God wants to hear what you have to say. How does that make you feel? (GFTM)
I feel that sometimes God is not listening, but I know that is not true. My plan for my life may not be, and probably isn’t, His. It comforts me to know that if I need someone to talk to that God is there to listen. He comforts me with that peace. Some times when I talk to Him that’s all I want Him to do is listen. Like any good friend or father that is exactly what He does. It should bring peace to our hearts that we have a God that we can have that kind of personal relationship with. To be able to go before God, cleansed of our sins and tell Him what is on our heart is on of the greatest feelings in the world. Some times He just sits there and listens to us and sometimes He answers us. When He answers it is not always with an audible one. Sometimes we have to be still and listen in the stillness for His voice. When we do hear His voice it lifts our hearts and brings us joy in knowing that He does answer. Having a God like that has no comparison. I know that there are times we get discouraged and think that God is not listening but remember that even though He may not answer He always hears. There are times that we get angry with Him and want to run away kicking and screaming from Him. But don’t run away- run to Him kicking and screaming- that is what He wants you to do. Our God loves to hear our voice- be it in praise, sorrow, anger, or joy. He wants to hear it. He wants to share in our feelings with us, and what more can we ask from a loving and beautiful God.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Happy Birthday Olin!
Dear Olin.....
This is the first birthday of yours that we will spend married. How exciting! You are 31 years old today!!!!! In honor of your birthday, and celebrating you, I decided to make a list of the things I love about you....so, here goes!
1. I love the way you love me. Not just on good days, but on days that I am being a wretched, unloveable person. Hopefully the good days outweigh the bad ones...but I love the way you know just what I need, and if you don't I love that you ask me.
2. I love watching you with Seth. I slowly see your relationship with him growing closer and stronger and how you are striving to learn what he needs from you.
3. I love how you know just what to do with all of our electronic crap. I love that now I don't have to figure out what to do with it...I can just wait for you to fix it and it is ready to be used. This is one of my favorite ones. ;o)
4. I love how you get up from your sleep to eat, just because you know I am hungry and need to eat and I won't eat by myself. You are a very selfless person, and I hope you recognize this in yourself.
5. I love to see the look on your face when you get to see an airplane, or you hear one close by. You have the most innocent, happy look on your face I can hardly stand it. I love to see you look this way!
6. I love your hair, your eyelashes, your hands, your glasses, your toes....every little part of you. I love it. I love you for who you are.....and the man you are for me and our family.
I hope you have a great birthday and I can't wait until we get home and you guys can go celebrate it in Charlotte! I love you!
PS-This post is actually going up the day AFTER your birthday....sorry...;O)
Love, Courtney
The Love of God
Today I feel lead to share some of my thoughts about God and his love for us. As I travel across this great country of ours, I look at it and wonder how people can not believe in the power, glory, and love of our God. I see the sunrise and sunset and feel the face of God shining on us. I look at the great mountains and see that God had sculpted them with His own hands. I look at the myriad amounts of different wild life and see the imagination of God. I look at all of these and see the true magnificence of God. All of these things show us that God had taken His time to create a world that He could love and care for. In all of His glory He created this world, all of the creatures, and then man. This last part really lifts my heart because in the other things, world, sun, sky, oceans, animals, plants, and stars God just spoke them into existence. In the creation of man He took His time He and molded us with His own hands and then with His own breath He breathed life into us. We are different than any other creatures in this aspect. When God blew breath in to us not only did He give us life but also part of Himself…He gave us a soul. This is true love. I still wonder how anyone can look at life and doubt that there is a true and loving God. How anyone can see the birth of a child can deny the existence of God is beyond me.
