So much to write about

I have so stinking much to write about but no time or enough dedication to get it all on the blog. So a couple of things im thinkin of:

1. How many people need paternity tests? I watched Maury cuz i didn't want to get out of bed needless to say 5 minutes after learning that there are like 1,000s of people that don't know who the father of their kid is i got up and felt better about my life.

2. Derrick Rose is playing in the McDonald's all american game tonight. Best pg in the country is coming to memphis next year lets just say im excited.

3. Glycemic index i will talk more about this in the coming days very interesting.

4. God's planning. God is shaping me and Kristen for something big and i have no idea what it is or how it is going to happen or when but its growing inside and im excited.

5. I wish i could play the tuba for those moments in life when you need music to accompany you. That would be awesome.

6. I don't know who Sanjaya is but everyone hates him and for that he is now my favorite. Let's go Sanjy baby!

7. Duke fans are weird

8. I'm looking for a new car one that i can hit the gas and feel like a man in.

9. No more SSS i know you are all dissapointed but i have a few more ideas. word of the day, color of the day, and last but not least haircut of the day.

10. Yeah that's it man school is hard and starting salaries are going down what is happening to our economy.

I'm out!!!

Its Time!!!

Yeah today is the day i've been waiting on the whole year. The chance to prove the critics the experts everyone wrong. People don't think memphis is a real basketball town. I looked on facebook's standings today number 8 college network in the country and the top regional network in the country. I think that says something. Now the david of the tournament the team that lost more than any other team in the country( two first round draft picks and one european player) almost 40 points a game gone.

Now we can't compete with those big conferences. By the way Conf. USA is undefeated in the NCAA tourney!!!! No one wants to play us we're deep we're athletic and we play defense. Bring it. What to look for as we play the Nuts known as the Buckeyes...zone. OSU will play zone to try and take us out of our backdoor driving princeton offense. We must shoot the three well and take Ron Lewis out of the game. Conley will choke and no one likes to throw the ball to Oden. A good matchup for us even though Dorsey called him overrated (big mistake) Watch us root for us love us. It's our time. I'm out!!

I hate Mondays

I know this is on tuesday but mondays are the worst thing to ever happen to the planet earth.

You go back to work. You lose that extra sleep you built up over the weekend. Your boss thinks that you have to make up for lost time. Teachers do their best to give the hardest tests of your life(by the way i took a finance test yesterday and my batteries on my calc. went dead no replacement!!!) you have to start thinking about life again (or so it seems.)

Im getting tired. I go through this stage about once every quarter. The love of my life is in sc, i have no real ministry besides the guys at my job, I have been doing the drive and hour-school-drive 35 minutes-work-drive 40 minutes-eat-sleep routine for almost 3 years now.

But i've finally found a bright spot. I know that i am worthless without christ puppeteering me into an oscar winning performance(bad analogy i know but meaningful to me) but my vision for my life along with Kristen has begun. It will take time and effort and i don't know how that path will align itself. But my vision is growing and gaining strength.

My path now has a general direction and my passion and fervor is growing. Its not earth shattering and for some of you you might just say "...uh yeah and" but i know that God is molding my future and am excited more than ever about it. I pray that God will continue to shape mine and Kristen's lives and that my path will be alight with a fire that can never be quenched. Oh yeah for those of you that work part time don't call into work. Grow up you stinkin lazy bums!!!


SSS: I'm trying one today to reward myself for surviving Monday...It's a cherry limeade with blue coconut!!! Seems weird but which of these haven't try it today and also if you don't have anything to do tot rejection game

Pray for me as my journey is just beginning!!! Love you guys I'm out.

Let's go Memphis

I'm waiting for todays game and am pumped. Let me explain life to you as a memphis fan. Number one we win by about 15 and we hear on cbs and espn that we are definitely the next team to lose even though its seems extremely strange to me that two years in a row the team that is "our test" gets to play at home.

But if we lose they will talk about how they expected it all along and we are just not that good. Undefeated in conference, 23 in a row, 31 total. Yeah i guess that is a bad team huh. Bring on all the big conference talk its coming i know. Just make sure you watch us play. Let's go tigers!!!

