Happy Birthday - Long

Ok here is the LONG version of the Happy Birthday Video

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Michele
First Video is the Shorter Version of Everyone.
The Second Video is today's events and Michele's Reaction to the videos and the fun time we had at Wasabi's

Wednesday Nite Supper

Oh WOW what a night. We started Wednesday Night Supper again. Although we are not sure exactly how many we served, we are estimating 90! WOW! We had Baked Ziti with Meatballs, Roasted Potatoes, Salad, and Dessert (Peach Cobbler). Oh MY! The food was awesome, the people were awesome and God was Awesome. How could such a simple thing like eating be about God? Well, It's Simple really!

When we let God be first in everything we do, God shows his greatness. Todd is always emphasizing "Expect More" from our God. Well I Expected 80 and we got 90! The girls in the kitchen with me were funny. They said, Richard why does your faith have to be so faithful? I laughed and mentioned it was Todd's Fault. HA HA! Even though it was a funny moment, I believed God would deliver 80 people for supper tonight. I expected God to handle the #'s and money! He DID! Everything fell in to place.

I mentioned money because sometimes, WNS is sometimes difficult to budget each week. Sometimes we have to get supplies and the funds are not always there. This week, I spent $14 over my budget. God provided enough adults and the income took care of the overages. Next week we have a little to work with to get some supplies now. God really worked this one out for us.

Recently Michele and I had our niece with us for 6 weeks. We had to travel to Illinois 2 times. Every time we travel to Illinois it usually costs around $400 - $500, depending on gas prices. My salary alone does not cover 2 trips to Illinois within 2 months time. Anyways... Money fell really short this week, with rent due along with other bills. Last week early on, I told Michele, God will provide a way. Somehow I really believed it this time. Other times in the past, it was like going through the motions. I wanted to believe it but in the back of mind, I had doubt. This time because I truly believed God would provide, he made a way.

In the last several weeks, I have learned that if you truly believe with all your heart, mind and soul, God amazes us. He continues to be faithful to those who trust Him and are faithful to Him.

I am still learning little by little, day by day, walking closer to God and trusting Him more everyday. The more I trust the More He shows me that He is watching and rewarding me in different ways. The rewards from Heaven surpass the rewards of men.

Although every part of my body is aching right now, I always enjoy serving my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ at Church.

There is so much more that I want to Thank God for. I will write about those another time. ( if i remember to write that is... LOL )

As always Thank You for reading.
Your Brother In Christ
Richard

Friends

Friends...
There are many songs, poems, stories ect... about Friends.

Today my heart is breaking for a dear friend of mine. I didn't know God could let me care about others the way I do now. It's amazing to feel this pain. I know it sounds weird that I like feeling this pain. But the pain let's me know that I care. I am so thankful that God has opened my heart to loving others. I still don't love all my "neighbors" yet though. That is a tough one. Still working on that one. Anyways...

This friend of mine has a big heart and has so much potential. My friend is struggling and it hurts to see my friend this way. If my friend is reading this, I don't want them to think that I am burdened, because I am NOT! My friend also is a good spouse and parent. I am trying to respect my friend's privacy here and not letting too much out of the bag. That is for them to decide. I do want my friend to know that I am honored by their trust that they can confide in me.

So this has taught me that the word friend is more than just a word. It's more than just actions or feelings but a connection. And when "Friends are Friends forever if the Lord's a Lord of them, and a Friend will not say never, cause the Friendship never ends." Who I used to call friends and who I call friends now have changed. There is one friend I still keep in contact before I moved to Tennessee. Friendships with God involved are more real than platonic ones. You know those old friends who you hung out with... before God. They are not around any more, or at least in my life they are not. Those were the friends that you did sin with. In the last few years I have met some amazing people who I am honored to call my Friends er... I mean Family. Because who I would call friends are now my Family with God.

Friends is one of those awesome gifts God has blessed us with, through Him. Only through Him do friendships flourish and last.

I am still learning and thankful that I can still learn and accept what God teaches us everyday through our experiences with friends and family.

Thanks for reading
Your Brother in Christ
Richard

Videos Of Brandon

Thought I would share some videos of Brandon, Michele and I made on the computer. We took a bunch of pictures and animated them to music.

BRANDON - THE 1st DECADE
Ages 1 Day to 11 Years


BRANDON - Christmas 2007


BRANDON - Baseball Pics


BRANDON - NOW!