DAY TWO IN PARADISE?

With three vans we had thought that we would have three options to choose from for the day's activities. Snorkeling, sight seeing, eats, etc... Well, didn't work out the way I thought it would. I really wanted to make a dive. I love SCUBA. If not a dive then let's go snorkel with the "rays". I was the only one who wanted to do this. The only one! and of course that would create problems because there was not enough transport to carry everyone to the places they wanted to go and me to where I needed to go. Reluctantly I went with the crowd. First stop "St. Pedro's Castle". Early in the life of the island nation there were the "big houses" where the family live and managed there slaves. Kinda like a plantation in the south. Beautiful surroundings and it excited me to be standing where the few men made the plans for a new nation and were the proclamation was read to free all from slavery on the three islands. You almost loose the magic of the events because of the beauty of the flowers and unique plants. The man that shared the importance of each area of the house was a direct descendant of the first family on the island. Folk that live on the Caymans are called Caymanians. They are descendants of the families on the island or of a great importance that they are granted resident status. Every one else is either a tourist like me or a 7 year person. You can stay on the islands for 7 years but after that you have to leave for a year before you can return! Really. I met lots of folk that were due to rotate off the island. One poor English girl was going to leave in a few months but didn't want to go because she had gotten a dog as a pup and now was very close to him. Yes, she could take him with her when she left but it would cost $5,000! POOR GIRL! I tell you Randi would have a ticket right beside me on the plane. I couldn't and wouldn't leave my boy behind. Many of these folk are hired by some company and then when their time is up they send them home and hire some more. I met a bunch of guys from the Philippines. They had been hired to work at a restaurant and were about to go home.
Next we when to lunch at a place called the "light house." Right on the water, beautiful. We actually saw some turtles swimming in the surf.

Good grief, I just couldn't get use to everyone driving on the wrong side of the road. Last night, dark dark dark, when we were driven home I sat in the front seat and was about to mess myself! Cars coming at me and those round-abouts LORD watch over me. I finally closed my eyes. Libby thought it was funny. Ha Ha Libby Ha Ha.

Anyway after lunch we went to the botanical gardens and oh my, beautiful flowers everywhere! I mean every where. All colors, all sizes, vines, trees, shrub, in the water, on a tree, coming out of a rock everywhere. Blue Iguana, big lizard animals, are found only on this island and we werelucky to see several of different size and color. Very cool. Quite a hike, ha ha Libby ha ha. Libby thought we were lost. Ha ha. Anyway we finally made it back to the visitor center 15 minutes before we were told to be back but all the others were ready to go or gone.

Shopping time. One place that was recommended was like they had everything that was made in China and Mexico. OK, not all but it looked that way. Another place was supposed to be a special place for black coral jewelry. The guy that ran it was called "Dr. Love". It was a shack with hundreds of pairs of panties hanging from the ceiling. Someone asked him what kind of doctor he was. His answer was "LOVE." Believe me, this guy was doctor of love. His claim to fame was jars of marbles on selves and the panties hanging from the ceiling. Poor guy. Well he did have some black coral jewelry. He said before it was outlawed to harvest the Black Coral he dove off the reef and collected enough for the next 15 years. OK...

OK back to the house for dinner. A fine meal that our hostess prepared. We always had fresh fruit. Wonderful fresh fruit so full of flavor that you could make a whole meal from the fruit. WOW what a meal, what a hostess. During and after the meal wonderful conversation was wonderful. We Libby and I learned more about Beth and her family. Beth is a Caymanian.

Any way, I came here on mission and I haven't found it yet. Maybe tomorrow as the Group sings in worship time.

Pearls

I must share a bit off the subject of the Great Caymans, but one of my coaches used to say to me, "Walden share a pearl of wisdom with the group." of course at that point in my life I din't have any wisdom so he would be qick to give us a lesson in life, one of his pearls of wisdom.

