I'm posting this blog from my Dashboard in Leopard.  Pretty cool.  One of my goals this year is to blog on a regular basis.  So here's the first post for the first week.

We're leaving for Arizona a week from today.  The spring is going to be a busy time for us, but at the same time it will be nice to get back out on the road.  I'll miss Amy and all the crazy animals in our house, though.

Well, that's it for now.  I'll post some more meaningful content next time.  I'm too tired right now.

It's hard to Keep U!

For that one single person who actually reads this:

I'm officially trying to keep this blog up-to-date. I promise.

I will officially start with a new post tomorrow.

Till then...

Election History

I am glad for Obama. I wasn't positive who I'd have voted for had I been registered in Missouri, but it more than likely would have been him.

Either way, I am glad for the change that will take place with him in office. I believe that it is good for America. Simply because of the fact that if forces Americans to accept it. Whether we approve of him or not, he will make us realize that a citizen other than a Caucasian male can be the president. African-Americans have been a part of America as long as the rest of the people. I am happy to see this change now. I do believe that it is time for this.

I also look forward to the next elections as to who will run and be elected. This country is a country of unified citizens. There is no need to "boo" the other party when yours has lost. This will accomplish nothing. In the end, we are all Americans. We are all brothers, sister, mothers, and fathers. I am curious to see what changes take place in these next four years.

What is up with our neighbors?

A man decides that it would benefit his family to cut down his neighbors trees. The mans kids are at school, and have no idea what their father is doing.

The neighbor comes home and sees his trees have all been cut down. He decides that he should retaliate and cut down that mans trees, only cut them so they fall into the house and destroy everything and everyone inside.
The man’s kids are asleep, put to bed by their father. He tucked them in and told them nothing of what he had done to the neighbor’s trees.

The children awake to rafters, shingles, glass and nails crashing down around them. They don’t know why. They are only the kids. They follow their fathers rules, and listen to what he says. He makes the rules, and is supposed to protect them.
Both the man and the neighbor have acted inappropriately here. The man should never have attacked his neighbor. The neighbor definitely should never have retaliated and attacked the man’s entire family. They had no idea. They had no control or influence over the man, regardless of what they thought.

This scenario is similar to the current war. And it can also be paralleled to Hiliary Clinton.

Hilary Clinton thinks that if Iran were to attack another country, it would make sense for America to retaliate and “obliterate” the whole country of Iran. I’m sure that all of the millions of Iranians are in 100% agreement when their leader makes a decision to attack another country. Or not. They just maintain their daily lives, farming, fixing vehicles, selling clothes and have no idea what really is going on in the government. Just as we have no idea what truly happens in ours.

Hilary Clinton would "obliterate" the entire country of Iran if the Iranian government attacked Israel. Innocent men, women, and children would be turned to ash all because of their leaders rash decisions. Makes sense to me. Lets kill everyone. That will solve all the worlds issues. If there's no one left to fight, we'll have plenty of peace with no living enemies.



We were closer to a whole new war than most people realize just recently.

Israeli fighter jets flew into northern Syria, bombed a suspected nuclear site on the Euphrates River, and then had to take evasive measures after they were attacked by Syrian ground forces. The alleged nuclear materials had been shipped to Syria from North Korea under the disguise of a concrete shipment. It is unclear whether they were intended to be then shipped to Iran, or used by Syrian forces to bolster their current armory of chemical weapons. The plan was that Israel would fly in, be attacked by Syria, Iran would retaliate against Syria, and then the USA would retaliate with a nuclear attack on Iran.



There was a bomber that flew from South Dakota to Louisiana with nuclear weapons hanging from the underside of the wings. This is not how you transport nuclear weapons. This is how you deploy them and “obliterate” millions of innocent civilians that have no idea what just hit them. This was at the same time that the Syria/Israel incident took place. Fortunately someone was bright enough to realize what would happen and called for the bomber to stand down. They were to refuel in Louisiana for the trans-Atlantic flight to Iran. The whole thing was played off as an "accident", where people were relieved of duty and policies were disregarded.

Dead Soldiers, Dead Civilians

So we've passed the 4,000 casualty mark. I just called it a "mark". How about, "We've just lost 4,000 brothers, fathers, sisters, mothers, cousins, and friends? 4000 people that like to go to the movies with their friends, or give their spouses foot rubs. It's not a mark. It's sad.

