unexpected crowds

tuesday night we decided to take what we've been talking about at "fuel" and put it into practice.

we've been going over the 4 c's that we stand for as a bcm:

connecting students to a relationship with Jesus Christ.
creating community for life change.
communicating that all students matter to God.
cooperating with the local church.

we took ice cream sandwiches and popsicles to one of the front of the freshman dorms

a table inside would help point people outside to where we had the ice cream set up

when we arrived, we learned about a fire drill that would be taking place just moments later

so, as we stood just outside the door, we watched as the masses of freshman came pouring out to gobble up all the goodies.

it wound up being a great thing

although all our ice cream was gone within about 5 minutes, we had a captive audience that couldn't' go anywhere, so we used the opportunity to hand out flyers inviting people to join us for "fuel" the next week as well as just meet some people and have some good conversations

one student gave report that her friend that has been on the brink of questioning about spiritual things made the point to tell her that she thought it was really cool and wanted to join her at church sometime soon

peace

finally...a W

as usual, i dedicated my fall saturday to college football.

in the past few weeks, that has not turned out too well (AR has suffered some tough losses) especially last week, since for the second year in a row we lost to a high-ranked team that one of my roommates roots for on my birthday weekend

its amazing how much better a win can improve a whole day

not only did my hogs win, but the canes pulled a big win over a higher ranked oklahoma team

a girl i met at fiu a few weeks ago that is originally from arkansas came over to watch the game so we could combine our good mojo towards the win

sheri (reuben's girlfriend), james, and xavier also joined us

in the second half sheri and xavier agreed to wear razorback shirts

it was great!

granted, it seems that we might have a few tough weeks ahead with auburn at home, then on the road to florida and ole miss

now on to the association meeting today at wayside baptist church (since becky is in louisiana)

the things i do for love

today was a pretty good day

lunch bunch out at fiu with the twins (siobahn and shelby) went well. we had fried chicken and some fixins

good times

i then proceeded to drive to ft lauderdale to pick up reuben's girlfriend. doesn't sound too special, but the fact that he thought she was not coming for another week made it more fun.

i had been extra inquisitive this morning about his schedule so i'd know where he'd be at different times so the plan could go as smoothly as possible.

i passed the terminal pickup where sheri was, so i had to pull into the next one and have her walk over. while i was waiting, the guy in front of me decided to back into me. luckily, my car already has a jack up front bumper and hood, so it was no big deal. i got out of my car to help sheri, who was still walking up and as i did, the sassy security person told me i couldn't park where i did. i informed her that the person i was picking up was walking up as we spoke. it was a close call.

when we returned to the apartment i called reuben to see where he was and discovered he'd not be returning for a couple hours. so, we had to wait sitting around the apartment on pins and needles all afternoon, making sure we didn't get caught by reuben coming in and seeing sheri before he was supposed to.

once reuben got home we hid sheri in my room and i talked reuben into helping me make a promo video for fuel. i gave him some bogus plan that would require him to stare at the wall, then turn around (the thing he didn't know was that when he turned around, sheri would be there). he fell for it all. we started filming and sheri came out to stand beside me waiting on him to turn around. we began filming and he turned around. it took him several seconds to see that she was there and even longer to realize what was going on. the look on his face was brilliant. i got it all on video, so that will be up soon enough.

now, i'm watching forrest gump on tv

good day

peace

26 and counting

i won't even speak to the fact that its been a few decades since i posted on this here blog

in other news:

sunday i turned 26.

its weird. i don't feel "26". i'm not sure what i feel exactly, but as i get older i realize how much age and time are, in fact, relative. i don't exactly still feel like a teenager, because i have to be self-sufficient, and i didn't then. yet, i don't feel as if i'm still in my early 20's, because nothing ever really happened then that made that age feel like a milestone. i guess i'm just stuck somewhere in a youthful state where every day is new and exciting.

i love where i am in life. i don't know where in the world (literally) i'll be this time next year or what i'll be doing, and i'm fine with that. i have faith that God knows what he's doing so i'll be alright.

most of my friends are more "settled" in to life than myself, which is fine. maybe i'll have more/better stories than them when we all meet back in the inevitable "middle". lol

at any rate, i'm hoping my 26th year on this big blue and green piece of rock we call "earth" can be the best one and the one in which i can look back on and say i loved more, lived more, and fought for the kingdom more.

