I instantly knew what happened

Posted on March 18, 2013 by

Raun's BlogSometimes our collections of experiences give us a glimpse into the lives of others.  On Friday, I saw some complete strangers, but I instantly knew what happened.

We were walking past the front desk of the hospital, moving toward the wing where Liz’s doctor is.  There’s a doorway to walk through before it opens up to the clinic part of the medical facility.  As we walked toward the open doorway, a lady in scrubs walked through, followed by a young couple.

The couple were walking with their arms wrapped around each other, the guy slightly behind and off to the side.  They looked like their plane just crashed and they were the only survivors.  I instantly knew what happened.

I’ve seen that look.  I’ve seen it on Liz’s face.  I’ve seen it in the mirror.  This was supposed to be a routine check up for baby.  It didn’t end that way.  Baby wouldn’t be going home with them.

We continued through the doorway.  Liz said she remembered what that was like.  I said I do to.  We don’t have proof, but we instantly knew what happened.

Should I have stopped and said something?  What do you say to someone, a complete stranger, when they are about to embark on a journey that nobody wants to take?  Life will never be the same for them.

As a brother in this fraternity, I can’t shake the feeling that I should have stopped.  But I didn’t.  Now I can’t.  I’ll be prepared next time.  I know there will be a next time.  And I’ll know it instantly when I see it.

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Step back in time to find new ideas: 18th century cooking

Posted on March 11, 2013 by

One of the things that draws me to outdoor cooking is the immense history of it.  A long time ago, some wild beast ended up on a fire and it was good.  Ever since, we’ve been trying new things to make the experience even better.

Sometimes in our rush toward newness, we leave behind some things that were good.  Whether it’s because tastes changed, ingredients became scarce, it they just disappeared, these recipes are worth trying again.

That’s where Jas. Townsend and Son comes in.  Jas. Townsend and Son has been supplying period authentic clothing, cookware, and accessories to the re-enactor market for 35 years.  They specialize in products from 1750 to 1840.  That’s not really my thing, but they do a fantastic job of showing how to use their products in their YouTube videos.  Their 18th century cooking series has kept me glued to my screen for a few weeks now.

Here are a few video samples of recipes that I think would be fun to try:

Standing Meat Pie

Gingerbread

Baked Beans


What do you think? Would you try any of these?

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Quick Baby Update 33 Weeks

Posted on March 4, 2013 by

We’re hitting the home stretch with about weeks to go.  We went to the doctor last Thursday for an ultrasound and things look good except for one thing.  This is a big boy.  He’s estimated to be a little over 6 pounds at this point.  Normally, babies are between 4.5 and 6 pounds at this age.

The doctor requested Liz take another glucose test to check for gestational diabetes.  She went in on Friday and, unlike the first test, she didn’t pass this one.

Later today, she’ll be back at the doctor to take another longer test.  Hopefully this one turns out better.

It’s amazing what they can do with ultrasounds these days!  Just for fun, here’s a couple shots of Timothy from last week:

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The other side of receiving

Posted on February 25, 2013 by

Raun's BlogI’ve heard many stories lately of God’s provision.  People need food and miraculously food is left on their doorstep.  A child needs a $6000 medical procedure right after a check for $6000 is received.  A business decision is made to stop a stream of income that is working to make room for one that works might work better — and then it does.

All of these have been mentioned by people I’ve listened to or read recently.  It struck me for the first time that someone, a person, had executed the gift.  The food was left anonymously.  The check was from a specific person.  Customers are happily buying what was offered in the new business concept.  Yet, these small acts changed lives.

So, if God is telling people to give these things to these people, they must have been listening.  They felt compelled to act in that specific way that made the right difference.  What would happen if God told you to give something and you didn’t hear it?  Is it possible that those people would be left suffering?  Would God find another person to fill the need?

Where would the world be if we all did the small things God asked of us?  We spend a lot of time asking God to come through for us.  Let’s ask what we can do instead.

This is a little heavier than most posts, but since the idea popped into my head, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it.  I wonder what opportunities have been placed in front of me that I ignored or didn’t even see.  Who could I have helped?

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Early to Rise by Andy Traub – Book Review

Posted on February 18, 2013 by

When I attended the Quitter Conference in September 2012, Jon Acuff convinced me that if I want to get somewhere, I need to make time to travel.  Shortly after that, I took Andy Traub’s Early to Rise Challenge.  I got up at 5am for 30 days straight.  Some mornings I worked, some I read, some I pondered, but I was up and moving toward my goals.

Andy turned his challenge into a book.  Early to Rise is less than 100 pages, but is packed with motivation, challenges, and inspiration to get out of bed and work on your dream.

You’ll  meet a new friend, named Fred.  Fred is there to push you and help you.  He’s there everyday urging you to get moving.

You’ll discover a freeway of thoughts that have been there but you never took the time to listen to.  Maybe the key to getting to the next level of success has been screaming at you for years while you’ve been too busy to pay attention.

You’ll learn to love silence.

When you are intentional about getting started every morning, you’ll find yourself getting more done that you thought was possible.  The happy consequence to this is the freedom to do other things later instead of trying to focus while distracted.  You have a choice to make.  Be supremely productive at the best time, or be moderately productive during lesser times.  All you have to do is rise early and get to work.

One of the most profound things I learned while going through this process is that the first thing you do sets your path for the day.  If the first thing you do is consume, you won’t produce much.  If you start the day by checking your email, you’ll put out fires all day.  But, if you start out producing, you’ll produce amazing amounts with amazing quality.

Start writing.  Even if it is your own personal journal.  Start writing.  Produce.  Are you a painter?  Paint.  We’re all artists.  Some of us forgot how to make art.  Rising early is the key to unlock those artistic talents.

Here’s one of my favorite parts of the book:

“You should smirk in the morning.

A smirk is a knowing smile.  We smirk when what we thought was going to happen happens.  We see it coming.  We smirk because our foresight is like an inside joke.  It’s a hidden joy that we don’t show off with a full smile.”

Attack your day so it doesn’t know what hit it.  Give yourself reason to smirk.  Are you more awake when you first get up or after you’ve been up for a couple of hours?  When you are early to rise, you have the benefit of being farther into your day than most other people.  You’ve already been more productive than they’ll be all day.  Smirk about that.  Enjoy the rest of your day!

Andy was very generous with this book.  When you buy it, here’s what you get:

  • Each day’s passage text AND audio emailed to you every day for FREE.
  • Full audio version of the book free.
  • My tricks to becoming an early riser.
  • A plan for your morning that will improve your business, marriage and spiritual life.
  • Advice on apps to use to help you build your habit.
  • 30 days of easy to consume and often humorous advice for taking action every morning.
  • A community of early risers using Twitter and other apps to connect on a daily basis for encouragement.

FREE EXTRAS WITH EVERY PURCHASE:With each purchase you will receive access to the full audio version of the book as well as daily email encouragement for your 30 day experience. Instructions are in the book.

Buy the book at Amazon here:  The Early To Rise Experience: Learn To Rise Early in 30 Days

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