Yeah, I am starting to think I'd like an iPod. As much as I preach against materialism... ("iPreach"?)
Anyhow, I'm blog-happy today. Haven't written a journal in a while, so I've had them all stored up in me.
Life is great. Just returned to Delaware from a few days in Akron, and it was great to see some of our friends and family. We ate at Pancho's three times, and it probably wasn't enough. Love that place!
Visited The Chapel several times. Jennie, Allison and I enjoyed being at their staff meeting and lunch. They prayed for us and asked for an update on life and ministry here in Delaware.
The update went something like this: "We are really enjoying a great start at Delaware Grace Brethren. We love the church, the community, and the connections we've made already. It's starting to feel like home. Gary likes preaching, Jennie likes being at home with Allie and meeting new friends, and Allie likes to eat crackers and clap her hands on purpose!"
The prayer request went something like this: "Pray for our church as we are getting many visitors and new attenders. Pray for opportunities to connect with people in the community. Pray as we are going through the process of defining our core values, mission, and vision of the future for our church."
Wow - as I'm typing this, a couple of young people from our church came in to deliver the Girl Scout Cookie Thin Mints I ordered! Gotta love it!
Note: The picture with this article comes courtesy of Josh Smith. Josh is a longtime friend and entrepreneur for Gitgan.com. Gitgan is now the host of GaryandJennie.com, and he's done much of the design for my site pages as well. Anyhow, dude has an iPod and he's just showing it off. Where can I get one of those things?
The iPod Shuffle looks cool as well. Would I really use it? Please feel free to comment on that. Would I really use an iPod?
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
Legacy...
Though Allison might lose the Underwood name when she gets married, she carries the Underwood legacy.
While I'm busy trying to figure out what my personal legacy and life-impact is going to be, there's no question about the legacy of the man sitting behind Allison in the picture.
That's my Dad, Jack D. Underwood. A faithful leader in his family, in friendships, and at church, my Dad has had immense influence on my life.
If I show my wife half the respect and love that my dad showed to my mom, Jennie will be incredibly blessed.
If I show my church half the loyalty and servant-minded effort that my dad has shown people at his church, God will be pleased.
If I show my daughter half the grace, support, encouragement, and friendship that my dad has shown me for the past 30 years, I will have done his legacy proud.
I was glad to get to spend some good time with him over the past week, but today is another one of those special days.
Happy Birthday, Dad!
Thanks for loving God and loving people and always seeking to stand for what's right. Thanks for praying for me and for showing me what a real husband and real father looks like. Thanks for always believing in me, and saying I could do it.
I remember that feeling of telling some neighbor kids that my dad could beat up their dad. The more grown-up version of father-pride has me saying that I hope I become more like him.
While I'm busy trying to figure out what my personal legacy and life-impact is going to be, there's no question about the legacy of the man sitting behind Allison in the picture.
That's my Dad, Jack D. Underwood. A faithful leader in his family, in friendships, and at church, my Dad has had immense influence on my life.
If I show my wife half the respect and love that my dad showed to my mom, Jennie will be incredibly blessed.
If I show my church half the loyalty and servant-minded effort that my dad has shown people at his church, God will be pleased.
If I show my daughter half the grace, support, encouragement, and friendship that my dad has shown me for the past 30 years, I will have done his legacy proud.
I was glad to get to spend some good time with him over the past week, but today is another one of those special days.
Happy Birthday, Dad!
Thanks for loving God and loving people and always seeking to stand for what's right. Thanks for praying for me and for showing me what a real husband and real father looks like. Thanks for always believing in me, and saying I could do it.
I remember that feeling of telling some neighbor kids that my dad could beat up their dad. The more grown-up version of father-pride has me saying that I hope I become more like him.
Feeding Update...
Allie likes crackers. She's eating baby food with rice in it.
When she wants more, she simply shouts, "Aaaah!"
She likes pears, peaches, blueberries, and sweet potatoes.
She doesn't like lemon. She doesn't like snickets either.
When she wants more, she simply shouts, "Aaaah!"
She likes pears, peaches, blueberries, and sweet potatoes.
She doesn't like lemon. She doesn't like snickets either.
Just like Dad?
When I was a kid, watching for the bus out the front window... I would pass the time by making silly faces in the mirror.