Parents

Parents are interesting things. They have our best interests in mind but sometimes its just like they don't want us to risk anything they just want us to be safe our whole lives.

My parents are worried that i might be trying to over step my bounds by taking summer classes and that i shouldn't push myself too hard. By the way this is coming from my dad who works about 14 hours a day. So he knows a lil of what he is talking about. Anyway, I'm trying to get done so i can get married and get a real job and move into the next phase of my life. All the while knowing that i have no idea as to my mission in life yet.

All of which is ok for me. This just adds to my blog yesterday about stress. But last night as i am thinking about what i read during the day in my reading time. I find this in Matthew Henry's commentary in J.C.'s paraphrase. God uses stress to bring us closer and causes us to rely on Him. If we give into that stress and fear then we allow ourselves room for the credit that is not due.

Look i don't have in depth plans or a long term goal (yet!) but i know that God is shaping me and Kristen for something that is bigger than both of us. Something that i could never have imagined.

Where? Don't know
When? Don't know
How? Don't know
What? Don't know
Why? Cuz God wills it that way and its the mission for my life.

I'm on a quest i know it sounds archaic and has a touch of classicism but nevertheless I am. And each day is another page turned to ultimately reach the end of my novel here on earth.

SSS: Blue Coconut in a Vanilla Shake pure bliss!!!!

Remember to root for the Tigers tomorrow!!! I'm out.

God is Funny

Isn't it funny sometimes how much God can just throw us for a whirlwind of a life in like three weeks. Ill give you a sample of what the last three weeks has been in good ol drummonds, tn.

Girlfriend is outta town very lonely, girlfriend comes in town not lonely, girlfriend has to leave again lonely again.

Told more than likely ill be switching areas at work. Won't switch areas at work.

Have to pay car insurance but glad it goes down later this year. Looking for a new car, don't have the money for a new car.

Been looking forward to a ring and summer school, find out that they both are mucho dinero and now am stressed about money (not cuz i can't get it by the way but i have some beliefs on how God wants you to spend your money and how you deal with debt).

Trying to invest and save but at the same time realize that i have to spend money to invest in current assets (people, friends, family etc. yes they are important assets.

All this to say the other day Kristen said "you just don't get stressed out about stuff [like this]" she was talking about one of her own stress factors. I did this to let everyone know that i do stress out.

But its funny that people talk about how we shouldn't feel stressed and how stress is really bad for you and all that is true. Ill probably die at like age 32 if i don't get back to being fit again. But how can we deal not only with stress but these God ordained times of decision.


And i've learned something important God wants us to experience Him in life now to understand more fully what life will be like for eternity.

Don't you think that God could have opened a sinkhole when the Egyptians were chasing the Hebrews? or took them a different way? There are millions of possible solutions but God wanted the Hebrews to experience, to walk with Him, to see Him working literally on all sides of them.

God doesn't put decisions in front of us to stress us out but to draw us deeper into our intimacy with Him. Talk to Him today to figure out how he wants to change you but more importantly just talk to Him.

SSS: this is more of an announcement. No more peanut butter!!! maybe this is just around here or everywhere im not really sure but the peanut butter is gone. Sad Day....


I'm out!!!

1,000 Days!!!!

yes its correct yesterday was mine and kristen's 1000 day together. Its kinda crazy actually that someone could put up with me for so long. Not cuz im a bad guy or anything like that im just weird. I love you and thanks for the best 1,000 days of my life.

Quick Blog

hey quick go tigers. Kristen Barfield is wonderful and i am once again lonely. I am going to play basketball this weekend i haven't played in ages sweet.

SSS: look at Josh Currie's blog for the SSS I'm out!!!!

Goals vs. Mission

First before i start not going to talk about atmosphere. Second I am going to talk about something that is relevant.

If you know me one word you would probably use to describe me is driven. If not then you probably don't know me well enough. I learned something in my advertising and promotion class today that has never been clearly defined ever before and i think that it will help us all.

A mission is a reason for existence. Goals are things that you do to reach your mission. Usually we see these terms as synonymous but they are clearly different.

So i ask you what is your mission??? Why are you here on earth??? Why do you exist???

I would venture to say that we don't clearly have that defined but when we do it will keep us focused on what our goals should be.

