HI

Greetings. I am loving summer, though I can not believe the second full week of summer vacation is almost over. Where is the summer going so fast like. What have you been doing? I want to go swimming so bad it is not even funny. I may hit the Novi High School pool today. We have family coming up from Florida in a few days. It will be nice to spend time with them. What else do you have planned for your summer? I can't wait to post my 100th blog, it is just a few blogs away. Have a wonderful day. Peace

One Prayer . . .

I have been encouraged by a series dreamed up by Lifechurch.tv. It has been awesome. I encourage you to take some time to be blessed and listen to some of the teaching found there. Here is also the website - http://www.oneprayer.com/ . I am praying for you all today. It is important to not focus on Religion, but upon the TRUTH - Jesus, and him alone. Peace

It has not been . . .

There is no way it has been 12 days sense I last blogged. I have been busy. Let me share with you all the things that have happened these past 12 days. School was out on Thursday, and I had to work on Friday. My daughter and I spent the day cleaning out the lockers at the High School. It was a very busy and fun day. I worked at Busch's on Saturday. We attended Church and got together with my family at my home on Sunday. It was a great day to celebrate Fathers day at my house. It was also nice to have my dad with us. He is doing well. Thank you for your prayers. On Monday we had my Nephews with us all day and I worked at Busch's. On Tuesday I worked on Mona Lisa and was able to repair my drivers side window. Now it goes up and down what a wonderful thing. We also went for our six month cleaning at the Dentist. On Wednesday, I took my daughter to her orthodontist appointment. Then I took my son to get his allergy shots. Then we took the kids to church to get on the bus to go to camp. After that, Ben and I went and hit over 300 balls together at the driving range. We also played about 20 minutes of tennis. Then I went and got a hair cut. That day was one busy day. On Thursday, Ben, my dad and I went to see Iron Man. That was a great movie. We went with dad to order his 2009 Harley Davidson. Then we went to eat at Sam's Club. On Friday, Diana and I worked in the Yard until I had to go to work at Busch's. On Saturday we finished up the yard work, it looks great. Then I went to Busch's again. Today we went to church, then out to eat at Famous Dave's. Picked up the kids from church at 3:30 pm, they had a great time at camp. We went and washed cloths for three hours at the laundry mat. We watched some TV and ate dinner and now I am putting the finishing touches on this blog. It has been a busy, and great week. I trust you are well and look forward to our next blog times. Have a wonderful day. Peace

photo at http://chromatism.net/cfsgimg/busy.jpg

Today was the students last full day . . .

Greetings, I am at my daughters school in an open office. I am listening to the second sermon in a series called One Prayer by Lifechurch.tv . I am so thankful for Craig and the vision God has laid on his heart. I am excited that summer is coming. I am excited for all the students as they complete their studies. I am also looking forward to a rest. But I will miss the daily schedule and all the energy that is at the school. It is hard to believe that this school year is over. What are your thoughts about this past year??

I want to toss out an update on my dad. He is at home. Praise the Lord. He said he almost lived in denial until it was almost to late. And that is the truth. He is recovering well. He is in his second week of recovery. I have had the wonderful opportunity to help and love my folks in a real physical way. That has been nice.

I also want to tell you how much I love my wife. She is such a wonderful woman. I am such a blessed man. I just wanted you to know that fact. In July we will be married for 20 years. I can not believe 20 years have gone by so fast. Let your loved one know just how much you love them today. If you are married, then go to your spouse, if it is a parent then go to them, if it is a friend, then share your love. I am going to hit the road. I will chat with you all again soon. I am blessed and I pray blessings for you today. Peace

Me and my . . .

Why is it so hard to listen?? Get this, I love to talk. I am not in love with hearing myself talk, but I do enjoy talking. I love the social and relational interaction with people. I also like to be heard and understood, that seems to be a universal desire of all who speak. I love life, and I love learning. I love the fact that each day I have a new opportunity to learn about myself and about the world in which I live. It was a great weekend full of learning for me. I am so blessed. I want to share a few verses with you:

James 1:19 - 21 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. (NIV)

James 1:19 - 21 Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear. God's righteousness doesn't grow from human anger. So throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life. (The Message)

Like I said above, I have so much learning to do . . . How about you? Any thoughts on the subject, or things you have learned in your journey? Have a wonderful day. Peace

I am at the Pool tonight . . .

I am hanging out with my kids tonight. We are at the pool until 8:30 pm. It is cool. I was not up for swimming tonight, but they could not wait to get here. So, I am still working on my ordination paper. When I am done, and have the opportunity for an interview, and they accept me, or whatever they have to do, I will be a Reverend. Now that will not change who I am or who I think I am, but it will give me the opportunity to conduct wedding in the State of Michigan. I am looking forward to doing the wedding for some of the students who have graduated from my youth group. Actually, I have a wedding coming up in October. I am so excited. Do you ever plan on getting married? Or if you are married, what do you think about marriage so far? Ya, I know it is a lot of work, and it may not have been exactly what you expected. I have been married for 20 years this coming July. I am a blessed man. My wife is the greatest gift I have ever received. It is my hope that she can say the same thing about me, but I will not put those words in her mouth.

