God's Wallet

I was looking through my wallet the other day (I usually do this when I'm bored), and I noticed some rather humorous things buried deep inside that leather contraption.

No, not money.

What I uncovered, were some old (and older) pictures of some family members. There was a picture of Megan and I around the time we got engaged (I splurged on a $14.95 package from Wal-Mart for our engagement pictures). One of my brother's golf pictures from high school, and a picture of my parents from the early 1990's (rather humorous).

Will I have to buy a bigger wallet after my child is born? Is there room for a picture of my child? Should it go in between the Home-Depot credit card or my Stark County Library card?

This made me ponder, I wonder what God's wallet is like? When he opens it, do pictures of His children unfold and roll out for miles? Does he have an Advantage Card? Did He take a bad driver's license picture too?

More importantly, ask yourself this question: If an angel asked to see a picture of you in God's wallet, would He be able to find you?

Sculpted Personalities

Driving by the farmer’s stand, they pose
Trying to look their Sunday best.
Families, couples, kids all in search,
Seeing which one passes their difficult test.

They’ve grown all year for this one month.
Some go sooner, others go later.
Big ones, warped ones, small ones, perfect ones,
Either way, they all know their fate.

Getting picked is only half their job,
Their sculpted personalities are yet to be.
Opening them up, we gather their guts,
Knowing that giving them life is no cup of tea.

From devilish grins to astonishing eyes,
And faces that are not meant to scare.
They are doctored to fit imaginations,
And always welcome a passing by stare.

Days pass as features rot into one.
November is now their biggest fear.
Knowing that their holiday has come and gone,
Leaves farmers longing for next year.

RMK

Camp Muskingum Part II

Well, I made it back from Carollton, Ohio in one piece. The rain clouds seemed like they could've dumped on us at anytime, but Mother Nature was on our side. Here are some highlights from my trip to sixth grade camp at Camp Muskingum:

~ It is definitely not enjoyable to load a bus twice and unload a bus twice when you have sixth grade kids who think 2 1/2 days means 2 1/2 weeks.

~ Words you do not want to hear whispered to you at 1:30 in the morning: "Mr. Kumpf, I think Justin is sick. He threw up by his bed."

~ Camp food blocks you up. I guess that is better than the reverse (it wasn't too bad either).

~ Sixth grade girls who think the male teacher is "cute" gets pretty annoying (I wish that would have been the case when I was in sixth grade).

~ Two students and two teachers got sick and had to go home.

~ God paints beautiful pictures with nature. The scenery and smells. The cool, crisp morning air. The stillness of the lake. The canopy of leaves in a multitude of colors.

~ When observing a game where 15 students were assigned a career tag and had to place themselves in order from least important to most important, this was over heard: "You can't live without a lawyer." A sign of the times? (at the end of the game, they created a circle to show that each job is of equal importance)

~ Sixth grade boys can really stink up a place.

~ The relationships that you build with individual students is priceless. I love my job. I love what I do. I love making a difference. I love when students hand you their trust. I love when students say that I'm their favorite teacher...not because I'm cool and let them do whatever they want (which is bad), but because I listen, I'm caring, and I make learning fun. To know that I have this much impact on future generations is very humbling. Hopefully, I make the best of it.

~ There is no difference between a gifted student, an average student, and a special needs student. If you model this, the students will too.

~ When having to remind the students time and time again to be quiet after the lights go out...they do not like for the lights to come on (after being out for over a half hour) and sit up in bed with their hands behind their heads for four minutes (threatening to up the amount of time by two minutes every time after the first offense). Shuts them up real fast.

~ A student hugging you and saying thanks for making camp fun...nothing better.

~ Trying to convince a crying, homesick 11 year-old boy that he needs to stay just a little bit longer.

~ Sixth graders hate mandatory showers.

~ It's cool to be muddy.

~ Ort means "leftovers" and that is a bad thing.

~ It doesn't matter how you dance, just shake something.

