It’s been steadily raining today. Yucky, cold weather. But we need the rain so I try not to have a bad attitude about it. We’ve gotten about an inch so far today.

Checked my fish this morning and the water was super cold. The heater developed a problem. Had to get another one from Walmart today.

Also went to GNC for more vitamins. Mega Man Sport is my preference for a foundation vitamin. I take others too.

Also got new tires today. They were pretty bad. I’d been kind of sliding when I started up the hill from our house. I get about two years out of a set of tires. Since I average about 50 miles a day, I reckon that’s not too bad. With an alignment and road hazard warranty it was about $525.

Also went over to Stone Mountain to run at Evergreen. I like their inside facilities. I did 4.5 miles on the elliptical treadmill. That thing is easy on the knees.

I liked the way the steam was coming off of the water.

I reckon young folks won’t get this license plate. Are you a Lone Ranger fan?

Happy New Year! Especially to you sweet Rabbits out there.

Sleet today! Glad it wasn’t freezing so it didn’t stick.

This afternoon Jesse, Colleen and I went to Walmart. I was checking out the toothpaste when I heard a familiar language beside me. Kept listening and sure enough Swahili! I immediately went into my Swahili banter asking them how they were, where they were from and how they liked it here. They were completely flabbergasted! I reckon they don’t have too many white people start speaking to them in Swahili! Yet another reason I love Atlanta. And Walmart–the UN of stores.

Had a good crew come with me to the mission today! My whole family plus Colleen and Juanita!

Two of the kids really had hard homework. Took them forever to get done.

The others just enjoyed being loud. I resemble that remark.

Admin duties now.

What does this mean?

Are you smarter than a first grader? How many do you color in?

Had nearly 1 1/2″ of rain yesterday. Groovy!

I thought this was appropriate. Swim little fish!

I really enjoyed a delicious Banzai Burger at Red Robin today! Awesome!

Spent some time at Barnes and Noble. My treat to myself. I hardly ever buy anything, but I enjoy looking!

I liked this car in the parking lot of the book store.

I read an article about Ronald Reagan today. I liked his quote, “There is no limit to what a man can do or where he can go, if he doesn’t mind who gets the credit.”

We had the tree trimmers in our neighborhood.

I collect bizarre warning signs. This one was from the mulching machine.

Jesse, Colleen, Ashley and I went to Azalea to help the kids with their homework! Always plenty to do!

The kids said this looked like me. Not sure why. Pretty sure it’s not my hair.

Working on admin duties now!

I wonder how birds keep warm with no roof?

This seemed like something I’d see in Africa!

Worked on my financial report and end of year report till nearly midnight last night. Yow!

Had a great day at the mission today. Always fun!

Taking care of admin duties now.

Big thunderstorm just blew through the ATL. Sugar dog sure hates those big booms!

Here’s your 5th grade question!

This morning I woke up thinking about a friend of mine that I led to Christ a few years ago. His name is Obah.

Obah came from Nigeria a son of a wealthy family. He was working as a taxi driver here in the USA.

Every Tuesday evening I went to the taxi stand to sing Christian songs, eat some snacks and have a Bible study.

Obah was a Muslim yet his wife was a Christian. He listened to the Bible study every week, but never wanted to become a Christian.

One day, Atlanta was hammered by a terrible storm with tornadoes. Obah lived right across the street from a house that was completely destroyed! He came to see me the next day.

“Brother Tim, I want to ask Jesus into my heart!”

I was amazed. “That’s awesome, Obah. What made you come to that decision?”

“I know that God spared my life last night. I believe it was because of my wife’s prayers for us. Although I was raised a Muslim, I never had peace. I never knew what would happen to me if I died. I was never sure. My wife was frightened last night, but she was sure she would go to Heaven. She seemed so peaceful. I want that peace in my life.”

Right there in the parking lot Obah asked Jesus to come into his life. It was not an easy decision. His family back home in Nigeria was very angry at him for turning his back in Islam. They could not understand why he would do that. He was the eldest son and his family was very wealthy. Why would he turn his back on his former religion and all that money?

“Now I have peace in my life, Brother Tim. Now I have the happiness that I saw my wife have. I realize it is not about having great wealth. Many of my relatives are very wealthy and yet they are not happy. They fear death. Jesus has given me something that Islam never could: PEACE with God.”

I smiled and nodded. I knew exactly what he meant.

I have nine Associated Press awards for my work in Journalism. If I had stayed in the TV business I’d be making over $100,000 a year. People treated me with awe when I came in the room because I was with the TV station. BUT none of that matters compared to the peace that I have because of Jesus. I KNOW that I will be with Jesus one day. NOTHING compares to the happiness and satisfaction that I have working for Jesus.

Please pray for the families of those believers that have come out of Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. They face enormous pressure from their families to turn their back on Jesus even being promised great wealth.

As my brother Mayur said, who was once a Hindu, “All the money in the world is not worth what Jesus has given me. I will never turn my back on Him!”

The whole family went to Madina in Clarkston for lunch! Always awesome to have everyone together!

Is rabbit ears a universal thing?

This is the typical way we’d string a wire in Africa. Sure makes me miss home!

Had a fun day at the mission today!

I was glad that Jesse and Colleen came to help me!

Plus we had Nita there too. She’s always a big help.

The kids did a good job today!

Jesse brought a science experiment. He had the ol’ Coke and Mentos combination. Wasn’t exactly as spectacular as we were hoping. We’ll try again with diet Coke!

For some reason Joy wanted me to take a picture of his eye.

I wonder if this cat is speaking in Spanish?

I liked these clouds. Shows the difference between cloud levels.