Joy vs. Happiness

For whatever reason, it seems I've heard several discussions recently on the difference in joy and happiness. I won't compare and contrast them for you here but it has been on my mind since Tuesday night. I was having a discussion about my trip to Brazil and all that I saw and learned and felt. I was flooded with vivid memories and pictures in my mind of the people, of their love and their joy. Yes, they were happy too but I think joy was even more evident because they were constantly celebrating their relationships built around God.

As I get caught up in my day-to-day whirlwind, I forget about the joy I can and should have because of Christ. I'm thankful for that conversation that drew me back to the picture God had painted for me thousands of miles away - a picture where I could see and experience both joy and happiness and a reminder that joy thrills the soul, that joy celebrates my relationship with my Savior. Having that joy - that makes me happy.

I hope I bring happiness to people but even more I hope I can share with them my joy.

Mr. Mom

I think I'm going to rent this show for the weekend. I've only seen it once but remember it being pretty funny. I've been thinking about the movie the last few days because my wife is taking a brief trip for a couple of days and the kids and I will be taking care of ourselves. It's not too hard since most every need but actually bathing and eating is taken care of for us before she leaves. I'm glad she is getting away for a few days of fun (??? it's a shopping trip, how fun can it be) and frolicking (I think it's still 180 degrees outside). It's a good time for us too because we get a very visible reminder of all the things she does for us that far too often get taken for granted.

To my wife, thank you for all you do for us. We can make it for a few days but wouldn't want you gone any longer. Have fun and feel free to spend up to $20 on anything you like! :)

P.S. Be wary of some of your traveling companions. They look like they can get a little wild when they are out of town.

Taking the Hit

My son has been enjoying many 10 year old's dream of being a waterboy for a local high school team. It's been a good experience and we've been able to discuss the servant mentality and desire that someone in his position needs to have. It's a great opportunity for him to build memories and learn a little something along the way.

One of the hazards of being a waterboy is that he doesn't wear pads. I've wondered if he would ever get caught in a situation where he might get hit. I wonder no more. Friday night, he was ready with his water carrier. A play quickly came to the sidelines and he got caught in a position where he couldn't get away from the two players coming his way. He took a hard hit and depending on who's version of the story you hear went flying and did a flip.

I was on the far side of the field from the collision and didn't see him get hit. In fact, until I saw a friend of ours run across the track did I realize it was my son. By the time I got down to the field, the team trainer was checking him out and he was recovering. An Advil and some kind words from players helped him along and he was back on the job after a brief rest.

I was worried about him but also proud to see him back up and working. He's learning a lot of lessons about taking life's hits and getting back up, about serving even when it isn't easy and about taking responsibility for one's duties. He probably doesn't realize the lessons he got that night but one day he will. In the meantime, I think he'll wear the bruises as a badge of honor and use the aches to get a little sympathy. Smart kid.

It's Friday. Time to Relax

This is my 3rd attempt for the day. The other two times I started, I kept getting into some philosophical point that was taking too much space and creating too much chaos in my head. It's Friday, right? Time to kick up the feet and relax for the weekend. All the while, the chaos in my head hasn't quieted but I will move on with the Friday theme.

Tonight is Decatur's homecoming. My wife and daughter will be there to support the blue and white (and controversial black) and battle the crowds of people who do come home. I'm not a fan of homecoming and I would like to meet the person who created the whole mum frenzy. It's bizarre.

My son and I will travel to Argyle to see the Yellowjackets of Boyd take on Argyle (the Eagles, I believe). It should be a really good game with a good 2A team going up against a growing 3A program (Arglye was in the 2A state championship game last year).

No baseball this weekend so I get to mow! Woohoo. Have a great weekend and if you want to test out a zero turn radius mower, just drop by around 8:30 Saturday morning.

Run to the Finish Line

Yesterday, I had the joy of watching my daughter run in a cross country meet. These meets are usually run over a 2 mile (or slightly longer) course. I could tell funnies about the course and some of the people there but the attention was all on the girls. A girl from Lindsey came in first way, way, way ahead of everyone else. A girl from Alvord couldn't finish the course and I could see what I thought to be confusion and agony in her eyes as she was going to her knees. We later heard she might have been suffering from hypoglycemia. After that long of a run in the lovely 93 degree blazing heat, all the girls looked tired as they came close to the end. I saw an older man standing near the next to last turn cheering every girl from every school on for the final stretch. Neat stuff.

It was good to see several young ladies I knew run and compete well but there was one who had my eye. A tall, pretty girl who really dislikes getting up in the morning for early morning practices and has never seemed to be a big fan of sweating ran a great race. It wasn't her best time and she didn't finish at the head of the pack but what she did was compete, try hard, overcome heat and dust and put out the effort to finish the race. It was her kick at the end, not wanting to let an opponent get by her, that really let her spirit show through. Coming through the last turns, she looked like she had already given all she would give but in those last few yards, she dug down to find a bit more. That will serve her well through life and I am so proud of what she has accomplished. She has improved a great deal in the past several weeks with her times dropping dramatically. I know she has grown physically stronger. Even more, she has grown mentally stronger - taking on a challenge and accomplishing personal victory. She ran and she finished and all the while is winning personal victories. I am very proud of her.

You go girl!

Fall Is In The Air

It feels good today. It was somewhere around 58 degrees when I ran the school route this morning. I love it when the cool air comes to town. Rumor has it that we'll see 90 again this week so I'll enjoy today all I can.

Last Friday was our 16th wedding anniversary. We celebrated at a favorite restaurant where we had the wedding rehearsal and enjoyed sitting out on the patio among the trees and close to a large fountain. It was a great evening. Even more, it's been a great 16 years. I've already said all my gushy stuff in private so here I'll just say "thank you" and "I love you" to my beautiful wife. I trust the years will continue to bring us more happy and joyful moments.

You may have noticed my postings have become less frequent. It's not that I have less to say, only that I have less time to say it lately. I hope to get back to a more routine posting and may try giving it a go in the evening. Thanks to those of you who have said something about it. I know I have a generally quiet audience (save the "golf is the one true sport" and the "Sonic coney" guys) so I want to say that I appreciate you taking the time to drop by.

Life in LA

I'm back in Los Angeles and saw what will probably be the baseball game of the year last night. I was at the Dodgers and Padres game and it was a fantastic finish. The LA fans boo their team at the drop of a hat and cheer wildly when they do something great. It was an interesting night and one I enjoyed.

This trip I have a great view of the marina across the street from our hotel and all the boats (big boats) that are parked there. There's quite a few I would like to hop aboard and take a ride on but the police might not look at it the same way.

I walked down Venice Beach yesterday. I saw Muscle Beach and the basketball courts that have been seen in a number of movies and lots of wierd people. The guy walking on broken glass barefooted had to be the craziest. There were several homeless looking folks but they didn't beg like they do in other cities. Skimpy bikinis (I closed my eyes) and one guy in a leopard print thong and roller blades (I wish I would have had my eyes closed). I'm sure it was more subdued on a Monday than it would be on the weekend and I'm pretty sure I'm thankful for that.

I miss my wife and kids. I called home tonight and my son answered the phone and I could hear the happy voice that I wish I was with. I got to talk to my angel and remembered how sweet and loving she is to me. I'll visit with my lovely bride later and look forward to Thursday when I'm home and with them all. I miss you.

The Rosie Way

Much is being made of Rosie O'Donnell's recent comments on The View that radical Christianity is as dangerous as radical Islam. I'm not Rosie fan (nor a fan of Barbara Walters or any other TV mouthpiece) but her comments are being discussed by many in liberal and conservative camps with very little support for what she said.

Comments like these are the danger of TV, radio and even blogging land. Something you say can easily be taken out of context or said without thought to a wider interpretation of what you mean. It's dangerous to open your mouth sometimes.

Rosie's comment received applause on the clip of the show I was able to see and I'm sure she has supporters but most of what I've seen and heard as been negative. Then again, I don't run in the most liberal circles in the land so maybe I'm just missing alot.

In my mind, the key to her comment was "radical Christians". I'm not completely sure what she meant by that but would agree there are some in our country who kill and hurt in the name of Christianity. I am saddened when I hear of someone blowing up an abortion clinic in the name of Christianity. I don't think that is what Christ would have us do. At the same time, I believe we must speak up, we must teach and not to those who are right in front of us but also to the masses. I'm all for a campaign to ABC wanting a retraction of that statement and even to have someone like Rosie pulled from the show but I also worry about the language or tone some would use in doing that.

I hope we will see Christ using people to combat ludicrous comments made by people who are just like us, sinners in need of redemption. I hope they will speak in a way that will show the love and compassion of a Savior and I hope that people will see Christians as radical only because we believe in something that we cannot see and cannot touch but know in our hearts that exists...a loving God and a beautiful future in eternity.

The Trouble with Work

The trouble with work is that there is so much of it. Some of you have asked why I haven't blogged as much of late. I used to do it first thing in the morning before starting my work day but lately the work is starting earlier and earlier and I haven't been able to write. I've tried writing in the evenings on occasion but after working with a computer most of the day, I really don't want to touch one at home. Calgon, take me away.

I had a great lunch yesterday. My UPS rep is also a preacher for a church in Rockwall. He has been encouraging the eldership there to look at joining in support of a foreign mission work. I had told him awhile back about my trip to Brazil and so yesterday we met to discuss the work Randy is doing in more detail. He's going back to the Elders to ask them to consider joining in. I ask for your prayers that they will be able to help in this incredible effort.

