Gator Bowl

Since my college team is not bowling this year I have been invited by my boy Billy to go support his school, Texas Tech, in the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville. Should be a good time and yes, I will be sporting Red Raiders gear, just for tomorrow! Hopefully next year my Hurricanes will actually go to a bowl game.

Best of 2007: Gadgets

iPhone - My wonderful wife waited in line on the first day to bring one of these perfect gadgets home for me as I rested my ailing knee.



Nintendo Wii - If you haven't gotten into gaming yet, this gadget will push you over the edge.


Bluetooth Car Kit - I can take calls and stream music from my iPhone on this little gadget.


AT&T Laptop Wireless USB Connect - Always be connected with the blazing 3G Network. I'm hoping that this will work in Siberia!


Western Digital Passport Portable Hard Drive - I love this portable hard drive. I purchased it on sale at Best Buy when we got back from Russia (first trip). All of our first trip videos are on this drive.


What are your favorite gadgets from 2007?

Cheaters?

If you were caught cheating on a test, you would get an F. I know from experience.

Barry Bonds will have an *asterisk next to his name as the all time home run king, because he probably cheated.

You cheat the IRS you get in trouble.

Downloading illegal music, movies or whatever is consider cheating (not buying the "real" product) and there can be severe consequences for doing so.

I could go on and on about cheaters and consequences.

Did you know that the much heralded New England Patriots were caught red-handed cheating. They were fined, the head coach was fined AND their first round draft pick for 2008 was revoked. They cheated. They were caught. Yet the Patriots are celebrated as undefeated, champs of the regular season. They at least deserve an *asterisk.

I think the Patriots should have the same consequences anyone else would have for cheating. Do you?

Best of 2007: TV

"Long Way Down" - I haven't seen an episode but I have watched the entire original "Long Way Round" and I know that it must be half as good. Follow Charley Boorman and Ewan McGregor as they take their motorcycles from London to Cape Town.
"30 Rock" - Brilliant, hilarious show. It will go down as a TV classic.

"The Office"



"House MD"




"Psych"





Honorable Mention: "My Name is Earl", "Scrubs"

What are your favorite TV shows from 2007?

Best of 2007: Music

Foo Fighters, "Echos, Silence, Patience and Grace" - Just a great rock album, something that we are getting quite accustomed to with the Foo!
James Morrison, "Undiscovered" - A really good album from a British r&b crooner. I first heard one of his songs in a Starbucks and I have been hooked since.
Jon McLaughlin, "Indiana" - I don't know a lot about him but I know I have really enjoyed this album. I guess it could be described as piano pop. Good stuff.
Lifehouse, "Who We Are" - The best pop/rock album of the year, period. Every song from beginning to end is catchy. Lifehouse is proving to be one of the most consistent pop/rock bands around.
OneRepublic, "Dreaming Out Loud"- Wow! Just a great catchy album. Famous for the song "Apologize" there is so much more on this release than that one song.


Honorable Mention: Kelly Clarkson, "My December", Rooney, "Calling the World", Daughtry, "Daughtry"

What are your favorite albums from 2007? Songs? Bands?

Best of 2007: Movies

My top 6 this year, do you see a trend?
What movies were your favorites? Anything missing from my list?

Best of 2007: Blogs

Things Pondered - My sister got into the blogging game and I must admit, does quite an admirable job of logging her life and interests. If you are lacking chicks in your link column (that sounds sketchy!). Beth's blog is a must for link love!

Dustin Bryson - Most of you know Dusty, he's been in the blog game for quite awhile, but he consistently provides readers with authentic glimpses into his life. I have the whole youth pastor thing in common with him and enjoy following his life: new born son, photography and ministry endeavors.

Life in Student Ministry - Tim Schmoyer is the blog-father here as he gives thousands of youth pastors resources, ideas and most importantly encouragement in their respected ministries. Tim seems to be a very humble and smart dude who doesn't have that super star youth pastor mentality. I enjoyed reading about his move up to the tundra of Minnesota.

