<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><?xml-stylesheet href="http://www.blogger.com/styles/atom.css" type="text/css"?><feed xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom' xmlns:openSearch='http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/' xmlns:georss='http://www.georss.org/georss' xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121228420459643685</id><updated>2011-04-21T12:50:57.374-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Chuff's Thinkings</title><subtitle type='html'></subtitle><link rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://chuff2003.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8121228420459643685/posts/default?max-results=100'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://chuff2003.blogspot.com/'/><link rel='hub' href='http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/'/><author><name>Chuff</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16914052381944521874</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='23' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_a7m-TXDrc8s/ST54AbYxZqI/AAAAAAAAAAU/nfVLtmHb36U/S220/Trans+Am.jpg'/></author><generator version='7.00' uri='http://www.blogger.com'>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>17</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>100</openSearch:itemsPerPage><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121228420459643685.post-9116806974995746711</id><published>2009-05-05T12:33:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-05-05T12:36:19.612-07:00</updated><title type='text'>why?</title><content type='html'>Why would a person drive 55mph in a 55mph zone, but 67mph in a 60mph zone?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;...some people.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8121228420459643685-9116806974995746711?l=chuff2003.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://chuff2003.blogspot.com/feeds/9116806974995746711/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8121228420459643685&amp;postID=9116806974995746711' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8121228420459643685/posts/default/9116806974995746711'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8121228420459643685/posts/default/9116806974995746711'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://chuff2003.blogspot.com/2009/05/why.html' title='why?'/><author><name>Chuff</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16914052381944521874</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='23' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_a7m-TXDrc8s/ST54AbYxZqI/AAAAAAAAAAU/nfVLtmHb36U/S220/Trans+Am.jpg'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121228420459643685.post-6206959744631173482</id><published>2009-04-13T11:56:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-04-13T12:26:01.557-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Well I better get an April post in.</title><content type='html'>I think I will start out this one by reflecting a little on Easter.  The last week has certainly been hectic, but it really made Easter different this year.  Again we had both sides of the family over for lunch, though we were missing a few.  A nice time to catch up and reflect.  Then Meg and I headed over to her Uncle's house for their get-together.  In each instance, it is amazing to see the family love.  Not a lot of families are like ours, and I very happy and blessed for both.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Meg, got a job offer in Mishawaka.  I am absolutely ecstatic!  I am so happy for her and for us.  She has worked very very hard, and I really hope this job pays her off.  Wedding planning is moving a long, and though it is not absolutely concrete yet, the day we are planning for is September 19th.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Last week I took the week off of work to help "chaperon" for the youth group mission trip to Galveston, TX.  I still have not quite been able to process all of what took place in the last week, but I will try and get some of my thoughts out there.  Let me get some complaining out of the way first.  2400 miles round trip on a school bus sucks.  There is no other way to describe it.  Though there were lots of laughs and 'engineering' that took place on the trip, I'll save that for another time.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;On the way down, we were planning on making a quick stop for a splash of diesel, and we weren't even letting the kids get off the bus.  We had already lost so much time, we needed to keep going.  Well some of the adults got off the bus to stretch and such, and we came across a man who asked us what we were doing/where we were going.  We replied that we were on our way to Texas to help with hurricane relief and that the youth group were doing this for their spring break.  The man informed us that he was/is a pastor at a church in the area where we had stopped and that he wanted all the kids off the bus to buy a snack.  We asked if he was sure and he said of course.  So as the kids were piling off we were telling them to respectful and of course thank the man for his generousity.  The kids all went in a grabbed a small treat, and when the man went inside to pay told all the kids to go stuff their pockets full, and to not just get 1 piece of candy, to get handfuls!  It was amazing that we were stopped at that very same time in the same place as that man.  We were told to expect the unexpected on this trip, and we hadn't even made it to Texas yet.  (sidenote:  the man said if we stopped back again on the way home, we could do the same thing)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Well after what seemed like forever, we finally made it to the church/ TeamEffort headquarters.  It actually was right across the road from Johnson Space Center, that was pretty neat.  We were told before the trip that all of us would have a bunk bed to sleep in.  Wrong.  The girls all had bunk beds, and the guys got to sleep on the most uncomfortable cots ever made.  The last night, I slept on the floor.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Tuesday morning rolls around.  Surprisingly I was wide awake after not getting much sleep the past 2 nights.  When we finally made it to the job-site it was decided that I along with about 14 others of our group would work at a Baptist church hanging drywall in their basement that had been flooded.  Neat.  I had never hung drywall, but I learned very quickly.  It was a very neat experience.  It was a lot of fun and very encouraging to see kids who had never done a job like that before take to it, and learn, and by the last day, actually become pretty good at what they were doing.  My partner that was working with me, most likely had never seen a screw gun before the missions trip, and by the 2nd and 3rd day she was sinking screws perfectly into the drywall and hardly ever missing the studs.  It was awesome.  The first day it looked like we had hardly gotten anything done, and it was a little discouraging, but by the end of day 3, it was amazing to see how much a rag tag group of people could accomplish.  I really think we wanted to stay to make sure what we had started got finished, but that just wasn't in the deck of cards.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It was a lot of fun getting to hang out with all the kids, and getting to know them.  They are all so different, but so much fun.  All of them were great, and very few problems!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Going into the week I had so much on my mind, and it all seemed to melt away during the trip.  It was a true refresher, even though it was by no means a vacation.  I guess I would say it was more of a mental and spiritual refresher as opposed to a physical refresher.  Our last worship service on Thursday night was very filling.  It really made me think more about the Easter Sunday that was approaching.