Busy Day Already

I have to work a shift at my 2nd job at CCPL Since my first job is closing its doors soon, I'm hoping to get into CCPL full time soon. I'll have to see and pray if that works out.

I work with 2 year olds at my church's North Charleston campus so I had to go there before coming to work. I worked with Juliann who is a school librarian and is really attractive. Then Amie, our children's director asked me if Juliann had "hit on" me. I wish she would have.

Oh well, I'm wanting a new job, a girlfriend, to become a small group leader at my church's singles group and a few other things this year. Pray with me that they work out.

New Years

Usually I joke about my new year resolutions. Things like, I'll start drinking and smoking and gain weight.

However, I've decided to put a few real resolutions in this time. In no particular order:

* Honor others. I have a tendency to make jokes about others. While I don't need to quit that entirely, I do need to think positivly first.

* Touch others. I need to make sure that I can add to as many lives as I can.

* Reach more for myself. I have always been so complacent. I know I can do more. I need to see what that is, then do it.

* Wonder more often. I laugh alot, however I need to enjoy God's creation by looking at His world in His light.

Lord, help me to achieve these things in 2008.

Amen.

Christmas is over but...

Christmas comes at the end of the year, but it truly represents a new start in life. The coming of the baby Jesus represents the fact that we should look forward to the upcoming year with hope and faith.

I've changes coming on for sure. My work place is going to close down by May 31. I am going to get a decent enough severance package, but I've got to stay until the end to get it. While I appreciate the generous offer from the company, I'd rather have the certainty of a new job, so I'll be on the look out. Pray for me please.

Also, I've been without a girlfriend for about 2 - 3 years now. My last relationship was less with Miss Right and more with MISTAKE.

However, I've been reading the blogs of some friends of mine. Both of them have sons that are under age 5, both sons "play" drums. Both sons have "girlfriends".

Ok so I can't get a date from a calender. I've been turned down by women that I've never even asked out. I do public speaking instead of playing drums.

I see a connection here.

I need a woman that likes oration instead of drumming.

Great Food

We just finished a great meal. We had prime rib, baked potato, potato salad, squash cassarole and cranberries.

Mmm Mmm Good!!!

Christmas Day

Typing from my sister's computer in GA.
Mom just called us for supper so I'll make this one fast.
We've had a great CHRISTmas but there's one disaponitment. My nine year old niece no longer belives in Santa so it's another milestone in her life.

She's growing up way too fast.

We'll food awaits, so see y'all later.

Merry CHRISTmas

I just want to wish anyone and everyone who stumbles across this blog a Merry CHRISTmas.

If you happened to be offended at that phrase...BITE ME!!! It's my blog

Great story

I just found this on a web site for parents of kids with special needs:

I took a friend of mine who is visually impaired to church with me this morning. Several of the children in the congregation were fascinated with her Braille Bible. One of the adults came over to see what the kids were so excited about, and Ellen told the woman, "Oh, well, I was telling them how bumpy the road to salvation is."

God is Good

I am so glad that my God is good all the time. I still don't know where I'll be come May 2008 when my call center closes, but I know that God's got me taken care of.

What's next?

...actually I'm not sure what's next. But, God's going to give me something and I think He'll do it before my company closes it's doors in May [assuming it lasts that long]

Merle Haggard had a song called If We Make Through December, my neice loves to sing along with it, whenver Gran'ma [my mom] plays it in the car. It's about a who's been laid off at the factory, but he knows that if he and his family make it through December, they'll be OK.

Well when I make it thourgh December, I'll be fine.

Happy Birthday Princess

On Nov. 30th my friend Scott and Meghan's daughter turned 1. I just want to tell the Princes happy birthday.

Living Life on the UnPlan

SunCom is a popular cell phone company. They've something they call The UnPlan. Essentinally, for some amount of money per month, you get all the time you need instead of X number of minuites.

I don't use that plan, but I find that UnPlan is good word to describe my life.
I tend to back into things rather than plan to find them. Example: A few years ago I was unemployed and I was in school trying to find whatever it was I wanted to do. After failing YET another test I left class near tears. I saw an ad for a job. I applied and got it. That was nearly 9 years ago and I'm still employed there.

I dont know what my plans are. But I do know that God has a pervefect plan for me.
As the Word says:

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer. 29:11

I also know that God's got more than my back:

You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head Ps 139:5

Somehow, I'm not worried.

Changes

It's just after Thanksgiving and nowhere near New Years, but I'm facing a change

Today, around 1:45 or so Regina--our department head--told me to get off the phone. I thought I had royaly screwed up something. Then I saw that she was getting everyone from the department.

Soon, every on-duty employee were surrounding the center of the department. They're closing our center.

I'll be looking for a new job, and hope to get one before we close in May.

Pray for me friends.

