HOLA! All things work together for good...15

[Committed2Him]

Well it is "Latin America" but I know, "latina" has a certain kinda connotation in some circles.

Mr.X is from South America and my kids have already been there (Costa Rica) during this past Christmas. I have to make sure I don't develop any negative predispositions to the whole continent or even the country because of Him LOL!

[lost-n-found]

Now we know you better than that C2.... if there were the slightest chance of that at all you wouldn't even consider a mission trip like you are.

[Committed2Him]

lnf,

Actually I did pray about going to Peru after the major earthquake they had last year but it didn't work out. Then I prayed about the first Hawaii trip in Dec which was a no go as well (conflict with my schedule) THEN Hawaii II worked out and now Spain! Whoo Hooo!

If something came about for South America or even Costa Rica, if God sent me, I would go.

[Committed2Him]

AWESOME Saturday!
My accountability group came over at 6 a.m. which meant I got less than 5 hours sleep after my Friday night date with the Lord. We had a GREAT gathering! Words cannot describe how valuable this intimate, transparent fellowship has been in my life.

Bball with my son!!
We play each Saturday at his old school and but this time I had him on my side most of the time so I would not have to chase him LOL! We had a blast. We had occasion to play against each other in one game (because when we played together, the other team abused us) and when he guarded me, he started pushing and being aggressive within the context of the game and he did well, lots of confidence!
The pass - At one point I was guarding him, and he anticipated I would try to deflect a bounce pass by sticking out my leg so he faked it and then through it between my legs to his teammate , something I would do
The steal - On another occasion, he was guarding a bigger guy who abused him in a previous game (I told the guys to not ease up on him so he could learn to play against bigger stronger guys). The other guy is dribbling the ball out sort of directing his teammates, every body watching him and son harasses him and TAKES THE BALL AWAY from this guy and dribbles the ball to the other basket to score, LOL! This guy is probably 6 years older, fit, 60 lbs heavier, 7 inches taller. Everybody saw it and laughed. Just another priceless memory from hanging out with my son.

Praises from Hawaii!
In between games, I got a call from Hawaii from my newlywed friend (the one who I helped with his wedding). He was there on business but also took his wife AND when he was doing business, he was meeting with the people we went to serve with on the missions trip. He has been having challenges of melding two strong wills in a new marriage. He and I have been speaking regularly, praying, counseling etc. He calls to tell me the amazing things God has been showing him and his wife for them and their marriage while there!

Jarin and Scott (names used here so I can remember to pray for these guys in the future)
After bball, son and I get some food and come home so I can then take daughter to lunch and shopping. After eating, I am exhausted and call D telling her I will pick her up in 30 minutes (son will go back to his moms and maybe play in the pool or just chill). As I get ready to nap, my door bell rings, I see it is someone I do not know so I go to etell them thanks but no thanks and I recognize the ministry this guy represents base on the logo on his shirt. It is a Christian home that helps people addicted to drugs and alcohol. Before he can say more than a sentence I tell him I would like to donate.

I call son outside and ask the guy, who introduces himself as Jarin, and I ask to tell his story (a short version) to my son while I find my wallet. The story is always my life was a mess and God is changing me. I have been to their main facility before and the program is very, very solid and because the give people a hope that fills the hole people try to fill with booze or drugs, their recidivism rate is very low. They help people find the solution to the problem and the symptom (booze, drugs etc) goes away. Again, 20 years ago I accepted Jesus as my Savior and God took the desire for alcohol away. I didn't go to this program but my solution, a relationship with the Lord, has worked for 20 years and I have seen the solution repeated over and over and over again. Heck, I laugh because some of my best friends at church are ex offenders, felons, drug dealers whom God has cleaned up and transformed. (By the way, there are plenty of non convicts at church, God will clean those people up too LOL!)

(INTERJECTION: when I bought food after bball, I did not have enough money on me or in the car where as normally I would that amount stashed away. I had to leave my food drive to an ATM to get cash and then drive back so while at the ATM, I got EXTRA cash)

I returned with my wallet and after giving him money (which I now had but did not have just 10 minutes earlier). Had Jarin arrived two minutes later, I would have been napping and son would not have disturbed me. I offered him cold water and then began talking with him and ministering to him knowing that he would be new in is struggle against his problem. He had been asking God for wisdom in some of the various areas God has been revealing too me over the last 20 months but especially over the last month or so. I had the book we are using for my Monday study and told him he would greatly benefit from it The Accountable Man: Pursuing Integrity Through Trust and Friendship. He was so appreciative of my giving it to him.

His friend, Scott, eventually came around and I asked them to sit, gave them a snack and then just loved them and shared some of the amazing things God has been revealing to me about myself, and the men I closely associate with. I made some CD's for them but particularly one that I call THE MAN CD. This is music for men, encouraging men to be men of integrity, to be there for there brothers, to humble themselves, to stand for Godly values etc.

When I was done burning the CD's I let them know I had to go meet my daughter, I prayed for them and Scott prayed for me.

I no longer needed a nap and had just finished another appointment God had arranged for me.

(So much more to come including my date with my daughter but gotta go now)

(I use to love my wife,
now I love my Life!)

