the edge of the swamp

2010-11-11T15:38:00.000-08:00

i've got nothing.

wishes

2010-05-04T19:54:00.000-07:00

I wish i could sing.

I wish church felt more like my church and not my parents church.

I wish i felt more comfortable talking with new people.

I wish my dress shoes and flip flops were as comfortable as my tennis shoes.

I wish my cars service engine soon light would burn out.

I wish that bunnies didn't feel the need to run across the street at the sight of my headlights.

I wish skunks didn't reside in Michigan.

I wish i always understood what i read.

I wish i kept all of my promises.

I wish that chips where magic weight loss pills.

You

2010-04-20T19:01:00.000-07:00

I know that You are with me...

When i struggle and just want to give up. You are with me!

2009-04-14T01:50:00.000-07:00

Finally

2009-04-12T18:55:00.000-07:00

Here i am trying to blend in.

Tiny chinese lady wanted my picture.

Monsters vrs Aleins.

Just a swinging.

Hungry?

2009-01-06T04:09:00.000-08:00

Let's start with some banana flavored popcorn. If you don't like that there are many other delicious flavors.

If popcorn isn't your thing, how about a snake?

Now if you can't handle a snake, how about a toad? It's entirely up to you...they are all sold in bulk.

Life on the Road

2009-01-05T20:20:00.000-08:00

I come ALL the way to China and the only thing Klynt and Dana feed me is rice. Just kidding! I love it. Every place makes it just a little bit differently.

My new best friend from Pearl City. She was my stand-in Berlin. :)

We went to the Tomato Kitchen and I just had to have a bowl of the famous tomato soup.

Probably the most expensive chocolate I will ever eat!

Walking Street

2009-01-03T07:21:00.000-08:00

We went and did a little shopping on walking street. It was just a little busy. This is a very small fraction of the people that were there. I got some pretty cool stuff and some memories that will last forever.

Shanghai

2008-12-29T01:00:00.000-08:00

After hitting some local shops in Shanghai we stopped for lunch at the Green Leaf. It is a very famous Chinese restaurant, even the Clintons have dined here. Check out my chopsticking abilities! I am a champion. I only spilled on myself once.

After an awesome lunch we stopped at the Yu Garden. One of the oldest gardens in China. This is my sexy pose. All the Chinese ladies really loved it.

After a quick respite at the hotel we wandered to The Bund for a walk along the river. The best part of the evening was when we watched many of the local vendors run from the police. On Sunday we went to the Shanghai World Financial Center, the tallest building in China.

Christmas Eve and before

2008-12-25T04:15:00.000-08:00

This is Christmas Eve at the lovely Baker apartment.

I took some time to check out some locals doing some fishing. I was amazed at the catch.

This poor woman was just hit by a van. Scooter accidents happen all the time.

The Adventures of Trent - China Day Four, Five and Six

2008-12-22T00:55:00.000-08:00

After a day spent touring Tiger Hill, we decided to wrap things up with a game of tennis.

Some of us played a little more than others.

After a Sunday filled with rain, Monday brought the prospect of new adventure. However, it was a bit chilly, so we really had to bundle up.

Warning, walking around Suzhou can be hazardous to your health. One mistep could be your last.

We paused for a brief moment of reflection.

Back to the apartment.

The Adventures of Trent - China Day Four

2008-12-20T14:20:00.000-08:00

This was my first experience of a Chinese person wanting their picture taken with them. Apparently this happens all the time to Dana. It made me feel kind of special in a way. She was very grateful.

We went to Tiger Hill which is a garden with a lot of history and very interesting stories. At the top of the hill there is a Pagoda that was all hand made. The wind was very strong that day and it began to lean. Klynt and I discussed who would in a sense save this Chinese historical landmark。

I stepped up and saved the day。

If you have ever been anywhere with Dana you know that it takes race horse legs to keep up. At one point i got so far behind her i had to run to catch up. Praise the lord for cameras because taking pictures is the only way to slow her down。

Once I did catch her I convinced her to take a little rest。

This is the back side of the garden. Klynt and I stopped to watch some fishermen。

The Adventures of Trent - China Day Three

2008-12-19T06:36:00.000-08:00

After a quick run, Dana and I walked to KFC, picked up lunch and headed over to Saturn to eat with Klynt. I wanted to get the feel of what a work day is like for Klynt. My tour of the line ended with a quick surfing lesson. He was eager to share what he learned in Hawaii.

