So are they trying to make a point? Just in case you didn't know the effects of smoking, leave it to the blunt Europeans to lay it out there. 

Day 142:Hotter than a tanning Greek beauty!

So I have tons of other stuff to do and in my opinion they are much more important than what I am doing right now, but I am doing this none the less.

Couple quick things then I must get back to the important things. Texas is my current residence. I am at my sisters in Denton. Sunday morning after watching Lance wrap up number 7, I left for Clarksville, TN and Fort Campbell, KY. My good friends Jon and Ivy Thoennes (pronounced tennis) live there where he is with the 101st ABN DIV. I stayed the night with them and then departed after breakfast for my sister's. The drive was brutal. Going through Arkansas, the temperature was 96 degrees with a heat index of 110 OMG (that is Gosh thank you very much). Thinking back to my days in the desert allowed me to charge through and get it done, that was until...

At mile marker 84 on I-30 westbound, my back left tire decided not to hold air anymore. The decision was actually made by the large nail that found its way into the rubber. Not to worry, right, I am an able man and can change a tire. You'd like to think so. As able as I am, it is next to impossible to change a tire without a jack or lug nut taker offer (official scientific name, don't ask questions). Discovering that small problem, I did the next best thing, called for help. USAA, for $4.00 a month has a towing and labor service available with its insurance. I have been a holder of that policy forever. I use it often too. Leaving the lights on and draining the battery(many times), locking my keys in my car (many, many times) , running out of gas (only once), and now flatting a tire (first time for everything), I have done it all and they have helped me each time. Long story short, I spent $52.38 for a new tire, delayed my arrival by 1:23 hours, and lost a few pounds in the heat.

Now back to what I meant to type about. It seems that a few people have opinions about WOTW and pics and they are choosing my blog to voice those. I don't want to discourage comments, I guess that is really what a comment is anyway, but I would recommend, GET YOUR OWN BLOG!!!

WOTW did suck. Only slightly redeeming was the final scene where TC sort of looked like he was going to mature from his dead beat dad role and grow some, but even that idea was only half developed and left open because he didn't really admit fault or change. Adam, I was wondering if reading the book would have helped; I am guessing yes. It is a classic and the movie actually made me want to read it as I said, purely curiosity though.

About the pics. Patients is a virtue. I have one questions. Would all of you rather me post pictures on my website or complete my Young Life application? Both things are pressing and the application, in my opinion, is more important. I will get to the pics, but let me at least get home, or back to Seattle and create a home to go home to.

You and I have wasted another 10 minutes of our lives, I hope you all are happy with yourselves.

Until then and tomorrow.

Jason

PS The goatie is being shaved today. Let us all have a moment of silence for its departure :(...

Day 139: Am I still on vacation?

Should I still be counting the days of my travels seeing that I am sort of back? I don't know, maybe. Yeah, I think so because I started the day counting thing when I left Seattle and was driving in the first place.

Two quick things before I go to bed at the un-godly hour of 10:37 (notice I am using the American way of writing the time, seeing that I am back in the USA).

First thing is that we are fat. When I say we I mean those of us who call our country the greatest one in the world. I went to the mall today and I couldn't help but notice that we are fat. I am fat. I know what some of you are saying, "that I am too hard on myself and that I shouldn't think that," but it is true. You notice things a little more when you don't see them as often. Being on the other side of the world, a much skinnier side, I am now noticing that we Americans are fat. Frankly it is disgusting. (I hope no one is offended by that last comment, well maybe I'm not)

Second thing is that "War of the Worlds" sucks. When I say sucks, I mean it really is awful. One of the worst movies I have seen in years. Ironically though, now I want to read the book just to compare and maybe figure out what the movie was about. The movie had no plot, no characters, no redeeming qualities, no story or point. It was just plain terrible. I would highly recommend that no one go see it ever, ever, ever, ever, ever. I couldn't type enough evers. Don't see it in the cheap theater, don't even rent it. Watch the grass grow, it would be time better spent.

