Flying by the seat of my pants...

"Where are we going? When are we going to get there? How will we know when we get there?"

If you don't know me very well, then this post will be a "get to know the Author" post.

I am the kind of person who doesn't really like plan anything. I take each day as it comes. I have always been the kinda of person who just goes by what I feel. When I was in Bible school one day I would be hiking, the next I would be singing on the front porch. Some days you would find me running up and down the soccer field or the basketball court. I am the type of person that if you ask me to do something I probably won't say no because to me, life is more exciting if I don't always know what is going to happen next.
Lately though I have been thinking about the "What's NEXT?"

I have been feeling like God is getting us ready for the "Next". For some people, this is a nerve wrecking place to be, but I have never had a hard time trusting Jesus. I believe He will place us (even if we are there now) in the right place for us.

So I have been thinking about 2 words lately: legacy and destiny. I know what God has called me to do. I know that I am called to work with today's and tomorrow's youth. I was called to work with teenagers at a very young age. When I am at youth group or a boys home or whenever I am around teenagers of any kind; I am at home. So I have been thinking about what I am going to leave for my children. I believe that the children that God has given me (both physically and spiritually) should "out-live" me.

OUT LIVE ME: Do better, bigger, and braver deeds for God. But they can only do that if I leave them with something to build off of. So I have been trying to be more of a "planning ahead" kind of person. I realize that if I don't think of the future (either 1 year or 20 years down the line), I will miss out on the legacy that I am supposed to leave for my children (both physical and Spiritual children).

So I am trying to be more balanced. I am thinking of the future but I don't want to be like the priest or the Levite. I don't want to get so focused on the future or where I am headed that I pass by on the other side of the road when I see a need in front of me. "Lord, help me to be more like the Samaritan than the priest or Levite."
Below are some photos of my legacy:
Thanks for Reading
~ Justin

Memorial Day

courtesy of my mom

courtesy of www.hyscience.com

courtesy of pjbottoms.wordpress.com/.../

I read this today and it is perfect:
"Thank you soldiers,veterans and families of all deceased & living veterans for the sacrifice of keeping us FREE!!! God Bless you & keep you in His Loving & Comforting ARMS! GOD BLESS AMERICA!!"

Today Sarah, Rebecca, and I took the kids and dogs hiking... Below is a collage that I put together. We had a wonderful time and soon we will enjoy a steak!! Yummy!

Also I found this amazing video on MSN. I wanted to share it with you all.

Have a blessed day and thanks for reading

~ Justin

Ps. Please say thank you to any service men/women you know today!

Making Pudding!!!!

(Dad comes home)

Hey Kiddo! How was your day? What did you and Aunt Sarah do today? ~ Dad

Um, I can't tell you, it's a secret (in whisper) ~ Abby

Who told you it was secret? ~ Dad

YOU DID!!! ~ Abby

Well, she eventually told me... Abby and her Aunt Sarah made pudding while mom and dad were at work yesterday!! Abby got to hang out with Aunt Sarah which is a huge blessing because I can't make desert like Sarah ;) .

Although Sarah won't dig for worms like me! Besides, any time I don't have to paint finger and toe nails it is a good thing!!!

Thanks Sarah!
And thank you for reading

~Justin

TAKING A NAP...

So here are some cute photos that Rebecca took... I love em! I just thought I would share with you all! Now I feel like taking a nap!!!!! Thanks for Reading

~Justin

Week 19 - Blurb Photo Book Contest Entries

So this week's contest is "favorite photo". I have had a hard time figuring out which one I wanted to use. But I choose my luckiest shot, it was just really good timing. It was taken about 3 years ago on a little point and shoot. It is my daughter Abby and my dog Watson winking!!!! Thanks for the comments

New Pics

Here are some new photos I took recently... Hope you enjoy!

and thanks for reading

~Justin

Fix-It #13 - “Little Beauty” @ http://iheartfaces.blogspot.com/

So i haven't ever attempted this before but this is such a pretty picture I thought i would give it a shot... Here is the original.

When I first saw the photo the flower jumped out at me... So I thought some focal black and white would look cool. I also made the colors burst a little bit more. Here is what I came up with

Anyway.... Thanks I heart faces for a great site...
Please go and check out all the fun and photos!

Thanks

Justin

Music...

I have heard it said that "a picture is worth a thousand words..."
I agree with that statement however, I would say that to me a song is worth a thousand memories. I am not sure what it is with music and me but I would say that 98-99 % of the songs I listen to remind me of someone or someplace...

Example:

1. A Page is Turned by Bebo Norman:

Reminds me of my wife and dancing together for the first time as a married couple. Reminds me that she is always there for me no matter what happens or where we end up. She is truly the love of my life.

Beautiful Day by U2... Also reminds me of my wife. I am sure that this is her favorite song. When I hear this song it reminds me of Kazakhstan and the time spend there... TOGETHER AND APART!!!!

2. Table for Two by Derek Webb (Caedmon's Call):
This songs reminds of my best friend Jayme... Reminds me how we thought things were going to turn out when we were younger. I remember we used day dream... Man am I glad that God doesn't allow all my dreams to come true. I would have missed out on my wife and children.

3. Sullivan Street by Counting Crows
Reminds me completely of NYC. I am not sure why... Must likely it is because I was in NYC on my internship with NYSUM when I heard this song.

