Hey!

So it has been a while since I have posted a blog! part of that is becuase I have been rather sick and the other part is that I just haven’t known what to say……

It seems that sometimes our fallen world doesn’t make sence! Not just for me but for so many that are hurting right now! I think of the McRae family! Not fair! My friend Gary who is still batteling with a disabilitating condition. Not Fair! In our heads we know that God is control – but it is times like this that our mere words are put to the test and they are molded like clay into faith monuments!

A few weeks ago I was diagnosed with Cardiomyopathy. It is a disease of the heart that was probably caused by a virus. I will most likely get better. I have been doing everything possible to to try to get my heart healthy. My heart was not as bad as some and the doctors think that I will make a full recovery – but along with the diabetes this has been a scary time of life for me.  Right now we are in the waiting stage. Waiting to get lab results back, waiting to see how my heart responds, and waiting to feel better. It is sort of surprising how little the doctors can do for your heart at this point. It is really up to my body. I wanted to personally thank all of you that have been praying for me and my recovery. Thank you to those who have brought food and have done little things to help out. It has really meant the world to Amy and I. We still need your prayer. I need your prayer as I jump back into work! hahaha

“I wonder what the poor people are doing?”

So I was hunting a few months back with my buddy Brad (Brad Remfrey is such an amazing guy! He is one of the best and most loyal friends in the world!) and we were up on top of a mountain looking out at the valley below, when he said somehting to me that I will never forget! He said, I wonder what the poor people are doing right now?” At first it didn’t register with me and then it hit me that he wasn’t talking about the type of riches that we commonly associate with wealth. He was talking about the riches that we experience through God’s creation and the priceless moment that we were sharing as friends. It really impacted me and has stuck with me when I start to get frustrated and my current financial situation or with the fact that I can’t buy something that I really want. I am by no means finacially poor, but I do not have a lot of money. But money is not what is going to last. In that moment up on top of that mountain I was rich. Rich with friendship. Rich with God’s creation and rich with an understanding of what really matters in life. I love it because when you really break it down, we are all rich with blessings – we just sometimes lack the perspective to see them!

Brad told me after he has said it that his dad used to say that phrase when they were hunting together. Brad’s dad has past away, but he has left an amazing legacy with that statement! Thanks Brad for sharing that with me – I am grounded by that statement often and I want to pass that on to my kids as well!

“I wonder what the poor people are doing?”

The best thing that has ever happened to me!

So I had a really good day today! It was fairly uneventful, but I am starting to feel better. I have also started to work through some stuff emotionally and mentally the past few days. I think I just need to be honest with myself that I am sort of worn out! This past couple of years has taken it’s toll on me. I have gone through 2 surgeries and 4 cortisone shots, physical therapy (multiple times), medications up the wazoo – all while trying to be a great husband and father and manage to wear about 3-4 different hats at work. This is not to mention the thousands of dollars that we have had to spend on my medical stuff! Money we don’t really have. I know that the money part really stresses Amy out and rightfully so and in part stresses me out! I think I want so badly to be able to shrug all of this off and power through, but this has been taxing! I don’t know if I have shared with very many people what I have gone through this past couple of years. I think because I have a hard time sharing my difficulties with others. I don’t want to burden them and I don’t want to seem like a downer, but with the diabetes hitting me I think I just needed to be honest with myself that I am a little overwhelmed.

The other thing is that sometimes I feel like there is an expecatation of me to perform – at work and at home. What I mean by this is that I feel like a lot of people are depending on me to lead and to some extent I think that is true. But I also think that I put some of that expectation on myself. I guess I say this mostly to be honest with myself, but also to let you in on the things that I am processing right now. The past few days I have sort of let go of some of this stuff. I feel very mortal! I know that I just need to accept the fact that I really need to take care of myself so that I can be a leader at home and work. I have started seeing a theapist to help me process this stuff and I think that is really good! I went yesterday and I already feel like my spirits are better! I feel like I am understanding life at a different level.

