7 more Buckeyes now in the NFL

4 Buckeyes were drafted on the first day and three more on the second day. Malcom Jenkins was the first Buckeye to go and was taken by the New Orleans Saints at number 16 overall. Beanie Wells was picked up by Arizona Cardinals, which was a great pick for them because Beanie was the best running back in college and is now the best running back in the NFL. James Laurinaitis was taken by the Rams early in the second round. The Rams will enjoy an incredibly gifted linebacker but an even better person as well. Brian Robiskie is following his father's footsteps as an NFL wide receiver. Brian is a solid receiver who runs great routes, has great hands, and is a hard worker.

On the second day of the draft, three more Buckeyes were selected. Donald Washington to the Chiefs, Brian Hartline will join former Buckeye Ted Ginn Jr. in Miami, and Marcus Freeman will be an instant impact for the Chicago Bears defense.

homemade hot chocolate in a winter wonderland

From Sunday at 10:00 AM to Monday night at midnight, we got hit with the largest snowfall of the year. It was an old fashioned blizzard. I could barely see anything driving home from church. This is the second year in a row that we have had a blizzard on this weekend. We are hoping to get about six more inches in the next couple of days. During the snowfall we hung up the Christmas lights, stockings, and tree in our apartment. It is looking very festive. Tonight I decided to make Heather and myself some hot chocolate. She enjoys Swiss Miss mix with water...basically water with a hint of chocolate flavoring. However, I like the true European style hot chocolate. I melted down chocolate chips, added milk and powdered sugar, and dropped a mini candy cane for a mint flavor. It was really thick, rich, and delicious. There is nothing like Jonathan's old fashioned hot chocolate, on a cold winter's night, up here in Minneapolis.

pre-turkey day cleansing

On Sunday night Heather and I decided to do a little body cleansing before Thanksgiving. The diet will go for three days and consist of clementines, pineapple, spinach, pomegranate, juice, water, carrots, and grapefruit. The idea is to prepare ourselves for a big day of eating on Thursday. We are spending Thanksgiving in Milwaukee with her family. The last time I was not with my family for Thanksgiving was my junior year of high school when I spent Thanksgiving with the Mertz's while my family went to Washington D.C. to visit Amy and Jeremy. Heather, Zach, and I are leaving on Tuesday evening for Menomonee Falls, Heather's home, and will be there until Sunday. Have a happy Thanksgiving and if anyone reads this who will be seeing my family give them a hug for me.

Buckeyes beat Mich-again!

For the fifth straight time, the Buckeyes have beat the Michigan Wolverines. This time they did with style by winning 42-7 on Saturday. I love the Ohio State vs. Michigan game because it is such a great rivalry but it makes me sad because it is the last game of the year (until the bowl games) for the Buckeyes. Everyone on the team contributed to the win on Saturday. It was 14-7 at halftime but the Buckeyes scored 28 unanswered points in the second half.

It was a great morning overall because Heather came over before tip-off to make a Palmer favorite...fried dough. It is tradition to make fried dough before the Ohio State vs. Michigan game every year. Ohio State finished the year 10-2 and will wait to see which bowl game they will play in. Ohio State has won five in a row now and have won 6 of the last 7 games vs. Michigan. Go Bucks!

my first sermon

On Thursday I had the opportunity to preach for the first time. I preached in the student led chapel we have here at North Central. The topic for my first sermon...obedience. In 1 Samuel 15, Saul did not completely obey God. I taught on obeying God completely. It was such a great experience because and I had so much fun doing it too. God really used what I said to touch some of the students. I have a long way to go still but I was happy for my first time.

Because my sermon fell on the week of the Ohio State vs. Michigan game, I wore a scarlet and gray sweater vest in honor of Jim Tressel. I had been very nervous to preach for the first time but as I began to prepare God seemed to take away all my nerves. It was a great conformation that God's call on my life to pastor is the real deal. I am looking forward to preaching more in the future.

collision in the coliseum

Tonight is the eve before Ohio State's biggest game of the year. Tomorrow night Ohio State will be playing University of Southern California in one of the most anticipated college football games of all time! Heather and I have been outfitted all day in our Buckeye garb and cannot wait for the game tomorrow night. In this picture, Heather is wearing her brand new Ohio State t-shirt she got yesterday.

