Lost among thoughts...

Amazing School! www.shiningstarspreschool.net

2009-04-20T14:58:00.003-05:00

You have to check out Shining Stars Christian Preschool! www.shiningstarspreschool.net

I am so proud of my wife Lisa Plassman and her business partner Breanne Prunty. They have worked so hard over the last two years and are doing a fantastic job! I was able to read a testimony today that I believe truly captured how well the girls are doing and I wanted to share it with you.

Breanne Prunty and Lisa Plassman run a true quality preschool program. We were lucky enough to find out about this preschool program for the 2007-2008 year and we enrolled our daughter. She has been in Shining Stars for 2 full school years. Erin has learned so much academically and socially. She went in to school not even knowing how to write her name. Now, she writes many words and uses upper and lower case letters. She has also learned so many other things and is more than ready for Kindergarten. The values instilled in our daughter about being kind to others, helping and sharing have been wonderful. Even though I couldn't be the one to drop off and pick up everyday, my husband or I could always find out what was going on at school from the website or communicating with Lisa or Breanne on e-mail. Lisa and Breanne truly build a community of learners in their classroom and their school. They use portfolios to show student progress and Erin's portfolio was reviewed with us twice during the year. The Christmas program that they put together is really nice and our families looked forward to going to see it every year. Erin is always saying that her teachers are the "best teachers in the world" and we couldn't agree more. I haven't come across preschool teachers that really are doing the job that they love. They are patient, loving and nurturing. They are awesome at creating a fun environment where children learn. I would highly recommend Shining Stars to any parent considering the school.

Regards,
Shelly (Shining Stars Parent)

Reading...

2009-01-23T11:35:00.005-06:00

When you read the bible how do you do it? Do you read a section? A pericope? Do you read a chapter? Random verses? Bible reading plan? Maybe topical verses? Or do you read entire books at a time?

I recently read Hebrews in one setting, and I want you to know that it was a new and unique experience. I have read some books of the bible in one setting, but never Hebrews. In the past, I seem to have found a pattern of reading a few or even several sections of scripture at a time. But reading an entire book and especially Hebrews brought an unexpected context to the letter. For the first time I was able to enjoy the style of the writer. I was able to see a flowing thought all at once and not necessarily focus on the verse by verse teachings that I am used to. I enjoyed the experience much like I imagine the original audience of the book of Hebrews did. I even imagined sitting with a group of fellow believers hearing these words read aloud. I really enjoyed that time with the scriptures, and found myself pausing several times to simply thank God.

So my question continues, how do you read scripture?

An Elijah Christmas

2008-12-02T05:05:00.009-06:00

Mystery of the Cluster Baptism

2008-11-25T16:07:00.007-06:00

This weekend at CCC Naperville campus we celebrated (during part of our services) with baptisms. One of the baptisms remains a mystery. Somewhere between entering the water and the actual baptism we lost someone.

Now group baptisms are always a fun time. Each person that has made a significant contribution in the spiritual journey of an individual gets to participate in the moment. Usually the baptism results in a joyous celebration and fun is had by all. Until now. Its all fun and games until someone gets lost.

Pre-Baptism Photo:

During the Baptism:

If you have any information that leads to finding our lost friend please comment below.

Selling a product...

2008-11-18T16:06:00.004-06:00

Just yesterday I was rushing through the local Jewel. I was stocking up on vitamins, airborne, and anything that would keep me from getting sick in my home. Actually I rarely do get sick, but when the the wife and the boy are sick, I think my chances go up. So anyway, back to the reason for the post.

I had grabbed the orange juice, and was headed for the vitamins when I saw this:

I stopped right in the middle of the isle and looked around to see it if was a joke.

It wasn't.

I couldn't believe it. There was a picture of a woman (I think) covered with something that looked like her face was blistered and curdled.

Now I don't know about you, but this does not look like something that I would want to happen to my face. The good thing is "it caught my eye" the bad thing is "it made me throw up"

So I took out my phone and decided to take a picture just to share it with you all. Please let me know if you are familiar with this product, or if you agree or disagree with me.

The End.

