2017 Finale Video

Monday, July 30, 2012

Explosive Truth

Monday was just like any other ordinary day in the Salem/Keizer neighborhoods. It started off as most Monday's do, digging a lot of holes for fence posts. After setting 300 feet of fence posts we had one more stop with only one more hole to dig. It was then and there that I may have decided to dig may last hole ever, unless I wanted to dig my own grave. With a pair of dull post hole diggers I hit the ground and the next thing I remember was telling the 911 dispatcher the address of the house where I broke the gas line!






There's nothing like the thrill of ringing doorbells in the middle of the day to tell people they have to evacuate their houses because the neighborhood may blow up soon.

As most of you know I am working on a project that will soon Explode onto the scene of social media during September's Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Instead of calling at the last minute to hear the words "911, what is your emergency," we are preparing right now to let the Truth be known about kids fighting cancer. September can be a lot like my day today, shouting out as loud as we can in a very limited time, even as breast cancer awareness takes over before its awareness month even starts. Its like fighting a wild fire for our children and we need as many volunteers to join in our efforts to make know to the world that neuroblastoma leukemia, DIPG, and rhabdomyosarcoma are not rare. The Truth is out there and we are preparing to reveal it. Take a sneak peek of the Truth @ http://thetruth365.org/ and make sure to LIKE the page @ https://www.facebook.com/theTruth365film

Sunday, July 29, 2012

The Adventure of Discovery

I don't like writing about the worst thing our lives will be faced with one day, but death always seems to be standing right around the corner waiting to bump into us. Just yesterday I heard of a young man who's life was taken in a car accident. As I reflect on this I think back to when I knew him and his sister at my church. Then I realized that two more young lives were taken during the time that I went to that church. One on a tragic ship wreck and another just down the street from me in a horrible accident in the families own back yard. Yesterday on the news a 17 month old baby was killed in the driveway of the families home by a car and last week a friend at work lost his mother. Don't ask me how many children have been lost to cancer in the last year, I lost count.  =(

Right now I have 4 grandfathers, two on each side, in their 80s and 90s. Two of them have survived heart attacks recently, in their 90s! This is how life is supposed to be lived, up until we are 90 and still able to survive a heart attack. This life is so confusing sometimes when I see the end of a young persons life. The only thing that makes any sense is that we have a purpose to fulfill, and a world to impact, and sometimes even in the shortness of time itself, God allows us an opportunity to live out that purpose.

I wonder about people who never seem to have found their purpose, those who pursue happiness and gain every worldly possession, but never find joy in it. The only thing I can believe is that living Life, and finding meaning in it, can only be found in the very end of the story line. Until then, life will always be an adventure of discovery.

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Join me in discovering the Truth @ http://www.facebook.com/theTruth365film

Friday, July 27, 2012

Red, Green and Gold

I was sitting in traffic today after a long, hard day at work and it was starting to drive me crazy!

There is nothing worse than working outside in the hot sun all day long and then waiting for all of the red lights in the city to turn green. During my day it takes a lot to get motivated and once it gets going the momentum takes over and its hard to slow down. As I check myself and my lack of patience I begin to think about what I will do for the rest of my night as the Opening Ceremonies for the Summer Olympics begin.

Right now as I am watching something that no one has ever witnessed before in the London Olympics, I can hardly keep my eyes away from what I am seeing in high definition a world away. The transformation of the scene before me is almost too much to take in all at once. The music is compelling and the number of people that are performing nearly take my breath away. The world outside my door no longer has any effect as I watch the Olympic rings come together in the sky and shower down a billion sparks for the 1 billion people watching world wide.

If there are two things that I am aware of in this world, it is those people who sit idle and complacent, day after day in the traffic of life, and those who are in the race for the Gold. This summer as the Olympics begin and champions arise to win the hearts of the countries they represent, some other people all over the world will be fighting for a different kind of Gold.

The Gold Ribbon that represents the lives of the children fighting cancer will not be something that can only be seen every four years, or every other year, but every minute 365 days of the year. These people work all year long, day after day, from early morning into the late night, with no apoligies, to fight for what it right, to win a prize that will go to to someone else that they have never met. The momentum is building for those advocating for the lives of children fighting cancer and we are preparing for our opening event that will capture the attention of the world when The Truth will be revealed on September 13th @ http://www.facebook.com/theTruth365film

Join the Truth 365 and watch lives be changed.

