Hello....

Hi,
I'm back..
How are you?
I'm fine.

Got some news to post soon...

to prepare, I ask you to take a quick look at this.

http://acts215.blogspot.com/search/label/weight

It is Finished

2012 has come to a close... It's been a year of transition.  I changed my full time job (I didn't leave the Ex, I just changed assignments.. read a little about it here). I have learned new things and used a completely different skill set.  It has been great to exercise a new part of my brain and light up some new neural synapses.  I do station visits, I have some audit functions, but the biggest and hardest part of the job is recruiting seasonal drivers for "peak"...or Christmas deliveries.. I'm away from home a lot, but I think Donna likes the peace and quiet.  Our relationship is very good as we skype a lot and stay in touch via txt and phone calls.  So far, this has been very good.


 The evening service called "Mosaic" at Perritte Memorial Methodist Church came to an end.  I lead worship there for 2 years. The service had great people that have expended a large amount of energy to try and reach  a new group of people in Nacogdoches but it never got momentum.  I miss those good people but fortunately I'm friends with most of them on facebook.

My son Austin moved out of the house and got 2 part time jobs in the Webster Tx area.  I stay with him when I work in Houston.  Early in the mornings he is a package handler at the Ex and on weekends he works concessions at Kemah Boardwalk.

He really seems to be enjoying his new jobs and he loves NOT being in Lufkin.  There is a Chipotle' just a couple of blocks from his apartment and he loves living in that area with so much to see and do.

My oldest brother Richard passed away this year, and my family asked me to perform the service.  It was hard in a way but it was also a great blessing to talk about my oldest brother and laugh and cry with my family about him and his life.  My relationship was not always good with Richard but I was so glad that I had seen and talked to him a few times in his last months and in his last day he called me a hardhead and we told each other "I love you".  It was a good day even though it was his last.

Finally, as of midnight, December 31st 2012, I will no longer be a pastor at First Christian Church in Lufkin, Tx.  The new job I have requires full time travel.  I work in Houston when I'm not working in Lake Charles or Victoria or Corpus or Brownsville or Laredo or Uvalde or wherever else the company needs me.  This travel and the new responsibilities pull me away from my congregation and prevent me from fulfilling my call as pastor to this congregation.  It was a very hard decision but it's the right one.  I thought I could make it all work but I could  not.  Sunday was my last service and we did a little extra music.  It was a fun morning and I enjoyed being at the table for the last time.  You can go to church again here if you want.. :-)

2012 was kind of a hard year... I look forward to 2013 and what it has in store.  Hannah's graduation and what she will do after... Austin's work (he's already been told he'll go to full time at Kemah in February), weekends with my bride.  Donna and I looked back and realized that for the last 14+ years since we started Upward Basketball at FUMC Lufkin and we both started working in church services doing various things, we have been working 6 and 7 days a week for all those years.  Since I travel so much I will value some free weekends with my honey.  We're going to the Cotton Bowl to watch the Aggies beat the hell outta o.u. and we will celebrate our 29th anniversary a couple of weeks later.  We are still very young at heart and love being together.

Adios 2012...  2013 has lots to offer, but most of all.. as Jimmy Buffett says.  I Love the Now!

Ecclesiastes 3

¹² I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. ¹³ That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.

Peace...

The end of a long chapter...

Well today should be my last day at the Lufkin station of a small package delivery company that used to be called RPS. I can't use the actual name as the corporate folks are picky as to when and where their name is used and I get that. Most of you know who I'm talking about because I affectionately call it "The Ex".

I got here 14 years and 10 months ago. There were 7 routes and there was one package handler that unloaded the trailer and one that looked up bad addresses. A part time service manager that did check-in and myself. I had been a special assignment manager in Shreveport for several months so I had an idea as to what I was getting in to.. but I really didn't. This was a small small station. I unloaded the trailer my first day here as the normal package handler quit while the building was without a manager.

That was just the first in a long line of many things that comprise my life as "terminal manager" or "station manager" as we now call it here in Lufkin.

I've delivered routes..some for months while I was looking for and recruiting drivers and running the building. There were days I unloaded, delivered, loaded the outbound packages in the evening and dispatched the linehaul driver. Let's just say "chief cook and bottle washer" was a very appropriate title.

I've worked with many people. Some drove me crazy and I had very stressful and unhealthy relationships with them (cleaning out my desk and finding the zantak and other digestive meds in my drawer reminds me of the times when this place was much more stressful).

