Christmas for all?

I heard a quote attributed to our president, in which he said that "Christmas is a holiday for all religions." That may be a lovely sentiment but it's simply not true. A better statement would have been "Christmas is a holiday for all people." As Jesus Christ, the originator of Christmas, came to earth to provide a means of salvation for all people.
It has long been my contention that religion has done more damage to Christianity than most anything else. At any rate, I have had a bad taste in my mouth for years about those individuals who snarl their nose up at the celebration of Christmas, yet want the same benefits and privileges of those of us who believe in the truth and spirit of the holiday.
Years ago I worked for a wonderful Christian man who provided his employees with a very nice Christmas party and a Christmas bonus check. We had one employee who, for religious purposes, did not celebrate Christmas. I loved it when the boss told him that in that case he would not be receiving his "Christmas" bonus nor would he be invited to the "Christmas" party, and that he could clean up the shop on the day we closed the shop down for "Christmas". After all, America was built on religious freedom and he didn't want to cause this brother to stumble in his convictions. CLASSIC!
I have the same rumble in my gut from those who feel it is unfair to impose greeting "Merry Christmas" on the masses. They complain about the Nativity scene at the State Capital, they complain about Christmas carols being sung in public schools, and try to remove all signs of "Christ" from the "Christmas" holiday. You just can't do that! They throw their little tantrums but do they take the day off from work, do they exchange gifts, do they put up a tree, whether they do or not is immaterial. They have the right NOT to celebrate, but we have the right TO celebrate. CHRISTmas is a CHRISTian holiday, but America was founded to be a CHRISTian nation, not to the point that we impose a state religion on anyone, but in the same manner as English is our national language, HELLO!, we are a CHRISTIAN nation.
May I say with all Christian sympathy and love, "this is America, we speak English, we celebrate Christmas, we're a Christian nation. Don't like it? You are FREE to leave!"
To those of you who are wise enough to recognize that without Christ there is no Christmas, I wish you a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

A New Heart

I borrowed this from an email from a dear friend, Bro. Robert Leonard, the MBSF Director at UAM. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. GOD IS GOOD!

Cameron Fowler is 4 months and 3 days old today. He has a new heart. The story is rather miraculous.

The jet landed at LR airport last night just before 10pm. The donor team transferred the heart to the helicopter from Children's hospital. The copter flew the organ the last few miles over to Children's.

Shortly after 10pm, the doctors and nurses of Children's hospital began working on Cameron. It's amazing that such a small organ could be placed in such a little body so quickly and skillfully. The physicians placed the heart in Cameron's chest and prepared to administer a small electrical shock to get in started. That's when the miracle happened.

It may not be a miracle that an organ can be harvested from one body and placed in another. It's standard medical procedure that you can drop the temperature of an organ and preserve it for a period of time. Skill and training provide doctors with the knowledge to be able to perform such delicate procedures. But what happened to Cameron had nothing to do with any of that.

When they placed the heart inside his chest and sutured the arteries together and started the blood flow to his new heart something wonderful happened. The heart began to beat on its own.

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." Psalm 51.10

"O God, We've studied and we've trained. We've gone to countless conferences and worship times. We've been faithful, Lord, but all these things mean nothing unless you speak life into our hearts. Restore our hearts and renew our spirits that they might beat, on their own, for You. We love you, LORD. Amen"

Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas?

I've got to be honest with you. I can sometimes jump a little hastily into impatience and exasperation, especially when it has to do with my beliefs and my Savior. A major contributor to such emotion is the current "PC" practice of moving from "Merry Christmas" to "Happy Holidays". I just read an interesting article that I will repost below that gave me a different perspective on the "controversy". I still bristle at the idea of removing Christ from Christmas, but there are some things here that make an awful lot of sense to me. Check it out...


Letter From Jesus About Christmas:

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up... It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5 Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember :


I LOVE YOU,
JESUS


There you go! Kinda makes you think doesn't it?

Thankful for What?

"Into every life a little rain must fall"...no really? In the world in which we find ourselves, it is easy to think that we are "under the circumstances", after all we are in a recession, financial woes affect us all, the pressures of this old world are nipping at our heels, and none of us are getting any younger.

Depressed yet? That's not my intent. To elevate our attitude to one of gratitude one needs only spend a few moments reflecting on the counting of blessings received. That's not to say that will make the bad times disappear, but it does make the balance a little more truthful.