Like my blog page @ http://www.facebook.com/briansphirstblog

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

A New Day for Lincoln

A year ago Lincoln had come home from the hospital and was starting the part of chemotherapy with Steriods.



He would become very hungry and want lots of salty snacks
He would sleep a lot more because of the chemo
He would still keep his hair for a long time
Did I mention he would be hungry
Somedays he just didn't know how to feel
and somedays he didn't feel good at all
not even when it was time to eat
It felt like these days would never end
But then today...


Today Lincoln went for sedation and an LP as his last and hopefully final part of his 1 year intensive treatment. Today he starts the rest of his treatment called Long Term Maintainence which will be about 2 1/2 years. The memories feel like yesterday as he suffered through the first few months, but he is now on the road to a Full Recovery hoping to Conquer cancer once and for all. Thank you for Thinking Lincoln this last year, keep praying, keep hoping, keep believing.

Support Lincoln http://www.facebook.com/RunningForLincoln
Pray for Lincoln http://www.facebook.com/prayingforlincoln

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Facing the Truth

Yesterday I got some exciting news that could bring our journey with children's cancer to the next level! Not too long ago I heard about a group of people who wanted to raise the bar when it comes to pediatric cancer awareness by using the most powerful tool known to man in the new millennium, the Internet and social media. If you caught on to the Kony 2012 campaign that took a viral spin on the Internet with over 92,000,000 hits and thousands of volunteers trying to catch this killer, then you are going to have a hard time missing what's going to happen September 13th, 2012. The truth is that somewhere in this country at the rate of nearly 2 children per hour, 365 days of the year, a family will face the reality of the life threatening diagnosis of pediatric cancer. From this day in history a push will be made to reveal the truth that cancer is the #1 serial killer among children who take no other risk than being alive.

As I have faced this reality myself with my son, I have made it my life's mission to take action in this war against cancer for children who deserve a chance at life. Now I have an opportunity of a lifetime to join in leading the charge in this social media campaign that will hopefully turn the heads of our countries leader, celebrities, academic institutes, hospitals and charities. With the stream of volunteers flowing in we are going to see waves of people who will give their heart and soul to make people believe that kids all over, sometimes next door or down the street, deserve a chance at life. This campaign will undoubtedly aim to string together organizations that are already founded in raising funding for children's cancer research. The use of media to produce the level of awareness will be in the form the film http://www.facebook.com/theTruth365film. We are already excited to see the level of support as this film is being introduced on this page and we hope it continues to grow as the volunteers form teams who will turn this film into a life saving operation.

If you have already heard about The Truth 365 film but you have not taken action, don't wait another minute to make your voice be heard. We are still recruiting volunteers and forming teams that are ready to storm the battlefront for the lives of our kids fighting for life. I will take names and suggestions on how we can further promote the film via social media and will be asking for dedicated volunteers who will soldier through until the event begins.

Until then lets see if we can share the films page through the end of July to get 5000 likes. If you have a Facebook Page such as http://www.facebook.com/redcarpetkidsforthecure you can Use Facebook as your Page, go to http://www.facebook.com/theTruth365film, click LIKE, go to Update Info, Featured, click Edit Featured Likes and select The Truth 365 film so it will be a permanent fixture on your page for everyone who visits it unil we see 5000 Likes on the page. Then comment on this blog and let everyone know that you have supported the page =)

You can also add a link to http://www.facebook.com/theTruth365film to your webpages or blogs like this one does and I would suggest a countdown clock to give people a sense of urgency for this project.
I don't know how many people use Twitter, but they probably use it more than me. Google +, Pintrest, My Space, you name it, you can use it to promote the Truth 365 film. We don't all have to overwhelm facebook, but it you haven't seen anyone share the page in a few hours, take inititave. Remember this is all volunteer based and the goal we all have in mind is to save the lives of innocent children who can't do it alone. Any questions or requests to volunteer can be asked to me or on the page http://www.facebook.com/theTruth365film and we will do our best to involve everyone who is willing and passionate to give to this project. Thanks for your support and remember its for kids like these.


Friday, July 20, 2012

The Dark Night


Less than 24 hours ago people were lined up anxiously waiting in line for the midnight premier of the latest installment of the new Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises." All over the country people wanted to see how this mysterious superhero would once again bring evil to justice, but for the faithful fans of Aurora, Colorado the Dark Knight will forever be remembered as a night of darkness and chaos. Now as news breaks of the nations largest loss of life in US history, this shooting will not go unforgiven in the hearts of those who seek revenge on one individual.

