Remembering a great person

I received the news today that a great person has gone on to be with the Lord. This was one of the most Godly ladies I have ever met. I enjoyed the time that we got to talk. I appreciate the years that she prayed for me. When I was struggling with my ordination, she was praying like crazy for me. I will never forget the time I got to spend with her. From the conversations that we had, I know exactly where she it. She is in heaven!
If you would have known this lady, you would know that she had great life long ministry. Honestly, It is something to look up to. I hope I can have that long lasting solid ministry.

My supportive wife

I have realized that almost anything (except maybe consuming large quantities garlic) that I want to do, Heather will support me. You don't know how nice that is to have her there for me in whatever I want to do. She always is encouraging me. I will come home with a wild crazy thought or idea and my wife rather then look at me like I have two heads will tell me "go for it." I am so thankful for that support.
I guess that is the way God designed marriage. I am just so thankful that I have Heather.

Hanging with Isaiah

Tonight I got to hang with my oldest son. We had the opportunity to go see Annie. Heather has been working really hard getting the musical ready. Tonight we got to see the hard work pay off. I have to say that the kids in the musical did a great job. They all should be happy with their efforts.
But what was fun for me was getting to watch the musical through the eyes of a four year old. Wow, that was so fun. He was so good the entire time. You could tell he was in to it. That was really fun to me. I love hanging with my kids.

Date morning?

Heather and I both have had crazy schedules lately. It is has been hard to know who needs to be where and when. Now I understand that this will probably get worse when our kids get older and have to be a different places at different times. But lately, it has seemed crazy.

The kids were at my parents house last night. So we realized that this morning we had a small window that we could go on a breakfast date. Now understand, Heather is not exactly a morning person. But we got up and went on a breakfast date. I think this is our second breakfast date in 10 years. But it was nice to be able to talk to each other and catch up with each other.

We help people who have names

I have been to various training were they always talking about helping the "client" or "consumer." I have been in meetings where they talked about people basically being a number. I have heard people refer to people they are trying to help as "them".
It may surprise you but "clients, consumers, and them" do have names. Just like me and you have names. They are real people.
I know that sounds obvious, but it has to do with the how we treat people. When we start calling people by there names, it becomes personal. When it becomes personal, then we will stop at nothing to help someone. I would like to be at the point. Think about it, what did Jesus stop at to help us? He gave his life for us. Yeah, that is a good point to be at.

Who doesn't deserve a second chance?

I ask myself that question often. Honestly, I never can find someone who doesn't. But that is not because of who they are. It matter who God is. We of course have done nothing to deserve a second chance. But yet how many second chances has God given you? So if God is willing to give us a second chance, shouldn't we be willing to give people a second chance.

I do not see how a person could make it through this life without believing that people are capable of change. It would be so depressing. Wow to live under that doom and gloom of people never being able to change. That would stink.

So I will continue to choose that people can change. And because I honestly believe they can, I will continue to give them a second chance.

Our great get a way

On Thursday we left for a vacation. Just the four of us. I loved being with my family. We all needed this. I have to admit, now that Sam is sleeping in a normal bed and is 99% potty trained life is good. It is getting more and more fun.
The kids were troopers. Isaiah just kept going and going and going. I was really proud of him. Sam did pretty good too. I am just looking forward to spending more vacations with my family!

It does take the whole community

These last couple of days that the Lighthouse have been incredible. I have watched the Numbers of people that have come together just to be able to help their neighbors out. One of the stranger moments was on Monday. I was eating lunch in the kitchen with about 9 other people. Now normally that would not be odd. But we were closed on Monday. I asked everyone why are they here? Their response, "Why are you here?" Today we had the new freezer arrive. Again that whole freezer deal is amazing in and of itself. We had probably 7 tons of food delivered today. I can not tell you how many phone calls where answered and returned. Wow, it was crazy and amazing at the same time! I feel honored to be able to serve with a group of volunteers and staff that will stop at nothing to help people!

The new freezer

We are in the process of getting a new freezer at the Lighthouse. This freezer will be twice the size of our big freezer. Wow that is amazing huh? Now in order to get this we had to do a couple of things. Things such as leveling out the area. Thank you Rob Hicks and Matthews Excavating this was done. Then we had to get some (or 23 ton) stone on the area. Today we had the concrete pads delivered and place. A huge shout out to Hampton Concrete Products. Tomorrow the guys are delivering the new freezer. We have an electrician, Andy Brown, who is going to hook it up. Wow! All of this for one freezer! I have to admit this is an incredible deal. This is about a $22,000 project that will cost less then $1,000. Now that is some good leveraging.