200

This is post #200...hmmm, how much time does that amount to? Wasted? Or not...
Nothing special about 200, but I guess I should at least express my current situaton.

Blessed...

with friends
with family
a good job, even tho I like to complain
most of all, blessed with an eternal hope, an uncomprehendable peace, and an unconditional love - God is good!

Now to pass the blessing on!!!

Too much for Tuesday

1. 2 weeks since I blogged last, and a week in between before that. Not that I'm losing interest, but more because we don't have Internet at home now, and I haven't been taking any photos for a while.
2. Church and work have been my only public appearances, since I got sick last Monday. I have been quite the bum, and sleeping poorly-still coughing.
3. I think I am allergic to chilli! I had reactions two weeks in a row now.
4. Zags play the #2 team in the nation tonight-I am a little nervous.
5. I custom framed a picture- $220.00!!! Ouch! And that was 50% off!
6. More and more people are buying pics!
7. I was offered another job by a former supervisor-I think I will go check it out...
8. I am actually reading a book, since I have been stuck at home forever. Francis Chan's "Forgotton God."
9. I am also about 80% complete on the Peru DVD, which we will send as thank you cards.
10. There are 4 friends of mine that are really struggling, and have been on my mind and in my prayers, but I am unsure of how to help them.
11. I have really been excited about the freedom that we have in Christ-there is nothing we can do-because He fulfilled the law.
12. Am sad for a few good men (and good friends), who are probably working their last days at Unicep. In some ways, I hope to be next.
13. I have been working with Matt on the sound board at Real Life. He really doesn't need my help, but I have enjoyed working with him.
14. I wonder what is next for "the big trip of the year?" sounds like maybe a mission trip to Africa this summer, or maybe an Alaskan cruise (parents too?).
15. Just concentrating on trying to be "real" to the lost. I don't want to be a fraud in any way!
16. I am excited to be out of debt soon, and have the ability to change life's current situation, if God so desires!
17. Content...

Tuesday again...

1. I haven't blogged for a week!
2. I still have a Peru DVD to make for thank you gifts, and no working software to make it with.
3. I moved a lot of equipment today, and my back is mad at me.
4. Back to swingshift next week...why am I not excited?
5. I really like the new Fray song, "never say never." it's on the transformer's II soundtrack, which is a stupid movie by the way!
6. Sold another picture today, and have more buyers lined up!
7. I have been reading about the glory of the new covenant, the Spirit of righteousness that is making us in the likeness of Christ, and the failure of the law to save and only condemn-ironically, the pastor spoke of it on Sunday, and Monday night.
8. A closed door and covered windows meeting today at work, which means big changes ahead...some of us will be looking for work soon-I just need to pay off my little bit of debt first! =)
9. Andrew and I are on a family plan together for our phones. We have a new member today-and our bill is so much cheaper! I am so proud of our little family! =)
10. I am feeling really poor right now. I have been eating pb & j almost everyday for lunch. Today I could not take it anymore! I saw a bunch of people eating really nice lunches, so I went to Subway and got something good to eat!

My attempt at T.O.T.!!!

1. I went on a spur of the moment, random trip into Montana on Saturday, and it was just what I needed. We spent much of the time taking in the "glory of God." It was very refreshing, and I am hoping to do this more often. I would like to do a trip like this with all of my brothers! hint, hint...
2. On that same day, we ran in to Lori and Sig Jensen in Sandpoint. Sig and I talked for quite some time...he has never changed one bit. I really do love that guy, and am so impressed by his heart for God - and his consistency! I have been challenged lately about my selfish way of life, and if I have ever seen anyone sacrifice personal gain, so that he might serve God, it has been him! It was really awesome to see someone in person, living out something that I have not been able to do! And I always have to smile when he tells me what a blessing the young people from my generation have been to him...because he was such a big part in helping us to become who we are today! We have great role models.
3. I am normally not interested in politics, and never get involved in what's going on...lately, I have been getting really fired up over the direction of our country, and the world...I am especially saddened to see people close to me that can't see what is really happening, and how far we are drifting from God. P.S. Don't take this as an invitation to talk politics with me! = )
4. I am blessed by my small group. Jared and Summer Bailey are a part of the group, and their new little girl was born last week. I asked the small group if they wanted to give a small gift to them as a group, and they gave over and above! I have also been on the receiving end of people who are very generous in their giving, and was such a huge encouragement to me! And it becomes a blessing to be able to give back when they are in need. Isn't that how God designed the church?!!! Side note: in talking to a non-christian at work today, he mentioned that he would just love to work at a place that he could come home knowing that he helped somebody that day, rather than work for corporate greed. "you know, just like you talked about on the Peru trip." ahhh...a seed is sprouting???? yes!!!! = )
5. I have not been drinking Amp or pop, except for one on the weekend! I feel so much better, and I don't feel like I need it anymore...
6. Insurance came through and I have a new bass guitar...has been nice to be back playing music again.
7. Work has been amazing! I have some great supervisors that really put an effort in to making me feel appreciated. I know this is not that big of a deal, but it is so much easier to work extra hard, and put in crazy hours, when they repay you with a simple thank you. My new boss has been so good to me, and he is working on getting me a retroactive raise(2 years)! He told me that my last review was in 2005...that is true, because all of my previous supervisors always just gave me a raise without a review...my last raise was 2 years ago - which I have not complained about, because I'm not exactly popular with the guy who signs my checks. = )
More good stuff about my supervisor: He keeps track of what I'm doing, he gives me direction, he tells me what he expects from me, he understands the complexity of our position, and he gives me days off when he knows I have been putting in a bunch of hours...what a difference! On a side note: For quite some time, I have been working swing shift monday-wednesday, and then I go to dayshift thursday and friday, because I told them that I could not work thursday swing (small group at my house). Today is the last day of swing shift for quite some time - I am back to dayshift! = )
8. I went with Dad to the golf shop today and bought some golf shoes for half price. Dad could not get the pair he wanted unless he would take a second pair for free. = ) Worked out pretty well for me! We split the cost, so we both got our shoes for half the price! Buying shoes is always kind of hard for me - I have a very common foot size (12), and there is hardly ever a pair that fits me well...and because I am only 5'11", shoes always look like water skies on me!
9. I really think that there is a lot of talent in the family with photography, and it's time to get something started! hint, hint....the girls can do all the portraits and weddings, and I will do the easy part and hang some pictures on the wall = )
10. I have $1500.00 left to pay on my car, and I am debt free! On that note, it has not been running the greatest, so hopefully I won't end up paying on a broke down car!