My wife is at home relaxing. She came home with the making of a migraine headache. I do not know what she goes through. I feel bad because there is nothing I can do, but leave her alone for a while.

I can not believe there are only 8 days left in this school year. The year has gone by way to fast. I meet some great kids this year, and for that I am thankful. I also had to say goodbye to the seniors I have known for the past four years. What a blessing it is to be me. I love these kids. I am excited knowing they are going to take new steps in this journey called life. I pray for them as I think of them. May they know truth as they walk their days upon this earth. They have all touched me in some significant way and made me a better man as a result. It is my prayer that I have been able to encourage them as well.

On to summer. What are your plans for summer? We are not going to Florida this summer, which is something new for us. My wife is from the Tampa area, so we go down at least once a year. But this summer we are hanging out here. Diana's sister Nancy and her family are coming up for a few busy days. Look at this, we are doing something every day. It will go by like a rocket. We will be all over the Detroit area, as well as Canada (Niagara) and Ohio (Cedar Point). I am looking forward to them coming, it will be the first time they have visited us up here in Michigan. We have only lived here for the past 10 years. We are also going to to camping some time this summer. That will be a new experience for us. We have only camped at places like - Holiday Inn Select, Wingate Inn, Comfort Inn, Hilton Garden Inn. You get the picture. Really, this time we are going to try taking a tent and pitching it somewhere in this great state of Michigan and camp like camping was meant to be done. Have you ever went Camping? I use to camp as a child with my parents when we were growing up. Maybe one time in a blog I will tell you about camping on October Mountain IN Massachusetts. It was one crazy night.

Well, it is about time for open swim to be over, and my kids are the last ones in the pool. Try reading some Proverbs for words of wisdom. Have a blessed day. Peace

Niagara Photo from http://www.hicker-fine-art.com/niagara-falls-sunset-ontario-canada-16-pictures.htm

I touched the hand . . .

It is amazing. When my dad was in surgery this past Friday. We sat in the waiting room. Well, what do you do in the waiting room. You, Wait. That is what we did. We waited, and played cards. Had talkative moments and quiet moments. Then the Chaplin of the hospital came in to tell us that my dad was doing OK, and that they took him off the machine that oxygenated his blood and were able to restart his heart. This was the first news we heard since the operations started. About 30 minutes or so later the assistant to the surgeon came out and filled us in on the surgery. Dad was doing well, and there were no complications. It was another 15 minutes till Dr. Goodman came out to share his perspective of the surgery to us. He asked us if we had any questions, and when he got up to leave, he shook our hands, and left the waiting room. I immediately thought to myself. I just touched the hand of the man who touched my dads heart. That is so awesome. What do you think? Do you think you will ever touch someones Heart?? It was a blessing to talk to the Doctors and have them answer our questions. Have a wonderful day. Peace

Just a Quick one . . .

Greetings, Dad is doing well. I am beginning to feel better. Life has been very interesting these past few days. It is good to be at school today. I can not believe that there are only 9 more days left until summer break. I am looking forward to break, however I will miss the daily interaction with the students. I am going to try to get my name out there to strum up some Tutor work. I think it will be loads of fun. I have to go to class soon, so I will say my farewell for now. Peace

What is it with STRESS ? ? ?

Greetings, I want to share with you that Dad made it out of surgery well. The Doctors indicated that the surgery went well, nothing unexpected happened, and from their stand point it was successful. The recovery is part of the battle. I talked with dad from work yesterday, and it was good to hear his voice. Continue to pray for him as he recovers, and also that there will not be any infections. Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers.

It has been a couple crazy days for my Dad, mom and my brother, sister, and I. I am thankful for a space like this to let out thoughts and emotions. I have been on a roller coaster of emotions sense Thursday. The surgery was on Friday at 1:00pm and we were able to let dad know that we loved him as he was wheeled out to the operating room. Then it was a waiting game. I did learn how to play euchre. Let me get to the title. My stress was pent up in me, and I did not know how to let it out, or go. When the doctor came in and told us about dad, and that he felt all things went well. It was at that point my nose began to run, and I knew I was getting sick. Believe it or not, I have a sinus infection like no other. It is odd, but I held the tension, and i believe it brought on this infection. I know that it may not be possible for that to happen, but I think it did. I went to the doctor on Saturday morning, and she prescribed me some antibiotics.

Thank you for reading today. I will keep you posted. Have a wonderful day. Peace