Revolution - Love him or.... Lew Graff has gotten a lot of publicity from his Church Field Trip posts over the year. That is just a small part of his blog. Lew shares some of his personal life and doesn't try to wow you with his theology or wit, just good ole' honest communication.

Family Reunion - As we have been going through our adoption journey we have been so encouraged by our blogging friends and family, but one blogger sticks out from the rest, Debbie Brown. She has been an inspiration to Penny and I as she and her husband, Dave are also in the process of adopting a child domestically. Debbie is truly talented as a writer, give her some link love!!

Honorable Mention: Phil Santillian, Wakebird, Alden Ellis

Please share some of your favorite blogs from 2007

Real Christmas

The past few days I have shared a little bit of the Goeppner Christmas tradition. I have saved the best for last. It's all about Jesus. The time our family spends together is focused on our King, Jesus. We celebrate His humble life here on earth, His sacrificial death for our sins, His resurrection for our eternal purpose and His grace towards our miraculous family. Thank you Jesus.

4th Day of Goeppner Christmas

Well it's Christmas Day and it's our forth day celebrating it. We slept in again (around 8 AM) and Penny fix a little breakfast before we Skyped my sisters house to watch them open gifts (you gotta love technology!) Penny and I opened the gift we got each other (see always spoils me!). I got her some Gap shirts and jeans and she got me a game for the Wii and some other goodies. Afternoon and evening was spent at my sisters house for lunch, Guitar Hero 3 and dinner. Another day of Goeppner Christmas well spent! How did you spend Christmas day? Any favorite gifts received? Given?

Third Day of Goeppner Christmas

It was nice to sleep in today. We spent the third day of our family Christmas with my family, again. This day we went to my parents church and house for a Christmas eve celebration. The church service was quite theatrical, a little too much for my taste, but the Gospel was given clearly and I believe effectively. We then made our way to Mom and Dads for dinner and present opening. My p's got us some cool stuff. I got this Bluetooth gadget that goes in my car and a cool tire pump for my cars. They got "family" Guitar Hero for the Wii. Pretty sweet as I showed off my Guitar Hero skills to the fam: the perks of working in student ministry. Got home around 10 PM. Good day.

Second Day of Goeppner Christmas

Sunday was the second day of our family Christmas celebration. Of course, it being Sunday and all we went to our Pre-Christmas Eve service. It was real great time celebrating and connecting witht the people of our congrgation. Later we went to my Grandma's (Mamaw) house and enjoyed family time and ate some great pizza. Mamaw got me some socks (much needed) and a shirt. We finished watching the Dolphins get beat down by the Patriots. Here's a Lazy Sunday video for your enjoyment....

Lazy Sunday

Finally!

On December 7, 2007 Chipotle opened their first store in Palm Beach County (we are always a little late in the game). I have heard all of my Cali friends and the New Yorkers brag about Chipotle, but I had never experienced a burrito from this franchise until today. Good stuff. Fresher than Moes, a little spicier and the rice was wicked. Have you been to Chipotle? Whats your meal of choice?

First Day of Goeppner Christmas

Every year our family celebrates Christmas in grand style. We start 4 days out and celebrate Christmas at each others house. Last night Penny and I hosted our Christmas. We started out by going to see National Treasure (it was ok), went to Sonny's for BBQ (um good!) then made our way to our pad for some dessert (yule log) and gift opening. Always a good time watching family open gifts we bought for them. Each day I will leave you with a special Christmas video. You don't want to miss this one.....



