I've Never - Traveling Edition

We're on the road today to Florida. The following have never happened for me while traveling for vacation.

• Flown First Class.
• Flown Standby.
• Taken a voluntary bump.
• Flown Alegiant, Jet blue, or Southwest airlines.
  
• Drove through the night with Janelle.
• Gone to the bathroom without the "pit stop".
• Drove to the West Coast.
• Had my carry on bags searched even though they contain syringes and vials of liquid.
• Had a flat tire.

I've Never

Haven't done one of these in a while.

I've Never...

... voted on a non-presidential election year.
... been to West Virginia.
... eaten salmon.
... played football wearing shoulder pads.
... finished in first place in an individual sports competition.
... spent the night waiting in line for something.
... been to a bar for social purposes.
... cried when I lost a game.
... competently played a musical instrument.
... doubted that we should have adopted Katylynn since the moment I held her for the first time.

Christmas Lists - I've Never

In a continued effort to cross-breed every series I've ever done. Here's a list of some common Holiday activities I've never taken part in...

I've Never-

• Received or eaten a fruitcake.
• Drank eggnog.
• Been Christmas Caroled to (at Christmas time... a Small Group of students came caroling in May once).
• Chopped down a Christmas tree.
• Eaten chestnets roasted on an open fire (I don't think I've ever eaten chestnuts at all).
• Been on a one-horse open sleigh.
• Left cookies and milk out for Santa Clause (I might have left him cheese and crackers once)
• Played Joseph in a Christmas musical. I always got stuck being a shepherd (I'm still a little bitter about it)... but that one's about to change. This weekend Derry is Joseph, Janelle is Mary, and Katylynn is baby Jesus at the NMC Choir Musical this weekend. Oh yeah! Blond Hair, blue eyed Mary and Joseph, and female baby Jesus!
  

I'll Never

A little twist on the I've Never Series I've been running...

Katylynn, now that you've entered our life, I'll never...

... have another parent tell me, "Someday, when you're a parent, you'll undertand." That always felt so good to hear (sarcasm intended!)

... watch movies with "parent plot lines" in the same way again.

... make fun of the song "Butterfly Kisses"... okay, maybe I'll still be able to do that one.

... let my guard down when I see a guy your age. Today our friend with an 18 month old boy stopped by, and I swear he looked at Katylynn, looked back at me, and gave me a smirk. I told him to back off and that he had to prove that he would treat my girl like the princess she is; and he could do that no earlier than age 30.

... be able to rid my house of pink.

... do everything I can to honor, love, and serve just one Prenkert woman... now it's two.

... intentionally get in the way of God's incredible plan for your life (I say this in faith, not in certainty).

... view my Father God in the same way. I know it's only been 4 days, but it's already changed significantly.

... begin a day without a prayer for my daughter's pursuit after Christ, her purity, and her future spouse's purity.

... forget a 17 year old that chose life, and in that choice will change me forever.

I've Never - the baby edition

I've never...

... changed a diaper.
... fed a baby a bottle.
... driven a car with a baby in a car seat.
... treated diaper rash.
... cleaned up spit up.
... woke up to crying in this house.
... given a baby a bath.
... held a baby for longer than 5 minutes.
... celebrated Mother's Day for Janelle.
... had someone call me "daddy".

I'm looking forward to seeing these change.
Any day now...

I've Never - The Prayer Edition

Yesterday at a Youth Workers luncheon, my friend Brad said the word "brisk" in reference to the weather while praying. This brought about a discussion around the table concerning words or phrases we've never used in prayer. Here's 10 I can think of...

1. arm pit
2. crossbow
3. porridge
4. burrow
5. autonomous
6. frothy
7. labradoodle
8. anagram
   
9. Pi
10. antidisestablishmentarianism
    

I've Never - Part 5

I've Never – Part 5

 

The Sobering Edition…

 

Like most of you, I've Never…

… been without a home.

… missed a meal because I couldn't afford it.

… feared I would be attacked during the night.

… had to hide at night so as to not be taken by the "rebels"

… had to drink unclean water because it was all that was available.

… wondered if I was being discriminated against.

… watched someone I love die to do inadequate medicine.

… considered selling my body to provide for my family.

… had to sneak around to get to church.

… fear death when saying I'm a follower of Christ.

 

I've never experienced any of these.  Yet for billions around the world today, one or several of these are "I have" statements.

For some, it's not just "I have", it's "All I've ever known."

I've Never - Part 4

An ongoing adventure of sharing that which I've Never done...

The transportation edition.

I've Never...

... flown 1st Class.

... been in a Limo.

... drove a motorcycle.

... been on a tandem bike.

... flown in a hot-air balloon (some day I will).

... drove a convertible.

... drove a car while a child was in a car seat.

And yes, these are a repeat from the first edition, but this rounds me off at 10.

... drove a speedboat.

... drove a tractor.

... been in a semi.

I've Never - Part 3

I’ve never…

… watched an entire NHL game.

… watched an entire NASCAR race.

… eaten Malt-o-Meal.

… seen Gone With the Wind.

… written a check to pay off our mortgage. (my wife always does it)

… baked a cake.

… eaten a whole olive.

… had a rodent as a pet.

… been published. (something I hope to have take place some day)

… sat and intentionally watched a Sunrise. (by the time this publishes, this may not be true as I plan to do this at Daytona Beach)

I've Never - Part 2

Part 2 in a I don't know how many parts series I started yesterday here.

I've never...

• owned a vehicle with 4-wheel drive.
• broken a major bone in my body (my pinky finger in 3rd grade doesn't count).
• eaten liver and onions.
• lived further than 30 minutes from my original home.
• Read Obadiah.
• Seen "The Notebook."
• Been in a fist-fight. (excluding family... you're right brother.)
  
• Been fired.
• Eaten Catfish.
• Had a manicure or pedicure.
  

I've Never - Part 1

Driving to Mishawaka, listening to the radio today (fuzzy FM, no AM) I heard an ad for Ovalteen. While listening, I thought to myself, "I've never had Ovalteen enter my mouth."
That made me think of the what else I've Never...

So, here's my list, in a however many parts series I feel like making this. I'll take them 10 at a time.

I've never...
... drank Ovalteen, Yohoo, or Hershey's chocolate Milk.
... shaved my head bald.
... driven a tractor.
... driven a speed boat.
... ridden in a Semi
... started for a VARSITY sports team.
... hunted for an animal.
... watched a show on HGTV.
... smoked any form of tobacco or weed.
... tasted alcohol.