G'day all!

Well, I missed the one year anniversary of my last xanga entry. Noah is no longer the tiny, helpless infant he once was, but is now a strong little one year old machine. This past year has been full of many challenges, but many blessings as well. There have been times where I was discouraged - usually due to unkind statements or actions of others - but there have been even more times where I have been excited to see what God is doing, and sensing what is to come. It was a thrill a few months ago to lead our neighbors into a personal relationship with God. There is nothing more exciting and fulfilling than seeing God at work in that way. And I am confident that God wants to use me, and my church family, to make a positive, eternal impact in the lives of many of the people that God's heart aches for. I just want to be faithful in honoring God as I seek to live according to His Word - and to encourage others to do the same.

Hope all if well with you, whoever you are reading this now. Remember to not allow the many distractions of life to warp your focus. Let's focus on what matters!

Only one life, 'twill soon be past
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Well, Noah is now 1 week and 1 day old!

Hopefully he will be able to come home in the next 10 days. He is doing very well, and I think he's pretty cute!

Anyway, I've got lots to do, but I'll  try to post a picture or two in the next few days.

It's been a while since my last entry...I know.

But this past week has been quite eventful. After some complications, Heidi went in for an emergency c-section, and soon after, little

NOAH OBADIAH ANDREW HODGE entered our world!

He will be in the NICU (intensive care) for probably  weeks, as he showed up 6 1/2 weeks early.

Anyway, I've got lots to do. Hope all is well with you all, and that you have a great Christmas.

Pastor Tim (aka "Daddy")

Well, as I promised the IMITATE youth-groupers, I am posting the poem that was in one of my birthday cards. I don't know if I should be openly talking about the subject of this poem, but I thought it was pretty funny, so here it is:

A poem for your Birthday- "All About Farts"

A fart can be quiet, a fart can be loud,
Some leave a powerful, poisonous cloud...

A fart can be short, or a fart can be long,
Some farts have been known to sound just like a song...

A fart can create a most-curious medley,
A fart can be harmless, or silent, but deadly...

A fart might not smell, while others are vile,
A fart may pass quickly, or linger a while...

A fart can occur in a number of places,
And leave everyone with strange looks on their faces...

From wide-open prairie, to small elevators,
A fart will find all of us sooner or later...

But not all farts are bad, this is simply not true -
We mustn't forget...

Dear, sweet, old farts like YOU!

So there you have it. And I want to say a big THANX to all the youth and parents that helped make my 30th birthday so special. You guys are awesome, and I am blessed by God to have the priviledge of knowing you. Hope you have a wonderful day.