In all things we should give thanks but, we are not thankful for everything, heck, we even despise some things.  So, on this site, I want you to share with us some things that you are NOT thankful for.

GO!

24 had a special 2 hour event this week.  It reminded me of something that really pisses me off.  Why is it so easy for Hollywood to make movies about the crap that’s going on in this world, but so easy for the entire nation to sit around watch that, and think, “Oh, this is a T.V. show, and none of that stuff really happens….. that I know of.”

I’m not talking about a secret agent torture guy running around saving our butts without us even knowing about it.  I’m not talking about the presidential conspiracies, though I’m sure there are some. What I am talking about is the use of children in the world.  The kidnapping of children to use them as soldiers.  Making them kill, training them to be robots.  That’s real.

Regardless of what you think America’s involvement should be with these tiny countries that have no resources to offer us, something like that should hit a nerve.  These children did not choose where they were born.   Now, he is fighting for someone who, most likely, killed his entire family.  His ‘boss’ is someone who may have raped his mother.  He watched his entire village die.

We get a good two hours out of it on 24, or whatever show happens to be using this child as a character, and then we go about our regular lives.  We rarely think twice about these real children.  I want to change that.  I don’t think we should all go on covert missions to the depths of Africa to save children, but there ARE things we can do.

I’m sure you have heard me talk about Call and Response.  If you didn’t go see it, shame on you.   They talked about child soldiers, and how to help them. Find out how here. Or you can go to Invisible Children or warchild.org and find out how to help. Like I always say, to me, money isn’t the most important part.  It’s the awareness.  It’s spreading the word, doing your part.  Whatever you can do to help.  It’s letting people know what is going on.  If people don’t know, NOTHING can change.  I believe we are called to start change.  Will you start it with me?  Repost this post, or read about it, and write a post of your own.

There is also a song by a man named Emmanuel Jal.  Emmanuel Jal is from Sudan, and was a war child.  His story is amazing.  Check it out here.

Below is a video of “War Child” by Emmanuel Jal.  Amazing true story.  Please watch this.

Thursday, before Andrea went to the hospital, something extremely strange happened.

We were laying in bed, about to go to sleep, our lights were turned off, and I was just about to slip away to dreamland, when I heard leaves crumpling outside of our window.  I opened my eyes, certain it was a cat or something, when I saw the silhouette of a person. 

Immediately, I sat up at an angle to cover Andrea’s body. (More on that in a minute) I whispered, “Don’t say a word.”  When the shadow person moved away from the window, I got up to go get dressed.  I was going to go out and talk to whomever it was.  (I still have some street in me.)  Andrea convinced me that was probably a bad idea, so I went to check out the front door, and other windows, to make sure there wasn’t more than one person.  When I came back to the bedroom, Andrea told me the person had been back to the window. DOH!  We called the police.

They didn’t find anyone, (Of course) and we decided we should leave for the night, and if anyone wanted to rob us that was fine, but we didn’t want to die. That’s when Andrea’s pain got severe and she had to go to the ER.

I learned some things from that night though.  Without even thinking about it, I threw my body up to cover Andrea’s.  That surprised me.  Not  because I wouldn’t do anything to protect her, but because I was super surprised that it was instinct.  No decision making at all.  I was very proud of myself.

That night was the first time it had ever crossed my mind that I don’t have a gun.  I don’t believe I need a gun.  I’ve always been able to talk myself out of most situations.  I have to admit I would have felt safer with a gun.  But, that still goes against my core belief of raising a family.  My point was proven even more that night.  I always said, “IF (and that’s a big if) I have a gun, I’ll keep it locked away so my children (Or angry wife) couldn’t get to it.”  Thursday night it hit me.  Had something happened where I needed to grab my gun, I would not have been able to get to it if it were locked up.  It would have had to been on my nightstand, or somewhere equally easy for a kid, (or my angry wife) to get it.

Point and case.

Anyone who knows me will tell you I am not afraid to defend myself, and I typically walk away when I do.   I’m not afraid to defend my wife, and I am not afraid to defend my home.  I do not need a gun.  If someone else shows up with a gun, I guess it’s in God’s hands.  And I’ll be honest, I’d rather it be in His hands then mine.

So.. My beautiful, wonderful, awesome, lovely wife did a “Tag” thing,  I wasn’t “tagged” but I thought, what the hay, I’ll do one.  Maybe you’ll learn something about me. Do this too, and comment a link to your blog!  Maybe we can all learn something about each other.

5 Joys

• Watching The Office, Top Chef, Heroes or Grey’s Anatomy. I know it’s really sad, but for some reason I am so into all of these shows! (I’ll second this!)
• Helping people with computer stuff. I know it sounds silly, but I get joy from teaching people something new.
• Music.  Any kind pretty much.  I enjoy a beat and something that goes with that.  I love it.. Such a unique beautiful art form.
• being the odd one out.  I like to stand out, and I like to do it with class if I can.  But if I have to make a situation awkward, I will.
• My wife.  Honestly, every day I’ve woken up next to her, I have to stop myself from tears of joy.  She motivates me to live.

5 Fears

• Not being able to protect of help the people I love.
• jail.  I’m not afraid to say that.  I don’t like it, and I get all scared feeling just thinking about it.
• letting people see the real me. I’m a scarred, broken person, I’m afraid if people realize that, they’ll think less of me. (instead I cover it up with comedy)
• singing in front of people.  I like singing, in my room or a small group of friends.
• Letting the ones I love down.

5 Obsessions

• Ok. I’ll say it.  Maybe the computer.
• I tap my foot when I go to bed… at least for a little while.
• Finding ways to use the internet for GOOD.
• Chili!  Mmmm On anything!  Hashbrowns, burgers, ANYTHING.
• Organization of my music files. I have a lot of music, and I have a very weird, but real way to organize.

5 6 Surprising Facts

• I have to use woman’s deodorant. And everything sensitive skin.  I have weird allergies to anything that cleans stuff..
• I love Rap music.  Old Rap music. Bad Rap music. AND I know the words to most of the songs. (As long as it’s from pre 20003.)
• I still get the nervous feelings when I think about my wedding day.  One of the scariest day of my life so far.
• The first time I met Andrea, I thought to myself, “That’s her.” I didn’t know what it meant at the time, I do now.
• I always root for the underdog.  If there is someone who is supposed to lose, I want them to win.  If someone is losing, I want them to come from behind and win.  I’m a sucker for happy endings.
• One more.   I cry at just about anything… Sad Movies, Happy Movies, Sports Movies, Stupid Movies, Talking about sweet moments, thinking about old friends, seeing old friends, when I’m happy, when I’m mad..  I cry.  I get overly emotional in every direction. Angry, happy, sad, whatever.

Ok guys.  Normally I don’t get many comments, but I thought this would be fun.

Tell me one time you felt an amazing interjection by God.  One time you just couldn’t help but get a little emotional because you knew He was there.   Go.