An Offering of Thanks

October 3, 1863

By the President of the United States of America.

A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. [...]

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. [...]


THAT is the precedent Abe Lincoln intended to set for Thanksgiving 146 years ago, and that is what the Holiday ought to still be about! As elements of self-indulgence and materialism continue to encroach upon this original and upright intent for Thanksgiving Day, may we solidly stand and offer this day as an offering of Thanksgiving and Praise to the Great Creator and Provider.

The Lord has indeed been merciful to me in that He does not deal me the full consequences my sins deserve; He has indeed been gracious in that He deals me many good things that I by no means deserve; He has indeed been generous in that He has blessed me abundantly with far more than I need. Indeed, I have much to be thankful for!

Lord, I praise you and thank you:

• that "He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of the Son He loves". (Colossians 1:13)

• for putting Mom, Dad, Butterfly, Aweba, Fredman, Bug, and all my extended family and friends in my life.

• for a bountiful and exciting place to live! Even when I was living in a shed it was plenty, but You have blessed me with abundantly more!

• that You know all things and lovingly direct our path in life toward the route that is ultimately the best... even when that means we don't get our way which we desire so strongly.

God, you are good! I praise you and thank you for the many blessings You have poured on us! This Day is Yours.

On my heart

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

The plan

"It's been 6 months since the last real blog... have you lost interest?"

No. Simply put, there are so many historically significant events occurring now, many of my previous pursuits/hobbies like "shedding" seem frivolous in light of current circumstances.

For example:

• The largest "transfer" of private debt to public debt in the history of mankind (so far...) is taking place right now. Capitalism is either being redefined or reconsidered.

• The U.S. Government is openly warning about significant budget shortfalls, including that of social security, which is on course to be officially bankrupt by 2038. These types of shortfalls that are more than just cyclical downturns have necessitated the government to change it's shape dramatically within this generation simply to be able to continue to govern.

• The birth rate of many "foundational" countries of our time including France, England, Germany, and Spain (in fact, most of Europe) has fallen below 1.9... a rate below which no civilization has ever reversed. The birth rate in America is around 1.6, if we include Latino immigration, it jumps to 2.11. At the same time, Muslim immigration to these countries has soared. This suggests there is great opportunity for a drastic world change in the near future.

• ...and the list goes on!

We are living in historic times. Decisions of tremendous consequence are being made right now which I believe will forge the tracks upon which many future generations will hinge upon, for better or worse. The world is changing fast in nearly every aspect; intellectually, politically, economically, and spiritually (the former 3 will swing and sway throughout all human existence; it's only the latter that I am truly concerned about.)

Regardless of what happens though, we can be encouraged that Christ's return is that much nearer! (And you've got to admit, this is a downright exciting time to be alive!)

A plan, a purpose, a dream...

As the melting pot has churned, an extremely prudent opportunity (seemingly) has arisen. Obviously, I will not talk about it online, but if you know me well you probably know a little about it. In a way, I am starting a (small) business. I am saving everything I can, liquidating my securities, reducing withholdings (in anticipation of future tax benefits), even weighing the possibility of selling my car and biking for 3 months... anything I can to ensure the capital is there when it's time to strike!

...all of this takes time. And knowledge, the acquisition of which takes even more time. And that's why there's not much left for shedding and blogging. :)

God bless America.

Daniel Knueppel and Amy Thompson. God bless them now and forever.

Shedvolution

Evolution. It never has -and never will - happen. ("And God created each according to it's kind.")

Shedvolution. It really happened. Three times. And I'm about to prove it to you. The pictures you are about to witness are in chronological order and were not forged, altered, or enhanced in any way. Please regard them with the merit and seriousness they truly deserve.

Exhibit A: Cavemen analyzing the livability of an actual shelter vs. a cave

[Sorry, this photo is out for cleaning]
Exhibit B: One adventurous young caveman goes for it-and moves into the shed! He is an engineer, bachelor, and primitive... and his home shows it! The ladder leaning in the corner, the crowbar hanging from the rafters, the rough and rugged look of the unpainted, undecorated wood,... attest to it.

