MY BROTHER RUINED MY LIFE

Well before my mom freaks out about the title of this, I guess I should explain. Several weeks ago, my brother made a purchase. He bought the video game "Rock Band" for his gaming system. He went on and on about how much fun it was but I really didn't get the fuss. I had played guitar hero before and it was fine but nothing major. I actually find humor in the people who get all worked up about that game and consider themselves a real musician if they can play a Metallica song on a plastic guitar with five buttons. When you can play it on a real one, call me. Well, last Friday, I went over to my brothers house to meet up with them for the fireworks at Miami Meadows Park. We had some time to kill so we played his new game Rock Band. Needless to say, they ended up having to basically drag me to the fireworks. If you have no idea what I am talking about, click HERE for a demonstration of some dudes playing the game. Some might say that that playing some video game with your brother is no big deal but it gets worse. In playing that game at his house, he planted a seed...we now have the game at our house (belated birthday present from Julie). I am addicted. Playing the game myself is fun, but the best part is watching other people struggle with the instruments, especially the drums (Nathan is hilarious). The faces that they make are priceless. I will post a video of the Ponchot family rock band when I get a chance. Now don't get me wrong, we do not play this game all day, every day. The boys play a little during the day and we usually play a song or two together after dinner. The problem is at night. Most people go to bed at ten or eleven o'clock, not me. I start playing at about 11:00pm (everyone else is in bed any way) and then wander off to bed at about 1:00am (2:15am is my latest). I blame my brother...he ruined my life (well, maybe not my life but my sleeping schedule for sure). Rock-On.

GOOD TIMES

It has been a fun past couple of weeks. Last week, we took a group of teens to the North American Christian (Teen) Convention. What a great time. I really enjoy spending time with our teens. They are great and crack me up constantly. Although we also spent most of our time on the teen side of the convention, it was neat to go over to the main convention and catch up with people I hadn't seen in years. Mostly old college buddies but there was also a slew (I can't believe I just used that word) of others that I have met in different times and places. I was surprised how quickly the names came back to me and the stories started flying. One of the cooliest things about the convention was that it was here in Cincinnati. It was neat because most of our kids have spent very little time downtown. One of the highlights of our time there was a trip to the top of the Carew tower. We all had a big time. There is really something special about seeing the whole city at once from such a beautiful view. I am so blessed to have such a great bunch of teens to spend time with. Special thanks goes out to Didi Back (adult sponsor) who took vacation time to go with us. THANK YOU DIDI!!!

I also had a great 4th of July. The day started out as a bummer (we had to postpone our traditional family/extended family 4th of July picnic until Saturday because of rain) but turned out great in the end. Julie took the boys down to Loveland to walk in the parade for our church while I took Kaitlin to the parade to watch. After the parade, we went with another family to eat some wings. We were able to sit out on the patio and had a perfect view to watch the fireworks from the restaurant. The postponed family picnic turned out great. It was a fun, relaxing time.

Good times...good times.

ATTENTION ALL JR/SR HIGH STUDENTS

Ever get a song stuck in your head?

I WILL NOT MISS THIS!

I NEED MARLIN PERKINS!!!

