There’s no doubt about it, God has blessed me

Blessing is defined as “God’s favor and protection.”

I speak of blessing today because I am one who has been truly blessed. I am blessed for many reasons, and I’ll just name a few below:
•  I am blessed because I am a follower of Jesus Christ, having given my heart to him June 29, 1990
•  I am blessed because God has placed an incredible woman in my life, with whom the future looks extremely bright (more on this at a later date).
•  I am blessed because I have a wonderful and supportive church family
•  I am blessed with a wonderful family who has always been there, even during the valley times
•  I am blessed with a job that I enjoy doing
•  I am blessed with solid health
•  I am bless because God has chosen to bless me despite myself

These are but just a few of the countless blessings God has granted me throughout my life. I sit here and I take a moment to pause, and I realize that without the Lord in my life, there’s no doubt that things would be much different for the worse. I was reminded of that fact this morning as I went to take my trash out. After lifting the bag, a note paper in the shape of a frog (kind of like a yellow sticky note) was in my trash can with the words, We are unworthy with the scripture found in Romans 5: 6-8.

What’s up with the frogs you ask? My wonderful, beautiful, God-fearing girlfriend (more on this in a later post) stayed at my house to watch my dog while I was on a retreat with the men of the church. When she brought me home Sunday afternoon, I found that my house had been taken over by butterflies, with the words to Jeremiah 29:11 that I had to sort out, and frogs with words of encouragement and scripture references.

It was obvious Anne had put a lot of thought and work behind it, which made it all the more special to me. I have no plans of throwing the frogs and butterflies away. In fact, later this week, I’ll be getting something from the store to preserve this wonderful memory that she and I can share in the years to come. I’ve found about 22 frogs so far, and Anne tells me there’s plenty more to discover. I cannot wait to discover them.

I am truly blessed by God. I cannot thank Him enough. He’s the source of my strength, although there have been plenty of times in which I’ve fallen short of His calling on my life, I am thankful for His wonderful grace and mercy.

Thank you Lord for your provisions in my life. It’s my prayer that I become the man you want me to be and that I’m a better follower of your Son tomorrow than I am today. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Ephesians 2:10

Dog should not be allowed back home

The fact that a family dog carried off 3-day-old Alexander James Smith from his crib on July 20 was scary enough, but some four weeks later, to find out that the boy’s father, Michael Smith, wants the female wolf-hybrid dog, Dakota, to return home is unthinkable.
Just one day after the incident, Michael Smith told reporters during a July 21 press conference that, “Obviously, Dakota is not coming back into my house.”
On July 20, A.J. was sleeping in his crib when Dakota, a wolf hybrid, took the boy and carried him about 150 yards into a wooded area behind the home, located at 1351 Beaumont Road in northeastern Jessamine County, just off Vince Road.
As a result, the baby suffered a cracked skull, cracked ribs, collapsed lung and a partially collapsed lung and spent several days in critical condition at the University of Kentucky Hospital before being released.
The Journal applauds the stance of Jessamine County Attorney Brian Goettl whose office is concerned for the safety of the child.
The priority should be the little child.
And while this paper recognizes the fact that it was unlikely the dog was attempting to hurt the boy, the risk remains.
But bringing the dog back in the home, in this paper’s opinion, would create undue risk and ignite a firestorm of controversy in the court of public opinion.
The best solution is a simple one. Allow Dakota to be taken in by an animal sanctuary, as recommended by Jenise Smith, director of the Jessamine County SAVE Center, the animal shelter in Nicholasville.
The Smith family was fortunate that the end result wasn’t a complete tragedy and A.J. is still with them.

More of me

This afternoon I’d like to take a moment to discuss something that just happened when I googled the number 143. I’ve never given the number any thought until I started dating this beautiful young lady, whose name I won’t mention because I don’t want to cause embarrasment.

It seems that, without reason, she’s seen the number 143 in some form over the years. She’s told me that it haunts her. Yesterday (Saturday) she and I went to the High Bridge Festival near Wilmore, but before we did, we stopped by Walmart and there was a car in the parking lot the with number 413 with this her name (minus an e) in the plate. Spooky, indeed. Later that day, we traveled to Georgetown to visit a couple of her good friends who are in the process of building a house. As we pulled up to the house, I saw the address which had been written on the side (the house is a few months from being compete, but it’s going to be beautiful) and the house number was 143. At that time I decided that I was going to google it, and see what I could come up with.

I did the google deed about 10 minutes ago (Sunday, around 5:30) and discovered that according to the Urban Dictionary it means, “I love you.” According to the Urban Dictionary, there’s one letter in I, four letters in love and three letters in you.

