Songs that I have on repeat

I think almost everyone who has talked to me his past month has heard me rant and rave about Mumford and Sons, in particular "Sigh No More." This song destroys me every time I listen to it! I keep going back to the 1:51 point of the song over and over again. Speaks truth about what true love looks like!

Love that will not betray you, dismay or enslave you,
It will set you free
Be more like the man you were made to be.
There is a design,
An alignment to cry,
At my heart you see,
The beauty of love as it was made to be

This my prayer! This is the love that God offers and designed, and the love that I want to show to people. I want to be the man that God created me to be, and to give freedom to people by loving them with godly love!

B.o.B- Airplanes (Feat. Hayley Williams of Paramore)
Interesting that I have mentioned so much rap lately. I don't usually listen to rap, but this is a really good collaboration and I am a fan of Hayley Williams (Paramore). And who hasn't wished upon an airplane as a child thinking it was a shooting star? An interesting piece of information for you, Hayley and B.o.B. have never met in person! They recorded and filmed each of their parts at different times and in different locations!

"Get Low"

I saw this movie on Sunday, and it was awesome! I highly recommend that you watch it. Is a story about a man who wants to invite everyone to his funeral, while he is still alive. He wants to hear what they have to say about him. It is a story about love, death, guilt, loneliness, and forgiveness. A really good movie, with some amazing acting. I just sat in the theatre in silence while the credits ended. A beautiful movie, my explanation could not do it justice.

"For years, townsfolk have been terrified of the backwoods recluse known as Felix Bush. People say he's done all manner of unspeakable things -- that he's killed in cold blood; that he's in league with the Devil; that he has strange powers -- and they avoid him like the plague. Then, one day, Felix rides to town with a shotgun and a wad of cash, saying he wants to buy a funeral."



And an awesome song at the end of the movie, "Lay My Burden Down" by Alison Krauss. I have never seen so many people just stay sitting in silence at the end of a movie before. The song is perfect and just mesmerizes a person:

More thoughts on money...

I went to church today and the pastor spoke about the love of money. I found his message to be very relevant to what I have been thinking about lately (see my blog about Oprah). I want to just give a little bit of a summary to gather my thoughts on the subject a bit more.

Ecclesiastes 5:10-20 (The Message)
10 The one who loves money is never satisfied with money,
Nor the one who loves wealth with big profits. More smoke.

11 The more loot you get, the more looters show up.
And what fun is that—to be robbed in broad daylight?

12 Hard and honest work earns a good night's sleep,
Whether supper is beans or steak.
But a rich man's belly gives him insomnia.

13-17 Here's a piece of bad luck I've seen happen:
A man hoards far more wealth than is good for him
And then loses it all in a bad business deal.
He fathered a child but hasn't a cent left to give him.
He arrived naked from the womb of his mother;
He'll leave in the same condition—with nothing.
This is bad luck, for sure—naked he came, naked he went.
So what was the point of working for a salary of smoke?
All for a miserable life spent in the dark?
Make the Most of What God Gives

18-20 After looking at the way things are on this earth, here's what I've decided is the best way to live: Take care of yourself, have a good time, and make the most of whatever job you have for as long as God gives you life. And that's about it. That's the human lot. Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it, accepting what's given and delighting in the work. It's God's gift! God deals out joy in the present, the now. It's useless to brood over how long we might live.

Money is a good servant but a bad master.
The more we get, the more we need to take care of.
We get tied down by what we own and accumulate.
The more we have, the more we want.
The more we have, the more we spend.
The more we have, the more we hoard.
The more we have, the more we leave behind.

It is all about the approach we have towards money.
God gives work and wealth to us as a gift from God!
Be happy and content with this gift!
And "Take care of yourself, have a good time, and make the most of whatever job you have for as long as God gives you life."

This video is so inspirational, think about the effect that we could have on this world if we decided to not live in so much excess, but instead gave even a little bit of our excess!



What could this look like for you?
We often look at missionaries, or other people who fund raise their pay check and think, "that is very noble of you to make that sacrifice to serve." Why don't we think of how we can make a sacrifice so that our friends and families can serve? Or simply to sacrifice a little bit of our time and money to serve the needy in our society. I think the video tells the story better than I can.

My Predictions for the 2010-2011 NHL season

As I write this I realize that for a guy that loves sport I don't write about them very much at all!!!

So, here are my predictions for this coming NHL season, I have my predictions according to the placing that I feel each team will finish the season:

Eastern Conference

1. Washington Capitals - they have so much offense and two good, young netminders, but need to find some consistency on the blueline at both ends of the rink, I am also not sold on Ovie as a captain. (point range: 106-112)

2. New Jersey Devils - Martin Brodeur in net. Parise, Elias, Zajac and Arnott up front. Volchenkov, Tallinder and White patrolling the blue line. To boot, they'll likely end up having Ilya Kovalchuk, in my mind. How good? As Rick Jeanneret would say, "Scary good." (point range: 103-108)

3. Boston Bruins - Added Nathan Horton to shore up the offense, good defense and two more than capable netminders in net and recently drafted Tyler Seguin as well. These guys will also be great, however, not as good as New Jersey or Washington, but definitely something to write home about. (point range: 100-105)

4. Philadelphia Flyers - Bolstered an even better defense. Lost some scoring up front with Gagne gone. One of Briere or Carter will needed to be shipped out of there soon as Briere showed how great he was at center last playoffs. But goaltending will get you nowhere if you are in Philadelphia. (point range: 95-100)

5. Pittsburgh Penguins - Lost Sergei Gonchar but ended up with two defenseman every bit as good as Sergei with Martin and Michalek. Only question is, how long can Malkin/Crosby produce without some decent wingers? (point range: 95-100)

6. Ottawa Senators - Added Sergei Gonchar. Powerplay, improved. Offensive ability, improved. Heart and soul? Meh. They are a pretty good team with little defensive depth and a goaltending controversy to sort out this season. (point range: 95-100)

7. Tampa Bay Lightning - Stamkos is one year better, Dan Ellis certainly adds some goalie insurance as a successful tandem is waiting for October to arrive. Kubina adds to some defensive depth and Lecavalier couldn't get any worse, could he? (point range: 92-97)

8. Buffalo Sabres - Ryan Miller. He became a stonewall last season and I think he's not a one-hit wonder. Nothing really changed for Buffalo this offseason lost Lydman and Tallinder, gained Niedermayer (see: Rob), Morrisonn (see: Shaone) and Leopold. They remind me a lot of the 2007-08 Canucks, in the sense that if injuries hit, it will be bad. (point range: 90-97)

9. Atlanta Thrashers - Added grit and goaltending two important factors and I think they could surprise people if you add in an intanglible. Coaching. Craig Ramsay is an excellent coach and well-respected in the league. I think he'll get the most out of all his players, but they'll need a dominant offensive force to step up if they go anywhere. (point range: 85-92)

10. Montreal Canadiens - Ah, Le Canadiens. You may assume my low ranking is in part to goaltending. Non, Non. I think Price will do well, but playoff heroes like Cammalerri, Hal Gill, and Andrei Markov will step it down next year. As a result, fans will publicly humiliate Price even though, he'll play acceptable. (point range: 85-90)

11. Carolina Hurricanes - Where they would be if they had any depth, I'm not sure. What I am sure of, though, is that they lost one of their key components, Ray Whitney and that'll hurt a guy like Eric Staal or Erik Cole. Lots of guys will need to step it up if they want a taste of the playoffs. (point range: 80-87)

12. Toronto Maple Leafs - Named Phaneuf as captain (I just can't bring myself to think that this will have good results, since if they are legitimate they will need to bring in veterans and I can not see Phaneuf being a leader when he has other leaders in the same dressing room), acquired Versteeg and Armstrong, OK, Burke's trying to build a team for the playoffs. Problem is, they'll need either tons of unexpected offense or goaltending heroics on a nightly basis if they go anywhere. But don't take my word for it. If the Giguere-Allaire magic reappears, there goaltending heroics may just be enough. A bubble team in every sense of the word. (point range: 80-85)

13. New York Rangers - Thank god for Lundqvist. I think Gaborik will return to himself and get injured after a stellar 09-10 season. But I don't think they are a great team and won't be again until Sather is fired or quits. Have fun with that, Rags fans. (point range: 77-82)