I don't know what do say really.

2008-10-29T22:46:00.001-05:00

Please visit this site:

www.maninthedark.com

Now, please comment below. I hope you can find words for this.

This one goes out to my good friend Lucas Motley

2008-10-26T03:21:00.000-05:00

See more Natalie Portman videos at Funny or Die

Not every child gets the same chance...

2008-09-09T12:57:00.006-05:00

Here is what is influencing this thought...

(Beauty in the innocence of a child)
During a meeting this morning with a friend he was telling me about an experience with the innocence of a child. The story was a basic one where he had pulled a prank on the child during a video game and the child looked at him, smiled really big, and said "oh darn, you shot me" followed by "but you didn't do that on purpose...did you?" All the while with a big smile on his face... Well needless to say (to those of you with any heart) he was crushed at his own silly prank and just wanted to squeeze this little child and apologize over and over again...

(Unfortunate Circumstances)
Then today, I was coming through a door and there was a little boy on the other side. The door had glass on it so I could see his big smile as I approached. When I got to the door the boy hopped away giggling... it was nice to see him so happy in this moment. As I walked away, I heard him sheepishly say "Now you chase me..." I looked back over my shoulder to meet his soft blue eyes and could see that all he wanted was to play...

Now this little boy didn't know me from adam, but he desperately wanted to play. As I made my way up the stairwell I was taken back by a moment of sadness. See, I knew this little boy, and I knew his family. I know their story and my heart broke. This family is unhealthy, the parents point fingers and blame whoever will take it that their life and circumstances are poor. This family had been in and out of recovery homes, and at times lives in their car. I wondered in this moment why this little boy has the situation that he has, and my little boy (at least right now) is in a safe place, has plenty of food, and a comfortable home that we as a family can rest our heads at night. Why is it that some children have a better "chance?" Why are so many children born into poverty, into sadness, into sickness, into disaster, into brokenness.

Then why do some children get parents like, Brian and Terri, Eric and Erin, Rudi and Amber, Annie and Peter, Shannon and Flo, or my wife and I? Don't get me wrong here, there are lots and lots of people that are doing an amazing job parenting, and doing whatever they can to help give their children the best chance at life. And, not that we have it all together, or have any wealth, but we will do our very best to give what we can to our children. We will do our very best to love and cherish our children, and we will sacrifice for the lives of our children...

The chances that I am talking about are each child's "chance at life." It is so much dependent on the love and support, and maybe even living conditions...?

I started back down the stairs to give the little boy just a moment of my time... He was gone, and even now I can't get that boys eyes off my mind... Why didn't I just play with him right away? Why does he not get the chance that others have? The exact opposite questions haunt me just as much... why did I get the chance I have, and why does my son get the chance he has?

How to ruin your career with less that a word...

2008-09-04T12:09:00.003-05:00

I have been talking about the presidential race in many of my meetings this week. Friendly conversations, 1 on 1's with awesome leaders and coaches, and whoever will engage in the monotony of political conversation. I am not endorsing a candidate here so don't worry. However I do think this presidential race is interesting. I have been drawn in to the story of Obama, and now the story of Sarah Palin. Is it sad that I don't care about the other two... Oh yeah, McCain and Bidden. Whoever they are... Anyway, in the midst of the conversations this week I remembered back to the presidential race of 2004 and some of the drama that was taking place. It was another election year coming, and several candidates making noise as to why they were the best and why others wern't...blah...blah...blah...

In the middle of all the rally's and public speaking engagements one man who was a promising candidate began to make some waves. This man had a following that was hard to ignore and looked to become the front runner in the election. That is, until it happened.

It was during an exciting moment following the Iowa primaries when he was with his supporters, the crowd was cheering, he was pumped and delivering a clear yet riveting finale when in a climatic conclusion he was inclined to do a fist pump (Tiger woods style) accompanied with something that sounded like YEEEAAAWWW!!!

Little did this man know that that one sound would turn a nation away from him... In a moment that was filled with excitement he single handedly destroyed his career and would withdraw from the presidential race only a short time later... Howard Dean's career was over...

