Home Sweet Home

A quick update on the move...

I arrived in Pampa on Saturday. Still lots of boxes to unpack, but things are beginning to take shape and it's starting to feel more like home.

I like the layout of the apartment, especially like having a spare bedroom. That's where I put the computer, and it's where I have all those unpacked boxes piled up. It's going to take some time to sort through those.

My mom and sister have been a lot of help. Karen even hung up my shirts grouped by color and alphabetized the spices in the cabinet. Yeah, how long do you think they'll stay that way? But I really appreciate their help.

On moving day, I arranged it so that the satellite installer would arrive soon after the movers left. I couldn't make it a day without my Fox News, you know!

I can't wait until it warms up so I can get out and explore the neighborhood on my scooter.

That's about it for now. Back to the unpacking...

Down to the Wire

This is it. Only two more days until Moving Day.

I now have to navigate my scooter through an obstacle course of boxes around my apartment. So far only minor crashes.

I can't believe all the stuff I have accumulated over the years. When I came to Amarillo 17 years ago, I had a twin bed, a nightstand for a dresser, a card table, my TV and an old sofa. Sometimes, I wish I could go back to those days when life seemed simpler.

I loved living here in Amarillo, and it's going to be hard to leave.

Remember the old TV show "Green Acres," where city slickers Oliver and Lisa Douglas left the lights of the big city to move to a farm in the middle of nowhere? Well, that's kind of what it's like moving from Amarillo to Pampa. Not a lot going on in Pampa.

In all seriousness, though, I know this is the right move. It's where God is placing me for this season of my life.

I'll get to see my family more. (Not sure if that's good or bad.) My mom is there and my sister, and I have aunts and uncles and cousins. I will enjoy spending time with them.

And I'm sure I can find something to do in Pampa. Hey, I can go visit my brick in the high school!

It's now time to go. I'll be packing up the computer tomorrow, so I probably won't have another post until I get settled in at my new place. But keep checking back and I'll keep on writing!

Precious Memories

It was a pretty emotional weekend. As things begin to wind down for me here in Amarillo, it was time to say goodbye to some good friends. Not really goodbye, though, because I know I will see them again. If not in this life, I will see them in the rapture, which is very near.

The weekend started with the Tyler Street outreach. I haven't been able to help with the outreach for several weeks. I wanted to see my street brothers and sisters and hand out tracts one more time before I move.

I remember the first time I walked onto that parking lot nearly five years ago. I didn't know what to expect. Pastor Linney and a few others started the outreach with just a pot of beans to feed to the homeless in the downtown area.

Every Sunday, I would hear Bro. Linney give testimonies of the great things happening on Tyler Street. I was real curious, so one day I decided to go see it for myself. Then, I was hooked.

I was amazed at the number of people standing in the food line. There were 100-150 each week. I couldn't really help serve the food, but I watched as they went through the line. I wanted to do something to help but didn't know what. That's when I came up with the idea to pass out gospel tracts.

I stationed myself at the front of the food line and handed each one a tract as they went by. Some wouldn't take it, but most did.

Even though I don't know most of their names, I consider them friends. These are good people. They just need a little help. Some of the regulars would chat and joke with me. They became my friends. I don't know if they ever read the tracts, but if it made a difference in just one life, it is all worth it.

I am glad I was able to help with the outreach project. It made me see how fortunate and blessed I am. It could've been me -- or any one of us -- in that food line.

I will miss seeing those guys and all the volunteers. Thank you for letting me be a part of this great work. It has changed my life forever.

My busy weekend continued Saturday night. I had dinner with the Saturday Night Live group. SNL (not the TV show) is a group of singles who meet once a month for dinner. The interesting thing about the group is that we all have some kind of disability.

The group is small, but these people have become some of my dearest friends. We can relate to each other. It's neat, too, because when we go out together as a group it shows society that we are regular people.

I'm certainly going to miss these friends, especially Claire. I met Claire in the group, and we hit it off. She is one of the greatest and funniest people I know. She calls me on the phone to talk while other people are often hesitant to call me because they're afraid they can't understand me. Claire and I have had so much fun together over the years. I am proud to call her a friend.

After the dinner, I hurried over to the church, where the young adults had a farewell party for me. That meant more to me than they will ever know! This group has reached out to me and included me in the activities. I always loved going places with them because they are so much fun. I'll miss the Mafia, too!

Thanks for letting me be a part of Renew and for reaching out to me.

The hardest and saddest part of the weekend was saying goodbye to my church family. I am blessed to have been a part of First Assembly.

There are so many wonderful people whom I love dearly. But the Gray family especially had such an impact on my life. They took me in as part of their family and showed me such love. I can never thank them enough. This whole family is a true example of what it means to be Christ-like. May God bless you!

Order Up!

One of the things I will miss most about Amarillo is all the restaurants. New places to eat seem to pop up all the time. Some don't last long, but others stick around a while.

I like to try new places, but I also have my favorites that I keep going back to. I've made a list of places I want to visit one more time before I move. Here's a sample:

Logan's Roadhouse: Great steaks and burgers. But I especially like their dinner rolls. When they're hot and fresh out of the oven, they are so good.

Golden Corral: The best -- and the biggest -- buffet. This thing has everything on it, including my favorite: Chicken fried steak.

Applebee's: I go here for the chicken tenders but also for the desserts.

Country Barn: Best Bar-B-Q anywhere. Sorry, Cattle Call and Dyer's.

Ruby Tequila's: I love their Mexican Pile-On. Also the best chips and salsa.

Arby's: Yes, it's fast food, but I love it. They know what I'm going to order before I order it. I've been there that much.