I was pushed to my limits many times here, for the hours I worked and the energy and life it took from me. I poured my heart and soul in to this place for a long time. I treated it as if it were my own business.

Through all the challenges and stresses I new I needed something bigger in my life. There were times I would go by FUMC's prayer room early early in the morning before going to work to try and find something I didn't have. I knew I couldn't do it alone. We later plugged in to church there and then later we started Upward Basketball here in Lufkin. That changed my life and how I dealt with people and with things.

I gave people I had experienced major fall outs with a second chance. I forgave and laid down huge burdens. I became a minister to the staff I had here at work. I encouraged them spiritually but mostly I listened and tried to help the best I could. I love these people. I'm going to miss working with them every day. I've sponsored a couple of them on the Walk to Emmaus and some I've just been here for when they needed an ear or some advice.

I've learned a great deal here. Treat people how you want them to perform. If you want them to be winners, treat them like winners. Recognize in public and criticize in private. Anger is a tool.. it should not be an emotion in the workplace. If you let anger rule you then you have lost your effectiveness. Diversity is an amazing blessing. It's not easy I assure you but you have the most creative answers through a diverse work group. Love your people. Be a servant leader. I'm not perfect nor will I ever be and I have stood up in front of my entire team and apologized before when I was wrong in the way I've done something or how I treated someone. (I think I was actually wrong once.. just kidding ;-) )

We had 7 vans all inside our building when I got here. We now have 24 trucks that hit the street every day. We have added 3 modular docks on to the back of the building to handle the additional trucks. We had 1 package handler and 1 PT svc manager when I got here. We have 14 package handlers, 1 service manager, 1 pick up and delivery coordinator and 4 administrative personnel. We have had 2 name changes since I got here and I've had 6 or 7 bosses in that time.

I'm taking on new responsibilities. It's not a promotion. I am simply doing something else. In fact it is actually 1 grade lower than my current pay grade but my pay will be the same. I've made some decisions in my life. They are impacting me now and I'm ok with that. When I got to Lufkin, I planned to be here 18 months and move on up to bigger and better things. We then found community and we put down roots. I wanted a stable life for my children. I wanted them to grow up and graduate here. My wife and I have strong ties of faith and friends here and we really didn't want to go either but I have a Gypsy bone in me that I'm sure I got from my dad. I have been restless. I stayed for the kids but once they got out of school I tried to get some promotions but the jobs I was applying for went to younger folks.. or people with "big building" experience. I passed on those things earlier in my career for my kids. I have no issues or animosity regarding the path I chose. I love where I am and I love where I'm going.

My new job will require me to work in Houston mostly but I will have stations from Lake Charles down to Brownsville. We are not moving as my wife loves her church ladies and does not want to leave the support and fellowship she gets from those wonderful "chicks". I'll work out something in Houston and come home on the weekends. I still have my work at FCC Lufkin to do. I am also continuing as worship leader at Perritte Memorial UMC's Mosaic service. I want to keep working on those responsibilities as that is my calling right now. But I'll have to figure out a living situation. My boy is looking to find a job in Houston so maybe we can share an apt as we live in to this thing.. I may be staying with family while I'm down there. Maybe I can find a bedroom to rent from someone. It will work itself out.

I feel I will end up back in Lufkin with a full time job some day. I believe that is my future, but you never know what might happen. I hope that my future is at FCC Lufkin but I've got to get kids employed/out of college and bills paid off before that can happen. And you never know what God has in store for you as you walk down the path of life. I never thought I'd be here this long... but I'm thankful that I have been. I really don't know what lies ahead but I'm thankful for the opportunity that God and the Ex has given me. It will be hard not doing the same thing I've done for the last 15 years.. I will miss these people I've been working with for so long. I've hired or supervised the hiring of every person in this building. This place is a big part of me and I have been blessed by all those here. I hope that I am a big part of this building as well. I hope that what I have brought here and left here will give these people wings to fly on and the power and direction to achieve whatever it is they want to do in life. I love them and I want nothing but the best for them. I will see them again down the road...but our daily routine is forever changed as of today.

I've packed my office and put it in the car. All that is left is finishing out the day today. I have Friday off and I hope to have a nice weekend with my wife away from it all. Monday I will report to work in Houston. I'm anxious about that and I'm sure I will miss my 3 mile drive to and from work. I'm also excited and have great anticipation about what is down the road. I hope in all of this that my faith grows stronger and my relationship with God and with my family is made better.

