Ish Concert

I went to the Jackson County Fair last night to watch the Riverview band "Ish" play. They were really good. There were actually a lot of people there considering it was a "fair" stage. It would've been cooler if they had gotten to play on the mainstage....in fact I think they were better than the pre-show for Switchfoot. I bought a set of tickets from Noel...they were sweet seats....2nd row dead center. I felt kind of out of place though with all of the screaming teenage girls surrounding us. Oh ya...forgot to mention....HMB was there with me...we had met up at the "Ish" concert coincidentally. Hadn't seen her in over two weeks...it was nice to catch up a little. But anyways....the concert was good. After the concert HMB and I went around to see the sights the fair...eat some fair grub....and see the animals. Oh ya...FYI...it is not cool to tell your friend to "watch out" as they step in cow crap...and then laugh at them. Man...I will find my revenge on that one...you just wait. But it was a good time...

After walking around waiting for the concert to begin...we finally went to see Switchfoot. I only knew about four of the songs...but they were really good. We were crammed into folding chairs...and had to crawl over a guy with crutches to sit down for the concert. The preband was still playing...not bad...but like I said before..."Ish" was a lot better. The weather was really muggy though....so we skipped out after they played the three songs we really knew well. So I guess we heard 8 songs or so...(random thought: can you start and end a sentence with a the word "so"?....well I just did :P) I thought about the concert...and the fun I had hanging with HMB....walked back to my car and left. Went to bed and had some crazy dreams about the president being attack in the middle east...and then woke up this morning.

Angry and Mad

I have been trying to spend a lot of time lately just contemplating life and trying to listen for God's direction....through prayer and reading my bible. What I can't stand is all of the slack I take from friends and family when I get questions about my life that only God really knows. For instance...

"Joey, when are you ever going to get married?"
"How come you haven't found a girlfriend?"
"How come you are not more active in finding someone to date?"
"Why do you spend so much time praying and reading your bible?"
"When is your car going to run again?"...had to throw that one in there....
"How come you are so busy?"
The list is really long...but you kind of get the idea....these are all things that piss me off!

While it is totally true...almost every single friend I have is married, having kids, or intently "dating" someone, my time needs to be spent seeking God for him to move me....not for me to try and move him!

First, let me just say...I haven't dated anyone in nearly a year. For some that might not seem like that long of time....but for me....it has seemed like an eternity based on the circumstances I have been through....and for friends and relatives...I guess they see me coming up on 27 and are worried. Well let me put the worries to rest! GOD IS IN CONTROL PEOPLE! I haven't dated anyone because I don't feel God has place the right person in my life....I spend a lot of time praying and reading the Bible so I can find out more about God and his purpose for me....I am busy because if I wasn't I would probably go insane and become a hermit on some mountain top talking to wild animals.....wait....maybe that last part is coming fulfilled with all of the pets that inhabit my residence. Just kidding....but seriously....People wonder why I get worked up about things like this....it's because they are always constantly bothering me with the same frickin' questions....which I don't have the answers to!!!! Simply reitterated....GOD IS IN CONTROL PEOPLE! If God wants me to get married....then I don't have much choice....if he doesn't...then I will just wait for him. Sounds like a sound thing to do.

While my car is nearly running again...and I am doing well on the outside....inside I am frustrated. I do want God to put someone in my life, but I don't want to be in control of that situation....I always screw it up! He needs to heal me and guide me spiritually, mentally and emotionally. I am giving God time to change me and prepare me so when I do meet someone...I will be ready...mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and willingly. So the next person that ask's me "Joey....why...." I might just explode...and deck them in the face! Or more likely just say "Hey...God is in control...that is good enough for me!"

So if there is anyone out there who still reads this....pray for this for me....please. ;o)

So I might be a slum Lord...

