HOUSE PARTY

Shaun and Jenn got to interview Josh Wilson recently...that reminded Jenn of how GREAT of a guitarist and musician he is! Check out this video to catch a glimpse of how crazy-talented this guy is:

I love sci-fi / post-apocalyptic movies, and For King and Country did an awesome music video to their awesome song that looks like it is straight out of a movie:




What a great visual reminder of the power of showing others the love of Christ!

It's quite possibly two of the coolest Christian artists out there... and they have combined for an awesome song:

The iPhone 5 is the newest, shiniest thing you can get.  So when Jimmy Kimmel told people they were holding the new iPhone, people couldn't stop glowing about how great it was.  Check out the video here:



Unfortunately for them, it was an iPhone 4s they were looking at...  nothing different than what they had in their hands already!

It seems like we are so excited to get the newest and greatest thing that we want things just to want them.

So, if you don't want to use your upgrade for an iPhone 5, good for you!

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go stand in line at the nearest apple store to get the new iPhone.  I hear it is faster and thinner!

(This is part 10 in a 11 part series of things that Andy learned in college - sometimes the hard way - so hopefully you don't have to)

One of the last great mysteries in the world is those people that you will be thrown together with when you are in college.  The good news is, for the most part, you will love your roommates.  But know this:  There will be one that DRIVES YOU NUTS.

Even if you know all of your roommates before hand, you probably have never lived with them.  And they will be either too clean or too messy, too loud or too anti-social, their food will smell (or their clothes), they will mooch too much off of you, they will never go to sleep when you want to go to sleep, and they will generally do everything that you can't stand.

God will teach you patience if you are willing to learn in these situations, and there's not much advice I can give other than don't let your heart become hard towards them.  I let that slip in with one of my roommates and it wasn't a good thing.  Even when he was being nice, I would resent him because of my heart towards him.

Also, make sure that you are not the "Bad" roommate.  Remember, your mom isn't around, so all those things she used to do for you are now in the realm of your responsibility.  Make sure to wash the dishes, make your bed, and pick up after yourself and you'll be better than 75% of the roommates you will live with in college.

(This is part 9 in a 11 part series of things that Andy learned in college - sometimes the hard way - so hopefully you don't have to)

We've already covered why it's not that important to shower before you go to your classes in the morning (that is, if you would miss class instead, hygiene is more important), because here is one fundamental truth throughout your college years:  Everyone Looks Frumpy.

As a matter of fact, there are people that will spend very good money to look as frumpy as possible.  Paying extra for jeans that have more holes than swiss cheese, torn shirts, cut off sweatshirts etc etc.

A lot of it goes into the fact that college students don't have a lot of money in the first place, so for a lot of people there's no choice but to rock the thrift store finds. 

There are some that do have money, but don't want to look like they do, so they will pay to look frumpy as well. 

So, don't worry about spending a lot on your clothes, don't worry about getting all primped and primed for a 7 AM class, and don't be embarrassed about your junky car, because the only place that is more casual/frumpy than college is Wal-Mart. 

(This is part 8 in a 11 part series of things that Andy learned in college - sometimes the hard way - so hopefully you don't have to)

As we have discussed previously, sleep is a precious commodity during your college career.  So, what will probably happen to you when you first start out in school, is you will miss church on the first sunday.  Then the next week, you won't find one that will fit you.  Then the next week, you miss the shuttle to the church you think you might like but aren't really sure.

Just like other times in life, we fool ourselves so often by saying "I'll follow God later"   We think that somehow, once we become less busy (we won't) or have less problems (we won't) or settle down and have a family (you might, but that only gives you less time and more problems), then we will finally crack open the ol' bible and give God the time He deserves.

It won't ever happen by accident, just like your homework won't happen by accident, your car won't fix itself by accident, or your smelly clothes won't clean themselves by accident.

It's something you have to do on purpose, with intention.  And there's no better time to start now!  Because you will never be in a better place to start having a relationship with Jesus then where you are RIGHT NOW!

(This is part 6 in a 11 part series of things that Andy learned in college - sometimes the hard way - so hopefully you don't have to)

Most of our series so far has been about other parts of the College "experience" - but let's not forget, you're there to do some book-learnin' !

