according to jeff

I recently had lunch with a friend who told me about a recent trip that he’d taken. He’s a member of a sailing club and has been receiving training for some larger boats. Along with an instructor and four or five other members of his club, he’d taken a trip to the Bahamas, rented a 46 foot sailboat, and spent a week sailing around the islands. He told a pretty exciting story about being caught in a squall and needing to navigate through a channel via GPS.

When I hear stories like this, it’s sometimes easy for me to be envious. After all, I’m not a member of a sailing club. I don’t take trips to exotic locations and practice new skills. I don’t even own a GPS!

But then I stop. I may not have a really cool hobby, but I’ve got a great family. I may not travel to the Bahamas, but I go to the grocery store with my wife. I may not own a GPS, but I have more than I need — way more, actually. My life may be simpler and quieter, but I like it that way.

First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
— 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (HCSB)

Seek to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, so that you may walk properly in the presence of outsiders and not be dependent on anyone.
— 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (HCSB)

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with sailing clubs, trips to the Bahamas, and GPS devices. I think it’s great that my friend took this great trip!

However, as for me, I strive to be content. While contentment is at times elusive, I’m reminded that the source of contentment is not what I have, but Who I know.

Your life should be free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you.
— Hebrews 13:5 (HCSB)

My regular fall allergy kicked in today, resulting in a runny nose and itchy eyes. It usually begins on the week of my birthday, and this year is no exception.

Pollen.com indicates that the predominant pollins in this area right now are ragweed, nettle and chenopods. What I’d really like to know, though, is which became active within the past few days. Do any of my astute readers, homeschooled or otherwise, happen to know what new pollen came out in force yesterday or today in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, area? If so, let me know, as I’d be curious to know.

My friend Brian posted an update about his Iowa Farm League team; it’s been a tough year for the Hawgs. Fortunately, the Hot Wheelers are faring better. With about six weeks left in the season, our squad has settled into first place. There’s still competition from the second and third place teams (currently Clemente’s Clubbers and Power of the Pen, respectively).

Following a trade last week that added Vizquel and Mench (for Drew and Belliard), and a trade today that added Orlando Hernandez for Jason Isringhausen, our lineup looks like this:

Pos	Name	Salary	Team
C	Miguel Olivo	$1	Fla
1B	Albert Pujols	$46	StL
2B	Dan Uggla	$5	Fla
SS	Hanley Ramirez	$10	Fla
3B	Scott Rolen	$25	StL
MI	Stephen Drew	$1	Ari
CI	Chris Duncan	FA	StL
OF	Ken Griffey Jr.	22	Cin
OF	Juan Encarnacion	$14	StL
OF	Chris Duffy	$9	Pit
OF	Kevin Mench	Trade	Mil
U	Omar Vizquel	Trade	SF
BN	Cliff Floyd	$15	NYM
P	Chris Carpenter	$26	StL
P	Greg Maddux	$15	LA
P	Aaron Harang	$10	Cin
P	Matt Cain	$8	SF
P	Anthony Reyes	FA	Stl
P	Mark Mulder	FA	StL
P	Tom Gorzelanny	FA	Pit
P	Orlando Hernandez	Trade	NYM
P	Todd Coffey	FA	Cin
P	Mike Stanton	FA	SF

Drafted players are shown in bold. All others were acquired from the free agent list or through trade. For instance, when Mark Mulder went on the DL, he was released by the team that drafted him. We picked him up several weeks ago (before his rehab starts) in the hopes that he’ll have some good outings down the stretch.

Current standings:

Team	Points
Hot Wheelers	82.5
Clemente’s Clubbers	80
Power of the Pen	77.5

My team has potential to increase in a few key categories, but also some downward potential as well.

Stat	Points
Runs	11
HRs	11
RBI	11
SBs	8.5
OBP	3.5
W	9
S	6
K	6
Holds	8
WHIP	8.5

My recent trades target:

1. Stolen bases with a potential loss in OBP
2. Wins and Ks with an almost sure loss of 1 point in Saves

If the final six weeks go much better than expected, I could gain perhaps 11.5 additional points. If the final six weeks are a near total disaster, I could lose perhaps 18 points. I expect a net gain of about 4 or 5 points, putting me around 87 points at the end of the year. I think that’s enough to hold onto first place.

Time will tell.

Telltale signs that I’m growing older:

• Having to do the math to remember how old I really am.
• Patches of gray – not just a few strands – in my beard.
• Needing reading glasses to read fine print (this is a relatively new development).
• More snap, crackle and pop in my feet than my breakfast cereal.
• Needing to replace my favorite breakfast cereal with oatmeal muffins. (I’m still resisting.)
• Having to pass on Maid Rite onion rings.

But there’s good news:

“Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life.”
— Proverbs 31:16 NIV

“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, ‘The LORD is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.’”
— Psalm 92:12-15 NIV

It’s that time of year again! Summer is winding down and young hearts are once again dreaming of homeschool choir! (That’s the way it is in your house, isn’t it?)

The Wheeler family will be offering homeschool choir again this year. This will be our sixth year. Here are the details.

WHAT
A choral choir focusing primarily on sacred and patriotic music, with a fun piece every now and then. I consider this a Christian event, and often talk about the Christian faith.

TIME
Wednesday Afternoon
3:30 – 4:00 – music appreciation
4:00 – 5:00 – choir practice

LOCATION
Immanuel Baptist Church
1900 F Ave NW
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

REGISTRATION
Wednesday, September 6 at 3:30 (Practice will follow)

COST
$20 per student, due at registration. This registration fee helps offset the cost of music. Due to my expenses, this registration fee is non-refundable.

TRYOUTS
None. We’re not a “show choir”; instead, we want to provide all interested students with the opportunity to sing in a choral group. I have only two requiremens:

• That each student be self-motivated (that is, the student, not just mom, be excited about choir), and
• That the family commit to regular attendance and participation.

ELIGIBILITY
Homeschooled students in 7th – 12th grade. Younger siblings of eligible students may also participate, as we want the choir to be a family event. However, the choir is not a “children’s choir”; younger children will need an appropriate interest and attention span. Talk to me if you have any concerns.

ATTENDANCE
Choir members are expected to be committed to weekly attendance.

CONCERTS
We plan to have a Christmas concert and a spring concert in cooperation with the homeschool band. We may have other opportunities throughout the year. Tentative dates for the Christmas and Spring Concerts are Thursday, December 14, and Thursday, May 17.

RSVP
If you know that you’d like to participate, please let me know the names and school grade of your children that will be participating. This will help me as I purchase music.