Needle Exchange Program???

I suppose most of you have heard this from SRN News by now but...

A state government can fund their own Needle Exchange Program. To help prevent AIDS they are giving drug dealers/users nice clean needles in exchange for their used drug needles.

So, I guess, the exchange program only works if the druggies first buy their own clean stash of needles?

My mom pays for needles for her daily insulin shots...can diabetics exchange their needles too or is it only for those who break the law in that way?

(((Tap))) (((Tap))) (((Tap))) Are you there? What do you think?

What are some other, similar, missed opportunities?

Government funded...

1) Lipitor in exchange for your empty McDonald's bag?

2) Ohhh ohhh...here's one...FREE Crystal Meth in exchange for a promise that you won't endanger yourself or others by trying to make it yourself.

3) Paid government officials appointed, in each county, to buy alcohol for those under-age...to prevent those over 21, that would have bought it for them, from braking the law by doing so.

4) Make all illegal immigrants legal, since we can't do anything else about it...[in the famous words of the Sturm-inator]...oh wait.

5) In all public schools and state colleges...The posting of the answers to exam questions, prior to the exam, so those taking the exam won't have to cheat off the guy next to them in the room.

6)...

I'm Sorry if you are SAD but...

I'm sorry if you are SAD but...are you kidding me? I got a news letter in the mail today from my companies health care provider, Blue Cross Blue Shield. How appropriate that a company who has "Blue" in it's name would have an article about something SAD. Here is the first part of the actual article...

"Do you feel like a gray winter day? Do you feel this way only in late fall and winter? You may have seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression.

SAD may be caused by having less daylight this time of year. Symptoms include sadness, irritability, low energy and loss of interest in normal activities. Besides mood changes in winter, you may also oversleep and crave carbohydrates."

End quote. I'm stopping there because I think that's pretty much ridiculous. Sounds like something a fortune teller would say or something you may see in a horoscope. Can you get any more general. Sounds like a regular ol sinful person to me...including ME. I suggest getting to bed earlier (instead of 11 PM or later), eating a more balanced diet and getting some exercise(instead of sitting on the couch and eating fast food all the time), and working at growing in your relationship with Christ.

I don't suppose a mega pharmaceutical company could make much money with my suggestions...so I suppose they'll continue to push the pills and therapy sessions.

Jason - Steps down from soap box.

No More Snickers for Me!

I'm pleased to announce that my roommate has hit the big time. All I ask Markus, is that you don't forget the little people in your life that you met while spending your time here at Purdue. In all seriousness though...Congratulations!

http://news.uns.purdue.edu/x/2007b/071210FerraroHospital.html

Are You Unreal

They are runing these on MTV. There are ten (the Ten Comandments) of these that Need Him are running as an outreach and I think it's great!

Jank of the Jank

I can't take it anymore and I must know if anyone else feels like I do. Some places need to get their act together and this post could be used in a positive way if some of these places would use the constructive criticism.

So here is my first Jank Poll 2007. For those who don't know what Jank is...

jank - Poor quality, in relation to consumer products. "That nosehair trimmer is jank. You should have bought a Braun instead of that piece of junk."

In the comments section below, feel free to write in your own I may have missed

Early 2's

This past Sunday Jeannie and I had the blessing of sub-ing as helpers with the Early 2's Sunday School class. Jeannie has some great pics./video I'm sure. We played with toys, read some stories, had a snack, and my favorite...sang some songs...And though the precious 2 yr. olds are not good or fast spellers just yet, this one was still in my personal top picks for the morning...

I am a C

I am a C-H

I am a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N

And I have C-H-R-I-S-T In my H-E-A-R-T

And I will L-I-V-E E-T-E-R-N-A-L-L-Y

I love the L

I love the L-O

I love the L-O-R-D J-E-S-U-S

And I am L-I-V-I-N-G By His W-O-R-D

And I will N-E-V-E-R R-E-G-R-E-T I-T

Repeat the song a few times, getting faster and faster each time...

