12 of 12 - January 2019

12 of 12 - I got the idea from somebody else and modified it. My 12 of 12 is 12 pictures for each of the 12 months of the year (I print a 12 picture collage each month). It is really fun in January to look back over the previous year.

January 9 - Love it when Jeremiah and Taylor bring Grayson to visit the office and he gets to hang out with me for a few minutes. He LOVES the colorful poster behind us. Here he seems fascinated seeing himself on the computer screen. #GraysonIsACutie

January 11 - Brooke and I were getting ready to go out to dinner and my phone rang. I saw it was Canaan and something just didn't feel right (I seriously thought, "I hope nothing is wrong"). I answered and he said, "Dad, I need you to go get Amanda at work and come to the house. I've been in an accident. I was knocked unconscious and the paramedics are taking care of me now". By the time we got there, Canaan had been taken to the hospital. Looking at the (totaled) truck on the back of the wrecker, it was hard not to be very worried. We are thankful that God was watching over Canaan and he was able to go home that night very stiff and sore, but nothing broken and no permanent damage. #ThankfulForGodsProtection 

January 12 - We dropped the kids off at their house after the wreck, came home and were sitting less than an hour when Amanda called. Most likely because of the stress of seeing her husband in the accident, she started having mild contractions and a few other complications. Too early for baby James to think about coming! We were off to the hospital again where Amanda spent several days admitted for observation and bed rest. Canaan had to take a couple days off work as he was recovering from his wreck and he did not leave her side the whole time. Amanda had to be on bed rest for the next 2 weeks and they had no vehicle, so the kids came to stay with us for a while after Amanda was released. #BedRestIsNoFun

January 12 - Went to visit my Kiddo several times while she was in the hospital. With this 12 of 12 in mind, of course I had to take a picture with her! #LoveMyKiddo

January 15 - I love our office tradition of going out to lunch together after staff meeting to celebrate a staff member's birthday. I choose Spring Creek for my birthday lunch. Brooke was able to get away and join us (yea!) and Tammy found the official Staff Birthday Glasses which the birthday boy/girl has to pose in for a picture (LOL). #LoveThePeopleIGetToWorkWith 

January 17 - On my birthday, I got a message from Jeremiah saying, "Could you send me an audio file with you saying 'It is my birthday!!!' in a booming voice...and trust me?" Could I send Jeremiah the audio file? Yes. Trust him? No...I know he's gonna do something with it. Well, OK, I'm sure he's going to do something EPIC when he asks questions like this, so OK. You absolutely MUST watch this birthday video that Jeremiah made for me using the little D-Rex (another Jeremiah creation) cut outs here. #MyFriendJeremiahIsAwesome

January 18 - Things around the time of my birthday were pretty crazy with the kids living with us, Amanda on bed rest and all of the excitement we had experienced the week before. Although I understood 100%, I have to admit I was a little bummed to think all of the "excitement" we had been experiencing meant my 50th birthday might come and go with little fanfare (is that bad??). Brooke had talked about plans for Friday night, but I thought they got downgraded to "just going out to eat"...at least we would get a date night. But then the kids got invited, too? Say what??? I was looking forward to date night! Brooke said she was taking care of the plans for the night. I must say, I was a bit surprised to find out we were going to El Chico..the 4 of us (me, Brooke, Amanda and Canaan) since Canaan worked there. But then we headed back to the party room where I was greeted by a bunch of church friends who celebrated with me (and gave me over $150 in Whataburger gift cards!). Despite the craziness, my wife took good care of me!  #BirthdaysAreBestWithFriends  #BirthdaysAreAlsoBestWithWhataburger 

January 18 - Brooke wanted a picture of the two of us together for my birthday. She is the love of my life! (I know I have a big ol' head, but I'm pretty sure something was up with this camera angle...my head looks extra "tall"). #ILoveThisWoman  #SheTakesGoodCareOfMe

January 20 - Again, all of the "excitement" earlier in the month changed plans for celebrating everybody's birthday, but we made sure this guy got celebrated on his 21st birthday. We kinda like him and plan to keep him around! #LoveYouSon 

January 25 - A little down time and lunch together during our annual staff retreat at a lake house on Lake Palestine. We had a good time eating, playing and praying together. We spent time focusing on what we could learn from last year, looking forward to where we believe God is leading our church this year and praying how we can keep in step with what the Holy Spirit is doing and lead His church well in 2019. #FireOfGod

