Lover of Renee

Too Long!

2010-02-26T11:55:00.001-08:00

How funny! My last post was Dec. 2008. I guess I decided to take 2009 off and didn't even know it. Amazing year in 2009. Maybe I won't wait so long to post about 2010! Blessings to you all! Keep your eyes open, God is working all the time, and it is amazing stuff!

Christmas Day Tear Down!

2008-12-27T09:16:00.001-08:00

It comes. It goes! The reason never fades. What a hectic time of year for our family. But also the most amazing celebration. Now it's off to the snow with family. Blessings!

Contagious!

2008-12-17T10:31:00.001-08:00

Another one bites the Sandman dust!

Zzzzzzzzzz!

2008-12-17T10:21:00.001-08:00

And then there are moments like this!

His bro!

2008-12-17T10:05:00.001-08:00

TAYLOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My boy?!

2008-12-17T10:03:00.001-08:00

I love him no matter what?! Besides this was Taylor's fault.

Youth Worship Team

2008-11-09T18:33:00.001-08:00

Today the Youth Worship Team led our church family in worship. We also had a guest artist come paint some amazing images. Thank you Father for your amazing gift of creativity.

The SuperHero

2008-11-08T14:23:00.003-08:00

We are finding that Solomon us quite the little dresser-upper. He is pure joy. We constantly laugh at his many antics. We think what it would be like for him if he stayed at the orphanage. And thank God constantly for giving us the opportunity to have Solomon and Markenley in our family.

Winter Wear!

2008-11-08T14:23:00.001-08:00

What can I say? It's cooling down a bit and the boys heads were cold. Granted we live in Ca. and it's only down to the high 60's. But where Marky and Soly are from, where it hardly ever gets below the 80's, this is frigid.

Markenely and the soccer game!

2008-09-06T21:21:00.000-07:00

Markenely has been in the U.S. for less than 4 months. So you can understand that we would be a little apprehensive to throw him into a great social sport event such as soccer. Well we did anyway and today was his first game. The first quarter he just sat on the field near the Goal Box not moving a bit. Even with the action swirling around him, he didn't budge. We encouraged him tremendously but to no avail. The second quarter he sat on the sidelines. But by the third quarter he finally found his soccer legs and was off and running. His smile filled his face. It was a great joy seeing him have so much fun. He only kicked the ball once, but he was on the field having a blast. This is a some of the footage from the game. Enjoy.

Soly goes for a spin!

2008-09-02T08:50:00.001-07:00

Markenley and Solomon came home in May. Life has not been the same since! We have been joyfully exhausted day after day! We wouldn't change it for the world. To see how the boys have adjusted so quickly is a blessing! The pic above is just one example of kids being kids. We've experienced quite a few of these moments. And laughed are pants off. Thank you Father for amazing love and allowing us to be a part of our kids lives!

Say what?!

2008-08-26T18:20:00.001-07:00

This is my buddy Scot's reaction when he saw my daughter driving for the first time. She just got her permit. She is not only a good driver, but she is very beautiful.

New driver!

2008-08-24T19:23:00.001-07:00

My beautiful almost 16 yr. old has her permit and is getting mad road skill training! Go Shanay! You are off to an amazing start.

School starts tomorrow!

2008-08-24T18:34:00.001-07:00

Where does the time go! It seems the days are screaming by! TJ is starting 4th grade tomorrow. Taylor is going to middle school. Then there's the soph. & junior in the house. Aaggggghhhhh! Time please slow down. Blessings to all the kiddos starting school tomorrow. And the parents they're leaving behind!!

Not solicited!

2008-08-22T19:40:00.001-07:00

It's awesome when brotherly love just happens. The boys were on the playground when Markenley, our 4 yr. old decided to give Solomon, our 2 yr. old a kiss. Then he said, 'I love you Solomon! Thank you Lord for the gift of love.

Beach-ware!

2008-08-22T12:36:00.001-07:00

Soly ready for some body-surfin'! Ye-haw!!

More Aquarium!

2008-08-22T12:10:00.001-07:00

Nay-nay loved the penguins since there weren't any giraffes!

Monterey Bay Aquarium

2008-08-22T11:45:00.001-07:00

Took the family to see the fishes, and other amazing God creatures! WOW!!!!!!!

Vacation ice cream!

