It's been awhile...

Wow. I have just now had a little time to post an update on my blog.
Where to start?
Well let's see- I'm still overweight...still a Jedi...still a Father and Husband and still working for Wal-Mart.

Now to get into details.

Since I last posted, my plans to start eating right and exercising flew out the window. It seems I've started procrastinating in that department even more. I hope to make a resolution for New Year's that will allow me to stay with a plan and change my eating and exercising habits.

My job at Wal-Mart has gotten increasingly difficult. From longer hours to frustration with the way things are handled at my store, I at time wish I didn't work there. But I make too good a salary to quit now. I have bills to pay and my family to watch over.

Daniel is growing with leaps and bounds. He is sooo smart. He's singing songs and reading and coloring and being such a BIG boy! It's awesome and yet in the same breath scary because he's growing so fast.

The Jedi Assembly is still increasing in number. We're up to about 273 members right now. We just finished the Greeneville, TN Christmas parade and a fundraiser for Make A Wish Foundation of ET. I still love being the Founder and CO, but keeping up with events and the day to day administration of the group wears heavily upon me.

Christmas is almost here. A great season and great time to remember that a baby born not so long ago is the Savior of the world and that a great place is in Heaven for those who accept him and believe in him. I cannot do anything without him who strengthens me!!
Well that's about it for now. Gotta eat lunch and watch a little more of the reruns of FireFly, a pretty good show!!
Later!

Time to get in shape.......

You would think I would come to the conclusion sooner than later that my eating lifestyle is not that good!

I have started getting frequent migraine style headaches and I'm worn out more times than not. I currently weigh about 190lbs and it's time to shape up!!

I not only have an obligation to my lovely wife Pam and son Daniel to get healthy so I don't have a stroke, but to my Lord Jesus Christ who directs us to make a temple out of our bodies for him.

DragonCon is about 10 days out and I need to lose some of this weight to fit better into my Jedi outfit.

I am going to commit (you heard it here truebelievers) to doing basic TaiBo daily around 2pm, drink V8 juice to supplement veggies not eaten, drink more water...more I say lol and stay away from Mcd's and fried foods and sugar.
I owe this to my spouse, my Youngling son and to my God!!

Jesus, my King....

The below sermon was presented by a pastor named S.M Lockridge and truly represents how I feel about my Lord and Saviour.

"My King"

My King was born a King. The Bible says He’s a Seven Way King. He’s the King of the Jews – that’s a racial King. He’s the King of Israel – that’s a National King. He’s the King of righteousness. He’s the King of the ages. He’s the King of Heaven. He’s the King of glory. He’s the King of kings and He is the Lord of lords. Now that’s my King. Well I wonder if you know Him. Do you know Him? Don’t try to mislead me. Do you know my King?

David said the Heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament show His handiwork. My King is the only one whom there are no means of measure can define His limitless love. No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shore of supplies. No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing. Well, well, He’s enduringly strong. He’s entirely sincere. He’s eternally steadfast. He’s immortally graceful. He’s imperially powerful. He’s impartially merciful. That’s my King. He’s God’s Son. He’s the sinner’s saviour. He’s the centrepiece of civilization. He stands alone in Himself. He’s august. He’s unique. He’s unparalleled. He’s unprecedented. He’s supreme. He’s pre-eminent. Well, He’s the loftiest idea in literature. He’s the highest personality in philosophy. He’s the supreme problem in high criticism. He’s the fundamental doctrine of proved theology. He’s the carnal necessity of spiritual religion. That’s my King.

He’s the miracle of the age. He’s the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him. Well, He’s the only one able to supply all of our needs simultaneously. He supplies strength for the weak. He’s available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He’s strong God and He guides. He heals the sick. He cleanses the lepers. He forgives sinners. He discharged debtors. He delivers the captives. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek. Do you know Him?