Fort Campbell is tomorrow's destination.

Until then and tomorrow.

Jason

Day 137: Home Sweet Home!!

I am back in the greatest country in the world. I can say that now with more credibility because I have seen a few more countries now than I had four months ago. Still haven't seen them all, so some assumptions are still being made.

For my first meal back in the States, I ate the one food that doesn't exist outside of the Western Hemisphere. You all know what food that was. Mexican food!!! La Fiesta! Que Bueno! Little do you know the irony in that. I failed to mention before now that my last full meal in Europe was Mexican also, but German Mexican which is more like crap than food. I won't go into the details, but it pretty much sucked. Which is why the meal this evening of one Enchilada, refried beans and Mexican rice was glorious. Eat your hearts out Megan, Jen, Marlo, and Matt.

Do you people know that it takes 34 hours to travel from Heidelberg, Germany to Atlanta, Georgia? Well it does. At least that is the length of time it took me. Three hours on a bus, five hours at Hahn, two hours in the air, 12 hours at Dublin, six hours 30 minutes in the air, two hours 30 minutes at JFK, three hours in the air. I would not recommend that traveling agenda to my enemies.

But all is good. I am back and it is good to be home. I have already used the toilets twice since arriving, enjoying the plush, soft, Charmin extra. I am also rubbing my much swollen mid-section and realize that I have brought back from Europe something that I didn't take. I must sleep now so stay tooned for more.

Until then and tomorrow.

Jason

Day 136: Goodbye!!!

(Administrative note: After reviewing the dates of my travel and double checking the timeline, I realized and have corrected the day that I am on. A mistake was made and if you look at the day of my last post and the date of that post, it won't line up with this one, but know that this one is right.)

It is my last day in Europe, this time. I have come to say goodbye and what better way than in the immortal words of Bilbo Baggins.

"I hope you are all enjoying yourselves as much as I am...

"I shall not keep you long. I have called you all together for a Purpose. Indeed, for Three Purposes! First of all, to tell you that I am immensely fond of you all...

"I don't know half of you half as well as I should like and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve...

"Thirdly and finally, I wish to make an ANNOUNCEMENT. I regret to announce that - this is the END. I am going. I am leaving NOW. GOOD-BYE!"

He stepped down and vanished. -- J.R.R. Tolkien, Fellowship of the Ring

A fitting tribute and words spoken better than I could have. There is so much to say, so many people, too many people, to thank and praise for their love and fellowship. All of you know who you are. You have meant so much to me over these last four months. As I have said time and time again, I will miss you all, and will see you all again. I pray that my return will not be long in coming, that God will bring us together again so that we can have joy in the reunion. It has been a journey.

There is one other thing that has been swirling through my mind for days now. It is a song and frankly, it has nothing to do with anything I just mentioned, but it is a great song and contains one of my favorite line of any song. Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls off of their Dizzy up the Girl album. I know some of you are having a heart attack right now because the Goo Goo Dolls are not the best representation of musical genius or would qualify in the world as ones who's songs are all moral like or upstanding, but get over yourselves. Here is my favorite line.

"And you can't fight the tears that ain't coming
Or the moment of truth in your lies
When everything feels like the movies
And you bleed just to know you're alive"

As I mentioned, there was no point to that, but since it has been on my mind these last few days, I wanted to share it. Feel free to sing it if you get a chance.

Well, that is all. I have already said good bye so now I will leave with great words.

"Expect me when you see me!"

Until then and tomorrow.

Jason

Day Something:Don't worry about the day, it is Greece and everything is way laid back

So, I am down here in the beautiful country of Greece. More specifically I am in Northern Greece also known as Macedonia. Once again, Barb Iverson of Prague fame is looking over my shoulder and reading along as I type so my anxiety to be funny and extra engaging exists. I don't know if I mentioned last time, but Barb is an English major, has taught English, edited numerous print magazines and periodicals, and reads grammer books at night for fun, so if anyone can be intimidating, she is. Like just now, she has already corrected my typing and spelling three times.

