Ummm...

Kevin, Just in the Spirit and John say,
"God bless you! We really lub you!

The Day After

Meekness: The Leftovers

Fiesta's Fiesta

The Spit

Meekness: The Meal

The Butchers

The Roast

The Flavor

Adrian's Post

This post was created entirely by Adrian, my 7-year-old son!

Adrian’s Jokes

Linda: Adrian would you like to join me in a cup of tea?
Adrian: I don’t think we’d both fit!

Q. Where do hotdogs dance?
A. At meatballs!

Dad: Why are you staring at frozen orange juice can?
Adrian: Can’t you see? -It says, “concentrate”

Dad: Why did Columbus sail to America?
Adrian: Because it was faster than swimming!

Dad: Why did the Romans build straight Roads?
Adrian: So their enemies couldn’t hide behind the curves!

Jade: Where is Moscow?
Adrian: In the barn with Pa’s cow!

Adrian’s Definitions:

Autobiography: a book about cars.
Cartoon: a song about an automobile.
Commentator: an everyday potato.
Dry-dock: a thirsty surgeon.
Humbug: a roach that loves music.
Mischief: the police chief’s wife.
Pocket Calculator: a device for counting pockets.
Short–order Cook: a person who prepares food for children.
Stagecoach: a theatrical instructor.

Lost In Translation?

Last week I was in a Christian bookstore, as I wanted to get Adrian his own Bible for his birthday.

I was raised on the KJV and figured I would get him one also. But when I got to the bookstore and started looking at all the cool kids bibles they had I didn’t find any in KJV so I started comparing to some of the other versions. With over 20 versions on the market today how do you know which one to go for?

I started looking up simple verses like John 3:16 and saw that although the words used were different the meaning was still understood.

I started flipping through a children’s bible that was the New Living Translation (NLT) in Genesis to see how different the wording was when I cam across Gen 4:1, it reads as follows.

Now Adam had sexual relations with his wife, Eve, and she became pregnant. When she gave birth to Cain, she said, “With the Lord’s help, I have produced a man!”

Hmmm…. that was a bit more descriptive in explanation then I remembered from the King James Version (KJV) which reads as follows,

And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.

So I started looking up other versions that are used in children’s bibles as I was wondering which wording might be most suitable for a 7 yr. old and here are some of the ones I came by!

New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
Adam made love to his wife Eve. She became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, "With the Lord's help I have had a baby boy."

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Adam knew his wife Eve intimately, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain. She said, "I have had a male child with the LORD's help"

New Life Version (NLV)
The man lay with his wife Eve and she was going to have a child and she gave birth to Cain. She said, "I have given birth to a man with the help of the Lord."

The Message (MSG)
Adam slept with Eve his wife. She conceived and had Cain. She said, "I've gotten a man, with God's help!"

The GR and JS New Revised International Version (GRJSNRIV)
Adam saw his wife Eve and said, "I like big butts and I cannot lie!" to which Eve replied, "My milk shake brings all the boys to the yard..." and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten me a man from the LORD.

In the end I jut got him a KJV adult’s bible. It was good enough for me growing up so I don’t see why it won’t work for him!

Scorpion Slayer

Jade amazes me so often. She is such a little girl yet can be so tough and resilient.

The other day she was playing on the porch and I was in the dinning room keeping an eye on her she started jumping around and freaking out the way she does when she has fire ants on her. So she comes running in the house hands me her shoe and asks me to “take off the scorpion”.

I was like, “Ok, let me see. No babe, there’s no scorpion just a little bit of mud, but I’ll wash it off for you!” “NO! Dad there was a scorpion!” she kept saying.

I got into talking with someone else about how it’s too cold and wet right now for scorpions so it was probably just some other bug that she scared off.

She finally said, “Come see daddy I’ll show you!” So we all trudge out to the porch to see what she’s talking about. After looking around for a minute sure enough we found a huge scorpion that she had killed. She must have stepped on it in all her frantic dancing to get it off her foot!

She’s not only is a scorpion slayer but a smart and funny little girl also. We were roughhousing during parent time and she stops the game and states; “Dad, you’re an ugly monster!” To which I replied, “Since you’re my daughter what does that make you?” “A beautiful monster!!” -she says!

Living Life

It usually happens that when you have a lot that you could blog about you don’t have the time to do any bloggin! That’s been the case for nearly a week now. But instead of boring you with detailed descriptions of all the things I have been doing I will just hit the highlights!

On Friday my two brothers Eli and Elliott and I went to the beach and hung out. That’s the first time in years the three of us have had that opportunity. We had planned on spending the night but only lasted till about 2:00 am.

Sand Castle sculptres on Padre Island

Saturday they made the 3-hour drive with me to get to my kids. Since it had been Adrian’s birthday a few weeks ago and I wasn’t able to be there we took the kids out for what we dubbed “Rucker Day” and a second birthday bash for Adrian.

