I rarely talk about projects I am working on before they launch, but I am pretty excited about this one.

I am breaking my “silence” rule, because it has been broken for me with a nice “buzz” campaign.

I am working with the station to create iCanHelpTwinCities.com. This is a site that will allow local churches and non-profit organizations to post volunteer needs they have. People looking for ways to plug in can search the database of opportunities to connect with these volunteer needs (because, HEY, we all have a ton of free time right??).

It is kind of like a “Craig’s List” for volunteers!

We have already heard from a number of organizations that are really excited to have this tool at their disposal.

I guess what excites me about this project is that it really has a chance to make the Twin Cities better, on a large scale. I don’t know that I have worked on a project that has as much potential as this one.

So, here’s the deal! We are looking for organizations to help us test out the sign-up and posting tools. We are pretty confident they work, but we want to make sure they are easy enough to use and meet the needs of the posting organizations. If you work for a non-profit that uses volunteers, or know someone who may be interested (I am thinking Twin Cities 7 County Metro Area), feel free to leave a comment on this blog post. We would love to have you try it out and give us your feedback.

I saw my dentist today! Once again, no cavities!

Not really big news, but I mentioned to a “younger person” that I had fought off the “Cavity Creeps”.

It is when I say things like that that I realize how old I am getting.

Proof, however, that you can find anything on YouTube, AND proof that the commercials of my childhood really WERE as cool as I remember:

I am a fan of both Switchfoot and the Narnia series (not necessarily equally)

Good song:

“The Pretty One” and I took our 3 to the zoo to catch up with her mother, sister and neice.

I actually have pictures, but will have to post them later today.

We did the math and realized that it costs our family $44 to enter the zoo. ($14 for adults $8 for kids 2 and older).  Later this summer, it will cost $52 (when the youngest turns 3)

We will certainly be going again, so we decided to spring for the $85 annual membership. As long as we go one more time, it’s paid for.

Now, however, we can go as often as we want. It really is a cool place. So much of it is indoors too, so it is quite nice on rainy days.

The only thing the membership doesn’t cover is the $7-8 in gas it takes us to drive there and back.

At the center of many stories in the Bible, is the mother. From the completion of creation, to the arrival of the savior into the world. God has used the mother in remarkable ways.

Eve:
The first mother.

Writer Anita Renfroe points out that it must have been pretty hard to be a first time mother… THE first time mother, and not have a mother of your own. Eve, the mother of us all! Eve also, of course, ate something she wasn’t supposed to, and forever changed the way we relate to God. Eve was also the first mother to have to see one of her children die.

Hannah:

The mother of Samuel.

A barren woman who’s faith and devotion to God was so great, that she gave her child to God when he was born.

She literally gave her firstborn to God!

When you talk about wanting to surrender our children into God’s hands, how far are you willing to take that? I tend to say that easily with the areas in which I have no control, but what about the areas I directly influence?

Am I willing to surrender my will for my children, to God’s will for my children? Or, am I trying to fit His will into the fragile framework of my own?

Mary:

Mother of Jesus

After working through the difficulty of trying to explain an incomprehensible conception to those around her, I like to think Mary was able to take pleasure in the miracle and her part in God’s arriving here on earth. Actually, we see that she clearly “rejoiced in God [her] savior”!

Mary had to rock the creator of the universe to sleep. Mary changed the diapers of the great “I AM”. Mary sought after a pre-teen savior of the world as He sat in the temple astounding the wise!

Mary also, however, felt heartache as she surrendered her child to a short life of ministry and his execution.

When many left his side, in his most difficult hours, His mother was there at the foot of the cross.

Sarah:

Mother of Isaac

Sarah laughed.

When she first heard of her pending arrival, in her late 80s, she laughed! It is easy for us, thousands of years later, to be hard on her and her lack of faith, but I have to give her credit for her reaction. I am sure she was thrilled with the news she had long since given up hope of hearing, but there had to be some immediate concerns as well. Being a mother at that age could not have been easy.

I don’t know if her laughter was sarcastic and faithless, or out of a good sense of humor; but it is a great reminder to enjoy some of the more difficult moments of childhood, and to do so with a sense of humor.

Elizabeth:

Mother of John the Baptist.

God seems to delight in the improbable. Just as with Sarah and Hannah in the old testament, Elizabeth is well along in her life, and motherhood seems out of the question. But God astounds us all.

The Bible doesn’t say whether she was around for this, but Elizabeth, like Mary, had a child die violently and early in his adult years.

But even before his birth, Elizabeth’s son was declaring the coming savior as he leaped in her womb.

Bathsheba:

Mother of Solomon

When that name is heard, it is her worst moment that is often thought of. Her affair with King David brought a lot of hardship to the King and the Kingdom. However, a child of theirs led Israel with a wisdom that is unmatched to this day. The life of Solomon is a great reminder that God can redeem a life.

You may have a child born of painful situations. God is bigger than those situations, and has great plans for that child (and for Mom as well).

The Mother of James and John

Have you ever asked that little league coach to bump your kid up the roster? Have you ever asked the teacher about bumping your youngster to a more advanced group of students? You can probably understand how the mother of James and John felt when she asked Jesus to seat her sons next to Him in eternity.

I am sure it was more than just maternal pride, however. This lady wanted Jesus to draw her sons closer to himself.

This story on its own can seem rather selfish, but we see this mother again with with her grieving son, and Mary, at the foot of the cross.

Sure! Mother’s day is just a couple of weeks away, but Mom is easy to shop for. Some flowers, maybe the gift basket from Bath and Body Works? What about Dad? Really folks, it is time to start thinking about Father’s Day! Dad’s don’t really wear ties any more, and there are only so many cliche golf accessories out there.

I found a briefcase online this week. It has a carbon fiber outer shell, leather lined interior, and 18K Gold clasps.

The gift will only set you back $16,000

… or as my family calls it “Adjusted Taxable Income”.

I came across this article this week.

Apparently, eating chocolate during pregnancy can help avoid a potentially life threatening condition for the expectant mother.

I don’t know that that would have changed my wife’s habits, it would have simply justified them.

I love the art of composting. It’ isn’t really so much an art, I guess, as a science, but the concept facinates me. It’s simple… gather your organic waste, and let creation do it’s job! The result is a rich mixture for gardening.

I am good about throwing waste into a compost pile. I am bad at managing it. I usually just end up with a thick layer of grass that I have to dig through to find the pretty sweet soil.

I found a neat article on Indoor composting. Using a special home appliance to compost items into great soil.

I just think my wife will have a fit when I bring the lawnmower bag into the kitchen.