ONE MONTH TO LIVE - THIRTY DAYS TO A NO REGRETS LIFE

nice work, bro

nice work, man

All I had to do was bake the pie!

Last week I visited my parents in Michigan. Prior to my visit I had asked my Mother what she would do if she had one month to live and she said that she would try to connect with as many relatives and friends as possible and eat a slice of her favorite pie every day. So, I promised that when I arrived I would bake her favorite pies, a different one each day. The day I arrived the fun began, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends coming and going every day, stopping by to enjoy the pie. Everyone was anxious to hear why all this fuss about the pies. We were happy to share the One Month to Live Challenge with them. Everyone was eager to share their story too. There was lots of laughter, tears and hugging! It truly was the work of our Father God bringing us all toghether! I will tuck this memory deep in my heart and remember always that our Father God's plan for me for the day may be only to bake the pie!

each day I wake up and try to have a positive outlook on my life. I thank Jesus for never letting go of me no matter weather I was wrong or right.I ask him to come and save this world to take away the negative things from my life that seem to take me away from God.Like that stinking Devil.the things places people that take my focus from the things and steps of actions that I need to focus on.I today live my life not in denial but in a new possitive way.PRAYER first and rejoicing in the presens of my God.Worshiping and praising him for his worthiness and blessings he has become in my lifetime. I have always had a personnel relationship with Jesus but somehow seem to lose focus and stray into the worldly ways and somewhere because of my Jesus love he has for me he has always kept me above going under even at times I myself relized I should of. Now tell me ISN'T OUR GOD JESUS JUST THE MOST BESTEST,MOST AWESOMEST GOD EVER!!!YES HE IS.! I LOVE MY GOD!!!.

One month to live. Well I already started this December 1, 2007 after getting all charged up at FOTW on the topic, "If you had one month to live." By December 5, 2007 aside from moving ahead in my career and possibly seeing my parents more in Connecticut, I realized personally there isn't much to change right in front of me. I have a wonderful wife, amazing 3 year old son with another baby boy on the way. We have been blessed up till this time living life to its fullest together as a family. I really had to think out of the box this month to live like I had 30 days to live. Now at month end, I managed to find several ways to make a difference which I will share one. My wife and I decided to take part in Angel Tree and donate a gift to one child this year. We purchased the gifts and wrapped it up then delivered it to FOTW. Upon walking into the courtyard, hundreds of bikes, thousands of presents and fed-ex trucks all over the place. It took everything in me not to cry. Give God a little and he will do amazing things. It is this experience among many this year being a member of fellowship has brought to our lives.

Recently, I came home from work one night and asked my 3 year old son what he had in his hand. He said, "Daddy, I got this at kid church (FOTW). It says that Jesus Loves Me. They taught us how to sing and you have to put your arms in the air and go back and forth, back and forth. I really like kid church Daddy."

Thanks to Pastor Kerry, FOTW staff and band for an amazing Christmas service as always. January 1, 2008 starts a new 30 days for me. We shall see what joys, success and challenges the new year brings together as a family at FOTW.

The idea of have one month to live is a scary for me. I have not lived the life that I want just yet. I am a good person, but I sometimes regret not doing things or even sometimes regret things that I do. If I knew life was over in 30 days, I would become a more honest and blunt person. I would tell my wife I love her more often, I would pray more often, I would talk to my children more often. I guess I already can see by writing this what Pastor Kerry's message is in his book even before reading it. Why am I not doing these things now? Wow! I wish I knew. I really wish I knew. You know how we always make New Year's resolutions but most of us never seem to follow through with them? Why is it that we seem to get loving and giving during Christmas time but not all throughout the year? I want to try to do better at these things. I can not make a "resolution" to just outright change, but I can make an effort to live as if tomorrow is not promised. I thank Pastor Kerry and FOTW for being an inspiration to me for the last four years that I have attended his church.

If I had one more month to live, I would spend it with Friends and Family (daughter and grand-daughter). Unfortunately my son will be leaving for IRAQ December 27th, it would be tough not to spend those last days with him. But I would tell him I loved him, by phone or letter, and that I will see him again in heaven.