Let's turn the page...

A day of silence

I tried to begin a day of silence yesterday around this time... work kept that from happening but it did begin around Sundown.. Mountain time. Be that as it may it is something I hope to do about once a quarter. Sure I spoke a couple of times.. in error but for the most part I kept quiet and kept my Lord my focus.

Last night I read my bible for a while and read through some information for my sermon I'll be preaching in a couple of weeks. First Sunday of Lent so I'll be teaching a little about Lent, Ash Wednesday (we are holding an Ash Wednesday service for the 2nd year in a row..this time in the evening)...and then preaching a little about those whiny Hebrews in the desert wishing they were back in Egypt... and then God sends them manna and quail. You would think by then they would have faith in God.. after all they had seen.. I mean we have it all figured out don't we?

Anyway...

Got up this morning...shook Austin to get him off to work.... and read my bible some more. Then washed dishes (by hand..washer is broke) and cleaned up the kitchen while Donna is away working the Emmaus Walk this weekend.

Finished the dishes then I took a ride on my bicycle for about 16 miles.. it was hard..first ride in a while but my knee responded wonderfully and I'm feeling the work in my abs and legs right now. That's good..hope I can stand and play a guitar in church tomorrow.

Took a hot bath..read my bible some more..and dozed off for a bit.

Then I got up and planned music for mosaic for Sunday night and worked on this song a little bit that I'm supposed to do during lent called "Then the Quail Came". I have most of the chords figured out but I haven't charted it yet. If you know this song and have charts please let me know :-)

My day of silence is about to end when Austin gets home and we head out to Broaddus together. All in all it has been a great 24 (more or less...more less than more I think but that's ok) hours. I look forward to doing it again in the next 3 months.

Praise God from whom all Blessings flow!

jerry jeff walker-charlie dunn

Key West...Key Lime....

Key West was an awesome place.. we really fell in love with it. We would love to go back again and again. Riding around town on scooters. Eating great food. Beautiful beaches. Beautiful water. Great people. Just a different pace of life.

One of the things we did discover was what you can do with Key Limes..

We started seeing many many things Key Lime somewhere around day 2. We started making a list.. Then a friendly shop owner said if we really wanted to flesh out our list we needed to go to Kermit's

Let me tell you..some of this stuff is awesome.. the barbecue sauce and the cilantro chip sauce is fabulous. Key Lime Margaritas...not so much. A tad too tart. The wine on the other hand even had us non wine drinkers singing its praises.

Well enough with the details... here is the list of everything we found Key Lime on Key West.
In no particular order... Key Lime:

Ice Crush
Coconut patties
Bark (as in candy coating)
Pie on a stick
Taffy
Ice cream
Cookies
Fudge
Juice
Coffee
Aide
Tea
Pie cookies
Coolers
Margarita Mix
Pretzels
Mousse
Shortbread cookies
Mojito
Cheesecake
Strawberry iced tea
Tea cookies
Candy canes
White chocolate cookies
Mango poppy dressing
Barbecue sauce
Honey
Hot sauce
Mango chutney
Wine
Datil pepper
Powder
Strawberry jalapeno jelly
Bath jell
Shampoo
Conditioner
Candles
Fruit Squares
Cocktail dipping sauce
Guacamole dip
Florida bay spice
Soap
Citrus salsa
Jelly Beans
Soda
Cinnabun
Smoothie

I don't proclaim that this list is all inclusive.. if you have had some other Key Lime "something" let me know and post it here...

Oh yes.. as like the pic says..

Key Lime Time

Miami for a day… + some

We did a quick run in to Coconut Grove Saturday night… pretty cool place. Walked around a bit but was an interesting evening… Burn Notice has a warehouse there where they do all their stage shooting. They also do most of their “on location” shooting in the Coconut Grove area.

Then Sunday we went to Miami Beach.. we walked and walked and walked.. Some fun observations, experiences and encounters during the day.

The beach is amazing!!!



Met a really great lady that was the bartender at the poolside bar and The Clevelander hotel. She has two beautiful daughters and she’s afraid of going in to the remote areas of Florida where there are not many lights. She has the same feelings that many people from my part of Texas have when they go in to a big city. I had 2 margaritas there… it was actually before noon….

Then had a cigar a little later while walking down Ocean dr.

Later as Hannah and I are standing outside the Ghirardelli's. chocolate store contemplating a hot fudge Sunday.. Donna walks up and says “what sin have you found now?” My favorite quote of the day from family.

