Ultimate Dad n Lad!

Bryan and I have been doing "Dad n Lads" for a long time now. We've done a number of events and outings: Bookstores, movies, video game nights, White Castle, Waffle House, Big Steaks, the mall, concerts, Moe's, Pet Stores, etc. Just to name a few.

Tuesday night was yet another Dad n Lad...we went to the Yum Center in Louisville to see Rush. Our faces were rocked off...we high-fived, cheered, yelled and screamed. Great night! Great concert! I hope I'm kicking like these guys when I'm sixty!

Beezer...I love you...hope we go to more concerts like this! I just love spending time with you.

Saturday, March 26th

Here's the run down of a Saturday in the Prosser household:

9:00am Woke Up! (This is an absolute rarity! Ellie is typically an early riser and I usually don't sleep past 8am on "sleep-in" days)
9am - 10:30am Let the laziness begin. Laid in bed, played with Ellie, watched home improvement shows, Sportscenter.
10:45am Took shower
11:00am More laziness
11:30am Ate lunch...peanut butter and strawberry jelly
11:45am Read, dozed off
12:30pm Played with Ellie
1:00pm Woke Bryan up...typical Saturday wake up for him
1:15pm More playing with Ellie
2:15pm Went to Lexington to meet up with the Osborne's
3:00pm Hung out with Doug, Michelle and Bella
Made Christmas cookies (tradition!), ate, watched NCAA
Played PS3, Frosted cookies, ate cookies
Continued to hang out with some lifelong great friends!
9:00pm Headed home, back to Richmond!
9:30pm Home, Chilling out
11:00pm Good-night!

My kind of weekend!

March Madness-Schmadness...

Dang I'm still kinda bumming over my Cards losing to Morehead State last Thursday. I mean come on Morehead St? One thing about the NCAA tournament...anybody on any given day can beat anybody. Nuff said!

Until next season!

Another one bites the dust...

First there was Marquette...

Last night...it was sweet revenge on Notre Dame...

Go Cards!

March Madness

The madness has begun and it is March. If you know me or follow this blog, you know that I'm a pretty BIG Louisville Cardinal fan. Lot of folks ask why...well, that's where I grew up...my first Cardinal basketball game was with my dad when I was nine years old, I have great memories that go all the way back to 1980 when the Cards one their first NCAA title.

This basketball season Holly and I have had a ball watching the games (no pun intended!). We don't miss too many of them...the ones we can't watch, we are either listening on the radio or following them on our phones. We're big fans! Football and basketball!

The Cards are in the semi-finals tonight of the Big East Tournament. After routing Marquette last night...they'll meet up with Notre Dame tonight. Ought to be a good one.

The Big East Tournament is always held at Madison Square Garden in NY City. We have always wanted to go to the tournament...thinking of doing so next year. We'll see...

In the mean time here's some pics of our basement...one side is a media / TV room...the other side is the Cardinal den. Again, we're BIG fans!

Go Cards!

Baptism

One of the many exciting things that I get to be a part of as a pastor is baptism. Over the years I have had the privilege and honor to baptize many...I really wish I kept a record of these from day one.

I'll never forget my first baptism. I was serving as the youth pastor at Broadway Baptist church in Lexington, KY and one of our youth made had become a believer and wanted to be baptized. His name was Chad and he stood 6 feet, 4 inches...a tall, lanky teenager.

To prepare for my first baptism I thought that I needed to practice, so I called my good buddy Andy Eldeen (he stood 5 feet, 11 inches). On a Saturday night before Chad's baptism I practiced at the church with Andy. I think I dunked him at least ten times that night! Dude, there will be some extra jewels in that crown for that! But it was so helpful...they don't teach you these things at seminary!

Everything went very well the next day...it was such an honor to baptize Chad. I remember being so nervous, I didn't want to screw this up. But the important thing is that Chad followed in the footsteps of Jesus and publicly shouted to the world that he belonged to God.

Since that day I've baptized many...and I'll tell you this, every time that I have the opportunity, it is such a humbling experience to be a part of. I will never take those moments for granted...I'll always celebrate baptism.

Some of those that I've baptized since Chad??
-My son Bryan...can you say emotional?!
-Robert Coffey, one of my best friends in the world
-Husbands and wives together...
-Hundreds of teenagers as their youth minister...
-Children...
-College Students...

Talk about a pastor perk! For me it's a very moving moment that I pray I'll never, ever take for granted.

The things we take for granted

Take ten minutes and watch this video of a community of Christians who are recieving the New Testament Bible for the very first time.

It's my prayer that I would thrist after scripture like these people are doing.

New Revelation

Ever read a familiar story in the Bible...thinking you've heard every angle, commentary, and study??

I was reading this morning in John 21...when Jesus appears to His disciples for a third time and restores Peter. I had a NEW REVELATION moment as I studied and read. Saw some things I've never seen before...things that make sense about a relationship with God through His Son Jesus.

