Muddy River Media

Well, 2009 has come and gone and I thought I would share with you nine things I learned in the past year.

I know... I know... lists like these are supposed to be shared at the end of the old year and not a week into the new one. Oh well... the late posting doesn't diminsh the reality of them.

So... here we go... nine things I learned in 2009:

1. I've Got Decent Teeth
   Now this is not the same as saying I've got lovely teeth. Make no mistake, I'm not going to be hired as a tooth model anytime soon, but I discovered this year that my teeth are surprisingly sturdy.

   Growing up I hated going to the dentist. Hate is not too strong a word to describe how I felt about it. It always seemed like I was getting a mouth full of cavities filled. Finally, in 1984 after going through a root canal (a result of a basketball incident) I just stopped visiting that little shop of horrors. That's right, until this year I hadn't been to the dentist for 25 years! That's a quarter of a century!

   This past year Melissa had A TON of work done on her teeth and I knew it was best for me to go for a visit as well. My dentist was horrified that I hadn't had a checkup in 25 years (I'm not sure if the horror was because of the length of time between visits or because of the years of lost revenue).

   When I sat down in the chair I fully expected to be told of numerous problems that would require numerous visits and untold thousands of dollars. The final verdict, however, was much better than I thought... I had two older fillings that needed repairing. That was it. And to be honest, going to the dentist wasn't nearly as bad as I remember it to be.

   Yeah Baby!

2. I've Got Wonky Eyes
   This year I had to start wearing glasses. I've known for several years my eyesight was less than perfect, but I had no idea how much it had declined (in spite of what many basketball players and coaches said about my reffing).

   At night when trying to read in bed I was having a difficult time focusing on the words. It seemed God didn't make my arms long enough to do that anymore. So, one day while in the Dollar Store I put on a pair of reading glasses. I was blown away by the difference.

   A visit to the optometrist and a pair of $10 frames from Wal*Mart and I'm good to go.

3. Needles Aren't So Bad
   Those of you who truly know me know I have a strong, strong dislike for Dentists, Spiders and Getting Needles. As mentioned above, my view on dentists has brightened up a bit, and I guess the same can be said of needles as well.

   I had to get blood work done this year as well as receive a flu shot. It was my first flu shot ever and I had been putting off the blood work for several years now. Both went fine as kind (as long as I averted my gaze).

4. My Cholesterol is Good
   As mentioned above, I had to get blood work done this year, and I went in fully expecting to hear dark and ominous things about my cholesterol. You see it kinda runs in the Fogarty genes to have less than perfect cholesterol.

   But according to my doctor my bloodwork is fine.

5. Slow Cookers are Awesome!
   As many of you no doubt already know, the slow cooker (also know as a crock pot) is a miraculous device which should be a part of every kitchen.

   This past year Melissa and I dug out and began to use a small slow cooker we received as a wedding gift 18 years ago. All I can say is Wow!

   We did crocks of baked beans (what a dirt cheap and tasty meal), as well as different roasts, hams, and even some yummy pulled pork. I would, howver, say that our favorite meal is the boneless blade roast. I just put an onion soup mix in the bottom of the crock, add 1/3 cup of water, shove the roast on top, and cook on low for 8-9 hours.

   The meat is soooo tender, the gravy is divine... and it is sooooo simple. Sometimes I add some roughly chopped up fresh mushrooms and a bit of liquid smoke. I will also add some potatoes and carrots with 2-3 hours to go in the cooking.

   It's so tasty if you stuck a piece of the meat on my forehead I would beat my brains out with my tongue trying to lick it off. We got a BIG 8.5 quart slow cooker for Christmas and are looking forward to cooking with it. Nothing is better and easier than leftovers from a crockpot meal.

6. Wear Broken-In Shoes in New York City
   Those of you who have visited New York City know that you do A LOT of walking while there. Let me tell you from personal experience... wear shoes that you've already broken in and are comfortable.

   This past fall while visiting in NYC I wore a pair of shoes that were fairly new. I had worn them several days at home and they seemed quite comfortable. I thought they were broken in enough... I was wrong. After two days of tramping around Chinatown, Times Square, Rockerfeller Center, and much, much more, both my feet had exceptionally large blisters on them.

   That's alright though... New York is still my favorite place to visit.

7. Snow Tires are Amazing
   This past year we finally sold our 1998 VW Beetle which had over 440,000 kilometers on it. In its place we bought a 2003 Honda Civic, which came with both all season and winter tires. As a result this winter is the first time in 20 years I have driven a car with snow tires. Wow, what an amazing difference.

   The last vehicle I drove with snow tires was my 1978 Honda Civic, and I totally forgot how much more traction you have with them. Going up snowy hills... stopping distance... making turns... all so much easier and better with snow tires on the car. I don't think I could go back.

8. I'm Not a Good Fundraiser
   I've knew it before this year but the reality has been reinforced... fundraising is not my gift. It's a necessary part of being a missionary for a faith based organization, but it is by far my least favorite thing to do.

   I love to create and give away media... I love to train, equip and encourage others to use their gifts for God... I love to speak and teach at camps, churches and events... but I dread asking for money.

   This past year has seen our support level off in the amount of donations, mainly because I'm not out there beating the bushes, asking for financial help. I know I'm supposed to visit pastors, churches, businesses, and share what Muddy River Media is doing in the lives of thousands of churches all over the world... but I find that very hard to do.

   Perhaps this year will be different, but I realize the change has to happen in me.

9. Don't Underestimate God
   You want to make God laugh? Then tell him your plans. We think and dream so much smaller than God does. Our tiny little minds can't comprehend what God can and will do through us.

   When we began Muddy River Media we had a five year goal of having 5,000 churches registered and using our resources. After just 18 months we have over 8,400 churches from 122 countries registered, downloading and using our resources. In fact we have given away over 1.1 Million Dollars worth of media in that time! That amazes me! All from a tiny little workspace here in Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia.

   God must have a had a great chuckle when he saw me type down my five year goals for this ministry.

   As we press into 2010 I am reminded that God can, and will, do amazing things in our lives. He will also do amazing things in the lives of others through us.

Ephesians 3:20-21

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."