I know you're thinking...Jason works with the Journey (Jr. High) not Early 2's...we'll it's about the same...in Journey we just don't have nap time. jk

Creation Museum seeks to expand, citing large crowds

The Associated Press

PETERSBURG, Ky. --Northern Kentucky's Creation Museum is evolving into a larger facility.
The museum will add 663 parking spaces, outdoor canopies and a maintenance building and will move its main entrance as part of a $500,000 upgrade. But the work won't begin until Answers in Genesis, the ministry that runs the museum, raises the funds, said Mike Zovath, vice president of museum operations.

The museum, which uses literal interpretations of the Bible to tell the earth's history, welcomed its 250,000th visitor five months after its opening on Memorial Day. The ministry had expected to get 250,000 visitors its entire first year. The larger-than-expected crowds left the facility with an overflowing parking lot, forcing staff to park miles away.

The Boone County Planning Commission approved Answers in Genesis' plans last week by an 11-1 vote. Commissioner Patrick Reynolds, the lone dissenter, said he was concerned that the new entrance would not meet the county's sight-distance requirements.
Zovath said he was satisfied with the commission's decision and hopeful that the Boone County Fiscal Court will follow the recommendation.

The museum's plans also include a retention lake and gated entrance for emergency and maintenance vehicles. Bill Moore, who lives near the museum's proposed gated entrance, is concerned about delivery trucks driving down his street as well as noise coming from outdoor activities at the museum. "I just don't want to see tractor-trailers coming in ..." Moore said.
The county also voted to limit the sound coming from the museum. The commission said sound for activities under the canopies cannot exceed 70 decibels, banned amplified sound under the canopies and said the canopy areas can be used for lectures but cannot be used as a stage or amphitheater.

Moore hopes the traffic changes will mean less disruption at his home next to the museum.
Now, 40 to 50 cars a day turn around in his driveway looking for the museum.
"It's a traffic nightmare trying to get out of your driveway," he said.

Information from: The Kentucky Enquirer, http://www.enquirer.com/

Thanks Mark for the heads up!

What would this look like?

"People aren't confused by the gospel, they're confused by us.
Jesus is the only way to God but we are not the only way to Jesus.
This world doesn't need my tie, my hoodie, my denomination, or my translation of the bible, they just need Jesus.
We can be passionate about what we believe but we can't strap ourselves to the gospel cause we're slowing it down.
Jesus is going to save the world, but maybe, the best thing we can do is just get out of the way." - Casting Crowns

From track 1 of their new album this caught my attention. I've been trying to wrap my pea brain around it for a few weeks, trying to figure out what this would look like in my life - Getting out of the way of the gospel.

Revelation 22; 18 - 19 comes to mind; ...if anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

Your thoughts?

Alone

God doesn't need my money,
He wants my sacrifice - alone. - Luke 21:1-4
God doesn't need my time,
He wants my heart - alone. - Eph 6:6
God doesn't need my song,
He wants my mind - alone. - Mk. 12:30
God doesn't need my worry,
He wants my faith - alone. - Matt 18:26
I have been saved by faith alone,- Eph.2:8
Thru Christ alone, - Jn. 14:6
By Grace alone, - Eph. 2:8
From God alone. - Pslm. 62:1

It's Okay!

Sorry it has been so long since posting. My new job has me very busy. I have been in Dallas for a week and Raleigh N.C. for two weeks, as well as worked the Smoothie King Booth on three Saturdays. Never a dull moment. Praise the Lord...all is well and He continues to provide what I need.

I just wanted too to remind myself that...

It's okay to think. It's okay to stop and think. It's okay to stop for a few minutes, be still, quite, and think.

Think about where I am and what God is trying to teach me from this (what ever it may be). Think about how God can be glorified from this situation and where I think He wants me to go from here.

I don't have to be running my trap all the time. I don't have to be listening to the radio or TV. I don't have to be driving to and from.

It's okay to think.