Today I'm having lunch with one of our Elders to discuss a new mission work we want to begin supporting. I'm excited about it and hope we can add this to our missions program.

I was telling my UPS/Preacher friend yesterday about how I used to agree that missions was one of the things we needed to be able to check off on our church to-do list but the last few years have opened my eyes. Getting to know Randy and getting to spend time in Brazil has given me a deeper love for missions and a greater appreciation for God's calling to go and teach. I'm thankful the Decatur church supports our missionary so strongly and look forward to building a stronger presence in the mission fields.

Sacrifice

During the 9/11 memorials and shows much was said about so many sacrifices that have and will be made to protect us and our interests. We often have to sacrifice to get what we want and when we truly want it, the sacrifice never seems too great.

I heard the President talk about a woman whose husband was a New York City fireman who lost his life on 9/11. Her sons have since joined the Army and the FDNY. They were taught that sacrifice was good for them and good for those whom they would serve. The mother willingly accepts that her children may also give as much as her husband did to defend and protect us. The boys have willingly accepted that service to others is noble. What an incredible family and incredible example.

As I thought about this, it wasn't a far jump to think about the sacrifice that was made for me on a cross. I have such respect and admiration for those in public service to others who make my life easier and more enjoyable. That said, how much more I am thankful a Savior who gave his life for me, not that I would have an easier life but that I would have an eternal life.

I am glad people are willing to sacrifice for me but it doesn't compare with the sacrifice that was made to take away my sins, to cleanse and purify me and to send me home to be with my Father.

New Leadership

I was listening to one of the yapping morning shows when an interview with Hillary Clinton came on. Fortunately, the sound went out during most of it but I did hear one comment she made that I agreed with. "We need new leadership" Ms. Clinton claimed. How true, how true.

I wonder what challenges our children will face. We hear the term 'public service' thrown around when people are running for office but it doesn't seem they are always trying to serve the public. On the other hand, even good political leaders get slapped around by their opponents, typically groups on the extremes of normal society.

One of my favorite movies is Dave, a story about a decent guy who is an identical match for the President who suffered a stroke. The President is a sorry guy listening to some sorrier advisors and when he is hit with the stroke, these sorry advisors find Dave to people a talking puppet for them because they don't like/trust the VP. Dave turns out to be a leader, fights off the advisors and becomes a leader of the people. It's a feel good story but one I can almost imagine. Just imagine if we had a bunch of political leaders who spoke to and for the common people of this country, not the noisy extremists.

I never imagined myself agreeing with Hillary but today I do. We need new leadership.

Rangers and Longhorns

I had so hoped to be watching playoff games this year at The Ballpark (I still refuse to call it by it's new name). We are sharing tickets with a group of people and have enjoyed going to the games and at one point not long ago, the prospects of the Rangers making the playoffs looked pretty good. Even though they beat Oakland last night, it seems they are just playing out the season. It will be an interesting off-season. Michael Young needs to be locked up with a new contract because they have him for little money right now - that won't be the case very long. Is Gary Matthews Jr. the real deal or a one year wonder? Can Carlos Lee make this a better team?

The Longhorns played a meaningful game against North Texas last weekend (not) in preparation for the Ohio State Buckeyes this Saturday. So how do the 'Horns celebrate such an illustrious win (not) over the Mean Green? Well, a starting cornerback thought smoking pot was a good idea apparently. Since he was arrested for marijuana AND gun possession, he may not be thinking it was such a good idea now. Yes, yes, there may have been a mistake and we don't know all the facts yet but it doesn't look good for the young man.

Go Rangers! Go Longhorns! For one team, it is playing the rest of the season to get by. For the other, it is playing the rest of the season without anyone else getting high.

Labor Day

I'm laboring on Labor Day - the joys of retail being all that it is. It's a nice, rainy day when there isn't much else I could do but lay on the sofa looking out at the rain, relaxing, maybe reading a book and resting. Yes, I am glad to be at work!

I am thankful for the rain and cool weather. The summer has been brutal and most of you reading this know all the ill-effects we have suffered. We continue to have problems with our well and it scares me to think the water issues that may be slowly creeping up on us. I've heard it said that we could easily face a water shortage in our children's lifetime. I'm no scientist and don't know the facts but the thought of it after waking up several mornings with no water in the tank is a scary proposition.

But today it is raining, it is cool and I will enjoy today. Many have prayed for rain and today we will feel blessed to have it.

Beautiful Rain

It's a rainy day and people are happy. That isn't the typical response to a rainy day but under current conditions in Wise County, rain is a good reason to smile, cheer up, jump for joy and dance (Dennis, don't start dancing until you are in your house). It's a beautiful sight after the paper's front page showed dried and badly cracking ground where livestock used to drink. Let it pour!


I appreciate school administrators and teachers. They have jobs that I describe as tough (being that I couldn't be in a room with that many kids for 30 minutes, much less all day) and the majority that I have met do it because they love the kids. We dealt with one such administrator today who kindly listened to us, talked to us and helped us find the best solution to an issue we had. With all the problems that public schools get beat up for, there are a lot of good people and a lot of good things that happen through the school system. I am thankful for them.


Tonight is the fantasy football draft for some guys from our church who have played for a few years. It's always a fun time and makes for an interesting football season. I truly think I could care less about professional football if it wasn't for this goofy league we have. The players are spoiled and pampered far too much for my taste but the camaraderie and trash talking among my friends makes it a fun experience.

Working for the Weekend

If you are from my generation, the title might invoke the memory of a song that used to play on the radio. I don't know why it popped into my head this morning but it did and now it won't go away.

Tomorrow will be a fun day for my son and me. We're going to the Rangers picnic where he will be able to get autographs from some of the current and past Rangers, tour the dugout and pressbox and do some other cool stuff. I'm hoping it will be as fun as it sounds. Any chance of a cold front blowing through?

My daughter has been working to run a mile in a set amount of time for her athletics class at school. She tested earlier this week and while she didn't make the time mark she wanted, she did shave off nearly 4 minutes in a week's worth of practicing. How incredible is that? I'm so proud of her effort and hope it will remain a memory with her that if she sets her goals high, she can achieve some great things. You go girl!

Have a great day!

The (Longer Than Should Have Been) Journey Home

We left our meeting yesterday hurrying to reach the airport to try and catch the 4:45 flight out of LA instead of the 7:45 flight. The first flight would get us home around 9:30, the second around midnight. We get to the gate and are told we will be on standby but a good chance of making the flight AND whether we make that flight or the later one, our luggage will go out on the first flight.

Sure enough, we get on the first flight and are quite happy knowing we will get home at a semi-reasonable hour. As we taxi to the runway, we stop and see a couple of flight attendants talking to someone in the front our of section. We wait...and wait and then the pilot comes on to notify us that someone doesn't want to be on this plane and we have to turn around. You can imagine the conversations that started all around us. We get back to the gate, they get the guy off (he looked like he might have been a gangbanger at one time) and come on to tell us that everything's OK, that his luggage was screened and they are sure it's OK to fly with us. This raises the panic level for many people who now want to get off the plane also and about 10-12 do so. We sit and sit while the police are interviewing the guy and members of the airport staff are checking they guy's seating area and overhead area for who knows what. Finally they tell us they will remove his bag from the plane so half of the people who got off now get back on.

As the story goes, he was leaving his wife but had second thoughts (maybe it was the idea of coming to 100+ degree weather). I don't know why he couldn't have had that revelation an hour earlier before we were ready to take off but we were finally off.

Remember me saying the guy at the ticket desk said our luggage would make the first plane no matter what? HA! My luggage was leaving this morning while the luggage of the guy with me had already left and was coming this way. We had to fill out baggage claims which was an unduly slow process and then they told the other guy he would have to come back and pick his up since it was already in the air. That took another 20 minutes of calling supervisors and arguing. Finally they agreed to deliver his luggage to Decatur.

I hate stressful travel. I couldn't sleep when I got home and I feel like I've been run over by a truck this morning...but I'm home. I got to see my wife for a few minutes (she had an early day) and hug my children and that makes it all OK.

Living California Style

I walked over to Venice Beach last night. There were people enjoying the sun and sand, fishing from the pier and surfing. There were several tourist types also. I don't know if the non-tourists types were tourists/vacationers or if they lived there but they all seemed to have one thing in a common - a desire to slow the pace of life down, to soak up the sun and enjoy the moment. If I could bottle it and bring it back with me, I would. I saw the same thing while in Brazil. The desire to enjoy the moment and not worry about all the things I too often let pressure me.

We worry so much and create so much stress for ourselves, it's no wonder we find ourselves weary, beaten down and ill. We create a world where there is so much to be done, we never find the time to do it all. (I realize this is a generalization and doesn't apply to everyone.) I applaud those who find ways to minimize the clutter and maximize peace in their lives. I even envy them a bit because I think of myself as one to shun creating that cluttered, busy, stress-filled environment but then find myself with something to do or somewhere to be each night of the week.

I hope I can learn the lesson that life is too short to fill it with worry about tomorrow, about tasks, about things I cannot control and that I fill it with the joy and peace God wishes for me. I hope you find it too.

Fly Away

A wild week is upon us. Tomorrow, I fly off to Los Angeles (Marina del Rey) for a 3 day work project. The highs are supposed to be in the low-80's. I haven't been looking forward to the trip but the weather will make it more bearable.