Thanks

ho hum

Ok, not much to say here today. BUT SINCE LORI updated, I need to.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was pretty cool. I went to my friend Geri's house. She had an open house for all the singles at church. Too bad Beth wasn't there, I'd of loved to been able to spend time with her.

On Friday I got out of work early and went to dinner then the movie Enchanted which I recomend seeing.

I guess that seems boring to most, and probably explains why I don't have a girlfriend.

Thank you

Just wanted to wish anyone who may come across this page a very Happy Thanksgiving.

At Last

After an entire weekend of our net service being down it's back.

Too bad I've nothing to say.

I don't have the most popular blog on Earth. In fact, my blog counter shows that I've well over 700 hits. Most of them are me.
For the few that will read this, whether you stumble across it, or track it down because you know me, please read the below.
It's a cut and paste from my friend Scott's blog.

I don't want to release names but Meghan and I have some dear friends who are going through a hard time right now with the loss of their infant child. Meghan and I have witnessed the power of prayer by those of you who read this blog and we are asking you to join with us in prayer for this family and the grandparents. We ask that you pray for God's perfect peace to cover them and that the enemy would not be able to get in and make a bad situation worse.
We stand on God's promise that where ever one or more are gathered in "His" name He is there too. We are gathering together through this blog at this time in agreement knowing that God is going to show up in this situation.
Thank you for your prayers.
In His Son's Love,

Me again. Daddy God, I ask that You show this family Your perfect will and Your sovringty.

In Jesus Name

Amen [So Be It]

Follow up to big sister's b-day

Well, my sister saw the picture that I put up of her and my niece on their collective birthday. She replied that I need a new one. She didn't tell me to remove it, just that it was old.

She's right. It was an old picture. Of course, she's old too, oops I mean she's older.


So Meme, send me a new picture of you and Bossy Boots.

I'll Do It If Lori Won't

My friend Lori has not updated her blog for almost a month now. Ok, fine she's a slacker anyway.

I'll update.

Today is both my niece's AND my sister's birthday.

So Happy Birthday Bossy Boots and Meme.

Not much, but at least it's an update.

Good Times are a-comin'

See my sidebar for the Kinny Kids blog. Scott Kinny is my church's children's pastor. Looks like he's going to have some news for improvements to the Won by One ministry.

Thanks God

Death of a Church

Ok I won't go into detail to avoid mentioning names etc.

The church I grew up in may be on it's deathbed.

Essentially, some folks brought accusations against the pastor. Those accusations appear to be false. The accusations are not criminal in nature. They question the pastor's background.

Anyway, it turns out that they were wrong. But, this man who is the first decent pastor they've had in years has resigned. Many members may follow the pastor.

I'd like to know that he stayed and grew the church. I'd like for the ones that caused the trouble to be given a chance to repent, and if not then be told to leave.



Probably won't happen. It's sad that a church will now probably die instead of living just so a few men can feel they have chest hair.

Feelings. Whoa Whoa Feelings

Well my wisdom teeth have been gone for over 24 hours now and I can't say that I miss them. The places left behind still hurt, but I'm ok.

I'm already back on solid food and should be able to be back on my teeth in a few days.

The Wit and Wisdom Teeth

Well, I had all four wisdom teeth out today. They stuck an IV into my arm and that was one of the last things I remember until they woke me up.

Mom took me and brought me home. I slept for about 2 - 3 hours.

My mouth is still sore [it's around ten hours later] but I'm doing well.

I had to eat mom's chicken and dumplings darn it. It was the only thing soft enough. Mom also got me some soup from a local restaurnt, but I may do that tomorrow.

That's the latest. See y'all next week.

You Want the Tooth? You Can't Handle the Tooth!

Well teeth anyway.
Tomorrow's the big day, my wisdom teeth come out. The sad part is that now I'll have to eat mom's chicken and dumplings since they're soft. Poor me.

Moreover, they say I can't talk for a while. Me? Not talk? ARGGHH!!!! However, the meds will at least have me out like one of Pastor Greg's sermons [Just kidding G. Ya know I love ya]

3 Days Left

I've 3 days left to enjoy my wisdom teeth. They come out on Friday.

The pain will leave sometime by Christmas.

Hope I Don't Come Out Dumb

My church is just getting ready to wrap up a study called Get Smart. It's on the Book of Proverbs.

Ironically enough, I have to have my wisdom teeth extracted [ooo, I just used a big word]

I only hope that it doesn't reverse what I've learned so far.

Prayers Answered

Lori, thanks for asking about my sister.

Praise God...she's found out that the kidney disease is NOT as bad as they thought. She's about 60 % capcity which her doctor has told her she can live with.

More as it comes

Links in a Prayer Chain

On Tuesday, I sent out a prayer request via email to the children's workers of my church. It was for my sister, Melanie. Meme [as I call her] may have some form of kidney disease. We're still waiting word.

