Quote of the Week

“It is as strong a statement as I can make that,

in a world where everything seems to be

measured by dollars signs,

we can do well by doing good.”

- Tony Campolo, Everything You’ve Heard is Wrong

Not Yet Ready for Fine Dining

But she loves her ice cream . . .

That's Just Too Cute

MelodyJoy is really into imitating her mom and brothers, as evidenced by last week's video of her shoveling snow. At meals, she now reaches for our hands and says, "Pray! Pray!" then squints her eyes and bows her head. Whenever we wash our hands, she must wash hers. If we put on hand lotion, she holds out her hands for a dab to rub on them. Brushing our teeth? She insists on having her toothbrush, too.

Jeannette often fusses over the boys' hair (not that you can tell most of the time) but since Jordan and Phillip are taller than she is, she makes them kneel down so she can reach their heads. Last night, after Jeannette finished Jordan's and Phillip's tresses, Melody came to her with a brush and, to be helpful, knelt down in front of her, too.


When Jeannette has finished changing a dirty diaper, she puts it inside a plastic grocery bag, ties it closed and tosses it in the trash. Yesterday, MelodyJoy picked up a tiny scrap of paper, smaller than a Trident gum wrapper. I told her to go throw it in the garbage so she dutifully went to the kitchen cabinet, pulled out a plastic grocery sack, put the paper in it and then dropped it in the trash can.

First Dance

Back in the '70s, Donna Summer had a disco hit called "Last Dance." The classic lyrics include:

So let's dance, the last dance
Let's dance, the last dance
Let's dance, this last dance tonight

Last dance, last dance for love
Yes, it's my last chance
For romance tonight

Repeat. And repeat again.

Jordan and Phillip's first dance, first chance for romance was last night. One of the girls at Hosanna had a birthday luau at a local country club and invited the whole high school.



I don't think our boys did much booty shaking, nor was there any romance. However, Jordan reports that he finished fourth in the limbo competition. (Which, considering his lack of flexibility, has to be classified as one of the great upsets of all time.)

Hosanna's Season Comes to an End

The Hosanna Christian School Lions rolled unbeaten through their conference season and moved into the play-offs. Starting four seniors, it seemed possible that this was Hosanna's year. They won their two regionals last week and tonight they moved into the second round of play-offs, with McKenzie High School coming to our home court from up near Eugene.

As expected, warm-ups were as close as Jordan got to the game. Coach Shaw stuck with his five starters for all but a few minutes of the contest.


Nevertheless, MelodyJoy was quick to pick Jordan out as the team ran its drills.


McKenzie is an interesting team in that it has no seniors and features junior Drew Wiley, a 6'7" post-slash-guard who supposedly has verbally committed to play for U of O already. He was a very nice player, especially at the Class A level, but it's hard to imagine him playing D-1. As Jeannette said, though, he's only 16 and probably has a lot of development and a few inches left in him. He has a nice shot, including from outside the arc, and nice moves. How he will do against players his own size and who are stronger will be interesting to see.

The game got off to a great start . . . very fast paced. Both teams were playing at a very high level and the first quarter ended 17-15 with McKenzie on top. But it was clear that HCS was going to have match-up problems with only one starter over 6 foot tall. Besides Wiley, McKenzie was taller than Hosanna at every position. In the second quarter, the Lions managed just one field goal.

In the end, HCS fell 56-40 to a very good McKenzie squad. They played good defense, were disciplined on offense, have talent and size . . . and even if they don't win it all this year, they'll be very dangerous next winter, returning every player on the team. It was sad to see Hosanna's season come to a close but the guys have a lot to be proud of.

MelodyJoy Gets a Job

Quote of the Week

“Formal learning is analogous to a ride on a bus. Everyone is taking the same ride, and the bus route is pre-planned. It’s appropriate for people who don’t know the territory. But it’s not so appropriate for someone who’s lived there ten years and knows where he needs to go.”

- Jay Cross, chief scientist, Internet Time Group

Up Close and Personal

MelodyJoy pulled her step stool up
by the aquarium this morning to
get a close look at Tom and Tina.

Snow Day!

Yesterday about 6:20 AM, our phone started ringing . . . The infamous "phone tree" to alert everyone that school was closed for the day. Jameson was showering, getting ready for school when I called to him, "No school today!"

"Why?" he asked.

"Snow!"

"I never thought we'd get a snow day here!"

(Over the years, too many days of snow without any cancellation of school have left him a bitter, disillusioned young man.)

Well, those of us at OIT didn't get a snow day. We seldom do. There was about eight inches of snow on the ground at our house but the real problem for a lot of folks was that, with all the other schools (including Klamath Community College) closed, childcare was an issue. Anyway, it continued to snow all day, at least at OIT, though not much accumulated. So while I was at work, Jordan and Phillip were earning money by shoveling off neighbors' driveways and Melody and Jameson had fun outside . . .



