September Update

September Update

The dog training has been really slow down here; in fact it hasn’t happened at all. I almost went out on one call, but the company owner called me and said he didn’t care for the trainer I was supposed to go out with, and would rather I didn’t go. So… he’s the boss and I didn’t go. Hopefully things will change here soon, but until then it looks like I will be doing more traveling up to Sacramento which is kind of a bummer.

We have heard from our son Samuel (who left for the Marines on 9-11-07) three times now, which is somewhat of a miracle if you know Samuel at all. He’s written once to grandparents and twice to us. Of course it’s been good to hear from him and we have been encouraged that he has gone to the church service twice and is asking for us to please pray for him as he has a cough and does not want to get pneumonia, so please pray with us for this.

Corinne and I will be going to Jeff’s mom’s memorial service tomorrow up in Ventura and then I will be continuing my way to the Valley for the weekend and Corinne will head back home. Next week it looks like I will be going up to Sacramento on Wednesday for the dog training, Corinne Lauren and Alyssa will pick me up sometime Friday and the four of us will then go up Valley for the Rock of Ages festival and the Sunday services in Napa and St. Helena.

It has been a bit strange for us in that it feels as if we are somewhat living in two worlds (Northern and Southern CA), yet not entirely living in either one. It is mentally fatiguing and we keep getting dates mixed up and are constantly dependant on Outlook to let us know what is planned. I recently purchased a laptop (which was supposed to arrive today), this will help me when I am away with my studies.. I had hoped to get it up and running before this weekend, but doesn’t look like that’s going to happen, maybe by next week.

I can’t tell you how we appreciate all the prayer, support (helped buy the laptop) and encouragement that all of you have given to us, you have no idea how timely it has been and how it has lifted our spirits. Thank you sooooooo much.

Much love,
Sam & Corinne

Something About Friends

Something About Friends

As I have been home the past two weeks as opposed to traveling up north for the dog training and teaching in St. Helena, it has been nice staying in my own home and sleeping in my own bed. Another nice thing has been the meetings I have had with friends. There were two get together this week, one was with those who have been with me on worship teams over the years and the other was for a couple of great guys who were up for a short time from Vizcano Mexico.
Its funny how we get used to things, like our favorite pillow or restaurant, it’s comforting having a familiarity that takes away the apprehension of uncertainty. For example whenever I go out to eat at the Macaroni grill, I always order the Shrimp Portofino. Now I have tried a lot of other dishes, but that one has always stood out above the others for me. So whenever I go there to eat (which is not very often), and everyone around is looking at their menu wondering, I just sit back eat all the bread because I already know what I want, and it is something I have always enjoy.

There is a similar familiarity with my friends and it’s a good thing. I’ve know some of them for years, and others not as long, but I have enjoyed the time with them so much, it has been rich, warm, and refreshing. Some of my friends have poured out their hearts to me, and I too have been able to open my soul to some of them as well. There is a comfort knowing that I am with people I know and who know me, and even though some of them know me very well, they still seem to like me anyway.

Love is an unusual commodity, I really believe it is limitless. When Corinne and I had our first kids (the twins) I could not believe how my heart grew in love for these two boys and when our third son and then daughter were born, I never had to divide the love I had for the first two and now split it 4 ways, my heart just continued to grow more and more. The problem isn’t that there is not enough love; the problem is there isn’t enough time. Which is why I like spending time with those I love and which is why it was so nice to see everyone together these two times, it was like going to all my favorite restaurants and getting to order my favorite meal from each

… and still have room for desert.

May the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. – 1 Thes. 3:13

Starting Over

Starting Over

Sept. 15, 2007
Well I am up in Roseville right now which is by Sacramento and then off to St. Helena tomorrow afternoon. Today as I was on another "ride-along" for a dog training lesson, the trainer I was riding along with asked me why I wanted to start learning how to train dogs? I have to confess my first thought was not a happy one, it had to do with the word "start" and starting over.

There is always this feeling I get when I am starting a new line of work (and I've done this quite a bit). It's this humbling "I don't know what I'm doing can you please help me?" feeling.The second thing I thought was a bit better, it was that the only real reason I am doing this, or anything I've done the past 20+ years, Is so I can make a living to provide for my family and that will allow me to continue to tell people this great news about who Jesus really is. Now I didn't put it in those words when I told the trainer I was riding along with, but I did get to tell her how this is what I really love to do. Bottom line, I want to live for Jesus "full time" and any 40 hour a week part time job that helps me do that is ok with me. Besides, it's good to be humbled now and then,

...it helps me with my full time job.

Helpless to Remember

Helpless to Remember

I am helpless remembering so many things effecting how I feel right now. Memories of my son Samuel that are so precious to me, the spontaneous "I love you dads", the great bear hugs and kisses, or the times when we would have heart to heart talks about everything from toys to what happens after you die. I could go on and on with the things that warm my heart and are making my eyes well up with tears, but there is one story I do want to share that means a lot to me right now.
I was supposed to go to Las Vegas with a client for a wood working convention back in 1999, but they at the last minuet couldn't go so instead of going to Vegas by myself, I decided to take Samuel with me. I had a great room at the Luxor hotel, and already made reservations for dinner at Mid-Evil times, so my son and I got to enjoy the benefits of my works generosity for a couple of nights.
After our dinner we went walking down the blvd. looking at all the hotels, the fountains, enjoying some of the rides and entertainment. As we went along from hotel to hotel, my son would take and hold my hand. I could see he was having a great time by how his face lit up and by the sparkle in his eyes. I didn't mention it, but Samuel was 13 years old at the time.



Let me ask you a question, how many 13 year old boys would on their own choose to hold their dad's hand while they were walking out in public? Well Samuel did! All night long from place to place he would take my hand, ask me questions, wonder what we were going to do next. I remember one guy walked past us and looked at me rather strange that I was holding this 13 year olds hand and I almost let go worrying what some people might think, but a voice inside me stood firm and said "don't you dare loose this moment!" In fact it was then that I realized what an incredible moment it was, and what a great son I had.
Well Samuel is off to the Marine Corps for the next five years, please pray for the safety of his heart, soul and body, I can't begin to tell you what he means to me, but I know I will never forget. I also can't imagine what he means to God, who knows his full potential and I have great comfort knowing that He will not forget Samuel as well.