So . . . What are You Doing New Year's Eve?

Saw this and thought it was pretty good. You will recognize Zooey Deschanel (Elf and New Girl) but you may not recognize that guy. Remember Angels in the Outfield? That is the one and only Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Enjoy.

Merry Christmas from the Turners

Evelyn, Shelbi, Paul, Morgan, Sondra

Happy Rama-Hana-Kwanz-Mas! (you know me & political correctness)

Here is a quick rundown on the Turner household –

Shelbi – she turned 21 in July & somehow I am still responsible for all of her financial needs. She has had a great year. She worked FUGE Camps at Glorieta this summer and now has one semester left of nursing school at Union University. She and Mark are still dating 2 yrs later. He graduated this month from Union.

Morgan – is 19 and loving Union. She is a social work major, involved in student government, Chi Omega, and about a hundred other things. She is doing great grade wise as well even in her crazy busyness. This summer she worked at Winshape Camp sfor Girls (Chick-fil-a) and had a great time.

Sondra - just had her first anniversary at McGavock High School as a secretary to one of the principals there. She loves working with the students. She is involved in the praise team at church and is truly an amazing woman.

Paul – still at LifeWay and teaching a college-aged class at church. Went to India in January on missions, had both knees scoped in the Spring and is back running.

Evelyn – what? Who is Evelyn? Only the coolest Chinese teenager in the world. She is a 10^th grade international student at DCA and plans on finishing her high school career here. We love having her and she is pretty convinced that she lives in a home of giants.

Love and Merry Christmas from The Turners -

Paul, Sondra, Shelbi, Morgan & Evelyn

PS - If you did not get a photo card from us in the mail, just print this out.

Christmas in Kansas City . . . almost

It is true that I am a sentimental goober at times. For those of you who have grown up in Kansas City, you know how cool the lights at the Plaza are. While we will not be here on Christmas day, we were able to spend some time at the Country Club Plaza one night this week. It does a KC boy's heart good.

Crazy Turner Christmas Greetings

Merry Crazy Turner Christmas!

NOT What Handel Had in Mind

I am thinking you might enjoy this one. Just for grins.

My Advent Conspiracy Experience . . . so far

Poly Rouse, our pastor, has been leading us through a series of sermons loosely based on David Platt's, Radical Together book. I sort of pride myself in being frugal, not wanting for much, and basically considering myself better than I actually am. While confession is good for the soul and bad for the reputation, I feel compelled to share a experience that God and I wrestled through recently.

I, in no way, am saying that electronics are evil or of the devil. I have greatly enjoyed my iPhone, TV, microwave, and on and on. I do have a tendency to "want" more technological devices and this past summer was able to use an iPad that work provided. It made travel a little easier, helped me stay a little more current with work, and let's face it, I liked the cool factor of it. "Oh, you have an iPad. Those things are so cool." And, I was quick to get caught up in the coolness of it. In August, the iPad gig was up for me. Work needed it back. I lamented it for awhile and I guess honestly, still do.

Black Friday was a critical day in the wrestling match for me. Apple puts their "stuff on sale" for the only time of the year. I had received a nice honorarium check for a series of talks I did  and proudly announced to Sondra, "that iPad2 is mine now." I went online, secured an iPad2 in my basket, but could not press complete sale. For about 4 hours on Black Friday I had it in my basket, but could not press complete sale. Not because my motives were pure, but because I could not get an "easyness" about spending that money on something that was useful, but not necessary for me to live.

Sunday, November 27 began the new sermon series. As I walked into the worship center at church, set up on the stage was a set for the mission that our church supports in Guatemala. (Los Conchas I believe is what it is called or something very similar to that.) I knew immediately where that money was to go. No one had to tell me, it was confirmed in my spirit. As Poly talked about our work with those in Los Conchas, I felt myself getting more and more irritated and frustrated. Evidently the wrestling that started on Black Friday was not over yet. Sondra finished singing in the praise team, came and sat down my me and I looked at her, pointed to the area of the stage with the Guatemala set and said to her, "Stupid Advent Conspiracy!" How submissive I am! The focus of Advent Conspiracy is to give so that others might have. I get it, I just did not want to. All that to say, I wrote the check and placed it in the offering plate yesterday. And, I did it with a fairly pure heart. I am getting there. I know it is the right thing to do. I know that people will eat and many will hear the gospel. I am praying that lives will be transformed, beginning with mine.

God, break my heart for what breaks yours.

The Envy of My Running Friends

If you are a runner, then you know that most drivers do not really pay in attention to us and if they do, they are normally impatient. Agreed though is that some runners are obnoxious but the majority of us are not when it comes to running in traffic. You will love this short video of an older woman who gives an impatient driver what he deserves and she does something most of us would love to do.

Merry Christmas to all my running friends.

Another Christmas Miracle or uhh, Disaster

Well, they meant well but it just did not go as planned. And evidently the one who posted this video on youtube has now taken it down so I cannot share it any more. 

Evidently one disaster was not enough. They did not want to share it anymore.

so I share this from last year - The Digital Nativity