The Crew from Cov

The other night Tricia and I went to an engagement party for a friend of mine who recently got engaged.  It was a great time getting to see so many people there that I've not seen in a while.  Tricia got to meet a lot of my friends that night, from what I can gather, they all seemed to embrace her and there looked to be mutual acceptance among them all.  When I left Covenant Pres sometime ago and began going to Oak Mountain, it was hard to adjust to not being around many of those folks but over time I knew I was doing the right thing by going to Oak Mountain.  Those friends back at Covenant I have not forgotten nor has our friendships decreased.  That is really the interesting thing.  Most of these folks are married couples, now with like 2 kids and who knows what's in the works.  But the really cool thing about all these folks is that they have always been there, through the thick and thin and through all of my stuff.  They all mean a lot to me and I cherish those friendships dearly.
I don't know that I've ever mentioned any of them on this blog before, so I thought I'd shed some light to who all these people are and by maybe telling a few stories.  I guess to start off, we all met each other in the Single's group at Covenant.  Most of us began going there back around 1999 or 2000 and some came in a little later.  It was like God just dropped us all off at the same place around the same time to develop some very significant friendships with each other over the years.  God knew what He was up to here, because we all quickly began to develop very strong and lasting relationships.  It was neat to see how God worked in all of these friendships to later lead to many of the guys and girls getting married over time, now most of them having at least one child by now and some two.

Jon, Bobby, Bou, Derek, Brandon and Rusty.  These guys have pretty much been the closest guy friends in that crowd.  I will get around to who they all married a little later.  Each of these guys came from different backgrounds and places, with a ranging of interest that included hunting, sports, mission trips, and just good ole hanging out.  Not all of us had something in common except for the hanging out part, which seems to still be the most important, but the common interest among this group had us all pretty much doing things together very often, even leading to some of us sharing a house together here in there over the years.  All of them have very interesting and inspiring stories of life and their coming to a personal relationship with Christ, but one in particular is Bou.  If you ever run into this guy, do yourself a favor and ask him about escaping from Cambodia when he was just a kid with his family.  It is an incredible story and you can see Christ all the way through it giving him protection, provision, love, and grace.  He came to America and now he lives the American dream like the rest of us.  No, I'm not saying life is perfect for any of us, nor is it for Bou, but by the grace of God he was able to come and be raised here in America, was able to take advantage of the blessings of our freedoms that this country was founded on...although, I have to say now, that our freedoms seem to be slipping away from us more and more as we go through life...but that's another blog post altogether.  Jon, Bobby, Derek and I used to share a house out in Riverchase.  At the time, we called it the "Home for Unwed Brothers".  It was like a frat house, always having people over for cookouts and gatherings, and a lot of times for those great heart to heart conversations on the back deck or wherever to just talk about the struggles and successes of life. 

Jon and I first hung out at a Mt. Brook football game one night with some other guys from the group.  In our conversation, I pretty much unloaded my testimony to him right there from the stands watching the game, who knows why then and there, but apparently I just felt like talking but I talked about a lot and Jon was I think a little overwhelmed by it all at first, but later came to appreciate everything we had talked about.  He knew who I really was, he knew what I struggled with and he knew what my hang-ups where...from this, with him, I was free to just be myself and be real with him.  He knows this now but I really appreciated him listening to me that night and it was the foundation of our friendship that still presses on through thick and thin.  He later married an awesome girl named Kristi.  Kristi was in our group at Covenant too and most of the earlier years in the group she was tied up with school but stayed involved the entire time.  She is another great friend of mine to this day and going to hang out with them and their two beautiful children is always still a lot of fun.  One of the great things about hanging out with them is that they are both just real all the time. They talk pretty openly about the great things in their marriage and the struggles they sometimes have.  They are an inspiration to me to see their walk through life as husband and wife, father and mother of two, while balancing work, children, life, and other things.  Jon just finished up his MBA about a year ago now I guess, and now his career is beginning to take steps upward to new horizons.  I am proud of both of them and I cherish and value their friendship so much.