That explains all the facial contortions I produce in a desperate effort to ruin just about every picture that anyone takes of me. Gotta love it. It's an only child thang, you wouldn't understand.
Then again, if you were an only child, you'd probably understand. Unless of course, you didn't make faces in the mirror.
My kid does that. 'Nuff said.
That explains all the facial contortions I produce in a desperate effort to ruin just about every picture that anyone takes of me. Gotta love it. It's an only child thang, you wouldn't understand.
Then again, if you were an only child, you'd probably understand. Unless of course, you didn't make faces in the mirror.
My kid does that. 'Nuff said.
A Full Life...
Meet John & Jamie Fuller, along with their kids Chloe, Claire, and Jack.
John - or "J.P." - and I have history back to junior high, and I've known his wife Jamie for a few years now.
Jennie and I had the chance to reconnect with them during our time in Akron, and enjoy some tasty Parasson's pizza.
God has blessed us immensely through their friendship, and it is awesome to see him blessing their family as well. Their newborn, Jack, is absolutely beautiful, and Allie is hoping he'll call her soon.
Note to Jack Fuller... there ARE other guys out there (Caden Bahry, Turner Burns, Logan Jeffries, Noah Sommers, Isaac Spelman and Jack Ostovic - for starters...)... so you might want to start sending flowers right away.
John - or "J.P." - and I have history back to junior high, and I've known his wife Jamie for a few years now.
Jennie and I had the chance to reconnect with them during our time in Akron, and enjoy some tasty Parasson's pizza.
God has blessed us immensely through their friendship, and it is awesome to see him blessing their family as well. Their newborn, Jack, is absolutely beautiful, and Allie is hoping he'll call her soon.
Note to Jack Fuller... there ARE other guys out there (Caden Bahry, Turner Burns, Logan Jeffries, Noah Sommers, Isaac Spelman and Jack Ostovic - for starters...)... so you might want to start sending flowers right away.
"Sweet Cheekie"
I love Allie's cheeks. She's got a great sense of humor, and great cheeks. Her nicknames include the aforementioned "Sweet Cheekie," "Cheeky Beaky," "Cheekers," and "Baby Cakes."
No Comment...
Some pictures are worth a thousand words. Some are just strange. These are my friends Dan Bahry and Jeff Cooper, along with Coop's newborn, Olivia (playing the part of 'a football.')
Good Kid.
Well, she's 8.5 months old already, and Allison just spent a few days in Akron. Her first night there consisted of posing for about 57 pictures with the grandparents. Actually, I was the one taking pictures, as she rolls around, does push-ups, and pulls herself up onto things. No crawling yet. As they never say, "You gotta learn to roll before you learn to crawl."
Monday, February 14, 2005
Cast your vote!
Since Derrak Ostovic was able to post a poll on his own family website, for friends and family to guess when baby Jackson will actually arrive (due Feb. 20), I thought I'd try my hand at posting a poll. Mine doesn't look as cool as his yet, but I'll figure it out - mark my words.
Sunday, February 13, 2005
Two babes, one picture!
I am a truly blessed individual. I have a great wife who loves me, loves God, and laughs at just about anything I say. She doesn't laugh at everything I write, though. Sometimes, after I write an entry on our webpage, she's like, "What? I can't believe you wrote that! That's not really true."
That's the problem with the internet, though. People think that stuff is true just because it's on some webpage, but you never really know.
That's the problem with the internet, though. People think that stuff is true just because it's on some webpage, but you never really know.
Lots of Love...
Allie is so much fun. And she seems to love us even when we have big, bright red spots on our foreheads. What a great kid!
Scroll down for more pics from this weekend...
Scroll down for more pics from this weekend...
Smiley Girl!
Soon, she'll be crawling. She likes to sit up, lean forward, and rock back and forth on her knees.
We're amazed and grateful for her happy disposition. If she's ever cranky or crying, it's only because she's tired or hungry.
She takes after her mom that way.
Actually, I forgot - she does cry at other times. Like when you take a toy away from her. I don't know if it's just separation anxiety or the spoiled only child thing.
She gets both of those things from her dad.
Seriously, though, for the most part this picture describes her personality.
We're amazed and grateful for her happy disposition. If she's ever cranky or crying, it's only because she's tired or hungry.
She takes after her mom that way.