For those of you under thirty, a little clarification is required. Marlin Perkins was a well known zoologist who was best known for his television show, "Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom". He and his partner Jim Fowler, documented many encounters with wild animals. The TV show ran from the late sixties to the mid-eighties. Anyway, enough about the title of this blog. The point is, I have had several...."brushes with nature" over the past couple of weeks that are beginning to give me cause for alarm. The first was last week. I was taking a morning run (or "controlled fall" as it refers to me)at a local park near my home. Things were going well. I had not passed out yet and I was nearing the end. The reason why I run at this particular park is that it has a really cool section of the trail that goes through the woods(no pavement, fallen trees in the path, ect.) Well I come down a steep slope and around a sharp turn and suddenly find myself face to face with a deer standing right in my path. I literally almost lost control of my bowels. I stopped short of a head but with this deer by about four feet. Why does this stuff only happen to me? So there I was (I've always wanted to say that), eye to eye with a big doe. Neither one of us moved. They only thing going through my mind was that video on YouTube when that guy is attacked by the deer, funny then, but not now. All of the sudden, the deer tenses up and......snorts at me, turns, and bounds away. I just stood there for a moment, stunned. I checked my shorts for damage (thankfully none), and went on my way. Crazy huh? But wait, there is more. Last night, I was playing baseball with Nathan in the back yard. It was great. I pitched him a curve ball right over the plate and he crushed it into the back corner of the yard. I run back to get it and find it right in the middle of our huge brush pile. I gingerly step on to the pile to retrieve the ball. As I reached down to pick it up, a baby deer jumps out of the pile a takes off across the yard. Again, a quick shorts check. The next thing I hear is Kaitlin screaming, "Look at that doggie! Look at that doggie! Daddy! That doggie has spots"! The deer is running laps around the yard. Unfortunately, our yard is fenced in and the deer is not quite large enough to jump over so every once in a while it tries to go through the fence. So I spent the next 20 minutes trying to get this deer out of my yard. I go open one gate, it runs to the other. I open the other gate it runs to the back. Nathan thinks this is the coolest thing in the world, he is telling me to catch it so that he can pet it. Kaitlin is also now telling me to "catch the doggie". I'm like yeah right, I've seen the show "When Animals Attack (click that link to see the picture in my mind)! So I keep trying to herd this thing to an open gate. So I'm running back and forth, doing the best I can to keep this stupid deer from ramming the fence when I hear my neighbor yell from his yard "Hey! It's not deer season yet". He was cracking up...I didn't find this amusing at all. Anyway, so finally, I steer the deer to the open gate and out he went. Hopefully not to the park where I run...or maybe...could it be... that these incidents are related...hmmm?

GUITAR LESSONS

As some of you know, I play the guitar a little. The only problem is that I have never had any formal training. I'm basically self taught. I really want to be able to take my playing to the next level, but I have too many bad habits in my technique that hinder my progress. I have wanted to take lessons for years but really have never had the time or the money to make it happen. That has all changed now. I have now found a way to take lessons based on my time constraints and budget. I am taking them online!!! Here is my first lesson.

AS REQUESTED...

CICADAS

CICADAS:
I do not like cicadas, man.
I do not like them, Dan I am.
I do not like them in the trees.
I do not like them on my knees.
I do not like them on my face.
I do not like them any place.
I do not like the way they smell.
I do not like their crunchy shell.
I do not like them on my house.
I do not like them on my spouse.
Not on my chair, not in my hair,
I do not like them anywhere.
I do not like the sound they make.
I do not like to watch them mate.
I do not like cicadas, man.
I do not like them, Dan I am.

MY DAUGHTER HITS THE BIG SCREEN

This is my daughter Kaitlin kicking off our Sunday night student worship last night.

THE END OF AN ERA

It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you that the Ponchot family has reached the end of an era. Our family dog of nearly 13 years, Toby, is no longer with us. Yes, the "geriatric arthritic episode" ridden dog is no more. Last Thursday, we had him put down. It was a tough decision but one that needed to be made. He had been suffering for quite a while and it was clearly time. You should know that even though I have often spoken ill against that stupid dog, I do indeed miss him...a little...very little. I did, however, make every effort to make his last day on this earth a good one. It started off with a nice walk on a nature trail. He loved it. He had a great time smelling all the dog droppings, weeds, dead animals, and all the other smells that only a dog could love. He started off strong but began to struggle towards the end (arthritis). The walk was followed by a trip through McDonald's drive through for a double cheeseburger. I really don't know if he enjoyed it or not because he would eat anything (and often did) . All in all, he seemed very content and I'm glad to have had him as our pet. Memorials for Toby may be sent to the Ponchot Pool Resurfacing Fund (more on our pool mess later).

WHAT'S GOING ON?

I have started to realize a couple of "blogging truths" about myself: #1) When not much is going on, I tend to post very frequently (I'm good at sharing random thoughts). #2) When I have a lot going on, the blogging is the first thing to go. You would think that it would be the opposite. The more going on the more you have to say. Evidently, not for me. Anyway, much has been going on over the last few weeks. Two weeks ago, we held our student overnight retreat. It was really cool. The title for the weekend was RENOVATE and the theme was focused on finding out: who you really are, where you are, and what God wants you to be. It was kind of the wrap up of a series that we have been doing for the winter season in the student ministry. This retreat was different that others we have done in the past. We really tried to make this one personal for the students. Sure they spent time together in worship, in small groups, but also in time alone with God. I really think that the kids got a chance to allow God to do some renovation in their lives.

