My boy's first Trophy

Today Julia and Richie went to the end of the season shindig for Hutto T-ball. He got his first trophy and although I missed it, I think he was really proud of it. This season was interesting because we played more games than I thought we would. Richie played all of the outfield positions and got to play catcher. And although Daddy was proud of his catching skills, Richie didn't seem to like it that much, but he did like waving to the crowd. We'll see if he wants to continue playing in the fall.

My Family Loves Me

What is it worth for you to feel that in your own life? How would your life be different if you knew for a fact that your family loved you?

For sometime I have been on a journey of healing in my own personal life. I so thank God for Intimate Life Ministries here in Austin. Through their investment in our Church, we have experienced lives being changed, people being healed in the community of Hutto. I cannot express the gratefulness that I have for the peace, joy, love and happiness that through the intervention of people, and God's grace, and His Holy Spirit. And most of all the love that my family has extended to me. I know without a doubt that my wife loves me unconditionally. That she is willing to share every aspect of her life with me. I have no fears. And I cannot say that I have experienced that in a long time. It has not been since I was maybe four years old did I feel and experience this love and this peace. All the pain and hurt that I have felt for so long in my life is gone. I feel as though I have lost 50 pounds. It is so easy for me to love people, especially my wife, because she first loved me. As we approach Father's day, I know this one will be the most special for me of all. I so rejoice in our relationship. I know we're starting to get to the place that God has always intended for us, but my fear and control have prevented us from reaching that. I am so free, and I feel redeemed.

My son tells me daily that he loves me. I know that to him, I am a great dad. And that is something I had always worried about before we had Richie. I know that he feels the love from me and Julia, and that is manifested in his daily life. Everyone loves my son, and that is because he loves them. There is a lot that we all can learn from his life. I hope that never changes, and I will always be there to do all that I can to help make sure that happens.

I so hope that you too can be redeemed. I was anger, bitter and an unhappy man. I never thought I could be redeemed. God can do all things if you will let him. For me I had to quit trying to control and only count on myself. I had to make the decision to allow God to heal me.

My beautiful family

When I was a little boy, in elementary school, I never would have thought that I would have a safe, secure wonderful family of my own. My life was pretty much a complete war zone of fighting, and not talking, and for me withdrawal.

I am so lucky to be able to enjoy a wonderful life with my family. And sometime I take that for granted. As I experience life with other folks, so many times their story is like mine. They have no hope, but only fear, I thank God, that I have the opportunity to share with folks that God's love drives out all fear. And I am reminded of that perfect love when I see my beautiful wife and handsome son. And I feel the love, and care and concern they give me each. My son is so gifted in being empathetic. He always says daddy I am sorry that happened to you or he'll go out of his way to say Daddy I love. And the more time I spend with him, the more he says I love you daddy.

You know it reminds me of how thankful I should be to God. He is so much more to me than I am a father to my son. Just in that moment of I love you my son is reminding me of how God loves me.

The big number 5

Richie decided this year that he wanted a dino birthday party. And anyone who knows my son knows that he loves Dinosaurs. So Julia and I really struggled to create a Dino party for him. While I am not sure we did that great job on the part festivities, a ton of his friends showed up and for that we were very thankful.

Here are some of the pictures from the dino day bash.


This is Richie, and Ava Beth and Drew from Church



Here are a lot of the people from the party doing their best to stay out of the sun. Even our pastor Ben and his wife Tonja came by to enjoy out backyard teeter totter.

Batter Up

It seems the last couple of months have been a blur and we've hardly had the time to catch our breath. A big part of that is Tball. Richie's season is just about over playing for the Hutto Express. Here is a picture of him and Denton Farmer who also goes to our Church Lifepointe.

The jury is still out if Richie will play tball again, or if he really liked it all that much. Gosh, I'd love it if he loved baseball as much as do. Maybe someday.