January 28 - January is the "Man Month" for birthdays in our family...me on the 17th, Canaan on the 20th and Dad on the 28th. Dad turned 85 this year, and I got to celebrate with him and mom by having lunch at The Catch. I have no idea how I managed NOT to take a picture when the 3 of us were together, but I missed it. I asked Mom to take a picture of Dad with the Bible I got him for his birthday (and his birthday card). It is a Charles Spurgeon study Bible like I got for myself a few months ago. I like it a lot and thought Dad would, too (he said he is really enjoying it). #ThankfulForEveryBirthdayIGetToSpendWithHim

January 30 - This picture cracks me up! The little dog in the chair is Paris, our grand dog who is living with us while the kids are here. Sammy and Paris get along OK, but it is accurate to say Sammy is not a big fan of the little dog. Sammy has NEVER gotten up on the back of the chair like this, but Paris got into "his" chair first. I think he was saying, "This is MY chair and I do NOT like you!" Bless his little heart! #DoggiePassiveAggressiveness

12 of 12 - December 2018

A number of years ago, I ran across somebody's picture collage called the 12 of 12. The idea was to take 12 pictures on the 12th day of every month. I did this for a couple years and it was fun to look back at the end of the year on these 12 collages that encapsulated one day each month. The only thing I didn't like was that some months, the 12th was just a boring day and sometimes it was hard to get 12 good pictures for the day. But as I was looking back at the 12 of 12's on my blog, I enjoyed the pictures too much to let it go. All of that to say, I am resurrecting the 12 of 12, but with a twist...I am just going to pick 12 pictures from the entire month. At the end of the year, I will have 12 collages with 12 pictures each.

Because December 2018 was so exciting for us, I'm starting with December rather than waiting till the new year. So, here are my 12 of 12 pictures for December 2018.

November 18 - OK, so on my first month I cheated with a couple pictures that aren't actually from December. But this was the Christmas tree lighting in Sundance Square in Ft. Worth. It was a fun date night and we talked about bringing James, the April-arriving grandson, next year :)  #JamesMayBeSpoiledByHisGrandparents

November 29 - Almost December. We went to Enchant with our friends Jeremiah, Taylor and Grayson (see next picture). It was enjoyable, but the general consensus was, "Lots of fun but WOW, glad we didn't pay $30+/each for this (we went on a free night). #LoveDateNights

November 29 - Went to Boomerjacks for dinner after Enchant. Yum! The burgers were awesome as were the Jeremiah-recommended Boomer Chips (fried Jalapeño slices with Ranch). While I did know that eating spicy food that late would not sit well with my stomach and I did know that Tums was not cutting at 2 am, what I did NOT know at the time was that  Milk of Magnesia is not only an antacid, but also carries certain laxative properties. Around 7 am the next morning, I could no longer say I did not know this. #ThatWasSomePowerfulStuff

December 14 - So, we have HUNDREDS of wedding photos and it feels impossible to pick just a few, but here's my best attempt. Love this picture with my Mom. It will probably end up on the front of a Mother's Day card for her (I make birthday cards, Mother's Day cards, etc and Mom really likes them). #ThankfulForMyMom

December 14 - Yes, I certainly did tear up when I saw my daughter in her dress, ready to walk down the aisle. The photographer captured a moment when I got to pray with her before the ceremony. #WowSheIsBeautiful

December 14 - Walking her down the aisle. A moment 20 years in the making. As I was stressing about the wedding a bit a couple days before, this is what the Lord spoke to me in my journaling time: "I love you, Rob. I am walking with you. I am rejoicing with you. This is a day we have been working toward for years. Since Amanda was a little girl, you have been praying for a godly husband for her. You prayed, you worked, I saw what was best and I provided... Lastly, focus on Me and let's walk through this celebrating together." How awesome that God would remind me that we had been discussing this day for the past 20 years and it made me tear up when He said, "Let's...celebrate together". Let us...Jesus was celebrating with me that He brought my daughter the godly husband I had been praying for since before Amanda was born (tearing up even now writing this). #GodIsGood 

December 14 - What a thrill be get to officiate my daughter's wedding. This will definitely be one of the highlights of my lifetime. #WillNeverOfficateAnotherWeddingAsSpecialAsThis

December 14 - So here we have father/pastor, mother/wedding coordinator (bless her heart, she was working the whole evening), most loved daughter and her husband/our new son. #WeAreBlessed

