The Reading Room

Okay, so I have to be upfront and tell you that I haven't actually finished this book yet. But, I want to tell you about it anyway! If you have never done a Beth Moore group Bible study, or even one on your own, do it. I mean like right now, go find one and do it! She's amazing. I've done two of her Bible studies, both with wonderful groups of women from my church, Good Shepherd, and I loved them.

So, when I saw Beth's book Praying God's Word Day by Day, I just had to have it. (Of course, I downloaded it to my Nook!) I love this book because it's about being active: short prayers to God using His own words from the Bible. It's such a fulfilling read every night, and it pairs perfectly with another daily Bible study or reading simply because it's short and incorporates many verses (some of which you may have already studied that same day!).

I started this book on January 1 as the guide suggests, so I'm almost finished with the first month. Of course, it spans the whole year, but you can pick up at any time! There's no sequence to the prayers, they're each unique. If you're looking for a simple way to get active in daily prayer and Bible reading, this devotional is a good jumping off point. Happy reading!

Things I've Learned at the Gym

So, referring back to a previous post, I decided to become a runner again this year. I know, it's ridiculous, but I'm actually really enjoying it! I've been spending a lot of my time at the gym behind my house. I've always dreamed of having my own gym in my house, but for those of us who don't have extra cash lying around, having a gym behind your house is the next best thing!

Typically, I would prefer to run outside. There's nothing like the fresh air and change of scenery to get your legs pumping and your lungs wheezing. However, the temperature has been in the teens and twenties most mornings, low thirties in the evenings, and let's not count out all the snow. So, this little beauty has become my very best friend:

(Forgive me, it's a phone pic. And yes, I took a picture of the treadmill at the gym!)

For those of you that follow me on Twitter, you have seen me talk about this treadmill constantly. It's hard not to talk about it because is it's so amazing! It's all digital and touch screen, and it even has a simulated track on the screen to show me how far I'm going! Let's face it... I'm in love with a treadmill.

So, by going to the gym regularly for the past three weeks, I've learned a few things. The first thing I've learned is that you can go to the gym and do absolutely nothing. There is a young guy, I'd say probably around my age, who is at the gym around the same time as me everyday. Literally, in the hour that I'm on the treadmill, he will lift all of five weights. The rest of the time, he stands around and watches the televisions. I don't know about you, but my thoughts on this are that I pay for a gym membership, and I pay my cable bill. I should take full advantage of each and not let the two interfere. Then again, maybe he pays his gym membership to watch cable.

Another thing I've learned is that NO ONE goes to the gym at 6:00 a.m. Let's just get this straight: I'm not a morning person. For me to be at the gym that early is like an act of Congress. Impossible. But, this week I made a breakthrough and did it. The best part: I didn't have to fight anyone for my beloved treadmill! The worst part: Being at the gym at 6:00 a.m. I can't lie, it was kind of lonely to run by myself when it was pitch black outside the windows. There was one little old man that did tell me to have a great day, and by his recommendation, I did!

I'll be updating you with other fun stories from the gym as I acquire them. Feel free to share your gym stories in the comments section!

Help the French Family

Nearly two years ago, Rick and Adam French were killed in a car accident by a drunk driver. Unfortunately, the WV State Police have tarnished Rick's name by making the accusation that he caused this accident. Please read the article below that I wrote for the family, and share it with as many people as possible. I have sent it to Governor Earl Ray Tomblin's Facebook inbox. Let's make sure the WV State Police get this right.

Independent investigations reveal WV State Police in the wrong about Scott Depot men killed in car crash

  

On Super Bowl Sunday, February 1, 2009, Richard French, a Safety Supervisor for the CNX Gas Division of Consol Energy, and his 22 year old son, Adam, a student at WVU, were traveling northbound on I-79 from their home in Scott Depot, WV. They were traveling to Morgantown, WV where Rick maintained a work apartment that he and Adam shared. At approximately 7:00 p.m. on that clear evening, they were involved in a head-on collision with a pick up truck near Clarksburg. Rick and Adam French, as well as the young driver of the pick up truck, were killed.

In a rushed decision that involved no accident reconstruction analysis or screening of 911 calls, Sgt. Glen P. Doyle and Trooper Jamie L. Rickard of the West Virginia State Police concluded that Rick and Adam were traveling the wrong way on I-79 and caused this horrific crash. Additionally, Sgt. Doyle and Trooper Rickard reported to media outlets that alcohol did not play a factor in this accident. Unfortunately, statewide media reported these inaccuracies the following day. In reality, Rick and Adam French were killed by a drunk driver.

Based on two independent investigations conducted by the law firms of Steptoe & Johnson and Hunt & Lees, the West Virginia State Police clearly arrived at an erroneous conclusion. After conducting a thorough investigation, it was determined that the driver of the pick up truck had a blood alcohol content level of .16 (nearly twice the legal limit) and made an illegal U-turn on I-79. The driver traveled approximately three-tenths of a mile in the wrong direction before striking the vehicle of Rick and Adam. In fact, a cursory review of 911 calls determined that a truck driver had reported erratic driving by the pick up, as well as the illegal U-turn, prior to the accident. 

