Saturday Shout Outs!

Greetings and Salutations (or as we say in good ole NC, "Howdy Ya'll!") and welcome to another edition of Saturday Shout Outs!  We've got lots of ground to cover and a lot of people to shout out at to, so let's get started!

*  Today is my son Will's 16th birthday.  Hard to believe, huh?  He and his mom went to Disney World yesterday to celebrate, and today he is practicing with his high school drumline all day.  For those who haven't heard, he made snare drum for this upcoming season.  We'll do a big dinner tonight and see Harry Potter 7.5 after church and Moe's tomorrow, so we're just making a weekend of celebrating!  Please feel free to leave him birthday wishes in the comment section at the bottom of the page.  He's a great kid and I could not be more proud of him!!!
*  Amber Herrick (FUMC-Kissimmee) is the proud new owner of a house in the Nashville, TN area.  The date for the house warming party to which we will all be invited has yet to be set...
*Ashley Goad Broadhurst (Springfield Friends Meeting) began a new chapter in her life this week as she took over as the administrator of Solar Under the Sun, a ministry of the Presbyterian Church.  To learn more abut what Ashley is up to, check out their website at http://www.solarunderthesun.org/default/ or follow them on Twitter @solarundersun.  Most importantly, being praying for Ashley and this great ministry.

Lisa & I in NYC, 2003

*  Marilyn and I have had a blast over the past couple of weeks reconnecting (and eating!) with our dear friend Lisa Jewett (Wesley Memorial UMC).  It was 5 years in-between visits, but it's like nothing ever changed.  I am SOOO happy to have Lisa back in my life, and so thankful to have so many friends who love us no matter what!  You guys are the best!
*  Keep praying for all of our pregnant youth group alumni!  Jennifer Minnigan Kuramochi, Lisa Kraus Spires, Erin Augenblick Shannon and Lindsey Joiner Bennett (all FUMC-K) would appreciate it! And if you know of others please let me know!
*  I've passed 1,525 Twitter followers now, and I have met some great people along the way.  I'm talking about you, Jason Huffman and Angie Battle!
*  I have started messing around with the new Google+ social network and have already hooked up with friends like Jamie Robinson (Springfield), Brook Teoli Phelps (FUMC-K), Christie Weatherby, Cindy Holmon and Eric Hendrickson (Twitter).  If you are giving it a try, look me up.  I go by the alias "Carl Jones."  Tricky, huh?  :)
*  I've been trying to make lunch plans with Travis Aiken (Wesley Memorial) and maybe even Philip Meile (also WMUMC, and I'm guessing at his last name- never did learn how to spell it.  He even goes by Philip M on Facebook.  Maybe he doesn't know either...).  I do love connecting with former students!
*  It sounds like I will get to visit with Wayne & Janet Cook (FUMC-K) in a couple of weeks when they come down to St. Pete for some vacation.  Wayne pastors a church up in the Panhandle these days.  Always love to talk "church" with Wayne...
*  And finally, I'm taking a little survey.  What is your favorite animated Disney film, not counting the Pixar stuff?   Mine is The Lion King.  Please leave yours in a comment!


So there we go.  Hope you are all well and that you have a great weekend.  See you tomorrow when I tell you the Parable of the Grape...


Because of Jesus,