Thankful

First off, I want to wish everyone who reads this blog a "Happy Thanksgiving"!

Yesterday, I posted a fun list of things I'm thankful for, and I want to continue that thought with a longer, more meaningful post. I'm not sure who all reads my blog, but I'm very thankful for those who support my place of employment, KWFC Radio (http://kwfc.org)! With out them, I'd be somewhere else trying to support my family.

Working for the radio station over the past few years has been a great blessing. Besides the fact I'm working with some neat guys (and a gal) and being surrounded by fantastic Southern Gospel Music every day... I really love my job. Seeing and hearing how our listeners are blessed by the music, and how our programming has had a changing affect on their lives is awesome. It truly is a God ministry. 

I enjoy hearing that what I do has true impact. I don't of any other job that I can use my talent for that could allow me have such a great neat opportunity. 

Of course, KWFC is a listener supported radio station. People give so that we remain on the air, broadcasting the Gospel to the Ozarks! Without their financial gifts, we wouldn't survive. Thanks to them, I'm able to support my family in what I do. It's a humbling thought, and I'm very grateful to those who believe in what we do.

My prayer is that God will continue to bless those who support us! I ask that anytime you hear of a business on our station, and you visit them... please thank them as well! 

~Matt

My List of THANKfulness

Okay, this month has once again erupted in things that people are thankful for. Many have been posting every day. It’s a neat idea, and I have failed to take part.

Since tomorrow is Thanksgiving, I’ve decided that I’d make a list of things I'm thankful for. They are in no particular order. Enjoy!

I’m THANKful for:

My Salvation. Without it, I’d be lost. (Of course, this has to be on the top, even if it’s in no particular order)

My beautiful wife. I just can’t live without her, and I don’t want to try. However, most wonder how she can live with me…

iPhone. Ummm, what’s not a reason to be thankful for it? LOL.

Coffee. One word that has so much power. Daily….

Spell check. Face it, it’s needed.

Facebook. Hey, it’s proof that my friends are eating well during the holiday season.

My Job. Working at the #1 Southern Gospel Music station in the US is just so awesome!

Polite, well-mannered and respectful children. Yes, there are those rare occasions!

Toilet Paper. Need I say more?

Hugs. I get them all the time from my kids.

Deodorant. Shall I ask for a raise of hands?

Batteries. They offer quite a charge on the many devices I depend upon

Pinterest. Dinners are more adventurous.

The delete button. Especially if I use it to delete a comment that I really ought not make on other’s posts.

Google. Who needs any how-to-book now?

Extended Family. Parents, siblings, in-laws, grandparents, cousins… we’re a crazy bunch! A challenge you to define “normal”.  

Febreze Air Freshener. Especially after burrito night. (Just ask my kids….)

Air Conditioning. Without it, life would be hot.

Elastic. It’s helping hold things up.

Texting. The best way to keep with my beautiful wife.

My church family. Remember, “Family”… and yes, they’re there for me! ;)

Internet. It’s part of my job and my life. Staying connected!

My house. It’s great to have somewhere to live.

Well, it's not complete! But hey... it was fun. Happy Thanksgiving!

~Matt

Who's To Blame on the Obama Bio?

There is is an controversial item hitting the news about a biography of President Obama. It’s causing a bunch of controversy among some conservative “news” websites too. They’re blaming “Common Core”.

I did some research... and let’s look at the facts.

The book is written by Jane Sutcliffe and published through Lerner Publishing. While it may adhere to the Common Core curriculum standards, Lerner Publishing is part of many homeschooling curriculums as well (and churches). The publishing company’s books are offered on many sites, including ChristianBook.com (The author’s book, “Stone Giant” is available for purchase there)

This is a reading book, not a “text book”. It is not forced to be read by students in a school with Common Core. However, might I point out, if bought by a homeschooling parent, the kids would be made to read it. (I was homeschooled and if my parent's bought a book, it was read)

Should a school offer a book with some factual errors? There are many books with false information out there. For example, walk into a Christian book store and tell me that you'd believe in every book they have on sale there. Many can lead a soul the wrong way. I'd think that those books are more dangerous than a book the presents a lie over a political figure. 

What books do we own in our homes that may have an error or two? Are they marked out so our kids don't read them? Do we read through every single book that our kids pick up at the public or church library?

Still, at least the public now knows of this book. What should we do???

Blame the publisher....!

~Matt

Vans Beware!

I thought this sign was so funny, I had to take a picture.

It appears that vehicles in our neighborhood need to be careful... A van was obviously suduced away from it's owners by a red car. 

~Matt

Duck Dynasty for Kids?

I saw this at the store today. Wow! Those guys really know how to market their name in everything....

Almost surprised that there is no beard on the front! Lol!

~Matt

Listening to Google Play Music!

I have many songs. Yes, I'm a collector of music! Of course, my library is huge when it comes to digital files. In fact, backing up my iTunes library... it took 33 DVDs!!!

My brother Sam mentioned that I ought to upload them too Google Play Music. They give you the ability to upload 20,000 song files to your account for free. I guess that's a good thing. It has taken several days, and I've uploaded over 17,000 mp3 files from my library! Wow.