Derek  - one of the old roommates from the big house in Riverchase.  He is the entrepreneur in our group.  I remember seeing him studying while on retreats early on to be a world class commercial real estate professional and that he has become over the years.  Success looked easy to us on the outside looking in, but in hindsite, he worked hard, very hard to get where he has gotten.  Always studying everything he could get his hands on and always taking the right risk at the right time.  He was inspired and mentored by one of the best in the business back then and now he wears the integrity, values, and success of that person.  Derek was also the crazy one in our group, kinda like a kid that forgot his adderall or ritalin...every day!  He never seems to let adventure pass him by and like his profession, has always taken risk that could have cost him in the end, but God's hand of protection has always been upon him as well.  Derek always has been there to listen and give insight of wisdom along the way for all the guys.  He has a big heart and does whatever he can to help others out in a bind when needed.  He went on as well to marry a girl who is actually as short as he is...short but very sweet and fun.  You look at the two of them and see that God had them in mind for each other without a doubt.  Her name is Rushton.  She came into our group a little later and Derek had her in his sights almost imediately for a pursuit of an incredible relationship that we all got to see develop.  Derek is a pilot also and I was able to go up with him several times in his Cesna at the time and a few of us even took the plane on a beach trip once that was an experience that I'll never forget.  Derek is a busy person, running a business, being married, fathering two children and balancing life,  but will always take the time to stop and hang with the guys when opportunity comes around.  He is a great friend and I will always cherish he and his wife's friendhip for years to come.

Bou- he's always been a great friend, don't get to see him all that much anymore, but a friendship that has lasted through thick and thin over the years.  The early years of friendship were spent talking a lot about life and struggling through knowing what God's will was for our lives in one way or another.  It was cool to go on a mission trip with a person who was the result of mission work himself.  I've had many interesting times with Bou learning about his culture and how he grew up and then came to America to pursue life, school, work and then marriage to Aline, his sweet wife.  They now have two beautiful children.  One may wonder what does a baby from a red headed american girl and a Cambodian look like...beautiful is all I can say, and those kids are full of personality and character.  It was always great to see Bou struggle with the things that life brings along, in that by God's direction and grace, showing him what to do and how to go there.  As all of us, mistakes are made, and some decisions made over time seem to put us two steps back, but as we all learn too, that is God's way of just taking us four steps forward, learning more about ourselves and most of all the unconditional love of Christ along the way.  Each year, Bou invites several of us guys down to his father-n-law's land in Camden, Alabama for some of the best hunting around.  We go down around the same time in December to participate in this hunting trip that usually produces a lot of opportunity to kill a deer, and on some years, the harvest is big but I will not go into that as it may seem cruel to some, but again, that is all for another blog post sometime.  I think the best thing about that annual trip is just the guys all getting together again to hang out, talk about life, laugh a lot all while enjoying a glass of Crown...of course not while hunting...we're crazy - not stupid...however there have been a few things that have happened over the years that would have made you think we were drinking while hunting, some really funny stuff.  A favorite story I will share is about Rusty who I will talk about next.  We are all so appreciative to Bou for inviting us each year,  because it gives us that opportunity to catch up and continue building upon the strong friendships we already have.  Bou and Aline are another couple who's friendship I will always cherish.  They have been there for me too in the tough times and for that I am very thankful. 

