Abilities, talents, gifts … Some, almost don’t even require
baiting the hook in order to catch fish. Others ~ like me, we’re better off
just going to the restaurant. Ha! Most ~ we’ve sat in the fuselage
of the aircraft, traveling across the country … or across the
world. But, you’re best off to keep me out of the cockpit … Just
saying! Music ~ we have different genres ~ and rarely do you find a
person who does not like to listen to ‘their’ music. And playing
~ I can handle a guitar. But, a concert at ‘Red Rocks’ ~ yeah,
you won’t find ‘moi’ on stage.
So MANY gifts that proceed from each of us. One that will NEVER be
mine, is what I recently saw in El Salvador, as two fine brothers in
our Savior preformed acrobatics on ‘kids bikes’. Aka … BMX!
Danny and Vic, your abilities, your talents, those gifts which you've been blessed with … they bring a smile
to my face. And my reality ... of solely being a spectator. Indeed!
But ~ an ability …
a gift ... that I’ve been blessed to enjoy … is that of reading scripture as it was originally written. But, let me be honest. I meet with three
other brothers weekly … And I’m pretty much the High School
student amonst the ‘Professors’. None-the-less, to be able to go
to the source of those early New Testament authors. How cool is that?
So you can imagine
my surprise when I asked Danny about his ‘BROTHSRHOOD’
sweatshirt. You see the S in the
middle is that of the Greek Sigma ~ So here you had a guy who has this
ministry which has Christ as the center … and he wasn't aware of the fact ‘Christ’ was right there in the center of his shirt.
Yes, S is the first letter of
‘Savior’ … Sωτήρ … What
was simply a fancy ‘E’, has become so much more!
Danny & Vic ~ School in Ahuachapan
Perhaps the MOST
important part … is that Christ is in the CENTER of their, of our
lives. Amen to that! And though, like all … we have those days, when
like Peter on the sea … we’re sinking more than believing. Still, we are
grateful for this ‘BROTHSRHOOD’
~ that in those times where we might be sinking ... that He the Sωτήρ
is always faithful! And the ‘BROTHSRHOOD’
~~ being His instruments, using those gifts in which He has so
blessed each of us with ~~ we stand as brothers in support of the other.
Please follow the links below to see what Baja Christian Ministries are doing only a few miles south of the California border. One of those ministries is building
a 'Bodega' for 'Brotherhood' ministries in Baja ...
Two hundred blogs … Sometimes we never know where a particular goal
will take us, and what it will
A Favorite Sunset ~ Indeed
look like years from its beginning.
That is the case for this blog which I began now fifteen years ago.
My simple goal was to write … to journal … to blog about
something that was on my mind. Something about my journey. That which
both has significance and often is unique to this old guy.
I
gave it the title, ‘Viajero...blogging Rick’s Journey’. Viajero
means traveler in Spanish. I have seen no reason to change the name …
for that is what God has so blessed me with.
Though
it began at a snails pace … only five blogs in the first four
years, my hope is to write at least one a month. I peaked a decade
ago, beginning in 2012, as I determined to conclude the final fifty
shifts of my firefighting career, by telling the story of that
journey. I then continued in 2013 with what I called … ‘People,
Places and Praises’, as I ventured on an amazing thirty-day ‘bucket
list’ motorcycle trip.
2017 Coast to Coast
Personal
highlights have been many. But they include: of course that first,
‘Go Vertical’, about climbing the Sears Tower. As well, my other
stairclimb blog that I wrote in February 2022 called, ‘Thanks ~~
For the Pace’. That climb … was at the Empire State Building. Who
gets to do this? I have been so blessed!
Some
personal favorites from those fire blogs are: ‘Matters Not how a
Man Dies’, ‘Jerry, and the Wild Diabetic’, ‘Bear Hug…Leaves
a Lasting Impression’, or there was ‘Vick and the Zap!’, to the
last, ‘A Grateful Firefighter says...Goodbye’. Other favorites
include: ‘People, Places and Praises...Day 18...A Most Difficult
Day’, Sequoia 2011, No ‘Step’ in this Dad, Around the Next
Corner, Mom, ‘World Influencer’, or ‘No Tombstone...My Tribute
to Mom’. As well there was, ‘Oregon ABCity Tour' … Exploring
Our State, One Letter at a Time’, ‘Smell of the Mitt’, ‘I
Tell You Rick’, ‘A Short Courtship’, ‘The Greatest Week’
and ‘Gizmo ~~ A Very Good Friend’.
Adventure & Reflection ~ Might they Continue
Each,
are so much more than the titles given. Yet, I have found that those
titles in fact have provided the very synopsis for each one. What
stands out most … each were related particularly to a relationship
or personal adventure. Some, are about my mother, or my father and my
step-father. There have been those about my lovely wife, Karen.
