Simple Obedience

In the process of trying to find a church I've had the principle of simple obedience reinforced. Last Sunday I visited a local Baptist church and it was as stereotypically Baptist I almost laughed out loud a few times during the service. All suits and no emotion, I could guess every word coming next from my Baptist playbook for a good service. To their credit the people were very friendly and the message was definitely more scripturally solid than the large box church I visited that had awesome worship and could provide not only a college/career ministry, but also a young singles as well as a young professionals group. I didn't really think I would be much more impressed with First Baptist but wanted to give it a try out of respect for my father's wishes as well as the fact that a majority of men I have respected and learned from throughout life (and want to continue to surround myself with) have been active in the Baptist church.
I don't think I have ever felt as instantly comfortable in the setting of a church. It was just like goldie lox and the three bears, a great balance of worship style that I feel free in. (I know praise and worship isn't about myself and how I feel b/r about praising and worshiping Him, but a style that I feel comfortable in is much more conducive to me doing that) The message was topical and easy to apply but was pulled directly from scripture and more than just "good words to live by" It looked at the simple obedience of the disciples in John 21, and afterward I realized that through simple obedience to honoring your father/mother I think I may have found a church I feel in place, where I can grow and be put to work for His purpose. I'm pretty excited.
an audio copy of the sermon will probably be at the following link in a couple of days:
http://www.fbcfortcollins.org/index.cfm/pageid/575

Long's Peak

Yesterday I completed the most intimidating hike of my life, 14,255' Long's Peak. I hate to say it but there were actually a couple places I stopped to think "is this right, should we be doing this?" I don't think I saw these pictures from 14ers.com which describes routes in detail before the trip. In the first, the trail navigates along the side of this ledge, over the knifes edge and down the other side. In the second you climb (or descend) hand over foot in any of the cracks which best suits your fancy. Looking back I have been in more life threatening situations, but I think my fear of heights and inexperience on REAL mountains escalated my need to rug a rock more than necessary. And on the descent I was back to my usual jumping w/o hesitation, and I guess experience is really the only real way to gain confidence and skills for the future. So I can check that box. Drew (a buddy from work) and I left my place at 01:40, were on the trail by 03:10, summited around 10:20, and were back to the trailhead at 16:00. The 15 mile 10,000 foot (5 up 5 down) hike made quite an impression on my quads, but other than that it wasn't too bad. We stopped once we cleared the tree line to take in the Denver lights as well as more stars I have ever seen at one time. Zero cloud cover, zero moon, and 10,000' less atomosphere really makes a difference, its not even worth trying to describe, but definitely one of the most awe inspiring panoramas ever. We took another break a little before 6 to set up in a good spot to eat breakfast and watch the sun-rise over the great plains. Long's is significantly higher than the surrounding peaks so it is much more dramatic of a view than Elberts, and with a very large summit provided a great place for a nap. We treated ourselves to some Estes Park health smoothies for the ride home (we felt a little gay in the shop, noticing we were the only guys w/o girls there) but they were tastey. Awesome, exhausting day

bike ride

Just wanted to share that as much as I disdain hippies, we have a lot in common, and I appreciate their efforts to keep Fort Collins the way it is. There are natural areas all throughout town with paved bike/running trails interconnecting all parts. Most roads have bike lanes and the trails have under-passes to avoid crossing major roads. The other day on a ride literally in the middle of town I saw 7 deer, 4 of which had the largest racks of any deer I've seen in person. I dropped into the grass to hide and see if they would forget about me, but I guess they don't get big by being dumb and eventually graissed off in the other direction, after I scared a couple of other bikers. There are several lines of ridges increasing in height west of FoCo (fort collins) and as rain moves in you can judge its distance as the ridges disappear. Only problem is as you head up the nearest one you lose sight of those in the distance and not realizing this didn't see the rain that day, where as I usually do when running. A metallica song came on my ipod so I fought my way up the ridge through the rain and wind to be rewarded with an awesome vista over-looking the city accompanied by a double rainbow. I thought of this line (I don't know where I got it cuz i've never seen the Count of Monte Cristo, but it fits).

Life is a storm, my young friend. You will bask in the sunlight one moment, be shattered on the rocks the next. What makes you a man is what you do when that storm comes. You must look into that storm and shout as you did in Rome. Do your worst, for I will do mine! Then the fates will know you as we know you: as Albert Mondego, the man!
-Edmund Dontes-The Count of Monte Cristo.