peace

recent happenings

life has been pretty boring

i've been sitting around the house looking/waiting for something to do

there are the occasional yards to be mowed, but other than that, the day-to-day is pretty dull

last week i spent several days with my best friends from miami for a wedding

we met in franklin tenn to drive up to the chicagoland area (crystal lake) for our friend heidi's wedding

the trip was fun and some much needed friend time

the wedding was typical but very nice because it was such a close friend

the reception was the most fun i've had in a ling time: great friends, good food, good/great/terrible music, and plenty of dancing

i'm sure all the pictures that are incriminating that will show up on different sites are doctored-you can't prove i was doing any of that! 

the wedding was on friday, so we spent saturday in chicago with no real plan, which was non-stressful

we went to millennium park, the navy pier, the espn zone, walked around most of downtown, and had some authentic deep-dish pizza at one of the best places in town (i've determined that i prefer a new york slice better)

the trip back was somewhat nicer because i flew back, so it cut my travel time into about 1/5 of what it would have been

we are planning a possible trip in the fall to get everyone back together

skydiving pics

as promised long ago, here are some more pictures from my skydiving adventure

jumping out of a perfectly good plane

yesterday i went with two of my close friends here in miami to go sky diving.

it was an adventure to say the least.

i've always been one for adventure, as long as it was pretty safe (not going to cause me too much bodily harm or discomfort). as a child i avoided fair and amusement park rides like the plague and have never liked jumping off tall structures.

the days leading up to the jump i had no idea what to expect. i know very few people that have actually made the jump so i had no one to really tell me what it was like. i relate it to in '03 when i flew to hawaii to do missions (it was my first flight-if you haven't noticed, i like to go all out for my first time at things- first flight across the pacific, first jump off something high at 13,500 ft) before flying, i asked people what it was like. i had some say it was like riding a roller coaster at take-off, others said it was like riding in a car, but you know you're 35,000 feet above the ground. so, because of the unknown, i was nervous, excited, but nervous.

the same went for the diving. i had nothing to compare it to.

oddly enough, my nerves went away the closer we got to the actual jump. when we arrived, it still didn't seem real. it was still an idea. we started to suit up and get instructions, and everything started to become real. it helped that an 80-something year old man walked in, signed the waivers, and started to suit up with us. his name was larry. he's a former marine from WWII, and makes the jump every year. he was a cool guy. he talked about making the jump every year for his birthday and a lot of UM stuff (he told stories about the stadium he wants them to build at least 12 times) i was honored to have him along.

we boarded a small plane and sat down practically on top of each other. at this point, as we started to ascend into the heavens, my nerves were all but gone, to be replaced with nothing but curiosity, excitement, and wonder. one thing that helped calm my nerves was the fact that my friend tricia was right beside me obviously freaking out, questioning if she could do it. it forced me to be strong and act calm.

i rose to my knees, inched toward the edge of the aircraft, felt a rocking, then was out the door. i wish i could explain the feeling. there were so many sensations, and moments all packed into that brief moment. for maybe half a second my stomach sunk, but then went away, and that feeling was replaced with euphoria.

i had not even gotten fully out of the plane when i had the thought "i can't believe i just did that. there's no turning back." my ears popped super hard and it was hard to hear anything but my own thoughts and rushing wind.

the fall was 60 seconds, that seem to last 10. it went by quick. i tried to play up to the camera that was on the head of the diver beside us filming the entire thing as well as look around and soak up everything i could. i tried to look straight down, thinking about the cold, hard truth that i was falling at over 120 mph towards the ground. i looked ahead and around at the horizon knowing that i, as most, only see this view out of a plane window at some point, but here i am with a front row, very real, seat to it all.

the chute opened up around 5,000 feet above ground and we floated down to earth for about 6 minutes. the view was amazing. it was so peaceful and quiet. i was actually able to catch up to my friend scott and float beside him for a few seconds. then we landed right on the bull-eye down below.

my legs were wobbly for a second because i had gone from weightlessness to normal so quickly. i wanted to go right back up and do it again.

i would highly recommend the adventure to anyone. it makes you feel alive like nothing else i've ever experienced before, or probably ever will.

i can't wait to go again

more pictures to come soon.

