How are you following Jesus?

To follow Jesus implies that we are within the sound of His voice. Jesus invited people to follow Him, yet many in the crowds who heard Him speak didn't respond to His teaching. More than hearing, then, is the humility to listen and respond wholeheartedly. Jesus invites you to follow Him today, to stay within range of His voice, to respond to what He has to say, to be ready to speed up or slow down according to His Spirit's leading. Will you follow Jesus today?

This question came out of my daily devotion this morning. It is a question that we all really need to stop an think hard about. It is not an easy thing to face if you are not one with Him. I hope that everyone will stop today and think about this while doing some self evaluation.

Ellie and Daddy

It has been a couple of month's since my last blog. Ellie continues to grow like a weed. Staci went on a much deserved vacation with girls for the weekend. Ellie and daddy had so much fun the whole weekend. Friday we watched a lot of Mickey Mouse and basketball. Saturday we met Granny and Pa for breakfast and then went shopping. We had so much fun!!!! Ellie got 2 new pair's of shoes and then we got mommy a family tree photo from bed bath and beyond that went on our family room wall. On Sunday we where so so happy to all see Mommy back.

Ellie watching Basketball with Daddy

Ellie showing off her new shoe's

Been very busy since the holiday's

So time has been flying by so fast. Ellie is getting so big and we cannot wait till the warm weather so we can go outside and play. We have all kinds of big things planned for the summer already. We are going to go to Michigan with the DeDoes's side of family for vacation and then to a beach with the Trapp side of the family for vacation. It should be a really fun summer and we cannot wait for it to get here.

Ellie is getting so big

So much has happened in 2010 with our family. Ellie is now 14 months and growing like a weed. Everyday she is doing something different. It is a little scary how fast she is growing as it is like she is going to be in school so soon. Staci has been working half days at a local school as a teacher aid. She is hoping next year she will get the opportunity to show her passion for teaching, but as always we are leaving that in God's hands. I have also taken a new job within P&G as a site transportation leader. With time flying by so fast it has made me think of how important it is to spend as much time with our family and friends as possible. I would challenge everybody to reach out and take full of advantage of the love of your

family and friends as you never know when they will no longer be around. I know this thought

scares many of us, including myself, but this is something we really have to face as this is just

reality. God has given so much to us including the love of our family and friends. Yet we do not

even take the time to thank Him and pray to him.

WinterBlast 2011

So this past weekend I went to Winterblast with our church youth group and 3 other church's. This is a mini weekend retreat where we reflect while also playing games, skiing, and of course worshiping God. Oh did we ever worship God too. This weekends theme was based on "reflection". The real question is what is your reflection of yourself for the rest of the world. Is it a good or bad reflection? Are you reflecting something fake or are you real and truly being yourself? I would ask that each one of us take 10 minutes to really evaluate ourselves and think to ourselves, is this truly the way God is wanting us to be? Just remember How God loves us!!!! This is truly depicted in David Crowder Band's song "How He Loves Us" and if you have never hear this listen to it. I hope all is well with all and pray that you each are

What I wild ride it has been over the past few months!!

So it has been many many months since either Staci or I have updated our blog. I cannot believe that Ellie is getting so so big. A lot has changed since the last post. We got settled into our new house. This is Staci and I's dream house and we thank God everyday for what He has given us. One thing we know is that we are extremely Thankful for our awesome family and friends. Our families mean so much to us. It has been a crazy time though as within this short time we lost my grandma and my uncle Lowell. The funny thing is that I can see them standing next to each other smiling down at all of us telling everybody how proud they are of all of us. We are so Thankful for the many great years that God gave us with each of them, but is very sad to think that Ellie really did not get to know how awesome these 2 people really where. Ellie dressed up this year for her first halloween as Ellie the Elephant. I know that I am partial but she was so cute and was really having a good time watching all the kids while we passed out the candy. During this time we also celebrated Ellie's 1st birthday party and she is now up and walking all around.

Stay Tuned for the next blog very shortly

Been Awhile

So it has been awhile since we have done a blog so I figured it is about time. Ellie is now 5 month's old and is growing like at weed. We have introduced her to cereal and she gets very upset if you try to take it away. We have a contract on our current house and are supposed to close on May 21st. The good news is that we have found a new house and are under contract with that one as well and are supposed to close May 28th but it appears we will be moving that up to atleast May 24th. We are very excited. This new house is Staci's dream. I have been traveling for the last 5 out of 6 weeks and on the weekends we have had a Wedding Indiana and one in Michigan, so to say the least we have been extremely busy. To make things even worse I had to travel on our 3 year anniversary which I was not happy with but we have to pay the bills some how. The good news is that it does not appear that I will not be traveling for atleast a month or so. God has been very good to us and we cannot complain at all. We are all in very good health along with our families as well.

Our New House

Ellie at the Red's opening day Parade


Ellie and I walking around the outlet malls in Gatlinburg while mommy was shopping. Daddy could not resist buying her cute sunglasses and swimsuits.

Ellie in her cute dress at wedding in Michigan

Staci and Ellie eating at Bob Evan's with daddy