Top tv shows of 2010
1. Chuck - the first 3 seasons
love this show- reminds me of scrubs... fun, plot, on-going story, love interest, characters, mystery, etc
2. FNL (Friday Night Lights)
i like it for the football, Soo likes for the soap opera
3. 30 Rock
4. reruns of friends
5. PTI
6. Seinfeld reruns
7. The Office
didn't used to like it so much
8. Parenthood
we're parents now...
9. Outsourced
About American living in another culture... and it has Indians... even if it is awful...
10. How I met your mother (mostly reruns)
11. Raising Hope
12. Scrubs reruns (definitely not the new ones)
still my all-time favorite show
Top movies (ones i saw for the first time in 2010)
1. The Blind Side
i almost cried like 5 times..., true story, fun...
2. All the Harry Potter movies
watched all of them, hard to distinguish- loved them!
3. Toy Story 3
didn't care for the first 2... this one was great... expectations didn't let me down
4. Zombieland
Jessie Eisenberg... i'd probably choose to watch this again, though the next was likely better overall
5. The Social Network
Incredible casting.... great acting, great story... Sorkin & Fincher... may not be that true, but so what
6. 40 year old virgin
7. How to tame your dragon
recommend to anyone and everyone
8. Horton hears a who
great one to talk about faith
9. Kick Ass
wouldn't recommend to everyone - but i quite enjoyed it
10. Inception
It's Christopher Nolan... wasn't blown away like everyone else, but still liked it a lot
11. The Karate Kid
More fun for me, since i've gone thru some of it...
12. Gone, baby Gone
13. Moon
Weird & interesting
14. Date Night
15. Iron Man 2
Didn't really think it would be that great, but quite entertaining.
16. Man on Wire
have to give a documentary props (not to be confused with man on fire)
17. Up in the Air
i couldn't stop with 12... maybe i could have...
shows/movies i didn't like
1. LOST
2. Avatar
my top from 2009
movies i hope to see soon
1. HP 7
2. Narnia: Dawn Treader
3. 127 hours
4. The Fighter
5. The Tourist
6. True Grit
7. The Next 3 days
really wanted to see but didn't
1. The A-team
2. Knight & Day
3. dinner for schmucks
4. Salt
Saturday, December 18, 2010
My 2010 in review
,Our 2010 was crazy!
i guess you could say it was a year of transition, learning and adventure.
If i could only use one word: BLESSING
i guess you could say it was a year of transition, learning and adventure.
If i could only use one word: BLESSING
Month by month 2010
Jan
· Preparing a wedding in LA on a 10K budget in 3 weeks (maybe 3 mo)
· Got married!
· Honeymoon in Prague
Feb
· Finished honeymoon in Paris
· 2nd reception in the 2nd city
· returned to EA
Mar
· reconnected with team
· found out we were pregnant
· Robbie Hummel injured.
April
· Morning sickness
· Morning sickness
· Morning sickness
May
· Saw students grow and take steps of faith – yay!
· Disappointed by the end of “Lost” – boo!
· More Morning sickness…
June
· We’re having a girl!
· Friends leave
· Soo’s still sick
July
· Elah Summer project
· Soo spends night in the dirty hospital
· Read a lot of books
August
· Have ten days to pack, find new place, move and get new place set up
· Puppy lost at airport… then found!
· Back in America
Sept
· Moved to Muncie
· See friends & work on support
· Football! (baseball too)
Oct
· More mpd & Facebook rekindles friendships (oh and the facebook movie)
· Fall in Indiana
· Waiting… when will this baby get here?!... and much sadness
Nov
· Hallelujah! baby is born!
· Our first Thanksgiving
· Brr… it’s cold outside… wow, it’s warm outside… now it’s cold…
Dec
· We love our baby girl!
· Sleepless nights & frustrating days
· Reading the Bible in 60 days, memorizing verses, praying for the nations
We were blessed with marriage, blessed with a baby, blessed with great friends, blessed with so many donations and support, blessd thru trials, blessed by God.
Read a lot of books, watched some shows, saw a bunch of movies, did some ministry.
It was our first year of marriage.
First time back in America for a long time in a long time...
And Halle
All in all... best year of my life. And i'm sure it's only gonna get better
Thursday, December 9, 2010
The thing about trusting our instincts
There is a lot to be learned from a baby.
They are wonderful, cute creatures. They show God's creativity & sovereignty & love for joy.
They are a blessing.
It's hard to believe Jesus (God Himself) once became one.
We are so thankful for our lil Hallelujah.
i'm sure there will be many lessons, but here's one of the most basic and most obvious: Faith.
Jesus tells us to have faith like a child.
