Tornado at the Point

First off, prayers and thoughts are with everyone affected by the Tornado(s) in the south.

With all of the reports around the U.S. about Tornadoes I can't help but think of a story from High School. One afternoon we all decided to go up for an afternoon of Raptor riding. It was a perfect afternoon, not too hot but a decent wind to keep things cool. As we started toward the Raptor it was a typical long line and people dressed like eachother with the matching shirts. We worked our way up to the top spot, ready to load into the shoulder harnesses. This is when things started to slow down. The group of us started to realize that we were alone. We looked behind us and the people that used to be standing there was quickly moving toward the stairs, apparently they were fearing the Raptor. However, the raptor wasn't the intimidator, we looked down over the railing to see a scene from King Kong. People were running and screaming like mad. They all had the same fearful look on their face as they turned their heads to look at the impending doom that was heading our way. In a slow motion turn, we all looked behind us back toward the coast of Cedar Point. Sure enough, barreling down at us was a very tall water tornado (spout). It wasn't playing around, it was heading right for us. With that unspoken "OH Sh#%" look we all took off down the stairs.

When we reached the bottom we started dipping and weaving in and out of people on our way to some kind of strong structure. The scariest part? As we ran past those picnic umbrella's they were being pulled into the sky like really big bottle rockets. The best part? We stopped and took the time to pose for a picture. The worst part? I don't remember who has those pictures. I remember Porter and I stopping and pointing at the Tornado, screaming faces in the background making the scene look almost unbelievable. We sprinted to our cars only to find out that there were 3 other water spouts making their way to the Point. Apparently water spouts love the magnum. Being 18 year old kids, we of course posed for more pictures with the spouts in the background. Below you will find the news report from that day.

We had fun with the situation, but there was defintely a real amount of fear there. I can't imagine the people of Alabama seeing the mile wide Tornado and the immense reality that it brings with it. Again, our thoughts and prayers are with everyone in 'bama. Roll Tide.

8.29.81

What does your birthday really say about you? I used this birthday calculator, you can too. Here are some of my highlights, I would love it if you responded with some of yours.

(click here)

My Birthday

Your date of conception was on or about 6 December 1980 which was a Saturday.

You were born on a Saturday
under the astrological sign Virgo.
Your Life path number is 11.

Your fortune cookie reads:
Love asks me no questions, and gives me endless support. Shakespeare

You are 935,682,879 seconds old.

Celebrities who share your birthday:

Michael Jackson (1958) John McCain (1936) Robin Leach (1941) Top songs of 1981 Physical by Olivia Newton-John Endless Love by Diana Ross & Lionel Richie Your lucky day is Wednesday. Your lucky number is 5. Your lucky dates are 5th, 14th, 23rd.Your opposition number(s) is 3. (makes sense because Charlie Frye was 3) Your birthstone is Peridot The Mystical properties of Peridot Peridot is used to help dreams become a reality. Then there is a link to see what your name says about you. That was interesting also. Maybe another post.

New Job

Awhile back you may have read a post I wrote about giving up coaching and a new journey that I would be embarking upon. My entire life as far back as I can remember, I wanted to be a head football coach. I loved the idea of leading young men in something I felt passionate about. I loved the idea of interacting with parents on almost a family level, both of us raising their son in a way. I loved the idea of the camaraderie among coaches and the fraternity you were a part of. I loved the idea of having the ability to make program decisions, the pressure that came with it included. I spent the last 7 years pursuing this dream. Every professional move I made was for this goal. Sitting through hours of interviews, answering to the best of my ability questions regarding program leadership. My favorite moment happened to be when I left my third interview and it was all but a done deal. I had done it, goal accomplished. Then my phone rang, and the superintendent said he had to go against his gut, because he was worried I was going to leave after success. Crash.

Imagine having a goal in front of you for your entire life, finally reach out for it and feel it in your fingers, only to have it slip out of your grip as you squeeze. It was here that my life changed forever.

The next months found me moving districts, jobs, and of course coaching assignments. I was now forced with a decision. Continue to pursue the dream I've had, fully knowing that I was back to square one, or find a new goal. I soon realized that my path was chosen for me, and it was pointless for me to fight it. Fast forward three years and here I sit about to explain how my goal was accomplished finally. No, I'm not going to be a head coach, I have come to grips (99% worth) with that being a goal that isn't for me. Instead, I'm becoming a head coach of a youth ministry. My official title will be Director of Youth Ministry at Northchurch in Lewis Center, OH. This provides everything I was looking for. A chance to work with not only guys but also girls about something I am passionate. It gives me the chance to work with parents in a family setting, both of us raising their son/daughter. I will have that camrarderie with fellow directors, pastors, and leaders. It provides me with the program decision making responsibility, pressure included. Most importantly it is not my goal, it's my goal with God's job description. I may not be calling the plays on a friday night, but there will come a time when a call I make will mean a heck of a lot more than a first down or a touchdown. Trust me, God can throw a better celebration party than the boosters.

It's with an immense amount of excitement and equal amount of fear that I jump into this new chapter of my life. I have a supportive wife and a daughter that can't speak her opinion yet, although I know it would be positive. I have a church family that is supportive with a core group of leaders, parents, and friends that will be an asset. I have a lead pastor that believes in me, and I don't forsee him calling me anytime soon saying that he is going against his gut because he's worried about me having success. We will fail, We will have success. We will hopefully do what God has intended, which I'm learning more about each and every day. So if you're a person that prays, throw a couple in Northchurch Student Ministry's direction. If you're not, throw us some good karma or sour patch kids, your call. It's about to be a heck of a ride....as my buddy McDonough says, which type of person are you?

1. A person that should have done more when they had the chance.

2. A person that wishes they did more, but waited for others to do it.

3. A person that just gets sh*t done.

Option 3 please.