Saturdays

Here are a few pics of some of our Saturdays over the past few weeks:

Sunrise in Panama City a few weeks ago!

 

 

 

Same sunrise kinda framed by some oak trees.

I canoed and played in this bay more than 40 years ago when there was a summer camp on the shores.

Part of our tailgate food for the FSU/UF football game.  Bad outcome for the Seminoles but a great pregame party put on by Tri-Eagle Distributors – fried gator, gumbo, raw oysters and of course a lot of different beverages!

And some live music by a local band Houston Deese – some friends of ours!

 

Random Thoughts 11/30

Random thoughts that have consumed me this week:

1. Thankful for a wife who keeps me grounded!

2. Don’t know why I continue to be surprised at God’s timing.  It’s always perfect. Even when I don’t understand it.

3. Amazed that 3 years ago we dreamed of living at Mexico Beach and today it’s a reality.

4. I like listening to The Dixie Chicks. And Fine Young Cannibals.

5. We moved into our new place and still have 3 large storage units of stuff!

6. Glad there are moving companies to haul our stuff up to the third floor – no elevators.

7. When your expectations of your favorite athletic teams aren’t high, you don’t experience frustration when they lose.

8. I miss the homeless friends we fed and hung out with in Hernando. Need to find a way to plug-in here.

9. Grateful for friends willing to take a chance on me employment wise! Will be forever thankful.

10. Excited for one of our biggest opportunities at City Church Tallahassee – Christmas at the Moon!  People will come to this nightclub with their friends when they would never go to church with them.

11. Curious to see how far All Tide Up will go!

12. Encouraged by leaders I’m around every day – people who truely care about other people!

13. Life in the South is just funny sometimes!  People, things, food – all of it – but I don’t know what I would trade it for!

14. The idea of spending less and giving more. And not just giving what’s left over.

 

 

Typical Day in Paradise

A typical weekend day at the beach for us:

 

 

 

 

 

From beginning to end.

2012 Election, Social Media, Football and Other Random Thoughts

Some random thoughts about life over the past few weeks:

I really am amazed at the lack of civility among adults. People who, under normal circumstances would demand respect, seem to not feel others should be afforded the same courtesy.  This has never been so evident to me than in the past few months regarding the 2012 presidential elections. People seem to think social media is an open opportunity to spew their bias, hate and arrogance towards anyone who will read it – maybe that is what its for, but I doubt it.

President Obama appears to have won the popular vote and enough electoral college votes to be reelected as President of the United States.  As such, I believe we have a responsibility to pray for him and support him.

I really wanted someone to question the magic, marriage underwear during the presidential debates!

College football continues to be one of the most sacred activities in the South.  Confession:  I have season ticket to FSU football and am a graduate of Auburn University, so I am just as guilty as those I write about.  Even with one of the worst seasons in university history, tens of thousands of people fill Jordan Hare Stadium each home game – win or lose, it’s tradition!

Some of the most beautiful, unfiltered views of the Apalachicola Bay can be found driving along Highway 98. And who knew you could get a great seafood lunch of fish, crab, clams, hush puppies, cole slaw and cheese grits for under $7.00?

While I didn’t think I wanted to ever get back in the business of workforce development, I’m thankful some friends of mine gave me an opportunity to return.  Helping others with employment and training opportunities has helped me remember how blessed I am.  Gulf Coast Workforce Development Board has some dedicated staff who truly care for people!

While I’m not much for tradition, I do like the tradition of family at holidays.  Looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas and the opportunity to spend time with our kids!  If you’ve read some of my ramblings before you know that we don’t spend much money on ourselves during the holidays, instead, we choose to spend it on those less fortunate than us.  It starts now with some food drives.  Skip a dinner out this week and buy some food to donate to a family in need or the very least your local food pantry!

Christmas Challenge:  Spend Less. Give More.  Check out Advent Conspiracy for ways to turn your holidays upside down!

Not a big fan of Daylight Savings Time right now.  By the time I get home from work, it’s too late to enjoy the sunsets along the coast at Mexico Beach.  Can’t wait until it’s a regular activity for us again!

 

 

Some Monday Thoughts

A  few Monday thoughts:

1. Sundays are one of  my favorite days now.  I get to meet dozens of new people each week and introduce them to opportunities or next steps in their journey!

2. Unfortunately most times I don’t remember all of the people I meet each week!

3. Had a great conversation with a bank officer today about how God is in control of every detail in our lives.  This same person showed incredible generosity to Cyndi and I three years ago when I lost my job.  Details matter.

4. I miss leading and participating in community groups each week.  Relationships are nurtured in community.

5. Despite a  lot of current chatter on social media, people don’t want to be dependent on public assistance of most any kind.  I work with dozens if not hundreds of people who want to work but can’t because there aren’t enough jobs their skill sets match.

6. Christmas on the Moon is one of my favorite services each year.  We move our Christmas church service to The Moon – a local nightclub in Tallahassee. People who don’t want to go to a “church” will go to a nightclub!  Why not share Jesus with them?