Tuesday is the start of school. It's going to be a wild week. My baby girl starts junior high athletics and has to be ready to be running at 7a.m. Things will be a bit hectic. We might have to start our own prayer walk!

My son and I are caught up in the Rangers pennant chase. They've been playing good ball but Oakland doesn't seem to be falling apart but there is always hope. We're going to the Ranger picnic Saturday and get to meet some players and tour the ballpark facility. It will be fun...and hot.

I hope you all do well while I'm soaking up the California coast. Be good!

Brighter Days

The rain over the weekend was nice. I'm really wishing we could get more of it and soon. I'm looking forward to fall and, hopefully, cooler weather and football.

School is just around the corner. I'll have to get started a little earlier and adhere to a better schedule than I have this summer. I better sleep in a few days this week.

I leave for LA next Monday and can't decide how many bottles of liquids to take on board with me just to see if they are paying attention.

The Rangers need pitching help. The fans need to quit booing the opposing players so much, especially a guy like Vladamir Guerrero. He appears to be a good guy but knocks the ball all over and out of the park when playing the Rangers. I hope the Rangers resign Carlos Lee.

One of my Store Managers is home today with an upset stomach. I recommened the Sonic coney but think he ran to the bathroom after I mentioned it.

Powerful Prayer

Last weekend, I participated in one of the best things I've ever done. Our Youth Minister set up a 24 hour Prayer Walk to pray for children going back to school. We signed up for 30 minute sessions and went to a room in our church building where 10 stations were set up. Each station had a specific thought to pray for, a scripture or piece of information to consider and a list of names of our youth to pray for specifically. When I got there, I didn't know if I could pray for 30 minutes, not knowing how it would work at the time. Once I got there and started, it was hard to finish in 30 minutes. I went once with my wife and enjoyed it so much that I signed up for the midnight shift. I took my son with me and he thought it was great. We took turns reading scriptures and praying at each station. What a blessing to share that time with him. He liked it so well that we ended up signing up again for the 7:30am shift to close out the 24 hours. Each time, I ran over a little and found myself tearing up thinking about the love being shown for these kids. So many of our church participated, both young and old, because of love.

I was blessed to spend the time in prayer and I trust our kids will be blessed because so many joined in to pray for them.

Twelve Years

Time rushes by. Twelve years ago and held a small baby in my hands and was amazed at what God creates. Twelve years ago I had a baby curl her small fingers around mine and she's had me in her grip ever since. Twelve years have gone by and that baby who could almost fit in one hand is nearly as tall as her mother, has braces with school colors and brings sunshine into my life each day. Twelve years has taught me a lot about life but a great deal about God. Through the blessing of my children, I feel I have come to know God better and how he feels towards me.

My daughter is a blessing in so many ways. She brings joy in how she handles herself with smaller children and she brings humor with her ways on the telephone. She is in the stage of going from child to young adult with all the humor and pain that comes with it. She is still a child and yet she is quickly becoming a mature, beautiful young lady.

Today, I thank God for sending me an angel. She is a gift, a blessing and a joy.

The Mental Shut Down

I've tried to write today but the mind is imploding at the end of the week. Between a TWC hearing, a workers comp audit, a response to an IRS notice and the normal day-to-day beatings, my brain is mush.

I was by the square today where a bunch of people are filming scenes for a TV show called Prison Break. I'm not familiar with it but couldn't help but wonder if the person who chose the location realized it would be 100+ degrees in Decatur today.

I'm at a bit of a loss for words today. The mind is slowing rapidly. All I need is for someone to stand in front of me repeating "you're getting very sleepy, very sleepy" and I'll be out in a second.

Have a great weekend.

Update

My little girl came through her surgery great. It was her first experience with this type of thing so the IV needle caused some big eyes but she made it through great.

Thank you for your prayers and concern for her and our family. We are all truly blessed.

Prayer Request

I ask for your prayers for my daughter this morning. She's having oral surgery and is a bit nervous. Please pray that she remains calm and that she will endure whatever pain there might be and that all goes well and as expected. Next week, she gets braces on the day before her birthday. After that, she might not open her mouth for a month.

Tonight, two children of a missionary family from Brazil are going to meet with us before church. It will be fun to see them and hear more about their future plans. I can't imagine uprooting during my final high school years and moving to a foreign country which is what they did. Now, they have graduated and are back to begin plans for some mission work of their own before entering college. I thank God for hearts that desire to take His message around the globe and in our own backyards.

I keep trying to think of something funny to put on here but it's elusive. Maybe writing in the morning is detrimental to humor of any kind for me. While I struggle to make you laugh, I hope you find something today that brings a smile, if not a loud laugh, to your face.

Funny Story

I heard a story about a grandmother who goes to Wal-Mart to buy birthday presents for the grandkids. One loves his PlayStation2 so she decides to buy him a game or two. She heads back to the electronics area and asks the clerk, "Where are the Playboy Station 2 games?"
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We're baseballing again. We will be in the lovely metropolis of Henrietta tonight and tomorrow frying and watching games. I love the game but think the Astros are on to something with that covered, air-conditioned field.
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I was forced to go to Brazil. Well, not forced, but my wife strongly encouraged me to make the trip knowing I would be back in November. She knew it was important for me to see what was going on before going back. I appreciate her for pushing me that direction and find myself still sharing stories with what I experienced every chance I get. It seems like it has come up at least once every day this week.
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I learned a life lesson the other night. I heard a story about someone using bleach on their child's arm to remove the sting after a wasp (or something) had gotten him. Apparently you are supposed to dilute the bleach but it didn't happen in this instance. The burning skin made the wasp sting no big thing though.

Welcome Back

I keep hearing that in my office lately. Gone for 2 weeks to Brazil, here a week, gone for 8 days to Colorado, here a week and then out for two days to start this week. I normally like to stay in my rut but lately it seems a suitcase has been my companion and I haven't been home much. I'm ready to settle back into my routine for awhile.

I liked seeing Denny Hamlin win Sunday. FedEx delivered! (yuk-yuk)

We're back to baseball this weekend. Somehow, I'm thinking a weekend in Henrietta in late July isn't going to be the most pleasant tournament I've ever been to. A friend tells me eating a foot long coney from Sonic will cure any ailments - I wonder if it will help with the heat too?

It's So Quiet

We are married folk without kids for a few days. We took them to East Texas for a few days with the grandparents and pick them up in a couple of days (at which point we will have to start retraining). I love this time because it's more peaceful, it's quieter and I can have a conversation with my wife without someone needing something or getting directions to do something for the 2nd, 5th, 8th time. We went out to eat and had a nice, peaceful meal and will do so again. We're looking forward to a peaceful night at home one night. It's nice to get a brief break, a chance to relax. All the while, we both miss them terribly. I got to speak with both my children today and it was wonderful to hear their voices and in a few days I'll be back in the routine of noise, needs and directions and I will know all is normal.

Our children have been such a blessing to us. They are different but both have such wonderful characteristics and both bring immense joy to us. One of the things I love is to see them serve others. My daughter is so wonderful with younger children. I love to watch her play with them, teach them and negotiate with them. I think she has a solid babysitting career ahead of her because she demonstrates her care for them. My son is so comfortable with older people. He will speak, listen and, at times, perform and bring smiles to their faces.

I could go on and on as most any parent could but I'll refrain and leave it with a thought of thankfulness for the blessings God has given me. I'm convinced he sent angels to earth.

Smoking Hot

This weather doesn't make me a happy camper. Even while I'm thinking how miserable this is, I look back at my experiences in Brazil, I hear what's happening in the middle east, I read about the fires out west and know a bit of heat isn't as hard on my life as conditions for many others.

I have so much to be thankful for and considered, for a moment, listing what I could think of but know I would leave something (or worse, someone) off my list. So, I will be brief and just say that God is so good to me. I could and should spend a great deal of time thinking about how wonderfully blessed I am. I am often reminded by what I see that my life is so good. That thought propels me to a thoughts of a greater blessing. It really isn't this life that should concern me so much but it's the next life, a life in Heaven that I should focus on. I spent time on my vacation discussing with my son what Heaven might be like. It was started with a conversation about how cool the mini-golf course in Heaven must be (if you'd seen him on vacation, you would understand) and whether he would see relatives and friends and it went from there. I told him I thought part of Heaven had to be just like Colorado with beautiful rivers and plenty of trout. We finished up agreeing that neither of us can probably truly imagine how wonderful Heaven will be but we both want to be there.

I'm thankful for my life but ever mindful that I'm more thankful for a life that was given for my eternal salvation.

Hands

So often, I think I can manage things that I can "get my hands around." I find myself trying to control too much and leaving God out of the process. I get caught up in what I can do and forget what He can do. One of my cousin's sent the following to me and it's a good reminder for me. I hope you enjoy it.

Hands (modified by me)

A basketball in my hands is worth about $15 but a basketball in LeBron James' hands is worth $20 million. It depends on whose hands it is in.
A baseball in my hands is worth about $4 but a baseball in Alex Rodriquez's hands is worth $25 million. It depends on whose hands it is in.
A tennis racket in my hand is good for chasing varmints but a tennis racket in Venus Williams' hands can win championships. It depends on whose hands it is in.
A rod in my hands may keep a wild animal away but a rod in Moses' hand can part a sea. It depends on whose hands it is in.
A sling shot in my hands is a toy but a sling shot in the hands of David can slay a giant. It depends on whose hands it is in.
Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in my hands may be supper for me and a friend but two fish and 5 loaves in God's hand will feed thoushands. It depends on whose hands it is in.
Nails in my hands might produce a birdhouse but nails in the hands of Jesus produced salvation for an entire world. It depends on whose hands it is in.

