11/7/15 Ramblings from 30,000 feet

Wyoming was incredible.  The mountains, the people, even the weather.  Got to see what I considered a good amount of snow, but the locals called a dusting.  Either way it was exciting to see.  Someday I would love to be able to "summer" in that part of the country.  

So today I am sitting on yet another flight.  The longest single flight I've been on to date.  There was one huge advantage to living in Texas, and that is that I was always half way across the country.  Today's flight is over 4 hours from PHX to Philadelphia, and then renting a car to take me to Atlantic City.  I am super excited that this is the first convention that I have been to that I am representing my own company as an exhibitor.  We went to Vegas and handed out cards, but that was not my job there.  I was actually working for someone else, and officially Limo & Bus Compliance was not there.  

I feel like I have marketed this trip well, and have promotional material waiting for me when I arrive.  We have a booth, and I already have a line of people that want to speak with me to find out what we can do for them.  I can't hardly believe that people are giving me money.  The possibility is real that by this time next year I may actually have enough income to support a work from home position, although it might be better to hire Amy and keep my job.  I know that Chris is planning on keeping his, just for the extra income, and it might be good for us too.  

The future is wide open, and I am excited to see what God does with this new adventure.  

Last week I got to take my family with me on my first business trip.  Chris and I had a customer in souther California that wanted us to come out and set up his DOT compliance program.  We agreed to make a weekend out of it.  I sure hope to be able to take my family on more working vacations like that in the future.

10/26/2015 Ramblings from 30,000 feet.

Here we are 2 months into the new adventure.  We have seemingly settled into a routine, and even shopping for our next forever home.  Living in a rental house is so frustrating.  I want so badly to be able to make improvements but am an unable, and unwilling to sink money into someone else's house.  I am impressed that I have finally started to learn a LITTLE patience.  This weekend I made the decision to delay our build my 2-3 months so that I could get a more favorable lot location.  Gods still working once, but it's refreshing to see some results.   

Yesterday sitting in church the pastor started a series on giving.  Appropriate as we enter into the thanksgiving season.   As he was speaking I realized what a joy it's going to be to write my 3rd and final committed to check to the 3 year capital campaign at Baptist Temple.  When we as a church went through that campaign I struggled with if I would commit to the whole campaign of 3 years, or just the time that I was going to be at Baptist Temple.  God pressed it into me to trust Him and commit to the full term.  I did, and amazed that God has provided on His commitment to me, to be able to give to His church.  I really don't know why this amazes me, but for some reason I thought that I was the one making the commitment, but ultimately it was God that made a commitment to me to supply above and beyond my needs, to be able to give to His church.  I am so glad that I committed to the entire campaign and not just for my time at the church, because I would have missed out on this incredible blessing.  I haven't talked it over with Amy yet, but in accordance with Gods word I would like to give as we have been bless and either double our last payment, or double our initial pledge.  Regardless I am going to write this letter to the church so that they might also be blessed by what God has done, but to offer encouragement as the church enters into the 3rd year of their commitments to stay strong in their trust that God is providing all of their needs.  

Today I am blessed to be flying to Idaho Falls.  God has really blessed me with the opportunity to go to some incredible places.  I hope that soon I will be able to take my family on more of these trips.  I am excited to get to take them to CA this weekend.  It makes the trip even better to get to experience part of a business trip with some family pleasure time.  God is blessing not only my work life, but also the business that Chris and I have started.  I am amazed at the growth rate in 6 months, as well as the money that we have received to date.  God has really blessed our efforts, and I can't wait to see what God has in store for the future.

Here is the letter mentioned 

9/24/15 Ramblings from 30,000 feet

Well we did it...  I don't believe I have fully grasped that we don't live on Texas anymore.  So far AZ has been good to us, and of course as always God is providing all of our needs, and most of the wants.  He never lets me down!  

Lisa seems to be handling the transition well.  I know she has cried at least once missing her home of 5 years.  She states that she really felt we would be there forever, and it's hard.  I get it, was hard for me to, but I know we all were going to move eventually even if it was simply to a larger house.  We have spent the other two weeks at a great little mission minded church that is just full of activity.  Really reminds me of BT.  I'm not sure how I am going to fit in there yet, but I believe God has sent us there.  

The little ones seem to really enjoy the larger house.  They have started sharing a room, and even a bed.  They sleep together every night and I feel as if they are growing a bond that will never break.  Lisa is for sure their little mother hen.  They bring so much joy to my life.  I work to make sure Bethany never doubts how I feel about her, in hopes that she doesn't grow up with the normal middle child neglected feelings.  She really is special to me, and I tell her everyday. 

