25 Random Things About Me.

[Tim Elston]

I love the mental image of you kneeling in the mall with a bible praying for everyone in there to get saved!

That was one of my most bizarre moments. I thought it was pretty foolish and inneffective even then.

My greatest moment, I thought, was when I drove down to the mission and drove home with two homeless men. One had lived on the street for eight years; the other for fifteen. The ensuing four years having them as roommates were difficult, as I was not really naturally cut out for living with psychologically wounded people. But both men made a transition to permanent off-street living. It was probably the thing I did in life that had the most lasting and meaningful impact, even though most of the good that came out of it was in spite of my many faults, many of which I learned about myself during that time.

[pastorables]

1. I weighed only 4 lbs 14 ounces at birth.
2. I am named after Ritchie Valens. (Clay Crosse once sang "Oh Donna" for me . )
3. I was one of the most popular youth ever at my high school, being voted by peers for at least 8 who's who awards, including Mr. High School, and graduated top male g.p.a.
4. I'm the only child or grandchild of a preaching granny to become a minister.
5. A decision I'm not proud of, but out of school I opened a video rental business with around 1500 titles. (I was afforded the rare opportunity to attend an open house and hand pick my movies from one of the south's largest video suppliers of the era.) (Also, Lindell Cooley was a regular customer.)
6. Rededicated my life to Christ and became a minister of the gospel at age 18.
7. I preached twice for Elvis Presley's first pastor.
8. I married a childhood sweetheart (my best friend during teen years) at age 22. (Happily married now for 18 years)
9. I have attended a private luncheon with Dr. John Maxwell.
10. I was present at the largest gathering of Christian men ever in Washington D.C. at Promiser Keepers 1997.
11. I owned a sports card business and have dealt with literally thousands of dollars in unique and desirable sports cards. (Sold one particular card to an Arizona lawyer for $4500.)
12. I've served as pastor to the great-great grandson of Jesse James.
13. At Disney World, I've stood close enough to Michael Jackson (the singer) to touch his arm. (He was getting on the Peter Pan ride.)
14. I've played drums since the age of 14.
15. I co-wrote a song with Laura 'Colston' Lewis of The Kindlers.
16. I once talked with a girl 7 hours on a hotel phone during a school trip. (Interesting story: she possessed the same name as a girl I was expecting a call from but ended up being a prank caller due to our room number being 711.)
17. Accumulated well over 6,000 (love) miles driving within an eight week span to adopt our wonderful child, a true gift from God. (Connected testimony: 9-11 Tragedy came close to blocking our adoption, but God literally intervened.)
18. I have owned and operated a discount grocery business since 2006. (Recently accepted an appointment to return to full time ministry.)
19. I've had the unique opportunity to preach in the presence of former COGOP International Overseer Billy Murray.
20. I once served as pastor to a former basketball coach who had directed respective teams to at least 5 state titles.
21. I played basketball for Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame coach Malcolm Kuykendall, a winner of multiple state championships at two schools.
22. I have three first cousins in law enforcement; one Mississippi police chief, one CHiP, and one Chicago officer.
23. I once had a chance meeting with Larry Young, father of Dmitri and Delmon Young (Major League Baseball), and was invited with my wife to be their special guests at an Arkansas Travelers baseball game. We met Dmitri and had several cards autographed.
24. I won a chili cook off against 9 other accomplished cooks. (The recipe wasn't original though.)
25. I entered my dad into the nationwide contest to win the Wayne Gretzky "Honus Wagner" card given away on Larry King Live. Out of millions of entries, he made the final cut and was included in the final 5,000 entries drawn from by Larry King. We received a letter and a replica of the card commemorating making the finals. It was exciting, even though he didn't win the most expensive card ever.
*Bonus - I've been to Disney so many times they need to name a theme park after me.

Wow, this is kind of fun. I didn't realize that 25 slots wouldn't be enough for my event filled life. I've really enjoyed reading the other postings.

Blessings,
pa

[Jennifer Smith]

Teach, we already knew a lot of your stuff! [/quote

so, should I do this again and put a bunch of stuff you guys don't know about me?

Well, you could! It was hard for me to think of random stuff too!

[Jennifer Smith]

It's cool, I am pretty much an open book... It has gone well. I learned alot about myself, set some boundaries in dating and I am happy being single and somewhat patient...

wendy k

Thanks, wendy, the reason I asked, is I counseled recently with our pastor and it was helpful! So helpful, in fact, that when you said that, i wondered if going on perhaps with a private christian counselor would be a benefit.

The main thing is i think we all need "pastors" and counselors, and at times it is hard to find that help, reflection, and accountability.. but it is priceless. Thanks!

[teach]

It's cool, I am pretty much an open book... It has gone well. I learned alot about myself, set some boundaries in dating and I am happy being single and somewhat patient...

wendy k

Thanks, wendy, the reason I asked, is I counseled recently with our pastor and it was helpful! So helpful, in fact, that when you said that, i wondered if going on perhaps with a private christian counselor would be a benefit.

The main thing is i think we all need "pastors" and counselors, and at times it is hard to find that help, reflection, and accountability.. but it is priceless. Thanks!

your welcome!!!

wendy k

[teach]

Teach, we already knew a lot of your stuff!

so, should I do this again and put a bunch of stuff you guys don't know about me?

Yes, I'd like that because I think you're cute.

ok, here it goes... again...

1. I weigh about 125 pounds

2. my ears are not pierced.

