i busted my butt

tonight was my first curling bonspiel. i think i smiled the whole evening. of course, i also sucked. i was awful. out of 16 rocks i think i actually had 4 that were in play and that is probably being generous. in the midst of throwing the stones either too hard or too soft i also managed to fall on the ice twice. one of the falls was so hard that it even stopped the game next too us. my whole body had to have been at least s 1/2 feet off the ice on that fall. it was truly remarkable and i am already very sore (and i know it will just be worse tomorrow). i’m not sure why it never hit me that running across a sheet of ice while trying to sweep in front of a fast moving stone might be a little difficult.

after we finished the bonspiel (we lost by three stones) several people came up tell me where to get sticker shoes. they were real concerned that i wouldn’t come back again. apparently they loose a good number of beginners after a fall. i just told them that i was a kltuz and nothing but a broken bone would keep me from playing. the whole evening was a blast and the people were great fun to be around.

i practicing again thursday morning & maybe friday morning as well.

so proud of my wife, enjoying the snow, and hoping it's a joke but knowing its not

first, i’m so stinking proud of my wife. today she defended her dissertation and she is finished with all the requirements for her ph.d. she’s a cool chick.

second, today it snowed for the first time since we moved to wisconsin. it was just a flurry but it was still the most snow we’ve seen in seven years.

finally, i know there are head hunters for ministers but the concept sill makes me want to puke. i received an email from another head hunter today. here’s the email (with the church blocked out because i don’t desire to help these people in any way):

robert,

i am with ministersearch a consulting firm based in dallas, tx. we assist churches as they search to find ministers for key staff positions. we also coach pastors and ministers like you as you determine if you are in the most effective ministry role and/or position.

we have partnered with XXXXX XXXXX XXXXXX church in sumter, sc http://www.XXXc.org/ in their search for a coaching pastor. The coaching pastor will be the chief leader and strategist for adult discipleship along with a coach to the youth and children’s pastors.

this is an excellent opportunity for someone who has the right mix of leadership and ministry experience.

XXXXX XXXXX XXXXXX church is a contemporary church that has had a great impact on the community. XXXX XXXXX, the lead pastor, is looking to add this person to the church’s senior management team which cast’s the vision for the church.

the right person will have several years of ministry experience in a growing environment. this is not a church that gets hung up on legalism so staunch fundamentalist will not be a fit. You should also have a desire to serve on a team instead of independent ministries.

the compensation and benefits are outstanding and the cost of living in this quaint community is very reasonable.

if you have an interest this position, please forward a copy of your resume for confidential review – I will get it to the search consultant handling this search.

also, please forward this email to anyone you think may be interested in hearing more.

thank you for your consideration.

sincerely,
XXXX XXXX

every time i see or get one of these i get sad. what does a letter like this have to do with JESUS or ministry? i know some of my other ministerial friends have seen these same letters. thankfully my friends think these ministerial head hunters are sad also.

i emailed him back the following:

stan,

you’re kidding right? please be kidding. i so hope you’re kidding because i can’t see JESUS in any of this.

robert