We were winning the whole game and lost it in the 4th quarter. I’m not a real expressive person but I go home and think about what I did that I need to correct and what I could have done that would have helped us win – and it’s just a church league game.

Next week we get to play the team that beat us in the first round when we had an off night shooting. I’m ready for a rematch and hope we can get back on top. I don’t enjoy losing.
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It’s Casa Torres night. We’ve developed the tradition/habit of eating at Casa Torres every Wednesday night with friends of ours. The food is good and it’s great to visit with friends and build relationships. I like Wednesday nights.
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Does anyone else open a Christmas present early? Our family has a tradition of letting the kids open one present early, usuallly before we go to my folks house. I always get a kick of watching kids faces as they tear through the wrapping paper. It may be the best part of Christmas for me, the excitement and anticipation. The gift can be anti-climatic compared with the excitement of getting to it. I’m ready!

We have another game tonight against a team we have beaten previously but they’ve got new players this go-round. One of our big guys will be out tonight so I don’t get as much rest time as I’ve grown accustomed to the last two games.
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Maybe it’s just me but it seems like there aren’t as many lights up this year as in the past. I wonder if the warm weather or the early Thanksgiving have anything to do with it. I hope it’s not a lull in Christmas spirit.
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Today is my wife’s last day as a student-teacher in the classroom. I think she is having mixed emotions. Relief from completing the requirements of the program while leaving the kids will be harder than I think she first thought. I think my son has really enjoyed having her around too.
She told me this morning that this time had been a blessing to her and I am confident it was a blessing to many of the kids she helped. I know she will be a great teacher if she decides to pursue that course in the future. In the meantime, she already has some substitute teaching jobs lined up for teachers she has been working with.

One more day of training after today and she will be certified. I don’t know what will come next for her but I do know this; I’m very proud of her for achieving this accomplishment.

I remember when I was a kid, when someone said something that was hurtful to another kid, the offended party might say “take it back” and if the one who said the words did, it was over and done with.

For some reason, the “take it back” thought struck me yesterday. I wish there were so many things I’ve said or done I could take back and it would be gone. Unfortunately, as we grow up, we don’t use the “take it back” theory. Thankfully, there is someone who takes it back for us, someone who we can offend and He is the one to take it back for us.

I hurt for the times I have hurt someone and wish I could take it back and it would be erased from memory but I am so thankful for Jesus. I cannot comprehend what He has given me through His sacrifice on the cross but I feel like I keep growing closer to Him and His beautiful love for me.

I missed the 1st quarter of last night’s big game but the last 3 were pretty entertaining. I hated to see Favre go out since that has been billed as the big matchup but Rodgers did a good job filling in after playing as Tony Romo in practice all week for the Packers. Romo looks so cool out there. I’ve lost interest in pro sports to some degree but last night was fun to watch.
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Another thing I’ve lost interest in is politics. I used to be an avid follower of the political landscape but like so many others, I have become disillusioned by it all. Politicians attempt to demonize one another when they have their own skeletons dangling behind them and very little is said to lift this country up. I was hearing bits and pieces of an interview on TV yesterday with one of the leading Republicans who wants to invest a lot of dollars in alternative fuels (sounds like a good idea) but couldn’t offer one concrete way to raise the money (sounds a bit scary). Maybe it’s because he has to spend so much time defending himself from the attacks of others. There lies the problem, at least for me. I don’t trust a single one of them. Not a Republican nor a Democrat. I have no faith in the people elected to govern our country (I certainly don’t feel I can use the word “leadership” for what they offer) and find myself more and more repulsed at listening to their babbling.
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I am thankful today simply that I am a child of God. I am so weak and the Devil is ever after me. While dealing with a labor issue yesterday, all I could think of was how much I wanted to beat down (figuratively) the person causing the problem. Today I will pray for that person and pray that God intervenes, changes hearts and helps us all find a reasonable resolution.

Yes, today I am thankful that I am a child of God.

I want to thank you for your prayers yesterday. Judy is better and supposed to be heading home today. As I understand it, the doctors think it was a TIA (I think it’s like a mini-stroke) but are still analyzing everything and will meet with her in a few days. For now, she’s much better and I’m sure ready to get out of the hospital. Keep her in your prayers as she gets back to full speed ahead.
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Our church is blessed to have two ministers of the high caliber that our church now enjoys. I was able to spend time with both last night and they are great guys with a great passion for sharing Christ. They are both matched with wonderful wives who are also a great blessings to our family.
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Tonight is THE game, Cowboys and Packers. I’ve got basketball practice for my 6th grade team and will miss the first quarter or so of the game. I tried to move my practice time so I could see the game but couldn’t find a spot. Our first scrimmage is Saturday and we certainly need the practice time so I’ll just hope the ‘boys are rolling good by the time I get home.