peace

what a great weekend

this weekend started off on thursday when i went with my friend tricia to see one of my favorite singer/songwriters ray lamontagne in concert 

the show was amazing-very chill and relaxed

his voice is even better live than on the album (which is tough to do for him)

friday i got up early to head to avon park, fl

i met up with my friend gerrard, whom i haven't seen in 6 years

we met and served closely in hawaii in '03

i spent time with his wife, their 8 month old girl, and his in-laws

it was so nice and refreshing to be in an actual "home" atmosphere for the first time in 4 months

they were visiting from the boston area (where they live now) for her sister's wedding

i wound up going to the wedding and being the unofficial photographer 

i can back early afternoon yesterday

it was an amazing weekend

life in the key of west

i went down to key west saturday with a few friends for the day

its a pretty long drive, but fun times were had by all

we sat around on the beach and chilled then drove and walked around taking it easy

i stopped at one spot on the boardwalk to get some pictures of a guy juggling flaming sticks and got recruited to be part of the show...interesting

we ate at a place by the docks and watched some basketball (which i'm glad is almost over-bring me some baseball and football!)

i got a few good shots from the trip as well

peace

engagement parties and pictures

i went to a friend's engagement party today

it was nice for a few people here to get a taste of my life when i'm at home (being the single amongst the world of the marrieds)

my camera came in, which is always fun

here are a few pics from the first outing around the UM campus

yin and yang

i ordered my new slr camera over the weekend, which i am chomping at the bit to get so i can start my photography habit back up with

yet, even with all the joy that the new camera brings, my p90x dvd's have gone missing.  i think someone picked them up from the room i leave them in.  i hate not having them, even though it is a recovery week.  the time off is not good. i miss it.

more as the story develops 

peace

half way

yesterday marked day 45 (half way point) of p90x

i'm upping my dietary considerations as to attempt to accelerate the results

we shall see how that all works

yoga is still my favorite day

i've been able to reach my goal of maintaining downward dog (and not dropping my knees to cobra) as well as doing a clean venyasa and a pushup after each chataranga

peace

R.I.P.

there's always been something about the phrase "rest in peace" that has struck me odd

i would hope that people would not say "rest in peace" when i'm gone

i get the whole sentiment, as far as "no more suffering on this earth" etc (at least foe those that have trusted Jesus)

but i plan on partying after this life

i'll be fully in the presence of the creator and sustainer

my faith will be made sight

i think something that exciting should be approached in a "peaceful" manner

instead, strike up the band, toot a horn or two, clear the dance floor and watch out!

it's party time!

peace

a good sunday

it has been quite a good day

we sat around the apartment this afternoon early watching night at the roxbury, talking about our plans to rebuild the world post-2012 mayan calendar end of the world stuff via an ark, then watching and rolling to tommy boy

i then did some laundry and cleaned my room and called my mama and memaw and talked to each of them for a while (which was very nice)

while i cleaned my room i burned a cd for sarge of springsteen songs (because he says he hasn't heard much from him-shame) i then listened to said playlist which offered some refreshment through the eardrums and heart

granted, the day is not done, but thus far, it has been a most excellent day

i hope yours was just as good if not better

think about it:

the great commission is nothing without the greatest command

peace

workin out

our p90x group is growing

i spent a couple weeks at the beginning of the semester trying my hardest, with no luck, trying to talk anyone into working out with me using p90x

a few weeks later, a had a little interest from a few people, but nothing that i thought i'd be able to latch onto.

now, we are half way through week 3 of the program and have roughly 5-7 people coming regularly and a few others come when they can.

it works for great accountability and motivation

i have no doubt that we'll complete the entire 90 days

its been nice having a solid plan and time every single day to keep us going

i look forward to the results (especially knowing they don't come easy)

peace

state conference

we went to state conference this past weekend

it was a lot of fun

we took 7 students, as well as our staff (becky, gina, and myself)

the weekend was a great time of fellowship, good speakers/seminars, and fresh air

the weekend was spent in leesburg fl, at a resort facility that the state convention owns

it was nice, not only to get some quiet away from the daily grind, but more so, to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city

most of the students got all sniffly because of all the fresh, natural air-i was able to breath deeper than i have in a while

 

peace

good day

i was sick monday and a little into tuesday (with some kind of mild cold), but after a few days of rest and a night of nyquil i'm back

because of illness, with myself as well as a few others around here, we skipped two days of p90x

but today was back to the grind

i was more than ready to be back into it

shoulders and arms today, yoga tomorrow

tonight at fiu fuel i spoke 

we're doing a series from the book "unchristian"

it was a small crowd, as usual, but it went well

when i got home i watched "into the wild"

great movie

if you get the chance to see it, do it!

tomorrow: buying ray lamontagne tickets, yoga, sarge's birthday, getting things ready for state conference

peace

my day was made

the day started off rough

the coldest night in south florida history (or at least in a long time enough to where they decided to make a big deal about it)

it was cold to me

then, i had to stand in that cold all morning for the spring interest fair (as close to a waste of time that you can get without actually doing it)

then, i came back and spent a few hours on the phone trying to get several Miami Dade ID numbers to finish the paperwork for our Miami Dade organization status

well, once that was finished, i headed out to MDC to drop off the paperwork

on the way, in traffic on US1 i heard a voice from behind me "Arkansas!"