Burger Barrel: Gotta have one more artery-slammin' cheeseburger before I leave.

Hooters: There's a couple of things I like at Hooters... JUST KIDDING, MOM!

Pizza Planet: Like its name says, best pizza on the planet... or in Amarillo anyway.

I'm hungry just thinking about all this food! Yes, I'm sure going to miss Amarillo, but I'll be back to visit.

You Want Fries with That?

As I prepare to leave Amarillo and move back to my hometown of Pampa, a.k.a. Dullsville, I have been thinking back on some of the experiences I've had here in Big A. One funny memory stands out in my mind.

Not too long ago, I was sitting at the McDonald's drive-through on Amarillo Boulevard. I had ordered and was waiting to pull forward. Now, I have had my share of experiences with transients on the Boulevard coming up to the car window and asking for money.

That's one reason I kept a little spare change in the ashtray. It's not much, but I figured it might buy someone a fast-food meal. I don't mind helping people out like that. We all need help sometimes. But this was a whole new experience.

As I was waiting to pull up, a snaggle-toothed, scantily-clad woman (I think it was a woman) came up to my window. She / He offered me "her services" if I could spare a little money. Only she used a different term, if you know what I mean.

I know the Boulevard has a reputation for being a hangout for these "ladies," but this was a first for me. I didn't know what to say, so I didn't say anything. I peeled out getting up to the window. I got my food, and I was out of there. Haven't been back to that McD's since!

Taking a Stand

What is happening in America?

It’s a sad day when people are criticized for standing up for Jesus Christ and sharing their faith, but that’s exactly what’s happening.

The latest controversy involves the Heisman Trophy-winning American football quarterback for the Florida Gators, Tim Tebow.

Tebow has helped put together an anti-abortion ad for this Sunday’s Super Bowl. The ad, funded by the conservative Christian group Focus on the Family, includes Tebow and his mother, Pam Tebow, encouraging pregnant women to continue their pregnancies as she did.

The ad has sparked a firestorm of attacks and criticism.

Critics, such as women’s and gay rights groups, note that CBS is breaking precedent by airing the ad, as networks have generally avoided political advocacy during the Super Bowl in the past. I guess they don’t have a problem with all the beer ads during the game.

Nevertheless, both Tim Tebow and CBS are standing behind their decision to promote Focus on the Family’s message.

Good for them! It’s time that someone stood up for what’s right.

More Christians need to take a stand without worrying that they might offend someone.

That’s what veteran TV newsman Brit Hume did recently. When asked about Tiger Woods' affairs, Mr. Hume didn’t mince words. He told it like it is.

He said Tiger Woods should trade his Buddhist faith for Christianity if he wants to make a personal comeback. Woods can probably make a comeback in golf, Hume said, but if he wants to get his life straight he needs to turn to Jesus.

Amen! Only in Jesus is there forgiveness of sin.

Hume came under sharp attack for trying to “proselytize.” But he stood by his words and rightfully so. I commend him for taking such a bold stand on national TV.

May more of us follow these examples and share our faith.

It’s time to take a stand. Speak up for what’s right. And let the love of Christ shine through your life.

The Hand of God

God knows exactly what I need when I need it.

Throughout my life, I have trusted in God, and he has always provided -- many times in ways I never expected. The Bible says, “The steps of a righteous man are ordered of God.”

I have seen this play out in my life. From small details to big decisions, such as where to live, God has gone ahead to prepare a path for me.

When I started college, I didn’t know if I’d be able to live on my own in the dorms. I needed certain accommodations because of my disability -- things you don’t normally find in college dormitories. I needed hand rails in the bathroom among other things.

When I went to look at the campus, it was as if God had gone ahead to get things ready for me. The first room they showed me had exactly what I needed, including an automatic outside door right next to the room. There was even a roll-in shower in the bathroom.

I knew God had his hand in that and had orchestrated that move to WTSU in Canyon.

After college, I continued to see God’s hand at work in my life guiding my every step. Six weeks after I graduated, I got a job in Amarillo, and once again God provided me with a place to live.

At the time, I didn’t drive so I needed a place close to downtown so I could ride my three-wheel bike to work.

An old apartment building in a transitional housing complex had a handicap-accessible unit six blocks from the newspaper office where I would be working. To find an apartment like this in the downtown area was nothing less than a miracle.

The complex was designed to provide temporary housing for people with disabilities and others trying to live on their own for the first time. It was really just what I needed. I lived there nearly two years until I got my driver’s license and could move out to a regular apartment.

Even when I moved, I felt God leading me every step of the way.

When my mobility started becoming more limited and I started using a scooter more, I needed more space, especially in the bathroom, to get around.

God, yet again, had prepared the perfect place for me. I was driving around one day and I saw a new apartment complex in northeast Amarillo. I knew the minute I saw it that it was the place I needed. It was completely accessible for a scooter and had an enormous bathroom.

It allowed me to maintain my independence -- with some help from my family.

That place has served me well for nearly nine years, and I loved it there. But now God is preparing me for the next chapter in my life.

I am needing more assistance now because I am weaker and really unable to walk at all. I prayed if God wanted me to stay in Amarillo that he would open the door for me to stay here. But if it is his will that I move to Pampa, where I can be near my family, I asked him to provide a place there.

I checked several assisted-living centers here in Amarillo, and every door was closed to me with long waiting lists. So I looked in Pampa, and everything is falling in place for me to move there in about a month from now.

I will have my own apartment in Pampa, but I will be near my family where I can get help when I need it. I know God’s hand is in this move. He has never let me down, and I know he will see me through.