So, did I ever mention my trip to New Orleans for relief work with guys from my church,Calvary Chapel of Downey? Well, this is our friend "Afflack"! He showed up at our pond and came into our outdoor kitchen for breakfast every morning! I even saw him inside the church kitchen also, there at the church that allowed us all to camp and park the motor homes and equipment there in their parking lot. We adopted this little guy as our mascot! It was a real blessing that we had an opportunity to help these people in their time of need! We worked in another church building across town that turned their main sanctuary into a huge warehouse where they gathered donations of food, clothing, medicine and other items to hand out and distribute into some of the affected neighborhoods. We also went into Biloxy and New Orleans to pass out food and supplies, to help gut houses and to talk with and pray with the people. We also met the pastor of Calvary Chapel of New Orleans and his wife and many members of their church.The church and their home are close to the French Quarter and both were pretty much devastated by Katrina. We also cut up quite a few trees while we were there. the people were so gracious and greatful! We also bonded with the little church where we stayed. On another interesting note, one of my sons, Matt, was there at the same time I was, except he was at one end of New Orleans on the missionary ship from Friendships, offering relief at the same time as we were at the other end doing the same! We never had a chance to see each other at the time, but we kept in touch by phone. He and all on the ship were destined to ride out Rita on the ship while in port at Port Charles, or Lake Charles. During that storm, the ship came unmoored and drifted across the river to the other side! Must have been quite an experience! Patty and I got to meet another Calvary Chapel minister on our trip recently at Calvary Chapel of Silver City, New Mexico! I'ts a neat church, one that we hope to call our home when we retire.
That's it for now,
Love in Christ,
cdcwilly

Daddy's poem

 I got this in an e-mail, this is good!
      Daddy's Poem

      Her hair was up in a pony tail,
      her favorite dress tied with a bow.
      Today was Daddy's Day at school,
      and she couldn't wait to go.

      But her mommy tried to tell her,
      that she probably should stay home.
      Why the kids might not understand,
      if she went to school alone.

      But she was not afraid;
      she knew just what to say.
      What to tell her classmates
      of why he wasn't there today.

      But still her mother worried,
      for her to face this day alone.
      And that was why once again,
      she tried to keep her daughter home.

      But the little girl went to school
      eager to tell them all. About a dad she never sees
      a dad who never calls.

      There were daddies along the wall in back,
      for everyone to meet.
      Children squirming impatiently,
      anxious in their seats
      One by one the teacher called
      a student from the class.
      To introduce their daddy,
      as seconds slowly passed.

      At last the teacher called her name,
      every child turned to stare.
      Each of them was searching,
      a man who wasn't there.

      "Where's her daddy at?"
      She heard a boy call out.
      "She probably doesn't have one,"
      another student dared to shout.

      And from somewhere near the back,
      she heard a daddy say,
      "Looks like another deadbeat dad,
      too busy to waste his day."

      The words did not offend her,
      as she smiled up at her Mom.
      And looked back at her teacher, who told her to go on.
      And with hands behind her back slowly she began to speak.
      And out from the mouth of a child,
      came words incredibly unique.

      "My Daddy couldn't be here,
      because he lives so far away.
      But I know he wishes he could be,
      since this is such a special day.

      And though you cannot meet him,
      I wanted you to know.
      All about my daddy,
      and how much he loves me so.

      He loved to tell me stories
      he taught me to ride my bike.
      He surprised me with pink roses,
      and taught me to fly a kite.
      We used to share fudge sundaes,
      and ice cream in a cone.
      And though you cannot see him.
      I'm not standing here alone.

      "Cause my daddy's always with me,     
      even though we are apart
      I know because he told me,
      he'll forever be in my heart"
      With that, her little hand reached up,
      and lay across her chest.
      Feeling her own heartbeat,
      beneath her favorite dress.
      And from somewhere there in the crowd of dads,
      her mother stood in tears.
      Proudly watching her daughter,
      who was wise beyond her years.
      For she stood up for the love
      of a man not in her life.
      Doing what was best for her,
      doing what was right.

      And when she dropped her hand back down,
      staring straight into the crowd.
      She finished with a voice so soft,
      but its message clear and loud.
      "I love my daddy very much,he's my shining star.
      And if he could, he'd be here,
      but heaven's just too far.

      You see he is a Marine
      and died just this past year
      When a roadside bomb hit his convoy
      and taught Americans to fear.
      But sometimes when I close my eyes,
      it's like he never went away."
      And then she closed her eyes,
      and saw him there that day.

      And to her mother's amazement,
      she witnessed with surprise.
      A room full of daddies and children,
      all starting to close their eyes.

      Who knows what they saw before them,
      who knows what they felt inside.
      Perhaps for merely a second,
      they saw him at her side.

      "I know you're with me Daddy,"
      to the silence she called out.
      And what happened next made believers,
      of those once filled with doubt.

      Not one in that room could explain it,
      for each of their eyes had been closed.
      But there on the desk beside her,
      was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.

      And a child was blessed, if only for a moment,
      by the love of her shining star.
      And given the gift of believing,
      that heaven is never too far.
      They say it takes a minute to find a special
      person, an hour to appreciate them,
      a day to love them, but then an entire
      life to forget them.

      Send this to the people you'll never forget and
      remember to send it also to the person that sent
      it to you. It's a short message to let them know
      that you'll never forget them.

      If you don't send it to anyone, it means you're
      in a hurry and that you've forgotten your
      friends.
      Take the time...to live and love.
      Until eternity.
      God bless There must be many children in the same boat as this little girl, thanks
      to our servicemen and their families for the sacrifice they are making to keep
      our country Free.                                                               

checking in

Hello again!
I've been away from the site for awhile. After a week back at work, I've been spending a couple days trying to restore my lap top after some unknown glitch in my media player 11 Quit recognizing my 4300 some odd music files! Nothing was easy and I had more than a few professionals and students miffed! But thanx to my son Sean, friend Larwrence, my wonderful wife and myself, with some brain storming and mundane hands on work, I think it's just about whipped!
Sean said something that to me has two applications. He mentioned the fact that we can use the computer to our heart's content and everything is fine, thank-you! However, at the least little roadblock or problem, we are so quick to complain and air our frustrations! So true! This reminded me of another area where we do the same thing. As a person, I tend to do the same thing in life! Everything is fine as long as no problems come my way, but if they do, man, do I howl!! And, even worse, as a Christian, everything is cool as long as I can cruise on auto pilot! But just let one or two little circumstances cause me a little discomfort or frustration, and it's "why me, God, what did I do?!". It's so easy to say I'm a christian when everything is going my way, but where am I when the rubber meets the road? Hopefully, I am on the road of humility and gratefulness to a God who loves me in spite of my shortcomings and is leading the way to overcome the difficulties in this life. I do believe that we, in this country, have so much to be grateful for, and I would encourage us all to count our many blessings!
Steady on in the name of Christ,
Bill