Rusty- what can I say about ole Rusty, what can I not say?  I actually met Rusty when going on a mission trip to Ukraine.  He did not go to our church at the time and he came as a friend of someone in the group that was going.  I didn't know what I was in store for back then and now looking back all I can do is laugh and say, "ole Rusty".  But, over the years, and even back there on that trip I saw things in Rusty that most may not get to see when just hanging out with him at times.  Rusty has a very big heart.  He comes across sometimes to people who don't really know him as unfiltered, disrespectful, and sometimes downright wrong....but those people don't really know Rusty, and if they didn't give him a chance to know him a little better, it was only their loss.  Rusty will always be the one to say what you were thinking but just wouldn't dare say, and for that I am thankful...at least most of the time, because behind this rough edged face is a heart that really cares for people in a very deep and meaningful way.  As he reads this, if he does, he would probably say I'm an "ass-kisser" or whatever for saying all this, but that is just his way of saying being humbled I believe.  I remember on more than one occasion he and I having heart to heart talks that blew me away in regards to his care and compassion for people.  This is all just something you don't know about Rusty unless you get him one on one in a conversation.  Rusty married the perfect girl for him.  Laura, someone who can handle his smart comments and know when to listen to him and when to not listen to him.  She is a wonderful wife and mother too.  She compliments him in a way that makes them an incredible couple.  They are always laughing and having fun and always fun to hang out with.  Now, the story I mentioned above.  I think it was two years ago now, we were all down in Camden for our annual hunting trip and while Bou doesn't hunt, he does go out to the stands with each of us from time to time to watch the hunt.  This day he went with Rusty.  The actual hunting time was pretty unproductive, but as they were walking back up to the truck to come back in from the woods, Rusty spotted a doe about 100 yards beyond the truck.  Bou went ahead and got in the truck and Rusty hurried up to take aim over the hood of this Dodge Ram he was driving.  Just know this, Rusty is an awesome shot, he usually never misses what he's shooting at, so he took aim, while resting the rifle on the hood of the truck to get a stable shot, he pulled the trigger and boom!  He looked back through the scope and there stood the doe just minding its owne business.  A little shaken by the noise but otherwise untouched....Rusty was like "what the heck?"  So he took aim again and fired again, boom!  He looked again through the scope and said "you've got to be kidding me"  the doe was still just standing there eating at the grass.  Rusty looked at his rifle to be sure there wasn't something wrong with it then noticed two dark spots on the hood of his truck.  Then he took a closer look...with the way that the curve of the hood is on a Dodge Ram and with the fact that he was looking through the scope, he never noticed that when he shot both times that he was only shooting into the hood of his truck, but talk about consistency, they two shots were right next to each other...now that is called good grouping...not that he was too happy about his grouping at the time.  So, to top this off he went around the truck and took aim resting the rifle into his shoulder and put the doe down finally.  That day Rusty got to do something no one else ever has probably never will, he came back to the barn with a Ram and a doe.  Talk about a hunting trophy.  That is just one of the many stories that there are from our incredible trips.  I appreciate Rusty and his wife Laura.  They are great friends that will last over the years for which I am very thankful.

Now onto Bobby- Bobby, the quiet one, but don't let him fool you.  He always been up to something and his being quiet has always helped him to be taken seriously but also a good cover when he wanted to be scandalous.  Bobby has always been that one that you could talk to and know he would just listen and wouldn't have to say something back - he'd just listen.  Of course if you wanted him to respond or comment he would but he has a natural gift in being able to listen and give wisdom.  Many who know him knows he loves sports and he also is a referee for basketball.  Mostly high school games but some college girls games as well.  Bobby was another roommate from the house in Riverchase.  He was probably the first one of all of us in the group at Covenant.  He loves to fish too, so even though we go hunting down in Camden, sometimes he comes along to go bass fishing in the lakes around the property.  It seems like he was always the one behind all the shananagans that came about all the time.  He's just so stinking quiet and he was never the one you suspected to be behind something but somehow always was.  He finally married his wonderful wife Lori after years of going on and off over time.  We knew they'd get married and finally they did, but in a little different way.  They actually got married on a Single's beach retreat that we had one year, one that OMPC's single group at the time went on as well.  It was a crazy weekend and we did it all up.  The wedding was on the beach and it was really cool to be a part of such an awesome event.  Bobby and Lori now have a child of their own too, and he is another heart stealer.  Bobby and Lori are great friends too that I always enjoy getting together with at any time.  I will always cherish their friendship for years to come.

Now, only time for one more right now, and I'll come back to whoever I left off...
Brandon - Good ole Brandon.  I don't even know where to begin with him.  He's a photographer by trade but now works in ministry at The Apologetics Resource Center here in Birmingham.  He's always been that one that kinda talked over your brain and then you would have to say, "okay, Brandon, now tell me in English so I can understand".  Love the guy though, because he's always had a heart and love for God and His people and with a sincere desire to spread the Word in Truth.  He is another crazy one that I know, always taking the risk and sometimes not thinking about the consequences, but living in the end.  His wife Katrina is a wonderful match for him, mainly by being able to calm him enough sometimes long enough to just survive his crazy antics.  I am forever endebted to them for something they did for me back sometime ago, when all the guys were getting married off one by one and I did not have anyone to live with or anywhere to live.  They invited me to live in an extra bedroom in their home.  This was an awesome experience and worked out much better than I think any of us anticipated.  They were so gracious to let me live there and I am forever thankful for their ministry in that to me at that time in my life.  Brandon really showed me a lot about working hard during that time because with his going to school and trying to study all while trying to keep his photography business going was taxing to say the least.  He was awake more than ever asleep and always on his toes.  I appreciated seeing them in their marriage, working through easy and tough times along the way, but always trusting in God to provide and lead them along the way.  I will always cherish and appreciate their friendship as the years go by. 

