The drums however were calling her. We signed her up for lessons a few years ago, finally. She took to the lessons immediately and didn't want to miss any.Every week after her lessons she would look at this drum kit in the store. We were concerned about buying something that would not get used but ultimately she (thanks Grandma) got it.

She continued with her lessons, and her practice at home.

Then this happened

And This

This

And finally this one

Shout out to her drum coach Chris Johnson. He has been awesome.

I couldn't be prouder of the work she has been doing. Continue to work on your craft. It might seem slow but it is worth it.

Go Go GO!

Time is a valuable asset that attracts many robbers.Today is May 31. The last day of the year for me. I know, I know. I can hear you saying, "You do know that there are 6 more months left in the year right?" While that is true on your calendar, MY calendar reads differently. A lot of this, looking back on it, has to do with the fact that I am/was incredibly egotistical as a kid. The year for me starts in the month of June for 2 reasons that are important to me.

1. June is my Birth Month My birthday is in June and so, for me, that makes June a special month. It is why I have always counted June as the beginning of my year. Now I keep up appearances for the rest of the world but my internal calender says today is the end of year.

 2. Summer Begins in June As most kids will agree Summer is the best time of the year. It is what we wait. It is what we dream about. Time to just be, do whatever we want, sleep as long as we like, play ALL day. To a kid, at least to this kid, Summer is the pinnacle of the year. Winter is great with snow and Christmastime but nothing beats the heat and excitement of Summer. Colorful leaves and Thanksgiving are refreshing but hitting the pool or a beach in Summer is the best. Spings renewal has got nothing on the revival of our baseball team. Summer, Summer Summertime FTW!

The Point When I started this post I had a point but I am not sure if I still do. As I look at the close of my year and look towards a new one I wonder if I used my moments to their fullest potential? How much time was left on the table? The answer to that is none. That is the difference between time and every other asset. You will spend, waste, or invest your time. It cannot be stored. It cannot be saved. You can't generate any more of it. When it is gone, it is gone. For those of you using the regular calendar you have 6 more months in your year. What are you going to do with it? Each new day is a gift you might not get another one so you better use this one. What plans/projects/milestones can you complete?
Like the quote above says there are many who want you use your gift of time. They will steal it if you are not diligent in how you use it. Choose this day...

*Remember the Days Might be Longer but Time is Short *

"We’re so young. We’re so young. We’re twenty-two years old. We have so much time." - Marina KeeganThis quote was taken from an essay written by a graduating student from Yale. She died in a car accident last weekend. She was 22. How will you use the time that you have been given in a way that will have a lasting impact?

 -God's Man

I know why you're here, Neo. I know what you've been doing... why you hardly sleep, why you live alone, and why night after night, you sit by your computer. You're looking for him. I know because I was once looking for the same thing. And when he found me, he told me I wasn't really looking for him. I was looking for an answer. It's the question that drives us, Neo. It's the question that brought you here. You know the question, just as I did.During the last Men of Zebulun meeting, my churches men's group, I shared about how powerful questions are. They can either build up a belief system or tear it down. Early in the Bible Satan used questions to challenge the belief system of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:1-5 Message), The serpent was clever, more clever than any wild animal God had made. He spoke to the Woman: "Do I understand that God told you not to eat from any tree in the garden?"

The Woman said to the serpent, "Not at all. We can eat from the trees in the garden. It's only about the tree in the middle of the garden that God said, 'Don't eat from it; don't even touch it or you'll die.'"

The serpent told the Woman, "You won't die. God knows that the moment you eat from that tree, you'll see what's really going on. You'll be just like God, knowing everything, ranging all the way from good to evil." Satan knew that he wouldn't be able to attack their belief in what God had said directly. He started the discourse with a question, "Did God really say..." This allowed the conversation dwell on a topic that didn't need additional discussion. God said should be the end of it but by focusing on it the trap had been set. Adam and Eve, notice I put Adam in there too, spent time on a subject that had been closed by God and succumbed to temptation.

In the Matthew Jesus uses words to challenge, inspire and motivate. (Matthew 5:43-47; 6:25-26 Message)
Power in Prayer

Jesus was matter-of-fact: "Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, 'Go jump in the lake'—no shuffling or shilly-shallying—and it's as good as done. That's why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you'll get God's everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it's not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive—only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins."Get Busy Loving Everyone> "You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.Why Worry> "If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.This morning I ask you to use your words to create a vision for you and your family. Here are some questions that will help to trigger your thinking. Have a great week.

When you dream, how grand is the vision you create? If you had NO LIMITS, what would you envision for yourself and your family? What really big and meaningful dream would you like to visualize achieving next?Go Go Go

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~People in the Dream:
Me, Virginia Carter, my cousin "Cakes"

Locations in the Dream:
Virginia Carter's House, Villa Julie College (AC Building)

Segment 1:
I learn that Virginia Carter, SNSD in Primerica Financial Services, has gotten married to my cousin Cakes. He is very abusive. He cusses at her and treats really badly. I go and sit down with her at their house. It is huge and very well decorated. She and I sit in a sun room in back of the house. She and I have a light conversation. She tells me a little about herself and I tell her about me. The conversation seems pregnant with unspoken topics. I decided not to talk with her about Primerica, because I'm sure she get asked about it all the time. I wake up after that.

Segment 2:
Ginny and I, she ask me to her Ginny, are walking through the AC building at Villa Julie. I am showing her the classrooms and talking about what our team does here. Again the conversation seems light and fluffy. All style and no substance. We get about halfway down the hall and some people call to her from down the hall. She acknowledges them. I can't tell who they are as they are covered in shadows. We keep walking and talking but I start slowing my pace. I want to keep talking with Ginny. I want to talk about important things but we seem caught up in this banal conversation about my work.. We walk and talk and then, almost by surprise we are at the end of the hall. Ginny leaves with the shadowy people. I wake up full of sadness.

Questions for God:
Why did Ginny marry Cakes? I didn't see him at all during the dream.
Why were we at Villa Julie? Why was I so insistent not to talk about Primerica? Why did it matter to me at all? Why won't Primerica go away?

My prayer:
Father be with Virginia Carter today. I don't know why she appeared in my dream but I want to lift her up to you. She believes in you and I am grateful that you placed her in my mind as an example. Bless her today because she has impacted so many lives. Be with my cousin Cakes. He needs you so much now that he is trying to make a stand for you. Give me direction as well Father. I don't know why my mind continues to point me at Primerica. Is it really for me. Is that part of the calling you have for me? I don't want to throw myself into anything that is not from you. Tell me, Father, am I just chasing the wind? Help me with my questions in Jesus Name amen.

God's Man.