Wuddup, Chumps?

So it's been a while.  Oops.

The end.

Not really.

Here we go:

Semester numero dos of Samuel's adventures in college (also known as the endless roller coaster of the best and worst days of my life).  It's not too bad.  School it kinda rough...but that's school.  It has shown me that I need to rely on God in all things though.  We'll talk about that more later.  Still living on campus, still loving rolling out of bed 20 minutes before class.  Still hating trying to choke down University Dining's poor excuse for "food".

As some of you know, I am involved in RUF (Reformed University Fellowship) which is a campus ministry here at Texas A&M.  I am getting involved in their ministry team in the upcoming fall semester.

What has this semester really taught me so far?  Well lemme tell ya;

Besides things like NaCl is a balanced compound, Moliere wrote a lot of plays, Thomas Jefferson wanted us all to be farmers, and welding is terrifying, I have learned a lot about myself and about God.

First, I went to the Relentless Men's Conference early in February.  The big message of this whole conference was in order to be a man of God, you have to be in the Word.  Wow.  I was not in the Word.  Since then I have been getting more in the Bible as much as possible (not perfectly, I'm human).  It has made so much of a difference though, I've grown closer to God personally and been so much less stressed.

Another thing I've had to learn is sometimes you just have to let go.  Sometimes there are things in life you can't control and you just have to sit back and let God take you where He will.  you can't control it so you have to trust that it's His plan.  It's rough at first, but in the end it makes everything in life easier.

As always, I am very thankful for my friends who have really become a family to me over my time here.  I can't imagine living college without them and summer is going to suck at times.  I'm so thankful that God gave me friends to build me up and hold me close to Him.  Without them I would not have made it this far and I would not be where I am.  I also would not be where I am without my family.  As I grow up and start to take on more on my own I don't drift away from my family, but I rather grow closer to them in a different way.  Distance makes the time together sweeter and age makes all that advice from earlier in life make a lot more sense.

If I...If I what?

So first, a little background on me as I realize unless you know me personally this may not make as much sense.

I am a 2nd semester freshman (class of 2016) at Texas A&M University.  I am majoring in Industrial Distribution and really loving my major and the people in it.  I also live on campus so I'm very well connected with campus.

I am a Christian, by which I mean that I believe I am a sinner, but God sent his son, Jesus Christ, who is also a person of the one true God, to live on earth as a man.  He lived a perfect life and was crucified as a sacrifice for the sins of all who have called on the name of Jesus for their salvation.  I proclaim Christ's name and rely on him for salvation.

I also did Boy Scouts from age 7 to age 18 and earned my eagle scout award.

Alright, that's enough I think.

I recently watch Demetri Martin's "If I" routine on YouTube.  I highly recommend it as it was both very funny, but also very thought provoking.  Through the course of his "stand-up" he talks about all the different turns his life had taken and how it had shaped him as a person.  It was summed up in a "formula" he created which stated that I = (if + if + if + if...) / time.  In English  who you are is shaped by the choices you make over time.

I thought this to be very interesting.  Later that same evening I was talking with a friend who was asking for prayer on a future decision that would have a very large impact on the course of her life.  How about that for a coincidence?

But then I realized that we really do make choices that will have a huge impact on our lives every day.  For instance, let's say you are deciding whether or not to go to the store, simple enough right?  Well what if it is raining outside?  Traffic could be bad, drivers could be impaired and the simple decision to go to the store could result in you being involved in an automobile accident.  Big impact from a small decision.

So why don't we just stay cooped up inside all day long to avoid any decisions and therefore any change?  Socrates said, "The unexamined life is not worth living."  Demetri used this quote to start off his show.  By examining our life we see our needs, we see how we can improve, and we want to expand our sphere of influence.  We examine our options and make choices.  Yes it is raining, but I am a safe driver and I need bread from the store to feed my children.  The risk is still there isn't it?  Of course it is.  How do you know you are safe?

God.

Three letters arranged to form the word we use to define a being greater than ourselves.  Defined as "the one Supreme Being, the creator and ruler of the universe."

When I say God I mean GOD, Yahweh, Jehovah, The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit in divine trinity.

I trust that God's will for my life is for my ultimate good and therefore I am not afraid of choices.  They are difficult to make, but when made I have to trust that God's will is best for my life.  This is something that I had to learn over this semester.