I talked to a few people today as the details of the story unfolded and I heard things like this:
"I am so glad my plans were cancelled, I could have died!"
"I hope that guy hangs himself so taxpayers don't have to put him through trial."
"Let's pray for the victims and families of this horrible tragedy."
"This is unacceptable, intolerable and this crime will not go unpunished"
"Why, God, WHY?!"

There were probably a million mixed emotional responses to this reckless massacre but there is one thing that I bet not one person asked themselves. You know Batman's story is very much the same as last night's events when his parents were murdered by a perfect stranger, but no one would think to ask "What Would Batman Do?"

As Bruce Wayne grew older he sought revenge to the point of trying to avenge his parents by killing the murderer in public after he was set free from another crime. His plans were interrupted when another criminal stepped in to do the deed. At that time Wayne decided that revenge would not be enough for one petty thug, but justice must be brought to all who were victimized by sinister evildoers.

As I have grown up from a playful child into an intellectual adult,  I can't help but think of the spiritual message being relayed through the stories of Batman that I hope to pass onto to my children. As a believer who fights to keep the faith on a Dark Night like this one, I remember the words of my Heavenly Father "Vengeance is Mine!"

I know about...100% of people who do Not want anything to do with Jury Duty, so why would anyone want to play Judge? While revenge is still fresh in the hearts of people who are suffering from their losses, remember that Batman stands for so much more than the punishment of one individual. He rises for justice, past and future, and he will fight to see these injustices pay dearly!


Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written:
"It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"t says the Lord.
On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

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Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Thirsty for a Cure

I hate to say it, but summer is already starting to fly by way too fast and since Oregon summers don't start until July 5th its makes for a very small window of opportunity to enjoy it. The good news is that there are quite a few days in September and October that still have a late summer feel but now is the time to take advantage. As August brings the heat I start to think about September and as many are becoming more and more aware, September is the month to make the big push for our kids fighting cancer. Last August a month after my son Lincoln was diagnosed with leukemia, I felt the need to keep from being stagnant like my neighbors swimming pool which would start growing mosquitoes a week after they filled it up. I needed to do something that would keep the fighting spirit in me going and by the time September came I would be ready to share that childhood cancer is not rare. I launched the facebook page http://www.facebook.com/#!/redcarpetkidsforthecure because I saw the way people were Celebrating kids and their facebook and Caring Bridge pages and I wanted to extend the celebration on a virtual Red Carpet made just for kids fighting for their lives. Since a lot of kids show true heroism with courage, faith and resilience, I wanted people to know that these kids should not be looked at as "sick" but as Celebrities. The page is simple and keeps fans informed on new arrivals, birthdays, news of N.E.D. and even celebrations of life. It takes the drama out of things and draws people in just to share in the happy moments of the harsh realities these kids endure.

This year as August is approaching I have a few things in mind to empower peoples awareness and take it to the next level. As August heats up so will the need to drink a lot of water. If you know me I work outside in the direct sunlight and I drink a lot during the day. My day always starts with home brewed coffee, as much as I can get before heading out the door. I like a frozen bottle of water that melts during the day but sometimes I stop to buy a Gatorade or Rockstar to perk me up when its going to be a long day. When I get home I get out my daddy sized frozen mug filled with ice and topped off with water until it starts kicking in. I have tried to eliminate any kind of soda, pop or as you call it in the south 'coke' because it puts me in a coma after a quick but short sugar high.

There is a trend that comes with drinking that most people would not consider abnormal, but here is the point I am trying to make. I am going to challenge myself, and anyone who would see this as an opportunity to raise awareness and fund research, to a drinking contest. This won't be any ordinary drinking game but one that could possible change a lot of habits for those willing.

As I look at my son when he is in the hospital hooked up to a bag of fluids knowing he can't run or play like he should I wish that I could just do it for him. Here is what I am proposing: in preparation for September, enduring the hottest month of the year, I challenge those who spend an average of $1 or more per day on any kind of beverage, to save yourself at least $1 a day by drinking only water, homemade coffee, milk or favorite fruit juice.