And the faith of a newborn is exemplary.
She clings to us.
She has no where else to go.
She comes to us for food, for comfort, for help, for everything!
She depends on us.
Sometimes though, she wants to trust her own instincts.
When she is hungry and feeding, her hands get in the way. She sees them, feels, them, smells the milk... and she begins to suck on her fingers.
When mommy pulls them out, she gets upset.
Soo told our lil Halle baby. Don't trust your instincts, trust mommy.
IT struck me how often we trust our instincts, instead of our loving Heavenly Father. He knows what is best, not just best, but the only thing that can help us/save us/provide for us.
And yet, we look to our own hands to provide for us.
How foolish would this baby be to ignore her mother and suck on her own fingers. And how disappointed she would be too.
Likewise, how foolish it is to depend on our own hands and ignore God. And how unfulfilled we are when we look to our selves and trust our own instincts instead of God
She knows she needs us and cries out to us, she can't take care of herself.
We are God's babies. He is looking out after us and taking care of us. He loves us deeply. He will provide what we need, and what will satisfy.
May we be aware of our sillyness, and trust not our instincts but God
Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, lean not on your own understanding
In all of your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight
They are wonderful, cute creatures. They show God's creativity & sovereignty & love for joy.
They are a blessing.
It's hard to believe Jesus (God Himself) once became one.
We are so thankful for our lil Hallelujah.
i'm sure there will be many lessons, but here's one of the most basic and most obvious: Faith.
Jesus tells us to have faith like a child.
And the faith of a newborn is exemplary.
She clings to us.
She has no where else to go.
She comes to us for food, for comfort, for help, for everything!
She depends on us.
Sometimes though, she wants to trust her own instincts.
When she is hungry and feeding, her hands get in the way. She sees them, feels, them, smells the milk... and she begins to suck on her fingers.
When mommy pulls them out, she gets upset.
Soo told our lil Halle baby. Don't trust your instincts, trust mommy.
IT struck me how often we trust our instincts, instead of our loving Heavenly Father. He knows what is best, not just best, but the only thing that can help us/save us/provide for us.
And yet, we look to our own hands to provide for us.
How foolish would this baby be to ignore her mother and suck on her own fingers. And how disappointed she would be too.
Likewise, how foolish it is to depend on our own hands and ignore God. And how unfulfilled we are when we look to our selves and trust our own instincts instead of God
She knows she needs us and cries out to us, she can't take care of herself.
We are God's babies. He is looking out after us and taking care of us. He loves us deeply. He will provide what we need, and what will satisfy.
May we be aware of our sillyness, and trust not our instincts but God
Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, lean not on your own understanding
In all of your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight
the one with a trip to the hospital
Here's a recap of our day one month ago... Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Around 2 am Soo began having contractions that were coming more intensely than before. i kinda hoped this wouldn't be the real thing because i was just sitting here laying sudoku when it started.
Over the weekend she was having a lot of contractions. They would come every 7 minutes for 30 minutes, then she'd have a 15 minute pause, then every 7 minutes again for a half hour, another 15 minutes pause and repeat.
We had hoped the baby would come over the weekend. My parents came with the car seat. We had to wait for that, but it would also be convenient if they were there.
Anyway, now it looked like this may be the real thing. i was freaking out a bit, not sure if i was ready to coach Soo thru labor or ready for the baby. We desperately wanted the baby out, as Soo was uncomfortable and we were eager to meet this lil one.
Soo wanted me to call right away, but i stalled and eventually called at 3, waiting the hour... the doctor told us to come into the hospital which kinda surprised us. We weren't expecting to go until the contractions were 4 minutes apart, and they were still 7 minutes apart at this point.
But the hospital was close, and i wanted to heed the doctor.
i took my time getting things ready as Soo layed in bed, not too eager to go to the hospital already.
When we got to the hospital, Soo was a little irritated with me. i couldn't find the map of where the labor & delivery section was and when we pulled into park she got irritable.
When we would leave the hopsital a few hours later, i hoped to myself this was the real thing because i don't know if i can deal with this.
i had to remind myself to be patient as Soo was in a lot of pain.
Overall though, Soo was great- she was more than great. She was encouraging & patient with me, appreciated me and loved me- it was an amazing experience!
Anyway, we got to the hospital and informed them we didn't want an epidural or pitocin or any drugs, nothing.
They were great. They didn't seem that concerned when we walked in- i guess they see this all the time.
Thye looked at our birth request, and i don't know if they thought we could do it or not, but it was ok.
They checked Soo, 3 cm dilated & 80% effaced
They had us walk around a bit, but after a couple hours, but there was no progress.
