September 11th...

I remember that day, still.

My girlfriend Gina called at 6ish a.m. and said, "Turn on the T.V.!"

This is what I saw.

One of the Twin Towers was hit

and

the next one was about to be hit by the airplane in the background.

I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

It was as if I was watching a movie,

this was NOT real,

oh,

but it was.

I just remember tears streaming down my face.

I felt so helpless,

watching as people began jumping from the first tower that was hit.

As I remember it now, my stomach actually turns.

My eyes are watering, 

taking me back to that moment.

Pure EVIL in human form,

taking innocent people to their death on the airplane,

 death in the Towers,

death on the ground.

War,

on our ground.

And even though it was on the other side of the nation,

I felt as if I was there,

as many bystanders were watching,

horrified,

helpless,

hopeless.

Then, the 2nd plane hit.

Speechless.

More tears, 

weeping.

News of the 3rd plane,

heading towards the Pentagon.

Wait,

something happened.

EVIL was overtaken by GOOD.

The plan turned,

what happened?

Someone had the courage to step in and face that Evil.

Others joined

and although they all fell to their death,

many others were saved.

I just wanted to remember this day.

It changed our nation,

communities

and 

neighborhoods 

forever.

It changed me.

We are in a battle, friends.

A battle of Good and Evil that is

REAL.

And I'm glad that God is on my side.

God promises to bring something good

out of every heart break,

hurt,

loss.

We have hope in HIM.

I am so grateful to live in this beautiful county,

that was built on GOD.

What about you?

What are you grateful for today?

Be blessed-

Motivational Monday!

What if we did things differently this week, starting with today,
-what would that look like?

In my life, it is doing what I need to do,

EVEN THOUGH,

I would rather do something 

FUN, ENTERTAINING, or SELF SATISFYING.

Who wants to clean?

Not me!

Who wants to wash?

Not me!

Who wants to get 5 schedules in order?

Not me!

When I was in school, if I didn't want to answer the teacher, I would simply avoid eye contact.

But I'm not in school anymore and if I don't answer to my tasks at hand, guess what,

it won't get done.

In life, there are so many things we have to do to keep our home, family and friends in order, and we do by our priorities.

Where is Jesus?

Is HE a priority?

We live most of our days doing what WE need to do, 

for OUR success, 

OUR achievements, 

OUR goals and dreams. 

But, WHAT IF we started living for GOD? 

What if you and I really focused on living FOR HIM?

Living for HIS view of success, living for what is important to HIM, and lived out of obedience for what HE is calling us to do, 

even if it is contrary to what the world says?

Dropping off my daughter this morning to our Car Pool, I heard this song by the Sidewalk Prophets, called "Live Like This".

The lyrics are so real, and really spoke to my heart this morning.

Hopefully it will speak to yours.

Turn it up!

Sometimes I think 
What will people say of me 

When I'm only just a memory 

When I'm home where my soul belongs 

Was I love
When no one else would show up
Was I Jesus to the least of those
Was my worship more than just a song

I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You

If love is who I am
Then this is where I'll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back

I want to live like that
I want to live like that

Am I proof
That You are who you say You are
That grace can really change a heart
Do I live like Your love is true

People pass
And even if they don't know my name
Is there evidence that I've been changed
When they see me, do they see You

I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You

If love is who I am
Then this is where I'll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back

I want to live like that
I want to live like that


I want to show the world the love You gave for me
I'm longing for the world to know the glory of the King

I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You

If love is who I am
Then this is where I'll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back

I want to live like that
I want to live like that


                                                   Recklessly abandoned,

First Day of School

First Day of School!

This picture was taken 4 years ago.

These pics were taken today.

Yup,

first day of school 

for my 3.

I will have one child in 

Elementary School,

one child in 

Middle School,

and one child in

High School.

Crazy, yes?

Yes.

Crazy and blessed,

I am blessed beyond measure.

Thank you, God, for the blessing of children.

Thank you for their laughter and tears,

their mistakes and their successes,

their joy and their sorrows.

Thank you for giving me the 3 children that I needed

in order to grow to be more like YOU.

They teach me lessons everyday about myself,

about what I need to work on,

improve on,

grow in.

Our children are gifts from God,

specifically placed in our lives to teach us how to be more like God.

I've learned how to fully love someone, without expecting anything in return.

I've learned patience,

gentleness,

and

how to communicate in different ways.

I've also learned that I'm not so different than my children.

Like them,

I want to be loved,

appreciated,

and

acknowledged.

I want to have 
fun,

laugh,

tickle,

sing,

and

be a part of something bigger,

like a family,
God's family.

If you have children, 

what have you learned from them?

How are you similar to your child/ren?

Give your kid a BIG HUG today!

Happy Hump Day!