I'm not saying you can't have your $4 Starbucks or whatever because you have to take the challenge to save at least $30 in August to donate to the cause of your choice. There are a number of foundations listed on this blog that you could choose from that fund cancer research just for kids. If you are looking forward to a support team for a child you know in September, you will have at least $30 ready to help out their families in need. This should be so easy that some of you could do it in less than ten days. You might even take $30 out of savings and put it in your wallet and try not to spend it when you think you need a drink. I would heavly suggest this to those who would give up their favorite evening beverage, which if this would help, we could call it "Cure Pong" LOL!

Remember your doing it for those who can't do it on their own and if you can donate $30 a month to the local caffine druglords or the Queen of Dairy or the Amped up, Rockstar, Slurpee Monster, you can do it for a young boy or girl fighting for their lives. Let the challenge begin August 1 and comment on this blog, PM me on facebook or watch out for the facebook Event that I will create for the cause http://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/events/347165605357968/?notif_t=plan_user_joined to let me know who is in and who is going to get a bad leg cramp in the middle of the night because they didn't drink enough water. Cheers!

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Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Better Days Ahead

Some nights it is just so hard to unwind from the day. There is so much that the days have to offer but so little time to experience all of it. I have notice for more than a month now, the TV has been turned off. No more news or reality TV contests. I somehow avoided all of American Idol this year and I have not regretted missing one minute. Working 11 hour days (on average) consumes a lot of energy both physically and mentally but the I get a second wind after 9pm and its another late night. In the summer Emma and Lincoln are awake after 9 and sometimes later, in fact for Lincoln it can be the best part of his day playing and running around the house. Tonight I just need to write a little to help my mind quite down so I am listening to Delirious? a band that many may not know too well but still as big as the Beatles to me. There are some things on my mind right now that I really wish I could share and some that I will, but they are not ready to be revealed. I was thinking back to the beginning of my blog in 2010 that started off very slow until a year later when Lincoln was DX with leukemia. I had a plan and a purpose but I didn't know that it would open the window for the world to look into my mostly public life. I share a lot of what I know and believe and hope for and I want others to see that and although I feel like the ant on the other side of the magnifying glass sometimes, I have hope in my life.

Right now all that I see going on in the world is an enormous lack of hope and nothing seems to be truly changing to keep hope alive. I have lived now, more than half of my life with faith in God, but I am still trying to figure out who he is and why it sometimes feels like he is letting this world spin out of control. I don't know why he lets children die from cancer, cf and many other things, but for some reason my faith will not die. When I look into the face of death, and I have seen a lot of it lately, more that most people could bear, I face it with hope that one day Death will be swallowed up and the hope that I hold onto will be satisfied. Right now there is only Hope, and I will fight with Faith, because Love is the ultimate goal. Better days are ahead especially for those who Believe.

Sunday, July 15, 2012

"Childhood Watch"

I took my daughter Emma to our church tonight for the summer family event with hundreds of people and lots of fun.

I was handed a program of all the things happening that night and all of the sponsors that help make this one of the major free events of the summer. There is a go cart track that is the most popular attraction each year and one of my friends paints the cars with the sponsors names on them like Les Schawb Tires. I know this event can cost thousands of dollars and the church needs volunteers and sponsors to pull together to make it happen for the community, but what would happen if no one sponsored any of this? It would probably cost each teenager about $10-$15 dollars that they would more likely spend on their iPods, instead of hearing the Message of Hope, that our church offers. If there was ever anything that someone with Cancer should not pay for its Hope.

Raising awareness for our kids, which is absolutely the first step in raising money to fund research for a cure, is a lot like advertising, which our children should never have to pay for it. Most parents of children fighting cancer already work hard together to raise awareness and some moms even go to the extreme of shaving their heads to get peoples attention and direct funds toward the cause. I was imagining one of the go carts at the event with a gold ribbon on it, but who would be the sponsor? The parents can't afford money to advertise the cause when the hospital bills never seem to quit. The kids fighting cancer certainly can't do a car wash to raise money when they are in the hospital. The families are already tapped out in time and money to help sustain the families, and friends give what they can sacrificially while still living their own lives.

It can be extremely difficult to ask for major donations from people or companies with money without a little give and take. Everybody wants a win-win and often there is enough to go around for the parties involved, but when is it comes to the hundreds and thousands of children diagnosed with life threatening illnesses each year, when will someone step up with purity, empathy and compassion and give without ever asking anyone, even indirectly, for recognition? I'm not asking because I don't want for win-win opportunities to be missed, but because I think that this is why more people don't cross these lines that have been made up in the business world. Right now if I had the only dose of medicine that would cure a dying child of leukemia and I knew there would be more made in the next month or year, I would give it to the critically ill child because I know that my son will live another day and have another opportunity to be cured. That's not easy to say, but if your child was safely evacuated from a burning school building, would you leave the rest to be lost?

