Skimboarding

Skimboarding (or skimming) is a boardsport which involves riding a board on an ongoing wave.- wikipedia

So skimboarding...

Well it all started back in the summer of probably '02 or '03. My band "Prophet Eternal" spent one week of 'chill-time' in Daytona, FL. 

It was the first time in my life I had one week of 

the beach all to myself. And my goal that week was to teach myself how to skimboard. 

Of course, now that 

I think about it, that's kind of embarrassing that it took me a week of nonstop everyday practice to learn how to "sand slide" (different from skimboarding) and my wife can now skimboard from just a few lessons from me!    Or maybe I'm just that good of a teacher!...    :)    

And I know you must be thinking, "Wow, he's been doing that for like five years! He must be awesome!" 

Well let me be the first to tell you...  I'M NOT!!!  

Remember, I've just been living down by the coast for a few months. Previously, I've only

 been able to practice like once week a year on vacation. So I've still got a lot to learn.

Alright...    this is starting to sound like rambling, and I want people to ENJOY reading the blog, not sorting through pointless info.   :)

So here are some pics of our latest outing to the beach here in Hilton Head, SC. I just got a bigger board. 

Which is great for a couple of reasons...  

1. It supports my weight much better    

2. I don't feel stupid carrying a small board

 around the local skimboards (yes, this one a kinda childish)    ;)     3. Jordan now has my old, smaller board and we can skimboard together!   She actually impresses me 

very much!

So I've ran into a few local skimboarders. 

If they are around, I'll try and catch up with them and learn a little bit. They are a great bunch 

of guys and normally go out during hide tide to skim everyday. I'll try to get some pictures of them if I can...   they will impress you!  

Anyway, if you enjoy skimboarding or have any cool pics of yourself skimboard...   leave a comment and let's see 'em!!!!!

Enjoy the pics!

Skim on brother!  Skim on...       (and yes, I'm talking to you Logan!)

This last picture was actually a wipe out. I had sea water in my eyes and I wasn't expecting the wave to come so soon.

Landon Jacob Productions

As many of you might know...  Jordan and I have our own photography business! And it's probably one of the best endeavors we've ever taken.  Before I briefly blog about it, I have to say that even though it's called "Landon Jacob Productions", my wife Jordan is the brains, heart, and soul of the business.

And no...    I was not being greedy when I suggested the name. When I was a little boy making home videos at my grandparents house I came up with the name. And I've stuck with it ever since. And Jordan liked the name anyway. So it was mutual.  :)

So now  that that's over...

When God called us to plant a church here in S.C. we had no idea that He was going to bless our photography business here also. It's been an amazing thing to watch and be apart of. God comes through in unbelievable ways all the time through our business. There are some neat stories, but I'll just share them in person.   :) 

The best bonus is that we get to do it together. We've always

 had a passion to work together, and it's been a great experience!

Another great bonus is getting to meet all the wonderful people that we photograph. It's exciting seeing the relationships you can build in just one day!

Anyway...  I could ramble on about the business, but I'll just end with this...    If you're at the point in your life where you're looking for a life profession, or at the point where your looking for a DIFFERENT life profession...   I would recommend finding something you love. If you love what you're doing, and would do it rather or not you got paid...    you will be extremely successful at your occupation and love it the whole time. And remember...  success is not always measured by wealth. 

Hoops

Alright...   

so I only have about 10 mins before my laptop battery goes out, but I just want so quickly say that I am extremely blessed to have a family like God gave me. 

My dad (who is a pastor in TN) brought his youth pastor( go bro. mike!) and the youth group down to Bluffton to do some work and have a little fun at the beach. 

I had a great time serving the Lord and having a blast with them...

Although none of the pictures you see here are of the youth retreat (I plan to get some) these are just a couple of pics of my dad, brother, and I playing a little hoops.

     

I think my brother beat me and my dad, but don't tell him!  :)

I really enjoy my dad and my brother. We can have lots of fun together doing guy stuff...

Anyway, more on my family later, the laptop batt is about to go any sec....    

July 4th 2008

I hope you all had a wonderful Independence Day! You know...    holidays like this one don't make it easy being away from family. It makes you miss all the cookouts, smelling like sulfur all night long, and almost blowing up your brother with cheap fireworks...     or at least shooting them at the neighbors pets!  :)

Jordan and I decided that we were going to hang out with the college interns! They were lots of fun...   what would you expect?