2008-08-21T23:41:00.001-07:00

Marky and Soly love their ice cream in Monterey. O.K. They really love it anywhere, it's just cooler by the ocean!

more Tay goofin'

2008-08-10T05:59:00.001-07:00

Tay in Seligman

2008-08-10T05:56:00.001-07:00

Guitar Hero Boyz!

2008-08-05T10:56:00.001-07:00

Ooooooops!

2008-07-26T08:26:00.001-07:00

More Fam Pics

2008-07-20T21:40:00.000-07:00

Soly Boy

Oompa Marky

Cookin' with Mommy

Some Of My Fam

2008-07-19T21:40:00.000-07:00

My family!

2008-06-27T00:41:00.001-07:00

Ahhhh! Summer!

2008-06-20T19:11:00.000-07:00

First weeks home!

2008-06-06T23:43:00.000-07:00

1st night home!

2008-05-14T04:51:00.001-07:00

Celebration!

2008-05-12T18:41:00.000-07:00

As most of you have heard, Renee and I are in Haiti. We went to the Embassy this morning at 8:00am and had our Visa appointment. We were then told to come back at 2:30 to pick up the Passports/Visas and original paperwork. Todd (Todd and Ann Marie are friends of ours who got the same appointment met us in Miami and we are going through this together) and I went at 2:15 and at 2:45 received our gifts. What a blessing. Pastor J, who has been helping us and owns a boys school, runs an orphanage, and is a pastor of a church was with us. What a great man of God with a great vision for leading the people of Haiti to Christ. We then picked up the girls and the children and headed off to his home. The school and orphanage are also located at his house. We met a team from YWAM who just arrived to work at the school for 2 weeks and also do street evangelism. Pastor J served us all dinner and we had a great time of fellowship. Then we got a tour of the campus. As we walked around the choir of about 8 broke out singing. We finished the tour, and I couldn't help but run back upstairs to listen more. I also wanted to video-tape. What happened next caught me off guard. As I went upstairs, the weren't just singing, the were on their knees praying to God through song. I wept. I was touched by the Holy Spirit in the most beautiful way. The sang for 20 minutes, some times standing, sitting, kneeling, dancing. It was so beautiful. I so miss the simple acoustic sound of God's children worshipping before Him. Oh, I absolutely love the instruments just as much, but this was so pure. So real. So much love for their God. I closed my eyes and was swept up by the Holy Spirits gentle breath. Thank you Father for your wonderful reminder of your amazing love. One of the songs they were singing was Here I Am To Worship. Now mind you, this was all in Creole, but music is truly the universal language. This was in an unlit room with little light coming in from outside. But the light that was shining in that room this evening was brilliant. I will share the video at some point, but for right now, just close your eyes and let God share the picture with you. It was a very sweet ending to an exciting day. Thank you all for sharing in our journey. It is truly just beginning. The boys are great and we are coming home tomorrow. We get in at 10:20pm at SF. Blessings all. Thank you again.

Todd Tips #2

2008-05-09T00:58:00.001-07:00

PRAISES!!!!!!

2008-05-08T09:48:00.000-07:00

Our sons are coming home. We just got the news that the boys' Visas are ready to be picked up on Monday. Thank you for all of your prayers and support! It's an extra special happy day!

Make-up time for TJ

2008-05-07T22:30:00.000-07:00

Coming Home!

2008-05-05T10:10:00.000-07:00

Those two little boys, my sons, in the picture above are coming home any day now. We are just waiting for the call from the Consulate that the Visas are ready. All the paper work is turned in. It is time. We are asking God for His mercy and help that the boys will be home for Mother's Day. What a precious gift that would be. We are thanking God for this journey. From losing Noah, to the decision to continue to adopt, to being introduced to Markenely and Solomon and falling in love with them immediately. God is gracious and good all the time. Especially in the dark times. May He continue to light all of our paths. Blessings friends!

Great News!

2008-04-21T07:43:00.000-07:00

Kiki just E-mailed us and told us the investigation is done and he is setting up our Visa appointment for the boys. That means we will hear any day now that it is time to go to Haiti and bring them home. They could be here before the end of the month. Aaaahhhhh! Our boys will be sleeping in their beds very soon, and fighting with TJ over just about everything. Yipee! TJ can't wait to teach them how to hold and throw a football, baseball, basketball, etc. Thank you Father for this reality of the dream you placed in our hearts. Please bring them home safely. Thanks friends for your support. You are going to help drastically change these boys lives.

