Thoughts Before Night’s End

Posted by Brian on May 14, 2007 in Blog | 0 comments

We are on a mailing list. It’s the Ransomed Heart mailing list, and all it contains are occasional letters from John Eldridge. We may get two in one week, we may get two in two months. It just depends on John. His thoughts may be half a page, or two pages.

The most recent one is not coincidence. The other day we were driving home from who knows where and Kristi was telling me about the Angela Thomas video she had been watching. She described something that happened at an event at which Angela spoke. To keep a long story short, my response to what she told me was in regards to how we don’t often notice things God does. It’s a simple thought, but one that’s been striking me regularly of late. Things happen around us that are nothing short of spectacular and we pass them off as mere coincidence – if we notice them at all.

Then Kristi gets a call from her brother and his family. They were passing through on their way back to Arkansas, so Kristi met them at the Burger King at I-24 and Old Hickory. Noah got to see his cousin, Lon, and all was well. But Noah was thirsty and wanted a drink just as Lon had. Kristi explained how we had just had lunch and how she would not buy him something else. Lon proceeded to pull off a game piece of some sort that was attached to his cup. The prize? A free drink. Apparently God even serves fast food. Noah’s wish was granted.
But Kristi’s brother was the only one to notice God’s involvement, and pointed it out. Kristi told me about this, which was an interesting event given our recent Angela Thomas discussion. It was a small incident, but not so small in the eyes of a thirsty 5-year-old.

And today in the mail we get a letter from John Eldridge. The topic, as God finally got my attention that he wanted me to understand something, was how we focus on what God is not giving us instead of what He is giving us. His examples involved simple things like how he went exploring in the woods hoping to find elk antlers shed on the ground. Instead, he sees a red tailed hawk, one of his favorite animals, the feathers of which he collects. And, unlike other examples he gave, he finally realized this for what it was: a gift.

I’m planning what has become a yearly hike, and I think (and hope) I get the message. I am still questioning where to go, and maybe what’s to come is no hike at all. There are things I have longed to see for quite some time – some new (to me) wild animal and the Roan Highlands, for example. But in all of it I hope I don’t miss the little things, like a red tailed hawk – or even a free drink at Burger King at the end.

Hiking the Next

Posted by Brian on May 14, 2007 in Blog | 0 comments

I’ll be heading out again May 24-29, taking on the next section of the AT (the Roan Highlands).

If anyone would like to go with me, just let me know. I have a few teens going (good friends, all of them) as I did last year. This hike proves to be a little more exciting because of the different terrain, but also a little more challenging. We’ll be out a day or two longer than last time, plus we’re out during a different time of year. The last time I hiked during late May it was wonderful. The time before that…downpour. So, here’s praying for wonderful again even though I’m O.K. with any time in the woods.

If anyone would like to join in, contact me as soon as possible. We have only a week just over a week to prepare.

Seattle: Day 4

Posted by Brian on May 5, 2007 in Adventures, Blog | 0 comments

We’re home now. Here’s the day 4 recap.

We started at the Museum of Flight at Boeing. If you’re not into aviation this probably would not interest you. If you like aerospace history, be sure to visit. But even if you hate airplanes and all that surrounds them, you should be ashamed of yourself if you’re in Seattle and don’t go see the WWI and WWII displays here. Learn some history and learn some appreciation for people who stood up against evil and won. We could use more of these men and women today. Thank a veteran. You’re here because of them.

After the museum we took off to finish the Experience Music Project. Then we visited REI’s flagship store and headed east to Snoqualmie Falls. Amazing. Go. It’s not that far out of town, and you get one-of-a-kind views along the way.

After Snoqualmie we found Jimi Hendrix’s gravesite. Shrine, actually. Worth seeing, though. A big part of Seattle (and world) music history whether you like it or not.

We ate lunch at the Athenian Inn (where they filmed Sleepless in Seattle). Cully recommended the fish and chips. He was right – they were great. Supper was at Ivar’s, but not the waterfront one. It was ok, and I can only imagine the full restaurant (instead of the fast food one) would be great.

I also sampled the last of the noticeable “big three” coffees: Seattle’s Best. And after a good cup, I have the winner: Tully’s. Starbucks and Seattle’s Best are good, but Tully’s is stronger and tastier. I’m sure business will boom with this recommendation. They also kept me warm when we visited Alki Beach later. Alki is where the first settlers landed in the area. Chief Seattle took them in, and they took what they had learned, went across the bay, and proceeded to build one confusing (but fun) town.

After relaxing along Alki’s waterfront, we took off for a final night view from Kerry Park. DO NOT miss this park’s view if you go to Seattle. On a clear or semi-clear day you can see the Space Needle, downtown, the Sound and Mt. Ranier. You can also look across to Alki Beach, Bainbridge Island and more.

Thanks to mom and dad for taking care of the boys while we were out on an early celebration of 9 years.

Seattle: Day 3

Posted by Brian on May 4, 2007 in Adventures, Blog | 0 comments

We hit several spots yesterday, including the Space Needle (finally saw Mt. Ranier), the Experience Music Project, the flying fish (see photo gallery), Kerry Park, the Safeco Field Tour, the Underground Tour, and a lot of other walking. And I had Tully’s Coffee. Sorry Starbucks, Tully’s is simply better.

We’re going to the Museum of Flight today, as well as Snoqualmie Falls and REI. We’re also going to try to have lunch at the Athenian Inn and supper at Ivar’s.

We fly out at 12:30am and will be back in Nashville around 9:30am. As Noah says, “When I see you, I’ll run and give you a big hug.” That’ll make you long for home no matter where you are.

More photos uploaded this morning.

Seattle: Day 2

Posted by Brian on May 2, 2007 in Adventures, Blog | 0 comments

Ok – so it’s been a busy day. Sun. Rain. More sun. And, just for fun, more rain.

But once we began to figure out what may be the most confusing town in the U.S. (aside from, say, Nashville), we got some things done. Visit the photo gallery first to see photographic genius.

We climbed on the Fremont Troll (weird, but cool). We saw Gas Works Park, awesome places by the water, KVI’s Kirby Wilbur (thanks for supper, dude), Bruce Lee’s grave and a lot more. I even picked up some fun items for a few co-workers (mcphee.com). It’s been a good day. Tomorrow we start hitting museums and other things including the Space Needle (which we missed today), the Experience Music Project and, of course, the flagship store for REI (I am drooling right now, if you want to know).

Nap time…more tonight.

****

Update: Now it’s tonight.

We had supper at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, our anniversary dinner compliments of Kirby. A tremendous gift, and an awesome restaurant (including the recommended “Mack & Jack’s”). Afterwards we took a walk to the Market. Most everything was closed except for the original Starbucks.

I had never had Starbucks before. Aisha (the “girl behind the counter”) was a tad shocked, and so are most of you reading this if I had to guess. Photos are in the gallery. I like coffee alright, but I’m not necessarily a “coffee drinker”. That seems to carry some sort of addiction with it, as in “I haven’t had my coffee yet” or “I need my coffee”. But I do like the taste. The day I say “I need my coffee” is the day I have lost a grip on reality, methinks.

I love trying different foods and drinks in cities like this. I still want to try Tully’s Coffee, recommended to me by the guys at KVI. I hear Seattle’s Best Coffee is pretty good too (and to quote Wayne’s World: “So it’s not just a clever name”).

More tomorrow.