Bleeding Blue

It has been about six years since I've watched a basketball game in the Dean Dome - home to the UNC Tarheels. My parents and I headed for a day trip to Chapel Hill to do a little shopping and have a little r&r from the farm. Walking around campus, the Old Well and Stadium Drive brought back a whole slew of memories. It seems a life time ago since receiving my diploma; since then I've travelled so many different paths, treked to some fairly random corners of the earth and assumed a career that back than I couldn't even have fathomed. Funny how time and life experiences have a way of taking you on many detours and routes you may have never intended to travel. But getting back to the rather epic weekend... 

We headed to Chapel Hillwith the intention of watching UNC play Rutgers from the Top of the  Hill (one of the main hang outs on the Hill) located on the main strip of Franklin Street. So when I informed my pops a few hours shy of tip off that we had to head over to the will call ticket window he was slightly taken off guard. My dad &  I had amazing tickets courtesy of a fellow Tar Heel Alum & Craigslist. Not only did the Heels claim another fantastic victory, 

but I was able to sit  next to one of my most favorite people in the world. 

Farm Fresh Familia

There's nothing to compare the richness of being with family and being separated from the obligations and responsibilities of every day life. Here, on the farm, it seems each day spent here places me further into 'the zone.' It's a good thing. As I grow older there is nothing else that lightens my spirit and brings a smile to my face more than when I am in the presence of the ones I love most. All other 'stuff' just sort of fades off and a weight lifts from my shoulders. 

This Christmas we enjoyed one of Faith Farm's own turkeys. It was a large bird that Tristan had a knife and fork out eagerly awaiting even before we had place settings on the table. He was one hungry dude and the reviews are in: two thumbs up and lots of sounds indicating Tristan was one content little farmer. 
There really is nothing like knowing where your food is coming from and this time it was literally from the backyard. I've come full circle in appreciation for supporting local farmers and really having a better grasp of where the food I eat is from and the manner in which its raised. Knowledge = Power 
This was one of Tristan's favorite Christmas gifts. A friend of the family's made Tristan his very first John Deere blanket. Being that his room is already decked out in all gold and green JD colors - it will fit right in. Thanks, Terri!  

Epic Christmas Tree

I hit the road around three this morning from Jersey and began the trek to Virginia. After combatting a little black ice, stand still traffic and an endless stream of Christmas music my ride came to an end. It felt alot longer than it actually was, but six hours wasn't so bad once I was greeted with a big hug from Tristan. 

The past week or so he and I have had a pact to hunt down the perfect Christmas tree and we had 95 acres in which to make our selection. It was Tristan & I on the atv jumping a few logs, sliding around some muddy slopes and having a blast. At one point he passed out on the four wheeler claiming he just needed a little rest. A little r&r in the fields : ) In one of the back pastures we found a tree that just seemed to be the perfect fit. Now, it stands in the living room with flickering lights and bows. A fairly epic Christmas Eve if I may say so myself. 

* Dad on the four wheeler with Tristan tagging behind on his jeep* 

Little bit of food bank, the city and some smiles : )

It's funny how crazy and hectic this time of year can get and how the 'big picture' can get lost if you let it. Last week we took about 20 kids to a local food bank in Pensauken and it is in moments like these that you just have to sit back and smile. Kids stacking shelves, unloading boxes and packing bags with a smile the whole time. We managed to stack and sort all the food they had on hand for the day & it was neat to see have the staff say, 'there's nothing else to be done right now.' We rocked it : ) I think it meant even more when expressing to these 20 teens that the food packaged, sorted and boxed up would be feeding families in our local communities. Pretty sweet. 

Throughout the course of the year there are about a dozen trips to the South Jersey Food Bank allowing our kids to grasp the concept and gain a vision that goes beyond ourselves. It was super cool to walk into the food bank with bear shelves and leave with every shelf filled to the brim. Talk about a natural high. 

It was a good feeling and sense of accomplishment. Earlier in the week we treked to NYC for a full day of culture and experience with about 60 kids. Here's a pic with a friend of mine in front of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. It was tons of fun getting to know the kids better, soaking in the flavors of the city and just enjoying life. 