The solenoids are packed up and ready to be shipped. We played a quick game of pop goes the weasel. I won!

Off to do some shopping. After a tough round of negotiations, both buyer and seller were pleased with the transaction. I got a new coat, she got the satisfaction of selling me a coat.

Time for some dinner. Pick your fish and dig in! I ate one of the smaller ones while Klynt and Dana shared a much larger one. Hey, it was this or BBQ chicken feet, but Dana was planning on serving those for lunch tomorrow.

The Adventures of Trent - China Day Two

2008-12-18T04:21:00.000-08:00

Somewhere In the Middle {Casting Crowns} - The landscaping is quite nice throughout the apartment complex where Klynt and Dana are living. It is constantly being manicured by numerous workers.

Hypnotized {Pillar} - This truck is convienently located just outside a local school. I scream, you scream, we all scream for Mr. Softee ice cream!

Indescribable {Avalon} - What a view! This is what I see from the balcony just outside my room. The city really glows at night.

The Adventures of Trent - China Day One

2008-12-17T00:47:00.000-08:00

Neverending {David Crowder} - While roaming the city, I was absolutely amazed at the sheer number of buildings, or "castles" as Spencer refers to 'em.

Don't Get Comfortable {Brandon Heath} - I paused here for a quick break, taking in all that surrounded me. In Dana's attempt to join me, she fell in. No REALLY, she got wet!

Shadowlands {Shawn McDonald} - This is my favorite photo of the afternoon. Watching the sun set on the city as my first day in Suzhou was coming to a close. Oh, and get this, temps were in the mid sixties!

Move over PLEASE!

2008-10-20T15:47:00.000-07:00

That's right folks. Amazing things are happening at Grace. I stood in the back of our church listening to our worship team singing and just had to stop and thank God for what i was seeing and hearing. As people were coming in they were struggling to find a place to sit, Amen. As i listened i could hear Jesse's voice as he was leading the music, Amen. I saw our newest member of our praise team on drums while Ron (who usually plays drums) enjoying the music from his seat, Amen. I saw hands raised and even heard a little clapping, Amen. I saw smiles on faces and even some tears as people were worshipping together, Amen. As children were dismissed for children's church i saw a 150% increase in attendance in just over a year, Amen. I am so thankful for what God is doing at our church. What a blessing it is to have to move over!

Going GREEN

2008-10-15T18:10:00.000-07:00

Now i don't make it habit to use public restrooms, at times i find it a necessity. Today was one of those days. I sat down and immediatly noticed that the person who occupied this resting place prior to my arrival had apparently torn off way to much paper. Instead of flushing this extra paper, they thought it appropriate to carefully fold the paper and place it neatly over the roll ready for the next occupant. Now i see this person as a conservationist, someone who cares greatly for the environment, willing to go that extra mile. So i used this paper but needed just a little more to complete the task. I too tore off to much paper and thought i needed to extend this GREEN effort to the next lucky person. I left my folded extra paper and exited with a smile. As i opened the door someone was waiting for this very busy resting place. I held the door for this gentleman and gave him an excited you're welcome.

So if you ever find neatly folded paper in your stall think of me!

2008-10-04T17:22:00.000-07:00

2008-10-01T20:10:00.001-07:00

are you kidding me?

Motorcycle Man?

2008-07-14T16:54:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow begins the next chapter of my life. An afternoon trip on motorcycles is planned. None of this would be possible without Klynt as it is his motorcycle i will be riding.

2008-06-27T08:34:00.000-07:00

It has taken me about 10 minutes to re set my password so I could make a new post. This one is for all the California hecklers, New Jersey hecklers, one Michigan heckler and wherever Anita and Matt live heckler. It was fun seeing everyone in California to celebrate the marrying off of the last Baker child. It was good to see Kaleb so happy. It was also amazing to sit through the shortest wedding ever done by Uncle Rob.

2007-11-30T08:13:00.000-08:00

You may have been asking where i have been and the answer is i have been nowhere. I am still here in the state of michigan. I am off work today as we got a snow storm and schools are closed.

Klynt Has Been Replaced!

