Lone Survivor

I've been reading this amazing book called Lone Survivor. Its about a four-man Navy SEAL team consisting of Lt. Michael Murphy, and petty officers Danny Dietz, Matthew Axelson and Marcus Luttrell. They departed for a reconnaissance mission high in the Hindu Kush Mountains near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. The team’s target was Ahmad Shah, a local terrorist leader with close ties to Bin Laden who led a group of insurgents referred to as the “Mountain Tigers”. Five days after insertion, Luttrell was the only SEAL to make it out alive. This book takes you inside the Navy SEALs training program in Coronado. You are with Marcus Luttrell throughout BUD/S and Hell Week. You fly with him and his teammates in a C-130 to the Hindu Kush, where the hunt begins for bin Laden's right-hand man. But then it all goes terribly wrong, up there in the mountains of Afghanistan. The battle sequence in Afghanistan and its aftermath is incredibly intense . The best screen writer in Hollywood couldn't have dreamt up something more intense, moving, and awe inspiring.

Reading this fills one with humility and gratitude for the sacrifice that all the members of our armed services make on our behalf, but especially for the men of the SEAL teams. All I can say is that I am very glad they are on our side.

Ballard Rocks

I've been working with the high school ministry for Cornerstone Church now for 3 years, and things keep getting better. God is using me in some sweet ways. What I do has changed from being the freshman group intern to a Regional Youth Minister for Ballard. These students are amazing. At the last escape we had 35 students from Ballard at it, and we brought 48 students to the Road Rally. What is the road rally you ask. It was an hour and half event with a BBQ that had the students get in teams of 4 (plus a leader) drive all a round the area doing challenges to earn points. Team with the most points won a all expense paid ski trip. The winning team was a team from Ballard. We kicked some butt.

Lindsey's Fashion Design

New dresses Lindsey's made.

Brieana, (on the left) a girl in Lindsey's small group is also wearing a dress Lindsey made.

The other dress Lindsey made at her internship.

Homemade Donuts

Crispy Cream Who? Yeah I know. Crispy Cream isn't as big anymore, but they inspired Lindsey and I to make some donuts. Rolling out freshly risen dough as the deep fat frier of oil heats. There's something magical about the doughnut.

This summer I had the privilege of playing Softball with a bunch of great guys. Every Thursday night we played two games verse the best Church Softball teams in the area, or the only ones to sign up. Great fellowship, Great friendship and Great Softball. We ended up finishing second in the league. When the tournament started we were the 2 seed. We lost our second game and played back to the championship game by not losing another game. So we played in the ship. and Lost. It was still a blast. And mark my words. NEXT YEAR IS THE YEAR. I know I'm a Cubs fan but we have a way better team then the Cubs do. Cornerstone Softball Team

Birthday & 4th of July

For my birthday we headed back to good ol Northeast Iowa. We had fun getting away from all of society, and spending time in what Lindsey calls her oasis. Growing up I never liked living on a farm. It was to far away from town, and it seemed like there was nothing to do. Now after living in town for the past 3 to 4 years. I appreciate the farm so much more. I love going up to get away and doing things that I could never do in town. As you can see from the pictures we got the gun out for some target practice. Along with shooting the gun we rode the 4 Wheeler, and went down to my campground for a grill out. It was a great birthday and 4th of July weekend.



Lindsey helping my mom garden.

Pictures that my mom took around our farm that I edited.

Proverbs

Lindsey and I have been reading through the Proverbs together. Proverbs goal is to describe and instill “wisdom” in God's people, a wisdom that is founded in the “fear of the Lord” and that works out covenant life in the practical details of everyday situations and relationships. And boy has it showed me how unwise I am. These simple truths over and over have challenged me in small but significant ways. Here are some sweet verses that have caught my attention so far.

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Knowledge but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Proverbs 2:3-6 and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom and from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.

Proverbs 10:17 He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.

Proverbs 10:21 The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgement.

Proverbs 10:7 the memory of the righteous will be a blessing.

Proverbs 12:1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.

Proverbs 12:25 An anxious heart weights a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.

Proverbs 13:10 Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advise.