When you are selecting classes, you will probably try to pick a schedule where no classes start before 1 pm.  Problem is, those classes usually fill up the fastest, and it never fails that THE ONE CLASS YOU HAVE TO TAKE IS ONLY OFFERED AT 6:40 AM AAAGGGHHH.

Here's the deal,  no matter how late your first class is, it will still be TOO EARLY.  You can squeeze the most sleep out of the night by following "Andy's Guide To Surviving College #1 " , but don't put off that early class, because you'll have to do it sometime, and you might as well do it now.  You definitely won't want to do it any more at a later time.

(This is part 5 in a 11 part series of things that Andy learned in college - sometimes the hard way - so hopefully you don't have to)

Before I share the story that happened to me that inspired this post, please remember I was a 1) Freshman and 2) I am a guy.  Really, most idiotic things can be explained with those two qualifiers.

One of the things I loved about college right away is having 3 great meals a day.   I never had to cook!  And that was a good thing, because at that point I really didn't know how to do much.  But if you are like me and have a full meal plan to the Cafeteria, please remember this important thing:

There will be at least one point where you are very hungry, and the cafeteria won't be open, and you will have no choice but to raid your emergency supplies.

For me, it was at 3 AM.  I woke up in a sweat and it felt like my stomach was attacking me.  I stumbled into our mini-kitchen and opened up my section of the pantry.  Here's what I found:

*Picture not to scale

Hobo Bear

She didn't have a meal plan

The important moral of this story?  EVEN if you have a full "meal plan" in college, make sure to have a meal plan WHEN (you know it will happen) you are hungry and can't go to the cafeteria!

(This is part 4 in a 11 part series of things that Andy learned in college - sometimes the hard way - so hopefully you don't have to)

In College, the classroom is not the only place that you are learning things. For a lot of people, this is the first time away from family, and the first time having to deal with personal finances. We will cover the ever-important college job in a later post, but how to spend the small amount of money you have?

I can't tell you exactly how to spend your money, but I can warn you about one thing that will drain your bank account more than anything. The social "Walmart" run. Someone will walk by your dorm room and ask if you want to do a Walmart run for supplies. It's ok to go, but if you don't need anything, I would suggest NOT EVEN BRINGING MONEY. Because, if you are there and EVERYBODY is buying things, of course you will find something that you all of a sudden HAVE to get.

For example, I was on a run with my friends to Walmart, and I didn't need anything, but I saw this one item like a beacon of light, something that I was almost blinded by its brilliance. It was this:


Even now, years after seeing it in the store, I am still drawn to it. (I mean, look at it!  HE'S ON THE CART, WITH A BANANA, AND I CAN USE IT TO TALK TO PEOPLE!) So I put it in my cart, and as I was walking around with my friends some more, I realized that it was the perfect example of buying completely useless things in college. I mean, we had a phone in our dorm, but nobody used it! Why was I even drawn to it? Because I thought that other people (especially the people I was with) would think it was AWESOME!

So you have two choices:

1) Don't go on the "social Wal-mart runs"
2) Go on the "social Wal-mart runs" but don't bring your wallet.

or I guess you could go in having a list of essentials that you need to pick up, but you're only kidding yourself that you won't come out with a mario kart phone, or whatever that example of ridiculous spending would be in your case.

(This is part 3 in a 11 part series of things that Andy learned in college - sometimes the hard way - so hopefully you don't have to)

Its lure was strong during my college years. Maybe it was the funny name, or the incredible orange chicken, but the chinese buffet near my college made me get a C in my Old Testament History class.

I had the best intentions!  I would be on my way to class, when one of my friends would ask the innocent question "Chinese Buffet?"  To which, I often said "yes."   It was the only class I missed on a semi-regular basis, and it showed.  I forgot to follow the number one rule of college.  SHOW UP!

You can't pass if you aren't in class!  (I didn't even mean to make that rhyme)

The other 12% of College?  Doing the work!  I never missed a homework assignment, and I didn't do the best on tests, but other than that class I missed all the time, I pulled B's or better.  Even if it is late, you might lose some points but still, DO THE WORK!

These are both so common sense, but these two things that trip up college students academically are also some of the easiest thing to do.

Show up.  Do the work. Don't fall into the temptation of the Chinese Buffet. And the rest will work itself out!

