Fun Day

Taken from my cell phone, here is TC down in the creek playing with the boys.


Saturday was filled with fun things. We went early to Yellow Branch Creek and laid on the leaves and enjoyed the woodsy smell, built a rock castle and dug a small creek beside our castle. Of course this was ll done in or around the existing creek. I am afraid that TC and I enjoyed it more. Then, we had a snack and came home and took showers and dressed for the 2nd half of our day. That included going to the movies and seeing Night At The Museum II, and then off to Ryan's, where of course I ate too much. Today at church Dylan is graduating Kindergarten and they are having a little ceremony for that and lunch after church. Then, it's rest. Last night on Hallmark they showed a movie called "Safe Harbor" about the beginning of a outreach to adolescents in trouble. It was a true story and here is the actual ministry.

The Finger

Oh this one is good. Someone sent this to me email and i have seen it elsewhere. This guy really knows how to tell him how he feels, which is the way one must. So, to the enemies of the United States, let me join this fellow and give you the finger. Don't believe it, Click HERE
And may our enemy's last sound be a distinct whistling sound.

That's My boy

TC found this photo on the Army Family Readiness Group page. Of course I have Chad pointed out. We are very proud of him.

Clearing the Muddy Water

Yesterday we sent Chad another package filled with Copenhagen and tan T-shirts. Yea, the PX sells for them for $10 a piece so we were able to beat that price a little bit. Today Chad is suppose to be moving from Kandahar to Camp Wolverine so I put a special prayer for him as his unit travels through "that" valley. Yesterday we had a bunch of running around to do. Between allowance checks, medication refilled and other little errands it kept us busy. Then, out of nowhere we had a crisis that needed everyone's attention. It seems that Jared although is spending the summer at home is at his Mom's, which is not good. So we will see in the next day or so what will happen in that case. Today we have our Strategic Planning Session. There is an outsider consultant coming to facilitate it so I do hope some things are brought a little more clear. We are already looking forward to our next break, cause we are going camping in Georgia and having lunch again with Sarge Charlie and his better half Bee. Well all is well and I must send a nice BIG Birthday wish to my Mom. Today is her actual birthday. Happy Birthday Mom.

Riding The Storm Out

Here are some final shots of us and Khalill as we took the kids to Chau Ram Park. I did'nt think they would get in the water but sometimes i forget they are boys. What fun!

Sitting here this morning gathering some thoughts. While I enjoy cutting grass it was not much of a joy when starting out so behind with so much to cut, in between taking Anthony to the doc for his medication update. I got all but a wee bit done, said in my best Irish accent. Well, Khalill is gone and our hearts are heavy. I was looking at the picture book that TC made, two years of memories. She did a great job on that too.
So, with all the things going around here I heard some songs from Reo Speedwagon that seemed to apply. TC and I just laughed about it. First up was a big hi called "Time for me to Fly", which would be easy to do. How about " Take it on the Run". Yea that could fit. Then we heard "Roll with the Changes". Oh, that was a good one. Then finally, we heard " Riding the Storm Out". Funny how songs can speak to you, christian or not. Those last tow songs speak volumes as it appears there is a storm brewing around here with the lack of leadership and a guiding principle of Ministry. AS TC said it yesterday, we had a very tough emotional day losing a boy that we have loved and raised for almost a year an a half, and not s single word form leadership except to remind us to get all of his paperwork turned in so they can close that case out. WOW, perhaps she did not even think on this very much, and that is possible. We are all looking for answers that can be found right in front of us or through some "voice spoken", but most importantly let us look to these simple words spoken by Jesus the Christ, who will say one day on that appointed day, "Well done thou good faithful servant". In a few words we are just trying to faithful to His Calling

Some Gave All

After reading Sarge Charlie's Blog I just thought I would post these videos. Check out Sarge's Blog for a good reminder. I Remember them because they Remembered me!

Doing The Right Thing

Man dies after rescuing 7-year-old boy from pit

Mon May 25, 10:37 pm ET Associated Press

DETROIT – A 58-year-old man has died after rescuing a 7-year-old boy who fell into a water-filled hole at a Detroit construction site.

