Stupid Videos: A Blog Series...

I am having one of those weeks. Kinda feel like this...

Techie News...

Just downloaded the new version of Safari, my preferred internet browser. Apple just released their Beta version.

You can read all about it here and here. It has some GREAT new features... including Cover Flow (I am a big fan).

Now, my friend Todd just told me about Opera, another great browser. So, I am going to be comparing them for a few days until I decide which I like best.

Sigh. Now, I will focus my attention back on the important things in life.

Surprise Anniversary Party...

This past weekend, Nikki and I got the chance to sneak back to Ohio to surprise my parents for their 40th anniversary. My sisters planned an awesome day for my parents. Here are the highlights:

• They planned a progressive dinner, where my parents ate at each of my "local" sisters' homes.
• They didn't know that any of us "out-of-towners" (3 of us) were planning a visit.
• We were at the last destination to surprise them and join in dessert.
• My parents were totally surprised! It was great.
• They had the dining room decorated like their wedding reception.
• My parents cut the cake and fed it to each other.
• We also got to visit with everyone, including my brand-new nephew, Caleb!

It was a short visit (less than 24 hours), but it was a great one. I only wished that we could have visited longer. I have amazing parents and it was great to celebrate with them. I also have a video and slideshow of what happened... Enjoy.

Happy...

Its all back! Thank goodness.

Thanks to Apple's incredible warranty, Time Machine, and Pixel Creek's rapid and great service, I now have a new battery, and a brand new hard drive.

That's right, they replaced my hard drive because they said it was failing. One day later, I had it back!

Now, thanks to Time Machine, which automatically backed up everything on Monday, I have fully restored right to where I was before this happened. A huge sigh of relief.

Now, I am off to a busy weekend full of adventures. I will hopefully be back to posting next week!
//Seth Bartlette
Sent from my BlackBerry

Lonely (Part 2)...

Well, I got the prognosis, and I have to get some parts replaced on my Macbook Pro. The good news is, it is all covered under warranty.
The bad news is it will be another couple of days.

The other GREAT news is that my great friend Todd Lemons rushed in to save the day! He is letting me borrow his Macbook Pro until I get mine back!

He even set it up so that all of my calendars and mail were up and running. What a great friend.
//Seth Bartlette
Sent from my BlackBerry

Lonely...

Lost an important part of who I am today.

My Macbook Pro has had some battery issues that started over the weekend and I had to take it into Pixel Creek (a local Apple service store) to get it looked at. I thought that I could walk in and get it looked at, but they took it and said they would shoot for 3 days!!

I guess I don't really know how to function or get anything accomplished. Ugh.

I guess I will be busting out one of those pads of paper that I have seen people use.

Till then, if you see me... I could use a hug.
//Seth Bartlette
Sent from my BlackBerry

Stupid Videos: A Blog Series...

I know that I run the risk of having all of the women out there hate me by showing this video, especially on Valentine's Day.

BUT... it is too good to pass up on.  My friend Chris Greeney sent me this video of "Crazy Women Drivers" that obviously was captured in Europe somewhere.  I would also like to dedicate this to all of my seven sisters.  

I would say that I "hope" you enjoy it, but I "know" you will!  (Plus it has some really "catchy" music).

POLL RESULTS: If You Could Escape the Cold and Snowy Weather Today, Where Would You Go?

The results are in for the weekly poll!  

It was close, but it seems that most of us that are sick and tired of the winter cold would rather head to Hawaii if we had the choice.

I can't say that I would argue with someone if they presented me some plane tickets...

But for now, we get to enjoy the remainder of the winter.  Here's to a quick reunion with sunshine and warm weather once again!

Student Ministries: Monthly Volunteer Meeting...

Tonight, we have another volunteer meeting for our student ministries leaders. 

These are so valuable to what we do.  We use them for unity, team-building, training, development, etc.

I also try to use these gatherings as a time to appreciate all of our leaders for their hard work and sacrifice.

This year has been a really good year for them, as we have finally found a great environment to host them - living rooms.  It provides a great context for our conversation and training.

We have some meetings where we do something strictly for fun and fellowship (bowling, ice cream, etc.) but tonight is going to be some specialized training.

We are going to do some training on dealing with students in crisis.  Many times, we are confronted by issues that seem more fitting for a counselor, and are quite unprepared in how to respond.

So, we are bringing in a special guest speaker and counselor, Greg Fry, to this training.  I am really excited about it, and am hopeful that will really encourage and equip our leaders.

Student Ministries: Today is a New Day...

If you saw me in the last month, chances are that I was pretty overwhelmed, stressed, or tired.  Since Adam Cramer's departure in January, I have been working feverishly to pick up areas of ministry that fell under his supervision.  

In January, we launched a mission's trip for the summer, created our spring calendars, hosted a parent's meeting, and the list goes on and on.

I have been trying to keep up with all of the areas of ministry, while also attempting to incorporate some new ones.  Whew, I am getting tired just thinking about it.

Well, as of last week... things got a lot better.

Let me introduce you to the BRAND NEW student ministries assistant, Dani Severance!

She was our summer intern last year, and has been a volunteer in our ministries for a few years now.  She also grew up in the student ministries here.

Dani is going to be working part-time while also attending Bethel College as a senior.  She will be in the office 4 days a week.

I have a nickname for her, "Miracle Worker."

You see, she is incredibly gifted in administrative details and organization (an area where I fall dramatically short) and has already added such a dynamic impact on the weekly tasks.

The goal is to allow me to focus on more on the ministerial areas of my position, such as pastoral care, leading, training, message preparation, etc.  I couldn't be more excited about this ability to focus more on those areas that will hopefully see our student ministries become more effective.

I have already been able to schedule more meetings with our interns/leaders, speak at events outside of the church, and plan ahead.  Today is a new day.