I found that to be interesting. She found it to be interesting as well.

Yesterday morning, I got an unexpected treat when I met this beautiful young lady and her mom at a eatery in Lexington. The unexpected treat was being able to spend time with her and her mom. I knew I was going to see her, but the short visit with mom was a delightful.

Anyway, here are some hobbies/activities I enjoy:

Reading God’s word, hiking, golf, cooking, going to plays, playing pool and talking with that special someone.

Until next post: Romans 8:28

U hve 2 C this

Lol, leme kno …
This is what I call text-speak. I’m not sure if that is an actual term, but it’s one that that  fits our modern society.
Texting has taken the place of verbal communication in today’s world.
I’m just as guilty. I’ve got the 200 texts for $5 on my cell phone package. And while I agree that texts are quick and easy to shoot a brief message, I cringe at the thought of texts taking the place of a good, old-fashioned face-to-face, or phone, conversation.
Verbal communication is on the decline, but I’m not sure if it’s people or technology who should shoulder the blame.
The world of instant messaging, Facebook, MySpace and other networking sites have nearly made verbal communication obsolete.
Now, to be clear, I have used texts, but my rate of usage surprised me.
Yesterday (Tuesday, June 2), I was cleaning out my text in-box and sent folder and I noticed about 53 messages sent/received. Pursing through those, I noticed a few were of the quick, short, “Hey, I’ll be there in 5 minutes,” variety, but several were a series of messages that were basically long, drawn out conversations with a friend. We could have just as easily spoken on the phone and had a … wait for it … conversation instead of a text-ersation.
Technology is great, but at the same time, has it made us too dependent on the devices we carry around?
It has made us forget how to interact on a personal level. Talking on the phone or in person is becoming as antiquated as using smoke signals as a form of communication.
Technology has made us lazy. It will never compare to the real world and the feelings we experience in it.
We’ve forgotten what it is like to sit around a kitchen table or the front porch and talk or pick up the phone and call a friend.
There is something to be said for hearing the surprise on your best friend’s voice when you share something that’s happened in your life. Using the text-speak, “OMG,” loses something in the electronic translation; even if it has a smiley face attached.
I’m not saying texting and other means of quick communications are bad. I use texts to shoot a quick message to people in my life. I am also a member of the Facebook nation and update friends on the goings-on in the world that is Mike.
But those means of communication shouldn’t take the place of good, old-fashioned verbal communication.
Verbal communication is a tried and true medium — let’s not forget how to use it.

Commendable outcome

It’s something that the members of the Nicholasville Police Department’s Emergency Response Team trains for frequently, so it came as no surprise to the Journal that last week’s standoff ended peacefully.
What began as an argument during a Memorial Day cookout, soon escalated to a seven-hour standoff between 41-year-old Eric Skeens, and police on South Town Branch Road, in the Southbrook subdivision. Because Skeens is an avid gun collector and shooter, he had many weapons, including assault rifles and handguns inside his home, which added to the stress of the situation.
During the standoff, officers established communications with Skeens, cleared the block and surrounding houses, rerouted traffic in the immediate area, handled the media’s requests for information, all the while maintaining the needed focus on the primary goal of the mission — a peaceful resolution.
Nicholasville and Jessamine County are fortunate to have well-trained officers to handle these types of situations.
In a June 26, 2008 article, NPD Sgt. Mike Elder said the 12-person team has all the tools it needs to respond to high-risk emergencies. Tools come in many forms, but one often overlooked tool are the individuals who make up the ERT.
Each team member undergoes an intensive selection process, which includes interviews, physical fitness, marksmanship and much more.
It’s an all-volunteer team; not one person receives extra pay. Each team member is required to attend 10 hours a month on continuing education to keep on top of changes in the field.
It’s a far cry from 14 years ago when the city was ill-equipped when it responded to a call that turned into a double murder and suicide.
It’s because of the dedication of the members the NPD and the ERT that events like  last Tuesday had a peaceful outcome.

Members of the Nicholasville ERT team enter the home on South Town Branch Road.