Actually, I forgot - she does cry at other times. Like when you take a toy away from her. I don't know if it's just separation anxiety or the spoiled only child thing.
She gets both of those things from her dad.
Seriously, though, for the most part this picture describes her personality.
Life of the Party!
How could you NOT love this girl? I just spent the last half hour watching Allison play with a toy block. She would lay on her back, hold the block up in the air, shake the block back and forth - all while smiling and laughing.
Then, of course - she'd drop the block, and it would be just beyond her grasp. She'd roll over onto her stomach, and try to reach for the block, but it's too far away. So she squeaks, smiles, kicks, rolls, adjusts... and stares at the block. Eventually, after tugging at a blanket, at her feet, and slapping herself in the stomach about 34 times, she finally winds up right next to the little block she dropped.
So she picks up the block, raises it high into the air with two hands, lets out a laugh and starts kicking as the game begins all over again.
Then, of course - she'd drop the block, and it would be just beyond her grasp. She'd roll over onto her stomach, and try to reach for the block, but it's too far away. So she squeaks, smiles, kicks, rolls, adjusts... and stares at the block. Eventually, after tugging at a blanket, at her feet, and slapping herself in the stomach about 34 times, she finally winds up right next to the little block she dropped.
So she picks up the block, raises it high into the air with two hands, lets out a laugh and starts kicking as the game begins all over again.
Saturday, February 05, 2005
survival mode...
this past week, I've had another one of my yearly battles with what a third doctor has called "Gastroenteritis." Lots of weak and upset stomach and other side effects. For whatever reason, I get it pretty strong when I get it, and it knocked me out for a few days here.
Fortunately, it's Saturday night, and I'm at the church finishing tomorrow's sermon. Yeah, I still feel like puke. But I am regaining strength, and thanks to my new pharmaceutical friend - Phenyrgin - I am starting to eat a little more than just the all-Sprite and Soup diet.
Four days of Chicken and Rice soup isn't all that bad, though. It's the Sprite that is starting to wear layers off my tongue. At least it stays in my stomach.
By now, you're wondering why you bothered to drop in on our website, right?
I find inspiration in God. He's given me a wonderful family, a calling and opportunity to serve, lead, and meet new challenges, and a growing desire to learn and learn.
I find inspiration in friends. While preparation for tomorrow's sermon about how faith in Christ is a "Journey we Share" together, I am so grateful that God has brought people into my life - at every single stage of life - to share this incredible, unpredictable, roller-coaster of life we share.
A hearty shout-out to friends who pick up the phone and call. I hate the fact that this sickness I've had made me cancel several meetings with people here this week, and put off a few phone calls I can't wait to make. I cannot wait to catch up.
After a few days out of commission, and now that I'm starting to - or at least really, really WANT to - feel better - it's a fresh reminder of just how great life can and should be. I guess three days with chicken soup and a bucket next to the bed make even the most mundane parts of life seem thrilling.
Tonight, I find inspiration in 80's music. I have to have music on when I study, or when I practice. The kind of music that stirs my heart. Sometimes, it's God music, and sometimes, it's just familiar music that I can listen do without even noticing.
I am not one of those people who believes there is "Christian" music and then there is "secular" music. God can use any song that brings out the good and challenges the evil in life. He doesn't need a Christian label or Michael W. Smith to speak. He can use Journey, Eddie Money, and Corey Hart. It's fine if you only shop at Cornerstone, Berean, or Lifeway - feel free. But there's just as much honest spirituality (sometimes more honest) in the works of U2, Evanescence, and countless others.
My first tape that I ever owned was Matthew Wilder's "Break My Stride." I think I also got a 1982 Michael W. Smith tape back then, but it doesn't remind me of my life as an eight year old the way Wilder does.
Another random thought... Don't you have songs that take you places? Take you to a certain time in your life? Take you to certain memories, lessons, challenges, victories in your life?
Is it fair to say that we "need" those kinds of songs?
For better or worse, some songs put me in the mood to write... make me sentimental... you know?
For that reason, I'm considering doing a "Soundtrack" for my life to this point. Pick my top 15 songs of all time, and even make an album cover and all that. Maybe even sell it on eBay (kidding!).
If you did an album like that, what songs would you pick? What would you want them to say about you? Would you pick your current favorites, or your all-time favorites? (Some of you are saying, what a colossal waste of time this would be!) Actually, it could be a great time of self-reflection on who you are and how far you've come.
