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New Years Resolutions

I’ve been thinking some over the past several weeks about my New Years Resolutions but simply haven’t put anything down on paper. Then, on my drive in to work today, I heard Wally talking about resolutions on WayFM and how a lot of people just don’t like making them because they never stick to them.

I have always tried to take the time to sit down and write out some things that I would like to change or improve in the New Year. I think its important to set goals and to strive to better ourselves and the New Year seems to give us a perfect starting point.

This morning while working on my list I came across a great blog post by Pete Wilson about his resolutions. I love his and will use some of them myself! Especially this; "I want to live in 2012 with the awareness of LIFE GOES BY FAST and MY DAYS ARE NUMBERED." -Pete Wilson

How about you? What are some of your New Year Resolutions?

The Heart of Christmas - Matthew West

Merry Christmas from THP!

The Wally Show in the Morning!

My family loves listening to Way FM here in Nashville and we especially appreciate The Wally show each morning. Wally is upfront, practical, and hilarious. He lives his faith out loud.

This week The Wally show helped me get my focus back on the true meaning of Christmas. It’s been a tough month for me. My dad passed away on the 28^th of November and the grieving process has been a challenge.

Thank you Wally and the staff of Way FM for your ministry and impact to my family, Nashville, and the world.

Here’s my favorite episode from this past week.

A Tribute to my dad Ron Wilson

My dad passed away on Monday, November 28^th after a 5-month battle with cancer. He was so much more than just a best friend.

I have walked down difficult roads with people and families for the past twenty years. I have been there when their loved ones passed away. I have conducted countless funerals. But, I have once again, learned that until you personally experience the kind of loss they have experienced, then you just don’t get it. You can’t. Through this painful journey, God has again given me new perspective.

This morning, I'm so thankful for my friends, family and faith in Christ. I'm simply not sure how people can face these kind of difficult times without a personal relationship with Jesus.

Here's the tribute video I made for dads service.

It's not the Critic who counts...

I came across this quote today thanks to Shaun King who posted it on his blog. It's a powerful quote - inspirational - and challenging. I plan to refer to this one frequently!

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”

-President Theodore Roosevelt

New Technology Can Be Dangerous and Hilarious

New technology can be dangerous and hilarious.

I couldn't help but chuckle at this video. And yes, I've had my own struggle with new technology at least once or twice. I do love the fact that this dear couple is trying to learn. I also love that they were bold enough to post the video on YouTube!

Klaire sings Justin Bieber's song "Baby!"

Yesterday afternoon Klaire (our 5 year old daughter) took my iphone 4 and record herself singing a few of her favorite Justin Bieber songs. In this video she's singing "Baby" while using my favorite flashlight as her microphone. Klaire wants to be a rockstar when she grows up - just in case you hadn't figured it out.

Happy Gotcha Day!

Today we celebrate 5 years since Klaires "Gotcha" Day. Here's a video of our special moment.

Stepping Out On Faith

Five years ago today we boarded a flight from St. Louis, Missouri bound for Beijing, China. After 20 months of planning, filling out paperwork, praying, and fundraising, we were on our way to bring our 10 month-old adopted daughter home.

It’s hard to believe it’s been 10 years! Karlee was 13 years old and Kassidy was only 8! And now, that tiny step of faith toward adoption has been one of the most rewarding steps of our lives.

Here’s a link to our adoption story; Our adoption story

Best Marriage Proposal Ever! Could be.

I love creativity and when it comes to marriage proposals I'd have to give this guy a top rating. As a daddy of three daughters, I especially love the part of getting the fathers permission.

Dear Karlee...

One of the things our church does for graduating seniors is host a special banquet in their honor. At this banquet, parents were asked to read a letter written to their son/daughter. I have to say this wasn't an easy assignment. I choked up and started crying after writing "Dear Karlee!" And yet, I'm glad we were asked to do the assignment.

This is our letter I read to Karlee at the banquet.


Dear Karlee,

As we sit down to write this letter we are overcome with the speed of time and how fast the past 17 years has gone by. It’s one of those things that people try to warn you about but until you’ve actually lived through it you just can’t comprehend. Now, we get it. Seventeen years is now flashing through our minds faster than the speed of light. It is hard to summarize the past 17+ years in a letter. It seems like yesterday, we were at Pheobe Putney Hospital in Albany, Georgia welcoming you into this world- it took awhile to get you here but finally you decided to make an entrance on your own time. We remember your baby dedication ceremony and the way you screamed over the pastor’s sermon and prayer- stealing the spotlight. We remember our move across the country to Oklahoma, your first trip to the hospital with Asthma- 6 breathing treatments in the ER and then you were climbing out of your crib and running down the hall! Also your concussion by trying to stand on your daddy’s basketball in the living room, your first trip to the principals office to get paddled in K-3 for going into the boy’s bathroom and then your second trip in K-4 for running away from the teacher in the parking lot-not so proud moments there. We were so proud when you won the Miss Footprints award in 8th grade when told that no one has ever won this if you are not from Lebanon. You have helped make so many fun Christmas celebrations, yearly family vacations, church camp experiences, and mission trips. It was such a privilege to have your dad baptize you here at TDF.

We want you to know that no father or mother could be prouder of their daughter than we are of you. God has blessed us beyond measure in giving us the priviledge of being your mom and dad. Your bubbly personality is contagious. You have a beautiful smile that brightens a room when you walk in. We thank God each day for you! We know that we have moved many times in your life to different states and churches and you have ALWAYS been so willing to go where God was leading us! We remember when we felt God leading us to move back here to Nashville and it was the end of your sophomore year. You had just been elected Junior Class President and was ready to start planning the prom for next year.....we asked you if you were ok with the move. Your answer was...if this is where God is leading you and our family then I know that God has great things in store for us and who am I to argue with that. We knew then that God was first priority in your life and He had great things in store for you!

Your humor and sweet personality is such an asset to our family! You always make us laugh by being so goofy sometimes! That is what we love about you- you can find the humor in so many things! We love that you are willing to try new things and are not afraid to take chances- such as playing in the pit for the band at DCA when you had never done that before! You were great! :) Also, going to a new school your junior year and making lifetime friends!

Karlee, you have always been and always will be a blessing to us! Our hope and prayer for you is that you always let God lead you in all your decisions throughout your lifetime and put Him first in all you do! We dedicated you to the Lord 17 years ago and we have seen God working and continue working in your life. We are so thankful that God chose us to be your parents! We pray that God will continue to bless you beyond measure in all you do! You make us proud, but more importantly we want you to make our God proud and we know He is so proud of you too!

Our prayer for you is: Ephesians 3:14-20
16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your heart as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

We love you, Karlee more than words can ever say!!!
Mom & Dad