Reflection....

"A mirror reflects a person's face, but what he is really like,

is shown by the kind of friends he chooses." ~Proverbs 27:19

I have this verse in my office and have always loved it.

Spent yesterday afternoon celebrating the life of Dick Roberts.
It had a "time warp" feel to it at times.
Sitting in pews and across aisles among friends that I have known since I was 6 years old.

Watching the generations before us, who had known each other even longer.
The passing down of friendships, through the years....felt spiritual to me.

It has been said, that in adversity, you will know who your friends are.
I pray for Barbie, Shannon and Grady, that this was true yesterday.
I pray the same, for others who sat there and reflected upon their own sudden and recent losses.

Something about watching your friends be there for each other, soothes your soul. At least it did mine yesterday.

As I sat in the service and receptions, I was reminded of a Bob Goff quote,
"God usually doesn’t pass us messages; He sends us each other."


God, Thank You for the people you send us...and the way You Touch us when You do.


In His Dust,

DCC

Katie's Confirmation...

So we go to Katie's confirmation on Thursday night.

We got all dressed up and even packed a super sized dose of jet lag from Africa-
Which was just perfect, for a 2 hour service, led by an almost 80 year old bishop...and as a bonus....started with these guys.
(I quickly realized that they must be the Catholic Cavaliers.) So, I figured I better settle in and buckle up.

Then came by BFF....
Katie looked gorgeous as usual- of course

There was strong intent in our pew,
to stay awake and be a part of the programThis is literally 3-5 minutes later....
I turned to check "Number One" behind me and he was sawing African logs....
by the time I turned back around....
Big Mike had curled up and was in for the night...

and these "boats" were in my lap...Well, we survived the 2 hour mass, which was beautiful and really special.

"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." ~Proverbs 22:6

As I watched Katie get confirmed, I could feel my friend, her grandmother, Big Kak
beaming with pride at Katie and Kakie.
The Scripture was playing out before my eyes.

The way she has been raised and the passing along of their faith,
has been and still is inspirational for me to watch. It strengthens my faith.


We headed over to Paesano's to celebrate....
sleeping beauty found his place on the table....Then crawled up in my lap and
quickly turned into grumpy bones jones...

The evening was capped off with these long legged cats crammed in my car, for a drop off at the Hunger Games....which quite frankly I am still trying to understand.

God, Thank You for Katie....her mom and her grandmother.

In His Dust,
DCC

Words...

Was reminded this am, as the cool breeze and stars shined down on my sweaty baseball hat,
well before the sun even thought about peeking out, that there was a change in the air....
I was then reminded....it ain't by happenstance....

It's Him.
He is doing something.
He's keeping His Promise in His Word.....

“While the earth remains, seed time and harvest,
Cold and heat,Winter and summer,
And day and night shall not cease.” ~Genesis 8:20:22

He also promises in His Word that...

"He changes times and seasons;
he sets up kings and deposes them.
He gives wisdom to the wise & knowledge to the discerning." ~Daniel 2:21

So, what does this have to do with us today?
His Words from thousands of years ago, stand true today and will tomorrow.

If today finds you anxious, remember God's Words matter.
They over power all other words...they over power tears and fears, with Grace and Mercy.


God, Thank You for bringing people in my life who remind me of Your Constant Presence and Power in my life. May I be the same for others.



In His Dust,

DCC

Chris Madrid....

For those of us who have been eating there since the late 70's...
the name Chris Madrid's has always meant much, much, more than just a greasy burger.

It's the place where you come on your first visit to San Antonio...

It might have been the place you hauled buns too at lunch from AHHS for a quick burger with Miss Steves, Miss Searcy or Miss McWilliams...

It might be the place where you spent every Friday night with your best friends....before you started turning grey and the kids thought it was called Christmas Drid's (because of the lights).It might even be the place you were taken when you were still in your mom's tummy. It might have felt like your "family dinner table"

It might be the place where you want to go on your 40th birthday....

with your favorite people...It might be the place where generations meet and pass down stories and laughs...

It might be the place where you take your Godson for a greasy burger and run into a Presidential Candidate...who wants to talk to you about your burger and your baseball game.

It is where you take your nieces and your children for their first REAL burger.

it is where you introduce your baby girl to what a real atmosphere is

...to the place you "grew up"....

it is the place where you watch games on TV and cheer for your teams...

its the place where your first and favorite bib comes from...

It might be the place where your aunt takes you back to school shopping....

It might be the place where you pose with your first Tostado Burger...

and so does your little brother...when he ups you with THE MACHO...

It IS the place where the owner is as excited about your first Tostado Burger as you are.

It might be the place where you go when you get bad news.

It IS the place that when you arrive, the owner cheers you up by sneaking you to a back corner where you can talk to the Governor and ignore reality over a burger and a cold one.

It might be the place where you take your Godchildren or your children to celebrate a football, baseball, soccer, basketball, volleyball, welcome home from camp...or anything else special....

when you get there, the owner, makes it even more special.

No matter what took you there....or for how many years....one thing was for sure...you were usually greeted by Chris Madrid himself and he ALWAYS thanked you for coming in.

Chris was Biblically Hospitable. He was kind, funny, and genuinely interested in the details of your family and your life.

I have no doubt, the burgers will taste the same...but our Saturday lunches will feel different.

For most of us, it was never just a burger place.

I will miss you my friend...may you rest in peace as God Himself looks at you and says, "well done good and faithful servant."

God, Thank You for the life of this hard working, kind man that I was blessed to call my friend.

In His Dust,

DCC

Good Day...

Well, baseball got going yesterday. It was a gorgeous sunny day. The stands were filled with family, fans and friends. Big Mike D was geared up to hit the fields with big boys!

I poked my head in the dug out and saw this....#2 was concentrating hard...he looked nervous.

"I don't want to mess this up."
I assured him, he wouldn't.
He was good enough to be playing with the big boys for a reason.So there he went...in typical Big Mike D swagger.....
he......didn't strike out.
He made it to first base....stole second and after that scored.

Below captures his return to the dugout.
He was a tad more excited than the older boys...

"You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands."

- Isaiah 55:12

You know its a good day when your big brother has this reaction to your playing.

God Thank You for days that just "feel good"

In His Dust,

DCC