One Scarred Hand to the Other

I was driving down the road one day and listening to a song on the radio. And yes, even singing along...when I knew the words. Then the music stopped and, being caught off guard, I heard myself still singing. Oh man, it didn't sound very good. In fact...I'm going to call it "painful". "But I sounded so good while the song was on, how could there be such a stark contrast. I was fooled! Not by the radio station or the artest but by myself of course. I fooled myself, by association, singing back up to a professional in this case, that I was better than I really was. But once I was out there on my own I was stinky. DING! Life lesson for Jason...

Reminded that many other areas of life are like this...Watch a movie, and by association, think I'm smart and handsome like Harrison Ford. Watch ESPN, think I'm athletic like Peyton Manning, Go to church and think I'm working as hard as Pastor V. or Mr. Blake at letting God use me to give glory to Him. All of which is not true as realized when I look into the mirror.

2) God sees me as I am, as I really am...stinky, stupid, and sinful. And yet He loves me. He wanted to be my heavenly Father. He wanted me to spend eternity with Him. I don't know why...If I were God, I'd have done away with me a long time ago because I mess up a lot.

Went to a Casting Crowns concert at the Indiana State Fair. It was great! They sang this song as a sample of their new album. Mark Hall wrote this song, but, if I were talented enough to string the words together, I could have written this song about me.

Needs More Love (and Cow Bell)

I realize this post (though short in length) is also short on love and heavy on the truth. I just need a slap in the face from time to time to help me snap out of it. And...I am the chief amongst sinners in this regard so I am writing this to myself as much as anyone else. If, however, you think this is being written to you........................................................................................then it is.
















Comparison kills contentment - so it's not okay and just stop!



Don't take my word...take God's. Here are some verses, just for starters....

Psalm 23 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

Exodus 20:17 "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."

New New Job

Most everyone, who knows me, knows I have a new, new job. I have had this new job since May 29th. As with any job offer, accepting this new job would have it's pros and it's cons. A good friend of mine, Brother Moore had some solid biblical advice to help me make the decision. And yes, it's only been 4 months since I accepted my last job. I wasn't out searching for a new job...this one just came up and I decided to apply. Everyone at some point will need the same advice I got from Brother Moore (including me again) so I'll list it, and my application, below.

1) Ask if the job is requiring you to sin. Probably a no but it's a question you have to ask.

My application - This job did not require me to sin. Check.

2) Make a list of pros and cons (right Bee?) and you can't list money as a pro or con...throw the money thing out the window...an increase in money will only satisfy you for a short time, then you'll be left with the remaining pros and cons so take it out of picture from the start.

My application -

Pros: high profile position, a well respected company, get to travel around the United States, known for good management, growing field, and advancement opportunities.

Cons: Will require me to move away from Lafayette, my church, friends, and family.

3) Then ask yourself how you can best serve God in either position / what ministry opportunities will there be if you take the new job. What opportunities will there be with the new church you'll attend, the type of people you'll work with or the customers you'll have?

My application - I have been at Faith for six years and have learned more in the past six years than the previous 25. This being said, by God's grace, I have knowledge and leadership skills that may be need at another church.

4) Seek godly counsel...tell a spiritual leader what you're options are have them walk thru the decision. Ask the leader to pray with and for you, that God would be glorified and that His will, will be sought and done.

My application - I did, thru Brother Moore, PW, Gknee, I was able to arrive at a solution I was confident in.

Next stop - Louisville KY. (my new home) and I have my first two clients already...one in Dallas, TX and the other in Seattle, WA. Please be praying that we can find a new owner soon for the Smoothie King, that Gknee and I will seek to serve one another during this time of change and in the future, and that I would do well at my new career.

Our God is an Awesome God!

This is a tear jerker but it's too good not to share. I have been impacted by the story and there are so many lessons to be learned. Click the link below and learn about a new hero!

Sorry if you get the 30 sec. commercial before the actual video starts - and I guess every once in awhile CNN can come up with some good stuff ;-)

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/living/2007/07/06/cnn.heroes.scott.southworth.cnn

May God bless Scott Southworth for having the faith to take action.