Then, of course, the ultimate display of love from our God. That is the sacrifice of His son Jesus Christ. This is one of the most controversial aspects of our culture today. Many people don’t believe that this is true about the life death and resurrection of Jesus. But I tell you that the proof is there. It has been proven, by historians, that Jesus did in fact live in the time frame indicated by the Bible; also they have proven that He did in fact travel across Israel and teach about the love, grace, forgiveness, and glory of God. It has also been proven that He was tried, crucified, and buried by the Roman government. Finally, it is proven that the tomb that He was put in is empty. All of these should be enough to quell most doubters. Unfortunately it is not. So I turn your attention to the Old Testament of the Bible. Throughout the Old Testament there are over a hundred prophesies that tell of the coming of a savior. The odd of any one man to fulfill all of these prophesies is astronomical. Yet Christ did. How were these men able to tell about the coming, life, death and resurrection of a man hundreds, even thousands, of years before He was born, if not for the hand and plan of God? To give His only son to the world, to live in a human body, live a sinless life, the give His own life for all of mankind to pay for our sins is the picture of true love. I hope in my heart that someone will read this and look into the things that I have said and see the truth about the love of God. Thank you for your visit and May God bless you and yours.
Then, of course, the ultimate display of love from our God. That is the sacrifice of His son Jesus Christ. This is one of the most controversial aspects of our culture today. Many people don’t believe that this is true about the life death and resurrection of Jesus. But I tell you that the proof is there. It has been proven, by historians, that Jesus did in fact live in the time frame indicated by the Bible; also they have proven that He did in fact travel across Israel and teach about the love, grace, forgiveness, and glory of God. It has also been proven that He was tried, crucified, and buried by the Roman government. Finally, it is proven that the tomb that He was put in is empty. All of these should be enough to quell most doubters. Unfortunately it is not. So I turn your attention to the Old Testament of the Bible. Throughout the Old Testament there are over a hundred prophesies that tell of the coming of a savior. The odd of any one man to fulfill all of these prophesies is astronomical. Yet Christ did. How were these men able to tell about the coming, life, death and resurrection of a man hundreds, even thousands, of years before He was born, if not for the hand and plan of God? To give His only son to the world, to live in a human body, live a sinless life, the give His own life for all of mankind to pay for our sins is the picture of true love. I hope in my heart that someone will read this and look into the things that I have said and see the truth about the love of God. Thank you for your visit and May God bless you and yours.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
I am sorry I haven’t written anything in a while, I just haven‘t been able to get to a place where I could make a post. A lot of things have happened in the past few weeks, so let me tell you about our adventures on the open road. Last week was a hard reminder of the difficulties that come with being a truck driver. First off Momma and I finally got to Ohio and delivered our load of produce. Then once again we picked up another load and made our way back to Cali. Now here is the difficulty. Somewhere between California and Ohio I got sick. I felt like Momma had run me over with ole-blue thought she missed and then backed back over me. The bad part about all of this is that while out here chasing that long white line you really don’t have time to stop and see a doctor, and if you do safety wants you to get clearance from said Doctor that it is okay for you to back to work. So it’s more trouble than it’s worth.
Finally making it back to California, luck was not, once again, on our side. We had to drop the trailer that we picked up in Ohio and pick up another one. When we were almost to the shipper, another load of produce, the reefer unit decides to go caput. When I say almost to the shipper I am talking about 5 miles from them. UGH. SOOO we called the reefer hot line and wound up having to go all the way to Fresno CA, about 90 miles away to get it fixed. Needless to say our dispatcher, we’ll call him Mr. K, was not happy. But anyway, after having to spend hours waiting for the reefer unit to get fixed we were not able to pick up our load, which consisted of 3 Pick ups, till the next day. After all that was said and done we made our way to Virginia.
