Well, everything is going well. We arrived Saturday and Kicked off our first night by going to Sonic. Two words... LEMON_BERRY. It's what separates the BOOYYYYYZZZZZ from the MMMMMMMEENNNNNNN. While we were there, we met our first two residence. They were both drunk. We bought them dinner and told them to find Jesus.

Sunday was great. I was able to preach for Paul and I was surprised by many new members. Grace, Raymond and Jeremiah were a few that I met. We had a potluck lunch and did a couple small projects Sunday. That night we headed for Coal Mine Canyon. Mike gave our devo and shared his story. What a change of Life. There was no place he could hide from God... He is a true blessing. (I will write more about his story later)

We wanted to hike down to the bottom of the canyon but our time ran out. We will try again later today. The views here can be something else. Sunsets like this everyday.

Today we roofed a local families home. We started at 7 AM and stopped at 12 noon. We roofed about 1/3. God was nice enough to cover us with clouds for a bit.

Well, I must head out to hear our "Culture" talk.

We are all well.

peace.
johno~

On the road. Hey everyone. Just wanted to say we got off to a great start... 4am comes early. I hope to post from my cell.

Every season of life has it's moments. Tonight, for example, Adam rolled over for the first time. I love that I was there to see it and yet I realize that as quick as it came a season has passed. I will never have this moment again. Adam, like my other children, is growing and growing and growing... and I would have a better chance of holding back the tides than to hold back the growth of the four Thomas kids. But I will say, at every moment of their life that we've shared, it's been the best season of my life. James Barry, the author of Peter Pan, said, "God gives us memory so we can have roses in December." True, winter roses are hard to find, but I dare say they are not forgotten.

So are those past days of little feet that kicked out of control, and dark nights pierced with hungry cries. When 1,2,4,6,7,3,9,1,8 becomes 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9... Clumsy feet and ugly ducks become Swans dancing on misty lakes and Kisses on the lips turn into kisses on the cheek. But each seasons has been the best I have ever had.

I am not sure what lies ahead... Today has enough for itself.

Years apart and each their own. None of them the same yet bonded together. Following in the footsteps of the child that has gone before them and yet making their own path.

Again, I am not sure of what the seasons will hold in the future, but I know it will be the best one I have ever had.

peace.
johno~

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

43% of Americans carry a balance on their credit card.
One in 6 families with credit cards pays only the minimum due every month.
With a minimum monthly payment of only 2% required on a card balance of $10,000 at 18% it would take 58 years to pay off the entire amount, with the cardholder paying $28,931 in interest. By paying a minimum monthly payment of 4% a cardholder would pay the same $10,000 off in 15 years and pay only $5,916 in interest.

Today, Dawnette and I paid off our 2 credit cards. NO MORE CREDIT CARD DEBT! YIPEEE! Yeah, it took a while and we learned some things the hard way, but we rejoice today as we are one step closer to being debt free.

peace.
johno~

Tonight was a night I'll not forget. July 4th, 2006. It's the night to celebrate our freedom, our independence... Children of all ages gather around to see the wonderful display of "fire in the sky" as professionals put on a brilliant show with "ooooooh", and "aaaaaaaaah!"

"Sweetheart, Let's gather the kids and head for the river for the show spectacular!"

Of course, our kids don't like the loud bangs, so we brought ear plugs for their little ears. We had our chairs and water bottles and even some candy to snack on. JACKPOT!

I even brought my camera to take some pictures. BTW, taking pictures of fireworks is not as easy as it looks.

We made it to the trail that sits across from the park that displays the Show. I had just set up my camera and snapped a couple test shots and then...

A LARGE FIREWORK EXPLODES about 25 feet from where we are sitting. Immediately the brush catches fire and the nice breeze we had helped assist the blaze that started.

Having worked as a fire fighter, my experience kicked in and I knew being up wind would be a good start... However!

Many people started running across the trail into the field, which was knee high with weeds and sage brush. That's bad. I thought, if that blaze crosses the trail, they'll never out run the flame...

We had packed in chairs for everyone, which I could care less about,,, As a matter of fact, I think my nice mag light is out there... But my wife grabbed children and chairs and bags and anything and anyone else and gave the official retreat call.

Before I could turn around they're running into the field... Remember, that's bad. So I called to them and told them to "STOP, GET OUT OF THE FIELD." My wife and 3 of the kids heard me and came back and moved up wind back to the trail... But, not Hannah. She was running for her life in the wrong direction.

I don't think I could type letters large enough to let you know how loud I yelled her names. Watching the fire lick the edge of the trail, I ran and yelled louder. Why couldn't she hear me. I'm not sure how, but after a few "HANNAH STOP!" she did. I grabbed her and moved up wind away from the fire and met up with my family.


Now, if you think my kids are freaked out about the noise fireworks make... I'm not sure they will ever be the same with any fireworks. PERIOD.

Now, my thanks to God. We arrived at the trail late. Our "regular" spot was taken so we move up the trail about 50 feet. The spot we would have been sitting at was engulfed in flames.