Put your concerns, your worries, your fears, your hopes, your dreams, your family and your life in God's hands because peace depends on whose hands it is in.

Home, Hot Home

We left Colorado yesterday morning when the temperature was 45 degrees and as we came through Wichita Falls we saw a high of 106 degrees. Amazing. We were sad to leave Colorado because of the wonderful and peaceful time we had. It was a great trip and one we are already looking forward to for next year. We built on our friendship with the Medford family who have been going to Fun Valley for several years. They are sweet, fun people and we look forward to seeing them next year. We met so many people this year, some from Decatur who we didn't know, others who knew someone from Decatur (especially coaches), some who knew relatives and some who lived in a different part of the country but knew NRS.
The fishing picked up as the week went along and I ended up catching more fish on dry flies. For flyfishermen out there, you know how much fun dries can be over nymphing. My son caught his first fish on a fly rod. I think it might have been a bigger thrill for me but I enjoyed every minute of having him in the river with me. I think he played 6-8 rounds of mini-golf everday and my daughter tried to wear the tires off the bikes.
It was a great week and I am so thankful for the time of rest, relaxation and seeing the beauty of southwest Colorado. All the while, it is good to be home in comfortable surroundings and it was a blessing to be at church today while worshipping with our family.

Tired of Rain?

Colorado is lovely but it has been raining almost non-stop since we got here. This morning was the first sunshine and blue sky we had seen. Josh and I went fishing and I caught one, he had one chasing but couldn't set the hook. It's been in the upper-50's most of the time and we packed for 70's. Oh well. I hope to do much more fishing with better stories but suffice it to say as I looked upstream this morning and saw the sun reflecting off the water, the beautiful trees lining the river giving an impressive view of the mountains ahead I was again struck by the majesty of our God. I am thankful for this time, this place and this special closeness I feel with Him when I am here.

A Tale of Two Trips

It's hard to come back from two weeks in a foreign country, get caught up at work and then be gone on vacation for a week but I'm sure I will suffer through it somehow. :)

What continues to strike me is remembering the place I have been and seeing the living conditions of so many and realizing this next week is such a blessing. In some ways I feel guilty. The Brazil trip was to serve and edify and this trip seems in many ways selfish. A week of leisure, cool climate, fishing and doing little while others a continent away may not even dream of such a trip.

I trust that there is nothing wrong with a vacation and that it will give me a time to refocus and refresh. I also believe that the imagery of the differences in the weeks is a gift from God, a gift that will remain a blessing to me and hopefully to others I touch. The gift of seeing my blessing and not taking even the smallest joy for granted. God blesses all of us in different ways and I hope everyone who reads this will remember to thank Him for whatever blessings you enjoy.

This coming week is a treat for our family. A time together without any pressures from the world. A time to soak in His creation, to be with each other without a schedule and a time to reflect. This year, I will enjoy it more than ever because I have been reminded of how blessed I am to have a Father who loves me, protects me and has mercy on me.

Thank you Lord.

Independence Day

Today is a day celebrated in this country in memory of many things but especially our independence as a country. We revel in it and are thankful for it and often try to carry the mantle of independence as our own. I think though that we get often get freedom confused with independence. We are a free people but we remain a dependent people. As Americans, we are dependent on our military and cooperation with other nations to remain free. We are dependent on jobs and the economy to do the things we want to do. We are dependent on many things to celebrate the freedoms we have.

As a Christian, I am dependent on the blood of Christ to be free. I can be free from the grip of Satan only because of God's love for me and Christ's sacrifice for me. I am free because my sins can be forgiving by my Father whom I depend on. I'm free to be a servant because of Christ, otherwise I would surely be a slave to sin. I'm free to love and be loved because of Christ or Satan would surely make me a slave to self.

Today I'm thankful for my freedom. I thank God that I live in a country that gives me so much freedom but today, I want to remember how thankful I am to God for the freedom He has given me.

How An O-Ring Can Make You Tired

Traveling to Brazil was a great experience but we were all ready to come home when we reached the Sao Paulo airport Tuesday night. It was there that we found out a scheduling mix up meant there was no plane to take us home. American Airlines did help locate us in a hotel for the night. We returned to the airport Wednesday night for our scheduled flight very ready to be home. An hour into the flight the pilot alerted us there was a hydraulic fluid leak and we would have to return to Sao Paulo. At sometime after 4:00 in the morning we were delivered to another hotel (very nice but at 4:00 in the morning it didn't really matter). At this point, we were all very, very, very tired. We were delivered back to the airport Thursday night and arrived at DFW Friday morning at 6:00 in the morning. On the flight, we found out that a simple O-ring had cracked and caused the leak costing the airlines thousands of dollars and making us extremely weary.

There were many challenges during the trip but all were handled with grace and ease. We prayed as a group before we left for a number of specific hopes and concerns and God faithfully answered all of our prayers. I have returned from Brazil with a new perspective on my life and my faith, I have returned with a great appreciation of the servant hearts possessed by members of our group and I have returned knowing God is more awesome than I can describe. I am overwhelmed by the heart and commitment of Randy and of other missionaries we met while in Aracaju. They have given up a life of convenience for a life of service in sharing the Gospel.

I cannot speak highly enough of our youth that went on the trip. I know them better and am blessed to have spent this time with them. If they represent the future of the what God has called us to be, I am confident they will do a better job of spreading His word than many of my generation have. They are bold in their faith and I am confident what they experienced will only help shape them into stronger Christians.

I hope our church will realize the blessing God gave us when he brought Jacob and Heather to Decatur. Jacob is a servant leader to his core. He models what Christ would have us be and is an example for all of us to follow. Heather is also a servant leader who quietly does whatever is needed. They model the fruit of the Spirit in all they do and I am thankful to God that I have come to know them.

Everett is a blessing also. His desire to serve God, to teach and to lead people to knowing the Gospel is evident. His experience traveling and in missions made this trip easier than I could have imagined. He builds me up and challenges me to know God better and I am thankful for him.

Thank you for all your prayers. Even with a few hiccups, God provided all we needed and brought us home safely. It is good to be home among family.

The Journey Home Is At Hand

We will meet in about 2 hours to catch the bus to begin our journey home. I dread the flights but look forward with great anticipation to seeing my family, my home and my friends. It has been an awesome experience - eye opening, encouraging and faith building. I've eaten food that is different, tried to communicate with people who couldn't understand me and slept in conditions I wouldn't imagine at home yet none of it is was unbearable and I think my perspective on life, on people and the world will be forever changed in positive ways.

I am thankful to God allowing us to be here, for blessing us with safety and showing us the love that is possible between those who believe in Him no matter their language, culture or any other differences. I am thankful for people willing to take the good news to all parts of the world. I am thankful for brothers and sisters willing to encourage others and share the joy of Christ. I am thankful for a church family who supported this trip through prayer, encouragement and money. I am thankful to a wife and family who supported me to go and see all that I have.

I pray that we will return home safely and that the lives of all of us who have made this trip will be used to push our desire to share Christ and His salvation at home and abroad.

Reflections on Aracaju

One night left in Aracaju before beginning the long journey home. Today was spent going to some markets and seeing both cheap trinkets and handmade goods. We also visited a food market which was quite different than our grocery stores. Everything is open for inspection from both people and flies. I'm constantly struck by the differences of life from America. As would be expected, the pace of life is much slower here and what might be considered on time here is not what we are used to. Our bus driver has been good about being where he was needed and that has been a blessing.

I'm still struck by the love and joy in our Aracaju brothers and sisters. Today we ate at a restaurant owned by a family in the church here. They are so happy and loving and it was good to see them again before we left. Romeo (pronounced home-a-o) did a great deal of work getting food for our retreat and it was good to visit his business. We went to an ice cream store afterwards for a nice treat on a warm, humid day. This afternoon, some of our kids went to the beach and we will return tonight to eat and look around.

I have loved this opportunity and am thankful for those who have played a part in making it happen. The Decatur church has been blessed by Jacob and Heather. He has done an outstanding job in planning with Randy and making sure everything goes well here. He is such a servant as is Heather. Everett has been essential in getting us around being the world traveler. I am thankful for him and his bits of wisdom. Randy took on an uncomfortable role in planning the trip but has come out it well.

Pray for our safe return and pray that the church here continues to grow in knowledge and wisdom of what God wants for them. Pray that servant leadership will be learned and exhibited in the church. Give God thanks that men and women are remaining faithful to the great commission given us.

Return to Civilization

My title is somewhat tongue in cheek but returning to hot water, air conditioning and being able to flush toilet paper instead of throwing it in a trash basket seems like a return to civilization. We stayed at an encampment that was nice but sub-standard to places most Americans would stay. I was surprised to see the broken glass bottles lining the wall around the camp to keep the bad guys out but a brief venture into the village found people who only regarded us as an oddity.

The time we spent with our Brazilian brothers and sisters was enlightening and uplifting in many ways. The one thing I walked away with was their genuine passion for God and for doing His will. The emotion that came through in their talks and in their singing was evident and their love for one another and us was also evident. They love to hug and they love to laugh. They have little in material things but they have huge hearts.

