Marshall is a guy who knows guns. He has truly seen the faces of some ugly bad guys and understands our 2nd Ammendment Right with deep appreciation. He is a rather “fearless” sort of man who has some pretty amazing stories to tell. Stories that leave you in wonder that he is still alive. He is in every sense of the word a real man that could put many others to shame from the knowledge and wisdom he has in life, to the size of guns he packs on his arms–let alone the size of firearms he packs with him. Yet he doesn’t.

And despite all his clean shaven, rugged outdoor attire, he is nothing short of a gentlemen. I don’t truly have the right words to describe Marshall. You kinda just sort of have to meet him to fully comprehend what I’m not successfully saying here. This strong, fearless, outdoorsy fella with his quiet observant–yet talkative demeanor, is truly a man worth getting to know. And though I would say he can certainly stand out in a crowd of men, the real thing that stands out about him is his spiritual walk. Despite his keen bravery… he is a spiritual man who understands what it is to fear God and put on His whole armor. He knows the power of prayer and knows the importance of not fearing man, rather making God known that man may fear. And that is just what he does. He is man who practices what he preaches.

Here is last part of the email I thought I’d share with you. Minus the part of the Chick Holsters… may I strongly suggest you take to heart these words. And if you ever happen upon a tall, broad shouldered, ruggedly handsome ish type of man, clad in outdoorish clothing (likely driving a truck) up here in the NW and his name happens to be Marshall… I encourage you to take the time to introduce yourself. It just may save your life some day–physically or eternally.

From Marshall:

I will always believe that God has saved me from using deadly force in a conflict, knowing that I am well practiced to defend, and yet knowing how I dread the day that it would happen. I believe the ability to know when not to shoot comes from practicing and planning while I am calm. If a person lacks confidence, they will be quick to shoot. If they are more afraid than the situation requires, they will be quick to shoot.
I am glad God has not been quick to judge me, but made a plan by which I could come to Him.
If God shot a hair-trigger, unpracticed, I would be dead because of my sin, but, instead, He sent His Son to die in my place, that through faith in Him I might have everlasting life in a place so sweet and so pure that self-defense will be a forgotten term.
Speaking on self-defense, and in closing, allow me to prioritize a list of necessary actions which will help you to survive in every situation. I will get to firearms near the end:

• Do the research and be open to the evidence for Creation. There is no other way to protect yourself, your friends and your family, other than to know the answer to this question: Is God real? To take the right action as a defender you must know this answer.
• Never go with the flow. You will die every time doing that and put those who are closest to you at risk. Move to the side. Pray first and shoot only if you have to. You must plan constantly and practice to defend others. As sad as this is, sometimes weapons will be used, but survival in that manner is short term. If you have not known God, and your soul is lost in the end, what have you done for those you love?
• If you ask God to give you wisdom and knowledge in the morning, you will have it in the night, in the dangerous places where harm waits.
• Purchase a Chick Holster from ChickHolster.Com. Believe me—you get more than a holster from that company. They have done the research.
• Know the weapon you will carry for self=defense, inside and out. May the shot you send not be the first shot you have ever fired, and if you follow this list from top to bottom you will be in the right when you shoot. The distance may not be five feet for everyone, but when to shoot directly relates to confidence, wisdom and practice.

He has been perhaps the greatest source of encouragement in my life to reach out for what I want to obtain, then strive forward and not give up when the attempts fail.  His words of encouragement are often not filled with fluff to soothe the emotional feelings, but rather a matter of fact honesty… “Aw, you’ll do better next time.”  A manner which has instilled in me the effort to keep trying to reach my goal and until then, not settle for less.  Encouragement that I needed, to know that there’s grace for mistakes and room for improvement.  And through it all the requirement for patience, something he gave so generously.  Generosity, honesty, humbleness and patience, are four words that he models in life.  Four words that I find I seek in character. 

There are many things in life to which I would have given up on, had it not been for his honesty, his words of wisdom, good common sense, and loving patience with me.   Without this man, I wouldn’t know the joys and benefits of farm life.  I wouldn’t know how to shoot a gun and be encouraged to take a stand to defend my family from a young age, let alone enjoy it and the outdoors.  I wouldn’t know to strive to give of my time to others.  Nor would I know the importance and affect that selfless-time-giving can have, when freely given… or the blessings gained in return.  I wouldn’t know the value of planting fruit trees with no intention of seeing or tasting their fruit for personal gain, but rather doing it for the sake of a community that I may never meet, so their future and generation can have the opportunity of enjoying what I do from a mature tree.  And I certainly wouldn’t know the aroma and flavor of fresh, homemade baked pies or bread coming out of my kitchen–because I would have given up on learning back when I was still ten years old and trying–if he hadn’t been there to eat all my flops.  Without his encouragement and patience, I never would have turned those awful attempts of making apple pie from “Aw, you’ll do better next time…” into eventually what became ”Good pie Camille.” 

From baking pies to shooting guns  and everything in between, he has been my source of encouragement to not give up and settle for disappointment, on something I have set my sights to.  More importantly he has shown the importance of not plowing over others to get there, but rather through patience and honesty obtaining the goal.  His life has reflected a humbleness and truth that has blessed my own in more ways than I could tell you.  I can only hope that my own life would in some way be a reflection of him, so that others too can have and experience those same blessings that are extended to me.

Here is something he wrote that I’ll share with you:

We paint pictures for others to view

By the words that we say and the things that we do

The pictures we paint whether pretty or not

We all must remember our own hand has wrought

Lord, grant that my picture though its colors be few

Though its strokes be uncertain reveal traces of You

Today, I feel Chick Holsters has come a long way and in a rather short time.  And though I can still see visible changes that I would like to take place, and definitely areas I would like to expand, I do believe our holsters have made some good progress in quality and workmanship… and that hasn’t been done alone.  My family and friends who have been there for me and a faithful Father in heaven to whom I am going to give the credit.  God is good and faithful.  I am blessed.

In celebration of the blessings bestowed on myself and Chick holsters over this past year… you get to take advantage of a little discount on our most popular and original holster–”Christine” black Thigh or Ankle Carry.

Blessings!

Use this online code to receive $8 off any “Christine” print holster from now until Aug 25th, 2010.

CODE:  christine

So I was going to blog on the topic of Costco Wholesale and it’s relationship and stand on firearms.  And then I thought about my many friends who are legal concealed carriers and Costco shoppers, who may in fact read this… and I thought better of it. 

My conclusion– There are indeed times in our lives where ignorance… is bliss.

The article was published in the July 2010 issue, featuring that story on the front cover.  And though our request of referencing was not heeded, there is in fact a photo of one of our holsters with a Sig Sauer P238 .380, pictured in it. 

Feel free to check it out at http://edsfiles.us/article/girlswithguns.pdf

Let us not forget to thank the God this country was intended to serve, for the rights that we have been granted.  It is my prayer that today God be recogonized and blessed by our thankful hearts–and in return, America be blessed by God.

Happy Independence Day! 

In honour of our country’s independence, Chick Holsters is offering you $7.40 off any holster purchased between 7/4/10 – 7/10/10. 

Use the following code online to receive your discount (case sensitive):  Independence

We have been very impressed from the product down to the customer service.  The people from Fox Labs were extremely helpful and kind… not something you find every day.

I can personally recommend Michael Knoetig as an awesome intstructor and who provides classes to obtain Utah/Oregon concealed carry permits.  He gives a very enjoyable, yet informative and thorough class.  Utah state permit is recognized in I believe 28 US states.  So if you are considering or seeking information for the Utah conceal carry, check out www.mktactical.com or shoot Michael an email.    This is a very practical permit to have.