Standing in Awe

Is anyone else dumfounded by this picture?



This picture, released today from the Hubble telescope, is a pair of galaxies known as Arp 147. Officials are calling this photo a perfect "10". In my humble opinion, the creation shown in this picture is a perfect "10".

Seeing pictures like this makes me more aware of how much of His creation and beauty passes me by every day because I'm too busy to take time to be still and take it all in.

The best part (and NASA experts will back me up) is that we haven't begun to scratch the surface of discovering everything God created. There are infinitely many more galaxies out there that I know we want discover in my lifetime and yours as well.

Do you have a hard time putting huge ideas like this in perspective? I don't even know where to start.

11/04/08

What is the significance of this date? I'll give you a hint. Think Red. Think Pure Goodness (see previous posts). Think of the location that produces one of my favorite beverages.

This is why November 4th is significant:

Yes sir, they are BACK!! It's red cup season at Starbucks. The holiday season is upon us and I'm so excited about being with family and friends for Thanksgiving and Christmas, completed my first semester of school, and enjoying a nice, hot, refreshing Venti Peppermint Mocha (with a twist) by the fire on a cold day.

R4: Ragnar Relay Race Recap

An update from this weekend's Ragnar Relay Race:

12 runners + 180 miles + 25 hours + 2 vans + 3 navigators/encouragers/coaches/cheerleaders + little to no sleep + several Gu packs = 1 UNBELIEVABLE EXPERIENCE. My only regret is that I was not one of the runners participating. A group of us drove down to San Antonio on Thursday night and stayed with the family of one of the participants. The next morning we woke up, had a little breakfast, and headed to the start line for our 11 a.m. start time. It was then that we would begin to experience every emotion. Ones that ranged from triumph to disappointment, struggle to fatigue, joy and pure elation to anger and frustation -- all wrapped up in a nice 25 hour period. You really learn a lot about someone when you spend a full day with them in a 12 passenger van.

Although I was not participating, I absolutely enjoyed every minute of serving everyone on our team. I bandaged up torn calf muscles, stretched tight hamstrings, and massaged cramping calves. It really hit me that I was currently in the midst of something special that I would remember for a long time when I realized that I was out in the middle of Hwy 290 between Johnson City and Austin encouraging one of my best friends during a run at 4 AM!!!

To my friends who participating and the new friends I made along the way....thank you! I absolutely enjoyed every minute of our ride together.

I'll post pictures from the event once I get them downloaded and receive them from our team.

CONGRATULATIONS TEAM CHARIOTS OF ASPHALT!! I'm looking forward to next year.

(Editor's note: I slept soundly for 13 hours on Saturday night after returning to the DFW area and I'm still not caught up.)

I'm Lovin' It (registered trademark)

Taking a play from the McDonald's playbook, I thought I'd share some things "I'm Lovin'" recently:

• New Friendships -- I've made several new friends here in the DFW area, mostly through my "Little Group" at church. Justin, Jennifer, Mike, Karee, Jered, Ali, Aaron, Amanda, Preston, Courtney, and Dean (in no particular order) are all incredible people that I've had a blast getting to know. Whether it is playing softball, building a deck, or getting set up on blind dates -- I love being around all of these great peeps.
• Reconnecting with old friends in Texas -- I'm so thankful that I have guys and girls in my life who encourage me and challenge me on a daily basis. It's been so much fun seeing everyone back here in Texas and I've still got many more friends to see.
• School -- Wierd, huh? I'm absolutely loving every minute of school. Yes, I get extremely stressed from time to time, but I think that comes with the territory.
• GREAT FAMILY TIME -- I've had the chance to see my parents the past two weeks, visited both my nieces, saw my brother and sister in law, visited with my grandparents, and saw several members of my extended family over the past few weeks. AWESOME!! I'm a family guy and I'm eating up the great times I get to spend with my family.
• Encouraging emails and phone calls from AZ friends -- Blog shout out to Rebecca, Lisa, Traci, Greg, Elizabeth, Patrick, Jim, and Joey.
• Nicknames -- For some reason, I'm the bearer of many nicknames (Bucky, Chipmunk, Burke-a-licous, Tu-burkey, Stoney, White Kenyan, Peaches, B-dub, Peyton, etc). I thought I'd heard them all until yesterday -- Speedy Gonburkey. Humm...interesting. And if you are wondering, I'm not going to explain several of these nicknames on my blog. You will have to ask me in person.
• WEATHER -- I know this blog is deeper than just talking about the weather. But when I step outside and its in the 40s, the weather deserves an "I'm Lovin' It" shout out. Bring it on winter. I want to be bundled up like that kid in Christmas Vacation.
• Today is the last day of the week!! Woo Hoo -- I'm headed southbound soon.

What are some things that you're lovin'?

I hope you have a GREAT weekend!!! -pbw

Ready to Ragnar!!!

I'm leaving tomorrow with several great friends from here in the DFW area to head down south to the San Antonio/Austin area to run in this weekend's Ragnar Relay. The relay will cover almost 200 miles over 2 days -- winding its way through the Texas Hill Country. The team of 12 runners will alternate running over the 2 day period.

My role on the team this year is not "runner" like some might expect, but cheerleader and driver. My buddy, Jered Wilkerson, and I will be making sure our 6 participants are hydrated, encouraged, rested, and ready to run all of their legs over the course of this weekend. I could not be more excited (and I'm sure I'll get some running in there throughout the weekend).