We made our delivery, early I must add, and then headed to SC for our next pick up. On the way there we stopped and tried to wash cloths and lo and behold the Gremlins struck again, this time with the washer I was trying to wash clothes in. Yes folks these things really do happen on the road. One nice thing that came from that stop was that we were able to see one of my family’s long time friends, more of an Aunt to me than anything else. After a nice dinner and beating of a washer we loaded up our wet, yes wet, clothes and continued to SC picked up our load and went to our company terminal in Spartanburg for a decent nights sleep. The next day Momma was able to see one of her family members and have some quality “girl time” which she needed. Me I stayed on the truck and vegged in front of the computer and got some sleep, sometimes we need time alone. Then once again we headed to, yep you guessed it California. Of course that trip was not uneventful, in fact quite the opposite. Momma and I passed through Talladega, Alabama the day after the race. Probably not the smartest routing that our company could have sent us. While we where on I-20, heading west in Alabama, we came up to the worst accident to date that I have seen. Four cars all got together in the middle of the interstate and in one of the cars the emergency workers had someone covered up with a white sheet. Yes I am sorry to say that some one had died in that accident. Seeing that accident makes you take notice of your life and realize that God can call you home at any time even on the way home from a race. Other than that the trip here to California was pretty uneventful, and we made it safely. Now we are chasing that long white line to Kentucky then to New York, upstate not City area praise God. Thank you for stopping by and seeing what is going on with Momma and I and I will see you down the road. God bless.
(For those looking for one of my political rants, I am sorry. Maybe next time or some time in the future)
Finally making it back to California, luck was not, once again, on our side. We had to drop the trailer that we picked up in Ohio and pick up another one. When we were almost to the shipper, another load of produce, the reefer unit decides to go caput. When I say almost to the shipper I am talking about 5 miles from them. UGH. SOOO we called the reefer hot line and wound up having to go all the way to Fresno CA, about 90 miles away to get it fixed. Needless to say our dispatcher, we’ll call him Mr. K, was not happy. But anyway, after having to spend hours waiting for the reefer unit to get fixed we were not able to pick up our load, which consisted of 3 Pick ups, till the next day. After all that was said and done we made our way to Virginia.
We made our delivery, early I must add, and then headed to SC for our next pick up. On the way there we stopped and tried to wash cloths and lo and behold the Gremlins struck again, this time with the washer I was trying to wash clothes in. Yes folks these things really do happen on the road. One nice thing that came from that stop was that we were able to see one of my family’s long time friends, more of an Aunt to me than anything else. After a nice dinner and beating of a washer we loaded up our wet, yes wet, clothes and continued to SC picked up our load and went to our company terminal in Spartanburg for a decent nights sleep. The next day Momma was able to see one of her family members and have some quality “girl time” which she needed. Me I stayed on the truck and vegged in front of the computer and got some sleep, sometimes we need time alone. Then once again we headed to, yep you guessed it California. Of course that trip was not uneventful, in fact quite the opposite. Momma and I passed through Talladega, Alabama the day after the race. Probably not the smartest routing that our company could have sent us. While we where on I-20, heading west in Alabama, we came up to the worst accident to date that I have seen. Four cars all got together in the middle of the interstate and in one of the cars the emergency workers had someone covered up with a white sheet. Yes I am sorry to say that some one had died in that accident. Seeing that accident makes you take notice of your life and realize that God can call you home at any time even on the way home from a race. Other than that the trip here to California was pretty uneventful, and we made it safely. Now we are chasing that long white line to Kentucky then to New York, upstate not City area praise God. Thank you for stopping by and seeing what is going on with Momma and I and I will see you down the road. God bless.