Exhibit C: Civilized, classy women take pity on the caveman after braving just one month of rough, uncouth life outside a cave and offer to paint/decorate/civilize the shelter. Some historical texts suggest that their motives may have also had something to do with the fact that Tim-the-great, the landlord and a reputably amazing chef, offered to cook them a meal in exchange.

Exhibit D: A peanut-brained Caveman paints himself into a corner. Historians speculate that bystanders laughed hysterically.

Exhibit E: Ninja feels sorry for caveman's simple-mindedness and helps him paint. Several well-renowned schools of thought suggest that this picture is actually upside down, and that the ninja is not hanging from the rafters painting the floor with his feet; rather he is standing on his hands painting the ceiling with his feet.

Exhibit F: Well-intentioned women introduce caveman to shelves, color matching, and basic organizational skills.

Exhibit G: Many top archaelogists (including Dr. Jones) agree that this picture depicts jovialities taking place after the third and final phase of shedvolution occured. This is oft considered the point at which the caveman truly became a shelterdweller. Tears of joy were shed.
Exhibit H: After three strenuous, societally beneficial, historically significant "extreme shed makeovers", humankind has achieved the modern-day shed that we all know and love.

Home, sweet home! Birthplace of many a joyous occasion; shedwarming parties, BBQs, Thanksgiving dinners, warmth and security during hurricanes & snowstorms... it's actually going to be kind of sad when I move out. ...IF I move out. :)

On a serious note: THANK YOU to all of you who helped out! It's activities like these that make the shed life fun!

Mexico!!!

Yes, I do have a good excuse for not updating my blog Sunday night: I was driving home from Reynosa, Mexico! I have many tales to tell; here are a couple pics to give you a taste:

terror in the shed

BAM! BAM! BAM! The violent banging cut through the cool night air like a red-hot knife through butter. It jerked me from my peaceful slumber and resonated through my bones and I immediately jumped to my feet, muscles tightened and adrenaline flowing. Before I even had time to think my instincts kicked in and I had unsheathed the hunting knife - which resides under my cot specifically for emergencies such as this - and taken a defensive stance, fully ready for whatever - or whomever - may come rampaging through the thin, wooden doors. I stood there silently, waiting, watching, wondering.

"Could it be some kind of opossum or skunk trying to get into a metal container right behind the shed? Not a chance, too loud. Could it be a raccoon banging a nut on the grill trying to crack it? No way, this is much bigger. Maybe a Texas Brown Bear wandered out of the hills and into the city? Practically impossible. ...It's got to be the most dangerous animal in existence: the human being." Then I heard it again; another round of piercing, metallic volleys, very obviously not more than 20 feet away from the very place I stood. I knew a noise like this at 5am probably meant trouble... and I had to check it out - I was not going to sit idly by. Completely confident in the Lord's protection, I was neither fearful nor careless. I silently crept out of the shed into the ominous night, ready to face my fate.

Realizing the noise was coming from the other side of the privacy fence that borders the back of my shed, I cautiously and inconspicuously peeked over. And what I saw made me cup my hands over my mouth... trying to hold back laughter! (I didn't want my neighbor, who was indeed out there and who was indeed the source of this obnoxious clanging, to hear me.)

Here's what I saw (picture taken the next morning, sans my neighbor):

Yep, that's a baseball bat and some poor unfortunate piece of electronics equipment! (I think it's an audio amp; any of you guys know?) Being a EE and a nerd, I can fully understand frustration with electronics, and can fully appreciate the humor when someone releases those frustrations by destroying said equipment. (The scene in "Office Space" where some computer programmers kidnap their company's troublesome printer and go smash it in a field is one of the funniest things I have ever seen!)

There have been several occasions I have gotten to experience living in a shed that may have been initially annoying, but that, when they happen now, I can just laugh at. And being able to laugh at those kinds of things makes life alot more fun. I hope you all have gotten as much of a kick out of hearing this story as I did experiencing it!