This song was inspired by the bag of popcorn that always shows up at the station the day after we do an event at the Poncan Theatre...  And how nobody seems to be grossed out that it is a garbage bag...  So here's the FIRST House Party parody song-

Click here to listen to "In a Bag (Popcorn)"

Here's the lyrics so you can sing along:


Give me a second chance
I need to explain one thing
my friends are at the counter
munching on some popcorn that you may
ask why it's in this bag
that usually houses things
like fruit peels, milk jugs and some
meat with some mold
and...
I could come up with something else to put
it in but I don't know what to do
But the volume of the kernels and
butter leaking from paper bags
You know I'm trying hard save it all
So when the poncan closes
and the trash can is around
I'll carry you home

[chorus]
Popppppcorrn, in a trash bag
there's nothing that is better
if you're a fretter
just close your eyes

cuz popcorn, in a trash bag
you can share with everybody
noone goes hungry
there's enough
Tonight
[end chorus]

[end]
So when the poncan closes
and the trash can is around
I'll carry you home tonight

 You're gonna have people who are "haters", the ones for whatever reason have made it their life goal to make your life miserable.

Sometimes they are friends, and in extreme cases, they are your family.

Just like Joseph in the Old Testament.  His brothers were so jealous of how much his dad loved him, that they threw him in a pit and sold him to slavery.

Years later, Joseph is second in command in the most powerful country in the world at the time, and his brothers must bow before him and beg for enough food to live.

They're also afraid that Joseph might try to do what they failed to do: Kill and destroy their lives.

But, Joseph says something that I'm going to remember every time things don't quite go the way I want them to.

You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. - Genesis 50:20

Haters are always gonna hate.  Our job is to love, and let God take care of the rest.  

(This is part 2 in a 11 part series of things that Andy learned in college - sometimes the hard way - so hopefully you don't have to)

The first few weeks of college as a freshman is like a whole new world, with new foods, new places and new things to learn.

But you won't be focused on any of that.  You'll probably be noticing people of the opposite gender.  Most freshman act like they are wearing a sign that says : "LOOK OUT WORLD, I'M SINGLE AND READY TO MINGLE!"

WELL, Hold on there for a moment cowboy (or cowgirl)!

The WORST thing you could do is start dating someone right away.  Actually if you can avoid it, I would suggest holding off from dating your entire Freshman year!

You can have friends of the opposite gender, that's great!  But what you will notice is two days minutes into orientation, couples will start forming.  These couples will usually make it all the way through the first year of college.  Fast forward to the next year, they come back as single people and not only do they not have each other for company but, THEY HAVE NO FRIENDS BECAUSE THEY WERE TOO BUSY BEING A COUPLE AND NOT HANGING OUT WITH ANYONE ELSE.

I'm sorry if it seems harsh, but this is the truth.  Of course, there are exceptions, but know that friendships are forged quickly those first few weeks of college, and often times those are the friendships that you will treasure many years after you have graduated.

So can you date after your Freshman year?  Absolutely!  You'll still want to be careful of course, for many reasons (one of which we will explore later regarding your reputation).

But as your brain and your heart are still "gelling", stick to being friends.  You'll have plenty of time to jump into the dating pool the other 3 years of college.  And you'll be a lot less wrinkly than everyone else.

(This is part 1 in a 11 part series of things that Andy learned in college - sometimes the hard way - so hopefully you don't have to)

The alarm goes off on your phone, you look at it realizing that you only got 3 hours of sleep, you have two choices.  You can:

1) Get up right away
-OR-
2) Sleep in until 5 minutes before your class

I would always suggest option "2" for a few reasons.  One of them we will get into later (everyone looks frumpy), but lack of sleep is one of the things that will DESTROY your routines in college.  All-nighters are bad too, the next day you feel awful and for me, I found that I did worse on tests if I tried to stay up all night to cram.

Sleep is very important, and sleeping is more important than hygiene (at least first thing in the morning).  BUT, and this is important to remember, that GOING to class is more important than sleeping.  So wake up, go to class, then take a shower.  If this has confused you, here's the order of importance of sleep, class, and showers:

CLASSES > SLEEP > SHOWER > XBOX (sorry guys)

Come back tomorrow, as I tackle the tricky world of dating!  How long should a freshman wait to date?  stay tuned for more!

Janelle Keith from McCoy in the Morning brought an entire garbage bag full of belts to the station today, hoping to give them away.