(For those looking for one of my political rants, I am sorry. Maybe next time or some time in the future)
Friday, April 17, 2009
17 April 2009
Today I have quite a bit to say, mostly just some more ranting about the powers that be in this country. Yes, another political rant. As you all know 2 days ago millions of people across the country were involved in “Tea parties” held in over 600 cities. The thing that really irritates me about it is the response that these Grassroots Americans were given. First our notorious speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said that those who set up these demonstrations were “the Astroturf of Americans” basically calling them fake. This tells me that those in Congress and Senate didn’t even pay attention to what they had to say. This also lets me know that they do not care for those that put them in office. If they ignore this, what else are they going to ignore. These people have to remember who they work for, US the people of the USA. Not their constituents, or business partners but the citizens of the good ole US of A. And they are ignoring us. We as a nation can not ignore this. We must let those folks know how we feel and our thoughts about what they are doing to this country. The best way to do this is in the voting booth. I say come next year we vote EVERY ONE of those self serving socialists out and put in new blood that really cares about what we as a nation think, believe and feel. The other thing that really bothers me is how the mainstream media handled the “Tea Parties”. One “reporter” called it “anti-American and anti-CNN”. Also during the midst of interviewing a participant the “reporter” totally blew off what he was saying then said “I don’t believe that this is family viewing” then cut back to the studio. This makes me very angry that we are not taken serious by our government or those who are supposed to report the news in its truth. Instead we are called names, ignored and even made fun of. It is high time that we make a stand America. We must send a message loud and clear to Washington that we are mad and not going to take it anymore. Those in power are ignoring the “Constitution” and basically throwing the beliefs, hopes and dreams of those who wrote that great document in the trash and doing what is best for them and not the nation. We as a nation also need to remember that this country was founded with faith in God and the belief that all men should strive to make “themselves” better and not to rely on the government to give them what the did not work for.
On another note, to let you know what’s going on out here on the road. We are currently in Missouri still on our way to Ohio. Nature decided to mess with us again as we were traveling across Arizona. Interstate I-40 was shut down due to dust storms and very high winds. The wind was in excess of 40 miles an hour with gust up to over 60. So needless to say Momma and I pulled over and waited for the Interstate to reopen. For those of you that do not know why trucks do not drive in high winds I will explain. Basically the truck becomes a huge kite. To give you a minute idea of what it is like, on a windy day take a large sheet of plywood and try to hold it steady while the wind is buffeting you, and you will have a minute idea of what it is like to try and control a 70,000 lb vehicle pulling a 53 ft trailer. Thank you for visiting and I look forward to hearing from all of you as we travel this country together. If you have any questions about trucking, my views on the government or any other questions you may have ask and I will answer those that I am able to. Thank you again and may God bless you and yours.
Today I have quite a bit to say, mostly just some more ranting about the powers that be in this country. Yes, another political rant. As you all know 2 days ago millions of people across the country were involved in “Tea parties” held in over 600 cities. The thing that really irritates me about it is the response that these Grassroots Americans were given. First our notorious speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said that those who set up these demonstrations were “the Astroturf of Americans” basically calling them fake. This tells me that those in Congress and Senate didn’t even pay attention to what they had to say. This also lets me know that they do not care for those that put them in office. If they ignore this, what else are they going to ignore. These people have to remember who they work for, US the people of the USA. Not their constituents, or business partners but the citizens of the good ole US of A. And they are ignoring us. We as a nation can not ignore this. We must let those folks know how we feel and our thoughts about what they are doing to this country. The best way to do this is in the voting booth. I say come next year we vote EVERY ONE of those self serving socialists out and put in new blood that really cares about what we as a nation think, believe and feel. The other thing that really bothers me is how the mainstream media handled the “Tea Parties”. One “reporter” called it “anti-American and anti-CNN”. Also during the midst of interviewing a participant the “reporter” totally blew off what he was saying then said “I don’t believe that this is family viewing” then cut back to the studio. This makes me very angry that we are not taken serious by our government or those who are supposed to report the news in its truth. Instead we are called names, ignored and even made fun of. It is high time that we make a stand America. We must send a message loud and clear to Washington that we are mad and not going to take it anymore. Those in power are ignoring the “Constitution” and basically throwing the beliefs, hopes and dreams of those who wrote that great document in the trash and doing what is best for them and not the nation. We as a nation also need to remember that this country was founded with faith in God and the belief that all men should strive to make “themselves” better and not to rely on the government to give them what the did not work for.