14. New York Islanders - Are intterchangeable with NY Rangers, Tavares will get better, Okposo will get better, hell, maybe Dipietro even suits up for 20-30 games, Who knows? Don't let their ranking fool you, though. They are definitely a team on the rise within the next few years. (point range: 77-82)

15. Florida Panthers - Yay for Vokoun! Seriously, though. They lost Horton, so there goes their most prominent offensive weapon. They got McCabe-Wideman as a good first pair, but I think Vokoun will be gone for prospects or picks or both come March as Tallon will be doing some rebuilding a la Chicago, which should make one of my friends start salivating very shortly here. (point range: 65-75)

Western Conference

1. Vancouver Canucks - Offense was retained. Defense was taking us nowhere. Enter Keith Ballard and Dan Hamhuis. 3rd line was a scoring line. Hello, Manny Malhotra. We upgraded everything that needed upgrading last season. Even got some grit in Torres and more depth in Schaeffer. Have so much depth that Hodgson was sent down, Morrison was not signed and O'Brien, Hordichuk, etc were shipped off. Even got Newell Brown and Roland Melandson to show for it. Haven't seen a better team in Vancouver ever. Cap problems could cause problems in the future, but Gillis is being creative... if nothing else the players moving between Vancouver and Winnipeg on a daily basis should be entertaining!

Oh, and look at the other teams in the Northwest, what was once the strongest division in hockey is now one of the weakest (Point range 105-112 points)

2. Detroit Red Wings - I think they still have a lot left in the tank, injuries hurt them a lot last season, but still had 102 points! Now, they have a competent goaltender who can play in both the regular season and playoffs well. They regained Jiri Hudler and got Ruslan Salei recently. Great depth everywhere. (Point range: 105-110 points)

3. San Jose Sharks - Forwards could be tuckered out by April from all the extra effort they'll be putting in all season. I expect Thornton and Heatley to become great again, otherwise San Jose fans will be singing the Blues once again. Have two competent goalies to tandem in net. The organization feels they have a four year window, that window may be starting to close, but they will still be a strong team (Point range: 100-107 points)

4. Los Angeles Kings - I can't say enough good things about this young squad. If last playoffs was any indication, be afraid. Drew Doughty and Jack Johnson manning the points, Smyth, Kopitar, Brown up front. Added great net presence in Alex Ponikoravsky (is that how it is spelled?). Great depth in net with Ersberg, Quick and Bernier. Great defensive team looks exactly built like Dean Lombardi's last team. Question is, can they get it done in the playoffs? I think there will still be some growing pains for one more year(Point range: 95-105 points)

5. Chicago Blackhawks - Money talks. So does Dustin Byfuglien. I remember him chirping Lu within minutes of elimination. I hate the Blackhawks. They lost lots of depth this season, which shouldn't phase them a lot until the playoffs. Fatigue could become a factor as the top 2 lines and top 4 defenseman will be seeing a lot of ice. Marty Turco: don't be fooled, he is still a superb goalie despite having a horrid Stars defense in front of him. (Point range: 100-105 points)

6. Phoenix Coyotes - Ok, they had a great run last year. Wait, what? I thought Phoenix was just a fluke...Oh no. They are a good team that can pull through with help of Dave Tippett and Ilya Bryzgalov. They also added Ray Whitney. Trust me, this team is for real. (Point range: 95-100 points)

7. St. Louis Blues - Depending on how good one Jaroslav Halak plays this year, the Blues could be 6th or they could be 12th. They've got a great young team built on the blueline and some legitimate scoring threats as well. These young players have been quietly maturing the past couple of years and I see some good things happening this year, even have some good size and grit among the youngsters. If Halak goes Playoffs, they are in. If not, they are out. (Point range: 88-97 points)

8. Anaheim Ducks - What a great top 6. What a quality goalie. *Turns attention to defense* Hmmm, that could be a problem. They have some good grit and size, but the lack of depth could quickly become the Achilles Heal with an injury or two to any position. They are a great team and I expect Hiller to step up next year or they could be playing golf in April once again. The only thing in the way of playoffs is a suspect defensive corps. (Point range: 90-97 points)

9. Colorado Avalanche - Same as last year, Anderson starts off hot, cools down in February and March and becomes hot to start the playoffs again (if they can make it, on the bubble in my opinion, could be quite a few sophomore type slumps). The only difference? The team in front of him is 1 year older. They have a great top line with the maturation of Matt Duchene. Expect to hear scored by Milan Hejduk assisted by Matt Duchene a lot. (Point range: 92-97 points)

10. Nashville Predators - Lost Hamhuis, Arnott. But this is the Preds, they'll find a way to replace them. But it still won't be enough, as their defense may be superlative (even with a real lack of depth, they were going to start with Parent in the top 4!) and goaltending is good, their only offensive threat worth noting is Patric Hornqvist. I think scoring will be a definite problem in Tennessee this winter. (Point range: 90-95 points)

11. Calgary Flames - Ever hear the expression "So crazy it just might work?" if there was ever an appropriate time to use it, it would be now. Bringing back Jokinen and Tanguay seem to be ludicrous at the time, but if Jokinen and Iginla were to be the shooters and Tanguay was to regain his playmaking abilities, Calgary could just pull this one out. In the long run, I don't see it working though. The Flames will continue to hover around mediocrity until the Sutter regime ends and someone comes in to attempt to clean up the carnage (Point range: 83-88 points)

12. Edmonton Oilers - They are a better team than people give them credit for. Coming off a season where they lost over 350 man games, one of them being a great netminder in Khabibulin and any team was sure to fail. The young players being older, the bad seeds gone, and replacing Moreau, Pouliot, Comrie, Putolny and Nilsson with Hall, Eberle, Paajarvi, Fraser, and Hemsky (missed most of the season), yeah I would say that in itself will make the team much better! Depth on defense is a real concern, one injury and they will have Strudwick or Vandermeer in the top 4, gross! Need to get something for Souray, anything! I think they'll do better this season, but Taylor Hall will have not be the reason. (Point range: 77-84 points)

13. Columbus Blue Jackets - Name one elite player from Columbus within 5 seconds. Rick Nash, right? Well, that's all they got in CBJ. He hasn't ever hit 80 points in his career. Elite scorer, yes. Dangles, yes. Great center....no. Steve Mason will need to channel his inner Hasek or otherwise this franchise could be in big trouble... could happen... (Point range: 75-82 points)

14. Minnesota Wild - They could surprise or fail miserably. Since they didn't do that great last season, I'll go with fail miserably. They have great depth at center, OK on the defense aspect and have Niklas Backstrom in net. They have potential. However I'm not sure they'll find it this season, but they could definitely surprise people this season, if only because they will not be trapping the whole game... every game! (Point range: 72-80 points)

15. Dallas Stars - They are a great team from the top, but depth means everything in the new NHL. They have zero depth. Their goalie is Kari Lehtonen, yes the same Lehtonen who seems to get injured quite a bit. Good luck, Dallas, you'll need it. (Point range: 65-75 points)

And my prediction for the Stanley Cup playoffs:
Western Final: Vancouver Canucks (over Detroit)

Eastern Final: Boston Bruins (over Washington)

Stanley Cup winner: Vancouver Canucks (If they do not at minimum make it to the Stanley Cup Finals this year AV should be fired, he has been out coached the past two years, and has nil excuses with the cast that Gillis has assembled!)

Hart Trophy Winner: Ovechkin (along with the Art Ross... he has much to prove this year, wants to show people that he can be a winner)

Vezina Trophy Winner: Luongo (he is no longer the captain and has a full time coach this year)

Norris Trophy Winner: Doughty (ever aspect of his game is incredible! Love this guy!)

Calder Trophy Winner: Paajarvi (I think he is more developed than some of the other rookies and is in a really good situation with so much attention on Eberle and Hall... people will take notice soon)

The sudden suffocation of memories

Death... funerals... memories...

I was in the University of Alberta Hospital to meet with their registrars office about the admissions systems that they use (looking at the potential of a CRM system for the MBA program), but I won't bore you with those details.
As I left my meeting I tried to find a short cut and as I entered the cafeteria area I felt feelings hitting me deep inside of me and I had to get out of the Hospital as quickly as I could. I remembered the elevator and the white pipes and the smell and everything about it and it brought back horrible memories.