~ I couldn't make it back to Camp Muskingum even if I wanted too.

Camp Muskingum

Thirteen years ago, I went to Camp Muskingum as a 6th grader. Tomorrow, I'm going back in the reverse role. I will be spending two nights and three days with 130 eleven year olds in the great outdoors. Surprisingly, I'm looking forward to the adventures that lie ahead. Hopefully, I'll have some great stories to share when I return. Check back this weekend!

"Some national parks have long waiting lists for camping reservations. When you have to wait a year to sleep next to a tree, something is wrong." ~George Carlin

The Moon Still Could Be Made of Cheese...

During my sophomore year of college, I presented a persuasive speech for a Speech course that changed my opinion about one of the biggest "accomplishments" of the 20th century.

What I'm about to state may excite you, anger you, make you ponder, or make you think that I have a screw loose...

If you stayed up to watch the 1969 moon landing, you saw cinematic magic at its best. That's right, the moon landing was about as real as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

When I originally did the research for this speech five years ago, 10% of the U.S. population believed what I stated above. Now, five years later, that number has increased to 20%.

Before I start, I do not usually believe in conspiracy theories. In fact, I usually associate the people who believe in them as a little off. This one, however, is hard for me to bypass. I'm not even saying that this is 100% truth, I'm just saying there is a lot of information to support the fallacies.

Here is a little background information:
In 1957, the Soviet Union (a country we would have a Cold War with for almost half a century), sent a satellite into space...thus starting the so-called "Space Race." Many Americans, rightfully so, lived with the fear that the Soviets would be able to drop nuclear bombs from these satellites. In 1961, President Kennedy promised to have a man on the moon by the end of the decade. During the 1960's, NASA made many unsuccessful attempts to reach the beyond. The "moon landing" occurred during one of the most scandalous presidencies of our nation's history (Nixon). Some believe our nation needed a rebirth of Patriotism with the ongoing struggles of Vietnam.

So, Wah Lah..., 12 years after the Russians shot a tin can into the atmosphere, we land on the moon??? Scientifically, logically, and realistically...it just does not add up.

Man on the Moon?

Below, I have posted a very interesting program that was shown on Fox. It does a great job of showing some of the inaccuracies of the moon landing mission. But, before you click, here are some thoughts to ponder regarding the issue.

- With all of the advancements in technology, we haven't been back to the moon in 38 years. Wouldn't you want to go back? Or, wouldn't another country have made it there by now? Russia, seemingly ahead of us for over a decade, has abandoned the moon missions. They state it is "virtually impossible" to send a man to the moon. In a scientific calculation at the time, one scientist said the mission had a 0.00017% chance of being successfull. By the way, the U.S. has no plans to return to the Moon in future NASA budgets.

- The astronauts on this mission barely make public appearances. People that should be regarded as national heroes, have been swept under the rug.

- 10 people associated with the moon landing program mysteriously died within years of the mission.

- Blueprints and design and development drawings of the machines involved, telemetry tapes, and the original high quality video of the Apollo 11 Moonwalk are missing.

- There are no stars in any of the photos. The Apollo 11 astronauts also claimed to have not remembered seeing any of the stars in a press conference after the event.

- Identical backgrounds in photos are listed as taken miles apart.

- No blast crater or any sign of dust scatter as was seen in the 16mm movies of each landing.

- The rocks brought back from the Moon are identical to rocks collected by scientific expeditions to Antarctica.

- The Lander weighed 17 tons and sat on top of the sand making no impression but directly next to it footprints can be seen in the sand.

Video

Arrival

As of tomorrow (October 17), Megan and I will have two months until the baby arrives. Two months sounds a lot better than one month and "x" amount of days, so I will savor tomorrow. The closer "the date" gets, the more "unusual" I feel. Unusual is about the only way to describe the emotions I have.

Do I want to be a dad? Yes.

Am I ready to be a dad? No.