We are blessed beyond measure when we consider that "every good and perfect gift comes from above". Life, health, joy, happiness, everything we find enjoyable and precious is a gift from a loving Heavenly Father who wants to shower His children with joy. The trouble is we are living on a sin-infested world that filters the love and joy at times, and tries to distract us from the knowledge or the appreciation of the wonderful things we have been given.

This Thanksgiving, I hope you will take some time to stop and count your blessings. This year I am thankful I still have the opportunity to spend time with my parents, my brother and sister and their families, and have all my family alongside me.

I am thankful I have a wonderful group of friends that treat me better than I treat them so often. I am thankful that God has chosen me to be a minister of His precious Gospel, heaven only knows what He was thinking when He chose me, but I'm glad He did.

But most of all I am thankful that it's not all about the here and now. "I have a future in heaven for sure, there in those mansions sublime". I thank God for the glorious gift of His only begotten Son Jesus, who came to earth in the form of a baby, lived a sinless live, suffered a death He did not deserve, was laid in a borrowed tomb, then was resurrected three days later triumphant over death, hell and the grave, and who now sits at the right hand of the Father waiting the instructions to come gather to Himself all those who have trusted Him as Savior and Lord.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I love you!

I love you and want you to live a happy healthy life!

Ok, you might think this is a commercial and I guess in the strictest of terms it is BUT...

I have found something that makes so much sense it's almost a no-brainer and I want to share it with you.

Back in February I was having a particularly low day so I had to make a decision, go drown my sorrows in a sack full of chocolate-filled donuts or go check out the new gym in town that my wife and I had been talking about. I'm happy to say I chose the latter.
I drove into the parking lot and found the door locked so I called the number on the door...no answer. I drove off thinking I should have gone to the donut shop. Then my phone rang. That was the first time I spoke to Ryan. Ryan Parker owns and manages the local Anytime Fitness franchise in Jacksonville and is one of the coolest guys I've ever met. He invited me back in to look around and hung a U-ey and went back. That's one of the best decisions I've made.

I looked around at the clean, complete facility and joined up immediately. This is not the first gym I've ever joined but I've been faithful to workout 3 to 5 times a week every week since that day.

Ryan is a very well versed health professional with degrees in Kinesiology and Nutrition and lots of impressive experience as a bodybuilder and MMA fighter. Plus, he's a heck of a motivator. He's interested...no passionate...about the health and wellness of others and works very hard to help them attain both. Toward that end he introduced me to Kangen Water. The word "Kangen" means back to origin. It's a Japanese word developed by a Japanese company that uses electrolysis to literally reconstruct water molecules separating water into acidic and alkaline (ph), filtering out the bad chemicals, additives, and pollutants while preserving the necessary minerals and vitamins present in tap water.

Wouldn't it be easier to just drink bottled water? Easier maybe, but think about it. How expensive is bottled water? Who is monitoring bottled water with regards to quality control, truth in advertising, and basic consumer safety...answer, basically no one! Most bottled water is just tap water in a new container. Reverse osmosis water is actually unhealthy and some brands have actually been banned in Europe. This "dead water" actually leeches minerals, calcium and other nutrients out of your body! Then there's the problem of the plastic containers leaching (if I use both spellings one has to be right!) chemicals out to the plastic into the water. Did you know that the plastic that water bottles is made of begins to seep Dioxin and other chemicals at 88 degrees, what are the chances that bottle has been kept under 88 degrees from bottling plant to retailer? Yeah none! Plus, the pollution from all these water bottles is staggering. Google the "great garbage reef" and watch with amazements the size of these things!

Long story short. The water is awesome, it tastes good, it's easy to drink, and it's great for you! Please come to my Water meeting, my "Hydration Education Celebration". It's this Saturday, Nov. 7th, in the dining hall of Faith Baptist Church. 109 Tanglewood Dr. North Little Rock (56th & Camp Robinson) at 9:00. You'll be amazed at how important the right water can be for your life, your health and your wellness!

Change your water, change your life!

MAN UP!

Wow, it's been a long time since I updated this blog huh? Sorry about that. And after I'm through this time you may wish I didn't update it all.

I had a rough night last night. I let my guard down and let a few boys get under my skin. Normally, this primarily positive preacher can let most things slide down my well-oiled, thick hide. But last night at AWANA I got got!

