Finishing the Novel

on the home stretch of the novel. I am going to top the 50,000 word mark in a day or two and hopefully the story will be complete sometime in the next week

writing a novel

i just topped the 20,000 word mark on my way to finishing my first 50,000 word novel in one month.

back at Subiaco Abbey for Sabbatical. Already enjoying some important moments with God.

Enjoying Thanksgiving in ATL

We are having a wonderful time with the parents here in Atlanta. Spent most of the day today cooking and hanging out, playing Wii. Looking so forward to being home and throwing ourselves into the party season and getting ready for Imagine Christmas.

First work week of the year

After a very full November and December, we are finally back to work this week. Holiday was freakin awesome! We really found a way this year to milk it for all it was worth. It was really great to see all of the families and friends. (and the parties!)

Jennifer and I have spent considerable time planning the 2009 calendar, and as usually we are going to cover some serious miles. But this year is going to be really cool. Heading to New Mexico and West Virginia this summer for CMA National Rallies and also planning to have a family beach vacation. (something that we have been wanting to repeat for the past few years). The children are growing and maturing so fast, every moment that we can hold onto with them is important. We plan to live every minute of this year.

All this probably means more staying up late, more getting up early, more working, more partying, more traveling, more relaxing, more friends, more generosity, and lots more love. ;)

Jen and I are off to Orlando for a very cool Missionary Ventures Event, playinig worship.

December 2008

If you know anything about the McPhersons, you know that from about middle of November on, we are in full Christmas mode. The entire month has seemed like a holiday with parties, family and friends. We had the most amazing party weekend with a huge turn out the 2009 McPherson Christmas Ball. The following day, the girls and boys both hosted separate parties. Everyone had a blast, there was food, singing and dancing. From there it Polar Express week. The kids really have a great time being in the Christmas production that the Crossing puts on. It went off wonderful. Then we had a great little private dinner with some close friends... really special time with good friends. (we are thankful for friends to share life with). Then we were off, first to floyd, AR for some short time with the Pikers and then to ATL to spend Christmas with my family. It was so cool to be here this year. The kids have had a blast and we have been able to spend some great time with all of the family. Very awesome to see Jeremy, Sue and family as well as Mendi and Dave and the kids. Our 7 really like to get together. (perhaps they should travel to AR?) We have shopped, stayed up late and slept in, gone on dates, goofed around all week and now we must begin thinking about going home. What a great december.

December in Mena

We have just had the greatest McPherson Christmas Ball ever. It was so much fun. Now we are involved in all sorts of craziness and the churches production of the Polar Express for the whole weekend. Should be great!

Nashville Trip and Thanksgiving

Jennifer and I have just had a wonderful time at the Youth Specialties National Youth Workers Convention in Nashville, TN. As always we learned alot and we challenged. Best of all we really enjoyed ourselves and had the best time being off together. Here are some pics from the event. Now we are in Searcy, hanging with family and getting ready for the big thanksgiving bash. Looking forward to the Christmas Ball next week.

great weekend

This weekend was really fun. First of all, it was the first weekend in a long time that we didn't have alot to do. That was great. The kids had friends over on friday and we had a house full. That didn't matter because it was really a good night. There was some indian leg wrestling and a few laughs.

On Saturday, we chilled and worked some on the plans for the Christmas Ball. (set up the website...http://www.blogger.com/www.mcphersonchristmasball.blogspot.com). That evening we went with friends to Raspberry Manor for a birthday dinner. Very laid back and very cool. Here are some pics from this weekend.

Fastlane Rally & Into November

After the Changing of the Colors Rally, we had a very exciting week with all of our CMA friends and leaders from the countries that make up CMA International. Translation: A week of meetings. But it was very good to hang with some old friends, mainly Ramon and Natalie Changuion from South Africa. We were able to make some new friends as well and also greatly enjoyed having Judy here at the house with us.
From that week, we headed straight into preparations for the Fastlane Rally, Carving the Ouachitas IV. This is a great event that features mainly incredible riding. I learned alot in the off-road riding school for two days and then enjoyed riding the KLR. I also spent Saturday in Wolf Pen Gap on an ATV. All in all a very cool weekend and we also had some time to spend with some friends and that is always great. In the middle of all that was halloween. And the kids really had some fun, we did some trick or treating and had a good time.
One thing that I always look so forward to is spending a week on sabbatical in the beginning of November. I have been very blessed to be able to do this for the past few years. It is always such an important time. This year was no different, except that I spent my sabbatical at home with the kids and jen took off and spent the week alone, just relaxing and reflecting. By the weekend we were dying to see each other, but both of us really enjoyed our week.
Now fall is here, the leaves and weather have changed and we are working, going to school, hanging with friends, and getting prepped to head to Nashville next week for a conference.