I rented a $17k lens to photograph the recent starship launch in detail. When I aligned and stitched all the photos I took together, it made a unique video showing the entire event from launch to catch.
I hope to ride on Starship one day.
I’m at the airstrip near our @SamaritansPurse headquarters in Boone, NC, and as of today, we have completed 67 helicopter missions to deliver water, food, blankets, generators, fuel, medicines, and much more to help victims of Hurricane Helene in isolated areas. We even delivered a tent to a church so that they could continue to meet as they recover. Today we also flew several missions delivering and setting up Starlinks in remote communities where people were completely cut off. Thank you @elonmusk!
We’re so grateful for all the pilots, staff, and volunteers who have worked tirelessly to make these airlifts happen. Many individuals, companies, and even the Army National Guard used their helicopters to help. Thank you to all who have prayed and given support. Neighbor helping neighbor continues—in Jesus’ Name!
SERIOUS POST -
This past weekend was a blast. What we accomplished in Oklahoma with the children's hospital was something that has changed my thought process on giving.
I have always donated to cancer research and St. Jude, and that will never change, BUT I never considered the quality of life aspect of the children suffering NOW.
I'm an engineer by trade, and I focus on fixing things. Solving things. So beating cancer was always #1.
Sure, we have donated toys, helped with getting athletes to visit, etc., but this past weekend changed everything. Everything.
Helping a "rival" fanbase was different, but the results were amazing.
Not only did we get to give a ton of stuff away to children who idolize the players of that rival base, BUT it set a different vibe around it all. Everything felt "better".
On game day, around campus, we heard Oklahoma fans talking to Tennessee fans about it. They didnt know I was standing there, and I never said it was me, and they had no clue, but it brought a common thing between us, and the vibe was fantastic.
In the end, there is no way I can stop that now. The bang for the buck is far too great. Sure, we have to continue to beat the hell out of cancer until it is gone... but we can do something else, too. We can give the kiddos some joy in the meantime.
So in the next few days, I will be moving forward with a plan to make it a weekly thing. Every week, for at least the games I can make it to. Maybe it grows into something that ambassadors can help elsewhere. Who knows. I just know it can't stop after 1 game in Norman.
I'm not posting this to beg for donations. I will find a way to fund it personally, and just like this weekend, I will invite folks to join if they feel inspired to do so.
The next stop will be Arkansas. I have a couple weeks to put it all together, and the work starts today. We put Norman together in 24 hours. 2 weeks is an eternity. Let's get to work.
If we can, we must.
Stay tuned.
Olympic Gold Medalist Sydney McLaughlin on her relationship with God:
“I credit all that I do to God. Regardless of what happens, He’s going to get the praise. Every time I step on the track I pray “let me be the vessel in which you’re glorified”… That’s why I do what I do.” 🙏