I'm growing weary of beans and corn meal but it is giving me an appreciation for what we need and what our focus should be about. Being here makes it easier to understand why other countries look down on America. I brought more for spending money than most people in the church earn in a month. What we expect as far as comfort, most Brazilians can't even fathom. All the while, with language separating us, we sang songs in Brazilian and they listened to us sing songs in English. While campaigning over 1 1/2 days, we gave out 10,000 flyers on the school of the Bible and the school received several calls wondering about the school and who these people were out singing. Our kids played futbal together, our ladies and teens taught Bible classes and the adults were edified from teaching from both Brazilians and Americans because our language was the same in spirit.

I've seen so much I can't begin to describe it here but I will leave with lessons that shall never leave me. I will leave closer to God because He has used this opportunity to teach me. I will leave with more compassion for people and with more passion for our mission efforts.

I do miss home. I have very tired physically and long to be with those I love so dearly. All the while, I thank God for this time and this place to know Him and His children better.

The First Day of the Campaign

Today was our first full day for what we came to Aracaju for. It was an early start for a group that went to the church to put on a VBS for 53...yes, 53...kids. All reports were that it was awesome and the kids were thrilled. There were also a number of comments about how well-behaved they were when compared with our own VBS in Decatur. It was truly a blessing for those children. The rest of us went to the dowtown area which is filled with little shops and people walking up and down the streets. We went to a couple of different areas battling the wind and stereos blasting from one of the stores to sing songs primarily in English (one in Portugese) while several of our Brazilian brothers and sisters handed out flyers and talked to people walking by. The Brazilians seem to enjoy singing as many stopped and listened often clapping or giving a thumbs-up after the songs. It was hot and very humid so we battled that along with tired feet and backs before going back to the hotel and mall for lunch and a short rest. All of us headed back to the downtown area after lunch to sing more. It seemed we found more receptive souls in the afternoon and our Brazilian bretheren were excited about the response they got. When we arrived at church tonight, Idalicio told us they had already received several calls from people wanting more information on the School of the Bible program. Hallelujah.
Church was fun. All the songs were sang in Portugese and most were songs we sing. Once we picked up on the tune, we sang along in Portugese. I spoke on Servant Leadership. It was my first time speaking with a translator and it was challenging. I had to speak one sentence or one brief thought at a time and it was hard to keep my train of thought. Another opportunity to work out of my comfort zone for God! It was an awesome hour of worship and I'm looking forward to more over the weekend.
Tomorrow we leave for the retreat. We will be staying at a camp compound for the next 3 nights - no air conditioning, no putting toilet paper down the toilet (yuck), no creature comforts but there will be plenty of bonding with our hosts and glorifying God. I know it will be a wonderful and uplifting encounter.
This will be my last blog for a few days. Hopefully I'll be able to post again on Sunday night or Monday before embarking on our return journey late Tuesday into Wednesday. Please keep us in your prayers.

Arrival in Aracaju

Wow...what a journey it has been. I left my house at 8 a.m. Monday morning and arrived at the hotel in Aracaju around 12:30 p.m. Texas time on Tuesday. 5 towns and 5 planes finally delivered 30 of us safely to Aracaju where we were greeted by a band of our brothers and sisters from the church here including Randy and some others from Lubbock/Sunset also. I'm not sure you ever enjoy a shower more than after going more than 24 hours without one. I was blessed that my fear of being cramped in a plane was relieved at the last second before boarding and some good brothers and sisters were kind enough to give up better seating on some of the flights in Brazil. It was an answer to prayer. Sleep was short and not often usually existing in 20-30 minute naps totaling less than 3 hours. I'm now hit with the fact that it will be more than a week before I see my precious family again and that is hard to think about. Enough of the whining.
Aracaju is in the dead of winter meaning it is 85-90 degrees and very humid. The hotel is nice and a mall is nearby where we ate tonight. Being winter, it gets dark between 5:30 and 6:00. Aracaju is an interesting town filled with high rises in some areas, poorer housing in others.
What has struck me the most so far is the joy the Aracaju brothers and sisters showed when we arrived. Each of them came around to all ofus introducing themselves and giving us hugs. They quickly helped with luggage and many rode on the bus to the hotel with us singing songs that sounded familiar in tune and sung in Portugese. It is quickly evident that this will be a tiring but uplifting and exciting week. Tonight we met and were given t-shirts we will wear while singing or at VBS advertising the School of the Bible, sang and prayed for a successful time evangelizing and glorifying God.
I thank God for safe passage to Aracaju and continue to pray for our safety here and our journey back home. I also pray, and ask you to join me, that hearts will be touched and hearts will be changed - that Jesus and His majesty will be made known and that more souls will be added to the kingdom through our efforts. May God bless us and the people we can touch in Aracaju this week.

Happy Father's Day

I am blessed. I've grown up having a great dad who has supported me, taught me, encouraged me, molded me and challenged me. I've grown up have a dad who loved me and sacrificed for me. One conversation my dad had with me in our backyard changed my perspective on him and has continued to have a profound impact on me now that I'm a father. As we sat in the backyard, I asked why he didn't make us much money as another man in the same business. His answer was simple and direct when he said, "I could but it would require me to work a lot more. Instead, I rather be available to you whenever you need me." I, like many kids, think money is the key to a happy life. My dad taught me that day that a personal relationship was the key to life. Thank you dad. God blessed me richly.

I am blessed more by having a second father. I married into a wonderful family and have been blessed to also have a father by marriage who is a great example of patience, of love and of servant leadership. I've seen him go through tough times and he always handles it with grace and dignity. I've seen him in good times and he remains ever humble.

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This is my last night at home for awhile and likely my last day to post a blog for a while. We leave the church building at 9:30 tomorrow morning to begin our trek to Aracaju, Brazil. It is with a sense of excitement and anxiety that I prepare for this trip. My prayer is that lives will be changed to the glory of God through this trip. I'm thankful to the many people who have made this trip possible, both for me and for our entire group. I ask for your prayers for our safety and for success in sharing the Good News with the people of Brazil.

Happy Birthday!

June is birthday month around our house. Two of the family have June birthdays and today is one of those. My wife was born on this day and what a blessing she has been to so many people in her (short) life. Through her life, she has had a positive impact on many people and I, thankfully, am one of those. I know I join with her parents, her siblings, her children and a host of others when I say we are blessed and thankful to have you in our lives. Happy Birthday!

Next week, my son turns 10. It seems like yesterday that he was causing us some alarm in the delivery room and now 10 years have flown by. I, like many parents, wish I could capture the time in a bottle to open and enjoy from time to time but life doesn't work that way. I'm thankful for so many wonderful memories but more so, I'm thankful for a beautiful and wonderful child who blesses my life each and every day.

Time Crunch

I'm living in a time crunch. It's those moments where there is much to do and time is running short to do it all. A couple of birthdays, lots of work, planning and packing for a trip. At times, it is hard to get it all done and even harder to stay focused on what must be done. Losing focus for me is the worst part of the problem. If I can stay true to what I need to do, I can usually get it done but at times, all the demands run together and I'm paralyzed by trying to think of all of them at one time instead of dealing with each demand on it's own.

I know this is one way the Devil gets to me. I lose focus of the one important thing (Jesus) and get turned around thinking about a bunch of other issues. My focus becomes blurry and I start reaching out in many different directions, flailing about at all the things coming towards me instead of staying focused on what I need to get me over each obstacle. I pray that my focus will remain constant on my Savior and knowing that as long as I am focused on Him, I will have the strength to take on whatever else comes my way.

Frustration

I'm pretty sure I've already written a blog today and posted it but when I checked a moment ago, it was no where to be seen. The Internet is supposed to make my life easier, isn't it?

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One week and counting. At about this time next week, I'll be sitting on a plane that is preparing to take a number of people from our church to Aracaju, Brazil (technically, we'll be on 3 different planes but you get the idea). It is exciting and a bit scary too. Overall, I'm excited about the opportunity to meet my brothers and sisters in Christ that I have prayed for, sent financial support to and heard many thrilling stories about their path to God. I am excited to study with them, worship with them and glorify God together in two languages. I started preparing one of my lessons last night with wonder of what I will say that they may not understand because of differences in culture or language. I wonder what challenges we will find once we get there. I wonder what we will eat and many other of those type issues but know and trust that it will work out in the end. We aren't the first travelers to make this trip...just a bunch of inexperienced travelers. Yet, my mind returns to the images I have of all of us with Bibles open, singing together and the time of fellowship. I think I'm mentally ready, just not physically ready.

Keep us in your prayers.

Saying Goodbye

I said goodbye to my grandmother today. Saying goodbye is never easy but it is comforting to know that she chose to live as a child of God and that her home now is the one that is promised to those who accept His salvation.
As we said goodbye and I listened to the preacher talk about her Christian qualities, I couldn't help but think that even with tears flowing froms sadness how wonderful it was to know she had a home in Heaven. I also thought about what it must be like to be at the funeral of someone who is not a child of God. What is there to rejoice about? Where is the hope?
My grandmother feels no more pain and only knows joy. What a blessing to know that awaits me too.
As we finished the service, I was blessed to listen to Psalm 23 read. As David finishes saying "...surely I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever" I hear the promise that my grandmother had, that I have. What comfort and peace comes from those words. I hope somehow, everyone can come to know that peace.
Goodbye Grandmom. Thank you for the life you led, the example you set and the knowledge of our Savior that you taught and shared.

