Bart Blair

Apple Picking

While I watched the Longhorns oust the Sooners from any hope of a bearable football season (Hook 'Em!), Elizabeth took Silas and Ephraim apple picking at Chudleigh's.  Here's what they did:

 
 
 
 

1st Day of School

Here's the annual 1st Day of School Montage...

New Tunes Coming Soon!

It started in August 2008 and was finally completed this week!  My first full-length solo CD, With the Breath in My Lungs is ready to go! 

The CD is available online for $10.89 + shipping.

Visit my VIRB page for a preview of some of the tracks and a free mp3 download!

Karate Master

Ephraim and Silas began studying karate at a local dojo back in September 2008.  Their motivation was that our neighbor's son was taking lessons.  Silas has recently retired.  The glamour wore off for him quickly.  But Ephraim continues to enjoy it. 

A couple of weeks ago he tested for his first belt advancement and passed!  This morning we attended his belt ceremony where he was awarded "advanced white belt."  The youngest in his grading class (and definitely the smallest) we were proud of him and he announced to us that he was proud of himself too!

Full Circle (Nearly)

From September 1994 - August 1996, I worked for the Missoula Children's Theatre company as a tour actor/director.  I travelled in a little red pick-up from town-to-town for two years putting on local productions of fairy tale classics using local children in the cast.

When I joined the staff at Grace in 2002, one of my goals was to figure out how to incorporate MCT into our ministry here in Mississauga and host an event.

Well, last week, we did just that.  We hosted an MCT week and had a production of The Princess and the Pea at our new facility, the Grace Centre.  It was a fantastic week and Silas got to play the role of a Dust Bunny!

Space and Time

Today, I'm taking a day off.  It is Saturday, after all.

While that might sound like no big deal to you, your song might change if you consider that it is only the 3rd day I've taken off in the last three months.

Last Sunday, Easter, we held our official "Grand Opening" at the new Grace Centre.  It was a fantastic event.  We had Integrity recording artist Joel Augé perform a mini-concert.  The remainder of our service was packed with drama, videos and an inspirational message from Pastor Bartley called New Love.

We got exactly what we were hoping for in attendance.  Nearly 500 people came out for the celebration.  That's up from our recent average of about 300.  And not one single person (of the dozens) that I had personally invited actually showed up!  The main auditorium was full, but there was a chair for everyone.

The work that it took for the months leading up to the weekend was unlike anything that I have ever experienced.  Working 7-day weeks and pushing over 60 hours per week have taken their toll on my health and my family.

I've still got two more weeks ahead with some pretty heavy scheduling.  We're hosting the Missoula Children's Theatre for a production in a couple of weeks (www.grace-church.ca/pea).  I'll have more long days a a heavy workload until that week (April 27 - May 2) is past.  And then, Lord willing, I'll have some smooth sailing for a while.

p.s. I couldn't remember my password when I logged-in to type this post.  Wow!

Valentine's Day in the Big Apple

Elizabeth and I spent Valentine's Day weekend in Manhattan with our dear friend Jeff Haley, for the second straight year.  We had a great time, in spite of being a bit "under the weather."

We made trips to The Cloisters at Ft. Tryon Park, which is an extension of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  We also spent an afternoon at The Met, itself.

On Valentine's Day we treated ourselves to a showing of the Oscar Nominated Short Films at the IFC Centre.  Our two favorite films of the viewing were Auf Der Strecke  and Grisen.  Personally, I related to the tragic nature of Auf Der Strecke more than all the others, but Grisen had a wider dynamic range of emotions and had a happier ending, which will probably lead to getting more votes.  Of course, Manon on the Asphalt (the French Film) managed to squeeze in a 3 minute sex scene into its 15 minutes, so it'll likely win!

We rounded out our weekend with an afternoon worshiping at the Brooklyn Tabernacle.  In spite of their length (2+ hours), services at the BT are always an emotionally and spiritually stirring experience.

Below are a few photos from our trip:

            

Check out some more pics on my Facebook page:
More NYC Pics

8 Things I Hope to Accomplish in 2009

1. Finish recording and release a new full-length album entitled With the Breath in My Lungs

2. Get out of debt (except the mortgage)

3. Transfer all my family mini DV cassettes to DVDs

4. Lose 10 pounds

5. Read 24 books

6. Learn to use my digital SLR camera better

7. Take tennis lessons

8. Get a new Macbook

Christmas at Leisureworld

On Friday, December 12, my Community Group had the honour of assisting Grace member, Terry McGuire, with a Christmas service for the residents of Leisureworld Care Centre (formerly Chelsea Park Nursing Home) in Streetsville. Terry is a regular visitor to the care centre and offers Bible studies and spiritual counsel to the people who call Leisureworld their home.

We had a wonderful time singing songs with the residents - aside from the silly antlers Terry made me wear ;0. Terry shared a short message on reconciliation with God (based on Hark, the Herald Angels Sing), and we even got the kids involved by having Jacob and Silas read portions of the Christmas story.

After the service was complete, we had a chance to mingle with the residents and wish them all a wonderful Christmas.

Here are some snapshots from the evening:

Silas is Six

Our Silas turned six years old this week.  He had a fun party at the bowling alley with a bunch of his friends.  His favorite gift was a new skateboard; although he did tell me that his most important gift was his new Bible.

Watch him in action here:  www.YouTube.com/TexasBart