There are just so many of them, I'm afraid that she will have to get the word out to House FM listeners to get rid of them all.

So I worked on an advertisement for her to help spread the good news about this belt blowout:

Listen to Janelle's Belt Closet Commercial here

I had a chance to talk to my 5 year old son last night about Jesus. To be honest, I hadn't really pushed it much, not sure that he would understand what having a relationship with Christ would be, and my fear of not being able to communicate it well.

Then I remembered how my dad led me to christ when I was a kid, with a book called the "4 spiritual laws" - a quick google found that there is a version of this book for kids now! so I pulled it up on our iPad and walked Joash through the steps. And at the very end, before I could even ask if he wanted to make Jesus his Lord and Savior, he said "I don't want to be separated from God any more."

And he is no longer separated! If you've been a little nervous sharing with anyone, the Four Spiritual Laws for Kids is a great tool. You can read it here: http://www.cru.org/how-to-know-god/good-news-for-children/index.htm

I can't keep this secret from you for any longer.

The Washington Projects (one of members is Je'kob, who you also hear on The House FM as a solo artist) released a remix project.... and EVERY song will get you moving in the minivan or cleaning the house, or whatever you need this summer... THIS IS YOUR JAM! Listen to it below, then please buy it so that more awesome music like this is made!

This is my ugly bathroom vanity.  I'm pretty sure that this medicine cabinet is from the 70's:

gross.

While on vacation earlier this summer, I stayed at a hotel that had a mirror with a cool border in their bathroom... I thought, "I wonder how hard it would be to do that in my bathroom" ?

There are things that I am not good at putting together, namely things from Ikea, and things that are lego.  So when my son got a spaceship lego kit for Christmas, I tried to put off making it for as long as possible.  But tonight was the night of reckoning (after hearing my son ask me enough times where I finally gave in), and I pulled the lego box out to finally put together.

What the spaceship was supposed to look like

 At one point, my son did take one of the bags of pieces out of the box and we lost it.  So I already know this is going to be even more difficult than it needs to be.

As we are trying to follow the directions, and finding replacement pieces in his huge box of legos, my son finally looks at me and says something that I hadn't even considered as we did this.  Something that was so freeing, so simple.  He said:

"It's okay if it isn't perfect, daddy."

it was at that point that I stopped trying to do every little part according to the instructions, and we started having fun!  We added extra wings, more people, bigger windows, and made the coolest spaceship ever.

NASA has nothing on this beast

I realized that I was so concerned that the ship was perfect, that I forgot why we were doing it in the first place.  My son wanted to play legos with me.  He didn't care about decals on the side of the ship or that the nose cone wasn't the right shape.  He just wanted my time, perfect or not.

Not quite the same ship

Oh, and when I put together IKEA furniture, it does end up looking much more like the picture on the box.

I don't think this will help kill a virus

There's this computer virus that has been infecting computers since 2007, so there is a good chance you have it.

It messes with your internet settings, and will make it so your computer won't be able to use the internet starting on July 9th.

It's pretty easy to see if you have it and how to fix it, just follow these 2 steps:

1. Go to this website.  If it is green, you are good to go!  If it isn't, then go to step 2-
2. Download this file and run it.  That should get rid of the virus.

So, I've been gone the last week, but I promise, I had a good excuse -  There is a new addition to our family!


He was born on May 7th at 7:11 AM at 8 Pounds, 9.7 Ounces.  (on a side note, the original frequency of The House FM was 89.7,  future radio DJ maybe?)

Then we had to do the fancy instagram picture for everyone:

It's like the other cans know...

As I was looking in the breakroom fridge this morning, I saw a sad sight before my eyes.  A row of ginger ale cans that will never be consumed.  For there is only one acceptable place to drink ginger ale, and that is on an airplane.

I don't know why or how the tradition started, but it is the drink of choice for many.  This article tries to explain it a little bit: http://www.chow.com/food-news/55453/why-do-people-always-order-ginger-ale-when-they-fly/

So, here's the problem.  If ginger ale is only to be consumed thousands of miles above ground, and you can only bring containers with 3 oz of liquid in it or less on an airplane, how do we get these cans of ginger ale to their proper place of consumption?  (other than asking Janelle Keith, Criminal Mastermind to smuggle them in her carry-on)

Until the United Nations can put aside their differences and come up with a compromise to this problem, we have some ginger ale you can come and drink.  It's free to a good home.

