(my friend Misti & me at the bay in Galveston)

It has always been my thought that Texas is one of those places you should visit at least once in your lifetime. I am here to announce that I HAVE BEEN TO TEXAS!! (And survived.) Yeehaw!

From Houston to Dallas/Ft.Worth and beyond, I spanned nearly the whole state of Texas from top to bottom during my week and a half visit. Which included some great Texas experiences like eating brisket, learning the two-step, swimming in the moonlight (far from being romantic, I assure you), riding a horse, and hearing MORE than enough country music. Of course I can’t forget to mention the daily trips to Sonic (there’s one practically every mile), cows and horses and pickup trucks everywhere, and plenty of Texan talk.

(I am still trying to figure out why in the world they say “put up” for “put away”. Weird.)

Here’s a few glimpses from the camera lens until I get the rest of my shots into an album and the video edited to a bloggable length…

Me ‘n Thunder

More roadtime…me, Heather, & Misti

Sam Houston really is larger than life…

Misti, Tim, & I…

Signature Sound in the historic Will Rogers auditorium

Little somehow-we’re-cousins, Taylor & Macy…less than 24 hours and they were plastered to me…

My mom with Uncle Bill & Aunt Dot

I’m on vacation. A real summer vacation. Seven days down and about five more to go! I’m having a wonderful time visiting & relaxing, seeing new sights and meeting new people. I meant to blog sooner, but somehow getting all my clothes in the suitcase seemed more important at the time. hehehe. And I’d give you a picture but this computer doesn’t like me, so that will have to wait.

As to where in the world I actually am…if you know, you know, and if you don’t, you will when I get home. hehe.

Well, my vacation is calling, so I gotta run. Keep looking up…God never forgots you, so don’t YOU forget Him.

Adios!

The Christian Home Educators of Ohio convention is always a highlight of the summer for me every year. You don't even have to be a homeschool parent (or student any longer) to get a LOT out of this wonderful event. This past weekend was another memorable time of encouragement, fun, and deep challenge.

Special times with sweet new friends…here I am with the sisters from Wisdom's Gate…

Wise messages from the workshop speakers…Lew Sterret (www.sermononthemount.org) was a favorite of mine, a gracious cowboy who uses horse training comparisons in his teaching…

And of course some early morning laughs from Todd Wilson (www.familymanweb.com), a not-so-typical-looking homeschool dad of seven….

:: Video Clip [medium : small]

- inside Swasey chapel -

I once again had the privilege to sing as part of the Choral Union for Mt. Vernon Nazarene University's 39th annual performance of Handel's Messiah on December 10th. It's always a magnificent, stirring occasion to participate in, whether you're singing or sitting in the audience; you can't leave without having been touched and moved in some way.

This glorious work leaves no doubt as to the source of it's inspiration or the purpose of it's performance – Christ alone. And though the Christmas season is now past us, may we enter this New Year ever mindful of the gift of our Savior – his birth, his death, our sin, his redemption, our worthlessness and his worthiness – and may our only passion be to glorify and exalt Him!

- as good as they come! our wonderful conductor, Dr. Tocheff -

Lots of video…(I'm visible in the first to clips to the right of the microphone & the very tall tenor.)

:: For Unto Us A Child Is Born

:: Behold The Lamb Of God

:: All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray

:: Hallelujah!

:: Worthy Is The Lamb

:: Amen/end of performance

Our yearly birthday tradition….mother and daughter…tea for two.

On this day in 1986 my sister Hannah Michelle entered this world. At that time twenty years ago I could never have foreseen the years ahead – the laughter, the fun, the love and at times the tears that we would share together. All I knew looking at this little pink bundle of life was that God had answered my wish for a sister. I was now officially a big brother. My life would forever be changed.

Since that day much has happened. We spent many happy hours together – and a few hours that weren’t so happy. (Ah, the joys and travails of siblings!) As the years have passed our relationship has deepened. We are not just siblings, but friends.

Hannah has truly been a blessing in our lives. She is sensitive, caring, creative – and the ham of the family (she deserves a lifetime award for putting up with all the teasing from her family. ;) ) I pray God will bless her path wherever He may lead her in life.

~A proud and loving big brother

For My Sister

Sisters are special
from young ones to old.
God gave me a sister
more precious than gold.

We shared many secrets,
the same mom and dad,
we shared lots of good times,
don't think of the bad.

Our memories we'll cherish,
with love without end,
I'm glad you're my sister,
I'm glad you're my friend.

~Author Unknown

What a weekend! I'm trying to recover from an overload of walking, talking, and lack of sleep. This remains one of the best events of the summer, and it was well worth the time of encouragement, teaching, and plethora of social interaction. Between workshops, traversing the vast vendor hall, visiting with friends, and helping customers at our friends' booth, the time is gone before you know it, leaving behind great memories and anticipation for next year. 

Here's a few special highlights….

^The one and only wonderful Camden Spiller, co-founder of Homeschool Alumni. He decided at the last minute to make the 6 hour drive to Columbus and we are certainly glad that he did! He's an enthusiastic, smile-packed ambassador for connecting homeschool graduates across the country, and proof that there's always more friends to be made. Our weekend wouldn't have been the same without him! He's the best. :-)

^ I had the privilege of meeting Gregg & Sono Harris, both excellent speakers and the parents of Alex & Brett at The Rebelution. Mrs. Harris possesses such a gracious and sweet spirit, and her enthusiasm and joy for serving the Lord is contagious. I thoroughly enjoyed her workshop on "Restoring the Art of Biblical Womanhood".

^Last, but certainly not least, I was able procure a picture with Ken Ham! I have practically grown up listening to him speak, whether in person or via tape, video, or print, and his message is still relevant and a great reminder even to this day. He's someone I look forward to exposing my own children to, Lord willing. I'm really excited about all the creation curriculum AIG is putting out these days…almost makes me wish I was little enough to go back to school again! :-)

There are a million other things I could tell you, but there isn't time or space. Suffice it to say that it was an excellent time well spent and entirely enjoyed. I love homeschoolers. ;-)

"Anything that matters can only be rightly understood in the light of God's word." - Gregg Harris