Enjoy That Beautiful Family

Welcome back. You belong here.

You know how sometimes people say things that stick with you? Well, in the last few weeks we've had an amazing time with family and friends and something that I hear from them often is "enjoy that beautiful family you have..."

I have a beautiful family and I am committed to enjoying them. First my wife who is my partner and friend for life. We are becoming one more and more each passing month, each passing year. Even this weekend, I felt so in love with her seeing her host family, seeing her speak and open her heart in conversation, doing the little things to make things happen, it's amazing to me. I also do my part to love her. Tomorrow I stay home with the little ones while she goes to Target at 6am for their 75% off sale.

And then we have our three "hermosos"- our children, 7, 5 and 3. Sigh of contentment...do I enjoy them? Yes.

Today, we went on a bike ride. Little David who goes waaay too fast for me, Canela who is fun to ride with because everything I do is perfect (innocence is bliss), and Isabela who loves being a part of the pack. We had a great time going twice around the block.

Then there's David's red wagon near the trash and I smile. You ask why? He loves to stand on the wagon and look inside the trash bins. I know, I know, counseling right?...I don't get it either but he loves trash, trash trucks (he has three of them) and can't wait till Wednesdays when the trash comes by our house. I love that little boy.

My life is filled with joys and I am thankful for them all. It also has it's sad moments, even this year we've experienced some ups and downs, but they hardly dim my happiness and thankfulness for all God has done in our lives. God has been faithful and we worship Him and thank Him for His strength and peace in our lives.

This weekend it's New Year's Eve, and what will we do, party? eat, drink and be merry? We'll be home with our children who'll all be asleep by 8pm and Rachelle and I will babysit Charlie our 8 month old nephew.

And when he's asleep, we'll watch TV, sip some champagne, embrace, kiss in the dark, dance by ourselves in the quietness of our family room and go to bed together just past midnight. I love my life.

Have a great day.

Into the future,

davidT

I'm the Man

Welcome back. You belong here.

Fitness Update: (so far this week)...

Monday - ran 30mns, abs
Tues - did arms/legs, abs
Wed - did chest/back, abs
Fri - did arms/legs
Sat - ran 30mns
Sun - did chest/back, abs

Eating at 90%.

Note: I workout in my garage where it's cold and windy and now my iPod broke and I'm dealing with the December blues but I won't give up. PERSEVERANCE, one of my favorite words.

You too can do it. Who needs a New Year's resolution? How about a today resolution!
Getting in shape is good for your body, mind and soul.

Have a great day.

Into the future,

davidT

My iPod is dying

Welcome back. You belong here.

So our little Isabela (5) dropped my iPod on the hard kitchen tile a few days ago and so now the iPod is near dead. I'm trying to restore it back to OG, load all 2000 songs back and hope for the best. Not looking good right now.

New iPod? My iPod is 5 years old after all, but...I had decided going into this Christmas that I couldn't afford a new one.

That decision just got challenged 100%.

And with the $1000.00 I'm spending today on the clutch of our old truck...not looking good.

Clutch

iPod

Clutch

iPod

Clutch...Getting to work

iPod...hours of listening pleasure

Tough one.

Have a great day.

Into the future,

davidT

UPDATE: Clutch, DONE, $1000.00
iPod, DONE, it's officially dead.

A Secret: There is No After the Holidays

Welcome back. You belong here.

Here's a secret we're all aware of, there is no "after the holidays." You know how people say, "I'll see you after the holidays..." No they won't. If they don't want to see you now, they won't want to see you then either.

Well, the secret is out.

Have a great day.

Into the future,

davidT

Fitness Update: Struggling through the December blues.

Last Week:
Lift: 2x
Run: 3x
Abs: 4x
Eating: 85%

That's not bad, but my plan is twice that. December is such for me, mostly it's emotional. So I try not to get down but to hang on, do what I can each week, and NEVER give up, always PERSEVERE.

I am pushing through the holiday syndrome slowly, working through the December blues - the loss of loved ones (father and 2nd mother), slight depression, Christmas church stress. I know these times (injury, depression) are a part of the sport, so I do my best and look forward to Monday.

My plan for next week:
Lift: 4x
Run: 3-4x
Abs 4-5x
Eat at 95%.

Have a great day.

Into the future,

davidT

I'm Not Shopping Today But Did Last Night

Welcome back. You belong here.

Every time I go to the mall I hope no one sees me.
"Do I know that person? Yikes! I think they're from church, noo!", "Wait, that's not them, yeaaaaah!" "That was a close one...."

Funny, being a last minute shopper is hard work but fun.

And yet, I'm done and today Saturday, I am NOT SHOPPING. I am praying for all those that did or are shopping right now. Remember, it is better to give up that parking spot than to receive. And don't say anything to anyone you'll later regret.