Mark Jensen's Christmas Special

Christmas Party

Over the past several weeks I have been putting together details for our annual Student Ministry Christmas Party. This year we partnered with 6 other student ministries in our area to have a Battle of the Bands theme. We had 5 different bands play 2 songs each, 2 large group games, an amazing guest speaker and a worship band. We rented out our normal meeting place, Independence Middle School (cafeteria and gym) and hired the school police to monitor. It was so unbelievable to watch 7 churches come together for an evening of fun, celebration and reflection. Going into the night I was really nervous about the potential disasters that may happen (5 student lead bands!!) but with our super spectacular sound engineer, Chip, in control all would be well (props Chip!!).
In total there were about 300 students and 100 or so adults in attendance and I believe most everyone learned something about unity in the Body (it CAN be done) and the importance of the Good News of Jesus (Chris Tress brought the Gospel). I was so impressed with the students in all of the bands and really believe that this is the beginning of much more to come. God is doing something in the lives of students in Jupiter, Fl. It's an honor to be a part of.

Is Marylyn a dude?

I recieved in my e-mail box a few minutes ago another plea for me to take some poor souls inheritance - in Kuwait! Have you ever pictured what the writer of these e-mails may look like? I share with you my mental picture.Read the e-mail below. Have you recieved this one yet?

Dearest in Christ,

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I am Mrs marilyn wells. from Kuwait. I am married to Mr. johnson wells who worked with Kuwait embassy in Ivory Coast for nine years before he died in the year 2004.We were married for eleven years without a child. He died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days.Before his death we were both born again christian.

Since his death I decided not to remarry or get a child outside my matrimonial home which the Bible is against.When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of US$3.5million dollars in a Bank here in Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire. Presently, this money is still in bank.Recently, my Doctor told me that I would not last for the next Eight months due to cancer problem. The one that disturbs me most is my stroke sickness.

Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to a charity organization that will utilize this money the way I am going to instruct herein. I want an organization that will use this fund for orphanages, school and church ,widows, propagating the word of God and to endeavor that the house of God is maintained.
The Bible made us to understand that "Blessed is the hand that giveth".I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this money and my husband relatives are not Christians and I don't want my husband's efforts to be used by unbelievers.

I don't want a situation where this money will be used in an ungodly way. This is why I am taking this decision. I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am going. I know that I am going to be in the bosom of the Lord. Exodus 14 VS 14 says that "the lord will fight my case and I shall hold my peace". I don't need any telephone communication in this regard because of my health hence the presence of my husband's relatives around me always. I don't want them to know about this development.With God all things are possible. As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the Bank here in Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire.
I will also issue you an authority letter that will prove you the present beneficiary of this fund. I want you and the church to always pray for me because the lord is my shephard. My happiness is that I lived a life of a worthy Christian. Whoever that Wants to serve the Lord must serve him in spirit and Truth. Please always be prayerful all through your life.
Contact me on this email marilyn_020wells@yahoo.ca delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing another church for this same purpose. Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I Stated herein. Hoping
to receive your reply. Remain blessed in the Lord.


Yours in Christ,
Mrs Marilyn Wells.

Congratulations!!

The Miami Dolphins are no longer win less. After a 0 wins and 13 loss start the Dolphins finally had things go their way and they pulled out an overtime victory over the Baltimore Ravens. Penny and I were watching the game from our home and when the 63 yard touchdown catch -pass was made we were jumping up and down like the Dolphins just won the Super Bowl. Bring on the Patriots!

iPod crap

Now that I am iPod-less for the first time in 5 years (read here), I am constantly looking for reasons to justify not ever purchasing another one. Podcasting News posted a holiday shopping guide for iPod accessories today and some of the garbage they feature is just plain crap! The one that I thought was most unusual is the "Rock My Teeth - The Next Generation In Tooth Whitening" or the "Doggie iPod Dock". I think I'll just stick to my iPhone, so I'm not tempted to purchase any of this garb.

Adopt-a-Block

Over the past several months some men from our church and a local para-church organization which reaches out to inner-city families (Urban Youth Impact) have been partnering in a very unique adopt-a-block service based ministry. We meet up every first Saturday of the month and do various work around our neighborhood. This past Saturday we cleaned up an overgrown vacant lot and mowed a single mom's yard (honestly, I didnt do the mowing!). It's so rewarding to give of yourself without expecting a lick in return. I think too many times when you do ministry all of the time you grow to expect some sort of return: more people in the seats, money to do more ministry, life changing decisions, etc. This has been a very pure, basic form of ministry that has helped me just to enjoy serving without the potential return. Just doing it. Do you have an opportunity where you can just serve just for the sake of serving? Where? What is it?