December 24 - Christmas Eve candlelight service at church. I love this tradition at our church and this year had some incredible moments (the worship team's rendition of Little Drummer Boy was incredible!) #ChristmasEveWithMyLove

December 25 - Christmas Day morning, just Brooke and me...and the doggies! I believe Sammy was helping Brooke wrap a last minute gift before the kids came over in the afternoon. #ChristmasPreparationWasALittleCrazyThisYear

December 25 - Delilah is always in the room where people are. I'm not sure, but she may be peeking at that package to see if it's for her. #HappyToBeWithHerPeople

December 25 - I love, love, love this picture! Look closely so see Paris (aka "Weenie") in Amanda and Canaan's lap...she blends in with the dark shirts. #DogsAreFamilyToo

A "Must Read" Book Recommendation

I enjoy reading...it is one of a few activities that truly relaxes me. One of my goals this year is to read more. I just finished what I would consider the second "most moving" book I have read (first place goes to Following Atticus: Forty-Eight High Peaks, One Little Dog, and an Extraordinary Friendship).

The book I just finished is pictured above, The Day The World Came to Town. When US air space was shut down on September 11, 2001, planes coming into the US either had to return to their airport of origin or find an alternate place to land outside the United States. The little town of Gander, Newfoundland was home to what was once the longest runway in the world and a former US military refueling station. In less than a day, this town of approximately 10,000 people had 38 planes hosting 6,700 "visitors" drop in.

Gander, and a few smaller neighboring towns, opened everything from churches, to schools, to the Lion's Club to the fire department to house these temporary refugees that had no place else to go. Some people were on the their plane for nearly 24 hours from takeoff until they were cleared through security and given a place to stay.

This books is FILLED with stories of the hospitality shown to total strangers from 70 plus countries from around the world. It is nearly impossible to summarize all of the stories of selfless hospitality in this little Canadian province, but Mayberry has nothing on these "Newfies" (as they call themselves).

I will share just a couple snippets from this heartwarming account and then suggest you get the book (currently only $1.99 on the Kindle) yourself. Newfoundland had no known Orthodox Jews, so when meals were prepared for their guests, fixing kosher food was never even considered. Four Orthodox Jews never complained, but for nearly 24 hours they did not eat because they could not eat the food being offered. They did not say anything because they did not want to appear ungrateful. When another passenger found out why they were not eating, they told their Newfie hosts (they were staying at a school) and an entire kosher kitchen was set up for these 4 guests.

The Red Cross, Salvation Army, et all could not provide enough bedding, towels, etc so the townspeople (the WHOLE TOWN) immediately stripped extra beds and brought their own linenes and towels from home. At night, townspeople would stay up until 3 am washing towels for use the next day.

Townspeople took total strangers into their homes. One group of four came to a host home to find the spare bedrooms stripped of sheets and the hosts not having enough towels because they had already taken them to town. When asked how everybody in town would get their own towels back, the answer surprised them....they wouldn't, they'd just go get what they needed from "the pile" when everybody left.

The "plane people" as they were called by the locals, rarely had to walk any great distance because they were offered rides. Two girls were offered a ride and afterwards told, "I work all day tomorrow. If you want to borrow my car to go sightseeing for a break, you are welcome to it".

The last story I will share is about the local "tire company" in Gander. I do not remember the name of the store, but it seems like they were a sporting goods type store as well. When the parent company heard what was going on, they gave the store permission to give away "anything and everything the plane people needed" and if they did not have enough in stock, they could get it from a sister store. If there still was not enough, they could use company money to shop at "the competition" and buy what was needed. The store spent $20,000 from it's own store budget and another $10,000 buying supplies at another chain.

This book follows the stories of a number of passengers (including two families who adopted babies from Kazakhstan) from their point of origin, to Gander and finally to their destination in the US several days later. Some flew out, some took the ferry to Nova Scotia and drove back to the US, but they all had stories to tell. The stories and hospitality of several Newfies are also shared.

If you want a "feel good" book that shares personal behind-the-scenes glimpses to a story you may never have thought about, I highly recommend The Day The World Came to Town.

Riding the Trinity River Trails

CLICK ON ANY OF THE PICTURES TO SEE A LARGER SIZE
Today I was so thinking how thankful I am to live in an area that has so many great bike trails. I discovered the Trinity River Trails two years ago and today I followed a new trail. This is one view of a branch of the Trinity River from the trail I was riding.

     

The trail I took today end at the Airfield Falls Trailhead. This park commemorates Carswell Air Force Base.