During the first full month of my first semester at college, my father was diagnosed with having suffered a heart attack.  This came as a shock to myself and my family and even more so when we discovered he would need triple bypass surgery to fix the damage.  How was I able to continue with school as best as possible?  Because I trusted that God's will was what was right, even if it wasn't what I wanted.

Thankfully the surgery was very successful and my father has made a full recovery, however life is different now as a result of the choices made.  I trust God that these changes are for my good and the good of my family.  Is it easy?  No.  Is it what's right?  Yes.

"Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us." Psalm 62:8 ESV

The choices we make define who we are, but what defines us most is our choice to have faith in God.

Silver Taps (A Journal Entry)

Journal Entry from 9/4/12

Silver Taps took place tonight at 2230 hours (10:30 pm).  After Breakaway I walked to the plaza with Callie, Mandy, and Hannah.  Once we passed the MSC we fell silent.  All lights were off save a few to see by.  We were near Hart Hall.  Everyone was silent as the students assembled around the plaza.  The Ross Volunteers marched in, fired a 21 gun salute, and stood still.  The bugler(s) played Silver Taps.  Once to the North, once to the West, and once to the South.  A cadet in front of me help salute the whole time.  When it ended, everyone silently left.  Mandy and I gave Callie and and Hannah hugs and walked back to our dorms.  I walked Mandy to the front of Underwood (saw Michael Waggoner on the way) and gave her a hug and walked back to my dorm.  I still haven't spoken.  It was so solemn, yet in a good way.  It gives me a lot of comfort to know I'm part of this Aggie family that is so full of respect.  I don't know if I will call Mom and Dad tonight.  I will write them though.  I pray for the families of the lost Aggies and hope God works goodness through this tragedy.

-End of Entry

Recently, with my father undergoing triple bypass surgery, I was genuinely worried for him.  Not that I haven't experienced death in my family before, even of very close family.  It just didn't seem like it could be his time yet.  I sometimes forget that God's divine plan doesn't line up with our futile perception.  I knew I wasn't ready to lose my father, that my family wasn't.  I know the day will come when I will softly call "here"for him at Muster, but I thank God that it was not this time. 

When I prayed that he be kept safe I prayed that God would not let his work be finished.  And it didn't feel like it was finished.  God was able to give me hope because part of me knew that my father was meant to stay with us for a while longer.

Lord, thank you for preserving him.  Please watch over him as he recovers and help him to sing your praises until you call him home.  Please don't call him home soon, though.


 

Times Are Changing

This Monday, I had my Eagle scoutmaster conference in which my scoutmaster and I discussed things I learned in scouts, my experience in working towards Eagle Scouts, and living up to the Scout Law, Oath, Motto, and Slogan (printed below).  The scoutmaster conference represented the ending of a chapter in my life.  What I mean is, all requirements for Eagle Scout, except the Board of Review, must be completed before the applicant's 18th birthday.  After turning 18, one can no longer be a "Boy Scout" but can still be involved in activities by being in adult leadership.  By finishing the scoutmaster conference, I finished the last remaining requirement I needed to complete while in Boy Scouts.

I have experienced a lot of these "endings" lately.  However, it does not make me sad, but rather makes me look forward to the new tasks ahead I must complete and allows me to see how much I have learned so far.

The Scout Oath

On my honor, 

I will do my best, 

To do my duty, 

To God and my Country,

To help other people at all times,

To keep myself physically strong,

Mentally Awake,

And morally straight.

The Scout Law

A scout it:

Trustworthy,

Loyal,

Helpful,

Friendly,

Courteous,

Kind,

Obedient,

Cheerful,

Thrifty,

Brave,

Clean,

and Reverent.

The Scout Motto

Be prepared.

The Scout Slogan

Do a good turn daily.

Meaning 2-Fear

Fear is defined as: a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined;


In my opinion, fear is brought on by one key factor: uncertainty.


People are afraid of the dark because they do not know what is in it.  People are afraid of death because they do not know when they will die.  People are afraid of doing badly on tests because their preparation can only do so much good. 


People fear God for a different reason though.  In part, we can never fully fathom God, so this fear could be connected to uncertainty.  I believe the Fear of the Lord comes from our understanding of Him through faith.  We fear God, firstly because He commands it. "Now then, let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the LORD our God, or partiality or taking bribes.'" 1 Ch 19:7


The Fear of the Lord is not normal human fear though, it is a reverent awe.  The fear we experience when in a thunderstorm, that mix of fear and amazement at the power of the lightening and how it does not strike us, is a small picture of the Fear of the Lord. 