... I have not been to many funerals in my life, I had a cousin pass away in a car accident when I was 6 and then my aunt when I was 10, and that was it until I was around 20 or 21. For a while there I wondered how I had escaped the pain of a funeral and how much longer I could go in life with out that experience. I have felt that separation and pain a few time since then, but with that pain there are a lot of memories that flood a person's brain...

It is funny. No that isn't the right word. More like... interesting! Yeah, it is interesting that I have walked by the University of Alberta Hospital every day for the last 11.5 months to and from university, but these feelings never hit me until today. I had thought about entering those doors, as I heard that they would create a shortcut, but I never entered them until today. I even tried to find that short cut on two occasions only to find the wrong door, and then giving up and taking my normal route home today. Not today. Today I found my short cut, and I didn't want to be in this short cut anymore.

You see, the last time I was in that lobby, that cafeteria, was the last time that I saw my Auntie Hilda. I was barely 10 years old then, and I just thought it was an opportunity to go to where the Oilers played hockey! And I thought I could finally see Fantasy Land at West Edmonton Mall!
My Auntie was strong, nothing could take her down! The thought of her Aplastic anemia killing her never even entered my mind! I visited with her in the Hospital, but I KNEW she would get better.
And she did defeat that aplastic anemia, and I was so excited! I couldn't wait to go visit her and my Uncle Stan in Peace River! That place was magical, and we hadn't been able to go there in two years! But she never left that Hospital, she developed a staph infection and suddenly she was gone. I couldn't believe it, she was a rock, she couldn't be gone. I still can't believe it in many ways!

Those were the feelings that flooded my brain in the University Hospital, the thoughts that I had been here before, and not for a good reason. Then I realized that it was when I last saw Auntie... I could almost feel it, I could taste it and smell it and all those memories came back in a flood. Memories of everyone being hushed and sad... and memories of KNOWING she had to get better... but, she didn't get better...

I think that is also why I hate roller coasters, especially those ones at West Edmonton Mall. We spent a lot of time in the Hospital with Auntie when she was sick, but I was convinced that she would beat it, so my little brothers and I wanted to see the magical West Edmonton Mall. So, her son, and one of my favourite big cousin's, Duane, took us to go on the rides at West Edmonton Mall. It was awesome, but even back then it felt hollow because Auntie wasn't there with us!

As I walked back to work other memories started to flood my mind. I remembered Auntie chasing squirrels in her back yard with a broom, and then the next day giving us a little square of carpet that she said was the squirrel pelt (I still have that piece of material). Or memories of her finding the perfect sized photo album for me to organize my hockey card collection, and then helping me think of ways to sort them, but team, position, etc. Memories of going hunting for moose with her and Uncle Stan (another hero who passed away early 2009, I wrote a blog about him shortly after his funeral), and getting stuck, and needing to winch out, learning how to shoot a gun, and getting stuck again. Memories of watching "the Hobbit." Memories of playing with Duane's toys. And memories of Auntie taking Duane's toys away from us because, "Duane will get married someday and I want his kids to be able to play with these toys." (We probably would have wrecked them, but we loved Duane's toys and looked forward to them every year!). Memories of going for walks and climbing up the hill in the backyard to see if the train had driven over our coins during the night. Memories of Auntie making great meals for us. Memories of Auntie worrying about us. Memories of laying on their water bed, and playing with Uncle's bear skins! Memories of walking down the hill to church. Memories of climbing up that hill on the way back from playing in the play ground. Memories of going for chinese food after church. Memories of "12 foot" Davis! I remember Auntie Hilda even coming to help for harvest one fall! I thought this was amazing, my Aunt out there in the grain truck hauling grain late into the night with her younger brother (my Dad)! My Auntie Hilda was amazing, like super woman to me! Most of all I remember Auntie loving us, and Auntie's faith in God.


Then I thought of that first time that I felt the pain and sorrow of death. I remember coming home from our first ever Frank family reunion when I was 6. We had just come in the door and the phone rang. For some reason I knew that someone had died, I don't know why, but I knew it. God has blessed me with this type of premonition or gift of prophecy or something. I always seem to have a dream or something, almost like God is telling me to be prepared for the news before it happens. This has happened on several occasions, even when my dog passed away when I was 12, I knew before my parents told me. Anyway, my parents told me that my cousin Jim had died in a car accident while driving home from the reunion! I didn't know what to feel, I didn't believe it. Jim was such a cool cousin. I remember him at that family reunion, he was so full of life and had become such a man since I had last seen him! I respected him and wanted to be like him. He was living for God and I wanted to live like God like he was. I remember my cousin Joell's wedding when I was 4 or so years old. I don't remember the wedding, all that I remember is the hot tub and the water slide at the Motel. And I remember Jim. I remember that I loved that water slide. But, I would only go down it if Jim or my cousin Duane would go down with me. I would not let anyone else take me down! Not even my Dad! Jim and Duane would always lift me at the right time so that I wouldn't get my head under the water at the bottom of the slide! With everyone else I would get water in my eyes and nose. I mus have driven everyone nuts because I would just sit in that hot tub and people would offer to take me down the slide, but I would only go with Jim or Duane. I will always remember Jim, he was in his mid teens then, but he would take his little toddler cousin down the water slide over and over again.

Memories can flood your mind... sometimes they hurt... sometimes they make you smile... and I am so thankful for memories... and that I can remember my cousin, my Aunt, my Uncle Stan, my Uncle Emelius, Bill Hayes, my friend Katie-Lynn, etc... and the care and love they showed. I can't wait to see them soon!

Wisdom from Oprah

I was reading an article about a Harvard case study that involved Oprah. You know I am really an MBA student when I am reading about Harvard case studies during my summer! haha
The article talked about the process of creating the case and how after years of working with the Harpo group (found out that Harpo is Oprah backwards haha) Oprah actually came in to speak to the Harvard MBA class.
It was an interesting article, but what really struck me were some of her comments about our desires for money and how this desire can only drive a person for so long:

"If you only desire to make money, you can do that. Obviously, everybody in here is going to make money. Everybody in here is going to have a level of financial success that most people in the world will not know. But what I will tell you—and I know this for sure too—that the money only lasts for a while in terms of making you feel great about yourself. In the beginning, the money is to get nice things. And once you've gotten those nice things, I think some of the most unhappy people I know are the people who've acquired all the things and now they feel like, 'What else is there?' What else is there? What else is there? And that feeling of 'what else is there' is the calling—is the calling trying to say to you [that] there is more than this. There is more than this."

I find so much truth in this statement! I find that so many people are driven by the desire for more money and more things. This is especially true with business people. I found it very interesting a year ago at orientation for the MBA program, we had to introduce ourselves in front of the class, and many students said that they were planning to major in Finance because they wanted to make lots of money. There is nothing wrong with wanting to make money, but this will never satisfy a person. More things will never satisfy. We can always desire to make more money, or to have a bigger house, or a better car. It never ends, there is always more to own or possess. There is always a desire for more.

What else is there? What is your calling?

Oprah went on to say:
"There is the voice that everybody hears that is your parents' voice, your professor's [voice], it's the world's voice saying to you, "you should do this, you should be this, you ought to, you got to." And then there is the still small voice—for some people it's not so small—inside of every human being that calls you to something that is greater than yourself."

What are you called to do? How can you make an impact on this world that goes beyond making more money and owning a bigger house? What impact can you make that can be left behind? When we die we can't bring our money with us, we can't bring our car, we can't bring our house or our boat. In reality, very few of us will even be remembered 4 generations from now! Can you even name your great, great grandparents, let alone know if they had lots of money or a nice house? I think I know one of my great grandparents names! We can accumulate money for future generations, but that legacy will only last so long, whereas the legacy of time, relationship, and faith can be passed on for generations. People are not remembered for the stuff they accumulated or how much money they made, but for the impact they had on this earth, and the people in it, positive or negative.

I do not know what Oprah believes as far as faith, religion, or the after life, but there is a lot of truth in what she shared with the Harvard MBA class. We can't take our possessions with us when we die, but we can make an impact while on earth. Making a difference while on earth is much more valuable and satisfying than continuing to reach for more finances and possessions that never fully satisfy.

