Can't Wait to Teach

Hello everyone! Lately I have really been struggling to find a topic to write about, shoot even my Sunday post wasn't going to well. So here I am, thinking about everything in my life and what it has even meant so far.

I may not be that old, 19 just in case you are wondering, but I have been through a whole lot. I mean I am the son of divorced parents, technically they have both been divorced twice; I have 5 brothers and 2 sisters, that are all scattered between households; I dated a girl for just about two years, if you don't count all the break ups; I made mistakes in school, I made mistakes out of school; I cussed and I got mad, I was lustful and full of pride; I lived for myself. Looking back I realize that I lived day by day. It was as if time was just dragging on waiting for something to change, something to knock me down and make me realize that life is about something more than myself. It sure took a while, but it finally happened.

It has been just about a half year since I started regularly attending church, sort of crazy now that I think about it. I feel like it has been longer, it is pretty much my second home now. I am there every day of the week nowadays; I don't mind making the 20 minute drive, getting extra early Sunday mornings, never sleeping in. Why? Honestly, it is because of the children.

I have grown so attached to the children not only that I help teach, but to really all of them. I love the random hugs and high fives, I honestly love it when they jump all over me or try to tackle me. Maybe I am crazy, but so what? I am crazy, sure. There is nothing like making them smile, seeing their faces light up when they learn something new or are just happy to be at church. Shoot, there is nothing like one of them saying that she wants to also pray for me during prayer (Thanks Brianna, you are so sweet). I am a big teddy bear I tell you what. I love that kind of stuff.

I just hope that I have being the role-model they deserve and need. I don't want to just be another person teaching the Bible or supervising them while they are outside, I want to be involved in their lives, I want to know what is going on. I think it is because I know what it is like transitioning from Elementary to Middle School and I know the temptations and the pressures they will soon face. I don't want to see them go down the wrong path, I realize that God has a plan for each of them and I hope that I am part of it. To be someone strong in their life they can trust with anything. I want them to take what I have learned and what I have done in the past and live better. I just want to see them grow up to be the best they can be.

I just pray for each and everyone of them, that they use their talents for good, that they take what they learn and apply it. I pray that they truly listen and understand rather than just hear it. I pray that they realize the true meaning of life isn't about themselves...

The past few weeks, I have sort of taken two under my wing, Da Hoppas! Yes, you read it right, my two buddies Nathan and Noah. The reason is because they remind me a lot of Justin and myself. Why? Well they are so close, being twins and all that is obviously understandable. But they do everything together just like me and Justin. They are so energetic and hilarious and well just darn awesome! I however would like to point out, Jessica, I am not stealing your brothers from you. Please do not hate me! Also, Nathan and Noah, if you ever read this, stop picking on her and listen to your mom and dad. Also, stay off the Dora bikes... Sheesh... Gotta love them, oh and while I am at it, thanks Lisa for those brownies and supper and water and the car ride! Oh And Island, you are the bomb!... Oh and I also look forward to some more board breakin tournaments and baseball! Keep up the good work young grass hoppers.

So I am running out of time and well, words. So this is where my blog comes to a close. I just want to say thank you to all of the kids at church, for just showing up and being willing to learn about God. Thanks for being you all and I can't wait to see you all grow up into wonderful men and women! Love you guys.

#FinallyRealizeTheLoveTeachersHaveForTheirStudents

Wow, I will never do a hash-tag again...

Peace out cubscouts!

Father's Day

Howdy yall... Wassup, what's good, how's it hanging, what's crackalackin? Well it is that time of the day again, bloggin time! It has been exactly 8 days since my last post and I know you all are just so sad that I haven't had one in so long. So I decided to treat you all with a fathers day blog! So shall we hop to it? I think so.

So, my dad became a father at some time during the day (lol) December 6th, 1992. I was his first son and he decided it would be cool I guess to name me after him. Thank you father, way to confuse the whole world. Just kiddin I love it. Since then he has been the best dad a son could ask for!

I'm positive that we have had our ups and downs, I am positive I drive him totally bonkers at times, but sorry dad you do the exact same to me. Especially when you get mad for no reason, at least I think it is no reason usually. Also when you complain about stupid stuff... Yeah that's right I said stupid stuff! Please don't ground me when you read this. I loveee you.

Just kidding everything you say is pure genius and none of it is dumb...

I have to say dad, you are one hard working man, especially these past few weeks when you have been killing yourself with doubles practically every day working 60+ hours. You are crazy!

Also, I am sorry that I used to not ever want to go fishing with you, I wish I did because now you won't ever take me because you are a big baby and don't want to hear complaining. I blame myself for not making you get used to it when I was little. Hahaha.

Daddy-o you da bestest. I hope that one day I am half the dad you have been. There is a lot more that I could say but yeah. That is it for you father.


Moving on! Next up is Mike Duffy, only the world's greatest stepdad. This guy is the one that got me into computer games, which is good and bad at the same time. He stepped in even when he didn't have to and acted like my second dad, which I guess that is what it sort of makes him when hes my stepdad... If there was ever someone I'd have wanted to call that, it would be him and I thank the Lord for the chance he has given me.