Greece is a wonderful place. I unfortunately have only been able to spend three days here but it was enough to let me know that I will be coming back. As the time on my Internet Cafe computer winds down, I don't have enough of it to fully brief you all on the joys of this country, but I will tell you one delectable little detail. Baklava!!!

Baklava appears to be the new Greece version of the classically named, "Food of the gods" It is stufabulous. Baklava is a pastry dish. It comes in as many varieties as the American Donut, but is so much better. Tragically, I will never look at a piece of Vitamin K (Krispy Kreme) the same again. Let me reiterate that Baklava is nothing like a donut, it is closer to a flaky croissant baked thingy. It can have varieties including nuts, cream, figs, and other tasties. The piece de reisistance, however, is how all Baklava is soaked in a sugary, honey syrup like substance. Soaked doesn't actually leave you with a good picture. Drenched does a much better job. So imagine a bite sized morsel that is dripping with sweet wonderfulness. It melts in your mouth and your hand. Surprisingly, chocolate is not a widely used ingredient. Not necessary though, it is good without it. I only wonder how much more wonderful it would be with a chocolate cream. Hey, maybe that could be a new thing that I could introduce here and bring back to the states.

I have been in quite a few countries on this trip and one thing I think often is how much money could be made if one could simply transport in their entirety any of the many small shops or eateries from Europe back to the States. In Ireland, it was the pubs, Italy the restaurants, Germany the roads, and here in Greece it is the sweet shops.

Well, I got to run. Not really, but this is costing me money and there isn't enough time to talk about other things. I will tell you about the drenching of the humans another day.

Until then and tomorrow.

Jason

Day 118: Bloggus Humungus

WARNING!!! The following is extremely, extremely long. (I can not say extrememly enough. It took me three days to complete it, so don't feel bad if it takes you three days to read it. I have even made the text smaller to take up less space.)

Written July 4th

It is raining outside. Well it was about 5 minutes ago. Rain is nothing unique in Germany. It is actually pretty common, sort of like the North West. There is a problem with today’s rain; today is the 4th of July. For every American out there, the 4th means fireworks, and fireworks are firewon’ts in the rain. Hopefully the skies are empty by now and the fire will work tonight. Let’s hope. (Side Note, I am back from the evening events and the fire worked.)

I want to talk about last night and the 14 straight ours of computer games that I participated in at the LAN night. I also want to talk about my conversation with my dad just minutes ago. I also want to talk about the last two weeks in Italy and what Jesus was doing then. I also want to talk about my future and where I am going and what my “mission” is. I want a lot of stuff. But in the immortal words of the great Mick Jager, “You can’t always get what you want, you can’t always get what you want, you can’t always get what you want, but you get what you neeeeeeed.”

My parents called me this morning, or morning their time, just waking up my time, which made it like morning. My day began at 00:01 while I was deeply involved in one of the many Warcraft III or Tribes II games played last night and this morning. I was invited to a LAN party at the Creiglow’s house. These apparently are a regular thing here in the Heidelberg youth community. A LAN party is when a bunch of self proclaimed geeks get together and connect all their high powered computers on a Local Area Network (LAN). They then proceed to smash into oblivion each other, especially any NOOBS. NOOBS being people that haven’t played before and therefore do not know all the short cuts and secret items that when purchased give you ultimate powers including +34 strength, 100% mana recovery and max agility. I never found or bought any of those things, but I was yelled at for trying to buy them and not being in the fight at the time. When you don’t know what to do and no one will tell you, it takes a little longer, sorry.

Seeing that my day started then, ended for the first time at 0830, and started again at 1400, when my parents called around that time, it was “morning” for me. It was great that they called because I hadn’t spoken with them in weeks and whenever that happens, I miss them. They are great parents. Both of them love each other more than life itself and love us kids with everything that they are. I am so lucky to have them as parents. I don’t thank God enough for them. If some of you are thinking that the former sounds a little like sucking up, it is. I am now about to reveal a frustrating conversation and I want dad to know that I love him and even though I get frustrated, it is those conversations that I feel are molding me and “disciplining” me more than if I just agreed and accepted.

