what's up!!!!

Hey! All! I know it has been a log time since I've posted anything here. just haven't had much to say and quite honestly haven't felt like posting much. but I need to come in and give a update as to what is up. As many of you know I am looking for a job. Well that looks like it is coming to an end. Let me back up a bit. A couple of weeks ago I attended a picnic with our local nf support group. I was asked to speak at the last minute. Just to give everyone an update and let them know what is going on since my surgery. As a good toast master that I am I took the chance to speak. In the speech I spoke of a lot of things and added that I was still looking for a job. After the speech as I was leaving with my dad and Ruthann to go and pick up Bryan from work a gentleman approached me. His name is Matt Hanlon. He stated that he may have a position for me. He gave me his card. He works for Citadel Broadcasting. They are a company that owns several radio stations. anyway I took the card and emailed him my resume. He called me today and it looks like I'll have a part time position with them. Don't know for sure and all the details so stay tuned and continue to pray. Also Toast Masters is going well. Our club achieved 7 out of possible 10 points this last year. we then were awarded what they call select dintinguished club. Awesome!!! our club is growing. in fact at tonights we will be voting on a new member. so keep praying God is blessing my club. This year I am no longer president but am in charge of public relations. other then that not much going on here that I can tell you about. Oh before I forget I am helping co-teach 4-6 graders at church. God bless and will try and post more often.

elevator laugh revisited with added information

Hello! As many of you know I posted a deal about my trip to Chicago with my mom and my sister. What I negleted to mention was what made it so funny. So if you have read the post read on if not I will restate it here. April of 2005 my mom and I along with my sister took a trip to Chicago. The purpose of the trip was to visit Doctor Mckennen for consultation for surgery. After the appointment we decided to visit on of the malls. When we got out of the car it was starting to rain. Mom proceeded to pull out her beach umbrella and in the process of putting it up almost knocked someone over. My sister and I backed away and refused to move unless she had put the umbrella away. mom insisted it was big enough for all of us to be under but we stood our ground so reluctantly mom put it back in the trunk.We arrived at the mall.This place had many many floors with a glassed in elevator for traveling up and down to them.Mom saw a listing for a store she wanted to check out so in we stepped to travel up.She was on a mission to get an umbrella.Mom proceeded to push all the buttons so that we would not pass the floor that was needed.In so doing the elevator stopped on each floor.A couple of floors up a lady got on and patiently waited to get to where she needed to go.As the elevator continued to stop at each floor and open up suddenly a awful look came on her face and she said to us,isn't the elevator going down?Mom quickly turned around to stare out the back of the elevator.In dread of not knowing what to say and also trying her best not to go into hysterics,Annette answered no we were going up that we were only going up.She then also quickly looked out the back and flew her eyes over to mom in horror with the unsaid statement,Oh No.Mom at each floor would look out the door and step back and begin to laugh and asked alright who pushed all the buttons.My sister and I looked at each other and shrugged our shoulders.The lady had to travel all of the way up until it would begin its descent down because there was only one elevator.Mom did find her umbrella only to have the winds of Chicago break it. I just might have to use this story in our upcoming speech contest this fall.

toast master election update

Well it has been that time of year again. time for my toast masters club to hold our officer elections. I was not reelected President. I didn't run because according to our bilaws I could not hold consequetive terms. However I was elected to the position of Publc Relations. all ths menas is I get the word out about our club and publish our news letter and or web site. so I will be soon setting up a blog for our club so you'll see most of the goings on about my club there. it has been an awesome year and we are growing and are still in need of allyour prayers help us continue to grow and flourish.

real live elevator laughs

Well I saw Jeannie's post about elevator laughs and had to share this one. It really did happen. As many of you all remember I have had surgery in Chicago. Well it just so happend on day we were in Chicago. My mom, sister and I. This was for my consultation appointment with Doctor McKenen. Anyway we went to the appointment then decided to check out some of the sites. It was starting to rain a little before we got out of the car. So mom decided to pull out her beach umbrella to keep us dry. My sister Annette and I backed away and said no mom. no way. [put it back or we're not moving. MOm insisted we should use it. but reluctnatly she put it back. We then went into one of the Malls there I don't remember which one. Mom saw a store she wanted to check out. however it meant for us to take an elevator ride. Mom proceded to push all the butons to get to the floor she wanted. that was alright but it was what she did at every floor that drove one nuts. she looked out the doors to check to see if were had arrived at our floor yet so watching mom jump back and forth checking each and every floor drove us nuts. and she also then proceeded to laugh. we finally arrived at the store we wanted. she found an umbrella that she could use. only to have the wind of Chicago take it and ruin it.

toast masters conference and more

This last weekend was my District 62 Toast Masters Conference.It was an exciting weekend but much more was done,much more then just a conference.
Date line Friday May 4, 2007

We waited for my dad to arrive home from work so that mom and I could jump in the car and take off for Frankenmuth,Michigan,for my district conference.On our way there we talked about this and that,alot of gib gab.Three quarters of the way there we wound up coming upon road construction which slowed us up considerably.
At one point mom glanced over her shoulder out the window and remarked about how beautiful the sky had become with the sun going down.