I went to OIT's first round play-off game last night, which they unfortunately lost (but they're still going to nationals because they won the regular season title) and the snow continued. (Jeannette says it also rained some in parts of town, adding to the treacherous conditions.) By the time I went to bed, I suspected that even OIT might be closed today . . . and I was right.

No need for an alarm clock because at 6:20 the phone started ringing, this time with phone trees for both Hosanna and OIT. I am so bummed! I only had seven meetings scheduled for today, plus was set to supervise our student workers tonight until 8:30. I'm so, so disappointed to miss all that.

We have twelve to fourteen inches of snow right now and it's continuing to fall. I'm wondering if Jordan's play-off game tomorrow night will be delayed. [Note 2-23-07: Nope! But did I mention that I hate snow?!]

A Good Day in the World of Sports

Yesterday was a very good day in my sports world, which nowadays consists almost entirely of simply Hosanna and OIT athletics.

Hosanna Christian School's varsity boys team won its regional tourney in LaPine last night and moves on to districts with a home game on Friday night. I attribute all of their success to adding Jordan to the squad last weekend. He actually did get to play about six minutes in Friday night's blowout of Gilchrist High School but, of course, didn't see the light of day in last night's 42-40 nail biter against Hosanna's rival, The Triad School.

Even though he probably won't play a minute the rest of the way, it's neat that he may get the chance to experience a state tournament. Unfortunately, the tourney is eight hours away from here and takes place while I have to be in DC for NACAC's annual lobbying effort. Nonetheless, it may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him and I'm excited for him.

OIT's men's basketball team secured a spot at nationals last night, winning the league title. Actually, we tied with Warner Pacific College for the league lead but we held the edge on the tie-breaker and thus got the automatic berth. It's so different being around basketball here . . . it's just assumed that we'll make it to nationals every year. This might be our best team ever. (I think we say that every year, but since our 27-3 record is the best regular season record we've ever had, it probably is true this time.)

I was also pleased that my alma mater managed to finish off a very disappointing season last night with a big 1-point win over OIT's rival, Southern Oregon University. They only won five games this year but at least they finished on a good note. Maybe I'm blocking something out but I don't remember a Warrior team ever winning so few games. (The Corban women are having a very good season but I have a hard time getting too excited about it. Maybe I'll get interested if they end up tipping it off against OIT in the league post-season tournament.)

And lastly, I'm happy to report that I won a t-shirt vs. t-shirt bet with my friend Greg Vaughan as the #15 OIT Owls beat the #21 Biola Eagles 7-3- in softball yesterday at a tournament in Ashland. It's very rare (i.e., "never") that I get the best of Mr. Vaughan so I send my thanks out to Coach Greg Stewart and the women on his squad.

Quote of the Week, Valentine's Day Edition

“Love is like two dreamers dreaming the exact same dream.”

- Michael Franks

23 Years

Last week, I wrote about 23 years of marriage. Today marks 23 years that I've worked in higher education. We went on our honeymoon and the Monday after we got back, if I remember right, I started in the admissions office at Western Baptist College. I recruited students mostly in Washington--especially Eastern Washington--and Oregon, along with some Anchorage and Boise area travel.

Since then, I've worked or interned at six other colleges. I've earned a master's degree. I've gotten involved with professional organizations and traveled to Washington to lobby Congress. I've recruited students--or tried to--in Indiana, Wisconsin, Kentucky, California, Nevada, Texas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio, Florida, Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand and Korea. I wonder how many groups I've spoken to and how many students I've met with . . .

It's been quite a journey . . . hard to believe that I almost decided to continue selling waterbeds rather than accept the job that was offered by Western back in 1984. I was starting to see some success in selling bedroom furnishings and I think I only took the admission job because of the insurance benefits. Where would I be now if I'd stayed at Bedrooms Unlimited? (I still have my business card from back then. It has the store information and then a blank where I could write in my name. Pretty classy!)

My New Toy

Every two years or so, Sprint customers are entitled to a new cell phone if they contract for another two years of service. Last month, Jordan had the cell phone that he and Phillip use in his jacket pocket and apparently someone stepped on it and broke it.

To make a long story short, I gave them my old phone and went into the Sprint store on Friday afternoon and upgraded to a new phone. I found out that they have a rebate on the Razr phone and so, for the first time, I actually have a "cool" phone. It really is nice and after the rebates, it should only cost me about $25. I'm only about one-quarter of the way through the owner's manual, though, so I still don't know how to do anything with it!

Nursery Duty

Every month or two, Jeannette and I work in the nursery at church.

Allison wonders what her parents have gotten her into.


MelodyJoy decides to take some pictures, too.

Melody insisted on reading a book to Luke.

Emma enjoys her Cheerios.

Tucker and his paper cup of Cheerios.

Cheerios for MelodyJoy as well.

Jordan Drives to the Hoop

This afternoon, in the first half against Butte Falls, Jordan drove the baseline but couldn't finish. He only scored two points in today's game, on a lay-up in the second half.

The video clip is about 34 seconds long and you have to get about halfway through it before he makes his move. He is at the right hand corner of the screen most of the time.

