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Blog Day 2008

August 31, 2008 in Miscellaneous, Technology with 3 Comments

Blog Day 2008Today is Blog Day, a day when bloggers are encouraged to recommend five other blogs.

The rules are simple: Find 5 new blogs you find interesting, notify the bloggers that you are recommending them, write a description and link to the new blogs, post the blog day post, and tag it and link to the Blog Day website.

I decided to link to five other blogs written by missionaries.

  • Finding Direction – Our friends the Cottrills recently finished language school and are now living in Ixtapaluca, Mexico. They blog about their daily life as missionaries in Mexico.
  • Between Diapers and Dishes – Michelle and her family are ministering to the deaf in Ensenada, Mexico. She writes about life as a mom living and ministering in Mexico.
  • Pura Vida – Greg and Jan Millsaps live in El Carmen, Mexico. I recently discovered their blog and enjoy their writing style.
  • Mexico Adventures – Jon and Nicolle are interns with Youth Ministry International, working with Huberto Perez, our friend and first graduate in youth ministry from the Mexican Baptist Theological Seminary.
  • Mexico Mitchells – The Mitchells have five daughters and are living and ministering in Mexico City. There blog is very informative.

Here are two bonus blogs for Blog Day:

  • Blue Passport – A blog by Richard Lewis, ministering in India. Dr. Lewis was a professor of ours at cross-cultural training school (CIT).
  • Reaching and Teaching – the blog of Dr. Sills, a missions professor at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Sills is helping our seminary in Mexico begin a missions program, and he helped with the training in Cuba.

    • Technorati Tag: BlogDay2008

Starbucks Card Rewards

August 15, 2008 in Fun stuff, Miscellaneous with 0 Comments

I love to go to Starbucks to work, but I don’t like to pay for WiFi. All I ever buy is the brewed coffee of the day, and I like to spend a long time in the Starbucks when I go because I can get into a groove and get things done.

But I’ve been going to Panera Bread instead because they have free refills and free WiFi. But that is going to change soon.

How come I haven’t been using a Starbucks Card Rewards all summer long? I just found out that you can get a Starbucks card, register it online, and then you get all sorts of rewards.

Here are the rewards: Free refills on brewed coffee; Free WiFi; Free Beverage Customization; and Free Beverages when you buy beans.

I got a card and signed up today, and now I’m looking forward to turning Starbucks into my new office (sorry, I’m ditching Panera Bread.)

(Image by: MightyKenny on Flickr)

Things I Miss About Mexico

August 15, 2008 in Family, Miscellaneous with 0 Comments

The other day, Nathan and I were playing and he said, “I miss Mexico.” He loves being in Florida with his family, but there are times when he misses Mexico, too.

We’ve been in the US since early June, and we’re all missing some things.

Here are the things I’m missing about Mexico.

  • Our home – there’s just something about having your own space. Nathan definitely misses his toys and his room in Mexico. I miss having my own space, too.
  • Seminary students – I miss hanging out with my students and seeing them everyday. I also miss just working at the seminary. I’m sad that I’m missing orientation week next week. I want to meet the new students.
  • The park in our neighborhood – we’ve got a great little park that is two streets away from our house. It’s like having our own park with a gigantic slide (picture), swings (video), and some green space to play in.
  • The weather – Contrary to popular belief, it’s not always hot in Mexico City. In fact, the weather in Mexico City is much better than the weather in Florida. I miss the cooler air, and I’m looking forward to getting back to it.
  • Our church – We go to PIB Satelite (First Baptist of Satelite), a large church that meets at the Seminary campus. I miss attending and also participating in the youth ministry there. I’m hoping we can be more involved there when we go back.

The good news is that we finally have a date to go back. We’ll be flying out of Miami on September 18.

Starfield – I Will Go

July 10, 2008 in Miscellaneous, Missions with 0 Comments

I downloaded this song for free from iTunes, and the first time I heard it, I was in an airplane going to Cuba to teach the last intensive course of a three year program. It absolutely touched a chord with where I am in my life. Listen to the lyrics. Right now, it’s my prayer.

Watch it on Youtube.

Passports and Freedom

July 4, 2008 in Culture, features, Miscellaneous with 0 Comments

Last December, I went to a Miami Dolphins game with my dad, and I teared up as they sang the National Anthem before the game. Spending the 4th of July in the United States means a lot to me, especially since I spend a lot of my time outside of the country. After almost 5 years of living in Mexico, my thoughts on freedom have changed dramatically.

We are truly blessed to be Americans. Although you may not agree with everything our country does or stands for, one thing is for sure: The United States of America is a country of great opportunity. Regardless of what you think about the reasons for it, the United States is a blessed country.

When I travel with my blue passport, I am reminded of the opportunities I have simply from being born in this country. I can travel freely to pretty much anywhere in the world. I know people who must receive permission from their country to visit another country. I can write (even here) exactly what I think about any issue. I can speak my mind (even against the very freedoms that allow me to do so). I can practice my religion freely, and the government cannot limit what I say about my personal beliefs.

So today, we celebrate freedom. As you see the stars and stripes, remember all of the freedoms that you have. And remember to cherish them. There are many who would love to have the freedoms we have.

(Image by Clappstar)

My Top 10 Favorite Films

June 5, 2008 in Miscellaneous with 0 Comments

I got tagged by Adam McLane, and I really have no excuse not to post my top 10 films.

So, even though I’m teaching in Cuba (I’ll be there when this posts), I give you my list of favorite films.

My List:

  1. Napoleon Dynamite: Brilliantly silly
  2. Dumb and Dumber: I still quote lines from this movie. It brings me back to “the good old days.”
  3. Antitrust: Geeky Suspense
  4. The Game: You never know what’s going to happen next
  5. Shooter: Twists and turns and highly skilled marksman.
  6. Back to the Future Trilogy: It’s really one movie in three.
  7. Hoosiers: I heart basketball.
  8. Rudy: The little guy everyone roots for.
  9. Mr. Holland’s Opus: I want to have that kind of impact.
  10. Hitch: Just plain funny.

The rules:

  1. List your top ten favorite films (in no particular order).
  2. If you’re tagged, you’ve got to post and tag 3-5 other people.
  3. Give a tag back (some link love) to the one who tagged you in your post
  4. Give a hat tip (HT) to Dan

I’m tagging:

  1. Tony
  2. Jim
  3. Brent
  4. Mike
  5. Sara

Good Bye Friends

May 24, 2008 in Family, Miscellaneous with 0 Comments

Family photo

Over the years, we’ve taken lots of pictures of our friends the Torberts. This one was taken of them today at their good-bye party.

I can’t believe they are leaving. We’ve lived 2 streets away from them for the last 3 years, and we’re over their house at least twice a week. We’re going to miss them a lot.

They’re moving back to Nashville. We wish them the best and will keep praying for them as they move on to a different type of ministry.

Here’s a video I made of them back in 2004. It always makes me laugh.

And here’s a video from today:


Goodbye from Dennis on Vimeo.

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