Andy and Jenn hung out with Manafest, talking about his WORLDWIDE tour, his favorite thing about Japan, his new album, Fighter, how a skateboarding injury changed his life, AND a special birthday present for Jenn!  Listen to it by clicking this link:

~House Party interview with Manafest~

We are in the middle of pledge drive! WOOO! One thing that we have seen so far is that we need a lot more new givers to make our goal. A LOT more...

Maybe you have been listening for a while, and you've wanted to pledge.

Maybe you just found us.

Maybe you are just afraid to take that next step.

Maybe you don't think that you can afford to pledge.

Whatever the reason that you haven't pledged yet, I want to encourage you to take a step of faith today.

Faith is the belief in things unseen.

That means, when we take a "step" of faith (or leap, as it usually feels like) we don't know what the future holds.

But we do know who holds the future.

Last year, I stepped out into faith, committing to a Mission Trip to Swaziland, Africa. I had 10 days to raise $1000.

There was NO WAY I could raise that myself, so I told God, "I know you want me to go, but you've gotta help provide. I'll do the asking, but you've gotta make the money come."

I raised the first $1000 in mere days.

Then another $1000 came in.

$20 here and $10 there, and all of a sudden, God had supplied $3000 for my trip! I was fully funded!

Another thing I learned about Faith, is that God will take us to a place where we can't do it on our own, so that when he shows up in the most incredible ways, that there is no other reasoning other than God being in control. He works miracles that bring glory to himself!

So if you feel like you need to give, but you don't know how it will happen, take that leap of Faith today.

Trust that where you end, God begins.

Trust that God will supply your needs.

Trust that the Lord is your Shepherd, that you will not be in want.

Trust that God's plan for you is perfect, even when you don't understand

Trust that God isn't going to drop you off on the side of the road of your life. He's gonna bring you through

Have faith, pledge your heart, then TRUST!

You can make your pledge here: http://www.klvv.com/share2012/pledgeMenu.aspx

Last round of tips from your friends at The House Party - listen up & take notes!

- If you're coming early to wait in line to make sure you get in, buddle up a little. It may feel nice outside for a few minutes, but when you're standing out there for at least an hour and the sun is going down...you'll thank us for reminding you to wear your favorite striped cardigan.

- Embrace and stick with the buddy system. Again, embrace and stick with the buddy system.

- If and when you see any members of a band cover their ears or take cover, follow suit...that one is pretty self-explanatory.

- Bring ear plugs. Well, if you like to be able to hear that is. You make look goofy and get made fun of, but you'll be the one laughing when you get home and you're the only one who can hear for the next 5 days.

- MOST OF ALL - have fun!! How have we gone this long without mentioning that??


Be sure to stop by The House FM booth to say "Ello", get a free picture in our Photo Booth and play in the Angry Birds Tournament, mmkay?

-Andy & Jenn

In our effort to ensure you have a crazy awesome time at Winter Jam this year, here's some more tips building on yesterday's post.

- Remember - arrive NO LATER than 4:30. We can't say this enough.

- Bring $10 in CASH to get in...there's no time to mess with checks, credit cards, etc., in that craziness.

- Bring some extra spending money. Being in 1 building for about 7 hours straight, there's a good chance you're going to get hungry, or thirsty, or see someone with Dippin Dots and start drooling (Is it still the ice cream of the future?). On top of that, you're going to find your new fav band/artist that night and want to have ALL of their music...or there will be an awesome V-Neck band shirt that just HAS to be in your wardrobe. Bring extra money. Nuff said?


We hope when you lock these in your memory bank, you are that much closer to having an awesome experience at Winter Jam! Keep checking back for more tips!


We're here to help,

-Andy & Jenn

From your friends at the House Party, here's some valuable information you won't find on the poster or website to help you enjoy your experience at Winter Jam this year:

- Show starts at 7, doors at 6 - BUT they usually open early. Our recommendation is getting there by 4:30 AT THE LATEST! Doors will most likely open at 5:30.

- The Jam Nation Entry is at 4:30. No, we have no idea where the door is...they never tell us :( Wander around the building, ask important-looking people, etc, until you find it!

- The more people in your group, the earlier you need to be there. Not only will that help ensure you get in, but that you get to sit together.



Please, take our experience and share it with the masses.

