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A bottled water for you.
Clean water for children around the world.
It’s a no-brainer.

To date Ethos has raised over $6.2 million which will help an estimated 420,000 people gain access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene education.

If you’re going to pick up a bottled water anyway, grab one of these instead from your nearest Starbucks.

What are some of the little things you do to help make a difference in the world around you?

Like any good husband I usually get the monthly request to pick up feminine hygiene products. I get the phone call or see it snuck in on a grocery list.

Often times when I run out in the evening I’ll see other guys aimlessly wandering the hygiene products isle with a look of confusion and bewilderment on their face. They finally grab a box, stuff it dutifully under a bag of frozen peas to disguise it and make their way to the checkout.

As they stand there in line they’re thinking the same thing every guy thinks when he has to make this kind of purchase,

“Dear Lord, I hope I picked the right one!”

Because God knows NO man wants to be on the cell phone in the middle of a store having this conversation,

“Honey, what kind of Tampon do you need again?
Super what?
I don’t see Super Plus Tampons here, what about Extra Super Tampons?
What? Look, can you just tell me what color the box is?”

Can someone please explain to me why you need that many options and brands to choose from when purchasing a Tampon?

Ladies, let me explain something to you about men. We like to appear confident and self-assured. We like to know what we’re doing. And nothing destroys our confidence quicker than sending us out to buy Tampons. I honestly believe that they purposely label the products to try to trip us guys up.

Light Tampax?
Extra Light Tampax?
Super Tampax?
Super Tampax Deluxe?
Extra Super Deluxe Tampax?

Would you like fries and a drink with that?

Here are a few questions I have.

1. Is there honestly some rhyme or reason behind the names they put on the boxes? Or are they result of some misanthropic lady in the marketing department designed to confuse the men that have to pick them up?
2. Do you really need to wait until the very last minute before sending us out to pick them up? Isn’t this something that happens fairly close to the same time every month?
3. If this is a product that you know you’re going to keep using for at least then next 15-25 years, why not buy it in BULK? Heck, get 3 or 4 years worth. This may be crazy guy-talk here but hear me out. You’ll save money and avoid sending us men out to buy the wrong one! It’s a win-win!

To all of the wives out there - your men love you. We honestly try to pick up the right thing but there are just some things that guys weren’t meant to pick out. Tampons are one of them. Now, on the other hand, if you’re looking for a new TV for the living room…

Guys, are you tracking with me? Have any of you asked the same questions? Got a funny Tampon story to tell?

Gals (those of you who are still subscribed after reading this), help us out. Am I off track?

There is just so much going on in my life right now. I’ve got enough design work to keep me busy for a while - trust me, I’m not complaining - but don’t you ever just wish you had another copy of you that could help you out? Reminds me of this scene from Multiplicity (one of my favorite movies).

Although with my luck my clone would end up like #4.

I used to be lonely and single.
Now I’m married to the most amazing girl in the world.

I used to be home schooled (for 6 years).
Now I’m new school (with a little old school too).

I used to be legalistic.
Now I’m liberated by grace.

I used to wonder what my kids would look like.
Now I wonder what their kids will look like.

I used to be a Youth Pastor.
Now I’m a church planter disguised as a graphic designer.

I used to live in Lapeer, Michigan and Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Now I’m living in a hotel in Indianapolis.

I used to think I was a geek.
Then I started this blog and now I KNOW I am.

I used to text.
Now I Twitter.

I used to wander aimlessly around the Internet.
Now I get to hang out with all of you!

I used to wonder what what I was going to be when I grew up.
I still do.

What did you used to be?

I had another post written and ready to go this morning but it’s going to have to wait. I need to vent again.

As you know we’re having a rather difficult time trying to get our mortgage stuff together. Because I’m self-employed we’ve had to jump through quite a few hoops to prove that I’m a “financially viable” candidate for a loan.

Yesterday Lisa called my sister-in-law to have her pick up our mail that’s being held in Fort Wayne and overnight it to us here in Indy. I had a couple of checks that we need to deposit and show in our bank account in order to move the loan forward.