Wayne State University police Sgt. Robert Barron said the boy was playing Sunday at a home under construction on Miracle Street when he fell into the foundation pit that was dug for the basement. The Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News reported the man was Garrett Townsend of Detroit. WDIV-TV says he managed to rescue the child, but wasn't able to get himself out of the water. Emergency responders pulled him out and rushed him to a hospital, where he died.

In a world filled with decisions, this is the one of very few things that has made America GREAT, and that is "doing the right thing without hesitation, regardless of the cost". Many people hesitate, weigh out their options on how this might effect them. Our Military is filled with guys like this along with our force of Police, Fireman and Medical Technicians. May God bless this man's family and I hope to see him some day on the other side.

Today on the Farm, we will see Khalill leave this morning, AM. Of course his Mom has like 8 kids so of course she actually cannot come and pick him up so DSS is going to do that. A little bitter I am, so I apologize. TC made him a picture book and she gave it to him last night. Two years worth of memories that I am sure he will not forget. Of course last night he had a pair of scissors in the bed with him so who knows what he was going to do if we didn't see them. Lord help us....

Yea, I get to pick up the mower today from the shop. I guess we are stuck with this one another year as there are just not enough money to get a new one......

Birthdays and Bullying

Saturday was Mom's Birthday Gathering at my sisters house. It was very good to see everyone. All was there byt Chad, so Mom got a card started. It's probably already on its way.
Here is Mom with her cake.

This must be Mom telling a fish story. I did'nt know she fished.

A quick shot of my parents and my sister. We are blessed.

Back at the Kid Farm after our break. The weather did not cooperate with our plans today, but more that that there were too much damage done by their actions to continue planning this day. TC is punishing them by making them watch the Science Channel all day. What did they do you ask? Well to name a few, stopped up the toilet with a whole roll of tissue and then take a dump.(This is still in process and still not fixed). One got mad so he decided to ball up his fist and punch a younger one, twice and the other has the bruise to prove it. Many other things that I will not mention but sometimes between the transition of Relief workers and us their behaviour gets pretty bad. It will get better though!

Chad Called

At home enjoying some time off. Tc and I went for a long walk in the woods today near our house. Woods that I played in as a boy. Very enjoyable. Later today we are going to my sisters house for my Mom's Birthday gathering.
Chad called today and it was very good to hear from him. Something had happened that we have not heard in the news yet. He said an Apache Helicopter went down from engine failure and that the pilot had been killed. Chad said the memorial service was sad and that it was his first. He described the bagpipes playing as sombering. The co-pilot lived but was injured pretty bad. Chad will be leaving Kandahar next week for Camp Wolverine, or at least he hopes. That kind of puts this weekend even more memorial.

Just Had To Show You

All Dressed up with no place to go. Actually, management wanted some pics of them in there Easter duds that someone paid for, so we assume they wanted proof of them wearing them, so last night we dressed them up around 8:00 PM for a quick snapshot. As you can see some of them could not find belts and other accessories. These guys are just too cool!!!

This is Big A. If you didn't know it, this boys does not smile that much at least not for the camera. I would say he is proud of his accomplishments and so are we!!!

Heading North

Political- The Democrats has followed the Republicans on two things that I like; one they approved a bill that allows loaded guns in Federal Parks, and second they pretty much told the president that he better come up with a plan for Gitmo or he wasn't going to get the 80 Million dollars he needed to close it down. It's ridiculous, what does he think we will do with them, let em go. And to think that was one of the first things he did. Kinda like the insurance lady that was here yesterday, she spent most of her time on the least important thing.

Kids Farm- During the staff meeting, a call came in that our paper recycling truck had reached Georgia, but was 11 thousands pounds over weight and that at least 6000 pounds had to come off. Between Joe, BK myself and Kay, we took three pick ups down there and unloaded 6500 pounds of newspapers from the back of a 53 foot semi trailer. Fun, oh yea!
The tutor appreciation banquet went great and the kids did a good job of singing the song that TC taught them. They even remembered the song they did last year. TC and I were both completely exhausted last night and we are looking forward to our four days off and that starts just as soon as I wake em up at 6:30, feed them, haul em to school, pack our junk in the trunk and head North to the Carolina's of the North.