I believe that Christ died for my sins and is preparing a place for me in heaven, I have put my faith in Him and this should and has changed my desires and goals while on earth. Money is a necessity in life, but money is not what drives me. Accumulating possessions and money is only temporary, I want to have an impact for eternity. It is much more valuable to spend hours having an impact on people through friendships and serving than spending more time in the office to bring home money and possessions that will rust and fade.

Matthew 6:19-21: "Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be."

I encourage you to think about these questions:

What else is there? What do you desire? What really satisfies?

What are you called to? How can you make a real impact on this world, now and after you die? How can your hours be best spent? Eating supper with your family or friends, or more hours alone in the office?

Music that I've been listening to lately...

I should be working on a group project and an end of the term-paper, but instead I decided to share some music that I have been listening to lately!!!!

I will share more later, but I will start with William Fitzsimmons, I really enjoy this guys mellow style!

But, what really makes me respect him is how he can take a song that I absolutely loathed and made it into a song that I actually enjoy listening to!

Seriously, that song was the bane of my existence for several years... would get in my head and never leave!!!!

I have really been enjoying Shad a lot lately, and I just wanted to share a behind the scenes clip, helps a person appreciate him even more when you see the humour that he has:

And the full version:

Caedmon's Call "Table for Two"

Hmmm, this blog might make me a bit vulnerable! haha
I was listening to my iPod while cleaning the basement suite tonight (moving to a new place at the end of the month and a few people are coming to view it tomorrow morn), and the Caedmon's Call song " Table for Two" came on. Almost everyone has been at that place where they wonder and just "hate being alone." The song reminded me of conversations that I have had over the years with quite a few friends and family members. The conversation about relationships and wondering if that special guy or girl will ever come along, why it always seems that "every girl that likes me I don't like, and every girl I like doesn't like me!" I think that is a direct quote that someone said to me today! I have had so many people express those kinds of comments to me lately, and being a single guy in my late 20s I can't help but wonder myself about the plan that God has for my life and wondering when or if that special woman will come along.

I love these lyrics in particular:

"And You knew this day
long before You made me out of dirt

And You know the plans that You have for me
And You can't plan the end and not plan the means "

I know that God has a plan for my life! I have seen His amazing plan for my life as I look back and see all the places I have been and how I have grown in each place and that I probably wouldn't have been able to make all of these moves if I had met a special someone along the way. God had and continues to have a plan for my life. I know that He has me in the palm of His hand into the future and I will look back and smile at the perfect timing and plan that He had for me!

I just wanted to share this song as an encouragement and reminder to people that God has a plan for your life, beyond what we could imagine for our own life. He is in control.

"Danny and I spent another late night over pancakes,
Talkin' 'bout soccer
And how every man's just the same
We made speculation
On the who's and the when's of our futures
And how everyone's lonely
But still we just couldn't complain

And how we just hate being alone
Could I have missed my only chance
And now I'm just wasting my time
By looking around
But you know I know better
I'm not gonna worry 'bout nothing
Cause if the birds and the flowers survive
Then I'll make it okay
I'm given a chance and a rock
see which one breaks a window
See which one keeps me up all night and into the day

Because I'm so scared of being alone
That I forget what house I live in
But it's not my job to wait by the phone
For her to call

Well this day's been crazy
But everything's happened on schedule
from the rain and the cold
To the drink that I spilled on my shirt
'Cause You knew how You'd save me
before I fell dead in the garden
And You knew this day
long before You made me out of dirt

And You know the plans that You have for me
And You can't plan the end and not plan the means
And so I suppose I just need some peace
Just to get me to sleep."

I couldn't find an official video for the song, but I thought this was kind of a cute re-enactment!

Comeandlive.com

I love this record label, and the music and ministry that they share!

Give.Love.Share.Revive. from Come&Live! on Vimeo.

"Come&Live! is a 501(c)3 non-profit community dedicated to proclaiming the good news of Jesus.
By joining hands with artists {musicianaries}, we provide them with guidance, direction and accountability to model a life of genuine faith. Our focus is in promoting the only true enduring treasure - loving others and living like JESUS. We choose to share music and profit as a humble example of radical generosity. We live simply to give generously, encouraging others to do the same. Our prayer is that God would use us to Give. Love. Share. and Revive."

Sharing the Heart of Come&Live! from Come&Live! on Vimeo.

I was watching a few of their videos today and wanted to share them!

Aaron Gillespie (former Underoath drummer and current singer for "The Almost") shares a bit of his testimony and gives a really good challenge to how I want to worship God! Just because God is! And for our lives to be an outpouring of that!

I Am Living: Aaron Gillespie from Come&Live! on Vimeo.

Falling Whistles- be a whistle blower for change

One of my friends pointed me to this website a few weeks ago, and I very briefly looked at it.
Then on Saturday it came up again in conversation and I spent some time reading about this issue and it broke my heart. I think the website does a much better job of explaining the devastation that is happening in the Congo right now, so I will let you look at the opening video, and then also look at the "story" portion to get an idea of what is going on there, kids who aren't old enough to carry guns are forced to lead armies into battle with a whistle as their weapon!!
http://www.fallingwhistles.com
Please check out the website and be a whistle blower for change.

Everything you ever wanted to know about DAN HAMHUIS.... ALMOST 128 FACTS, INFO, TIDBITS...

I saw this on the Vancouver Canucks website today... I must admit I haven't read all of it yet, but I find it pretty interesting to read, his Christian faith is very interwoven into who he is and into these 128 facts:

• Born on born December 13, 1982.
  
  
• His name is pronounced Ham-hyoose.
  
  
• From Smithers, B.C. population 6,000.
  
  
• Son of Marty, a Coca-Cola Salesman, and Ida.
  
  
• He has an Uncle, Herm Hamhuis who is a businessman in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. He listens to Dan's games online.
  
  
• Has two sisters, Cindy 23, a ski insructor and Erin, 26.
  
  
• He started playing hockey at the age of four, and his father coached him for 8 years of minor hockey.
  
  
• Hamhuis couldn't play street hockey outside his house because their was no pavement on the road. So he played in his basement until age 9, in 1991 when they paved the road.
  
  
• Hamhuis attended Bulkley Valley Christian School in Smithers, a school with a enrolment of about 100 and the same one where his parents, Marty and Ida, had been educated.
  
  
  
• He is a devout Christian, and practices his faith openly. His family attends Smithers Christian Reform Church.
  
  
• Growing up, he played Minor Hockey in Smithers, and made it a goal to play Junior A for the Prince Spruce Kings.
  
  
• At 14, he suffered a broken leg the night before the big tournament where WHL scouts were, but battled back and returned the next season.
  
  
• He was never slected in the WHL Bantam draft. Hamhuis says he never noticed: "It came and went, nobody said anything. Nobody knew anything about it. I didn't care...I didn't even know what the [WHL] bantam draft was -- I just played the game."
  
  
• In Bantam, he played Single "A." But when his team went to a bantam AAA tournament in Prince George, the WHL's Cougars noticed him hastily added him to their protected list in January, 1998.
  
  
• As a Bantam player, he put up 131 points in 59 games.
  
  
• Hamhuis went to the September 1998 Cougars' WHL camp for the experience the next season and then attended the BCHL Prince George Spruce Kings camp as insurance. He impressed the Cougars so much though, that he did the impossible...he moved from Single "A" Bantam to Major Junior as a defenceman in one season as a 15 year old.
  
  JUNIOR HOCKEY
  
  
• Hamhuis wore number 5 in Junior, and rumour is that it will be retired in Prince George soon.
  
  
• As a Christian, he says he "publicly professed my faith when I was 15, the summer before I left to play junior hockey."
  
  
• When he moved to Prince George to play Junior Hockey his parents requested a Christian family for him to billet with. He said of being a Christian athlete: "The guys I play with in Prince George are really supportive of that. Everyone's kind of interested in it, too. It's fun to explain it to them. It's fun for them, too." His parents said dropping him off to his billet family's home in Prince George was a difficult night for them.
  
  
• His first year, despite moving to a new town and a new school, he adapted well, cracking the lineup for 56 games in the 1998-99 season, scoring 1 goal. In the playoffs against Seattle, the Cougars suffered key injuries to D-men Garry Toor and Jeff Zorn. Hamhuis logged plent of minutes as a 16-year old in the top 4 and really shined.
  