Ok...I have been thinking of ways to make extra money and have it be steady income. Well a good friend of mine sells and buys real estate and has made enough money so he really doesn't need to work...it supplys him with enough to live on and fund his full time ministry...he can just live off of the income from the properties he owns...but he still works. This same guy is one of my closest Christians friends and a mentor to me in many ways. So I asked him if he could show me how to manage properties and if he thought it would be a good investment for me...

He told me that I should absolutely get into owning rentals if I could afford it. He told me to start with just one or two...and grow slowly. I found the perfect place. It happens to be in Charlotte, and it is next door to one of my closest friends. Eric told me about it and said I should buy it...coincidence that I would have these two conversations within a short period of a week....I think not. I have been praying about it for a long while now...and maybe God is showing me a smart way of investing my income. My house I live in has been a good investment...so why not try to get another one...and let other people pay me to live in it...right? Eric has even agreed to be the super...since he lives right next door and knows a lot about plumbing, electrical, etc. I think it is a good idea.

I discussed the plan with Chuck...my Christian friend...and he agreed it was a good and smart buy. We went through it today...and I wrote an offer. If it gets accepted...I will then own a house and a three unit rental property officially making me a land lord. I am excited and nervous. This is a big risk chance I am taking....so anyone who reads this...please pray for me to be financially smart....

Waves of an Ocean

The ups and downs of life remind me of waves of an ocean. I mean...Have you ever seen the waves....They never cease...Always slowly washing away the shore with their constant monotonous pounding. Life is like that. If you have something that you try to push out of mind...something you just don't want to deal with...something you just want to block out of your thoughts....it begins to act like small ripples at first and eventually becomes the ocean of relentless waves. It will surface unexpectedly...creeping in at the most inconvienent times...Like when you are just about to fall asleep. Some might call it conscience...others over active emotions. Maybe it has to do with both. Maybe neither. Sometimes the emotions overtake you and you are left feeling sad and lonely...mad at the way the cards have fallen.

But then comes the light...at least it does for me. A warming sensation that there is still someone who loves you...even if other people may not. He knows you by name...has seen every mistake and success you have ever had....and love you despite it all. He has paid the price for every horrible thing you have done, are about to do, or will do for the rest of you days on Earth. He is like the Lighthouse and peir....protecting you from being totally washed away from the taunts of Satan telling you that you are no good, no one loves you, you aren't good enough, you are a failure, no one could forgive you from that!, etc. The truth of the matter is...despite these fleeting emotions...God is in control...if you will let him be. He wants the best for you...even if you don't agree with what the "best" is. Letting go is hard...especially when you are scared of what you might lose by letting go. But even if I stumble and fall...he will be there to pick me back up and love me. Sometimes he just needs to move you a little. Check out the lyrics from the band FFH....it describes how it feels to need God to move and show you things will be ok.

I can't find the words to pray, I'm a little down today
Can You help me, Can You hold me?
I feel a million miles away, And I don't know what to say

Can You hear me anyway?
What I need is for You to reach out Your hand
You have taught me no matter what You'd understand

CHOURUS:
Lord move in the way, that I've never seen before
Cause there's a mountain in the way and a lock on the door
I'm drifting away, waves are crashing on the shore
So Lord move (move), or move me.
END CHOURUS

I've looked every where to find a simple peace of mind
But, I can't find nothing on my own
So I gotta leave myself behind, take up this cross of mine
Give away everything I hold onto
Lord I know the only way is through this
But Lord, I know I need You to help me do this

CHOURUS
Lord move in the way, that I've never seen before
Cause there's a mountain in the way and a lock on the door
I'm drifting away, waves are crashing on the shore
So Lord move (move), or move me.

Out of this place of complacency
To a place of fellowship with Thee'
Cause I am weak, but Lord, You are so strong
And You know it's been way too long It's been way too long

Lord move in the way, that I've never seen before
Cause there's a mountain in the way and a lock on the door
I'm drifting away, waves are crashing on the shore
So Lord move (move)...,CHOURUS

I am now a Master!