The Fear of the Lord also binds His people to Him.  It is a kind of respect of a child to their father or mother. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!" Psalm 111:10


The Fear of the Lord is caused by the fact that we understand how far we are from God, how much sin separates us, but we also understand how much He has given to save us, His chosen people, from the Hell that we so fully deserve.  The fact that he would sacrifice Himself to save murderous rebels like us should inspire reverent awe.  This is the Fear of the Lord.

Work

So this week I have been running around like a crazy person.  Between school, Eagle Scout Project, and getting ready for New Student Conference at A&M, I have felt like some kind of task-accomplishing superhero.  But then I realized...I'm just not being lazy. 

It feels really good to have goals, accomplish them, and then move on to new goals.  This whole Eagle Project process has shown me the benefits of getting things done (especially because I procrastinated up to this point.  I hope I can keep this momentum in college, I'll need it.

The task of doing good work is something man has always been given.  After the fall, the work became hard.  Work isn't evil, it's just hard.  But sometimes the hardest work is also the most fulfilling.  Every year, I go to Enchanted Rock State Park.  Enchanted Rock is not SUPER TALL, but it ain't the flats of South Texas, lemme just say.  Last time I hiked E-Rock, we took a steeper rout. 

My legs were on fire.  I hiked...and hiked......and hiked.........and...hiked...until............we finally got to the top.  The view on top is amazing.  Absolutely breathtaking.  And the breeze is a swift 20-40mph.  Once I got to the top, I looked down on the trail and thought, "Yeah, I just hiked that.  It was worth it."  That is the feeling of a job well done.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV

I Can't Feel My Finger...

So recently I got hooked on something that has numbed my fingers.  No, it isn't drugs (c'mon now, y'all know me better than that).  Recently I discovered that you can cut designs out of card stock, glue them on top of each other, and when they dry, use them as keychains or even necklace pendants.  Pretty cool, right? 

Well, in order to cut these small, intricate designs I employed the use of an X-ACTO knife.  I cut out 14 card stock shapes that night.  In order to cut them well I had to press down pretty hard.  This resulted in calloused, sore fingers the next day and numb, sensory deprived fingers the days after.

Here's the point:

Because I cannot really feel things with my right index finger at the moment, I have begone to discover all the things I actually do touch with it.  I find it ironic that until I couldn't feel what I was touching, I never noticed what I touched.  It shows that if we get used to something it is no longer obvious to us.  It no longer catches our attention.

Here's the application:

As believers we are constantly surprised by God both in every day life and in His Word.  Every time you dive into a passage, you will find something new.

Also, we cannot get used to the moral depravities of this world.  As Christians, we are called to be disgusted by sin and distance ourselves from it.  In order for this to happen, we cannot allow sin to become comfortably familiar with us.  If this happens, sin will seep into our lives unnoticed and we will allow our standards, and the standards of things (or people) around us to decrease dramatically.

We are called to be in the world, not of the world.  The evil should shock us and God's good should pleasantly surprise us and leave us searching after Him.  The more we focus on Him, the more obviously vile sin will be.

Meaning 1-Fighting

Fighting, a verb, means to engage in combat of some form.

I would say that fighting can be described as controlled power. 

In sword fighting, for instance, you have to strike with force in order to score a potent hit, but you must also strike with accuracy.  If you only use force you will miss your mark.  If you control the force you have a better chance of hitting the target.  The better you are at controlling yourself, the more accurate you are.

This is true of many things, not only combat.  You must control your mind in a debate while having the sharpness to outwit an opponent.  When writing, you must have the thoughts on which to build you writing but also the skill to write clearly.

New Series: Meanings

I'm not sure if anyone even reads this anymore but in case they do I will be starting a new series of posts. Every few days I will post a word and define it. Not the dictionary definition, but my personal idea of the essence of the word. Should be fun and I hope to hear from any readers as to what they think on what I say.

Here come the thought bombs!

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Descartes and Quandries

The Renaissance philosopher, Rene Descartes became famous for his quote, "Cogito ergo sum," translated as 'I think, therefore I am.' He stated that the simplest and surest way to prove existence is by the existence of thought. Is this true?