Take Spelling for an example. Spelling is highly over rated unless someone reads your stuff and says "good grief and he's in education!" Well, yes I am but I work in life acts and not in just words. Today was a successful day if not for only one thing, William "the 4th grader." This is William's second day as the alternative school. Yesterday he didn't get to school till after 10:00 Am because it took the police that long to catch him. Yep, he was run run running. When they finally got him they put him on a bus and brought him to me. William is about 4'8" but at least 100 pounds. Now I don't know what that says about the Jackson Police who were chasing him, but if he trips he has a good roll ahead of him before he stops. Could not get him to go to class. Just wouldn't and I ended up cuffing him to a pole in the gym, "the guest house." He really wasn't a problem but i couldn't take a chance that he would run off and get hurt. Today he came in around 9:00 AM and I sent him to the social workers. Hopefully one of those ladies who take him on as child of theirs for the time he would be with us and all would be fine. NOPE! NOPE! NOPE!! Less than an hour latter security brought him to me because he wouldn't go to class. Now get this picture. I'm sitting at my desk, William is standing in front of my desk, security has the handcuffs out ready to apply some loving on him, and two social workers are standing in the door, I guess to see what i would do. The air was tense and I began to beg William to please not make me do to him what i was going to have to do to him. "please don't make me be that other person, that has to handle problems in ways I don't like." You can read into that what ever you want, but I played the Daddy card. You know the one where you act loving till you have to beat the hell out of them card. Thank God I haven't gotten to that point yet but I do have a way of leaving an impression. "Let's make a deal. Just go to class and be good till lunch and then you can come back to see me and we'll talk." OK, lunch is about 2 1/2 hours away and then 4th graders go to gym. So I figured William would make it till lunch and then want to go to PE and by that time he would have made a friend and be OK for the rest of the day. Now I should have sold tickets to this because we have move from big assistant principal vs little round 4th grader to yes sir and no sir! The three people around the two of us were catching flies with their open mouths and I know one of them was in attend hoping I would fell with William.


Today success was not measured in whether a noun matched a verb or if "i" came before "e" but in a small change in a little 4th grader and a little patience. Jesus had a special place in his heart for the little children. For me success today was getting to be Jesus like for a few minutes with William. AND THAT MY FRIENDS IS THE BOTTOM LINE AND A MOST ASTONISHING MIRACULOUS THING.

(By the way you don't have to check the spelling on those two words.)

Land There?!?!

BUMP! DA DUMP!!! OK, landing gear down and I look out the window. Where are we landing! All I see is water! Lots of water! and then there it is. The Grand Cayman Island comes into view and I think to my self, "Land there! Where?! is there enough room for a plane to land there?! Ok. it was one of the smaller of the three islands but let me tell you the "grand" in Grand Cayman doesn't refer to the size of the Island. Texas it ain't! There was no turning back now. I was planted on a 22 mile by 2 mile island for the next few days.

Now things get good. First thing I notice when we land is the temp, 72 degrees, mighty fine, and there is a constant breeze. The little airport is not very busy but as I walked down the steps from the plane I had flash backs to "Boss, de plane, de plane". There were two guys playing that Caribbean music! Unreal, "mon".

OK, check through customs was like locker check at school. If you wanted to get it in, "no problem mon." Now things really get tasty. We stand around for a while waiting for the vans they have been rented for us to get around in. I'm still going in and out of sleep city, remember the pill/s but I'm eyeing the vehicles. Funny looking vehicles. Squirrel cars! I could see me getting almost in most of them. Then our vans arrived and although they were "different" we did fit and we headed to the church. GOOD GRIEF!! everybody is driving on the wrong side of the street!!! Except us!!! I was very glad I wasn't driving and that I was in the back where I couldn't see the on coming traffic.

Very nice church . (I'll post pictures when I can down load them.) Met some people and then decide to eat. YES! Restaurant, fine food, and tropic atmosphere, right? WE WENT TO A GROCERY STORE! Yes, they had a deli. All kinds of funny foods. Funny looking, funny smelling, but I, brave soul that I am, had grilled fish and BBQ chicken. They were putting out fresh bread like our sliced bread in the plastic bags but this was HOT bread, fresh from the bakery.

We left there and went to the beach to eat. WOW! not what I expected. No sand, just rock! volcanic rock. The whole island is the tip off a volcano and that was the bases for the entire island. Now I like rocks, always have so I was excited to see this. There was a walkway over the rock to the eating area and yes I made Libby mad by getting down from the walkway and looking at the "beach". FANTASTIC!!!! chunks of the reef coral were every where. Even Brain coral! Yes I did collect some and yes they did make it back to Madison MS. The water is crystal clear, like I mean super clear. I'm sure I could see the objects on bottom clearly at 4-5 feet depth. The diver in me was crying out, "no matter the cost I gots to get in this!!" Beautiful, beautiful and the best was that I was sharing it with my wonderful best friend and wife. She never looked better in our lives. Thank you LORD!

OK, left there and went to a couple of other spots. I discovered that some places do have sand but it appears more like ground up reef, of course, that was what it was. BEAUTIFUL WATER.

Back to the church for supper where we had that famous Grand Cayman dish spaghetti and garlic bread. I was pretty good to but not as good as the people of the church that served us. Wonderful Christian brothers and sisters.