We pulled into the Super 8 Motel about 10:00pm that evening and checked in.Upon getting into our room,we immediately got into our swim wear to stroll down to the hot tub that was awaiting us.From there we went to bed only to get up bright and early the next morning.
Date line Saturday May 5,2007,time 5:30am.

We received our wake up from the front desk and proceeded to struggle out of bed to get prepared for my Toast Masters Conference.But first things first,we had to get some breakfast.So mom and I left the room and went down the hallway to the breakfast room.Free mind you,so it was the best kind of breakfast food you could possibly want.We then went back to our room,ate breakfast and finished getting ready to get moving into Frankfurt.Did we say that the motel was in Birch Run? Yep,it was.
7:45 am
We arrived at the Bavarian Inn Lodge where the conference was being held and proceeded to get me signed in which included buying some raffle tickets.We also bought a book by Kathy Beaty, called Exhaggeration Aggrevation. With Kathy also being a toast master we hunted her down and askedif she would sign her book for us.

We then walked up the flight of stairs where all of the club banners were to be proudly displayed and placed our Words Of Hope along side of the others.As the call for the banner parade participants to assemble,I retrieved our clug banner and got ready with my mom to march in the parade.

The rest of the day was spent listening to exciting speeches and teaching being done on a variety of topics.They also had the evaluation contest that morning. In this contest you have what they call a target speaker and those in the contest evaluate that person. They have to speak for 2-3 minutes. We then adjurned for lunch about 11:30. Mom and I went out for lunch because I hadn't paid for lunch at the conference. We went to the Panda King Buffet, a chinese buffet restaurant,then about 10 to 1 drove back to the conference. I then heard some more great teaching. At about 3:00 we had the inteernational speech contest. These contestants had to speak for 5-7 minutes. They were all pretty awesome.
Time 4:30 pm

I was soon joined by my mom for the district council business meeting.


From there we went and had an awesome banquet.


A picture of myself,president of our club,Harvey Moore,who is soon to be our president,Joann Norman who is currently v.p of education until June 30 and her husband.
Date line Sunday May 6,2007

A drawing was held for the raffle.Mom was one number off from winning one of the prizes.I was no where near being close. We were entertained by an interesting group of german men and one lady playing the accordian and dancing and singing.

We woke up at our leisure, checked out of our motel and drove back over to Bronners. This is a 365 day a year Christmas store. When we first arrived we thought we would not be able to check it out but found that it just didn't open until 12 oclock because it was Sunday.So we drove over and got some early lunch and came back to browse for a couple of hours inside Bronners before leaving town.


We then departed from there to visit cousins Karen and Dennis. This was to make a special delivery of a rifle. We spent the night there and departed back for home the next morning.All in all I enjoyed the trip and plan on attending the District Conference in the fall which will be at Crystal Mountain,up by Traverse City.

toast master update and more

Well I thought I would come in and update you all about how things with my toast masters is going. It is going well. we have gained a few new members which is a good thing. Recently I participated in our Spring contest. Not competing but helping out. The spring contest is waht they call the internatiuonal speech and evaluation contest. the first one "international speech" is self-explainatory. the Evaluation contest is where people evaluate a speaker. they have 2-3 minutes to evaluate. I was the "target" speaker. that means I was the speaker that was to be evaluated. I will be doing this again on Thursday April 26 for our division level of the contest. it should be interesting. I did it because I felt I needed to give something back to the organization that has given me so much. We have elections coming up on May 8 for our club. so it will be then that we will see if I am reelected for President or if I am demoted to a different office. what ever happens is fien with me. I just wnat to help my club to succeed.

verse that has stuck for a while

THere has been a verse lately that has stuck with me and has been a great source of reminder to keep me going with my job search. But before I get to that let me rable a bit. I have has one job interview about 2 weeks ago. It was with Fifth Third Bank. It was for a Customer Service position at one of their call centers. At this point it doesn't look like I got the job. becaus classes would be starting next Monday and to date they haven't called me back to say one way or the other. Anyway as to the verse that I refered to in my Title it is Jeremiah 29 verse 11. For I know the thoughts I have toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a home. This verse means a lot to me. The above passage was taken from the New King James version. Anwya this verse means a lot to me because it gives me a great promise. it promises that the Lord's thoughts are peace and all good toward me. he promises that he has something in store for me. the following verses after that explain more. they tell me if I seek him he will be found. if I seek with my whole heart. now I am seeking him for a job and a wife. I know he'll provide these soomeday but I need to trust him and realize that he knows what's best. I just need to keep plugging away with senind out resume's and chatting with different ladies and taking steps to asking them out and seeing where the Lord provides and leads. I also realixe that I don't post on here often. I just don't have much to say from time to time. then I have something to put on and I have trouble loging in or don't have access. then when I dohave access I forget what it was I was going to post. hope that all of you are well. sorry for the long post but hey what can I say.