Later on at the beach near the Key Biscayne lighthouse, a local asks Donna “Do you speak English or do you speak Spanish?” Just never thought Donna looked like a Spanish speaking person.

Coolest observation of the day: Donna says “You know, I’ve noticed something about the groups around here”. I said “There are no lines… not like the ones we normally think of .. color..”

We were also the minority as English speaking people in Miami beach.

We have also designated Miami as “Smokers Paradise”. Dang there are so many people that smoke there. I guess it’s all the Europeans. I’m not hating… since I had my cigar there..but still. Lots of cigarette smokers. Lots of scooters too.

About 10 percent of the people I saw in Miami look like models.

The lady at Key Biscayne was very nice too. She was very sociable .. asked Donna to take pics of her and her son. We had her take pics of us too.

Most everyone we ran across was very friendly and nice. Now Donna had us marching all over Miami beach..the a little driving to Key Biscayne..then walked all over Miami beach again to get pics of the art deco hotels with their neon on at night…put blisters on my left foot. Wore us out. Felt like boot camp. It was about 15 kilometers.. Donna and Hannah named our day the Donna Anderson’s Miami Beach, 15K pro am fun run race for the cure (a la The Office). Still recovering..

We’ll have more observations from Key West..mainly how may different ways you can eat Key Lime “whatever”..

Oh..yeah..

Forgot that the lady at Key Biscayne also asked Donna if we were from Northern Florida..because we sounded like her in-laws.

also...

A guy in an al fresco restaurant ..the cafe at Books and Books..had a dog that was slobbering all over Austin.... He was too timid to say anything to them so Donna asked if they could pull their dog back..in a very nice way. One of the guys asked us where in the south were we from..he then pointed at his SMU business school cap (with his Princeton t-shirt on too). We tried to bond a little by pointing out that our daughter was going to TCU but he would have none of it...

My New Playlist

I grew up in the 70's. I'm an album guy. I didn't buy 45's (one song on each side of a small vinyl disc). I bought LP's (Long Playing records.. large vinyl discs that generally held 5 or 6 songs on each side...).
I used to buy some greatest hits LP's of artists I really didn't plan to get "that" in to but if I like an artist I like to listen to an album in context.. I see it as greater vision of the artist in how they present their music.
Because of that I usually make playlists in itunes that are simply albums. Complete CD's of music by an artist. I make some other playlists but they are usually regarding something I'm working on...new songs for worship for church... sets for an upcoming camp gig..something like that.

A few days ago I made my first itunes playlist..for my own personal enjoyment. I know..most of you are like... What? It's true. but it's a big one..it pretty much fills up my little..old...ipod nano. But it's for listening to while I ride my bike. I find the selection soothing as I work to push through challenges out on the road. I thought I might share it with you and see what you thought. So far I really like it. I guess that's a good thing...but I think it's accomplishing what I want it to when I go out on rides... it's reducing my frustration as I work to do frustrating things that challenge me to work harder...

Anyway..take a look if you want. tell me what you think if you want.

Anywhere You Go 3:53 Ross King Perhaps I've Said Too Much

The State 4:30 Derek Webb Stockholm Syndrome

First Look 4:02 Jimmy Buffett Floridays

I Need Thee Every Hour 3:47 Jars Of Clay Redemption Songs

Our God 5:28 Chris Tomlin Passion: Awakening

Asleep In The Desert 3:31 ZZ Top Six Pack

Rhumba Man 4:10 Jimmy Buffett Buffet Hotel

O God Where Are You Now (In Pickerel Lake? Pigeon? Marquette? Mackinaw?) 5:02 David Crowder Band A Collision or (3+4=7)

Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On 3:17 Jimmy Buffett Take The Weather With You

My Enemies Are Men Like Me 5:20 Derek Webb Mockingbird

Sing Like Mary Sang 7:18 Ryan Delmore The Spirit, The Water, And The Blood

Love In The Library 4:40 Jimmy Buffett Fruitcakes

Please Be My Strength 3:33 Gungor Beautiful Things

Saturday In The Park 3:56 Chicago Greatest Hits Vol 1

Track 07 3:13 James Evan Songs You Can't Dance To

Rain Down 5:46 David Crowder Band All I Can Say

My Hope 4:16 David Crowder Band Can You Hear Us?

