So, they hired a girl to take my place. Today is her second day. She gets here at the normal time (around 9 AM), leaves for two hours (presumably on “lunch break”), comes back and has lunch at her desk (making her lunch break in fact 2 1/2 hours), then packs up and leaves at 3 PM.

Looks like we have a real winner!

He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

- Isaiah 40:29-31

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

- 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

Yesterday, we finally got a good portion of the team out for a practice. It was cold and muddy, but they showed up. We had a joint practice with Betty Ford Light, and Gregg (their captain) really worked everyone out with kicking, catching and throwing drills. We then played a scrimmage game, and I found out that most of the girls can kick and run well, and the guys can really boot the ball. I think I’m the weakest guy kicker so far, but that’s okay, because I kick ass on defense, when I’m playing first base. One of the guys (a military dude) can pitch like a veteran, so I’m really happy we have at least one good pitcher. We only had nine players there (including myself), so it’s hard to judge how much talent we have on the team (of 26 players). But I’m definitely optimistic, because this group really gave Betty Ford Light a run for their money.

I love watching Amazing Race. Rob & Amber from Survivor fame are one of the teams on Amazing Race, and they’re so awesome. They are so sneaky, and everyone else totally hates their guts. They bribe people to sabotage the other teams, etc. They’re currently first place, and I really hope they win.

Survivor is lots of fun this season, too. One tribe is getting totally demolished—it’s hilarious. They’ve lost every single immunity challenge. It’s so pathetic.

Other than that, I’m enjoying 24 very much. Lost has been reruns for the past few weeks. Sealab 2021 rules, as always.

I just received my awesome Nikon SB-800 flash in the mail yesterday. It rocks. I’m gonna have to test it out soon. The wedding I have to photograph is just over a month away. Helen, the girl who’s getting married, paid for the flash and is paying for six private tennis lessons for me at Worldgate. I set those private lessons up today. My first one is this Saturday, then they will be every Wednesday at 9:30 PM. So, it looks like my spring schedule is now set…

Monday – Gym workout; South Riding tennis class
Tuesday – Vienna kickball
Wednesday – Gym workout; Worldgate private tennis lesson
Thursday – Reston kickball
Friday – Gym workout; FREE
Saturday – Kickball practice; Reston Bible Church
Sunday – Worldgate tennis class; Frontline

I’m also on the Vienna kickball board (which includes doing the website, working with the charity, planning the parties, etc.), as well as the USTA Mid-Atlantic marketing committee (which kicks off with a conference call next week). At some point, I’ll need to fit in eBay sales, web design, reading…

I am going to be a busy little bee this spring, I tell you what. …And it will probably continue into the summer.

I decided not to go to San Diego this year. Way too expensive, and way too many things to do to prepare for it. There’s no Sarah Michelle Gellar to motivate me to spend a thousand dollars on geek week. It would have cost me even more to go, because I would have stayed at a really expensive hotel. Alas, because of my new position at Nextel and all of my sport commitments, I’m going to be a local yokel until next fall.

I think my USTA involvement will allow me to go to the U.S. Open in New York in the fall (all expenses paid!). I might be able to photograph all those top players (like Sharapova, Agassi, Roddick, etc.). That’s going to be one awesome vacation, if it happens!

I have a board meeting tomorrow. Jenn never called, so we won’t be going to 80’s Dance Party tonight. I’ll probably see all three girls tomorrow. Hmmm… Not thinking it’s gonna happen. But Sara e-mailed me today, so that’s a plus!

My life is like season seven of Buffy, the Vampire Slayer. There are so many “potentials” around—at work, kickball, tennis, church. It’ll be interesting to see which one turns out to be The Slayer. If I can get Willow to cast me a spell, maybe all of them will?

I’m determined to get a date for the Chris Isaak concert at Wolftrap on August 24. Siobhan went with me last time. The time before that, I went by myself. This year it’s going to be someone special.

I’m out.

I went to Reston Bible Church this evening, because one of my co-workers invited Emily and I to go. I simply went to encourage Emily. I also hadn’t been to Reston Bible Church before, and I wanted to check it out. Emily ended up calling additional backup—Mia, her ex—to come with us.

I was impressed with the church. The sanctuary is about a fifth of the size of McLean Bible Church’s. It provided an intimate, yet modern, worship environment.

The event was called “Conversations,” and it was a mix of drama skits, testimonies, and live music. In all honesty, I thought it was the best bit of evangelism I’ve ever witnessed. Each of the five acts targeted different segments of people—a few of which really pinpointed where my friend Emily is right now. At parts, it sounded as if they were talking specifically about mine & Emily’s relationship and year-long dialog on Christianity.

After the performance, the pastor spoke for a bit, explaining the role that Jesus plays in the big picture of salvation. He communicated it very well—making it clear and simple. I think Emily was impressed with the evening’s message, and Mia seemed to gradually become less and less hostile (judging from her body language throughout the performance).

Once the lights came on & we started to exit the sanctuary, I got caught up in some conversations with other audience members. I recognized one girl from Campus Crusade at GMU (ten years ago). I’ve also seen her at Frontline before. She told me she was just talking about me earlier today with Patrick Dennis (the former leader of GMU’s Campus Crusade for Christ), with whom she works. Apparently, he popped in my “Heroine” CD and asked her if she knew what ever became of me. I told her to tell him I’m now the captain of a church kickball team. I also tried to recruit her for my team (even though I don’t have any spots left). She said her friends had wanted to join, but she wasn’t into it. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your perspective), she has just gotten married, and she and her husband are “shopping” for a church to go to on Sunday mornings. I told her—in all seriousness—that I was going to start going to Reston Bible Church on Sunday mornings (or Saturday nights), in addition to going to Frontline. I want to attend a church that’s more intimate and traditional than MBC. Then keep Frontline as something additional and separate—a place where I can do more serving than being served.

Anyway, I was really impressed with Reston Bible Church. They have a great facility, the pastor is terrific, the worship music is really good, and there seemed to be a lot of cool, young adults in attendance. Plus, I already know a few people there. I’m going to try and make it back there this weekend.

I HIGHLY recommend their “Conversations” performance. It’s playing for two more nights (Thursday, Friday). If you get a chance to go, you really should. It’s a really great presentation. They really know what they’re doing over there. Bring your friends.

I’m hoping Emily will have a lot of questions for me tomorrow.