The number one serial killer among our children will probably be cancer for a long time and its time we organize and mobilize the "childhood watch" program in our hometowns and in our circles of friends all over the world. We don't have the luxury for win-win opportunities and there is no reason to nickel and dime little kids when we can pour out our $4 a day drinking habits and support research through proven organizations listed on this blog.

Kids don't have time for cancer, they just want to be kids for the short time that they have in life. Please show you Care by becoming Aware, daily @ http://www.facebook.com/redcarpetkidsforthecure



Something for Nothing

Have you ever seen someone in need and you knew that you could help them out but you let the opportunity pass by? Here, where I live, you will see homeless people on every corner wherever a lot of traffic stops at a light. I drive all over the city and I see them everyday and I know some of the faces because I see them so much. I have given them things before, from food to a dollar in change, but its everyday and all the time and I just won't do it for everyone. I have heard a million excuses why we should not give anything to the poor people holding the cardboard signs, like they are laborers picketing for higher wages, but why do people truly pass up the opportunity to give?


The Bible says:
A woman came to Jesus with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.  When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why this waste?" they asked. "This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor." Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."

In this story the disciples of Jesus thought they had the whole Giving thing figured out. They didn't have much themselves and when they saw this woman wasting the perfume, which some have said would be worth a years wages, they were less than pleased. Jesus rebuked them saying that they shouldn't worry about it, because there will always be opportunities to give. I think the disciples saw the the value of the perfume was the value of the the praise they would receive had they been able to sell the perfume. Think about it, when was the last time you gave something without feeling the need for someone to say Thank You.


It is unfortunate that people want to give, but need to receive something in return for their efforts. It is not up to the giver to decide the reward they will receive but to the One who sees the act of giving to those in need. Its just in human nature, which is corrupted by sin, and that is why we don't give, even when we have more than enough to do so.

Today when you think about our kids fighting cancer remember that they are just kids and you will do anything for them even when they scream and cry after you think you just gave them the perfect gift.
And don't worry about What will be given to you in return or When it will happen because God also promises

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Saturday, July 14, 2012

Good Morning from Lincoln

I love mornings like this. Most of the time there is crying and whining...but after I have my coffee...LOL. Good morning, from Lincoln.


Join my blog group http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/132084550254587/ Visit the Red Carpet Kids @ http://www.facebook.com/redcarpetkidsforthecure Speak up to Silence Cancer @ http://www.facebook.com/speakuptosilencecancer Join the Truth 365 page @ http://www.facebook.com/theTruth365film

Friday, July 13, 2012

A Personal Revolution

I went to the Oregon coast today, and after completing a job, I enjoyed looking out into the ocean during the last few minutes of Friday the 13th. I have never been one to indulge in drama but I could cause some big waves right now. Of course I won't do that but I wish a big wave would splash those people with their heads stuck in the sand. Its unfortunate that the draw to drama is as short as the fuse that lights the fireworks display. As many people are influenced by it, only a small percentage use their emotional charge to take action towards making a change.

I know there are families right now who are facing cancer in their second child. I know a mother who is still fighting her own cancer after her child finished the journey. Sometimes when I heard about these things I don't even click Like or Comment because I feel so deeply for the family that I absorb some of the impact and let it leave a small hurt in my heart so I don't detach like I did watching that reality TV show last night. Right now, more than ever I am praying that all of these families would feel peace and comfort because the tragedies are not slowing down.

I wish that for just one month all of the reality TV shows including the news would not be able to steer our hearts attention from the reality that we are living in.

If every person would trade in their evening entertainment for an update or two from a child fighting for life, we might actually let our hearts be touched. I don't want anyone to feel I am judging you who are reading this because I know you all feel this way for many kids including Lincoln. I am just fed up with the gross negligence and complacency that we all indulge in everyday when we have the Opportunity to feel some of the pain of those suffering. Right now you can make a choice with me to "Start a Personal Revolution." "What else you got to do tonight?" NO APOLOGIES! Watch and listen
Spend a few moments exploring some of my other blogs about children's cancer and
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Thursday, July 12, 2012

Reality TV, Really?


