Hello there,
Long time, no write! I am still here at Sunny Acres and have learned a lot. I've learned a lot about myself and about the people who live here at this clean and sober living facility. I just have not felt much like writing and so I haven't. I just checked the statistics on this blog and have found, surprisingly and pleasantly, that there are people still tuning in even though I haven't added anything in quite a while. To you faithful (or new) followers, I thank you very much!
Several days ago I got a pleasant surprise in the morning. I received a phone call and it was Will Blackwell and Bob Coder calling me from Honduras!! It was great to hear their voices and especially to have their encouragement. Thank you Will and Bob!!!!
I will write more later, I promise....................................................
God bless,
Craig
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Hello on April 28, 2011
Hello!
Hello to all who still are tuning in. I haven't written much lately, as you can tell. That may have cost me a few viewers I now realize. I haven't written because I haven't felt much like doing so. I continue to try to settle in here at Sunny Acres. I think that it may compare to doing something like attending college for the first time or going to boot camp! It is such a big change coming here. There is a lot to learn and to try to adjust to, and so, due to that process, I am pooped out! For every answer that I come up with, I find several more. I suppose I have not written also because I would like to address everything that I am coming up against, but there is so much that I am overwhelmed. When I am overwhelmed, I tend to shut down. So, rather than to shut down, I will try to write about one thing at a time.
When Dan and I sit down and talk, we usually start talking about something practical or something that needs attention. It never fails that it is not long before it turns into a philosophical discussion. By "philosophical" I mean that we address what something really means- what are our opinions and beliefs regarding that thing. It doesn't take long for us to realize that this is absolutely necessary for what we are trying to accomplish here at Sunny Acres. I like to talk about things this way, and you probably already know that if you know me. In my regular, old, workaday world, I recall that many, if not most, of my interactions with people did not often turn into such philosophical discussions unless they were steered that way. Here it is not an option, here it is necessary. Not only are we dealing with people in recovery from their own addictions, but I am dealing with my own "recovery" of sorts. What I mean is this- the stress of this place, and the challenge it presents...pushes me up against my own shortcomings, fears, frustrations, inadequacies........just the same way that I would imagine boot camp does. At that point we either want to flee or fight. I choose to fight- by learning whatever it is that I have to learn and by growing however it is that I have to grow. I confess that it is difficult- I want to flee. Now back to the "philosophical" thing...... where do I start? I'll pick one at random. How about this one. Fact or fiction? Opinion or truth? Belief or opinion? What I mean is this- when we have an "idea" about something......is that idea a fact? Is it a mistruth? Is it an opinion? Is it the absolute truth? Who knows!?! If it is ours, we tend to think it is the honest-to-goodness truth, don't we? BUT, have we questioned it enough on our own......have we really engaged it with experience, to be able to defend what we profess to claim as the truth? We could go on and on with this one, and round and round, huh? I say all of this because of this one question I have. All of the people who daily drive by Sunny Acres- do they understand this place? Probably not. I don't yet, and I've been here about a month! But ask any one of them, and if they have an opinion, they will probably voice it. We generally all do that, don't we? But that opinion- what is it based on? I suppose that what I am getting to is this- are our opinions (which we tend to believe are facts) based on simply what we have been taught (by whatever means) or are they based on our actual experiences that have resulted from our investing our time and efforts at getting to the truth? So what do you think about the homeless? What do you think about addicts? What do you think about alcoholics? Why?
God bless,
Thank you for tuning in again!,
Craig
Hello to all who still are tuning in. I haven't written much lately, as you can tell. That may have cost me a few viewers I now realize. I haven't written because I haven't felt much like doing so. I continue to try to settle in here at Sunny Acres. I think that it may compare to doing something like attending college for the first time or going to boot camp! It is such a big change coming here. There is a lot to learn and to try to adjust to, and so, due to that process, I am pooped out! For every answer that I come up with, I find several more. I suppose I have not written also because I would like to address everything that I am coming up against, but there is so much that I am overwhelmed. When I am overwhelmed, I tend to shut down. So, rather than to shut down, I will try to write about one thing at a time.
