How Does Your Garden Grow?

Hey, it's been awhile since I have posted, but I really don't have must to post about. I guess I am just boring.

For my birthday, my mother-in-law, thought it would be nice to give me the material to have a raised garden since I have been talking about gardening. After many weeks later of procrastination. I finally put my garden together and I can't tell you how exciting I am about doing it. I transplanted tomato, Jalapenos, squash, and cucumber plants. Other than tomatoes, and Jalapenos, I have never attempted any other vegetables. It's been about two weeks now and so far so good - they are all still alive. I even went online to get some gardening tips. If all goes well, we should have plenty of tomatoes and the fixins very soon. I will keep you informed with the outcome of my garden.

Chow.

Funky Attitude

I'm in a funk! I just want to lay down, watch "Heros" and do absolutely nothing. I hate it whenever I'm in this mood cause I know that my family does not deserve my negative attitude. I'm think I'm like this because I am tired. Either that or I am in spiritual warfare. Who knows! All I know is that I am in a funk and I hate it. No matter what I do to try and get out of it - it does not work.

I think I'll just watch my show and call it a night.

No More Saturday Classes until Maybe this Fall!

I am done! It is finished! I have accomplished something that I have been trying to accomplish for a very long time. I have completed all of my basic core curriculum courses for college. Yay! Today was my last class in Intro to Computer Information Systems. And I believe that I have an "A". It feels really good to know that I have finally finished my basics. At the end of this semester, I will have accomplished another goal, I will have had earned enough credits going into next semester to be considered a Junior. Wow! I'm finally seeing some tangible results and it has ignited a new sense of hope, passion and drive to go all the way. If it all works out, I will hopefully be able to graduate in 2011. that's only a couple years away.

I'm excited! One day at a time and with God leading the way, I can do this! Seminary -- here I come!

My Heart Is Sad!

On Thursday, I found out that my friends Karl and Laura Harroff lost their baby. They were expecting in July and I believe this was her third failed pregnancy. When I found out about it, I felt sad for them but for whatever reason it didn't sink in too much until today. Today, I found out that there is going to be a funeral for their baby. That's when this cloud of sadness found it's way into my heart. As I sit here and blog about it, a tear drop is rolling down my cheek.

Just to imagine the pain, that Laura must be going through is beyond my comprehension. And then to think of Karl and what is role is right now. He has to be both the supported and encourager for his beautiful wife - and to know that he too is hurting.

There are so many questions that must be going through their minds and the tough part is not knowing the answers to them all. God is in control and I just pray that they are leaning on Him for all their needs.

Father God, You above all are holy and soverign. You created this world and You created us. You know our pains and hurts and only You can comfort those in need. I pray for my borther and sister Karl and Laura - that You would be with them at this time in their lives and show yourself in a mighty way to them. That Your peace that surpasses all understanding would envelope them and bring upon a calmness through this storm in their lives. Father, I thank You for they know You and it's their knowledge of you that brings them to the feet of Your alter. I love you and am thankful that you are in our live.

I pray all of this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

God's Blessings!

In case you didn't know, Thursday's are my off day. This year, I have utilized Thursday's to either study, read, and or write my papers for class. Today, was a blessed day - I did not have any pressing homework and so I spent some of the morning just relaxing - IT WAS GOOD!

For my birthday this year, my sister Diana, blessed me with a nice expensive polo (type - not brand) shirt. After the first washing, it shrunk. Robin suggested (rather insisted) that I return the shirt for an even exchange. Problem was, I no longer had the receipt. I believe I got rid of it after the first exchange. Well, I just thought I was stuck with an expensive shirt that no longer fit me. I called MACY's and spoke with the floor manager and explained my situation. Without hesitation, she told me to just bring it in and they would either reimburse me or give me an even exchange - without my receipt. GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME AND ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD! OK!

So I grabbed my shirt and asked Sophie Grace if she wanted to take a trip with Daddy. She jumped off the couch and we preceeded upstairs to get ready to go. My daughter loves to just go. She loves the outdoors and given any chance to go somewhere, she will take it. So off we went to the mall. We had the best time there and she was so good. We ate at Chick-fil-A for lunch and then came back home so she could take a nap. These are the stuff that memories are made of.

Sophie Grace will be turning 2 years old in June 8th. It seems like just yesterday, she was born. I remember it all too well. I thank God for her whenever I think about it, and for me that's not good enough. Today, we received the bad news that friends of ours lost their baby. This was her third attempt at having a child and all three times, she miscarried. My heart goes out to them. This is a reminder for me of how blessed Robin and I are to have Sophie in our lives. I need to get into the habit of thanking God for Sophie and all the things He has blessed me with everyday. Without God, I would not have all the things I have now and for that I am grateful.