Stay 5:26 Robbie Seay Band Give Yourself Away

Woman In Texas 4:41 Jerry Jeff Walker Live At Gruene Hall

Wait For Your Rain/Grace Like Rain 15:07 Todd Agnew Grace Like Rain

Tryin' To Reason With Hurricane Season 4:22 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads

Can't Help Myself 6:15 Sandra McCracken In Feast Or Fallow

Open Skies 3:59 David Crowder Band Illuminate

All Creatures 5:16 David Crowder Band Illuminate

More Than That 3:26 Monk & Neagle The Twenty-First Time [Promo]

I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For 4:38 U2 The Joshua Tree

Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is 3:22 Chicago Greatest Hits

You Have Me 4:36 Gungor Beautiful Things

Feelin' Stronger Every Day 4:17 Chicago

Rich Young Ruler 3:57 Derek Webb Mockingbird

Samson 3:55 Regina Spector

The Spirit vs. The Kick Drum 3:08 Derek Webb Stockholm Syndrome

Lovely Cruise 3:54 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads

passenger seat 3:44 Death cab for cutie

Mockingbird 4:15 Derek Webb Mockingbird

No Not One 3:58 Brandon Heath What If We

Navajo Rug 3:02 Jerry Jeff Walker Navajo Rug

Teach Me All Your Ways 5:43 Ryan Delmore The Spirit, The Water, And The Blood

Incommunicado 3:41 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads

Shine Your Light On Us 6:23 Robbie Seay Band Give Yourself Away

Viva La Vida 4:01 Coldplay Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends

Nasty Dogs And Funky Kings 2:50 ZZ Top Six Pack

A Pirate Looks At Forty 3:53 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads

Shadows [Acoustic] 3:20 David Crowder Band The Acoustic Songs

California Promises 3:40 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads

Call On Me 4:03 Chicago Greatest Hits Vol 1

Wishing You Were Here 4:37 Chicago Greatest Hits Vol 1

You Do All Things Well 4:44 Chris Tomlin Arriving [Enhanced]

Tin Cup Chalice 3:38 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads

Ocean 3:59 Ten Shekel Shirt Much

When The Coast Is Clear 2:58 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads

Mexico 4:07 Jimmy Buffett Barometer Soup

Pre-You 5:17 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads

He Went To Paris 3:30 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads

Where The Streets Have No Name 5:37 U2 The Joshua Tree (Remastered)

Glorify 4:28 Todd Wright All The Freed

Beautiful Things 5:10 Gungor Beautiful Things

With Every Breath 5:03 Leigh Nash & Dan Haseltine City On A Hill

True Religion 5:47 Ryan Delmore The Spirit, The Water, And The Blood

No Plane On Sunday 4:18 Jimmy Buffett Floridays

You Were So Close To Me 3:29 American Blues The Roots Of ZZ Top

All Around Me 4:37 David Crowder Band Church Music

Stars Fell On Alabama 4:15 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads

Volcano 3:39 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads

Boy With A Coin 4:06 Iron & Wine The Shepherd's Dog

Master Of Sparks 3:31 ZZ Top Six Pack

Never Let Go David Crowder Band

Deliver Me 4:42 David Crowder Band Illuminate

Rodeo Wind 4:49 Jerry Jeff Walker Live At Gruene Hall

We Learned To Be Cool From You 5:55 Jimmy Buffett Buffet Hotel

Hot, Blue And Righteous 3:18 ZZ Top Six Pack

Creola 7:03 Jimmy Buffett Floridays

Speechless 5:07 Steven Curtis Chapman Speechless

Love Song 3:54 Third Day Third Day

O Come And Mourn With Me Awhile 4:05 Jars Of Clay Redemption Songs

Sing Alleluia 3:42 Jennifer Knapp & Mac Powell City On A Hill: Sing Allelluia

Eastern Hymn 6:26 David Crowder Band Church Music

I Heard I Was In Town 3:38 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads

Oh Happiness [Acoustic] 2:35 David Crowder Band The Acoustic Songs

A Beautiful Collision 3:57 David Crowder Band B Collision

On the Radio 3:26 Regina Spektor

One of these days 4:25 FFH

Power in His Blood 4:08 FFH

A New Law 4:46 Derek Webb Mockingbird

Track 02 2:46 James Evan Songs You Can't Dance To

Middle Of The Night 3:16 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads

One Trick Pony 3:26 MercyMe Coming Up to Breathe

Obsession 6:00 David Crowder Band Can You Hear Us?