On Thursday, I came home to a letter [remember those?] from Wanda, it was dated on Wednesday.

She was wanting me to know she was in prayer for Meme.

Wanda's son is named Nathan. Nathan is 13 or 14 years old, but functionaly he's 1 or 2. I work with him and other special needs kids at our church she is truely a Godly woman.

Thanks God for Wanda

Wow

The North Charleston Campus had it's first services on Sunday.Over 400 at a brand new church. I was with the 2 year olds so I wasn't in services, but I could hear them. God is awesome.

Area 62

Well I'm the Area 62 Governer for Toastmasters. I really don't like "leadership" roles too much, but the ultimate goal in Toastmasters is DTM. I need to do this to reach that.

You're probably wondering what the heck I'm talking about. That's ok...so do I most of the time.

I know I can do this...I will do this.

Better news is that Sept 9th is the kickoff service for the North Charleston Campus of Seacoast. This is so cool. I'll be working with 2 year olds.

Why that age? I work in customer service. I'm used to immature, whiney self centered people.

Well later. I just finally had to blog something

Wonder if they'll hear that train a-comin?

The guys that did the home invasion on my sister and her family have been sentenced to 7 LIFE SENTENCES AND 272 YEARS!!!!

They'll hear that train a-comin
It's probably an Amtrack
They're in jail for along time
They're never comin' back

They're stuck in a Georgia prison
For a long, long time
That train keeps going down the rail
But, they'll still be in jail

One of them is named Kolie
The other's name is Brandt
I'll see daylight in the morning
And both of them can't

I know that was bad grammer
But, I just don't care
It's not like they'll read this
Not from a Georiga slammer

Almost

Tomorrows the day.

They'll sentence the guys that robbed my sister and her family.
They're looking at 200 plus years. This is mean, but I hope they live for most of it.

Guilty. Sentencing Thursday

Well the guys that did the home invasion on my big sister are guilty. On Thursday they'll be sentenced. I know that someone may randomly read this and feel sorry for the trash that hurt my family. Fine. Feel that way. I don't care about them, and my opinion is the ONLY one that matters because it's my blog

North Charleston Campus

Tomorrow's going to be interesting. Seacoast will open a North Charleston Campus in September. Tomorrow we'll be doing a book bag give away.

It's a minsitry to children of impoverished families. We'll give them book bags full of school supplies to local kids.

I hope it goes well.

What's next

Well the Library School isn't working out. I can try again, but there's something in the back of my head...

You see, right now I'm working a job. Jobs are great, but they're not careers. They're not vocations. Vocation comes from the same word as voice. Makes sense that it would. I should have seen that a long time ago. Anyway, the idea of vocation, means that you've followed that inner-voice, not the same thing as the voice in your head, but an inner voice that tells you what to do with your life.

Read below and you'll see that my sister and her family were crime victims about two years ago. I've always been sickened by those who commit horrible crimes and then whine about their "rights" being violated because they don't get enough channels on their cable TV in jail etc.

To me, criminals give up all but their most basic rights. PERIOD. But, then there are the victims. Those left behind to pick up pieces of their life after some price of sub-human garbage takes something from them. It doesn't matter if its money, car, or a sense of security, it does not belong to the criminals it belongs to victims.

I am leaning towards a victims rights advocate. I need to check into this big time. I may even try to do something via my church when they start the new campus. I'll have to check.

Anyway, please pray for me. If you happen upon this and you don't believe in prayer, then don't. Hwoever, I think God's got something bigger for me. I just want to know what it is.

Justice is Served

OK below is the story of the home invasion on my sister and two other robberies by the same men.

They were arrested in 2005. Our wonderful justice system being what it is, they did not have their trial until this week.

They were facing 27 charges. I can't name them all right now, but here's how it went down. All three family members testified on Monday and Tuesday.

During the playing of the 911 call [which was very emotional] one of the defense lawyers and his client started laughing. During a break the victims rights advocate told the DA what happened and this little spitfire of a woman caught up with the other lawyer and demanded to know what was so funny. I don't know what it was, but she came to us and told us that it was not the call.

Anyway, long story short they're guilty. The sentence has not been passed down yet, because in GA the families of the guilty have a right to tell the judge what good boys they are and how it will hurt their feelings that they will have to go to jail.

They'd already turned down two plea bar gin offers, and one of them had their sister and 16 year old niece lie on the stand saying that he'd been with them. Even though that was disproved.

My sister doubts the judge will be too moved. You have to understand something here. They took very victim and bound them up with duct tape. When they bound my sister and her husband, they did so in the front hallway. According to GA law, that is the crime of false imprisonment. When they took Sarah from her room and did the same thing, that became kidnapping.

