Get Organized

I don't know about you, but I love using the week after Christmas to read, relax and get organized. This past week I decided to tackle the filing drawer for our personal finances, house and cars. Our filing system, if you want to call it that, has served us well over the years, but it was in desperate need of a New Years "make over." You can click on the picture above to see a slide show documenting the process.

The filing system that I now use is from Julie Morgenstern's book, Organizing From The Inside Out. Two years ago I bought the book and gave it to Sharon on her birthday so she could help me organize my filing system at work. But that's another story! You can ask Sharon about that.

I find that Julie's filing system really works well for me. I have shared it with others who have also found it helpful. Here are some of the principles for a successful filing system:

• Break down your entire filing system into 3-5 categories that are easy to remember. For instance, at work I use Staff, Learning, Projects, Administration and Finances. At home on the filing drawer project I used Home, Auto and Finances.
• Assign each category a file color. This way you will know what category the file belongs to by just looking at the file. I didn't use the color coding on my home project as the file folders need to be special ordered. Instead, I used the file folder tabs to designate the file type - left cut for Home, center cut for Auto and right cut for Finances.
• Use the two ply filing folders. I like the Smead color folders for use at work. On my home I used the Pendeflex reinforced folders that I purchased from Office Max. The two ply folder lasts much longer. It's time to say "good-bye" to the dog eared folders in your file drawer!
• It's important to use a "straight line" filing system. This simple tip has been a big help to me. This helps you to quickly scan down the row of files to find what you are looking for. A staggered system makes it much harder to locate files and to add new file folders in the future.
• Once you have selected your categories and purchased your file folders you are ready for labeling. Invest in a good label maker. At church we use the Dymo LabelWriter 400. The Dymo is an awesome little product - I highly recommend it. You can purchase it for around $75 on sale at Office Max. You can purchase cheaper label makers for personal use. Neat, legible labels make it easy to find and file your folders.
• Lastly, you are ready to file the folders in your drawer. I recommend that you use a hanging file folder for each file. This allows you to space out your file folders in the drawer, making it easy to find and refile each folder.

There you have it. Now, what are you waiting for? Go and tackle your project! And of course, no system works if you don't work at keeping it up on a regular basis. The new year is just around the corner. Take the opportunity this year to get organized!

We Are Marshall

Sharon and I decided to take in a movie yesterday afternoon. It's a fun way to relax and unwind on a day off. About 500 people had the same idea, which meant that tickets to The Nativity Story were all sold out. Bummer. We quickly scanned the marquee to see what else was showing that we might be interested in. It came down to Charlotte's Web and We Are Marshall. And because We Are Marshall was being shown first, the choice was rather easy to make. We were not disappointed!

Let me first say that We Are Marshall is not a football movie. Yes, the movie takes place around the game of football. It starts off retelling the events on the fateful night of November 14, 1970 when 75 members of the Marshall University football team, coaching staff and boosters died in a fiery plane crash in West Virginia. The small city of Huntington, West Virginia and Marshall University struggle to recover from this incredible loss and devastation. You can learn more by watching this video that interviews some of the key people who are portrayed in the movie.

We Are Marshall is a movie about how to deal with guilt, loss, anger and broken dreams. It's about a university president who is willing to move beyond his own personal comfort zone, and in the process learns that there is a first time for everything. It's about a coach who loves his family and thought he just might be able to be helpful to a grieving community and university. It's about a father who struggles with anger and bitterness which causes additional personal pain and regretful mistakes. It's about teammates who learn that taking the field and competing is more important than winning.

If you go to the movie, bring some Kleenex along. You may need it!

Top 10 Blog Posts

It's that time year when everyone comes out with their Top 10 Lists for 2006. Not to be outdone, I've decided to assemble my Top 10 Posts for 2006. Family members have submitted their requests, but the final decision rested squarely on my shoulders! But I'm up to the task.

It's been hard to narrow the field down to 10. The following list reflects my favorite posts, not my favorite people or experiences over the year! My family is Number 1, no vote even needed there!