2007-07-07T16:03:00.002-07:00

Since our third person abandoned us for China we accepted applications to fill the void. With the opportunity to spend time with big t and Jesse, applications came in by the thousands. A team of secretaries was employed to scour the endless applications. All of their hard work finally paid off and produced the name of one suitable candidate. He is known only as Spencer. On our first trip together in the Blue Fin as the "new trio," we quickly discovered that our newest member was oddly similar to our former third. We (Jesse and I) found we still were in charge of maneuvering the boat, while the third member fished. The only difference is now we have a motor instead of wooden ores. We found ourselves in constant motion in responding to the thirds request to find "a better spot." We also found that we were constantly untangling the thirds fishing line. Spencer however, seems to be a little more patient in the process. We also found we were still in charge of bringing food on fishing trips, with chocolate milk being the favorite. After the inaugural trip as the "new trio" was over once more I was brought back to thoughts of our former third as Spencer constantly told stories of catching the biggest fish to anyone who would lend an ear.

Another Observation:
As we were fishing Jesse and I examined the tackle box of our former third member of the trio. What we noticed was what seemed to be an overabundance of tackle. So much so that the box was difficult to close. Upon further investigation of the box we discovered that a majority of the tackle in his box was eerily similar to tackle purchased by us a few years back. The suspicion that our former trio member was in fact a thief was quickly confirmed when our own tackle boxes were examined and found to be empty. In asking our new trio member Spencer how we should handle this brand new information his response was simple and straight to the point. Mommy says that i need to share. What a profound idea from such a new member of the trio. So that is exactly what we did. We took one over stuffed tackle box and created three "equally shared" boxes of tackle.

Old Memories Good Times.......

2007-07-05T12:58:00.000-07:00

Jesse and I went fishing.....I know what some of you are thinking. How does big t have time to fish when his blog sits idle. Well let me share something with you all before you warm up the flogger. Have you ever done something so much and were so good at it that it grew old? I think that is what happened to me. I was the King of the blogger world. I created insightful post after insightful post. I filled so many with pleasure they could have not gotten anywhere else. I believe that my blog may have even cured some of sickness.....As I began to reflect upon my blogging experiences and the life changing words that i imparted on many i grew weary. I felt this enormous pressure to always do better. To create something every time that would be life altering. Instead of continuing to one up myself i just quit. I let those who had begun to rely on my posts for humor, inspiration and whatever else they got out of my blog find themselves. I have given many the opportunity to look at their own blogs and determine purpose. Did many realize that big t was the driving force behind their blogging or did their blog exist without the support of big t.

.........back to the fishing. It was awesome to be out on the lake in the middle of the night listening to the sound of a jitterbug bubbling across the glass surface of the lake. Jesse did catch the biggest fish...21 inch large mouth....about 5 lbs........We missed the third member of our fishing crew. He now reside in china. I am not even sure there are places to fish in China. We did however have a piece of him in the boat. We (Jesse and I) are cheap. We won't buy our own tackle. So when Klynt left we made him leave his tackle box with us. Oh...i guess he left his boat tooooooooo. That reminds me Klynt if you can get cheap tackle in China you may want to do so. If you remember fishing with me is like gambling. You may never see the lure that is attached to the end of my line again. Needless to say Klynt's tackle box was a little lighter to carry off the boat.

We may be trying our luck again tomorrow morning.

I am lazy! I admit it.

2007-03-31T12:00:00.000-07:00

The winner of the best poem goes to Kari. I love it when violence is part of the rhyme.

I really have nothing new to post.

I spent the last two days with Klynt and Dana. It was fun hanging out with them. They leave for China in twenty days. I can just see Dana now riding a scooter is Shanghai picking her teeth.

This is probably my worst post ever!

Although i have seen and read worst on others blogs.

sincerely,
trent

Roses are WHAT?

2007-02-09T15:48:00.000-08:00

So much to say, so little time. I have been racking my brain trying to figure out what amazing insight i could share with our close knit blogging community. I could write pages about how good it was to finally see Kaleb back to writing. Instead i am choosing to put forth a challenge to everyone who reads my blog . We are all familiar with the poem .....