Flying to LA today to attend an industry event and visit industry friends.  I am able to mix my personal business with the companies business and hopefully reap benefits for both companies while I am there.  I really didn't think I would be making trips like this on someone else's dime once I moved here, but God once agin provides.  I pray that you company takes off in such a way that I can eventually focus more time towards full time ministry again.  It really is a surreal feeling to jump on a plane and be in another major city for a day and turn around and fly back. I've been doing it for almost 2 years now and still sometimes just can't believe it.  This was a foreign concept to me growing up.  People I knew didn't fly unless it was a once in a life time event.  I really have been blessed with the opportunities I've been given. 

Moving Day (Leaving Texas)

The last two weeks have been a blur.  First week trying to get our house on the market, and the second week trying to find a place to live, and get moved. 

I really can't believe that I just woke up in my house for the last 5 years for the last time.  Having built this house, moving in when Bethany was a week old, and brining Rebecca home from the hospital this house has a lot of great memories.  Lots of laughs, tears, good times, and bad have been shared here.  I am amazed at the turns life has taken since we moved here.  5 years ago it was just Amy, myself, and 5 year old Lisa.  From a family of three to a family of 5.  From Amy working full time, to being disabled.  

This morning I sit here on my porch swing, on a porch that I built many fond memories fill my heart.  Just building this porch with my 6 year old Lisa, while 1 year old Bethany sat in the sand and played.  I built this backyard into something special, and am absolutely astounded that God gave me the ability to build and craft things.  

I have recognized for some time that I have been in a transitional time in my life, and now that I know where this transitional time is taking us (Phoenix and The Driver Provider) I realize that this next year is just going to be another year of transition.  Becoming familiar with a new city, living in a rented house, determining where we want to buy a house in the Phoenix area is all one transition to another.  I am starting to believe that life is simply a series of transitions from birth to death.  Seems strange that so many people have a hard time adjusting to change when change is inevitable.  I question if the change is whats hard, or the self realization that you are now one transition closer to death.  

I have thought about that the last couple of days.  I am not an old man by most measures.  At 35 some would say I am in my prime.  But I also realized as I thought about the last 5 years, and the 5years before that (the time that we have lived in our two houses Amy and I) that I am not 25 anymore.  I am grateful for that, but at the same time it is a startling reminder that we are all getting older.  Now as I look back on pictures from years gone by I see great memories of people and places that I have been, and I am grateful for the experiences that I have had.  But I start to realize that tomorrow is not about me.  I start to think of the life my children will live.  The desire that I have for them to find peace, and love.  For them to be able to do more, and experience even more than I have.  I want to try and give them stability, yet at the same time I realize that our own created since of stability is truly a false since of comfort.  

Yesterday I was climbing out of the attic for the last time, and was overcome by memories.  Looking through old photos, and belongings.  Memories of taking town, and putting up Christmas lights every year (I am a Clark Griswald) and I just had to stop at the top of the ladder, half of my body in the attic, the other half in the garage and I was overcome by a feeling of gratitude.  I can not believe what Jesus has provided for me.  This house for the last 5 years, 3 incredibly beautiful girls, food on my table, cloths on my back, and more stuff then I need.  But more than that is something that I don't deserve.  It's a peace that comes from knowing that He is taking care of everything.  I stood there tears in my eyes as I just was so thankful for knowing who my Savior is, and how much He truly loves me.    

I look forward to this new adventure.  I have found a church that is close by that I am excited to be a part of.  An opportunity to once again be involved in another church body, giving my children a place of refuge in the middle of all this change, and a place to serve.  A place that I can show the love that Jesus shows me, to other people.   

Hope for an empty feeling

Sitting on my porch sipping coffee this morning I can’t help but think about how Jesus's followers felt the morning after the crucifixion. The lost feeling not knowing what the last three years of their lives meant. Perhaps they themselves never realized as they followed Jesus around exactly why they had been doing it, and having it all ending in a way that none of them could have predicted. Sitting alone after something like that many thoughts could go through a persons mind. Wondering what is the point of continuing on. Utter and complete hopelessness that comes without Jesus in your life. I remember this feeling in my own life, and I know that I am surrounded by a world that sits alone when the music stops and the grander of a life they have built for themselves fades away they are left with a feeling of emptiness. The disciples on that Saturday morning did not understand that there was a purpose. They didn’t see the hope that was coming from the cross. Jesus was coming back! He was coming back in such a way that none of them would ever have to have that empty feeling in their lives ever again! He was coming back to offer for a world forever a hope that no one could ever take away regardless of how empty you think your life is. Jesus reached out to you on the cross that day, all those years ago, and is still reaching out today. When you are sitting there, and the party is over, and everyone has gone home Jesus is still there. You don’t have to wait for Sunday morning to see the empty tomb, it’s still empty, and Jesus is still alive, and wants you to know that He cares for you, and He loves you. 

