The Colors of my State and Country

Hello, those that choose to read.

Recently I have come across the possibility that I should become the next House Representative for Freeborn County in Minnesota. I'm studying up on my politics and the issues and will be attending campaign school to learn how to, well, campaign! This schooling is reliant on my being nominated by the Republican delegates. So that is the main focus at the moment.

I don't know of another Candidate hopeful vying for nomination as of yet, but I've got to be prepared and ready to learn so that I am a viable Candidate to run against the incumbent Democratic Candidate. I'll be giving my candidacy speech March 1st at the Republican Convention. I believe this is really the most overwhelming thing I've ever attempted. It's exciting and alarming at the same time, meaning that I'd have never imagined running for this position several months ago, but am overjoyed in thinking of where this could catapult the direction of my life. I do enjoy being involved in politics and have always believed that every American has the privilege and obligation to announce their stance and principle through means of voting and public service, be it presenting their ideas to those who represent them or becoming a representative of others themselves.

I do feel the burden more than the desire at the moment. And that is as it should be. I spoke on desire versus burdens in my previous post, and I won't do so again here. But I would only say I hope for the time when the desire to be in this position outweighs the need. And I grow more excited to think that at my young age of 21 I might be thrust into this position of leadership, equipping me with a firm start to my life as I venture into the world.

Yeah, this is what I'm doing. I will rise to be counted intending to take up the position long held by many a soul and wear the colors of my State and Country. With God as my guide and man as my equal, I shall walk by the patriarchs of old in their attempts to establish this land as a strong, law-governed, and unwavering, unified nation of opportunity and promise, blessed by the hand of Almighty God.

This is still the greatest country on earth.

Andrew R. M. Hanson

"Oh, Give me the Desire, Lord!"

So, I wanted to make a list of six convenient things in our country and abroad. Here it is!

Conveniences:

1. Divorce

2. Abortion

3. Quitting Job

4. Gossiping

5. Playing Music

6. Microwaves

If everything I do is what I want to do, am I really doing anything at all? We all talk about following our heart, living the dream, being who we want to be, when in trying to do so we've bypassed our principles and lost our heart. It can be exceptionally tiring in this land of technologies and frivolousness. We can cart the latest vehicle around the neighborhood and have sweet tastes wherever we please.

Why do we have to like everything we do? Why do we have to be comfortable when we're working? Does comfort of a mothers womb help a baby grow to be a man? For a time, yes. That time ends.

All time ends eventually and then what is remembered; the comforts, or the accomplishments yielded from your efforts?

I know of a man, who prayed in a garden that God wouldn't require Him to go through with everything He had before Him. He said, "Not my will, but Yours." He dreaded going to His death and hated the thought of taking every sin in history and future upon Himself. But He first loved the Lord and consented to accomplish the task at hand, even though He really didn't have too much desire for it.

Next time you ask God to give you the desire to do something, think twice.

Andrew R. M. Hanson

A Short Spout

You know when something crazy and totally out of your league suddenly is presented and confronts you? It's like you're contemplating where you'd be right now if things had turned out differently than what they did a year, two years ago, and you know that you're just not there.

But now, the same oportunites are presenting themselves larger than before, much more possible and faster than anything you've encountered. It's shockingly evident that the impossible has suddenly, without explanation, become your reality. You know that feeling?

It's almost as if I've scooted the micro-wave a few inches to the side of the counter, and watched as it fell to a shattering conclusion. Convenience and reliability are looking much more useless than ever before right now. It's time for hustled work in a bustling kitchen over the scalding hot oven. The high-quality, slow-baked bread has got to be out by deadline at 5 in the morning!

Yeah, it's get busy time, but I couldn't be more excited about the consequences...

Andrew R. M. Hanson