I was not aware that the Trinity River had water falls, but I discovered this one at the Air Field Falls trailhead. I want to come back when the water level is higher, but it was still beautiful and very peaceful today.

Much of the trail I was on today was a shared horseback riding trail. When I saw these two ladies coming, I asked if I could take their picture. They were more than happy to oblige and I enjoyed spending a few minutes talking with them. They asked me to take pictures with their phones as well and let me take a selfie with them and their horses.

Besides the ladies on the horses, I met a very kind lady at Trinity Park. I had ridden about 25 miles and was just thinking where I could stop and get a Gatorade on my way home when I passed her selling water and Gatorade. I asked her if she took debit cards, but she could only take cash. I said thank you and was about to leave and she offered me a free Gatorade. When I got back to the car, I drove to the park, found the lady, paid for my Gatorade and paid it forward telling her, "In case there is somebody else you give one to". She said, "I am here every weekend and I give them away all the time." She was a sweet lady and I wanted to take a picture with her, but she didn't want her picture taken. So I thanked her for her kindness and headed home.

Got in 27 miles this morning, enjoyed some beautiful scenery, discovered new areas of Ft. Worth and met a few nice people.

12 of 12 January 2017

12 of 12 Basic Idea - 12 pictures from your life on the 12th of every month. This month, the 12th was on a Thursday.

6:02 am - This is what I woke up to this morning. Brooke gets up about 20 minutes before me so Samson wakes up. When my alarm goes off, he let's me know he is ready for the day.

6:30 am - A little time with Jesus to start off my morning. I use Professor Horner's Bible reading plan. 

6:54 am - Doggies in their spot waiting for me to get their breakfast ready. 

 6:59 am - Thursday is head and beard trimming day.

7:33 am - Yeah, we stopped to pose at the light for this picture. There are not usually this many smiles on the way to school. 

10:50 am - Lawn guys filled bags and bags and bags of leaves...too many to fit in the dumpster. They stacked the bags behind the dumpster and I've been filling the dumpster, getting and extra pick-up an filling it again this week. 

1:12 pm - Meeting with Pastor Steve 

5:19 pm - Came home from work to a house that was smelling good! 

5:36 pm - Chicken, rice and broccoli (for those who like broccoli). Yum! 

7:21 pm - A spontaneous nap happened. 

8:35 pm - I'm a big fan of Amazon's customer service, but this was a rather frustrating conversation trying to figure out how to get Alexa to find/play Michael W Smith's I 2 (Eye) album on Amazon Music Unlimited. The weird spelling keeps Alexa from being able to find it and the app does not allow the user to browse the Music Unlimited library. Somehow the overseas associate did not seem to understand what I was asking. 

11:17 am - Sammy has gotten pretty shaggy with his winter coat so I trimmed him up a little bit. He doesn't mind haircuts at all...just more attention for him.

12 of 12 March 2014

12 of 12 Basic Idea - 12 pictures from your life on the 12th of every month. This month, the 12th was on a Wednesday.

9:18am - Started out the morning going by the vet to check on some lab work for Sully. Fortunately I was able to check in and leave...no 3 hour wait this time!

10:02am - Next headed to Carrollton to visit George. Lots of construction going on between here and there.

12:47pm - George wanted to get a Facebook page, so that was one of our projects for the day.

1:30pm - After our hard work on the Facebook page, George treated me to lunch. He even picked the nice restaurant.

3:00pm - The dogs needed a bath, but it wasn't until halfway through their bath that I remembered Brooke had the hair dryer with her in New Orleans. When Boo is fluffy like she is now, she gets cold when she's wet and I usually use the hairdryer on her. When she came to sit by me on the couch, she was almost convulsing because she was shaking from being cold. I wrapped her in this blanket and set her on top of the heat pad and she quit shaking soon thereafter. She stayed in the blanket for about 30 minutes.

6:51pm - Been going to the Silver Edition connect group this quarter. They always have a good dinner before Bible study.

7:23pm - Harry leading the group in discussion.

8:47pm - Stopped by the church to see Woody's handy work...he put casters on the communion table today.

8:57pm - Chilling with the puppies after connect group.

9:05pm - Reading on my Galaxy Tab 3. Puppies also chilling in the background.

9:30pm - Craig sporting his new headset during our Skype chat.

10:27pm - Brooke and Amanda were in New Orleans during this week of Spring Break. This is a picture from Brooke's Facebook page of the block party their group hosted this evening.