I ask for your prayers for my mother-in-law today. She went to the hospital late last night not feeling well and her blood pressure was elevated. They ran some tests last night but didn’t find anything conclusive and kept her overnight in ICU to monitor her and run more tests this morning. I know God will hear your prayers offered up on her behalf.
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Nothing else I write seems too significant right now but I know some of you also sit on the edge of your seats waiting for information on the “fighting Christians” basketball team. We won last night pretty handily. Our “big-3” had a good game and we got some good play from Chris Lowery (yes, that Chris Lowery) and Steve Fry, a new guy to our church. Steve is one of those quiet guys that just shows up where the rebounds go. I finally got a ball to drop but have sustained a hurting rumpus and nose after taking a charge. Since I outweighed the guy by 200 pounds they gave me the foul but it was a charge. That puts us at 2-1 for the season as we start the second round of games.
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Thanks for your prayers today.

We’ve passed our time of giving thanks and have now entered into the time of “stuff.” The shoppers were out this weekend and today is referred to as Cyber Monday, the day people will shop online. Here’s hoping that the idea of thanksgiving stays with us a bit longer and that the season of gift giving isn’t about what we get but that someone cares enough about us to give.
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It was a good weekend at my parents house with plenty of food, some shopping, football and basketball watching and more food. At church on Sunday morning, I reflected on growing up and the many people at that church that had a hand in raising me. They are older now but the smiles we share when we see each other hasn’t changed and the memories are as vivid as ever. One of my close friends I grew up with was there with his children and it borders on overwhelming to think he has a daughter that will be driving soon and I have one that isn’t too much further behind. I see him and still think we are kids roaming the streets of Tyler but I look at our children and realize how fast life is flying by.
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The worst part of the weekend was Texas losing to Texas A&M. I wonder if the fire Mack Brown crowd is going to be back on the rampage soon. There were a lot of other coaches that got the ax quickly over the weekend. It’s a tough business.

This is my last year to coach my son and his friends in basketball. I hope I have given them so tools they can build off of as they go forward and I hope this season is a good one for our team. I’m going to miss these days of working with these kids but look forward to what the future brings them as I get to “relax” in the bleachers and cheer them on.

People are crazy to be out shopping this early. Is there any reason sales couldn’t start at 10AM instead of 4AM?

I survived Turkey Day in pretty good shape. I got up and went for a walk and the north wind reminded me it would be a cold day. We had a great lunch followed by a great Cowboys game and the kids played outside in the snow. Yes, I said snow. First little flakes and then the big, pretty ones. It was short lived but exciting all the same.

We’re leaving early to head east and visit my folks in Tyler for the weekend. I’m sure it will include plenty of food and shopping. I’m looking forward to the sofa the most as I usually get a decent nap in on Saturday afternoons while the women are hitting the stores.

I hope everyone had a really good day yesterday wherever you were and gave thanks for what you have. My thoughts have been on people I know in Brazil who likely didn’t have a huge meal and are not planning to go shopping because all they have is what they have on, but I know they are thankful for what God has given them and know it is all they need. I’m thankful for their example and their love and hope I can show more of that to those around me.

We got beat up on last night in basketball. Our big-3 (Jacob, Brad, Mark T) had trouble getting the ball to go in and the other team got on a hot streak we couldn’t recover from. Hopefully we’ll get back on track next week.
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It’s time to start mentally preparing for how I will mount my assault on lunch tomorrow. Do I eat lighter today? Do I focus on one food area tomorrow? Important decisions as Thanksgiving approaches. Know what I mean?
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I’m still pondering the many things I have to be thankful for. I considered listing some but there are so many…so many people God has placed on my journey through life, so many experiences that have helped me see more clearly, so many opportunities…I know I would forget to write some down and take 3 days to finish writing all that I can remember.

I will write one. I am so thankful for a God who loves me like no one else, a God who showers me with people and experiences and opportunities, a God who surrounds me with mercy that is unworldly, a God who has given me the greatest gift, much greater than anything I would ever ask for. I am truly thankful to know and be a child of God.

Our church team takes the court again tonight. Here’s hoping the 2nd week goes as well as the 1st. Our ladies team has a bye tonight so they get to rest their bruises and bumps one more week.
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TO is all the rage again. While the preacher at the church has gone from…hmmm, shall I say not enjoying TO to now being a fan, Terry Bradshaw is slamming TO saying the new look will be short lived. I can’t help but wonder what will happen the 2nd game TO doesn’t have a touchdown. On the other hand, I hope the Cowboys don’t have to find out.

I did hear one funny comment from Terrell last night. Bradshaw made the comment on Sunday that he “wasn’t buying it” referring to TO’s new attitude. Last night on the news, they played a sound bite of TO telling Bradshaw “it wasn’t for sale” and flashing that grin he has. Good stuff.
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I’m internally incensed at the number of retailers who are now opening on Thanksgiving Day to sale their stuff. I realize they only open because people will show up and that is saddening too. It’s Thanksgiving Day and people still can’t stop themselves from shopping and getting the “deals.” It’s maddening, at least in my own mind.

Now you have to show up for doorbusters at 5 in the morning. It’s crazy. Personally, I think it’s a sad indictment on what is important to our culture. Admittedly, I’m caught up in it wanting to know what my wife and kids want so I can hopefully find great gifts for them and I’ve already started my list to give people who are asking me what I want. All the while, I wonder why I’m so materialistic. I like stuff, especially electronic stuff, but I hope one day I can kick the stuff habit.