There is a reality TV show for everything these days. American Idol, Big Brother, Extreme Home Makeover, Wipe out, THE BACHELOR(ETTE)! You can come up with anything and put it on TV as long as there are camera crews around the clock watching every move and recording every word (or at least until the producers spin it to make it more dramatic.) I am utterly disturbed by these shows anymore because they know that if they just put a bunch of misfits and girls in bikinis in a house with cameras in every room they can make money. The Reality of reality TV is that they have very little truth to life as it would be without the instant fame and the crazy games they play to keep it competitive.  The real competition that these people play for their moment in the spotlight and they will do just about anything including saying "I DO" to suck people into what will statistically fail. Its time that real life TV took a back seat and people who deserve a chance at life itself would shine.

I have been invited to be involved in the making of a film that will be 100% true and focus 100% of the spotlight to children and young adults fighting cancer. The Truth 365 film@ http://www.facebook.com/theTruth365film is just in the beginning stages but will prove to be a true contender in the field of reality TV series. Here's another great piece of news: The Truth 365 will raise money that will go to pediatric research, 100% of it! It is a lofty goal to give it all away but there will be volunteers across the country who have nothing to lose and want to give more of themselves, even if it means losing a couple of hours of sleep a night to do it. I can't wait until September to show the world that the reality of childhood cancer is worth keeping on eye on and talking about like it were the final episode. We are recruiting participants everyday that want to urge you to check http://www.facebook.com/theTruth365film everyday for updates and previews of the kids that will be featured in the film.

 

Monday, July 9, 2012

Firestorm

Today I felt a little spark when I read an article about a recent news story and that spark turned into a firestorm!
When you hear the word firestorm you may think of a political/social debate that is going on in our society. Its where one group of people are ferociously debating another group of people over a current topic. If you know me, you know that I have my belief system in place and it is a belief system that is difficult for many to grasp because it speaks of absolute truth. It speaks of ancient truth that does not seem appropriate for today with our changing society, but that is my belief system and I have chosen it. The beliefs in society today have changed and continue to evolve and adapt to what society is demanding and when the old ways and the new ways clash there are a lot of words and emotions that are over the top and hurt more than they help. Have you heard of the 99% rule? If it is 99% truth, it is still 1% lies. What I hear when people debate is a lot of half truths which are then invalidated because they are not absolute truth. Everyone speaks "some" truth, but when it is only partial, can you really call it true? Do you ever really ask yourself what is absolutely true? Who would absolutely be the best president, sports team, musician or movie star? Or are you stuck with being influence by the lesser evil? When ever there is a firestorm of controversy that is trying to stand up and be heard I try not to subject my personal feeling in the matter. That doesn't meant I won't be upset or unhappy, but I will respect, for the most part the arguments of the opposing side. I have learned how to agree to disagree and have frienemies on certain matters because I respect human life more that anything else.

If the world together would see the wildfires that consume our land instead of trying to just put out the flames in their own little corners of the earth we may actually contain the widespread destruction. Its going to take heart, soul, mind and strength and I am glad I have found a reliable source for all of these.
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Sunday, July 8, 2012

The Truth is Out There

As I sit here tonight with my son here in my home I began to think about all of the children that are still in the hospital and the lives that have been turned upside down because of cancer. Sometimes I feel like we are the lucky ones seeing how we have only taken Lincoln to the hospital one time for a high temperature this year. So tonight I made a phone call that could possible be one of the first ripples in a soon to be tidal wave of destruction on the shores of pediatric cancer. Tonight a group of people who are passionate about abolishing cancer in children (through awareness in social media, funding for research and even calling our countries leaders and celebrities) will prepare to network together to fight for our kids. We are just in the beginning stages of a project that will required dedicated, hardworking volunteers that will use their talents together to take a stand in an ongoing battle to find a cure. The dynamic part about this project is that it is relatively new and is being modeled after another campaign that took a viral spin on the Internet this last year. To say that I am excited to be a part in something that I know will be a huge success is hard to express completely but I am in it to win it.
With the amount of children going unnoticed in every year in every state, even in our home towns, there needs to be a voice for them that shouts out for salvation. The Truth is about to be revealed and we are preparing all across the country to let America know that pediatric cancer is still the #1 disease that kills our own children every single day. I will talk about it more as it develops and I ask you to consider and prepare to use your talents to join in this campaign as the opportunities arise. It all starts by clicking LIKE on this page http://www.facebook.com/theTruth365film

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Saturday, July 7, 2012

Unexpected Vacation

Everyone likes vacations...