A Day Closer

The trip is one day closer. It's going to be hard to be away from my family for 9 days. I'm not a good solo traveler. I like to be home and when I'm not at home, I like to be with my family. Maybe it's the routine or the security of having them around but I'm never completely happy when I am not with them.
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My grandmother passed away this morning. She has lived many, many years and her body finally gave out. She saw so many changes in her life and lived through some memorable parts of history. The last few years have been hard ones and I am confident she was ready to move on.
I remember helping her quilt. Her quilts were prize winning and cherished by those who got them. It was truly one of her talents and I recall so many years of watching them being made, playing with her equipment and being her "helper". I remember her strawberry shortcake. If you've had it, you know what I mean. I remember reciting the 23rd Psalm to her when I stayed at her house. I assume it was one of her favorites and because of her, it is mine too. I remember a lot of yardwork at her house. I pulled weeds in the yard (to my children, yes, I do know what it's like to have to pull weeds), trimmed trees and mowed. I like to mow because she had a riding mower, not something we had at our house. I vividly remember going to mow once, taking the gas can out of the mower seat, sitting down and starting to mow when it felt like a fire had erupted under me. It turned out the gas can had a leak and I was sitting in gasoline while mowing in the heat of the summer...not a good combination. I remember she loved basketball. It's been a passion in our family for many years.

It's good to have memories. We can keep them and cherish them. One thing I will remember is that Grandmom was dedicated to God. I know she has gone to a much, much better home and all the problems she experienced are gone. I'm thankful for the legacy she and all my grandparents left me with their Christian walk. Their love for God is the living memory that I will carry with me daily.

Two Weeks and Counting

At this time in two weeks, I'll be preparing to board an airplane headed for Miami and then to Aracaju, Brazil. It will be at this point that I've finally given up worrying about what I forgot to pack and will be diligently praying that the airlines gives me a seat with plenty of leg room. :)

Thirty people from our church in Decatur will be headed to Aracaju to visit a church that we have supported for the past 3 years and a missionary we have supported for almost 4 years. We are going to help with some evangelizing and some teaching while there but mostly this trip will be about building relationships with brothers and sisters we don't know but already love, brothers and sisters who are different in many ways but share a common bond with each of us. We will be foreigners, a concept that is new to many of us. We will be in a land that speaks a different language, eats different foods and has a different culture. All the while, we will revel in the joy and knowledge that we are all looking forward to the same home in Heaven one day.

I'll post more about the trip in the next few weeks and, hopefully, will blog some while I'm there. In the meantime, I ask for your prayers. I ask that you pray for a safe journey and a good experience and most of all, I ask that you pray that God will work in us to encourage, love and lift each other up and that we all come to know Him in a deeper and more intimate relationship.

Let the Paint Fly

I spent the morning playing paintball with some 10 year olds and the "chickens" and now I'm feeling it. It was fun and tiring and I've got a couple of good welps to remind me of the fun we had. It was my son's idea for a birthday party and except for getting shot in the head once, I'm pretty sure he had a great time.

It's fun being with kids. They run and play and worry very little, if at all, about what the world holds for them. Their innocence can be contagious. They see the world simply as a place to go and do what they want to do. They haven't developed the thought process of looking for all the things that can hold them back - they simply see what they want to do and set about to do it. Of course, we older, wiser, more mature adults are always handy to warn them off and pull them back so that one day they can be like us and get caught up in the problems of everything we want or need to do and forget to see the joy in doing it.

Our Wednesday night classes have reminded me that we need to be people who are bold and courageous; that setbacks are only obstacles to help us see a better path and failure is simply a tool to help us see we are going the wrong way. A stop sign doesn't mean we can't keep going. It only means we must stop, look and observe and make sure our path is clear. Too often in life, we come to a stop and we stop never going further.

I pray that I have the faith to go and do God's will and that I realize the hurdles and the stop signs are only there to challenge me to focus, to see what I need to see and to move forward still trusting in God's hand to guide me.

The Joyful Sound of Water

We woke up yesterday to find our well tank empty and trouble building pressure. There's nothing much worse than getting up, turning on a faucet and nothing comes out. Add to that the double whammy of it occurring on a Sunday of Memorial Day weekend and it's just not a good thing. Fortunately, we found one well guy who was on vacation in Branson but willing to return our phone call and walk my wife through the process of getting the well up and going. Whew.

We too often take for granted the things we should be thankful for. Running water is one of those items on my list. As we finish the holiday weekend, I hope I will take the time to remember those who have sacrificed for me. Today, our attention turns to the men and women in the armed forces who are serving, who have served and who have gave their lives for the freedoms our country enjoys. Let's all say a prayer for them today.

As a Christian, I'm more thankful for Jesus who sacrificed His live that I can know true freedom. Sadly, I do take this for granted at times, focused on worldly issues instead of what needs to be central in my life, in my thoughts and in my actions. I want to make today and every day a memorial day for my Savior by living for Him.

The Essence of Life...Food and Sports

I had lunch at Sweetie Pie's Ribeyes yesterday. Eating at a place named Sweetie Pie's doesn't elicit a good picture in my mind but once I saw Sweetie Pie mounted to the wall, I figured it would be tasty. Chicken-fried steak and home cut potatoes with a salad topped with hot-bacon dressing and unsweet tea.

The renovations are great and the place looks really neat. There are a bunch of tables and they are all close together similar to Babe's in Roanoke. It was a soft opening so I didn't expect great service and didn't receive it. The salad with hot-bacon dressing was awesome. I've got a new favorite dressing now. They were out of sweet tea for those who had ordered it but when they came to fill up our glasses, we all got sweet tea even if we ordered unsweet. The meal took about 35 minutes from when we ordered to get to the table. The chicken-fried steak was a bit tougher than I would like but the potatoes were great. A friend had the ribeye and said it was good.

All in all, it was pretty good food and everyone at the table gave it a thumbs up. The kitchen and wait staff need a bit more polishing but I'm confident that will happen and this will be a good place to eat.
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I went to the Decatur HS baseball game last night after church. It's the regional semifinals and this was the first game in a best 2 out of 3 series with Snyder. Snyder had a good pitcher and two of their guys hit dingers with the wind blowing in. In the bottom of the 7th with Decatur down 2-0, one of the Staley boys made it to second after a throwing error by the Snyder pitcher and a sophmore came up to bat hitting a home run to tie the game. Two more hits and a walk later, the Decatur pitcher who had surrendered the two homers to Snyder was up to bat and hit a screaming grounder up the middle of the field into center scoring the winning run. What a great finish. Now I wish I had a quick way to get to Snyder for the next game on Saturday.
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Poor Mavs. I have several suggestions that they could have used last night. I'll wait for Avery's call!

Unbelievable

The Mavs won in overtime. I don't know how but they did. The refs rode them hard in the second half but I was exasperated that the Mavs didn't fight back. For most of the second half, they refused to drive hard to the lane and get fouled. Stackhouse drives me crazy with his desire to stay outside the 3 point line. Terry would drive and then pull up 7 feet away. Van Horn has only heard what it's like to shoot a layup. Dirk was the only one to push it and even he backed off some during the 3rd and early 4th quarter.

The oddest part of it all was watching my son yell at the TV screen. He yelled out fouls that the refs missed. He yelled at players for taking a bad shot or playing lousy defense. As if they could hear him, he kept yelling. I wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry. The reason is, I yell at the TV during sporting events. I remember early on when dating my wife, she invited me to her parents house during a NCAA championship game (UNLV and someone) and I told her I couldn't go because I wanted to watch the game and yelled at the TV. She finally convinced me to go (the power of a pretty woman) and I controlled my yelling for the most part. So, when I see my son doing the same thing, I can't help but laugh. He's just trying to help. :)

NASCAR at church

I read a column over the weekend of how a church in Florida paid $3,000 to have one of Dale Earnhart Sr.'s cars at it's Easter church service. Each person attending got a ticket to have their picture made with the car and then they could come back to service the next week to pick up the photo. (This one is for you Rick.)

I was near a church yesterday that has so many people attending they need traffic control on the road and in the parking lot to get everyone in and out. It was a church that gave out t-shirts to people who attended Easter services instead of a race car.

I don't have any issues with people using some marketing effort to get people in their buildings. It's a way to try and touch people, to spread the seed and hope that lands on good soil. Our church does the same thing at times. Just last Wednesday, we had a special service to celebrate the students of our Mother's Day Out program that brought their parents to our building to hear a brief message from our preacher, to hear some of our singing and to meet our members. Over the years, we have had a few people who met us through that outreach attend our church. It can work.

My thought on all of this is that there are many, many ways to get people to come to church but how many leave with only the photo, the t-shirt or the Me Book? How many leave without Jesus? How many leave without the life-altering experience that only comes from knowing the Son who died for us and who redeems us?

My hope is that everyone who comes in contact with me takes Jesus with them. My hope is that they see the change in my life that only comes through my relationship with a loving and merciful Savior. While I feel certain that not all do, I hope. I hope with the knowledge that the blood of the Lamb and the mercy of God is waiting for them to claim. I will hope.

The End

Sit down and stop cheering. It's not the end of my blogging.

The end of school is near. The kids are excited and the parents are wondering what they are going to do with them all summer. Planning for camps, vacation, Six Flags, the water park and a million other things makes the long hot days of summer seem pretty short.

The end of ballet is near. Recital is quickly approaching and the end of the year is near. With the extra practices and stress of being ready, it may also be the end of ballet for my daughter. It is something she has done for 7 years and done well. I want her to make the decision of what she wants to do but I, for one, will miss seeing her perform. Yet, I'm thankful for what it has taught her. As I watch her gliding through the house, I know it has been beneficial in ways that will endure.