I think that is about it for now on these folks.  These are firendships that will last a lifefime.  I am very humbled and thankful for them all and I look forward to the many years to come as our friendships grow and develop more.  Thanks ya'll for for everything you have been, for everything you are, and for everything you want to be.  Thank you.

Questions That Are Cluttering My Heart and Mind...

What or who is a friend?  Who do you consider your friend or friends?  Why do you consider a person or people friends?  How should a friend treat you?  How should they not treat you?  How do you treat a friend?  How should you treat a friend?  How do our assumptions and expectations play into how we perceive a friendship or how we operate within that friendship? 

These are all just things that have been running through my mind lately.  I may not go into why, but I just need to free my mind a bit here.  I'm now in a dating relationship.  This is an awesome and wonderful thing, but sometimes I wonder just why it seems that when you get into a dating relationship, that other friendships seem to fade or dissipate all together.  I know in my past, that I have been a big reason as to why some friendships have changed, but this relationship is different.  This relationship is free and easygoing with no hesitations to just be myself within it.  I can speak the same for Tricia, my girlfriend.  I guess I just wonder why it is that some friendships go from a place of hugs, handshakes, and genuine down to earth conversation suddenly come to a place of awkwardness and sometimes silence. 

I have spent a good bit of time with girlfriend.  We have spent time getting to know each other better and have been establishing what I see as a really good relationship founded and centered in Christ.  No, we're not perfect, who is, but we both want our relationship to be centered in Him and with that we want to continue our friendships that we've always had, it is very important to both of us.  Granted, I understand that some time spent with her more often sometimes leads to others maybe thinking that we've moved on, or we're not interested in doing things that Single folks do, but the funny thing about it all is that we are still single.  Plain and simple.  And we love spending time with our friends, me with hers and her with mine.  She has come to get to know several of my friends as I have with her friends and it has seemed to work out very well in many situations, however, there is the puzzling thing to me that some friends of mine, those whom I really thought would embrace her, and want to get to know her, have not really tried to hardly talk to her.  I say all this as sensitively as I can, because I really don't want to offend anyone, but then I guess on the other hand, maybe it could all just be in my mind.  Maybe it could all just be my fault; maybe it could be just what's supposed to happen, but for some reason I just can't help but think it shouldn't. 

Honestly, it just hurts.  And it disappoints me.  I know I should not have expectations, but then I wonder how unhealthy my expectations really are in this matter?  I see the same thing happening to others, and some of them not even connected to the same realm of friends.  It kind of reminds me of something even I've been guilty of in the past when some of my friends have gotten married over the years.  I remember being hesitant to call them, or thought they were probably busy doing married or couple things and wouldn't have time or desire to spend time with a single person, like I would be a third wheel or something...  that's all just a bunch of bunk if you ask me and I think it just has to be said. 

Don't misunderstand any of this.  I'm not having a pity party here, far from it really.  I'm just curious what is going on?  I wonder what is misunderstood, heck I wonder what I'm misunderstanding?  If you're reading this and you go to assume that I'm speaking about you, well, don't assume.  This is not something that is being addressed to a particular person or group of people, I'm just asking a question.  I'm just looking for answers.  With wisdom comes understanding, and hence freedom and grace.  I'm just searching, that's all, so please forgive me if I have offended, it has not been my intention.  Feel free to respond, actually I encourage you to and be anonymous if you want, regardless I'd love some feedback. 

Yes, In fact it was...

the best birthday I've ever had.  Yeah, been awhile since I've made a post, and I would love to sit down and just type out everything that I've been doing and thinking about over the last month or so, and maybe I will, but wanted to at least update my most previous post about my birthday.

Where do I start?  It seemed to of lasted for over a week, which was awesome!  Tricia did an awesome job of remembering all kinds of things about me and what I like, which is very special and shows how much she listens to me, even when I ramble.  I guess we'll just start on Friday night before my birthday.  She had arranged for many of my closest friends to go to dinner at Cocina Superior.  It was awesome, and I am so thankful for all those that were able to be there.  It was really special to me.  Most of all, it was just really great being surrounded by whom I think are my very closest friends, my girlfriend, while enjoying great food and conversation all at one time.  Afterwards a few of us went up to the wine loft and hung out for awhile.  It was an overall relaxing but very fun evening.

