Eric Farley’s blog

***COPIED FROM CALBEARS.COM

Williams, Follett Selected to The Butkus Award 2008 Collegiate Player Watch List

Nine Pac-10 LBs are on the list as well

Last weekend was nothing short of a blessing. The weather was very hot and the work was exhausting. That may not seem like a blessing, but getting as many people to participate as we did, it truly was. Saturday we were short handed on church regulars (many were out of town), but we had a lot of outside help. Friends we reached out to and explained that we were building a fence for a widow , quickly volunteered to help in our ministry effort.

Sunday was a little confusing at first after a decision to redesign our fence. After a short time we were all working hard and on our way to what we hoped was completing the fence. Darkness beat us to the finish forcing a couple of us to finish the building on Monday evening. Tuesday afternoon our mess was picked up and the fence was built and painted.

Although I was beat and glad it was over. During a conversation with a fellow church member, he said how good he felt doing what we did, and would do it again the very next weekend if there was another one to build. I suppose that would be the right thing to do, but I was still tired from our weekend.

Today was spent at a local park in a predominately Hispanic neighborhood handing out free clothes, free food, free dental and medical check ups. There was a raffle for lots of bikes that were given to the kids as well as a couple bounce houses for them to jump around in.

Danish Proverb - What you are is God's gift to you; what you do with yourself is your gift to God.

PRISON

A couple weeks ago while doing my prison ministry, my ward mentioned he was going up for parole. When asked what he thought his chances were, he was overwhelmingly sure that there was no reason for him to be denied.

Nearly all wards going up for release are turned down on their first try. I didn't want to squash his dreams of getting out, so I kept that little nugget to myself. I just shook his hand when we parted that night and wished him luck if I were not to see him again.

Last night when I walked into his housing unit, I was met with several different emotions when I looked at his cell door and saw that someone else's name was now on it. He had made it, he was free.

As I waited for my new ward, I reflected at the progress my previous guy had made. I can remember asking him what he wanted to do when he got out, and what his plans were. They were so scattered and some were sure to present immediate issues to him when he got out. Then recently when asked the same question, hoping he had forgotten it was the first question I ever asked him, he had a very detailed and successful sounding plan that I was sure was the best thing he could have come up with. It gave him the best chance for rebuilding his life and the relationships that had been bruised along the way.

I will probably never see him again and can only wonder if anything I said or did, helped him along the way. I remember him saying he had waited years to be in our program, I can only hope the few months we shared provided him with something he can take away from jail. My prayers will continue for him as I'm sure the first few weeks must be the most challenging.

BAYSIDE

Feels like the last week was a train ride. It just went so fast and there was no way to get off. Since last Friday, I have worked late and had something planned for each evening - which explains the tardiness in this blog. 

This coming week is looking busy as well. Especially next Saturday. Once again the Bayside Church of Granite Bay is having their monthly Men's Ministry breakfast, coincidently on the same day our own church plans on starting the rebuilding of one of our members fence.

Oddly enough, through all the hustle and bustle it has been easy to see God working. I worked a lot of overtime this week and everyday was able to finish my jobs just in time to make it to what ever the evening had planned. Wendy and I went to a Christian rock concert on Monday, church on Wednesday, helped a family move on Thursday and threw a party with some old friends on Friday.

Last night I was forced to give my first bath to my kids. Not that they get neglected, but Wendy has always been around during that time and kind of adopted that duty. After bath time was bed time. The kids just looked at me and asked what they were supposed to do next. When I mentioned it was bed time, they asked if I was going to tuck them in and hug/kiss them good night. I jokingly said, "What? I thought my only job as a dad was to take care of you, not give you love."  I was quickly reminded by Jocelyn that taking care of them IS giving them love. After a smile I obliged.

Tuesday I go back to the Youth Authority not knowing what to expect. Last visit I was told I was given another ward, but that it may be a few weeks before he's in our program. That very same visit with the gentleman I regularly meet with, he explained to me he was up for release and hoped to not to be there on my next visit. So, I'm not sure what God will put in front of me Tuesday.

          With the season still a little over a month away I've got some predictions for the upcoming season.

1. USC -  So, you know that feeling you get on NFL draft day where you can't wait to see who your team picks with the first pick? What if you had a team full of first picks? That's the exact reason why coach Pete Carroll won't be leaving anytime soon for the NFL. In addition to reloading every year, he is one of only a few coaches who do not redshirt anyone. Once again they're tough, loaded and get to play all the top Pac-10 teams at home. In the last 6 years at home, USC is 35-1. They're only home challenge will come a couple weeks into September where we might get to see a sneak peek of the National Championship game where they host Ohio St.

2. ARIZONA ST - This one was a toss up with Oregon. Both teams open the season with pretty easy schedules. Arizona State returns their quarterback, leader running back and the top 2 receivers. I think they should have a record similar to last years 10-3 record.

3. OREGON - Oregon lost their quarterback and their 2 leading rushers. Oregon also has to play Cal, USC, Arizona St., and their rival Oregon State on the road. They do however, get their receivers back and were already pretty deep at running back. Their season will depend on their new quarterback.