The end of baseball is near. We are on the go many nights a week and weekends with baseball and it does get to be a grind at times yet I enjoy it so much. Last night, we had 22 minutes left and were losing but it seemed as if only a few minutes had passed since we started. I enjoy the evening and night games and I enjoy watching my son perform - even more so when he has a good game like he did last night.

The end of Boston Legal. It's a quirky show that seems to be one that people really like or don't care for at all. Not much in between. I'm one who enjoys the show and it's one of the two I want to watch each week. The other is West Wing that ended last Sunday for good. I still haven't seen the final episode but have enjoyed the frenetic pace that was exemplified in the show. I think I would enjoy working in the White House with the exception of the hours that seem to be called for.

The end of the end. While all of these things are ending, they will either start anew soon or something new will take their place. It's one thing I truly love about each day. Whatever went wrong yesterday, today can be fresh and new and totally different. I hope your new day is a beautiful day for you.

Mother's Day

Thanks mom. Thank you for loving me when I said I would never come back to Tyler. Thanks for loving me by giving me all of those attitude talks. Thank you for traveling to all the sporting events and usually bringing cookies or treats for me and the guys who didn't have parents to follow them around. While I know I made it easy most of the time (hahahahaha), thanks for loving me when I wasn't so loveable. Thanks for giving much, much more than you ever wanted in return. Your heart, your spirit and your love will always endure. I thank God for you and your devotion to Him.

Thanks to my mother-in-law. You have raised a special family and a precious daughter. I couldn't have expected a mother-in-law who would treat me so well and always make me comfortable as a part of your family. Finding a Christian wife was a dream of my parents for me. Having a Christian wife is a constant blessing to me. I thank God for you and your devotion to Him.

To my wife, I thank God for you every day. While we may disagree on issues, I know we are both walking together on a path to our final home. I know our most important goals are aligned with our focus on God. You are a good and loving mother and your children adore you. You provide, you sacrifice and, most importantly, you love unconditionally. You are a gift, a blessing to your children and to me. Thank you for being the person you are and to constantly becoming the person God wants you to be. I thank God for you and your devotion to Him.

I have been blessed to have incredible women in my life.

Halfway There

It's Wednesday and the work week is half-over. For some, it's a moment of terror as they realize how much must be accomplished in a short amount of time. For others, it's the relief of the weekend to come. I'm not sure where I fall in the mix. I look forward to the weekend but realize that I have much to do and I'll be right back at Wednesday in no time. It's been a hectic week. I did find a new employee to handle the computer issues at work which is great so I have spent most of each day with him. I have reports do in the next few days that I still need to gather a great deal of information on. Push and pull.

In the midst of all of this, we have school issues and extracurricular activities. I can't seem to juggle all the balls as well as I need to but I keep juggling all the same. I look at my wife and see her juggling also while the kids simply march through life bouncing easily from one thing to another. I miss the days of being a child. If they only knew what we know, huh?

I suppose I have made it all sound dreary but there is another view of all of this. We are healthy enough to be doing a lot of things, there are sources of income that allow us to do what we do and there is a desire, if not a passion, for much of what we do. We love each other, we hug and kiss at night and in the morning, we share good times with each other, we laugh together (and at each other), we have an incredible extended family. On top of all of this, we have a Father who is so, so good, we have a Savior who has done infinitely more than we can imagine and we have a church family that is an anchor and support for us.

Someone used to tell me that my life would be what my attitude allowed it to be. I find myself repeating the same message often. I can allow my life to be governed by the attitude that would get caught up in the troubles of the first two paragraphs of this blog or I can choose an attitude that focuses on the good things in life. I think I'll choose the latter and be on my way smiling.

How Close Is Close Enough?

As I listened to people talk last night in our class, a recurring theme continually resonated in my head. When will I ever be close enough to God?

As we talk about church growth and the methodologies to make it happen, I often realize my own experience has been "in doing church" instead of really knowing God. For too much of my life, I've ventured into an intellectual relationship with God knowing what I should do but not having the emotional and spiritual relationship that makes me want to do His will. I've grown in knowledge but not spiritually. I've been regular in attendance but not an emulator of Christ in all that I do. I look around and I'm afraid I see people like me, people comfortable going to church but uncomfortable living Christ-like. I find people unloveable when I should be loving all people, I see people as high-maintenance when I should be full of compassion, I see people who can fend for themselves when I should be driven to serve them.

Why do I worry about what church uses an instrument or what church uses women in different ways or what church does this or that when I'm not worried that the people I come in contact with everyday don't see Jesus living in me? I don't have a problem debating some of the things we do or see in churches today but is Christ better served in my debate or in my desire to show the lost of the majesty and glory of being a child of God?

I pray that my focus forevermore will remain on Christ, that I will strive to know His will and be His servant.

As a New Week Begins...

I begin this week without my staff IT person. I will get most, if not all, the problem calls along with my normal job. I'm dreading it and the mental stress is building.

One of my nephews was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes over the weekend. He is doing good and I know he will be a success story for others with this disease. I also know that one of the challenges he will face at times is remaining mentally positive in his daily routine that comes with diabetes. Please join me in prayer that he will stay positive in his approach to living with diabetes and also that a cure for diabetes will be found in his lifetime.

Our Wednesday night class has been discussing dreaming and what a church with dreams can do. It's been a great study and one that has been encouraging as we talk about how we battle "dream-killers" and how we persevere in attaining our dreams. I read two interesting quotes over the weekend related to this topic.
The first stated, "The richest place on the planet is not some diamond mine or an oil field. It's a cemetary because we bury the inventions that were never produced, the ideas and dreams that never became reality, the hopes and aspirations that were never acted upon." How sad that this happens but it can be overcome. I believe the church in Decatur is preparing to overcome them.
The second quote is from Dr. Benjamin Mays and he says, "The tragedy of life does not lie in not reaching your goals, the tragedy lies in not having any goals to reach. It isn't a calamity to die with dreams unfulfilled, but it is a calamity not to dream. It is not a disaster to be unable to capture your ideals, but it is a disaster to have no ideals to capture." I look forward to hearing the dreams of others and seeing the process begin to bring them to life.
Dream boldly.

A Tough Loss...A Joyful Ending

Our little guys lost again last night after carrying a lead into the last inning of the game. We had our best pitcher on the mound and he just couldn't get it going. Those are tough nights because the kids get so down on themselves. I know he was giving his best effort but it just wasn't working for him last night. My son has had the opportunity to be a hero at the end of the last two games and hasn't been able to get the big hit. It seems the shortstop or 2nd baseman is standing in the way. As coaches, we just want to see the kids succeed, to enjoy the game and have fun. We coach them to try and do everything with perfection but in the end, we just want them to work hard so they can play their best and enjoy what they are doing. It's the joy of the laughter in the dugout or on the practice field that makes it special.

At the end of the game, we saw a great deal of joy from the other team. They had a boy who is developmentally disabled in some way. I don't know what it was but after the game, he gets a bat and goes to the plate. One of the players on the team tosses him a ball to hit and when he hits it, he runs for the bases. The players all "do their best" to catch the ball while kicking it, dropping it and making a comedy of errors while the other youngster rounded the bases finally crossing home plate just as the ball was getting there. There fans cheered, our fans cheered, our kids stood and watched with smiles on the faces as this youngster, not being able to get out and play competitively, had his moment to shine.

What an incredible joy. What a beautiful lesson. I hope I will remember to serve as those youngsters served that young boy. I hope I will help others see and know the joy that I have in being a child of God, a sinner saved by the mercy of Christ's sacrifice.

Don't Drop the Ball

It's tough to watch your kids play athletic events and mess up. Whether it is missing a bump or watching a ball go through the legs, it's hard to watch. I want my kids to do well and when they don't it hurts because a) they've been taught how to do it right and b) I know it will hurt them that they messed up. When the games over and done, all I can do is give them a hug and tell them to keep working and prepare not to make that mistake again.

I think God does much the same with me. He sees the ball goes through my legs and knows I should have caught it. He knows I know what I should have done but for whatever reason, I didn't do the right thing. I'm blessed because my Father will lift me up when I've fallen, He will encourage me with His grace, His mercy, His promise and He will send me back out to try again to live a better life. I'm thankful to have a loving Father.

Coming Home

As I write this, I'm sitting in an airport in Chicago surrounded by people with laptops and cellphones who are much like me - ready to get home. It's been a good week and I've enjoyed the cool weather, sights and sounds and the food in Chicago but I'm ready to be home. I'm looking forward to the first hug (and the second and third), I'm looking forward to being in my comfortable surroundings, I'm looking forward to wide open spaces and hearing the voices of the people I love. It's good to get away sometimes but it's always great to get home. I've missed my wife and kids and I can't wait to see them. I'm trying to avoid looking at my watch because the hands are not moving fast enough. A scheduling error on my part prevented me from catching an earlier flight that might have got home a little earlier so I sit here looking at all these people I will soon be herded and crammed up with knowing that it will be just a few hours until I get where I want to be.
I'm ready to be home.