Prov 16:9

This post is a recap of where I am and how I got here, most of you already know this, but I need to keep reminding myself of how awesome this is and how little I had to do with it.
So as of 15 Aug I am living in Fort Collins CO with and adventure wonderland out my window (literally) flying the most rewarding mission in the AF in my dream aircraft whose home is... u guessed it, Arkansas. I decided to do an entire post dedicated to the Herc cuz I started digressing. So how did I get to this point you ask, you have to ask cuz I did a bad job of updating my blog, i just checked and there is a huge hole from T-6s to T-1s and then another hole to now.

You have 4 checkrides in T-6s, I successfully hooked every one of them. When I tell people that they usually aren't paying attention and it takes a second for it to sink in, then they turn there head swint there eyes and say "i didn't think you could graduate if you did that" its pretty funny to watch. God's hand has been all over my training. The commander told me the previous policy had been such, but his was different, considering my bout with airsickness, my last failed ride being fairly commical and my flight commander had nothing but positives about me, he let it slide. Needless to say I didn't get my first choice of the fast track to C-130's after T-6s and instead went to fly the T-1 which typically leads to another cargo or tanker. T-1s went much better for me, nothing steller, but I didn't hook any of the 3 checkrides and once again I had positive critiques. Toward the end of T-1s we recieved a list of what aircraft would be available to our class. We rank our choices and our flight commander ranks us. The first person getting their first choice, the second gets their choice of whats left and so on down the rankings. Much to my disappointment I didn't see a C-130 on our list and wasn't really surprised, it had been 3 years since the last C-130 was handed out, so I ranked FAIPing high on my list. First Assignment Instructor Pilots stay at the shcool house to instruct right after training and recieve their actual assignments later down the road. I thought if I could do this I would have another chance at picking up a C-130. Assignment night came, and rumors had been flying for the past 3 weeks about who would be FAIPed, one of us wanted it and two were being threatened with it. They make a big party out recieving your assignments and they put up funny slides making fun of you, then present your assignment in front of the full banquet room. They had gone through the entire class except the three of us, everyone knowing the FAIP position still lingered. Then there were 2, my roomate and good friend Joe & were all that remained. He knew I really wanted to FAIP everybody there did, and we all knew Joe would make the best of it, but really wanted something else, and he deserved it, he had done the best throughout the program. BUT they need the best to stay and teach others to fly, and the room fell silent as he was FAIPed. I didn't really care what happened after that, I knew what was left, and I too would make the most of what I didn't want, and when they said "Lt Tharel in which aircraft will you be singing the praises of AR next?" i was indifferent to turn around to see the slide, but I felt a collective gasp from the crowd I turned to see what I thought was a cruel joke (my hands are shakeing a little as i type this). I looked at my flight commander who knew what I was thinking and smiled reaffirming he wasn't kidding. My flight partner through T-1s picked me up and spun me around like we were married (I owe a lot to him, we are complete opposites, but he did more to help me through and pass those rides than anyone, he was more excited to hear my first checkride score than his own and more excited to see my assignment than his own.) I don't know if it really hit the entire evening all I remember is repeating "I can't believe it" the rest of the night.

This is an extremely long post to say I had an idea of what was going to happen when I started flight school, resulting in me getting C-130s to fly around the mountains. Everytime my plan was squashed I adjusted and came up with another plan, and everytime it didn't work (mom says not to use always and never so this is prolly an exageration) but it sure happened a lot and in every area of my life including relationships. But God knew what he was doing and was able to make me happy in the end, and I can thankfully say I DID learn His lesson to be content in every situation and know that what ever the result, it will be better than you planned. So here I am living the dream...