We point and shoot, you click and buy

After about a year hiatus, The Jessamine Journal is once again selling its photos via its Web site, www.jessaminejournal.com.
The service is worthwhile be-cause on average, Journal reporters take about 30 to 50 pictures per assignment. The sports department probably doubles or triples that output. We take a bunch of photos, but we probably use two, maybe three pictures on a given event.
So that leaves many pictures that the public doesn’t get a chance to see. This service will allow the public to see most of what we take (we delete the out-of-focus ones) and gives our readers the opportunity to purchase those photos. It’s an easy process, and one that allows the reporters to be hands-off.
Customers are able to order the size and number of prints he or she wants, and once the order is placed, it takes only a few days before the photo arrives.
At one time, the Journal offer-ed this service, but the bugs were many, and the profits were few. So about a year and a half or so ago, we stopped offering it. In theory, the upload of the photos should take just a few minutes. In reality, it was taking hours, and last I heard, the paper was averaging about $1.98 a month in sales.
Presently, when someone wants to purchase a photo, it’s a time-consuming process. They have to get a hold of us and tell us which picture they would like. From there, we’d have to make time to hunt the picture down, collect the money and give the picture to the consumer.
MyCapture will eliminate all of that. All of this comes on the heels of a meeting the Journal news staff had with our Kentucky group Web master over the past few weeks.
The service is now up and running, and as of Monday afternoon, photos of 16 events have been uploaded.

Odd-n-ends:
• Camp Nelson National Cemetery’s Memorial Day ceremony was nothing short of super. Speaking as a veteran (having served in the Air Force active duty from 1989 to 1995, and reserves from 1995 to 2001), it’s great when the nation as a whole takes moment to remember those who paid the ultimate price for the freedoms we all too often take for granted.
• Recently, Jessamine County celebrated EMS week. Though I have never been a customer of those men and women who earn a living taking care of our residents, I’m pleased to say I’ve met a number of them throughout the years. I’m glad they’re on board and hope one day that they make a salary commensurable to the duties they perform.
• Thumbs up to the Jessamine County Board of Education for having the smarts to rename the central office building after Pete Royce before his passing a few weeks ago. I dealt with Pete only on a handful of occasions, but his strong commitment to his Christian faith and the school system was evident. He will be missed.
• Last Saturday’s health fair at Saint Joseph Jessamine RJ Corman Ambulatory Care Center was a hit, as more than 500 people turned out for the event which featured a lot of fun, and solid health education and screenings.

Concert series got off to a good start

Chris Vandyke sang lead on a blues song.

Amanda Pisano sang lead on this tune.

Sheri Wornath sang lead during a country tune.

Saturday marked the start of the spring Rock Fence Park Front Porch Concert Series as the 100th U.S. Army Rock Band played a mix of popular rock and country tune. I have attached a few pics from the event. The band is based out of Fort Knox.

Chris Vandyke sang lead on a blues song.

Amanda Pisano sang lead on this tune.

Sheri Wornath sang lead during a country tune.

It’s much easier to get out of shape than in shape

Officer Erin Redfield and Jeff Fryman on the East Jessamine Middle School track.

Last weekend I stumbled across an old photo album and started thumbing through it. It was some pictures of me when I was in my early 20s. I couldn’t help but wonder, “Who is this guy?” as I gazed at my 22-year-old self in a picture taken at my mom’s house while I was on leave.
Fast forward almost 18 years later, and I’m sad to say that it’s been a while since I squeezed into those size 33 jeans … a long while.
In the past few months, I’ve been hitting the gym more, probably three to four days a week, attempting to lose a few pounds, and get a few numbers closer to the 33 I enjoyed back in the day.
I’ve been working out with members of the Jessamine County Fire District in the afternoon/early evening hours. But that’s been hit or miss as of late. With the cutbacks, I’ve found myself having to work longer hours in the evening, which has cut into my workouts. I know, excuses.
I don’t recall who told me this, but it sure is a lot easier gaining weight that it is to lose it. Truer words have never been spoken.
Recently, I spoke with Nicholasville police officer John Foutch about the NPD’s Fit Force program. Fit Force is a program that measures a person’s flexibility, muscular strength, endurance, cardio and the list goes on. It is performed in the spring and in the fall as the officers measure their individual fitness levels with the goal of improving each time they test.
Foutch, an admitted workout-aholic, is also a licensed personal trainer. I found him to be both excited and sincere about wanting people to get into shape, and better their lives both from a physical and mental standpoint. I kept hearing the “Rocky” theme in my head as I was talking to him.
It’s not just Foutch. Sgt. Matt Godsey is a workout fiend, from what I’ve been told. I also had a chance to speak with officers Jeff Fryman and Burke Rhoads, and they also indicated that working out is a big part of their lives.
I spoke with them as various members — Foutch, Rhoads, Fryman, Scott Harvey, Erin Redfied, just to name a few — of the NPD officers had just completed their mile-and-a-half run.
The thing that struck me about Fit Force was the encouragement among the officers. And while I’m sure some good-natured ribbing goes on, the officers only compete against themselves, trying to improve their times or levels from the previous testing cycle.
Recently a friend of mine and I have agreed to hold one another accountable. The rules are simple; if one of us misses a workout and doesn’t have a legit excuse, we’ll volunteer to become a practice target that NPD members can practice their tazing technique. I joke of course, but having a workout partner or someone to keep you honest is important. If I have someone working out with me, I’m less likely to cheat, and instead of doing 40 minutes on the elliptical cycle, I only do 20.

