Car

Well this post is certainly happier than that the last one with this title. Yes since October the tenth I have been without my beloved Ion. I had a Ford Fusion for a little while, and no you can't do that cool tie trick and park on the side of buildings like in the commercial, but for the past week or so Janelle and I have been trying to operate on one vehicle. I am not really complaining as I know that many at my place in life would love to have one new vehicle but nonetheless it was a bit of an inconvenience to us.

Well today despite my absence of an insurance check to pay for it Saturn let me take home today my new car. Hopefully I will have this one a little longer! I drove by the scene of an accident yesterday while they were trying to get someone out of a severely smashed up vehicle. I am not sure if the person was hurt or not but it reminded me that my accident wasn't so bad as no one was hurt. Anyways God is good and he provides. This is me with the new wheels!

Happy Halloween!

Why I slept soundly last night - Post #100

Blessings and Rain

Well I have to say that I believe that I must be the most blessed and encouraged person in the world. I have so much in so many different areas of life and even though it has been raining over the past few days, blessings fall on me like rain everyday!

This past weekend we went to the Exalt conference at Maritime Christian College and it was really awesome. The whole experience of it really. I have an amazing youth group and it really is just a pleasure to spend time with them. God is doing amazing things in their lives and it is a thrill to witness and be a part of it. They are so special to me and I love them to death!Our youth group has been growing as of late which excites me as well. God is so good and never stops blowing me away.

It was also great to get to PEI and see my brother. I miss him so much but give thanks to God for the time we do get to spend together. We just so much fun sharing stories (mostly old but some new!) and laughs. It was wonderful to get to stay with him and his wife as well as his new puppy! Family is a real source of joy to me and I give God thanks for it.

I love my wife too. She is a definite gift from God. She does so much for me and goes above and beyond every day. The love we share from dancing in the kitchen to intimate talks at night is so amazing and I thank God for her every day. I have no idea what I would do without her.

I also have been blessed in where I work. I mentioned the wonderful youth that I have the privilege to spend time with but I also praise God for the work environment he gives me and the people I work with. Both Graham and Murray have been inspirations and mentors in my life and to get to work with them now in adulthood blows me away. I truly am blessed among all people in this regard. God even gives me little blessings to garnish the big ones as this is the view from my office window! WOW!


Last night we played hockey too and man I could go on and on. Isn't funny how God has enabled us to get so much enjoyment out of beating a piece of rubber around the ice with sticks? He is so good. You know, when you stop and actually think of your blessings, life really can be great!

Hockey Hockey Hockey

Well tonight is the first night of hockey of the season and I am super pumped. I have been itching to play since the end of August and have had to wait until now. This will be my fifth year playing in goal and I love it. I tried it when I moved to PEI in 2002 and this will be my first year playing back home in Burtt's Corner. It always takes a while to prove yourself as a goalie, especially when all you play is pick up. Just like when I started in PEI, I will be playing once a week but hopefully after a while I can get my name around again and more but this is great for now.

Can't wait for tonight!!!

Christmas Time's a Coming!

I know I know, everyone get ready to groan at the earliness of the above statement but like it or not Christmas time is "a coming." I know because the air is getting cooler, the days are getting shorter and I BOUGHT EGG NOG! That is right this is me enjoying the first glass of egg nog of the season! Tis the season to be jolly and I am! I have been listening to Christmas music in my office this week and I actually drove by a house last Tuesday that had their Christmas lights up and ON!

Now before you all start commenting about how it is too early for this, its so commercial, the Bible only devotes a chapter and half to Jesus' birth and so on, you have to admit that there is a different atmosphere around Christmas time. You cannot deny that most people get a renewed generosity and joyousness about them this time of year. I love that and I welcome it early and invite it to stay as long as it can.

So again this year allow me to be the first to wish you a Merry Christmas!