A Slower Pace

I have been a regular blood donor for over two decades — since 1990. It has always been something that I do that I know has a positive impact on others. I know the precious life giving power blood gives someone who needs it. And it such a simple, selfless act that really anybody can perform. You just need to be healthy and you need to be willing — that’s all.

Recently, I have even spent my donation time in prayer as I lay there, praying that God will use the blood cells to heal, nourish, and protect the recipient who receives my blood. As a believer in Christ, I believe my blood will have, not only the scientific and medical impact, that is desired, but the additional, more powerful spiritual impact that is life changing.

My wife’s ER and hospital trip yesterday was the first time I have personally benefited from our nation’s blood supply. And while I knew blood donations were a good thing, I am now an even stronger advocate because my family has benefited from the actions and sacrifice (time and the pain of a needle stick) of dedicated donors.

What I want to do is educate and encourage others out there to give blood on a very regular basis. The “bang for the buck” for the donor is huge. There aren’t too many other single acts that you can do where 30-45 minutes of your time and inconvenience can truly save someone else’s life.

If you aren’t currently giving blood, it is because you are A) – not healthy (or eligible) or B) – not willing. And while I cannot do anything to help you with A, I can definitely encourage and challenge you on B. We are all busy in our lives (one of the most common reasons for not donating). But put yourself or a loved one in the hospital and position as a recipient and it changes that perspective now, doesn’t it. I would hope you would MAKE the time to donate with that perspective in your head.

If you are afraid of needles or the pain (another common reason people don’t donate), again, put yourself or a loved one in the hospital and in the position as a recipient. The small, minor inconvenience of a needle stick sure looks pretty wimpy when you project it against a child cancer patient, an anemic pregnant mother, or a traffic accident victim. I know you might be afraid — I was when I first started giving blood. My only fear was of needles. And I forced myself to get over that (unreasonable) fear by donating blood. Again and again. While I don’t cherish the physical process of drawing blood, I do cherish the opportunity to save someone’s life.

If you are unwilling because it is your own body and your own blood and you are reluctant to share, then I have nothing for you. This world is much greater than yourself and until you begin to see that, nothing I say can help and I will not waste my time. Blood donations are the least of your worries. Continue on living in your bubble island.

So, get out there, call your local donation center, set up an appointment, and go give of yourself so that your action can have a huge, positive impact on our community and world.

For those of you that already give blood donations routinely, THANK YOU!!!!! You had a positive impact on my wife yesterday, because that could have been your blood she received.

This has been a public service announcement.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

This morning, for Valentine’s Day, I rushed my wife to the ER at 4am. Two weeks ago she had some fairly invasive surgery and has been recovering since then. She had a week in the hospital and a week at home. She thought she had turned a corner but things worsened and became very serious last night. So an early morning Valentine’s visit to the ER was required.

My dearest wife…..

I meant it!

I have held your hand when the kids were born. I held your hand when D was in the NICU. I held your hand during your surgeries. I held your hand on your birthday last year in the ER. I held your hand two weeks ago during your recovery. I held your hand this morning on Valentine’s Day in the ER. I hold your hand on the way to the mailbox. I hold your hand every week during communion and prayer. And I will hold your hand walking into the sunset as we both grow old and grey.

I love you and wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but by your side.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

Usually when you are looking up at the clouds and seeing different shapes and things, you are really pushing your imagination. However, take a look at the picture below. It was shared by a Facebook friend and it doesn’t take much of an imagination to trace out the Bluegrass State of Kentucky in the cloud.

Pretty cool!

UPDATE: check out the comments below by Carl Williams. You can go to gMaps and try your hand at cyber-sleuthing. Below is the picture I frame-grabbed from google maps and they appear to match up, especially if the picture was taken in the driveway of the animal clinic (which google maps doesn’t have a vantage point of). Even the number of power lines match up.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

Today marks the birthday and passing of two great American leaders. Interestingly, they also both wore signature hats that made them iconic.

Happy birthday, President Lincoln! And we miss you Tom Landry!

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

While doing my Bible In A Year reading today, I was impacted by some subnotes from the book of Judges that, in my mind, is a warning to our society today.

“In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.” — Judges 17:6

Anyone who has not submitted to God will end up doing whatever seems right at the time. This tendency is present in all of us. To know what is really right and to have the strength to do it, we need to draw closer to God and his Word.