When you are talking/chatting/texting someone, occasionally one of you might ask, "what's on your mind?" Most of the time we respond "Nothing much, what about you?" Which can be loosely translated as "None of your stinking business nosey. Why don't you go take a long walk off a short peer?" Of course this is a false statement! Nothing is never on your mind, in other words, something is always on your mind. We are aware of this and therefore would tend to agree with Descartes somewhat. Yes, we think, yes we know we are real because we think. But is it the best way to prove we exist?

Blaise Pascal, a fellow Renaissance thinker, said plainly "It is odd that we cannot define these things without making them obscure; we talk about them all the time." The more we think about these things and probe them for solutions, the more difficult we are making them to understand. The answer is plain and simple, much more so than Descartes' "Cogito ergo sum."

This answer can be found in Genesis 1:28-31,
"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his [own] image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which [is] upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which [is] the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein [there is] life, [I have given] every green herb for meat: and it was so. And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, [it was] very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

God created us. We exist. How do I know? God said so, plain and simple. End of story.

What do you think? Good song? Good lyrics? What's the worldview?

I'll let it speak for itself...

Life has its cycles and periods of living. Usually they are separated by big events signaling a change in pace. Some call it growing up, maturing, coming of age, etc. I call it living. Being alive is tackling challenges, facing fears, dealing with problems, regret, and general frustration that comes with having blood coursing through your veins and neurons firing in your body. Being human: feeling pain and joy all at the same time...funny how that works. Good thing God created us with a mind like His, however less awesome and omniscient we can handle multiple emotions at once.

Back to growing up, or "living." As you grow up you gain more knowledge and responsibility and at first you think "great...now what?" USE IT! Go and make something of yourself. Use your skills to glorify God because He gave them to you so you better not waste them. Use them to love your family, be good to your friends and give back to those who gave so much to you.

Boxes

One's mind is like many boxes inside one another. Every time you delve into your mind you open a box and as you think you get deeper in these boxes. When you meditate on scripture it is also like the opening of these boxes. As you think more you get closer to the gift inside: closeness with God.

Do you ever feel like a bird in a cage? Trapped in a cage so you go on looking at the world outside, unable to escape into it. Some days I feel like that, trapped in the routines of life. I feel so caught up in every day life that I don't think about anything but what's happening today, or tomorrow, or over the weekend. Sometimes when I'm in the house for too long I feel like an eagle in a canary cage. I feel like I just need to get out of the house and go outside. I think God gave us his nature to relieve the stress of the world and to turn our thoughts to Him. Something we don't do nearly enough.

Why is it that God gave us the outdoors? Yesterday I went on a walk and was absolutely taken aback by the beauty in his creation. The thought it must have taken to create it is unimaginable. It makes me yearn to see it restored to its perfect glory.

Bob and Wheel

The land was black from the fire’s blaze,
It scorched the soil and singed the trees.
The hunter hiked on the hardened soil,
Searching for food among the ferns,
Though the land was bare and barren at best,
The man still searched though silly it seemed.
The burned and blackened earth beneath his feet,
Crunched and cracked as he calmly marched on.
The sky was dark and dreary and damp was the air,
The rain would soon shower the solitary hunter,
And shelter he sought though none was in sight.
Then the clouds released the rain that rushed to,
The ground,
The hunter was sopping,
Water all around,
Pouring and dropping,
No shelter was found.

Haiku

The sun rises high,

To start the bright day anew.

God smiles on His world.

Ch. 3- Secrets and Spells

“Knock, knock.” Said Michael. “Ready yet?”

“Almost…” Replied Ashley.

Michael was leaning against the door to Ashley’s room. Tonight was their last night at the inn. They had spent two nights at the inn after they left Mt. Ravensnest. It was a cozy, little inn, in the far side of town. The inn was constructed in the normal fashion, rooms upstairs, tavern downstairs, interesting conversations floating about the rooms and corridors.

Ashley and Michael were in rooms twenty-one and twenty-two, right across the hall from each other. Every night before bed, Michael and Ashley would meet at the large table in Ashley’s room to discuss where they would go next. Tonight room to discuss where they would going to a small restaurant for supper.

“I can’t find it!” said Ashley.

“Can’t find what?” replied Michael.

“My bracelet.”

“The one your mother gave you?”

“Yes.”

“Oh Ash, let me take a look.”

