Foot-In-Mouth Disease

Man I hate it when words come out of my mouth and say something that I don't mean.  This usually happens when I am nervous.  And I am usually nervous when I'm trying to impress someone.  I think that is the real sting of foot-in-mouth.  It materializes causing embarrassment at just the moment when you want the polar opposite to happen.

A couple of weeks ago I had a HUGE foot in mouth moment.  I was sharing the epic story in San Bernardino at the missions banquet of the church that I once pastored.  The current pastor gave me the place of honor in the speaking line-up (which I was not expecting).  He then introduced with incredible grace and generosity (which is always embarrassing to me - it's very difficult for me to receive thanks or compliments publicly).  Following the introduction, embarrassment rose up to completely cloud my mind and coincidentally my children entered the room from the childcare facility causing me to wonder if they had been misbehaving.  Then out of my mouth slipped a coy response to one of the pastor's comments that instead of sounding light and encouraging, sounded slight and critical.  I wanted to shrink back into my chair and disappear.  However, I had to make my presentation and do it clearly within 3-5 minutes.

Well, I think I took about 23 minutes to talk my way into lucid thought again and then finally resorted to telling the 3 stories of epic members that most clearly represented the epic mission.  Those stories restored order and foundation to the moment, and when they were done I made a quick exit.  On Sunday morning I had the chance to redeem myself with another brief presentation and I think I managed to avoid a relapse.

Thanks to San Bernardino Community Church for 4 1/2 years of faithful financial support of the epic mission.  We are so thankful for your investment and will continue to guard that investment by fervently pursuing the mission God called us here for.  Thank you pastor Sam for your kindness and love.  Thank you for your faithful shepherding of a flock that continues to mean a great deal to me.  I honor and respect you for your faithful service to God in San Bernardino for the world-wide cause of Christ.

(Why didn't those words come out of my mouth under pressure?)

This Thanksgiving, Don't Say It!

"Remember that Thanksgiving when we all got food poisoning?"

"I'm not texting, I'm looking up the symptoms for botchulism."

"Instead of Football, lets just watch the "Amadeus" marathon.

"I've thoughtfully provided each of you with a list of my finest attributes, for which you can be thankful this year."

"I think we ought to consider serving corn dogs as a main course at future holiday gatherings."

"Let's join hands and sing a few stanzas of "Like a G6."

"If you want this piece of pie, you're gonna have to arm wrestle me for it Grandma."



It has been my experience that planning ahead is the best way to avoid embarrassing yourself.

Molly-isms

Yesterday at our worship gathering I picked up Molly when she arrived and said, "are you my princess?"
She quickly responded, "I'm the queen of the world."

I found out that she later told one of her friends mom, that she (Molly) and her friend Mia were the princess and that the mom is the witch.  Stinkin' Dora dressed up as a witch in her Halloween special.


As Molly grows, she continues to figure out how to say things correctly.  Being the third of our children, we correct her less than we did the others, wanting to savor the baby talk.  She still calls chocolate 'shlockate.'

Weigh In #2

After 2 more weeks, only 1 more pound.

Today's weight 219.

Had to change up my morning routine a bit.  New routine may be building more muscle...  What to do, what to do.  I want the number to decrease more quickly, but am wanting to build a better me along the way now too.

2 weeks of vacation coming up.  Can I stay the course.  I'm sure gonna try.

My Kids' Favorite Pancakes

Yes, I make them from scratch.  I used to think that I didn't have the time, but really it doesn't take any more time than the just-add-water mix.

Here's the recipe.

In a large mixing bowl, add:
1/2 cup      100% Whole Wheat Flour
1/2 cup      all Natural White Flour
1/2 cup      quick Oats
4 tsp          baking powder
2 T            sugar  (We actually use Splenda, any dry sweetener will do.)
1 dash       salt
                 Mix these dry ingredients together.

In a large measuring cup, add
1 1/2 cup  milk
2               eggs
1 T           vanilla
2 T           cooking oil
                 Stir this until the eggs are broken up and mixed in a bit.

Pour liquid ingredients into the mixing bowl and mix.

We scoop 1/3 cup of batter onto a hot griddle (325-350 degrees) to make medium sized cakes.  flip the pancakes when the center of the cake bubble and bubbles break.  Cook the second side for about 1-2 minute.


BETTER THAN SYRUP
Now, on special occasions, and to make this a truly delightful experience we make a homemade topping that I learned on my first visit to Rhonda's Colorado family.  I forget what they call it, but I call it "Syrup of the gods."  Not really.  It's delicious and I don't have a name.  And since it is not fat free, or low in calories, you would need to immortal to enjoy it on a regular basis.  It's so fantastic though, that you really should have it on special occasions.

Add 1 cup of brown sugar to 1 cup of heavy whipping cream.
In a sauce pan, over medium-high heat, bring this mixture to a boil, stirring constantly.
After the mixture bubbles, add 2 teaspoons of vanilla and stir for about 2 minutes until the sugar granules mostly disappear.

Use this sauce warm instead of syrup...  And you really don't need any butter!

Enjoy!