Been a hard day for me today.

Bummed out about what’s going on in the apartment industry. The idea that we may lose apartments where we’ve had work really saddens me. It also impacts our on site missionaries. I feel personally responsible for the folks on my team.

Just have to keep focused on the fact that the Father is in control, and that HE is going to to work everything out perfectly!

J and I went to meet with one of my favorite pastors, Howard Greer this morning. He’s the interim pastor at Indian Creek Baptist Church. Its hard to move a church forward when they don’t want to.

That conversation certainly didn’t make me feel any better.

We did have a good prayer time which helped me. I was pretty upset about it. Jesse leans over and kind of hugs me while we were praying. That helped!

He’s headed to New Hampshire next week with a friend of his from Florida. They’re going to the Liberty Forum. A convention for Libertarians. It’ll be the bad ol’ days for me for that 10 days. Riding around by myself for hours, lifting everything by myself. . . .not looking forward to it.

We met up with Ruthie North at Best Buy. We helped her get a new wifi device for her computer which Jesse fixed. She call it her “new computer.” He’s a whiz kid for sure!

Then to Party City and Michaels to pick up supplies for the Outreach Events for this weekend.

I’ll get the food tomorrow.

Checked on the office at FBC Doraville.

Then went to a Chinese book store in Chamblee.

J is studying Mandarin.

We got him a children’s book to help him study. Cool! I find it amazing that I can drive around the corner from my mission and feel like I’m in Peking!

The kids at the mission needed a lot of help.

It was hard to stay focused. Being sad takes a lot out of you.

I heard from a friend of mine who buys properties. I told him about what had happened at the apartments in the area. Sure wish he’d buy them. He’s super prayed up.

THAT did make me feel better!

I really appreciate you reading this blog. I know that there are a cloud of witnesses praying for me. I’m sure that’s why I feel like a dad gum TIGER TANK 99% of the time!

Love y’all!

Super rainy day today! Rain gauge said 2 1/4″ when we got home.

Jesse and I had the fun of riding around with one of our new partners, Rob Martin. He’s the leader of Mobilizing Students. We’ll be hosting a group with him in April.

I enjoyed showing him around the Jimmy Carter side of the International Village. He was wide eyed with amazement as I took him around. It’s definitely an amazing place.

We also went to Clarkston International Bible Church to check on doing a service project there. The team will help do a spring cleaning in their facility and some light painting.

J and I dropped Rob off at the church then went to Hamptons at Lenox and Huntington Terraces to drop off checks for the water bills. When we went to Hamptons at Lenox the manager there mentioned that Huntington Village had also gone bankrupt. That’s the sister property to Huntington Ridge where the Zamoras live. Sure makes me sad when I hear those places going under. We’ve had some terrific ministry in those locations.

Please pray for a smooth transition of owners into those properties.

We also helped the kids with their homework at Azalea.

This morning I dropped off the cards with the Bible verse “And we know that God works all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to his purpose,” to my partner Richard King at FBC Mountain Park. If there was ever a verse to focus on in these tough times it’s that one.

Jesse is really enjoying his hearing aid. He said it helped him a LOT at the mission this afternoon.

J and I had a great morning!

We went to visit with Dr. Greenberg to get J’s hearing aid!

It’s a tiny piece of technology that I think is really going to improve Jesse’s quality of life. It’s about the size of a pencil eraser. Here the doctor has it connected to his computer to tune it in to exactly the frequencies that J needs.

It was such fun to watch the silly grin he got on his face as the doctor tweaked the device. A truly great day for a Dad!

A special THANK YOU to the president of our board and one of my best friends, Carl Barrington and his wonderful wife Pat for providing the funds to make this miracle possible!

After our appointment, we ate lunch at the Northpoint Mall. We like this restaurant that is run by Chinese folks. Jesse is learning Mandarin. It was a hoot to have the ladies behind the counter coaching me on how to say things like “two piece chicken.”

I love languages and the reason that I pick them up pretty quickly is that I’m not afraid to look stupid. The ladies got a kick out of me proving that point!