When they asked Soo what level of pain that was, she said 7of10. They told us later, she was still in mild/moderate stage.
Soo was falling asleep at this point in between contractions, and the sent us home. They did think it was early labor.
We came back, called our parents, ordered plane tickets for her mom and fell asleep.
Around noon, i grabbed something to eat and asked Soo to eat, but she wasn't having anything.
Right then, when it seemed to be getting harder, one of Soo's friends called - and told her to get an epidural. Almost yelling at her.
Not what she needed. Especially not then.
Honestly, i thought Soo could do it.
i wan't always that way.
When Soo first talked about it, i was surprised. i just assumed she would take drugs- all the drugs she could get!
Why wouldn't she?
And i also felt she had a low pain tolerance.
But Soo really wanted to do it.
i didn't believe all the propaganda the books we were reading were selling. i don't think hospitals are evil. And i don't think she would have to take so many drugs that she'd be out for a week.
But it was natural, certainly feasible, and better for the baby.
And now, i am the coach and supposed to be the one who inspires her to keep going.
i didn't promise her i would - but i would try.
And, in that moment- i was confident.
i went online and read that the early stage could last 12 hours. The middle stage would last a few, and the last stage may be more intense, but really quick. An then the pushing stage.
The boook we read said if you get to the point where you can't take it anymore, then you're probably almost done.
Then 2 o'clock, 12 hours after the original, her contractions got more intense. She had a bloody show and we headed back to the hospital. IT was 4:30. She was 7cm dilated.
They offered her a birthing ball and a whirlpool.
We didn't even use the birthing ball... and not really the whirlpool. But she did get into the hot tub and that helped A LOT!
She looked pretty miserable, but also calm.
She was pretty much ready to push, but the nurses weren't having it.
i called my parents at 5 and told them to come- the baby is coming!
We pulled out and they checked again 9 cm dilated, a minute later 9.5cm.... Soo was ready to push, they weren't sure. Her water hadn't broken yet.
They had the IV in, just in case, shocked we were going to at least use pitocin...
i was coaching. All i was really doing: "Relax, keep breathing. Relax your forehead, relax your eyes, relax your cheeck, keep your jaw slack, no clenching anywhere... relax you neck, shoulders, arms...keep breathing, let your body work for you. good, good. You're doing great honey"
And she was.
Really, i think i just focused on her relaxing her forehead. i would watch her hands i guess too, just in case, but she was fine.
i tried saying a few Bible verses, but it seemed weird. And i don't know how helpful that would be. i certainly was praying though.
A few seconds later they checked again, and found some meconium. They called the NICU. i told Soo not to worry, though, i was a little concerned.
A few seconds later, our doctor arrived- just in time to push the baby out.
Soo did great.
And in 40 minutes, Halle was born!
i did my best not to look at anything. i saw a bit, but i didn't faint.
The Doctor said i see black hair- which was the only thing we knew about the baby.
She had a lot of hair- which explains why Soo had so much heartburn.
When the baby came Soo's expression was one of relief & joy & wonder.
It was still all surreal to me.
No problems with the baby.
i did not cut the cord.
i did give her her first bath.
There were visitors in the room then- they (Corey, Steph, Whitney & Julie) were there in the room with us, just an hour after birth.
Soo was vibrant. A lot of stitches, but full of joy. The baby was attnetive too.
May parnets came around 11pm, and they couldn't believe how focused Halle seemed to be, just looking at us.
She is a bright one!
pictures here or more on facebook
The hospital was great. Our doctor was great.
Muncie was great.
We were so blessed!
And blessed by the baby most of all!
Around 2 am Soo began having contractions that were coming more intensely than before. i kinda hoped this wouldn't be the real thing because i was just sitting here laying sudoku when it started.
Over the weekend she was having a lot of contractions. They would come every 7 minutes for 30 minutes, then she'd have a 15 minute pause, then every 7 minutes again for a half hour, another 15 minutes pause and repeat.
We had hoped the baby would come over the weekend. My parents came with the car seat. We had to wait for that, but it would also be convenient if they were there.
Anyway, now it looked like this may be the real thing. i was freaking out a bit, not sure if i was ready to coach Soo thru labor or ready for the baby. We desperately wanted the baby out, as Soo was uncomfortable and we were eager to meet this lil one.
Soo wanted me to call right away, but i stalled and eventually called at 3, waiting the hour... the doctor told us to come into the hospital which kinda surprised us. We weren't expecting to go until the contractions were 4 minutes apart, and they were still 7 minutes apart at this point.
But the hospital was close, and i wanted to heed the doctor.
i took my time getting things ready as Soo layed in bed, not too eager to go to the hospital already.
