Welcome to Friday

Welcome to Friday!

Did you have a great week this week?

We have been wrestling with colds, pink eye and other ailments for the third or fourth week in a row.  Only Cassarra and Paige have managed to escape from having something.  Sydney, Trish, Ava, Emma, and I have the pink eye this week.  Trish, Ava, Emma and I have sinus colds and/or allergies.  Sydney and Gabbi have some sort of cold and cough.  

Despite all the ailments this has been an amazing week.  We have had some tremendous laughs during the week and in the midst of our colds and aches.  For example, after their doctor's visit Emma and Ava each received a lollipop.  It was Emma's first and she initially just stared at it.  After a while she put it in her mouth and began to go to work. Drool was every where and she was smacking her lips.  But as I was putting her in the truck, I heard Ava polishing hers off.  I looked at Emma and said, "Enjoy it now, because as soon as I get in my seat and my back is turned Ava is going to steal your candy."  I buckled my seat belt, put the truck in gear and heard Emma wail and Ava crunch.  Two or three bites and Ava handed Emma back and empty stick. We also got a good laugh at Paige showing us how Ava learned to take things from Emma.  Paige was able to take a candy from Ava like the cartoon characters - leaving Ava biting air. 

The girls are doing well otherwise.  Paige was named Tae Kwon Do student of the month at her class where she takes lessons.  Gabbi received a 87/90 for her class project on Eartha Kitt.  Emma is now walking even when you are looking.  Cassarra's performed in two different band ensembles with one earning a superior rating and the other earning an excellent rating.  Sydney had a wonderful chorus performance Thursday night and she did really well.  Ava, despite her cold has been really well.  She has learned to open the refrigerator and freezer.  Last night she decided to help herself to a Popsicle.  I guess we will have to buy the refrigerator locks after all.  Trish is doing well.  The yearbook work is finally coming to a successful conclusion.  We spent a few days this week planning a marriage retreat getaway at familylife.com .  

As always, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.  I hope you had a good week and I pray that you will have a weekend filled with wonders, amazement, friends and family.  God loves you and may the Eternal bless you always.

Welcome to Friday!

With love (& in triumph)

Chapter 1 - The Funeral

Cliff's could no longer stand the silence.  Like a piercing light cutting through a thick fog, Cliff's words suddenly knifed their way through the silence.

"It was a lovely service," he said.  A chorus of nods ensued and sooner than he could have imagined the deathly silence immediately returned.  How could they be so silent, so still, so emotionless at a time like this?  He tried again to lay an assault on the silence, "I said it was a lovely service and all.  You know with the birds overhead - and the clouds, the clouds were nice.  Yeah, I think the birds and the deep blue clouds were a nice touch."

Dave, Cliff's father, looked awkwardly at the ground in front of him as if something in the soil or grass composition were too fascinating for him to turn his gaze.  Yet his gaze seemed as if the whatever it was, it was too boring to truly engage his mind.  Normally a very vocal and lively man, with a booming voice, his silence seemed to magnify the power of the past few moments.

Cliff fumbled with his tie waiting, as if he were watching his last few words slowly cascade to the floor.  He was hoping that someone would latch on to his last breath before his final few words crashed on the floor.  More than anything at this moment, Cliff was desperately working to avoid the silence and pleading that someone would speak - say anything - before the silence stormed back in.  He was wearing his father's blue tie.  It was a little long on him, but he had never owned his own tie.  Three times he tried to tie it on his own.  Once he thought they'd have to cut it off from around his red neck and blue face.  His mother laughed as she untied him then.  He had actually never really worn a tie before.  So it was no wonder he didn't know how to tie it.  A tie knot wasn't on the list of knots that he used.  His world consisted of slip knots, and the bunny ears knot used to tie his shoes.  As he flipped the tie over and noticed the tattered initials his grandmother had stitched on the back, he realized that he had actually never really dressed up before today.  What a terrible first day to dress up for, he thought.

Just  before the silence raided his world again, robbing him of peace and steeling away any notion of comfort, a deep sigh launched into the air.  "Yes, it was a nice service," his mother replied.  Her voice soothing and sweet.  Finally, he thought, someone else has spoken.  His eyes couldn't hid the excitement that the silence was finally broken.  His mother always knew what to say, he thought to himself.  His mind wandered to all of the falls, spills, and moments were her loving voice was the difference between healing and a continuing deluge of tears.

Yes, she continued, "It was a very lovely, service indeed!"  She tried to nudge Dave into agreement as she looked back to Cliff.  Dave winced, but his gaze remained cemented on the ground.  Beverly, paused and caught Cliff's eyes as she continued to search for words of comfort.  "Who would have ever thought that a lion would breath fire and kill danger man!"