SSS: New Banana Pudding shake i haven't tried it but i love banana so im super excited. Go get one now!!!

I'm Out!!!

No Church For Me

Well i didn't go to church at all yesterday which is very weird for me to do. My uncle has been at my house all weekend helping us fix up our bathrooms and stuff. So its like extreme makeover home edition at my house except for we pay for it and we put it in and in no way did any of us cry when it was finished.

Also it gave me a chance to listen to different people i wouldn 't normally hear preach. I heard Steve Gaines at Bellevue, a little of Charles Stanley, and some other guys i have never heard of before. Its always nice to hear different people speak and it provides balance in your spiritual walk.

Not only that but i got to go to the last Memphis home basketball game of the year. It was fun but the atmosphere was pitiful. I am going to talk about this subject probably tommorrow but i will stop there for now.

I also went to Blockbuster to get Madden 07 for the Wii. I've always wondered how awesome my arm would be against professional competition. While i was there this kid rushed in with his parents and instantly flies to the new movie called flushed away. I have no idea what it was about but he wanted it more than anything in the world.

Now this is going to be one of those you had to be there stories but i laughed so hard so i have to tell you: this kid's mom tells her son that he needs to pass his spelling test before he can get the movie. Now in my mind im thinking "sweet im going to get to see this kid pull one over on his mom" cuz kids usually get what they want.

The son proceeds to say who is Patrick Spellingtest??? I laugh and shake my head more at the fact that while this was clearly innocent I saw it as a clear diversion to try and fool the mom into thinking the kid didn't know what was going on and try in a valiant effort to bring the movie home with him.

Moral of the story: spend time with your kids and reward their achievement. They want to be challenged and loved by their parents.

SSS: How bout a chocolate coke today??? Sounds gross right....but until you've tried the caramel flavor of a classic coca-cola with the delightfully indulging rich taste of chocolate you haven't truly experienced life to the fullest...See what you've been missing!!!

And you wonder why I'm in marketing...hahaha I'm out!!!!

Can't Wait For Work

yeah well last night at work we got told our boss's last day was tomorrow, which is now today. Seems like short notice, huh? Yeah he got told on Monday night. It really stinks for him because we are literally the best sort in the country right now. No exaggeration we are the number one sort in UPS.

So you would think a reward would be in order right, wrong. Our boss is going to the midnight sort out at Oakhaven so his hours switch from, 2-10 in the day to 8pm-5am. Just so he can make some "changes on the midnight sort" Needless to say he was very upset.

On top of that we have a part time sup moving into a finance position and one moving into an IE position. So basically its a rebuilding time. For other places it seems like that would be great but we are being broken down. The dynasty is being shutdown.

I write this blog to say a couple things that i was told by my parents at this situation. Number 1 that's life. People get dumped on and the ones that it usually happens to are the ones that are dependable, hard working, trustworthy, full of integrity, loyal, and skilled.

Secondly, there is a positive spin that you can put on anything if you are taking advantage of someone.

Lastly and i think the most important thing is this, We aren't working for people our reward does not come from this earth. It comes from God.

This leads me to wonder how many people that have been walked on, taken advantage of and just plain neglected will be overjoyed when they see their Heavenly Father grant them the blessings that they should have probably gotten on Earth.

It has always been in the back of my mind but i guess it has never really applied but it does now. And i had a chance to really understand what it means. Don't give up hope, God is always aware of what's going on.

No SSS, I'm not in the mood I'm trying to sulk. I'm out!!!

What to right...hmmmm

Well sometimes its a struggle for me to find what to write. And yes i mispelled write in my title for this reason. Why is it that we can't be totally transparent all the time. Why can we write some things in our blog but others we can't.

Anyway lately i've had so much stuff to do with school and its boggin me down cuz i don't have the time i would like to hang out with people because of it. I've been thinking of so many things that have nothing to do with school its not contributing to the fact that i need to get the work done.

An update on work...my belt has been either the best or the second best belt in the last three weeks. I'm pretty excited about that. For two reasons, one the work that they are putting in is paying off both mentally and physically. They feel like they are accomplishing things at work, they are having fun, and they are getting healthier all at the same time. Secondly, we will get opportunities. I say we because their efforts help me out too.