Hot Here, Cool There

I'm headed to Chicago tomorrow with someone who has never flown. He isn't sure why his seat is across the aisle from my seat but he keeps mentioning his nervousness to several people. We are headed up for a seminar and hope to get in a little sight-seeing and good food while there. I love going to Chicago but there are things I'm already thinking I'm going to miss while gone. I'll miss my wife. I'll miss her being next to me and watching our favorite show during the week. I'll miss the kids and our morning routine. I'm going to miss being in class Wednesday night for a great discussion (and of course the Mexican food before church). It will be a good trip but I'm already knowing it will be nice to be home.
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LTC was great. I'm so thankful for the ladies who organize it and all the people who put so much work into it. One of the most incredible things about LTC is seeing how so many in our church family are at the different events supporting the kids from our church. It's an incredible feeling of family and love that strengthens me.
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I'll try to blog at some point while in Chicago but in the event this is it for the week, I hope you have a good week.

Baseball, Volleyball and Heaven

As a kid, I didn't care much for baseball. It's the only sport I didn't start in so after two years I walked away. Actually, the third year I went to every practice just because it was where my friends were and I pitched batting practice but didn't develop the desire to start playing again. I didn't watch many Major League games, if any. I went to just a handful of high school games when my friends were playing. I just didn't care much for it. Times have changed. I have a new respect for baseball. It started when I moved to Ft. Worth and started attending some Ranger games but it really kicked in when my son decided to start playing. Now, I watch players movements to see how they throw, how they swing, their footwork or whatever else I can take away.
I've never been a fan of volleyball although I've "played" recreationally at times. Times have changed. This year my daughter started playing and I found myself watching the girls and how they approached the ball and hit the ball, the footwork and their placements and areas of responsibility on the floor. I'll probably end up watching some professional or college volleyball on TV when I can find it to learn more about it.
It's amazing how parents can get absorbed by what their kids interest are.
This weekend, my kids are participating in Leadership Training for Christ. They will be singing in a chorus and leading singing. They will be challenged in Bible Bowl and participating in puppet skits. They have been classroom teachers and given brief radio messages. It's been amazing to watch what they have done. My hope, my prayer, is that each of us will become more absorbed in knowing Christ, in living His will, in striving to know Him. I want to know what Christ is teaching me and be able to help my children apply that.
Oh, I love baseball and I'm quickly becoming a volleyball fan. I want to help my kids succeed as long as they want to play. How much more do I want to help my kids succeed in knowing Christ, in knowing His power, His majesty, His love and His mercy. My heart pounds with the desire to help them see what has taken me years to see. I want to help them find the path to Heaven and do all I can to help them attain the glory that awaits them.

Ephesians 3:19

I can't seem to write what I want to say today. This is the one of the many attempts I've made today to try and express what is jumbled in my head and I can't get it out in an understandable format. Yes, I realize some of you think this is normal for me. Anyway, I've decided I'm going the simple, short route until I can get a better handle on what I want to say.

Last night, our class discussed dreams for the work of our church, dreams for what our service to God can be and the fruit of those dreams - the growth we might see. We discussed how we typically measure growth (numbers, money, size) and how God might measure growth. Ephesians 3:19 hasn't left my head since. It says, "and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Oh my. If I can know that love and be filled with the fullness of God, I will have grown in the way I want to and the way God wants me to. If I can know that love and be filled with the fullness of God, I can live out the dreams God would have us dream. If I can know that love and be filled with the fullness of God, I will be bold in reaching out, I will be bold in proclaiming the good news, I will be bold in glorifying my Savior. If I can know that love and be filled with the fullness of God, I will be a warrior fiercely battling evil, I will be a peacemaker helping those in conflict, I will gently touch those who have been scarred, I will securely grab hold of those who are falling. If I can know the love that surpasses knowledge and be filled with the fullness of God, I will be the person I have dreamed of being.
I don't know that I can fully know the love described in Ephesians but I do know I must strive to know more of it every day, every minute, every second. I must grow in my knowledge of that love so that I can exhibit and share that love. I don't know how to measure it but I have a good idea of what it will look like and when I see it, I will know I am growing in the manner that God wants to see growth.
God, help me know your love better, give me strength to find it and courage to share it.

The Devil is Sneaky

He is. He shows up at the oddest places yet always remains in hiding. He's in our churches urging us to bicker about subjects that don't need to be bickered about. He's in our homes urging us to get upset about things we don't need to be upset about. He follows our families, urging one to do something to provoke another. He's at work, follows us at recreation times, during our down time. Satan doesn't take time off. He's always watching us, planning his time to strike.

God, help me remember you are with me always. Lead me to your arms, hold me and protect me from evil. Give me wisdom and give me courage to know when Satan is attacking me in the simplest of ways and give me strength to turn him away. Forgive me when I do fall for Satan's traps. I want to live for you, God. I want to glorify you.

Automatic Transmissions

I remember the first time I had to drive a vehicle with a standard transmission. I worked for Coca-Cola and had to take a delivery van to a store to drop off product and face the shelves (make sure all the product looked pretty on the shelf basically). There were several rough, jerky starts as I learned to use the clutch and get the van rolling. It wasn't a pretty sight at first and I'm sure the Coca-Cola logo was making an indelible impression on the people around me as they watched teh van lurch and sputter but I finally got the hang of it and now I enjoy driving a standard from time to time. However, automatic transmissions make things so easy. It shifts for you and the ride is smooth. There's nothing to think about, nothing to do other than just press the accelerator.

I think we are equipped with standard transmissions. Life certainly isn't always a smooth ride. Often, we deal with problems or do things that make life seem rough and jerky, just like my initial attempts to get the van rolling. Hopefully, we can learn how to get past the rough spots and keep things moving smoothly. Yet if we aren't careful, we can still end up stalling out because we lose focus on what we need to do. That's the way I feel this morning. The day has started off a little rough but I'm reminding myself to focus on God and allow Him to help me and I know things will get smoother. Too often when faced with some difficulty of any degree, I start thinking about me and what I'm going to do instead of turning to God and asking Him what I should do. Today, I will spend some time praying and trusting that the ride will smooth out as I go along.

It's Friday Again

It's another Friday and I feel myself already mentally decompressing early in the day. That's not a good sign for productive work but I'm sure I'll battle through it. Do you have those days when you just want to sit still, maybe even sleep a little, and let the world spin while you do not? It seems we are on the go all the time. I think sometimes we have reached a point where we do so much, we can't sit still because we feel like we are robbing time from something we should be doing. Yet we do, do, do and then feel guilty when we are not doing something. Yet, peace and stillness and quiet are tools to regenerate, recharge, be introspective, contemplate and formulate. Taking these times can truly make us more efficient and happier, more productive and supportive. In business, we often say you have to quit working in your business so you can work on your business. I get caught up in all that I need to do without taking the time to think about what is truly important, what I really need to get done and making a plan to do that.

I need quiet time with God too. I get so busy that I spend too little time with God, too little time contemplating His desire for me, to recharge and be prepared for the opportunities He presents me. I need to spend more time thinking about how to live out His will instead of just doing the things I always do. He has great plans for us if we will seek Him and His wisdom.

I hope you get to spend some time in peace and quiet soon. Use it well.

The Words We Use

I read an article in the Wall Street Journal today regarding the use of profanity in the workplace. It seems that using profanity is now a badge of merit in some companies whereby it shows you aren't afraid to "mix it up" a little. Of course, swearing more than the boss can be bad for your career track. What? When I read something like this, I just wonder what in the world is going on in some people's heads. Even more, what is going on in their heart?
I'm thankful I work in an environment where faith and serving God can be put first.

The End of the Road

Tonight is my last Wednesday to spend time with someone I've truly grown to appreciate. We have been studying David in our Wednesday night class and it has been such a blessing in my life. I have learned so much about David, but even more, I've learned so much about my relationship with God. I see parts of my life played out similar to times in David's life and it has given me a fuller appreciation of the pain we endure when we do wrong and the glory of God we experience when we walk with Him. I pray that I will spend more time walking in the glory of God as the days go by.

I'll miss our study of David because it has brought me to a better understanding of God but I know the stories will always be with. Much more than that, I know that God will always be with me. Even though we are leaving the study of David, we are moving forward with his example of dreaming what big things we can do with and through God. I look forward to these nights of being with brothers and talking about what big things we can accomplish as we live as Christ's hands and feet on earth. I expect amazing, exciting times ahead and thank God that he has brought us together with a body of believers that has a desire and passion to serve.

The Agony of Change

I've suffered through another time change. For some reason, it seems like I have lost a lot more hours than I've gained. I don't like getting out of bed while it's dark outside. I don't like contemplating going to bed while it's still light outside. I don't like driving into the sun on our morning school run. I don't like it when it's 85 degrees at 9 p.m. because the sun has been up longer than it should. As you can see, there are many things I don't like. Fortunately for me, I have a fairly good ability to move ahead and find the things that make me happy. So in a day or two, I'll have forgotten the sleep I lost, get into the routine of later days and go watch some basebll. :)

It's Opening Day for the Rangers and everyone is either anticipating a great year or another mid to late season meltdown. Whatever happens, I enjoy going to the games, looking at the manicured field, seeing all the people eating hot dogs with mustard dripping down their mouths, hearing the crack of the bat hitting the ball and enjoying the pace of another evening at a baseball game.

My daughter's volleyball team won both their games over the weekend. I don't understand why the referees have to do all the hand signals instead of just yelling "out" or "in" but it's fun watching the girls play. My little angel had a good day on the court and that always makes it fun. My son's team split a double-header this weekend. He was 1 for 3 with an RBI so it was a good day for him too. It's fun watching kids play - not so much fun listening to the parents sometimes. And then we had an ump who didn't call it like I saw it. That aside, it was a good day for the boys and we all are seeing improvement.

Now, quit goofing off and get back to work! :)