Thoughts by Jeff

This past weekend, Desiree and I were fortunate enough to be able to go down to my grandparents house for my grandmothers 85th birthday.  It’s great to be able to see them, as we usually only get to a couple times during the year.  This trip was a quick one, down one day and back the next, but special none-the-less.  Just a few tidbits about my grandmother.  She is the 2 of 4 children (5 if you include her half brother Hosea, whose mother had died before my great-grandfather met my great-grandmother).  Born in Kansas and went to OU (Ottawa University), where she met my grandfather.  They married in Corpus Christi, TX, when my grandfather was in the Navy during WW2.  Before retiring she was an elementary school teacher.  They continue to travel as they have done for many years now and are very active in their community and church (First Baptist Church).

Happy birthday Grandmother!

Heya guys! I wanted to point those that would want to keep up with Desiree and I, not just me to our blog. http://jeffanddesiree.com This is where we will mostly be posting family related things (baby updates and such). You can subscribe either via an rss feed or via email, just like you can on mine.

Have a great day everyone!

It’s been 6 months since I have posted anything, so let me start where I left off.  I did end up getting the input that I was looking for, for my Growth Plan for 2010.  I can honestly say that some of it is going OK, some of it isn’t where it should be at this stage of the game.  But it’s just that, growth.  I’m farther along than I was in December and any step forward is not taking a step back.  I hope to make great strides in this in the coming months to be closer to the goals that I laid down for 2010.

This year has seen me fairly busy at work.  I have a fairly big project that will kick off in a couple of months and I have been busy getting ready for that, coupled with the basic stuff that does comprise my daily work.

In the early spring Desiree and I were able to go to Saint Petersburg for a long weekend.  It was a much needed break for us at the time.  As I type this we are in Hilton Head Island for a MUCH needed vacation.  The past few weeks we have been going, going, going…  We really needed the get away just us to simply relax.  The weather is great, the sand is hot and the water is great as well.. 

This year we aren’t planning on any overseas mission trips.  I’m trying to save leave to take an extended vacation in December, for the arrival of our first child.    Yup, you heard that right..  We are expecting.  At this point we don’t know what we are having, all we care about is that it’s healthy.  We would greatly appreciate all of your prayers in this area, as we experience the change that is parenthood.

In the weeks and months to come I hope to write more.  I’m not sure what I will talk about, but I plan on at least putting my thoughts out there.  Hopefully you will find them stimulating.

I hope you have a great day!

IHS

In the past I have talked about Sacred Storm.  This year for halloween, the drama team is changing it up a bit and doing a production called “Sacred Storm – Home Invasion.”  I was fortunate enough to be able to see a drama run thru last night.  It’s going to be powerful!  As a husband I can’t stress enough how this drama depicts the sly way the devil tries to tempt families in so many ways, how doubt tries to creep in, and how simple things now can make a lasting impression.  This will be for mature audiences as there are activities for the kids.

On site service times will be:

• Friday, October 30, 2009 – 7 pm
• Saturday, October 31, 2009 – 4 & 6 pm
• Sunday, November 1, 2009 – 9:45 & 11:45 am

The internet campus times will be Sunday November 1, 2009 – 9:45am, 11:45am & 9:00pm.

I promise, you don’t want to miss this!  If you are or can be in Knoxville, see if live, otherwise, check it out on the iCampus.

If you are interested in more information check out sacredstorm.com or shoot me a note, I would love to talk more about it!

Let me start out by asking, are you intentional with people?  Do people know that you love them?

Over the years I have always tried to be intentional with people.  I try to always make sure that my friends and family know that I love them.  This ranges from sending flowers to people (either just because, or for special occasions), birthday cards (but with proliferation of e-mail, I have moved more toward electronic means of birthday greetings), and just generally always making sure people know that I love them.

Some of the tools that I use are:

• An electronic calendar, that will automatically remind me of events (I personally use Google Calendar – syncs nicely with Blackberry)
• Hallmark.com – my e-card central, and when sending paper cards, aren’t they the very best? =)
• Text messages – most everyone uses it and it only takes a few seconds to send something to a friend or loved one to let them know you care.
• If I hear or know of someone moving, I always try to immediately get their new contact information, so I don’t miss an important date.

So let me ask you again, are you intentionally letting people know that you care for them??  If you aren’t, let me encourage you, it can take your friendships and relationships to places you never thought it could go, just by being intentional..

Have a blessed day!