Suddenly Cliff wished the silence would return... it was still too raw.



Thanks for reading an excerpt from "What happens when a lion breathes fire on danger man."  I'm not sure where this book will go, or when I will complete it, or even if this is all there is to it.  All I know is I've carried around the title and the opening concept for almost three years without jotting down anything.  Somehow I finally managed to open this first draft up and get it onto a page.  Stay tuned... who knows when or how the story will roll back to the beginning of danger man.

Thanks.

Welcome to Friday

Welcome to Friday!

This is the day the Lord has made!

I am rejoicing with you and for you because today is Friday.  I hope you have had a great week!

We had a good week despite the fact that Trish, and all of the girls except Paige and Cassarra, have colds this week.  I managed to dodge the bullet over the weekend, but it was tough going Monday - Wednesday.  Monday - Wednesday I was in all day meetings all the while wishing I was back home in my bed getting some rest.  Thankfully we are all starting to rebound.  Taking a few days off (1/2 Thursday and all day today) seem to be helping both Trish and me recoup.  

I am counting this week as a great week full of joy and blessings.  Even while trying to heal and get rest, Trish and I were able to make some minor home repairs, clean out a good bit of junk from the garage, tend to Ava and Emma, help Gabbi and Sydney start mending, and spend time together laughing and chatting.  

The biggest laugh of my week came when Ava and Emma came into the kitchen together.  Why is this funny?  Well, Emma was in her walker and she was going full speed from the front door into the kitchen.  Why is this funny?  Well, Ava was on the back catching a ride and laughing the whole time.  These two went through the kitchen and into the other rooms.  Ava was laughing and urging Emma to keep going - while Emma seemed to try to go faster and faster.

Earlier this week, Trish and I were trying to figure out why Emma seemed so strong when wrestling away from taking her medicine, now we know.  Those two keep it interesting!  

Well, I pray that you are able to rejoice today in the truth that God loves you and he is madly in love with you.  God bless and keep you!  Have a great day and a great weekend. 

This is the day the Lord has made!

Welcome to Friday!

With love (& in triumph),
Cassius

This changes everything

I'm not sure if I have ever explicitly said this, but my family and I live out in the Irmo area.  A few years ago, the politics of healthcare made a decision that Irmo could have a hospital.  I don't remember all of the details, but for years the site had been chosen but the construction held up.  It probably had something to do with the heart hospital and Lexington medical. 

Anyway, the place has been under construction now for several years.  We have driven by the lot, seen the foundation go in, and watched as slabs took shape into a hospital.  The place is very nice from the outside.  It has a enormous foot print, beautiful glass windows and tiles, amazing landscaping and it is nearing completion.  In fact there was an open house planned for a few weeks ago.  As a part of the open house and the anticipated opening I have noticed that the advertising machine has kicked into high gear.  There are radio spots and commercials on the T.V. and new signs are going up all over the city.  

As we left church one Sunday, the newest billboard caught my attention.   It had the name of the new hospital, Palmetto Health Parkridge, painted on the top.  In the middle of the billboard there was a gorgeous photo of the new hospital.  Judging from the photo and the real construction site, I'd guess the photo is a artist rendition of what it will look like on opening day.  Then, just below the photo was the caption, this changes everything.  You know this caption is true, not really for the hospital, but for something else - the cross.  

The cross, now that really changes everything.   When Christ came to earth and died on the cross it truly changed everything!  For starters, Christ's death paid the penalty in full for our sins.  Isaiah declares that our punishment was laid upon him.  In the Gospels Jesus himself declares that "It is finished."  The penalty and payment - finished.  The fear of death - finished.  The separation - finished.  

The cross changed everything.  It changed worship and the life and death of billions.  The cross changed the way we approach God and the way he looks at those who receive Christ's sacrifice made on the cross.  It changes the way we should live and will change the way we die, and it changes where we will go when we die.  

As pastor Mel Lawrentz said the cross opened the way to heaven and now we can be where Jesus is.  Now we can have room in heaven and true life eternal.   Now we can have a hope that will not disappoint.  Now we are forgiven and reconciled.   Now we are made sons and daughters and can share in the inheritance through faith in thee sacrifice of Christ.  Now we who were dead due to anger, lust, greed, fornication, murder, lying and idolatry can be made alive.  Now we can be made whole, new, and clean by his blood that was shed and the power that raised him from the dead.  

Yes, the cross. Yes, new life. Yes, grace and forgiveness.  Yes, finally we can havr peace with God.

So no truer words have ever been said if it refers to the cross, that is.

"The cross - this changes everything!"

This changes everything!

With love (& in triumph),

Cassius

Welcome to Friday - 03.14.2014

Welcome to Friday!