Saturday, Tricia and I just had a spontaneous day.  Nothing planned, no agenda, just went out and had breakfast, did a little shopping and looking around and just enjoyed the day together.  This is one of our favorite things to do, not much to it, which is great and really emphasizes the time we spend together, continuing to get to know each other better, learning the likes and dislikes, and honestly having a great time all along the way.  It is amazing to me how much we laugh together.  It is freeing and fun.  Anyway, pressing on to the evening...

Tricia had asked me to make myself busy for a few hours while she got things ready for Saturday night...what was she up to?  I really had no idea, but it was more incredible that I ever could have imagined.   I went and ran some errands around town and really just wasted some time to give her time to do what she needed to do.  She finally called me a few hours later and told me to come on over.  As I pulled in the drive she stopped me almost at the end of her driveway, weird I thought, but I knew I needed to just go with it.
She told me to close my eyes while she led me down the driveway and through her carport to the back patio of her home.  As I opened my eyes, I was amazed to see all that she had done to prepare for my birthday.  It was something like out of a movie or something.  Here is a pic just to give you an idea...

Candle votives everywhere, and I mean everywhere, she had between 35 and 40 set up around the patio and it was beautiful.  Over on the table, she had a stunning arrangement set up for dinner, with candles and flowers set up perfectly.  I noticed little strings hanging down from the beams above, each with little tags tied to the ends.  On each was written something that Tricia loves about me.  There were 34 of them hanging all around.  It was amazing because of one, how it actually added to the overall look, and two, because of all the time I know she took to prepare all of this stuff.  She later gave me three additional tags with very special messages written on them to tell me about how she felt about me.  A total of 37 tags for each year I've been alive and to symbolize my 37th birthday.  You can see the tags hanging down in this picture...

Dinner was very special, incredible lasagna from scratch with great garlic toast to go along with it.  She put the finishing touches on this perfect dinner with a glass of our favorite wine.  The evening was amazing.  Just sitting and talking, laughing and enjoying each other.  Tricia is so thoughtful and so sweet.  Always wanting to serve and do for me, much more than I ever deserve, that's for sure.  She gives great gifts too!  Another place where I could see clearly just how much she listens to me and makes little mental notes along the way.

So yes, yes it was the best birthday ever!  Thank you Tricia for this incredible series of events marking the beginning of another year of my life.  Thanks to all my friends who have been there along the way.  You have all made an impact in one way or another, whether you realize it or not.  I appreciate you all, and am greatful for all those special people in my life.  Yea, this is sappy, but who cares?  It's my blog and I can be as sappy as I want with it.

Surprises, I love them!

We get surprised when we least expect something to happen. It is a natural thing and sometimes we love those surprises and sometimes they can be difficult. The other day, my girlfriend Tricia returned from her business trip to Pensacola. When I came over to her house to see her, she said that she had a surprise waiting for me. I was like, what in the world could it be and what for? I guess there really doesn't have to be a reason to get a surprise from someone else but she told me that with my birthday coming up soon, and that it was time to get it started now. I was like, what? Now, my birthday's not for another week or so, and she said very sweetly, well you don't celebrate your birthday just for one day but also for days leading up to it. I was like, well, this is all right! Anyway, the surprise was a fried peach pie from Peach Park in Clanton. She had stopped and gotten 3 of them for me. This was awesome! I love those pies and I had no idea that Peach Park was still open. Funny thing was that I was going to ask her to stop and get some but then thought they would not be open so I didn't bother to ask. Surprise! It's sometimes the simple things in life that make me happy, but more importantly was the fact that she thought of me while on her way back and stopped to get them! This was huge to me and I appreciated her so much! Anyway, I don't know why I wanted to share that but just did. I think this might be the best birthday ever...guess we'll find out soon.

A New Season...

   Today is the first official day of Fall.  A time for new discoveries, new beginnings, and new revelation by God's gracious love.  I am excited about this Fall, as I plan to finish up on a few long blog posts I started previously; start blogging about a new book I'm beginning to read, and discovering more about God's direction for my life and His purpose.  I'm also challenging myself to find a new and more fitting look for my blog.  I've got one in mind but I am still working on getting it formatted.