3. I tend to be the aggressor in a relationship, but that is something I am working on.

4. My worst fear is being alone

5. I tend to stay really cold most of the time.

6. I just bought a sweater for $5 and I really really like it.

7. I am not very girly.

8. I can climb a tree really well.

9. I hate shopping.

10. I usually just hang out with guys because guys are easier to understand when you are just friends with them.

11. Here recently I have more friends that are girls despite the fact that I usually hang out with guys.

12. I have always been an honor student and still am while I am working on my masters degree.

13. Jesus is really really awesome.

14. I hate movies that get worse throughout the movie and then finally something good happens at the end.

15. I LOVE star trek and star wars.

16. Transformers is amazing!!!!

17. I LOVE the old school nintendo.

18. I am extremely flirtatious and very proud of that fact.

19. I wear watches that are manish.

20. 90% of the clothes in my closet were free!

21. I love jeans and t-shirts.

22. I love to sleep!!

23. I go to sleep with the tv on most of the time, but I set a sleep timer because I can't sleep all night with the tv on.

24. My personality type is mainly sanguine.

25. I am serioulsy OCD about my finances, my checkbook, and the cleanliness of my apt...


ok, is that a better list?

[Jennifer Smith]

4. I was a PK, my Dad was a COGOP pastor.

I'm sorry! Is that why you say, "I survived God's will"?

[Jennifer Smith]

ok, is that a better list?

Good job! I wish I was OCD about my house! But I don't think the rest of my family wants to be OCD..so, oh well!

[Tim Elston]

ok, is that a better list?

Yes, that's a good list. I like that you are sanguine. On the LaHaye personality model, I am Melancholy Choleric and have found that I enjoy Sanguine Phlegmatic people the best. I feel comfortable with pleasantly optimistic women who are easy-going. But I don't have as much money or good looks as Tom Cruise, and I'm not even a Scientologist. Still, though, when you cruise through Alaska, let's have a halibut sandwich together. We can be just friends, and you'll enjoy me because I'll enjoy you. I'm excited already, even if you do like Star Trek.

[Tim Elston]

12. I've served as pastor to the great-great grandson of Jesse James.

My COGOP pastor in San Angelo, Texas, was a guy named David James. If I'm remembering correctly, he said he was a descendant of Jesse James. David was one of the most humble, Christ-like people I have ever met. A truly amazing man. Does anyone here know him?

[teach]

ok, is that a better list?

Yes, that's a good list. I like that you are sanguine. On the LaHaye personality model, I am Melancholy Choleric and have found that I enjoy Sanguine Phlegmatic people the best. I feel comfortable with pleasantly optimistic women who are easy-going. But I don't have as much money or good looks as Tom Cruise, and I'm not even a Scientologist. Still, though, when you cruise through Alaska, let's have a halibut sandwich together. We can be just friends, and you'll enjoy me because I'll enjoy you. I'm excited already, even if you do like Star Trek.

wow, you are hilarious! I have never been to alaska, but visiting would be cool in the summer. There is no way I am going to alaska in the winter!! I hate being cold!

You don't have money, well, sorry, I won't be coming to alaska then... ha ha

And, star trek is freakin' awesome and I don't care if I am the only one who thinks so!!!!!

what is a halibut sandwich?

wendy k

[Tim Elston]

wow, you are hilarious!

That's what most people think.

I have never been to alaska, but visiting would be cool in the summer. There is no way I am going to alaska in the winter!! I hate being cold!

Come on up this summer. Don't bring your boyfriend. (But a chaperone would be okay.)

You don't have money, well, sorry, I won't be coming to alaska then... ha ha

Just testing you. You flunk. Now that it doesn't matter, I can tell you the truth: I HAVE A LOT OF MONEY! But, too bad, you flunked already.

And, star trek is freakin' awesome and I don't care if I am the only one who thinks so!!!!!

Well, I did watch it as a teenager, but somehow I regressed as I got older.

what is a halibut sandwich?

It's a sandwich that halibut eat. The fishermen trick the fish with false bait and grab the sandwiches before the halibut can react. It doesn't work with crab. That's why there are no crab sandwiches for sale.

No, really, halibut is really tastey fish. I had never had it before I got here, but it became my favorite fish the moment I bit into it. They catch it locally here, and it is fresh and yummy.

I request a flirting forum.

[Susie Hamilton]

4. I was a PK, my Dad was a COGOP pastor.

I'm sorry! Is that why you say, "I survived God's will"?

Ask any PK from the old days of COGOP. When my brothers and I would go out and get into stuff, the neighbors would call and tell my parents. We learned quickly that they already knew everything. We felt like we had to seem perfect and not a dysfunctional family. A lot of therapy helped me understand I am human, I make mistakes and I will own up to them when I feel it is a mistake on my part.

[Jennifer Smith]

Well, I guess being a PK is never easy, At least you got something good out of the deal: you learned it is better to own up to mistakes. I find I receive more grace that way!

[Tim Elston]

Ask any PK from the old days of COGOP. When my brothers and I would go out and get into stuff, the neighbors would call and tell my parents. We learned quickly that they already knew everything. We felt like we had to seem perfect and not a dysfunctional family. A lot of therapy helped me understand I am human, I make mistakes and I will own up to them when I feel it is a mistake on my part.

Rahab, people told me I was a PK, as though I was supposed to have some sort of plague. The letters never meant anything to me, so I didn't own them. I was the son of Bob and Jerry Elston, and that was it. I think I got that attitude from my mom, because she never let people tell her she was a "Pastor's Wife," either, as though that meant she was supposed to be someone other than who she was.

All the same, I know what you mean about helpful therapy, and I'm glad you found some. Over the years I had heaped all sorts of expectations on myself, and it was a relief finally to accept that I didn't have to be something other than a normal human being.