As a follow up...sounds like God has blessed Scott Southworth...watch this next short clip...

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/living/2007/07/06/cnn.heroes.scott.southworth.two.cnn

Have a blessed day!

Back and Forth

I'm back from Chicago but now I'm going back again. While I was there last time however I did have my Starbucks for breakfast every morning...a Venti Mocha Frappuccino Light (only 250 cal.) and a Reduced-fat cinnamon swirl coffee cake for $6.51, which is the best deal of the day.

I also ate a Panda Express for the first time ever. Not too bad...I'd go again...kind of pricey though...I got the combo plate #2 and chose the Orange chicken, Beef and broccoli, Mixed vegetables, and a small drink for like $9? It was good food but not for that price. Clean store though.

The next day I was able to run to Chipotle. I go the Steak bowl, which is like a burrito without the tortilla. If you're on a low-sodium diet this is off the menu of options for you...as is everything else at Chipotle, Moe's, and Qdoba...okay...any place you ever eat out basically. It was slightly above average (Qdoba is still my fav and they have the punch card system) I was out of Chipotle for $7.65 and like a side of punch card system.

As previous stated I was also able to put a few hundred miles on a 2007 Eclipse...Nice looking car and pretty quick but there was more engine noise than I like. I'd take it for a couple years but I'm thinking it's not going to hold it's value and would start to fall apart after a few years.

Lastly, I was able to visit Grand Station Pizza (voted best thin crust of Chicago). It was good but not record breaking [$10.51 for a small (12") single topping - feeds three is my guess]...I think the contest must have been political. I of course had Giordano's while I was there. [$14.61 for a single topping small - feeds 4] AWESOME as usual! (though you really can't put Giordano's pan pizza into a real pizza category...it's kind of in it's own food group. I'm going to look for a Gino's Pizza as I hear it's to be just as good if not better.

I'm back in Chi-town tomorrow night until Friday so I'll try to keep tabs (pun intended) on anything / place I see that is of note.

Going to Chicago!

For those that wish to break into my house, I'll be in Chicago this evening thru Wednesday night. Well...My two roommates will be there still so you'll have to get past them but if you can sneak past them I won't be around to contend you taking my printer / personal laptop etc. I'm driving there...and the cool people at AVIS car rental hooked me up with a smoking car...my actual rental is black with chrome trim but it's the the same style as cars pictured here. I'll be traveling more and more so I plan on posting restaurant reviews / car reports / and airline experiences as time permits...1) So I can log for my own personal use in the future and 2) So others can learn from my mistakes.

There Are Real People Working at Wal-mart

a.k.a Little Red Wagon - Part 3 of 4

I would really like to get past this whole mud flap ordeal but apparently that is harder than it seems. So when the Wal-mart TLE finished changing the oil on my car they called my name over the P.A. system. Except for the nice lady doing the announcement stopped in the middle of her P.A. address when while speaking into the phone, turned around and saw me there looking right at her. I have to admit I enjoyed that. Anyway, she says "That will be $12.21 please." I grab for my wallet and it's not there...It's not in my car either. I did have a check book but w/ no ID so they wouldn't take that. They already changed my oil so what are we to do? They let me go and said come back tomorrow! I couldn't believe it...the Wal-mart people had a heart...they trusted me, no stings attached, to come back the next day and pay for my oil change. I'm not sure what your experiences have been recently with the Wal-mart robot-like employees but mine have been positive and I'm starting to think that some of them may possess higher communication skills and compassion than I have thought for years.

Little Red Wagon Update 1

Funny story to update everyone on my little red wagon getting pummeled by the semi mud-flap...Last Saturday (after going to Wal-mart to purchase oil change supplies the night before) I went there to have my oil changed. Apparently Saturday is a busy time for TLE (as it turns out that's what Wal-mart employees call their car shop [e.i. Tire and Lube Express]) so busy that they have the parking lot area around TLE roped off so you have to go past the guy to get "checked in", kind of like at a Mike's Car Wash. I wait in line and finally get up to talk to the kid and the first thing he says is..."Sir, did you know that a piece of the front end of your car is missing?" (I'll just let that sink in for sec.)