Well, my King is the key of knowledge. He’s the wellspring of wisdom. He’s the doorway of deliverance. He’s the pathway of peace. He’s the roadway of righteousness. He’s the highway of holiness. He’s the gateway of glory. He’s the master of the mighty. He’s the captain of the conquerors. He’s the head of the heroes. He’s the leader of the legislatures. He’s the overseer of the overcomers. He’s the governor of governors. He’s the prince of princes. He’s the King of kings and He’s the Lord of lords. That’s my King. Yeah. Yeah. That’s my King. My King, yeah. His office is manifold. His promise is sure. His light is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His Word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

Well. I wish I could describe Him to you, but He’s indescribable. He’s indescribable. Yes. He’s incomprehensible. He’s invincible. He’s irresistible. I’m coming to tell you, the heavens of heavens cannot contain Him, let alone a man explaining Him. You can’t get Him out of your mind. You can’t get Him off of your hands. You can’t outlive Him and you can’t live without Him. Well, Pharisees couldn’t stand Him, but they found out they couldn’t stop Him. Pilot couldn’t find any fault in Him. The witnesses couldn’t get their testimonies to agree. Herod couldn’t kill Him. Death couldn’t handle Him and the grave couldn’t hold Him. That’s my King. Yeah. He always has been and He always will be. I’m talking about He had no predecessor and He’ll have no successor. There was nobody before Him and there’ll be nobody after Him. You can’t impeach Him and He’s not going to resign. That’s my King! That’s my King!
Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory. Well, all the power belongs to my King. We’re around here talking about black power and white power and green power, but it’s God’s power. Thine is the power. Yeah. And the glory. We try to get prestige and honour and glory for ourselves, but the glory is all His. Yes. Thine is the Kingdom and the power and glory, forever and ever and ever and ever. How long is that? And ever and ever and ever and ever. And when you get through with all of the evers, then, Amen.

Amen and Amen! I love you Jesus!!

Master Replicas Obi-Wan Kenobi ROTS FX Saber...

This fine piece of work you see before you is the 2006 Master Replica Obi-Wan Kenobi Revenge of the Sith FX Lightsaber.

I awoke last Thursday morning to find that the tracking number MR gave me said that FedEx would be delivering my saber a day earlier than expected. Excitement set in!As I prepared lunch for myself and my Youngling son Daniel, a noise outside announced that the FedEx truck was here! I literally ran to the door to meet the delivery woman, excitedly signed for the package and headed inside to open my bounty!! After making sure Daniel had lunch and wolfing down a quick bite myself, I opened the FX box. It was like opening the secrets to the Ming Dynasty treasure!The saber is indeed boxed in a very nice way with great Obi-Wan graphics and scripting. I gently removed tape and packing foam to reveal General Obi-Wan Kenobi's Lightsaber! As I picked it up, I noticed that IMHO it is slightly lighter than my Anakin ROTS but in no way as heavy as the Mace FX. The brightness of the hilts metals shone before my eyes and I gazed at it's awesome beauty. Hey...it's a piece of art- what can I say?The battery compartment screamed out my name so I replied with 3 AA Duracell Ultras and the blade sprang forth to pierce my darkened living room with blue piercing light! The blue blade does indeed seem brighter and is more of a purer blue. I was a little disappointed that the saber sounds are basically the same as the Anakins...but hey you can't have everything!The activation button slides upward on the activation box and seems difficult to shut off while dueling. I hope that doesn't change.The blade seems stronger and more secure than my Anakin and has no tightening screw that I know of. I hope I never have to tighten the blade!
This saber will become my personal sidekick at every convention and fundraiser that I attend as Founder of the online Jedi costuming organization, The Jedi Assembly. www.TheJediAssembly.com

It truly is worth the money as a collectible and showpiece, as a prop and as a statement for the love of that Galaxy Far, Far Away! Thanks be to my beautiful wife Pamela and my Mom for this birthday gift!

Promisekeepers 2006...

This year's Promisekeepers theme was "Unleashed". I attended with fellow church member Rodney Freeman and we went to the Atlanta venue. Two days of excitement and getting to know Rodney more. He is an upstanding gentleman and a neat Christian man. Promisekeepers site can be found here:
www.Promisekeepers.org

I signed up to be a PK Ambassador. I leave it to the Lord to direct me in that regard.