  
• He was named the Prince George Cougars Rookie of the Year and All-Scholastic Player for his strong performance in school his rookie season.
  
  
• Sometimes, his faith was challenged off the ice. He said "My faith was challenged, and I found out the importance of what Christian family and friends can mean in staying close to the Lord," says Hamhuis. "Trying to fit in with (teammates) was one of the hardest things to do; you want to be cool so you want to go to parties and have fun. But then I realized they would respect me more for standing up in what I believe, and I was right."
  
  
  
• Hamhuis spent the offseason after his rookie year at home in Smithers, and found out many of the townsfolk followed his progress closely the last year. The shy teen was even included as a celebrity in a golf event at the Smithers Golf and Country Club.
  
  
• He spent much of the offseason in the gym, doing plyometrics and working on leg strength in particular.
  
  
• He later signed with Vancouver-based agent Ross Gurney of R.W.G. Sport Management Ltd who has made a niche representing high-profile prospects from B.C. such as Canuck draft pick Taylor Ellington, Kyle Beach, and Zach Hamill.
  
  
• The following season, in 1999–2000, he improved to 10 goals and 33 points in 70 games. He had told the local paper that 10 goals was his personal goal for the season during training camp. He also helped Prince George advance to the Conference Finals of the 2000 playoffs, scoring two goals and five points in a junior career-high of 13 post-season games.
  
  
• As a Junior, he fought Jordin Tootoo, who would end up being a teammate in Nashville.
  
  
• He ended up living with his aunt and Uncle while playing for the Cougars.
  
  
• His parents and younger sisters drove 4 hours to almost every game in Prince George.
  
  
• In 2000, he again won the team's All-Scholastic honour for good grades. While in school in Prince George, he met his future wife, Sarah Griffen.
  
  
• In the Summer of 2000, Hamhuis was back in Prince George, finishing up some high school classes when he heard on the radio that he was invited to tryout for Canada's National World Junior Team that Summer. He "nearly hit the ditch driving to school when I heard it on the radio." "I'm just shocked," said Hamhuis, who wasn't even eligible to be drafted until the next summer. "I'd been told there was a chance, but not to get my hopes up. It caught me by surprise, but I'm really excited and right away I started thinking about all the things I have to do to be ready. It took awhile before it sunk in that I made the WHL, but this is a whole new step. If I show up in shape and do well, who knows what will happen."
  
  
  
• In 2001, Hamhuis had a good offensive year with 13 goals and 59 points over 62 games.
  
  
• In December 2000, he was invited to World Junior tryouts. He was late getting their, along with another player, Jay Bouwmeester, as their plane had icing problems. He roomed with Luke Sellars at the camp. There were 11 othe d-men vying for 7 spots. The day after arriving, Hamhuis took part in a morning skate and then dressed in a scrimmage. He didn't record a point and was minus-1. He said "It's tough playing on the larger ice surface, with no red line and the quick forwards. Everyone is so fast, you can't take a split-second off. It wasn't very physical because a lot of guys had trouble getting used to the big ice surface."
  
  
  
• After some exhibition games and 4 days of tryouts, Hamhuis heard the phone ring before the crack of dawn Monday morning in his hotel room. Knowing the Team Canada tradition that early morning phone calls generally come from a coach delivering bad news, Hamhuis froze for an instant. Luckily, the call was for his room-mate. It turns out, Hamhuis had made the team and was heading for Russia. That same day, Hamhuis, who had never travelled overseas set off for Sweden with the team for an exhibition game.
  
  
• Marty Hamhuis, Dan's father, was in Toronto for the Team Canada camp and watched all the action with Dan's agent, Ross Gurney. Marty returned to Smithers once the team left for Europe. "Dan just went out there and played his game -- he didn't do anything outstanding," said Marty, who called himself "Dan's greatest supporter but also his No. 1 critic.""The forwards all know what they're doing, so he wasn't going to catch anyone with their heads down and get them with a hip check. He had a couple of guys lined up for it, then he realized (on the Olympic-sized ice surface) that the boards were still 15 feet away. Everyone said this was the least amount of hitting for a prep camp. It was pond hockey. I was sitting up in the stands and saw all the wrong things he did out there, but I wasn't watching the mistakes others were making. I had him coming home with me on the plane on Friday," Marty laughed.
  
  
• His mother said, "I'm actually relieved now. It was so tense for a few days when the cuts were happening, and there were a few nights where I didn't sleep."
  
  
• Tyler Bouck, a former Canuck who was with the Dallas Stars then, called the Hamhuis family to congratulate them as he was a former Cougar Captain.
  
  
• Hamhuis making the team was big news in Smithers. "I went to go out and do my job (Tuesday) and I had a hard time doing it because everyone in Smithers wanted to stop and talk to me for 15 minutes," said his dad.
  
  
• Hamhuis started his international hockey career off in style, picking up two assists in Team Canada's 6-4 exhibition win over Sweden in Stockholm. Both came 17 seconds apart...one off a goal by Jamie Lundmark and one by former Canuck Brandon Reid.
  
  
  
• He found Europe a little different. He said "It's really different here in Sweden. It's tough when you go into a grocery store and you're not sure if you're buying a juice or an alcoholic beverage, because you can't read the label. I had to check out all the Coke labels for my dad (Marty, who worked for Coca-Cola in Smithers)." About Russia he said: "The culture is different and the food is different. We haven't had a chance to see many of the historic sites around here, but we're supposed to go Saturday to see Red Square and The Kremlin."
  
  
  
• In a tough game against the home team Russians at Luzhniki Minor Sports Arena in Moscow, Hamhuis had a tough assignment: stop Russian superstar Ilya Kovalchuk. Canada lost 3-1 but Hamhuis got rave reviews for his play. "I had to play against him all night on the right side, and it was fun for the challenge. I think it turned out well for us," said Hamhuis, who thought Kovalchuk's pre-goal celebration on the game's final goal, with 100 feet of open ice and an empty net staring at him, was "classless." "In a game like that one, he didn't need to do that. We didn't like it very much, and we'll remember that."
  
  
  
• Before the game, fans from Prince George sent him a signed good luck telegram: "I unrolled the whole thing and read it, every name. It was crazy - I was amazed. I was only halfway through the first roll and I was in awe of all the people who signed their name on it. It makes you play a little harder with all the people back home who care so much about this."
  
  
  
• When Canada played Russia for a second time, they won 5-2, but it was a dirty game. Hamhuis left the game at 10:07 of the third period when he was hit from behind into the boards by Andrei Taratukhin, leaving him with a bruised left shoulder. Taratukhin received a major penalty and game misconduct. X-rays on Hamhuis were negative and he would not return for the next game...which Canada lost without him. Hamhuis called it a dirty hit. "I didn't see it coming. It was a tough position, just a few feet away from the boards when I was hit," said Hamhuis, who leveled Russia's Stanislav Tchistov with a patented open-ice hit earlier in the game. I didn't see it coming, and I didn't have my head down, so I guess you could call that dirty."
  
  
  
• Hamhuis also battled food poisoning during the tournament.
  
  
• Hamhuis helped Canada win the Bronze that year, and was on the ice for Raffi Torres Bronze winning goal. "We were so happy we won, and it was a great feeling to hear the national anthem played," said Hamhuis. He took a week off after the tournament, went home to Smithers and had a belated Chistmas dinner with his family, went hiking and rested his mind from hockey.
  
  
• When he came home with his medal, the town greeted him with a message of congratulations at the local A&W restaurant. "It's kind of weird to see your name up like that," he said.
  
  
• Hamhuis won the awad for the Cougars' Most Dedicated Player for his community involvement and was named to the WHL West First All-Star Team. Playing in his NHL draft-eligible season, he also participated in the 2001 CHL Top Prospects Game where he was Captain of "Team Orr." He also played for the West all- stars against the QMJHL's Dilio Division in Kamloops.
  
  
• Hamhuis volunteered for Child Find BC and other local organizations, and was Prince George's nominee for WHL 2001 Humanitarian of the Year. He also spoke at local Elementary schools about setting goals.
  
