My Trip To Denver For Shinju's Wedding

The first time I've flown in over 15 years! But I wasn't going to miss Shinju's wedding! Click on this Google Photos link to see my photo album, and read about my 2-day adventure!

The Canterbury Renaissance Faire

Coming to you from the Canterbury Renaissance Faire in Silverton, Oregon! They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so enjoy this photographic journey! It was super, super fun!! Blogger doesn't upload albums, so click on the link to the google photos album I made.

Trophy Hunting is Just Not Good

In 2015 a lion named Cecil died. He was killed and and cut up by a hunter who wanted his head on his wall as a trophy. But this wasn't a wild lion. He was a protected, collared lion in Hwange National Park in Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe. With a rare black mane, he was easily recognizable, and was a symbol of pride for the country. Naturally, when the world found out how he died, we reacted with outrage.

All sorts of things were set up after that to help lion conservation. One of my favorite campaigns was through the 1928 jewelry company. They set up a line of jewelry in Cecil's honor that when purchased, part of the money went to lion conservation groups in Africa (see left photo).

Now tragically Cecil's Son, Xanda, another protected & collared lion at this same national park in Zimbabwe, has also been killed by a trophy hunter. Apparently the steps taken back in 2015 were not enough. You can read the full article by The Washington Post HERE

After my anger at this news died down, the question running through my head was simply, "Why?" I think part of the problem is that to many, the nostalgia of the culture of trophy hunting makes it appealing. We all fantasize about the past, but things change for a reason. (Plus I don't think God ever intended that any of his creations be slaughtered and displayed for sport.) As the above article mentions, some people just don't realize that now, most hunted species throughout the world are endangered, and that the more species die off, the more humans are at risk. They don't get that by killing the king of the pride, their actions will likely kill all of its offsprings. They don't understand that their one exotic adventure will fuel a black market of those just looking to make a buck, taking advantage of wildlife and humans alike. Or they simply don't care.

We need to somehow get rid of the nostalgia of this culture. Now I have no idea how that's going to happen, but I think if we all take a moment to tell someone why trophy hunting is just not good - if we send an email, make a phone call, show our children pictures - we'll be on the right track. Oh and by the way, you can still buy 1928's full line of "Justice for Cecil" jewelry :D Maybe now more people will do so in memory of his son.

God's Purposeful Creation

I recently watched the movie Secretariat, based on the true story of one of the greatest racing horses that's ever lived. While it wasn't quite the amazing comeback story of Seabiscuit, one thing stood out very clear. This horse was created with the intention to do the impossible by God, and he knew it. He loved to run, and blew everyone away with win after win when he started racing at only two years old. Only months later as a 3-year-old, he won the triple crown, breaking all three track records. The Belmont Stakes in particular he trampled by winning 31 lengths ahead of the next horse. Upon analysis, it was found that he sped up at every marker, finishing faster than he had started at a whopping 49 mph, a feat considered impossible on the league's longest track.

Of course the story attributes Secretariat's success to his trainer and owners' guidance, his pedigree, etc. We often do the same thing, crediting good things in our life to our own work or others influences. But the reality is that we would be nothing without God. If we achieve our dreams it is because God instilled things in us that we acknowledge are his, and trust that he will bring us to victory. While a horse, I believe Secretariat did this. 

No one could guess then that this horse's record at Belmont Stakes would still be the record now, 44 years later. But an autopsy on the horse after he died and newer photography science show what the horse knew all along. His heart was three times the size of a normal horse's heart, allowing his running stride to be 10-20% longer than any other racing horse in history at 110-115°. (To put this into perspective, a cheetah runs it's max with a 125° stride.) Secretariat knew he was born to win races, and he trusted that his God-made body would get him there. His colts didn't inherit his talent by the way, while he sired over 600 of them. It took another generation of horses in his lineage to start winning stakes again. Secretariat was truly unique.