My week has been filled with many joys, new challenges and amazing triumphs.  I spent most of my work week in training, both delivering and receiving training.  The delivery part was fun, my main role was to help with registration, and respond to team questions.  The receiving end of the training was good, but required a lot of humility to accept and work on changing things that I learned I was doing wrong.  I was able to take the day off on Thursday, and I must confess that I really am starting to enjoy these four day weeks.  I really enjoying spending time with Trish and the girls without having to worry about work, or work emails or getting into the office on time.

  

All of the girls had another busy week.  Thankfully, a lot less busy than previous weeks.  Cassarra had a band concert on Tuesday night.  They were exceptional.  The best song of the night was, by far, when the full ensemble played Amazing Grace.  It was simply beautiful.  The contrast between the different instruments, notes, movements and rhythm.  It was the kind of song that brought tears to your eyes and a smile on your face.  It was breathtaking.  The other songs were great, but this version of Amazing Grace, played by a high school band ensemble was - awesome.  

On Wednesday, Emma Grace turned one years old.  She is so funny and amazing.  She has this serious look on her face the whole day.  At night she didn't try to blow out her candle, but instead tried to grab the flickering light.  After the candle went out we sat her in her chair with a cupcake.  After 30 minutes or more the cupcake was everywhere.  She had it on her nose, above her eyes, around her mouth and even in her ears.  She thoroughly enjoyed eating it and had a blast with the whole cupcake part of the celebration.  Ava had a blast taking all of Emma's presents and playing with them.  We had to send Ava to timeout at one point just so Emma could actually have a moment with the toys.  Emma seemed more interested in finding another cupcake.

Paige, Sydney and Gabby are all doing well.  Paige's highlight was completing her progress work at school.  She actually managed to have a normal bedtime a few days this week.  Sydney is looking forward to a birthday party this weekend.  Gabbi will have her creativity on display again today on her science project.  She was up last night creating her model and I am so proud of her talent, creativity and follow through.  Gabbi also got accepted into Spring Hill High School for the coming fall.  She is excited and I'm glad her interests will be rewarded by the school that can focus on the Arts.  All in all the girls are growing too fast.  I pray that as they continue to grow up, that they continue to grow in the grace, knowledge and love of god.

Trish and I are doing well.  We got to spend some time together yesterday between all of our appointments.  It was awesome to go to lunch together, even as it took us over 1 hour to find a place to go.  We both wanted to go to Smashburger, but when we got there the place was packed.  Our second and third options failed.  One was packed with no place to even park the car.  The other was scratched from consideration once we realized that it would take us too long to get served and back home in time for the girls coming home from school.  After driving around we decided to wait and get lunch at Smashburger and due takeout.  It was worth the wait and the time flew by b/c it was time spent with Trish.  

I hope you had a wonderful week.  I am so glad that the weekend is coming and I'm looking forward to a great Friday and a wonderful weekend.  I am praying that the Eternal will make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; that the Almighty will lift up his countenance towards you and give you unshakable peace with God and with those you come in contact with. 

Welcome to Friday

With love (& in triumph),
Cassius

Welcome to Friday - 3.7.14

Welcome to Friday!! 

This week has flown by for me.  As usual my work week was filled with a lot of meetings, discussions and opportunities to learn and grow.  Our COO was in town and that of course created a lot of anxiety and concern for our office which is never quite sure if he comes in peace or not.  Thankfully this week he came in peace to announce great results for the company last quarter, an outstanding start to 2014 and growth plans for the second quarter.  I was even invited to discuss some concerns with him one on one.  

At home the girls continue to amaze us with how fast they are growing and growing up.  Emma continues to take a few steps at a time, mostly when she thinks no one is looking.  This week Emma learned that she is tall enough to reach the kitchen table.  Paige and Ava also learned that Emma was tall enough to reach the table when Emma reached up and took Ava's plate of oatmeal one day.  Then on Wednesday Paige learned that her chicken tenders were not safe on the edge of the table either.  Last night we had our family weekday dinner and enjoyed laughing and chatting.  After a stressful day at work, the best part of the day was sitting at the table with the girls and Trish.  All in all, it has been a good week because the Eternal continues to touch me with his steadfast and unshakable love.  

So, how are you doing?  How did things go for you during this week?  What was the best part of your week?  I hope that you have had a great week and that you are having a great day.  

I just wanted to touch base with you and let you know that I am thinking about you and praying for you.  I pray that you will know that with the Almighty there is steadfast love, and great power to heal, forgive and redeem (Psalm 130).  May God walk beside you at all times and give your heart the full assurance of his love and grace.  Have a great day and an amazing weekend!

Welcome to Friday!!

Love ya,

Cassius

Happy Birthday Trish!