Pictures of Insanity!

THANKS REBA!!!!!

DOING VS. BEING

QUICKLY, HERE IS A LIST OF THINGS THAT I HAVE DONE AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO MY DEVELOPMENT AS A PERSON . . .AT LEAST, I HOPE.

DOING
1. Participated in first Strongman event
2. Started learning jiu-jitsu and grappling
3. Two day drive back to Colorado with no music or other in-car noise
4. Saying goodbye to loved people
5. Moved into drastically smaller living space

BEING
1. Pushed myself to several “personal bests” and gained confidence in my ability to do things I never thought of doing until recently
2. Learning to ‘not freak out’ when someone is smothering me. [life long fear/phobia]
3. Continued to develop ear for God’s voice and enjoyed the scenery: Mt. Rushmore, Custer Park, Black Hills, and the antelope of Wyoming. Also, re-entering relaxed pace of life west of the Mississippi River
4. Trusting relational strength; faith in God’s desire for me to have good gifts; ability to receive; bigger picture perspective; carrying the hope that I will develop new relationships in Durango
5. Opportunity to get rid of superfluous stuff; ongoing journey of simplicity

Sweat

It seems like all I have done lately is sweat. I have never been an athlete or athletic for that matter. Every sport is an extreme one for me. I've tried golf, but I need a lot of lessons in order to truly play correctly, and I am not that interested or motivated for that right now.
So, I have been doing this crazy strength training since last September. In two weeks, I'll be in an athletic competition for the first time. It's not a huge event, but a new experience nonetheless.
Last month I began to learn jiu jitsu. This past week I have been training with the guys at Team No Ego in Oswego, IL. They prepare pro fighters--in addition to offering training for other crazy men wanting to get thrown around and sweat their asses off.
I sweat--a lot. It seems like I am sweating all the time. It's strange to see your body slowly transform and to gauge how much "back up" you have when pressed against a wall by someone trying to hit you or take you down. I am a true beginner/novice. Everyone kicks my ass right now: little guys, big guys, old guys, and high school wrestlers. But, my cardio is getting better. My aggressiveness is building. I sweat and sweat and sweat as I try to learn a new language, fit into a new culture & survive until the round buzzer goes off. If I could just catch my breath, maybe I could stop freaking out when someone is on top of me trying to make me submit. Sometimes the sweat make it hard for them to hold onto me.
The sweat can help you escape. Sweat is a sign of struggle, of work, and of persistence. I am escaping inactivity and getting used to walking around dripping wet.
Sweat takes you to places you would otherwise not have reached without it. I have not been in shape like this since my early twenties.
Can't wait to start sweating tomorrow. We'll see where it gets me.

Overview for Book Proposal

Each year more than one million children experience their parents’ divorce. Why is the timing for this book perfect right now? Just like Rick Warren’s national best-selling Purpose Driven Life answered adults’ questions about the meaning of life, It’s Not Fair will infuse teenagers with a sense of purpose despite desperate circumstances. Counselors and therapists who work with teens asked them, “What do you see as the major stresses/problems facing today's teenagers?” 72% of the respondents listed, ‘Problems arising from parental divorce.’ In addition to the normal challenge of adolescence, divorce activates a vast array of difficulties that, without the proper guidance, can lead to damaging results—both now and later in life. “Children of divorced parents are . . . twice as likely as others to have poor relationships with their parents, drop out of high school and receive psychological help.” The book will show teens where to go for help, how to regain control over their lives, what the facts are concerning the tough issues they face and how to deal with them successfully.
Furthermore, teenagers with divorced parents are more likely to feel that no one really understands them. The authors—Linda Jacobs, a divorced, single mom who now runs a national divorce care program for kids and Ben Wilcox, an adult child of divorce with years of experience working with teenagers from divorce situations—will connect with readers on every level by including real stories from teens who went through their parents’ divorce and adult children of divorce who prove that success in life is possible. Through fresh encounters with key Bible characters, relevant applications, and Scriptural references for life skills, the teenaged child of divorce will be doing something that will give new verve to their spirit, mind, body, and soul. In the United States alone, there are approximately 20 million teenagers living with just one parent. By reading It’s Not Fair, they have the chance to discover the power found in only Jesus and the critical opportunity to not only survive their parents’ divorce but also thrive in the midst of it.

Sell, sell, sell

Non-fiction writing means that you sell a proposal THEN write the majority of your book. Didn't know that. It's hard to be salesy about yourself and your ideas, too, but I think, out of necessity, I am getting over that.

I have learned so much over the past few weeks about the book writing process.

Agents have responded, and I am crapping my pants a little.

Sell, sell, sell

God is good, and I am loved. Let's hope people love our book!

Hey Pard!

P.C.R.

Along side the big San Juans,
Up passed Lemon Lake, rests a sanctuary of land.
One winding road is the path you must take.

It’s heavily guarded by aspen, fir, and pine;
Yet you’re surely welcome,
Any ol’ time is fine.

You might spot grouse, elk, or a deer.
Watch for hummingbirds
As they’re wont to zip past your ear.

Take in the vast sights & breathe deeply of the air.
Forget your troubles & worries for a spell;
Have a seat, pull up a chair.

This spread will feel like home
Shortly after you arrive
Relax and eat—no stress—no strain—no strive.

I thank the Lord for this piece of paradise
It’s cool outdoors,
But inside your spirits surely rise.

For the owners are good folk:
Generous and kind.
Help yourself! They don’t seem to mind.

If you’re worn and weary—
If it’s shelter that you seek—
If you can stay a weekend, day or a week-
Look ‘er up near Durango—
This ranch is Phantom Creek.

The Humble Horseman

An arrogant man always will fall--
No matter his strength or experience at all.

There is a truth to be found if you know where to look:
For some it comes by parents or friends or a book.

To each man, his own path is marked
With success, failure, and dreams never sparked.

But the heart-hope rises again and again
That a man’s life-work will not be in vain.

Remember, there’s a Creator that’s given you sight.
All this beauty is a gift, not a right--

What will you do with the days that remain?
Will you toil ever onward tho’ the sun seems to fade?

There’s time left still to fight on ‘til the end
Win or lose, some break and some bend.

A prize awaits those that really believed
That all is not earned: that true life must be received.

The proud cowboy thinks he knows it all--
But there’s truth you can find if you’re willing to fall.

The humble horseman has gained what can never be lost
It won’t fade or dull or be taken by frost.

The gift of life eternal is found just above
The last mountain ridge of life; it’s God’s precious love.

I hope that you feel it when life has you down
Our Creator & Redeemer, the best guide in town.

Here’s a secret that I’ve learned in my brief travels through:
If you draw close to God, He’ll draw close to you.
(James 4:8)