adventure weekend

7 - 9 Aug This past weekend may possibly be the most action packed weekend of my life. Friday for work I drove out to the drop zone to catch sandbags from the herks and chase antelope (always a good time) while there I got a call informing me I needed hurry back from work to make the Rockies game in Denver. I met up with a friend from college who had visitors from back east along with other friends (all new to me). The game was a lot of fun, home team won, big philly cheese steak sandwich, almost got a foul ball, good times, great oldies. Afterward, to avoid traffic we went to a lounge downtown which turned out to be more of a small dance club since they were under renovation. It was our group and a large group of cougars celebrating a birthday. Never being the shy one on the dance floor, i figured we might as well combine the two groups. The night continued with an action packed game of go-fish until we finally conceded to sleep around 4:30. 4 hours later we departed for the head waters of the Arkansas river for some white water rafting. Our killer team was selected by the head raft guide because he knew we would dominate, look at us, who wouldn't. It was a lot of fun, but I seriously think I could've canoed most of what we did (with a couple exceptions). By the end we had mastered the art of spinning while traversing the rapids. Colorado camping in the short tree plains is quite different from woodland arkansas camping, but smores remain the ever sturdy foundation to any good campout. The next day brought a 6 hour accent up my first 14er, it took the rest of our party 3 hours up, but someone has to be the gentlemen who stays with the lady for her safety (i know most of u are prolly thinking i'm just a biggo flirt/lady's man and must have been a little smitten, tomato tomoto) Either way, the weather held off and we were able to take our time and have the summit of the highest point in CO (2nd highest in the contiguous US) to ourselves... and a mountain beave. The weekend was topped off by a burger n shake for the long drive home, bed by 2:30, worthless the next day.

random thoughts on nature inspired by a 3 year old

This is an email I sent mandy the other day after Meg called to ask why God made bugs, and she asked me to put it up here, it is a pretty good insight the randomness that goes through my mind:

Hey, ever since meg asked why God made bugs I've been remembering how complex and wonderfully made nature is. My first instinct was bugs are only there to be part of the food chain and to break down matter, they are like tiny natural recycling units, pretty unimpressive, but I couldn't really explain that to her. Its amazing how everything ties together for His purpose and glory. The colors of the trees, the shade they provide, even more important the oxygen, all come from soil made from other trees that have been broken down by bugs, same with flowers their scents and colors, mostly pollinated by flying bugs from one flower to the other. Bugs are the food for fish that provide so much entertainment and food for us (and bears). Then when I went for a run a raccoon ran in front of me to the creek, which reminded me they eat grasshoppers and other bugs, and then my mind jumped to birds! Everyone loves their colors and sounds and they eat bugs. Then today I stopped to watch a herd of antelope that had settled down next to the road, the first thing you notice is how big their eyes are and long their eyelashes are. They live on the plains where there is no cover to hide and the wind is constantly blowing dust & snow. Their defense is eyesight and speed they can see something around 10 X's ours and those lashes allow them to sit and watch through the harshest winds. Anyway you can tell I really love nature and all God's attention to detail, it just amazes me how many things tie together in an eco-system and how vast his perfection is. sorry this email doesn't really have a point, but you can thank meg for reminding me how awesome God is - love ya, jobo

I started writing this one when I first moved out here, so it should be back dated to July 15.
I guess since i moved to a different state I DO need to keep this a little more up to date for my niece and nephews who I'm sure will be reading every word (although ben did get X & O on the barbie letter ID game, maybe he's been writing too many love letters to girls... whatta playa) Anyway the move to Fort Collins was fairly uneventful, God has little blessings everywhere in many different forms which will be listed in the following. I hate packing (and am not very good at it) luckily Lincoln is bossy enough to make john and I get a majority boxed up on Thursday, and Patrick was good enough to finish off the minority along with loading the uhaul on Friday. Saturday highlights included farewell crackerbarrel breakfast with the Harris's (Laura is that possesive or plural) seeing Buffalo just outside of Booneville (which Megan says is good luck) after picking up some huge Walnut boards saved from the new city lake (thanks Mr. Watts) which will hopefully become a blanket chest to match my walnut head board (thanks mom&dad from when they moved to CO). Saturday was one last tour around Fayetteville/UofA reminiscing on all the things that "haven't always been there" with a Penguin Ed's dinner (thanks Mandy&Brian). As if the days could keep getting better, Sunday brought Eli's dedication (how awesome to be present and able to commit to pray for all of my niece/nephews as they grow in the Lord) followed by a lunch with the whole family then off to Tulsa to hang out with a great friend and use her place as base camp before the long haul on monday (thanks kari). Wes wussed out on driving the big rig, i guess it takes a real bearcat, but he made the 1000 mile 6.5MPG journey exciting with an unplanned detour through Enid, at least I have now seen 2 of the 3 UPT bases. (sidenote: we accidently got Premium gas once and got 9MPG) Kansas is cool for 5 minutes, but once we got into western Colorado i felt like I was in Lonesome Dove. We pulled into our campground just in time to see the brightest double rainbow (thanks for your promises God).