Six String Music 3:25 Jimmy Buffett Fruitcakes

Nautical Wheelers 3:36 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads [Disc 1]

Matthew's Begats 2:18 Andrew Peterson Behold The Lamb Of God

Sheik 4:05 ZZ Top Six Pack (Disc 2) [Tres Hombres & Fandango]

Resurrection Fern 4:50 Iron & Wine The Shepherd's Dog

You Gave Sight 4:43 Todd Wright All The Freed

Shepherd 3:37 Todd Agnew Grace Like Rain

By His Wounds 3:24 Littrell, Brian; Powell, Mac; Chapman, Steven Curtis; Hall, Mark Glory Revealed - The Word of God In Worship

Meet mwith me 3:40 Ten Shekel Shirt Much

Poured Out 4:01 Marie Barnett Poured OUT - Club Vineyard Vol. 68

Tasting Forgiveness 3:08 RSB Better Days

Surely We Can Change 5:18 David Crowder Band Remedy

Sacred 7:27 Ryan Delmore The Spirit, The Water, And The Blood

Meet Me In Memphis 4:52 Jimmy Buffett Floridays

Pictures of Success 6:56 Rilo Kiley

On A Slow Boat To China 3:59 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads

Rescue Is Coming (B Walk Down Stairs) 6:38 David Crowder Band A Collision or (3+4=7)

Death And All His Friends 6:19 Coldplay Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends

Unashamed Love 4:38 Ten Shekel Shirt Much

Little Miss Magic 4:02 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads [Disc 4]

Ballad Of Spider John 4:28 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads [Disc 4]

Nothin' But A Breeze 4:17 Jimmy Buffett Take The Weather With You

Running To Stand Still 4:17 U2 The Joshua Tree (Remastered)

All I Can Say 4:31 David Crowder Band All I Can Say

You Alone 5:37 David Crowder Band The Lime CD

Falling Down 5:02 Ryan Delmore The Spirit, The Water, And The Blood

With Or Without You 4:56 U2 The Joshua Tree (Remastered)

Only You 4:02 David Crowder Band Illuminate

Sea and The Rythm 5:36 Iron & Wine

Twelve Volt Man 3:58 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads [Disc 4]

Track 01 4:18 James Evan Songs You Can't Dance To

all who are thirsty 3:46 Vineyard UK Surrender

Yeah 3:36 Among Thorns Among Thorns

The Twenty-First Time 3:16 Monk & Neagle The Twenty-First Time

Hey there Delilah 3:53 Plain White T's

Son Of A Son Of A Sailer 3:25 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads

Smartest Person In The Room 4:39 Ross King Perhaps I've Said Too Much

When Salome Plays The Drum 3:29 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads [Disc 3]

They Don't Dance Like Carmen No More 2:54 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads

Off To See The Lizard 4:14 Jimmy Buffett Off To See The Lizard

Awakening 4:52 Chris Tomlin Passion: Awakening

Everybody Want To Go To Heaven 4:56 David Crowder Band B Collision

Pagan Angel And A Borrowed Car 4:33 Iron & Wine The Shepherd's Dog

25 Or 6 To 4 4:53 Chicago Greatest Hits Vol 1

This is Our God 5:36 Chris Tomlin The Noise We Make

Mercy 4:57 Ryan Delmore The Spirit, The Water, And The Blood

The Nighted I Painted The Sky 5:32 Jimmy Buffett Barometer Soup

Come Thou Fount 4:32 David Crowder Band All I Can Say

Search And Know 3:37 Todd Wright All The Freed

Biloxi 5:39 Jimmy Buffett Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads [Disc 2]

Track 09 3:55 James Evan Songs You Can't Dance To

Little Bird 3:35 Jerry Jeff Walker Live At Gruene Hall

Wholly Yours 4:17 David Crowder Band B Collision

Stronger 4:26 Hillsong Live This Is Our God

False Echoes (Havana 1921) 15:55 Jimmy Buffett Banana Wind

Uncreated One 4:48 Chris Tomlin See The Morning

Take My Life 2:18 Third Day Third Day

New Day 4:07 Robbie Seay Band Give Yourself Away

Happy Ever After (Now And Then) 4:18 Jimmy Buffett Banana Wind

Barefoot Children 4:54 Jimmy Buffett Barometer Soup

Coldplay Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends

Take Me To The Cross 4:31 Sheri Carr Fearless Now

I know it's heavy Crowder and Buffett..and if you know me you're not surprised. But..Those artist are speaking to me the most right now. If you have other ideas..I'd love to hear them. Riding my bike..I'm having more time to listen to tunes..and Romack..I'll get some Clairmont on there my friend.