Some Thoughts....

I had 3 parties this weekend. I think I might have gained 5 pounds. Yuck!

Not a minute goes by that I don't think of my Siberian sons. I keep thinking to myself that this adoption will be final sooner rather than later.

This past Sunday I had the incredible opportunity to be a part of an ordination church service for one of my best friends, Billy Almaguer. It is so cool to watch a man grow in his ministry like Billy.

Tomorrow is our last regular large group meeting for our Student Ministry. Next week we are having a Christmas party with 6 other church student ministries from the area. I will post more on this, but please pray for us as we look to reach hundreds of students in this area.

I have never watched an episode of The Apprentice, but the new celebrity version looks awesome and I may watch it. I will be rooting for former heavy weight champ Lennox Lewis.

The Miami Dolphins are 0-13 and the New England Patriots are 13-0. How ironic that these 2 teams will be playing soon. I know it is almost impossible, but what if the Dolphins win this? I have seen stranger things happen. I really hope New England loses at least one game this year.

I am addicted to The Bigs, a game for the Wii. It is an amazing baseball game if you are into those types of games.

On my iPhone this week: Harry for the Holidays, Harry Connick; A Charlie Brown Christmas, Vince Guaraldi Trio; Our first trip to Russia video (sorry, it's not public yet!)

Is there a better rock band in the world than the Foo Fighters? They just know how to rock and you don't have to worry about obscenities.

I have come to the conclusion that McDonalds makes the best iced coffee. It's incredible. If you havent tried it yet, run out right now and order a large vanilla iced coffee and leave me a comment!

The Location

The location and name of the fancy place I posted on a couple of days ago was McDonald's on Indiantown Rd. in Jupiter, Fl. Amazing I must say. Congrats to Debbie B, Tony T, Jody, Anonymous and a little props to my sis for her second guess!

Guess Where?

Anyone wanna' take a guess where there photo was taken? Look for some clues. Please leave a comment if you think you know. I will reveal the location on Monday.

Blessed

I know it's kind of cliche' but Penny and I are blessed. On Friday our church family did something for us that was ridiculous! Words can't describe but Penny does a pretty good job here and my sister here. Thank you all for your prayers and support.

Victim, again.

Living in south Florida means I have been effected by crime in one way or another. I have been a victim first hand many times. I have had my car(s) broken into on numerous occasions. Too many to count (at least a dozen times!). I have had my car stolen from in front of my house, broken into and busted up at a University of Miami game (a couple of windows broken and all my sound system ripped out, what a mess!!). I been held up at gun point and had my shed robbed (a pressure washer I had purchased THAT DAY was stolen!!). This morning I was walking out to my car to go to church for set up when I noticed something suspicious. A bottled water was sitting upright next to my car. Like someone wanted me to see it. Weird. So I proceeded to open my car door when it hit me. Someone ransacked my car. Took everything. One item of utmost importance, my iPod. Other items gone: a nice transmitter, a SunPass transponder (for those non-Floridians, this is an express toll payer), my sunglasses and about 20 cd's. I was ticked, to say the least. Too many times for one person. It's not like my neighborhood is a ghetto or anything but it's part of living in south Florida, unfortunately. The police came out for a report and told me that this is just the norm and it was most likely the work of some kids. Have you been a victim to a crime? What? Are you bitter?

Overwhelmed

The only word to describe the love and support that we received this weekend. Will share soon.

Max Headroom is back!

When I was growing up every blond haired, fair skinned dude was accused of looking like famed ad star Max Headroom. I was one of those. Interesting to find out that the guys who created Max are resurrecting him and he has aged! Read about it here. The whole point of the Max rez is to info people in Great Britain of the /TV analog to digital switchover for the coming years. Have you switched to high definition yet? You know we are going to have to soon, right?