It's Getting A Little Clearer

Today's the day. We leave for Israel. Just a couple of pre-trip thoughts today as we make final preparations...

• Pray for Macy and the flight over tonight. It sets the tone for the rest of the trip.
• I'm really hoping I can find good internet access wherever we are in Israel so I can blog the trip and post pictures. Done some research, but not sure what to expect.
• Man I hope our bags don't go over the weight limit.
• Man I hope our bags make it to Israel.
  
• I'm really excited about seeing so many places in Israel.
• I'm hoping there's some mix up with our tickets and they have to put us in First Class. Wouldn't that be cool!
• I'm looking forward to getting to know others in our group during our time together.
• Keep praying for Macy.

Shalom.

Step 3 Starts Getting Fuzzy

This weekend marks the beginning of the process of packing for our upcoming trip to Israel. For some, this is no big deal. You gather up your clothes and other items you'll need for the trip, put them in the suitcase in an orderly fashion, and you you're ready to go. Not so easy for the Bricker household.

This is a very complicated process. I've learn to adjust to it and even got somewhat use to it. But a trip of this magnitude ratcheted everything up several notches. So, I thought it would be a good idea to get a running start on this thing and start Thursday night. (Actually this process began weeks, if not months, ago on a little less intentional level. Trust me, several notches.)

Step One - All the suitcases are out and open and ready to receive their cargo.

Step Two - Have Macy start laying out her outfits that she is planning to take on the bed in the guest room. (I do all the actual packing.)

Step Three - This is where it gets interesting and little fuzzy. This is where rationality and organization can tend to break down. My prayer - that all goes smoothly and we're able to get everything pretty much packed by Saturday night.

I guess you know how to pray for me for the next few days.

A Shoe Wheel!

Does this need a home in your closet?

Be the first on your block to say, "I have a shoe wheel that holds up to 30 pairs of shoes!" Some of you are wondering how you made it this far in life without the shoe wheel.

I think I'll wait for the sock and underwear wheel.

30 Years and Flying

I had lunch yesterday with old friend from High School. As we sat there catching up on life and others we knew from from high school it hit me. It hit me that in 2 more years we would be having our 30 year reunion. That's right - 30 years! Man, I'm getting old.

It doesn't seem like its been almost 30 years since I graduated. I know it sounds cliche, but "where did the time go?" I know where the biggest part of that 30 years went. Almost 21 years of marriage to the most incredible woman on the planet. And it's true - when you're having fun time does flies.

The cool thing is I really don't feel old at all. In fact, I'm looking forward to my 30 year high school reunion. I'm also looking forward to tomorrow and what God has in store for me. I'm still loving the journey.

Who's Reading

Here are some stats about those of you reading my blog...

Browsers Used

Internet Explorer	71.66%
Firefox	20.92%
Safari	7.12%
Opera	0.30%

Operating Systems

Windows	87.54%
Macintosh	10.39%
iPhone	1.63%
Linux	0.45%

Connection Speed

Cable	62.46%
Unknown	21.66%
DSL	10.98%
T1	2.82%
Dial-up	1.04%

All of this info is taken from Google Analytics. Analytics is an awesome free program from Google that gives you tons of info about your web site's traffic and the people who come to it.

Getting Stronger...Getting Ready

Getting Stronger
It's been a slow comeback as it relates to running. Last week's 5K race I finally started feeling a little stronger. But this morning I feel like I'm back. Still not the same speed pre-injury, but the run felt really good. I ran 3 miles in 24:12, getting me very close to an 8 minute mile average. By the way, what a beautiful morning for running.

Getting Ready
In my quiet time this week I have been reading in Mark and focusing on the days leading up to Jesus' crucifixion. This morning, as I was meditating on what my Savior was enduring on this Friday morning, I was caught by what Jesus said the night before while praying with His disciples in Gethsemane. The disciples could see He was "distressed" and even "horrified" about something. And then Jesus says "My soul is swallowed up in sorrow."

Wow! What an incredible word picture. To have one's soul swallowed up in sorrow! We think we have it bad. But just try to imagine what Jesus was going through as He literally faced taking on the entire sin of the world! That phrase helped me this morning appreciate even greater the greatest sacrifice of all time.

Take some time today to prepare your heart for celebrating on Sunday.

A Milestone

My last post on Monday was my 200th post. Probably not much of a milestone, but it did remind me that I have been fairly consistent in posting my observations and thoughts on life. But why do I blog? Here are a few reasons in no particular order...

• It keeps my family and long distance friends updated on my life. I am a terrible long distance friend or family member. I'm not a big "talker on the phone" person and blogging helps me to stay in touch.
• It has helped me chronicle my life. Even if no one ever read a single word I typed, it's cool to be able to look back and see what's been happening in my life.
• I hope I can encourage some people. I love it when I'm able to pass along a tip or encourage someone with what God has been teaching me.
  
• And finally, it's somewhat therapeutic. Not sure how this happened, because I'm not a big writer, but I really enjoy blogging.
  

Thanks for reading!

