One Way Bonfire

We all headed for Nicholasville last night for the first ever One Way Bonfire. I don't think it will ever get to be as big of a tradition as it has at Texas universities, but the kids seemed to enjoy each other, the discussion of life as a Christian, and sharing concerns with each other.

Robin brought her guitar out to the fire and led the group in a few songs. You can see the extreme heat from the fire in this picture of the kids singing the "fruit" song.

In addition to the middle schoolers from Southern, there were a few youth from local high schools, some of them were former One Way members. The crew from Tatesbrook was there as well to help set up the fire and support their sister Robin. The high school kids were not as energetic.

Party #2 for Carmen

As I've mentioned before, Jackie likes to celebrate birthdays all month if she can. Another tradition that she has is to have breakfast for the birthday child. Carmen picked cinnamon rolls and chose a rather late time for breakfast. We ate around 10:00 AM and she had opened most of her presents by 10:30.

I was particularly proud of the items that Carmen put on her list. I was even happier when Jackie supported the developing of Carmen's analytical mind with the purchase of a Wireless USB Mouse, USB Flash Drive (with necklace), and the best of all a graphing calculator for algebra and geometry.

This afternoon we will be going to the movies to see "The Guardian". Tonight the kids will be going to a bonfire. The bonfire is for the entire youth group and One Way, but Adam and Robin will be sure to make everyone aware that it is Carmen's birthday.

Party #1 for Carmen

After eating chili together and opening Carmen's first gift, we used Carmen's birthday as a good reason for us to have a family game night. Carmen wanted to play Phase 10 and she got to be the scorekeeper. This is an important position in our family.

We discovered Phase 10 during our vacation to Seabrook Island in South Carolina several years ago and it has remained a favorite for us. Here is a view of Becca's hand last night.

Here is a picture of us in Charleston, South Carolina near the USS Yorktown in 1999. The week we discovered Phase 10. We've all done some growing in the last seven years.

Will he go all the way??

Yes he Will!
Tonight was Southern Middle School's last home game and the 8th Graders were honored before the game.


Southern won the football game on this interception, broken tackle and extremely well placed block. That defensive touchdown in the first quarter would be the only touchdown of the evening.


The interception goes to Will Sweet.



The excellent block that gave Will the last 20 yards goes to Leo. Leo also had an excellent game.


Touchdown Storm!



Will's parents had a good view of the game behind their cameras.

Dave is the official Southern Storm film crew and therefore is the only parent with a bird's eye view.

Paintball Party

Adam and Hunter Hendrickson shared a birthday party this afternoon at Paintball Hill. Everyone had a good time.

Most of the time was spent learning how to use the guns and play the various paintball games, but the kids stopped long enough to eat some hot dogs and cut a cake.


Hunter got shot in the head in back to back games with complementing colors orange and pink. The kids are required to wear facemasks so getting shot in the head is painless, but messy.








Carmen and Rachel were two of the most successful competitors because of the relatively high level of caution that they possessed.

But Carmen did get hit during one of the games.

Panther Pride ( 300 Wins )

Last night, NorthWood defeated Plymouth 13-7. It was a very close game, but NorthWood finished strong with a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

A touchdown in the fourth quarter was something that was often needed by the NorthWood football program. When I played from 1981 through 1984, Jim Andrews was the head coach and when he needed a little more effort than what we were giving, he would hold up one hand.

That lifted hand represented "Panther Pride". Coach didn't have to say anything, all the players knew what it meant and so did all the fans in the stands any given Friday night in Northern Indiana home or away. It meant that we didn't lift weights, run, practice, review film, spend time together, and push each other to give up right now. All the effort needed to win the game, needed to be applied. We didn't always win, but we did our best for the program, our team and our coaching staff.

Coach Dodson was the linebacker coach and defensive coach while I was playing so I spent more individual time with Coach Dodson on the field and in practice. You can hear the honor in his words about Coach Andrews. Everyone who speaks of Coach Andrews, carrys the same honor. A great leader builds up the leaders that follow him.

I agree with Coach Dodson that tying Coach Andrews with 150 wins would be a good way to go out, but I know that Coach Andrews would want him to exceed that mark.

Another great leader once said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father."

You can read the article on the Elkhart Truth at the following address:
Dodson earns 300th win with NorthWood

Surprise Party for Adam

We surprised Adam with a 13th birthday party this afternoon. His birthday is tomorrow, but we had the party early. Jackie invited several of his friends from school, baseball, football and church to an afternoon of football and ultimate frisbee.

Later, they returned to the house for cupcakes, ice cream, and kool-aid.

Freshmen Season Over

The Freshmen 6 went out went out with a bang tonight. They beat Lafayette and Henry Clay in 2 game matches. One of the keys tonight was Janet Jones, who got out on the court with Coach Emily to help keep the girls warmed up between matches. Lexington Catholic needed 3 games to beat Henry Clay.

It really was a great season in terms of playing time for the Freshmen 6 even though it started out with weaker competition. On the way home tonight we divided the season up into the following sections:

• Regular Season: 8-1 ( only loss was to Lafayette )
• Freshman League: 4-2 ( both losses were to Dunbar )
• Woodford County JV Scrimmage: 1-0

Since the girls really only lost matches to Lafayette and Dunbar, you have to look at the individual records against those teams:

• Lafayette: 2-1 ( 2 wins in Freshman League, 1 loss in Regular Season )
• Dunbar: 1-2 ( 1 win in Regular Season, 2 losses in Freshman League )

Here are the pictures from tonight:
Final Game against Henry Clay

Carmen really wanted a chance to play Dunbar or Catholic tonight, but we ended up playing Henry Clay for the fourth time.

Next year, the competition will be much steeper at the JV level with a few tournaments.

Ultimate Frisbee in the Fall

Enjoying the fall that is coloring the Bluegrass state while playing ultimate frisbee is a great way to spend a few hours with family. Carmen, Adam and I have been playing Ultimate almost every Sunday afternoon at Kirklevington Park this summer and fall.

Jackie and Buster joined us today and took some pictures. Carol, Aaron and Joshua also showed up to watch James.

I sat out the first game because of a rib injury that I received while playing football with Adam and the rest of the neighborhood the Sunday before.

Here are the pictures:
Ultimate Frisbee