My Mom! Thanks Mom!

It's 9:05 pm and I am exhausted. I know I am getting old. The days of Southwest Baptist University & Wheaton are over. No more "making memories" by playing spades late into the night only hoping that my Greek book near by would someone enter my mind to pass a test the next day. My days are now filled with early morning workouts, devotions, prayer, book reading, paper reading, breakfast with the boys, making lunches, loving my wife and boys to the max, being apart of an amazing missions staff, living life with a great group of interns, leading a home owners association, dinners with family and friends, etc. I look at my life and I think often about my parents.

The sacrifice, courage, honor, hard work, and love that rolls from my folks is amazing. My mom has owned and modeled all of these and so much more. Just to name a few:

1. No one has ever come to my parents house and did not eat. Regardless of the time of day, night, morning, or midnight hour. And if there wasn't something made then just wait about 7 minutes and a 7 course meal would be on the table. If I didn't play sports I would have weighed 1200 pounds. My mom has the gift of food service!

2. My mom had a beauty shop in our house and she worked hard! And I promise she employed each of those ladies to watch out for her boys. We couldn't get away with a darn thing. But mom would work all day for us to have gas money, food at a ball game, or dessert at Heritage cafeteria.

3. My mom was tough. She never had a sick day or hardly a vacation day in her life. And if she did she worked double the day before or day after. She knew how to fight and push through regardless of what others thought or cared.

4. My mom was present. She never missed a game, assembly, party, carnival, pep rally, speech, tournament, contest, activity and every night I came home from anything regardless how late she was awake. She even walked in to school one day when I had just gotten busted for throwing spit wads in 6th grade. Needless to say I still remember that like yesterday. She made it a point to move me to college and meet all my friends. My mom was present! I would say everyday before I went to school i will call if I get sick will you be home? She always was present. Wow in so many ways.

5. My mom loves by dad. The way my mom respects, honors, and blesses my dad is tremendous. In all my years (32 so far) there has never been a moment mom has not modeled a true love for my dad and her boys. Her love has been pure, true and tough.

I say these 5 things yet 500 more come to mind. Mom you are tremendous, amazing, and loving. You have embraced my crazy calling and endured my family living 10 hours away.

Today girls and boys in India don't have this same story. As you know I love India... 6 trips so far and more to come. So this mothers day I give to a favorite ministry ours (Kay and I) AsOurOwn (www.asourown.org) in your honor so those children may have what I have through this great ministry.

So......THANKS MOM!!!

I LOVE YOU.


Here’s a special way to say, “Thanks, Mom!”

STEP 1 :: Give to our Thanks, Mom! campaign to honor your mom on Mother’s Day, May 8.
(https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/AsOurOwn/OnlineDonation.html?page=tribute)

STEP 2 :: In the donation comments box, tell us what you appreciate most about your mom.

STEP 3 :: Download a certificate for your mom that explains the gift you’ve made in her name.
(http://www.asourown.org/take-action/donate)