All relevant insurance companies reviewing this accident have arrived at the same conclusion: Rick and Adam French were not driving the wrong way on I-79. They were innocent victims who were killed by the irresponsible actions of a drunk driver. Unfortunately, the West Virginia State Police refuse to accept this truth and will not change their report, despite requests from Steptoe & Johnson and Hunt & Lees.

Facts that the West Virginia State Police do not acknowledge or accept:

• The driver of the pick up truck had a blood alcohol content level of .16 (nearly twice the legal limit). This blood alcohol content information was indicated in the West Virginia State Police’s accident report, yet Sgt. Doyle and Trooper Rickard reported that alcohol did not play a factor in the accident.

• The West Virginia State Police did not review any 911 calls, one of which indicated the driver of the pick up was driving erratically and made an illegal U-turn on I-79.

• The West Virginia State Police did not conduct an accident reconstruction analysis that would have led to a more informed conclusion on how the accident took place.

• While stopping for gas in Elkview, Rick had to enter his mileage into the pump in order to use his company gas card. Based on the mileage he entered at the pump, this indicated the exact mileage from the gas station to the scene of the accident leaving no indication that Rick and Adam would be going the wrong way on I-79.

• The West Virginia State Police assumed that Rick and Adam traveled to the Meadowbrook exit on I-79 North, got off at the exit and perhaps stopped at a convenience store, and then re-entered I-79 going south in the northbound lanes. Based on the time indicated on the gas station receipt from Elkview, Rick and Adam would have been traveling consistently at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour in order for this scenario to be accurate. Additionally, there was no transaction that would have indicated their stop at a convenience store, as well as no video footage that would place them at a convenience store or ATM.

• The West Virginia State Police assumed that Rick and Adam would be driving south in the northbound lanes simply because the two were from Scott Depot. Rick maintained a work apartment in Morgantown due to his job placement for Consol Energy in the Waynesburg, PA area. Because Adam was a senior at WVU, the two shared this apartment. Rick and Adam traveled I-79 weekly over a four year period, leaving no speculation that the two would be unfamiliar with the road. Additionally, cell phone records indicate that Rick had spoken with his wife, Jean, just 10 minutes prior to the accident, diminishing any speculation that the two could have been sleepy or confused.

Please urge the West Virginia State Police to correct this wrong.

Word of the Year

Every day on my way to and from work I listen to K-LOVE. It's a station that plays contemporary Christian music, and I find that it really puts me in a positive mood on my way into work. It's also a great stress reliever on my way home. You know you have those days... everyone does!

Since the beginning of January, the morning hosts have been talking about selecting a word as a model for how to live your life this year. Now, they gave themselves the whole month of January to select their words, but one of the hosts revealed his word this morning: deeper. He said he wants the word deeper to be a reminder of how to mold his relationships in 2011.

I think this is a hard challenge: to select one word that will define how you live your life in 2011. But, over the course of the past few weeks, I think I've settled on a word:

Intentional

(adjective: done with intention or on purpose; intended)

I like this word because I think it serves in a lot of capacities. I think it will be a reminder everyday to get up and live with intention, not just go through the motions. When I think of living with intention, and purpose, I think I'll have a greater outlook on life, and ultimately be more productive and positive. When I'm having one of those stressful days, I'll just remind myself, "I intend to have a positive outlook on this!"

What would your word be for the year? Share in the comments section! 

It's a Runner's World...

I've never been interested in making New Year's resolutions. In fact, I don't think I've ever made a New Year's resolution. But this year, I thought I would do something different. I used to be a runner. In fact, I used to run a lot. In even more fact (I don't know if that's even a term!), I used to be a heptathlete. So, I thought I would get back to my roots. This year, I want to run a half-marathon.

This was me circa 2007 doing what I did best (or at least tried to do best!): high jumping. I really think that if I tried to do this now, it would not be pretty! So, my motivation is to be get back into this kind of shape. Now, I want to make it clear that I'm not making one of those "I want to lose 10 pounds in 2011" kind of resolutions. Absolutely not. I just want to feel like me again... a runner... and more importantly, in shape! So, here goes nothing!

Now, I'm no fool. I can't get off my couch right now and run a half-marathon. Who would I be kidding? My plan is to start small: perhaps a 5K or two over the spring/summer, and then really hit it hard in the fall with a half-marathon. I have high hopes that I can do it, and, I would love for all of you to hold me accountable!

So, let's throw on our running shoes and make this happen!

A Wedding to Ring in the New Year!

On December 30, 2010, two of my very great friends, Stephanie and Tyler, tied the knot! Justin and I drove up to the Baltimore, MD area to celebrate this event with so many of our friends. It was great to see so many people from the West Virginia Wesleyan family! The wedding ceremony was held at Stephanie's home church in Clarksville, MD, and the reception was held at Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City, MD. Stephanie is obsessive about details (much like myself!) and she did a great job with everything! I can't wait until we see everyone again!

These are eight of my very best girlfriends... love them! (Missed you Emily!)

Chris and Justin... they were dates for the wedding!

The whole Wesleyan clan... I love being a part of this family

Stephanie and Tyler got married!