We're always told how quickly time goes, but it seems as I get older this reality becomes even more real. It seems like just yesterday I was walking the streets of Jerusalem, chilling out on the beach with the surfboard in tow and walking the farm in the heat of the day. Now, December is nearly half over and 2009 is at the door step. Holy cow! (no pun intended) 

So, I did something a little out of the ordinary this weekend... chilled, took a few deep breathes and did nothing really exciting. Spent Saturday with a bunch of my Drug Squad kids at a local retirement community lending a hand and helping with tasks that were on 'the list.' It was a good feeling to see so many grateful spirits. I'm turning in early tonight after I spend some time strumming my guitar and just being still. Feeling fully geared up for another week of the unpredictable... bring it on : ) 

First pic: pond at the lower end of the farm in Va  / Above: a little r&r on the Drug Squad Retreat
Above: Tristan catching chickens. He's the Mr. Miyagi of chicken round-ups. 

Giving thanks

Sitting on the train travelling south bound Thursday to Virginia everything within me was overly anxious to be in the presence of family. The past few weeks have been somewhat taxing on both my mind and spirit with obligations and responsibilities pulling me in what seems to be a million directions. I've been weary on many levels and it goes beyond simply taking a few deep breathes or taking a long run. 

As the weekend draws to a close I can say with confidence that these past few days on the farm have done me well. This time of year can evoke more anxiety and distraction than any other stretch of time when it should be focusing on family, friends and the immeasurable blessings that God has bestowed upon us. Its so easy to dwell on the things we 'don't' and 'can't' have instead of the 'is.' We live in a nation with excess everything and we don't even realize it. We've become desensitised to the bounty around us. 

Yesterday I spent much of the afternoon just hanging out with my nephew, walking the fields and helping my Pops with the animals. From feeding a new born calf, running line on fencing, and helping Tristan get unstuck from being waist high in mud it was a productive day. It was one of those 'good for the soul' days. The air was crisp, leaves brilliant with color and rolling hills far as the eye can see. I am in an infinite sense thankful. 

I thank God for my health, family, friends, education, living in this nation and most of all for sending his Son, Jesus Christ. My hope is to stay focused these next few weeks looking beyond the wrapping paper, red tag sales, and 'stuff' instead keeping it real with the substance of it all. The materials will one day fade, but it's about keeping it real and rich with that which really matters. Everything else just needs to take a back seat. 

Drug Squad goes past the Mason Dixon

For the past 60 hours plus I have been on what some might say over drive or on the brink of 'loco'. This past weekend consisted of a yellow bus, 21 teens and a 95 acre farm. All pretty much equating to little sleep and lots of coffee. Every fall I take my Drug Squad students on a retreat to my parents farm in Greenbay, Virginia. The goal was to get these kids out of their comfort zone and expose them to some of the basics of life that can easily go overlooked. The crux of the retreat is continuing to challenge them not only as a group, but mostly as individuals. My take is, we have one life and we best make the best of it... bottom line, it's not all about us. Are we pushing the envelope exceeding beyond what is merely expected? Do we shun complacency and have a vision for our peers, community and those who may be traveling down a path with an inevitably troubling destination? It is not merely having a heart, but a voice to convey concerns and what ultimately is the truth that can go unheard when silence is the option. Which, whether you like it or not when we don't speak up you are choosing to go unheard and simply taking the easy way out.




Heavy? Absolutely. Our lives are often lived in a manner that the timeline has no end. But there is one. Ultimately, we will all reach act five of our life. It isn't about morbidity, but reality. Allow the truths and its relevance to shape your vision. Will you leave an imprint on the hearts of others? Will you choose to make a difference and live with both open heart and arms stretch wide open? Its a choice not merely limited to teens, but all of us. When we are inwardly focused we miss out. We are blinded by me-ism. Pretty shallow and profoundly myopic. So, how are you living? What are you doing with the life you are living?
I can tell you one thing, these kids reinforce it all. Twenty one kids with a passion for life and desire to really make an impact. Man, what power lies behind that. After facilitating some pretty intense conversation, having very little sleep and enduring a 8 1/2 hour bus ride my body is exhausted but my spirit rejuvenated. Totally epic.

