This is what I like to call a "good investment". Here he is, the one and only Austin James Davison. I say that like I'm the father of the child, but I am quite simply the happiest uncle my brother has. This gift from God, was delivered on Dec. 1, into the most reliable hands this side of the mississippi, what some consider the "Jerry Rice of deliverers", people say he hasn't dropped not a one of his delivery's and hasn't missed a shift. He's delivered from hospitals, from homes, from the back of people's cars, he's even delivered from a rest area off highway 101. Anyways I'm so proud of my brother, he finally put the "stem on the apple" and has found somebody to carry on the name of ~Davison~. It's so beautiful...Davison. Really it's quite peotic. Apparently when the lil' boy arrived the only thing my brother could think of was "a boy!...and WHAT a boy!!!" Obviously the child has acquired a characteristic not common to most Davison folk...even that of my brother. Well I hope that makes him proud, I know my brother will rest assured when his kid finally has to face the dreaded showers of jr. highschool, fearing the teasing and name calling...ah, but not my nephew! He'll be the one picking on the stubbies, and the lil sprouts. And he'll come home and be fed steak and potatoes, and maybe an entire animal. He'll run for touchdowns, and date hot babes that mean nothing to him. He'll be loved by all, and score the game winning shot in the state championships. He'll be recruited by the most competetive universities in the country for every sport. He'll graduate the top of his class and marry the most beautiful women. And in light of all these things, he'll take credit for none of them. In spite of all his talent, looks, and potential he'll praise and revere God for all he has. Giving his time, money, and soul to the service of the Almighty. He'll keep God in his thoughts at all times, and never be led astray. He'll be consumed by Christ's love that died for him so that he may live, he'll be overjoyed in the arms of God and never shame is parents. These things I say, but only by the grace of God will it come true. Not everything exactly, but hopefully just the latter things. I love you Austin, welcome to planet earth, try to enjoy your stay, and if anyone asks you what you think of president Bush, tell them he was the greatest president for the U.S. at that time. Always defend the ways of the republic...always.

Tis the Season

For the past 5 months or so I have been working at Starbucks, and have learned a lot from this corporation that has dominated the coffee industry. Just recently (Nov. 9) Starbucks brought out all their seasonal drinks, cups, gifts sets and coffees. It was kinda sweet at first but then I realized their was at least SIX weeks or so until Christmas. I found myself singing the traditional holiday music, that was flooding our store, all the time. I also see how quickly it has put me in the "holiday spirits" as well as all those who come in to purchase gifts, drinks, and more gifts...what a market! To me it's ridiculous, because I too was being quickly sucked into this shopping abyss. BUT! I was fortunate enough to encounter one customer who came in with her kids to purchase one of our largest holiday drinks. I could tell by the way they were dressed that this was a rare occurrence. As her kids were goofing off behind her, she was struggling to find the money to pay for a drink we had just made for her. All she had was a dollar, and at Starbucks that doesn't even cover a tip (we blow our nose with such petty cash). So I poured the drink out in front of her and told her "too bad, so sad"- just kidding. Before things got awkward I quickly stopped her, gave back to her the dollar she had already given me and gave her the drink she couldn't pay for. I also asked my manager if it was okay to give the lady and each of her kids a "free-drink" coupon, which she okayed (she's so whipped). It's not just Starbucks that is enticing our attention to shopping, gifts and holiday cheer so early on, but everywhere you go. Not only that, but it's all about the "holidays", what the chocolate-covered-raisin does holidays signify? Thanksgiving to me is a wonderful time to meet with friends and family, and of course to over-indulge in, hopefully, some of the finest food your taste buds have ever known (other than that the meaning is trivial). Christmas, otherwise known as "X-mas" as if it were a mutant holiday, is a time to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus. Gifts, dinner, and joy are just a result of such celebration, but should not be the reason we celebrate. It's frustrating to me to see such a significant holiday as Christmas (the birth of Jesus Christ) being turned into a day when we celebrate gifts, dinners, and holiday trees. Just another way to fill the void in our ever so empty souls. I wish it were different. I wish our nation wasn't trying to universalize the day to incorprate all peoples. Let those who believe rejoice in this season, and those who don't believe be wondering why others do. I am a procrastinator, and from the looks of things deeply opinionated. Maybe it is because I love my God, my Savior, and my Hope. For He has made meaning of this life, and opened up my stubborn heart to a much more real universe.