It was also a great opportunity to spend some hang time with a great group of teens. We had a big time. I am so lucky to serve at a church will such a great group. I truly love them all. As great as our teens are, I also serve with a phenomenal group of adult volunteers. Huge thanks to Doran, Didi, Angi, Tamara, Rhonda, Chip, Jen, John, Aaron, and Julie. You guys are awesome. The only tough thing about the weekend was the lack of sleep. I must be getting old.

Last weekend, another overnight event at church. I had the privilege of taking a group of 3rd-5th graders to an event called Super Start. I don't usually spend a lot of time with that age group but it was a real treat. I used to think that the loudest sound on earth was the sound of a 7th grade girl screaming. I think that I might have to change my opinion. It might be a 4th grade boy. Crazy. Anyway, it was good to be with them and I was so proud of our LCC kids. They really know how to worship. Probably the best things for me about the weekend was that my son, Jacob, was one of the kids that went with us. He is one of the funniest people I know and he really loves the Lord (see video below). Anyway, that is what's going on right now, more later.

BUMMER

I was so excited. After months of making my office computer do more than it should be able to do, I was on my way to a more suitable replacement. My good buddy Chip was in the process of updating himself and graciously offered to give me his slightly used desktop. Although used to him, it had everything that I needed to make things go much easier for me (more ram, 10xbetter video processor, and on and on). It was going to be great! I picked it up from Chips house last night, place the CPU behind my seat and went on to a coffee meeting at about 7:30pm. I returned home at about 8:30pm, parked in the garage and went inside for the night. I woke up this morning at about 6:30am and went to get in my car. Nothing out of the ordinary except that the garage door had been left open. Not really a huge deal so off I went. When I arrived at the office, I made one trip inside and then went back out to bring in my "new" computer. It was gone. I quickly went back through the previous 12 hours in my mind. It hit me at once. Someone had come into my garage, opened the back door of my car, and taken the computer (along with video editing software I had just purchased...it was so sweet). The police came and filled out a report. Turns out I was number five over the last few days in our area. The policeman said that I was lucky. Most of the other people had car windows broken out. Crazy stuff. Anyway, I guess the moral of the story is: 1) Close your garage door 2)lock your car doors 3)keep lots of lights on 4)get a lap top...you can keep it with you.

MARCH MADNESS?

Well it's March 20th and to millions of Americans that means one thing, the first round of the Mens NCAA Basketball Tournament. For the last 15 years, it has been one of my favorite things on this earth. I love college basketball. Last week was unbelievable. For those of you you don't know, last week was when all of the conference tournaments were played. I must have watched about 25 games in about four days. I have a problem. What's even worse is that today, the day of the first round, I am scheduled off work. I should be in paradise. But there is something weird about today and I can't seen to put my finger on exactly what it is. There is something wrong with me. Maybe I burned myself out last week, or maybe I feel guilty for wasting so much time last week watching for hours on end. Whatever it is, as I sit here typing this, my beloved wife Julie is in the other room watching my beloved Xavier Musketeers play Georgia. I'm not. Another oddity is that I have not filled out a single bracket. Usually I fill out many. Some online, some in the office, some with friends, but this year.....not one. What is wrong with me? Am I sick? Am I having a pity party because of something else? Am I finally coming to my senses? Have I gone mad? I really don't know. This is a strange phenomenon that I need to research. Well I guess that's it. I'm going off to.....read a book? Weird.

Chips Anyone?

I HATE SNOW

I hate snow. Really, I do.

Why I Like Xavier Basketball (part 1)

If you are a UC fan, watch the whole thing. It might make you feel better.