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Overall it was an excellent week, and I definitely would like to go on another one if the opportunity arises.  There is so much more that I could talk about, it is just so hard to remember it all and how to get it down into text.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I didn't get this proofread so excuse any mistypes...&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Chuff&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8121228420459643685-6206959744631173482?l=chuff2003.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://chuff2003.blogspot.com/feeds/6206959744631173482/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8121228420459643685&amp;postID=6206959744631173482' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8121228420459643685/posts/default/6206959744631173482'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8121228420459643685/posts/default/6206959744631173482'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://chuff2003.blogspot.com/2009/04/well-i-better-get-april-post-in.html' title='Well I better get an April post in.'/><author><name>Chuff</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16914052381944521874</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='23' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_a7m-TXDrc8s/ST54AbYxZqI/AAAAAAAAAAU/nfVLtmHb36U/S220/Trans+Am.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121228420459643685.post-1324503415801914405</id><published>2009-03-27T05:50:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-03-27T05:58:02.838-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Not again...</title><content type='html'>It's getting to be that time of the year again.  Spring.  The time that sucks the most for us in the fertilizer/chemical business.  It will be a nice change of pace having full days of work.  But, full days of working 6am-8 or 9pm just suck.  Especially when those days are 6 days a week for what seems like months.  Just this morning the boss said... "I think we are going to work until noon tomorrow."  Aww man, not Saturday!  That really puts a damper on Fridays.  But it is what it is, and once I get back in the routine of working all day, getting a little sleep, going to work real early, and repeat, I'll get used to it.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Awesome news is, we are just over a week away from leaving for our youth Impact missions trip to Galveston, TX.  I am getting really excited, and I believe it will be an awesome experience!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Just thought that I better throw another post on here for the month.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Catch ya later.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8121228420459643685-1324503415801914405?l=chuff2003.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://chuff2003.blogspot.com/feeds/1324503415801914405/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8121228420459643685&amp;postID=1324503415801914405' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8121228420459643685/posts/default/1324503415801914405'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8121228420459643685/posts/default/1324503415801914405'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://chuff2003.blogspot.com/2009/03/not-again.html' title='Not again...'/><author><name>Chuff</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16914052381944521874</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='23' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_a7m-TXDrc8s/ST54AbYxZqI/AAAAAAAAAAU/nfVLtmHb36U/S220/Trans+Am.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121228420459643685.post-2933031864519641670</id><published>2009-03-02T11:25:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-03-03T06:15:12.067-08:00</updated><title type='text'>If you like it then you better put a ring on it...</title><content type='html'>Well it has been almost a month since the last post, but suprisingly it was a fairly quiet February.  Had a couple different meeting here and there for work.  Went to the ENT specialist a couple times.  He still isn't quite sure what is going on up there, but he thinks that it may be allergies.  They pulled blood last time I was there and sent me home a 4 page questionare to get an idea where to start testing my blood.  I just checked in with them today, and we must have been on the same page, because the lady had just left a message on the home phone wanting to make another appointment and that the results must be in.  Not sure if they are positive for anything or not, but I am kind of hoping that they find something, just so that we can start some sort of medicine or help relieve some of my sinus pressure.&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;About two weeks ago or so, I headed down to Purdue with Meg's family to enjoy her HTM management night dinner.  It was basically the capstone of her college career, and her dinner went beautifully.  She told me here recently that she got her grade and of course she got an A... and a high A at that.  I'm very proud of her and very happy that she has done so well in her courses.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Hmmm.... trying to think of any other exciting news that happened recently.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Dad did my taxes and I am getting some money back, that is pretty exciting....&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;hmmm...&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I asked Meg to marry me...&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;hmmm...&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I suppose I better revist that last one.  You heard me right, I did it, I took the plunge.  Saturday night we were in Carmel, and I took Meg to a beautiful little local restaurant called the Glass Chimney.  I had talked to them earlier in the week and they were expecting us.  They had a rose set at her place setting, and even then, Meg wasn't tipped off.  We had a wonderful meal with the our main courses being stuffed chicken breast for her, and canadian walleye for me.  The waiter then asked us for if wanted dessert, and we said yes, and he hurried off to get the dessert menu.  She opened hers up and started looking at the desserts, and I was little confused because I thought that there was going to be something special in the menu.  Then the waiter pointed out that the special dessert of the night was in the upper left part of the menu and Meg looked and saw printed in the menu, "Meghan, will you marry me?"  The rest is history, but we did enjoy some yummy bananas foster.  We are still tossing around the idea of a late fall wedding, so there is a potential for a lot of things happening here still this year.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Pics hopefully... well if you click on them, they will open so you can fully see them... not sure how to really post pics on here, I am kinda new to the internet...&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;a href="http://s294.photobucket.com/albums/mm116/blackonblackta/?action=view&amp;amp;current=IMG_0517.jpg" target="_blank"&gt;&lt;img src="http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm116/blackonblackta/IMG_0517.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;a href="http://s294.photobucket.com/albums/mm116/blackonblackta/?action=view&amp;amp;current=IMG_0524.jpg" target="_blank"&gt;&lt;img src="http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm116/blackonblackta/IMG_0524.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;a href="http://s294.photobucket.com/albums/mm116/blackonblackta/?action=view&amp;amp;current=IMG_0531.jpg" target="_blank"&gt;&lt;img src="http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm116/blackonblackta/IMG_0531.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Chuff out...&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;ps... Don't worry, you will be able to find us on Facebook either later tonight or tomorrow with our updated relationship statuses.  