We are going to be changing things up soon at work. I would go into more detail but some people from my belt might be reading this. Anyway an update will be coming in about a month about what will be happening.

Last but not least the process is underway in "The Proposal" the story of a girl in SC and a guy from Drummonds who have traversed the difficult road that is long distance relationships and not only survived but kicked it in the teeth. Glory to God believe me I'm sure He told Kristen a couple of times: "He's really not that dumb it just seems that way"

How far along the process am I you might be wondering? somewhere between asking her dad and asking her to marry me if that clears it up for you. (Seriously you think i would say it there baby!)

Anyway for those of you making decisions I ask you do a couple of things. Don't stress it will all work out. Use this time to get to know who you are and what you are about and what you are good at. And last but not least use this time to seek God's will in your life no matter what it may be.

SSS: I'm starting to run out of things that i've tried but today ill give you tj's fav. drink. you can go to www.maketjdrink.com to make the combinations but his favorite is this one: blue coconut, watermelon,cranberry juice, apple juice, and coke. sounds weird but im going to try it.

Have a great president's day!!! I'm out!

Happy Valentine's

Well its that time of the year. I love this time cuz i think that its one of the funniest holidays on earth.

I went to pick up some stuff to ship Kristen's present in yesterday at Wally World and I saw a mob of people at the Valentine card section. The only thing funnier than the mass hysteria at the cards was how all of the candy was completely destructed.

For you single people out there you come up with some way to cope with your pain or you even say that you hate valentine's day but the reality is you just want to feel loved. I encourage go buy your own stuff some candy flowers whatever makes you happy and celebrate single's awareness day.

And for people in a relationship don't forget this most sacred of days. Women you pretty much control men on these days so take advantage of it. Guys this is your chance to make up for how dumb you've been the first of the year don't let this opportunity go to waste!

Last of all on the pink and red show day, let someone anyone know that you love them. Kristen Barfield i love you and wish we could spend this day together, one day we will. Love you guys and have a wonderful day seeing people express their love to one another.

SSS: Watermelon sprite. This is for those sonic trips after ball games or during the summer heat. Try a sprite with watermelon or grape you will be glad that you did.

Let's go Tigers!!! I'm out!

This is for you J.R.

J.R. told me to look up the non conference schedules for Duke and I would clearly see how much tougher a schedule Duke plays than Memphis so I did:

Duke:
Columbia
Georgia Southern
UNC Greensboro
Air Force
#17 Marquette L
Davidson
Indiana
#23 G'town
Holy Cross
G Mason
Kent St.
@#24 Gonzaga
San Jose St.
Temple

Memphis:
Jackson St.
Oklahoma
#19 Ga Tech
#22 Kentucky
Arkansas st.
Manhattan
@Tennessee
Ole Miss
Austin Peay
@ #9 Arizona
MTSU
Lamar
Cincinatti
@ Gonzaga

It looks like to me that Memphis plays the same number of ranked teams even though one of your ranked teams will not be ranked when memphis plays them and at the same time we have to play all of those games away from the Fed Ex Forum.

But we have to go find people to play because we are in a small conference. Also I believe that Ole Miss and Tennessee are two pretty good teams and Oklahoma is a middle team.

I guess we compare those to Air Force, Indiana, and George Mason on ya'll schedule???

Anyway i just thought i would post this for all to see make the decision on your own.

Let's go Memphis and Boston College this Wednesday!!!!

I'm out!

This is for you J.R.

J.R. told me to look up the non conference schedules for Duke and I would clearly see how much tougher a schedule Duke plays than Memphis so I did:

Duke:
Columbia
Georgia Southern
UNC Greensboro
Air Force
#17 Marquette L
Davidson
Indiana
#23 G'town
Holy Cross
G Mason
Kent St.
@#24 Gonzaga
San Jose St.
Temple

Memphis:
Jackson St.
Oklahoma
#19 Ga Tech
#22 Kentucky
Arkansas st.
Manhattan
@Tennessee
Ole Miss
Austin Peay
@ #9 Arizona
MTSU
Lamar
Cincinatti
@ Gonzaga

It looks like to me that Memphis plays the same number of ranked teams even though one of your ranked teams will not be ranked when memphis plays them and at the same time we have to play all of those games away from the Fed Ex Forum.