So then I laugh and say "Yes, I know." And I'm thinking...why would he feel he has to tell me this? Is he going to offer to fix it as a part of getting my oil change...like he's going to "up-sale" me to the auto-body repair option! Anyway, I have more to share...the story is not over yet but it will have to wait...

What Wal-Mart Doesn't Sell

So (Isn't it amazing how easy it is to start a story with "so") so I was at Wal-mart last night. It was one of those Super-mega-take-over-the-world Wal-mart's where they have their own car dealership, Wal-mart bank, sell gas, a nice park area with a water slide for picnics and summer fun, and get your oil changed Wal-mart's. Well actually some of that is not true...but it's just a matter of time until they do. The oil change part IS true. And as you may know I'm driving a ton now (i.e. 3000 mi. per month) and it's been almost 2 months since I've had time to get my oil changed which brings me to Wal-mart to buy oil change supplies and check out their Oil and Lube Dept. hours of operation (hoping they're open until really late or open early). And while I'm there I'm thinking to myself...what else do I need while I'm here...I'm at Wal-mart...they have everything...If I can think of it, I can get it here. OH! I said to myself...I know what I need...where can I find more time (not thyme as in the spice) but time. I looked they don't sell it! I could use just a little, like a couple hours even. How much does two hours cost? It doesn't matter because you can't buy it...not even at Wal-mart.

I'll Have to Get a Picture...

As some of you may know I am driving alot right now...currently it's around 3000 miles per month...Back and forth to Indy 5 days. Don't get me wrong I'm very thankful for the opportunity and the ability to do so...it's just that I wish sometimes that I didn't have to exercise that ability. None-the-less, the story is that the other day I was on my way back to Lafayette, talking on the cell, and then I noticed that the mud flap on the Semi in front me was going to fly off at anytime. I'm thinking to myself...self you better back off and switch lanes before I eat this guys mud flap...Well the plan should have worked except I was unable to change lanes due to traffic and yes I ate the mud flap at mile marker 153 N. bound on I65. $500+ later my new car (less than 12K miles at the time) will be fixed. Apparently, those semi mud flaps are bigger and heavier than they look, especially when traveling at 65 mph+ I'm am very thankful to God however that I no one got hurt and insurance is picking up every penny of the damage cost!

By the way...Gknee and I are officially dating...I'm sure I'm have some pics. and fun stories soon!

I Can Dance...

I know it's late but I want to blog while the thoughts and emotions are still fresh...

God used a situation, a small trail if you will, at a good friends house to point out some areas in which He would like for me to grow. For which I'm trying to consider it pure joy...at least it is my goal.

Please let me share so that I may be more open and transparent, for I want to live in such a way to hide nothing and to be blameless.

1) Though my heart was in the right place and with the help of the Holy Spirit, I knew what to do...I failed to communicate effectively my thoughts and plans...and then when I realized that the situation was slipping out of control...I failed to act right away due to my own pride. It was like when I see a stranded vehicle on the roadside and instead of stopping and offering assistance I just fly right by, changing lanes if possible to give them more room (or is it to justify my actions by putting distance between me and the situation - Look they're way over there someone else will surly help them) Story sound familiar?

2) When I get nervous I start to stutter a bit and ramble, in that I have a hard time being direct and confrontational. Sometimes I need to be direct and not dance around an issue (I go to a baptist church and I still dance...around issues).

I try to do and act upon the right things...I just mess up sometimes. With trials brings persistence. [the only time you really fail is if you stop trying] I'm going to try to do better at communicating and putting my pride to death.

Here are some more pictures from Flordia...

Riding the Harley Davidson Sreamin Eagle V-Rod some one of my highlights...

In the Interest of time...

Sorry the presentation isn't that cool...but these are some of my pics. from Flordia. I wanted to do something cool like a slide show but I've not the time to put something together...

New Post Coming Soon!