I feel like I am understanding how amazing life is! Just the gift that we have from God to interact with Him and with others! I understand how fragile that gift is! I am also learning how to love myself a little more. How not to be so hard on myself and to just be ok if I don’t  meet the expectations of everyone all the time. As long as I’m doing my very best – that is what God wants from me. I am also figuring out how to submit to God through all circumstances and that my situations don’t need to define me. The truth is that I want God to define me, every part of me! I haven’t always wanted that!

I have a good friend named Chris, who went to bed one night in jr high and woke up with a disabilitating condition. It has physically changed him in very dramatic ways. It has effected his whole body! I had the opportunity to sit with him a few weeks ago over breakfast and I asked him how he copes with his condition on a daily basis and his response has changed my life! He responded by saying, ” I have grown to the point where I feel lucky to have my disability, because I feel like God is constantly teaching me. He never let’s me go. Everyday is a new challenge and He is able to carry me through it.” Chris’s statement has been my comfort this past week as my life has altered with diabetes. Even though I don’t have the challenges he has, I still feel like every-time I need to take insulin or test my blood or choose healthy foods, it’s a reminder that God is refining me; that he is not done with me yet! Diabetes might be the best thing that has ever happened to me!

Update on my health!

First off – let me just express my overwhelming thanks to all of you that have offered your encouragement , prayers and support! It really does mean so much to Amy and I. This has been a little overwhelming for us – or maybe just me, but your support has really meant a lot to me!

This last week has been really tough  as I have been trying to get my blood sugar in a normal range. Yesterday Pastor Randy Deal – who is also a pharmacist that specializes in Diabetes, called my doctor for me and got me on insulin. I took one shot and my sugar levels are now normal. It is really good that I am in the normal range, but now my body is reacting a little and feels like my blood sugar is low – like I need to eat, but am not hungry. I guess this is normal and will go away in a day or two. It’s just my body adjusting to what is normal. I am really worn out though. I slept 11 hour last night on the couch! I just couldn’t wake up to go to bed. I feel like I could sleep all day, but I know that I need to get moving! I have come to grips with this new adventure and am embracing it as best I know how. The nice thing is that I am eating really healthy! I will keep you posted! Thanks again for your support!

So – I guess I’m a diabetic!

So yesterday I was diagnosed with diabetes. I am going to be writing about this process because I feel like it is good to be open journal about my experience with this disease and I also want to open this door of my life to all of you that may read. I will be posting often what my journey looks like, but as for now here is the story.

Over the past couple of months my body has been doing some interesting things. I have lost about 20 lbs, I get leg and hand cramps, I have been craving sugar (I have been drinking a lot of soda), I have to go to the bathroom alot, my skin was super dry and I got a rash on my body.  I knew something wasn’t right but I thought that it might just be because I had gone through 4 cortisone shots on my back and has stopped taking the pain medication. Amy kept pointing out to me that something might be wrong and I started to do some research based on the symptoms that I was experiencing. So after we got back from California, where we were at Brian and Promises Wedding (Amazing by the way!) I decided to go into the doctor to get some blood work done. I was thinking that I might of had a hyperactive thyroid or something. So I went in and they took my blood samples and said that they would call me in a few days.

Yesterday I got a call from the doctor who wanted me to come in immediately to go over the results. I went in and my doctor told me that I have extremely high glucose levels in my blood and that I was most likely a diabetic. We did a blood test on the tester that she gave me and it did not register because it was too high. (It was over 500 – Normal glucose is around 100) She then tested me on her machine and it tested off the chart again. She then got a worried look on her face and recommended that I go to the emergency room to get the levels down. I walked out to my car just feeling really scared – I called Amy and could barely hold back the emotions enough to let her know that I was most likely diabetic and that I needed to go to the emergency room. My sister and brother in law watched our kids as we went to the hospital. (They are the best and I am so appreciative of them!)

