#9 -- Sonic Happy Hour

Three words for every single "Running the Race" blog reader -- Sonic Happy Hour (SHH). It will revoluntionize your life and the way you think about your afternoons from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. My love SHH dates back to my childhood when my dad (aka. "Big Daddy") would pick my brother and I up from school and make a bee line for the local Sonic. All was well in Southeast Texas on SHH days after school.

I then moved off to college where I continued the tradition, stopping in between my 2:30 and 5:00 class for a Route 44 Vanilla Dr. Pepper (don't knock it until you try it). I made friends with my Sonic car hop -- T-Shara -- who then began to provide me with my drink of choice for free in exchange for some music from 50 Cent, Jay-z, or Beyonce -- radio edited versions.

After college life changed and work soon go in the way. But if I ever found myself out and about on a weekday between 2 -4 pm, I made sure I found a Sonic. Now that I'm going to be a student again, Sonic Happy Hours will once again be reinstated into my daily routine.

What's your Sonic drink of choice? I'd like to hear all of the different varieties.

(NOTE: Yes, there are a FEW of Sonic Drive In locations in AZ, but I want to emphasize the word "FEW." I'm not particularly fond of driving two hours to my "local" Sonic. The cost/benefit analysis didn't work out in my favor.)

Top 10 Reasons -- Why I'm Excited About Moving Back to Texas?

I'm starting a series of posts over the next couple of weeks that illustrate my excitement for moving back to the home state. They will move in increasing order of importance. Enjoy!

#10 –The FOOD: Tex-Mex and BBQ

Seriously, there is nothing better than good ole' Texas BBQ and Tex Mex. My favorite restaurants -- Lupe Tortillas and Pappas' BBQ -- happen to be in Houston. But do not worry, my friend, the DFW has some great selections of their own. In fact, I'm going to be living 10 minutes north of Cowtown USA (Fort Worth) and Chuy's Mexican Food is just a short drive away in Dallas. My stomach is growling now. FIRE UP THE GRILL!

An Abundant Life

Jesus says, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. But I came so that they may have life, and have it to the full [or ABUNDANTLY]."

Lately, I've been clinging to this promise that God gives us through His son, Jesus Christ. I've learned over the past couple of months that this abundant life is not a life filled with bigger houses, a better job, more money, or more material things. It's also not a life without pain or suffering or tragedy or heartache. Instead, it's a life filled with a hope, peace, and fulfillment that the Lord can and will provide for you and me.

I think we tend to overlook these wonderful promises the Lord has given us because we are too busy or life is not going like we think it should. So take some time today to think about this verse and how it applies to your life. I've been challenged by it recently.

Dumpster Diving -- Being Resourceful

As I mentioned in my previous post, I'm moving back to the home state in August. And any great move involves BOXES -- and lots of them. I was checking the local UHaul and Public Storage locations last week for prices on boxes. Holy heart failure, Batman! Are those babies made of gold?

This week a friend told me about all of "BIG BOX" stores in the area and the plethora of boxes that they throw out on a daily basis. My first stop was Costco, which didn't disappoint. I may be able to get all of my shoes in one of those bad, mamma jamma boxes; however, it will be close. I then moved on to Linens and Things. Don't laugh -- they've got nice clean boxes. And this is where I found the mother load of all things cardboard boxes. They had every shape and size imaginable. I raided the dumpster and filled my car up as much as possible and headed home.

Now, instead of spending half of my life savings on boxes, I got all of them for free. Ohhh....the joys of learning how to live on a student salary. And please, don't call me a "tight wad." I'm resourceful!

From Briefcase to Backpack

It is time to break the silence. Yes, you read the title correctly. On August 15, I'm leaving my job to return to school to pursue my DPT (doctorate degree in physical therapy). All of my schooling – prerequisite work and PT school – will take about 5 years. I'm moving back to the great state of Texas on August 16 and will settle into the Dallas-Fort Worth area and attend school at the University of Texas - Arlington.