Be looking for more survival tips this week as we count down to Winter Jam in Wichita on Friday!

-Andy & Jenn

Jeremy Lin has an incredible story of a guy who was dropped from multiple NBA teams, and was given perhaps one final chance to make it,  and now is one of the NBA's hottest new stars (check out his full story here).  The coolest part?  He is a Christian and gives all the glory to God!  And his favorite artists make me think that he might listen to The House FM to get ready for his games:



Lecrae? Check!  Hillsong? Check!  Yep, he's probably listening.

As a kid, I remember the few times when mom would let dad take me and my brother to the grocery store.  He would let us stock up on all the treats we wanted.  Last night, my wife was gone for most of the night.  I think this picture explains it all:

Two donuts, knight helmet, and plastic axe

Now, my son has something to show his psychiatrist someday, and I have something to show his future prom date.

That's what Chrystal said to me in an email yesterday.  I would be willing to guess that this fear is the #1 reason why people don't take the Surprise Me, God Challenge... so here is my response to her, and maybe to you too if you are going through the same thoughts and struggles:

It is for real Chrystal, you should check out the incredible stories we have heard from people about how God is doing incredible things in their lives!  here's a big list of stories: http://www.thehousefm.com/DisplayPage.aspx?ID=36

Here's one that I thought you might find interesting about how something "bad" happened but God turned it around and made it good:

I prayed the prayer and got a flat yesterday. I took it to Hibdon’s and they said both my back tires could not be fixed and it would be $200 for new tires. I'm not able to afford that so they told me to just pay $15 for the balancing and I could have the tires! God is good!

It all boils down to this, that we have to believe that 1) God has an incredible plan for our lives that is better than *our* plan, and 2) His ways are not our ways, so when we see things not happen the way we want it, there is a good reason.

I hope you take the challenge and let me know how it goes!

-Andy

Andy had talked about his son losing his first tooth and getting some money from the tooth fairy, and in the process MAY have made it sound like he was the tooth fairy.

Well, the tooth fairy was listening and called into our show to set the record straight!  And Andy gets to ask the burning question that we all want to know: What does she do with all those teeth?

Listen to the interview here!

I got this email a few days ago, what a great reminder of what true love is all about:


What Love means to a 4-8 year old . . .
Slow down for three minutes to read this. It is so worth it. Touching words from the mouth of babes.
A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, 'What does love mean?'

The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined . See what you think.

 'When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore.
So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love.'

Rebecca- age 8

'When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different.
You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.'

Billy - age 4

'Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.'

Karl - age 5

'Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.'

Chrissy - age 6

'Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.'

Terri - age 4

'Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.'

Danny - age 7

'Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more.  My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss'

Emily - age 8


'Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.'

Bobby - age 7 (Wow!)



'If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate,'

Nikka - age 6
(we need a few million more Nikka's on this planet)


'Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday'

Noelle - age 7

'Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.'

Tommy - age 6

'During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling.

He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore.'

Cindy - age 8

'My mommy loves me more than anybody
You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night'

Clare - age 6

'Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.'

Elaine-age 5

'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford.'

Chris - age 7

'Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day..'

Mary Ann - age 4

'I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.'

Lauren - age 4

'When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down 20 and little stars come out of you.' (what an image)

Karen - age 7

'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross.'

Mark - age 6

'You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot.. People forget.'

Jessica - age 8

And the final one

The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife.

Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.

When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said,

'Nothing, I just helped him cry'

So, I have been 3 for 3 so far in doing my resolution so far - getting up in the morning and running.  I have an Android Phone, and I found that using two apps helped me run and read my bible at the same time!

For the running part:  I use the Endomondo Sports Tracker PRO app, which uses GPS to track where I run and tells me my pace and my total workout time after every mile.  You can download it for Android, iPhone, and Blackberry.

For the Bible part:  I use Lifechurch.TV's most excellent "YouVersion" bible app, which has the option for you to listen to the audio bible of your reading plan.  I am using it to go through Prof. Horner's Bible Reading System, which hits 10 Chapters in the Bible a day.  You can download YouVersion for Android, iPhone, and Blackberry.

But if you need music while you work out, we've got you covered there too, because you can Download The House FM App for your Android, iPhone, or Blackberry!

Now, the only thing to do is to get out there and make 2012 the year that your life changes!