Imagine my frustration when my sister-in-law calls to tell me that they can’t find our mail! Lisa called to find out what the deal was and was told we would have to speak to the Postmaster in the morning.

This morning we called and found out that for the last 3 weeks our mail has been RETURNED TO SENDER! To make matters worse the lady Lisa spoke to didn’t even feel bad about it and said it was OUR FAULT for having our mail held for so long (even though we’ve spoken with supervisors multiple times over the last month to confirm it could still be held).

So instead of depositing checks today for our closing we’ve got to get new checks cut and track down who knows what else we’re missing from the last 3 weeks! Isn’t that just FINE AND FREAKING DANDY?!!?

It’s probably a good thing I’m not in Fort Wayne today because I feel like I’m about to go Postal.

We all have our little catchphrases -  you know, those annoying words or phrases we say TOTALLY say way too much? These are the words or phrases that find their way into almost every email or comment. The words we drop into almost every conversation without even thinking.

What’s yours?

Those of you who follow my blog know that we’ve been living in a hotel since the deal on the house we were going to purchase fell through (read more here and here). Pete jokingly asked me on Sunday what I’m going to blog about once we’re actually living in our own house.

Sunday evening we got back from our vacation with friends in North Carolina. We checked into the Extended Stay Deluxe (Chloe always reminds me that there is a “Deluxe” at the end). This will be our home for at least the next three or four weeks while we get try to close on another condo we have an agreement on.

Chloe & Emily were so funny when we walked into our room.

“Look Dad, we have our own plates and silverware! We even have a stove!”

They ran into the bedroom and came running back out to drag us in by the hand to show us how HUGE the bedroom and bathroom were. Keep in mind, the whole 1-bedroom suite with pullout couch and kitchenette is probably less than 350 square feet but to them we had just checked into the Presidential Suite at the Hilton.

Normally Lisa and I are the ones trying to teach the kids to be thankful for what they’ve got but for once they were the teachers. I’ll admit it, last night I wasn’t feeling very thankful. In fact, it took everything I had to keep him from coming back.

I’m thankful that each new day gives me a new opportunity to count my blessings. Right now I don’t even want to think about how long it’s been since I’ve slept in my own bed or worn something that hasn’t come out of the same suitcase we left Fort Wayne with. I’m tired of walking into living rooms that require a keycard.

But for now, I’m learning to enjoy the journey. If that means jumping up and down on the bed because we have our own plates and silverware, then I’m going to jump away.

Last night will stand out in my memory as one of the most perfect nights ever. It’s those kind of nights that remind me why I need to get away on vacation and let the cares and worries of life fade away.

The funny thing is that, as often happens in my life, last night would not have happened without Lisa taking the initiative.

Around 6:30 the power went out at the beach house we’re staying at in North Carolina. A neighbor told us that they saw sparks from the transformer in front of the house so we knew that we were going to be without power for a few hours at least.

Lisa said, “Let’s get some blankets and pillows and lay out on the deck” to which I replied in typical man fashion, “I don’t know. The deck is kinda hard and it’s going to be uncomfortable.”

She brought the blankets and pillows out anyway and I finally agreed to lay down “for a few minutes.” That set the stage for one of the most relaxing, perfect nights I can remember.

We laid down looking up at clear sky filled with thousands of stars while the breeze blew gently in from the ocean and sound of the waves washing up on the beach washed away all my stress. We ended up staying out on the deck for hours just watching the stars, sipping my Scotch and enjoying a cigar. Of course one thing led to another and…[censored]

Here are the ingredients that helped make last night perfect:

• Stars - last night’s sky was so amazing clear. I don’t remember the last time I just laid out and looked up at the sky. It really helps remind you how small you are and how big God is.
• 12 Year old Single Malt Scotch - this Scotch is amazingly smooth with a clean finish. Nothing says vacation like sipping a good scotch on the deck overlooking the ocean.
• Cameroon Beso Cigar - A great cigar that paired nicely with the Scotch. I tend to reserve cigars for special relaxing times and last night was definitely one of those times.
• The Soundtrack - Music helps to set a mood and nothing goes with laying out under the stars by the ocean better than The Album Leaf, Iron & Wine, Bryan Karas and Sleeping at Last.