Wow!

2008-04-20T14:13:00.000-07:00

It's been 18 days since my last post. Shame on me. Oh well. Life flies by.

My Jessie Bear is going for an endoscopy tomorrow. Please pray for a revelation. That we can finally figure out what is making her so sick. She has had more good days than bad in the last month, but she is really tired of not feeling well. Please pray for complete healing. Thanks so much. Blessings!

Todd Tips Props Apology

2008-04-02T14:29:00.000-07:00

Watch the video below for the new and improved #1

This post is part of Watercooler Wednesday.http://randyelrod.typepad.com/ethos/2008/04/watercooler-wed.html A radical way to community. Try it, you'll like it! Win an iPod. Bring a friend and let them win the iPod.

These tips will be random and weird. No regularity. Just like the wind.

My WW entry this week is a reminder to give props when props are due. Don't take the glory when it's due someone else. Thank those that inspire you and help you create. And of course at end of the day, thank God for the very breath to do it all.

Todd Tips #1 Take 2

2008-03-30T21:34:00.000-07:00

It hurts more in slo-mo!

2008-03-27T21:47:00.000-07:00

See more funny videos at CollegeHumor

Unconditional LOVE!

2008-03-25T20:21:00.000-07:00

Oh Lord that I can do your work everyday I am here. This was from RagamuffinSoul.
I’m in verse 2 and I look to my left and am hit like a blind side pick and roll.
Swaying on the front row was a guy I later learned was named Matt.
Standing in front of him was another guy named Jefferson.
It was a moment that stands out above all else in my 11 years of leading worship.
You see Matt and Jefferson were worshipping God, together.
Literally.
Jefferson has severe cerebral palsy. He has little, if any control over his body.
Matt was standing behind Jefferson.
Holding Jefferson.
20 minutes.
Dancing with Jefferson and singing at the top of his lungs.
Jefferson was singing too. I think could hear him.
And it was the most beautiful song I have ever heard.

Here it is, Easter in an image:

Never too old to preach the WORD!

2008-03-25T19:50:00.000-07:00

TjTv Series premier!

2008-03-18T00:43:00.000-07:00

I was a little early on my entry to Watercooler Wednesday. Long time reader, first time contributor thang! This has become my favorite non-Hollywood movie. My son brings me much joy and plenty of laughter.

My Boyz!

2008-03-16T21:12:00.000-07:00

Well, I haven't written about my boyz in a while. I so miss them. They are so much a part of me and it's been 7 months since I was with them last in Haiti. I was hoping that this post would be me telling the world that they are home. Nestled in their beds. Sharing music videos on this blog. My God is not finished with the process yet. Patient I will be. Trustful I will stay. In His time and in His glory my boyz will come home. My prayer is that it will be soon. That I will not miss another moment of their growing up. God grant us this prayer. The day is close I feel it. My family is itching for those cute smiles to be in our every day activities. Renee has been a trooper. It has been the most difficult on her as the nesting thang has been in full motion for some time. But she is ready. Ready to assume the mother role for #'s 7 & 8. What a great mom she will continue to be for our children. I thank God immensely for her. What an amazing person, in and out. I am so in love with her. It aches. Thank you Father for this blessing in my life. Well, until soon and very soon, when I shout it from the mountain tops that Jesus is Lord and my boyz are coming home! Praise God. Blessings to you all!

AAAARGH!

2008-03-15T22:05:00.001-07:00

Me and the Mrs. Oh yeah and the Boy!

2008-03-15T21:39:00.000-07:00

Who am I REALLY?!

2008-03-15T21:36:00.001-07:00

Your results:
You are Iron Man

Iron Man		90%
Supergirl		83%
Superman		80%
Green Lantern		80%
The Flash		75%
Catwoman		70%
Spider-Man		55%
Hulk		45%
Robin		43%
Wonder Woman		43%
Batman		35%

Inventor. Businessman. Genius.

Click here to take the "Which Superhero am I?" quiz...

Good Parenting!

2008-03-13T09:23:00.000-07:00

"What" do you say , "is twitter?"

2008-03-12T23:27:00.000-07:00

Sweetness!

2008-03-10T23:51:00.000-07:00

from my friends blog... pretty nice use of modern day technology!