t.v debute

As many of you know I've been working with a crew from discovery. Well as many of you know the program was aired on February 7. it was awesome! I will admit it was better then I expected it was going to be. What impressed me was the enclusion of my parent's prayer. all in all it was awesome. also I was in the Grand Rapids press that day. Front page! that was amazing! I knew I would be in the paper but didn't expect front page. You may ask if my life has really changed much since this was aired? well not really. people have stopped me in the mall saying they saw the program and such. but not much has really changed as of yet. anyhow hope that all are doing well and staying out of trouble. I realize this is not my usual posting but well just wanted to come in and give everyone an up date. Lord knows that we put a lot of taping in with the crew and some of the taping I wished had gotten on the program didn't make it. but that is the nature of t.v I suppose.

the empty chair

this is awesome and a gentle reminder. I loved it and thought you all would love it to. May you all be blessed and have an awesome day. stay in touch.
THE EMPTY CHAIR
A man's daughter had asked the local minister to come and pray with her father.
When the minister arrived, he found the man lying in bed with his head propped up on two pillows. An empty chair sat beside his bed.
The minister assumed that the old fellow had been informed of his visit.
"I guess you were expecting me," he said.
"No, who are you?" asked the father.
The minister told him his name and then remarked, "I saw the empty chair and I figured you knew I was going to show up".
"Oh yeah, the chair," said the bedridden man, "Would you mind closing the door?"
Puzzled, the minister shut the door.
"I have never told anyone this, not even my daughter," said the man, "but all of my life I have never known how to pray. At church I used to hear the pastor
talk about prayer, but it went right over my head. I abandoned any attempt at prayer," the old man continued, "until one day about four years ago, when
my best friend told me that prayer is just a simple matter of having a conversation with Jesus. He suggested that I sit down in a chair, place an empty
chair in front of me and, in faith, see Jesus on the chair. Jesus promised that 'I will be with you always'. Then just speak to him in the same way you
would speak to anyone. I tried it and I've liked it so much that I do it a couple of hours every day. I'm careful though--If my daughter saw me talking
to an empty chair, she'd either have a nervous breakdown or send! me off to the funny farm."
The minister was deeply moved by the story and encouraged the old man to continue on the journey. They prayed together and then the minister left.
Two nights later the daughter called to tell the minister that her daddy had died that afternoon.
"Did he die in peace?" he asked.
"Yes. When I left the house about two o'clock, he called me over to his bedside, told me he loved me and kissed me on the cheek. When I got back from
the store an hour later, I found him dead. But there was something strange about his death. Apparently, just before Daddy died, he leaned over and rested
his head on the chair beside the bed. What do you make of that?"
The minister wiped a tear from his eye and said, "I wish we could all go like that."

the doll and a white rose

This was awesome and I had to post. I know that I post a lot of stuff thtat I get in my email.but they are all so awesome and from groups so it is not like I am posting private email. anyway I want to say to thank eacho of you for leaving comments. hope that all of you are well. grab a box of tissue because this one will probably bring tears it did for me at least.
The Doll & the White Rose

I was walking around in a store. I saw a cashier hand
this little boy his money back saying "I'm sorry, but
you don't have enough money to buy this doll."

Then the little boy turned to the old woman next to
him: ''Granny, are you sure I don't have enough
money?''

The old lady replied: ''You know that you don't have
enough money to buy this doll, my dear.''

Then she asked him to stay there for 5 minutes while
she went to look around. She left quickly.

The little boy was still holding the doll in his hand.

Finally, I walked toward him and I asked him who he
wished to give this doll to.

"It's the doll that my sister loved most and wanted so
much for this Christmas. She was so sure that Santa
Claus would bring it to her."

I replied to him that maybe Santa Claus will bring it
to her after all, and not to worry.

But he replied to me sadly. "No, Santa Claus can't
bring it to her where she is now. I have to give the
doll to my mommy so that she can give it to my sister
when she goes there."

His eyes were so sad while saying this. "My sister has
gone to be with God. Daddy says that Mommy is going to
see God very soon too, so I thought that she could
take the doll with her to give it to my sister.''

My heart nearly stopped.

The little boy looked up at me and said: "I told daddy
to tell mommy not to go yet. I need her to wait until
I come back from the mall."

Then he showed me a very nice photo of him where he
was laughing. He then told me "I want mommy to take my
picture with her so she won't forget me."

"I love my mommy and I wish she doesn't have to leave
me, but daddy says that she has to go to be with my
little sister."!
Then he looked again at the doll with sad eyes, very
quietly.