Ok...maybe not officially until I get a diploma...but I have just finished all of the requirements for my master's class including the infamous portfolio! I am so glad to finally be done with school. NO more for me...unless I take classes just for fun. If I take something it will be like automotive mechanic or something that I really want to know. Maybe a painting class or a class on web design or something like that. So now....what to do with all the free time I am going to have this year? Hmmm...taking suggestions....

Storm Chasin'!

In my quest to finsih my master's program by editing together my final video presentation, I stumbled across a video of me being stupid. I love storms and chasing them. I found an entire video of my quest to meet God via being struck by lightening. It is hillarious because it starts off with the radio blairing the advanced weather warning beep on the car radio....telling everyone to take shelter...but where am I...in my car shooting video :o)

I know I am crazy...but when I watched this video....I think I may have had an appipahny....I really may be nuts! :oP It looks almost like I am driving through a tornado....but it is just a really terrible thunderstorm. There is even a spot where my car is being pelted with hail...and the cops blocked my direction on the road. Gosh...I miss the Jimmy and the thunderstorms we had last year. We could use some more....I want to try out the Albatrous...AKA..the Impala in the nasty weather. I bet she doesn't handle as well as the 4 X 4. Maybe we'll just have to work on getting a new truck. :o) Or maybe an STi Subaru...that would be sweet. Anyways...if you ever want to see me being nuts...just ask me to show you the video. :o)

Friendship Prayer

Ok...so it's not what you think. I got this from my mom. It is pretty funny!



"May the fleas of a thousand camels infest the crotch of the person who screws up your day...and may their arms be too short to scratch...AMEN"

I was suppose to be there today!

http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mediacenter/index.jsp?c_id=det

This link will take you to the Detroit Tigers home page...and click on top plays if you have windows media player...you should be able to watch the entire brawl. I was suppose to go to the game. I kind of wish I would've gotten to go now! The Tigers lost, but Farnsworth kicked some "Royal" butt!I am against fighting in baseball, but sometimes there are exceptions to the rules.

You can check out the USA Today recap.

Here is the start of the brawl. Guillen was hit in the head on purpose!

I have officially started my own compound complex

For the past two days straight I have been erecting a very long six foot tall fence that encompases my entire yard. It kind of reminds me of a fort or something when I was a kid. My body aches and my hands have blisters. But it is complete minus the two gates I need to install. All the fence is hung, and the poles were cemented in. Was it worth it? Right now I say yes. The kids can't get in, which kind of stinks...I liked hanging out with them...but they can't really scale the wall and that makes my yard safer. My dogs love it! No more chain...just free to run around!

My next door neighbor even helped me put up some of it. This whole fiasco with the pond has turned out to be a good thing, and another way for God to work in my life. I had the high of serving in Germany, and then the devil tried to ruin it by blasting me with trials. But I survived and God is making it work for good. That is so awesome...God rocks and satan sucks :oP

You think your week was crazy

Long story short last week sucked... and let me explain why. First, I got home from Germany...and that was nice....but we got to my house and HMB says:

"Joey What HAPPENED to you pond!?"

SOB....some little brats had poked holes throughout the whole thing and it only had maybe 1/2" of water in it. I was so pissed....then I saw one of the culprits....Mr. Corr the Terrible took over.

I yelled and demanded to know what happened. All the people in the apartments start coming out on their balconies to watch and I interrogate the suspect. Through tears I got the explanation...turns out I was sort of right about which kids did it. So luckily HMB tells me to call the police...and I did. The entire apartment complex behind watches as the blue flashing lights pull into the driveway...then take my report...and then goes over to furhter interrogate the suspects. After I filed a report, I had then calmed down enough to talk to the other set of parental figures. Kind of responsive...but not very. I see why their kids are such brats. Filed a report with my insurance...they came through...so I was doing kind of better right....

