Mercies in Disguise

I read that 3 word statement the other day embedded in some text and thought to myself, "Hmmm, that's interesting". And I think "Hmm, that's interesting" just about sums up "Mercies in Disguise". Agree? Disagree? I would also state inputting "blessings" for "mercies" works as well.

This world can be strange at times. Really strange. A while back I showed up to work thinking it will just be another day at work. I certainly did not expect what happened next. One of our salespeople was having an issue with child care and wasn't sure what to do. She came to me for whatever reason and we had a chat. After talking about some different things going on in her life, I was feeling the at-times dreaded "nudge" from the Holy Spirit. You know, the one that tells you to do something you don't really want to do? Well the nudge was to ask her if I could pray for her. I have no idea if she is a believer, if this will be totally offensive, but decided to go for it. That was definitely the first time I've ever prayed with an employee at work! I would call that a Mercy in Disguise.

Or how about making an outlandish bet with my sales staff (in front of the entire company) that if they hit a certain volume of vehicle sales I'd shave my head (in front of the entire company - on the showroom floor). Well they hit it. And I shaved. Not only did we have a great sales month, but the morale got a huge bump. It's amazing what buy in and a little shaving of the head does for the guys. Disguises are interesting. They are, at their core, designed to cover up something you might not want someone to see. You know, bandaids, ace bandages, wigs that men wear, and at times poor excuses. But maybe God disguises His things differently. Maybe He's not so obvious with things like grace and love. Maybe they come through the form of something else (mercies in disguise?), like truth, honesty and friendship. I don't know how He works, but I know one thing - He keeps us on our toes. And He keeps me wondering about what He'll disguise next. Until next time, keep your head up and heart open to what God is doing. He just might trick you into something amazing and adventurous!

I'm a huge dork

I admit it. I completely geeked out on something last week and I'm not ashamed. I'm also not in high school, which is a huge contradiction. But I stood in line for 2 hours, in the cold, at midnight, to watch the world premier of "The Hunger Games". OK, so I wasn't alone. I'm going to throw my wife under the bus on this one to! She came with, almost fell asleep during the first hour (I was riveted) but made it through to the end. I have to say, it was a pretty fun evening. We had a nice dinner with some other friends who came with us (I won't sewer them), bought a nice bottle of wine to share while waiting for the movie, and then hung out with a movie theater full of high schoolers, some dressed in full HG garb. My personal highlight? Started the slow clap as the movie was starting and got the majority of the theater to follow suit!

In other news around the Casebeer world, I am an uncle again! As of 10:30 on Sunday evening, Hammond Rain Casebeer was introduced to the world. Healthy, happy, and presumably hunger, Hammond is now a part of this crazy Casebeer family. Good luck little buddy, it will be a fun ride!

Aside from that, my prego wife is doing great! She's starting a show a little cute bump and claims to have felt little Casebeer last night! I'll verify this evening and report back! Other than that, things are smooth and we can't wait for the gender reveal. My gut feeling is PINK!

Our next big event? Jamie O'Dea's COLLEGE graduation. I met her when she was an 8th grader. Weird.

Until next time, live in the now! Enjoy what you have! And stay hungry, my friends!

Well that was quick!

Greeting friends! So much time has passed since I've last updated you on our crazy lives. Let's see. Since then (December), we had a great New Years, took a trip to Hawaii, got pregnant, went on a business trip to Vegas, and....

"Wait a minute. Back that train up. You got PREGNANT????"

Yes we did folks! Ashley and I are officially turning our family of 2.25 (Ruby) into a family of 3.25! 15 weeks along and doing very well, Ashley and I are extremely excited. The baby is healthy so far, Ashley has not experienced many sick days at all, and I have not freaked out more than 7.6 times. In fact quite the opposite. I am so excited to have a little buddy (guy or girl, who cares?) to run around with I can hardly stand it!

So what has this pregnancy entailed so far? Well, we had to cleverly hide this from many people. Ashley had to fake drink wine/champagne at New Year's, I've had to go buy Oreo Cookies more than once, and the jeans with the strechy front arrived. Pregnancy jeans? Preans? Jegnancys? Anyway, she'll still be lookin hot with those bad boys.

