Ang and I just want to thank everyone who has taken the time out of their busy schedule to show us love. We could never say thank you enough!! Here are some of the pictures that we have taken with family and friends over the past two weeks. . . . Dane has already changed so much!

Click on the pictures to see it bigger

These first two are videos

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I started Montessori school in Jackson, Tennessee when I was around 3, and I loved it!!!  My very first best friend in that school was a guy named Walter. I do not have a lot of memories of him other than I just loved to play with him on the playground and used to do some stuff in class with him.

But I do have one memory that is burned in my brain. He and I were leaving our classroom to walk somewhere – you know the good ol’days of single-file lines ! We were just having fun . . . joking around with each other – being silly, and then it happened. . . . . A couple of older kids were coming down the hallway towards us, and they looked at me in my eyes with disgust and said “What are you DOING!?!” . . . . . . .you see. . . . Walter was African American, and about the only one in the whole school. . . and well, . . . . where I was in Tennessee – Not everyone was ok with me being such great friends with “one of them”.

TODAY IS A BIG DAY –

When I was in sixth grade, I became friends with one of the new boys in my school named Ronnie. Once again, one of the few African Americans in my school. He and I were in the same home room class, and we hit it off well with each other. Ronnie was picked on a lot and even bullied by some of the older kids - and I just remember how angry it made me feel when they did that to him, but I was kind of round at the time, and not as bold as I am now. I remember that people would pick on him, until it was P.E. class, and then guys wanted him on their basketball team – because he could jump out of the gym. Man! did that make me mad!!!!! - and it gave Ronnie such a hard time being flipped back and forth. . . loved. . . despised. . . etc…

I remember one day one of my best friends (Scott W.) was picking on Ronnie, and I went up to Scott and threw a punch right towards his nose, but stopped about an inch away. . . . . and I told him to leave Ronnie alone.  I wish I could say things changed, but they really didn’t, and Ronnie left our school after that year. . .  a wounded boy.

TODAY IS A VERY BIG DAY –

and it is my opinion that regardless of who you voted for. . .  today is a tremendous day of hope for reconciliation, equality, and unity for all colors of people!!

So, there once was a man named Stephen. . . .

He started coming to church, and God blew his mind. . .

He decided to follow this Jesus – even down to Mexico. . .twice . . . and baptized there.

Then down to College, where he is becoming an animator . . . . seriously, I love this guy!

He is a FORCE for the Kingdom, though he will never admit it, and I can’s wait to see what God continues to do with him.

Check this out:

Some of you may know Corey Mann, some of you don’t, but he is someone that I deeply cherish in my life, and today he turns 39. We met by working together on Youth Ministry at Granger Community Church, when I felt God telling me to tell him that I was supposed to be a volunteer on his team -  I know, I’m sure it might of come off as a bit more cocky of an approach than the normal “hi, I am interested in volunteering.” Both of our lives have changed a lot in the past 6 years, but some of my most cherished memories are with Corey.

10. He is growing his hair out to be a mullet by his 40th birthday

9. He can take his shirt off in under a minute

8. When God speaks to him, he actually listens

7. He is very appreciative and grateful – always quick with the thank you cards

6. He truly values face to face time

5. He always wants to improve – his marriage, his work, his family, his relationship with God

4. He has a ridiculous knowledge of both Comic Book characters and 80′s bands

3. He served God in amazing ways during his 5 years of full-time ministry

2. and has not let up. . .

1. He lets me journey through life with him – thank you