4. Green by Brendan James
Reminds of my friend David. Long story but every time I hear this song I think about his life. The good, bad, whatever. I find myself singing out loud and remembering our Elim Days!
Ashes by Embrace
Also reminds me of my friend David... He introduced me to them and this song... THANKS DAVID!

5. Love Alone by Caedmon's Call
This song reminds me of my mom. Long Story... Just trust me!

6. Faith my eyes by Caedmon's Call
This one reminds me of my family and Buffalo. I am sure that Derek Webb wrote this song for me. Thanks Derek Webb. (seriously if you don't know who Caedmon's call, or Derek Webb is... PLEASE STOP READING AND GO BUY SOME OF THEIR MUSIC)

7. Falling Awake by Gary Jules
This is a hard song for me... It reminds me of my dad. I have to be in the right place to listen to it. When I listen to this song I have so many memories run through my mind. "Pops, I miss ya"

So those are just a few examples that I can think of. Very often you will find me just sitting in my drive away in my car listening to a song. There are plenty of times that I won't exit my car until the song is over. Almost like I want the memories to finish playing before I move on... Well, thanks for reading... this was a hard post for me to write but one that I have been thinking about for a couple of weeks. So I hope you have happy and some sad memories with music!!!!

Justin David

Feeding the Birds...

So last night when I got home from work, I was greeted like normal...
Abby running in screaming "DADDY!!!, DADDY!!!!" Which is usually followed by a huge hug and "Welcome home dad". After all the hellos and welcome homes are done Rebecca said that "the cardinals have been out in the backyard all day". I wanted to get some shots of them... I went out on the deck and waited. Instead of the cardinals the little red finch was brave enough to get some food with me about 15-20 feet away. Then all the birds came out and dashing outside came Abby (naturally scaring away the birds)... She said "what ya doin dad?"I answered "I trying to get some pictures of the birds." She asked, "Where did the birds go?". I answered "I think they got scared away!!!!" So she said "You DID IT!!!!" I just laughed and had her sit next to me and wait from the birds to come back.
When they did she asked and I answered about 100 questions...

Where did the spraworros go? (she doesn't know how to say sparrows) What is that one doing? What is that bird called? Can I go catch one? Why won't the birds come back? Are you taking the birds picture dad? That's a red PINCH? (Finch)

Needless to say we had a great time!!!! And here are the pictures that I got!














Thanks for Reading
~ Justin

I ♥ Faces "Laughter 2"

This is for the category of adult laughter.
This is my sister in-law Rachel.
It is just a pretty picture!
Thanks for Reading
~ Justin

I ♥ Faces week 18 "Laughter"

Week 18 - Photo Challenge “Laughter”

I am entering this one under the kid Category...

This is my daughter Abby with her Tante (Aunt) Sharon!

Thanks for Reading

~Justin

Amazing VIDEO

So i was surfing the internet today and i came across this video... I was floored! I thought you would enjoy this also... It is a company called "The Skit Guys" and the skit itself is called

"The Chisel"

IT IS REALLY GOOD... ENJOY IT!

Thanks for Reading

~Justin

Ps. "See you are not God" "You said, 'Yucky'!!!" Ha ha

Hats: Week 17 contest

Week 17 - "Hats"

Photo Entries - Kids Category


Well, I am having a hard time figuring which picture to use. This is one that I chosen! It is my youngest daughter on her BIRTH day! just a quite moment!!!






Thanks for any comments you want to share
Justin

SCHOOL AND STUFF

So today is big for me and my family. My oldest daughter Abby is heading to school.. Sure it is just preschool and sure she is only sitting in for today to see what the class is like. But it is a start! This morning I helped mom get the girls ready. I was getting Abby dressed for preschool, and she said
"Dad, I am goin to school today!!!!" I am goin to learn about dinosaurs, and boats, and planes, and mountains...
So I simply replied: I hope so Abby!. I also hope you learn about colors, shapes, and things like that!!!
Anyway, she was really excited this morning for school... So I said "I hope you stay this excited for the next 18 years"

Below are photos of Abby painting the other night... and Rebecca's new Mother's day/anniversary gift I gave it to her early... I am truly just like my dad. He always gave us gifts early, I think we can't wait to see the look on the person's face receiving the gift!











Thanks for Reading
~Justin

Reading before bed time...

Every night I have the great pleasure of watching Rebecca and Abby have their reading time before bed. Usually the night goes like this...


Abby crawls into her bed and Rebecca sits in the tiny chair next to Abby's bed. They begin to read a story from Abby's Childrens Bible. The last couple of months they have been working their way through the Bible. We are currently reading about Jesus and the Disciples. Some times I have to fill in, but my favorite time is when Rebecca reads to Abby. I get to watch the relationship develop between mother and daughter. I am looking forward to family reading time. I am not sure why, but when kids and parents read together there is a bond that grows between them. When Abby is old enough I look forward to reading through Chronicles of Narnia and things like that. When Abby will looks back at times like this, I pray that she realizes that God was molding her after her mom. To me there isn't a better person to modeled after.... (It is now to the point where Abby will stand with her hands on her hips just like her mom and this makes me smile)

I don't remember reading with my parents/or family and I think that I first decided to have a reading time with my family was when Rebecca and I went to Kazakhstan to visit a missionary family.

I saw this bond in action. The father of the household would have reading time every night with the children. I remember seeing the look of the children as their father would read stories of adventure and mystery. They were reading through the Chronicles of Narnia while we were there.
(I think maybe we will have reading time together instead of me just watching). Until then enjoy the photos.

Thanks for reading







~ Justin