"No Handlebars" by Flobots

today's post won't be too long, since it was a day off, and because Mary ( the elderly woman I'm staying with) seems about ready to go to bed.

As I said today was a day off so I mostly stayed around the house and read the intro's for The Lord of the Rings by legendary writer J.R.R. Tolkien, and The Cost of Discipleship by German theologian and martyr for the faith Deitrich Bonhoeffer, as well as a few chapters in Expert Guide to God, Country, Family, and Anything Else We Can Think Of by famed radio show hosts Rick Burgess and Bill 'Bubba' Bussey. Aside from that I watched a little bit of the news today's headlines? GM Declares Bankruptcy, A Plane Disappears over the ocean on a flight (Lost anyone?), and the Stock Market seems to be rebounding some.

After doing all of that I went on a walk about town and traveled as far east and west as I could go in town (in less than 30 minutes) and thats with stops, and visits. I stopped at the local grocery and grabbed a few things, nothing big I know the church people would kill me if I didn't let them by for me (not sarcasm). Then I went by the church and interrupted Phil's counseling session (on his day off) and grabbed his commentary on the book of Acts.

Phil then sent me to the Hammitt's (Not Preston my roommate but his Great Uncle) where I was given a Bicycle which is in very good condition, I need to figure out something about the seat though, because it hurts my hindend (I'm a big guy but I've got no tochus).

Afterwards I went to Phil's house for dinner and had a lovely chat with his wife Amy while we waited. At the dinner table Ronin (Phil's son, the oldest at a whopping 5 years old) began to talk about the asparagus which related to him about the devil, how if we follow the devil thats bad, and if we follow God thats good and the result of each choice. As he continued to speak it felt like he might be headed for one of those "out of the mouths of children" moments when suddenly he interrupts himself and says "I hope I get a reward from school" Amy and I look at one another dumbfounded while Phil continues to listen to his son patiently. I look at Amy and say "Evel Knievel couldn't make that leap," at which point we both let loose laughing while Ronin continues unabatedly chatting with his dad. Finally I point out how Phil has yet to laugh at which point he too.

Phil will be at the prison tomorrow so I will be essentially on my own for the first time I hope to get a group together to hang out from among the youth as well as get some ideas for sermons, work on my list of grocery "needs" for the church to fulfill (because they insist not because I ask I assure you), and maybe tomorrow evening I can read some more, that would be nice.

The song of the day is "No Handlebars" by Flobots, because someday I will be able to say "I can ride a bike with no handlebars, no handlebars, no handlebars," and because it reminds me of my dear friend Brandon Willits.

-matt