Now there were some things that contributed to it. The media got a hold of it and play it relentlessly over the next few days. With that came the late night talk shows who continued to play the sound clip, and poke fun at him, and then the internet began to virally share this moment...

Crazy isn't it? Crazy that a man's entire career can be ruined with just a short sound?

I have included a video below of this tragically defining moment of Howard Dean's career, feel free to comment by clicking the work "comments" at the bottom of this post.

Powerful, Creative, and all on a "still" camera...

2008-09-02T13:51:00.005-05:00

Check this commercial out for the peace corp. The message, the colors, and the fact that the entire video was made from a still camera. A powerful way to empower those to lead and volunteer.

Thoughts? Post below by clicking on comments:

Simpsonized...

2008-08-12T01:49:00.002-05:00

Batman

Great news!

2008-07-24T12:40:00.007-05:00

My good friend Tim Raad has just joined the blogging ring. He is a man that writes with passion, brilliance, and is captivating. Please check his blog, and find insight in this first post of his. I love this guy, and I am so excited to get to peer into his insights and wisdom he brings to this life.

Click here to visit Tim's Blog

Below is a picture of Tim and I racing an Audi around the track at the Autobahn country club near Joliet. It was a free event that was sponsored by Audi comparing its model to others in its class. It was also Tim's birthday, so we said why not, and went together, along with Joe Moberly. It was an exhilarating experience, and though I had the opportunity to drive several times, I actually enjoyed riding along with Tim at the wheel the most. Many of you will probably call me crazy, opting for riding in the Mercedes, Audi's, Lexus's and BMW's, however he is an incredible driver and can push cars far beyond what I am able to do. If you have ever ridden with someone who understands the dynamics of turns, acceleration, and can nail the apex then you know what I mean. Tim is a guy that see's the Apex's and attacks them with brilliance, and sometimes he even does it while driving...

Courage + Believe = Life

2008-06-23T23:20:00.001-05:00

My fantasy baseball team is pretty much unstoppable now.

2008-06-23T13:40:00.004-05:00

BATTING/FIELDERS:
Brian McCann, Atlanta, Catcher 14 HR, .310 AVG, 383 OBP

Kevin Youkilis, Boston, 1st Base, 13 HR, .305 AVG, 377 OBP

Dustin Pedroia, Boston, 2nd Base, 6 HR, .282 AVG, 329 OBP

Chone Figgins, LA Angels, 3rd Base, 13 SB, .315 AVG, .422 OBP

Edgar Renteria, Detroit ShortStop, 5 HR, .266 AVG, .318 OBP

J.D. Drew, Boston, Outfield, 14 HR, .318 AVG, .426 OBP

Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle, Outfield, 32 SB, .288 AVG, .350 OBP

Josh Hamilton, Texas, Outfield, 19 HR, .312 AVG, .358 OBP

Chipper Jones, Atlanta, Utility, 16 HR, .393 AVG, .485 OBP

Sometimes...

2008-06-23T04:53:00.008-05:00

Sometimes as I drive home I get to see this...

Sometimes...

(Photo from my blackberry on rt.30 bridge over the fox river)

A CCC SCANDAL IS BREWING...

2008-06-17T01:25:00.004-05:00

If you are an avid blog reader, and Dave Ferguson's blog is a regular stop, you probably know what scandal I am talking about. Saturday evening I arrived at the Yellow Box for the 6:30 service. I pulled up behind Dave Ferguson's parked car, and noticed a new addition (as you can see below)

I laughed to myself, and made my way into the church to ask Dave about his new addition to his car. He proceeded to laugh at me, and ask me if I was kidding. I convinced him I wasn't and he made his way outside to view for himself. Dave took a picture and made is way back inside. I asked him after service if he had found out who did this, and he had the audacity to accuse me! Come ON DAVE! I certainly would be proud if I had thought of it first, but I sadly didn't, and now for you to accuse me of this!!! I am absolutely appalled. So here is what I am asking:

1. Whoever did this, please come forward and receive a high-five from me, and your rightful recognition.

2. Dave, stop accusing me or this will get ugly... The last sticker came off easily...

3. Anyone willing to join me in this cause, please visit Dave's blog daveferguson.org and let him know how ridiculous it is for him to accuse me of such an act. (atleast if I did it I would certainly take credit for it.)