So per last weeks Creative Chaos entry, we did the Rock Band opener at church this Sunday.
After fine tuning things for the 11, sorry 9 but it happens, I think we landed well at the 11.
Billy Phenix hosted the service and came out explaining how we are in a series where Andy and Clay are talking about our desires to be great.
He explained the game of Rock Band and how, on some levels, it creates that feeling of greatness for the players.
We started the song and over the intro Billy introduced the band, noting the form of the game, that the players are playing toy instuments, and that Heath from FEE is singing.
Then we went right into it.
You only get the board feed in this audio but the crowd was really into it.
Billy then came out and wrapped the game up with another small explanation for the few hundred people who came in during the song…
Here you go.

B'rillant!

2008-03-06T19:58:00.000-08:00

Vertizontal: NIN Making History

2008-03-02T23:16:00.000-08:00

Check this post out from JVo. Great deal from Nine Inch Nails

Vertizontal: NIN Making History

Tender Love from the King of The Jungle!

2008-02-29T14:43:00.001-08:00

Google-Fight-You'll love it!

2008-02-29T00:20:00.001-08:00

http://www.googlefight.com/

Pop Quiz!

2008-02-28T21:12:00.000-08:00

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Midland "You have a Midland accent" is just another way of saying "you don't have an accent." You probably are from the Midland (Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and Missouri) but then for all we know you could be from Florida or Charleston or one of those big southern cities like Atlanta or Dallas. You have a good voice for TV and radio.
The South
Philadelphia
The Inland North
The Northeast
The West
Boston
North Central
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

Frozen In Time!

2008-02-28T00:17:00.001-08:00

TJ and Daddy workin' IT!

2008-02-21T15:10:00.000-08:00

Doin' the bonding thang while showin' the hardwood who's BOSS.

A great offer!

2008-02-20T12:28:00.000-08:00

This is from my friend Randy, the creator of the cre:ate conference and Kalein. He is one of the nicest people I have ever met and his biggest gig in life is to inspire people to live out God's purpose for life. He is madly in love with the arts and especially artists. Please take him up on his offer,if you are able, to sponsor a beautiful child from Compassion.

Here is what he says:

If you will join me and sponsor a child from Uganda for only $32. per month, I will send you free a signed print of this picture, or if you have already sponsored a child and would like either of the prints I have offered, put a comment HERE and let me know which one you would like.

I would like to ask you to copy the photo of the watercolor below to your blog or website and use the above paragraph (be sure to include the links) to extend this offer to your readers. We want to sponsor as many children as we possibly can. There are hundreds of children like the child in the watercolor who need a sponsor. Thanks for spreading the word.

Pooped!

2008-02-18T22:24:00.000-08:00

It's better to be pooped than pooped on! One of my Pastors told me there is a product that removes cat pee smell from carpet and it has poop in the name. Wow, now that is marketing. Anyway, we are replacing the floors in our kitchen, entry, and Living room. It is massive work. Therefore, I am pooped. Funny all the little bunny trails we travel. Love all around to the masses. Thank you God for your creation. Keep looking up y'all, the view is amazing. Good night!

re:create final thoughts!

2008-02-11T22:56:00.000-08:00

It has only been a few days since leaving Franklin and more importantly the cre:ate'rs! What an amazing group of creative, God-loving people. The atmo was intense. The food amazing. The sleep little. The hotel internet blah. The tornadoes sneaky. The talks mind-blowing. The experience experiential. The JVo touch out-of-the-box. The Jon T the man. The Swag swanky. The Roland choir in the corner of the room spooky. The Ranster and Christer amazing guiders of the heart. The new songs inspiring. The friends encouraging. The communion Thank you Lord for the blood shed for us. The Cruise meant for someone else. The cars works of art. Kalein Ahhhhhh! Wow! and finally........The worship humbling!

Thank you my Father for the heart of those who inspire to create...

...'til next year twitters!

A Mom and her son!

2008-02-09T09:44:00.000-08:00

This is one of my all-time favorite pics.
This is Markenely and Renee at the
orphanage. The look in Renee's eyes is
priceless to me. She has such a heart
for the little ones. She was so sad thinking
that these kids have been abandoned.

Solomon and I the first time we met!

2008-02-09T09:36:00.000-08:00

re:create Day#4

2008-02-07T22:41:00.000-08:00

...and we come to the close of cre:ate 08...and yet we find ourselves at the beginning:

Knowledge gained,
perched to be poured out.
Friendships made;
longed to be lived out.
Creativity unfettered
on yet another day.