For this post, I thought I would appologize in advance:

I'm sorry for not knowing what to expect and for sometimes wishing this could somehow be reversed. I'm sorry I wasn't better prepared. I'm sorry for letting you cry some nights and for not always wanting to get out of bed to rock you to sleep. I'm sorry for getting frustrated when I do not understand what it is that you want and for feeling that everything is a bit overwhelming at times. I'm sorry I might be at work for your first smile, your first words, or your first step. I'm sorry for feeding you food that you might not even like and for taking pictures of you just so we have a good laugh later on down the road. I'm sorry for not being with you on your first day of school and for not being there to catch you when you fall and scrap your knee. I'm sorry for not always modeling the best behavior and for teaching you bad habits. I'm sorry for the friends who will hurt your feelings and for not knowing exactly what to say when you do not make the team. I'm sorry for the presents I just couldn't afford and for the times I forget something that was important to you. I'm sorry for turning down that game of catch or a game of HORSE. I'm sorry I won't always look when you yell, "watch this Dad!" I'm sorry for picking you up late from school and for not allowing you to go to a friends house when everyone else is. I'm sorry that I didn't like your date the first, second, and last time I met them and for making you come home after the school dance. I'm sorry for making you take the bus when the roads are snowy and for making sure you're always dressed for the weather. I'm sorry for checking in on you during the weekends when your away at school and for asking why you never come home for a visit. I'm sorry not being able to help you the way our parent's and grandparents helped us. I'm sorry I won't be the best at financial advice or for not being the most conversational person when you just want to talk. I'm sorry for missing out on your childrens activities because it just became to hard to get out of the house. I'm sorry for leaving you and not having the chance to say I love you one last time.

Table For Six?

On Wednesday evening, Megan and I went out to eat with my parents to a little place called Top of the Viaduct. They have been running full-page ads in the Massillon Independent promoting their 30th year in business. To celebrate the occasion, T.O.V rolled the prices back 30 years on some of their "customer favorites."

A cup of coffee was 49 cents.

A slice of homemade pie was 79 cents.

A 7oz Sirloin Steak with a baked potato, side dish, and roll was $5.99.

Needless to say, the place was pretty busy for the dinner crowd (a lot of "white-hairs" too). As we were waiting in a descent sized line, a lady from the front announced that there was a table for six in the back.

No takers.

Standing in front of us was an older gentleman and his wife (they were probably in their 70's) and the gentleman turned around and asked how many we had in our party. We told him four, and he surprised us by asking if we all wanted to sit together...

Sit with total strangers? Eww...

Our stomachs were speaking louder than our thoughts, so we accepted.

We introduced ourselves, had conversation (we all had a lot in common actually), and we left the restaurant with a greater comfort level. The odd thing was that we had to wait for our food for over 45 minutes. There was no room to sit there like deaf mutes. Talking had to happen...

This got me thinking. How much do we really "live" inside the box? Do people really feel awkward about sitting with "other" people during a meal? I know I did. It almost felt like I was sitting there naked. How weird our minds work. How strange we are wired. Imagine doing this at other restaurants. Walking into Bravo, 91, Longhorn, and creating tables for however many people could be combined together...knowing them or not. Sure, sometimes you'd have a few hits and misses...but how much would this change us? Something as simple as breaking bread with a stranger.

I think I've heard about a person who would do something like that...

Playoffs? Get Comfortable...

As everybody knows, I am a huge Cleveland sports fan. So obviously, the Indians making it to the ALCS is a BIG deal. Even though the Tribe made the playoffs (and look very strong), any Cleveland fan (I'll coin the term Clevelandism) knows to start peering around the corner...just incase. We'll, yesterday I did that and I was happy/comfortable with what I found. For all of you Tribe fans, here is an excerpt from an article on www.indians.com:

Take a look at the Tribe's regular starting lineup of center fielder Grady Sizemore, second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera, designated hitter Travis Hafner, catcher Victor Martinez, first baseman Ryan Garko, shortstop Jhonny Peralta, left fielder Kenny Lofton, right fielder Franklin Gutierrez and third baseman Casey Blake.