In GA law, if you are moved from point a to point b it is kidnapping. It does not matter if you are moved from your bedroom to the kitchen or in the case of the Applebees employees from the back room to the bar area, or in the case of the Fuddruckers employee, from the restaurant to the truck, it is still kidnapping.

There were 27 charges against them. Kidnapping, false imprisonment, assault, robbery etc. One charge was for taking a bank card out of the purse of the Applebees manager and then they put it back when she told them she had no money. That was a charge of robbery and was dropped since they did not keep the card.

HOWEVER ALL 26 OTHER CHARGES STAND.

When sentenced in a week or so, they will probably be given MULTIPLE life time sentences. THEY WILL NEVER SEE FREEDOM AGAIN.


If you feel sorry for prisoners, fine. I don't care and I don't feel any sympathy for them. One of them appeared to have a good mother, so I feel for her, but the other had a mother that was quite obviously a baby making, crack slut. Is that harsh? Yes. Do I care? NO!!!

I may even want to become a victims rights advocate myself now, just because I think that victim justice is way more important to me than criminal justice.

Justice Is Served

Saturday Oct. 22 at around 08:00 AM in Snellville GA my sister and her family were victims of a home invasion.

Here's what happened:

First thing I need to point out, is that they had their home up for sell at the time.
\On that date, my sister Melanie, her husband Gary and my then 6 year old niece Sarah woke up at around 0745 or so. Sarah was playing with her Barbies or watching TV or something like that. At around 0800 they saw a truck pull up in their driveway and saw two men get out. They saw most of this on their security monitor.

One of the men knocked on the door. Gary answered, while Melanie put on something to wear. The one who knocked talked to Gary about the house for a few moments, while the other walked around in the yard.

Gary told them about the contract they already had and that it wasn't a good time to see it, but they could come back with a Realtor later on. The one that stayed at the door, then pulled a gun, and held it to Gary's chest.

Gary tried to fight him off and get back into the house. He was shot in the left arm. Had he not knocked the man's gun hand partially away, he'd of probably been shot in the chest and killed.

The men then made their way into the house. Melanie and Sarah came running out to the hallway. Melanie told Sarah to run and hide. One of the men followed her into her room and dragged her out at gun point. They were then all made to lay in the floor, the front door [which can not be seen from the road] was closed and they were all bound with duct tape.

While doing this, they kept kicking Gary in the ribs and taunting him. They told my sister they they had her id cards and if she called the police, they'd come back and rape, molest and kill Sarah in front of her.

The men then took as much as they could including jewelry, money, guns, bank cards, Gary's SUV etc.

About three weeks later there was a late night robbery at a Fuddruckers. It was closed and the only person there was a delivery guy. They robbed him, and then bound him with tape and put him in the back of his delivery truck. He was able to escape.

Those robbers went right to a Applebees and robbed the employees that were cleaning up. They made the manager remove all of her clothes, but her panties. They tied them up as well.

As they were escaping that robbery, they saw a police car and panicked. Their erratic driving caught his attention and he chased them. A second car joined that chase, and the men were pulled over.

Around that same time, the police got the APB on the robbery. It was them. They were arrested. A search of the revealed my sister's credit card, SS card etc.

That's the story of how they were caught. Next post will be the trial.

Blake

I teach special needs kids at my church.

One of our kids is named Blake. He's been sick for some time. This is an update that I recived from his mother recently:

Hi Roger,


Blake is not doing well. He was in the hospital for 18 days in June. He went in for a different treatment and while there his swallowing muscles became uncoordinated, and he was aspirating food/drink into his lungs. So he was treated for pneumonia and had to have a feeding tube. He is now solely fed through his tube. He recently had a swallow study that showed he was no longer aspirating but still had trouble coordinating those muscles and he refuses to eat and drink anything now, so is still fed through the tube. On July 9, he was admitted to the psychiatric hospital because he was uncontrollable. He stayed 5 days and they increased his medication. He is a little calmer, but still has outbursts and extreme oppositional defiance and ocd. Physically he still can't walk but has shown some improvement with fine motor skills. He talks but only to say opposite things - no real functional language.

We are going to John Hopkins in Baltimore Maryland August 2 for a second opinion. He has had two treatments that didn't work at all. Before he receives a 3rd more invasive treatment, his doctor wanted us to get the 2nd opinion to make sure he doesn't have something in addition to sydenham's chorea. Hopefully the doctor there can give some answers and treatment suggestions that will work.


Please pray for this wonderful child

North Charleston Campus

I saw the first look at the coming North Charleston Campus tonight for Seacoast

It's so weird knowing that I am going into a church that wants to focus on inner city ministry. The church I grew up in avoided doing that in their own 'hood. But, this church is going into it.

Part of me wants to drop out of it, but I've got to rebuke those thoughts. I must embrace this and change, transform, be renewed, be blessed and be a blessing.

