I am beginning this journey of blogging and sharing my experiences in life because I believe God is telling me to and to possibly help others get through their dark times.  I have experienced a variety of highs and lows throughout my lifetime and I believe God allowed me to go through them so I can share my testimony with you to let you know there is hope. 

I was born and raised in Roanoke county, Virginia.  With few exceptions my childhood was normal for the 1970s and 1980s in a country setting.  High school was more difficult for me until my family moved to Blacksburg, Virginia, between my junior and senior years, where the diversity of the students brought everyone together.  I was not a good student until my last year of high school and I enlisted and left for the Marine Corps right after graduation. 

The  Marine Corps offered me the opportunity to travel the world and create friendships that are still strong after 30 years.  The Corps gave me some of the best and the worst experiences in my life and I would not change a thing if I could.  I have experienced many foreign countries spanning six continents.  I got to spend my 21st birthday in Israel for Easter week, observe the breeching of a whale from the side of an aircraft carrier, met and married the perfect woman, and created an awesome family that continues to grow.  To contrast those good experiences, I have also know the terror of being shot at by a ruthless enemy, watched as brothers were killed, and felt the fear of gravity pulling a helicopter out of the sky. 

After retiring from the Marine Corps, I went through the other side of deployments as my son (who joined the Corps) was deployed into to combat situations.  My daughter graduating  from high school and dropping her off at college, earning her Bachelorette degree and moving halfway across the state.  My wife having a kidney transplant and follow-on issues from that.  I was laid off from a full time job just weeks before Christmas.  Additionally, getting a position in the best work place I could ask for.  Watching my son marry his high school sweetheart and getting to hold my first and second grandsons.  My daughter earning her Master’s degree and accepting a position in a church in another state. 

My latest life event is being diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer that has metastasized to my liver and I now live with an inoperable, stage four cancerous tumor in my liver.  With all that I have been through, I feel my heart leading me to share my experiences with others, especially veterans, who need to know someone cares about them and loves them.  Ultimately, to lead them into a relationship with Jesus.

Over the next several months I will share each of these experiences on an individual basis, breaking them down (to the best of my recollection) to how they impacted my life and how God showed up.  I will change the names of others involved and some of the places to protect their privacy, unless I have been given their permission to include them.  I will also respond to your questions, talk about current affairs and other subjects I feel need to be addressed.  My ultimate hope is that my story will help others get through the troubling times and see how God works in their lives as He has in mine.  Furthermore, you will notice that by accepting Christ into your life, you will continue to experience highs and lows.  The difference is how you carry yourself through.

Thank you for spending time with me, may God bless you, and where ya off to?