Memories of 308 Moccasin- My Grandparents and mothers old Home

     I got the chance when in Buchanan last summer to visit my grandparents old home from many years ago. This was my "second home" growing up while in my home town. Lots of memories  and moments that I still think of often happened here. Especially this time of year during the holidays as I remember great Thanksgiving dinners with the family and Christmas events with alot of people passing through. The basement where we all ate and played and my grandfather and I built and worked on projects from wood as he was a great carpenter. ( My bed stand we built together when I was just in high school). 
     The whole house is full of memories all the way through my college years. Even the window in the front that I never could see through as a kid. I had to capture the moment of this place and post it as I hadnt been there in several years... maybe about 15-20. But I still remember it all as it was yesterday. 
     On this Thanksgiving I'm thankful for family but also for this home and my grandparents who were family people and always celebrating that every holiday and all year round. Im grateul for this family history and the family history we make still everyday. 

Stepping out, changes, transition, risks-A new Chapter of Life

This is by far one of my favorite pics of this summer. Its a great memory of a day at Grasshopper Point In Sedona and to me a symbolic moment of big changes and transition in our home. It seems like yesterday Corey was in grade school and moving up to jr high. But the story is Corey has graduated high school now , turned 18 and has taken a new ministry opportunity in Virginia at Mountain Mission School. Its time for him to step out from the norm he's known and been raised in and jump full heartedly into his next adventure in life. Whether or not we all are ready for this it's obvious God has set aside this opportunity for him to take and pursue as he learns more about the plan in store for his life and serves children in need every day. A lot of prayer went into this from several people. 

It's been officially over a month now and I'm still adapting to this and still wondering how how so much time flew by so fast. Its different and challenging as a parent/father but its a great to know he is doing something that's bigger than my fears and worries. Worshipping and playing in the band with new people there ar MM, connecting with children from around the world and serving in an environment that changes lives and helps shape even  himself into something new. 

Thank God for text and FaceTime. 

Miss you here Corey B. 

Every day I'm more excited to see what God has planned for you. 

A Decade in AZ!

Today July 9th marks a decade, ..yes ten years that we have lived in Arizona! Its been quick and in some ways really long. Its been a time of amazing life events and challenges I never expected. Its been a time of adventure and struggle. But overall its been filled with blessings and lessons of family, Life and God. Uniquely enough in this strange state of deserts and snow, pine trees and cactus we continue to live each day celebrating new opportunities in this journey of life in AZ!

Transportation

   

      Car problems seem to always be a constant issue for everyone no matter what kind of  vehicle you have. I'm sure you can relate as most likely you at one time or another have dealt with car problems at one time or another yourself.  I personally always feel I have a curse of car problems as Ive been through more vehicles and vehicle problems over the past few years than I've ever wanted or needed. After my rough patch of "Car crisis situations" in the past few years, I actually tried to step up my "car management" skills and worked hard on taking great care of my new vehicle. I have a Toyota and have loved it. Its gotten me where I need to go. No problems. Until a couple weeks ago....

      Supposedly I "hit a rock" on the highway or something big enough to damage the radiator causing the coolant to leak out and when the temp gauged started going up and down I realized there was a problem, stopped and got a tow. Needless to say it caused engine problems  . Really? A freak accident.  My immediate attention did not seem to pay off. Go figure. Now I have a several thousand $ problem on a car I still own on. Good times, good times.

     I'm grateful for my car. I actually pray a lot while driving and thank God for many different things including my car quite regularly. I do the maintenance and vehicle care and make effort to take care of it. I feel blessed to have transportation. Right now I'm even more grateful for vehicles after biking to work daily and bumming rides when needed.  (As the saying goes..You don't really know how good you have it until its gone.)  Having any means of transportation is a good thing. Being able to transport yourself in any way is a great convenience. Amazingly I still find myself grateful for my transportation even though it presently sits in a lot waiting to be repaired.