I love moments like that. Reminds and encourages me to be in the word more. Reminds me of what Hebrews 4:12 says.

Have any new revelations in scripture lately...hope so!

My little boy is 3 and 3/4's today

How is this so? He was born February 29th, 1996. Yep, a Leap Day baby! Early when Bryan was old enough to rememeber celebrating his birthday, he didn't like the fact that he wouldn't always have a exact day to celebrate...just every four years.

But as he got older...he began to dig this.

I've always told him that he could drive when he was four.

At four-and-a-half he would be "legal" and be able to vote.

When he is five-and-a-quarter he would be considered an "adult."

At age of six...he might even be married! Maybe!

Anyhoo...today, he's unofficially 15...my little boy is 15!!

His gift from his mom and I...two tickets to go see RUSH in concert during Spring Break at the KFC Yum Center. And yes, one of those tickets is for me. This will be a pretty cool dad and lad night.

Love you Beezer! You make me proud just because you're our son!

The Amazing Race

You have ONE minute to audition in front of the camera as to why you should be on The Amazing Race. No re-dos, or start overs...one minute!

On Friday me and my buddy William stood in line for 8 hours to audition. We met some really cool people from all over the place (mainly from KY)...we practiced just a little as to what we would say...we mainly stuck to our guns in not rehersing it to the "T". We wanted to make it sound very natural.

Our angle?? We used the fact that William played college football at Clemson University and me being a pastor from a small town. We also did the whole Ebony and Ivory schitck! He's black and I'm white, get it?

Don't know if we'll get called back...would LOVE to do this show. But hey, if we don't, at least we tried...and in the end have made some really cool memories.

We tried out last year for the show by sending in a DVD along with a huge application. Here's the video we used.

I'll let you know what happens.

The Amazing Race

Tomorrow me and my good bud William are headed up to Florence, KY for a casting call for The Amazing Race.

We've been fan of the show for years...William and I sent in info last year, did a video and everything.

We'll have ONE MINUTE to share with producers why we should be on the show.

I'll let you know how it goes!

Missing it...

I love the church that I serve...we've been at First Baptist Richmond for almost twelve years now. Mentors in my life have always said there were great rewards to longevity in ministry. In particular staying at one place for a long period of time. I have found this to be true at FBC...again, I love the people in this place.

I've watched our church change in a lot of different ways...some of those changes were embraced, some not so much embraced, but endured. And not just change for the sake of change, but change as to our overall mission as a church. And that's a good thing! Because to me our overall mission as a church is to be like Jesus in everything that we do. Read scripture...He was all about doing life different and it involved a lot of change. Jesus was all about elevating His Father.

But some people just miss that. They miss the "being like Jesus" part. They miss the part that those who don't know Jesus really don't give a flip about church politics and our own personal agendas.

It's sad that some believers miss this. It has made for some interesting conversation that I have no problem engaging in...I pray to be able to be a change agent when I have those kinds of conversations.

I think Psalm 115:1 sums it up pretty well...

"Not to us, LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness."

Daddy/Daughter Dance

Last Saturday night me and Ellie went to the Daddy/Daughter Dance at Trinity Christian School in Lexington. She wore a beautiful black and red dress...I even broke out in a suit and tie...after all this was a dance.

We had a great time together...she soaked up every bit as it looked very princess like with all the decorations and lights. Ellie loves watching princess movies as I too have learned to enjoy! She loves to mimic some of the princesses...even down to how they dance. She did that at the dance...holding her little dress to the side and instructing me exactly how to hold my hand. It was a sweet moment that I'll never forget.

We did all the basic dances to songs that you would expect to hear. The YMCA, You make me want to Shout song, even did the hokey pokey!

We sipped on lemonade and ate little cakes together. It was a very memorable night with my girl.

Hapy Valentines Day

I have told folks that everyday is Valentines day with my Valentine. I get the usual response of "ughhhh" or "awwwww" or the gag-me-with-a-spoon reaction. That's okay...it's just because they're jealous!

I love my Hollybird...she's been my valentine a long time.

Where are you Spring?

I know it's February...it's supposed to be cold and snowy, you know wintery!

We've had LOTS of snow thus far...tonight it's supposed to get down to 11 degrees!! I don't do cold weather very well.

It wasn't always this way...my feelings and dislike with cold weather that is. Back in 2001 I lost 40+ pounds and I'm pretty sure that's when I started really disliking winter and cold weather. I guess I lost some of my fat lining or something like that.

At least March is right around the corner. In the mean time I'll dress warm.

2123rd Homecoming

December 2009 the 2123rd National Guard Transportation Unit had a farewell ceremony at Madison Central High School in Richmond, KY. I remember sitting there watching these 150 men and women preparing to say good-bye to their loved ones as they traveled to Afghanistan for a year. I remember lots of tears being shed...numerous last hugs...and just a lot of sad faces.