Roses are Red
Violets are Blue
Blah Blah Blah
Blah Blah Blah

The challenge is this. You must come up with the last two lines of the poem on your own. You also must dedicate your creation to someone. Let me provide an example of what Quincy may say about me.

Roses are Red
Violets are Blue
No one can make decisions
As quick as you!

Just waiting for inspiration

2007-01-27T16:14:00.000-08:00

So this is how it works. I read, then i post. I draw my inspiration for my posts from what i read on others blogs. The only thing is that i havn't been given much from my fellow bloggers. So i sit and wait. The question is when is someone going to step up and actually post something that inspires me? Will it be Jeepless or whatever he is calling himself these days. Will it be Kari whose posts consist of how difficult it is to use blogger. Will it be Kami who seems to focus more on wall and hair color then her blog. Will it be Kaleb? Am i kidding myself? Will it be the hammer? Who could by the way change her name to sledge hammer these days. However, i don't have an opinion on that topic. Or could it be the new comer, the mcfarlane family (or however it is spelled) whose blog i just found. So i guess what i am saying is that I am waiting.

This is what happens when you mess with big t!

2007-01-12T16:36:00.000-08:00

Alright, you Coopersville Chickens, this is what happens when you dare to mess with big t. You are next. You can run. You can hide. But i will find you. I will climb that tree you roost in and take care of business.
This is also a reminder to everyone out there in blogger land who dares speak unkindly of big t.

Counting Crows... but not the band

2006-12-29T13:41:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I spent the evening with Klynt and Dana. We went to dinner and drove around just discussing life. We ended up back at their house about 9. Klynt and I ended up playing a little X-Box. We played a few hours of Ghost Recon. We retired to bed at about 2 a.m. Dana graciously allowed me to sleep on her couch. She put a plastic sheet down so I wouldn't drool and leave a stain. I was just happy I was allowed to sleep on their couch since last time Kaleb and I stayed the night we had to sleep on the floor. So I lay down and try to get to sleep. I dose off until about 4 when their roosters start crowing outside. This goes on for about 10 minutes. So instead of counting sheep I am counting rooster crows. I stopped counting at 37! Finally they stopped. So back to sleep. At 6 their alarm clock goes off in the kitchen. I get up and trudge to the kitchen and turn off the alarm. I no sooner lay back down when the crowing starts again. I again start counting the crows. 1...2.....3...4........5..........6..........7...8.....9..10... by this time I am getting a little perturbed. 11...12...13....14.....15........16.........17...... I tell myself that if they crow 5 more times I am going outside. I wasn't sure what I was going to do but I was going outside. 1...2...3...4.........................5. I throw off my blanket and run to the back door. It's still dark outside but I go out anyways. I walk barefoot outside on their porch. I wait and until I hear another crow. It comes from a tree around the side of the house. I can't see the stupid chickens but I know they are there. Again one crows and I yell "SHUT UP!" About 2 minutes go by and one dares to crow again. I once again yell "SHUT UP AND GET OUT OF THE TREE!" I thought that if they were out of the tree I could maybe chase them into traffic of something. They however stop crowing. I WIN!!!!!! I go back inside with frozen feet and lay back down smiling with victory. I close my eyes and what do I hear?

Klynt, I hate your chickens.

2006-12-15T18:40:00.000-08:00

Well here it is! The other night I was talking with the outlaw kyle and we got on the topic of dirty keyboards. This got my thinking about the cleanliness of my own keyboard. So I decided to take a look. The surface of my keyboard was spotless, immaculate if I may say so. So I got a little closer and looked between the spaces of the individual keys. I was shocked to see the amount of what can only be described as filth. I started to pull it out, tiny piece by tiny piece. So I ask you this. If someone were to inspect the spaces of your keyboard what would they find. Would you be embarrassed at the amount of filth that was found?

P.S
I am right 51% of the time. So I guess that I am right a majority of the time! So if I call one fat, one is in fact fat. But i guess the real question is rather or not i actually called one fat!

I lost my funny

2006-12-08T17:20:00.000-08:00

Have you seen it?
I would have posted more but i have been too busy posting comments on fellow bloggers blogs. You're welcome!

I told you i would post a picture!

2006-11-12T17:05:00.000-08:00

Is there anything that stinks about this post?

