5,068 and all smiles . . .

There we have it. I am done, and submitted. I hit the powerful number of 5,068 out of 50,000. That is a wonderful 10.1%. I am so happy for that number I am also excited by the things I learned about me and how or what I think. I am so thankful that Sam encouraged me to Nano. I challenge anyone who enjoys writing, to give it a try next year. I am already looking forward to next year. I also will continue my Nano from this year as a way of expressing my heart of thanksgiving. Peace

Stuff . . .

There was no school today, and I was able to get a few things accomplished off my huge list of things to do before I die . . . Well, I hate clutter around my house, especially my room, computer, garage, and desk. But boy o boy, clutter just seems to happen like you know what. Why is it that i can not let this little paper with cool words go, or that thing I thought I had to have, now collecting dust somewhere. Are we all, kinda little pack rats? Hanging on to stuff? Is it just me? What is it about stuff. Take this Friday for instance, why is it that people will give up sleep to get more stuff they do not need at low low prices, just to take it back the day after Christmas? Why are we so obsessed with stuff. What is it that we actually need? Do we have needs? OK, we all have needs, but can our needs actually be met by the stuff we surround ourselves with? I have way to much stuff, and sometimes not the things I really need in life. What is it that you really need? Yes, comment me. I want to know what it is you need. Not want, or desire, but need. I would love to learn in the dialog. OK, that is enough on this. I will write more later. That is enough on stuff. Peace

(Photo found at: http://www.dcorwin.org/Works/images/20051000%20Deep%20Thought%2032x27%201364.jpg)

Reset personal NaNoWriMo goal . . .

Greetings

Today I set a new personal goal for NaNoWriMo. I know the challenge is set for 50,000 words in a month. I am at 4900 words currently. I will set my personal goal at 10,000 words. I have had fun with nano, and I thank Sam for challenging me. I will tell you this, I wrote 4900 more words than I would have attempted had I not tried my had this year. I have enjoyed the times I have had to write. I consider my attempt a success this year, and there is next year to attempt again. Things are awesome.

How are you doing today? No I mean really. I thrive on the personal connection. I love to pour my thoughts out and share my heart. However, my greatest joy in life comes in the interaction with others. This weekend, I had the joy of walking at the Mall here in my hometown. I saw a few of my students who have graduated. It was joyful to interact with them. I love life on life interaction. I also love the opportunity to speak encouragement and hope into peoples lives. Now on to a challenge I face. I am so good at speaking life, grace and hope into others lives, but when it comes to my children sometimes I can be hard. I want to live with more grace towards my kids and my wife. This is an area that is challenging me to be a better dad, husband, and man. I love my wife and kids more than any other humans in this world, so I should be able to tap my love and life giving speech to them. Pray for me as I become the man I long to be in this and other areas of my life.

On to another daily goal - Little by little is my mantra. I am overweight, or as I like to term it - I am un - fit. So I am focusing on FITNESS. . . Fitness in weight, finances, family. You know it. I want to be Fit in all of my life. OK, here we are. I set a goal of walking 45 miles by the end of the year. This week, I was able to walk 10.7 miles. My children, wife and Dad have helped me this week, and I thank them for their assistance. Now on to this week, I have 7 days to walk, steady, little by little each day. I was not able to meet my goal of 50,000 word in NaNo because, I did not do little by little each day.

I found a great frame for my photo from Beth Retro at flickr. Thank you Beth for the wonderful photo. Keep sharing your talent with us. I love your ability to find great color and emotion in photo form. Have a wonderful day.

Well, I have to get going and reach my new personal goal in NaNo. Peace

Eight Days . . .

I just do not understand my absence from the blog seine. It is just plumb crazy. I love to blog, I have time at times to blog, and I have not blogged for 8 days. OK enough, I will get on with it. I am tired of being a big guy. I know everyone loves the big guy, but I would love to be a little littler. So, here you go. I have challenged myself to walk 45 miles by the end of the year. I know that does not seem like much, but it starts with a step. So, I have started logging my steps, and I have asked my dad and daughter to walk with me. I am so excited, and believe it or not feel better after three days. Pray that I will continue on the journey that I have begun. I am still only on 3800 words on NaNoWriMo, but have no fear, I have some time carved out on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of this week. Write is what I want to do, and write I will do. The wife is away this weekend, and I will write. I am so blessed. How are you? I love reading your blogs, that is the truth. I find joy in your journey. I am encouraged in my own Journey. Wow, thanksgiving, giving thanks, what else could I do? Well, I have to go and get Ben. Peace

(photo found on flickr - sorry I do not have the link)

Back to writing . . .

I can not believe how long it has been . . . Too long if you will. Sam, I must say - Thank you for leading me down this new way. This way of blogging. I have had the opportunity to connect with new people from around the world. I am so blessed. I am thankful for the nearness of the world on the net. I know our world is crazy and amazingly evil at times, but it is wonderful to connect with beautiful people. Why is it that we allow the "media" to dictate and direct our views of the world. Think with me about the evening news - it is bad, upon bad with a little bit of bad tossed in, it is evil upon evil, with a touch of something good that is happening, and so on and so on. It is not a wonder that we need something to calm our fears as a people. There is much more love, much more good, much more beauty in our world. I know, I am a realist, there is much evil and much wrong and much injustice, and we must do what or all we can to right the wrongs. The very heart of God calls for man to live justly with all those in the world. God is a God of the oppressed. His heart is for them. Read the Book. It is fat with truth on Justice. Though we may not see his heart, or ask where is he. He is there. Wow, from writing, to philosophy to theology so fast. It is all one. They all fit together. They are not separate. Everything is spiritual. Everything is deep. OK, maybe my choice of tea may not be deep, but it is in some way.