I remember watching and listening to a soldier tell his little boy and girl, "Daddy loves you...I'll talk to you on the computer soon." After that I'm turning away because I'm in tears. Dang, I can't imagine what that is like...and I really don't wish to find out.

This past Friday was the homecoming...after being gone a year...after losing one of their fellow soldiers...after being under attack several times and wounded...family and friends lined up for a serious homecoming.

Our church had the privilege to host this homecoming...throughout the year when the 2123rd was away we had an ongoing relationship with their families who met at First Baptist each month for support.

Three huge buses pulled up...families had already started storming the bus that their loved one was on. And then it was nothing but hugs, tears (a different kind!), 'hooting and hollering', the beginning of a homecoming celebration.

I hope we will be able to continue this relationship with the 2123rd for future homecomings. It was a GREAT time...a very patriotic time...I was proud of these men and women...it was a good day.

Newport Getaway!

Last weekend Holly and I got away for two days of:
-No Children
-No Schedule
-No Alarm Clocks
-No Agenda (uh, well...maybe a hidden agenda!)
-No Cat walking around the bed at 2am
-No little girl waking up at the CRACK of dawn coming to let us know, "I'm up!"
-No Responsibility for anything work related
-No little drummer boys drumming
-No BIG decision making
-No worries!
-Spent four hours at the IKEA store after thinking we'd just browse through a bit
-Sipped on lots of coffee
-Slept in late (8am!!! That's late for us!)
-Went to the movies...saw 127 Hours...good flick!
-Ate some great seafood at Joe's Crab Shack
-Played video games and won cheap prizes for our kids
-Shopped at the Florence Mall
-Followed the Cards beating UCONN in the food court with our phones...I think I hit the refresh button at least 250 times!
-Took our time...savored every minute...love spending time with my wife!

I'm sure I'm missing a few...all in all it was a great get away. Like I said in my last post, married couple MUST do this from time to time. I'm looking forward to our next get away...

Working for the weekend

Tomorrow after work Holly and I are getting out of town for a few days. Mom is coming down to take care of Bryan and Ellie. We've been trying to have get-aways at least 2-3 times a year.

I'm convinced you have to have times like this to keep a marriage solid and focused. I've seen too many couples who are just struggling with their marriage. I know there are a wide range of reasons for the struggles, but I think one reason is because couples have forgotten how to communicate with each other. They've forgotten how to communicate why they got married in the first place...love.

I realize in a family there are lots of "hats" being worn by husbands and wives...work and schedules sometimes get overwhelming. Even when you are home together as a family, needs of our kiddos override the needs of the husband and wife.

So that's why we carve out weekends like this. And you have to do just that...carve out time. Plan ahead and schedule it, because there will always be something else that will take its place.

I love weekends like this with Holly. We have undivided time for one another...no schedule, no kids, no demands, just time one on one.

He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.
Proverbs 18:22

Birthdays and mom

We went up to the Ville this past Saturday to visit with family. Mom's birthday was last week, my nephew Aaron's is this week...so we did us some celebrating at the Olive Garden.

Always love visiting with my family...Jim, Lisa and mom have this beautiful ski-lodge type home they built...fireplace and all. It's just nice and cozy.

We have always enjoyed eating out together...typically mom picks up the tab, but not this time! But we will allow her to continue...if she wants ;)

Cardinal Basketball

So we are in full swing of NCAA b-ball. As a fan of all kinds of sports, I'm thinking college basketball is becoming my favorite. Especially watching the Louisville Cardinals.

A young team this year...just one senior. Lot's of talent and sort of a rebuilding year. Coach Pitino seems to be a little more focused than last and for obvious reasons. As of now they are experiencing some injuries of key players, but they are playing well. So who knows...maybe come March they could make a decent run.

Highlight of the new Cardinal season is the new stadium. Dang it's purty! Holly and I got to go to a game back in December with some good friends. The outside of the Yum Center matches the inside! Incredible!

Wonder who is paying for that place??

Anyhoo...Go Cards!

Baby it's cold...

The snow started last night...woke up to at least two inches and some stinking cold weather. It's like single digit cold. I'm not wired as a cold weather person...I would prefer it to be 80-90 degrees all day everyday. Holly on the other hand would prefer snow and cold all day everyday.

I can't imagine living somewhere when the temperatures are sub degree everyday. It's gotta be a totally different kind of a lifestyle.

Forecast for the next week...COLD. No 80-90 degree weather in sight.

Grab the snuggie.

Looking back...

It's been like months since a post.
Have contemplated not blogging anymore.
It's all Facebooks fault :)
But then I start looking at posts from years back...
It's like reliving some of the moments...
I've missed that...
so...
I think I'll start blogging again!