To my pleasant surprise, last week, Google Music released the iPhone app! Now I can listen to any song in my library at anytime, anywhere. As you might imagine, I'm very happy with that. Especially since the Christmas season is soon upon us, I'm ready to make a few playlists of my favorites. It makes me wish my iPod had internet connection over WiFi.

By the way, I've already added some new Christmas albums to my library. One of them from Duck Dynasty! Oh yeah...!

~Matt

Coffee: My "Comfort Drink"

I enjoy coffee. During the weekday, I drink several cups of coffee until I clock out of work and head home. On Saturdays, I'll end up drink a pot throughout the day. Of course, it's also a Sunday morning ritual to drink several cups before doing the van route for church.

Coffee is my "comfort drink". If I'm stressed, if I'm over anxious, if I'm tired, if I'm too wired... it neutralizes it all! Plus, it's awesome. Coffee is something I enjoy drinking almost any time. 

During the holidays, I also enjoy drinking Dr Pepper. We don't drink soda except on special occasions. You won't see any in our refrigerator. Lydia enjoys getting Eggnog this time of year as well. That would be her comfort drink I guess! ;)

~Matt

Be-LEAF It!

We had a storm blow through over the weekend. Any leaves that were barely hanging on to the limbs are now on the ground. I was hoping to get out on Saturday afternoon and mulch those leaves, but it rained and they were too damp.

Even though I was frustrated that evening, come Sunday afternoon, I was feeling much better about it. I would have been upset to have done all that work and then find out that it was all in vain after church on Sunday. Most of the leaves are off the trees and in my yard!

So.... I guess it was best to leaf it be!

~Matt

Looking forward to Christmas!

With almost a month to go, am I excited about Christmas? YES!

May of my friends, family, current and former coworkers can attest... I'm a Christmas nut. Especially when it comes to music. It's one of the most joyous times of the year. I have my playlist ready, and I'm ready to go.

Yes, we've listened to a few Christmas songs already. However, I won't be playing it continually until after Thanksgiving. Or at least... that evening! :P

We plan on putting up the decorations on Friday the 29th if we can. I also have to purchase new outdoor Christmas lights this year since all the strands we've owned went out on us. There are a few changes in decorations that we're also anticipating... for example, our tree will be smaller since our living room is more crowded. That's what happens when you put in a piano!

No matter what, I'm still anxious about this joyous time of year.... just ask my kids!

~Matt

Vaguebooking

Over a week ago, I was introduced to a new term on Facebook. It's called "Vaguebooking". Looking up the definition, I found:

"An intentionally vague Facebook status update, that prompts friends to ask what's going on, or is possibly a cry for help."

It is a self-centered cry for attention with the hope that 'friends' will respond with concern or support. The posts are often deliberately cryptic and vague. Interestingly, I see these posts on my news-feed everyday. I guess that's what happens when you have over 800 'friends'. 

I like to think of myself as 'nice' when I read these post. I'm often tempted to release my 'humor' in a comment, but I refrain myself. In which I am proud of myself. LOL.

An idea that would be interesting is to get a group of online friends to make up a "vaguebooking day". Hey... Who knows, it could possibly become an international phenomenon!

Do you partake in "Vaguebooking"?

~Matt

TECH: NeoTV

Several years ago, we became subscribers to Netflix. We don't have cable or satellite, just the basic tv stations. It has been nice, and we've enjoyed being able to watch through our Nintendo Wii system. Occasionally, we'd plug up our laptop to the tv to watch some digital movies. 

We've seen things like iTv and other media boxes. Once we had some extra money, we purchased a new item for our entertainment system. It's called NeoTV MAX by Netgear. A pretty neat box!

Not only does it stream Netflix, there are also many other apps like Pandora and YouTube. One of my favorite features is it's ability to read USB thumb-drives! It will play most movie formats, including flash, plus play music and picture files. It is the neatest deal.

I rate it 5 stars! :)

~Matt

Homeschooling is better???

There are extremes to everything. One of the things that friends like posting about is their opinion on their children's schooling. I see comments, blogs, and posts on several sides in education. There's homeschooling, public schooling, and private schooling. All has their pros and cons.

I believe that it is up to the parents and situation on which is better. I don't believe that public schooling is for everyone. And I also don't believe homeschooling is for everyone either.

I was homeschooled and turned out fine. However, my kids are attending public schools, and very advanced!

What bothers me the most is when people will find an extreme on one side and then say its the best example of why the other system is best. For example, if one public school has a problem in America, my homeschooling friends will jump all over it. They'll blast all public schools, etc.

Why does this bug me? Well, when a homeschooling family goes awry, I don't see the public schooling parents raising a fuss. I hardly hear of a public teacher killing their students... But what about a homeschooling parent?

See this link: http://www.richarddawkins.net/news_articles/2013/11/4/christian-homeschoolers-receive-maximum-jail-time-for-death-of-child

Of course, folks could also take that article and set up a case against Christians, "Biblical" training, etc. Now, to me, these parents went to the extreme. No parent should have done what they did. 

Anyway, these are my thoughts for today!

~Matt