Well, needless to say we all were pooped out and ready to get to our homes and find a bed. I really wasn't expecting much but Libby and I were delivered to this beautiful home on a bay. Beth, our hostess was a most wonderful person and we grew close to one another quickly. She shared openly of her life and the lives of those around her. She had lost her husband not to long ago. He sounded like a real man of God that was a leader to this community. Living with her was Matty her 21 year old son, Reggie her "poodle?", Max the golden retriever who has thyroid problems, and a parrot. As i entered the bed room my faith in a loving God was reinforced with the presence of a king size bed!!!!! WOW WHAT A GOD!

Day one ends quickly.

4:00 AM!!! DAY ONE PART ONE

OK, I'm up but running on two hours sleep. Rookie world traveler that I am, I guess if this is the way it's supposed to be this might be the last time for this. I can't imagine why anyone would want to get up this early. Any way after checking one more time to see if I've got the required, remember, we're off. I have hard time understanding how my Libby can look so good this early n the morning. She has some powerful muscles in her face to smile that much.

Airport time. No problems right, all early in all no problems. GOOD GRIEF!!! electronic check in! Good grief! who's job was this? Aaaaa a human of the female kind. "Good morning. Sweetheart can you help me I haven't been through this course yet and at this time of the morning I don't imagine I'll do very well on the exam." I don't know what it is but that sweet lady got me ready to go and it was to the plane we go. row 25 seat A&B. OK, 16,17 man these seats look close together. 20,21 are they getting closer or is it me? 23,24 oh no, 25. GOOD GRIEF!!!!!! we're on a little people plane! Oh no and Troy, one of the nice members of the choir that happening to be pretty large is in 25C! LET US PRAY!!! Thank you LORD, Troy is allowed to move to another section that allowed him to have more room, about three times as much as I had planned to give him. I really wasn't feeling to well and I had decided to take a pill to settle me down, OK I decided on two. After all I never pay much attention to that droosey woosey warning. WE ARE OFF, HOLY ---- WE ARE OFF THE GROUND!!!! GOT TO BE MOVING AT MACH 1 I'M COMING TO SEE YOU HONEY, but wait there's my honey right next to me. Enjoying the view! Good grief woman don't you realize that we are leaving this world!!! Oh course she was looking fine as usual and yes it did have a calming affect on me. of course I was able to let go the vise-grip hold on the arms of my seat now. Seems to me that if we can send a man to the moon we could find a way to silence those banging sounds made by the landing gear when it closes or at less give those of us that would want some warning a little notice. You'd think I would sleep all the way to Atlanta, but Ok, almost because that pill, sorry, those pills kicked in and I went down. DEEP sleep from those pills too, but when your connecting flight is loading and you have to go way long way to get to it, you wake up pretty good.

Short ride from Jackson to Atlanta but to Caymans nearly 3 hours. OK this part is pretty foggy, remember the pill, oops pills. I do remember that the seats were not any bigger if not they were smaller, but as luck would have it there were some empty seats and good old Troy move again and we had plenty of room.  So soon after that bump from the landing gear coming up I was gone. I figured that was fine since I wouldn't have to stare out the window. I awakened to see land out the window and went i checked my watch I knew we weren't close to the Caymans. CUBA??? Yep.  Anyway after a while, one diet coke, two little bags of peanuts, and that bump of the landing gear going down we were in the Caymans "Mon".  

OK, enough for the first part of the first day.  More tomorrow.

ON MISSION, SUFFERING FOR JESUS: T Minus one day

One Voice is a musical group that my sweet wife sing with. They were invited to a church that the group went to several years back when the Baptist convention planted a church. So we committed to go back to sorta celebrate the opening of the new buildings. I usually don't make trips with the group but I promised my sweetie that I would go this time. So I'm going to try and blog my way through this mission so you can relate. I'm also going to provide you with words of wisdom related to "traveling" and "missioning."

T-Minus one day: I have not packed one thing but I have thought about what I will take. of course that doesn't mean that my sweetie will allow me to take the stuff I pack and certainly means that I will be taking stuff I don't think I will need that my sweetie says, so nicely, you're not going to wear that! get this! I'm only 56 years old. I'm so glad that I have some one to help me choose my clothes. TRAVEL POINT ONE: ALL YOU REALLY NEED IS #1. 2 PAIRS OF UNDERWEAR (ONE FOR WEARING AND ONE TO CHANGE INTO WHILE YOU WASH THE OTHER), #2. ONE PAIR DRESS PANTS, #3. ONE PAIR OF OTHER PANTS (OTHER PANTS CAN BE WHAT EVER YOU WANT, AS LONG AS YOUR SWEETIE DOESN KNOW), #4 A BUTTON UP SHIRT (I suggest white cause it can be dress or casual), #5. 2 T-SHIRTS (UNDER SHIRTS), #6. A COUPLE OF "SHORTS" (* VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT MAY PRESENT ITSELF (I suggest nylon gym short KINDA shorts, one of man's greatest inventions) #7. SMEAKERS, #8 ANOTHER PAIR OF SHOES (you know the ones that are comfortable but folks go "hmmmmmmmmm those might be dress shoes"). Now as far as clothes you should be set. Of coourse most places will have a Wal-mart some place if you decide you need something. *Remember this does not include the stuff your sweetie pack without you knowing it. That's why you had to pay extra for your bagage.

