4th of July plus Jonah movie review

Well, it has been quite awhile since I've posted anything on this blog...why..B/c it stays in my draft folders. I went off the online world for awhile and have been reading alternative news and books. The knowledge that I've gained in this amount of time has been almost overwhelming. I have also worked a couple part time jobs to survive.

Today I'm going to address the topic of our true repentance.

July 4, 1776 our country started its fledgling path along the right road. However, along the way, something has gone terribly wrong. We, as a nation, have forgotten why GOD blessed this country. The America of today has lost its way, forgotten GOD, and allowed horrible atrocities to invade. I'm tired of remaining quiet. It's time to speak up and out.

Repent from your wicked ways and turn to GOD. HE is a GOD of miracles and second chances. Believe that Jesus Christ died, was buried, and rose again on the Third Day. Ask HIM into your heart and don't just ask for repentance and go on sinning. Be transparent, find an accountability partner, and allow a true change to impact not only your life but others too.

After watching Veggie Tales Jonah movie this afternoon, GOD impressed on my heart that it's not too late. IF GOD can use Jonah, then HE can use me. A message from the LORD: go to Nineveh and preach. Jonah said NO and Jonah got severely pissed at GOD and tried to run away. The boat that he was on got caught in a great storm and lots were cast to find out the guilty person to throw overboard. Jonah was asleep in the bottom of the boat and ding...ding.. Guess who the allotted one was. Yup, Jonah. Into the sea he went, to be swallowed by a big whale. Alas, he ended up in the belly of a whale and was regurgitated 3 days later. Get this; he was still ticked off at GOD. It's like he wanted the people of Nineveh to perish. Jonah was a miserable person to be around, he constantly complained, and had a serious negative vibe emanating off his aura. Nevertheless, GOD still loved him and gave him second chances. HE also gave the people of Nineveh a chance to turn from their evil doings and choose GOD. Since GOD did that back in the Bible surely HE can evoke change in America and other countries.
Change for the betterment not "Obama's version of change." I imagine that the Founding Fathers are rolling over in their graves if they were to see Comrad Amerika today....

Well, we all know how exercise goes...by the wayside, that is. You guessed it. I stopped exercising...and I was making such progress.. Oh well, that's how these things go. Down the drain, like a vast heaviness that gravity loves to mess with. I fell on my tailbone. It hurts to sit, stand for long periods of time, walk long distances, and roll over while sleeping. Excruciating!

Unemployment Woes

The worst part is how I feel about myself. I feel like a waste of space. I ask myself every day what is wrong with me. I just feel completely under-talented and inadequate, and when I hear about friends in other fields doing well, I'm envious. I've started to hide myself away from friends and family, in shame of my current predicament. I can't shake this feeling of dread I get when I wake up every day. I've looked all over the country and am about to give up on the field I trained for years to break into. At this point, I just want a job and to make a decent, fulfilling living like everybody else.Mostly, I was depressed. Days blur into each other; I wanted to speak to no one, including my family.

"The greatest happiness in life is the conviction that we are loved- loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves." Victor Hugo

Land Trust Trails: Blevins Gap

Location: Blevins Gap Preservej2.5
 [Land Trust Trails off Four Mile Post (extension) Rd.]
Trailhead to SmokeRise Trail
SmokeRise Trail to Sugar Tree Trail
Sugar Tree Trail to Bill Marion Trail elevation change significant
trailhead
Time: 2 hours
stops (to catch breath): 5
sat on a rock: twice
water intake: 2.0 L
mileage hiked: 4.4 mi amendment 2.5 miles plus an elevation change of 400 feet.
cost: free
reward: spent time w/my Charles
dinner: Red Robin
sleep: all night long

This was a moderate to difficult  hike complete with rocks which kept me off balance, continuously worried about spraining an ankle. Kudos to the benches located on the SmokeRise trail and the Sugar Tree trail. Overall, this was an enjoyable hike. Considerable elevation change..

exercise

Walking by the lake then an extra loop=5 miles (approximately)
Reward: spending time w/my S.O. and best friend
               Dairy Queen Blizzards

Yesterday's store

Bass Pro Shop: Leeds, AL
You can see it from the interstate. Bass Pro Shop is located on a hill. The parking lot was fairly full. As they had a Labor Day sale going on, I walked into this huge store with high expectations. Black bears greeted me from tree limbs, high up. The greeter directed me to the restrooms which were clean and had plenty of toilet paper, paper towels and soap. The doors also locked securely. No complaints here. I strolled through the boat section, then wandered over to the ladies clothing and Columbia.
Now I was in search of a water filtration system not just for camping, but also for everyday usage. $30 for one bottle seemed rather steep to me since it didn't even include a filter, although it was insulated (bonus). I want a pretty stainless steel one (filter included) with a lifetime guarantee.
The salesman (camping) was kind and courteous, but he kept trying to sell me a Coleman tent. I have no interest in this particular brand. I was hoping to find North Face, Marmot, or another higher end brand. I am looking specifically for a car camping (stay for over a week tent) My best friend found a lovely sleeping bag (on sale for $169) which he proceeded to try out when we got home. I admit it is super comfy and comes with a liner (blanket) and a pillow...
The one (Bass Pro Shop) in Nashville, TN, seemed to have more of what I was looking for.
However, point me towards REI where memberships and warranties are lifetime not just 2 measly years for $40.