The conversation with my mom and dad started as normal. Mom and I talk about various goings on. What things she has made for their house, how my brothers are doing, her job and the like. Dad is listening and patiently lets mom and I talk. At some point, dad and I start into a talk about golf, or Europe, or me, and then mom usually goes away. At least it seems like she does because you rarely hear from her again. This is not a bad thing; it is how our family works. Dad and I can talk a lot and when we get going, don’t get in the way. Today was no different.

Dad was asking about Europe and I was describing the ministry history in the Heidelberg Community. See last year there used to be two different youth ministries: the present MCYM (Beyond) and the now gone Malachi. Malachi is a part of Cadence International and they are still in other parts of Europe just not Heidelberg any more. I don’t know all the details of what happened before I got here, so if any of this is wrong, sorry to those that know the right. All I know is that Malachi stopped. Beyond took over some of the things and from what I gather, there was a noble effort to work together and that has happened to some degree. Why were there two ministries in the same place you ask? Well, I don’t know exactly, but I do know that they are both important and different. Malachi focuses a little more on maturing Christians; Beyond is a little more out reach oriented. When the two merged, it was and is important for both aspects of ministering continue.

Written July 5th

Oh, I forgot to mention why this conversation started. The LAN party was made up mostly of kids and adults from Malachi. That started my dad and I on the conversation of discipleship and as with most conversations between him and I, it turned back to me. I am starting to wonder if I want to talk about me, or my dad wants to talk about me, but that isn’t relevant here.

What is discipleship? Would I even recognize it if I saw it? I don’t know. I don’t know a lot and that was something we talked about. Obviously a part of discipleship is growing, growth of the younger as guided by the older. An older person should have more life experience, more grasps on the truth of life if only because they have seen more of it. So since I have been called to make disciples, I should know what that means.

My dad described all the things I had heard before while growing up and why it is important to grow and mature. I Peter 3:15 says something about being prepared to give an answer. I Tim and a lot of the NT mention things about false teachers, false doctrine, and how we need to fight against those things. So studying and knowing the Word and having a good knowledge base are important. Having a firmly grounded faith so that you are not tossed by the waves is important. This is where I start to have to some… I don’t know… confusion. In my mind I know what that says, but then I also know that the Bible talks about useless talk, endless genealogies and foolish controversies. I have seen in my growing up and especially recently how so many “Christians” argue about things of their faith that to me are so secondary. Where is the balance between good knowledge of Christ and useless talk? My confusion comes when they ask me what I think and my answer is usually, “I don’t know.” I used to know, but now I am not so sure.

Am I allowed to not know? Sometimes when I am hanging around kids, I feel inadequate because I don’t know all the detailed history and meaning and common biblical interpretations. If they were to start asking me a bunch of questions, I would probably have to answer, either I don’t know or ignorantly most of the time. Some times I feel like I should know this stuff, sometimes I feel like I really don’t want to know it. Well, I would like to know it, but I think there are a lot more important things so I am not going to waste time on it. Two issues my dad mentioned were Adam and Eve, if they really existed or is Genesis just allegory, and hell, is it a real place. My response to both of those is, I don’t know. The bible mentions both things and to me it seems like they are real, but does it matter? If some one is arguing with me about those things or any other secondary issue my first thought is, “what are they hiding or what issue are they avoiding by bringing up this insignificant topic?” I would rather get them and myself to the heart of the matter and discuss it. My dad and I argued about this for a while. As I said, I see his point. It is clear in the bible, but here is my point. Too many people, good “Christians”, lose sight of their first love when then educate themselves beyond their own understanding.

If I knew all the answers, then I would be scared that a kid would see that and desire all that knowledge instead of what is really important. Plus, I wonder if I could be humble in dispensing what I knew. I already have a problem with humility and that would only add to it.