Some Hairy Stories

2006-11-11T18:55:00.000-08:00

Story # 1
For those of you who don't know I can't stand hair. I am not talking about hair that is attached to a person. I am talking about loose hair that somehow finds its way in my food, my mouth, my drink and this past Sunday in my communion cup. Was this hair that I found on Sunday a message from God?

Story # 2
Well now you know that I hate hair. My subconscious also knows this and insists on incorporating loose hair in my dreams. Well, recently I have dreamed that I had a hairy tongue and was trying to lick a loose hair from my dinner plate. No matter how much I tried I couldn't lick that little hair off.

Story # 3
I have a hair that grows on the end of my nose. No matter how many times I pull this hair out it insists on reappearing. I pull. It grows!

Story # 4
They are called mutant hair and they grow at an alarming rate. They are black in color and thick in appearance. Marie (now think really hard you know who I am talking about) once had one of these mutant hairs on her arm and insisted on not pulling it out. It's this behavior that allows them to spread to others. So I blame Marie! Her hair however was neither black nor thick.

Have you ever had a day when you really struggle with writing topics. Well today was one of those days for me.

The No Chip challenge

2006-11-03T14:27:00.000-08:00

So for six weeks i will not eat any form of chips. This may sound easy to many of you but i consider chips to be my biggest weakness when it comes to food. I eat them everyday.

Fingerprinted and Released!!!!

2006-11-03T14:16:00.000-08:00

For those of you who don't know I was recently required to go to the Kent County Sheriff Department in order to be fingerprinted. No, it's not what you are thinking. I wasn't arrested for not updating my blog, or failing to post any pictures. Can you be arrested for that? Watch out Kaleb! In order to keep teaching I had to go get new "livescan prints," done. This great new technology only took 8 weeks to process. So for awhile there I was not working. I did work for Drew for a week working construction type jobs. That was an awesome blessing. Funds were getting dangerously low. But praise the Lord I am back working in the classroom. Starting Nov 13th I will be working in a 1st grade special ed classroom. It is a unique situation that will be both challenging and rewarding. 9 students, Me and two other adults all in the same room. Should be fun!

AWANA has been greatly blessed by God this year. We have many new clubbers from the community.

A skunking we will GO!

2006-10-10T14:33:00.000-07:00

Question

2006-10-05T15:52:00.000-07:00

I was talking with someone today about certain aspects of religion. He asked me this. " When God gave up His son to die on the cross He knew he would be getting Him back. So why is this such a big sacrifice?"

Pictures coming soon

2006-09-08T12:56:00.000-07:00

I'm Sorry

2006-09-07T15:46:00.000-07:00

First of all, I am sorry that I allow Your Word to get dusty. Why do I feel that I can travel this dark world without a lamp? Not just any lamp either. Your lamp that never dims, never ceases to provide truths and lights my path. I am sorry that I put things before You, that I order instead of pray. I am sorry that I trust myself to get things done and fail to live for the purpose You have set for my life. I am sorry that I waste opportunities to show Your love to others and instead judge them when I should be spreading Your word. Secondly, Thank You for who You are. Thank You for holding me up when I struggle and not turning away. Thank You for patience that You show not only to me but this entire world that You have created.

Blogging Season Is Now Open!!!!!!

2006-09-07T15:22:00.000-07:00

Well, it is September and for all of you who don't know that means the opening of another blog season. For those of you who can't keep the seasons straight, blogging is not a summer sport. It is to be done by the light of the moon, under falling snow, with a blanket wrapped around you and a cup of hot wheat grass in hand.

Kaleb is now gone and i really miss the little tree climber. I call him a little tree climber because once this summer he climbed a tree at Jesse's house to clear some dead limbs. I would say he was over 60 feet up. It's fun having Kaleb around because you never know what he is going to do next. He is also at times witty. However this rarely occurs.

First i had to deal with Kaleb leaving and now i will have to deal with Klynt and Dana leaving. They are off to the land where everything seems to be made. Just check some of you labels if you don't believe me! I will miss these two dearly! Can i say dearly on here anyway? They are awesome people. Some of the best vacations i have had have been with these two.

Jesse and Sarah had another baby and they decided to steal the baby name i had picked out for my future child. We'll see if i ever forgive them for that one. For those of you who don't know his name is Sawyer.

We have been praying that God would show us His Vision for our church.