High Quality Advertising

2008-05-22T23:38:00.002-05:00

Up the street I noticed a garage sale, and sadly I also noticed that hardly anyone was there. As I was leaving the neighborhood I noticed their sign at the entrance of our neighborhood where the speed limit is 50 mph... Any thoughts as to why the people may not have been flooding in? Its a mystery:

Touching them all...

2008-05-05T01:49:00.003-05:00

One of the most powerful sports stories I have every heard.

Did you feel the Central Plains tremble...

2008-04-18T17:00:00.003-05:00

So at 4:30ish Lisa wakes me up and tells me the bed is shaking. Here were my possible solutions in my groggy-4am-no one should ever be awake at this time-state:

1. Low flying airplane.
2. Lisa was dreaming.
3. I was dreaming.
4. Haunted bedroom.
5. Involuntary Extreme Shaking during sleep.
6. Large Vehicle of some sort coming dangerously close to our house.
7. Lisa is crazy. (I didn't actually think this though I don't know why)

When we did wake up a few hours later, lisa turned on the television to exclaim "SEE! I knew that felt the house shaking! We had an earthquake!"

-I slept through the first earthquake in years, and it never even crossed my mind as a potential solution.

No words needed...

2008-03-25T18:48:00.001-05:00

Whats worse than loosing an hour because of the time change?

2008-03-09T23:58:00.002-05:00

Waking up at 3 am to hear your child coughing and struggling to breath. Only to rush him to the emergency room and spend 2 1/2 hours as doctors give him steroids and prepare for epinephrin breathing treatment...

Oh child, why that night of all nights?

Well, needless to say, today has been exhausting, and with the little sleep we did get, we have made it through the day.

Elijah is better now, he has the Croup, which is nothing crazy, and very common in young children, though his attack at 3 am was quite a struggle for him. We have learned that cool air is a good treatment for the croup, and in a couple days this should pass. His breathing has improved greatly, the cough lingers, but it is showing signs of fading as well...

Often times the croup is described as a barking cough like a seal...

Good Night.

9 month stats...

2008-02-28T00:17:00.002-06:00

We took elijah in to the doctor for his 9 month check-up. Here are the stats:

Weight: 50th percentile (perfect)

Length: 90th percentile (so he's tall)

Head Size (Gord): above 95th percentile (um...genious?, or Five-head...)

If you don't understand Five-head, think about it for another second, if you still don't understand, take a nap.

Shot update: He still doesn't like them.

Now for my thought. I hate when he gets shots. If you know elijah, he is a pretty happy baby almost all of the time. He loves seeing new people, and almost always greets any person with a huge smile. Well when he needs a shot he is always so happy just before. Then the nurse always asks me to do the one thing I absolutely don't want to do "Could you please grab his arms and hold him?" Do I have permission to say no? Its horrible, because he smiles at the nurse, then he thinks that dad is playing because I'm holding his arms and am very close to him. That is until seconds later when that big smiley face changes instantly into mouth open, eyes shut, face red, and lack of breath because he is trying to scream. Then he has to open his eyes and see mine...

I'm sorry son, this really is to keep you safe, and healthy, I love you. I hope if anything you see that in my eyes...

A sick baby, a late night, a powerful prayer, and the dove...

2008-02-25T19:24:00.006-06:00

Last tuesday was a day that I won't soon forget. I had just gotten back from BLAST a weekend student ministry retreat with almost 700 in attendance, where I was helping lead the set-up and tear down of a monstrous set design. I was tired but glad to be home. Lisa and Elijah had returned the night before on the train from spending the weekend in macomb, and Tuesday morning sunlight had come earlier than I had hoped.

Lisa was getting ready earlier than normal because her school was up for final approval from DCFS, and it was my responsibility to give elijah a bath and take him to the sitters. Well lisa had left and I was just finishing Elijah's bath when something didn't seem right. I don't know how to explain it, but I knew that I needed to stay with him that day. I called lisa and told her, and she then let the sitter know.