But we have to go find people to play because we are in a small conference. Also I believe that Ole Miss and Tennessee are two pretty good teams and Oklahoma is a middle team.

I guess we compare those to Air Force, Indiana, and George Mason on ya'll schedule???

Anyway i just thought i would post this for all to see make the decision on your own.

Let's go Memphis and Boston College this Wednesday!!!!

I'm out!

i hate duke

This is old news but ill tackle this subject anyway. Duke was given the Clemson game, however it doesn't stop there after losing two games in a row last weekend Duke actually moved up in the polls except for one!!! How in the world can you move up in any poll after a two game losing streak. Meanwhile Memphis beats every team by more than 15.

Who do we play though? well first of all we are 7-1 against the SEC over the last two years. And we can choose who we play during the conference schedule.

Who does Duke play out of conference on the road i ask??? How many nonconference road games do they play a year not against loyola or st. mary's or some other bible school or something???

I hate Duke now. Before it was a mild dislike but after this year i hate them. Nothing against you J.R. (who happens to be a Miami fan during football season) but Duke is handed games on a platter and i was estatic to see UNC beat them in the end after all of Duke's hard work.

They'll have ten losses by the end of this season and you know what's sad...they'll still be a 3 seed or higher. That's nuts.

Anyways my guys went 1 for 32000 last week in missorts considering we want 1 for 3000 that's 10 times better than what's expected.

Now for SSS: this is my Dad's favorite: strawberry and chocolate shake. Its pretty good.

Anyways watch for Memphis we're stepping it up when it really counts. I'm out!!!

Back from an incredible weekend

Well I came back last night and missed the Super Bowl but it was totally worth it. I spent last weekend with kristen and her family we played Wii, went to church, ate at Carabbas(amazing!) and...me and Mr. Dave went on a date!

For some of you this sounds very weird. This weekend was the weekend that I set aside for me and him to talk about mine and his daughter's future together. Anyway me and him talked about things and to make a long story short I asked for his daughters hand in marriage.

I won't go over the conversation but it was encouraging and challenging, Mr. Dave tends to do that which is just another reason that I love Kisten and her family. But he did say yes!!! So now the hunt and anticipation begins my plan is in the works and the date is a mystery and no one knows except for me!

But more than that I learned a lot this weekend. I'm praying and longing for a couple to share our lives and ministry with. Another guy that I can talk about my dreams and goals and we have the same things in mind. I see everyone growing closer to someone around them and it seems that I am left alone in the mix. This is a major consequence of my strenuous schedule. However, I know that God has partnerships in mind in the future that I just can't see right now.

Also, things about worship were reinforced in my mind this weekend. In sunday school the teacher taught how we must come to worship God. (Psalm 95) This is important in ministry because when we come with a heart to see God do amazing things and wanting to spend time with Him then those things usually happen. Also, when our leadership doesn't expect things to happen then they proabably won't.

So much motivation and challenge yet again I feel like I'm being reigned in. It's not time yet still more preparation. Im not worthy of the things that God has for me and Kristen but they are going to be great and awesome and more than I could ever imagine.

Now I'm waiting to see who God is going to put in our path to help us get there.

SSS: Peanut Butter, chocolate, and banana shake. My all time favorite drink ever. Get one today!!!

i hate snow!!!

yeah i said it mainly for 2 reasons: we never actually receive this white blessing that equals days off and endless fun. Secondly, we get this other thing called ice. Ice is much worse than snow and it is way more dangerous so for you crazy northern yankees that always trash us cause we get two inches of snow and cry for help you suck.

We don't get two inches of snow we get two inches of this wonderful thing called "wintry mix" which turns to ice or as i like to call it the clear death.

and UPS NEVER SHUTS DOWN this makes me sad as well but also makes us who we are. i hope it never snows again unless its like 14 feet of it then it will be ok.

Why must i get so upset?

So anyway before i burst into flames with anger at something that was said yesterday morning, i would like to let everyone know that you will never ever ever get the name of the person that said this out of my mouth. Promise, and if you ask i might just rip off your ear lobes.