With my co-depededent ways, that's hard for me. Mostly because I have a desire to make sure that those who will raise an eyebrow are happy with me. In other words since I don't want anyone to wag a tounge at me, or shake a finger I want to runaway and say "Sorry...can't do it." But, that's not true. I can and I want too.

Jesus help me with doing this. Let me please only You.

In Jesus Name...so be it.

I am SO Walter Mittyesqe. He's a character by James Thurber. He lives in his own fantasy world. He always pictures himself in some other situation, A surgen; a pilot; a spy.

I didn't make into library school. I'm waiting to find out why now. In the meantime I'm thinking of going back for another degree instead. So I'm constantly wishing I was somthing else. I'm praying that God will show me where He wants me.

Maybe when Seacoast starts it's North Charleston campus, I'll do something big there.

Who knows

Read The Walter Mitty story here

Library School

Thanks for asking for an update Lori.

Well I got my letter yesterday...and they've turned me down.

I'm a little disapointed, but I'll try to call on Monday to see if I can find out why. In the meantime, I'll now be able to pursue some other things.

I'm the newly appointed Area 62 Governer for District 58 Toastmasters.

Also in September Seacoast will start its North Charleston campus, and I'll be involved.

One more, but very important thing. About a year and a half ago, my sister and her family were robbed in their own home.

In later July or early August, my neice will have to testify in court. She's scared.

Mom brought her up for a visit to Unky Roggie and Grandaddy Mel a few weeks ago. I had her at a local playground and Granddaddy came to pick us up. We saw some real rough looking types comeing up and using foul langauge etc. We went home and when Sarah asked why we left I made the mistake of tellng her. She was then scared that they may follow us.

Needless to say that didn't happen. But, she said several things that weekend that told me that their robbery is on her mind.

She's 8 now and was 6 when this happend. She saw her daddy laying on the floor shot in the arm. She had a gun put to her head while this trash said they'd rape and then kill her if my sister didn't give them everything.

THIS SUCKS!!!!!

I won't go into what I want to see happen to the scum that did this, but let's just say that I hope they drop the soap in the shower.

On the other side of the issue of crime in America, my cousin is in jail

He is in his 60s but a couple of years ago he was caught raising and selling pit bulls for dog fighting [no, I'm not related to Michael Vick]

Anyway as much as I hate what he did, he's still family. And his mom is one of my favorite aunts and she deserves better.

We're hoping he'll be paroled soon.

It burns me up to see those who can hurt kids and shoot people get off and those that committ less horrible crimes get years in prison.

Well, now I'm babbling, but I needed this chance, and it's my blog so there.

Ok time for a new post

I'm waiting to hear back from USC about school. They sent one letter saying that I didn't meet the acadimic requirements [low gpa]. I knew that that. That's why I sent the letter saying that I'd made a mistake in school.

Please pray that I make it into to USC School of Library and Information Science.

Thanks

Rog

Oh my

I live with my dad. I have a low-paying job I hate. I get headaches. So what's the suggested answer. Pep Pills.

Oh that's not my answer. I hate the idea. I know that some people need anti-depresents. And someone [nevermind whom] is suggesting that I take some sort of pep pill to "deal" with work etc.

Let's see. Work: have I ever told you what I do for a "living"? Probably not. In fact if you've stumbled onto this, you either know me, and know my job, or you're an even bigger loser than others because all you've to do in your life is read compete strangers blogs.

I work at a call center. I don't call you to ask if you want to buy a magazine etc. You call me. If you rent a car from the car company I work for, then you call me to either gripe, or ask stupid questions, or get a copy of your receipt. Often, you may have a legitimate issue.

Example: A woman knew she'd pay for every mile driven. Some chucklehead messed up the mileage report and she paid too much. I had to fix it. No problem really.

But imagine yourself as having the ablity to cook a gormet meal, and all you can do is become the 3rd shift "french fry" assistant captain at McNasty's.

Or imagine having the ablity to write the next great American novel, and you're only allowed to write welll...let's say a stupid blog like this one.

You get the idea. You can be great, but you work for a company that only wants you to warm a seat.

Now, imagine being in a family that gets stressed over EVERYTHING. I mean everything. I've a cousin in jail. His mother and sister on "stress meds" it's also put one of his uncles on the same med. He's stressed because the others rely on him in their stress.

So, since their on this med. I need to be on this med. After all, the family that pops pills together...

Ok I'm not accusing them of being addicts. They're good people. I just don't want a pill to effect my brains.

