Saturday, June 30, 2007

What are you made of?


A young woman went to see her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard on her. She didn’t know how she was going to make it, and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling, it seemed that as one problem was solved a new one took its place.

Her mother took her into the kitchen and then filled three pots with water. In the first she placed a carrot, in the second she placed an egg and in the third she placed some ground coffee beans. She lit the stove and set them to boil without saying a word.

Twenty minutes later she fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the egg out and placed it in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning then to her daughter, she asked, “What do you see?” “Carrots, egg and coffee,” the young woman replied.

Mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. When she did she noted that they were soft and fell apart easily. Mother then asked her to take the egg and break the shell; she did and found a hardened interior. Finally mother asked her to sip the coffee, the daughter smiled as she drank it and tasted its richness.

“So what’s your point mother?” the woman asked. Her mother went on to explain that each of these objects had faced the same adversity, the boiling water, but had each reacted differently. The carrot went in hard, strong and unrelenting. However after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile, with the thin outer shell protecting the liquid inside. After sitting in the boiling water though it became hardened. The coffee beans were unique though, after they had been in the water they changed the water.

“Which are you?” the mother asked. “When adversity knocks at your door how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or coffee bean?”

I think that’s a good question for each of us to ask ourselves.

Am I like the carrot that is so strong and unrelenting only to go soft and fall apart when I am faced with difficulties?

Or am I like the egg which looks the same on the outside but due to difficulties in my life have I become bitter with a tough spirit and a hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee beans that when thrust into the midst of adversity actually use the circumstances around me to rise above and with the Lord doing it I find the solutions I need to change things around me positively?

What are you made of??

Sunday, June 24, 2007

Texan


Okay so I was born and raised in Texas, but until yesterday I never had a cowboy hat. Just never thought they suited me. This weekend while fundraising in the sun after two hours or roasting my bald head I figured it would be better to save my scalp the next six hours of torture.

I am not sure if I like the look. Should I keep the hat or give it away...

Saturday, June 23, 2007

Greek Food

I have had the great opportunity to hang out with and do some fundraising with Jason and Nash and the other night we had dinner at a Greek restaurant, which also had some Lebanese dishes. We had a great time sampling different dishes as well as different beers, one being Athenian, a Greek beer. We topped the meal off with some Baklava. It was a great way to end the day!

Hallumi (aka "squeaky cheese")

Kibbeh and Tzaziki

Gyro

Gyro Platter

Baklava

"Athenian" Greek Beer

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Thursday Thoughts


a... b... c... d... e... f... g... h... i... j... k... oh never mind....

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

HB2Y Candy


I know it’s belated but that will make it all the more memorable…I hope! Happy Birthday! I truly hope and pray that this year will be one of your best, that as you walk close to the Lord and follow where He guides you will have your prayers answered and your life filled with everything good.

Thank you for you friendship and prayers, the prophecies and the occasional chats. It has been nice getting to know a small part of you.

Click here for your birthday card!

Monday, June 18, 2007

Ripples…


The other day I was an observer to someone else’s happiness and joy, the kind of emotion and passion in a moment that completely encompassed and extended itself to all around. As it reached out to touch me it brought warmth to my heart and a smile to my face, a “feel good” feeling that made the day go better.

I was at the bus station and I saw this guy waiting the arrival of his beloved. Two hours he waited with that expectant look in his eyes, the look of time coming to completion. The bus arrived and as she step off the bus their eyes met and pushing her way through the crowds in front of her the two locked in embrace. They held each other shaking and crying tears of joy with each other, kissing and touching each others faces. Their simplicity in connecting on every level was refreshing and touching; you couldn’t help but feel part of their joy.

I started thinking about moments like that where ripples of other people’s happiness provide me some. I am blessed to be alive and the more I looked for these ripples I see more of them. Why just be happy for the things we have or the things we enjoy, I want to be happy because other people are as well. I want the sunshine in their life to shine bright in mine, just as I hope that the sunshine in my life might brighten yours! So look for the ripples of others happiness and let them wash over you till you feel it also.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Rain..


Hey want to help me out? Pray with me that I have rain from 2:00pm - 10:00pm today thru saturday the 16th. Thanks you're so cool!