Then I decide hmmm...I can rebuilt it. So I buy the materials and redo it...next day...some other little runts push all the rocks into the pond...so I blow my top! I go and yell at the kids till I find out which ones did it...and tell them if anyone for any reason steps one foot in my yard they will be going to jail for tresspassing...I then post 5 big orange NO TRESSPASSING sign along my back yard. So far...not one soul has dared enter the lair of the terrible beast Mr. Corr!

Because it sat so long in the heat with no water...it killed most of my plants...so I get the idea to go to Home Depot for some new ones. I am looking at a new pump and looking back at me through the shelf is a kitten. I try to catch it, but it runs away. I get an employee and he tells me they have been trying to catch it for two weeks. I show him where it is and we decide it is time to catch the kitten. BAD IDEA...We catch him alright...but we both get bit! Damn thing was so scared it nearly took the end of the dude's finger off...and bit me after the employee dropped it and I picked it back up. Long story short we caught it, and it is safe and acting normal. But I found that out after I went and had to get a tetnus shot, and was scared I might have to get rabbies vaccinated! I did get some plants for free though...on a positive note.

So then I decide I can relax....WHAM!....I catch a nasty cold. In fact I am still sick and it has been three days...I was scared it was rabbies at first....but it is starting to slowly go away. Hopefully it will be gone by this weekend when we put up the military style fence around my yard...complete with a sniper tower...and machine gun turret to keep little kids from vandalizing my yard any further. :o)

Koln 2005.... 

Germany Day 2

Today we made some really good contacts. One which actually let up to meeting up with someone tonight. Three of us met up with a student here to play some pool. We had a great time and we are probably going to see him again. This rocks for several reasons...

First...it gives us a chance to share our faith in Jesus with him.

Second...it allows us to make our friendship stronger.

Third...we made a new friend...etc...etc.

Keep praying for us and for Bjourn...that is his name.

Germany day 1

Flying sucks....actually jet lack is why it sucks. We were up nearly 24 hours and it never felt so good to sleep. Today is our first full day here in Germany and I am really excited. We are going to campus and hopefully we will get a chance to share our faith stories with some people today.

FYI...eroupean keyboards are hard to use because they put letters in different spots!


We have gotten some chances to help out people along the trip so far...mainly in airports...it is amazing how much showing a stranger love impacts them. It is like a totallz foriegn concept to some people. I will blog more about that when my money isn't running out on the computer. Keep praying...we will need it.

Here is what happens when you get sick of a side yard that looks like crap. You call up a couple of friends and you dig a big hole. Then you call another friend who has lots of rocks and go get them. Then you order some crushed limestone. Add some water and shake.... 

And walla...you get a nice little pond :)

Wookie Guitar Solo

Thanks to HMB for this one. If you like Journey, Star Wars, and Wookies....then check this out.

Store Wars

Oh my gosh...this is so frickin' hillarious. One of the funniest things I have seen is such a long time. If you like Star Wars, you are going to die laughing.

Germany 16 days and counting...

Ok...so here are two links that I hope you bookmark on your own blogs. This first one is our blog for the trip

http://erivmissions.blogspot.com/

The second is the Website for the trip. You can see us all...for the most part, and we will be putting updates there while in Germany...assuming we find a computer with the internet.

http://www.freewebs.com/erivmissions/index.htm

Please make links on your sites...Please pray for us....and please check the sites as we will try to update them daily...or bi-daily.

Jury Duty

Opened my mail yesterday to find out that I am suppose to serve jury duty for the week of June 20th.....ummm....ya right....I will be in Germany for my mission trip.

I panic...call the number and leave a message. Then I call my good ol' friend HMB and get the advice to call the number (which I had already done). But for some reason she calmed me down a bit. So I tried to relax and just be patient for a return phone call........

After I return from my baseball game....which we won our very last game...yeah!!....I check the messages...

beep!.."This is the clerk at the court office for jurers...we can re-schedule your jury time for whenever you would like...please call back tomarrow."

So today I call and God fixed everything. I am not sure why I even really worried in the first place. God was probably laughing at me as I learn to trust that he is in charge and I am not.