When we got to the hospital, Soo was a little irritated with me. i couldn't find the map of where the labor & delivery section was and when we pulled into park she got irritable.
When we would leave the hopsital a few hours later, i hoped to myself this was the real thing because i don't know if i can deal with this.
i had to remind myself to be patient as Soo was in a lot of pain.
Overall though, Soo was great- she was more than great. She was encouraging & patient with me, appreciated me and loved me- it was an amazing experience!
Anyway, we got to the hospital and informed them we didn't want an epidural or pitocin or any drugs, nothing.
They were great. They didn't seem that concerned when we walked in- i guess they see this all the time.
Thye looked at our birth request, and i don't know if they thought we could do it or not, but it was ok.
They checked Soo, 3 cm dilated & 80% effaced
They had us walk around a bit, but after a couple hours, but there was no progress.
When they asked Soo what level of pain that was, she said 7of10. They told us later, she was still in mild/moderate stage.
Soo was falling asleep at this point in between contractions, and the sent us home. They did think it was early labor.
We came back, called our parents, ordered plane tickets for her mom and fell asleep.
Around noon, i grabbed something to eat and asked Soo to eat, but she wasn't having anything.
Right then, when it seemed to be getting harder, one of Soo's friends called - and told her to get an epidural. Almost yelling at her.
Not what she needed. Especially not then.
Honestly, i thought Soo could do it.
i wan't always that way.
When Soo first talked about it, i was surprised. i just assumed she would take drugs- all the drugs she could get!
Why wouldn't she?
And i also felt she had a low pain tolerance.
But Soo really wanted to do it.
i didn't believe all the propaganda the books we were reading were selling. i don't think hospitals are evil. And i don't think she would have to take so many drugs that she'd be out for a week.
But it was natural, certainly feasible, and better for the baby.
And now, i am the coach and supposed to be the one who inspires her to keep going.
i didn't promise her i would - but i would try.
And, in that moment- i was confident.
i went online and read that the early stage could last 12 hours. The middle stage would last a few, and the last stage may be more intense, but really quick. An then the pushing stage.
The boook we read said if you get to the point where you can't take it anymore, then you're probably almost done.
Then 2 o'clock, 12 hours after the original, her contractions got more intense. She had a bloody show and we headed back to the hospital. IT was 4:30. She was 7cm dilated.
They offered her a birthing ball and a whirlpool.
We didn't even use the birthing ball... and not really the whirlpool. But she did get into the hot tub and that helped A LOT!
She looked pretty miserable, but also calm.
She was pretty much ready to push, but the nurses weren't having it.
i called my parents at 5 and told them to come- the baby is coming!
We pulled out and they checked again 9 cm dilated, a minute later 9.5cm.... Soo was ready to push, they weren't sure. Her water hadn't broken yet.
They had the IV in, just in case, shocked we were going to at least use pitocin...
i was coaching. All i was really doing: "Relax, keep breathing. Relax your forehead, relax your eyes, relax your cheeck, keep your jaw slack, no clenching anywhere... relax you neck, shoulders, arms...keep breathing, let your body work for you. good, good. You're doing great honey"
And she was.
Really, i think i just focused on her relaxing her forehead. i would watch her hands i guess too, just in case, but she was fine.
i tried saying a few Bible verses, but it seemed weird. And i don't know how helpful that would be. i certainly was praying though.
A few seconds later they checked again, and found some meconium. They called the NICU. i told Soo not to worry, though, i was a little concerned.
A few seconds later, our doctor arrived- just in time to push the baby out.
Soo did great.
And in 40 minutes, Halle was born!
i did my best not to look at anything. i saw a bit, but i didn't faint.
The Doctor said i see black hair- which was the only thing we knew about the baby.
She had a lot of hair- which explains why Soo had so much heartburn.
When the baby came Soo's expression was one of relief & joy & wonder.
It was still all surreal to me.
No problems with the baby.
i did not cut the cord.
i did give her her first bath.
There were visitors in the room then- they (Corey, Steph, Whitney & Julie) were there in the room with us, just an hour after birth.
Soo was vibrant. A lot of stitches, but full of joy. The baby was attnetive too.
May parnets came around 11pm, and they couldn't believe how focused Halle seemed to be, just looking at us.
She is a bright one!
pictures here or more on facebook
The hospital was great. Our doctor was great.
Muncie was great.
We were so blessed!
And blessed by the baby most of all!
Our Lil Hallelujah
She is one month old, pictures are up on facebook, many have come to visit, but let me post a blog with an announcement notice for those who missed it
Halle Elizabeth James
Born Tuesday November 9, 2010
at 8:06 pm
6lbs 12 oz
19 in long
with a full head of hair!