What now?

Over the past couple of weeks I have been struggling with what seems like a myriad of decisions and responsibilities which had lead to a lot of stress and anxiety. A lot of this stress and confusion had arisen since my relocation to the "liberated" city of Portland, OR; where I willingly moved in with my patriarch. I had much love and support from family and friends with my decision (assuming they were being honest) to move to Oregon and get to know my dad. Through the mess of it all God has been faithful and answered some of the questions I had about my future, and also has offered an open door to a better situation. But now I'm uncertain of where I should go now. I have a couple of options of where I could go to school and moving out of my father's house is a given. So that's that in a nutshell...a nutshell? mmmmm.....nuts, shells....ahhauuahuhahauuuh.

On a lighter note I have been fortunate enough to meet a girl that I have become rather interested in. I'm not certain what to make of it, and how much of the word I should spread to my family. In recent relationships with girls, everytime I felt like a girl was a possible consort, I would dress myself up in the most persuasive attire along with the act and all, go to my mothers house to try to "sale" her the relationship just for a blessing. At the same time I would call my brother, talk to friends and anybody else who would listen about this wonderful women I adore. And then weeks to months pass and before you know it I was once again being marketed into the singles community...Let's do Lunch? ...anyone? So now I'm just gonna swing at all the balls thrown my way, if I swing and miss then ahhh, it's alright. I suppose if God's willing, it'll happen.

Chiropractors are doctors without pharmaceutical influences crushing their balls in a vise.
~ wise proverb

anxiety aftermath

I might not be the smartest individual to ever roam the earth, but the second you fancy my facade with a pair of designer eye glasses I'm beyond genius. As you might notice I can't even spell "pity", yes, I wish it were a typo, but no, it's all me. I once again would like to thank my true friends for making it known to me that I have no ego on which to boast. Recently I have had time to sit n' relax, taking a moment to reflect on those things that were causing stress to my life (insurances, bills, wearing underwear, exc.),, and I've come to find a deep absence deep within my loins. An absence of dependence, an absence of obedience, overall lacking the faith I have in God. I've come across this book I've been really pleased with called the Freedom of Simplicity by Richard J. Foster, who I've become quite fond of. In this book of delightful reading, I'm amused by simple logic gathered from God's word. For instance the author describes our existence and "being" as independent from our powers or control, meaning there is nothing we did to come into existence, and overall nothing we can do to control it. This is just some of the simple logic gathered from this brilliant text. By the way, did anyone happen to notice Starbucks is become more and more powerful by the day? Just recently the Starbucks Corporatiion (of the world) purchased the lease agreements to the Coffee People franchise in various locations, in other words "forcing" Coffee People to do their business elsewhere (typically the internet). Just one of many things that is making the fastest growing coffee chain into one of the most profitable corporations.

self-pitty

dependency

dependency

So I do not mean to sound as if I'm upset with growing up and becoming independent, but being dependent on others (parents, family, friends, exc.) was so nice. In this last month I've maintained two jobs, got in an accident, and found out the need I had for insurance. Although the accident wasn't my fault I realized the horror it would have been had it been my fault. Well none-the-less I think I took it up the "tail pipe" with the cost of my insurance, and now I feel like going lance armstrong everywhere I go, or go to the extreme and purchase a less-then-manly mo ped. But I cannot complain. I am still breathing, and I am still loved. I have a job, and I have a hope. I am my own failure, and God is my only success. God is the greatest success. This life is not that bad, in my opinion it's as bad as you make it for yourself. I love God and I love this life, it wouldn't be the same if it weren't for the love and grace of Christ Jesus. I am not hear to preach, but to love.