-----
By the way, sorry for not updating the blog in a while. I hope there's still a writer inside me somewhere. Always something brewing and festering in my soul. Always something to share. Not because I think I'm worth hearing, but because I want to savor, improve, challenge the way I express myself. Blogging shouldn't feel like a drag. Play 80's music, and the words will come.
Well, I gotta jet. I hear another can of flavorless carbonation calling me. Or is that C&C Music Factory?
Fortunately, it's Saturday night, and I'm at the church finishing tomorrow's sermon. Yeah, I still feel like puke. But I am regaining strength, and thanks to my new pharmaceutical friend - Phenyrgin - I am starting to eat a little more than just the all-Sprite and Soup diet.
Four days of Chicken and Rice soup isn't all that bad, though. It's the Sprite that is starting to wear layers off my tongue. At least it stays in my stomach.
By now, you're wondering why you bothered to drop in on our website, right?
I find inspiration in God. He's given me a wonderful family, a calling and opportunity to serve, lead, and meet new challenges, and a growing desire to learn and learn.
I find inspiration in friends. While preparation for tomorrow's sermon about how faith in Christ is a "Journey we Share" together, I am so grateful that God has brought people into my life - at every single stage of life - to share this incredible, unpredictable, roller-coaster of life we share.
A hearty shout-out to friends who pick up the phone and call. I hate the fact that this sickness I've had made me cancel several meetings with people here this week, and put off a few phone calls I can't wait to make. I cannot wait to catch up.
After a few days out of commission, and now that I'm starting to - or at least really, really WANT to - feel better - it's a fresh reminder of just how great life can and should be. I guess three days with chicken soup and a bucket next to the bed make even the most mundane parts of life seem thrilling.
Tonight, I find inspiration in 80's music. I have to have music on when I study, or when I practice. The kind of music that stirs my heart. Sometimes, it's God music, and sometimes, it's just familiar music that I can listen do without even noticing.
I am not one of those people who believes there is "Christian" music and then there is "secular" music. God can use any song that brings out the good and challenges the evil in life. He doesn't need a Christian label or Michael W. Smith to speak. He can use Journey, Eddie Money, and Corey Hart. It's fine if you only shop at Cornerstone, Berean, or Lifeway - feel free. But there's just as much honest spirituality (sometimes more honest) in the works of U2, Evanescence, and countless others.
My first tape that I ever owned was Matthew Wilder's "Break My Stride." I think I also got a 1982 Michael W. Smith tape back then, but it doesn't remind me of my life as an eight year old the way Wilder does.
Another random thought... Don't you have songs that take you places? Take you to a certain time in your life? Take you to certain memories, lessons, challenges, victories in your life?
Is it fair to say that we "need" those kinds of songs?
For better or worse, some songs put me in the mood to write... make me sentimental... you know?
For that reason, I'm considering doing a "Soundtrack" for my life to this point. Pick my top 15 songs of all time, and even make an album cover and all that. Maybe even sell it on eBay (kidding!).
If you did an album like that, what songs would you pick? What would you want them to say about you? Would you pick your current favorites, or your all-time favorites? (Some of you are saying, what a colossal waste of time this would be!) Actually, it could be a great time of self-reflection on who you are and how far you've come.
-----
By the way, sorry for not updating the blog in a while. I hope there's still a writer inside me somewhere. Always something brewing and festering in my soul. Always something to share. Not because I think I'm worth hearing, but because I want to savor, improve, challenge the way I express myself. Blogging shouldn't feel like a drag. Play 80's music, and the words will come.
Well, I gotta jet. I hear another can of flavorless carbonation calling me. Or is that C&C Music Factory?
Thursday, January 20, 2005
Still a pulse?
This is probably the longest I've gone without writing a journal entry. We've been doing this website for almost a year now. Overall, it has been great fun - and will continue to be great fun - hearing feedback from people, and having people that I've unfortunately lost contact with say that they enjoyed our website! (Man, that was a really long sentence!)
Top ten things to blog about tonight, but I won't: (Not in any particular order)
1. Our recent trip to Akron, for the funeral of a father of a friend.
2. How Allison is getting even more fun, more cute, and more intellgent. She's entertaining herself in her "excer-saucer" as I write this.