Michael walked in and looked in the drawer where Ashley had been kept the bracelet. Upon closer investigation, he discovered a hole drilled through the wall and the back of the drawer, from the other room.

“I knew there was something shady about that guy next door.” Said Michael.

“Come on Mike. You said that about everyone here, even the innkeeper!” Replied Ashley, laughing.

“Well I was right about this guy.”

Michael kicked open the door to room twenty-three (the room where the thief was staying) to find that the thief has left earlier that day. The innkeeper was suspicious of the old man and told Michael and Ashley that Simon, the thief, was headed to the black smith’s shop, to get the gem in the bracelet removed.

“If we take the always we can get there before him.” Said Michael.

“But what if we run into thugs?” replied Ashley. “We don’t have time to deal with them.”

“If we run into any, I’ll be sure to give them a warm welcome.” Said Michael, as he sent flames leaping from his fingertips.

They ran through several cris-crossing allies (without any thugs, much to Michael’s disappointment) before they reached the smith’s shop. As soon as they arrived, they climbed up the wall, onto the roof for a good vantage point, and waited for Simon to arrive. The old man arrived about five minutes after Michael and Ashley. The two jumped off the roof, right in front of Simon and pulled out their swords.

“I believe that bracelet you have belongs to my friend here.” Said Michael as he shot fire at the ground.

“Oh really?” said Simon. “Well, I do believe it will be more useful to me. You see, I am going to harness the power inside this gem and use it to take care of a few things. Say, oh I don’t know, killing you for instance, you and many others. In fact, I plan to use this to take over this whole town! And I’ll kill anyone who gets in my way. You two will make a wonderful example.”

“I’d give that back if I were you.” Said Ashley.

“I’m not looking for trouble with you two.”

“Well you found it.”

As soon as Ashley said that, her hands began to glow a deep green color. Then she thrust out her hand and sent Simon fling through a wall.

“Give up the masquerade.” Said Ashley. “I know who you really are.”

“Smart girl,” said Simon. “Maybe a bit too smart to be kept alive much longer.”

Then Simon began to change. He lost the form of man and took on the form of a much younger, taller, and more powerful man, but not a human, something different, and much more evil.

“The power of the gem has freed me of this weak, human form. Now I can use it’s full power.”

Simon’s voice had changed as well; it took on a sinister, dark tone, but filled with devastating power. Now it was his move, he held out his hand as a bolt of lightning shot at Ashley. She simply held out her hand and absorbed the lightning and shot it back. While Simon was busy dodging lightning, Michaael sent streams of fire pouring at him, but it just washed right over him like he was protected by an invisible dome. When he appeared to weaken, both Michael and Ashley sent everything they had at him. The energy was so great that it caused an explosion that covered the entire block. Simon was knocked unconscious from the blast. Ashley walked up and took the bracelet and they walked off. Out of the corner of his eye, Michael saw Simon raise his hand, and before he know it, Michael was jumping in front of a bolt of lightning. He held out his hand, and the lightning went strait into his ring. He held out his hand and lightning flowed back out and hit Simon, and killed him.

“We wear very powerful jewelry, don’t we Ash?”

“We sure do Mike. We shouldn’t have trouble with thieves for quite a while.”

They did not know it yet, but thieves were the least of their problems.

Doctor Who--Blink

Go ahead an watch it. I dare you. Just give me a call when the Weaping Angels come to get you.

Ch. 1-The Battle for Life (revised)

It was dark that night, aside from the explosions that is. A bomb knocked him off his feet as He ran through the creek that covers the side of the village. He had all he needed, a sword, a bow, a quiver of arrows, and fire. Although he did not quite know it, he could use fire better than anyone. His name is Michael. Michael is a young man of about twenty, the youngest in his village. He was very tan, although he wasn’t in the sun more often then normal. Tonight he wore his brown cotton pants, black shirt and dark green cloak. He was rather tall with toned muscles. He had light brown hair, and his face was clean shaven. He was also a fast runner, and tonight he ran faster than ever before. As Michael ran through the woods he heard voices.

"Do you hear that?" said a man of about thirty (judging by his voice).

"No. It's just your imagination," said another man, "The raid has all the men spooked."

I can't begin to describe how much Michael wanted to teach those men a lesson, but that's beside the point. The point is that rogue soldiers had been raiding villages for weeks. Michael's village was one of many in his area. He had prepared for the raid the day before and planned to leave that night. Tonight was the night he fought back.