Other than that we are still waiting to see little Jerome (kidding) in the form of a baby bump. Nothing yet! I mean come on already I want to see something! Ashley still looks like the hot mama (pun intended) that I married!

Now what is next? Well, some doctors appointments, an ultrasound to find out the sex of baby Jerome in about 6 weeks, some reading, and lots of preparing to be parents. We are so excited and welcome any help and/or advice you have to offer!

Until next time, buckle up for the ride. It's going to be great!

Today's musings

What I learned from the Gospel of Matthew this morning:

- There is something more important than a temple (12:5)
- Anytime is a good time to heal, pray and be with someone (12:11)
- We have to decide whether we will have a good tree with good fruit or a bad tree with bad fruit (12:33)
- My words will acquit or condemn me (12:37)
- Beware of the dangers of spiritual emptiness!! (12:43-45)
- Have good soil. Digest, understand, cultivate and my production will be multiplied! (13:1-23)
- Peter let the littlest thing rattle him while on the water. Jesus never wavered. Just stay focuesed on Him and you wont' either. (14:22-33)
- Jesus tells us things hidden from the world in his parables. The question is: Are we listening? (13:35)

Sometimes you just gotta read the Bible. The place to go for answers. The book to read for entertainment. The document to buff up your history knowledge. The source of life!

Until next time, live today full of joy, love and courage. You have a partner in crime!

2011 Year in Review

It's that time again, folks! Time to fill in the blanks from 2011 that went unblogged and time to recap some events that you may have already read about. Either away, join me on the 2011 year in review journey! Ready? GO!

January - kicked off the year in style with Molly and Will, had visitors Jamie and Chris (Black Butte, Neskowin, whirlwind-heck-of-a-good-time)and went to watch my mighty Ducks play not so mighty in the National Championship game. Worst day of my life.
February - and so begins my travels to DC for the "Dealer Academy" and the death of our favorite Portland restaurant, Belly. Son of a!
March - 2 major events: our 1st anniversary, which we celebrated on Maui! And Jamie's 21er, which was celebrated in the South, as it should be.
April - Alex to DC again, fun outings to the Tulip Festival, wine tasting, and being jealous of my Dad, who spent a week in Augusta for the Masters.
May - I was featured in the Statesman Journal "Young Professionals" section, and spent a wild weekend with college friends in Palm Springs for a bachelor party. Wild being golf, dinners out, and laying by the pool. Pretty crazy, huh?
June - DC, again, after another Bachelor party, this time in San Diego. June also saw the beginning of 5 weeks with Jamie, which took us to Seattle (Mariners and oysters!), Black Butte (hiking!) and lots of Portland! We polished it off with a Mary Poppins show with Mom...all in all, one of the better months of the year!
July - 4th of July in Neskowin, the happiest place on earth, and let's be honest - the real highlight of the year - the VICTORY at the Oregon Best Ball!!!
August - DC, for the 4th time, but this time was able to pair that trip with a trip to Georgia for a week. We got to go to Chris's lake house, the PGA championship, and spend much needed quality time in the humidity. Upon returning, I was in one of my best friend's wedding, which turned out to be an incredibly great weekend spent with great friends!
September - the return of the Oregon Football Season, a quick trip to Salishan for Ashley and I, and the start of Ashley's teaching career in Salem!
October - busiest month of the year! DC for me, planning and executing our 1st Annual Wine to Water fundraiser, a trip to Ruby Springs, and the grand opening of our brand new Toyota store. And the major highlight was the arrival of our new puppy, RUBY!!!
November - really highlighted by a trip to Oxford and Thanksgiving in Georgia. I wore shorts. You don't do that in Oregon at Thanksgiving.
December - sprinting to the end of the year, we had the final trip to DC, which Ashley and family were able to attend. Couple that with the 2nd Annual Ornament Exchange and many other parties, we find ourselves a bit exhausted but hopeful for a great 2012.

Lessons learned: love a lot, live a lot, travel often, and appreciate home!

Until next time, happy new year and blessings to you for the upcoming year!