We checked by my office after lunch. I collected some Bibles and dictionaries for a new partner of mine doing work in the inner city. He’ll pick them up later this week.

Then over to Huntington Terraces to sign the new lease for my partner Bayo Otiti.

Jesse spent a lot of time last week working on Ruthie North’s computer. He’s a genius with that stuff!

We also helped the kids at Azalea with their homework. I enjoy working with one of the moms there. She’s trying to learn English and it’s fun for me to practice Spanish with her. Win-Win, baby!

Kathy got some bad news today. Her tooth has been really bothering her. She had it checked out. Seems like the crown that she had put in while we were living in S. Africa had developed a problem. Looks like she’s going to have to have it pulled. She’s pretty scared about it. Pray for that!

We enjoyed watching Castle and House that I’d recorded.

Now back to admin duties!

I’m always happiest when I’m learning something or working on a project!

My newest creative outlet is a podcast based on my tweets. Not sure if you’ve read any of my tweets, which are like proverbs on steriods, but I think you’d like them. Click on Proverbs on my website if you’re interested. Went over 68,000 followers on Twitter tonight.

I set up a syndication feed which I plan to offer on Itunes soon. The videos will be short, motivational pieces around 5 minutes long, probably once a week.

I may also do an audio podcast on those as well.

As Thomas Jefferson once said, “It’s amazing what you can do if you’re always doing!”

I’ll post my videos on this blog for your enjoyment as I get them edited.

Spent a couple of hours on the phone this morning setting up teams coming for spring break and talking with partners about ministry.

J and I also went to Willow Branch to teach the refugee kids the guitar.

K and I watched 2012 on dvd tonight. Not that great.

Admin work now, then rest.

Jesse gets his hearing aid tomorrow! We’re excited about that. He’s such a sweet son. And terrific partner!

This morning I had the fun of speaking at two separate Sunday School classes at First Baptist Conyers.

I carried in the flag for Costa Rica. Pura Vida!


I started out with the College and Career class. They were some great folks! They seemed interested in working with us in the mission field. PTL!

I also spoke to the Sonshine Singles class. They were also very responsive and I think will also help us at the mission there in Conyers.

I came home to rest for a little while then picked up Kathy to back with me this evening.

She’s been suffering with a toothache. I was glad it stopped hurting long enough for her to come with me. It’s still bothering her.

This evening I spoke to the children. I always enjoy hanging out with the little kids. They’re always so enthusiastic! They make the best missionaries!

After my presentation I joined the main service for the Lord’s Supper and the dedication time for the congregation. Seemed like a lot of people want to get involved at some level.

I hope many of them get involved with the apartment ministry.

The final meeting was the mission fair where the congregation got to see our displays.

We were beside the missionaries to Japan. It was cool to talk to them about the culture of Japan and their language.

I put about 310 miles on the car in two days. Lots of driving!

Glad to be home now. Working on admin duties before I go to sleep.

Today I had the fun of going to Conyers and working with one of my favorite churches!

The Women’s group put on a delicious breakfast for all the missionaries.

It’s always great to see good friends! That’s my favorite part of going to the conferences.

I came home to rest for an hour and spend time with my family before going back to Conyers. Kathy has been suffering with a toothache. She felt well enough to go with me tonight. Pray for her!

I did get some good news from the doctor today. The polyp they removed was benign. Don’t have to do that again till I’m 61!

This evening we went to a home meeting with one of the Sunday School classes. Most of the group was from the Virgin Islands or the Caribbean.

Fun day! Put over 160 miles on the car. Lots of driving.

Another early morning tomorrow. I’ll speak at two Sunday School Classes in a row, then in the evening I’ll speak to the youth of the church. Full plate!

I loved the masks that my friend Brian made for the festival in the Bahamas! Beauty!

Not sure how often you read this blog, but you might have noticed that I’ve been pushing it lately! Up early and stay up late has been a way of life.

Sure am glad to have a day to hang out, rest, read and write.

I enjoyed lunch with K and J, then came home to rest some more.

This afternoon J and I went to the library and bookstore, always my favorite treat. So many books, so little time!

