Spiritual gift inventories

LookSmart's Furl - The Chris Hooton Archive

Click above for a wagner-modified houts questionnaire. It is a great way to think about where we fit in the body and how to be engaged. I have also made a kids version.

Late nights

I'm still recovering from a good vacation. We've been staying up too late. So tired.

I got my espresso machine while I was gone. It is sweet. We also picked up a soda siphon for italian sodas. We are about set for a coffee shop. Kyle (Trinity's Youth Director) came over today to sample it and dream about the future.

My projector supercharging has hit a snag. I got all the wiring completed, and the light is bright, but it isn't translating to the wall. I'm going to have to figure out how to focus the beam and get the right angle to make it to the head and then to the wall. More thinking.... Hmm.

Back to Settle Inn Omaha for a swim

Ella is swimming around all by herself now, and Foster hardly complained getting into the water. They were both very hot from the ride to the Big O. Especially Foster who has a fever from teething.

Lincoln Children's Zoo

Ella and Goats

Riding a pony

Ella's Favorite part of the children's zoo in Lincoln was the train.

My Favorite Lincoln Coffee House (CoHo)

Ella and I

This coffee shop has about a dozen Panache coffees brewed at any time. Some of the best coffees I've ever had, Elaine thinks the same about their lemonade.

McCook Bison

We couldn't convince Ella that this Bison wasn't a Lion. We found it at the McCook History Museum while cruising for wifi to publish a post to my lectionary blog.

McCook

At JD's Graduation

Omaha

Ella loved looking at her favorite animal at the Zoo. Aftwards we watched a 3D safari in the IMAX theatre and ate dinner at Spaggetti Works in the Old Market. I love the Old Market.

At the Hotel, Ella was swimming all by herself! Well, her swiming suit is the daughter of a spedo and a life-jacket.

Des Moines

We are almost to Des Moines. This rest stop has a climbing structure over looking Iowa farm land. Ella loved climbing it--with a little help from mom. I climbed it too, easy as it was it brought back my rock climbing days in college.

Davenport

Getting some air at an Iowa rest stop. I love the free wifi!

Gotta read the sign too!

Vacation Day 1

We took off this morning at about 9:30. We made it as far as Peru Il. today. We stopped at Starved Rock State park and went for a hike. Then we went to the hotel and went swimming, Foster with an inflatable boat, and Ella with a swimsuit stuffed with foam. Its been fun so far and will continue to be if we can keep from beign crabby. Tomorrow we are heading to Omaha, hopefully we will get there in time to see the Henry Doorley Zoo and spend some time at Caffine Dreams with my old friends Derrick and Clint.

Communion and rosary

Today and tomorrow, Elaine and I are in Lansing for District Council. We got up at five a.m. to get here (I just got up from a nice nap). We got a little lost coming into Lansing, with us both being tired and cranky that wasn't fun.

We joined the morning service in time for communion but not in time to be served the elements. As Brother Leach spoke about the significance of the body and the blood, I felt I was missing it. I reached into my pocket and pulled out my plastic rosary. Elaine gave me a look; she doesn't want the other pastors thinking I'm a catholic or something. I held the crucifix, clutched in-between my thumb and fist. There was something very moving about physically holding the suffering Christ. I guess that is some of the power of communion isn't it? I wept to feel him, not just the icon of him, but Christ himself suffering for me.