I have a real fear for the future of this nation if we continue to produce young men with the behavioral problems and blatant disrespect for any and everything.

I know that we are to love these kids and to try to help shape them into young men and women God can use. I also know that I was a snotty little kid once, but the difference is I knew fear. Fear and/or respect was, and is, a very real part of my life. I respected and feared my parents because they had the ability and the right to punish me, to bust my backside, and/or remove independence and property from me.

Teachers, likewise, were respected because there were consequences for bad behavior, not the least of which is the knowledge that they could tell my parents (see above paragraph!).

Church leaders were certainly respected for the above reasons but also because I knew that they were God's people, working for Him. I knew I didn't want to mess with that!

I think our problems started when discipline stopped. When did it become wrong or bad to correct a child in the manner God intended? Do we really think our gluteus maximus muscles are there just for seat cushions?

Spare the rod, spoil the child. I believe it, I believe the Bible teaches it. And I believe I can show you some examples of the truth of this.

There are practically no repercussions for bad behavior today. While there is no doubt in my mind I could fix the problem with the misbehaving boys last night, but I didn't particularly want to go to jail or be sued by some system misusing parent or lawyer.

My heart is torn today, I hope I can find an acceptable means of reaching these boys and helping them grow into productive members of society. But I only have 2 hours a week to try. My heart really goes out to the school teachers and administrators (at least the good ones) who face this situation 8 hours a day, 5 days a week.

My hopes for the future of this world are not as positive as they were this time yesterday. I hope I can get past this rough spot and regain the desire to teach boys to be men.

Boys and girls need fathers and mothers...period. It does make a difference. Authority figures need a means of correcting bad behavior. People need the Lord.

Have a good day my friends

Selfishness and Entitlement

Maybe it's just that I'm getting older, but I am really beginning to believe more and more that this world is not my home.

I have always tried to live by the Golden Rule. To do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I don't believe I am any better than any one else and don't believe that I should be put to the front of any lines. I knew that this practice was correct and I knew that I was in a minority, but I have been shocked of late at just how serious a minority it is in which I find myself.

Before I begin providing examples, let me tell you that I have many friends and acquaintances that are wonderful, giving, selfless people that demonstrate the love of Christ far better than me, BUT...

Drivers...when the lane ahead is going to end or when construction is forewarned--that is not the time to get in front of everyone else or speed around in the lane that is closing to get as far up as possible, then expect some good soul to let you in. You are no more important, nor is your destination any more important than that of the people you are going around.

...those of you who haul goods in trucks, especially dump trucks full of gravel, I recognize that gravel must be hauled but please cover your loads. A sign on your truck that states you are not responsible for damage caused by anything falling out of your truck is not enough. Windshields, headlights, etc. can be cracked or broken, paint can be marred, and don't even get me started on those of us who ride motorcycles being hit by anything that might fly off or out of your truck. Please consider others.

Walmart is a wonderful store where lots of people go to purchase the things they need or desire. I realize back to school time is crazy for all of us. But there are plenty of school supplies to go around. All of us need them and for you to block the aisle, break in line, push your way through or around, or to generally to make a fool of yourself is inappropriate. Relax, wait your turn, I have.

Those of you waiting in line at Walmart, or the post office, or in any public place. Hang up the phone until you are in a position to better handle the conversation. First, I don't need to hear your conversation. Second, you are unable to concentrate on what you are doing which exasperates the clerk and slows down the line behind you.

There are many more examples I could list but I don't want to think about them any more.

It's ok to want to get done with your chores as quickly as possible. But it's not okay to impose yourself on anyone else. The Bible tells us not to think too highly of ourselves and to love one another as we love ourselves.

"But I deserve it", may none of us ever get what we deserve and may we begin to understand that selfish people are the most miserable people in the world. Reach out and love, do something nice, be a good person, live together in harmony. Let me know I'm not the Lone Ranger!

Have a good day! Heaven knows I'm trying!

Too much, too fast

Do you remember that old "I Love Lucy" show where she was working an assembly line and couldn't keep up with the line. HELLO! Welcome to my world lately! I spent a week at Bogg Springs (Saturday to Saturday) serving as Camp Pastor. Truly enjoyed it, but I've had trouble getting back into the groove, probably because I had already nearly jumped out of it even before I left.