Sunday, June 10, 2007

365 days ago….

I joined the Veracruz home and began my rejoining process, so today is my one year anniversary of starting over again in the Family. I’m still here…TTL!

HB2Y Mel


Mel (clown) with a nurse from the hospital.

Hey, Mel Happy Birthday! I know you don’t check my blog but maybe you will someday see this post. It’s cool having you as a shepherd and co-worker. I am thankful for all that the Lord uses you to do and get done; your faith is a sample to me. I hope and pray that this coming year will be better then the last.

Friday, June 08, 2007

HB2Y Tina E.

Tina, I hope and pray you’re having fun and that you are safe in your travels. May this year be the best one yet for you with many exciting things in store. I know you say your coming back to the home and I hope that’s true…WE MISS YOU!!!

Big Hugs!! Happy Birthday!

Thursday, June 07, 2007

Chachos and Chaluccies

Took the kids today to Chachos and Chaluccies with Haven, it’s a great place for good times and economical food. Adrian’s reason for it being one of his favorite places to go, “it has a huge play place and Mexican food!”




Thursday Thought – Creation

Excerpts from “Perfect Love” –ML 3636
I have surrounded you with constant reminders of My love. I could have made the world drab or boring, but I made it special for you. I painted the skies and the land with exquisite living colors. Look at the flowers and the trees—they are alive with detail and variety. I could have made just a few types of trees and flowers, or made them all one color, but I made nature full of diversity and beautiful for you.

There are so many kinds of flowers, and each one is unique and lovely in its own way. There are so many trees and they come in all different sizes and designs. Some trees bear fruit, while others grow berries, or seeds, or nuts, or flowers. Even the trees that lose their leaves or whose leaves turn brown are a reminder of My love and care for you. Even though they go through hardships or dry or cold seasons, they eventually blossom again.


Look up at the sky. During the day you have the sun to light your way and give you warmth. At night you have the moon and the stars that come out and shine for you. And at the beginning and end of every day, you have the sunrises and sunsets that are symbols of My love for you. I create a unique, one-of-a-kind masterpiece on the canvas of the sky each morning and evening, because I love you.


Think about the bodies of water on the Earth. The vastness of the oceans doesn’t compare to the magnitude of My love. The depth of the seas doesn’t compare to how deep My love is for you. And yet, comparing My love to oceans and seas can help you to understand My love a little bit better. My love is like a cool, refreshing dip on a hot and muggy day. The waves and the sand on the beaches are also part of My plan—like a giant playground that I created for My children to enjoy.


I have placed reminders of My love all around you. Remember Me when you hear and see the sounds and sights of nature that I have surrounded you with. When you hear the birds singing, think of it as My love song to you. When you breathe in the fresh air, think of it as breathing My Spirit into your very being.


From now on, look around you at the things that I have created and be reminded of My love for you. Don’t take anything for granted. Each tree is alive and growing and part of the miracle of life. Each flower is a part of My creation. Each star in the heavens was placed there by My hand and according to My plan. I created it all because I love you.

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Day in Canada…


I had a great time today going around to the different homes and visiting people. Saw some old friends and people I knew from my last time in Toronto 10 years ago. I also met some new friends that I had only been in touch with before via chat and email.

When I was in Canada before I found it funny that they called speed bumps, “Speed HUMPS” So this time I had to snap a shot of it.

Sunday, June 03, 2007

Sweet Sleep...

My Bed


Hotel Lobby


Moose Head

HB2Y Andre

Dude, I am so sorry you had to spend your birthday with me in a truck...oh well!
Man, you have always been good for a laugh and going on the many raod trips with you through out the years has been fun. (I am so glad you changed your hairstyle and no longer wear chains hanging out of your pants) I am praying for you and hoping you get your home that your looking for in Romania.

I like this photo of Dre because he was suppossed to be awake as my copilot while I drove the truck...I kept waking him up and he would say he wasn't asleep...well I figured that a picture is worth a thousand words.

Saturday, June 02, 2007

On the road....

I will not bore you with stories of the many miles of road I have been seeing or the endless fields of hay and corn. I will not dazzle you with stories of being pulled over by the "Special Crimes" police as they were searching for drugs. But I will put up some random photos of sights along the way. Hope you enjoy them.