  NHL DRAFT
• In 2001, Hamhuis was ranked second to Jason Spezza by NHL Central Scouting among North American prospects for the draft. "He delivers checks that people on the receiving end would certainly think came from a larger man," said one NHL scout. Canadian Hockey Association director of scouting Barry Trapp compared Hamhuis to Ottawa defenceman Wade Redden.
  
  
  
• Hamhuis' family flew from Smithers to Vancouver in a plane so small, he joked, that the seats were window and aisle seats at the same time. He brought his parents, sisters, girlfriend and 2 uncles with him to Florida for the draft.
  
  
• The teams most interested in Hamhuis were Vancouver, Nashville and Chicago. He was interviewed by all teams and found the attention overwhelming. The speculation was over who would be the first d-man taken, him or Mike Komisarek?
  
  
  
• He said: "Coming from Smithers, I had no idea. We don't hear from anybody that goes through all this stuff. Just to experience it firsthand without any preknowledge, it's really exciting. A lot of fun....I'm not much of a guy for the spotlight," said the soft-spoken Hamhuis, who, with the other prospects, has been paraded around the continent for the past month. Just to be where I am now, I never expected this at all."
  
  
• The Montreal Canadiens took Komisarek with the 7th pick, and Hamhuis was the 2nd d-man drafted at 12th overall by the Nashville Predators.
  
  
• After being drafted, Hamhuis attended Nashville training camp as a rookie, but on September 19th 2001 was cut and sent back to Junior.
  
  CHL'S BEST
• Hamhis had a terrific Junior season in 2001-02, averaging about 40 minutes a game for the Cougars with 50 assists and 10 goals in 59 games. He had five assists in seven playoff games.
  
  
  
• In 2002, he returned for a 2nd straight World Junior Championship. Other returnees on that team were Jay Bouwmeester, Brad Boyes, Mike Cammalleri, jay Harrison, Steve Ott, Mark Popovic and Jarret Stoll. They ended up earning Silver after losing to Russia in the Czech Republic.
  
  
• At his first home game since coming back from the World Juniors, January 20th 2002 against the Red Deer Rebels, Cougars Assistant General Manager, Dallas Thompson presented Dan with an exclusive Stuart Antonenko Relief Carving in front of 6000 fans congratulating Dan with a standing ovation. Prince George Mayor Colin Kinsley, was on hand to congratulate Dan on behalf of the City with a print of the three local bridges done by local artists.
  
  
  
• On May 22nd 2002, Hamhuis was chosen over fellow nominees Erik Reitz of the Barrie Colts and Danny Groulx of the Victoriaville Tigres as the Canadian Hockey League's defenceman of the year .
  
  
• Hamhuis was the Western Hockey League's player of the year for 2002 and was also a nominee for the 2002 Nike/Bauer CHL player of the year which went to Pierre-Marc Bouchard of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Hamhuis was also a First Team CHL All-Star and WHL Western Conference First Team All-Star.
  
  
• He finished his Junior Career as the Cougars' all-time assist leader (123). He also served as their team Captain.
  
  
  TURNING PRO
  
  
• The Summer of 2002, Hamhuis worked out in Vancouver, and got to work out with one of his favorite NHL Players, Trevor Linden. He said at the time: "Being a B.C. guy, I was always a big fan of the Canucks, and still am."
  
  
• Hamhuis went to Nasvhille from July 8-14 2002 where he attended their prospects camp at the Centennial Sportsplex. Hamhuis signed his first pro contract with the Predators on Juy 7th 2002. Hamhuis lasted for the entirety of training camp, but on October 3rd 2002, just before the season started, he was assigned to Milwaukee of the AHL.
  
  
  
• While playing in the AHL at the age of 20, he had a spiritual awakening. He says " I was part of a group of older teenage guys, and we all succumbed to a lot of the pressures and temptations of being on our own and away from our parents for the first time. For me, I knew what was right, but it was so easy to do what was wrong. By God's grace, I managed to make it through those years with Christ still being a part of my life, but not the most significant part. When I was 20 years old, I went through a deeper spiritual transition."
  
  
• At the time, when he was with the AHL's Admirals, he would attend a team Chapel led by a team Chaplain. He says "He taught us about being bold and stepping out in our faith. It was a real eye-opener for me and my faith in Christ, which developed into a deeper, personal relationship that year. It was difficult being away from my family and friends, but I knew God was there. I felt His presence during a time when it would have been easy to feel more alone than ever."
  
  
• In November of 2002, Hamhuis was suspended 3 games for an elbow to the head of Utah Forward Barrett Heisten who suffered a concussion.
  
  
• Hamhuis scored six goals and 27 points over 68 games in his first pro season with the Admirals (2002-03).
  
  
• Over the course of the next year, the Predators lost Andy Delmore, Karlis Skrastins, Cale Hulse and Bill Houlder on their defense. This made room for Hamhuis to make the team. In their 2003 season preview, Sports Ilustrated called him "...a can't-miss player on the blueline."
  
  
  GOING TO THE NHL
  
  
• Hamhuis made it to the NHL for the 2003-04 season, and tallied seven goals and 26 points over 82 games with Predators in 2003–04.
  
  
• He played his first NHL game Oct 9th, 2003 against the Anaheim Ducks.
  
  
• Hamhuis scored his first NHL goal on October 16th 2003, beating the Blues' Chris Osgood. It was the winner in a 4-1 Preds win.
  
  
• A month later, he had his first career fight against Brenden Morrow.
  
  
• Hamhuis went to the NHL YoungStars game at the Xcel Energy Center in Minnesota in February 2004. His defence partner for the Western team was Christian Ehrhoff of the San Jose Sharks. The West won 7-3.
  
  
• At the end of his rookie year he was tied for fourth in point-scoring and second in average ice time among the NHL's rookie defencemen, including a five-point (1g-4a) night on March 4th versus Pittsburgh.
  
  
  LOCKOUT SEASON
  
  
• During the Summer of 2004, Dan returned to Prince George in the offseason and visited with the Jenkins family, the billet family of one of his ex-teammates, Jonathan Filewich. Hamhuis and Filewich would Skidoo all the time as teenagers on the family's vast property. Hamhuis asked them if he and his fiancee, Sarah Griffen could get married on their back hayfield that Summer. They allowed them to have a beautiful wedding. In the Summer of 2009, Hamhuis and Sarah brought their baby Anna and stayed overnight with the Jenkins family.
  
  
• Heading into training camp after his wedding, he said that being married would help his game: "It will make things better. It's so nice to come home after practice and have someone there for you."
  
  
• As Dan prepared for his 2nd season, the NHL lockout came. Dan headed to Milwaukee for his 2nd AHL season for 2004-05.
• Hamhuis had a monster AHL season, scoring 13 goals and 51 points in 76 games and was named to the AHL Second All-Star Team. "Coaches dream about having players like Dan on their team," noted Admirals Head Coach Claude Noel. "His game is complete. Some players are good offensively, some are good defensively, but Dan excels at both areas. He can play anywhere on the ice."
  
  
• In February, Hamhuis went to the 2005 Dodge AHL All-Star Classic at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire.
  
  
• His AHL coach, Claude Noel, is now the head coach of the Canucks affiliate, the Manitoba Moose.
  
  
• Hamhuis was 2nd in scoring among AHL d-men in 2005.
  
  
• With the NHL set to resume in 2005–06, the Predators re-signed Hamhuis to a one-year contract on August 16, 2005.
  
  
  BREAKOUT YEAR
  
  
• In 2005-06, Hamhuis was back in the league as the lockout ended. He went on to record a career-high seven goals, 31 assists and 38 points in 82 games. He led Nashville in average ice time (22:33) in 2005-06 and was one of two Predators to skate in all 82 games.
  
  
• With the Predators out of the playoffs in 5 games, Hamhuis got the call from Team Canada, and went to the World Hockey Championships in Riga, Latvia from May 5th to May 21st. Canada finished fourth, but Hamhuis managed 5 points in 9 games. He lead all Canadian d-men in scoring.
  
  
• In 2006–07, Hamhuis held out the early part of training camp as his agent hammered out a new deal with Nashville. He would earn $1.5 million that season, $1.75 million in 2007-08, $2.25 million in 2008-09 and $2.5 million in 2009-10.
  