She is beautiful!
Our lil one has arrived, we no longer have to imagine what she will look like, no longer have to wait for her. We can see her, hold her, love on her.
She is my lil Hallelujah. Our Halle Baby.
(see why we picked her name)
(see why we picked her name)
We’re so happy.
More pics on facebook, but here are a few
More pics on facebook, but here are a few
Sunday, November 7, 2010
My highest calling
When Soo & I were about to get married, we met with the Main Pastor. We were having a nice time, til he said something about young couples these days. He said it was a shame how many men put their wives above their ministry.
I tried to understood what he meant… but maybe that is just what he meant…
I couldn’t believe it. I was dumbfounded really.
My wife & kids will always be my highest priority. They will be & are my most important relationships and my most important ministry.
As we follow Christ, there is no higher calling than to be a husband & father (wife/mother).
Of course, i am called to follow Christ above all things. And i do all to the glory of God.
The first & most important way i do that is in how i lead & love my family.
Paul tells Timothy, first watch over your own family, then the flock.
IF an elder can’t lead his own home, how can he lead the church.
Simply, these are the people I spend the most time with and the people I can have the most influence on.
I don’t disciple my wife or kids. I do shepherd them & lead them though. I point them to Christ. I lead us in devotionals. I love them and I love on them. I make it my aim to reflect Christ
There is nothing more important.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
The one with a call
When you hear the word “Calling” what do you think of?
If you’re like most, you’re thinking of a special calling and/or vocation and the rest of your life.
We think what is God’s will for my life. We want to know God’s will, and do everything to discern it. When instead of trying to know God’s will, we should be simply seeking to know God.
While I believe God has a specific call on our lives, I think we get lost in a similar vain.
There is a specific call… and there is a general call. And if we considered the general call, the specific call would be easier to discern.
When we think of being called, what do we want to hear?
Maybe- where? When? How long? What will I do? What are the benefits?
Hey when a friend calls us to hang out or go to a party for a couple hours, we ask a lot of questions.
What should I wear- is it casual, semi-casual?
How long we gonna be out? When will we come back?
What are we gonna do? What are you gonna watch?
Who’s going to be there?
So, when we’re called for a lifetime, of course we’ll have questions.
In Matthew 9:9 Jesus calls Matthew.
What does He say?
Nothing.
If you’re Matthew, what would you be thinking? What would you do?
I’d be asking questions.
My friend Jason said “I’d be thinking Who are you?”
And that’s actually the key question.
See, when I’m called to hang out, the person asking the question makes a big difference. IF I’m called by my boss to work I may not want to go in. But if it is my best friend or wife, then I want to be there.
Or when I was single, and I was invited to a party, and I found out the girl I liked was going, I would be there- no more questions needed to be answered.
Since it was Jesus that called him, Matthew left all and followed. No other questions needed to be asked.
IT was because of who Jesus was, that He followed. Not because what they were doing or going to do. Not because what they were going to accomplish. It was because of who Jesus is.
Acts 20:22-24 Takes it a step further.
Matthew doesn’t know what is going to happen. Paul knows bad things are going to happen – but He still follows, He still goes. He is willing to go and wants to go- because of who is leading Him- the Holy Spirit.
IF the Holy spirit is driving, I’m in.
Others try to stop Him, but Paul’s not staying behind if the Holy Spirit is going somewhere else.
Truth is, if my wife is going somewhere, I want to be with her. Even if it’s out shopping, I’ll go. I’ll watch terrible tv shows, because I want to be with her.
Of course I’m following the Holy Spirit, even if trouble awaits me
The thing is:
I want to manage my life. I want to know what I’ll be doing. I want to know how long it will take. I want it to be easy. I want it to be worth it. I want it to be manageable at least.
God says none of that is important- all that is important is that you follow me and you are with me where I take you.
We are called to follow Christ.
We want to know what to do, but we don't always want to follow. The Rich young Ruler wanted to know what to do, Jesus said follow me... worry about the details later...
We need to follow Him, wherever He tells us to, whenever He tells us to and do whatever He tells us to do.
We want to know what to do, but we don't always want to follow. The Rich young Ruler wanted to know what to do, Jesus said follow me... worry about the details later...
We need to follow Him, wherever He tells us to, whenever He tells us to and do whatever He tells us to do.
If we would follow Christ – and all of us are called to follow Christ, then His specific plan and call on your life would be easier to see.
We need to submit to Him and follow Him – even if we don’t know what will happen, or how inconvenient it will be, or even if it does look difficult.
Because of who He is.
Follow Christ.
Follow Christ.
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