BLUE ORLEANS

It's sometimes hard to really grasp devestation hearing it from people or reading about it in the news. But ever since the TV broadcast 9/11, it seems it becomes easier to get a sense of personal involvment when things go wrong in our world. God has dealt out some major weather this past year all over the globe, and just this morning, Candess and I were watching rescue efforts in New Orleans. Not many people I know have been to New Orleans, but I went down there on a missions trip my freshman year of college. What was so fascinating about this city is that it's the first time I'd felt like I had left the U.S. but was actually still in the States. The only way I can describe the culture down there is that it's rich; not as in wealthy, but thick. You can feel the vibe of the city. It's amazing.
I've always wanted to at least spend another weekend there checking out the French Quarter and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Now it seems it's going to be a while before everyone there can get back on thier feet. If you're the praying type, send a prayer south for them. They're really going to need it.

Super Blogger

So I decided to start posting on my Xanga blog site for a change. I just started realizing without correspondance from other bloggers, it's just not as fun. Since many of my friends have blog sites on Xanga, I figured I'd maybe get more responses that way.
But don't feel left out; feel free to check it out: http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=drewfunk123

Support Our Troops; Stand With THEM, Not Cindy

It's been a week since I posted, and emailed, that letter to Mrs. Sheehan. And even though lack of response doesn't neccsarily mean lack of readers, I was expecting more input or comments; especially on such a controversial issue. In the past week, I have learned more information about this woman. First, I read quickly one day on CNN.com that her husband has filed for divorce. Secondly, not only is her husband trying to get free, but her sister is also making it clear that she does not support what Mrs. Sheehan is doing. It's one thing to have people driving by and shouting thier protest against this vigil, but her own family are condemning her actions. Finally, I saw something last week that both infuriated me and then made me proud later on. On my way to work, I saw a large yellow sign taped to a tree that read "America Stands With Cindy". That was not a good start to my day. I wished I could have jumped out of the van and torn the sign down, but traffice moved and I was running late. BUT, later that day I was driving back to work after a depo and I passed the same tree; some noble patriot had ripped the sign from the tree and made it very clear that America does NOT stand with Cindy. -SIGH- Okay, I think I've said all I need to about that... for now.
For those of you who read this and can remember, Candess' birthday is tomorrow. So please give her a ring if you can. I know she'd appreciate it.

Invasion in Southern Wisconsin

I woke up this morning to the news about a storm system that tore through Stoughton, WI. After watching the news footage, I called my cousin, Grant, about it. He himself saw a tornado just as he was heading home from work. Crazy. I don't anyone personally who lives in Stuoghton, but I hope they can clean up alright and get life back to normal as soon as possible.
I was telling Grant about the storms we get down here. We live in the south-eastern part of the valley and usually get to watch as the clouds roll on in. They usually don't hit until they reach a more northern town, but we've had our share of rain and lightning shows. Maybe someday I'll be able to post some pictures of them.

I usually would not do this...

Mrs. Sheehan,
In the Spring of 2004, did your son call you or write to you and ask that if he should fall in combat, that YOU, his own mother, would make it your life's duty to protest his actions, and to protest his sacrifice?
I served in Iraq from February to December in 2003, the first year of the war. Although I was shot at and almost blown up and we were in harms way almost every single day, I am thankful that I personally knew none who lost thier lives in the line of duty. But everyday we heard of the sacrifice our brothers and sisters in arms were making. Our job was not put ourselves on the front lines, although we were there anyway. Our job was to provide supplies and support for those men and women who knew that each day could very well be thier last.
There is no more honorable way to die than to sacrifice one's life for another. That is what it means to be a soldier. Everyday, we would watch each other's backs. We take care of each other. And very frequently in a war situation, we lose our brothers and sisters. But that is what sacrifice is.
Our nation was birthed from the sacrifices of our fathers, grandfathers, and thier fathers before them all the way to the Revolutionary War; a war that was forged because of a people who were being oppressed by a mighty and relentless dictator. That is what lived and breathed so many years in the heart of Iraq. That is what the very people of that nation were so afraid of, they could not muster their own strenght to revolt against it.
It is THAT reason, and that reason ALONE, that we entered into this war. It is by the ULTIMATE sacrifice of God's own son, that ALL men deserve to live without the shadow of fear. ALL men of ALL nations deserve to raise thier families without the fear that someday someone may try and take thier lves away from them by radical means.
It was this very idea that started the United States Army. Although I did not know your son, I will forever remember him and all those who give thier lives daily for the better of man-kind. Why? For one, it is my American duty to always remember those who have given thier lives - from the fields of Gettysburg, the shores of Normandy, the sand and dust of Baghdad. But mainly, he is my brother. If by God's will, I had served with him, I would have done everything within my power to save his life because I have faith he would have done the same for me.
All the songs or poems that this world has to offer will never still the pain of a lost family member. Only by taking the time to allow ourselves to grieve can we truely continue with our daily lives. I do not believe what you are doing now is bringing honor to your son's memory. More than 1,500 soldiers have sacrificed thier lives for the past two and a half years. Are you so selfish that you would call for an end to the combat for just your own boy? What about the other 1,500 mothers and fathers who have buried thier own children? Are you so selfish that you would dishonor THIER sacrfice by demanding an end to the combat?
I may be speaking for myself, but I would not have to look far for soldiers who would support me in this; the only way we can honor them, the only way we can honor your son, is to continue the fight. We MUST continue what we have endured for this long and we must make safe the people of Iraq. It will take time. History has tought us this and many of us have been so foolish to forget it.
Please, Mrs. Sheehan. Go home. Be with your family. Mourn with them more if you must, but live with them and laugh with them and remember your son as the hero he is. And please, honor him by giving your support to those who continue to serve our nation everyday and those who will die to protect it.
I pray that the peace of God will envelop you and give you rest. No parent should have to bury thier own child, but no grief should last so long to kill our spirit before our body.