Now, consider that, in that group, only Lofton will be a free agent after this season, while Hafner and Cabrera are under contractual control through 2013, Sizemore, Garko and Gutierrez through '12, Peralta through '11, Martinez through '10, and Blake through next season.

The Indians' four-man playoff rotation of C.C. Sabathia (signed through '08), Fausto Carmona (under control through '13), Jake Westbrook (signed through '10) and Paul Byrd (club option for '08) could be kept intact next year, with depth options Jeremy Sowers (under control through '12), Aaron Laffey (under control through '13) and Cliff Lee (signed through '09, club option for '10) also on board.

And in the bullpen, back-end relievers Joe Borowski (club option for '08), Rafael Betancourt (under control through '09), Rafael Perez (under control through '12) and Jensen Lewis (under control through '13) aren't necessarily going anywhere.

Has Cleveland's time finally come?

Music To My Ears

Every once in awhile, a song really effects your thoughts.

You whistle the tune at work.

Hum it in the shower.

Rock it out in the car.

I've never been one to "just listen" to the music. I've never said that was a nice fill, a nice fret, or a great note. I have, however, been touched by lyrics, inspired by words, and effected by unaltered thoughts.

Basically, I hear the words before I enjoy the tune (Maybe that's why I can't dance?).

Anyways, I found one of those songs the other day on my way to work. The song is called "The Twenty-First Time" and it is by Monk & Neagle. It's just one of those songs that really makes you think.

I hate that.

I posted the lyrics below, but if you read anything at all...read the last two stanzas. How elegant it is to have all of your thoughts summed up in 72 words. If anything, I hope someone reading my blog says the same thing about the text I type :)

Nowhere to live
Nowhere to fall
He used to have money
But he's wasted it all
His face is a photograph burned in mind
But I pretend not to see him for the twenty-first time

He sleeps under stars, it's all he can afford
His blankets an old coat he's had since the war
He stands on the corner of Carter and Vine
But I pretend not to see him for the twenty-first time

He may be a drifter who's grown old and gray
But what if it's Jesus and I walk away
I say I'm the body and drink of the wine
But I pretend not to see him for the twenty-first time

She's 29 but she feels 48
She can't raise three kids on minimum wage
She's crying in back of the welfare line
But I pretend not to see her for the twenty-first time

She may be a stranger trying to get through the day
But what if it's Jesus and I walk away
I say I'm the body and drink of the wine
But I pretend not to see her for the twenty-first time

This is a call for a change in my heart
I realize that I've not been doing my part
When I needed a Savior, I found it in Him
He gave to me, now I'll give back to them

Drifter or stranger, daughter or son
I'll look for Jesus in everyone
'Cause I am the body and drink of the wine
And I'm thankful there's more than the twenty-first time

Chicken Livers

Mmmmmm...

That title has no double meaning.

My Grandma Kumpf makes the best chicken livers ever. I could eat them by the plate-full. They are especially tasty with A1 sauce. Meg hates the smell/sight of them, so there goes passing down the tradition.

We recently stopped by my grandparent's house for a visit, and while I was there I requested an order of chicken livers. Two days later, the phone rings...the chicken livers were ready to be picked up. She doubled the size of what I usually get. I need to request food more often!

Well, I'm off to feast on the tasty finger-food. Bon Appetit!

Antonym of Me

You are the embodiment
of enveloping Light
While I hide in the shadows
of the darkness of night.

You loved a world
that was lost in the Fall
But I turn to deaf ears
when it is my name You call.

You are the true divinity
of everything clean and pure
To my knees I bend
when it is my faith You cure.

You breathed life into nothing
through the ascendancy of Word
Only this time, it was my heart
and not the mind that heard.

RMK-2007