Bed pan race!

I had the opportunity to do the bedpan race at Mash Bash again this year.  This is the second time I've done it.  It's a lot of fun!

Let me give you the run down in case you don't know what this is.  Mash Bash is a big event put on by Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre, and it happens every year at Snow Valley in Barrie.  It's a huge fundraiser for the hospital and a lot of fun.  And every year, they have bed pan races, where you sit on a bed pan and see who can get down the hill the fastest.  It's very difficult.  VERY.  Bedpans are small!  I compete in the media race against other radio personalities from the Simcoe County area.  Both times I've done it, I've ended up wiping out.  This time though, I got a lot farther down the hill!  I ended up with a lot of snow down the back of my pants though...it was a cold few hours afterward...

I also had a GoPro strapped to my chest, I'll upload that video as soon as I get it downloaded onto my computer.  You'll see just how hard it is!

Fun Christian music

I have to say, I'm impressed with the calibre of Christian music coming out these days.  Specifically, new styles of Christian music.

We've always been good at the worship music.  That's a given.  And the music that you wouldn't quite classify as 'worship' (as in, you likely wouldn't sing it on Sunday morning), but you can just tell by the style that it's Christian - Casting Crowns is a good example.

But this new 'fun' style of Christian music that's coming out, I'm loving it!  It's...well, it's just that - fun!  It gets you dancing!  Forgive this description, I'm not trying to sound negative here at all, I'm just not sure how else to describe it other than...it's music that you might hear on a secular radio station if it didn't have lyrics about God and Jesus.  Not because other Christian music is bad or poorly done, but simply because of the style.  These songs have a fun sound.  A bit like Mumford and Sons, but the Christian version.  Songs like:

Tim Neufeld, I'm Free

Mercyme, Greater

Rend Collective, My Lighthouse

Chris Tomlin, God's Great Dance Floor

One more Mercyme tune...Shake!!

This is not by any means a knock against any other style of Christian music.  I like lots of artists that don't fall into this style.  But it's just nice to see this newer, upbeat, fun music.  Often Christian music is serene, worshipful, melodic, soul-searching, which is fine.  But it's great to dance, move and shake to music with good lyrics that praise God!  In fact, Mercyme said that in creating their last album, their goal was make music that you couldn't sit down to while listening - it was just too much fun :).  What a great goal!

Alright, get your dance on!  Have fun!

This is how you do Facebook!

I'm not a big Facebook user or social media guy.  I see their importance, I know how to use them, I DO use them...but for the most part, I just couldn't be bothered.  BUT, when something like this comes along, it changes everything.  It inspires me.

This guy is awesome.  No one knows who he is.  His identity has not been revealed yet.  But his Facebook profile pictures are amazing.  Where he gets the props, how and where he takes the shots, it's all a mystery.  But whoever he is, he's going viral.  Have a look at some of his profile pictures:

Here's the recipe that I'm realizing from watching people like this who become global sensations.  Find something that's unique and that you enjoy doing, and do it well.  Like this guy.

Out of the ordinary.

Super-creative.

Fun.

And now, viral.

Could be a good recipe for church outreaches, no?

2015

Here we are at the beginning of a new year.  The dawn of a new day means you look ahead.  You look at what's coming next, and how you can better yourself.  But to do that, you have to look back too.

2014 was a great year, and a challenging year.

Great because my second son was born.  Great because my wife and I saw God's hand leading us in several different ways.

Challenging because for the life of me, I could not stay healthy.  I used to be the iron-horse, the guy who never got sick.  My 'sick' has always been a bit of a head cold that's usually gone within 1-2 days.  But in 2014, I had laryngitis, strep throat, several long-lasting colds and coughs, and even a pulled muscle.  It was a long year.

So how do I look ahead and make changes (if possible)?  One thing my doctor said was to get more rest, and that would help with not getting sick so often.  It's hard when you have a full time job where you're up by 4:15am, are a full-time dad of young children who don't always sleep through the night, and have other responsibilities that keep you busy during the day.  So this year, my wife and I are making a concerted effort to help me get more rest through a couple of lifestyle changes.