AdventureCon Knoxville, TN 2006 Mission report

AdventureCon....all I can say is WOW!!
I had attended AdCon twice previously as a regular paying member, not as a representative of The Jedi Assembly. This would be the first time TJA would have a table at this con.
After several months of negotiations with the Admins at AdCon, we were granted a fan table. A while later I was contacted by Marcus Wollack and asked if I was interested in being in a documentary about AdCon. And what was my answer? Oh yeah!!!
After talking with Chris Dotson, we prepared to meet Chris and his film crew at a meeting place provided by Kathy Peters, mother of TJA member Jade Starlighter. The meeting went well and we gave the Doc guys some great footage of us preparing for our stint at AdCon. Footage was taken of us discussing the running of our fan table, a new costume being fitted for a new member Michael Cable and Lightsaber velocities and Choreography provided by Qui Kel Jinn (Rob Metcalfe).
About a month passed and we were finally prepared for AdCon. Jaryk Lyghtsyder and I drove to Knoxville, TN to pick up incoming MidWestern Order member Jan-Qui Corran from Illinois on the Thursday before the convention. After some delays, Jedi Corran arrived and we all went to a supper at Qui Kel's house. Good Food!!!!!!
Saturday the 24th of June---AdventureCon time!!! Myself, Jaryk Lyghtsyder, Yento Floop aka Jud Solo, Jade Starlighter, Kos Baphan, Faylana Torena and Daiskian Shaigo drove to K-town for the big con. And boy what a con it was!! And having Jan-Qui there made it even better. We set up our table early and got into Jedi Garb- ready to tackle the weekend. Our fan table consisted of individually painted Jedi Starfighter models painted by Jaryk Lyghtsyder, TJA tutorials book, a photo album with pics showing all the events and outing we have participated in lately and my laptop with TJA powerpoints running.
I saw Ray Park (Darth Maul) walk by our table and wave. How exciting! But it was to get even more exciting later that evening. We enjoyed our day at the table. We bought souvenirs like fan films, toys and posters. Several of my Jedi got autographs from the celebs. We also had fun dueling with our FX sabers out in the main concourse area of the convention center.
Qui Kel Jinn finally arrived after having to work part of that Saturday and then the fun really began! Jedi Jinn unleashed his mad saber skillz on the convention goers and we drew a lot of attention to both our saber choreography and our fan table. We even signed up 4 new members while we were there. The Fighting 501st invited us to troop with them around the con hall on the way to their group photo- that was nice! We even got to be in their group photo.
So Saturday started to wind down and the crowds got lessened. We all enjoyed having our pictures taken by the con goers and answering questions from potential new members...then it happened! Ray Park decided to stretch his autographing legs and arms and wanted to play with one of our FX sabers- I don't even remember whos it was now, but he started waving it around and joked about someone taking him on. I rushed at him- saber going for a leg sweep and he faked being scared and ran off!! We all had a good laugh and he came back over and then we started talking about putting on a small off the cuff spontaneous saber duel for the audience. The con documentary guys were drooling at the bit wanting to film that!! Ray wanted to use the double bladed lightsaber and one of the con goers produced one for him. Qui Kel and I were in the right place at the right time and was chosen by Ray to cross blades with him. What an honor!! The man is a consummate professional and gentleman and I couldn't have been more humbled by the experience. To saber duel with a Wushu Master and a Star Wars character actor-much less with a Lightsaber...it was a Star Wars lovers dream come true!!!!!!!! He evn autographed my Anakin FX saber and several other members items.
The footage from these awesome duels can be found here on YouTube:http://youtube.com/watch?v=JHFdQz_zEow&mode=related&search= and http://youtube.com/watch?v=HQiR-aAZO2c&mode=related&search=
The excitement from the Ray Park duel ended our day and we parted ways from Jan-Qui as she headed back to her hotel and most of us drove back to our homes in Greene County. A lot of us had trouble sleeping because of all the excitement during the con on Saturday.
Sunday....time to wake up and head back to AdCon!! What would this day hold for us?? We arrived a little late this time, but Jud Solo had our backs and had the table all up and ready to go. I forgot to mention the TJA banner prominently displyed behind us. It looked fantastic!! Leda had shipped it to me last year for use locally and I just love using it. Anyway, the day progressed nicely with some more souvenir buying, fan costume picture taking, saber dueling and of course promoting TJA to the masses.
We were told that Ray Park might want to duel with Qui Kel and I again so we prepared by eating lunch and adorning ourselves in Jedi Robes. However, Ray was taken over to the 501st's table area where he put on an FX saber demo with a couple of their members. Jedi Qui Kel was able to join in and a great show was put on by all. Qui Kel Jinn can really move with a saber and I'm proud to have him as my teacher.
The footage can be seen here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=FYLWEQZUGnc&mode=related&search= and http://youtube.com/watch?v=VK3MC9jGnYc&mode=related&search=
Sunday finally came to an end with a heavy rainstorm. We had a final group interview with the documentary crew and I can't wait till Road to AdventureCon- the documentary comes out. Ray once again autographed several TJA members things and we wished him well and took our leave of him. All that was left was to pack everything up and trudge back to the cars. We said some final goodbyes to Jan-Qui who was a real Jedi for traveling to TN to be with us, danced in a rain puddle (Myself and Daiskian Shaigo- much to the delight of Ray Park setting inside the hotel watching and laughing at us) and drove off into the rain soaked evening dreaming and planning for next year's AdventureCon 2007!!