U.S. Army Reserves Veteran
Private First Class

Another busy week

I figured I'd be able to keep up a weblog regularly, bit it seems I'm not so much getting around to it as much as I maybe should. This past week was a nice break before what starts tomorrow; another five days of depositions. Also, today after church, I was able to spend some time with Nate and Pastor Tom at his house. We talked about me possibly heading up the junior high youth. Now, I would not, and do not, consider myself a youth pastor (although, technically I DO have a Bible degree). I had some ideas while working in Madison and I hope we can work on some great stuff down here. I was suprised to learn today that they don't yet have names for the groups. I also have some ideas for those; STRYVE (for junior high) and THRYVE (for senior high). But hey, we'll see what happens...

Third time

Okay. I screwed up. I didn't get to post every night. And I did have a relaxing weekend. I'm not working until Wednesday, so we can get some stuff done around here.
I found out my car was victim once again to thiefs. A few years ago my car was broken into the first time. They tried, but didn't get anything. A few months later, they tried again. They couldn't get the deck out, but they smashed it anyway and also smashed a rear window when they got in. But this past weekend, they got the stereo. And in a small suburb in Madison, no less. That kind of shocked me.
Well, once Candess and I head back to swap out vehicles, we may have to stop by Best Buy.
D&C

Dangit! I screwed up. I forgot to post yesterday. Well, it's been kind of a normal past couple of days... work is going well. Candess went back the doctor today and she might have mono. Yeah.
Okay, so since there hasn't been much lately, let me make a first(I think) critique of our popular culture. Case in point: Aston Kutcher. Now, I've seen enough of his movies and his iconic character on That 70's Show to decide that he's a pretty decent actor. But I believe that his most valued contribution to our society through the entertainment media is a little show he runs; we all know it as PUNK'D. For those of you who don't know, the premise of the show is that Mr. Kutcher plays practical jokes on all our favorite celebrities. And it's funny, but not always in a "ha-ha" sort of way. You know, when you or I, let's say, accidentally knock over someone's motorcycle or aren't allowed into our favorite night club, we all act in different ways. And when celebrities get stuck in these predicaments, we expect them to act in a civilized matter, as they should; they are "representatives" of our popular culture. People know them. They go to thier movies, watch thier TV shows and listen to thier music. But when Joe Shmoe accidentally rear ends Hot Shot Oscar winner, he blows a gasket on national television. Of course they'll act all so graciously once they realize they were pranked, but by then we all know how they really are. So there. Now we know how the other side lives. Thank you, Mr. Kutcher. You have opened our eyes.
Okay. I finished my first rant. How about that? Well, until tomorrow.
D&C

Okay. Today wasn't too bad. I had a deposition that was five hours long which isn't unnatural; most depos are about 4 hours long. But this one today started at noon. So it was a later day than usual, but it went well. I was nervous and a little jittery, but luckily everyone was patient with me.
Tomorrow is another day; I have a depo that starts at 9 which means I need to be there around 7:45. It'll be another great day.
D&C