I quickly reached for my wallet and said to the boy.
"What if we checked again, just in case you do have
enough money?''

"OK" he said "I hope that I have enough." I added some
of my money to his without him seeing and we started
to count it. There was enough for the doll and even
some spare money.

The little boy said: "Thank you God for giving me
enough money!"

Then he looked at me and added "I asked yesterday
before I slept for God to make sure I have enough
money to buy this doll so that mommy can give it to my
sister. He heard me!''

"I also wanted to have enough money to buy a white
rose for my mommy, but I didn't dare to ask God for
too much. But He gave me enough to buy the doll and a
white rose.''

"My mommy loves white roses."

A few minutes later, the old lady came bac for the boy, and I
left with my basket.

I finished my shopping in a totally different state
from when I started. I couldn't get the little boy out
of my mind.

Then I remembered a local newspaper article
2 days ago, which mentioned of a drunk man in a truck,
who hit a car, where there was one young lady and a
little girl.

The little girl died right away, and the mother was
left in a critical state. The family had to decide
whether to pull the plug on the life-assisting
machine, because the young lady would not be able to
recover from the coma.

Was this the family of the little boy?

Two days after this encounter with the little boy, I
read in the newspaper that the young lady had passed
away.

I couldn't stop myself as I bought a bunch of white
roses and I went to the funeral home where the body of
the young woman was exposed for people to see and make
last wishes before burial.

She was there, in her coffin, holding a beautiful
white rose in her hand with the photo of the little
boy and the doll placed over her chest.

I left the place, teary-eyed, feeling that my life had
been changed forever. The love that this little boy
had for his mother and his sister is still, to this
day, hard to imagine. And in a fraction of a second, a
drunk driver had taken all this away from him.

Never take your loved ones for granted...you never know when they might be
taken.

no throw aways

here is something that will make us think. I got it in my in box. but before I post it I just want to tell all you that I love you and am praying for you. I know that this time of year is stressful and emotional but let us remember the reason for the season and know that the Lord will see us through it all. now on to the posting
NO THROW-AWAYS

Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it. From a
distance, each looks like every other horse. But if one stops the car, or
is walking by, one will notice something quite amazing.

Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His
owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him.
This alone is amazing.

Listening, one will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source
of the sound, one will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the
field. Attached to her bridle is a small bell. It lets her blind friend
know where she is, so he can follow her.

As one stands and watches these two friends, one sees how she is always
checking on him, and that he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk
to where she is, trusting that she will not lead him astray.

Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because
we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges.

He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we
are in need. Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by God and
those whom he places in our lives. Other times we are the guide horse,
helping others see God. --author unknown

why worry

here is a little something I got in my email that will make you really think.
Don't Worry
-- Author Unknown

Years ago, I was enthralled as I listened to a pastor who for several
years had faithfully served the church. His executive responsibilities
had taken him all over this country. As he concluded his message, he
told of one of the most frightening, yet thought-provoking,
experiences of his life.

He had been on a long flight from one place to another. The first
warning of the approaching problems came when the sign on the airplane
flashed on: Fasten your seat belts. Then, after a while, a calm voice
said, "We shall not be serving the beverages at this time as we are
expecting a little turbulence. Please be sure your seat belt is
fastened."

As he looked around the aircraft, it became obvious that many of the
passengers were becoming apprehensive. Later, the voice of the
announcer said, "We are so sorry that we are unable to serve the meal
at this time. The turbulence is still ahead of us."

Then the storm broke. The ominous cracks of thunder could be heard
even above the roar of the engines. Lightening lit up the darkening
skies, and within moments that great plane was like a cork tossed
around on a celestial ocean. One moment the airplane was lifted on
terrific currents of air; the next, it dropped as if it were about to
crash.

The pastor confessed that he shared the discomfort and fear of those
around him. He said, "As I looked around the plane, I could see that
nearly all the passengers were upset and alarmed. Some were praying.
The future seemed ominous and many were wondering if they would make
it through the storm.

Then, I suddenly saw a little girl. Apparently the storm meant nothing
to her. She had tucked her feet beneath her as she sat on her seat;
she was reading a book and every thing within her small world was calm
and orderly. Sometimes she closed her eyes, then she would read again;
then she would straighten her legs, but worry and fear were not in her
world. When the plane was being buffeted by the terrible storm when it
lurched this way and that, as it rose and fell with frightening
severity,when all the adults were scared half to death, that marvelous
child was completely composed and unafraid." The minister could hardly
believe his eyes.

It was not surprising therefore, that when the plane finally reached
its destination and all the passengers were hurrying to disembark,our
pastor lingered to speak to the girl whom he had watched for such a
long time. Having commented about the storm and behavior of the plane,
he asked why she had not been afraid.

The child replied, "'Cause my Daddy's the pilot, and he's taking me home."