A Bald Anthony...

Well, where to start? I have always been self conscious about my hair, or lack thereof. I have always had oily hair and after high school a receding hairline.

I have gotten the buzz cut several times and actually shaved my head about three times down to a stubble feel. It wasn't until I started seeing pictures of me in my Jedi costume at events with a HUGE bald spot that I started considering taking it all off.

I had heard about the Headblade from a friend at work and decided to check into it. After mentioning it to my wife, she bought me one for our 10 year anniversary. And what a gift to give!!

I use the Headblade usually once a day, sometimes two when I don't have to work. I use the Headslick shaving cream and the Headlube to shine it up afterwards.
It truly has given me a better self esteem and I couldn't be happier about my appearance. My Jedi friends have been calling me "Mace Whitedude" after the bald Jedi Mace Windu.

For anyone that suffers from a receding hairline or is considering shaving your head, I say go for it!! It will be the best decision you can make and the liberation is second to none!!
Headblade for life!!!!!!!!!!

The Jedi Assembly

Beginnings of a "club."
Around the release of Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace, I thought about starting a group or "club" with something, anything, to do with Star Wars on the Internet. In April of 2002, I conceived the Jedi Assembly online costuming group after receiving the newest issue of the magazine Star Wars Insider from the SW fan club that month describing the Imperial Stormtrooper group called The Fighting 501st. The magazine referred to the 501st as a huge group with members from around the world that gather at conventions and in their hometowns wearing reproductions of Stormtrooper armor. They catered to Stormtroopers, Imperial uniformed officers, Bounty Hunters, Tie Fighter Pilots, and even the occasional Sith Lord. I didn't know of any Jedi costuming groups in the same style as the 501st on the web or around the USA, so I thought it was time to create one.

Assembling the Assembly
I began the quest to "assemble" the Assembly by starting a bare-bones webpage on the free Geocities website that allowed me to at least have a place to direct potential people to in reference to what I was talking about. I posted messages on many Message Boards to entice people that had the same desire to belong to a SW Jedi costuming "club". But at first, there wasn't any response. I tried not to get discouraged and left more messages and continued to fine-tune the webpage that was turning into a several page website. I finally started getting replies back from people that were interested in the idea of a "Jedi" club. This small set of people turned into what is now known as The Jedi Assembly Jedi Council. Without their advice and cool heads, the Assembly could not have come as far as it has.