So I turned in the disposable camera today at Sam's Club...it will be at least Tuesday evening when I get the return on the pictures. How did I ever survive the old style 35mm system of taking pics. and then actually waiting 2 - 5 days to see my pictures? I still remember though, how excited I was to get my new 126 and then 110 cameras back in elementary school. It's just a matter of short time before film cameras are totally obsolete and put into the category of audio cassettes and 3.5 inch floppy disks...remember the old 5.25 inch floppy disks that were actually "floppy"? Anywho...I hope to have some cool pics to share mid-week of my Florida trip...maybe I can get madmup or meteomatt to help me put one of those cool slide shows together.

In Florida...

I'm in Daytona Beach, Florida for the week (78 and sunny today). Sorry, I've nothing too great to post, I'm too busy riding my motorcycle down Hwy 1 along the Atlantic ocean. I am taking some pics but they're on a actual 35mm so it will be a few days before they get converted to digital. Hope to talk to or see you soon!

Here Goes

Okay...here goes...I've got to just come right out and say it...

I seriously can't get enough Cookie Dough Ice Cream and Cookie Dough related products. I don't understand why. I just can't.

Maybe it has something to do with the fact that, growing up, every time we went over to my dear old Grandma's house we made Chocolate Chip cookies from scratch and then we got to lick the mixer deals clean? I don't know, but what ever it is, is the urge strong for that Cookie Dough taste and texture...it's cold, hard (but not crunchy), sweet, salty, and yet smooth all at the same time.

Now that I think about it...If fat and calories were not an issue...I could live on Bacon Cheeseburgers, Cookie Dough ice cream...and French Fries. BUT THEY ARE...SO I DON'T.

Why The Pink Blog Theme?

I've heard it more than once..."Why the pink blog theme?"

Is it...

1) That I really like feminine colors such as pink?

2) I'm color blind and all this time I thought is was navy blue?

3) Because I publish blogs from my cell phone and the tiny screen makes pink look red?

4) Because the title of the blog is Smoothie King and the most popular smoothie at Smoothie King is the Angle Food (ie. Strawberry / Banana) and the smoothie comes out pink?

Cue Final Jeapordy 30 sec. jingle...

Urgent Male Public Service Announcement!

I wish I would have known this years ago...so I just had to share this with everyone...someone should have told me / us a long time ago.

Have you ever heard a girl say..."I don't want you to fix it...I just want you to listen"? Sure, all of us guys have heard this before...but we still didn't really know how to handle the conversation. We, as guys have been trained to filter through the emotions while a girl is talking to us and try to get to the problem and then subsequently solve said problem. [Girls - every manly man does this, so don't think we're jerks. It's such an issue that there has been a book written about it.]

So here's the deal fellow men...Here's what we should do...as a girl is talking...filter out the problem and set it aside (for now) and just listen to the emotions. Apparently, often times girls want us to listen to the emotions first and at a later time sit down together and talk about a solution. So, that being said, here's how we're (the guy) should often respond..."Wow, I'm sorry, that must have been really disappointing for you."

This is huge! How was I supposed to know this?

To all the girls, who I've had close relationships with in the past, and one in particular...I'm sorry. I promise, I had no idea.

I am not an expert on this by any stretch of the imagination (just ask the one in particular) and I'm sure I've still a lot to learn. I heard about this on Focus on the Family today, check it for yourself http://listen.family.org/daily/A000000204.cfm

If you're a guy and you somehow, either by special revelation from God or otherwise, you knew this information already...Why didn't you tell the rest of us?

Inquiring Minds Want to Know: Part 2

This post brought to you in part by...

Inquiring minds want to know: Part 2 - Kitchen Stuff...

1) OJ and its PULP level: If-I-find-it-in-my-OJ-what-so-ever-I'll-hurt-you pulp / so-so pulp/ So-much-I-want-to-use-a-fork pulp?

2a) Microwave: Microwaved a House Fly or any other formerly living thing - Yes / No?

2b) Microwave: Not afraid to stand in front of while in use / Run far, far away while is in use to avoid "waves"?