Meg wanted to keep this a secret until after she has her candle ceremony tonight at her sorority, so we just deactivated until then.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8121228420459643685-2933031864519641670?l=chuff2003.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://chuff2003.blogspot.com/feeds/2933031864519641670/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8121228420459643685&amp;postID=2933031864519641670' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8121228420459643685/posts/default/2933031864519641670'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8121228420459643685/posts/default/2933031864519641670'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://chuff2003.blogspot.com/2009/03/if-you-like-it-then-you-better-put-ring.html' title='If you like it then you better put a ring on it...'/><author><name>Chuff</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16914052381944521874</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='23' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_a7m-TXDrc8s/ST54AbYxZqI/AAAAAAAAAAU/nfVLtmHb36U/S220/Trans+Am.jpg'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121228420459643685.post-1039132630425335636</id><published>2009-02-03T10:06:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-02-03T10:21:57.165-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Salmonella</title><content type='html'>Well it has been over a week, so I guess I better get this thing updated.&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Last week was a tough time for Bremen, and even more so for the high schoolers as once again they have lost a classmate.  This made Impact last Wednesday night a very emotional time, and even through this tradgedy it was awesome to see the compassion and love the kids showed toward each other.  Josh and PK did a great job of talking with the kids, and doing what they could to help them out.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Thursday evening I found myself heading to Lafayette so that I would be there bright an early for a meeting all day at Purdue for work.  It is so nice to have a friend that lives in Lafayette, that lets me crash at his house when I need to.  Thanks so much Brad!  So of course I got to see Meg, and spent a lot of time with her over the weekend.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Super Bowl Sunday.  This was the first youth group super bowl party that I have attended, and I must admit it was really crazy.  I can't believe Max and Linda still allow their house to be used for all these parties!  There were kids everywhere!  Playing Guitar Hero on the PS2, various Wii games, 2 tvs in two different rooms with the game on, board games being played, ping pong, air hockey, and foosball.  Again it was nice to see the kids getting to have fun and maybe not have to think about all the events that had happened this past week...&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Yesterday, I headed to the hospital after work to have a CT scan done.  My doctor wanted me to have one done, so that he can get a better idea of how we want to go about treating my chronic sinusitis.  Results should be available shortly, but my appointment with him isn't until next Thursday, so nothing to get too excited about.  I am just tired of my head hurting all the time, and ready for something to be done.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Then I made dinner last night, no big deal.  I was hungry, and knew that mom had just gotten home from work, so I fried the burgers, made the waffle fries, and whipped up the baked beans!  Everything seemed to taste just a little better.  Maybe it was just the taste of accomplishment...&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Watch out for that PEANUT BUTTER!!&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8121228420459643685-1039132630425335636?l=chuff2003.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://chuff2003.blogspot.com/feeds/1039132630425335636/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8121228420459643685&amp;postID=1039132630425335636' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8121228420459643685/posts/default/1039132630425335636'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8121228420459643685/posts/default/1039132630425335636'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://chuff2003.blogspot.com/2009/02/salmonella.html' title='Salmonella'/><author><name>Chuff</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16914052381944521874</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='23' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_a7m-TXDrc8s/ST54AbYxZqI/AAAAAAAAAAU/nfVLtmHb36U/S220/Trans+Am.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121228420459643685.post-3440161265429309507</id><published>2009-01-26T13:15:00.001-08:00</published><updated>2009-01-26T13:25:17.359-08:00</updated><title type='text'>I almost forgot.</title><content type='html'>Well it is that time of the week again.  Monday.  Oh Monday, I almost forgot you.  Had quite the busy weekend for not really doing a whole lot.  Had a great game of OIL POWER Friday night.  It was, as usual, a blast! &lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Saturday, I didn't do a whole lot.  Ran some errands and whatnot.  But Saturday night was the Impact adult leaders Christmas Party!  Yes, it is the end of January and we are just getting it done.  What can I say?  We were busy.  So we had this awesome meal.  It was all FONDUE!!!  We have cheese fondue to go with the bread, and oil fondue to deep fry anything we wanted.  There was steak, chicken, and ELK!  Cheese sticks, veggies, mushrooms galore!  A very fun night capped with chocolate fondue to go with the pineapple, strawberries, cherries, and my first cake I have ever baked, angel food.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Sunday, was awesome.  PK had an awesome sermon.  He really set the bar high, so he will really have to work to keep up that caliber of sermons.  Then came the vote that we have been anxiously awaiting for several months.  Grace and Salem have voted and decided to merge!  I am so incredibly happy, and cannot wait to see where this ride takes us.  It has been a long time coming, and I am glad that it finally went through.  Then we had a meeting for the mission trip to Texas, and then to cap the night off, Sunday school at J&amp;amp;Js which also featured some fondue because of all the left-overs from the night before.  And one last thing to end the night.  We played the game 'scare Angie.'  Basically, Angie hates to be scared, and so I try my very hardest to scare her every opportunity I get.  Whether it is just sneaking up behind her, or jumping out of closets, as long as I get to hear that blood curdling scream, I know that I have won.  Well Josh even got this one videotaped, and it is pretty funny...  Sorry Angie, I know you hate the game, but thanks for being such a good sport.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Chuff Out!&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8121228420459643685-3440161265429309507?l=chuff2003.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://chuff2003.blogspot.com/feeds/3440161265429309507/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8121228420459643685&amp;postID=3440161265429309507' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8121228420459643685/posts/default/3440161265429309507'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8121228420459643685/posts/default/3440161265429309507'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://chuff2003.blogspot.com/2009/01/i-almost-forgot.html' title='I almost forgot.'/><author><name>Chuff</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16914052381944521874</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='23' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_a7m-TXDrc8s/ST54AbYxZqI/AAAAAAAAAAU/nfVLtmHb36U/S220/Trans+Am.