I ordered a print from Beth Retro. I look forward to putting it is a nice frame. The colors are wonderful. Take a look at it, it is on my blog. Thank you again. I also want to say, Beth, I love your blog, and your writing. It is full of energy and hope. I love the way you pull color into your photos as well. I am thankful that I found your flickr. Have a wonderful day.

Well, I am at like 3000 + words on NaNoWriMo, I have a lot to do to get to the goal, but the exercise is stretching me as a person. I am blessed. Thank you again Sam for the encouragement, and you - Keep writing, do not give up, but do not give up sleep either. Peace

Yesterday, my heart broke with a friend in her loss of her dad. It was heavy. She is all that her dad had. She has much in her life, and is a wonderful, beautiful young lady with much energy and passion. As I hugged her and shared a moment of love and encouagement, my heart broke with hers. Pray for my friend in these days of loss.

Friends, I am thankful for this time, and your time. Have a blessed and wonderful day. Peace

Just stuff for you about me . . .

OK, I was finally able to track down an "I Voted" sticker. I am so thankful. I love the I voted stickers, they usually end up in my Day timer or my Journal.

Here is a great article on a wonderful position I will have in regard to Obama. http://www.worldmag.com/webextra/14617

I am telling you, it is my desire to see our country do well. I will pray for Obama as our president and the other leaders that take our country in this new direction. I am first and foremost a follower of Jesus, yes with all my warts and bumps. I have been blessed by my life here in America and for that I am truly thankful.

I feel like crap from a crazy cold thing. I do not know what to do. But I will continue to take some medication and rest a lot. I actually have the entire weekend off, I am so excited. You know on think about being sick that really bugs me - my wife will not kiss me. I know that is sad, but it does bug me, I like her kisses. Ha ha.

Nano is a lot of fun, but I have to find myself at the computer for a few more minutes. I am at 2880 words, and that is only in two sittings. My theme is things I am thankful for, and it is pouring out of me like water. I can not wait to continue writing.

The photo I am using for my background is from a new friend Beth Retro at flickr, here is her link, http://www.flickr.com/photos/dreamincolour/I found it one day and asked her permission to use it. I am thankful that she said yes.

Well, that is it for today, I think, I may post again, who knows. Peace

Today . . .

Two blogs in one day. Maybe I came across way to strong on Obama. From the first speech I heard him speak, I told my family, this guy will run for President one day. He is a great communicator. In many ways there has not been another man run for office like him sense Kennedy. He is charismatic, and powerful, and he motivates people to action. My major challenges with Obama are his associations, those he has followed during his years off the radar (Jeremiah Wright, Bill Ayers, Louis Farrakhan, Tony Rezko, Nadhami Auchi and others). An old saying is "birds of a feather flock together". Is that true here in this case? Who is the real Obama? What are his true intentions? Will he be a man of Honor? What is his definition of "Change"? I have so many questions, but no worries. It is all good in Gods Kingdom and it will remain all good in my heart. I will commit to pray for him, and support him as the leader that God has chosen for our country. I will have more thoughts along the way. Peace

God is in control and Obama is our President . . .

Greetings, thank you for reading my blogs . . . I like the process by which America selects their president. I know that the nation has spoken and for once the perfect democratic set up is in place. A democratic President, a democratic house and senate. Though I may not agree with the position of the democratic party, I will pray for their wisdom as they lead our country. There is not doubt that our country was ready for "Change", and it appears that change has come. There is a new hope within America, and that is exciting. Peace

Yes, yes I did vote . . .

Hey now, I did have the great privilege to vote today. I was number 555 at my precinct. That is really good compared to all the other times I voted. I did have to make a call to the City Clerks office to complain. Yes me, complain. You want to know why, I'll tell you why, actually I will insert a photo here to let you know why . . .

Yes, you guessed it. My polling place ran out of the coveted "I Voted" Stickers. Can you believe that. I love the sticker. I vote for the sticker, no actually, I do keep them in my journal with a notation of the day I voted. Also, I was not able to take advantage of all the free stuff that was being passed out today, not that I would have, but I didn't have the sticker.

I know that God is in control and whatever happens in regard to the elections, I have no need to worry, but wholly rest upon HIM. It is an amazing thing to think that my future is not in the hand of any politician. Now do not get me wrong, things in this land of ours could get crazy, and people could be in dire need. I am not saying that I would not have sadness if our country was thrown into some sort of chaos. What I am saying is my mind is at rest in God and his truth, and my soul is at peace, while my body may waste away. I know this is odd, but death is not the enemy. This may be an odd post to you, but I invite you to seek Jesus, and find the peace that he give freely. Have a blessed day. Also I am at 1877 words in nanowrimo. That is good for a newbie. Peace