4. CALIFORNIA - This is a young team on the offensive side. They lose the leading running back and their leading returning receiver only had 4 catches last year. They do however get 8 starters back in defense and either quarterback they decide on has experience.

5. ARIZONA - This is my surprise team for the year. They get 10 of their 11 starters back on offense and start the season with 3 easy games. They managed 5 wins last year and should pull off 7-8 this year.

6. UCLA - This team was marginal at best and lost a lot of starters. I don't think their new coach can install a new system and turn this team around in 1 year. I think they'll finish right here in the middle like usual.

7. OREGON ST - They finished 9-4 and came in third in the conference last year, but lost most of their defense to graduation. They play Penn St. in their second game and should return a little beat up and struggle out of the gate never to rebound.

8. WASHINGTON - I struggled between picking Stanford in this spot, but Washington played hard and lost a lot of close games last year.  An example of that would be their 3 point loss to USC. They also have recruited well the last couple years. Quarterback Jake Locker ran for nearly 1000 yards last year and they return most of their offense and defense.

9. STANFORD - I find pleasure placing the red team here. They are feisty and young. I think they lack confidence along with their skill. They will finish above Washington St., but with the others in front of them, it looks like an uphill battle to finish better than 9th in the Pac-10.

10. WASHINGTON ST. - This year they will have a new coach will also means a new system to learn. They were not very good to begin with and have to play a lot of the "easier" conference games on the road with doesn't sound promising. They will get 1 win for sure this year when they play Baylor the third week of the season. Oh, they might win at Portland St. also.

  I listen to a lot of songs on youtube that I catch parts of on Christian radio. Most times the video's end up enhancing the meaning of the song. This is one of my current favorites. Enjoy.

FENCE HELP

After a recent visit to Francis' house, her thoughts were confirmed, she will need a new fence. The picture to the left doesn't show her fence, although in some places those conditions do exist.

Adam Woodall and I measured nearly 110 of fence that needs replaced. The first of two days will consist of tearing out the existing fence and getting all the post set, so that the concrete will harden over night. That will be August 9th and the following day after church, much help will be needed to put up all the boards.

Some of the jobs will include tearing out the wood, stacking the wood, painting the new boards and allowing them to dry, mixing concrete, digging 18" deep holes for all the post.

This job can be frustrating, exhausting, hot, and not very much fun at all if that was what you wanted to make it. However, with Adam and I in charge, you know there is much fun and laughter to be had. This is a great opportunity for our Men's Ministry to show we do more than just eat breakfast and have fun. We're sure with everyone's help, this will go smoothly and leave us all with the good feeling of helping out someone from our church who would not have been able to repair the fence herself. Francis is excited to get the fence repaired and is very appreciative of all of our efforts. Don't be shy to reach out to friends and present this as hanging out time while doing something special for someone.

A couple months away that will seem like forever. This years team will lack experience and expectations should not be nearly as high as last years team that folded the week they were to be ranked #1 in the nation. Remeber that melt down? All three starting receivers are gone as well as the leading running back. Oh, and then there's the quarterback. Do you want the guy who lacks zip and happened to lose the game against Oregon State last year while being sacked as time ran out, or would you like the more experienced Nate Longshore who's good for 2-3 interceptions every third and forth quarter? Hmmm, got a quarter?

This will definitely be a year where defense will have to come up big more than once. Unfortunately, last I check the defense coordinator is still Bob Gregory, who loves the "bend, don't break" philosophy. Problem is, he never seems to figure out where that breaking point is. Not until it's broke anyway.

Jahvid Best and Zack Follett will no doubt be our highlights this year, so enjoy the little taste I just gave you of the hard hitting Follett as I hope it quenches your thirst, holding you off for what will no doubt be an interesting year.

YREKA

After spending a few days with my parents I'm going home today. It's too bad I won't be here a few more days with the hot weather approaching. The next two days will be 107 with 108 expected by Wednesday.

The cartoon to the left is a little funny. Every time I tell someone where my parent live the confuse Yreka with Eureka. And, anyone who lives in Yreka knows it's such a small town that for a lot of things you will have to make the drive into Oregon (Medford) to get what you're looking for.

Pray for me this week as I return to work (or the place I drive to when there is work). I'm not sure when things will pick up. There are two of us field guys remaining that have not been laid off, and I know the drafters are running out of work as well.

4th of July

Due to the lack of work at my office, I have been given yet another day off. Although the time off may be great, not getting paid without using your stored up vacation time isn't. I have now missed at least 1 day of work each week for over a month now.

On a brighter side, the time off for today has created a 4 day weekend. The last one of these I received, I was stuck for 4 days working at a craft fair. So, at 3pm yesterday while standing near traffic still working, I decided I would leave town after I was done working and come to a place of refuge (my Dad's house) to just relax. We arrived last night and will now have at least 3 full days to spend with family.  

It seems as time has gone on, people have forgotten the reason for the time off. If they haven't forgotten, they've definitely taken the freedom for granted. We see the red, white, and blue and get ready for fireworks. There is usually a BBQ, but do people stop to think why we do this every year?

As you enjoy your weekend, say a little prayer for those who are out there fighting in others countries to unselfishly give other people similar freedoms,so that some day they might be able to celebrate thier own independence.