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Just An Observation

So I'm sitting here in the jury assembly room and I just couldn't help over hear others conversations. I realized just from listening to two conversations, I mean catching every other word, that there are still a lot of people that aren't very tech savvy. I hope i spelt that correctly. Either way, I bought my Flip camera almost a year 6 months ago and I felt that I was late on the trend. But this group of ladies didn't understand what a Flip camera was. They were talking about the commercials, which seem self explanatory to me, but in reality some people do need bluntness.

As we go into a world that is embracing social media like crazy, I feel that it was an eye opener. That not everyone has it all together in the tech world, but with simple explanation I believe there is a desire. Facebook and such isn't very hard once shown the way.

Just wondering what you think.

Thanks Be To God

I have often taken things for granted. Or maybe I didn’t know how great I had it until a later time. Either way, it’s an interesting exercise to take a look at your life and be thankful for the things that we are blessed with. It’s especially good when we start to think we have it so bad with either a stressful day at work or when we get sick. We, or should I say I, start to feel bad for myself. There are so many people out in the world that don’t have any idea where their next meal will come from, or if their house will be taken from them, or if their loved one will make it through their battle with cancer. I don’t think it’s because Thanksgiving is around the corner, but it won’t hurt to start being more thankful for the blessings that God has given me.

To start, I am incredibly thankful for family. My family. They are so loving and faithful to be there for me when I need them. I am thankful for the love of my life Ben. He is the greatest and continues to show me more and more love than I deserve. I am so thankful for friends that I can truly call friends. I think it’s great to be able to still have connections with people even if you don’t see them all the time (although I would like to). I am thankful for my job and for Ben’s job. Sometimes it’s hard to go away on trips and be away from the people I love, but I truly do love my job. I’m thankful for the trials in my life. Without them, I wouldn’t be as strong as I am. Although I have to say, I haven’t faced anything like a lot of people I know.

If I wasn't thankful, how would I know I am blessed? I have so much to be thankful for!

And in all of these blessings, I know I have one person to thank. Jesus. My Jesus…who sacrificed himself for ME. He was thinking about me when he came down from heaven and he was thinking about me on that cross.

“16This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 19This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence 20whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.” 1 John 3:16-20

Surrender to Love

Surrender to Love

“Like loving parents who can look at their children with disappointment that in no way dilutes their love, the God in whose image such parents are made loves us with a love that is not dependent on our behavior. If at least some humans can do this, how dare we question God’s ability to do the same?”

This is a quote that stood out to me the most in the first chapter of Surrender to Love by David Benner. I have been fortunate enough to have parents that I know love me no matter what I do. Yes, they probably have been disappointed with me, but I have never felt like their love was in some way revoked or lessened. I think because of my parents I have been able to grasp the love Christ has for me isn’t conditional on my behavior. Yes, He may be disappointed and I know I have let Him down, but I still feel the love. I still can go to Him and know I have a big set of arms waiting for me wide open.

God is so good. I can’t even begin to express how deep that statement goes. I know that I don’t deserve it at all (which is God’s expression of grace) and I need to put forth a better effort in getting to know the God who loves me in every circumstance and situation.

I am going to try to blog about my experience with this book and what stands out to me. I’m pretty bad with finishing books and I hope this goal to write about it on my blog will help me push through so I can share all the amazing insights of God’s love here. Know that God loves you. I know it’s a hard one to grasp for some, but I’m learning that if we surrender to His love, we will find a huge relief in the way we view God.

God Bless!

Portugal

I have been so busy with working here in Portugal, I haven't had a chance to take pictures or blog for myself. I am finally going to at post some pictures, at least, and talk about the life here in Figueira Da Foz, Portugal.

I was a tad bit nervous about driving up to the city from Lisbon, since it about a 2 hour drive north. Everything worked out by the grace of God and it has been a great experience. I was able to get an apartment for a good price and it overlooks the beach. I was pumped because my place ended up being in walking distance from the team hotel. It also is right next to a wifi bar. SWEET!

The first two days I learned what the event, International Six-Day Enduro (ISDE), was all about. It's my first time and I am blown away at how gnarly all these riders are. I thought MXoN was impressive, these guys are riding for 6 hours a day for 6 days straight AND are the only ones that can touch the bike for mechanical fixes are the riders.

We now have two days left of competition and I am happy to have it winding down. Check out some photos.

This sign reminded me of Leandro Mercado.

This is a real sign for elderly crossing. The coolest street sign ever!

This was one of the Time Checks for Days 3 and 4. Right on the beach...so beautiful.

The beach is beautiful.

Apparently the beaches are PACKED during the summer, but now there are only a few people out...fishing!

I like the old architecture that we see in some of the towns we pass through. This was just one example.

France has a team mascot...the angry rooster. (I think:)

Ricky D. wasn't too pumped about his situation. Went out on the first day with bike issues.

Yes Johnny...you are crazy (with directions)!

Sweet lighthouse at on a bluff above the city. And its working!

What?

Jason's weird face at sunset.

My weird face at sunset!

Two thumbs up for such a great sunset!

Overlooking the city!

A coach's faith: Why Dungy helped Vick return

I don't know your opinion about Vick, but this story is one that so many people don't understand. Tony Dungey is an exceptional man and this story explains more about why he's so great.

A coach's faith: Why Dungy helped Vick return

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3 Day Rule Explained

I have recently rediscovered my love for the show "How I Met Your Mother" and this was at the start of the show. It starts with Barney answering the question 'Who made up the wait-3-days-to-call-a-woman-rule anyways?' Here is the answer:



By the way, he speaks the truth!