So here you have it, the Top 10 Posts for 2006 from my blog (listed in no particular order):

10. Creating Space ~ Reflecting Values
9. Forgiven
8. Once Upon A Time
7. Baseball At Its Best
6. Building Homes and Enjoying Life Together
5. The Old Man and the Computer
4. Who Speaks for Pluto?
3. Small Is Really Big
2. It Takes A Town
1. Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Pagel

So, there you have it. It was hard narrowing it down to 10 posts. 2007 promises to be a new year, with new experiences, new challenges, and new opportunities. I don't know what my year will bring, but I'm excited to find out.

Stop back often to check out what is going on in my corner of the world. And make sure that you let me know what is going on in yours!

Our Christmas Story

We returned this evening from celebrating Christmas with my father, two sisters and their families. I just love gathering together as family to celebrate the birth of Christ. We shared pictures and stories about the two weddings that have taken place in our family this past year, talked to my niece who will be moving to Cedar Rapids in January to attend Kirkwood, and of course, we enjoyed some good food! You can click on the picture above to see a slide show of our Christmas celebrations.

Our Christmas eve and Christmas day celebrations included these highlights:

• An incredible Christmas eve worship service at church.
• Christmas eve in Toledo with my family.
• The reading of the Christmas story. Jason had the honors this year.
• Christmas morning here at home.
• Sharon's "world famous" cinnamon rolls. I forget from year to year how fantastic they are, especially when they are eaten warm with a glass of cold milk!
• Opening Christmas gifts here at home. Jason, Josh and Jon surprised me with a burr coffee grinder this year. Thanks guys!
• Christmas dinner back in Toledo with my family. Thanks Randy and Robbin for hosting us again this year.
• A special "Christmas treat" arrived at our door on Christmas morning. Allyson Male delivered fresh, home made dinner rolls. Thanks Allyson, they were wonderful!

Christmas always helps me focus again on Christ and the things in life that are important. The years move on and the composition of our families change. But the story of Christ and His coming to earth is a story that never grows old. It's a story about a God who became flesh in order to redeem His creation. It's a love story of epic proportion. It's His story. And best of all, because of His grace, it's now my story. This is our Christmas story.

Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room

Christmas is my favorite time of year. I enjoy our Christmas tree, gift giving, family gatherings, the Christmas story, our Christmas eve worship service and Christmas carols. I never get tired of recalling the story of my Saviors birth. One of my favorite Christmas carols is Joy to the World. I especially enjoy verse one.

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

I like the third line - Let every heart prepare Him room. The Christmas season is all about creating space. Space in my heart for God; space in my calendar for family and friends; space in my schedule for reflection and worship.

I'm thankful that God made space for me. He came to earth as baby and died in my place so that I might have life. His invitation to all who are seeking is "Come." And He is now in heaven preparing a place for all who place their trust in Him.

I'm thankful that on the first Christmas the Inn Keeper created room in his stable for a young couple far away from home. I'm thankful that God longs to dwell among us, right in the middle of our human condition. And I'm thankful that the Spirit of God took up residence in my heart many years ago when I called out to Him in faith and trust.

To all my family and friends, I wish you a very joyous Christmas. Let me encourage you to make room in your heart for our Savior this Christmas season.

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12

Almost Too Good To Eat

What do you do on a Sunday evening for fun, entertainment, friendly competition and artistic expression? You bake and decorate Christmas cookies of course! Erin has distinguished herself as the Christmas Cookie Queen. Her artistic flair and creativity turn her cookies into "one of a kind" creations. They almost look too good to eat. Notice I said "almost!" You can click on the picture above to see a slide show of our cooking baking and decoration adventure.

So, what Christmas traditions do you and your family celebrate? Post your reply. Or better yet, drop by our home for a glass of cold milk and a Christmas cookie. Acquaintances get to look at the cookies free of charge. Friends get to hold a cookie. Close friends get to sample a cookie. And family and special guests get to eat a cookie. You know, these works of art almost look too good to eat!

Two Thumbs Up!

John Shadle, our Youth Intern, left today to return to Indiana. His internship is over but the impact of his life and ministry to the students at New Covenant live on. John is an awesome young man who God will certainly use. Here are some words and phrases that come to mind as I think about John - humble, transparent, servant, fun, easy to have around, loves sports, heart for God, genuine and a man of character.