Fall Race

Well it's that time of year. It's August, and I have already paid my dues for the Rock and Roll San Antonio 1/2 marathon. I had thought this year would be all about someone else, but as we get closer it looks like that is not going to be the case. So the question is what am I going to do this year? This isn't my first race like it was a couple years ago, so just finishing is not a real accomplishment. It is not by far the longest distance that I have ever accomplished, not to brag but I did finish a marathon last year (we won't talk about that). So what am I going to do with this event? I think that the only logical decision is to set a time goal for myself. I made the mistake of doing that in my first race, and hobbled across the finish line in severe pain (lesson learned for my first marathon). But I am a more mature runner now. I have learned from my mistakes, and perhaps this is what I need in order to push myself. It would be so easy at this point to just show up and jog through 13.1 miles with out really taking training that seriously, but what joy and accomplishment would that bring me. This settles it, I need a time goal. I'm thinking somewhere in the area of 130 minutes. Thats 2 hours and 10 minutes, or just under an average pace of 10 minute miles. Yes you can laugh it up, but that would be a serious challenge for me. Sure I've done sub 30 5K's but we are talking about doing that 4 times and then running an extra 1.6 miles at the same intensity. I know that there will be men, and women there that will finish a full marathon in just over that time, but they never weighed in at over 450lbs either. The really cool thing about doing that is that in the final stretch I should be able to see the elite athletes zooming past me in there convoy as they jet off to the finish line (because of the way the course is laid out, and the wave start). Yup sounds like I have a goal, now I only need a plan...

weight loss

I started an incredible journey a few years back. As I try to figure out when honestly years get blurred. I know if I really wanted to I could figure out when exactly it started, but I don’t really care. What I do care about is the pause button that I have hit, and haven’t pushed play again. I assume that since you are reading this you know I have lost approximately 200 lbs. That’s Awesome right?!? Yea it kinda is, and yea it’s kind of a big deal. But there is a problem. I started at over 450. See the problem? If you don’t I’ll spell it out. I STILL WIEGH OVER 250lbs! There. That’s a problem. Yea in the last few months I completed a marathon, and have picked up a new exercise habit, but I am not losing weight any more. Yes I know why! I eat like a 250lb marathon runner! I happen to be 250 lb marathon runner, but I don’t want to be a 250 lb marathon runner! I want to be a 200 lb ironman! Yup, I think to realistically achieve my goal of completing an ironman competition I need to be closer, if not less than 200 lbs. So why haven’t I finished this goal that I started a few years ago to get down close to, if not under 200 lbs? I know there are lots of reasons that I had to pause this trip, my life got turned upside down, and inside out, and for 6 months I didn’t have a house, or a kitchen even, but that’s all changed. I’ve spent the last 14months in my house; my new born baby is over a year old, what’s holding me back? ME!!! I’ve got good exercise habits, I am dedicated in achieving my goals, and obviously I have discipline so what gives?!? It’s time for me to hit play again. I need to get back on this journey and see it to the end. I am so blessed that for the first time in our marriage my wife is serious about her own health, and now we can lose weight together (maybe a friendly competition????) The first thing I have got to do is get the scale back in my bathroom. Back when I did what I did, I weighed myself every single morning. I got up, went potty (I’m a father, that’s daddy language), and hit the scale. In our new house there are two bathrooms, and the one in the master is smaller and the scale got moved to another part of the house. I don’t see it every day, and by the time I do, I’m dressed, and usually had my water. So I just moved it back. Is it going to be an inconvenience? Yea but so is this extra weight I’m carrying around. I know some people say throw out the scale when you’re trying to lose weight, but look most of them have never lost a significant amount of weight and I have, so there :-p. The next step is my little carry along food journals are going back in my pocket. Yea I know that I can log with apps on my phone, but honestly those are very awkward, and if you’re just grabbing a quick snack it can take longer to figure out how to input it, then you really have time for. Pencil and paper is the way I fly. I can look up the calories that I don’t know later. It’s not a tool to tell you how much you can eat, it’s a tool to help you think about what you’re eating, and hold yourself accountable. Yup, I’m ready, time to get into some smaller clothes again, and shave some personal records (it’s a running thing you either get it, or you’re not a runner).