New year

I can't believe that 2008 is over. It was a pretty good year and all but it just seems like things are flying by faster and faster. Maybe i'm just getting old or something. here's my wish list for the new year

lose some weight
try to get a clue about what God has for me
spend some good time with the ol fam
more dates with my wife (rowr)
get back to the basics with God, word...prayer...and fellowship
break 90 on the links
listen to something else
watch more PBS
join the CMA...(just kidding)

This is going to be a good one, I can feel it. I can't wait to be here next year with a report on the great things that God has done, so see ya next year!!

Which way do I go?

As some of you may know I am in the middle of a transition of sorts. The radio station is coming soon and I will be doing the programming and things of that nature. The issue that's facing me is what do I do with all of the other stuff I'm involved in. The time constraints of the radio station could possibly put a huge damper on the upcoming years youth events (the camp, fireworks tent, and Mexico) and also take time away from Labor of Love activities.

I'm not sure which way to go so I need the Lord to show me something, close a door, open a door, raise up or sit down at this point I don't care how it happens, I just need some direction.

I have been serving in the youth group for 10-11 years now (leading the last three) and I just want what's best for THEM. By no means am I ready to walk, but I if God lifts up the right person It would be a little easier.

Please pray that God would give me some wisdom and peace

Which way do I go?

20 Years!!

I was talking to Zack last night at the football game about one particular Christmas when I bought Kim this gold necklace she wanted. I wrapped up all of this junk stuff, some cheap shoes, a hard as a rock stuffed animal, a mummy case filled with a horrific pearl necklace along with some other cheap gifts.
I was hoping to get some kind of reaction out of Kim, purposely trying to make here mad just to have something to watch on Christmas day. But something happened that really surprised me. She was opening every gift and as I waited patiently for the "last straw" she just continued to rant and rave on how much she loved each and every piece of crap that she opened. My plan backfired and I just handed over the necklace in silent defeat.

Looking back on that day, I know now that was a precursor of things to come. Those types of things didn't really matter to her then and they don't really matter to her today. There are more important things in life than gifts. Kim knew that way back then that bond that holds is based on so much more than what's on the surface. It wasn't the gifts that she was looking at it was the giver. As long as it was from me, it was perfect (how that works I'll never understand)

To this day our relationship hasn't ever hinged on picking out the perfect cards or planning the perfect night out. It doesn't rely on big things at all but rather the little stuff. Stuffed animals with the "perfect" face or giving her the sleep in time she wants on Saturday the list goes on and on
Sometimes we feel like we are just being lazy, like we should be putting out the effort that couples need to do to show their love for one another. We always return back to what we know works. We are who we are, I can't imagine a better life than what I have right now.
It amazes me sometimes how fresh and new things are. Even after 20 years I still find things I haven't noticed before. How could it be any better than that!

Ther isn't enough time to or space on this page to cover all the things I want to say but I will say this, Kim knows my heart and I know hers. If it's been this good for the first 20 I can't wait to see the next 20.

Happy Anniversary

20 Years!!

Where are the pics of my wife?

Monday will be our 20th anniversary!!! It really doesn't seem possible that I have been married half of my life. There are a lot of horror stories out there concerning marriages but I am proud to say that we are not one of those stories. Not perfect by any standard but completely in tune and on track for the proverbial "forever". There are some things I would change, (money issues and other little things) but the big stuff....trust, faith, love, commitment,...the real heavy hitters are still in PERFECT working order.
There will never be another Kim. Besides the Lord, there couldn't possibly be anyone else out there who knows me as well as she does and STILL loves me. Some times I can be a real pain in the butt.
This morning I was looking at some pics for the header page and I noticed I have pics of everything important in my life except my wife!! Kids, myself, missions trips, church stuff you name it I have it but photos of my wife are non-existent. How did this happen?
I wish I had some pics (my wife is a true Asian Hottie) but I don't :(

I will have to rest on twenty years of memories all locked and loaded in my minds eye. I have got some great stuff in there, you are just going to have to take my word for it.

So anyway, here's an early Happy Anniversary to my beautiful, photo elusive bride
I Love you
Russ

Monday morning is upon me. The electric guys are here normally that doesn't matter but they are working in the foyer so that means they are right on top of me I HATE MY DESK!!!!!! Having 6 bathrooms, 2 water fountains and a vista wall is nice but public access to my stuff is not so nice. Everything is going to smooth out sooner or later.

Youth formal is Friday!! should be a good time everything is on track and it seems like everyone is ready to go. Here's a pic from 06