Bear Handbook - Achievement 19 - Shaving and Chips

In this chapter, Cub Scouts learn how to properly use and care for a pocket knife.  Each boy can earn their Whittling Chip card after completing all four of the requirements.  See Bear Handbook

Have fun and keep your fingers out of the way!

Epiphany - The Anaconda Squeeze

Have you seen the hilarious Nacho Libre? (Paramount Pictures 2006)  It is one of those films you hate to love and love to hate and is packed with dozens of one liners that live beyond the screen.  The type of movie that kids want to watch everyday until they have it memorized and you want to curse because the lines get stuck in your head.  

Jack Black was quite funny in the story about a monastery cook named Ignacio who desires to make his life better by becoming a luchador (Nacho Libre) to earn money to help feed the orphans who live at the monastery.  Ignacio and his partner Esqueleto, a street peasant, are horrible wrestlers and lose (many times), but find out that they get paid whether they win or not.  During their first fight Ignacio pulls a few good moves on his opponent, including my favorite - The Anaconda Squeeze.  A bone crunching disabler.  From what I have heard, when a real anaconda (a great big snake) catches its prey it will squeeze the animal until it dies, suffocating and crushing it to death.  Sounds, um, fun?  Of course in the movie "the squeeze" was not quite so final.

The Anaconda Squeeze (Nacho's version) has been on my mind lately in relation to tests and trials.  I have noticed that the trials I have experienced up to this point have had varying degrees of difficulty. I think that trials are one of God's ways of teaching us humility and patience as we learn to submit to His will (oh so hard to do).  I have felt, in essence, The Anaconda Squeeze in my life (Please try not to laugh) as I have had to deal with the turbulents of life.  Thankfully, through the Grace of God and His Son, I am able to pull through with greater understanding and a new perspective.  

Who knew that I could have an epiphany by watching something that came from Hollywood?  Thanks!



The picture came from here: Melissa Cassara - Movie Posters 

New Moon - Not The Twilight Kind

                      

Yesterday morning as I was walking East delivering papers, I saw the most beautiful new moon.  Despite the frigid temperatures the Spirit whispered to me, "All things denote there is a God."  All creation is God's, placed here for us to enjoy.

God is good!