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121228420459643685.post-205309063855267432</id><published>2009-01-20T07:31:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-01-20T07:47:55.542-08:00</updated><title type='text'>I forgot about Monday.</title><content type='html'>Well, a week has come and gone and I somehow forgot Monday.  Yes Monday, my day that I seem to remember that I have this blog and realize maybe something has happened in the last week worth writing about.  Guess that goes to show you how exciting my life has been lately.  I did have a nice weekend though, which did involve rescuing my parents, aunt and uncle, and their friends after their van hit a snow drift and shot snow into the engine bay, running the serpentine belt off its' pulleys.  But that night was just cold, and snowy, and I don't really want to talk about it.&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Looking at exploring my entreprenural side of my brain though.  I have a few ideas, but that seems to be all that ever comes from my little visions of something different.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I'm going to have to let that one sit a little while, so I can ponder more.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;IMP(ACT)&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8121228420459643685-205309063855267432?l=chuff2003.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://chuff2003.blogspot.com/feeds/205309063855267432/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8121228420459643685&amp;postID=205309063855267432' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8121228420459643685/posts/default/205309063855267432'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8121228420459643685/posts/default/205309063855267432'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://chuff2003.blogspot.com/2009/01/i-forgot-about-monday.html' title='I forgot about Monday.'/><author><name>Chuff</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16914052381944521874</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='23' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_a7m-TXDrc8s/ST54AbYxZqI/AAAAAAAAAAU/nfVLtmHb36U/S220/Trans+Am.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121228420459643685.post-2189080454352115373</id><published>2009-01-12T12:56:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-01-12T13:13:45.809-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Monday... are you suprised?</title><content type='html'>And just like that, it is Monday again.  Where to begin?&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Last Wednesday night, was our first night of Impact for 09, and the kids really seemed pumped.  We had one of our larger turnouts this school year, and the place was really rocking.  Josh also let the kids know that over spring break, the youth group will be taking a missions trip to Galveston, Texas, to work with everyone who lost their homes during hurricane Ike.  I'm excited about the opportunity, but I still haven't asked if I can take work off.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Fondue Friday night was just plain awesome.  I don't know what it is about fondue that makes it so much fun and so good, but it was.  &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Monopoly and Oil Power!  It was a blast getting to play some old board games.  Even though the girls would complain about not wanting to play anymore, they then seem to win.  "I don't want to play anymore."  But you are winning?  "So, I just want this game to be over."  Silly girls.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Combine church Sunday at Salem.  It went really smooth, and again we had a packed house.  Amazing how people still can fill out the comment sheets and say that there is plenty of room for new people though, when the math proves there isn't.  We are at 90-95% capacity, and you are to allow 20% capacity for growth.  I'm not math wizard, but I can figure it out.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Merger vote in 2 weeks, I hope it passes.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Meg is back to Purdue for her final semester!  I wish her good luck!&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;'til next time...&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8121228420459643685-2189080454352115373?l=chuff2003.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://chuff2003.blogspot.com/feeds/2189080454352115373/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8121228420459643685&amp;postID=2189080454352115373' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8121228420459643685/posts/default/2189080454352115373'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8121228420459643685/posts/default/2189080454352115373'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://chuff2003.blogspot.com/2009/01/monday-are-you-suprised.html' title='Monday... are you suprised?'/><author><name>Chuff</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16914052381944521874</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='23' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_a7m-TXDrc8s/ST54AbYxZqI/AAAAAAAAAAU/nfVLtmHb36U/S220/Trans+Am.jpg'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121228420459643685.post-1126280833805209105</id><published>2009-01-05T10:25:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-01-05T10:40:10.521-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Monday again...</title><content type='html'>Well it seems like Mondays are a good day to post.  It has been a week since the last one, and will probably be another week until the next one.  This past week went way too fast.  I worked Mon/Tues, then took Wed/Fri off to make for a nice 5 day weekend.  It was extremely hard to come back to work.  Nothing too exciting really happened, but I want to talk about church on Sunday.&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;*For any of you that didn't already know, Salem and Grace UMCs have been in merger talks for the past 14 months, and by the end of the month we will have our fates decided.*&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;For whatever various reasons, it was decided that on this past Sunday, Salem's congregation would head to Grace to have a combined service, with Salem hosting this coming Sunday's service.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;1 word.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Amazing.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Ok, another word.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;EXCITING!&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;There is just a different feeling worshipping with so many people.  Yes, we were crowded.  A reason we met together, was to get a feel for if we need to build a new church to accomodate everyone if the merger passes.  So many years I have seen so many empty pews at Grace, and to see the sanctuary and every chair that could fit into the back room full of people gave me an amazing feeling.  I hope others felt this amazing feeling.  I can't wait to do it again down at Salem!&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Most of the day, I thought about how awesome it would be to combine all of our great resources.  It almost made me a little mad that it hadn't been done so long ago.  Each church is filled with a lot of great people, doing great things.  It almost seems like the opportunities would be endless if we could combine all these great people!&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;This has been the most excited I have been about the church in a long time.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Until next time... stay classy&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;*ps I've noticed that everyone else's blogs seem to have lots of pictures.  I think that I might have more to write about if I had some pictures to comment on.  Hmm, now I just need pictures.