There are many kinds of storms that buffet us:
. Physical,
. Mental,
. Financial,
. Domestic, and...
Many other storms can easily and quickly darken our skies and throw
our plane into apparently uncontrollable movement. We have all known
such times, and let us be honest and confess, it is much easier to be
at rest when our feet are on the ground than when we are being tossed
about a darkened sky.

Let us remember... Our Father is the Pilot.

He is in control and taking us home... So Don't Worry

I asked God

How many times have I asked these tings and we are guilty I am sure. but here is a post that I got in my email that is worth the read enjoy.
I ASKED GOD

I asked God to take away my pride.
God said "No".
It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said "No".
Her spirit was whole, her body was only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience.
God said "No".
Patience is a by-product of tribulations; it isn't granted, it is
earned.

I asked God to give me happiness.
God said "No".
I give you blessings, happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain.
God said "No".
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to
me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said "No".
You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said "No".
I will give you life so that you may enjoy all things.

I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as he loves me.
God said... Ahhhh, finally you have the idea!
____

What if God couldn't take the time to bless us today because we
couldn't take the time to thank HIM yesterday?

What if GOD decided to stop leading us tomorrow because we didn't follow
HIM today?

What if we never saw another flower bloom because we grumbled when GOD
sent the rain?

What if GOD didn't walk with us today because we failed to recognize it
as His day?

What if GOD took away His message because we failed to listen to the
messenger?

What if GOD didn't send His only begotten Son because He wanted us to be
prepared to pay the price for sin?

What if the door of the church was closed because we did not open the
door of our heart?

What if GOD stopped loving and caring for us because we failed to love
and care for others?

What if GOD would not hear us today because we would not listen to Him
yesterday?

What if GOD answered our prayers the way we answer His call to service?

What if GOD met our needs the way we give Him our lives???

-- Author Unknown

puppy size

I got this in my email a while back and it is awesome. really makes you think and brings a smile. I don't recall if I posted this befor or if my mom posted it but it is a good reminder so why not go a head and post it. anyway I love you alll and hope that all is good. read on and enjoy.
Puppy Size

Danielle keeps repeating it over and over again. We've been back to this animal shelter at least five times. It has been weeks now since we started
all of this," the mother told the volunteer.

"What is it she keeps asking for?" the volunteer asked.

"Puppy size!" replied the mother.

"Well, we have plenty of puppies, if that's what she's looking for."

"I know ... we have seen most of them," the Mom said in frustration.

Just then Danielle came walking into the office

"Well, did you find one?" asked her Mom.

"No, not this time," Danielle said, with sadness in her voice.

"Can we come back on the weekend?" The two women looked at each other, shook their heads and laughed.

"You never know when we will get more dogs. Unfortunately, there's always a supply," the volunteer said.

Danielle took her mother by the hand and headed to the door. "Don't worry, I'll find one this weekend," she said.

Over the next few days both Mom and dad had long conversations with her. They both felt she was being too particular. "It's this weekend or we're
not looking any more," Dad finally said in frustration.

"We don't want to hear anything more about puppy size either," Mom added.

Sure enough, they were the first ones in the shelter on Saturday morning. By now Danielle knew her way around, so she ran right for the section that
housed the smaller dogs.

Tired of the routine, Mom sat in the small waiting room at the end of the first row of cages. There was an observation window so you could see the
animals during times when visitors weren't permitted.

Danielle walked slowly from cage to cage, kneeling periodically to take a closer look. One by one, the dogs were brought out and she held each one.

One by one, she said, "Sorry, you're not the one."

It was the last cage, on this last day, in search of the perfect pup.

The volunteer opened the cage door and the child carefully picked up the dog and held it closely. This time, she took a little longer. "Mom, that's
it! I found the right puppy! He's the one! I know it!" she screamed with joy. "It's the puppy size!"

"But it's the same size as all the other puppies you held over the last few weeks," Mom said.

"No not size ---- the sighs. When I held him in my arms, he sighed," she said.

"Don't you remember? When I asked you, one day, what love is, you told me love depends on the sighs of your heart. The more you love, the bigger
the sigh!" The two women looked at each other for a moment. Mom didn't know whether to laugh or cry. As she stooped down to hug the child, she did a
little of both.

"Mom, every time you hold me, I sigh. When you and Daddy come home from work and hug each other, you both sigh. I knew I would find the right puppy
if it sighed when I held it in my arms," she said. Then holding the puppy up close to her face she said, "Mom, he loves me. I heard the sighs of his
heart!"

Close your eyes for a moment and think about the love that makes you sigh. I not only find it in the arms of my loved ones, but in the caress of
a sunset, the kiss of the moonlight and the gentle brush of cool air on a hot day.

They are the sighs of God. Take the time to stop and listen; you will be surprised at what you hear.

