My week in Eldora

This past week I went to Eldora, Iowa to do recovery work. I had fun for a number of reasons. One reason is that I got to help people get the personal belongings and raise their self-esteem.

One of my experiences I shared was with a nice lady named Patty. Her story was her house got ripped apart. Right then and there I felt bad for her already. Me, my dad and Greg went to help her get her personal belongings. The one and only thing she wanted out of that whole house was her grandmother’s quilt. The only thing she couldn’t get. Luckily she was fortunate enough to find us; my dad put on his hard had and his bunker gear and went in. He had to dig a little but he found it. There was not a tear in the quilt; it was in perfect shape, good as new. Those are some of the little things that are part of the reason this is what we do.

Another reason is that I got to spend time with my family, closest friends, further friends, and people I just met who are now my friends. This past week I got to spend time with my dad, my mom, a close friend of the family’s Nikki, Greg, Marie, Sue, Nick, Heather, Terry, Caile, Aaron and last but not least Tyler. Out of twelve people I only knew seven of them before I got there.

Some of the things that frightened me a little were when we worked 20-hour days and weren’t tired and were looking for more work. We hauled all from 2 pounds to 100 pounds. Whether it was a team effort or being alone, we got it done.

We were fortunate enough to stay at a wonderful camp. We had a cabin the first night but then we went in the lodge. The kitchen was huge. During the time that we were at the camp we ate delicious food. This food consists of canned corn, pudding, canned chicken, canned olives, canned peaches all cold and with plastic spoons and forks.

Aside from the canned food I loved doing this. No matter what kind of person you are helping someone re-start their life makes you feel great inside. Next time you see someone whether its just dropping a penny to dropping 1,000 dollars… help him or her. They will know what kind of person you are and no matter what you think someone is always watching or listening. Think about your image.

Stay healthy, Stay clean, and Stay away from windows during severe weather. No matter what kind

Eldora, Iowa Updates

Check out updates on Eldora situation on the team blog. Find it on our home page, www.chasing4life.org

Bullies

How many people out there think its ok to bully? How many people out there get bullied? Well if you are a bully i think you should stop. One reason is because, here i am not trying to scare you but, say you bullied someone everyday at school, But one day they weren't there. because they got bullied so much they moved or worse. How would this make you feel? Would you care. If you had a heart at all i think you would. This goes again with the whole put your self in there shoes blog i did.

If you are being bullied try to ignor it. I know sometimes its not as easy as it sounds. But we just all have to stick together. If we show it doesn't bother us then they will get bored. Also sometimes they just need love and care to because they only bully people because of problems they have at home. But other times it could be just to bully someone.

Your self.

This week i learned what its like to put yourself in other people's positions. You know the phrase that people always say take a walk in my shoes and see how you like it. Well they don't literally mean put on my shoes and take a walk. They mean if you could trade lives with them for a day you couldn't handle it.

Well this week my sister went to a camp. They did a 30 hour famine. This was so that they could see what the kids in Africa go through for even more then 30 hours. My sister didn't like it so i think that maybe she now has a different perspective on life. That must have been hard. I would do that though.

Say you are a vegetarian, this is because you feel bad for the many many animals that are being hurt each day just so we can have food. Well the Bible says that God put animals on this earth so that we can have food. If you don't believe me it is in Genesis.

Next time you make fun of someone put yourself in there shoes. See how you like it for a change. It might change your perspective on life. You never know!

I'll be out at the Buffalo County Fair today with KRVN Radio! Come and see me and bring your kids- I have Chasing4Life Coloring Books for them!

Tractors and kids don't mix?

I know it may be a tradition to help your kids on the tractor or even ride in the semi by the time they are five or younger. I get that. Except it can be very dangerous. Most people think about the good and not the bad. The fact is that accidents do happen! And they can be prevented. There are kids abused everyday, there are kids hurt everyday, there are kids starved everyday, there are kids that die everyday. That is a scary fact to think about I know. That is why most people choose not to think about it. Most people choose to think positive. Which I am not saying is the wrong thing to do I am just saying there are precautions that we need to think about.

Tractors are responsible for 41% of accidental deaths of children under 15, yet 4 out of 5 farm children regularly ride tractors. So keep your kids safe or away from the farm. Personally I would rather keep my kids safe and be positive they won't get hurt by farm equipment, then let them work on the farm and risk them getting killed.

It's easier to bury a tradition then to bury a child!
For more information check out the KEEP KIDS AWAY FROM TRACTORS CAMPAIGN