Adrian, Me and Elliott with funny teeth!

Adrian and Elliott in the Arcade.

Jade, Eli, Adrian and I.

Elliott and Adrian messing around.

Jade posing in the back of the truck.

Last night we had a small informal party get-together for Joe and Ambie who are moving on! Which is sad because I won’t be seeing them here anymore when I come to spend time with my kids.

Jer, Ambie and I

Joe and Jer

John (Click here for more about him!)

More photos coming in another post!

Another Look...

I was reading through my 2006 journal a few nights ago and took some time to reflect on how far I have come, by the grace of God, in this past year. It is amazing to me how different a life and situation can change with the Lord, 525,600 minutes and a little bit of patience.

I am going to compare one day last year to one day this year to share the differences.

To set the stage I was working a security job out in New Orleans in the areas destroyed by hurricane Katrina. I was working 12 hour days 7 days a week. I had a good salary and was making lots of money, but still working more than should be allowed.

My journal entry March 15th, 2006 reads;
"Working Roadway today, haven't been here since Lemon was sick back in mid January. Of all the truck yards I like this one the least. I don't really know why because it's the easiest one, maybe that's why I don't like it: the lack of challenge!
I like a challenge, I need the stimulation. I do have challenge in my life, just none in my work. It seems that work is all I do so I don't have much of a life, so the challenge I have is small. I need more balance! It's like faith and works you need to have a balance in both to be able to make forward progress, otherwise you're just going in circles.
Going in circles, going in circles like a merry-go-round. When I was a kid of all the thing at the playground I hated the merry-go-round, constant movement and spent energy only to be made sick. Dizzy and nauseous, when getting off you can't stand up straight, you have no concept of direction and I can't stand that feeling.
So what do I feel like right now? Like Enoch; "Stop the World I want to get off!!"
I will hang on! My determination and resolve to find my footing each and every time I stepped off that merry-go-round has only gotten stronger over the years! The good news? I always found my footing, so why wouldn't I now."

One year later, I am living in Mexico in an FD home, receive no monetary payment for my work and am on call 24/7.

My journal entry March 15th 2007 reads.
"Wow so much has changed! I have direction in my life and my work. I have challenge in my life equally balanced. Thank you Lord for that. You have been my rock, my anchor , my light! I am not living alone, I work side by side with people who have the same goal as I, to do our part each day to change this world around us, just one life at a time. I am loved, I am not alone. I am broken and yielded to the Lord's will in my life! I have been refreshed and renewed.
What do I feel like now? 'Bring it on!' Do your worst, for I will be here always to go on and do my best! I cannot be stopped, cuz' as I grow weak He grows strong. And I am going to live for ever!"

Rest Day Fun

Prayer Request

Well I will be traveling today to Texas to do some paperwork and spend two weeks with my kids. Please pray that my travels go well! Have 24 hrs of busses to get there and one border crossing! Will post photos later! GBY!

Ayleen Elizabeth

Congratulations to Nathan and Ali on the birth of their first daughter, Ayleen Elizabeth! She's beautiful! For all the details and more upcoming photos please check out Ali's blog! I love you guys!

HB2 Jasmine

Today was little Jasmine’s (of Andrew and Joy) birthday, turned 7! We had a small little party for her which from what I could tell she enjoyed! She doesn't like cake so she wanted an ice cream cake with strawberries and cream so that’s exactly what she got!

We is Friends...

...I received this today in an email from a friend!

Having Fun

We had a team from another city visiting us for the past two days to help us with our monthly “Dr Payaso” program in the hospitals here.

Last night we had a little party and played games and with 2 camaras going we ended up taking crazy photos of anything and everything.

Thanks again, Sammy, Stacy, Jason and Nash for helping us and visiting with us these past few days.

I will leave you with some random photos!

Sammy and Stacy

Jason and Nash

Above I am taking the pictuce that is the photo below!

Sammy and Gabe

Sammy's drink and Gabe's drink.

Fade Away

Help me to live my life in such a way
That You grow brighter
And that I fade away.

Teach me to give and not to seek return.
Help me forgive, though the hurt may still burn.
Help me to love and know it's not in vain;
And when my heart breaks, hold me up
Through the pain.

Help me to live my life in such a way
That You grow brighter
And that I fade away.

Give me the faith to hold on to Your Word,
To trust Your plan, though it may seem absurd.
And if I'm tired and there's still more to do,
Give me the strength to do that job for You.

When that day comes that I pass from here,
This life's all done, and with You we appear,
Help me, I pray, to take before Your throne
Not lots of works I've done, but love I've shown.

Help me to live my life in such a way
That You grow brighter
And that I fade away.

Words: Joy Farmer, PAS

No Limits

You know someone loves you when the only "no" they tell you is

"no limits."