The Assembly has 10 Council members that give important advice, help run the Jedi Assembly Message Boards, design Assembly crests, and plan group meetings. The Assembly Message Board is the online meeting place for the Assembly where costuming tips and prop ideas are traded and discussed. The Assembly’s BIGGEST goal was met in April of 2005 as over 40 members met for Star Wars Celebration III in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The Assembly does not charge a membership fee and our Message Board keeps people up to date on happenings within the Jedi Council, events and latest costuming tips. The Assembly has not sponsored any events or conventions as of yet and is an ever-changing group and website. Currently, we have over 230 members worldwide and the Assembly message boards have over 700 members.

The Assembly owes a lot to the Fighting 501st Stormtrooper and Rebel Legion costuming groups. If it wasn't for them and their aggressive vision to put together an online costuming "club", the Assembly might not be doing what they love to do. 

Fatherhood and Daniel...

My son Daniel was born on February 1st 2004. My wife's pregnancy was very easy and after many hours of a failed induced labor, Daniel was delivered via C-section. Nothing can describe the feeling of seeing your son coming out of your wife's open abdomen. Getting past the gore is easy once you look at the small life coming forth into this world. We left the hospital days later with the cutest baby on the planet!
Daniel has quickly grown into a bright and very intelligent young boy. He 's learning to use the potty and has been helping Daddy wash the dishes. He has a penchant for Little Einsteins, The Wiggles, The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Sesame Street. He shares my passion for Star Wars and all things Jedi and has become a Youngling in training on the path to Jedi Knightdom. He's pretty handy with a Lightsaber as well.

My son Daniel is very polite. He says "excuse me" when he burps and he says please and thank you when appropriate. He sleeps very soundly most of the time and likes to eat just about anything.

Mommy and Daddy love Daniel and Daniel loves his Mommy and Daddy!

Family life...

How can I not talk about my family without first giving credit to my beautiful wife of 10 years- Pamela.
She is a goddess among women and truly sent from God just for me!

It all started 12 years ago when we worked together at McDonalds in Jefferson City, TN. After being invited to watch the final episode of Star Trek:The Next Generation at her roommates apartments, I knew that there was something happening between us.

Before long we were dating and we knew what God had in store for us. I wanted nothing more than to be with her for the rest of my life and on May 4th 1996, I made Pamela Gail Welch my wife!

10 years later, I love my wife and appreciate her support in everything I do.

Pam- I love you!!

A little history...

I thought I would use the second entry to tell a little history about myself.

I was born in Jefferson City, Tennessee in 1973. My mother was a daughter of a Baptist minister, so I was brought up in a Southern Baptist church setting. When I turned the age of 6 years old, and after hearing about God and his people plus the redeemer, Jesus Christ, I felt a tugging at my heart that it was time to invite the Lord into my life. I wanted to know Jesus more closely and I wanted to know that I could meet him and be with him in heaven when I died. This was all at the age of six. Now I know what you are saying, “He was too young to make that decision on his own. He was just mimicking his parents way of religion and doing what they wanted.” I would have to disagree. I was very interested in the salvation concept and knew what it meant. Of course, this was all based on a 6 year olds level. I wouldn’t fully understand the significance of this act and the calling that came with it until much later. I knelt down upon my knees in my bedroom and with my mom watching nearby, I asked Jesus to come into my heart. I was baptized by my uncle (a minister also) who was visiting from out of town. I had reached the age of accountability and was saved!!

Years went by. I thought that the Lord wanted me to be a preacher like my grandfather and uncle and to preach his word. Apparently God had other plans for my life.