3) Maple Syrup: In the fridge as soon as open / Always out in pantry after open / or Use Madmup Wood Wick for added sweetness to pancakes etc.?

4) Milk: Right-from-the-utter Whole / I-love-to-be-average 2% / I-won't-make-a-stand - 1% / I'm-the-only-guy 1/2 % / or Skim (a.k.a. white water) / or I'm-afraid-of-cows Soy

5) Most unused kitchen appliance: My-Grandmothers-takes-so-long-to-get-hot, Toaster oven / I-had-such-big-plans bread maker / It-looked-cool-in-the-store paste maker / You-never-have-time-in-the-morning / don't-want-to-make-a-mess-IHOP-is-faster, waffle iron?

Downside to the Falls

Go to Niagara Falls anytime you have the opportunity. However, to practice "truth in advertising" there are some downside's to visiting Niagara Falls the last week of January...

1) There is a great place you can take hot air balloon rides...not in the winter as they are closed. [editorial comment: Okay, I can understand this]

2) There is a cool aquarium to see, sea life...no wait it closes at 4 PM... [editorial comment: what on earth, do the fish have some place to go in evening?]

3) Oh! They have helicopter rides though...no wait...not this time of your. [editorial comment: Maybe, I can give them this one too but man it would be way cool to do right now]

4) Here also, is an aerospace museum...as long as you're out of there by 4 PM because that's when they close. [editorial comment: Give me a break...it's a museum...the pieces just sit inside the building...I guess they just want the old retired folk that drive only during the daytime to see the old retired air craft]

There is more action on the Canadian side but still...I think they would shut off the falls themselves in the winter if they could [editorial comment: man-kind can shut down stores / museums / and fish tanks but no one can shut down God's power and glory!]

The upside...you basically have the falls to yourself (just you and God's awesome creation) and you don't have to fight the thousands of other tourists that would be here in the summer time.

More on Niagara Falls

I don't want to "Niagara-Falls-you-out" but these two pictures I took last night after my arrival. I know they're not the greatest but at least I took them. What the pictures do not show is how cold it is once you get down there closer to the falls and the huge raging water sound from the rapids and falls themselves. Way neat! God is great in every way...My cab driver said that an ice age about a trillion years ago made the falls...but, to God be the glory, I know better :-) My digital camera isn't that great...if you have any recommendations for a new camera please let me know.

Altogether, I think everyone should come here at least once in their life (here and Washington D.C.) Here is my advice though...come in the summer time and stay on the Canadian side...it's a lot nicer than the U.S. side. (bring your birth certificate or passport though to get back and forth with less hassle).

Who Wants a Post Card Mailed?

Want an actual post card from Niagara Falls, N.Y.?

Traveling for my new job and I'm in Niagara Falls until Friday (02.02.07). Give me a call or let me know somehow and I'll send you one...

Inquiring Minds Want to Know: Part 1

Inquiring minds want to know: Part 1 - Bathroom Etiquette...

1) Replace toothbrush...Every month / every 3 months / once a year / once when you were a child?

2) Bath towel...one dry and wash / 2-3 dries and wash / everyday for a week then wash / doesn't matter - use roommates towel

3) Shower...Entrance from the back / from the front / I'm a bath person

4a) TP...prefer to dispense from underneath the roll / from over the top of roll / back of toilet on tank?

4b) "Sheets" pulled per use...1 square / 3-5 / 6-10 / doesn't matter can't reach

4c) Tare from any point / tare only at perforations

Divorce

So I was driving down the road a few days ago and, being a retail guy, looking at all the advertisements along the way...watching for new ideas and what the competition may be up to etc. I saw this one and my heart dropped to my stomach and I instantly felt sick. For those that have gone thru the devastation of a divorce...I'm not judging and I understand there are biblical grounds for divorce...Otherwise, if either you were the wrong-er or the one being wronged...hind-sight is 20/20 and I'm sure there are moments in time you wish you could have back and do over again...None of use can go back in time, however, thru the Holy Spirit we can all grow, and make better choices in the future.