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8121228420459643685-1126280833805209105?l=chuff2003.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://chuff2003.blogspot.com/feeds/1126280833805209105/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8121228420459643685&amp;postID=1126280833805209105' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8121228420459643685/posts/default/1126280833805209105'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8121228420459643685/posts/default/1126280833805209105'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://chuff2003.blogspot.com/2009/01/monday-again.html' title='Monday again...'/><author><name>Chuff</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16914052381944521874</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='23' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_a7m-TXDrc8s/ST54AbYxZqI/AAAAAAAAAAU/nfVLtmHb36U/S220/Trans+Am.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121228420459643685.post-5171730701948354435</id><published>2008-12-29T09:28:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-12-29T10:10:18.772-08:00</updated><title type='text'>wheeew!</title><content type='html'>Hey!  Where did this last week go?  I want it back.  Just like I figured it would, this past week and Christmas went way too fast.  But it was jam packed with great times.  It was weird getting comments about how my blog was getting behind, but most days for me are just not very interesting.  I could tell you about my daily schedule, but it would just depress you, and me.&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;But last week was Christmas, and I'll just take a few moments to re-cap my activities. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Christmas Eve.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Worked until 3, got home and got ready for the evening, then took a very short nap.  &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Then it was off to Grandma and Grandpa Wise's where we enjoyed a traditional ham dinner.  We also had our traditional family time of singing songs, and had a great time of sharing thoughts.  We also drew our traditional pictures on the table cloth.  Then came presents, and the quickest, most effiecient "white elephant" gift time I have ever witnessed.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Stopped by Meg's extended family Christmas eve get together for a half hour or more and got in on a little Buzzword.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Headed over to Grace for the midnight Christmas eve service.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Headed home a little bit after midnight and exchanged Christmas gifts with Meg.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;Christmas Day.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Slept in, that was nice.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Opened gifts with the family, and that was a great time.  Gifts were really nice and thoughtful, and I couldn't have asked for more.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Played my new Guitar Hero until family showed up for Christmas Day Soup!&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Headed off to Meg's Christmas in Elkhart.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;Friday.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;I don't really remember.  Drawing a blank.  Oh, it was foggy.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;Saturday.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Saturday featured the Huff Family Christmas, and it was a great time!  Getting to see my Aunt and cousins from Wisconsin, and my cousin and her husband from Wisconsin who announced that they are expecting!  And my cousin from Alabama who was also up.  It was so nice having the whole family there, although we missed my Uncle Paul who couldn't make it down, and of course Grandma, but she is always with us.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Me dominating the ping pong table.  Not sure how that happened, I haven't played in years.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;Sunday.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Was refreshing, and a nice breather.  Headed to church and then home only to get a call to come in and grab some grub at the B-hop.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Went home and watched some football/napped.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Went to see Marley and Me with Meg, J and J, Angie-pants, and Sarah.  Then indulged in some wonderful Texas Roadhouse.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Got back to Bremen and hung out and talked with J and J while playing with K and K.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Sleep.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;Now I am back at work, and looking forward to the New Year's festivities.  Hopefully taking Weds. off to make for a nice 5 day weekend, and only a 2 day work week.  That would be pretty sweet.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;But there you have it, what I have done.  What did you do?&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8121228420459643685-5171730701948354435?l=chuff2003.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://chuff2003.blogspot.com/feeds/5171730701948354435/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8121228420459643685&amp;postID=5171730701948354435' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8121228420459643685/posts/default/5171730701948354435'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8121228420459643685/posts/default/5171730701948354435'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://chuff2003.blogspot.com/2008/12/wheeew.html' title='wheeew!'/><author><name>Chuff</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16914052381944521874</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='23' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_a7m-TXDrc8s/ST54AbYxZqI/AAAAAAAAAAU/nfVLtmHb36U/S220/Trans+Am.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121228420459643685.post-5025589704552200111</id><published>2008-12-18T13:26:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-12-18T13:32:17.927-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Don't get caught in the cold...</title><content type='html'>Sounds like we have a real bummer on the way.  Hopefully everyone stays safe as this batch of bad weather rolls through. &lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Meg is home now!  Yay!  I've missed her.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;7 days.  Still need to shop.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Later taters.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8121228420459643685-5025589704552200111?l=chuff2003.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://chuff2003.blogspot.com/feeds/5025589704552200111/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8121228420459643685&amp;postID=5025589704552200111' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8121228420459643685/posts/default/5025589704552200111'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8121228420459643685/posts/default/5025589704552200111'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://chuff2003.blogspot.com/2008/12/dont-get-caught-in-cold.html' title='Don&apos;t get caught in the cold...'/><author><name>Chuff</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16914052381944521874</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='23' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_a7m-TXDrc8s/ST54AbYxZqI/AAAAAAAAAAU/nfVLtmHb36U/S220/Trans+Am.jpg'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121228420459643685.post-8018564257687559436</id><published>2008-12-16T13:12:00.001-08:00</published><updated>2008-12-16T13:13:29.407-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Nothin'</title><content type='html'>Nothing to really post about today.  &lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I went to the swing choir show last night, and it was pretty good!&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Other than that, I got nothin'.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8121228420459643685-8018564257687559436?l=chuff2003.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://chuff2003.blogspot.com/feeds/8018564257687559436/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8121228420459643685&amp;postID=8018564257687559436' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8121228420459643685/posts/default/8018564257687559436'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8121228420459643685/posts/default/8018564257687559436'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://chuff2003.blogspot.com/2008/12/nothin.html' title='Nothin&apos;'/><author><name>Chuff</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16914052381944521874</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='23' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_a7m-TXDrc8s/ST54AbYxZqI/AAAAAAAAAAU/nfVLtmHb36U/S220/Trans+Am.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121228420459643685.post-273992152187496294</id><published>2008-12-15T06:42:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-12-15T06:52:58.234-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Nothing too exciting.</title><content type='html'>My weekend in 3 words.  It was alright though.  Friday night, Max had his small group over to house to hang out and play videogames and spend the night.  I knew Josh was going to be there, so I headed over there to hang out as well.  We played super smash brothers on the Wii, and the young guys mopped the floor with us old guys, though we pulled out some suprising victories.&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Saturday, I got some Christmas shopping in.  I bought everything that I had on my list, though my list was short on ideas for almost everyone, so I am nowhere near complete.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Sunday...Sunday...Sunday.  Went to church like usual, and afterwards scooted down to Grace to sit in on the big question and response session associated with the proposed merger process.  Fairly uneventful.  Went home and grabbed some lunch, and headed back to Salem for their question and response session.  It was fairly uneventful, but some of the elderly folks still seem to be stuck on "I's" "me's" and "we's" and not looking at the big picture, and the idea of the merger.  After Impact last weds. night, PK let me know that I need to speak up.  That prompted me to write this following monster block of text last Thursday.  I sent it to him and he shared it with the approx. 20 people on the committees.  I never felt the right time to voice it during either discussion, but am fully prepared if the need arises.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"&gt;Lighting the Fire&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class="MsoNormal" align="left" style="text-align:left"&gt;&lt;span style="mso-tab-count: 1"&gt;              &lt;/span&gt;It wasn’t a normal drive to work this morning.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;It was different.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;I usually listen to music to help get me going in the morning, but I never turned that dial.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;I just listened as thoughts entered my head and with a little trepidation I decided to jot them down.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;I realize what I say may hurt some feelings, although that is not my intention.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Rather, I am looking towards the future.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;The future of ONE Church.&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class="MsoNormal" align="left" style="text-align:left"&gt;&lt;span style="mso-tab-count: 1"&gt;              &lt;/span&gt;Let me start off by saying that I understand that we all have a lot of history within our own churches.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Many of you may have been married here, or this is where you have said some of your last goodbyes.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Where you were baptized and where you were received as a member.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;I get this.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Over at Grace, I was in my Aunt’s wedding, and was where my Grandma’s funeral was.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;I was baptized and accepted as a member.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Even though these are things I’ll never forget, I still look towards the future.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Our future should not be dictated by our past.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;We need to look past the “I’s” the “me’s” and the “we’s” and look at the big picture.&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class="MsoNormal" align="left" style="text-align:left"&gt;&lt;span style="mso-tab-count: 1"&gt;              &lt;/span&gt;We must look at this great opportunity put before us.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;We have this chance to become one!&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;To combine our resources, and more importantly, our people.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Why should two brick walls divide us?&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;At this point I am worried about what will happen if the merger doesn’t take place.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Dozens of people from both churches have worked tirelessly for over a year to make this dream a reality.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;I don’t want to drive a wedge between this dedicated group, and especially not because “we” can’t accept change.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;“We” aren’t doing this for “us”!&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;We are doing this for THEM!&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Yes, the unchurched.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Change is going to happen regardless of whether or not this merger takes place.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;We can’t afford to stay stagnant.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;I realize there are a lot of new things going on, but at this point, we are out of room!&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;This is an example that “we” aren’t doing this for “us”!&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;We are doing this for THEM!&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class="MsoNormal" align="left" style="text-align:left"&gt;&lt;span style="mso-tab-count: 1"&gt;              &lt;/span&gt;This year, I have had the opportunity to help Josh and Jessica out at Impact on Wednesday nights.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;And let me tell you, it is a beautiful thing.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;To see these kids consciously make the decision to come to church on Wednesday nights in amazing.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;I think this year we have close to 80 kids involved, with an average Wednesday attendance ranging from 45 – 60.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;I don’t know how many of you have ventured up to see worship on Wednesday night, but I would encourage it sometime.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;My point is we are almost out of room.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;It makes it difficult to bring a friend, when there is hardly enough room for the kids we have now.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;But take a look Sunday morning, where are these 45 – 60 kids?&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Where are their parents?