Lots of good things are happening though. I'm enjoying preaching a bit more. (Come to Faith Baptist Church, 109 Tanglewood in N. Little Rock Sundays at 6pm). I'm staying pretty regular with my workout schedule. (Anytime Fitness in Jacksonville. Ryan Parker is the MAN!) And seeing three blurs of activity (my wife and 2 daughters) as they speed through their lives. Actually Shelia is enjoying about 4 weeks break from her job at Sylvan Hills High. Jennifer is working at Arby's in Jacksonville, and Jessica found a 5 week temporary job at Ryerson Metals in the Port District. So busy isn't a problem!

My lovely bride and I celebrated our 25th anniversary this past Monday night (6/29) complete with a surprise party organized by our daughters (and friends). What a sweet night! Made all the more special because earlier in the month we celebrated my parent's 50th Anniverary (6/6) over in Alabama. Bittersweet though, because this month would also have been Shelia's parents 50th anniversary (Rest in peace, Mrs. Letha).

I think I'm still in the Patriot Guard. I've been so busy I've not been able to help much in that department, but I recruited a great helper, Big Walter, to take up my slack and what a fine job he has done. He's also my workout buddy at the gym. We both have a long journey ahead!!!

Well, I was approaching frustration level with all the work I need to do, so catching up with the blog was a welcome break and redirection of energy. Back into the fray!

Pop in and say hi when your get a chance!

Much love to ya!
Jeff

It's been a while

My apologies for my lack of posts of late. My time management has been whacked for the last few months, and honestly my frame of mind has been a little off kelter too!

Things are busy around the Hulsizer place. Jessica & Jennifer finishing up the school year with finals, papers, programs, etc. (Congrats to Jessica for making it through the first year of UCA's School of Nursing with a great GPA!--I'm proud of you! Now GET A JOB! :) Jennifer still has a few weeks, but has been busy with Choir Follies, she'll be on a choir trip to Branson this weekend, and we're all getting used to her having a job (Arby's in Jacksonville).

Shelia is happy to be running again. She stays busy with her "Women Can Run" clinic in Cabot and their activities, plus her work at the school, praise team at church, etc.

I've tried to be faithful to spend an hour or two at the gym 4 or 5 nights a week which eats into my blogging time. So there is it...my excuses.



Kind of a strange weekend shaping up for me. Tomorrow I'm moving Jessica out of her place in Conway and into a mini-storage as she's living at home this summer. I have Lisa & Lee's wedding rehearsal Friday night and their wedding at 6 Saturday. What a blessing to be asked to officate a wedding for a kid from my old youth group!

As I write this I'm anticipating a phone call regarding the details of a funeral service for a elderly lady that had been a big part of my life at Faith the last 9 years or so, Flodene Henderson. I'll be doing her funeral whenever it is planned, so I'm trying to gather some thoughts there.

Also in the tunnel of my concentration is the Children's Ministry Retreat next weekend at which I will speak, and a Youth Camp this June at which I will serve as the Camp Pastor. Wonderful opportunities, I just need to really set aside some intense prep time.

Lots of things to keep us busy, lots of things to keep us distracted, and lots of things to try to keep us from keeping the best things in mind. I'm reminding myself of I Corinthians 15:58, Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Lord, help me not to be distracted from the best things, by good things, bad things or any other things. Father, guard my heart and protect my attitudes to always be found an able vessel.

Hoping a great day and a fresh sense of the presence of the Lord in each of your lives my friends. Carpe Diem!

Goodbye for now...

This morning's first phone call was our Senior Pastor calling to let me know that a dear friend had passed away. Bro. Leon Halbert had been in poor health for a long time and the Christian side of me is relieved, even happy, that he has triumphantly gone on to his eternal reward. However, the human side of me is sad that my friend has gone away.

I have been sad a long time for Leon. His condition had kept him from being himself and I must admit I was none to faithful at going to visit him in that condition. But he and I were very close and had many, many long conversations and visits and it was just very hard to see such a previously strong, all-together type man like Leon in that state.

When I came to Faith church 8 1/2 years ago, there were two men in particular that became fast friends; Dub Carpenter and Leon Halbert. I don't what it was, exactly, that caused us to hit it off, but we did. We lost Dub a few years ago. That was hard on Leon. But now to lose Leon too, it's just sad.