One Day, Five Basketball Games, Plus an Auction

Today was pretty packed. There were four games at Hosanna. I had to be at school before noon in order to run the clock and scoreboard for the JV girls basketball game. This was followed by Jordan's last JV boys game of the season. Once they got out of the preseason, playing mostly against larger schools, they had a very good year in league. Jordan says they stand at 10-2 in league with today's blowout of Butte Falls to finish first among the JV squads.

As reported previously, he's been getting quite a bit of playing time, starting most games and playing about three-quarters. Today, since it was the end of his JV season, I shot some video which I'll upload soon. He only had two points today but played pretty well.

After his game ended, I stayed for part of the girls varsity game (which they lost by two . . . it's been a long season, but they're a young team with no seniors) but he had to stay for the whole thing because yesterday he found out that he is going to get to "swing" for the rest of the season, playing varsity. He won't get much PT, of course, but it should be a good experience, especially since the varsity took first place in league with today's win so they will go on to postseason play, starting with regionals next weekend in LaPine, I guess.

After the varsity game, Jordan reported that he got to play the last three minutes or so and "got my first varsity foul." I didn't get to see any of his game because tonight was also the annual Hosanna auction. Jeannette and I helped greet people as they arrived and then I got roped into playing MC for awhile. For a short time, it appeared I might actually have to do some auctioneering but our professional auctioneer arrived just in time to save me from that fate. A reserved parking place in front of the school for next year received a bid of $1800 or so.

$25 a plate for tri-tip steak served on paper plates with plastic utensils always seems like a stretch to me but people seem to have a good time and a good spirit. The fundraiser is pretty critical to the well-being of Hosanna. We didn't buy our tickets early enough this year to get in on the crab dinners, which is just fine with me. We sat with Bob and Sue Thompson and Rick and Laurie Hetherington, and it was fun to hear about the Hetheringtons' rapidly approaching trip to Russia as they try to finalize their second adoption from there. Laurie was one of the first people we got to know after we arrived in Klamath Falls seven years ago.

After we finished dinner, Jordan and I scooted over to OIT for his fifth game of the day: The Hustlin' Owls vs. Eastern Oregon University. We got there just before halftime and EOU was playing us very tough. EOU has historically been a fairly weak program but their new coach has brought in some good, big players and they are ranked 23rd in the most recent national poll. (Tech was #7.) At one point in the second half, the Mountaineers were up by eleven, but the Owls fought back and won 78-69.

OIT's website reports that "All-American guard Levell Hesia went over the 2,000 career point mark scoring 25 points duplicating his effort of the night before in a win against #13 Albertson. Hesia, the all-time OIT scoring leader has amassed 2,009 points to date." Levell is a 5'5" guard from right here in K Falls and he is an amazing player. He makes driving lay-ups from the most incredible angles and last night against a very quick Albertson squad, he ran the court like a pinball bouncing from defender to defender.

Tonight's win pretty much guarantees OIT's men will finish second in the conference, though they have an outside shot at tying or winning the championship. We've won seven in a row.

Finally, in closing, I apologize that the blog has been relatively boring lately and, in particular, that Melody sightings are somewhat rare. I've just been too busy and gone too much. However, I can summarize up the latest state of Melody affairs with this: She's about 22 months old and continues to prove herself to be a most advanced child . . . It seems she's already entered the terrible two's.

Quote of the Week

“Fame is a vapor,
popularity an accident,
riches take wing and
only character endures.”

- Horace Greeley

23 Years

February 4, 1984. Twenty-three years ago today, Jeannette and I walked the aisle at Bethany Baptist Church in Salem, Oregon.

I had planned for us to spend our anniversary in Denver since I was going there for PNACAC meetings this weekend. Unfortunately, Jeannette didn't think she could afford the extra time off. So this anniversary I'm sitting in a Marriott watching the Super Bowl and she's watching a movie with Jordan and Phillip. Oh well.

In February 1984, I'm not sure we could have imagined what the next two decades would be like. Kids . . . moves . . . travel . . . growing in our relationship and other ways. It hasn't always been easy but we've persevered. I know that I've been incredibly fortunate to have her for my partner . . .

• She's a great mom to our four kids and a we make a good parenting team.
  
• I have some friends whose wives would never consider leaving their home towns. Jeannette would certainly prefer to be in the Salem area and in the Northwest, but she's let me drag her to Spokane and even all the way to Kentucky, and I know she is willing to do whatever seems to be best for our family and my career.
• We've had some great trips together. She knows that I love to travel and I'll always remember our trips to Southern California and Florida early in our marriage, our Disneyworld vacation with the Parishes, our cruises and, of course, the trip to China.
• She balances me out. Our strengths and weaknesses very much tend to be opposites. That absolutely can make things hard at times, but it's really a good thing in the long run. I'm a better person because of Jeannette.
  

Happy 23rd Anniversary, Jeannette. I love you!

Quote of the Week

“If we really belong to God, then we must trust God. We must never be preoccupied with the future. There is no reason to be. God is there.”

-Mother Teresa