Good morning, I was sitting here this morning with my coffee and saw that I have not written in a very long time. To be exact it was last September since I wrote.  So much has changed in my life since I last wrote that I have no idea where to begin. This entry may be long, but please read the entire thing!!

First thing off the top of my head is that my beautiful wife Stacey, had bariatric surgery in January, the 15th to be exact, and I am so proud of what she has done, and the weight that she has lost. It is a long road and she is well on her way in that journey. It is a total life change for her, and we are eating more healthy then we ever have.

Second, I was on the long road in my walk with the Lord! I completed the Timothy Project with the church, and received my dog tag last Monday (May 18th). I will receive my pin at the next Mens’ conference in 2016, I can not wait! Just because I finished this, does not mean the learning stops!! It is a continuing process, that will end when I meet my Heavenly Father. I am grateful for the men that came into my life during this process, and are still with me today. We shared so much together, the good, the bad, and the ugly and we survived. I feel that my spiritual growth was amazing. Father on several occasions has called me out of my comfort zone, and He still does. He has shown me that I can indeed pray for others out loud, and lead prayer in a group setting(even with people that I really do not know), this was my biggest challenge!! I am still trying to do this on a consistent basis. I still serve Him in so many ways, from Alpha, to weekend services, my love for Him has grown and is still growing, for we can do nothing without Him!! This brings out the verse in Philippians 4:13 ” I can do all things through him(Jesus) who strengthens me.”

I had the privilege of going to Camden in the beginning of May to help feed the homeless. it was a truly amazing experience. Even though the people that came had nothing, they still had joy in their heart and some were in grateful for the breakfast and the clothes that they received. It really made me think, that on my worst day, it is NOTHING compared to what they are going through on a daily basis. Which now leads me to ask all of you a small favor, if you are reading this and are local, the biggest need for the men is socks!! Could you please find it in your heart to donate a package of socks? I know that I would appreciate it, and the men that come for breakfast will appreciate. Please contact me, and let me know if you can do that.

I was talking to my mom this week, and was telling her about the change in my medicine, her response was “I am sorry that you are going through these things”. My response was I am OK with it for we are made in the image of God. If you do not believe me, look at Genesis 1:26a “Then God said, “Let us make man” in our image, after our likeness...” and Genesis 1:27 “So God created man in his own image, and in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

For my journey continues, and I hope and pray that you will join me on my journey. Thank you for reading this, even though it is super long. I will try to blog a little more then I have.

His Love never fails

Joe