3. Why I only like science fiction movies if they have some deep, meaningful point in them (as well as great acting).
4. Our latest efforts at "home improvement," including the two new rugs we got and how I haven't started painting our "Ohio State room" yet.
5. Delaware is starting to feel like home, I love our new church and the people, and I enjoy preaching on a weekly basis. We're doing a series called "Extreme Makeover," based on how Jesus can really change your life (mostly from Romans 12-15).
6. Jennie is currently at a bridal shower, and does a great job of taking care of Allie. She's also enjoying getting to know a lot of people down here and meeting some other moms.
7. My current favorite teams are: Ohio State, Ohio State, The Buckeyes, and hopefully soon - The Cleveland Browns. It will be great to see them get a new coach (please, Romeo Crennel) to go with their new great general manager, Phil Savage (hopefully no relation to Randy "Macho Man" Savage).
8. How it rains so much here in central Ohio that they almost had to "release the dam" just to make room for more rain. Last week, that would have flooded much of the town.
9. eHarmony.com keeps connecting people with the loves of their lives.
10. I smashed two mirrors on Sunday. Do you believe in 14 years of bad luck?
What if I smashed these mirrors on purpose - with a sledgehammer?
What if I don't believe in "bad luck"? Do I still get the 14 years?
If that's all true, I understand the suffering of Cleveland sports fans a little better. A lot of broken mirrors in that town, apparently. Hopefully the Cavs get some luck and keep Lebron James for the rest of his career.
Allison is a big Lebron fan.
Top ten things to blog about tonight, but I won't: (Not in any particular order)
1. Our recent trip to Akron, for the funeral of a father of a friend.
2. How Allison is getting even more fun, more cute, and more intellgent. She's entertaining herself in her "excer-saucer" as I write this.
3. Why I only like science fiction movies if they have some deep, meaningful point in them (as well as great acting).
4. Our latest efforts at "home improvement," including the two new rugs we got and how I haven't started painting our "Ohio State room" yet.
5. Delaware is starting to feel like home, I love our new church and the people, and I enjoy preaching on a weekly basis. We're doing a series called "Extreme Makeover," based on how Jesus can really change your life (mostly from Romans 12-15).
6. Jennie is currently at a bridal shower, and does a great job of taking care of Allie. She's also enjoying getting to know a lot of people down here and meeting some other moms.
7. My current favorite teams are: Ohio State, Ohio State, The Buckeyes, and hopefully soon - The Cleveland Browns. It will be great to see them get a new coach (please, Romeo Crennel) to go with their new great general manager, Phil Savage (hopefully no relation to Randy "Macho Man" Savage).
8. How it rains so much here in central Ohio that they almost had to "release the dam" just to make room for more rain. Last week, that would have flooded much of the town.
9. eHarmony.com keeps connecting people with the loves of their lives.
10. I smashed two mirrors on Sunday. Do you believe in 14 years of bad luck?
What if I smashed these mirrors on purpose - with a sledgehammer?
What if I don't believe in "bad luck"? Do I still get the 14 years?
If that's all true, I understand the suffering of Cleveland sports fans a little better. A lot of broken mirrors in that town, apparently. Hopefully the Cavs get some luck and keep Lebron James for the rest of his career.
Allison is a big Lebron fan.
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
Great Kid!
Allie really is a great kid. We are so blessed. She goes to sleep around 7-8pm, and wakes up at 6am.
Really, we are grateful. She's also a pretty happy baby, as this picture proves.
Really, we are grateful. She's also a pretty happy baby, as this picture proves.
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
Bank One!
Also joining the post-Christmas fun in Akron was Bank One investment banker Brian Hunt. It was great to catch up with Brian, who was visiting Akron from Chicago.
Brian has lived in Chicago since 1998 - can't believe it's been almost seven years! Feel free to send Brian an encouragement e-mail at brianrhunt@comcast.net.
Brian has lived in Chicago since 1998 - can't believe it's been almost seven years! Feel free to send Brian an encouragement e-mail at brianrhunt@comcast.net.
Since...
Since I posted a picture of me with Chadd, I better put something up of our better "halves"... (?)
Hanging Chadd...
Yesterday, Chadd Sommers and I posed for a picture in the midst of negotiating another blockbuster deal. Chadd and I have been friends since 8th grade, and he still can't beat me in basketball.
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