come and listen

Over the years I have spent many summers and a few cold January's ministering to orphan children in Targu Mures, Romania. I have said that if you can hold a child, play with a child, or love a child this mission trip is for you. Most of these children have heard the gospel and the promises of God but they have never experienced it. That is what we have been called to do, show them Christs love through our love...it is that simple. I know most of these children personally and have watched them grow. I love them! I have not been able to go to Romania to see them for 2 years and my love for them has only grown stronger in that absence. When I see their picture or think of them a tear comes to my eye. I pray for them by name that they would come to have the joy of knowing Christ and that Jesus would write His name on their hearts and their name on His hand.

favorite pictures

Here are a few favorite pictures I have taken over the years from China, Romania, Hungary, England, and USA. I hope you enjoy them

the greatest show on earth

Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls welcome to the greatest show on earth...At the last minute we decided to go to the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus and it was a good thing. Madeline was very excited until we got there. She suddenly became frightened of the clowns(I do not blame her because I'm not particularly fond of clowns myself but I posed with 2 less imposing ones to try to ease Madeline's fears...it did not work) Last year at the Shriner Circus a clown came within 3 feet of her and she got so scared she wet herself. Well she was able to control herself this year but buried her head several times in Daddy's shoulder when the clowns came close. Her clown anxiety gradually fadded when she realized that they would stay far away from us and she settled in and enjoyed herself. She danced threw most of the show and loved eating a hotdog and popcorn, the jumping puppy dogs and tigers the most. When the circus was over (9:45pm) we thought Madeline would fall asleep very quickly for the car ride home not so she talked and talked about it all the way home. But within 30 seconds of her laying down in bed she was out, sleeping peacefully with her new white tiger stuffed animal souviner.

MY BROTHER MICHAEL

Where to begin. I have sat down to write may letters to people who have been so kind, gracious, and compasionate to my family but the words just do not come. I have never been very eloquent with words and now is no different, so please bear with me. My brother Michael, Big Mike as he was known to his co-workers, died suddenly and unexpetedly July 16, 2007. We were all in shock, my brain was numb and my body felt dull for over a week. My brother was a big guy (6'9"...well 1/4" shy of that), he saw life in black and white (right and wrong)...no grey in between, and that proved to be difficult for him growing up in school and later at work. But I belive he found his "nich" in life when he began working for KLOVE Radio in Rocklin, California as an IT Tech. He would ALWAYS talk fondly and with love of his co-workers and could not believe he was getting paid for what he was doing. He often would say "I get paid to pray" He was a solitary person for the most part but had a lot of love to give. He enjoyed fishing (eventhough he did not catch anything), computers, and gold mining. His heart was that of a child's and so was his faith...just as in Matthew 18:2-6. Like a child does, he saw the beauty of Gods creation in everything, whether is was a shooting star, a big fish swimming in the water, or a rainbow...just to name a few. He would also go out of his way to help people, whether is was giving some one a ride home...buying them lunch...putting gas in thier tank, or shaving his head for children with cancer he would do this graciously and with no expection of repayment. He would also drop what he was doing to help a friend regardless if it was going to interfere with something he wanted to do. I guess I am telling you all this because I want you to know the same person I did. Heaven is definately sweeter now that both my brother and mother are their.

Madeline says Hello

Last week we were taking care of a friends dog, Barney. When we brought Barney home and introduced him to our dogs, they said hello to each other in the usual dog way, sniffing each other's bottoms. Madeline, very curious about this asked, "what are they doing"? I told her they were saying "hi" to each other and that, that is one way dogs say hi. Madeline said ok, laughed and went on her way. A few hours later I notice Madeline with her hands on her knees and legs bent with her bottom in Barney's nose. I asked her what she was doing and her reply..."I'm saying hi to Barney"!