Ok, time for bed...this swing-shifter has to try and get up early in the morning for work!

Rocky Mountain High

I was going through a few pictures that did not make the initial cut, and found this one...it was on our way back into the states - we were very close to the border (in Canada). this is pretty much the same view where you cross the border. We were driving out of Calgary, and everything is just flat prairie, right up to the Rockies. It's a pretty cool contrast. I am jealous of the farmers who have a view of this in their backyard! This is only a section of the range...they stretched across the whole horizon! Awesome...

Daytrippin...

I love being spontaneous! Yesterday was one of those days. I had planned to go watch Gonzaga play in an open gym practice, but everyone else was busy, and I really didn't want to wait in line for several hours. Instead, me an my buddy Brent decided to take a road trip at the last minute. We got a late start, and our mission was to end at the National Bison Range near Polson, Montana - drive fast, make the stops along the way quick.
We were also late in the season to catch the fall colors of the leaf trees. However, it was perfect timing to catch the colors of the tamarack trees. This was our first random stop along the road. The tamaracks were in full color!

I was very lucky at this stop. We had parked on the side of the road, and I found my wallet laying on the ground, which apparently fell when I got out of the car. I would have never found it if I hadn't of seen it laying there when I did.
On our way to the bison range, we took a drive down HW 56, along the Bull River. This is one of my favorite places to go for pictures. Chad and I made this drive early this spring, and got these same shots. It's amazing how different they look at different times of the year.

The sun and the clouds were playing tricks with us...the sun would break through the clouds and highlight some trees, and we had to take a quick shot before the clouds made the sun disappear.

Chad and I stopped at a small place to take a picture of these mountains this spring, but did not see this spot that was just down the road. The water was perfectly still, and reflecting the scenery behind it - it was a beautiful setting!


Daylight was going fast! The sun was lighting the landscape amazingly the whole way to the range, and we passed many photo opps so we would have enough light for buffalo.
We arrived at 5:45, and the gates closed at 7pm, so we did not have much time. It may have been too late in the year to go, so we did not see any bison near the road. We did see lots of deer...

and a herd of elk...the light was low, so the pics were not so good.

Brent has a really nice camera and lens, so in really low light, he could actually attempt to get some decent shots of the few bison that were hanging around. We had to work extra hard to find the bison, and get past a few gates - next time we'll have to go earlier in the year.

The view from the bison range was amazing! We got there just as the sun was shooting some rays out of the clouds. Unfortunately, the clouds buried the mountains. I would love to go back on a clear day - the Rockies are amazing over there!

This would be a good trip for the whole family to do sometime, maybe when there is buffalo though...

Trainspotting...

As I was headed in to work yesterday, I noticed a couple on the south end of the long bridge, with a commercial size video camera. I thought, hmmm, must be doing a documentary on Sandpoint. As I neared the north end of the long bridge, I noticed that the emergency pull-out area was packed with about 6 cars, and there were another 3 cars parked on the south bound lane. All the plates were from out of state, obviously. If any bonner county person parks there, they get a ticket! All of the people were out of their cars with digital cameras and video cameras. What is going on??? They were looking out over the lake, waiting and watching for something...now I was super-curious, because I sure didn't hear about anything, and I live in Sandpoint!
So I went on my way to work, and what do I see? A bunch more cars parked on the road in front of our building! And people walking around a looking across the road...did a UFO crash land? Is it the end of the world? Did I get left behind? = ) Kind of felt like the movie Independence Day. Well, this time I got out and had a look for myself - this is what I found...

It was an old train from 1941, parked right in front of our building. I believe they are steam engines from that era. Apparently they are a pretty big deal, because everyone was stopping to look at it. I had to take a closer look...the mechanics of the machine was pretty cool. The old design with the arms turning the wheels - which I think has a much better look to it.

The wheels were huge! Just to give you an idea, this is a picture of one of the mechanics standing next to them, while letting off some steam out of one of the pressure relief valves.

The oil can really adds to this picture....makes it look more nestalgic!
The train is apparently headed to Portland, which will be its new home. The trip is a fund raiser for the train itself, and as you can see, there are some added on amtrak cars (the ugly cars that don't match). These cars are also for the purpose of raising money, for other causes, which they did not say what they were.

So I guess a train is big news in Sandpoint - that's a small town for ya.
and that's a wrap...
I'm Lance Beck, reporting live.