Others about uncle Ron, my children and very close friends. And of
course last, but far from least … writing about this amazing
journey called life, and the MANY ways that our Heavenly Father has
literally guided my steps. I have been reminded often, and likewise
encourage others, with what I concluded the blog called, ‘It’s
Just A SIM Card’, saying, “Travel slowly, listen deeply and wait
for much more than one can even imagine.” In doing such, I believe
that your life can likewise be so very blessed!
Will I continue to write for another fifteen years, another
two-hundred blogs? I would not dare ~ to be so bold. What I hope …
that those who read would be encouraged in doing such. And perhaps,
even comment. That, for some reason, has been few. And … What I
know … Life provides amazing adventure. And if I’m so blessed to
live to seventy-nine, and blessed to continue to write about this
journey in which our Father has orchestrated … then, and only then
… will blog four-hundred be written.
What comes to mind when you think of beauty? Most often we think of a
place. For some that place is Paris. For others New Zealand. My
screen saver has produced countless of places that I’ve seldom or
never heard of nor seen. Apparently this phenomenon began with Chuck
O’Rear with his photo, rightly named ‘Bliss’, from California’s
wine country. It is said to be the most viewed photographed of
all-time.
I wrote this blog when Karen and I were in Puerto
Vallarta, Mexico in November of 2022. The sites there, as well, are in such amazing
abundance. The most impressive sunsets, captured by hundreds, no more
likely by thousands who watch the evening spectacle called the sun,
as it slowly dips beyond the horizon on the great Banderas Bay. And
there’s more ~ watching whales, dolphins, mantas, from the shore, on a boat or
better yet from underwater. Like any place on earth, there are rivers,
waterfalls, and jungles that boggle the mind. There are mountains,
trees and flowers and birds that make simply sitting a spectator
sport all its own.
Yet,
this morning I once again was pondering ~ what do I like most about
Vallarta? And the resounding answer came back ~ people! While walking
to pick up a new friend to join other men as we search the purpose
found in scripture, I listened as construction workers and a garbage
man whistled, truly while they work. There are conversations with
Taxi & Uber drivers. Perhaps my favorite is watching children
play. No cell phones or tablets near. Only imagination, with sticks,
or rocks, an imaginary friend, with a brother or sister.
~ Mural on Juarez in Central PV ~
Yes,
there are people back home in my state of Oregon. People in the
twenty or so countries in which I’ve been so blessed to make their
acquaintance. And yes, the beauty of creation is always ever so
present. None-the-less, my favorite wherever my travels have brought
me too, is watching & enjoying people. Especially those little
people ~ as they so freely play.
Life
requires much from us as adults. Perhaps no greater than providing an
environment for which our children can always have the freedom to
play. And for us ‘OLD’ adults ~ to learn to set aside work at
times. To allow ourselves to have the simple freedom of play. Yes,
that is what I like most about Vallarta. That is true beauty!
Matthew
19:14 “Jesus, let the children come onto me and do not hinder them,
for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”
Thank you Randy Stonehill ~ You give us such beautiful songs ... Beautiful stories such as 'Little Rose'
Have you ever done a web-search on one of those ‘This Day in
History’ sites? I’m sure that most have. But let me ask … Does
any one historical event come to mind for this day, December 31st? Of course, with exception, that it's New Years Eve.
I’ll provide the year momentarily. Though one added note about this particular
year … Only twenty days prior, Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt
became that last astronauts to walk on the moon. No help, huh?
I
was quite disappointed to discover how little some ‘Day in History’
sites offered in regards to this individual. At times their only
contribution was the DOB, occupation and date of death. Most of those sites are mainly about advertising, more than 'history'. While other sites were quite generous, providing material that I had not
even known.
December 31st, 1972
This
person, OK, l’ll give it away, guy … was originally signed by
my own Brooklyn Dodgers. Kind of like our Portland Trailblazers not
signing this little known fella … named ... Michael Jordan. Ouch! Also
on that Dodger team was a pitcher by the name of Tommy Lasorda. Our
mystery man was a U.S. Marine and his last name is Walker. But, I’m
almost positive that this name will not be of much help. He wore a
number on his shirt made up of the total letters of his name. So cool ... and original! And his batting coach was the great George Sisler.
He
was once asked about racial and ethnic tensions, to which he
responded, “I don’t believe in color”. This he said, was the
way that we were taught as children.
It
was said by a close friend, Luis Mayoral, that he was to Latinos what
“Jackie Robinson was to blacks”. As well, he would become the first Latin
American player selected to baseball’s Hall of Fame. They even
waived their five-year rule because of him.