7.  I wonder if anyone is actually persuaded to vote for a candidate because of a yard sign or a television commercial?  I bet not.

8.  I live in one of the most beautiful places on earth.

9. My wife is my biggest supporter and encourager.  I’m more than lucky she agreed to be my wife more than 30 years ago!

10.  Divine opportunities are often overlooked.  Mainly because we become self focused on don’t really look outside our own little worlds.

 

Monday 10-22-12

Random thoughts today about the last few days:

1.  I currently live in one of the most beautiful places on earth – Mexico Beach – and most of the people who live here don’t even take advantage of the beauty!

2.  Watching and hearing the stories of life change never gets old!  I love being part of a church that cares about people – City Church Tallahassee is for real!

3.  Michael Mears is one of the most passionate speakers I know.  His message about the gospel and our money was one of the best I have heard.  Proud he is my friend and office mate!

4.  People like Josh and Brandi Hignight are what make organizations succeed.  Josh and Brandi have a three-week old son – Benjamin.  They got up early Sunday and drove to Tallahassee so Josh could fulfill his duties as an usher at church.  Not because he had to but because he wanted to do it.  Love my friends!

5.  My daughter ran not one but two 5K races this weekend.  And she got 3rd place in her age group on Sunday!  A year ago she wasn’t even running and in December she’ll participate in a half marathon.  Proud Dad!

6.  Amazed at the low-level of civility in political discourse today.  In years past I would laugh at news clips from things happening in the British Parliament – we have become just like it in our lack of respect for each other – sad days.

7.  Working to help displaced seafood workers in the Apalachicola Bay area is one of the most intense things I’ve done.  People all over are hurting and just want someone to be an advocate for them.  It’s not going to be an easy solution but hopefully there will be a lasting one in the days ahead.

8.  Thanksgiving and Christmas are exciting times for us.  We try to ramp up our giving to those less fortunate than we are at this time of year.  We won’t have a big Thanksgiving dinner so we can give more to someone who doesn’t have one at all.  We’ll find a way to spend some money and some time with people at Christmas who otherwise wouldn’t have anything.  Kind of feel that’s what Jesus would want us to do.

Who know what the week will bring but I know I’ll be spending some evenings like this:

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Mid October Thoughts

It’s been six weeks since we packed up everything we owned (ok it did take more than one trip) and moved from Inverness to Mexico Beach, Florida.  May be one of the best moves we have ever made!  Here are a few thoughts bouncing around:

1.  Jonathan Merritt gave an amazing sermon at City Church Tallahassee on Sunday.  Probably 900 people had the opportunity to hear him during the day and I’m sure others listened live on-line and/or will download the message from Itunes this week.  To paraphrase some of his words – “To live as Jesus lived, we have  to be present among those who need us.”  “It’s not your vote that’s going to change the world, it’s your own hands.”

2.  Loved have the opportunity to baptize my friend, Ryan Hachenberger  on Sunday morning!  Check out his blog, Florida Fowler, and you can see his baptism testimony online at City Church Tallahassee too!

3.  I have a blast each week introducing people to City Church through our 101 opportunities (general questions about getting involved) and our monthly Ownership Experiences (taking a formal step of membership).  People want to belong.  People need to belong.  Helping them find their next step is exciting – not everyone is at the same point in their journey and sometimes we just need some encouragement to get to the next spot!

4.  Annual Parent’s Weekend at Florida State University this past weekend!  Always a good time.  Both of my children were/are in the Greek system at FSU.  Totally different types of Parent’s Weekend celebrations!  Meghan’s Phi Mu events were always a brunch or lunch type event that involved a social time followed by a meal.  Very much a chance to show case the house and everyone had a chance to meet other parents/sisters, etc.  Ethan’s Kappa Sigma events are more of a tailgate event.  Food, beverages, bands, dancing, etc.  Always a good time at both of them – just different!

5.  One of the best things about our new location is the sunset.  We have the opportunity every evening to walk along Florida’s Gulf Coast and enjoy the magnificent sunsets that take place.  We actually do this about 3-4 times a week.  What an incredible way to unwind and let any stress go away!  Will post some of my views soon!

6.  Starting the planning for another trip to Cartagena in August 2013!  Excited about the opportunity to work beside our friend Alex Rocha there!  Hopeful for the work that will be done.

7.  Momma Goldberg’s sandwiches in Tallahassee are just as good as the original in Auburn, Alabama!  The only difference is I eat them in the afternoon instead of 2 or 3 in the morning now!

8.  My friends at Ella Bing and Tobacco Pipes inspired us to launch All Tide Up.  Check out all of these sites for some interesting products!  Each different but unique!

 

 

September Thoughts

It has been more than a month since I have written here.  No excuse other than lack of internet during the evenings!  It’s amazing how dependent we can become on something as simple as internet access!

Random thoughts from the past month:

1.  Moving 30 years of belongings from a 3500 square foot home is daunting.  Little did we realize how many Uhaul trucks and how many days it would actually take.  But it is done!

