Awana Remember 2006!

Last Tuesday evening was our Awana Finale! And what a finale it was! I think it was one of the best we ever did. (and we’ve had some great ones!) But this year we had the clubs enter to some cool music after bursting through a banner with their club name. Sparks ran in to the theme of the Incredibles, Boys Club to the Chicago Bulls anthem, Girls Club to the Summon the Heros Olympic theme, and the JV Krew a funky “Get Ready for This” techno theme. Then we added a bunch of other fun music intros to everything, like theme to Ferris Buler’s Day Off when I came up (Oh Yyyyyeah) and Hail to the Cheif when the Senior Pastor came up to pray. We even had Pirates of the Caribean battle theme when our special speaker came out to give the message after the Pirates Who Don’t Read Anything Toybox tale. (A Pirate known as Long John Underwear, who prefered to go by just Long John!) Anyway, it was a GREAT night! When I sit back and daydream about the year, here are a few of the memories that drift through my mind’s eye…. WATER NIGHT! FUN…

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Order of the Ancient NOW ON AMAZON!

Be the FIRST (or 2nd or 3rd or…) to review the Order of the Ancient on Amazon.com! I’m excited to have my novel on Amazon.com to hopefully increase the sales and expand the market. If you haven’t heard of it, or seen the book’s website, be sure to see www.orderoftheancient.com! We continue to pray that this novel would have a profound impact on the spiritual development of every kid who reads it – and yet many adults have said it made a huge impact on them too! Seriously, those of you out there who have read and liked the book, I’d really appreciate some positive reviews on Amazon to help sell the book! THANKS!

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A Movie on the Ceiling?!?

Last weekend was our annual Girls Club Overniter. I get to come for the game time, movie and bedtime story before heading home. Nothing more cute than a bunch of kids running around in their PJ’s. Speed Stacking in Slippers? If you know Speed Stacks, we did a fun game I made up to fit the girls. Three tables – one for Queens, one for Princesses, and one for Maidens. (two girls at each) And then a looooong table with Stacks for Peasants who are in line to enter the castle. At each of the royal tables are two Speed Stack timing mats. On “GO” the royal girls compete. The peasants practise. The winner at each table moves up a table in rank, but winning Queen retains her throne, and the losing girl goes down a table. The losing Maiden goes to the end of the Peasant line and the first Peasant comes up to the Maiden table. It was fun as they all tried to become Queen and then defend their throne. One girl won ten rounds as Queen and was a good sport when I picked her up and took her to the end of the Peasant table…

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Clintons in town? (and a self-made man!)

I have always LOVED downtown Chicago. When I moved here in 1985 (i think) I fell in love with the city. While I liked in the south ‘burbs’ I longed to live in the city. When I finished my last day of high school the immediate next day I moved on campus at Moody Bible Institute with a grounds crew job to get me downtown. I had a ton of different jobs during my four awesome years in college. I valet parked for Ed Debevic’s among other Lettuce Entertain You restaurants. (Some of the best in Chicago!) Worked as the house magician at several restaurants including the Rock n’ Roll McDonald’s which was recently rebuilt. (Several of the other restaurants are now out of business, hopefully not the magician’s fault! D.B. Kaplin’s in Water Tower, Kenny’s Ribs on Rush, Boogie’s Dinner in the Bloomingdale’s Building, to name a few) Original Rock n’ Roll McDonald’s where I was the ‘house magician’ for several years while at MBI. The new Rock n’ Roll McDonald’s without a magician but still able to make your money disappear selling the same McFood for twice the price. :) Lame pic of my office buidling then, but…

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The Art of Demotivation (It’s a gift!)

Every leader needs help demotivating their employees or volunteers. If you are struggling with highly motivated, initiative saturated, creative and energetic employees or volunteers who define responsibility with their dedication and punctuality, have no fear, Despair.com is here to help. I would highly recommend this website to anyone in leadership. It is time those under you appreciated just how important you are, and just how replaceable they are. Below are samples of the posters and products available on the Despair.com website, and I ESPECIALLY RECOMMEND you watch their DEMOTIVATOR VIDEOS. (You can even subscribe to their podcast) I have always loved this website, the videos make it all the more richer! ENJOY: and there are many more where these came from! Seriously, spend some time clicking around Despair.com, it is hysterical. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll be demotivated. Happy to make your day!

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