Tomorrow, I do the 10:45am and 6pm services. The 6pm is different from the 10:45am in that it's an adaptation from the 9 Lessons and Carols, our is 5 Lessons and Carols and includes live readings, and invitation and benediction, worship elements from all our worship services (traditional/contemporary/modern), beautiful images, moving videos, a quiet and meditative lobby display and of course songs of Christmas.

We went through the dress rehearsal last night and it went very well. I especially enjoyed singing with Bianca, one of our new vocalists. We sound good together.

I hope you have a great Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Prayer for the day: "Come Lord Jesus Come", from Rev. 22.

Have a great day.

Into the future,

davidT

Helping a Family in Need

Welcome back. You belong here.

Jesus said to do this....

Today, our extended family brought over $500.00 worth of gifts to one of the poorest families in Long Beach - Maria the mom, and her 4 children Ana (9), Jesus (11), Juan (12) and Maria (13). The husband is an alcoholic and wasn't around. Maria is from Oaxaca and has lived in Long Beach for 7 years and in the States for 13.

They live in a studio in a dense part of Long Beach, the children's bunk beds are in their living room/tv room/dining room, there was a strong stench in the apartment, but the place was neatly kept and the children were well behaved.

In attendance was Rachelle and I, my sister Marcia, our three children, my wife's sister Suzanne, my wife's sister Meredith, her husband Tom and their baby boy Charlie, my wife's mom Lynette and dad Dennis Baker.

My wife cooked them a turkey (her first ever and it was to give to a poor family, my wife is amazing). Together, our combined families brought them new wrapped gifts - school uniforms, Barbies, new pants, new dresses, shirts and shoes, bubble bread and even a Christmas tree. Both our girls gave their very best/favorite dolls and Isabela (5) used her own saved up money to buy a Barbie for them.


The family is part of Long Beach Friend's Church, where Yolanda and David Hamm attend. Yolanda was my contact person through Eric Marsh from Grace Long Beach and Hope for Long Beach and has an ongoing relationship with this family. Yolanda leads a Bible study of 12-13 people including Maria and other Spanish speaking families.

My wife cried when we first got there and could hardly finish her opening words of thanks and appreciation. This was my wife's project and vision.

It was a meaningful experience. There's a relationship with the family and a Spanish speaking local church (very important), and from our children, to all of us, to Maria and the family we we were all touched by the love of God. I read from Matthew 1 on the visit of the magi to see Jesus, the tough circumstances Jesus was born into, yet when the magi came, they worshiped Him and so did we.

I was also moved that our children saw a place they're not used to and yet to see children that are just like them - happy, hoping for Barbies and trucks, that go to school, that speak English and Spanish and have bikes. When we got home they spoke of their time there... Canela (7) said "there house is small."

At the end, we worshiped together and sang "Silent Night", "Noche de Paz" and of course, "Jingle Bells." It was an amazing night which gives me perspective on how much we have.

Have a great day.

Into the future,

davidT

What is Good?

Welcome back. You belong here.

One of the temptations for me this time of year is to focus on the negative - what hasn't been done, what I'm not doing well. I can focus on my office being a mess, my music being in too many piles, my body not being as defined as I wish, the children's room being too messy, too much dirty laundry, not enough time with the children, missing too many deadlines, etc. etc. etc.

Instead, I should focus on all the great things in my life. How? What am I doing about it?

1. Realizing I'm in that mode and admitting that it stinks.
2. Asking my friends to keep me focused, to remind me of how great my life is, to feel free to tell me when I'm off
3. Apologize often
4. Take a deep breath
5. Pray, ask God to change my attitude
6. Read the Psalms, read 1 Peter 2 on being holy
7. Give to others, focus on others
8. Make a list of all the great things in my life

Two weeks ago, our girl Isabela (5) was in the hospital feeling very sick. Today, she was in the school play, smiling and having a great time. She's still feeling some minor neck pain, and is on a second dose of ab's, but is feeling much better. God has been faithful.

Tomorrow, we go help a needy family with school uniforms, a Christmas tree, new pants and shirts, a new dress for the mom and new toys for the children. Our whole family will spend time with them, making their Christmas special. We have so much. They're on welfare, the dad is an alcoholic, the children have very little, they live in a poor part of town, immigrant family.

And as far as all the house, the deadlines, it's not that bad. All those things are fine, things are getting done, and those that aren't, they will get done eventually.

Having a stressed out day? Wish you had more money, less to do's, more time for you? Give to others. Give, give generously. God will give you a new perspective on life.

Have a great day.

Into the future,

davidT

My Sister is Here

Welcome back. You belong here.

My sister Marcia is here with us from Nicaragua. It's great to have her here, I have missed her. We are looking forward to time together with family this Christmas.

Have a great day.

Into the future,

davidT