2.  Moving back to an area you have lived before has its pros and cons.  Not sure which outweigh which yet!

3.  Living a few blocks from the Gulf of Mexico is a plus.  Almost daily walks on beautiful beaches with my bride of 30 years is a huge plus.  The opportunity to take hundreds of photographs is nice.  Sunsets, birds, water, boats, moon rise, etc.

4.  Having full-time employment for the first time in almost two years is nice.  Missed the interaction.  Grateful for the opportunity and enjoy the faith my employer has in me.  Having group health insurance is awesome!  I welcome the opportunity to pay for Cyndi’s simply because it’s group and there are no pre-existing conditions!

5.  Driving through an U.S. Air Force base each day is daunting.  Having F-22 fighter jets fly over as they prepare to land can be both exciting and kinda scary.

6.  Despite what some people would have you believe, there are thousands of people who are unemployed that would like to work.  I see people every day that would rather have a paycheck than receive any type of public assistance – whether that is unemployment compensation, food stamps, social security disability, etc. – they want a job.  Problem – there are not enough jobs for them to have in today’s economy.

7.  I get the opportunity to serve beside some of the best people.  Each Sunday I’m amazed at the dedication and genuine concern for others these people display.  City Church Tallahassee.

8.  Catalyst 2012 will take place in three days and Cyndi and I won’t have the opportunity to be in Atlanta for it this year.  Catalyst 2010 was one of the most amazing experiences we’ve had and was certainly a defining point in our spiritual journey.  Not the event itself, but the opportunity we took advantage of while there.

9.  My wife is amazing!  She is my number one supporter and fan.  30 years ago I married so far out of my class!  Thankful for who she is, what she stands for and what she is willing to do to make our lives better together!

 

 

Some Very Random Midweek Thoughts

How does that saying go? …The best laid schemes of mice and men often go awry?

While our plans haven’t necessarily gone awry, they certainly haven’t gone exactly as thought!

Good news for our financial health!  Some friends and peers from my previous career offered me a job in Panama City, Florida beginning the end of August!  I accepted and that means Cyndi and I are packing and moving in the next few days!  Loading a truck tomorrow and will store our belongings in the area.  Hoping to find a short-term rental (off-season) in Mexico Beach where we can at least enjoy the transition! Excited for the opportunity!

We will still continue to serve at City Church Tallahassee each week.  Down side is that it doesn’t appear that we will get to participate in community groups (Panama City is located in Central Time Zone, Tallahassee in Eastern Time Zone – making it really difficult to get there in time!).  Of all the things I’ve had the opportunity to do at City Church, community groups have brought me some of the most satisfaction.

Random happening this morning – two young deer were trapped in our neighbor’s back yard this morning.  Easier said than done trying to show them where the gate was for an easy exit.  Twenty minutes later they finally were able to push the fence up far enough to crawl through – they had no desire to go the easy way I wanted them to go!

Excited for Cyndi as she sold an item from her Etsy store this weekend!  You can check it out here:  SeaEverything.  It’s says I’m the owner but all the stuff is hers!

Also shipped some things from All Tide Up to a friend who will rep the items as he performs his original music in Panama City Beach!

Oh, and did I mention there is a storm that is expected to become a hurricane that could be in Central Florida by early next week?!  Never a dull moment in our lives!

Some Random Midweek Thoughts

Although we were in Mexico Beach the past weekend, no photographs were taken!  That may be a first for this family!  Mostly rain during the day but there were some interesting lightning shows at night that would have been great to capture!

Espresso – our current morning drink because we don’t have a regular coffee maker right now.  We first drank espresso in Key West 30 years ago.  Most mornings we’d wake up and walk to the corner laundry which also included a small bodega and get some espresso and warm, buttered cuban bread – breakfast of champions!

City Church celebrates a five-year anniversary this week!  I really didn’t know how young it really was when we became friends with Dean Inserra.  Thankful that our daughter Meghan introduced us to this ministry!  Who would have known that we would devote more than a year and a half to sharing the gospel in Tallahassee with these friends?

Love that we have met some really good friends while spending time in Tallahassee.  Josh and Brandi Hignight are two of those!  Couldn’t have completed Ethan’s move into a different house over the course of eight days without them!  But more than that help, they genuinely understand us and are friends.

All Tide Up is up and running.  Still needs some additions and fine tuning but proud of my kids for making it happen!  Check out there site as you get a chance!

Proud of our friend Ryan Hachenberger also.  His writings at Florida Fowler are good.  Check out what he has to say about some life goals and life!

My wife, Cyndi, is unbelievable!  She has almost packed up our entire house in just a few weeks.  We will have been married 30 years the end of August.  We’ve lived in Inverness for almost 20 years and in this house for 15 years.  You can accumulate a lot of memories and a lot of things over 30 years.  Reducing it to moving boxes can be difficult but she has accomplished that!  Trying to determine where to move it is difficult also.  Sometimes the decisions you make can’t just be made with your heart.

While I do believe God is sovereign and He has a plan, there are times when we just don’t know what to do next!  Curious to see how the next season of our life goes and excited to see where it will be!