&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;I really believe if we could offer a praise service on Sunday, we will be seeing these kids twice a week, and once they are that involved, we are going to be seeing their parents.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;This is another example that “we” aren’t doing this for “us”!&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;We are doing this for THEM!&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class="MsoNormal" align="left" style="text-align:left"&gt;&lt;span style="mso-tab-count: 1"&gt;              &lt;/span&gt;This fall something else is new.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Wednesday night dinners!&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;They are fabulous!&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Great food, and great fellowship.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;You know what would also be great?&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;It would be great if we were feeding families that don’t have a warm meal, if we could help a family with one meal that might put them a day ahead, instead of a day behind.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Instead of writing our names in the attendance pad with a little number circled identifying ourselves as partaking in the meal, having that little number indicating how many guests we are going to bring.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;To reach out and truly make a difference one meal at a time!&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Again I am not complaining about the meal at all, it is wonderful, but there is more that we can do.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Oh, one small problem, no pun intended.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;The fellowship hall is already almost full.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;This is just another example of how we have almost become limited by our own actions.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;This is another example that “we” aren’t doing this for “us”!&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;We are doing this for THEM!&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class="MsoNormal" align="left" style="text-align:left"&gt;&lt;span style="mso-tab-count: 1"&gt;              &lt;/span&gt;Now this one is going to sound like a plug for “me” but I think that I have to be this voice, because, if you look around, there isn’t anyone else to do it.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;I almost feel like I am a lost generation here.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Where are other people my age?&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;The 23,24,25 year olds, where are they?&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Looking at the census, it would indicate that there are probably 250 – 350 of us.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;I am guessing some of the other churches offered them a praise service.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Nappanee Missionary, Granger Community, they draw people in from all over the place, and people are willing to go out of their way to find a church home that fits their needs.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;We can do this!&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;This is where the new life and blood of the church is.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;I am sure there is a good deal of college age, and recent graduates in the area.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;The commuters who drive up to Bethel, and IUSB, and Ivy Tech, and all the other institutions, and we can reach out to them, if we can offer them something.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;How about young new couples, looking for a church home and church to get married in.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;We can’t offer a center aisle wedding!&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;You may say, little things like that aren’t important, but maybe this new couple wants to start their relationship with God and this is the ticket to open their new hearts to Jesus Christ!&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;That is just one example, but I am sure there are many other little things just like that, that we can’t currently offer, but will be able to in the future.&lt;/p&gt;  &lt;p class="MsoNormal" align="left" style="text-align:left"&gt;&lt;span style="mso-tab-count: 1"&gt;              &lt;/span&gt;So quickly is closing, I would just like to state we have an excellent future in front of us.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;How exciting would it be to open a new church in Bremen, Indiana?&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;It would be awesome!&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;Can’t you just hear the buzzing around the coffee shop, the BP, the Peel.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;It will be hard to get the doors open when the people are lined up to come see this new church.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;It won’t be an easy task, and there will be a few speed bumps I’m sure.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;But we are doing this for THEM, the unchurched.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;This is not the time to sit around and quibble over the “I’s” the “me’s” and the “we’s”!&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;This is the time to move forward to become ONE church with a goal to serve our Lord, to serve our community, and to serve one another.&lt;span style="mso-spacerun:yes"&gt;  &lt;/span&gt;The church is not a building, the church is the people!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="MsoNormal" align="left" style="text-align:left"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="MsoNormal" align="left" style="text-align:left"&gt;Sooo... huge post, no big deal.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8121228420459643685-273992152187496294?l=chuff2003.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://chuff2003.blogspot.com/feeds/273992152187496294/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8121228420459643685&amp;postID=273992152187496294' title='3 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8121228420459643685/posts/default/273992152187496294'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8121228420459643685/posts/default/273992152187496294'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://chuff2003.blogspot.com/2008/12/nothing-too-exciting.html' title='Nothing too exciting.'/><author><name>Chuff</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16914052381944521874</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='23' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_a7m-TXDrc8s/ST54AbYxZqI/AAAAAAAAAAU/nfVLtmHb36U/S220/Trans+Am.jpg'/></author><thr:total>3</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121228420459643685.post-6543770855365582825</id><published>2008-12-12T11:15:00.001-08:00</published><updated>2008-12-12T11:18:36.466-08:00</updated><title type='text'>We're running out of time!  (Jack Bauer whisper yelling voice)</title><content type='html'>T minus 13 days to the BIG ONE!  &lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Shopping = Panic Mode&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Not much time to post today, doing too much work work.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Early CONGRATS to Meg for finishing her fall semester after her 1 final on Weds.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Company Christmas party tonight at Amish Acres... tasty.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Zesty!&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Peace out girl scouts.