Better TV on the Web

Looking for some free, and legit, TV shows to watch on the internet? Then you got to check out hulu.com. I love old TV shows and hulu has a ton of old TV shows, as well as new ones. Old shows like the Dick Van Dyke Show, Partridge Family, Adam-12, the Bob Newhart Show, Barney Miller and one of mine and David's all-time favorite, WKRP in Cincinnati. Go to the TV section and click on Alphabetical to see a full listing of all their shows.

Check out hulu.

"As God as my witness, I thought turkeys could fly."

What A Day!

What a day yesterday!

I got up very early for a Saturday morning and headed down to Coconut Point with Evan Foster to run in the Komen Race for the Cure 5K. Still recovering from my foot injury in January, I was not expecting to have a very fast time. My goal is always do a little better than my last race. Well, I knew I wouldn't be able to accomplish that, but I wanted to run and do my best and enjoy the morning. Much to my surprise, I ran better than I thought I would. I ran a 25:47, about a minute and a half slower than my last race, but about a minute faster than what I was predicting for myself.

As soon as I got home I quickly showered, ate a bite, and headed off to the church for our Transformed Conference with Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron. The conference was incredible. Close to 3,000 people showed up for an awesome time of teaching and challenging messages. Hearing today how the conference impacted people's lives was really cool. Special props to Shawn Bergen and Nancy Painter for taking the lead for this conference - You guys did an awesome job!!!! And double props to the tons of McGregor volunteers who made this a phenomenal experience for every person who showed up!

No, I didn't get to personally meet Kirk Cameron, but it still was an awesome day! But my friend Jason got his picture taken with Kirk...

Looking for A Good Sandwich

It's been a while since I gave a restaurant review so today, I'm going to give you two. If you're looking for a great sandwich, I have two places in Fort Myers I want you to try. (Both are small national franchises and may be available in your reading area outside of Fort Myers.)

The first one is Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches. My first experience with Jimmy John's was in South Bend, Indiana last year. I was extremely impressed with my sandwich then and was delighted to hear we now have one here in town. Sandwiches are all Jimmy does. I'm not sure why I like them so much, I just do. Very simple menu but lots of taste. Jimmy John's is located next to Bonefish Grill on US 41.

The second restaurant is one I'm really excited about. It's called Bellacino's and is located just down the road from our church on Colonial Blvd. This makes it extremely convenient to run down for lunch or pick something up. Bellacino's has much more on their menu than just sandwiches, but they do an awesome sandwich, or should I say grinder. They also have great pizza. I have tried several of their grinders and one of their pizzas and they are all very, very tasty.

Bon appetit!

I Love Cases

Not sure why it is, but I really like cases (luggage, backpacks, etc...). I think the reason is because they are organizational tools and I love being organized. I know, I'm weird.

If you love cases & bags of all sizes and shapes, go check out eBags. They provide a huge selection of luggage, handbags, backpacks, computer cases, accessory cases and other travel related and organizational items from almost every brand. And they also have some of the best prices. I have personally bought several items from eBags and have always been very satisfied. Most recently I purchased this 22 inch Skyway carry-on case for our trip to Israel. Incredible deal for a really nice carry-on.

Anybody else love cases?

Trip of A Lifetime

I am helping our senior pastor lead a trip next month to the Holy Land. While I am very excited about being a part of this adventure, Macy, my wife, is not so excited. In fact, it took her almost two months of praying about it before she consented to go. Once again, she's facing her fears and determining to jump into the pit with a lion (maybe even two lions on this one). I love her so.

Back to me now. I can't wait for this adventure. I love to travel and go to new places. I have always wondered what it would be like to experience the culture and land of Israel. We leave in three weeks, and already are deep into preparing for the trip. I decided last week I will try my best to do a travelblog while in Israel - hoping to allow you to experience some of what I am experiencing through my words and pictures. Not sure if this will work, but I will try.

In the mean time, pray for our group as we prepare for a trip of a lifetime.

Friends

Yesterday our Bible Study Class got together for a picnic party out in the park at our church.

I love these times of hanging out with no agenda and nothing specific to accomplish. We played horse shoes, washers, threw the football, watch the kids play, ate and talked. Can't think of a better way to spend several hours on a Saturday.

Movie Night @ the Brickers

Last night was movie night at our house. Macy and I love old movies. How old? Mostly movie that came out in the 40's and 50's.

Last night's movie was "An American in Paris" staring Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron. This movie/musical came out in 1951 and won 6 Oscars, including Best Picture.

What I loved about this movie the most however was the music. All the movie's music was written by George & Ira Gershwin. Wow! I loved it. Great music and a really fun movie - a great combination. I'd give it a strong 4 out of 5 stars.

I wonder what's next in my NetFlix queue?

Feel the Pain

The Air Force has developed a pretty impressive "pain gun." Watch this CBS reporter do his best to withstand the pain.

I Made It

Since I started back running a couple of weeks ago, one of my goals was to get back as quickly as possible to running a complete 3 miles. Well, Thursday of this week I made it. 3 miles in 26:11. More than 2 minutes slower than what a training run would have been for me 2 months ago. But I'm not complaining - I'm just glad to be back running again.

Next goal - running in the Komen Race for the Cure 5K on March 15. Let me know if you are planning on running in this race.