  
• He had six goals and 20 points in 81 games for Nashville in 06-07. He also has his 2nd career fight against Brent Seabrook of the Blackhawks.
  
  
• With the Predators going out in 5 games to the San Jose Sharks, Team Canada's general manager Steve Yzerman picked Hamhuis and his teammate Shea Weber to play for Canada at the World Championships in Russia.
  
  
• In May 2007, the Canadian team won a Gold Medal with Hamhuis playing on the point.
  
  
• Hamhuis was also named, at age 24, the Predators' player representative to the NHLPA. At an August 2007 NHLPA meeting, he joked that he first thought his main job as player rep was to hand out the NHLPA hats at the beginning of the season.
  
  
• In the Summer of 2007, there was talk of the Predators moving from Nashville. One potential new owner wanted to the city to buy unbought tickets so they could average 14,000 fans per game. The city refused. Hamhuis joined with teammate Chris Mason to show his support by buying private suites themselves.
  
  
  
• In the 2007-08 NHL season, Hamhuis had 27 points in 80 games.
  
  
  
• At then end of the season, he was named to his 3rd consecutive World Championship, as Nashville was bounced in the 1st round again. This time, the tournament was in Quebec City, and Canada won silver, losing to Russia in overtime. He and Mike Green were the final 2 players added.
  
  
• In July 2008, Hamhuis' wife Sarah gave birth to their first child, a girl named Anna.
  
  
• In 2008-09, Hamhuis played 82 games and had 26 points. He also had his 3rd career NHL fight against Sean Avery.
  
  
• His consistent 2-way play got him invited to a fourth straight World Championship, this time in Switzerland. Canada lost again to the Russians, earning a Silver, while Hamhuis had 4 points in 9 games. They lost the gold medal game 2-1.
  
  
  BUSY OFFSEASON
  
  
• In the Summer of 2009, he was one of 46 NHL players named to the Canadian Olympic Orientation camp, which ran August 24-27 at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary. At the camp, Hamhuis was so excited that he was the first one on the ice for every evening session, several minutes before other players.
  
  
  
• In the Summer of 2009, Hamhuis was part of the 30 man NHLPA Executive Committee that made the decision to fire Executive Director Paul Kelly. In a players' conference call in October, 22-year-old Sydney Crosby firmly told interim executive director Ian Penny to hang up the phone because union members wanted to have a players-only discussion. Penny finally had to relent and get off the line. Later that night, players voted 23-4 to establish a committee consisting of respected veterans Chris Chelios, Rob Blake, Nicklas Lidstrom and Mark Recchi to investigate all the internal shenanigans of the past few months that led to Kelly's ouster. The four players who voted against the committee were Hamhuis , Washington's Brooks Laich, Philadelphia Flyers player rep Scott Hartnell and Carolina's Joe Corvo.
  
  
  
• The vote was a stinging rebuke for Penny who, in the days before the conference call, had circulated a letter from Hamhuis that supported Penny, advisory board member Ron Pink and Hargrove and urged the union to focus on finding a new executive director. "There had been concern from some members of the (executive board) that Ron, Buzz and Ian have overstepped their bounds in their roles, that they won't be able to get along with the next executive director and that they had something to do with an orchestrated attempt to get Paul out," wrote Hamhuis. "I believe these men have acted in the best interest of the NHLPA and warrant our full trust. We are in a difficult time right now at the NHLPA and the easiest thing to do is to blame someone else. Now is the time to be looking forward not back."
  
  
  
• Hamhuis' letter prompted a strong rebuttal from another player rep, Shawn Horcoff of the Edmonton Oilers. Horcoff argued that Penny's contract "violated" the union's constitution because it was done "without being advised of Kelly's objections and concerns and without Kelly even in the room, which is in violation of our constitution."
  
  
  LAST SEASON IN NASHVILLE
  
  
• In the 2009-10 season, there was speculation that Hamhuis could have been named to the 2010 Olympic team. He was not named, however.
  
  
• Hamhuis gave his name/funds to be the presenting sponsor of the Ronald McDonald House "Extraordinary Evening" fundraiser, which brought in more than $50,000.
  
  
• He and his wife Sarah organized a potluck dinner where she and the rest of the wives provided dinner for the families at Ronald McDonald House.
  
  
• In 2009-10, he had his 4th NHL fight against Alex Burrows of the Canucks.
  
  
• In November 2009, Hamhuis initiated the Preds' participation in the "Movember" movement - grew a moustache for a month to raise money and awareness for Prostate & Testicular Cancer.
  
  
• In a game on January 12th 2010 in Vancouver, Alex Burrows was called for diving after he got tied up with Hamhuis in the cornerboards. He was called for interference on a Canucks power play when it looked like he was only getting into position to screen goalie Dan Ellis. After the game, Burrows alleged that referee Stephane Auger was out to get him. "It was personal," fumed Burrows. "It started in warm-up. Before the anthem, the ref came over and said I made him look bad in Nashville on the Smithson hit and he was going to get me back tonight. He got me on a diving call that I didn't think was diving and an interference call. I had no idea how he could call that. It changed the game." Burrows actually has scored 5 goals in 9 games up to that point. He instinctively parked himself behind Hamhuis at the far post and easily tapped the offering past Ellis for his first goal. He then got behind Hamhuis again to deflect an Alex Edler power-play point shot past Ellis to make it 2-2. He nearly deflected a point shot to make it three hat-tricks this season, but ended up having to defend himself against Auger.
  
  
  
• Before the trade deadline, the Predators shipped a second-round 2010 draft pick to Edmonton for veteran UFA defenceman Denis Grebeshkov, 26, fueling speculation that Hamhuis was available. "It's hard to ignore everything that's going on because it [trade speculation] is out there a lot," Hamhuis told The Tennessean newspaper.
  
  
• The Canucks were interested, but Ottawa, Philadelphia, Boston and New Jersey were also kicking the tires on Hamhuis. The Predators reportedly asked for Cody Hodgson in return. The deal was not struck and Hamhuis finished the season in Nashville.
  
  
• Hamhuis wife Sarah gave birth to their second baby girl just before the end of the 2009-10 season.
  
  
  COMING TO VANCOUVER
  
  
• As it became apparent that Hamhuis would not be re-signed by the Predators following the 2009–10 season, his negotiating rights were traded to the Philadelphia Flyers along with a 2011 conditional draft pick for Ryan Parent on June 19, 2010.
  
  
  
• After failing to agree to a contract with Philadelphia, his rights were traded once again to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a 2011 third-round pick on June 25th 2010.
  
  
• Several days prior to his free agency, the Canucks traded for defenceman Keith Ballard from the Florida Panthers, which initially led Hamhuis to believe the Canucks would be no longer interested in him. However, on July 1, the Canucks were one of 10 teams to offer him a contract and he signed with the club despite more lucrative deals of up to $5 million salaries and terms of seven years.
  
  
• On July 1, 2010, Hamhuis became an unrestricted free agent and signed a six-year, $27 million contract with the Vancouver Canucks.
  
  
• Hamhuis says he uses Christianity to focus on hockey. He says "To keep myself in the right mind-set, I read a devotion or Christian literature and pray every night before bed. This keeps me focused and energized to live in a way that pleases God."|
  
  
• Hamhuis would visit patients at Nashville's Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital throughout the season, and would go reverse trick-or-treating dressed up as Winnie the Pooh in 2008 and 2009. Check him out in costume here: http://www.vanderbil...e_bat_baby.jpg.
  
  
  
• He is only the fourth person from Smithers to play in the NHL, along with brothers Jimmy Watson and Joe Watson, and Alan Kerr, a former New York Islander.
  
  
• This past offseason, Hamhuis was back in B.C. helping organize his sister-in-law's wedding when an email arrived asking if any NHLPA hockey players would like to go to Haiti. The father of two young girls initially hesitated, because of the potential dangers involved. But his wife convinced him the trip would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience to help people in need. "It's not your everyday trip," said Hamhuis. "This is living in the dirt with a tarp pulled over your head. It takes you out of your comfort zone. But this is a beautiful country too, with the scenery and stuff. But the people are obviously not in the same economic state."
  
  
  
• He went to Haiti with Haitian-Canadian NHLer Georges Laraque. They went as part of a charity project to rebuild Grace Children's Hospital in the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince. Fans can make a donation directly toward the "Hockey for Haiti" effort through www.worldvision.ca/hockey.
  
