I guess this is update time! Last post was a reminder about my Pro Flowers Rant from last year.

Earlier POST on the BIRD STORIES - I am more aware than usual and got a couple cool pics at work Sunday afternoon!




Now for the good and bad for today....

I want to start with the good - or should I say AMAZING!!

I had a friend walk up to me and hand me a check Saturday night to go toward Ben Vail's Zambia trip. My son Ben is going to work at an Orphanage for the Summer and had to raise $6000.00 support to volunteer for Every Orphans Hope - a new Christian based ministry serving the Orphans of Africa and around the world.

I folded the check and stuck it in my pocket, thanking my friend for the support. I didn't look at it because that's what musicians do; we look later. Well, I was at Church working and kind of forgot till Sunday morning that it was in my pocket! I got online early Sunday and remembered I had a check for Ben, and almost fell over when I saw it!

$2,000.00 - TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS!!!!!

Ben was at about the half way mark needing 3k to raise before June 1st. We now have less than a thousand dollars to raise and it looks like Ben is on his way for sure! I am sooooooo excited for him!! He was soooooo blown away!

This process has been an exercise of Faith for both of us. Ben stepped out and made himself available to go into a very difficult situation and serve the orphans - a call all Christians have dictated in the Bible and one that every human being should feel the need from time to time and respond! Kids need our help! IT is THAT SIMPLE!

Ben has been trusting God that somehow the funds would be made available to go and help! That's a big faith for a kid with struggling parents in an economy that continues to get worse for us!!

As for me - A parents response is always wanting to let the kid do what they can do and then be able to say, "You did your best, Mom and Dad are going to pick up the rest!" NOT AN OPTION in 2010!! I have had to trust God as much as Ben for the money. knowing that I am not making rent or bills on time, lost another weekly job and DO NOT have the ability to "pick up the rest!"

That is a tough one. We all know - we want the best for our kids! Most of us are having to work in very small definitions of these words in out current world.

The outpouring of support and interest from so many has been amazing! The fact that we are so close is encouraging! The gift from my dear friends responding to God's direction is inspiring! God showing Ben how much He love's him and taking care of my boy is humbling! I was moved to tears and stand in total awe of how awesome God is and the difference he is making in us all! I am so grateful that He allows us to do our little part, and then He does the rest - over and over again!

I have to say - God has done amazing things for me more times than I could ever count! I have experienced that awesome awareness and humbling thanks sooooo many times in my life! BUT - The really amazing thing was seeing it happen for my son! This experience is way deeper than a 200 million dollar lottery ticket could be! As a Dad, I was moved beyond anything I have experienced thus far in my life!

To those that don't know HIM yet, I pray no offense is taken by a Dad's need to say GOD IS GOOD! HE BLOWS ME AWAY!!!!

I encourage you to drop into Ben's BLOG and follow the process thru funding and off to ZAMBIA! Ben Vail dotcom is my boy online. Follow Ben's story and maybe send him a not of encouragement! If you would like to be apart of the financial support - partner with Ben by giving. We only need 200 more people to give 5 dollars each!

In other economy related news - I just lost my Thursday gig and need more work that pays! I am trusting for my needs and asking for a little prayer and any ideas y'all might have as to work options I might have missed. Thanks!!