Finding God In America

Blog Location Change

Scott — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 18:32:59 +0000

The location of this blog has changed. It is still under www.findinggodinamerica.com, but has moved to a new server and it may change whether or not you get the feed, if you subscribe to it. You can make the switch easily by going to FindingGodInAmerica.com and click on the RSS feed at the bottom of the right hand column. If you have any questions about this or run into a snag please email me at info@rightsideupministries.org.

Now’s and Later’s

Scott — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 19:12:11 +0000

Here are the Now’s:

I quit my job last week
I gave all my school money away
I’m moving to Joplin for 2 months
I’m moving out of the house I live in
I’m running 5 days a week
I completely changed my diet
My body rebels on a regular basis to #5 & #6

Here are some Later’s (goals for the next year):

Go to school in the fall
4 week internship in the spring 2012
run a 5k race in October
Run a 10k race in the spring
Run a half marathon in early summer
Run Chicago marathon in October 2012
Bike from San Diego to Portland next summer

The craziest part of all of this… it seems normal to me.

Following God is not always comfortable, but it is always rewarding. I don’t really know how things will turn out over the next year, but I do know that whatever happens will be life changing in so many ways.

Isaiah 55:8 “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the LORD.”

An Ode to Pops!

Scott — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 19:27:14 +0000

It’s that time of year again, it’s fathers day. And today being fathers day I figured it was a great day to honor my dad. Recently someone asked me what was the most memorable time you spent with your dad. It was a difficult question to answer. I have so many times that I could tell about. I could tell about the times we spent in the front yard playing catch and how he showed me how to break in and oil my brand new first baseman’s glove. Or I could tell about the time he took to teach me how to ride a motorcycle, and the time we spent riding together. Or I could tell of the time he let me drive his car from my grandma’s corn field to the house so we could take a break from deer hunting. Or the time he helped me through all of my fears while serving oversees in the Gulf War. But I really think the most memorable time I spent with him was a few years back when my brother and I went with him to the Indy 500.

It’s not so much that we were at a race that I had watched with him every year for as long as I could remember. I think it was much more about how much of a dad he still was even though I was well into my thirties. I remember how much he reminded me that no matter how old I am, I’m still his son. He bought food and drinks, and even bought me a program (which I still proudly own today). He took care of me that day just as he would have if I was still 13 years old. I remember the race being exciting, seeing a big crash right in front of us, and how the race was called early because of a tornado warning. I remember the long rain delays and the time spent hovering in a small group in the tunnels under the bleachers waiting for the rain to stop. But most of all, I remember his excitement to be spending the day with his two sons at a race he had long since admired. I remember that day, the day that I was reminded that I was still his kid.

There are many things that my dad has done that I am proud of. I’m proud that he served in Vietnam. I’m proud that he shot a deer when I was young and I was able to be there. I’m proud that he went back to school and graduated with a high school diploma when I was in middle school. I’m proud that he spent his life at a not so glamorous job supporting his family so we could eat, have a house, and have clothes to wear. I’m proud that he was able to retire from that job and have freedom to do what he wants in life. I’m proud that he is finally a grandfather and loves every minute of it. But most of all, I am proud that he is my dad.

So today I just want to say, dad, that I love you and don’t think I could have asked for a better father. I am so thankful for all that you have done for me and all that you have taught me. Thanks for giving it your all raising us four kids.

P.S. I am most thankful that you didn’t name me Melvin Richard Simons III!