Here is another thing. Humans are inherently lazy. I am. Given the option of working out your own faith, or having someone tell you what you should believe and do, most people would choose the later. I realized this about myself some time ago. It wasn’t until after college did I final start to seek things about faith for myself and not rely on my very knowledgeable earthly father.

My dad has been to a great seminary, he has a wonderful education and insight. He knows the truth and seeks to dispense it as best he can. When I was growing up, he was that mentor/guide for me. I would go to him with any question or issue that had come into my life and he would tell me what I believed. I didn’t mind and neither did he, but when I grew up, nothing made sense because I had not sought the knowledge from the source. My understanding was based on my dad. All of it was probably right, but that didn’t matter because I didn’t really believe it.

Because of my short comings, I don’t want others around me, especially young men and women, to make the same mistakes, which brings me to my mission/purpose. What is my mission? Ultimately it is to know God fully and see the world come to know God also. I know that is a very broad mission, but I think I will stick with it. If I refine it and narrow it then it is possible that I will lose sight of it. Lose sight of my first love.

Can I have such a broad mission? Part of me doesn’t think so. I don’t know why, nobody has told me otherwise, but I haven’t really asked. My life’s next step is to complete the Young Life application and work towards being on staff. I am pretty sure that somewhere in the application process, they are going to ask me to make a mission statement and the other things that go along with that. Can something that simple be my mission statement? I hope so, but doubt it. Life is not that simple. Life requires that you have complicated, deep, challenging ideals and philosophies that no one else understands. You have to be unique and complex otherwise you will be seen as inferior. You have to have specific goals because if you don’t have goals, how will you know when you achieve them? “It is not a game unless somebody wins!” I said that just yesterday so I know I believe it somewhere in the recesses of my mind.

Written July 6th

All of these thoughts stem from my last two weeks spent in Italy. Down there I was the leader for eight guys, five the first week and three the second. All of the guys knew of Jesus Christ at least in their heads. They had some sort of church back ground or previous encounter. This is significant because Italy Beach Break is very much an out-reach camp. Its focus is on kids that don’t know Jesus from Jordan, Michael. The activities, program, and talks are all focused on those kids. My eight guys had heard everything said those weeks before. Most of them had been to that exact camp before. When the topic of the day was how we are designed to be in a relationship with God, my guys where like, “duh!” This camp and many like it across the States and the globe are tried and true, their methods have been refined so that a leader of kids can very easily present the information and guide them. My situation was different but not unique. With my guys, it was less following the script, but challenging them to take the next step.

Church kids I understand. Being one, I can look them in the face and understand if they really believe what they know. So with eight “church” kids I went off script and tried to get them to go the next step. Did it work? Ask them in twenty years.

So here is where my question about my mission comes from. God obviously allowed the paths of each of our individual lives to proceed in His plan for His glory. The blind dude in John 9 was blind so that the glory of God would be revealed. God obviously gave me a history for a purpose. Was that purpose, is my mission to kids like me, “churched?” The first week in Italy, I had kids I knew and the “churched” ones worked best. The second week was an unknown but they ended up being the same type. Different issues and at different place, but still the same challenge was laid down. Coincidence, I think not! But I am not sure.

Here is where I end. This blog will probably never be read to this point because we are a generation that can’t stay focused for more than a few minutes. If anyone did get this far, bravo!!! Maybe I will tell you about the details of the two weeks: The ocean, Waterpark, Cinque Terre, and Pisa. Probably not. Just know that it was great. Glorious to be exact.

If you don’t hear from me for another couple weeks, it is because I am off traveling around South East Europe. I will be in touch with how things are going. I promise.

Until then and tomorrow.

Jason

Day 115: Hello isn't that easy

Here it is finally. For all my fans benefit, I have taken the time to download all the necessary programs that will allow me to post pictures.

Here is my first picture using all these new programs. As you can tell, I couldn't figure it out immediately, but then it turns out I did, but I didn't know it.