When he was in his home country, he
played for the Cangrejeros (Crabbers). In 1956 he
hit baseballs lone walk-off inside the park home run. And a month before my
birth he accomplished a rare feat of hitting three triples in a single game. He became an annual winner of baseball's Golden Glove award (Best defensive player at his position), as well
as a fifteen-time All-Star. Once he was the league MVP, as well as being the 1971
World Series MVP.
And his
very last at bat of his career, was his illustrious three thousandth. For those non-baseball
fans (Will Horton), this is one of baseball’s most elite
accomplishments.
So …
lot’s of facts about one of my childhood favorites. One, whom, as a young boy, I would often pretend to be ... along with
others, like Sandy Koufax and Willie Mays.
This gentleman, number ‘21’, stands above all. Hard, diligent
play has always been very important to me as a ballplayer. But above
this … is sportsmanship! This man displayed both ... to the extent that baseball’s award presented annually
to a Major League player for exemplary sportsmanship and
community service is named after him.
His
name … ‘Roberto Clemente Walker’. Known by most without his
maternal family name of Walker. Early in December of 1972, Roberto had
visited Managua, Nicaragua. Three weeks later, on December 23rd, an earthquake stuck the country. Roberto began arranging
emergency relief medical flights. Though, with concerns that the supplies
from the first three flights never reached the intended victims, he
determined to accompany the fourth flight into the country. His motto was, "If you have a chance to help others and fail to do so, you're wasting your time on this earth".
Fifty
years ago today, on December 31st, 1972, Roberto Clemente boarded that plane in the evening,
flying only briefly, before crashing into the ocean. It is said that
a fellow Puerto Rican friend describe this news as the “night that
happiness died”.
Mr.
Clemente, most of the above are trivial facts of your life as one of
baseball's greats. As amazing as they are, nothing compares to how you
lived your life. It is in honor of that life that I leave this blog.
Thank you number ‘21’. Thank you for showing us what compassion
looks like … Thank you for showing us that we “don’t need to
believe in color”. Might we all go out "And live the life of a common fellow".
It was the mid 1990’s and I was enjoying a wonderful summer day
while completing a landscape project on my hillside. The good news about the
blaring music was that it was 1960’s and 70’s soft rock. A genre
that I greatly enjoy and fondly reminisce. None-the-less, the seemingly 120
decibel’s exiting her speakers was a bit much even for me. I walked
over and knocked onto the wooden screen door. With no response, I
hollered, “Terri, can you turn the music down”? Again, no
response. Fortunately while dancing to the music, she began a
pirouette. It was then that our eyes caught one another. So I
attempted one more time, and hollered, “Terri, can you turn the
music down”? To which she replied, “Just a minute neighbor, the
music’s too loud”! “Exactly”!
Those
early years brought a variety of surprises in our neighborhood ~~ the
last which occurred in 2007. It was on a Fall day when Terri went
across the street offering an apology to a couple little girls. Now a decade and a half later and her ‘15 Year Sobriety’ coin in hand, she
says, “That was then”.
And this is joy ~
There’s
not a one of us with whom change is not necessary. But I guess when
a “transformation” is so dramatic, so life “altering”, that one can
simply pull a coin out of their pocket and exclaim, “That was
then”!
Choosing
never again to have reason to offer such an apology, those little
girls you might say, forever renewed her life. So yes, she has reason
to exclaim with joy, “That was then”!
And
I can say … there has NEVER been a neighbor quite like Terri. Ha!
And I rejoice with her at fifteen years. And here’s to the next ... fifteen
...
I counted, trece, catorce, quince … that is thirteen, fourteen,
fifteen … as he completed his lagartijas. I smiled and asked,
“¿Cuantas lagartijas
hiciste?” That is, “How many push-ups did you do?”
I love the Spanish
word for push-ups, ‘lagartija’. Simply, a lizard. Why not? The
visual is perfect, right?
We introduced
ourselves, chatted a bit, and then he asked if I wanted to do another set
of lagartijas with him. I smiled again. He did not realize who he was
asking. Just another OLD man, right? He pushed through to get another fifteen. And the old man ...
continued with, “Dieciseis, diecisiete”, and so on. He then knew that had been taken by a ringer. Ha :)
Ricardo y Rogelio
It was just another
peaceful morning on the Malecón in Puerto Vallarta. I asked if he’d
like to join me climbing to the Mirador de la Cruz. Something that
we’ve enjoyed several times since, and will continue. The
following week, a visit to the Optometry business, where he’s
employed. And today, joining us a second time at church, has
reinforced a new and likely lasting friendship.
Through this
relationship with my new friend, Rogelio, I’ve been reminded of
some valuable lessons, which I have found while reading through the book
of Proverbs. Over the past two months I’ve read a chapter a day, focusing
particularly with regard to wisdom. As well, those verses that have
grabbed my attention.
