Written April 17, 2000

Sleep greatful sleep

Come to me

Rest my head and restore my body

Let me feel ashured that I will wake up ready to start a new day.

Ready to take on the challenges of the world

If someone or something gets in my way,

I will let them know that I am okay and nothing will get me down.

But my beautiful sleep is the only way that can happen.

Good night world, good night my love.

Sleep wonderful sleep come to me.

Christmas….goood

New Years…..goood

Interview for approval to be ordained into the Lutheran Church……goood– approved

First round of Church planting interview (Mission Development) — goood – passed

That has been my life the last month. Worrying about this and that — trying to keep moving forward when things want to be at a standstill.

I was thankful for some “time off” this month.  Granted it is no where near the time I would like to completely unwind but I was able to unwind some.  Afternoons filled with relaxation, Madden 07, and MVP 05.  There were other things accomplished but that was minimal compared to the relaxation.

This week I have been sitting in class.  It has been a great class but we have 10 hours of class a day.  Granted it is over in four days but the four days have been long.

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So I have been thinking about the month of January.  I would like to call the month of January the month of dreams.  First there are the dreams of the millions of people making New Year’s Resolutions. “I am going to lose weight this year, I am going to save more money this year, I am going to be a better parent/spouse/friend/family member.”  We have many dreams for ourselves and our lives.

The Second dream is the dream surrounding Jesus’ birth.  It is true that Jesus was born on Christmas which is in December.  But the wise men come to us in January.  Wise men who follow the star from a dream to find and announce the birth of the Messiah.

Finally we celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. this past weekend.  King had a dream of a country that could be united, a country that could not be divide by race.  While we have come a long way since his dream speech we still have a long way to go.

I don’t want to get into politics in this blog too much, but for me that’s one thing I am looking for in a leader of our country.  Who can help further unite our nation and lead us into the future.

Jan 16, 2008 10:30 ET

The Ultimate Oasis: The Green Lodge — an Eco-Luxury Haven During Sundance 2008
Look No Further as the Latest Global Conscious Event Is Set to Debut
LOS ANGELES, CA–(Marketwire – January 16, 2008) – The Green Lodge is the latest entertainment marketing concept to be unveiled during Sundance 2008. This event will showcase the best in eco-luxury and environmentally conscious brands set upon the backdrop of beautiful Park City, Utah. World-class services including spa treatments, organic chef, fitness consultations, on-site Wireimage portrait studio and gifting are all being offered. Talent, media and VIP guests will tour this eco-oasis as they spend time learning about the latest trends and notable names in conscious consumerism. The Green Lodge event will run from January 19th to the 22nd.
Of the many Green Lodge amenities, spa services will be provided by Tola Spa of Malibu, CA. (www.tolaspa.com). Spa owner Laura Doughty has created exclusive services which include a Hydrotherm Massage: a massage which cradles the body atop warm water-filled cushions as a masseuse applies a variety of relaxation techniques. Additional services include facials like the Botanical Resurfacing, which is enhanced with bamboo extracts and finely powdered tourmaline. Guests will also have the opportunity to be styled by stylists from Paul Mitchell The School of Salt Lake City, a long-time supporter of eco-friendly and cruelty-free beauty products. Fitness guru and martial artist Robert Carvajal of Infinity (www.infitnity.com) will be onsite to offer tips and techniques through his unique and varied training styles.
The Green Lodge will also feature culinary creations made by renowned organic vegetarian chef Heidi VanPelt of FÜD (pronounced “food”) (www.eatfud.com). VanPelt, a long-time environmentalist, has worked with numerous celebrities and is sought out by many for her healthy, animal-friendly cuisine. Numi Organic Tea (www.numitea.com) will provide hot tea service, while Hint Water (www.drinkhint.com) provides refreshing, naturally flavored water beverages and Cherry Pharm (www.cherrypharm.com), with its antioxidant-packed cherry juice.
The Green Lodge is also proudly sponsored by Royal Underground (www.royalunderground.net), a sophisticated clothing and jewelry line with roots in rock ‘n roll, supporting environmental and humanitarian charities;
Shaklee (www.shaklee.com), earth-friendly home care products, nutrition and therapeutic skincare; Noah’s Naturals (www.noahsnaturals.com), natural and organic beauty care for body, hair and face; Bio-K Plus (www.biokplus.com), makers of a product which regulates intestinal functions for a balanced digestive system; Recycline (www.recycline.com), makers of high-quality recyclable products including toothbrushes, razors and tableware; Jarden Home Brands (www.pinemountainbrands.com), makers of firelogs made from recycled sawdust and 100% renewable resources; Heineken Beer (www.heineken.com); Santa Margherita wines (www.santamargherita.com), and Vida Tequila (www.vidatequila.com).
Décor and exotic floral arrangements will be provided by Rikka (www.rikkafloral.com). Private transportation services courtesy of Eco Limo (www.eco-limo.com), dedicated to the sole utilization of fuel-efficient and alternative fuel luxury vehicles.
The Green Lodge is also grateful to its press release sponsor: Marketwire (www.marketwire.com) for its generous media donation and partnership.
This event will benefit the Make it Right 9th foundation (www.makeitrightnola.org), building affordable “green” housing to help victims of Hurricane Katrina; the Carbon Fund (www.carbonfund.org), which supports various types of carbon offset projects; and the Sundance Film Institute (www.sundance.org), supporting film makers passionate about the independent film making process.

Don’t Quit

Author Unknown

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won if he’d stuck it out.
Don’t give up, though the pace seems slow -
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man;
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor’s cup,
And he learned too late, when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out -
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are -
It may be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit -
It’s when things seem worst that you mustn’t quit.