Leon and I were visitation partners for a couple of years. We made a good team, he said. "You do the talking, I'll do the prayin'" He was always personable, I think he loved everybody and was never uncomfortable in any home we entered.

We always had planned to find a "project" to work on. Once, Leon bought a series of boxes containing a bunch of motorcycle parts. From that mess he assembled an antique Harley. He later sold that bike and I believe I'm correct when I say that it is now in the Museum of Automobiles on Petit Jean Mountain. He loved cars, bikes, tractors, he just loved machinery and was good with his hands. I'm sorry we never got that "project" started.

I said Leon was good with his hands. Leon was good with his heart too. What a gentle, giving saint. I love you brother. I look forward to seeing you again. Enjoy heaven my friend!

Viva la difference!

I’ve been pondering differences a lot here lately. Honestly mainly because of the difference in musical tastes and the possibility of misunderstanding within a church body. I don’t pretend to be wise enough to end the “what musical styles are acceptable for worship” debate that has loomed forever. But I do want to share a little personal perspective.

Would it be true to state that most of what happens on a Sunday morning is cultural? I believe that “Jesus loves the little children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight!” While it is true all these colors are represented in the cultural melting pot called America, there are also many different places in the world where the people look, act, speak and, yes, worship differently. Who pleases God more?

It is my contention that worship is more about the motivation and the content of the heart than the key, pitch, tone or rhythm of the musical vehicle that one employs to help take them to the throne of God.

While I believe it is absolutely true that Jesus is the only way to the Father. (John 14:6). I also claim the promise that if we knock, He will answer; if we seek, we will find. (Luke 11:9).

I’m afraid that too many times we let too much personal taste interfere with worship. It doesn’t matter what kind of vehicle you drive to church, it’s the attendance that matters. Likewise I believe that it doesn’t matter so much what type of music we sing, it’s that we are singing to our Lord with gratitude and praise. Praise the LORD! For [it is] good to sing praises to our God; for [it is] pleasant, [and] praise is beautiful. (Psalm 147:1)

…speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, (Ephesians 5:19).

And finally, consider Psalm 150 and then ask yourself which instruments cannot be used to praise God.

I will sing unto the Lord…

Count the Cost

I have wanted to ride my motorcycle out to my parent's place in Alabama for a long time. Last year my dad was to have some minor surgery and I had planned a trip for then but the surgery was rescheduled a couple of times and it never worked out for me to go. But over the holidays I got word that my sister's husband was going to be ordained as a deacon on Sunday night, January 4. My wife and youngest daughter were to start back to school the following day so I was going to go by myself anyway, so why not take the bike. I began watching the weather to make sure the way out would be safe and pleasant. There was rain early in the forecast but that all gave way to just cloudy skies, so I decided to make the trip.

I packed all my stuff (being cautious in sealing the clothes in a plastic bag inside my luggage just in case. Wired up my new cb radio system and antennae and planned to head out Saturday morning.

Everything seemed cool, I started out on the road and upon hitting the first good bump my cb lost power, the cigarette lighter I installed wasn't working right so goodbye cb!

But the weather was fine, even a bit warm for such a heavy leather jacket. I was thinking how glad I was that I hadn't brought the additional jacket I sometimes wear under the big leather one.

I stopped in Hazen and traded the cb headset for my iPod and hit the road again. No rain, just a little cloudy. Life was good.

I had opted to go across the Helena bridge and up through Tunica county to Hwy 302 across Olive Branch to Hwy 72, Memphis and motorcycles didn't seem like a good combination. So I pulled into the rest stop in West Helena and completely disinstalled the cb system and put it in my luggage. I was on my way. Hwy 302 was a nightmare. I hit every red light (I think they call it 302 as that seems to be the number of traffic lights there are!). Anyway, I finally hit 72 and I'm off. I get to Corinth, MS to stop for fuel and call my dad to tell him where I am. All is well, I'm still warm and dry...flying high.

I arrive at Mom and Dads just before dark and enjoy a nice visit. We get up the next morning and prepare for church and Bro. David Gregg gives me the blessing of asking me to preach for him that morning. What an honor. I did what I could and then head back home for a great afternoon visit with the folks.