...but since the 4th of July was on a Wednesday this year we had very little opportunity to enjoy it as one of the summer vacation days. It was nice having a day off of work in the middle of the week but we were not expecting what would happen that night just before the fireworks started. After last years fireworks from the sky bridge at the children's hospital, we were ready to stay home and enjoy all of the neighbors celebrating from our own front lawn, but it was a series of unfortunate events that landed us an unexpected vacation. Now that we are home and it is still the weekend we are trying to recover as most people do from pushing hard to enjoy every last minute away from their everyday grind without having the real vacation experience.

There was something that happened this weekend that was even more unexpected than our time in the hospital. No matter where I go I want to be connected to the world as it is happening, so I had my laptop in the hospital trying to keep people updated on Lincoln as soon as we knew something. I love the idea of the facebook pages that children everywhere are using to call out to the world for prayer and support, and since we were in isolation for the last 72 hours, I decided to call out for support for my sons page http://www.facebook.com/#!/prayingforlincoln. I usually just share his page to my friends and in a few groups but this time I wanted to ask for more than I ever had. I called on a few pages that have gained the attention of all of the cancer community and the world and that is when the magic began to happen.

Without going into a bunch of numbers, lets just say it was like a flash mob of Joy that began to lift Lincoln up in thoughts and prayer and it was exciting! Even though we don't read every word from everyone to our 3 year old, the love and support is relayed through us to our son and every LIKE and COMMENT is worth more than gold to our family. Since we began this journey with our son we aim to pay it forward to others that are suffering from life threatening diseases and we would not be able to do so without your support. I want to thank those who share Lincoln's page with the world, especially the Joy Mob from Jessie's page who I ask everyone of you to support and LIKE before September @ http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=368929639839797&set=a.141590909240339.28445.141483135917783&type=1&theater

I shared this music video before but for those who haven't seen it and who want to see it again, thank you for sharing the Hero in all of you.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Kicking the Bucket List

Everyday I hear people talking about what they want to do in life and today I read a blog about a young lady who had a 'bucket list' that she wants to fulfill. I have heard people talk about their bucket list before, you know, the things they want to do before they 'kick the bucket,' so I began to indulge myself in thoughts of what I wanted to do for myself before I die, until I realized...

I don't think I can truly make a bucket list. I am sure you can imagine these things on my list like, riding in a hot air balloon, traveling to all of the states and a few other countries, finish high school...haha,
or winning a huge charity poker tournament. Did you know that "A common theory is that the idiom (kick the bucket) comes from a method of execution such as hanging, or perhaps suicide, in the middle ages? A noose is tied around the neck while standing on an overturned bucket. When the pail is kicked away, the victim is hanged. Now why would I want to go on living a self indulgent life trying to collect all of the foolish things that I will never be able to take to my grave? No one ever eulogized a persons possession or all of the vacations they went on or the tons of money they made did they?



Right now in my life...the one that I live to the fullest everyday, where I go to work to make money, and then I come home and try to make an impact on the world...I don't have time for the luxury of making a bucket list because I am Living like I am going to die! Instead of working on a your suicidal bucket list, why not try working on turning your Obituary into front page news! Let your Eulogies be spoken by Kings and Presidents, and songs be written about you by Mega Superstars! Who needs a bucket list to get in the way of your list of children you can save from cancer because you gave up your vacations to volunteer in raising awareness every September!  These are the kinds of things that you can never be rewarded for by just living life and then kicking the bucket, but they are things that will leave a legacy for you and will last beyond the grave. I watch kids fighting for life Everyday do it, so what is the Story of Your Life?

LINCOLN'S UPDATE

Last night we were getting ready to watch some fireworks outside when Lincoln started sneezing over and over. For any normal child this might just look like allergies but for our son with leukemia, it could mean life or death. We started by taking his temperature every 20 minutes until it reached that dreaded number. With most children a temperature of 104 would just require Tylenol to keep them cool, but for a boy with cancer 100.4 means a trip to the emergency room. Because the chemotherapy wipes out his immune system he has no way to fight the common cold and it could turn into something worse if not treated immediately with antibiotics. My wife Jenny and her mom drove him 40 miles to Portland where he fell asleep in the ER waiting to find out if he was to be admitted to the hospital. By midnight we knew he was going to spend the rest of the weekend there or until his counts were high enough to fight off any infections. This morning when I woke up and knew they were going to be admitted, I called work only to find out the the job I had for the day had to be rescheduled at the last second. Not only that, but I didn't have a job scheduled for Friday. The weather is great right now for working outside, but I am glad to be with my son in with air conditioned hospital while he starts to feel better. Right now his temperature has gone down and he is on fluids but he has a ton of toys to play with and movies to watch as we stay behind closed doors for now.

