The story begins with my son Jaron’s 8th birthday, which we celebrated with friends and family this past Sunday, two days ago. He’s getting to the age where I’m starting to think that his presents are cool. Such was the case with the particular present that plays a role in this saga. My brother got him a spiffy super soaker squirt gun. You know, the kind that you fill up with like a gallon of water and then pump 20 times so that you can shoot the thing like 800 feet or something ridiculous. That squirt gun is cool. Anyway, yesterday evening I wanted to go out and mow the lawn and I wanted the kids to come out and enjoy the outdoors as well. Jaron was sitting inside playing with his new Nintendo games. In order to entice him into coming outside I told him we could play with the squirt guns. My plan was to dig out an old squirt gun and have a good ole’ fashioned shoot off. Continue reading Nevada Knot
Author: freest8r
In Tijuana, Oops
I’ve often wondered what life would be like if everyone, particularly those calling themselves Christians, were truly honest about all of the things they did and thought. All pardons to Toby Keith, but what happens down in Mexico shouldn’t necessarily stay there. I’ve come to the point where I take pride, too much pride perhaps, in being open about my actions and my thoughts regardless of how unconventional or controversial they are. Honesty however, does enable us to teach others the lessons that we’ve learned and it helps to maintain accountability and true friendships, so it is with that backdrop that I share this story. It is a story about Tijuana, and about two strip clubs there that I am now acquainted with. Continue reading In Tijuana, Oops
In Love With Nerds
My name is Bryan and I’m a nerdaholic. That’s right, these are the confessions of a nerd-lover, nay, a nerd addict. Being a nerd myself it’s easy to see why I have a certain affinity for them. They are cute little guys after all, so sweet and tangy. Willy Wonka really knew what he was doing when he invented these fellas. Well, I’ve heard that only absolute honesty and truthful confessions can allow you to break an addiction, and the first step is recognizing that you have a problem, so let me start from the beginning. Continue reading In Love With Nerds
White or Red?
Is it choice, or is it fate?
White or red?
The difference between the two is profound.
White or red?
That decision would alter the course of our lives forever.
White or red?
His alarm woke him up at 6:30am that Thursday morning. If it had been a normal morning for the high school junior, he would have groggily swung his legs over the side of his bed and just sat there comatose for a good 10 or 15 minutes. This was not a normal morning, however. It took him a few moments to realize it, but he soon had that thrilling feeling that you get when you know it’s going to be an exciting day. You know, the same feeling you get when you wake up and it suddenly dawns on you that it’s Christmas morning, or that you’re leaving for an out of town vacation, or it’s the first day of Summer break. That was the feeling the 17 year old got this day, and it propelled him out of bed and into the shower within seconds. Today was a day that he had been thinking about for months. He had a feeling that the events which he was hoping to put in motion today would affect the course of the rest of his life. We all come across those moments regularly in our lives, those major decisions, and sometimes minor ones, that end up having an overwhelming impact on who we are and where our lives go. Bryan had the good fortune to recognize ahead of time that this day was to be one of those moments, and it only added to his excitement. The date was February 14th, 1991. Continue reading White or Red?
The Love (R)Evolution
In an earlier entry I wrote about a new awareness I had. I wrote descriptively about what true love is, and how humanity has a higher calling to live loving lives and to sacrifice ourselves because of our love for those around us. I outlined my intentions to live this loving life, and I have since come to a startling conclusion. I can’t do it. Continue reading The Love (R)Evolution
Missions Trip Memories
Just a few days ago I was reminiscing about a missions trip that Lianne and I went on to Bulgaria in the summer of 1996. It was an incredible adventure, but the thing that stands out the most in my mind isn’t the hundreds of people who were ministered to, or the orphanage we visited, or the healing services. No, the thing I remember most is a young man named Anton who simply said “No” when asked if he wanted to be saved. Continue reading Missions Trip Memories
Yet another option…
We drove up to Maryland on Saturday to check out a college and the surrounding area to see if we’d like it up there. It was like another world. Lots of hills and land. We were thinking the cost of living would be much cheaper there than it is in Alexandria (where we’d live if I attend Gallaudet). It was nice there but I was pretty sure there wouldn’t be a montessori school for the kids and there definitely isn’t any computer jobs in that town. Continue reading Yet another option…
Jaron’s Account
Jaron was looking at a wooden bank my brother made for him several years ago. The thing is huge and super sturdy. He’s been asking to open it so he can count his money. I finally relented and said he could. He turned it upside down and while checking to see what size screwdriver he would need to open it, he noticed that there was a loose piece to his bank. He examined it closely. Noticing the edges and detail to his wooden bank that he apparently has never fully appreciated before. He asked me some questions about how his uncle was able to make the bank then exclaimed “He must be a carpenter!” I told him he was right and he sat there in a bit of a daze as he pondered that thought. “I’m going to tell Ms Carol about him! She’ll think that’s cool!” then continued, “I have the best life!! Continue reading Jaron’s Account
Gone Postal!
Well, I’ve finally done it! I took my application to the post office today and had it mailed off to Gallaudet. I’ve requested transcripts from ODU and TCC to be sent. I’ve asked 3 individuals to write me letters of recommendation. Thankfully they were all willing. The head of the ASL-English department, a former Deaf professor (whom I also teacher assisted), and the former children’s director of Acts 2. I imagine Gallaudet will have everything they need by the beginning of next week. Guess now we just wait and see what happens. Bryan’s pretty confident I will be accepted.
New Position at Work
That’s right, instead of working from the completely prone position I will now be sitting upright in a chair! I’m hoping for big things from this radical shift. 🙂 Actually, after two years of working in what we call the NOC, I’m moving to a new job. If you read back in this blog you’ll see a couple of entries about my job and how I like certain aspects of it, but dislike others. I don’t really want to take this new position, but I know that I’m supposed to. I know this is the right move for me, for my career, and for my family. Continue reading New Position at Work