     I've felt a little anxious, stressed and lost in this situation. Ive biked alot , busted a tire and walked. I have not enjoyed the change , however I  have realized one thing. This scenario has helped me , yet again, to step up my praying and trusting in God's good nature. That's a very, very  good thing. Ive prayed over it continually and have been searching on my own and leaning on God to send some options, resources or a simple miracle my way. This massive expense and set back has really changed a lot in a short time.  Regardless of the heartache not having a car has caused, I've recently found myself being "Transported" to a new place in my faith and trust and maybe yes maybe even a bit deeper with God. I've used this time to focus on just that.  Everyday it keeps me from the crazy bitter attitude or negativity that could replace all that.

      My deal is I always try to find as much positive as I can in every bit of madness. So presently I have no car but.... I'm getting more exercise I've wanted, I've had more time to pray, I'm learning to trust and yes, more patience. For that I am grateful.

(P.S.  Dear God, please don't read this message full of gratefulness in my time of no transportation and figure I need another few weeks of being carless, biking to work  and waiting. I'm good. Bring on the answered prayer.)

The Cross Changes Everything

This cross to me represents hope. Its made of tiny pieces of shredded paper that was once in the form of a note. A suicide note to two very young kids from a mother struggling with addiction, pain, worthlessness, confusion, and no desire to deal with life anymore. Luckily she found her way to Bridges and I got the privilege to meet her and work with her. We talked about how the voices she heard were not true and she has a purpose and value and worth more than she knew. Her simply being there was the first step in dealing with the changes she needed to make to find the clarity and peace she was looking for. Something had intervened in her darkest hour and gave her another chance. Every day she is learning more about self worth, finding more hope and starting a new life. She decided to read through this letter as a reminder of how far shes come and we ripped it up to be thrown out as she is moving on. Another example of a messed up life taking on new meaning and change. This is why I enjoy doing what I do. #newdirections #thecrosschangeseverything #hope

My mission and daily adventure.

Im Grateful that everyday as a job I get to attempt helping people make major changes in their lives and help make a difference in the world around me. Its about second chances and new hope and fighting off the personal demons that we all struggle with. Its about connecting them to a God who takes our mess and makes into something beautiful. It starts with building relationships and leading the way to change. Thats my mission everyday at The Bridges Network. 

Get there. Stay there. Welcome home.

Gods Timing: Worry vs worship

      This past month for me has been a journey of trust. Trusting God will lead and take me to where I need to be and knowing it will all work out even if its not how I thought it would turn out.  Personally that is my big struggle, seriously trusting every step of the way, waiting with confidence and being ok with God's unique timing.  I trust God but obviously not his timing. I want things to happen quick.
Gods like.... Just Chill Kev.
Im like come on now, its been a week.
Hes like buddy weve been through this before.
I roll my eyes.
He lands a fly in my drink....
Really? Really?
Ill make something happen you wait and see
another day goes by and I wait in anticipation.
I pray and hope
He has a big smile on his face because He's finally got my attention.
I worry about how I'm going to make ends meet.
A good friend calls and gives some good insight and support.
I feel better.
I start to worry again.
He shakes his head.... patience my friend.
hmmmm

Thats how the story goes. Its funny. (and I know there are others out there who do this too) We get to worrying and get stressed because something doesnt work out and not anywhere in the time frame we want it in.  We want to take matters in our own hands. But in the long run really, we have absolutely no control.  We learn sometimes the hard way , even repeatedly , instead of having trust in God who always provides and gives to his children as needed. (These deep thoughts from the one typing this with knots in his stomach as anxiety is high dealing with major employment changes.)

So Im thinking about this verse.....
"Do not worry about  your life, what you will eat or drink or about your body what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes. Look at the birds of the air  they do not sow or reap or store away in bards and yet your heavenly father feeds them. "

 Im not really into dressing like a flower, or eating like a bird, but I'm not really into excessive worrying either so Ive "employed" myself to spend time letting it go.  However I can. The main way being through worship.  Praying, meditating, Singing, playing guitar and and staying positive.

Worrying is all about me.
Leading to a lot of things I dont need or want
 Worship is all about God.
A break from all the chaos. The perfect remedy.



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