Follow Lincoln's journey and Like and Share his page @ http://www.facebook.com/#!/prayingforlincoln

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Avalanche Anxiety

Today is the 4th of July, one year after my son was diagnosed with leukemia and we are sitting here a little bit anxious because his temperature is rising. Last check was 100.2 which means that if he gets to 100.4 we are headed to the ER in Portland. One year ago we were preparing to go on a weekend trip to the coast to see my parents, but we took our bags that were already packed and went to the children's hospital where my son was diagnosed and admitted for the next 6 days. Now we feel like an American Soldier who is waiting for that call to go to war, but this wouldn't be our first time. We are so close to the next big phase of Lincoln's treatment and we don't want anything to get in the way. I know many families go through the steps that doctors have given them on their journey to recovery, and then as they are traveling the path and avalanche wipes them off of the trail and they have to start all over again.

I'm just going to say it "this is not supposed to happen to our son," but with cancer this just falls on deaf ears. Cancer does not discriminate and fights back even when you think it has taken its final blow. Now we wait 30 minutes at a time and hope the temperature has peaked and he stabilizes for now.

UPDATE: Lincoln was just taken to the ER for a temperature of 101.3. If his blood counts are too low to fight infection, he will get antibiotics or if it looks more serious he may need blood and have to be admitted to stay the night. Keep Praying!

Please support Lincoln's page @ http://www.facebook.com/#!/prayingforlincoln

Fire and the Fight

Last year on Independence day we were watching the fireworks with our son from the one place we never expected to be, the hospital. My son Lincoln was diagnosed with A.L.L. (leukemia) on July 1st and we were in the oncology unit at Doernbecher's children's hospital (OHSU) in Portland, OR. The hospital is way up high above the city and there is a sky bridge where you can see a lot of Portland from. The fireworks were a little harder to see, but once in awhile you could see someone shoot up one of the big illegal ones from their house. Needless to say, it wasn't the most impressive show I have ever seen, but for a two year old, it was exciting.



Independence day is a day to celebrate freedom, the freedom that we enjoy that came at the cost of other people's lives. Everyday our country fights for this freedom but we don't always recognize the price that someone else paid for us. When my son was diagnosed with cancer we felt like our freedom was taken away and we were the ones paying the price. During this last year we realized that we were not the only ones losing our freedoms, but that thousands of other children have paid the ultimate price in the battle against cancer. When I started seeing how many kids were fighting cancer on the internet it was like a big fireworks show that started exploding in the night sky. Now whenever I watch the big fireworks shows I will remember that kids everywhere are fighting, just to be free from cancer.

Here is my poem and a picture I took, feel free to share it anywhere, and just like those who fought for our freedoms, remember kids fighting for their own lives this 4th of July.

Monday, July 2, 2012

To Be or to Believe

Today I was just doing the same old thing at work, digging holes for fence posts. It is a hard physical, mindless activity but that usually gives me a chance to start thinking about what I can write. I was getting really bored of my job and thinking about what else I could be doing and then I started to think about tattoos for some reason. It was like a dream that changes without warning, but then I put two and two together. I don't have a tattoo and I have never had the desire to get one but I know a lot of people who get them for various reasons. Tattoos are a permanent peice of artwork that usually have a significant meaning to the individual, for example my brother had his late sons face tattooed on his arm. It is what I call an outward appearance of an inward meaning. Maybe not all tattoos are like that but its a great example of how people try to display who they are inside without speaking or acting out.

As I was digging holes today my inner wisdom spoke out to me, "Be who you were made to be. If your outward appearance reflects who you are inside then Believe it, if not make changes. Believe who God made you to be, nothing more nothing less."

Everyone has the desire and need to Be someone or something, but so many people who try to Become what they are displaying are not Believing that is truly what they were made to be. Its like tattoos or piercings or stretching their earlobes beyond belief. Don't you think in 30 years those people will wonder why they did those things to their bodies? Maybe not all, and that's ok, but I have my suspicions.

What would you say is your outward appearance at this point in your life? Now just ask yourself truthfully: do I Believe this is who I am to Be?