Only a few hours later I was sitting with elijah in the living room when he started to get sick, and then again, and then again. He threw up everything that was in his stomach and began a horrible cycle of getting sick, crying, sleeping and then repeating. This went on all day. I was on the phone with the doctor, and lisa. I surrounded him with towels, and held him as he continued to get sick. I have to admit that this was absolutely horrifying. As an 8 month old he didn't know how to get sick, he kept looking at me as if asking whey this was happening to him. There were moments were I had to hold him face down to make sure he wouldn't choke and by the end of the day I was holding him on my lap, surrounded by towels, and praying as tear rolled down my face.

Lisa and I got some pedia lite (as instructed by the doctor) and every chance we got made him drink it(Which didn't last long).

I didn't know what do do except to pray, I knew that I could pray but I thought I might as well ask someone who I know is a powerful prayer warrior. Lupe Kalter. If you know Lupe you know there is something powerful about her prayers. Not that there isn't when others pray, but when Lupe prays...well, its powerful. At about 4pm I emailed Lupe this email:

"Lupe,
My son elijah (8 months) is very sick with the flu. He has been throwing up all day, and now we are scared that he is getting dehydrated. Please pray for God to heal him. We are very worried...
Thank you
-Nick Plassman"

Lupe responded shortly with this:

"Right now Father your healing hand is being summond. That you would bless Elijah. This baby is very sick with the flu and needs healing now. Father I believe in the power of prayer and in your love for us. Lord hear my words and know the deep consider for Elijah and be the blessing he needs right now.

Lupe. I will continue this pray silently."

So after I wiped the tears from my eyes from reading her email, I also prayed that God would give Lisa and I the wisdom to know what and how do continue caring for elijah. Also that we would have the energy to stay up with him all night if need be.

So the night continued just as the day had, Elijah was completely exhausted by night time, but he kept his cycle, get sick, scream and cry, then collapse into sleep, then about 10 minutes later repeat. As the night went on Lisa and I had the energy to care and be focused on him.

At about 3 am I went to the front window and looked outside. I knew there had been a light snow that night, and I wanted to seen how much had fallen. When I looked out front I noticed a dove sitting in the snow. No tracks around him, just sitting out front on the new fallen snow. At first I thought the bird must be frozen in the cold temperatures and considered going to rescue it... but I just watched. Then I thought about it for a moment. I couldn't remember seeing many birds in our neighborhood. We live in a newer development area and there are few trees, and the trees that do exist are very young and certainly not old enough to house a nest. So I wondered what the bird was doing at that moment, outside our house, on the new fallen snow. Well I needed to get back to elijah, and so a few hours passed by. Then at 5 am I went to look outside the window again. The dove was still there, sitting, calmly on the new fallen snow...

I'm not going to pretend that I know how exactly God works every time or what He always will or won't do. What I will say is that the dove I saw that night was real. The dove was gone when the sun came up, but it was there during the night. Whether or not God sent that dove doesn't make much of a difference to me, because the dove was a comfort, and a reminder...

Elijah is better now, he made it through the night and the next couple of days. They were very tough, and not easy to care for him. He has his smile back, and he has almost gained the weight he lost back and I haven't seen the dove since.

Thank you God for the Dove, and thank you Lupe for your prayer.

Blast 2008

2008-02-14T05:32:00.001-06:00

Last night we arrived at the kalahari, anxious to begin the long setup process. 37 1/2 hours until nearly 700 people arrive for the largest Student winter conference CCC has ever organized.

For now, it's 5:32 am... For me and a few others, Blast has begun...

Elijah Model

2008-02-07T10:26:00.000-06:00

Several people have asked us recently if we have considered letting elijah be a baby model. We usually laugh it off until now. We told the people who were inquiring about it if they thought it was something that we should do that they should get us the information. Well we were given the information, and asked to take recent pics of him. Here are the pics that we will be submitting for him. Who know? Look out Gerber, here comes Elijah!

Which one is your favorite?