"Life is not measured by the breaths we take,
but by the moments that take our breath away."

some one who understands

this was precious and I had to post it here. it really makes you think. I ask that you all continue to pray that I find a job. and a special lady for me. but anyway here is something I got in my email that I thought you'd all like.
Someone Who Understands
This devotional was written by Jim Liebelt

Therefore, it was necessary for Jesus to be in every respect like us, his
brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest
before God. He then could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of
the people. Since he himself has gone through suffering and temptation, he
is able to help us when we are being tempted.—Hebrews 2:17-18 NLT
The story (author unknown) is told of a farmer who had some puppies he
needed to sell. He made a sign advertising the pups and posted it in his yard.
Shortly after, a boy showed up in response to the sign. “Mister,” he said, “I
want to buy one of your puppies.” “Well,” said the farmer, “these puppies
cost a good deal of money.” The boy reached deep into his pocket, he pulled
out a handful of change and held it up to the farmer. “I've got thirty-nine
cents. Is that enough to take a look?” “Sure,” said the farmer. The farmer
whistled and called, ”Here Dolly!” From the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly
followed by four little pups. The little boy’s eyes danced with delight. As
the dogs approached, the little boy noticed something else stirring inside
the doghouse. Slowly another little pup appeared, but this one was considerably
smaller. The little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to
catch up. “I want that one,” the little boy said, pointing to the runt. The
farmer knelt down at the boy's side and said, “Son, you don't want that
puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would.”
The little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down, and rolled up one
leg of his pants revealing a steel brace running down both sides of his leg.
Looking back up at the farmer, he said, "Mister, I don't run too well
myself, and that puppy needs someone who understands.”
Not one of us is perfect. Everyone has flaws and weaknesses. Some are more
visible than others, but we all have them. Fortunately, like the boy who
chooses the pup, we have a Savior who knows and understands our feelings and our
weaknesses and still chooses us to be His friends and children! And, in
response, he wants us to demonstrate our love to one another!
If you are one who struggles with your own flaws and shortcomings, today,
take comfort in the knowledge of God’s love for you and then, share that love
with someone else! Remember, the world is full of hurting people that are
looking to connect with others who understand.

clean

I read this and had to post it here. but before I do I want to ask that you all continue to pray that I find a job. Have had some leads but not reallly any interviews. need to redo my resume and am working on it. anyway here is the post hope that you all enjoy
Clean Blood
The day is over, you are driving home. You tune in your radio. You hear a
little blurb about a little village in India where some villagers have died
suddenly, strangely, of a flu that has never been seen before. It's not
influenza, but three or four fellows are dead, and it's kind of interesting. They're
sending some doctors over there to investigate it. You don't think much about
it, but on Sunday, coming home from church, you hear another radio spot.
Only they say it's not three villagers, it's 30,000 villagers in the back hills
of this particular area of India, and it's on TV that night. CNN runs a
little blurb; people are heading there from the disease center in Atlanta because
this disease strain has never been seen before.
By Monday morning when you get up, it's the lead story. For it's not just
India; it's Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and before you know it, you're hearing
this story everywhere and they have coined it now as the "Mystery Flu". The
President has made some comment that he and everyone are praying and hoping
that all will go well over there. But everyone is wondering, "How are we going
to contain it?"
That's when the President of France makes an announcement that shocks
Europe. He is closing their borders. No flights from India, Pakistan, or any of the
countries where this thing has been seen.
That night you are watching a little bit of CNN before going to bed. Your
jaw hits your chest when a weeping woman is translated from a French news
program into English: "There's a man lying in a hospital in Paris dying of the
mystery flu. "It has come to Europe." Panic strikes.
As best they can tell, once you get it, you have it for a week and you don't
know it. Then you have four days of unbelievable symptoms. Then you die.
Britain closes it's borders, but it's too late. South Hampton, Liverpool,
North Hampton, and it's Tuesday morning when the President of the United States
makes the following announcement: "Due to a national security risk, all
flights to and from Europe and Asia have been canceled. If your loved ones are
overseas, I'm sorry. They cannot come back until we find a cure for this
thing."
Within four days our nation has been plunged into an unbelievable fear.
People are selling little masks for your face. People are talking about, "What if
it comes to this country", and preachers on Tuesday are saying, "It's the
scourge of God."
It's Wednesday night and you are at a church prayer meeting when somebody
runs in from the parking lot and says, "Turn on a radio!! Turn on a radio!!"
While the church listens to a little transistor radio with a microphone stuck
up to it, the announcement is made, "Two women are lying in a Long Island
hospital from the mystery flu." Within hours it seems, this thing just sweeps
across the country. People are working around the clock trying to find an
antidote.
Nothing is working. California, Oregon, Arizona, Florida, Massachusetts.
It's as though it's just sweeping is from the borders. Then, all of a sudden,
the news comes out. The code has been broken. A cure can be found. A vaccine
can be made. It's going to take the blood of somebody who hasn't been infected,
and so, sure enough, all through the Midwest, through all those channels of
emergency broadcasting, everyone is asked to do one simple thing: "Go to your
downtown hospital and have your blood type taken. That's all we ask of you.
When you hear the sirens go off in your neighborhood, please make your way
quickly, quietly, and safely to the hospitals."
Sure enough, when you and your family get down there late on that Friday
night, there is a long line, and they've got nurses and doctors coming out and
pricking fingers and taking blood and putting labels on it. Your wife andyour
kids are out there, and they take your blood type and they say, "Wait here in
the parking lot and it we call your name, you can be dismissed and go home."