I just want to reach that next level

For my friends that may read this PRAY FOR ME

It's been a week

It's been a week since my last posting, so here's the latest news:

I'm the President of Charleston Classics Toastmasters and Governer of Area 62

I'm on my way to DTM

Visit from Sarah

Well, my 8 year old niece, Sarah, is visiting. I'm not married, and I live with my dad. So Sarah decided to visit with Uncle Roger and Granddaddy. I knew it'd be like this. We went to IHOP for breakfast, then to the brand new North Charleston Fire Museum.

The museum itself is pretty cool, and I found it interesting. It's normally $6.00 admission, but it's free for today. You see, 9 firefighters gave up their lives on Monday, June 18th while fighting a local fire.

It's important that we understand that job and those brave men.

However, the mistake was going with dad and Sarah. You see, they get along like Dad and my sister used to. Dad says jump, Sarah says no, dad gets mad. Sarah says jump, dad says no, Sarah gets mad.

I'm baby sitting both of them.

She wanted some sort of little toy from the musuem gift shop, we wouldn't get it for her. She got whiney and walked off. Dad gets scared if she's not within eyesight and went running after her. I say, leave her alone and when she sees that we won't indulge her crybaby spells, she comes out of it.

Oh well. What can I do? I mean I don't drink so getting drunk is out of the question, I can't find my DVD remote so a good movie is out of play. I look so forward to taking her to church tonight...Dad won't be there so I'll only have one child to deal with.

Heros: The Charleston 9

I live in North Charleston SC. I know that my blog is not highly read. In fact, I doubt that anyone but me reads this.

On June 18th 2007 a local furniture store caught fire. After battling the blaze for some time, 9 of these brave men went into the store. They rescued 2 people. Then, the roof fell in on them. All nine were killed.

I didn't have the blessing to know any of these men, but I do want to post a prayer for them:

Daddy God,
Love on the families of these men. Show them that You are there, in the midst of this tragedy. In Jesus Name, amen

.

Love at First Bite?

The very few---if any--of you that read this, know that I work with Special Needs kids at my church at the Saturday evening service every other week. I wasn't on this week, but I had to go into the room for a second.

Two TRUE stories:

One volunteer, Maggie, had her daughter, Grace, with her. Grace is about 6 years old I guess and has Down Syndrome. She is one of the sweetest, most open and loving children in the world. When I stuck my head in she invited me to play catch...so of course I had to do it. I also was blessed with a hug from her earlier.

She asked me about Nathan. Nathan is our oldest child and our youngest child. He'd 13 years old, but mentally/functionally he's about 1 - 2 years old. Grace wanted to know where he was, because it is so important to her to make sure that Nathan is included. What a wonderful thing that is. Grace truly epitomizes her very name.

On my way out the door and back to main church service, here comes Don [Nathan's dad] walking Nathan down the hall. He is a beautiful child. His eyes are always bright and alive. He loves to jump and rock back and forth and clap. He loves music, but if there's not any then I am thoroughly and totally convinced that God has put the very music of Heaven in Nathan's heart.

As I said, I wasn't working that night, but when I passed Nathan in the hallway, I stopped and gave him a hug and told him hello. I felt a sharp pain in my just below my cheek. I thought that Nathan had scratched me. Instead, he bit me.

Now remember, he is severely mentally retarded so he had no idea what he had done. Much like a teething 2 year old wouldn't understand.

When I looked in the mirror, there was no blood but there was a mark.

My first thought: I am 38 years old and my first hickey came from a 13 year old child that didn't know what he was even doing.

Need God more

I work with special needs kids at my church. One of my boys is Blake P. Blake is autistic. Blake has been out sick for several months now.

It's being cranked up.

Blake is 9 years old. He's been in and out of the local hospital lately. He's back in right now.

Apparntly he's been having trouble eating and now he can't eat at all. He's on a feeding tube.

Below, please read the news update, and my prayer response, and agree with me in prayer for this wonderful boy. I've attempted to remove all last names. I apologize for any I may have left on.

Sent: Friday, June 15, 2007 8:06 PM> Subject: Update on
Blake

I wanted to send out a brief update on Blake for Laurie. Blake was
admitted on 6/4 to MUSC for 5 days of high-dose steroids in an effort to
clear up the inflammation in his brain resulting from an auto-immune
response brought on by an undiagnosed strep infection. It took the doctors at MUSC months to figure out what was wrong with him and even longer once they had a diagnosis to figure out how to treat it.

So starting on Tuesday the 5th he got 5 days of steroids. During this time he stopped eating and drinking completely. He was first placed on IV fluids, then
later on IV feeding when it was discovered that he had lost 5 pounds since
he had been admitted. Swallowing tests showed that he was completely
unable to swallow and that food or liquid introduced into his mouth was
draining into his lungs.

Since he would be at high risk of aspiration, today a gastrostomy tube was placed for feeding and medication purposes. He will be fed through this tube until his swallowing reflex hopefully comes back as the inflammation in his brain resolves, which the doctors say could be as long as a year until he is recovered from this. Laurie's husband is in Japan until 6/20. Her other 3 boys are in Anderson with
one of her sisters.