When Dan and I sit down and talk, we usually start talking about something practical or something that needs attention. It never fails that it is not long before it turns into a philosophical discussion. By "philosophical" I mean that we address what something really means- what are our opinions and beliefs regarding that thing. It doesn't take long for us to realize that this is absolutely necessary for what we are trying to accomplish here at Sunny Acres. I like to talk about things this way, and you probably already know that if you know me. In my regular, old, workaday world, I recall that many, if not most, of my interactions with people did not often turn into such philosophical discussions unless they were steered that way. Here it is not an option, here it is necessary. Not only are we dealing with people in recovery from their own addictions, but I am dealing with my own "recovery" of sorts. What I mean is this- the stress of this place, and the challenge it presents...pushes me up against my own shortcomings, fears, frustrations, inadequacies........just the same way that I would imagine boot camp does. At that point we either want to flee or fight. I choose to fight- by learning whatever it is that I have to learn and by growing however it is that I have to grow. I confess that it is difficult- I want to flee. Now back to the "philosophical" thing...... where do I start? I'll pick one at random. How about this one. Fact or fiction? Opinion or truth? Belief or opinion? What I mean is this- when we have an "idea" about something......is that idea a fact? Is it a mistruth? Is it an opinion? Is it the absolute truth? Who knows!?! If it is ours, we tend to think it is the honest-to-goodness truth, don't we? BUT, have we questioned it enough on our own......have we really engaged it with experience, to be able to defend what we profess to claim as the truth? We could go on and on with this one, and round and round, huh? I say all of this because of this one question I have. All of the people who daily drive by Sunny Acres- do they understand this place? Probably not. I don't yet, and I've been here about a month! But ask any one of them, and if they have an opinion, they will probably voice it. We generally all do that, don't we? But that opinion- what is it based on? I suppose that what I am getting to is this- are our opinions (which we tend to believe are facts) based on simply what we have been taught (by whatever means) or are they based on our actual experiences that have resulted from our investing our time and efforts at getting to the truth? So what do you think about the homeless? What do you think about addicts? What do you think about alcoholics? Why?
God bless,
Thank you for tuning in again!,
Craig
Friday, April 8, 2011
Hello from Sunny Acres in SLO. Friday, April 8, 2011
Hello everyone,
I haven't written in a while. I have been busy trying to get settled in here at Sunny Acres (SA). This place is essentially a clean and sober living facility in a farm setting. I am struggling to try to wrap my mind around this place and to try to figure out how I am to fit in here and just what it is that I am meant to do. There are many, many facets to this place- any one of them on their own would be a considerable challenge.
Last night I went and picked up my daughter Kate and we went out towards Los Osos for dinner. Afterwards we headed up to Morro Bay and we went to The Villager motel to try to see the owner. He is a man named Dan who I made friends with on my Walk. I stayed there instead of in a campground after I had got caught in the rain. We had a long and great visit together. But yesterday evening he had already left for work in Paso Robles, so I visited with his wife and daughter for a little while. I will go back when I have time on a weekend when he is home.
I'd write more but I am tired. This place and this process is draining.
The weather and the people are great. Talk to you later.........
God bless,
Craig
I haven't written in a while. I have been busy trying to get settled in here at Sunny Acres (SA). This place is essentially a clean and sober living facility in a farm setting. I am struggling to try to wrap my mind around this place and to try to figure out how I am to fit in here and just what it is that I am meant to do. There are many, many facets to this place- any one of them on their own would be a considerable challenge.
Last night I went and picked up my daughter Kate and we went out towards Los Osos for dinner. Afterwards we headed up to Morro Bay and we went to The Villager motel to try to see the owner. He is a man named Dan who I made friends with on my Walk. I stayed there instead of in a campground after I had got caught in the rain. We had a long and great visit together. But yesterday evening he had already left for work in Paso Robles, so I visited with his wife and daughter for a little while. I will go back when I have time on a weekend when he is home.
I'd write more but I am tired. This place and this process is draining.
The weather and the people are great. Talk to you later.........
God bless,
Craig
Thursday, March 31, 2011
HELLO FROM SUNNY ACRES!! Thurs March 31, 2011
Hello there,
I'm sitting in my new-to-me room in the Sunny Acres farmhouse. It is room number 1 and it was vacant- now I know why- it is between the community kitchen and the bathroom! I am still moving my stuff in and hopefully I will paint it before I get too moved in. Right now the thermometer in my room says 80 degrees! It is quite warm! The sun is out and it is hot! I'm not used to this, but I think I can adjust!
Last night I walked over to Erik's house down the road about a mile. Remember Erik? He is the one that I made friends with up the coast on my walk and then he put me up on his couch for about a week at the end of my walk. He was outside talking with a neighbor and I surprised him! He knew I was coming sometime, but wasn't sure when. Also, the first night I was here my daughter Kate called me up and came to get me. We went out to dinner and she told me about her recent trip to New York City. She was thinking about moving there, but after her visit she has concluded that she is a "California girl"!
Anyways, I continue to unpack and get settled in. I like the people here. They are very friendly and they seem to be happy that I am here- so that is a real blessing!!
I will continue to write as I have time..........
God bless,
Craig
I'm sitting in my new-to-me room in the Sunny Acres farmhouse. It is room number 1 and it was vacant- now I know why- it is between the community kitchen and the bathroom! I am still moving my stuff in and hopefully I will paint it before I get too moved in. Right now the thermometer in my room says 80 degrees! It is quite warm! The sun is out and it is hot! I'm not used to this, but I think I can adjust!
Last night I walked over to Erik's house down the road about a mile. Remember Erik? He is the one that I made friends with up the coast on my walk and then he put me up on his couch for about a week at the end of my walk. He was outside talking with a neighbor and I surprised him! He knew I was coming sometime, but wasn't sure when. Also, the first night I was here my daughter Kate called me up and came to get me. We went out to dinner and she told me about her recent trip to New York City. She was thinking about moving there, but after her visit she has concluded that she is a "California girl"!