On another note, to let you know what’s going on out here on the road. We are currently in Missouri still on our way to Ohio. Nature decided to mess with us again as we were traveling across Arizona. Interstate I-40 was shut down due to dust storms and very high winds. The wind was in excess of 40 miles an hour with gust up to over 60. So needless to say Momma and I pulled over and waited for the Interstate to reopen. For those of you that do not know why trucks do not drive in high winds I will explain. Basically the truck becomes a huge kite. To give you a minute idea of what it is like, on a windy day take a large sheet of plywood and try to hold it steady while the wind is buffeting you, and you will have a minute idea of what it is like to try and control a 70,000 lb vehicle pulling a 53 ft trailer. Thank you for visiting and I look forward to hearing from all of you as we travel this country together. If you have any questions about trucking, my views on the government or any other questions you may have ask and I will answer those that I am able to. Thank you again and may God bless you and yours.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Welcome to my world: the world of asphalt, diesel engines, long days, and even longer times away from my family and friends. And somewhere in the middle, the heart of a man that strives to serve his Lord Jesus Christ above everything else. Through these bogs it is my hope that my story will reach out and touch the heart of at least one soul and bring them closer to Christ.
12 April 2009
First I want to thank you for taking the time to stop for a visit. Now let me introduce myself. On the road I am known as Cougar, but to Momma (my wife) I am known as Grizzly, and to my little man I am simply known as Daddy. I am a truck driver traveling across this great nation trying to provide for those that I love. Many people believe that truckers are a bunch of foul mouthed, dirty, hateful, ill educated, lazy, and rude people. Throughout the time that we spend together I hope to break that stereotype. Not all of us are like that. Many of us are God fearing, family loving, and very patriotic. So enjoy the journey with me as you get a glimpse into the heart of a man trying to do the best that he can by Christ and his family.
Today is Easter and, yes, I am away from my family. Luckily for me Momma is also a trucker and is my co driver so the separation is not as bad as it could be. Little Man is currently with my folks, and his biological mother. We are currently traveling in Big Blue (our Freightliner) across the mountainous state of Colorado heading toward California. Even though the weather is currently very dreary it doesn't dampen our spirits for the reason that we celebrate today, the resurrection of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. As I look at the grey cloud filled sky I try to imagine what the sky looked like on that very first Easter when Peter ran to the tomb of Christ to find it empty. Regardless of the weather I am positive that all hearts were lifted with the completion of all that Christ had taught them. He had risen from the grave defeating sin and death for the entire world. So as you spend time with your Family today remember the reason that we celebrate this holiday and give praise and thanks to God above for His sacrifice, and the love in which he did it.
(2330hrs) Well folks we didn't make through Colorado the weather decided to take a turn for the
worse. It took me about3 hrs to travel about 90 miles. I thank God for being with us a bringing us a safe place to park. One of the most interesting things about this short trek in the ice and snow is how drivers can come together and help each other out in time of need. Throughout the entire 90 miles I was in contact with another driver that was a little ahead of me giving me updates on the road conditions. Also a miraculous thing took place and I truly believe that God had a hand in this. At one point during our hair raising journey there was a place on I-70 that trucks were stopped on a hill. A little before the hill a van was parked on the shoulder and acted as a guide. I parked behind him and waited for traffic to get going again. If I would have gone on up the hill I too probably would have gotten stuck. So thank God for his angels that he sends to us.
14 April 2009
We finally made it to California. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to sleep most of the day. After we finish unloading here, north of L.A we have to go SE of L.A to get loaded, and then head out to Ohio to get unloaded. Yesterday was one of those days where not much happened but a lot of driving.
15 April 2009
Today is a great day in American history. Throughout the country millions of people are going to exercise their right to peaceful protest, by involving themselves in the numerous “Tea parties” being held across the nation. These “Tea parties” are taking place in cities large and small throughout the country. The main issue of these protests is the current administrations socialist style of leadership and spending. Some of the news networks are calling those who are attending these “Tea parties” right wing extremist. I believe that this is an unfair label. Yes many of those who are attending these protests are Conservative Republicans, but I believe that those who plan an attending these are just extremely concerned Americans who do not want to see this nation fall any farther from the ideals of which it was founded. The current administration believes to solve this countries current financial problem all you have to do is throw money at it. This is far from the truth. One of the reasons that we are in the trouble that we are in started by the government getting in the way of capitalism and trying to run businesses and not letting businesses run themselves. I say to the government, “Get out of the way and let the economy fix itself. It always has and it always will. We must return to the basics of our government and trust in God to do what he has planned for this nation, and get out of his way.” I must apologize for the rant today but this has laid heavy on my heart to share with you. Thank you for stopping by and may God bless you to the fullest.