My parents divorced after 23 years of marriage and we entered a rough time in our lives. We were left financially lacking and quite devastated by my father’s actions. My father had committed adultery with his cousin’s wife and forever destroyed our relationship. But Jesus was always there to give comfort and to not let us take more than we could handle. I finished high school and started working at McDonalds. Due to my scheduling, I started missing Sunday Church all together. And even when I was off, I was too tired to make it to church. At least that was my excuse. It was during this time that I put Jesus in the “backseat” of my car and I took over the steering wheel once again. I started having stress problems and considerable anger issues. I would be so irritated at the littlest comment given to me by anyone at work or at home. I didn’t even think once to check my “rearview mirror” and see Jesus’ shining face looking back at me wanting to take back over the driving. Now I don’t want to mislead you and make you think I got into drugs (though I was offered) or sexual immorality. I did become an angry young man without a purpose in life. I dropped out of college and became more intense in moving up the ranks of McDonald’s management. I started living a life without dependence upon God.

I met my wife to be while working at McDonalds. She also had been saved at an early age and was almost in the same boat as I. Her parents were divorced and we shared a lot of the same life experiences. Neither of us had lost our virginity and that was a source of pride with us both. We dated for several years before marrying (we just celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary) and then moved to Mosheim in Greene County after several more years. Unfortunately, the pattern of keeping God and his son in the back seat continued for us both. We did find a church in our new hometown and joined after a year of visiting.

More time passed and I floated from job to job not knowing what God had planned for me because I wasn’t listening. My wife had found her niche as an art teacher at an elementary school. I on the other hand, had not finished college, had no degree, and felt like I had no purpose in life. I would occasionally think to pray when there was a serious illness in my life or some calamity would come up. But I wouldn’t keep him in focus like he wanted and needed to be. I finally broke down and acknowledged that I needed Christ once again in my life. I HAD to have him in charge of everything that I do and say. My wife and I got down on our knees in our bedroom one night and rededicated our life to him. A load was lifted from our minds as we once again let our Lord take over the driver’s seat again. I eventually landed a job at Wal-Mart with steady hours and a steady income. I feel as if the Lord wants me at Wal-Mart as of right now until a chance to go back and finish school opens up.

The idea of having children was discussed frequently in our marriage, but we had always put any plans off. Partly because I didn’t feel comfortable bringing up a child in this world the way it is. I truly believe Jesus changed my heart and attitude towards having children because we started seriously planning on having a child over two years ago. It only took three weeks of trying and our son was conceived. Then over nine months later, our son Daniel was born. Talk about a true blessing!! My wife and I continually thank God for this small child of happiness. We look forward each day to sharing the Lord’s love with him and bringing him up in the Christian way of life.

All of what I have been talking about has led to this. I now know that Jesus wants me to be his voice, his hands, and his heart. I am to tell everyone about him, to share his love with all I come into contact with. Time is short on this earth. I believe that soon his majesty Jesus Christ will return and call his children and people to himself and judge that one’s who refused to know him. The saved will live in his shining presence forever and ever!

Do you know Jesus? If you died today, do you know where you will spend eternity? It’s very simple. We are all sinners. By our nature, our heart runs from God and rebels against him. We are not perfect and can never be without the help of the supreme ruler Jesus Christ. He loves us and wants to save us from sin. To give us this gift of salvation, Jesus Christ died for us. You receive this gift by faith alone. You demonstrate this gift by genuine repentance and changed actions in your life. Romans 10:9 says “If you confess with your mouth ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
If you are choosing right now to believe that Jesus died for your sins and wants you to spend eternity with him in heaven, pray a prayer similar to this one:
Dear God, I know that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died to forgive me of my sins. I now accept Your offer of eternal life. Thank You for forgiving me of my sin. Thank You for my new life. From this day forward, I will choose to follow you.

If you just prayed that prayer, please let me know about it so I can pray for you in your walk with our Lord. If you have questions, feel free to ask them. I don’t know everything and I never will. But I do know that my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will return one day……… May God bless you all in your daily lives!

1st one...

Greetings! I sit here at 1 am in the morn contemplating how I will use this blog and what exactly to say. It's taken me forever to finally jump onto the Blog machine and I hope that what I post will both entertain and be a witness for who and what I am.

May the Force be with you and may God bless you all!