Lord, please forgive me for failing to acknowledge your goodness and help me to remember to give you the praise and glory everyday. Amen.

English major!? Really!?

I am 41 and I have declared my major. I am an English major. I've come full circle. Let me explain.

In my earlier years, in this thing called "life", I wrote - and I believe I wrote well. Somehow, somewhere, someone told me that I could not write, and I believed them. I believed their lies and because of that I my spirit was crushed. I have, since then, avoided taking college courses that dealt with literature and writing. I struggled with this for such a long time, that it has cost me years out of my life when it came to finishing college. I am 41 and still a sophomore in college. Due to this fear, I have felt inadequate and dumb.

In 2004, God sent me my help mate, my loving wife, Robin. She has been my biggest cheerleader, supporter and encourager. She was the very first one to tell me, "You're a good writer." And she continues to do so. Baby, if you're reading this - thank you so much for loving me and for always encouraging me.

I started working at Spring Baptist Church on July 16, 2006 and one of my job responsibilities, was to promote the single adult ministry in our monthly newsletter. I guess, God was going to make sure that I stopped running from the lies that I had come to believe so such a long time. So I began writing. Again my wife continued to express to me how good of a writer I was. Yet again, I still fought to believe that, but could not accept it. One day, someone told me that they enjoyed reading my articles and that I wrote well. I then started to notice that as I read, I would pick out all of the mistakes people would make in their writings. My wife, again would say, it's because your a writer and that's what natural writers do. Of course I didn't listen. Little did I know it, she was planting a seed in my mind.

On June 8, 2007, my baby girl Sophie was born. She came 11 weeks early weighing in at a mere 1 pound and 14 ounces. And because of her stature, she had to stay in the hospital for 6 weeks. During that time, people were always asking about her status, and it seemed like we were always having to repeat ourselves over and over again. Then one day, my wife found a website that allowed us to blog about our baby and if people wanted to log in to read it, they could. This avenue of communication, served two purposes. First, it allowed us to inform everyone at once about Sophie's condition and secondly, it forced me to write, which is something I hated to do.

As I continued to write, I noticed that I was feeling a little bit more confident in my abilities. In the fall of 2008, I decided to go back to school. I signed up for one class, in order to get my feet wet. During the school year, I chose my major and it was B.A. of Interdisciplinary Studies. Basically, a general degree. As the semester came to a close, I found out that before I could register for class, I had to meet with a counselor. The day I met with my counselor, she discussed my choice in majors. Long story short, I decided to choose English as my major because I knew that in order to conquer my fears, I had to face it and I had to challenge myself.

Wow! I never thought I'd be saying this, but I am not as scared as I once was. I know that this is a challenge that is going to help me with my confidence. I am no where close to being where I want to be as a writer, but I know that with God's strength and with my beautiful wife's love, support and encourgement, I can and will get there. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Come To The Cross!

On Saturday, April 11th, several single adults gathered at Spring Baptist Church to help decorate the crosses that would be on display. It's amazing how beautiful they always turn out. We never come to the cross with a preset plan or a pattern on how we think we should decorate the crosses. We just show up and do what we need to do and the Holy Spirit does the rest.

Isn't that how it is in real life. God does not expect us or need us to prepare ourselves for His calling. He calls and if we are obedient to his callings, He then works in our lives to creates something beautiful. He says, "Come, everyone who is thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost!" God is sending out an invitation to come and to come as we are.

So, for those of you that think you have to prepare yourself to receive Christ, all you have to do is come to the cross and receive the gift that the Lord has for you - Life! Eternal life with Christ in Heaven.

Why Blog?

Why blog? That is the question of the day. So many of my friends blog daily. And it seems like there are those out there that follow someone else's daily events. Why? I don't know. I signed up for Twitter and Facebook and I frankly don't have much to share in terms of my thoughts. Sometimes, I veg out and my mind becomes like mush. Well, I guess for me, the reason that I am even attempting to blog (once more) is to exercise my mind. I don't like to think, but if I don't, then I am wasting what gifts God has given me, the ability to use my mind. After all, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste." Right? Ok, so here goes, I will attempt to blog everyday - hopefully I can make it a habit that will benefit me in the end.

So, until tomorrow - Have a good night and God bless.