12 April 2009
First I want to thank you for taking the time to stop for a visit. Now let me introduce myself. On the road I am known as Cougar, but to Momma (my wife) I am known as Grizzly, and to my little man I am simply known as Daddy. I am a truck driver traveling across this great nation trying to provide for those that I love. Many people believe that truckers are a bunch of foul mouthed, dirty, hateful, ill educated, lazy, and rude people. Throughout the time that we spend together I hope to break that stereotype. Not all of us are like that. Many of us are God fearing, family loving, and very patriotic. So enjoy the journey with me as you get a glimpse into the heart of a man trying to do the best that he can by Christ and his family.
Today is Easter and, yes, I am away from my family. Luckily for me Momma is also a trucker and is my co driver so the separation is not as bad as it could be. Little Man is currently with my folks, and his biological mother. We are currently traveling in Big Blue (our Freightliner) across the mountainous state of Colorado heading toward California. Even though the weather is currently very dreary it doesn't dampen our spirits for the reason that we celebrate today, the resurrection of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. As I look at the grey cloud filled sky I try to imagine what the sky looked like on that very first Easter when Peter ran to the tomb of Christ to find it empty. Regardless of the weather I am positive that all hearts were lifted with the completion of all that Christ had taught them. He had risen from the grave defeating sin and death for the entire world. So as you spend time with your Family today remember the reason that we celebrate this holiday and give praise and thanks to God above for His sacrifice, and the love in which he did it.
(2330hrs) Well folks we didn't make through Colorado the weather decided to take a turn for the
worse. It took me about3 hrs to travel about 90 miles. I thank God for being with us a bringing us a safe place to park. One of the most interesting things about this short trek in the ice and snow is how drivers can come together and help each other out in time of need. Throughout the entire 90 miles I was in contact with another driver that was a little ahead of me giving me updates on the road conditions. Also a miraculous thing took place and I truly believe that God had a hand in this. At one point during our hair raising journey there was a place on I-70 that trucks were stopped on a hill. A little before the hill a van was parked on the shoulder and acted as a guide. I parked behind him and waited for traffic to get going again. If I would have gone on up the hill I too probably would have gotten stuck. So thank God for his angels that he sends to us.
14 April 2009
We finally made it to California. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to sleep most of the day. After we finish unloading here, north of L.A we have to go SE of L.A to get loaded, and then head out to Ohio to get unloaded. Yesterday was one of those days where not much happened but a lot of driving.
15 April 2009
Today is a great day in American history. Throughout the country millions of people are going to exercise their right to peaceful protest, by involving themselves in the numerous “Tea parties” being held across the nation. These “Tea parties” are taking place in cities large and small throughout the country. The main issue of these protests is the current administrations socialist style of leadership and spending. Some of the news networks are calling those who are attending these “Tea parties” right wing extremist. I believe that this is an unfair label. Yes many of those who are attending these protests are Conservative Republicans, but I believe that those who plan an attending these are just extremely concerned Americans who do not want to see this nation fall any farther from the ideals of which it was founded. The current administration believes to solve this countries current financial problem all you have to do is throw money at it. This is far from the truth. One of the reasons that we are in the trouble that we are in started by the government getting in the way of capitalism and trying to run businesses and not letting businesses run themselves. I say to the government, “Get out of the way and let the economy fix itself. It always has and it always will. We must return to the basics of our government and trust in God to do what he has planned for this nation, and get out of his way.” I must apologize for the rant today but this has laid heavy on my heart to share with you. Thank you for stopping by and may God bless you to the fullest.
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