Straight up National Geographic

This past weekend I headed down to Virginia to prep for my annual fall retreat with my Drug Squad kids from Seneca. I was hoping to spend a day on the Outer Banks with some friends & catch some surf, but there just wasn't time. It's crazy how quick time goes isn't it? Jess, Tristan & I headed down on Thursday at 3 am. Tristan slept the whole time making for a pretty quick, uneventful trip. 

Pulling up the drive way the views took my breath away. The place is stunning. With fall making its presence known, the farm is like one large panoramic painting. Brilliant red, yellow and orange hues streaming the horizon make for one dynamic setting. It is art work that no artist could ever do justice. Sitting on the porch sipping tea with the crisp fall breeze in the air... there's nothing like it. My free therapy is found at 8996 Nutbush Road (aka Faith Farm). 

On top of all the beauty I had the privilege of documenting a pretty stellar birth of a calf. My Pops, Tristan and I hopped onto the tractor and headed to the back field to watch the birth of the 41st calf born this year. You see this stuff on movies, documentaries, but man it is

something being there in the moment. I was able to catch some fairly insane pictures along with a few clips on the video camera. My hope was to not cause the mama cow to bug out or go postal on this here Yankee. It was a pretty eventful, chock full weekend. I have to say, there are very few dull moments in my life or on Faith Farm. Maybe it's a family thing.... 

Jammin in Jersey

This had to be one of the most memorable Halloween's I've had in a very long time. Tristan was all decked out as 'Super Farmer' with a John Deere cape, mask and fairly impressive set of overalls. I, on the other hand, was very mature in my approach to Halloween. I walked the halls of seneca with a mask, turtle shell and a matching set of wrist bands. Yes, I was indeed a ninja turtle. You're only as old as you choose to be. We had over 400 kids attend our safe trick or treat at Seneca. It was an awesome turn out and I think our high school volunteers were just as stoked as the little ones. Tristan couldn't get over the fact that everywhere he went people were just tossing candy into his bag. He must have ran a half mile up and down, up and down the hallways on a total rush of adrenaline, candy and lack of sleep. He loves chilling with his Auntie E : )

After a really full day of Halloween, football and lots of treats it was really time to recharge. Tristan met up with some old buds, Eve & Mae,  for a day of chilling out at Barnes & Nobles. Carrie was in town with her twins and the three kids always have a blast with one another. It was a little anxiety provoking pushing 3 carts through Trader Joe's at rush hour, but we managed. 

Baseball, pumpkins and a little Super Farmer

Jess and Tristan arrived into Philly on Wednesday via train. Tristan has been utterly obsessed with taking the train for the past two weeks talking incessantly about the ride, choo-choo sounds and going to Jersey. The wait is over and the train ride was entertaining to say the least. So day two in Jersey and he's covered a lot of ground so far. 

I can now say with confidence Tristan is a true Philly fan loving the sounds of fireworks, cheering of people outside their homes and Philly pride everywhere. Wednesday night he was chanting, 'go Phillies! You rock!' What can be better than a week where the Phillies lay claim to the World Series, afternoons filled with pumpkin picking and apple cider donuts and getting ready to be the ultimate 'Super Farmer' for Halloween? That's a tough one to beat. 

This afternoon we romped around the pumpkin patch up the road from school and Tristan inspected about 48 pumpkins before making his final decision. It was a long process. Tomorrow we hit the halls of Seneca for trick-or-treating before the big Seneca vs. Shawnee football game. I'm soaking in each minute with my little dude!  

The leaves, they are a changing

I was out taking a walk today and was struck by the sheer beauty of my surroundings. This past week has been a tad on the crazy side and have yet to have taken the opportunity to take in what I pass by each day to work, running errands and doing my daily life thing. Have you noticed how totally gorgeous it is? The leaves now hang heavy from the trees with brilliant orange, red and yellows. It's all like one large canvas with just the perfect shades and tones of color and crispness in the air that makes it seem profoundly perfect. While living down south one of the things I missed the most was the distinction in seasons that are so apparent here, but sort of begin to blend together south of Virginia.

Another perk is that the ocean temps are still up & you no longer have to contend with tourists or those beach tag people I still dodge to this day. I had a 2 day workshop near Belmar this week & had the opportunity to soak in some afternoon surf. As I paddled out a flock of seagulls swooned above so close I could have touched them had I lifted my arms up. The spray of the ocean and cool of the air made my week. The forecast is calling for the conditions to pick up on Monday, so after work I'll be Atlantic bound. On the agenda: surf until I can just barely seemy hand in front of my face. Awesome. 