i looked back and a few lanes over a guy was leaning over looking at me and asked me if i was from Arkansas

i said "yeah, jonesboro" to which he replied "i'm from texarkana"

we had to move because of the light change, but then he was able to pull up right next to me at the next light.  he went on to say that he's been here in miami for 2 years and then we talked about the razorbacks' recruitment class this year and our chances for the upcoming season

it really made my day

Hog Nation is alive in Miami!

he was the first person from Arkansas i've run into

today p90x was yoga-x

the first half was really tough but the second half was good and relaxing

it helped my super sore muscles greatly! for the first time in days i can walk without limping like an old fart.

day one

p90x day one down

89 more to go

updates as i go

exciting day thus far

i woke up late because i couldn't get to sleep last night, but the action didn't start until i was up

once up, i got a call/bang on the door from martha because the freezer in the bcm kitchen downstairs had caught fire due to bad/old wiring within the unit

then gina miscalculated her mileage for the month, having put down a 52 mile trip to chick-fil-a

(you had to'ave been there for that one to be funny)

it's only 2, so there's no tellin where this day could go from here lol

history

we have a new president

and, while i might not agree with his politics, his stances, or the fact that he's been far over-hyped as the single-man savior of our country and the pinnacle of black liberation, he is my president now so i shall pray for his guidance, strength, wisdom, and mostly the status of his relationship with christ

peace

still goin

two days into my active routine

two days is not much in the long run, but right now, its huge

my legs are sore and i'm tired (mainly bc of the crazy long days at work)

all for the betterment of my health

peace

here we go

tomorrow, clark and i start running

the plan is to get into a solid routine

run at 9, come back, general calisthenics, a fruit smoothie for breakfast, shower

every morning

once i do that and get used to it, i might be in shape enough to start p90x

we'll see

peace

back

i'm back in miami, pretty much already in full swing

tuesday we hit the ground running with a day of "tabling" at fiu

if you ever get the chance to table at fiu, don't 

its essentially sitting at a table giving away a free pen and some information about your organization to the 4 people out of 10,000 that actually stop at said table

______

the hogs won tonight against #7 texas

what made the victory even sweeter is that i watched the entire game with my roommate who is from texas

_____

i've been reading "the last lecture"

its been ok thus far

its had several themes and recurring items that have inspired me

maybe i'll be inspired in several areas (enough to make a move in life)

audience

does anyone read this besides my mom?

million-to-one shot

i had a wonderful late breakfast this morning with an old friend

i was nervous going into it, but heard some jack just before we were seated so that calmed me down to be able to have a good time

i had to go diagnose my sister's car (that i technically still own half of bc she hasn't paid me for) because it broke down

then i took down the xmas tree and was stood up by a friend for a movie we were going to see (she made other plans)

but, when its all said and done, breakfast was good enough to hold me over for the next week or so

___

million-to-one shot?

so, you're tellin me there's a chance!

...maybe

peace

2009

it seems like only a few years ago i was a kid and couldn't stay up until midnight and now here i am at 25, hanging out with friends well past midnight but wishing i had gone to bed earlier because i'm tired.  i guess life has a way of coming back in circles.

last night we played apples to apples.

the word was "glorious"

there were many cards played, but they included one "sean connery"

you would think, as would any sane person, that "sean connery" would trump anything

but no

"vampires" won

i'm tired of all this twilight crap infiltrating everything

i'm ready for this craze to be over

___

even though, as i age, i realize that "new years" is just another day when you get down to it, there remains an air of change, renewal, and reflection

this time last year i had a conversation with ben and corley about considering the semester missions program as a viable thing to do after graduation

now, here i am entering into my second semester as a semester missionary, with most likely another year planned

this year, i wonder what i'll be doing after my time in the semester program is through

i would like to look into something internationally, or something along that line

i'm not the scholastic type so, unless i was told i'd not be able to do any type of ministry that i want without a mdiv, i'll skip seminary

so, who knows where i'll be in 2010

maybe i'll have a future lined up, maybe i'll have a plan, maybe i'll have an idea

whatever this year brings, i'll attempt to make the most of it and see what happens

for those that are worried my love life, or the continual lack there of, i'm sure that will be one of the few things in my life that doesn't change lol

peace