It's sad that the media is so concerned about the number 4,000. Was his life any more important or valuable then 3,999? It depends on who you're talking to.

To the general public, they have no feeling of sadness or loss. Just frustration with the military for being so careless in their endeavors.

"Bring them all home"

"Pull out now"

To do that makes those 4,000 deaths meaningless and for nothing. If we were truly concerned with resolving this matter we'd put more thought into it then, "Cut ties and run".

To soldiers, no, 4,000 is no more important than number 3,999 or number 7. Because to soldiers, it's not a number. It's a name, a face, a brother. A friend with a bond that civilians have no hope in understanding or ever gaining. When you're clearing a house with your team, you absolutely put your life into the hands of the men at your back and to your front. You absolutely rely on the outer cordon to provide addequate security so a psycho doesn't have the opportunity to sneak in the back and blow you away, turning you into another "number". You absolutely rely on your leadership to give you the heads up about the informant in the house before you enter. And when you come home, you continue to rely on them. You stick together, and you know what it's like to come within inches of your death only to be pulled back because your buddy was at your side and never faltered.

This is what I think: 4,000 means nothing other than the media being on the terrorists payroll. Civilians are entitled to know what progress is being made, but to an extent. We have to take into context what roll the "on-demand" television plays, or the internet, or cell phones and newspapers. The collective impact of all these forces is unlike any before. Take a second and think about this: We have no idea how many enemy casualties there are, leaving us with our pants down when it comes to reporting progress based on body counts. Yet we claim so much progress. We have a deadly accurate (no pun intended, seriously) body count for our side. If we rely so heavily on body counts to mark progress, we are only aiding the enemy. They know their progress. They don't have to count the bodies. We do it for them, and then pay to have it broadcast to them.


It is time that America woke up and started realizing that regardless of why we went, we're there...now we have a commitment whether we like it or not. We need to think of what is best for all involved, and stop being selfish and wanting to just pull out and come home. It doesn't work like that. If someone were to run a red light, smash into your car, and theirs started on fire with them trapped inside (but yours was just banged up), would you walk away and pretend someone wasn't in the burning car? It's not your fault. They created the situation by being careless. Go ahead, walk away as they scream, crying for someone to just reach in and pull them out. Go ahead, walk away as you smell the burning hair. Go ahead, walk away as they ask for someone to tell their wife they love them. Go ahead, walk away.

As humans, it's our duty and responsibility to take care of one another. 4000 American soldiers are dead. Do you have ANY idea how many innocent Iraqi civilians are dead? We cannot continue to only think of ourselves. Can people not see where that is getting us? It's creating enemies and adversaries. Countries that despise us. We no longer hold our place in the world.

And I dare say I'm not proud to be an American.

Getting ready to move again!

Well, I must say it's been awhile since the last time I posted. Been kind of busy with my new wife, school, work, etc. However, it has been an overall great experience out here in Phoenix. I think that moving away from family and friends for awhile was one of the best things we could have done for our new marriage; a bunch of "us" time. We've been going to Christ's Church of the Valley out here where Dr. Don Wilson is the head pastor. That place is really up with the times and just "gets it". They are very large and spend a lot of money, however they also confront issues that many churches won't. Especially on a Saturday/Sunday morning. I've got to give it to them. Oh, and the guy running sound went to the Conservatory also, so you know the sound is good!

I recently got hired on with CIY (Christ In Youth) as the production manager for the Believe (middle schoolers) side of things. I still can't believe how much of a blatant God thing this is. I could not have asked for a better job with better people, or at a better time. We're absolutely looking forward to getting out there. It is truly amazing how God takes care of you when you rely on Him and don't worry. We'll be setting up shop in Joplin in like 6 weeks. I can't believe it!

Well, this keyboard I'm typing on right now is extremely frustrating, so I'm going to get off for now.

A visit with family

I had the most wonderful time in North Carolina this weekend. I was able to meet and visit with so many members of my family. In three and a half days I felt like I really reconnected with everyone, and was able to get to know them all over again. Many memories were shared, and new ones made.

It's so amazing to see the little ones running around and think that I did the same exact thing in the same places just a short 15 years ago...then again, I suppose 15 years isn't a short time, really. Seeing them really excites me about having children of my own. Amy and I are looking forward to that day!

I've not got much more to say now. Have to get ready to go back into work!