God is good. He has saved my family once again.

peace.
johno~

I'm not sure that writing these thoughts are for anyone else but me and my closure of things lost.

June 18th was Fathers day... June 16th, I learned that my father passed away of heart failure on May 15th, nine days after my 36th birthday.

I cannot explain the emotion I feel, but I do feel it. I never knew my father so why this overwhelming sorrow? I think it's my desire of sonship.

When I was old enough to know, I realized the only thing you ever gave me was a card that read, "You're 1, have fun Son."

I remember going to your house one night with my older cousin Debbie. I was only a kid and you never saw me... But, I saw you through the front window... Well, at least the back of you. We ran back to the car like we had broken some law. I didn't understand why we didn't knock so I could meet you. Apparently you weren't dressed for the occasion.

I know my mother sent you school pictures each year, but they were pictures worth only a thousand words. My life is a story.

When we moved to Washington my 13th year, I lost track of where you were, until the State of Washington found you and made you pay for some of my medical bills. I can't imaging what you thought when blood test did reveal that you were my father. Several years passed quickly and at my 20th birthday, I cried in closet because you never knew me as a child.

As my life story continued, I married and had a child of my own. Then, the call from my mother that said she had found you once again... I have to say, I was not ready for that. It was my time to be everything right, I knew about fathers, to my child... It was not time for me to be a son.

Yet, I really thought you might contact me. I said, I didn't care... I lied. As a matter of fact, I hear a lot of people say they don't care and they're liars. I did care.

At the age of 25, for the first time, I saw a picture of your face and with it came 1000 words. But, it wasn't your story.

I thought one day I might be man enough to come meet you face to face. I told people I knew where you were and that our paths might cross someday... I realize that day will never come. I'm sorry.

Friday, June 16th, I cried once more. The call from my mother that said your heart failed and you were gone. I have to say, I wasn't ready for that. I'm sorry you died alone and that there was no service to honor you. It doesn't seem right. None of it ever did. But most of all, I'm sorry you never saw me as a man.

These words seem to come days to late... But as a son to a father I wish I was more bold to speak these words.

Tough, you think you've got the stuff
You're telling me and anyone
You're hard enough

You don't have to put up a fight
You don't have to always be right
Let me take some of the punches
For you tonight

Listen to me now
I need to let you know
You don't have to go it alone

And it's you when I look in the mirror
And it's you when I don't pick up the phone
Sometimes you can't make it on your own

We fight all the time
You and I...that's alright
We're the same soul
I don't need...I don't need to hear you say
That if we weren't so alike
You'd like me a whole lot more

Listen to me now
I need to let you know
You don't have to go it alone

And it's you when I look in the mirror
And it's you when I don't pick up the phone
Sometimes you can't make it on your own

I know that we don't talk
I'm sick of it all
Can - you - hear - me - when - I -
Sing, you're the reason I sing
You're the reason why the opera is in me...

Where are we now?
I've got to let you know
A house still doesn't make a home
Don't leave me here alone...

And it's you when I look in the mirror
And it's you that makes it hard to let go
Sometimes you can't make it on your own
Sometimes you can't make it
The best you can do is to fake it
Sometimes you can't make it on your own

- Bono, U2
"Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own"

So that you know, I think I am turning out OK. I've been married for 14 years and I have four wonderful children. I know you saw the pictures my mom sent you. I want you to know I'm not perfect on my own, but Jesus has saved me. Christ has brought me back into the covenant with God, Abba... Father.

I wish you could have been more of a father to me. Fatherhood is a wonderful gift of God. I'm sorry you missed it with me.

Have mercy on me, oh God, a sinner. I'm sorry... I have missed the opportunity to be bold for the case of Jesus, who is Christ. I didn't look with the eyes of love. My pride was to great. I thought I could do it on my own. Teach me to LOVE my neighbor. Teach me to LOVE my father, my mother, my brothers and sisters more than myself.

To all the men who have been a wonderful example of fatherhood... Thank you.

Big Don Williams
Jack Stivers
Walter King
Bob Irby
Woody Woodruff
Bill Ashman
Randy Langley
Jim Brown
Al Owens
Ronald Woods
Doug Davis
Greg Woods
Glen Cash
Scott Walsh
Kevin Woods
Walt Hamilton
German Harrell

peace.

I will never forget the day I first noticed you. You made an impact that day that would change my life forever. It was your heart I noticed... Oh, and of course your fine body! But your heart was something else. It was passionate and caring. It took the time when no one else cared to even notice.

That's what I love about you. You notice every little detail. You listen with your heart and when the right moment comes, you speak words that show Christ is in your life.

How can I describe your beauty? The world has yet to form words that capture the wonders of your life. But that is it... You have LIFE! I see it in your eyes. You give to everyone everything. You provide for others first when you are in need.

It is your love for God and your love for others that makes your life shine!

Thank you for the 14 years.

I love you.
Always and Forever.