Monday morning reality hits. There is rain all over Arkansas and Mississippi and most of Alabama, but I am convinced a little rain never hurt anybody, especially with a full face helmet and some rain gear. So I pack up again (plastic bags inside luggage) rain gear on and head for home.

I get about halfway down the Natchez Trace and realize I'm a mite chilly so I pull in to the Buzzard Roost stop and put my rain gear jacket on under my leather jacket and adjust my head/neck warmer and head out again.

Halfway to Corinth, MS I notice my rain gear pants are coming apart (or at least the layers are seperating) that's when I remember them being so economical when I bought them at the Bass Pro Shop in the hunting department (not the highway speeds on motorcycles department!)

I get to Corinth for fuel still dry and I throw the rain pants away (I will soon regret that decision) and head on down the road. At about Walnut I begin to notice that the windshield has some water droplets playfully wandering about on it to which I think, ha...this rain this is gonna be no trouble. Cut 15 miles down the road to where the rain has stopped being playful and is soaking me to the bone. I pull in to a gas station to readjust and being shivering. Not a good sign. I pull my gloves back on, zip everything all the way up and head back out. I think for a moment about not going through all the traffic lights on 302 again but remember the alternative is downtown Memphis...nevermind. So 302 traffic lights and rainfall looking for a place to stop and buy some decent rain gear. Which brings up the question, why are motorcycle dealers never open on Monday?

Anyway I make it to Walls, MS and call my other brother in law hoping he is at home and I am close by. Of course he's not home but close to my father-in-law's house so I tell him I'm gonna warm up a second and be back on my way. My flannel lined jeans are soaking wet and weigh 200 pounds. My boots (which are not water-proof) are holding water as are my long gloves and liners. I get a pair of uninsulated yet dry jeans out of my saddlebag and head to the restroom to find some form of relief. Thanks goodness for floor drains in bathrooms. My boots were full, my socks were soaked. I emptied my boots, wrung out my socks and changed jeans. I stumbled barefoot back out to the store tables to where a couple of city employees were taking a break discussing the miserable weather and began putting my wet socks back on. I smiled and asked them if they had ever seen such a crazy white boy, they laughed politely...I assumed the answer was no.

I bought a roll of trashbags and retrieved my duct tape from the bike and made some temporary plastic chaps for my legs. Maybe they would last the 22 miles to Pop's house? Nope, but nice try. When I pulled to the house Ms. Anne was aghast at the lack of wisdom I had shown starting out in this mess, but she found me a pair of sweat pants and some dry socks to begin my rehabilitation. A fried chicken dinner and I found myself under the electric blanket at 5:30 pm!

The next morning I hopefully tuned in to the weather channel hoping for a break in the action. No dice. The precipition was all over eastern Arkansas, but there was a potential lull in the early afternoon. Hopeful, I loaded up in a light sprinkle and headed for the Helena Bridge. These old highways are rutted up from use and heavy traffic and dodging standing water was quite the adventure, especially since the water was accumulating on my faceshield (which also fogs up with the slightest breath at anything less than 45 mph!).

I make it across the bridge and begin thinking, I'm not as wet (thanks to the roll of saranwrap I have wrapped around my legs) but I am colder. I stop at a laundromat in Marvel, AR and throw everything I can take off tastefully into the dryer. After a 30 minute break I'm back on the wet road looking for a break in the clouds. Have I mentioned I was wet and cold? When I got to Brinkley I opted to turn left on Hwy 70 rather than head for I-40...another mistake. Hwy 70 on a motorcycle bears a close resemblance to riding a bucking bronco in a rodeo. Plus seeing all the ice covered trees just adds to the cold I'm feeling. At Hazen I stop for fuel again and opt for the freeway. Much drier, much smoother but at a higher speed the windchill was brutal. I take the Remington Road exit and pray for just 12 more miles. I do make it, but when I pulled into my garage (covered by the way...I think my bike is still mad at me for leaving her out in the rain Monday night) I get off the bike and walk directly into the laundry room...helmet and all to begin disrobing and seperating myself from all things wet and cold.

I don't know I've ever appreciated a hot shower more. It took a good while to realize that it was, in fact, a hot shower. But I retained my normal skin color, found sweatpants, sweatshirt, terrycloth robe, socks and houseshoes and went looking for the hot soup. Life is good. I survived and boy, have I learned a lesson. When planning a motorcycle trip, check the weather for the whole trip...not just the first leg!!!