This road-side advertisement remains among my least favorite ever...your thoughts?

Wait Christmas...Come back!

Before Christmas gets too far away I wanted to post this for fun. Elf is my favorite Christmas movie and yes I have the movie on DVD if you ever want to borrow it. Anyhow, I was at the mall the other day and had my sister-in-law take this picture. I'm the one on the escalator in case you're wondering. If you have seen this movie you will understand the humor in the photo...If you've not seen the movie...See the movie ;-P

Holidays Change of Plans

Thursday AM I went down to Indy to be with my Dad during his heart catheterization. A few hours later they were admitting him to the hospital and preparing to do open heart surgery. Wow! What a turn of events...On Wednesday he went to work and did his thing and on Thursday the doctors say it's too risky for him to go anywhere...he could have a heart attack. See what you don't know CAN hurt you! ;-P He had his Surgery on Friday, which actually was a blessing because the next option was to have to wait (in the hospital) until Tuesday because of New Years weekend. The doctor did a total of 4 by-passes or ( ). It's really an amazing process and it again proves that our body is NOT simply a random collection cells that just happened to come together one day...There as a designer and creator and that was God!

And though the operation has been around for 50 years and the doctor that did dad's surgery had done about 4000 of them in his 23 years of experience...It's still a BIG deal when it's happening to you or a loved one! We've spent a ton of time in the hospital the past several days...not because it's fun or because you like the cafeteria food...it's a labor of love...it's just what you do when these things come up in life. And though there's no good time to have your breast bone broken, your heart paralyzed, your body depending on a heart / lung machine to keep it alive, your breast bone wired back together with stainless steel, your heart restarted (if all goes according to plan), and then not being able to drive or lift more then 10lbs. for six weeks...The fact that it happened while my step-mom is on break from school teaching and that Smoothie King is closed the week between Christmas and New Years worked out really well.

The time between when dad went into surgery and when we got to see him again was about 5 hrs. The hospital we were at was St. Vincent and there was a volunteer Nun that walked families thru the process out near the waiting room. She had direct access to the doctors / nurses actually doing dad's surgery via a special hospital cell phone. There were a few milestones during the surgery that they always let the family know about. 1) When they are ready to open them up...it's takes an hour or two before hand "harvesting" good artery's and veins (one's that aren't all clogged up) from other places in the body...this is the material they use to "by-pass" the bad areas of the heart. 2) When he goes on the pump (a.k.a. heart / lung machine). This means they have stopped the heart to do the work and that his is totally dependent on the machine to keep him alive...we all know (or should know) that it always has been and will be God that allows us to be alive, but you get my point in this example. and 3) When they are closing him up. This Nun was great and she is absolutely PERFECT for that job. She doesn't pull any punches and tells you exactly how it is. She is VERY funny and a HUGH Indianapolis Colts fan. Her little scooter that she goes around on is all decked out in blue and white. She won a Today Show contest as the nations best sports fan. Her prize was a trip to last years super bowl in Detroit...No lie. When she been Ben Rothlesburger (sp) she said he was all smiles when she told him she was cheering for the Steelers to win. She then told them that she was don't so because they, the Steelers, had beat the best team, the Colts. He then stopped smiling...She said she really enjoy telling him that. There is a picture of her and my step-mom below.

God answered virtually all of our prayers through this trail in a way that totally blows me away. I think the only pray er that didn't come to be was when I asked God that there be no blockage at all when dad when into the heart cath. lab...It would have been a complete miracle...I knew it was a long shot but it could have happened with God and I didn't want to be blamed for not asking ;-)

There is much more that happened this weekend but I'll stop for now. Please thank God that everything went as well as it did. Sometimes things turn out how we like for them to and we have to praise God for this. Sometimes things turn out mostly bad and they're not fun at all and we have to praise God for this too! That is the mighty God we get to worship for ever, and ever, for ever!! And of course I have to throw some pics. of my niece because she's the best ever.