  
• He trains every Summer with Vancouver-based personal trainer Peter Twist.
  
  
• His nickname is "Hammer."
  
  
• Enjoys camping, hiking and biking in the offseason.
  
  
• In April 2010, he was named the Nashville Predators' nominee for the NHL's King Clancy Memorial Trophy, which recognizes a player with "leadership qualities on and off the ice and who has made a significant humanitarian contribution in his community." The designation came after a vote by the players themselves.
  
  
  
• In Nashville, he and his wife would often drop by St. Luke's Community House or the Ronald McDonald House to do maintenance work or just chat with patients/residents.
  
  
  
• He donated $20,000 in 2009 to the Teammates for Kids Foundation which was routed back to benefit the Nashville Rescue Mission. He and his wife routinely volunteered their time at the Rescue Mission as well.
  
  
  
• Hamhuis is an active member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, speaking to local chapters throughout the season. Brian Pothier is also a member. So is wrestler Kurt Angle.
  
  
  
• While in Nashville, Hamhuis personally purchased 25 gift cards at $100 each during the holidays to give to families in need. He also participated in a photo shoot with U.S. Marines to promote a Toys for Tots toy drive.
  
  
• He also promoted the in-arena recycling program by participating in the PSA which airs every game. PSA encourages fans to recycle cans and plastic.
  
  
• Participates in Prince George Cougar's charity events, where fans can win tickets to fly to a Predators game and meet him.
  
  
• Despite his son making millions, his dad is still the local bottling/vending rep for Coca Cola in Smithers.
  
  
• In Prince George, they used to play a montage of his best hip checks called "The Hammy Hippy Shake" playing the Georgia Satellites' version of the song "Hippy Hippy Shake."
  
  
• He is a former teammate of current Canuck Darcy Hordichuk.

Restlessness

I was listening to music while doing the dishes last night, and a track came on by Mattie Montgomery, called "Restless." I would recommend a listen.
It speaks of our destiny as Christians, what our destiny should really look like.
Check him out (and the song) at http://www.myspace.com/mattiemontgomery or download his cd for free at comeandlive.com
I am really enjoying listening to him, he is actually the vocalist of a screamo band called For Today, but during his concerts he often breaks into preaching, prophesying, praying, etc. This CD is so good, I can't get enough of it. I listen to the songs over and over again.

"We are called to a higher calling, God's vision to struggle for the sake of Christ and for the establishment of the Kingdom of Heaven... All creation has come together for this single moment...to see what will come of your time here on earth, to see if you will align yourself with Destiny and God, with your inheritance of holiness. Because if you do, you will unleash a tide of hope that will sweep across our generation... that will change everything forever... a new restlessness... as the end of injustice..."

Okay, coffee break is over, back to work,
Enjoy, and have a good weekend!

My Olympics experience - Athletes In Action Olympic Project

I wrote this a while ago... right after the 2010 Vancouver Olympics ended, but got busy with homework and forgot to finish editing it and posting it!

So, here is my experience, pretend you are getting it at the end of February:

Well, it has been about a week since I got back from Vancouver, so I thought I would update you who about my trip to Vancouver for the Athletes In Action Olympic Project. It was a really amazing experience to say the least. I had no idea what to expect going into it, and I definitely got a different experience than basically anyone else who went to Vancouver for the Olympics. So much I could say, but I will just give you an outline of what we did and a few highlights.

A highlight of the trip was traveling to Vancouver and back with the Athletes In Action (AIA) crew from Edmonton. It was awesome to get to know them through the car pool. We had some really awesome talks and it was amazing how quickly the trips flew by (especially on the way back). We had some really neat chats and it was awesome to hear the life stories of these really neat men and women!

Our project started off on Saturday, February 13 at Power To Change headquarters in Langley, for a weekend of training and the yearly AIA staff conference. It was a really neat weekend of mingling between AIA staff and students from across the country. We had some really cool training and encouraging from Doug Pollock. He wrote the book "God Space," and it was so neat to be reminded that evangelism does not need to be us running around handing out tracts to people and sharing the 4 spiritual laws with people! We were given a whole pile of materials to give to people, but we were told to just be natural and just love people in conversation and let Christ shine. There is so much freedom in this! He used some sports analogies; sometimes we need to use the driver (for people who are opposed to God or have never really thought about it before) or just try to get a first down, while other times we use the putter (leading someone to Christ) and get a touchdown. We need to be sensitive to the spirit and sense where people are at in their walks. Just live with people and love them and show them that Christians are not a bunch of crazies who just want to sell them the gospel, but that we love them and want to wonder with them and help them get closer to God. It is so easy to go to either extreme, always want to use the putter or just be friends and never share the gospel. We need to find the balance.

The only disappointments I had with the weekend was that there were so many people I wanted to sit down and visit with (people who I went to Thailand with, etc who I hadn't talked to in like 3 years), but we were so busy that I basically just got to say hi and then a quick update and then back to a session. But, was a sweet weekend anyway.
So, after the awesome weekend we went out into the Vancouver community! We broke into hubs of about 6-8 people and went into the Greater Vancouver area to serve in different capacities. My group was working alongside a church in Burnaby/Surrey. We did a couple of community outreaches in the church (with the Olympics on an overhead and playing games with kids, or serving food to the homeless), and then doing some mini-Olympics in two different schools. I had some really neat chats with a few people. In particular, it was neat one night sitting down and chatting about life with an older retired gentleman who was bringing his grandchildren to the church for activities. He is from a really rough past, but it was neat to just talk to him, and then on Friday I saw him when he dropped off his grandchildren at the school we were serving at! He asked when the next thing at the church was, so hopefully he can connect with someone there.

The school outreaches were really encouraging as well, we could not share about Jesus or anything but just tried to love the kids and share some good messages about teamwork, etc. We told them who we were and that we were working with the local church, so they should check out the street hockey tournament on Saturday. These kids were from really sad backgrounds, a lot of broken homes and teachers were telling us how they needed to make sure that some of them had lunch every day. I led a group around and it was so neat to see how much it meant to just look these kids in the eyes and smile at them and just love them! The kids always wanted to stand in the front of the line next to me! I felt really blessed at the end of the day as a kid who I had met earlier in the week (didn't think I had spent much time with him) ran across the gym yelling, "Jadon, are you coming back next year?!" Showed me how much of an impact we can make in lives in such small ways! I had not seen him all day and had barely talked to him earlier in the week, but he felt a connection with me!

We also spent a day and a half down town, just experiencing the Olympics and talking to people. It was neat how much it means to people for a stranger to smile and say hi and chat with them! Shocked a lot of people at first, but it was really neat to just hear people's stories, share what we were doing in Vancouver and just encourage people! Just letting Christ shine through in our actions and going where the conversation went, and where people felt comfortable going.

One last story, we wore jackets that had icravechange.com written on the back collar (Erwin McManus made a small version of his book "Soul Cravings" that we were supposed to base the "More Than Gold" Project on). Well, we were on Granville Island and I was just chatting with a family whose daughter was playing the fiddle (another cool story in itself, amazing 14 year old fiddle player!) and this guy ran up to me in a hurry. He said, "What is icravechange.com? I only have a minute because I need to go drive a delegate soon!" So, I quickly told him we were with AIA and what we were doing and brought out the "Soul Cravings" book and tried to explain the main concepts to him as he looked at it. He said he had to leave but seemed really interested, so I let him have the book. He was shocked that I would let him have it. It was a crazy conversation, like literally a minute long. I was left kind of dumbstruck! "Did that just happen!" I just kind of stumbled trying to explain everything as quickly as I could and not really sure what to say!
So, we didn't get to go to any events, but it was a really neat experience just to be in the environment and serve people! The atmosphere downtown was incredible, and the weather was amazing the whole week! How can anyone be disappointed in the quality of the event with such a gorgeous setting, an awesome transit system and such an amazing atmosphere everywhere! (I heard people talking about how much better the downtown atmosphere was than Turin, and look at the fans at curling!)

Peace my friends!
And thank you for your support!

PS. Enjoy the picture that I had taken in the Canadian Mint Pavilion! haha They had a booth set up there.