Anyway, I got to run, but before I do I just wanted to comment on this picture and the german culture. Germans Rock!! Only in Germany can you find a sign that makes sure you know what way you are going and that going the other way is the other direction. Well, I am off to get me butt kicked in War Craft III.


OK, I figured it out.

Until then and tomorrow.

Jason

Lets try this again 

Here is a test of Picasa, BloggerBot, and Hello. If this picture goes through, then I will post more. 

Day 115: Tapering off!

I am trying to process and write down some thoughts from the last two weeks. There are about 40 emails in my in box that I need to respond to. The Clay’s house is full of entertaining things like DVDs, Internet (like the one on I am right now), music, food, quiet, aloneness, books, and all sorts of places to explore. Oh, by the way. I am staying at the Clay’s house for the next few nights. Corrigan Clay is down in Italy, Shelley and their daughter, Keziah are both in the States which means that I have the run of the house. It also means that no one is a round to tell me to do or not do anything in particular. I am suffering from a lack of…

Jocelyn Cary left a picture album in the basement of the Swope’s house. While I was down there collecting my stuff in preparation for the move to the Clay’s, the album proved too much temptation and I flipped through it. Jocelyn had added pictures of her graduation from Wheaton College in Illinois and the following summer in Alaska. On one of the pages, a sticker was placed off to one side. It was small and the words on it where short, but they said a lot. Those words are my theme for the next three weeks.

“Start slow & taper off.”

That should be a theme for most people’s lives. We are much to rushed, Americans at least. The Italians know how to do it, so do the Spanish. Spain invented the Siesta. America, like it has done with ever other aspect of the world’s culture, should adopt that part of it too. There is a great Calvin and Hobbes strip that captures this idea perfectly. Calvin is standing at the bus stop with Hobbes at his side. He is, of course, complaining. This time it is about the pace of life and how unhealthy it is. Calvin says that he should be able to start the day out with a cup of coffee, a nice leisurely breakfast, the morning paper. Ease into the day. Hobbes points out that the morning would be lost and it would be noon before he knew it. Calvin responses,”Right, and then it is time to kick back for a siesta and start planning the evening meal.” I am all for that.

Take now! It is just past 2pm. I am sitting at the couch typing this post. My morning started around 0930 with a bowl of Raisin Bran, glass of not from concentrate OJ, and two extra strength non-aspirin pain relievers (I will explain those later). Following a delicious and healthy breakfast, I moved into a QQT (Quality Quiet Time) with Jesus. He and I chatted for a couple hours, laundry got done then also. I actually started the laundry last night, but German washers and dryers take so long that I wasn’t able to finish it then. Now I am enjoying another delectable meal, PB&J, but not just any J. I bought some Raspberry preserves at the commissary yesterday and was pretty happy about that, but this morning I made a grand discovery. While I was out back sitting in the sun enjoying the QQT, I noticed the fence line contained some large green leafed vines with small red things attached all over. After a closer examination, I realized that the neighbors behind the Clay’s house had a wonderful garden and their raspberry plants had grown large and over the fence. The delectable little morsels had made their way into “my” yard and hence, based on the rules of possession, became “mine”. I picked them and am now enjoying J with fresh raspberries mixed in. It is glorious.

In my attempt to start slow and taper off, I have pretty much accomplished everything I want to today. If I feel up to it, I might join some of the guys for a LAN party, but only if I feel like getting my but kicked in War Craft III. If I don’t go and do that, then I will probably just hang out here, reply to some mail and watch a few movies. Oh, and watch Stage II of the Tour de Lance.

Did I tell you guys of my plans that fell through? I was hoping to make a quick road trip into France and watch Lance on his final ride. That isn’t going to happen, (tears roll at this point) so instead I am going to make every effort to watch them on the TV and cheer loudly when he spirits through Germany during Stages 7 and 8.

Here is a good place for the story to end, but I plan on continuing my time at the computer so another post will follow shortly.

Until then and tomorrow.

Jason