I'd like to give a "Running the Race" WOE (word of encouragement) to some members of Team Chariots of Asphalt -- Justin, Jennifer, Mike, Karee, Ali, and Heidi. I'm looking forward to the weekend and having the chance to encourage all of you as you make your way through the Hill Country. Every one of you are going to do great!!!

P.S. -- Remember to hydrate and Gu during the race -- you don't want to hit the wall.

Who Knew Cloggin' Your Arteries Could Be This Much Fun?

...I sure didn't. Today, I visited the Texas State Fair in Dallas with some of my colleagues. The Texas State Fair personifies all that makes Texas great -- it's BIG, it's FRIED, it's nothing but fun. Every year an item is selected as the Best Taste -- Big Tex Award Winner. This year's top menu item is the Chicken Fried Bacon. So in order to make my state fair visit credible, I had to venture over where few had gone before and try me some Chicken Fried Bacon.

Can you say HEART ATTACK ON A PLATE?

I'm not kidding when I say that grease permeated the atmosphere and would soon clog my arteries. I'm not much of a fried food person and I could not stomach all 6 pieces of my Chicken Fried Bacon. If my body could talk, it was probably yelling some R-rated words at me when I put that fried goodness in my body.

To top off my experience, I rode the "scariest" ride at the Fair. I'm a little bit of a thrill seeker and don't shy away from too many roller coasters or, for that matter, challenges. So as soon as I was "challenged" to ride a ride with my boss in front of most of the office, I didn't back down.

If you are reading along and starting to put two and two together, you might be asking yourself -- "how much time did Burke give himself between consuming his Chicken Fried Bacon and riding the "scariest" ride at the Fair?" My answer "not long enough." Thankfully, I was able to keep my Chicken Fried Bacon in my stomach instead of letting everyone see it a second time, but I've never felt so bloated in my life (my apologies for the details...I just wanted you to share in my pain).

Needless to say, it was a memorable first visit to one of the largest state fairs in the country. It was big, it was pure Texas, and I loved every minute of it. Next time, I'd like to stay a little longer and try the Fried Guacamole or Fried Banana Split.

For my "Running the Race" blog readers not in the state of Texas or in Dallas, Burke and Big Tex send a Big Texas "HOWDY!!"

Big Tex stats:

Debut - State Fair 1952

Height - 52 feet

Boots - Size 70

Hat - 75 gallon

(It's true -- everything is bigger in Texas)

Out of Rhythm

Do you ever have those times when your computer is just not syncing with your Blackberry, your T's are not crossed and your I's are going undotted, or when your brain has taken a temporary sabbatical and didn't give your body the memo?

I'm going through one of those periods right now. Life is not going all wrong, it is just not going all right. I have not been "clicking on all cylinders" recently. To give you some examples -- I'm forgetting dinner dates, appointments, and things on my to do list which is very uncharacteristic.

I've been through these periods of life before and I've learned how to recognize them. For me, the wheels begin to wobble a bit when I'm tired or stressed or have too much on my plate – all three of which describe my life over the past three weeks. But now is the time, while I have two weeks before my next test, to get back on track. To rest, reevaluate, and recharge before I go back at it again.

Do you ever experience these times when life is not moving in one fluid motion? How do you deal or cope with these periods in life?

Sights and Sounds from Campus

Part of a conversation I overheard today in the library: "Hey dude, aren't you the guy who told me you had 3 convicted felonies?"

What? Did I hear that right? I kept walking thinking that I surely didn't get the entire story. I walked out of the library only to see this sign in the middle of campus.

YIKES!! I might need to start considering some type of self protection (i.e. bodyguard).

In other news, I got my flu shot today. At least, I'm protected from that horrible virus that rears its ugly head this time of year.

Happy Birthday My Precious, Little Mal Gal

One year ago today, I received a call that I will not forget for a long time. My brother's brand new baby girl was being life flighted to Texas Childrens' Hospital in Houston. I immediately packed up my bags and headed to the airport to catch the next Southwest Flight to Houston. During the days and weeks to come, we waited patiently to see what the Lord had in store for Mallory's life.

What a blessing it is to say that she is here with us today to celebrate her very first year on this earth. I'm reminded every day that she is the Lord's little child and He has a very special plan for her little life. I don't get to see her as much as I'd like because of my location in relation to my brother and sister in law, but I love her with all of my heart.

Today, me and my whole family celebrate the wonderful blessing the Lord gave us when He gave us Mallory Belle Wilson.

Mallory, I love you more than words can describe. You are precious and cute beyond belief and I'm so thankful that I have the awesome privilege of being your uncle.

Happy 1st Birthday!!!

-Uncle Burke

Excuses....

...I've got a lot of them, but I will not use any of them to cover up my lack of blogging in the last 2 weeks....wait...is it 3 or 4 weeks? I'm not sure. If someone can tell me where I left September, I'd be greatly appreciative and indebted to you. I promise to get back on blogging track over the next few days. There is a lot happening in my little world that I want to share with you over the World Wide Web. Stay tuned....check back...and leave me a comment every now and then.

I know some of you are reading in conspicuously, because I get "gentle" reminder (i.e. nasty grams) from you reminding me that I have abandoned my blog. :)

Thanks for reading...I'll be in touch!!