Airport Conversation

While going through the security point at the Portland Airport, a pilot cut in line in front of me (they're supposed to do that).

Him: Hi, how are you today?

Me: I'm doing well. Thank you.

Him: You're not going to Denver are you?

Me: I am.

Him: I'll be taking you there.

Me: Great!

Hadfam Christmas

My time in the Northwest has been ultra-wonderful so far. I saw college friends, got my first facial, Christmas caroled, watched "Alvin and the Chipmunks," danced with my nephews, ate too many cookies, wrapped presents and attended the Christmas Eve service at my brother's church.

Tomorrow is Christmas. This Christmas season as I reflect on Christ's birth what the Lord keeps putting on my heart is giving Him my best. I recently studied the stories of Cain and Abel and Ananias and Saphira. In both stories, someone failed to give God their best...their first fruits. Tonight, my brother's pastor talked about the wise men and encouraged us to give Jesus our treasures. What are your treasures? I hope you'll think about how you can give the best of them to Jesus in 2008. I know I will. Merry Christmas!

A few more Christmas pictures of my family.

Stick Horse Christmas

Last night Stick Horses in Pants celebrated Christmas with some good Italian food, presents and laughter, of course. It was well-deserved considering we gave approximately 10 shows in December.

The big hit of the evening were the candy cane stick horses designed by our very own Lacey. You can see more pictures from the evening here.

The Horses wish you a Merry Christmas!

Hideout

I've heard of the cat's pajamas, but it seems Mia wanted to claim the pants.

Merry Christmas

Thanks to Kelsey for letting me know about this video; it totally blessed me. Logan is a 13 year-old boy who lives on a ranch in a very small town in Nebraska. Logan listens to Christian radio station 89.3FM KSBJ which broadcasts from Houston, Texas. He called into the radio station with some insight about God's sacrifice. Merry Christmas!

[Warning: Have a tissue close by.]

Unexpected

Said by the most unruly fifth-grade boy in my Sunday school class regarding our class singing Christmas carols in front of the church:

"I'm not nervous; I've got some pretty good harmonies."

Frank Stops By

Today I had the opportunity to have lunch with my blog friend Frank Martens, who is from Tucson, has recently been living in Minneapolis and is now moving to Phoenix. (It was a long story but one worth hearing.) Frank, you're a wise man, and it was great getting to know you better. I always enjoy meeting blog friends, so let me know if you're ever passing through Colorado Springs.

Luca

I spent Saturday in Denver with my friends Bruce and Mike. We came upon a Newfoundland Dog club. They were raising funds by giving children rides in wagons pulled by the dogs. Bruce noted, "That one looks like it wants to eat me." "That one" turned out to be Luca, the dog in this picture (taken by Bruce). He's a puppy, weighs 160 pounds and eats a chicken breast twice a day.

Newfoundlands have been used for centuries in Canada as water rescue dogs, because of their ability to pull extremely heavy loads. They also look like something of a gorilla/wookie/bear/dog (I won't lie; some of the children were scared). From one site about the breed:

Equally at home in water or on land, the Newfoundland was large enough to pull in a drowning man or to break the ice as he dove into the frigid northern ocean. His lung capacity allowed him to swim great distances and fight ocean currents.

At the end of a day's fishing, the day's catch was loaded into a cart, and the dog was hitched up to haul the load into town. Other Newfoundlands pulled wagons to deliver milk and mail throughout the island.

Alex, Brett and Chuck Norris for Huckabee

Not only is this a great advertisement for Mike Huckabee, but in this clip, Chuck Norris mentions Brett and Alex Harris, my friends, fellow bloggers and younger brothers of Josh Harris.

Ben

A picture of my nephew Ben by his Aunt Sarah R. Cute!

Family Portrait: Stick Horse Style

At improv Wednesday night, my improv troupe members and I were discussing the awkwardness of family portraits — particularly when you're an adult. So we decided to pose for a couple of our own.

How We Thank You That You've Come

Today I've been listening to "Manger Throne" performed by City on a Hill. I love this song because it reminds me of the heart of Jesus — His humility (Philippians 2:5-11) and sacrifice (Isaiah 53:5). As someone recently reminded me: "This isn't the stuff that makes it on Christmas cards."

What kind of King would leave His throne
In Heaven to make this earth His home?
While men seek fame and great renown
In loneliness our King comes down

Jesus, Jesus, precious One
How we thank You that You've come
Jesus, Jesus, precious One
A manger throne for God’s own Son

You left the sound of angels' praise
To come for men with unkind ways
And by this Baby's helplessness
The power of nations is laid to rest

What kind of King would come so small
From glory to a humble stall?
That dirty manger is my heart, too
I'll make it a royal throne for You

My heart is a throne
My heart is a throne for God's own Son

Northwest Storm

A Daily World employee holds the blown-down street sign in Aberdeen, Wash.
Today I received a text message from my sister Bekah:

"We're OK and alive," it said. "Don't know if you've been watching the news."

I hadn't been. Turns out Aberdeen suffered its worst wind storm since 1963, with gusts up to 81 mph and sustained 45 to 50 mph winds. Yesterday, all roads out of Aberdeen were blocked and most of the town was out of power. You have to love small towns. This report appeared in a "special edition" of The Daily World:

The Daily World plant was among the businesses without power. Reporters and editors converged on KXRO, a fellow member of the Associated Press, and published this fourpage special edition with the assistance of The Olympian.

[Sidenote: My first job was nearly as copyeditor for The Daily World.]

Anyway, my family is safe and headed up to Olympia to stay in a hotel tonight. The latest from Bekah: "It's kind of exciting! :)"

Highlights to a Fifth Grade Boy

I teach fifth-grade Sunday school at my church. Yesterday, one of the boys in my class was telling me a joke.

Jacob: You're a bus driver. You stop the bus and 30 kids get on. You stop again and 10 kids get off. You stop a third time and 25 kids get on. What color is the bus driver's hair.

Me: [after some thought] Um, blond.

Jacob: No.

Me: But I'm the bus driver, and my hair is blond.

Jacob: No, it's brown, yellow and white.