Cousin Adam

Ryan's cousin Adam passed away last night. Ryan's cousin Leigh (Adam's sister) posted some insight about Adam this morning.



Adam McFarland, Christmas Day. Adam was born with cerebral palsy and cognitive impairment at a time when special education had just begun. He taught all of us do many things, especially that we are more alike than different. He also taught me that we are much stronger and capable than we often think we are.

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Our brother Adam passed away unexpectedly last night. Our family is reeling but we also feel the thoughts and prayers from friends and family. Please know that every single moment is an absolute gift. Don't doubt for a second that life is to be lived with joy, love and compassion every single day. Adam loved life. He loved his movie collection, 80s references, going out to eat, complaining about work, dancing, beer, and his family. Please pray for us or send us whatever strength you can. Adam was a kind, sensitive soul. We will miss him forever.

Please pray for the family during this difficult time. Adam & Leigh's mom (Leslie - Ryan's aunt) was diagnosed with lung cancer about 2 weeks ago and has just started undergoing intensive chemo this past week. Leigh's mother-in-law is in late stages of cancer down in Louisiana. Any positive thoughts and prayers would be MUCH appreciated during this trying time.

Prayer Needed

Please join me in praying for a friend. One of my friend's mom tried to kill herself by overdosing yesterday. They found her on the floor and rushed her to the hospital. There are so many prayers needed at this time - for the mom: that she can get the help that she needs, once and for all; for my friend: that she can have the strength to forgive her mother for what seems like such a selfish act, that the Lord can comfort her during this crazy time, etc. Please send up positive thoughts, prayers, kind words, whatever you can muster. Thank you in advance!

Sons Seasons

'Sons of Anarchy' Renewed for Two Seasons, Creator Kurt Sutter Inks First Overall Deal

FX's highest-rated show has been renewed through season six, though those involved with the show assume a seventh and likely final season will be part of Sutter’s plan.

FX ratings juggernaut Sons of Anarchy is coming back for at least two more seasons.

The renewal news comes as its creator and showrunner Kurt Sutter has inked a three-year overall deal with Twentieth Century Fox TV and FX Productions, which jointly produce the highest-rated series in FX history. As part of the pact, Sons has been officially renewed through season six, though those involved with the show assume a seventh and likely final season will be part of Sutter’s plan. What’s more, the deal allows the often outspoken showrunner to develop fare for both broadcast and cable, and includes a script deal with FX, where the former Shield writer is now the longest-tenured scribe.

Among the advantages, the pact gives Sutter the wherewithal to map out the series’ future on his own terms, rather than at the whim of Nielsen ratings. It’s a strategy that allowed past FX showrunners from The Shield’s Shawn Ryan to Rescue Me’s Peter Tolan and Denis Leary to present a coherent show from beginning to end, noted FX Network president John Landgraf, and the intention is that that level of certainty will be helpful creatively for Sutter as well.

The rest of the article here.

Mater's Ride

Behind the Scenes of Cars Land - In Omaha with Larry the Cable Guy

When Cars Land opens this summer and you enter Radiator Springs, the first attraction you’ll see is Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree. This attraction is going to be a blast! You’ll hop onto a baby tractor where you’re then pulled around in a series of figure eights to some of Mater’s favorite songs.

I had the pleasure of flying to Omaha, Nebraska, to go behind the scenes for the Disney Parks Blog and shoot a voice-over session with Walt Disney Imagineers and Larry the Cable Guy. He was singing seven original songs for the new attraction. It was an entertaining two days! The famous comedian and voice of “Mater” is a very down-to-earth guy who made the long sessions a lot of fun. And if you’re wondering why we were all in Nebraska, that’s Larry the Cable Guy’s home turf. It’s still show business, but far away from the Hollywood hills. Enjoy!

Jesus > Religion

A poem I wrote to highlight the difference between Jesus and false religion. In the scriptures Jesus received the most opposition from the most religious people of his day. At it's core Jesus' gospel and the good news of the Cross is in pure opposition to self-righteousness/self-justification. Religion is man centered, Jesus is God-centered. This poem highlights my journey to discover this truth. Religion either ends in pride or despair. Pride because you make a list and can do it and act better than everyone, or despair because you can't do your own list of rules and feel "not good enough" for God. With Jesus though you have humble confident joy because He represents you, you don't represent yourself and His sacrifice is perfect putting us in perfect standing with God the Father.

Month 1

I would consider Month One of training successful. My main focus of month one was to get in a routine. I know that once I start scheduling working out into my daily routine that I will be more likely to continue it. Every work day (expect for 2 Fridays since I only work half days) I walked 2 miles on my lunch break. Starting the second week of January I started making the gym a three-times-a-week routine. I am keeping a rough count of my workouts (time and distance). I show, on top of the normal activity we do on the weekends, I walked approx 37 miles, biked approx 49 miles and ran approx 23 miles. Now I know this isn't HUGE, but it is consistent. I wanted to start off slow, A. so I don't hurt myself, but also B. because, like I mentioned before, I was more focused on the running/ working out/ training stuff as a HABIT. I still have eight more months before my half marathon (which seems like plenty of time to work up my milage). Wish me luck :)

2012 = Justice

Kony 2012 Teaser from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.

Kony 2012 Teaser
KONY 2012 will be our biggest Awareness Campaign EVER. In 2012, we will STOP AT NOTHING to end the war and change history.

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