WEEKEND AT BELIEVE

What a great weekend! This past Friday, it was my pleasure to take a great group of Jr High kids to an overnight conference called BELIEVE. It was neat on so many levels. First of all, it was cool to spend some time getting to know some of the kids that just started this fall in my ministry. For some of them, it was their first time being in a hotel without their parents. It was funny because they would ask me questions like "Can I really eat this whole bag of candy?" My theory on that is that the quicker that they get hyped up eating their "Sams Club" size bags of pop rocks, candy bars and bubble tape and drinking three bottles of Mountain Dew... the quicker they CRASH. This year was a record. The the guys were asleep by 2:45am. On a more serious note, time in the hotel is also a time for some real relationship building and ministry. All of the guys in my room were great! They cracked me up all night! I think I heard the jingle "F-R-E-E that spells free, credit report dot come baby" about 4,682 times( you now will be singing that all day). The conference itself was really good this year. A little different than past years but really good. The theme was CONNECT, as in connecting to God. Junior high kids are at a point in their life when they really start to take their faith seriously and on a more personal level. The BELIEVE program did a really good job at helping the kids begin to take their connection with God to a deeper level. It was also BIG, they had just under 5,000 6th, 7th, and 8th graders there. My ears are still ringing, not from the music but from the sound of so many Jr High girls (and some boys) screaming at the top of their lungs. You have to experience it to understand. Anyway, the conferenc was great and our kids (and sponsors) were fantastic! I was so proud of them. They were polite, kind, and helpful to each other and to everyone they came in contact with. What a great group. My weekend finished with a great night at IMPACT (sunday night student worship). The night included Frosted Flakes, worship, and cutouts of various teens in our ministry. I was excited to see a few new faces and everyone was in a crazy mood. That's always a good combination. I am now looking forward to the 1st weekend in April for our RENOVATE 2008 WEEKEND. It's really coming together and should be really cool.

"F-R-E-E that spells free, credit report dot com baby" (your welcome).

YOU ARE INVITED!!!

If you have a computer in your home, this is a must attend. The evening will be divided into two sessions. The first session (at 7:00pm) is designed for kids third grade and above along with their parents. The second session will feature a live demonstration and will include a parental warning. Please make plans to attend!!!

For more information, please contact Brian Richard at brichard@lovedtolove.org

Another Super Sunday

What a great night! We had food, fun, laughing, some football, and the best part, no commercial interruptions. Have I lost my mind? No commercials? Aren't the commercials the best part? I guess I should clarify. Our student ministry meets on Sunday nights for teen worship. And last night, like many others, we had our normal program. What a great time. Goofing off with the Jr and Sr High folks is always fun and worship was really neat. As part of our worship time last night I showed a clip from the movie "Facing the Giants"(I told you we had football) (clip is below). After the clip we looked at 1 Samuel and the story of David and Goliath. You see we all have "Giants" in our lives. We all have things the we feel are too big to overcome. Our teens (and adult sponsors) then took part in an experience where we idetified our giants and asked God to help us overcome them. Some of the "giants" that were identified were: selfishness,fighting, unpure thoughts, schedules, stealing, nicotine addiction, and many others. Heavy duty stuff. A lot of times we (I said we because me too) give a half hearted effort at facing our "giants" and something really interesting happens.....nothing. We simply sell ourselves short. We defeat ourselves long before we find out that God has given us all the ability to face (AND DEFEAT) our "giants". The movie clip does a great job as an illustration of what God can do for us. I can just see/hear Him on His hands and knees right beside us as we crawl along, pleading with us not to give up, not to quit, and to work through the pain! The problem is we tend to look around, start listening to our bodies and then our "giants" deal a death blow. If we would all just concentrate on God's voice, listen to Him, we could all face our "giants" and start to be the people that God would have us to be. Anyway, it was cool. I must say, I wasn't sure what to think going into last night. All morning yesterday, I literally had parent after parent and student after student tell me that they were not coming to the Sunday night student service. I got the feeling that people thought I was nuts to have a student thing on such a "super" night or that I should have just had a party and watched the game. I'm glad that we did what we did. It was good for me and I think that is was good for everyone else. I had some "giants" that I needed to face and I now know that with God...I can do it...and so can you. In case you were wondering...I was home by the middle of the third quarter. Evidently, I didn't miss anything.