Worship raised,
released all sung out.
Life infused,
breathed inside out
Creativity bettered
on yet another day.

Thank you God of creation!

Too many things to list, but here are the highlights:
Mark Roach started us off with pointed heart
Mark Stuart, for me, confirmed my passion for the lost of Haiti (Father cover the Children)
Communion set to an incredibly artistic aroma and flare by the hands of Mike Lewis, The Jesus Painter.
Ken Davis, thank you for reminding me of the open windows, and to turn around, and the words out of the mouths of babes, and ... and ... and ... No Fear!
Lunch on the run.
Common dreams shared with a pastor local to me.
Kalein-What is there to say. Lord please let the dream become a reality in its entirety.
Native American brother and sisters in Christ thank you for sharing your heritage.
Night-nap on the bus ride back.
Word music and their artists-giving, giving, giving. Thanks!
Swag. Pizza. Blogging. Saying good-night to my love. Love You R!

re:create Day#3

2008-02-06T21:59:00.001-08:00

Wow! ...and again I say Wow! Another incredible day at re:create. Carribean Cruise drawing to my good friends Rick and Laura. Yippee! They really deserve the trip. Although Renee and I would really enjoy it as well. Wait! There's another chance tomorrow. Yippee x2! Michael Olson-amazing voice and heart. Marty McGehee-still singing for God well after the 4Him days. Dr. Thom from Azusa talking movies and the industry and creativity and relevance and applicability! Lunch. Jon T. blowing our minds up with incredible knowledge and heart sold out for the people to know Christ. Thank you Jon!! Great car show of old authentic restored cars. I mean a lot of cars. Pics coming soon. Great exercise in "Design is the Purposeful Arrangements of Parts" led by John Watts. What can I say, Randy knows some down right creative out-of-the-box thinkers. Thanks for sharing your sandbox Randy! EMI/WorshipTogether label treated us to an amazing meal. ...and some great up-n-coming artists and some others who have been around awhile. They love God and music and marrying them together. Thanks all. And now I lay me down to sleep..... Love you R!!!

re:create Day#2

2008-02-05T21:21:00.000-08:00

A great day of discussions about what keeps us up at night Spiritually, Personally, and at Work. Great input and ideas from a lot of diverse people and situations from around the country. Great resources shared during the Scan portion of the morning. Too bad I don't have any time to explore them all. Oh Well. Matthew West-great testimony and voice and heart. Storytelling-what can I say? Met a lot of cool people that I have spent the last several years sharing ideas with. Mainly them with me. It was great to put faces to the names. Integrity provided a great atmosphere for worship and dinner. They didn't plan the tornado but it was a great effect. Worship was awesome. God, more awesome. Even the electricity going off made for some sweet harmonic singing. What a an incredible last song, Your Name. What a way to end the event. Good night all. Love you Renee!

re:create Day #1

2008-02-04T22:55:00.000-08:00

Wow what a day! Amazing people here at r:c! I look forward to a whole lot more conversation and excellent food! Thanks Randy for taken care of us! Thank you God for really taking care of us. Blessings friends!

Dunn Boyz 2

2008-02-04T22:52:00.001-08:00

This is the video from our trip to Haiti in August. Our boyz are coming home soon. Thank you Father!

Jessica Why

2008-02-04T22:50:00.001-08:00

This is my JessieBear singing in church a song we love!

Saturday morning breakfast

2008-02-02T10:12:00.001-08:00

Sittin' here enjoying a Saturday mornin' breakfast burrito, with my beautiful wife Renee, made by my daughter Jessica. Taylor has two performances today of Bridge to Terabithia then the run is over. My son T.J. is slurpin' down his food ready for his energetic day. Shanay is still sleeping. Noah is dancin' with Jesus. Sharene just called about dental coverage. She needs her wisdom teeth pulled. Markenley and Solomon are still in Haiti at the orphanage awaiting passports and visas so they can join their new family here in Ca. Off to finish projects around the house. Blessings!

2005-02-10T00:15:00.000-08:00

My Love and I!

2005-02-09T23:58:00.000-08:00

My wife!

2005-02-09T23:54:00.000-08:00

My wife has been having chest pains. Please pray for her. Thanks.

Come on in!

2005-02-09T23:48:00.000-08:00

Welcome friends!
Check back from time to time for news and updates
Luv Y'all!