Jer-sea Girl...

In the midst of a shaky real estate market and financial insecurity many are feeling the crunch and a spike in their blood pressure. I've opted to not open my 401-K statements and grab my guitar instead of the remote. So although heads are spinning, mine is doing pretty well (I'm sure a few out there would beg to differ : ) I've found solace in the fact that I can't control what's going on. It is what it is.  The past few weeks I've watched a minute amount of tv and surprisingly the noise, the static that hasn't entered my cerebral cortex has left more room for other things. It's so easy to get distracted, filled with things that don't really matter. 

I have to tell you as I sat on my board the other day in the midst of fairly pathetic surf, if even you'd call it that, my heart and spirit were so very content with silence. Opting to fill time with things that matter results in substance, depth that is not fleeting. 

I've spent more time these few weeks in prayer, silence, reading God's Word and re-learning what it means to 'just be.' I'd be the first to admit I'm the poster child for Jersey. You might even see me on a billboard as you go along 95 - me & Tom Kean... perfect together.  All that is just how I'm wired, but as I've begun to learn that doesn't mean I have to stay that way. So the impatience, being tightly strung and tail gating with a passion can be life long attributes if I allow them to. Hmm... I'm getting all philosophical now aren't I? But think about that a tad... we can settle, point fingers for why we are the way we are or .... now that's the big challenge, or we can examine our hearts and intentions and attempt to view things from a whole different vantage point. Peace out. 

No seriously... don't quit your day job

So I can officially cross off 'painter' for possible career options in 2029. Wow, that took a load off my shoulders. Shannon, a fellow Young Life leader, just closed on her place in Medford Lakes. The past few days a group from church and an impressive number of our Young Life kids rolled up their sleeves and went to work. At one point it was pretty much like, how many kids does it take to paint a room? There were at least 15 - 20 kids at one point in every room in the house doing one of the many things needed to be done. So often you hear people focusing on how selfish teens can be. Well, I've got to tell you these kids the past few days have given so much of their time and energy and really blown that stereotype right out of the water. They were painting, spackling, doing trim and anything else that was on the to do list. You go guys!

Although the past week has been hectic and filled with 5 straight nights of pizza for dinner, it has been a true 'natural high' being in the presence of so many awesome people. I have come full circle with the realization that I will never run a successful painting company or drive a truck filled with the latest painting gadgets. A reality that I think I'm ok with. I'll just have to talk myself through it. Just give me a little time.

A little surf, chowder and a whole lotta Harvest

Its been about two weeks since I've hit the Atlantic and my body was beginning to feel it. It's like that puffer fish you see on the shore line just short of the break lying, waiting, watching the surf that it so desperately needs to survive. Ok, so maybe not that extreme but pretty close. Both Saturday and Sunday the surf was more like ripples one might find in a toilet, but it was me submerged in the Atlantic & I was ok with that. I spent the weekend with a bunch of my Young Life kids and even though the surf was minute, it was well worth it. 

Sunday = Chowder Fest. What a crazy experience. Beach Haven unites tourists and those hand full of locals who feel motivated to combat the chaos all congregate into a few blocks of chowder madness. Shuffling along in my flip flops, toting a cup of lobster bisque with the sun beating down with the light sea salt smell in the air... man, I'm loving it. Being that I hadn't had more than 6 hours sleep in the past few nights it was quite a rich moment that didn't require a 20 oz cup of coffee from Wawa. 

Mid-afternoon I headed back Medford and had about 57 minutes to get ready for the big yellow bus to arrive en track to Harvest Crusade at the Wachovia Center. Deep breathing. Thirty one of us (a few leaders and the rest students from Shawnee, Seneca & Kings Christian) headed over the Ben. The evening was about challenging those present to re-evaluate the life they are living and what happens after we take our last breathe here on earth. Bottom line... it's about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Life is short, too short sometimes... how are you living and who are you trusting? Some thoughts we too often let slip us by - sometimes intentionally and other times not. 

It was a powerful evening & I was stoked to be in the presence of some really wonderful kids.  As we headed back over the Ben my need for coffee returned and so the story of the bean continues. One day = bean free. Maybe.