This stupid thing pasted my article without capitalization.. so I'm sorry if it bothers you.. but I'm not changing it.  I've been living pretty much xanga-less. trying to post again will take some warming up.
             Having the hope singers in late August - early September was a trip. it was an exceptional time touring to some quite exceptional places, and the group? Yep, they were pretty much exceptional! it was one of the best experiences I've had musically, which is a pretty big thing for me.
              Right now I am starting a new job - teaching at the biggest language school in Poland! I didn't know that until my first day there. so far it has been absolutely great, but i know the initial exciting stages will wear off. If it is anything like last year, i am sure god has got some things he is planning to teach me in the experience, and not all of them will be fun to learn. if you think of me this year please pray for me.. pray that i would really care about the lives of my students, that i would see them not as just another group of youngsters that i've gotta teach for the next 45 min., but as people god cares very much about. i need love for them - right now it means that i can't consider myself primarily the star of the show but just a person who gives love and care - i need this love - it isn't natural for me. i naturally enjoy being the center of attention, and in my case i get to be that for two days a week this whole month!!  goody goody, yippee kayay! i will be having new classes this whole month - it means i'll be teaching something like 500 students, and for them, having a new teacher from america who is a native speaker of english is.. like, wow. it also means i haven't had any problems with attention or actually, with behavior in general :) :) reality check. the year is not over! i feel a need of prayer; could you commit to praying for me if you think of me this year? thank you.
         in other news, leroy schwartz arrived over a month ago, and we told robin soukup goodbye last sunday. robin, you've been a great inspiration to me. notice i wrote that in past perfect which means it has a continuing effect. I am so thankful for the year we "roomed" together in the cabin of cabins.. rapped while we made supper, howled like wolves at the moon, patrolled when people acted like they were starting a fight, honked at the rr crossing button pusher, (a tradition that lives on) biked 270 km in three days (the 72 km ride in 3 hours will never fade from my memory.. the screaming leg muscles, the incredible and rare sensation of going downhill, seeping and eventually crystallizing sweat, riding in each others' air cushion, buying snacks from the friendly folks and devouring them in "that town.. I don't remember long polish town names!" And then we had that strange experience of feeling pushed along in the last several kilometers.. the feeling that something supernatural was propelling us. i forget who spoke up about it first, but we noticed it at about the same time. the whole trip won't fade from my stash of precious memories.
    you and i have sung together in so many places.. wow was it exciting to produce/experience the overtone! it was interesting, to say the least, to experience singing in cathedrals, watching the reaction of the priests and talking to them, and worshiping there. there were so many times when i got to watch you taking the initiative, man, going for it, blasting away, even though you knew you would make mistakes, and i received so much from those experiences. Best wishes, Robin! You are a true friend.
           to our new arrival, Leroy Schwartzkopf! I want to say that i am so happy you are here. i've been looking forward to you coming ever since i saw you here last year..something told me you'd be back...my hopes weren't up too high but there was always that glimmer of faith :)) leroy is not a high strung person although he is a biker who misses his suzuki. he surprises you with a double whammy sometimes though.. kinda knocks you off your feet. he's a super friend and has a heart for people that comes through when you talk to him. he's also got an incredibly infectious laugh.. i like to try to make him laugh just so i can hear it... . Leroy may intimidate you with his tall stature and muscular build, as well as his looks... someone told him he looks like a member of the spanish inquisition. He built the chimney on Johns house.. man when i was looking in the attic today I was amazed at what it must have taken to cut through a rafter and brace it, and lay those blocks in that tight space. Way to go man! I am really pleased to have the chance to be with you here.

If you want to see my pictures I've posted some of our trip to Munich on picasa here: http://picasaweb.google.com/keepitreal9
So my picasa site is really outdated, and its telling on my lack of care. I'll try to post more recent pics as soon as I get time.. some fine day!!

Post a comment, don't commit a read 'n run!

Take care all. Peace. Over and out.
Eric

Why do you post on your website/xanga sit/facebook site/etc ? This question has been on the back burner of my mind for awhile... and now its comin out. I'd like to hear some response from you... The first person to come up with a reason that strikes me as really good upon reading it, will get a , will get a... um , a free e-card.. oh maybe you didn't want that. Hmm.. But think about it. I'd love to hear from you.

  True greatness... what is it really? What does it feel like to be truly great? Do you know how great you are or doesn't that matter anymore? One thing is certain... there is no way the greatness of a human will ever approach one percent of the greatness of God... Its almost foolish to even use percentage because greatness is so much more than can be measured, but it contributes to the point. Reading the story of Gladys Aylward, a missionary to China, leaves me wishing for the kind of greatness I fancy I see in her story, and wondering what her secret was. I know these desires can lead one into pitfalls, but I want to live a life that is like that. Why? It is very hard to say precisely why. The pat answer is "for the glory of God." And that's what I want to be my answer, but at this point it isn't. Yet I let the story of this great missionary, and many others who have been only servants of the most high, and have accomplished some amazing things, point me to Christ and impact the way I live every day.

 

Here are some pics of life in Poland...

Haddassah (my niece!) babysitting Samantha.(Roy and Elizabeth Yoder's girl)

A church (actually cathedral) that hosted a concert we attended in Warsaw. Marvy!

They really welcomed me! This is Haddassah, Analiese, 'n Caleb. They're
the best. I really wish I had a pic of the whole team when they came
to pick me up at the airport!!!!

Roy Yoder, the great builder from WV, who came to help build
John's house. He's been doing a great job so far!! Here he's
working on shelves for Lavern's pantry. Immediately after I snapped
the photo, he pipes up, "I don't pose!!" Ha!

If you, my friend, haven't got a prayer card and really want one,
I'll get one to you. The image is a bit sharper in real life!!