So Amy and I went to the emergency room  were they hooked me up to an IV and got fluids into my body. They found that I am most likely a type 2 although we are still doing tests to determine for sure. I was in the emergency room for about 4 hours and they released me with my blood sugar level at 313. (Still not great) They prescribed me some medication and sent me home. Today I went back to the doctor and they took more blood to do more tests and they prescribed me a new medication that is better and I am still trying to get my glucose levels down to a normal level. Before I ate dinner tonight it was at 348. It is probably going to take a few days to get it under control.

On a personal level this has been kind of tough on me. I feel like my identity has changed. The past couple of years have been so tough with the two surgeries and 4 cortisone shots on my back. I am feeling a little overwhelmed right now. Today Amy and I had some great talks – I think I am dealing with my self esteem  and confidence as a husband and father, feeling somewhat inadequate. I know that it is not true, it’s just where I’m at. I also know that when your blood sugar levels are off you can feel a little down, so I’m not going to listen to my emotions a whole lot. I know that God is in control of my life and I know that he is faithful. I also know that he is not going to give me more than I can handle, but he is defiantly testing that theory! (lol) I know that I am going to be ok – I’m just a little scared and anxious about the future.

The cool thing is that I need to eat healthy. I really do eat healthy already, I just have a few things that I need to change about my diet. Amy and I are really excited about this. We made a menu for the week and went to Sprouts today and got all of the right foods to eat. Our kids are going to be eating really good foods and I am excited for a healthy lifestyle. As I write this my kids are on my lap and have no idea that anything is different with me. They have no idea that their dad has a disease called diabetes. My family and friends are going to love me no matter what and ultimately I am going to be much more plugged into my heath on a daily basis. Maybe what seems like bad thing is really just a big blessing!

Chip’s Top 10 Favorite Things to do!

Here are my 10 most favorite things to do!

1. Hang out with Amy (not just saying this for sex – I really mean it!)

2. Play with my Kids – Cana and Jackson

3. Hunt/Fish

4. Hang out in my Garage

5. Watch TV Shows

6. Paint

7. Surf

8. Leadership/Speaking

9. Mountain Bike

10. Read/Study

So I spent quite a bit of time making sure this list was in correct order. I would love to see what your top 10 favorite things to do are!

Products that work for Dried Hands and Feet!

So every Summer the same thing happens to me and for some reason it catches me off guard. I am always plagued by extremely dry feet. Dry feet to the point that my heels crack and it becomes really painful. This year my hands got extremely dry as well. My wife Amy informed me last year that my feet are drying out because of my sandals. I wear sandals almost everyday. I have one pair that I particularly love. They are Rainbows that are Rubber with the thick soles and the Nylon straps that are sort of wide. They have been my favorite slippers ever! I have owned many pairs of Rainbows and other brands of sandals and none compare with the ones that I am wearing right now. They are so comfortable and they really have become a part of me! So anyways ….. I needed some help with the dryness!

Last year Amy busted out some stuff that is utterly Amazing! (Utterly is funny – because this product is used for chapped cow utters!) It is called Bag Balm! Bag Balm works so well! The problem is that it is very strong and sort of guey! You have to wear socks after you put it on because if you don’t it gets on everything. It also has a pretty strong odor. Not bad – just strong. I think it has some oils in it and petroleum and other ingredients that fix cracked and dry skin! If you have dry feet – check out Bag Balm. I’m sure you can find it at a health food store like Sprouts or you may even be able to buy it at a supermarket.

For my dried hands I had to find different product, because you don’t want to walk around with Bag Balm on your hands! So yesterday I went to Sephora (I think that is how you spell it – It is the cosmetic store in the San Tan Mall.) and found some amazing stuff! Amy and I went into Sephora to buy Amy some perfume for mothers day and I wanted to see if they had some lotion. What I found was a whole section dedicated to products for men! Pretty cool if you ask me! Anyway I found this stuff called Industrial Strength Hand Healer by Jack Black. (Not the actor) I tried this stuff and it works amazing! I only have to put it on 2-3 times a day and it takes away all the dryness!