In such a simple yet powerful way this reminded me that we are all truly just as unique, that we are all created with such a specific, amazing purpose. We may not know what that is yet or currently, I myself struggle with this from time to time. But we are God's, that's the most important thing! He designed us for untold victories, and we only need to acknowledge HIM in all we accomplish, and let him drive our dreams to win. One thing I loved about this movie and Secretariat's story was how closely it related to a chapter in the biblical book of Job. Here God is replying to Job's complaints saying, “Do you give the horse its strength or clothe its neck with a flowing mane? Do you make it leap like a locust, striking terror with its proud snorting? It paws fiercely, rejoicing in its strength, and charges into the fray. It laughs at fear, afraid of nothing; it does not shy away from the sword. The quiver rattles against its side, along with the flashing spear and lance. In frenzied excitement it eats up the ground; it cannot stand still when the trumpet sounds." -Job 39:19‭-‬24 NIV. Man does this describe Secretariat to a T! But it has a more important point: it's all God's power, not our own.

Secretariat knew where his strength and stamina came from, and it allowed him to do the impossible. And he was only a horse! Imagine where life would take us if we trusted head-on in God's purposeful plan for his most loved creation.

Summer Costume Party

Anne Shirley (Heather)

Here are some of the 

pictures from 

Saturday's historical 

literature characters 

Mary Poppins (Amanda)

costume mystery party,

   taken by "news reporter"  
  
   Captain Nemo (Miles)! Too

   bad we don't have a picture

   of him in his wool pea coat, 

Anne Shirley (Ciara)

   cap and pipe ...


    Thanks to everyone who    

   attended, it was a blast!

The Pirate (Kevin)

For Our Children's Future

Today the US President made a pathetic executive decision, against the majority of Americans' wishes, to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. Completely sickened by this action, I began thinking, "how can we, as citizens, combat and fix this?"After all when every person joins together for a cause, the power shifts to the hands of the people. And preserving the Earth for our children is a good cause!

First we need to stand up to this RIGHT NOW! The proceedings are not final, it will take months to actually set this in motion. Therefore we need to rise up NOW. This Monday is World Environment Day, we need to peacefully hit the streets and march. Not just for oceans and tigers and polar bears, but for clean food, healthy air, and a safe future for everyone!! March!! And contact your state representatives, they want our input! Calling them is the most effective (call 1-202-730-9008 to be directed to your Senator's office), but we can email them, write them letters, and message them on social media! I urge you all to do so right now!

But when the protesting has left the media, what can we do in the long run?

*ONLY supporting business that strive to be greener, whether that be greener production, manufacturing, products, or all of the above. is key! By only buying products which have government approved seals of environmental regulation sends a clear message to those watching the numbers. And it's not just things you buy at the grocery store. Supporting sustainable companies like IKEA or H&M make just as much of a difference.

*Changing our energy practices can also make a big dent! Take public transit, or ride a bike. If you drive, drive a car with 0 emissions. Support gas alternatives, and switch to an electric car if you can. Ask every utility company you pay bills to about a green energy plan. In Oregon, you can get all your electricity from solar, wind, and geothermal through Portland General Electric. NW Natural has a cow pie program where methane is captured and recycled. And the costs are the same, if not cheaper as green energy has now surpassed fossil fuels in many places.

*Support those who for whatever reason cannot partake in the above practices due to lack of job skills or finances. Provide financial aid, pay for training, take it upon yourself to empower and educate! We cannot stand up as a community if we don't assist in our neighbor's obstacles.

And finally we simply cannot let our current motivations & passions die out. We cannot be silent in a month or two. The longer we press, the longer our so called leader will need to pay attention, and act.

Rainy Day Favs

Rainy Spring days call for fun things to do indoors! Here's what I am into right now!!

While the noted San Diego band released their 10th album last summer, I only recently got it so I'm still in 😍 mode!

For a thrilling, high fantasy read with biblical allegory, try Jill Williamson's Kinsman Chronicles! I'm just now finishing the 2nd book, King's Blood! The 3rd won't be out for a while sadly...

But the next Medieval Fairy Tale by Melanie Dickerson, The Noble Servant (which hits book stores this May) should fill in the void quite nicely!

And recently the creative juices have been flowing with my own novel! If you can't find a book that you really want to read, write one yourself! 😃

On TV NBC's The Voice is back in full swing, and so is my favorite show Blindspot! 

🐝 And since it's Spring, might as well do some cleaning! 😉 What are your favorite things to do on a rainy day?