George

[lost-n-found]

I tell ya C2, you not only bring a smile to my face every time I read one of your posts but you put a smile on the inside that just bursts to get out. Thank you so much for sharing so transparently the things in your heart.... your experiences truly inspire!!!!!

Have a GREAT day!!!!

[Committed2Him]

I tell ya C2, you not only bring a smile to my face every time I read one of your posts but you put a smile on the inside that just bursts to get out.

Ya sure it's not gas?

Ok, seriously, I am glad that what I am experiencing and feeling is being conveyed through my posts. I desire to share why and how this is coming about so that some or many may have similar experiences. More than sharing, I want to remember the joy I am experiencing for the joy out weighs the pain of remembering the hurt caused by X. It is my reminder that Romans 8:28 is true in my life.

[Committed2Him]

It was a GREAT Sunday!

Finishing yesterday's post, too much, too awesome:

*Shopping with D - Went to her favorite store, but got smoothies before that, then shopped, took pictures, followed her around.

*Surprise sunflower - We passed a flower stand and noticed the flowers on the way to the Store. I excused myself while she shopped, snuck over and bought a sunflower for her she commented on. (told the guy I would be back)

*Done shopping - D agreed to grab a bite next door but I detoured her across the street, pretended to go ask the guy the price for the sunflower and reached behind the buckets of flowers to pull out her wrapped flower. SHE LOVED IT

*Lunch/Dinner - We ordered, talked and ate ouside while people walking. The area is 6 blocks from the beach so people were out and about, walking their dogs, enjoying the day.

*Taxi to the movies - we finshed and I took her home to change and then took her to meet her friends at the movies, gave her money and watched her jump out of the car wearing some of the things she just bought - she was quite the happy teen ager.

*Evening with son - we hung out, ate, tossed the football some and relaxed.

*Transcribing my journal - I started the gift for my D, transcribing from my journal the entry from the day of her birth. I LOVED reading all about it again.

*Taxi for D - later I picked up my daughter, tucked her into bed, prayed with her and gave her butterfly kisses as I did when she was a tiny tot.

My kids slept in my house and I rested content that they were in my house for another night but knowing that I was in their heart forever

Sunday

*Taxi son - he went to church at his old school so he could go to the beach with that group.

*Card for friend - I was moved to make a special card for a friend who is going to serve in Mexico for a month and maybe longer. We served on a missions trip for 10 days about 20 months ago. Gave her the card, a CD, a special picture of her from that trip, plus panditas (gummy pandas found only in Mexico) which were part of an inside joke I knew she would appreciate.

*D to church with me - just D and I, time to talk and listen

*Card to my church friend - we sometimes sit near each other because we serve at the same service. So, she had her purse open, while some announcements were going on and I got the care and stuck it in her purse. She motioned if it was for her and if she should open it and I nodded. She was very touched and almost laughed out loud when she saw the panditas, she got the joke!

*The marine - I wrote about a guy I met the day of the men's conference who recently dedicated his life to God. I had been praying for him as he went back for training, in preparation for Iraq this January. We connected this morning and said we would meet after service. We did, we talked, I saw his mom again and I encouraged him to join us Monday night so I could introduce him to more men who would pray for him while he serves our country.

*Post church shopping - I needed to go to a bookstore so D and I went shopping, we bought books at two different stores on the way to the gathering with my family.

*Bday celebration - we celebrated her birthday, ate, watched video from when she 6 to 9 months, played board games and just enjoyed family (minus son who was at the beach)

*Homeward bound - ultimately we headed out to drop off D. We talked about the weekend all the way home LOVED IT! LOVED IT!

*Taxi for son - After dropping off D, it was time to go get son who was due back at his old school from the beach trip. Fed him on the way to his mom's and talked about our basketball game and other guy stuff.

Finally home - I did some laundry and then fell asleep, only to wake up to spend time with God, pray for certain needs and create this post (since I am awake). It was a great weekend indeed!

[Reincarnated]

I am glad you post, too. Your example of positive outlooks is very inspiring. Even when you have a not-so-perfect day, you look for what you can get out of it. (I might have been cranky from missing my nap; you took the opportunity to reach out from the heart, instead!) Thank you for such a good example.
That being said, I hope that you post even during the times you may not being feeling so up; I know that many of us would welcome being there for you, as well.
You are a good friend to so many...

[Committed2Him]

Donna,

Thanks for the kind words and encouragement to share when things aren't quite so rosey. I'll do so.

[Committed2Him]

No alarm?
Set my alarm incorrectly but woke up on time anyway BUT was exhausted tempted to rest for just 10 more minutes (well you know how that would turn out ) Got up, debated the idea but then went for a short bike ride to the park around the corner, praying and communing with God. Glorious!!

Got a text from my friend on his business trip in Hawaii, I can tell he wants to give me a praises report!

Just got a call from a new friend at church who needs who wants to know more about "accountabiltiy" and to learn about the things I was sharing with the group I led last Monday night (he was in the group, first time I got to meet him). I can see God is stirring him up so I am excited to come along side him.

I have an exciting day ahead of me at work, followed by my Men's Study tonight at church.

Blessings upon each of you this day.!