Scout Dinner

Tonight we have a scout dinner and we are having breakfast for supper. That should be good. TC is working with the younger ones on a song for tomorrow. We are having our annual tutor appreciation banquet. It was fun last year as we have around 25 tutors that come at different times to help our kids study. They are a great help indeed. It's been a nice day, fairly quiet. TC is working on a picture album for Khalill. We printed out 177 pictures of Khalill alone. He is going hom for good next Tuesday and we are going to miss him very much.

KISS: Keep It Simple Stupid

Sunday and all is quiet this morning. I have spent some time reading the WORD this morning and trying to encourage myself in the Word. This trail that we are own sometimes get a little thick. For instance, one of our 13 year old boys, who goes to a private school, is out for the summer and he goes and stays with family for the summer. Surely this guy is ready to leave here, he says it is the worse thing in the world to stay here. Then, when we drop him off, he want us to stay a while. This job I swear can sure sneak up on you. So, now we are down to seven boys, and Khalill is going home on the 26th. By July we will be down to three with two returning and room for three new ones. Meanwhile, the ministry itself is grasping for direction and clarity in its work. We have a stradegy session coming up in a week or so, with an outsider facilateing it. Where are we going, what are we doing? Well we thought it was pretty simple until folks starting muring the waters. Now everyone is confused. Why can't we just keep it simple?

Just Thinking About It

The apostle Paul wrote, "There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears" (Phil.1:6, MSG). For me this is the reason for my journey, it is what keeps me going when the days come that I no longer walk this trail. Besides all of that, which I know all of us have from time to time, I get so frustrated with what is going on in my country, on my block, in my community and among some of my friends. It is as if they just don't get it. Can they not see the destruction of our principles being tore down right in front of us. I just do not understand, but this I do know, My loving Him is a "reflex" action from discovering His love for me.(Credit- Ed Gungor John the apostle said, "We love [him] because he first loved us" (1 John 4:19). And then I know this, that the day will come when all that is wrong will be made right and when I hear these words I know that justice, God's justice will prevail! Rev 6:2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

Rev 19:11

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him [was] called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

Celebration

Well our private school student's last day is tomorrow and he will go home for the summer, so tonight we celebrated. We took everyone out to dinner at Ryan's and afterward played some fierce four square and had a blast. Then the older ones and myself started playing and we got a little out of hand, but is was a blast. Several of the kids are having home visits this weekend so we will be down to three so we can venture out and do some exploring perhaps.

Please Cut My Grass

Monday was filled with getting back to the Kid Farm, unpacking our clothes and dealing with things such as water leaks and such. The A/C has been completely repaired, but the issue with the lawn mower is far from over. To the "person in charge" I asked had she heard anything. She responded that she was coming out with a schedule of the people who are bring their mowers to cut our grass. OK, fine that did not answer my question, but I can see that it will take many weeks for them to react. Meanwhile, our grass is half way up my legs, and they will cut it and leave many clippings which will make their way into the house. Great! Last night the Sierra club brought us to the outdoor center at Clemson University for a hot dog cookout. It was fun and it's always good to see the kids mingle together, seeing how many of them have siblings at the girls cottage. All for now....

Recently, my good friend Sarge Charlie sent this to TC, because our son is deployed in Afghanistan. This ought to tell you what kind of man he is. This meant so much to TC, that words cannot describe. On Mother's Day, early that morning, the phone rang and it was Chad. I was so proud of him for remembering his Mom on this day. The flag is now hanging proudly in our front window.

Traveling Light

For us it is just a thought, but at times we feel we need to travel light these days. There is no doubt that when the time comes for us to leave Collins, it will be very difficult, but necessary. We are in the beginning process of starting back to school, but we choose a plan that will allow us to finish in one year. When we are finished, we will both have additional tools to help us advance our goals. To that end, we are not sure what they are right now but do have some good insights. To anyone interested, I recommend Max Lacado's book, Cure for the Common Life. What good insights we obtained from this book in finding our sweet spot. So, we keep our material things low and we also know that everything we need to survive can be packed in our blazer, and it attached to the RV. For us that is how we travel light.