So there you have it. I would say “I wish you could have been there” but I really don’t. That’s what made it special. Just me, my beautiful wife and the stars.

What’s the most perfect moment you’ve shared with someone?
Was it planned or did it just happen?
What made it special?

Why I Need A Mentor (and you do too)
I’m a pretty smart guy but I’m pretty sure that, if left to my self, I would have screwed up my life a long time ago. Most of the most important decisions I’ve made in life I didn’t made by myself. I have been blessed with many people through the years who have spoken into my life and help shape me into the person I am today.

I can directly link two pivotal life decisions I’ve made to a couple people God strategically placed in my life at the right time.

1996-1999
The first was my high school vocational school teacher, Bill Aumock. He was the one who provided the inspiration and instruction to help launch my graphic design career in my early 20s. I learned Photoshop, taught my first class, learned the ins and outs of the design industry and secured my first design jobs because of him.

2003
Another important individual that helped change the course of my life was a missionary named Bob McCoy that pastored our church for a few months while the pastor was on a sabbatical. It was a conversation my wife and I had with him that launched us into our first full-time ministry in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

I’m not foolish enough to think I have the ability to make it through life alone. I’m constantly seeking out and listening to wise, godly individuals to grow as a leader and a person. I have lived by this principle:

You will only be successful in your life, ministry or occupation to the degree that you invite and listen to the counsel of wise people.

This past weekend we had the chance to hang with John & Leslie Kindler. This couple has mentored us in recent years and have grown to be very dear friends to Lisa and I. John is a former successful executive with Lincoln Life Insurance with a wealth of wisdom and experience drawn from years of leading and learning. Lisa and I have grown so much as a couple and in ministry because of our time with them. They have helped us work through some difficult situations and remain close friends.

The thing I love about having people like John & Leslie in my life is knowing that no matter how difficult or confusing the situation, we’re not going through it alone. I know that I can call them any time and get invaluable counsel and insight. More importantly, it’s not a one-way relationship. They care enough about Lisa and I to pick up the phone to check on us, encourage and pray for us.

People like John & Leslie have become part of our life story. And that’s what a mentor does. They come along side you and help you with those tough chapters in your life. They love you enough to speak the truth to you. And they encourage you no matter how bleak the situation looks.

Do you have someone in your life that you would consider a mentor? How have you benefited from that relationship?

I spent the holiday weekend without kids sleeping in something other than a hotel bed and was able to gain a little perspective. It seems that the kind of fresh perspective you need to make it through hard times comes best when you take a few steps back from the situation at hand. That was what I did this weekend with the help of our good friends and spiritual mentors.

One thing I try to do on this blog is be completely honest and transparent about what I’m thinking and feeling. Sometimes that comes in the form of posts like these. But I also try to be equally honest about my “ah ha!” moments. You know what I’m talking about. They’re the times when you’ve read the same verse 500 times but all of a sudden it jumps off the page and slaps you in the face. Like, so hard it leaves a big hand-print on your cheek.

That’s what happened this morning when I read this.

“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don’t give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going. For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-10,17-18)

I realized that I had a serious case of not being able to see the forest of God’s provision because I was focusing on the trees of my present circumstances. Every so often it helps to get a God’s-eye perspective on what you’re going through.

Do you remember those inflatable clowns we had when we were kids? They were weighted in the bottom so every time you punched that annoying clown face it would fall down to the ground and then in a second bounce right back up again. It’s that kind of persistence that keeps bouncing back up with a big grin on it’s face that those verses are talking about. No matter the circumstances, no matter the obstacles, no matter the frustration, we take hit after hit and keep bouncing back!

Or in the words of that song we all sang from the 90s,

I get knocked down, but I get up again. You’re never going to keep me down!

Yeah, I know. Now that song is going to be stuck in your head all day. You’re welcome.

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