[CLARIFICATION: I will NOT be a T-sip, I'll be a Maverick. And I'm planning to wear maroon and white as often as possible to make sure everyone knows where my allegiance lies.]

I'm really excited about this new chapter in my life, pursuing my degree, and getting the opportunity to work one on one with people from all walks of life after school. At this point, I'm interested in pursuing my speciality in either orthopedic or pediatric physical therapy.

I'm planning to chronicle my adventure right here on this blog.

(If you're in Dallas and reading this, please give me a shout or shoot me an e-mail. I'd love to reconnect once I get to Dallas.)

Tour de Texas recap

Family and Friends; Schlitterbahn Fun and Sonic Happy Hour; Redneck Watching and Rudy's BBQ; Strawberry Ice Cream and Sunday Siestas; Encouraging Conversations with Extraordinary People; Life Changes and a Lifetime of Memories -- all wrapped up into one weekend in one great state.

My mini-vacation took me to Dallas and San Antonio. I was renewed, refreshed, and affirmed.

I pray that I never forget the tremendous blessings of family (mom and dad, brother and sister, grandparents, uncles and aunts, cousins, and nieces) and friends that never leave my side, who are always there for me, know me inside and out, encourage me to chase after my dreams, and challenge me to walk daily with the Lord.

Here is a picture of five dog tired people after OPENING and CLOSING Schlitterbahn. We used Saturday to its fullest and left with no regrets and a ton of memories!!


(L to R: Megan, Ben, me, Katy, Travis)

I ENJOYED SPENDING A DAY AT "THE BAHN" WITH ALL 4 OF YOU!!!

Jib Jab's NEW Campaign Video (w/ a cameo appearance)

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...and HOPE does not disappoint us...

"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Romans 5:3-5

Last night, baseball's annual Home Run Derby was on center stage and the player who will be remembered the most from last night is not the champion, instead he was the runner up -- Josh Hamilton. In the first round of last night's Derby, Hamilton hit a record setting 28 home runs, many of which didn't just clear the fence but found the upper deck in the house that Ruth built. If you were to interview Josh after he set the record, he would not want to be remembered for his record, but for the great transforming power of his relationship with the Lord. Josh's story is one of complete brokeness, redemption, and the joyous hope that all who trust their life to Jesus Christ.

However, no one can tell his story better than Josh himself. Click here to read Josh's story in his own words. In the article, Josh candidly shares about his addiction to drugs, the night he hit rock bottom, and the extravagant grace the Lord extended to him. In the simplest terms, he explains, "It's a God thing. It's the only possible way."

May I never lose sight of the awesome hope that I have in Jesus Christ!

Whatcha talking bout "Wilson"

...absolutely nothing. I've been experiencing blogging writer's block the past couple of weeks. Mix that in with a week long business trip and a couple life changes (which will be discussed here on this blog in the coming weeks) and what do you get -- no very many blog posts.

So to the get the pony kick started again, I thought I'd post a blast from the past video that mirrors the theme of this post.

God Bless the USA -- Happy 4th of July

This past week, I've been in Half Moon Bay, CA for a work conference. I've had a great time and the weather has been absolutely beautiful; however, I'm ready to be home and will be flying back tomorrow. This explains my lack of blogging over the past week.

On to bigger and better things....today is our nation's Independence Day -- 4th of July. Today, I hope that you pause to reflect on the extraordinary blessing on our great country. We are very fortunate to enjoy liberties and freedoms that many, many people around the world are not as fortunate to enjoy. We are guaranteeed rights by a Constitution that has stood the test of time for more than 220 years. Finally, we are protected by brave men and women every day that stand in the gaps to make sure those freedoms and liberties are preserved and protected.

Here is a short video of a Navy SEAL who did just that -- stood in the gap for his fellow soliders and you and me.

Happy 4th of July!!!