You stand around scared with your neighbors, wondering what in the world is
going on, and that this could be the end of the world. Suddenly a young man
comes running out of the hospital screaming. He's yelling a name and waving a
clipboard. What? He yells it again! And your son tugs on your jacket and
says, "Daddy, that's me." Before you know it, they have grabbed your boy.
"Wait a minute, hold it!" And they say, "It's okay, his blood is clean. His
blood is pure. We want to make sure he doesn't have the disease. We think he
has got the right type. Your son could save the world." Five agonizing
minutes later, out come the doctors and nurses, crying and hugging one another, and
some are even laughing. It's the first time you have seen anybody laugh in a
week. An old doctor walks up to you and says,
"Thank you, sir. Your son's blood type is perfect. It's clean, It's pure,
and we can make the vaccine."
As the word begins to spread all across that parking lot of folks, people
are screaming and praying and laughing and crying. But then the gray-haired
doctor pulls you and your wife aside and says, "May we see you for a moment? We
didn't realize that the donor would be a minor and we need.....we need you to
sign a consent form." You begin to sign and then you see that the number of
pints of blood to be taken is empty. "H-h-h-how many pints?" And that is when
the old doctor's smile fades and he says, "We had no idea it would be a
little child. We weren't prepared. We need it all, sir."
"But...but.."But...but..." "You don't understand. We are talking about
the world here. Please sign." "But can't you give him a "But...but..."
"You don't understand. We are talking about th
In numb silence you do. Then they say, "Would you like to have a moment with
him before we begin?" Can you walk back? You ask yourself. Can you walk back
to that room where he sits on a table saying, "Daddy? Mommy? What's going
on?" Can you take his hands and say, "Son, your mommy and I love you, and we
would never ever let anything happen to you that didn't just have to be. Do you
understand that?"
And when that old doctor comes back in and says, "I'm sorry, we've got to
get started. People all over the world are dying." Can you leave? Can you walk
out while your son is saying, "Dad? Mom? Dad? Why have you forsaken me?"
And then next week, when they have the ceremony to honor your son, and some
folks sleep through it, and some folks don't even come because they go to the
lake, and some folks come with a pretentious smile and just pretend to care.

Would you want to jump up and say, "MY SON DIED! DON'T YOU CARE?"
Is that what God is saying? "MY SON DIED. DON'T YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I CARE?"

2 cups of coffee

here is another thing that I received in my email that makes you think and take notice. God bless you all.
The Mayonnaise Jar and 2 cups of coffee...

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours
in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of
coffee...

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in
front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very
large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf
balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full.
They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the
jar. He shook the jar lightly.
The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He
then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.
Of course, the sand f filled up everything else. He asked once more if
the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table
and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the
empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "
I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.

The golf balls are the important things-your God, family, your
children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions --
things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your
life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your
house, and your car.

The sand is everything else -- the small stuff.

"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no
room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you
spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have
room for the things that a re important to you.

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Play with your children.
Take time to get medical checkups.
Take your partner out to dinner.
Play another 18.
There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal."

Take care of the golf balls first -- the things that really matter.
Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee
represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes
to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always
room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."

think about this

I got this from an email and it really hit home. and made me think about my own life and how I have reacted. and have taken stock and am still working on it. I am not perfect so bare with me. love you all and I hope that you enjoy and think about the following:
A daughter complained to her father about her life and how things were so
hard for her. She did not how she was going to make it and wanted to give up.
She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved
a new one arose.

Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen. He filled three pots with water
and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to a boil. In one he
placed carrots, in the second he placed eggs, and the last he placed ground
coffee beans. He let them sit and boil, without saying a word.
The daughter sucked her teeth and impatiently waited, wondering what he was
doing. In about twenty minutes he and turned off the burners. He fished the
carrots out and placed them in a bowl. He pulled the eggs out and placed them
a bowl. Then he ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her
he asked. "Darling, what do you see."
"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied. He brought her closer and asked
her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. He then asked
her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the
hard-boiled egg. Finally, he asked her to sip the coffee. She smiled as she
tasted its rich aroma. She humbly asked. "What does it mean Father?"
He explained that each of them had faced the same adversity, boiling water,
but each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and
unrelenting. But after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became
weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid
interior. But after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became
hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique however. After they were in the
boiling water, they had changed the water. "Which are you," he asked his daughter.
"When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot,
an egg, or a coffee bean? "

How about you? Are you the carrot that seems hard, but with pain and
adversity do you wilt and become soft and lose your strength? Are you the egg, which
starts off with a malleable heart? Were you a fluid spirit, but after a
death, a breakup, a divorce, or a layoff have you become hardened and stiff. Your
shell looks the same, but are you bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and
heart? Or are you like the coffee bean? The bean changes the hot water, the
thing that is bringing the pain, to its peak flavor reaches 212 degrees
Fahrenheit. When the water gets the hottest, it just tastes better.
If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and
make things better around you. When people talk about you, do your praises
to the Lord increase? When the hour is the darkest and trials are their
greatest, does your worship elevate to another level?
How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?

II Corinthians 4:8-9 - We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we
are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down,
but not destroyed.

slow down

Here is something that I got via email. it is so true. but before I post it here I just want to know how all you all are doing. I am fine and am still looking for a job. am doing some volunteer work at the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired. it is a switchboard reception job. it is alright. anyway here it is and I hope that you all enjoy and think about what is written
THE BRICK
A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street,
going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting
out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something. As his car passed, no children appeared.
Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door! He slammed on the brakes
and backed the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been thrown. The
angry driver
then jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up
against a parked car shouting, "What was that all about and who are you? Just what
the heck are you doing? That's a new car and that brick you threw is going
to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it?" The young boy was apologetic.
"Please, mister...please, I'm sorry but I didn't know what else to do," He
pleaded. "I threw the brick because no one else would stop..." With tears
dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot just
around a parked car. "It's my brother, "he said "He rolled off the curb and
fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up."
Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive, "Would you please help me
get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me."
Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump
in his throat. He hurriedly lifted the handicapped boy back into the
wheelchair, then took out a linen handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh
scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him everything was going to be okay.
"Thank you and may God bless you," the grateful child told the stranger.
Too shook up for words, the man simply watched the boy! push his
wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home.
It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar. The damage was very
noticeable, but the driver never bothered to repair the dented side door.
He kept the dent there to remind him of this message: "Don't go through
life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your
attention!" God whispers in our souls and speaks to our hearts. Sometimes
when we don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at us. It's our
choice to listen or not.

noah 2006

I got this from an email list and found it funny. but before I post it here I just want to ask that all keep me in prayer as I am still looking for a job and am not having much luck. Also Saturday I am competing in a humours speech contest as well as table topic contest. for Toast Masters. Table Topics is a impromtu speech. you don't know your topic until it is given you and you have 1-2 minutes to speak on it. the humours speech has to be 5-7 minutes. I am both nervous and excited. anyway without further ado here is Noah in 2006
Noah in 2006

In the year 2006 , the Lord came unto Noah, who was now living in the United States, and said, "Once again, the earth has become wicked and over-populated,
and I see the end of all flesh before me.

Build another Ark and save 2 of every living thing along with a few good humans."

He gave Noah the blueprints, saying, "You have 6 months to build the Ark before I will start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights."

Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah weeping in his yard - but no Ark.

"Noah!" He roared, "I'm about to start the rain! Where is the Ark?"

"Forgive me, Lord," begged Noah, "but things have changed. I needed a building permit. I've been arguing with the inspector about the need for a sprinkler
system. My neighbors claim that I've violated the neighborhood zoning laws by building the Ark in my yard and exceeding the height limitations. We had
to go to the Development Appeal Board for a decision.

Then the Department of Transportation demanded a bond be posted for the future costs of moving power lines and other overhead obstructions, to clear the
passage for the Ark's move to the sea. I told them that the sea would be coming to us, but they would hear nothing of it.

Getting the wood was another problem. There's a ban on cutting local trees in order to save the spotted owl. I tried to convince the environmentalists that
I needed the wood to save the owls - but no go!

When I started gathering the animals, an animal rights group sued me.

They insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will. They argued the accommodation was too restrictive, and it was cruel and inhumane to
put so many animals in a confined space.

Then the EPA ruled that I couldn't build the Ark until they'd conducted an environmental impact study on your proposed flood.
I 'm still trying to resolve a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on how many minorities I'm supposed to hire for my building crew.

Immigration and Naturalization is checking the green-card status of most of the people who want to work.

The trades unions say I can't use my sons. They insist I have to hire only Union workers with Ark-building experience.

To make matters worse, the IRS seized all my assets, claiming I'm trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species.

So, forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least 10 years for me to finish this Ark."

Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine, and a rainbow stretched across the sky. Noah looked up in wonder and asked, "You mean you're not going
to destroy the world?"

"No," said the Lord. "The government beat me to it."