Earlier this evening Heather made her famous cranberry chicken dinner with mashed potatoes and corn. It was sooo good. After that she began the first stage of a triple batch of Ohio State cut-out cookies. I am sure that the boys will devour them tomorrow night during the game. Then we went on a walk because it is perfect weather here in Minneapolis. Tonight was about 65 degrees; just great early fall weather. On our way back from the walk we called Amy and Jeremy and talked to them for a while.

Now, only 17 hours until the big game. Go Bucks!

meet the parents

Two weeks ago, Heather and I were on a 1700 mile road trip from Lakeland, Florida, to Minneapolis. On our way we stopped in Memphis for Mother's Day weekend with the Palmer/Baker crew. This was the first time Heather met any of my family...and she met them all. We walked into Amy and Jeremy's house on Friday night and Jeremy had the video camera running on us and Grandma Clay had her camera flashing. That was Heather's welcome and here is what it looked like (see above).

After the weekend was over, we drove north west to Springfield to hang out there for a full week. It was full of A/G tours (it was Heather's first time in Springfield), interior designing with Uncle Doug, playing golf, and ear wax candling (see right). The weather cooperated and so we were able to run almost everyday because we are training for our ten-mile race. Of course we had much to celebrate as well that week. We celebrated Heather's birthday, dad's birthday, Amy and Jeremy's five year anniversary, and mom and dad's 12,000 day of marriage. Seven days with the Palmer family and Heather is still alive. Just kidding we both had a ton of fun and she loved her time there.

the big 56

Dad just wanted to say happy birthday to my favorite dad in the whole world. I cannot believe you are already 56...where has all the time gone. I feel like it was just yesterday you were a student at CBC running around wildly with mom. Although my memories are quite foggy I still cannot believe it was just over 30 years ago you were a young church planter in Athens, Ohio.

Well, let's just say that the past couple decades of your young life are quite a bit more clear to me. I can remember when you were in your forties and we would play catch in the church parking lot before JBQ practice. I can remember when you turned fifty because that was my first year of driving by myself. The last several years have been extra special because as I am nearing the end of college and about to embark on the next chapter of my life, the early years of your ministry have become so much more real to me. Thanks for all of the memories over the last 21 years and 11 months. You have lived an outstanding 56 years and I hope my next 44 years are as meaningful as yours. I love you dad. You are da' man!

college student's budget

As a college student I am always looking for ways to save money. Here are just a few ways you can save your self some cash.

1. Slickdeals.net This site will let you know where all the deals are in your area.

2. On April 29, Ben and Jerry's is giving free scoops of ice cream all day.

3. On April 30, Baskin-Robbins will have 31 cent ice cream cones all day.

4. On May 9, Subway is giving six inch subs away all day.

We are to be good stewards of our money. Here are a few ways. Enjoy!

welcome to...

Lifetime Fitness. As of 10:30 this morning, I am an employee of Lifetime Fitness in Plymouth, Minnesota. Starting on June 9th I will be working full time as a Summer Camp Counselor. All summer they have kids, ages 5-12, come to Lifetime for day camps. The job is 9-4, Monday through Friday, and loaded with a lot of fun. Every day consists of playing out in the field with the kids, crafts, games in the gym, two hours of swimming, movie time, and Wednesday is field trip day. We will be going to a Twin's game, the science museum, amusement park, the lake, and the zoo. Also, I get a free membership at Lifetime which is sweet.

I am really excited for this job and just cannot wait to live up here in the cities for the summer. Zach, Heather's brother (in picture above), and I are living together in an apartment for the summer. Zach is working at the Holiday Inn, following in the footsteps of his sister, and Heather is hoping to nanny for a family in the area. Only eleven more school days plus finals until I am a SENIOR!