    A new year usually begins for most on January 1st, but for me Fall is a time of renewal and rejuvenation usually with a lot of self-discovery.  I pray that God will set my path and set my pace as I look to Him for wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.  As I seek Him to know His will for my life; to learn more about how He desires for me to servant-lead in Life Group, Homeless ministry, my relationship with Tricia, and hopefully how I may become involved with OMPC's Missions Committee.  I pray also that God will lead me in becoming a better steward of His gifts; that He will instruct me by the way of His Word in realigning my budget and finances to more efficiently work towards being debt free. 

    Today is a new beginning and while I forsee many challenges along the way, I set forth my hope and my faith in Christ as He leads me; without retreat, without reservation, and without regret!  God, give me Your strength, passion, and patience - for without You, oh Lord I have none.

Ughhhh...why can't I just get it?

I am a selfish person. I don't easily admit this, but I am. It's just a fact. Some people may never see it, but the fact remains that I tend to want to have things go my way, in my timing, and on my terms, and with people I want to be included. Therefore this makes it difficult for me at times when an email or announcement is made where there are needs expressed that in some way or another infringe on my schedule, or rather maybe, my agenda. I wonder how many others struggle with this, or even realize it’s something they struggle with at all?


I find myself convicted of this today, because of my own judgment of others in this area. I was thinking over a situation going on in my life right now where I have had to put an announcement out asking for folks to help with an assortment of task, thinking or rather “expecting” a significant or maybe overwhelming response. I was wrong.

Not wrong because the response I expected didn’t come in, but wrong to expect period. Wrong to judge others and wrong to not consider what all other things that could be playing a role in someone not responding. I am not disappointed in the lack of response, it is what it is and that can’t be helped, but I am thankful that it has helped me to see a little more about myself and my own sin; My own sin of trying to take control of a situation and not simply leave it in God’s hands to handle. It’s amazing how I continue “to go back, over and over, like a dog to it’s own vomit” to just find out that “I” can’t do it anyway, and reminded that, my Lord above always does.

Maybe one day I’ll get it. I guess for now, I’m thankful that I have a God who loves me and forgives me in spite of the stupid things I think or sometimes do; a God who carries me when times are hard and a God that moves me when I need to be moved.

Thank You Lord, for Your unconditional love.

Seeking Him to Find Her

Last Sunday an interesting thing happened.  I went with my girlfriend to the office so she could pickup some things that she needed for a business trip this past week.  While we were there I was looking around the cubicle outside of her office.  This used to be her cubicle prior to moving into her office.  She still has some things of her own in that cubicle as that cube is no longer needed.

When I was looking around, I almost missed it, but for some reason I noticed a note card pinned to the wall that had a very interesting quote on it.  Here is exactly what it said:

"A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find her."

My heart skipped for a second as I thought about what it said and how it portrayed an exact picture of how she and I came to be.  Some know the story and some do not.  I am currently working on a special blog entry that I will post hopefully soon, but to hit it on a glimpse...It is a story of two people who wanted to be with each other but due to work that had yet been done in each of their lives by God's sovereign  power, they had to be obedient by refusing their own personal wants and desires.  Neither of us knew what the future held but we each trusted God to be our all.  A couple of scripture verses that come to mind that I think relates to this very well:

"Seek the Lord while He may be found;

call upon him while He is near;..."

..."For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways My ways declares the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are My ways higher than your ways

and My thoughts than your thoughts."

Isaiah 55: 6, and 8-9

We waited on God, we trusted, and we obeyed so that He could do what was needed to prepare each of us for the other until His timing was right.  Now, approximately 6 months later we are together and we both know it is only by God's faithful love and devine providence.

I am thankful to God for all that He did in my heart and in hers over the last several months.  I pray that as she and I go forward, that God will remain in the center, that He will guide our every step, as individuals and together, I pray that we both will continue to be obedient to what His will is for our lives.  As we go forward  we both love a particular scripture in Proverbs that we both rely on very often and want to share with you...

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will make straight your paths."  

Proverbs 3:5-6

Now go and seize the day and remember this; When there are no retreats, and no reserves, there are no regrets!