I’m still enjoying reading Drive! by Dan Pink and Linchpin by Seth Godin. Two great books for sure!

Back at home now to work on admin duties then watch a movie with K.

I thought the shadows were cool on this.

I liked this picture. Talk about positive attitude!

This morning I had the fun of hanging out with one of my best friends, and the President of the board of Whirlwind Missions, Dr. Carl Barrington!

Carl’s a great guy and the smartest man I know!

I enjoy coming to two of his classes that he teaches at Providence Christian Academy and sharing about our work at Whirlwind Missions.

The kids were very enthusiastic and fun to share with.

After teaching the classes, I went back home to pick up Ashley and Jesse!

We went to Azalea to help the kids with their homework.

They didn’t have a huge amount since we got most of it done yesterday.

I had fun also watching Clinton kick the soccer ball around. Did you know I used to play soccer for Baylor before I messed up my knee? Good times!

Came on home and J and I finished up the financial report that we do every other week. Sure is great to have some help with that!

K and I enjoyed watching Psych tonight. I’m looking forward to watching the Burn Notice finale later! Get ‘em Michael!

Woke up to a flat tire. I was pretty upset about it.

I took it over to Goodyear yesterday, told them I had a screw in the tire. They took it out and assured me it was fine. Obviously, it wasn’t.

Fortunately, I have a portable air compressor in my car. (A great addition to your trunk for less than $20.) I never change the tire, I just pump it up and drive to the guys who have the tools needed to do it properly.

Jesse and I went to our monthly meeting at the North American Mission Board this morning with all the new candidates. We barely made it there on time because of the flat situation.

Always a lively group!

I enjoy getting to meet all the new missionaries and giving them my take on how to do this stuff.

It was also great to see my buddy Derrek Posten. He was the newest missionary appointed on my team. I worked with him a lot when he was on staff at First Baptist Atlanta. He’s a great guy!

J and I had a nice lunch then went to hang out at the book store for a while. That’s how I reward myself! He bought a book on learning Chinese! Yow!

We checked on the office at FBC Doraville then over to help the kids with their homework.

A number of them are sick. I do not like them coughing on me and complaining of their body aches and pains.

I got way too much to do to get sick.

Went to Walmart to pick up some stuff for the mission. I guess some parents come in and steal all the toilet paper I have. That’s just wrong on so many levels.

Keith Harrell and I met up at FBC Mountain Park. I made a quick presentation to the choir which is coming to help us at our mission in Norcross on the 13th. Hope we have a good turnout!

Came home and watched White Collar on TV. I had it recorded. I think Neal Caffery is a terrific character!

Back to admin work.

I saw this picture in the bathroom at Barnes and Noble.

What do they think, that you’re going to forget your baby and close them up in the wall?

This weather is such a trip!

Yesterday it was nearly 60. Today, snow!

It’s beautiful, but I sure am glad I live in the South where we don’t have to deal with it all the time!

Jesse and I drove through heavy snow from Stone Mountain up to Roswell, just north of Atlanta.

We met up with the Women On Mission group at First Baptist Church of Roswell.

They were a terrific group of ladies. I really wasn’t sure if anyone would come because of the weather conditions but everything turned out great.

I had about an hour to speak so I was able to give a longer presentation. As my wife would say, “I live to hear myself talk,” so filling an hour isn’t a problem.

After the presentation, we shot over to Huntington Ridge to see the new owners. Sad, but the complex went into foreclosure today. The owners weren’t around. I’ll go over and check with them again next week.

Then we went to Fry’s electronics. Jesse is rebuilding the computer that Ruthie North has. We’re adding more RAM and swapping out the hard drive. Sure am glad I have Jesse to figure all that stuff out. I’m a tech kinda guy, but I’m sure no Jesse.

We took a quick stop at a fish/bird store near by. Beauties!

Can you believe they have birds like these flying around in the trees in Costa Rica? Awesome!

We came on home early today. Roads were supposed to start freezing up.

I saw this sign at Fry’s in their bathroom. Read it carefully. They’ll be a test later.