Last Week before Argentina

Well, here we are ... on December 19th Mari, my Mom and I leave for Argentina. We will be there from December 19th through January 11th. I am very excited to see my Argentinian family. Since we're going in their summer (Argentina is below the equator so the seasons are reversed), we get to go on a Family Vacation. We're going to Patagonia. That should be fun! One interesting Spitzberg fact for you ... we are going to experience all 4 seasons in 3 weeks. We leave the U.S. during fall, we arrive to Buenos Aires in Spring. On 12/21 we switch to Summer, and then when we return to Winter in the U.S. That's pretty sweet ... I'm trying to think of a cool saying that I can print on a T-shirt for us.
I'm going to miss the U.S. Today was my last show at the Gaylord until January 15th. I enjoy playing their, but whatever happens w/ this show in the future, it's been a lot of fun so far. I won't see the chef outfit and maintenance shirts for a month.

Here's a random picture of me playing conga's last week at Church. Thanks Peter.

I thought I would end this post w/ a picture of the snow they have at the Gaylord. It's preety sweet.

This is probably the last post until I get back. Merry Christmas everybody and Happy New Year!

Mari + Charlotte Hang @ The Gaylord

On Saturday night Mari came down to the National Harbor w/ our good friend Charlotte ... here are some pics from the night.

I wanted to play the Zen Drum for Mari ... this was when I was attempting a Zen solo.

Here is Mari + Charlotte.

Here are Brett and Jeff posing for a picture at the end of the night.

Our Nephew bought Mari a jersey from his favorite soccer team. He has been requesting a picture of her wearing it in America.

My incredible wife has been to see the show down at the harbor multiple times. Thanks Babe for taking time again to check it out!!!!

Thanksgiving Weekend Pic Extravaganza

Well, it has been a great weekend of food, family, friends, and percussion. This has been the fullest Thanksgiving weekend I've had, but it was very fulfilling in every sense of the word. Below is a picture recap of the weekend. Captions will be below the pictures.

On Thursday I played at the Gaylord w/ my friend Zak. Zak is from Baltimore so he knew this actor guy Anwan Glover. I had never heard of him, but Zak was excited.

After playing kitchen percussion, it was off to my brother's house. Man, Neesham (my younger sister-in-law) cooked an amazing gourmet Thanksgiving dinner. She prepared this pumpkin soup thing as an appetizer. I felt like I was at a very expensive restaurant the entire night.

Mari and I before the feast.

Here is my Mom. I always love celebrating Thanksgiving w/ my Mom.

This is Beemer and myself. I appreciate the fact he wore a tie.

I was in charge of the family portrait. This was my first attempt. I took about 10 others before I got the one below.

I thought it was important not to have my Mom squished.

On Friday morning it was off to my Dad's house where we celebrated Thanksgiving w/ my Dad.I decided to play a song on the violin for my Dad. I was practicing a song one of my students wants to learn, "Start of Something New" from High School Musical.

My Dad read an Indian prayer before the meal.

My Dad's marshmellow sweet potato's.

Neesham's soup.

Mari made a cranberry Cheesecake.

Family portrait ... again I was in charge.

After linner w/ my Dad it was off to the Gaylord. Also, on Saturday at the Gaylord, I saw three friends from Church ... the Trusedale's, Scott + Grace, and Marhsall + Tammy. It was great to see everyone. It seems the holiday crowds at the hotel enjoy the holiday songs.

Another highlight of the weekend was to play percussion at Church. This was the first time I've played in a very long time. I was nervous, but I had a blast. There is nothing like hitting stuff while singing truth about Jesus ... I love it!

Once again if you've read this far, I appreciate your time. Have a great a week, and I hope you had a great T-giving weekend.

Gaylord Schedule Change + Pics From Saturday

Well, the schedule has changed at the Gaylord. I will now be working Thursday, Friday, + Saturday from now until December 13th. I will still be working this Sunday though. If you think you can make it on Thursday shoot me an email. Here are some pics my Mom took when she came to see the show.

Soup, Nursing Home, and the Gaylord

The question is ... why do I like taking pictures of food so much ... I'm really not sure. But here is a cool lunch Mari made last weekend.On Saturday, I took 12 of my students to Independence Court, an assisted living center (nursing home) to perform. This is the second time I've done it. Leading this field trip is an energizing experience. Being there with students is an interesting position to be in ... taking a group of 10-12 year olds to play for people who are in their seventies and eighties ... and here I am somewhere in between. It helps me to think about what I would have liked to do when I was 12 and what I would like to accomplish by the time I'm eighty. May God help me not to waste my time here on earth and use every day as an opportunity to glorify Him. If I get permission of the parents, I will post pictures of the students playing. But for now, here is a picture of me before the field trip and the turkey cupcakes the activity director prepared for the students.

Tis the season ... the Christmas tree is up at the Gaylord.

Here is a picture of Charlie (the show writer at the Gaylord), Dominic, Jeff and Brett. These are the guys that I get to perform with every week.

On Saturday (11/22), my Mom and the Prestons came to see me perform. The Presonts have known me my enitre life. They enjoyed the food and the performance. They even said they may come back and bring their grandchildren.

I'm looking forward to this week. Yesterday at our men's accountabiliy meeting, Kris encouraged us to lead our families to be thankful on what God has done. There is so much to be thankful for this week: knowing Jesus as my Savior, having an incredible wife, a Church that rocks the house down by helping me love Jesus more, a great family two jobs that I enjoy (especially the one where I get to hit buckets), and the hope of becoming more like Jesus each day.

If you have read to here, I do appreciate your time, and am also thankful that you read this blog.

Time to put the 'cookbook' back in the Christian Hand-Drummers Kosher Cookbook. This past week I had the opportunity to grill a few times. I love grilling ... even in the rain. I think I like grilling in the winter more than the summer. Primarily because you don't expect it, and sometimes the unexpected tastes better. Also, Mari made some pumpkin soup, which was incredible.

Mari also made some great chicken one night ... she served rice with artichokes and black olives ... very nice.

Speaking of Mari ... her schooling is going great. She has been teaching in the classroom almost every week. For one of her lessons this week, she taught linking verbs.
On Thursday night, my Dad took Mari, Ed (my bro), and Neesham (my younger sister-in-law) to see Frost/Nixon at the Kennedy Center. The first 45 minutes were pretty boring, but the rest of the play was very interesting. Here is the trailer of the up coming movie version of the play.



It's hard to see in this picture, but Mari loved the sign by the parking gate. Be careful ... don't stand under it when it comes down.
Spiritually speaking this has been a good week. However, I have been struggling with self-righteousness (especially when I'm driving) and laziness. I am looking forward to CJ's mini-series on laziness. Also, I am asking God to help me grow in humility and dependent discipline. May this weekend be a refreshing time of “... having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you ...” (Eph. 1:8) I need God to enlighten my heart to the gospel, which is my hope. This song by Martyn Layzell has been ministering to me lately.

"If ever I should falter ... If ever I should fall
Your love is an anchor, in a refuge for my soul
I build my world around you, I'm building on the rock
For only You are faithful, only You are strong. [C]

With Your grace, I can face another day
I run this race, holding on to You
When the road seems to hard to climb
I recall these words to mind.
[C]
Each new day come what may impressing on
With my eyes firmly fixed on You
When the Lord seems to much to bear (not sure about this line)
On this truth I can depend
[C]
When all around me is shaking in this world
Built upon Your solid foundation I stand firm
[C]

I love songs that point me to the truth of Jesus and His Word, because I so often focus on my circumstance. Once again, if you've taken time to read this far, thank you for your time and I hope you have a great weekend!