Michael could be very quiet when he wanted to. The soldier camp was empty. They were all at the raid.

"This is to easy." thought Michael.

He was too right. As soon as he entered the camp, the lights went out. Michael was surrounded by Roheris, Light-Eaters in the tongue of man. The Roheris are the fastest, most deadly creatures ever to emerge from the black depths of Mount Ravensnest. These foul beasts drain the light from anything. If they attack a human, the unfortunate soul will go blind and become like a ghost. The only way to stop them is to force them to become so full of light that they are washed away by the light like a shadow at dawn. Michael summoned all the fire he could and compressed it into a ball of light. Naturally, the Roheris were drawn to it like a moth to the flame. Their black shapeless forms surrounded the glowing orb. It then grew darker than the blackest night. Then, out of the Roheris, came a ray of light. The ray grew wider and wider until it engulfed the Roheris completely. Out of nowhere, Michael felt a sharp pain on the back of his head, then things went dark and he fell to the ground.

Michael awoke the next morning on a feather bed. He quickly reached for the dagger hidden in the sole of his shoe (I did not list the dagger in the things he packed because it was natural to have one, but no hidden in the sole of your shoe.) As swift as a wolf, he leaped out of bed and ran down the hall. He then saw a window and opened it. He discovered that he was in a great house; he knew that because he was on the third floor. The house was filled with light and it was very elegant. While running down the halls and stairs he ran into a girl his own age, give or take a few months. The girl was about his height, slightly shorter, with short cut hair worn in a bun. She was wearing a red dress, though it was torn, like it was caught on a bush.

"Who are you and where am I?" said Michael, with his dagger aimed at his possible kidnapper.

"I am Ashley, this is my brother's house and here is a question for you. Are you going to kill me after I saved your skin last night?"

Michael's face was as red as the shirt he was wearing. He noticed that the clothes he was wearing were not his own.

"Do these belong to your bother?" said Michael, pointing to the odd clothes.

"Yes," replied Ashley, "He left them for you and you must have put them on in your sleep."

"Well," said Michael, "I would very much like to meet this Good Samaritan, but first, what did you mean? Saved my skin? I was taking pretty good care of myself!"

Later that day at lunch, Michael met Ashley's brother, Damian. Damian was about fifteen years older than Ashley, who was in fact only a month older than Michael. Damian had black hair and a small beard. He was very tall and toned from tending to the Lawn surrounding the house. Being a very professional man, Damian always wore a suit, except when he was working outside. Damian worked for a ship building company and made a lot of money doing so.

Ashley then began to explain how she was also trying to enter the camp when she saw Michael kill the Roheris. In the flash of light she saw an archer take aim at Michael, so she threw a rock at Michael to make him drop to the ground (without revealing her hiding spot in the brush). Then she hit the archer with her dagger, (she was an excellent knife thrower) and discovered that she threw the rock too hard and put Michael out cold! Damian asked to see a demonstration of Michael's peculiar ability to summon fire. Michael got up from the table and held out his hand. Then, a flame appeared in the center of his palm. He allowed the flame to grow into a small fire, then into a pillar of flame, then the flame went out and he fell to the floor. A minute later, he regained consciousness.

"Sometimes that happens." said Michael. "I have a ring from my father that helps me to stay awake."

Ashley and Damian saw the ring on the chain around Michael's neck.

"The ruby in the center was polished in an inferno and cut by the flames of a dragon." said Michael, "My father was skilled in the art of fire and he taught me before he left to go across the sea."

"I'm so sorry." said Ashley, "Our father went south and never returned. We hope he is still alive, but we aren't sure."

Then the room grew silent for several minutes.

"Where will you go from here Michael?" said Damian.

"I hope to go east in search of adventure. I grow weary of the troubles of the Westlands." said Michael.

"As do I." said Ashley, "Might I journey with you?"

"It would be my honor." said Michael.

That evening, Damian gave Ashley her mother's gold gagger, and her father's sword. The dagger had a golden hilt, inlaid with small gems, and a silver blade. Her father’s sword was very elegant, with a broad blade, and a silver hilt, with a blue sapphire pummel. He also gave them food and supplies for their long journey. Then they set out to the east and found many adventures which I will tell you about in the time to come.

That is the story of how Ashley and Michael met and began their adventures together.