They were playing a little volley ball (which I DID show them my mad skills!) and also had a watermelon eating contest...   be glad I spared you the pictures.    :)

We were on the beach while they were shooting off fireworks. We could see about 3-4 different shows. They only bad part is that we were a few miles away from all of them. But at least some vacationers people blew a ton of money on "over the counter" fireworks!   :)    Better than nothing!

I will have to say...    aside from all the grilled beef and sparklers...    that I am very proud of all our men and women in the military. Which without them...     Independence Day would mean nothing.

Nigeria

My trip to Nigeria was definitely a trip that will change my life. Of course...  I think if anyone went to Nigeria for 9 days and got to experience what I did, they would say the same thing.

So why did I go? 

The man you see to the right (without a hat) is Dr. Tracey Goen. There is a good chance you might have heard of him. He and his family lived in Nigeria for 9 years. While they were there God used them in ways that were a first to Nigeria.

 Tracey saw a hospital in Egbe that was about to shut it's doors. Because of his work in the

 hospital and God's plan, it still stands today! Because of his care for Nigerians, especially the Fulani, God has used Tracey in ways that will be in the history books. It's a LONG story, but simply because Tracey lived out the love of Jesus, the Fulani made him a King (mind you that the Fulani are Muslim and Tracey is a Christian). While we were on this past trip, he was made a Chief of Egbe. The first white person in history. Also the first person in history to be a Fulani King AND a Chief of Egbe. 

Now Tracey lives in America and spends his time raising money to build schools, orphanages, and hospitals (of which his organization has already built one of each!).

So to answer the question I asked myself earlier....   I went on this trip with my good friend Scott Beebe to do some video documentaries for Tracey and his organization H.E.L.P.   www.helpwestafrica.org

These videos will be used for three purposes. First, to help raise more money and awareness of H.E.L.P. Second, a training video for recruits. Third, a video to raise awareness of the Fulani in particular. 

About 3 days of my trip was spent out in the bush with the Fulani. I have never experienced anything like that I my life. The Fulani we visited are a nomadic people group. They are very unlike the people of Egbe, where we stayed. They are quiet and peaceful and live at least a 1.5 hour drive outside the city off a very bumpy dirt road. They live a very simple life. Straw or clay huts, pounded grains, cows, and cow's milk basically sums up their lives. The leader of the particular village we stayed in was extremely hospitable. He offered us everything they had available to eat and drink. The picture above I am drinking a type of yogurt from the very cows you see in the lower picture. Camping out with the Fulani for three days was definitely the highlight of the trip. I wish I could give every detail. The finished videos will explain more. 

The man you see me interview above is called Abraham. He is truly a man of God. His calling to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ through medicine. He has a great heart and a wonderful attitude and character. He is education is equivalent to a nurse practitioner. He was also our translator while we were in the Bush. He speaks 9 languages. 

I also got to spend a good deal of time in the new orphanage built by H.E.L.P. There are currently 14 orphans. A funny side-note...  they told us that the word "orphan" is derogatory in Nigeria. Their word of choice was "inmate". Scott and I found that ironic.  :)

Anyway, these are a great group of boys. Like Abraham they have great hearts and character. The boy reading the bible on the left is Jeremiah. He is 14 and the oldest of the orphans. Since he's the oldest, all the boys look up to him and follow his example. What's so great about Jeremiah, is that he could not be a better example for the boys to follow. Which is rare in Nigerian boys, especially orphans (or inmates).    :)

All in all, what I brought back from Nigeria is the most important part of the trip. A broader world view and an insight to a part of Nigeria, Nigerians, the Fulani, and how God is at work in a different part of the world... 

An insight that is not given unless experienced.

My Wife

For my next blog, I will blog about the NEXT most important thing in my life...   my WIFE!!!!

As small side note before I start...   I don't think I accurately portrayed how important God is to me in my first blog. Quickly... I will just say that without Him I couldn't get through a single day. God is my whole purpose in living. I cannot comprehend how people live without Him. I suppose they use "fillers". Anyway, back to THIS post.

Like I said, my wife is the most important person in the world to me. She completes me in the areas I lack. I would say that the best part about our marriage is that not only are we in love, but we are completely best friends. We do everything together, from watching chick-flicks to skim boarding on the beach. We laugh everyday. And the great thing about Jordan is that she loves the Lord...  which is what drew me to her in the first place.

We were married last year and celebrated our 1 year anniversary this past June 2nd! I would say that we've been through a good little bit our first year. Moving from TX to SC was one of them...   but we still had fun along the way.  :)

I truly do love her with all my heart. I could always do a better job of showing her, but I'm pretty sure she knows...   :)