The General Principle

I'll say I can definitely utilize my daughter when remembering that in fact, YES, time DOES fly. I can still remember hearing her heartbeat for the first time, or letting her listen to Ryan Leslie's "VALENTINE" in her mommies womb, and feeling her move swiftly to the 808's. In hindsight, them beats were probably creating some serious vibrato for my lil Super.

Fast forward to this day, she knows her ABC's, can count significantly, and is probably the most polite children you'll ever meet. WITH THAT SAID, I'll also add, remember, she just turned 2, so, much like every other 2 year old, she's going through her phase just the same. Somewhere along the way, she picked up the noun NO, and uses it fluently lol!

Just before her birthday, we teamed up with Christin Armstrong, of Christin McQueen Photography and took some pictures, which I think (if you've met her) you'll agree is the epitome of her likeness! That photo shoot was hard work, keeping in mind, she's still just a  2 year old. At any rate, here are some pics from the shoot.

SUPER, mommy and daddy salute you!!!

I secretly was near ready to burst out of my skin as the days led closer and closer to July 9, 2011, when we would be headed to St. Thomas U.S. Virgin Islands. A friend told me never to get too excited, because you never know what could happen to ruin your chances of going...I heard her loud and clear, but her attractive advice was quickly muted whenever I would envision the true blue water or the white sandy beaches which awaited me.

Fast forward to July 9, first of all, we hadn't packed until the day of. It just seems like our life is so fast paced, every minute is accounted for. Literally, the day we were scheduled to leave for Austin, (where we would fly out of Austin-Bergstrom to St. Thomas) I had a 6 o'clock social gathering with a major PR Firm in Houston. I jetted to Central Houston to attend that, and jetted back to Humble to scoop my wife and daughter and drive through the night to Austin. Needless to say, I didn't sleep but a couple of hours. We headed to the airport around 4:30 a.m. to catch our flight.

I guess things never quite pan out the way we envision them in our mind. I've learned it's not a horrible thing at all, it's just our subconscious hoping for the best. The boarding at Austin's airport was like waiting in line for a free ticket(s) to a Jay-Z concert....at MADISON SQUARE GARDEN...IT WAS NUTS!!! We have a toddler, and she was absolutely not impressed with all the walking, sitting, standing, checking in, checking out, boarding etc. By the time we were seated on our plane, she was over stimulated and amid a sea of emotions. She rallied herself into a state of somewhat serenity when presented with an iPod...



We arrived on St. Thomas at about 2:30p.m., and when I stepped off the plane, I was greeted with literal rolling hills of trees. Stepping off a plane into the outside air of an Island made me feel exactly how President Obama does every time he steps off of Air Force One. I felt like "I HAD DONE MADE IT"!!! 40 Acres AND they mule ain't had nothing on me lol! We walked into the airport, and family was everywhere waiting for us. Many, I hadn't seen since my wife and I got married in '06, and some I hadn't met at all, so it was destined to be a great week!

We headed to grandma's Island Villa, and retreated to island living indeed! It took some time getting used to no a/c in the house, but I enjoyed even that, because I know things like this add to the experience...makes for great memories, ya know! We must've gone to the beach almost immediately, just in time to catch the sunset and eat some good food! We stayed out there for several hours, losing track of time...the way it should be!!!!



We visited so many places, I can't even begin to talk about the beautiful scenery out there. It feels worlds away, and everyone is so nice. The understanding on the whole Island is to speak to people, saying "Good morning" during the morning hours, or "Good evening", later in the day! It created a climate and culture of  character, and it really spoke volumes to the standards set on "THE ROCK". My father-in-law knows his way around the Island, so he took us around, and soon enough, I got the courage to start driving on my own.  Locals drive on the left hand side of the road there, sort of like the British, so naturally it took some getting used to, but as expected...I managed!


We visited the Islands of St. John, Tortola, but more than anything, we couldn't wait to set our feet aboard the dock of Harris' Place Restaurant on Jost Van Dyke Island. My wife's Grandfather built the restaurant, and since he passed, my Aunt in Law, "Cynthi", has been running the restaurant like a well oiled machine, though she may jokingly beg to differ! We stayed the weekend on the grounds of the restaurant; It is well equipped with more than 5 living quarters... so it was like being in a dream! Eating good food on the water, fishing all day and night! You couldn't pay to get that peace of mind living in the city! NO WAY!!! We took picture after picture, but I'd like you to see a classic view of the Harris' Place Restaurant from the Atlantic Ocean~


I could go on and on about our 12 day trip there. The pictures are endless, and so are the memories. My brother in law caught a baby shark, which was pretty cool; He was really a patient fisherman, which is necessary! Fish aren't totally mindless contrary to what humans believe. After being on Jost Van Dyke for 3 days,  we were set to head to Tortola, another nearby Island to spend time with more family, before we headed back to St. Thomas to close out our trip. There was alot of traveling going on, having visited 3 other Island aside from my mainstay! At a point, I felt like a Hotel Bellman, dragging bags, bags, and more bags from one boat to the next...I think we were all ready to throw our heavy luggage into the Ocean...


One thing I can say is that I felt no stress, no urge to rush where I was going, and no "GO GO GO" mentality like I have when I'm at home in Houston. It felt really good just to sleep late if I wanted to, stay up late, and not worry about time. Living in the city has the ability to keep you in a bit more of a controlled state, and I hardly felt like that while away from the States. I enjoyed it so much. The water was crazy blue, the wind was blowing pretty much always, and I slept so good while I was there. I took more naps in those 12 days than I may have taken all year, and that's for sure. I got plenty of rest. Imagine falling asleep on the beach and waking up to this...