Peace.

The evening bike ride

For weeks I've been riding around in circles in my neighborhood on what is called Broadmoor loop. It's a 1.5 mile loop that I ride my bike on and I also walk it... over and over till I get to my desired distance. I've been trying to get in better condition and to be honest I've been trying to get more confident on that big Giant DX Sedona I ride... Well yesterday I took off and rode through west Lufkin and Hudson on a 16 mile ride. It was great but it was late morning and it got kinda hot. Not bad... it was a fun ride and it was super to have some new scenery.

Well this evening I took off and did the same ride again. I got started around 7:40 p.m... and it was a joy. It brought back great memories of riding my bike up and down Ave V in Alta Loma Tx way back in the day with my friends David McMillian, John and Curtis Rosson. The breeze felt wonderful as I rode through the dusk... the cool of the night breaking though the warmth of the day.. it was like there were cool bubbles of air out there bursting over my body as I rode through the warm moist evening. It was a great ride.. feeling a little like a kid again, riding my old banana bike up and down that shell road in Alta Loma, Tx. What a blessing.

Before I'm 60

A friend of mine would have a 60 before 60.. 60 things he wants to do before he turns 60. I'm just starting this for the first time.. don't know that I have 60 specific things I want to accomplish before I turn 60.. I'm starting this and will add to it a little at a time... in no particular order..

1. Key West and the southernmost incorporated place in the contiguous 48 states.
2. Alaska
3. Snowboard
4. Surf
5. Parachute
6. Bungee jump
7. Hike the Grand Canyon
8. Canada
9. Parasail
10.Learn to sail a boat
11.Get a sailboat
12.Get out of debt
13.Be able to wear my Aggie Ring again (without having it sized)
14.Lose 100 lbs and keep it off.
15.Learn to fly a plane
16.Work on a mission trip on foreign soil.
17.Yosemite National Park
18.Hawaii
19.Costa Rica Canopy Tour
20.Cycle the Pineywoods purgatory
21.Ride my bicycle from Lufkin to Austin (camping along the way at night)
22.Give Jinx a BoB ring
23.Perform a wedding
24.Snorkeling
25.Own a Mini Cooper
26.Get an iPad
27.Re-establish my daily discipline of scripture reading and prayer
28.See my friend Warren Bird again.
29.Find and visit with 5 old high school friends I haven't seen recently
30.Play golf again
31.Go to a baseball game at Wrigley Field
32.AmTrak to the west coast
33.Baseball game at Fenway
34.Drive a car through a giant redwood
35.Tell my wife I love her everyday
36.See my children complete their educations and become independent,functioning adults
37.See the fall foliage in New England
38.See Jerry Jeff Walker perform again
39.Dance at Gruene Hall at least once a year
40.See Gary P. Nunn perform again
41.Go overseas
42.Scuba dive
43.baseball game at Yankee stadium
44.Canoe the Guadalupe again
45.See Jimmy Buffett again...and again.
46.Publish a song
47.Record my (and my friends) songs and post them on fb or myspace
48.Write 30 more songs
49.Post music videos of some of my songs on youtube
50.Make my music room more soundproof for good recording
51.Every time I say goodbye to one of my family, tell them I love them
52.Do this with regularity.
53.Begin funding my 401K again
54.Visit the Shiner Brewery
55.Eat at the Angelina County airport
56.Visit Mike O
57.Memphis in May
58.Hike to the top of a mountain in Summit County Colorado with Shawn

59.aurora borealis
60.Farallon Islands Whale tour...there ya go...60 before 60.

50

Hi..this is me...I'm 50.. but that's not what this is about.. A lot of my friends are turning 50 right now.. old school mates even newer friends..but still that's not what this is about..

It is about 50 though..

Not 50 cents in pennies..

or 50 cents in quarters..
or fitty centI like the cross and the gun together.. I think it's very american..

and

It's not about 50 dollars for that matter..

It's not about guns..like the one 50 cent has in his pic..or guns like....

Like this 50 cal machine gun..

or the 50 cal shells that go in to it.

Now that's big!!

It's about 50 lbs

50 lbs looks like this...

50 lbs of dog food....

50 lbs of beans

50 lbs of walnuts

50 lbs of pork ribs.. that's a lot of pork ribs...