Chapter 16, verse 3
says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will
succeed.” So, there needs to be the intention of commitment ~ to
the Lord. OK! Continuing a tad further in verse nine, we read, “In
his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” Now wait a second. We need to commit, and then our plans will
succeed. It is we who plan our course ... we who plan our routine, that
which we’re going to accomplish for any given day, but … the Lord
is determining the actual steps. Stay with me for one more verse! Chapter twenty, twenty-four, “A man’s steps are directed by the
Lord. How then can anyone understand His way.”
Perhaps I’m wrong,
but here’s my current take away from these verses written by Solomon,
said to be the wisest of all. We ponder, we educate ourselves, we
search and prepare for what we’ll become and how we’d like to proceed in life. And in this process of planning and of committing, to be in
step (pun intended) with ultimately the Lord’s direction for each
moment. Allowing His character of humility, grace, joy, relationship,
gratefulness … among many others … to be ready for and to be impacting
our world at any given moment.
I … we … can not
understand His way. But, if we’re honest with the commitment, if
we’re intentional with the plans, then, the Lord is able to
determine … He is able to direct our steps. And sometimes, those
steps lead to the cross. Sometimes those steps lead to new and
vibrant friendship.
The view from 'El Mirador de la Cruz'
On that Monday
morning a few weeks ago, I had absolutely no thought that Rogelio
would be placed in my way. My plan, my course was to simply walk to
the Malecón, and then up the steps to the Cross. But within “my”
plan, within “my” course, the Lord directed the “steps”.
Might we all have a
plan, a course in life … but wait with expectation, with anticipation, and with
excitement for those particular steps in which the Lord will direct.
Though I’ve done no scientific research, I do believe that the most
celebrated view is that of a sunrise or sunset. Think about it for
yourself. Mountains, rivers, waterfalls, the stars, the ocean … all
of these present some of the most amazing visual experiences that
we’ve ever enjoyed. But ~~ who has not sat, while dining, while
sitting upon a mountain top, or upon the oceans shores, from your
hotel room, or as Rob Georg sings, "Sunsets from the Ranch", and lingered while the sun slowly dipped beyond the
horizon? By itself, it is completely spectacular! Yet, add a few
clouds, perhaps a sailboat, or a couple walking upon the seashore ~
and you have just magnified your moment in untold ways.
But
let’s say that your view is obstructed? Perhaps it’s a cloudy
day. Maybe there are structures that prevent you from enjoying that
most wonderful moment. Or, perhaps it is creation itself.
~ The 'Pearly Gates' ~
In
2007, I had the privilege to join a dozen of my firefighter comrades
on a 11,249 foot climb of Mount Hood in Oregon. Your day actually
begins the previous day. That is, you begin your ascent at
approximately 11pm the night before,. The goal is to time your
arrival in order to capture the dawn of the new day. Yet, on that
particular day we experienced one major problem. Due to a couple of
our comrades having climbing difficulties, and hence having to
descend, we arrived at what is called the ‘Pearly Gates’ only
minutes before the rising of that amazing ball of fire. Because of
our late arrival, ice had begun to fall from the narrow passage of
the ‘Pearly Gates’. Dave, our most excellent guide, made the
painful decision to abandon the climb. The sunrise goal ~ well, it
would be missed. So, the safety of the moment and the crew took
preeminence. The point ~ At 11,100 feet, we were but a mere 150 feet
from seeing what would have been one of those most spectacular
sunrises. Instead, the mountain herself blocked our scene.
Now
fifteen years later we found ourselves in a room without a view.
Though we had been “upgraded” from our typical unit, it surely
seemed more like a downgrade. You see, if you have reservations, made
nearly a year in advance, to the next higher condos, the presumption
would be an ocean view. Initially we were hopeful, as our room number
was ‘7168’. That must be the seventh floor, correct? Oh no! That
would somehow be the seventh building. And it was on the first floor.
So what began as a potential ocean view became one of jungle plants.
Say What?
After
several encounters with multiple different employees from each of the
high-end to lower-end units, over that evening and the following
morning, I finally resolved that “Que sera, sera”.
It
would be a couple days afterwards that the true resolve occurred.
While watching the trees across our courtyard, as the gentle breeze
created such a beautiful sway of the leaves, I was reminded of a simple
truth. That is, that a view is solely a perspective. You see, that
11,100 foot climb in ascent of Mount Hood … it was not lacking
view, only the expected view. The same is true of our first floor
condo. Though it was not the expected view … there was, and is a
view to be enjoyed.
Might
we recognize that our rooms without an apparent view … do indeed
have a view. If only we change our perspective.
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.jpg)
.jpg)