Additionally, I've picked my verse for the year.  Mark 9:24,"Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”  You see, I am a doubting Thomas.  Yes, I believe in God and Jesus.  But my faith could use some help sometimes.  I want to believe more.  I want to believe that when I pray, God hears, and can - and WILL answer.  And I'm quoting a verse right from the bible in calling out to God - I need God to help me overcome my unbelief.

That's what's ahead for 2015.

Family

Ah Christmas.  Such a busy, hectic, crazy, money-guzzling...amazing time.  I love Christmas.  It was so nice to be able to spend time with family the last few days.  Christmas eve through to Boxing Day, we spent with my family, and the 27th was my wife's family gathering.  It really hit me (again) this year what a blessing it is to have such a wonderful family on both sides.  It's something that I realize not everyone has.  I know many people who are estranged from their parents, siblings, or children...and I can't imagine what that would be like.  I feel for anyone in that situation, and hope and pray for reconciliation.

The more I think about it, the more I know that I am blessed to have a great family that loves me, who have shared ups and downs with me, with whom I have amazing memories, and who share the same faith and beliefs that I have. And I married into a family that's the exact same way.

If you have such a family, count your blessings this Christmas - and everyday.  We are some of the lucky few.

Happy Birthday!!!

Today is a special day in the Maassarany household - it's my son's 2nd birthday!

He was born 12/12/12 (which is pretty cool).  But the past two years have whipped by.  He's talking in full sentences, laughing, being naughty, being great...it's just gone way too fast...

It's amazing how much joy he brings into my life.  You always hear parents say that, and if you're not a parent it can get annoying...yes, I know.  But it's so true.  I come home, see him, and a smile comes from deep down.  When I have to discipline him, I HATE it.  I know I have to and that it's good for him, but it's so hard for me to make my son upset, even when it's for his own good.  I would do anything to keep him safe.  He's my boy.

I know that time flies.  I'm trying to cherish every moment.  Perhaps one of my favourite things right now is how excited he gets when he hears me pull into the driveway.  I open the front door and hear him running down the stairs yelling "Daddy, Daddy!!"  And then a HUGE hug...oh, his hugs are so good.

My boy, happy birthday.  I love you so much.  I'll try to always be the best dad I can.

Christmas Traditions

Tomorrow on the All New Breakfast Club, we're doing a talk-back show on Christmas traditions. I think we may have started a couple of new traditions in our family.  Christmas usually rushes by for me...the season gets so busy that it's hard to slow down and really take it in.  I'm happy to say though, that this Christmas has started off a bit different, for a couple of reasons.

My son is almost two years old, and he has made it his mission to yell "CHRISTMAS LIGHTS!!!" every time we pass a decorated house.  It was funny the first few times...now it's a bit deafening, lol.  It's especially tough when we pass five houses in a row that are all decorated.  But every time we're in the car, it's a constant reminder of what season it is, instead of driving by the beautiful lights and barely noticing.  Ah, the enthusiasm and excitement of kids...

We've also started doing something new this year.  We've titled it our 'Fantastically Fun Friday Family Film Fest!"  Which basically means that every Friday night for the month of December, we watch a Christmas movie together.  This is a rare treat in our house because we don't have cable and also don't let our son watch too much on Netflix (we'd rather have him playing and engaging in hands-on learning).  So this is a bit of a change and it's nice to sit down together as a family and relax.

And finally, my wife created an advent calendar for our son.  Everyday in leading up to Christmas, we read a bible passage and then he gets to open one small gift (from the dollar store).  He loves it, and it's fun for us to watch as parents.

So I guess the link in all of these is...my son.  I didn't realize that until I wrote this post.  So although you'll likely never read this, thank you Leonidas, for helping me to get into the Christmas spirit earlier this year.  Yay, it's Christmas!