Another sister, Julie, came last night to be with her through the weekend. Hopefully Blake and Laurie can go home Sunday or Monday. I

t's a very rough time for her family. She is holding up pretty well so far. Please continue to pray for her and Blake and the rest of her family.

And my prayer response

Daddy God

We know that You are the God of yesterday, today and tomorrow, the God of Abraham, Issaic and Jacob. You are still in the healing businesstoday.Lord, we don't fully know or understand what's going on with ourfriend Blake, but we know this. Won by One needs our pianoist back.Lord come against that inflamation in his brain, and against thatswallowing problem.God show David, Lorie and the other boys Your mighty love and thatpeace which passes all understaning.God, show us what we can do to love on them and to love on Blake.Thank you LordIn Jesus Name---Amen

New Law

Praise God...Ryan's Law has passed

Ryan's law will help the parents of autistic kids with the expense of raising them. Normally, I a libertarian of sorts and I don't like my tax dollars helping out illegals, and welfare weenies and poverty pimps. But, impoverished or not, parents of autistic kids have it tough financially.

SC Governor Mark Sanford actually vetoed this law apparently. I like Gov. Sanford, and I don't understand why he'd veto this law. However, the SC legislator overrode the veto.

That's good. Usually those chuckleheads would argue about making murder a crime.

So this is overall a good thing

What a good boy am I

Ok I was going to go out today and grab a steak, or a burger or something else that's not good for me. Instead I stayed in and ate fish. Grilled fish. Nothing fried.

I'm a good boy.

Now, get that look off of your face. It's not like I made you read my blog.

Ryan's Law

Here is an email that I sent Mark Sanford, Governer of SC:

Gov. Sanford.
I have been a supporter of yours since your days as in Congress. And like you, I want to see a smaller government.
I am asking that you sign Ryan's Law.
Ryan's parents do not know me, but I know Ryan. His cousin brings him to Seacoast Church. I have been a member of that church for about 10 years now. I never thought about working with kids until 2 years ago when I had the opportunity to work in Won by One--a ministry for special needs kids. Ryan is one of them. I've not seen Ryan for some time now because his cousin has had to move for about a year on business. I will tell that Ryan comes alive in this class, as do the others.
My reason for telling you this is that Autistic kids come alive, when we learn how to reach them. Ryan's Law will give us that chance.
Please, pass this law.
Thank you
Roger A. Redford

My God is soooo good

Ok, last week I posted that my friend Pat had discovered that her husband had spinal cancer. Pat was at work today and I asked how Ray was doing. She looked annoyed [but not at me] and said that the hospital had screwed up.



Apparently, the doctor had looked at the MRI and said "Yep, that's spinal cancer...I'll call the oncologis. Well...see ya.





The oncologist FINALLY got the call from the knucklehead that offered the diagnosis. He said that there is no spinal cancer and then double checked.



THERE'S NO SPINAL CANCER!!!!!



Also, my future sweetie girl, Coleman K is home. She's 6 months old and was born with Downes Syndrome. She was taken to MUSC Children's Hospital. This resulted in some sort of heart defect. But, she's had her surgery and she's home with Mommy, Daddy and her two big brothers.



Also, my friend Adam is home from his surgery.



Our God is good.

Can't Believe I Really Did It

I did it. I really did it. I went back to my home church.

I grew up in North Charleston SC. Still live here. I grew up in a church called Dorchester Waylen, or as we called it...DorWay [door way].

They moved about 3 years ago, and have opened up a new property. I went to that church this morning. Mostly to be with family. But at the end, it was very fascinating. The pastor, said that he had not delivered a good sermon. I knew that already, but he admitted it. It wasn't that it wasn't a theologically correct sermon, it was indeed. But, man it was boring. Now, that's looking at it from the point of view of someone who loves public speaking, however it was nonetheless boring.

After the sermon, and the final hymn, he confessed that it wasn't a great sermon. He said that the church is in a spiritual battle and he's right. I wish I had the DVD or the CD from my church about two weeks ago, spiritual warfare was the subject. I'd love to have that and go back tonight and take it to him. He asked us not to go out and talk about it, yeah fat chance that won't happen. My opinion is that the same thing that's wrong today is the same thing that was wrong with I was there----

E.R. That's the guy's intials, but not his name. He's a self-important jerk that thinks that somehow all votes, sermons etc need to go his way. If they can get him to change, or to leave then that's 1/2 the battle right there. The pastor also mentioned that he didn't want to offend anyone. Well why not. Sometimes a sermon needs to comfort the offended, and sometimes it needs to offend the comfortable. So go ahead and offend them. Maybe they'll leave.

