Leaving Las Vegas (Most Likely)

Just sent this out to my team:

Hey team – just a quick update to let everyone know what’s going on. I wanted you to hear this from me first – straight from the horses mouth. Today the church had to make a big move and let some people go due to some financial reasons.

Unfortunately, I am one of those people. It’s not something anybody wanted to do, but that’s just the situation we’re in – you all know what state our current economy is in. And it’s taken it’s toll on the church too.

As for me, I find it to be true that God is not surprised by anything that happens. Never has been, never will be. My family is going to be fine, and The Crossing is being very generous to us in our situation. We will be looking for work around here, and probably in God’s country (Oklahoma). I would like to keep in touch with all of you . . . just so you know, my personal e-mail is:

benhparker@me.com

And my cell is still the same – xxx-xxxx – if it changes – I’ll make sure you know. I hadn’t posted the most recent schedule yet because we had some people coming on, and to be honest with you – it’s probably not going to be posted now. Unfortunately, I will be spending most of the week trying to fill the team in on some of the big things I do so they aren’t in the dark.

So – if you would be so kind – the Creative Arts team is scrambling to take care of things this week – shoot Lee an E-mail and let him know your availability. He will definitely be needing to cover this week and the months to come. The quicker you can get in touch with him, the better. It will help keep the stress level down. His e-mail is:

lcoate@thecrossingonline.com

If you have any questions, or you need to talk please feel free to yell at me.

Ladies and Gentlemen, it has been an honor to serve you and serve next to you. You are all top notch people who I will never forget and who have shaped my life for forever. God Bless you all . . .

Good-bye, friends. Love mixed with faith be yours from God the Father and from the Master, Jesus Christ. Pure grace and nothing but grace be with all who love our Master, Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 6:23-24 (The Message)

Thanks,
Ben Parker

So yeah – It’s a boy!!!!

So we found out today that we are having a boy!!!!!! Woo Hoooooo!!!!! I am so stoked, and so excited. Immediately after finding out we took off for the mall to pick up some Van’s for our boy. What are you naming him you may ask . . . . good question. We are naming him Cash Douglas Parker.

Soo, if you want to see pictures you can click here!!!! The lady who did the sonogram was great – she gave us lots of pics, and lots of time to see him. Everything is perfect right now, no hangups or nothing – he is the right size and everything is right on target. Although we are finding out our due date is two days earlier than before – now it is December 30th!!! Alright, gotta jet – more tomorrow!!!!

Hold on . . . there’s a New Mexico?!?

So I am long overdue for an update . . . here’s the skinny. Life has been crazy lately. As most of you already know, our car died and so my dad found us a car from Yates Auto Mall in Talequah. So I got my bank on it and I flew back on Thursday and we picked up the car and then I headed to mom and dads house for a nice porkchop dinner.

Afterwards we watched a little TV and then I went with Blake and Jared and I hung out while they lifted. It was a good time. Then the next day I took off early in the morning and headed back in my “new” car to Las Vegas. It’s a 2005 Impala and it’s white. It took me 19 hours altogether and it wasn’t too bad. I am glad I have all weekend to relax though. Because I am a little worn out. I will post pictures of it later today or tomorrow.

I also need to post pics of my new moped. Mine was stolen last weekend and practically destroyed. Someone took it right from in front of my condo while I slept. Buying a new car I really didn’t have the cash to swing a new one, but a good friend helped me out . . thanks to Earl, I have a moped again. It’s much nicer than my previous one. The guy at Vegas Motor Sports gave me a sweet deal on my new one. I am sure he made nothing off the sale. He is awesome!!!

You may be wondering about the picture at the top of this post. I need to convey some music news. You may have heard it already. Jimmy eat world has finally finished their new album. I can’t wait to hear the new stuff!!

And the really good news is that New Found Glory isn’t calling it quits. They have resigned with Drive Thru Records. And they will be releasing “From the Screen to the Stereo 2″ as their first release. I cannot wait – and I am also glad to be able to see them on tour again. They are on of my favorites – and I didn’t want to see them break-up.

And in other news MxPx will be releasing their new album Secret Weapon on July 17th. You can preorder it here. So that’s about it for now. I will post pics of the new car and moped soon. . . . later. Ohh and Noel – sometime this week I will either post, or e-mail my message from the World Trade Festival.

I’d kill to fall asleep . . .

Wow . . . life has been pretty crazy lately . . . I had a very busy week this past week. Monday was, or course a Monday and then on top of that I had band rehearsal. Tuesday was a video shoot day, Wednesday night was – First Wednesday, and Thursday I had rehearsal for Sunday. Friday was spent picking up Brenda from the airport, editing, and then a party at Chris’ house. Saturday was nothing but editing. I finished the videos for todays service at about 1:30 am . . . . . I am totally wasted. So after service today I got some well deserved sleep and rest and then went back at it. Since Brenda’s in town we went down to the strip and I helped her pick out a new apple laptop, and then after that it was over to Jimmy Buffets for dinner, and then we hit Freemont Street to check out the “older side of Vegas.”

So I am saying all of that to say this. A lot of weeks that I have are this busy and full. And when the day comes to an end I am welcoming rest – in fact begging for it. But when we were in the van on the way home Josie was giving us the whole toddler – “I am not sleepy bit.” It was amazing. She has had a week as long as, or longer than mine and she wants anything but sleep. She was telling us that since she woke up this morning, she didn’t need to get any rest – she was fine. It really made me think . . . what is it . . . . what is it that makes us go from doing anything to stay awake, to just wanting the day to end.

Kids are so passionate about life and about the moment that they never want their head to hit the pillow, they don’t want to stop being in that moment, where as as an adult I just want it to end so I can stop caring, thinking, being, and just rest.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Why does it happen this way. I know it’s part of being a parent and having to work hard to provide for my family. A by-product of working is being tired – I understand. But sometimes I think about it and get sad that I am truly not living in every moment and I am surely not filled with that kind of passion that my 3 year old has. Just a thought . . . .