Saturday, April 14, 2007

I caught the Red Fever

Today, we went to our very first Red Sox game. I have never been a huge baseball fan. I cheered for the Houston Astros and would keep track of their wins when they made the playoffs. Watched maybe one or two games when they were in the World Series a few years back (though I was moving half way across the Nation then). I have been to games at the Astro Dome, the Texas Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, and Coors Field (Colorado Rockies).

However, this year I have become very excited about the Red Sox. Maybe it is because we are surrounded by Red Sox news and a lot of hype. Maybe it is because cheering for the Red Sox is really exciting. Either way, I have been keeping up with them through spring training and their season. I even bunkered down in a classroom that wasn't being used at college and got the game to project on the board just to watch Dice-K pitch.

When my sister and brother-in-law came out this past August, we went by Fenway which was cool in itself. Going to an actual game was an amazing experience (right up there with getting to go see Les Miserables). The crowd, the fans, the drunk slurs, people saying a player "sucks" and then cheering for him in a 30 second span, and the game itself...it was all a blast. One other reason it may have been so fun was the view. Everyone has said that there are no bad seats at Fenway. I'd have to agree with that. Our seats were in right field, maybe 10 rows away from the field, but even the "nose bleeds" are not that far up. Normally, I am so far away from the action, I couldn't tell if someone was up to bat, much less who it was. It was a little chilly, but it wasn't too big of a deal. I found it kind of funny since the last time I went to a game with my best friend Bryan was wicked hot. One day I will go to a temperature friendly game.

Curt Schilling had a great game. He has come back pretty well after falling flat in the season opener. He pitched all but one inning. David Ortiz totaled 4 R.B.I.'s after hitting a homer in the 8th that put the game out of reach. Soxs beat Anheim 8 to 0. No angels in the outfield today.

Click on the picture to see the rest of the album. Be sure to double-click the pics in the album to enlarge them.


This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Monday, April 09, 2007

New Pictures!

I finally got some pictures posted in my Yahoo! Album. To see a few Easter pics click here. No, Jen didn't get jacked in the pic department. We were experiementing with the camera. See if you can figure out how.

To see our pictures from our trip to Jackson, New Hampshire this past month, click here.

Hope you all had a great Easter!

Sunday, April 08, 2007

Heaven's Champion

There are so many things I could write for Easter. It is my favorite day of the year and I take joy in thinking of what it means. It is more than 'just another day', but a time in which I am able to deeply reflect on the salvation that was given to me (and anyone else who wishes to accept it through belief in Christ...see previous post) through Jesus' death and resurrection.

I have been reading a book titled "Heaven" by Randy Alcorn. You can guess the main topic I imagine, but he has opened my eyes to the amazing depth of the Resurrection. His victory over death not only broke the hold that the curse of sin has on mankind, but also on all of creation. At the Resurrection, the entire universe will be renewed. Christ's sacrifice is beyond mind blowing.

My words can not at this time accurately express my gratitude and joy in the gift of grace. There are numerous songs though that cause my spirit to swell with excitement. This is Easter, I thought I would share them with you.

Beautiful Savior (Casting Crowns)
All my days I will sing the song of gladness
Give my praise to the fountain of delights
For in my helplessness, you hear my cry
And waves of mercy poured down on my life


Beautiful Savior, wonderful counselor
Clothed in majesty, Lord of history
You're the way, the truth and the life
Star of the morning, glorious in holiness
You're the risen one, heaven's champion
And you reign, you reign
Over all


I will trust in the cross of my Redeemer
I will sing of the lamb that never fails
Of sins forgiven

Of conscience cleared
Of death defeated and life without end

Beautiful Savior, wonderful counselor
Clothed in majesty, Lord of history
You're the way, the truth and the life
Star of the morning, glorious in holiness
You're the risen one, heaven's champion
And you reign, you reign
Over all

Beautiful Beautiful Savior
Wonderful counselor, beautiful risen one

I long to be where the praise is never ending
Yearn to the will where the glory never fades
Where countless worshippers sing one song
And the voices of the nations
Sing worthy, worthy, worthy
Worthy beautiful beautiful one
Jesus you are worthy, beautiful, beautiful one
Jesus you're worthy, beautiful, beautiful one
You are worthy beautiful risen one


Amazing Grace/My Chains are Gone (Chris Tomlin)
Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I’m found
Was blind, but now I see


‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

My chains are gone
I’ve been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, amazing grace

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures


My chains are gone
I’ve been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, amazing grace

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But, God who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine
You are forever mine


And Now My Lifesong Sings (Casting Crowns)
I once was lost, but now I'm found
I once was lost, but now I'm found
So far away, but I'm home now
I once was lost, but now I'm found
And now my lifesong sings


I once was blind, but now I see
I once was blind, but now I see
I don't know how, but when He touched me
I once was blind, but now I see

And now my lifesong sings
And now my lifesong sings
And now my lifesong sings

I once was dead, but now I live
I once was dead, but now I live
Now my life to You I give
Now my life to You I give
Now my life to You I give

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Let my lifesong sing to You
REPEAT 3x


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Monday, April 02, 2007

Good Friday

This week at the school I work at, I made metnion of the fact that they were closed on Good Friday. A man overheard me and stated, "Ah a day off. Thank God for the Catholics."

Another woman who is a teacher stated that she wasn't off since the school doesn't celebrate Jewish holidays, it can't celebrate "Catholic holidays".

If I hadn't already insulted the first man awhile back by stating I moved here to help with a church (and if I thought about it at that moment instead of two hours later) I would have told him to simply thank God for Good Friday. It was God who sent His son Jesus down to die for our sins and offer us all redemption and forgiveness of our sins (see previous post for more information there).

So today, be sure to take a moment and reflect on what it all means. It's not about a day off by any means (cause I am working too!). It's about your soul.

Hopefully i will have some time to write one more post for my favorite "holiday" of the year.