Thank you John for investing in the lives of students at New Covenant during the past six months. And thank you for your involvement with Josh and Jon. We will pray for God's leading as you trust Him for the next phase of your journey. I know that you will be a blessing wherever you go.

John,we appreciate and love you. In the Pagel book, you are a "two thumbs up" kind of guy!

Get In The Spirit

We enjoyed the Get In The Spirit Christmas Concert at Linn-Mar High School last Saturday evening. We enjoyed the In Step and 10th Street Show Choirs, Christmas carol sing alongs, and various soloists and and choral groups. It was an incredible evening. You can click on the picture above to see a slide show of the individual and choral groups.

You can click here to see a slide show of the In Step Show Choir. You can click here to see a slide show of the 10th Street Show Choir. These are large slide shows and may take awhile to load on your computer. You can click on an individual photo to stop the show, then click on "Open photo in new window" to go to my online flickr account. You can then click on "All Sizes" above the photo in order to download an individual photo.

It was a wonderful musical evening. Jon played in the band for the show choirs, and Josh participated in the last ensemble that performed the Twelve and A Half Days of Christmas. Kudos to June Schmidt and the rest of the staff for developing such fine musicians. The Linn-Mar choral, band and orchestra departments all helped the full house get in the Christmas spirit!

A Surprise Visitor

Jason had a surprise visitor this weekend! Erin, his girlfriend, arranged to get a ride from Moody Bible in Chicago to Cedar Rapids on Friday morning. She enlisted our support to help her pull off this surprise visit.

Sharon told Jason that we needed to do some Christmas shopping at Westdale on Friday morning and asked him if he would like to join us for lunch around 12:45. Jason, never one to pass up a free meal, was all over the offer. So we arranged to meet him at his Starbucks store and then go out for lunch.

What Jason didn't know is that before meeting him for lunch, we picked Erin up at the Lemstone store on the southwest side. She hid in the back of our van and we made the short trip to pick up Jason.

Everything ran like clockwork except one small hitch. The store was busy when we arrived and Jason couldn't take his lunch break right away. That left Erin huddled in the back of our cold van for over 15 minutes! But it was well worth her wait to see the look of surprise on Jason's face as he open the back of the van. Jason's first comment was, "There's a person in here!" And then he realized that it was Erin! You can click on the picture above to see a short slide show of the surprise meeting.

We enjoyed a great lunch at Pancheros, retelling the whole story. And of course, we have enjoyed having Erin with us this weekend. She's a joy to have around. We will miss her when she returns to Chicago tomorrow. It's been a weekend to remember; a weekend full of surprises!

No More Tears

New Covenant hosted the Children's Candle Light Memorial Service this evening. December 10 has been designated by The Compassionate Friends as a day of world wide candle lighting for children who have died. Dennis Sharp helped organize the service in Cedar Rapids. You can click on the picture above to see a slide show of the event.

It was a very solemn moment as children's names were read and family came forward to light a candle in their remembrance. I was reminded anew that my Heavenly Father knows what it's like to loose a son. That I have a Savior who understands what it's like to experience loss. And that the pain and heart ache that I experience in this life point me to my real home in heaven, where all the longings of my heart will one day be fulfilled.

But in the mean time, we are left with the pain of unanswered questions and unrealized expectations. Tonight was a night of remembrance. We remembered the lives of children who have passed on before us. And we remembered that in the midst of our pain, we have a God who is with us. A God who weeps with us yet promises to one day wipe away every tear.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. Revelation 21:4

A White Elephant Christmas

The Sojourners Adult Bible Fellowship celebrated their Christmas Party tonight at Rick and Susan Kruchers home. We enjoyed a great time of fellowship, a bingo icebreaker game, a wide variety of good food and a fun white elephant gift exchange. You can click on the picture above to see a slide show of our evening.

It's great to have a group of friends to have fun with on a Friday evening. Laughter is good medicine for the soul! The UFO fiber optic lamp was the most popular gift, getting selected several times. It would be a great addition to any family room! Richard did a nice job of modeling it for us, only to have the lamp snatched from his possession. But Sharon Barrett-Kramer had the last pick and was able to recapture the treasured lamp.