I know that's harsh, but you don't pat cancer cells on the head and welcome them into your body and ask them to stay for coffee, you get rid of them. MAYBE that's what needs to happen at Doorway.

I know that I'm not there now, so it's not really my problem. I've still an opinion, and what's above is it.

Ok now I'll just pray:

Daddy God, move throughout Doorway and put on them only the kind of spiritual heaviness that only the Holy Spirit can bring. The type that won't let up, until they come to the undserstanding that only You are the reason for that church and that it's not for an agenda, or a country club without the golf course.

In Jesus Name---so be it.

Lord thank you for Josh's message at church tonight and thank You for continuing to heal Coleman K

Now, Lord Adam F needs Your healing. Give him his appittie back and heal his dizzy spells. Give Lori and the boys the peace they need to deal with Adam's hospital stay.


In Jesus name....so be it

My God is Good ALL THE TIME

Lord, thank you for healing Coleman K
And that's all that need be said.

Misc

1. God is healing Colemen K. Our God
is Good
2. God is healing my friend Adam
Actually I don't know Adam that well. I need
to get closer to him and his family. I teach his son, Michael in church. One day my sister and her family
were robbed at gunpoint. When Adam found out, he came to me and prayed with me.
I'll always appreciate that.
3. My friend Pat wasn't at work today. Her husband was in the hospital for
stomach cancer, now it's in his spine
God bring peace to Pat
and her family
4. I finally got off my paperwork to the admissions department for school.
Oh I hope I'm admitted. I need a change from the annoying job I have to a new
one. Maybe my MLIS will help

I wonder how I can get my blog out to where others would read it

Wow God.

Oh God is SOOOO good. Colemen K made it through her surgery.

She's 6 mos old and she made it through open heart surgery. I doubt that this is widely read, but if any agnostics/atheists ever read this, I just don't know how you do it. For God to bring this little girl through that experience is a "Wow God" moment.

http://tacjcm.blogspot.com for the details

God also brought Adam F through some serious surgery. I don't know much about his, so his wife Lori can tell y'all that story.

http://lorifitz.blogspot.com/

I was on my final break at work today and as I walked past my friend Pat in the hallway, she was on the phone. Her husband just had stomach cancer surgery. I asked if everything was ok, but she just started crying. She said to her daughter on the phone, "Come pick me up NOW!" Her husband Ray's cancer is now on his spine.

Daddy God I asking another one. Bring peace to Pat and her family. I know that Pat knows you and I understand Ray does as well. The rest of the family, I can't say I know. I think her son and his wife do, I rember them somewhat from when I worked with them too.

Healing? That's up to You...I'm just asking for a peace that passes all understanding for Pat et al.

Oh God, Oh God, Oh God.

LORD we're asking you to bring a healing to little Coleman K. She's less than a year old and needs for that open heart surgery to go well.
Scott and Meghan need a girl to raise, and Cooper and Tradd need a princess to protect.

Lord, give Scott and Megan peace tomorrow as they stay at the hospital and give peace to the family as they take care of the boys.

God, I want another pumkin in One by Won when she's ready, so we're asking that You bring that healing.

In Jesus Name, amen [so be it]

http://tacjcm.blogspot.com

Wow. New campus

New campus in North Chuck Town
Seacoast Church is going to start a new campus in my home town. I'll be a part of it.

I'll work with special needs kids and eventually do a Speechcraft and/or a Youth Leadership via Toastmasters

Wow. New campus

God thank You so much for the new campus in North Chuck Town

I go to one of the largest churches in America. Go has led Pastor Greg to start a new campus in North Charleston SC. I'll be a small part of it.

I'm going to work with special needs kids. And I'll do a Speechcraft and/or youth leadership.

Teaching kids and adults to use the power of speech.

Thanks God

Git Along Li'l Dust Bunnies

Most people dust. Some vacuum. Dad blows.

He brings in a consumer style air-compressor and uses it to blow dust off of everything. Then he starts blowing the then-dusty floors until the dust is corralled and ready to be blown outside.

He's a dust bunny rustler. I mean I know he'd the good guy in all of this, but he wears that mask.

It's freaky

Goodbye to a friend

I went to work today. I read the newspaper between calls. At 8:50 am [less than an hour into my shift] I saw it. Tammy had died.

Tammy was my first girlfriend. Like many love struck 13 year olds, I thought she'd be the one.
We broke up some years later and went on. But, I've never forgotton her.

Tammy, I will miss you my sweet friend. I know that you've jumped out the wheelchair and into the arms of Jesus and you're probably running laps around Heaven right now.

I'll miss you, but I'll see you when I get there.

Ok, I'm tired. I've blogged. I'm watching TV.

Mulligan

Ok, I've tried this blogging thing before, and I had some false starts.

Maybe this time, I'll take the mulligan, and stick to it.