We finally made it home last night. American Eagle cancelled our flight from DFW to Abilene, but then they told us the good news: they could guarantee us seats on the next available flight–which would be Tuesday. Apparently everything else on Sunday and Monday was sold out. So we rented a car and drove back.
Chris and I are keeping the brackets, and we count ten upsets (defined as a team beating someone at least five rankings higher) so far:
A&M (12) over Syracuse (5)
Northwestern State (14) over Iowa (3)
Bradley (13) over Kansas (4)
George Mason (11) over Michigan State (6)
Montana (12) over Nevada (5)
UW-Mil (11) over Oklahoma (6)
Georgetown (7) over Ohio State (2)
Bradley (13) over Pittsburgh (5)
George Mason (11) over UNC (3)
Wichita State (7) over Tennessee (2)
So we’re down to 16 teams with two 7s (Wichita State and Georgetown), an 11 (George Mason), and a 13 (Bradley). Love it.
Tulsa workshop this weekend. Lots of preparation left to do!
Mike, Jerry Taylor blew us away yesterday..!! I heard Sam in the living room, which was filled with middle school boys, asking, “Did you guys go to church today? I love Jerry!”
Someone was comparing his preaching to a train that starts out chugging up a hill, in the begining, then going full speed down the hill.
Hope you guys had a good trip..we missed ya.
I have been using a book as a guide for my Wednesday night Bible study called Walking with God on the Road You Never Wanted to Travel by Mark Atteberry. He has some interesting thoughts about the Christian journey in a troubled world that might give you some additional inspiration for your Tulsa presentation with Randy.
His take off point each time is an experience of the wandering Isralites.
He offers 13 strategies for this journey:
Understand How You Wound Up in the Wilderness
Commit to Strict Obedience
Travel with a Friend
Stay Positive
Step over the Dead and Keep Going
Trust God to Meet Your Needs
Go at God’s Pace
Enjoy Every Oasis
Expect Detours
Worship on the Way
Keep Your Dreams Alive
When You Come to the Jordan, Cross It
Turn Your Trip into a Testimony
Please note that Isralites is an ancient alternative spelling to Israelites.
Peace.
Mercermadness standings to date:
Jake (7 yrs) 46 winners
Ben (3 yrs) 43 winners
(I gave Ben the higher seed in all the games and let him pick the Final Four winners)
Zach (9yrs) 41 winners
Mommy 41 winners
Daddy 37 winners (ouch-At least I’m beating my daughter. She’s going down!)
Hannah (5 yrs) 28 winners
Grace and Peace,
Danny
Oh I don’t know much about basketball except that UConn is going to win it all. But Tulsa! I wish I was going to Tulsa.
I’ve got 11 of the Sweet Sixteen. That North Carolina game killed me!
Tulsa is going to be great.
I’ve still got 11 of my 16.
My favorite - for the Bradley/Pittsburgh game - the scoreboard read:
BRAD
PITT
Love it.