The First Day.

I have decided to call this post the first day of the rest of my life. I have had so many heartaches and changes over the last 9 months. I have felt like my life was at a stand still while I waited on the situations around me to change or improve. When you go through major life changes, you begin reevaluating your own life. You realize how short life is. Then you must begin to reorganize your priorities in the great scheme of life. This I have had to do several times in the last few months. However I know my top priority is my relationship to God. When live has caused my comfortable world to turn upside down, God was the constant that kept me going. In the dark hours, when I felt all alone, God's hand and presence was there to give me the peace that I needed. I have always had strong faith in God, but somewhere along the way I let fear come in and strip me of the faith that I needed for myself. The fear is now gone, and faith is now enabled again. So I hold on to the one thing, I know is a constant----my eternal Heavenly Father. The second priority is my family. I am not the perfect Dad, but I try to give the best love and concern I can. Now that my immediate family has been downsized to just 3 children who live with me, that in no ways have quenched the love that I have for all my kids. Cricket and Bub are pretty much on there own now, and I am so proud of both of them. They beat some terrible odds that where against them when they were younger. Both have come to try to be a success in what they do. Both are God-fearing, and I hold out hope and faith that both we become great influential workers in God's kingdom. My three babies at home, even thought there not little any more. My son, Ian is a proud young man. He is proud of his country and works diligent to serve as he is in the ROTC program at his school. He has a heart for God, and a good nature. Honestly, out of all my kids he has my demeanor. Kassie is a vibrant, beautiful Daddy's girl and is doing her best to grow up to fast like all kids do. Isaiah is my miracle. He may have some issues, but when I look at that contiguous smile you can't help but feel better. To my four boys in WV, even though we don't live in the same household anymore; that in no way takes you our of my heart and life. I love them more than they know. They have some deep seated problems and I pray for their well being everyday of my life. Brandon is a true joy. Nathan is a free spirit. JJ is my little buddy, full of energy and love. Joseph is quiet, but my sweet, petite little man. Sometimes life forces your hand to accept things you are not completely happy with, but you must press on. So just as Christ was placed in the tomb and laid there till the first day of the week. I arise today with a resurrected outlook. I am victorious, and God is on my side. Paul said the old is past ant the new is come. Like Paul, I stand in the newness of today. A good friend reminded me that ALL things work together for GOOD to them that love the Lord who are CALLED according to HIS PURPOSE. How about it will you with me get a resurrected outlook. Seize the day. Today is truly the first day in the rest of your life. In HIS service, Steve