Now it's true confession time. Sharon committed the cardinal sin of white elephant gift exchange. She left her gift at the Krucher's home when we left. It was an innocent oversight on her part, but an unpardonable offense just the same. Rick and Susan, I'm really sorry and apologize for Sharon's forgetfulness. We are guilty, please forgive us!

There is no snow on the ground yet this winter. But that didn't stop us this evening from celebrating a white elephant Christmas.

Community

Our Impact Group came to an end last night. We gathered in Clay and Christina's kitchen and dining room for a gourmet grilled salmon dinner. Clay fixed the salmon using his secret recipe; it was unlike any you have ever had! We then topped the meal off with an incredible chocolate cake that Robin made.

And oh yes, our study was good too! We finished up the Growing To Be Like Christ study book, discussing the last session on growing through suffering. We had a great time of sharing, praying, laughing and finished the evening by serving communion.

It's great being part of a small group for encouragement, study, prayer and accountability. In our diversity, we have experienced unity of heart. And over the course of the last eight weeks we have experienced a sense of genuine community.

Jesus Our Treasure

Pastor Gary and our choir, orchestra and drama team performed Jesus Our Treasure Christmas musical yesterday and twice today. The timeless Christmas story is told through the eyes of one of the shepherds, as told to his granddaughter. Kudos to Pastor Gary, Natalie Kaufman, and Darrin Crow for an outstanding performance. You can click on the picture above to see a slide show of the musical.

There is one more performance of the musical on Monday evening. The music is wonderful, the performances are outstanding and the story is compelling. God became a man and dwelt among us. It's the greatest story every told. The Christmas story is the reason we celebrate. He is our treasure!

Good-bye ~ Hello

Today we said good-bye to a faithful member of our family. Sharon and I drove our Geo Prizm down to the Sunline salvage yard on the southwest side this morning. It was a sad moment as I handed the keys and title over, knowing that we would never see our good friend again. More than likely, our '93 Prizm will be crushed flatter than a pancake and sold for salvage metal.

We hoped it wouldn't end this way. It was all so sudden, so final. We brought the Prizm home to our family in 1998. For the past eight years Ryan, Jason, and now Josh and Jon have been driving it to school and around town. We grew to love the little guy. He became part of our family. You can see pictures of him posing with Josh and Jon on the first day of school over the years by clicking on the picture above.

It all began to go south on a Wednesday morning, four fateful weeks ago. Josh and Jon were driving back home after helping serve breakfast at the HD Youth Center. Just as they began to turn left on 74th Street off of C Avenue, another driver pulled out without seeing them and broadsided our car. It was an ugly scene. Paint was scratched, metal was twisted beyond recognition, and critical system functions were disabled. I arrived on the scene shortly before the officer arrived to assess the damage.

I'm happy to say that no one was injured! But our little red Prizm had taken a hard blow, one that it couldn't recover from. It's not that it's health hadn't begun to fail before the accident - the air conditioner didn't work, the heater was not the best, the body had rusted through in several places, and the interior roof upholstery was sagging. The boys nursed the car back home, where we looked over the damage.

Subsequent discussions with specialists confirmed our fears that the injuries were fatal - the car was totaled! It was still driveable, but just barely. The boys got quite a few comments and glances when they drove down the road with the limping Prizm. We knew what we had to do. We needed to find another used car for our family.

With a rather generous insurance adjustment, I began our quest for a new family member. Ryan and Natalie's wedding and Thanksgiving put our plans on hold for several weeks. Finally on Monday, we found our new little compact in Coralville, a 2001 Nissan Sentra. It's mileage is rather high, but everything else checked out great. Josh drove down with me on Wednesday to pick it up.

Which brings us to today. I felt a small twinge of sadness as we drove away from Sunline this morning. Our Prizm has served us well. But as we drove away in our new Sentra, enjoying the nice sound system, the good heater and great road handling, my regret quickly turned to relief. After all, we were only leaving a car at the salvage yard, not a member of our family! And God had provided a new car for us. One, that by His grace, will provide us with many years of service and wonderful memories.

Today was a good day. Today we said good-bye to our old Prizm and hello to our new Sentra.