I'm tellin' you, it was like being in a dream, and being devastated when it's time to wake up!!! I plan to be back on that white sand soon and very soon...

Reeghordliss

In the wake of my school districts recent (RIF) restructuring of staff, personnel, and other entities, I've been affected! Yep, I got the news last week that I was being placed on the ACCESS LIST (a term I use loosely); Though it doesn't mean I'll be jobless next school year, it means I am STILL on the access list, and undeniably it serves as a massive blow to any teacher, who has a passion for their role in and outside the classroom! Since receiving the news, I've been approached by many of my co-workers, several of whom are surprised, and want to offer words of encouragement, because, as I said, though I'm not jobless, it still means, I have to apply to a new school, because my school is experiencing cutbacks, and I'm next in line to go (according to the RIF policies or whatever)!

I worked vigorously today in applying for internal jobs within my district; Trying to create a bit of gain for myself (I feel as though I'm amid a literal rat race)! It's come upon me so unexpectedly (as well as the other chosen teachers), but then again, this is most certainly the test God told me would be soon to follow my breakthrough of blessings. I read a book by Perry Stone, entitled, "Purging your house, Pruning your family Tree", in which he spoke about satan's counter attack. Just when we've sat down for a glass of iced tea, and began to rejoice on the goodness of God, here comes satan....ROUND TWO!!!

It's honestly all good, I understand the politics of it all. I know it's not personal, at least I dare not think so. I've learned in graduate school that these things happen, and are typically projected a year or so in advance. If we just take subtle glances around us, we'll note, their happening quite often now! Turn on your local news station in basically any state, and you'll concur, long gone are the days when the educator was a safe secure job! A coworker and I got to talking about this SIGN-O-THE-TIMES if you will, and she told me to google "10 signs the U.S. is becoming a 3rd World country!" I did, and this is what I found ...skeptics and believers alike, DO BE ENLIGHTENED!!!! We are moving swiftly in this direction!!!

Rheeghordliss

"There is unique power in your testimony. When God has answered a prayer, met your personal need, or performed a healing or a miracle, then we should boldly testify of what the Lord has done."

It's pretty late, I just got through writing a 7 page paper for my School Personnel class, so I'm on a roll. I've been really fascinated as of late with the importance of staying in God's purpose for my life, and understanding more and more what peace it brings. Currently, I have several projects going on at one time, and I don't consider them a burden by any means; it's actually exciting (living in my purpose), because God has freed me of so many negative thoughts, stressors, etc.

It's amazing the difference between my days and nights now, and just a month or so ago. Everyday, I thank God for renewing my mind, restoring my peace, and allowing me to go through a series of hardships and tests, as I truly see what people mean when they sing fervently, "Your grace and mercy, brought me through".

I just completed 'Purging your house, Pruning your family tree" by Perry Stone, a famed 4th generation evangelic minister. This book teaches on how a curse could've been placed on your family tree many years before you were conceived, and what can be done to break it, as well as purging your house of negativity and seeking balance through the word of God.

The freedom I feel is indescribable; I literally feel like I'm floating as a result of being delivered out of the mouth of the lion (a term I use loosely), and once again seeing how merciful God is. I'm now reading another one of Perry Stone's books entitled, "Secrets from beyond the Grave", in which he looks at the afterlife, answering important questions such as 'Where do the soul and spirit go after death?' 'What about purgatory, aborted infants, cremation, and suicide?' etc. Stone's ability to consistently tie real life to the word of God is what keeps me fascinated. I won't even spoil you, but I will say, both of these books MUST be read by anyone seeking full understanding of God's word as it relates to this life, being closer to God and understanding what science cannot.

As a motivational measure, I'll give you some excerpts from each book:


Purging your House, Pruning your Family Tree:

~The enemy exerts pressure in your mind to suppress your knowledge of God. One form of knowledge is that which is stored in the memory bank of your mind. The Lord uses your memories in a positive manner to remind you of His goodness and ability.

~Bad memories must be buried in the grave of the past and never be resurrected. However, good memories can be recalled to remind us of when God came through for us-when He answered a prayer, performed a miracle, or blessed us in an unexpected manner.

~Weak believers are often unprepared for the strongholds in the promised land and unaware of the fact that battles often precede blessings.

~Hanging with the wrong crowd will stunt your spiritual discernment and affect your walk with God!



Secrets from Beyond the Grave:

~There are three worlds, one seen and two unseen. Yet the unseen realm is as tangible as the seen.

~"Things in earth" are living human beings. "Things in heaven" include God, Christ, and the angels. "Things under the earth" include chambers where fallen angels are bound in chains of darkness while waiting for the day of their judgment (2 Pet. 2:4)

~It is clear that hell was never created for man but originally was intended only for Satan and his rebellious angels.

~The Bible was not written by Harvard or Yale professors but by forty different authors whose backgrounds were as shepherds, farmers, fisherman, a tax collector, a doctor, and a well-educated Pharisee(Paul). They wrote very simply and literally. Angels are literal, demons are literal, and heaven and hell are literal. The streets of gold are not a picture of the foundations of divine authority, but they are literal streets with literal transparent gold!

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This blog post isn't necessarily about me forcing you to go purchase these books, though I'm certain they'll change your life as well as how you view the world around us, and it's ultimate meaning. The way Stone breaks down the Dead Sea or the Ten Vile Vortices (Google please) will make the hair on your arms stand up.

Believe in God, believe his promises, believe in his return, believe in his hand over your life; DO NOT assume that things happen just because. BELIEVE and DECREE in the goodness of our God. Believe you are restored, and YOU WILL BE!



He's coming, just like he said he would...SAVE THE DATE!!!

~Rheeghordliss