So true.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

I have posted earlier about our family’s implementation of Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace Jr. I purchased two kits for K and D when my wife and I started Financial Peace University and the 7 Baby Steps. However, the kits sat around for a few months until I was motivated enough to action (see Goal #10 on this post). At the beginning of the year, I sat down with K and D and we had a homeschool lesson on finances. We reviewed the material in the kits. We learned about paying God first (GIVING), paying yourself second (SAVING) and paying all others after (SPENDING). We then set up our weekly whiteboard chore charts and laid out the kids’ weekly tasks and commission (payment) schedule.

It has been a great improvement process and the kids have responded wonderfully. If I had know it would go this well I would have done it years ago. I came home from work on the first day after our lesson and it was like I lived in a museum. The kitchen was spotless, animals were cared for, and the family and living rooms were swept, vacuumed and all stuff put away. The kids had marked off all of their chores for the day and were excited to point out their accomplishments. Additionally, I had contributed to past failures by not being consistent in checking that chores were done and paying on time in full. With the kids on top of things, that also required that I step up my game. So I have been dutifully checking their progress daily, marking their charts, and hoarding singles like I was a bachelor at a strip club, not for that, but to be able to pay the kids in amounts that can then be split on the spot into their GIVE, SAVE, and SPEND envelopes.

NOTE: the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace systems provide envelopes for you to implement a cash based system of tracking and spending. However, I did not utilize these because I didn’t want to get hooked and have to pay for refills. So instead, I found a PDF online that prints out envelopes that you can then cut out and fold. This is what we and the kids have been using.

Download and print your own FREE printable cash envelopes here.

For the kids’ giving, they have been dropping money into our church’s offering. Additionally, they have identified causes and charities that are close to their hearts. As a father, it is so good to see the kids gladly give away some of what they have earned through their hard work. That act loosens the grip money has on us — because after all, it is not ours; we are merely stewards of it.

So when my son said he wanted to give a donation to Wayside Christian Mission (where he frequently joins me for Friday breakfast serving) I was thrilled. He forgot his envelope last week, but this week remembered to bring it with him. He brought it in and gave it to our dear friend who leads up the kitchen and dining room. He, in turn, took D to his boss so he could present it to her. She was very receptive and thankful. And while it was only thirty something dollars, it came from a child who was giving not only his money, but also his time. A homeless guy who was standing next to her even made a comment — “You don’t see that every day from an adult, much less a kid”.

It sure was a good way to start off our Friday.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

This last week at Scouts we learned about oobleck, a non-Newtonian fluid that defies some physical rules and properties. When gently handled it behaves like a liquid, however if you try to force it or push it, it acts like a solid. It was very peculiar and I had never witnessed such a strange compound. But it sure was fun to play with it and all the Scouts loved dipping their hands in it, picking it up, and experimenting with it.

Throughout all the fun and learning, I asked myself, “Oobleck, where have you been all my life?”. I had never heard of such an item. And yet it was so simple. Below is the recipe so you can make it yourself and experiment.

1 cup of water
1.5 – 2 cups of corn starch
food coloring if desired

Mix everything together and have fun playing, learning and experimenting with a substance that breaks the rules. I made some for the kids this evening and it was just as fun to play with. If you haven’t ever heard of oobleck, I highly suggest making some for you and your kids to have fun with, especially if you are a homeschooling family or have Scouts in your house.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

The Boy Scouts of America organization is 102 years old today. They are a phenomenal organization that does so much for young men, families and our country promoting skills, values, preparedness, charity, citizenship and community. I wholeheartedly support them and am very proud of my son who is a third generation Scout transitioning from a Webelos II to a local Boy Scout troop in the next few months.

I mean, how can you not respect these values:

Scout Oath
On my honor, I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country;
To obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.

Scout Law
A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

Scout Motto
Be Prepared

Scout Slogan
Do a good turn daily

Outdoor Code
As an American, I will do my best, to be clean in my outdoor manners, to be careful with fire, to be considerate in the outdoors, and to be conservation minded.

Happy birthday, BSA!!!!!

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

Good morning. I am working from home while my wife continues her recovery which allows me the opportunity to capture moments like the ones below.

The moonrise was noticed while my son and I played a quick game of Frisbee after dinner. The sunrise was made fresh this morning and captured for your enjoyment.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net