Anyways, I continue to unpack and get settled in. I like the people here. They are very friendly and they seem to be happy that I am here- so that is a real blessing!!
I will continue to write as I have time..........
God bless,
Craig
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
I'm in SLO at Sunny Acres! Tues, March 29, 2011
Well. we rolled in here last night! It was a two day trip, but was a good one. I will write more later when I have more time..........
God bless,
Craig
God bless,
Craig
Friday, March 25, 2011
MOVING! Either today or tomorrow! Friday, March 25, 2011
Hello everyone,
Dan DeVaul has been here since Tuesday night. He drove up here with his girlfriend, Ellie, and brought two trailers to take back- one for him and one for me. I have been packing and getting ready for weeks to move down to San Luis Obispo to help Dan with Sunny Acres. It is a big move for me. I've never moved this far and this "big" on my own. Add to that the challenge facing me and Sunny Acres, and I fully realize the meaning of the words that a friend spoke to me several weeks ago, "Wait until He asks you to do something that you can't." I've been thinking about one of the recurring themes in the Old Testament, where God Himself is the one who fights the battles for His people. Remember the story of Gideon in Judges 7? Gideon starts with 32,000 men and God reduces that number down to 300 men before they actually go into battle. And they won the battle, as they always did when they placed their trust in God. The recurring theme is that God wants His people to understand that it is He who is fighting for them, and delivering them, and that it is not they themselves who succeed through their own efforts. I've been reminded of this for a reason..................
Please pray for Dan, and Sunny Acres, and for me please. Good-bye Ferndale. I will be back sometime- for a reason, a season, or a lifetime- we will see...........
I will be off down the road either today or tomorrow.
God bless,
Craig
Dan DeVaul has been here since Tuesday night. He drove up here with his girlfriend, Ellie, and brought two trailers to take back- one for him and one for me. I have been packing and getting ready for weeks to move down to San Luis Obispo to help Dan with Sunny Acres. It is a big move for me. I've never moved this far and this "big" on my own. Add to that the challenge facing me and Sunny Acres, and I fully realize the meaning of the words that a friend spoke to me several weeks ago, "Wait until He asks you to do something that you can't." I've been thinking about one of the recurring themes in the Old Testament, where God Himself is the one who fights the battles for His people. Remember the story of Gideon in Judges 7? Gideon starts with 32,000 men and God reduces that number down to 300 men before they actually go into battle. And they won the battle, as they always did when they placed their trust in God. The recurring theme is that God wants His people to understand that it is He who is fighting for them, and delivering them, and that it is not they themselves who succeed through their own efforts. I've been reminded of this for a reason..................
Please pray for Dan, and Sunny Acres, and for me please. Good-bye Ferndale. I will be back sometime- for a reason, a season, or a lifetime- we will see...........
I will be off down the road either today or tomorrow.
God bless,
Craig
Monday, March 21, 2011
Almost time!! Monday, March 21, 2011
Hello there!
Well, the hour approaches. Crunch time. Pack time continues........ It's real now- or at least very soon. I lay in bed this morning and prayed, "Is this the right thing to do?" I don't know about you, but my faith and my own self-assuredness are not perfect. I got up, and was writing a letter to a friend. Something from The Walk came back to me then. It's written in one of my earlier blogs, but I had forgotten about it- until He reminded me about it just a few moments ago. Remember when I had met the family on the north coast- on the day that a little voice earlier in the day had said, "I'd like to meet up with a family and be taken in by them and eat with them and talk with them." Remember that? That's when I met my friend Erik. Well, the next morning I was talking to his girlfriend's father, Steve, and we had a great talk. He said something that struck me deeply, and that is what came back to me this morning. He was telling me about a faithful and obedient dog that he used to have, and that that dog would do whatever he wanted him to do. Steve said that when he pointed in the direction that he wanted that dog to go, that that dog "would go wherever I sent him, because he knew that where I was sending him was his reward". Thank you Steve! Thank you God for those words and that promise- they are for all of us who listen........
God bless,
Craig
Well, the hour approaches. Crunch time. Pack time continues........ It's real now- or at least very soon. I lay in bed this morning and prayed, "Is this the right thing to do?" I don't know about you, but my faith and my own self-assuredness are not perfect. I got up, and was writing a letter to a friend. Something from The Walk came back to me then. It's written in one of my earlier blogs, but I had forgotten about it- until He reminded me about it just a few moments ago. Remember when I had met the family on the north coast- on the day that a little voice earlier in the day had said, "I'd like to meet up with a family and be taken in by them and eat with them and talk with them." Remember that? That's when I met my friend Erik. Well, the next morning I was talking to his girlfriend's father, Steve, and we had a great talk. He said something that struck me deeply, and that is what came back to me this morning. He was telling me about a faithful and obedient dog that he used to have, and that that dog would do whatever he wanted him to do. Steve said that when he pointed in the direction that he wanted that dog to go, that that dog "would go wherever I sent him, because he knew that where I was sending him was his reward". Thank you Steve! Thank you God for those words and that promise- they are for all of us who listen........
God bless,
Craig
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