Saturday, April 26, 2008

New Shoes!



Just recently I was talking with a colleague about how we can travel light seeing as the airlines are putting more and more restrictions on the weight and number of bags we can bring. This led our conversation to shoes... the perfect shoe for intnernational travel that is. We eventually found ourselves looking on-line for a good pair of travel shoes and discovered that they were all to be too expensive for our budget.

I remembered a conversation I had with a gentleman I had recently met at a church function; a man I had served with on many occasions. He had told me he was in the shoe business and that gave me the brilliant idea of talking with him the next time I saw him.

As it worked out I saw Jim that next Sunday and actually remembered to ask him about the best way to get a good pair of "all around" shoes at a reasonable price. He asked me my size and said he thought he could help me out. A few days later as I was leaving town, I stopped over to his house where I was warmly greeted by his wife who told me Jim had left these shoes for me. I was almost in tears. They are beautiful! I'm sure that most of us take shoes for granted and have far more pairs than we could ever wear, but for me, someone who hasn't purchased a pair of shoes in years these shoes were like a gift from God.

How often do we take for granted simple things like shoes, clothes, dental and medical care, health insurance, gas for our vehicle or even simple utilities like water, electricity and gas.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Tuesday - Tax Day!

This morning I would think that a large percentage of people in America are thinking about their taxes. I know that I am. Jill is my tax person and she assures me that I made so little that I owe nothing this year. That is no surprise and quite a relief. I have to ask myself, why do I worry so much about the little things?

I was reading Luke 12 where Jesus is talking to his disciples. He says, "Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes... Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"

When Jesus had to pay his taxes he told Peter to go catch a fish and in its' mouth he would find enough money to pay both his own and Peter's tax and that's exactly what happened when he did what Jesus said.

This has got me thinking more about doing what Jesus says. Every day I strive to do what Jesus says in the Scriptures, but I'm learning that Jesus is talking to me through other means and I'm not doing a great job of listening.

I feel like I'm on a new path; that a new chapter has begun for me in my life. There has been no security with the teams traveling overseas this year and so much of my life feels like it's hanging in the balance; but I know that God is in control.

How do we learn to trust God and listen to what He is saying more and more each day?

Monday, April 14, 2008

Great Chefs of Tampa Bay



This past weekend Cindie and I were invited to particate in a fund-raiser for Family Resources - a local organization that serves families and single mothers. The event brought together great chefs and artists from the Tampa Bay area and a couple hundred supporters who ate amazing food and purchased art in support of this organization. This is the third year that I have participated in the event and it was the worst for the artists. Last year over $35,000 was spent on art. This year it was just over $2,000. I think people spent their money in other ways at the event - it was $150 per ticket for example.


We met some great people, ate some wonderful food and had a very enjoyable time overall. Unfortunately I have more art than I can possibly hang for my house right now. Anyone interested?

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Family Time in Orlando

 
 
 
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Dave (my brother) and Amy brought down Becca and Andrew and met up with our family and Amy's family and we all descended on Orlando. It was a much needed respite for Dave and Amy with all that they've gone through with Becca (who recently went through a life threatening infection, spinal meningitis). She is still totally deaf in one ear and has only partial hearing in the other. We're all still praying and hoping that somehow a miracle will take place and her hearing will be fully restored.

We all had a wonderful time together and thanks to the generocity of others I was able to join my family at the Animal Kingdom and spend time with them.

Please continue to pray for Becca - that her hearing would return entirely.