MyCapture, take two

I have received word that once again, The Jessamine Journal will begin selling its photos on its Web site, www.jessaminejournal.com.
Now, when, and at what cost is still to be determined. But if I had to venture a guess, I’d say it will happen before May is over with.
Why this service would be beneficial is simple. Journal reporters take about 30 to 50 pictures per assignment, on average. The sports department probably doubles or triples that output. We take a bunch of photos, but we probably use 2, maybe three pictures.
So that leaves many pictures that the public doesn’t get a chance to see. This service will allow the public to see most of what we take (we delete the out of focus ones) and gives our readers the opportunity to purchase those photos.
At one time, the Journal offered this service, but the bugs were many, and the profits were few. So about a year and a half or so ago, we stopped offering it. In theory, the upload of the photos should take just a few minutes. In reality, it was taking hours, and last I heard, the paper was averaging about $1.98 a month in sales.
Presently, when someone wants to purchase a photo, it’s a time consuming process. They have to get a hold of us, and tell us which picture they would like. From there, we’d have to make time to hunt the picture down, collect the money and give the picture to the consumer.
MyCapture will eliminate all of that.
I’ve got a few ideas on the revenue was sparse.
First, this newspaper did a poor job of promoting it. Simply put, if they don’t know about it, then it’s a safe bet they won’t visit.
Second, the process was very time consuming. It would take the newspaper staff hours to upload the pictures, and from I understand, the process to purchase was drawn out.
There has been a meeting set up with our Kentucky group Web master to go over the process.
From the initial e-mail, it seems that each reporter will have an account set up so they can upload, and the duties will not fall on one person.
As soon as I know more, I’ll update.

Bald is beautiful, or so they say

Freshly shaven, smooth to the touch.

It’s only happened once before in February 1989. I was an 18-year-old who’d just entered Air Force basic training and the barber took out his clippers and “graciously, and gently” removed the hair from my head.
Last Thursday afternoon it happened again, but this time it was for a good cause, as the kind hairdresser from Great Clips took her clippers, and voila, all traces of hair was gone.
I was among the 100-plus people who participated in Gavin’s Cause. Gavin Carr is a 5-year-old boy who has battled leukemia since February 2009.
It was quite the sight to see the many different public safety personnel from across central Kentucky come together to help make a young boy and his family’s day much brighter.
Just about everything that happened that day was memorable, and during the event I had a chance to speak with members of the Carr family, and they were nearly overwhelmed at the turnout.
“This is one of the few times that I’ve been rendered speechless,” Robert Carr, Gavin’s father, said. “It’s really difficult to articulate just how much this really means to us and to Gavin.”
With both still and video cameras in hand, I made my way through the crowd snapping pictures and shooting video. For a period of about 10 minutes, I followed Gavin around as he took tours of different police and sheriff cars — this was his day, and he seemed to enjoy every minute of it.
The good news is his leukemia is in remission, but he still has several years worth of chemo treatments to undergo, and he will soon loose his hair because of those treatments.
His dad told me the last few months have been a “roller coaster” for Gavin and his family.
Hopefully Thursday’s event helped make a small portion of the ride a little more bearable for the Carr family.
It was a good time for everyone who participated.
Great Clips’ Linda Reitz, a cancer survivor herself, also sat in the chair as one of her co-workers gleefully shaved her head.
Much kudos goes out to everyone who participated, including Frankfort Firefighter John Crum, who spearheaded Thursday’s effort.
“I’m tickled to death with the turnout,” he said, moments after having his head shaved.
All during the event, firefighters and police officers kept saying, “It’s your turn, Mike,” or, “When are you going to get into the chair, Mike?”
Toward the end of the event, after I had shot about 40 minutes of video and taken about 190 pictures, I planted myself in the chair, and Emily Harrod Horn from Great Clips broke out her clippers. It was over in probably 90 seconds.
Nicholasville Police Officer Scott Harvey documented it using the Journal’s video camera, and Asbury College’s men’s basketball Coach Will Shouse used the Journal’s camera and took still photos.
It seemed Harvey was liking his role as videographer a little too much, but that’s another story.
The story was simply Gavin’s Cause. It was a great event which served to make a family’s day a little brighter.
Not much would make this editor shave his head, but events like Thursday can make it happen.