So to begin, I was in the car on Sunday morning after i had just taken the family picture and sat that for about 5-10 minutes in prayer. I was praying that God would show up and that He would speak in my life and let me know where He was leading me in certain decisions in my life. I think that I am extremely close to a decision however. One that will be the best for myself and those around me. So after i prayed i got outta the car and went into church.

As i am waiting for the service to begin a person comes up and in the middle of a conversation we are having they say to me: "It's not like God is going to do anything here today anyway." That person goes on to clarify with: "He will do things in individuals life but definitely not as a corporate body."

First of all for the first time in my life i can honestly say that while i was fuming inside i kept my cool. In the past i would have wrecked there world with a bold statement that instead of teaching them anything would have created a gap in the relationship between me and this person.

However, i was still stinkin mad. I was told after praying a couple of years ago that God shows up at our church because people are praying, reading their Bible, and are following God. And i took my slap on the wrist and decided not to go further but not this time. I've had it.

Many things anger me but this one is now going to be apparent to everyone so listen up. Do not i repeat do not put God into a box and put limitations on what he can and can't do! We learn deep theological truths like whatever God does is just so while i believe that yes He blesses those that do those things does not in anyway mean that God has to save a hundred people or ten people or any people for Him to show up and do a work in people's lives.

God is in no way a puppet that is on strings and can only move in directions previously laid out. By the way why did Jesus heal people and talk to people even when there was no difference going to be made in their lives. Ex: the rich young ruler, the man healed at the pool of Bethesda. There are no clear indications that these people in any way made a change in their lives spiritually.

God is working in our church. Individually and corporately we are being transformed to take the next step that God has for us. So quit being so close minded and angry and bored. It is a reflection on what you expect God to do with unfavorable circumstances.

Preaching not good, people asleep, and you are talking about God not able to do anything corporately. I'm appalled angered and disgusted at this kind of attitude. But before you all jump on the bandwagon, you are probably there too.

What kind of attitude do you come to church with? Do you yearn to see God do something miraculous? Or do you seriously doubt anything with a lasting impact can happen?

In case you forgot when everything was "good" in your eyes, people prayed God we beg for you to fall down, we don't know or understand why you have blessed us in such a way but we beg you not to take your hand away from us.

Now when we need prayer like this more than ever we fall short. Look into your hearts and see if you really yearn to see God do amazing things for people or are you just waiting for yours, your little drop of blessing.

I'm so mad about this if you couldn't tell so there is no SSS today. Later though i promise. I'm out!

Let the sparks fly...

Competitions started last week at Bartlett for the best belt in the building. Basically, we get packages that are supposed to go into certain trailers that take them to a correct location. If those packages are put into the wrong trailer it is called a missort.

The basic competitive format is that whoever has the better frequency at the end of two weeks is the winner and the belt is given free pizza at the end of the night.

To determine frequency you take the number of packages scanned divided by the number of missorts accumulated.

Well if you know me I am extremely competitive. Every pickup game is the national championship, every walk to the car is the Boston marathon, and every sudoku puzzle in the Daily helmsman is another opportunity to flex my number patterning guess and check method(patented by me in case you were wondering). So this competition means alot.

But more than just the competition at work I explain to my guys that you will always have something to compete against. And your effort that you put in is a direct reflection i believe on your performance.

"Average effort equals average performance, better effort equals better performance, but the most effort equals the best performance" quoted by a future author J.C. Thompson.

So what characterizes your life? Do you just go at things in your life ho-hum? Do you leave effort and energy untapped in your life? Or do you give it all you got really all that you got? Wonder why your organization or skills are struggling, look at the effort that you are putting into it?

However, let's not forget that God is in control and sometimes in the sovereignty of God things just might not work at all no matter how hard you try. But in the end if you have done all that you can, if you have 'shown thyself approved' it will turn out well.

God weighs the heart remember that always remember that.

SSS #2: Cranilla Craze its sweeping the nation literally like a broom and dustpan. You can ask for it by name and they can make it for you. Basically its a combination of sprite, vanilla and cranberry juice. Its simply succulent.

Tigers are now number 11 in the country and are undefeated in conference play. I'm out!