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8121228420459643685-6543770855365582825?l=chuff2003.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://chuff2003.blogspot.com/feeds/6543770855365582825/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8121228420459643685&amp;postID=6543770855365582825' title='2 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8121228420459643685/posts/default/6543770855365582825'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8121228420459643685/posts/default/6543770855365582825'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://chuff2003.blogspot.com/2008/12/were-running-out-of-time-jack-bauer.html' title='We&apos;re running out of time!  (Jack Bauer whisper yelling voice)'/><author><name>Chuff</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16914052381944521874</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='23' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_a7m-TXDrc8s/ST54AbYxZqI/AAAAAAAAAAU/nfVLtmHb36U/S220/Trans+Am.jpg'/></author><thr:total>2</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121228420459643685.post-5004437115401806562</id><published>2008-12-11T11:29:00.001-08:00</published><updated>2008-12-11T11:48:59.403-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Little bit of nothing</title><content type='html'>Not too much going on today, other than it is Thursday, on which the most amazing TV show ever is aired.  You guessed it, The Office.  I like how they have it on Thursday so that it gives me something to look forward to towards the end of the week.  I get my 22-24 minutes of awesomeness in (30 minutes minus commercials) and go to bed to wake up to Friday.  Then it is like, "dang where did this week go?"  Then I smile and enjoy the fact that it is almost the weekend.  2 1/2 days packed full of nothingness!  Wrong.  The weekends go too fast.  There is always too much to do.  I wish we had 4 day work weeks, I think that would make work more enjoyable.&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "&gt;"Maybe in order to understand mankind, we have to look at the word itself: "Mankind". Basically, it's made up of two separate words - "mank" and "ind". What do these words mean ? It's a mystery, and that's why so is mankind."  - Jack Handey&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Keep on Keepin' on...&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8121228420459643685-5004437115401806562?l=chuff2003.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://chuff2003.blogspot.com/feeds/5004437115401806562/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8121228420459643685&amp;postID=5004437115401806562' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8121228420459643685/posts/default/5004437115401806562'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8121228420459643685/posts/default/5004437115401806562'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://chuff2003.blogspot.com/2008/12/little-bit-of-nothing.html' title='Little bit of nothing'/><author><name>Chuff</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16914052381944521874</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='23' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_a7m-TXDrc8s/ST54AbYxZqI/AAAAAAAAAAU/nfVLtmHb36U/S220/Trans+Am.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121228420459643685.post-2896926141679301435</id><published>2008-12-10T13:27:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-12-10T13:50:21.537-08:00</updated><title type='text'>I made it, I may as well post.</title><content type='html'>I suppose I may as well do some posting, if I am going to bother having this.  I think the whole idea behind making this was that at some point and time I was going to have Earth shattering words of wisdom, or a great adventure to share with all.  Well... that hasn't happened yet.  But I'll tell you about some other things that are going on, or have gone on recently.&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Last weekend was the Holy Walk, a sure sign that the day we celebrate as the birth of Christ is just around the corner.  This year it was 'early' but I think it was another good year.  The weather was decent, though pretty cold.  It didn't seem to dampen the spirits of those that came, though some of the small children weren't dressed quite warm enough.  Lots of people turned out to clean up on Sunday, which was a welcomed suprise.  Although, I am sure that we were nowhere near breaking attendance records, I was suprised by one thing.  As I talked to another guy who helps, he said that he didn't seem to recognize many people, and I agreed.  I picked out a few Bremen letter jackets, but for the most part it seemed like the faces were new.  Which is great!  If we change the life of one person, it makes it all worth it.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;In other, completely unrelated news, I broke down and went to the doctor.  I have been having headaches and lots of sinus pain for the last 2-3........ years.  Chronic Sinusitis.  I am taking some steroids to pump up my nose, so that means my nose will probably get even more huge.  I think that I am seeing a little improvement, and the lack of headaches is great.  I am supposed to check back in, in a month and see how I feel.  If it isn't better I will have to see an ENT specialist and probably have a CT scan done.  Hopefully it won't come to that.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Josh shared this song at IMPACT a few weeks ago, and I can't stop listening to it.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTsYAZvHsEQ"&gt;http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTsYAZvHsEQ&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Times proofread - 0&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8121228420459643685-2896926141679301435?l=chuff2003.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://chuff2003.blogspot.com/feeds/2896926141679301435/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8121228420459643685&amp;postID=2896926141679301435' title='2 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8121228420459643685/posts/default/2896926141679301435'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8121228420459643685/posts/default/2896926141679301435'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://chuff2003.blogspot.com/2008/12/i-made-it-i-may-as-well-post.html' title='I made it, I may as well post.'/><author><name>Chuff</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16914052381944521874</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='23' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_a7m-TXDrc8s/ST54AbYxZqI/AAAAAAAAAAU/nfVLtmHb36U/S220/Trans+Am.jpg'/></author><thr:total>2</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8121228420459643685.post-3854985252169730597</id><published>2008-12-09T06:54:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-12-09T06:55:41.774-08:00</updated><title type='text'>My first post.</title><content type='html'>Well here comes the cliche first post.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8121228420459643685-3854985252169730597?l=chuff2003.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://chuff2003.blogspot.com/feeds/3854985252169730597/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=8121228420459643685&amp;postID=3854985252169730597' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8121228420459643685/posts/default/3854985252169730597'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/8121228420459643685/posts/default/3854985252169730597'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://chuff2003.blogspot.com/2008/12/my-first-post.html' title='My first post.'/><author><name>Chuff</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/16914052381944521874</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='23' src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_a7m-TXDrc8s/ST54AbYxZqI/AAAAAAAAAAU/nfVLtmHb36U/S220/Trans+Am.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry></feed>