You may not deal with dry hands or feet and you may be saying, “Chip is such a girl!” But until you have dried hands and feet and know what an inconvenience it can be, you really have no idea. Hopefully this post will be of some use to someone out there! I don’t want anyone to be trapped and insecure by there dry hands or feet! Our hand and feet are meant to be moist! Happy Healing to you all!

Top 20 fav TV Shows of all time!

Here are my top 20 favorite TV Shows of all time. Please let me know if any of your favorites showed up on the list!

1. The West Wing

2. The Wire

3. The Biggest Looser

4. Greys Anatomy

5. The Shield

6. Friends

7. Southland (New)

8. Prison Break

9. Battlestar Galactica

10. The Unit

11. The Office

12. 30 Rock

13. Kings (New)

14. American Idle

15. 24

16. The Black Donnelly’s

17. The Sopranos

18. The Amazing Race

19. Parks and Recreation

20. Commander in Chief

These are the Shows that I have watched and loved over the years in numerical order based on how much I enjoyed them! If you want to create your top 10 or top 20 that would be great! I would love to see what your favorite tv shows are!

Trip to Dallas

So our Executive Team went to Dallas for our last session with Leadership Network on Generosity! It was a good workshop. It is so good for our team to get away and have discussion that in the day to day grind we don’t have the opportunity to have. The best part for me on this trip was the realization of how cool our church is! Rock Point has a great staff and is doing really neat and progressive things in an area that is super tough to do ministry. Arizona has been hit so hard by the economy and our culture is one that is hard to teach people about commitment and priorty. We live in a culture here in Arizona where church is just one option out of many for people to choose from. In Texas, everyone goes to church. It is very rare to meet someone that does not go to church. With that said I love Arizona.

Now Dallas is a very cool place. I could totally live there. It is such a cool culture and a beautiful city. We went to see the 6th floor museum where JFK was assassinated. What a cool thing to see! It was such a treat for us to have a couple of hours as a staff to go and sight see and have some fun together! The only bummer was we had a 8:30 flight that got delayed to 11:45 and we didn’t get home until about 1:30. I don’t think I got into bed until 2:00 am! I did take a four hour nap today though – so I am feeling pretty good! Just a snapshot into my life this last week. I am so happy to be home! Hey let me know if you have ever been to Dallas – I’m interested to hear what you thought of the city!

New Home Defense Firearm

So since Amy and I have been married, I have been wanting to get a home defense gun! I like the idea of having a way to protect my family in the unfortunate occurrence of an intruder in my home. My father in law was out here this last week and we spent some time looking at guns. He ended up buying a Springfield Armory XDm 9 mm. The XDm is much like the XD except it is outfitted with a match barrel and match trigger. It is a little more accurate and ergonomic. It is also about a $100.00 more expensive. As cool as the XDm is it was a little overkill for me. As we browsed the different options we both were sold on the Springfield Armory handguns. They are incredibly safe new style semi-auto pistols. I ended up buying the Springfield Armory XD .40 cal. They are similar to a Glock in the look and feel. Both being a polymer handgun with a striker fire system. (But feels like a double action stroke when the trigger is pulled.) They have multiple safety feature including a palm safety that has to be pressed to chamber a round as well as to pull the trigger. I liked the way the XD felt in my hand and I wasn’t fond of the Glocks angle as it is held. The Springfield is set up more like a 1911. I went to the range and shot 100 rounds through it and just love the way it feels. I chose to go with the 40 S&W caliber. It is a very fast and large round. It is primarily what the police departments issue based on the ballistics of the round. I was considering the .45 but decided not to go with that round based on cost and overall performance. I am using hallow point round for home defense and regular target rounds to practice. My first time at the range and I was making groupings at no more that 6 inches. Most being at around 2 inches. (25 ft) I can’t wait to get out and shoot some more. I am the first to admit that guns are not for everyone, but I just love it! I think it is amazing that we live in a country that we can exercise our right to bear arms.