R&R

At home enjoying some R&R. I have a sinus infection but hopefully that will end soon. Was able to take Mom and Dad out for supper last night and we all enjoyed some good conversation. Tonight, we are having a little get together with some old high school friends at the Little Big Horn in Dallas NC. Sunday we will be going up to David and Christie's church and then back down here for the family celebration for Mother's Day. Monday will get here quick enough, too quick.

It's a Hard Thing

Found this, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum NY (41st Engineer Battalion (Sappers). I was just thinking of Chad this morning and watching the news. The news I hear sounds a bit different, or at least it does for me. Hard thing know you son is over there, as well as many others, while the Commander in Chief is clueless. There are many hard things in this life, hey?

This morning we are out of here. We are not in too big of a hurry since we have not even packed yet. Been a tough 10 days and are butts are dragging, at times yesterday I could hardly think clearly. But, once the kids are gone we can focus, rest a bit and get on our way. That is all.

Meetings and Business

Well we have Boys Cottage Meeting this morning at 9:00 AM. There seems to be some complaints about the church we are going to so I think we are going to discuss that or be told what we are going to do, either one. Of course Wednesdays are always tough, especially right before we leave for our break. Much to do today.

Troubled

As I read this article, I pray that Almighty will not pull His Hand from our military. I heard that at one time they could not have Christmas trees as well. If I could not help folks in that way, I am not sure what I would do. I am not sure how I feel about this right now.

Incoming

All the boys are doing homework so I have a few quiet moments. I got a lot of work done today and we finalized our plan for continuing our schooling. That should be in the mail in a day or so and then all we have to do is sign and give them some money. Benji got a haircut today and he looks great, smell nice too. So, Chad called this morning and it was so good to hear from him. He said that he was told that Kandahar gets about one mortar attack per week, and that happened yesterday. He said hearing the sirens and the whistling noise along with the blast, even though it was almost a mile away, was quite thrilling. (Note: Quiet time over and I am being called to the administration building for report card copies)- I'm Back, so here is the rest of the story. In 6 weeks he will move to Camp Wolverine, which according to him, gets mortared once a day. So, that's what happening around here.

Some Days are longer Than Others

Both A/C units went out on Saturday. One was fixed today and the other they had to order parts. I took Daniel and Jared for a yearly physical today and our support staff took Drake for his final dentist visit. It's been a hum drum day, raining and I can't seem to get things to go my way, boo hoo.....I am going to watch "24" tonight and go to bed, that is all.

Strawberry Saturday

We had a very good time Saturday. The boys learned some knitting skill, I'll pass on that one, and then we took Khalill to see his Mother for a one hour supervised visit in Anderson. He had a good time with his siblings, and might I say quite a few of them. After that we met the girls cottage at Callahan Farms, where we had ice cream, petted some goats, took a hay ride, saw some deer and pick some strawberries. Click here to see those pics along with some pictures we took of Laurens last day. Today I look forward to a very quite Sunday after church and hopefully get some rest.

Picking Strawberries and Petting Goats

Friday came with a good breakfast with our good friends Scott and Jennifer, a quick meeting with supervisor about vacation(18 days straight in July) and a few other issues. TC's friend of many years came down for a visit and David and Christie came down last night to spend the night as well. I think everyone but me and TC stayed up but we was butt tired. Today, the boys have to go across the street while some ladies are gong to come and show them some basic sewing and knitting techniques. Of course I protested but was ordered to send them. (Why don't we get their ears pierced and buy a pretty little dress as well.) OK, just kidding they will enjoy it and perhaps we will do something "manly" later today. Khalill gets a one hour visit with his Mom, but we have to supervise it and also have to take him closer to his Mom. We are taking him to the big playground in Anderson. After that we are gong to petting zoo and strawberry farm along with the girls cottage. Should be a good day.