CPR Instructor

This morning I fulfilled the requirements to become a CPR Instructor. Way back in march a coworker and I sat through the CPR Instructor Training course and as our final exam we were to teach a class while being observed by a mentor. I was very nervous about it, but the course is mostly video based now and all I have to do is: give a short introduction, play the DVD, encourage proper technique and answer questions.

If you are interested in taking a CPR class from me then all we have to do is get around 10 people together for a class.

The best thing about it is you get to learn how to potentially save a life for FREE!
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Now playing: The Fray - How to Save a Life
via FoxyTunes

Bear Grylls Season 2

I am a fan of Bear Grylls, he could be one of the toughest men alive. He has traversed the North Atlantic in an inflatable raft, served in the SAS, Para-glided over Everest, and survived in many inhospitable environments. He always fines himself in tight situations, but it's his attitude that impresses me most. Bear always stays confident in himself, and the crew. No matter the problem he remains optimistic and focuses on a solution. You should keep up with him on his blog.

Thanks mom for the Easter present!
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Now playing: The Mamas and the Papas - Dancing Bear
via FoxyTunes

Play Jenga

You think Jenga is a great game? Well, I found a new way to play and it is sure to make things more interesting. On every turn you have an infant help you take the blocks out. The infant is the only one allowed to touch the game pieces during your turn, but you can coach the infant. It is a more sporty way to play the classic game. Hope you enjoy.

Have a great "Good Friday"!
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Now playing: Alex Van Halen/Eddie Van Halen - Respect the Wind
via FoxyTunes

Good Ole Fishing Stories

Travel into the past with me today. Three years ago marked an adventure on the Big Muddy River that will not be soon forgot. A few friends set off in a very small john boat in search for large catfish. What they found still haunts them to this very day.

The day of fishing started off nicely in the sunshine around 6pm, but by 7 things turned into a nightmare. Brian, David and I stepped into the little 10 ft. boat with two paddles, a hammer and some fishing gear. Brian and I are seasoned veterans when it comes to river fishing, David however, was as green as a freshly cut maple sapling. Brian paddling in the front, David in the middle, and I was steering the boat with my paddle in the far end of the boat. Shortly we reach our fishing spot, drop anchor and begun fishing.

We soon find that our line has something unexpected on it. I bring the line up out of the water with some struggle to find a beast attached to the end of it. There was a great SLAP... SPLASH... FLOP! I manage to pull the spotted gar into the boat while David tried to find a way out. Standing up in a small boat is rarely a good thing and today was no exception. David was trying frantically to get away from the fish, Brian was doing his best to steady the boat while yelling to David "Sit down!". All I remember was trying to get the hook out of the mouth of this fish which resembled an alligator more than a fish. Being very careful in the chaos I encircled the snout of the beast with my left hand and with my right begin to extract the sharp hook out of the mouth of the gar that has hundreds of sharp teeth.

The next part in the story happened very fast. The gar slipped out of my left hand leaving my right hand holding the extracted hook defenseless. SNAP! I felt the monster's upper teeth in the palm of my hand and it's lower teeth sawing into my elbow.

Yelling in anger and pain I pulled out the 3lbs. hammer and smote the savage gar on the head nearly splitting it into halves. Brian and David had traded places in the boat and they sat there glancing between the gar and I. After letting the moment set in a bit Brian said "Holy cow, Dude!" and we paddled back to shore.

We carried the body of the great fish up to the house to be photographed and thus remembered in history forever as the day one the great monsters of the deep tried to over take three fisherman.

Fishing season has started and hopefully more great story's and adventures this year.
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Now playing: Brad Paisley & Frank Rogers - I'm Gonna Miss Her
via FoxyTunes

See Yourself In The Mirror

Today I had what alcoholics would call "a moment of clarity". Things in the past... past year especially have been blurry for me. No, not because of an inebriated state at any time, but because I have felt like I had no direction. Let me backup, I do have direction... I know where my life has purpose for all those really BIG ideas. For instance, I know my basic purpose in Christ, I know I want to have a family and I know what line of work I would like to be in. However, what about my experiences where are they leading me?

How can I best use the life I have been given? On my way home listening to some worship music (honestly it has been a long while since there has been a personal worship session in my car) things in my head started to make sense. Like I am being lead in a direction for a purpose. I don't feel so fixated as before.
For a moment I was allowed to think clearly and now I know a bit more about myself. I am grateful for another puzzle piece in understanding myself and my experience. It's like looking in a mirror and seeing who you are. Not that I have not been introspecting myself, but for a moment I had contacts in while looking in the mirror (so to speak).

Tomorrow are plans to start off on this new juncture. I have been thinking about it for two years and it comes with a lot of thought and prayer. When I start traveling down the path I will let everyone else in on my new adventure.

You can be praying that everything works out.
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Now playing: David Crowder Band - Obsession
via FoxyTunes

Go To A Softball Game

I went to a softball game and saw number thirty play. While I was there she hit two singles, but they could have been doubles or even triples if the ball had gone in a different place. Number three zero has one heck of a swing... I would be afraid if I were pitching to her.
"Swing Away"
Number thirty is none other than my cousin Katie. She has the heart of a lioness, it is very impressive to see how she handles difficulties. When life throws her a curve ball she swings away and take what she has been given with gratefulness. She stays confident even when things are going all wrong. I am proud to call Katie my cousin.
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Now playing: Anathallo - Declared, Bannered
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Discipleship

Every week I meet with this guy. He is a carpenter, bus driver, school teacher and an elder at my church. His name is Glendall and aside from all his jobs, he still makes time to meet with me every Tuesday.

This week we met at Denny's and discussed 1 Corinthians chapter 8 over black coffee (Glendall) and unsweetened tea (yours truly). I have a theory that the more involved one gets into bible study over a lifetime the need for stronger drinks correlate with the delving deeper into the bible. I think Glendall had 4 cups of coffee in an hour... I had maybe one glass of tea.

Discipleship is about learning and then teaching. At least in the Christian perspective we are to make students and teach them all that Jesus commanded. Matthew 28: 19+20 ^"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." I have been a part of discipleship for a few years now and I can tell you that it is important on a spiritual level.

Over the years not only have I gained more knowledge from the weekly appointments, but I am kept accountable. Yeah, I am accountable to those sins of omission and commission, but it goes deeper than that. Glendall holds me accountable to having a relationship with Christ. Praying, bible reading and worship are all parts of what he holds me to. Through guidance in the bible my spiritual life is kept in check and that effects all other parts of my life.

Most of the time during the hour we are together is spent two sentences behind while my mind is trying to catch up to Glendall's train of thought. I smile and nod my head, but it's rarely good enough because he asks some hard questions to make sure I understand. Many of the topics we study are not that deep nor complicated, but they teach me how to observe and think about life differently. However, when we do get to a deep topic a nice portion of the hour (if not the whole hour) is taken to understand the thought.

I greatly appreciate the chance to learn from a man with expert knowledge of the bible (he would never admit to it). The experience has changed the way I view life. I highly recommend becoming a disciple if you ever have the chance.

If you are wondering you don't have to be a Christian to be a disciple. All that is needed: is a willingness to learn and an interest to change your life.

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Now playing: Joe Bonamassa - Palm Trees Helicopters and Gasoline
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