It was time! Now where have i been?

2006-07-31T15:18:00.000-07:00

Well let me start with this comment! The TIGERS are the best team in MLB.

Now, as to where i have been the last two months, in all honesty i can not say. I have been here and there but never really anywhere. I will tell you this. I have not been in India or London. I have not been in China or Haiti. I have not been in Spain or Mexico.

VBS was an exciting time for Grace. We had a great turnout with many kids from the community coming to hear the Good News! We also had a parent outreach that went very well.

Pastor Kevin and I decided to do a detox! Just like the one Quincy did awhile back. I lost 13 pounds in 11 days and didn't hate EVERY minute of it. Kevin was the biggest loser by losing 19 pounds.

I can't wait for school to start again! It's weird that i miss those annoying kids.

Just call me the mole catcher

2006-06-14T19:57:00.000-07:00

I was Lost! Honest, and Now I cry!

2006-06-02T18:19:00.000-07:00

Since i ventured into the middle of the swamp i alas, became lost. It took me awhile, but i have appeared once again with a new vigor. School is now out i am honestly finding myself lost. I will miss the kids and all the people at CV EL. I usually pride myself in having witty things to write. I have nothing! I guess i am no longer that funny person that i thought that i was. So when i have nothing clever to say i will resort to writing about kaleb. He came "home" and now once again he is gone. He is off to NC. I watched Jon and Kaleb pull out of the driveway with a tear in my eye.

The Passing of a Legend

2006-05-11T18:54:00.000-07:00

TETRIS--Blue Tetris, aged 4 months, was tragically ripped from those

who loved him Wednesday May, 10. Bryten Smith in an attempt to

recreate the David Blaine stunt plunged him into a watery grave. Tetris

unable to hold his breath long enough for rescuers to arrive, slowly

succumbed to the tainted water. Bystanders quickly pulled Tetris

from the water, ripped him into pieces searching for signs of life. After

two days of intensive care, all hope was lost. Mourners are being asked

to send love donations to VDTBT (victims of drown toys by tots). Family

will be meeting at the Smith home Sunday May, 21 to celebrate the life

of Tetris.

Not too much room to talk!!!!

2006-05-07T17:54:00.000-07:00

This is what i bought on the shopping trip. A very small amount compared to Klynt.
And the girls bought even less...!!!!

Did he buy all of this?

2006-05-06T16:38:00.000-07:00

Soooooo awhile back a few of us went shopping. When we got back we decided to take a picture of everything that each of us purchased. This is what lub's brother bought! He even had to buy a rack to display all of his "stuff." He is also wearing some of his purchases. Any comments?

Pressure from lub?

2006-04-27T19:06:00.000-07:00

I find it very interesting that i am getting pressured by lub to make a new post! Lub, have you looked at your blog in awhile.

So i played golf tonight with Kevin. We talked a lot about our music at church!
I did beat him if anyone cares!

There i posted!

better baker than the bakers

2006-04-21T16:57:00.000-07:00

quincy and big t

2006-04-21T16:47:00.000-07:00

me, embarassing??

2006-04-20T19:14:00.000-07:00

I guess that i didn't realize how hard this blogging thing would be. After taking my first steps into the swamp i now find myself lost. I am searching for something original, but may never find it in a swamp. It's hard to be original when you are worried about being lost, and losing a shoe in the muck. I wonder if slippers will make me a pair of slippers if i do lose my shoe.

I find it very interesting that no one wrote about embarrassing trent stories as requested by lub. Maybe there are no embarrassing stories about big t. To appease lub i will write some of my own embarrassing stories for all to see.

1. I went to a job interview with my zipper down.

2. I totaled my car at a church softball game. Do things with the people you love, right?

3. I drove a greens mower into a pond. I bailed before the pond, i didn't feel like getting wet.
Nothing like going down with the ship!

you can dance if you want to

2006-04-15T19:27:00.000-07:00

Well i just had to post this for everyone to see.
I am dancing with raggity anne! She has just whispered something sweet into my ear.

I have just entered into the realm of writing on my own blog. I feel like i am standing on the edge of a swamp scared to take my first step.

2006-04-15T19:06:00.000-07:00

So this is my foot!
It helps me get to the places i need to go.
Sometimes it takes me to places i shouldn't be.