Although he technically isn't my stepdad anymore, there is no way I will ever stop referring to him as that. It is impossible honestly! I loved coming to your house all the time and kicking your butt on UT, which you still suck at, just sayin! But it is just crazy now because of work and us being further away and everything! But I will for sure make time to see yall!

But hmm, to both of you, thank you for teaching me to be the best that I can be, for pushing me to be the best and teaching me to love and care for others. Thanks for all the memories on the baseball field and at home, you are both the most positive male role models in my life and I'm so thankful to be blessed with that. I wouldn't trade either of you for the world! I love you both.


Sooo, this is it folks! I dare say it is past my bedtime and I need all the sleep I can get. So I hope you enjoy this even though I think it is awful. Once again, I am sorry for slacking and not posting in a while, I hope to change that.

peace out cubscouts!

My challenge to you.

Hello fellow readers,

I am going to do something completely different tonight. I would really like to read stories of how God has been working in your own lives. I want to hear your stories, whether it be the highest of the highs or the lowest of the lows, I want be able to pray for you. I believe everyone has a unique story and I would love to hear some, no matter what they are. Heck mine is just getting started, I'm sure you all can think of something.

I may be 19 years old but I want to pray and be there for each and every one of you. That is just what I do; I like helping people, I like listening and knowing. So just send me something. Anything please! Maybe the only way I will ever get more feedback is if I make it my posts more personal to you!

So yeah, message me them or post them on the Changing Directions facebook wall, shown here http://www.facebook.com/takingtheotherroute. I promise if you do not want me to share anything you tell me, I will keep it between just us.

I'm just a kid wanting some more inspiration, don't do this if you don't want to but please consider it!

So until tomorrow, peace out cubscouts!


*PS!!! Heck you don't even have to have a story about God, if you just want to talk to me about something, do it. I would love to! If you wanna just talk about God, leggooo, I'm pumped!

The best week of my life.

This is no exaggeration. No joke, no lie. Write it down folks, June 3rd-June 9th of the year 2012 has been the best week of my life. Wanna know the best part about it? It is not even over yet...

What has made this week so wonderful? Well let me tell you what right hurr, I was a VBS guide/helper/teacher dude. Yeah that is right. I did it all. It was amazing learning and teaching God's word with wonderful people. Each day I was drawn closer to the Lord, He kept adding to my spiritual high. I was literally doing things I never thought I would do, I mean seriously, I was dancing in front of a ton of people I didn't know. I can't even dance or sing but I was doing it. It didn't really matter to me how good I was but the fact that I was doing it to support the kiddos, to show them it wasn't so bad once you take a chance, a leap of faith and have a little fun.

One of my students in particular really won my heart over, the first night. We were talking about just random things because I was trying to get to know her and find an idea to do during the talent show and in the process I learned that she loved to dance but was extremely shy and didn't ever get up in front of a group. So what do I do, well being me, I told her I'm gonna make you get up there and do it because it isn't so bad. Lead by example folks. It actually worked too, I tell you what she sure can dance, once she saw me making a complete fool of myself she was all smiles and ready to do it too. That was just the first night. Every single night after that she would ask me if she could dance with me again and we did when we were allowed.

Maybe this doesn't mean much to the people that read it, but I type it because it means a lot to me. It actually makes me cry tears of joy honestly. I've already said it on facebook but I will say it again here, God really worked through her this week. On Tuesday Brother Tommy prayed with the older students and my class was there to listen and pray also. Autumn, whom all this is about, prayed Brother Tommy's prayer in her heart. She prayed it and meant it and was ready to be saved and so she was and didn't even friggin tell me until just last night. But nonetheless, I was excited for her and she will be baptized Sunday I think. So in celebration of said feat, she got to get on stage tonight at family night and embarrass herself with a hula-hoop or however that is spelled. Technically the only one getting embarrassed was myself, I lasted 2 seconds she could have kept hoopin the hula all night I bet. She and all the others on the stage took my nonsense like champs and I am proud that they kept on smiling.

But okay I am going to cut that short because there is just so much I want to say but I don't want to bore you all. So moving on folks:

The reason this was the best week of my life is because I was able to grow a lot closer with God and friend's. Who woulda thunk I'd be saying this not that long ago? Not I for sure. All I know is I sure am glad this happened, is happening and will continue to happen. God is great! I learned tons of dances and bible (My favorite being Jeremiah 32:17, it is simple yet powerful in my opinion) and I made great friends. My little brother and sister went and loved it, hopefully they come back. I was able to help out with the craziest kids in the whole church. Hopper was the ring leader of the crazies! I learned to tell DA HOPPAS apart too, I guess that will be good for Wednesday nights! Shoot fire, I don't know what else to say honestly, There is just so much it was full of excitement and joy.

Oh to the little girl that sang Jesus Friend Of Sinners, I love you! That is one of my favorite songs and I thought you did a terrific job.

To everyone that helped out God bless you all, to all the kids that attended, I hope you learned something and will live your life for Christ.

I'm so thankful for all the people that were there. It was an awesome week!

So It is my bedtime since I work tomorrow morning, but I promise more blogs soon! I have slacked off a little, I was just super busy guys, but I will give you lots and lots of blogs to read. One of them is going to be very important to me! SO until then folks, peace out cubscouts.