Boot Camp

I leave today for Winter Park, Colorado to take part in the Wild at Heart Boot Camp. I have wanted to go on the Boot Camp ever since I read Wild at Heart. This was my Christmas gift from Holly and the kids; although I had to register months ago. This is put on by Ransomed Heart Ministries, founded by John Eldredge. Most of you have heard of Eldredge, many have read his books. I am looking forward to this experience.

The following is taken from their website:

Life is a Story. This is true for every soul.

It is a love story, we assure you. But it is set in the midst of a life and death battle. That is why it seems so hard.

The story of your life is the story of the journey of your heart through a dangerous and beautiful world. It is the story of the long and sustained assault on your heart by the Enemy who knows who you could be and fears you. But it is also the story of the long and mysterious pursuit of your heart by the God who knows you truly and loves you deeply.

As we live through the pages of this story, many questions arise. Who am I…really? Where will I find life…really? And, What is it God wants from me? We know those questions well, for we have lived them ourselves. And we offer here something of the beautiful answers we have found. Take a moment. Browse around. It will do your heart good.

Part of the preparation has been to read (or re-read) Wild at Heart. I read this a few years ago and really loved it. Reading it again gives new meaning to me. It has really challenged me to answer the questions that are posed on the website, as well as others in the book. In addition, I was provided with a few daily prayers to read. They are really powerful, and I will hopefully post on those in the future.

I probably won't be able to post while I am gone. I will be home Monday afternoon.

Be good.

Happy Birthday, Cara-Lee!

Seven years ago, this life came into our world. She has been a blessing to us everyday since then. Cara-Lee is smart, funny, talented, creative, sensitive, thoughtful, spiritual, imaginative, ingenious, charming, generous, confident, I could really go on and on. Here are a few things that I have remembered about her from the past seven years.




On Braden's first day of kindergarten, it was Cara-Lee (then 3 years old) who went right in to Mrs. Cox's class, sat down, and began to work. She was very upset when we drug her away.

She can do the head shrug move similar to Michael Jackson's in Thriller.

She makes up her own songs, and they're good.

Once she came into the den and told me that she was bored. I showed her how to run laps in the backyard, thinking that she would blow it off. She ran laps for several minutes that day. For the next several months she would just go outside at random times and run laps. Hilarious.

Anytime she finds change she wants to save it for expenses for "our China baby."

She's an incredible artist, and loves to make birthday cards and other artwork as gifts.

She loves her space. We occasionally allow her and Braden to sleep in the same bed (weekends, holidays, etc.) Some times she just doesn't want to do that, which really bothers Braden, as this is a "special" thing.




She loves cats, and when we had to have hers put down, she was so brave. Holly and I were so proud of her.

She prefers to pull her own teeth. In fact, I don't know that Holly or I have ever pulled one of hers.

She wants to grow her hair out and cut it when there is enough to donate to Locks of Love. She saw this on a TV show where a lot of women were getting their hair cut at the same time. I explained what that was all about, and she decided it was for her.

She loves ABBA. Enough said.



Her first word was "momma" spoken on Holly's birthday.



Every once in a while she's daddy's girl. Here we are at Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Over Texas.

I love her, and I'm proud to be her daddy.

Chasing My Heart

I have been excited about the new year for a number of reasons. One thing that I look forward to each year is selecting a new devotional for the year. For 2006 I have chosen The Ransomed Heart, by John Eldredge. I have read much of Eldredge's work, and have never been disappointed. This devotional is actually a collection of writings from several of his books. Reading the first several days has reminded me that life is indeed a journey of my heart, and how badly Satan wants me, because he ultimately fears who I can be. Beyond that, though, it reminds me that God is always chasing after my heart, and that He knows me and loves me.

If you are looking for a devotional for the year, I encourage you to check this one out. Find your heart.

Be good.