This is almost 50 lbs... it's 40 lbs.. they didn't have 50 lb dumbells...but it was heavy.

or 2 of these weigh 50 lbs..

or 10 of these..

This is Foxy.. she belongs to my friends Cory and Marlene.. Marlene says she weighs almost 50 lbs. She's kinda fat..

This kid lives in a neighborhood near one of my friends... he weighs about 50 lbs. Wow...

Imagine 400 boxes of these goldfish... that's 50 lbs.. LOL!


Do you see where I'm going with this yet????

This is what 50 lbs looks like on my belt (actually..off my belt).... I used to be on the last notch on the very end of the belt. Now there are 5 holes out there beyond my buckle.

On Jan 30th. I weighed 360 lbs.

Today I weighed 310 lbs. (actually 308.5) but I'm rounding up for impact... 51.5 is so much harder to get your head around...

I started off just eating these most of the time. I also just eat smaller portions. I'm satisfied, I still get to enjoy different kinds of food. I have ice cream every once in a while. I have a beer or a margarita every now and then. I have not felt denied.. and I feel great. Once I got a little lighter I started riding my bicycle regularly. I usually ride 3-4 days a week and I walk a couple of days a week.

I have been down this road before but I'm hoping I can continue this long term because I enjoy the food and I really don't feel too denied. I still have little snacks now and then and I just try to choose wisely. But sometimes I don't and that's ok. In fact..spring break was a week when I didn't choose wiesly the whole time.. too many adult beverages and too many Chic-fil-a shakes..but still I'm at 50 lost now.

I have plans to hike the grand canyon in summer 2011 and I am feeling like I'd like to go snow skiing again.. or maybe better yet snowboarding!! (hint hint nudge nudge Mike O) I want to jump out of a perfectly good airplane one day as well. When I get below 270.. the parachute thing becomes a real possibility.

I'm actually beginning to feel like I'd like to put together some kind of bucket list.. but not because I'll feel like my life is lacking if I don't complete them..just for some focus on some things that would be fun to do. I might put that together in a future blog but as for now.. I'm thankful to my God for giving me the desire to have a positive impact on my health... for giving me the avenue to get healthy in a not to painful way (bicycle)...and for my wife who is now walking daily and eating better too....what a great gift to have the support of a spouse in this. I also want to let you know there are a couple of people who have inspired me to make this happen too. Cory, Phil, Clay and Jessie. They really don't know it but it's true. Maybe they know now. Thanks.

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Favorite meal to eat at Cheddar's? Do you stick to one thing there or try to mix it up?

Donna and I both love the ribs. We share a rack and usually have leftovers but I think they are the best!!! I like the pot pie and the buffalo seasoned chicken strips as well as the lemon chicken. But you can pretty much bet 80% of the time..I'm eatin ribs.

Ask me anything

Best road trip you've yet to take?

West... anywhere. I want to drive through the western states and take my time and stop at all the cool stuff..

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What's worse: hearing fingernails screech down a chalkboard, hearing a baby cry uncontrolably, or hearing Todd Agnew sing a praise song?

A baby cry.. quit hatin on Todd Agnew!!

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Is there ever left over food from your yummy looking Ex breakfasts? How would I score some of that tasty stuff?

Yes there is food left over from breakfast at times..you have to stop by before the evening crew kills it. Actually sometimes there is even enough to carry over to the next morning but I assure you there is hardly ever anything left after the next morning crew kills it...

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Will you play come thou fount on sunday for me?

I will play it for God.. you will be allowed to enjoy it as well... as long as you go to bed an hour early and get up an hour early and make it to church on time..

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While there may be water on Mars, I want to know if there is water in a Mars bar.

Until just recently the Mars bar had been discontiuned so if you had asked this question last year then I would have responded none as there were no Mars bars (unless they were very old and I would have to have a lab analysis done on each and every bar to determine the water loss that had occured over the last 8 years..the bars were discontinued in 2002). Mars bars were relaunched in 2010 so you are in luck! In my research of this question I have found that the Mars bar contains 4.5 grams of water per 100 grams of mars bar. So I will allow you to do the math, the metric conversions, taking in to account if you purchased a bag of fun size or if you got one of those big ol giant bars that weighs like a pound. So yes..there is water in a mars bar.. for more great info about a mars bar..especially if you are dieting..check this out! http://www.calorie-counter.net/candy-calories/mars-bar.htm

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