Now the hard part is over as far as packing because you know the other stuff are for survival. Bic Lighter (if you crash on and island you'll need to be able to make fire without lookingl ike a fool who has never watched LOST), I-Pod, computer, Bible, cameras, batteries, books, SNACKS! (remember LOST) etc...

OK, maybe more later but for now... Oh I didn't tell you where I'll be suffering and please pray for me because it's a small group of islands in the Carebean. Some place called Grand Caymon.

When in doubt, blame someone else.

I'm just trying to do my job. Been at it for 35 years now and I should write a book. There are principles and principals in education and then there are "parents." Now understand me, real parents were serious about kids before they were just an idea in their mind. Then there are "parents" that are on the wrong end of the... well they won't accept any responsibility for the development of a citizen that is not a drain on the tax paying good folk. At this point I want to make the point that Education is not day care or baby sitting. Educators are paid to educate not train a child to be obedient and courteous to those who have authority over them. So for all the true educators, not those who just pull a pay check, I'd like to say to all those people who talk down to teachers and principals like it is our fault your kids can't read or write when you don't check their homework, provide them proper materials, or behave like a mature adult in front of them. To you I want to say... "FORGET YOU!"

ALIENS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From the L. A. Times
1. 40% of all workers in L. A. County ( L. A. County has 10.2 million people) are working for cash and not paying taxes. This is because they are predominantly illegal immigrants working without a green card.
2. 95% of warrants for murder in Los Angeles are for illegal aliens.
3. 75% of people on the most wanted list in Los Angeles are illegal aliens.
4. Over 2/3 of all births in Los Angeles County are to illegal alien Mexicans on Medi-Cal , whose births were paid for by taxpayers.
5. Nearly 35% of all inmates in California detention centers are Mexican nationals here illegally
6. Over 300,000 illegal aliens in Los Angeles County are living in garages.
7. The FBI reports half of all gang members in Los Angeles are most likely illegal aliens from south of the border.
8. Nearly 60% of all occupants of HUD properties are illegal.
9. 21 radio stations in L. A. are Spanish speaking.
10. In L. A. County 5.1 million people speak English, 3.9 million speak Spanish. (There are 10.2 million people in L. A. County . )

(All 10 of the above are from the Los Angeles Times)
Less than 2% of illegal aliens are picking our crops, but 29% are on welfare. Over 70% of the United States ' annual population growth (and over 90% of California , Florida , and New York ) results from immigration. 29% of inmates in federal prisons are illegal aliens.

Control yourself! Please!

We all have been there. Some person cuts you off in traffic, is going so slow that they may get a ticket for going slow, or the person who's on the cell and not paying any attention to what is going on around him.

Just want to say "HEY STUPID!!"

Well I have had all of the above today. and let me tell you i didn't just say HEY STUPID! shame on me but shouldn't people be aware that they live in a world with some other human beings. It could be like those two girls n day of the comet who drove all over as fast as they wanted without worrying about somebody stopping them. Last two chicks left on earth. No sweat, no one but you around. kinda like skinny dipping in Black Creek. no body else around right. Never mind those girl scouts on their canoe trip, OPPS. Any way you are not alone so give those of us who are impatient and do have other things to do beside riding in the car a break.

Just in case that doesn't work, "HEY STU-STU-STUPID. GET A LIFE!!!"

I didn't do it!

I didn't do nothing. A statement I hear many times a day. I didn't hit him, I didn't say that, I didn't do nothing.

It never stops! it seems to be the same old story from every one. Just once i want one of of the members of munchin land to say yes I did it and I'm prepared for the consequence. Just once would be nice. I think I would have to say go my son and sin no more. Or maybe I could say "how bout we let your parent take the consequence and maybe pay a fine." I'm sure it would be fine with the kid but mom or dad or pseudo- mom or pseudo-dad. Good grief! Who is in control of the youth today. Good question, right? Who wants to be? Obama maybe. Clearly the Government hands its claws in them. Here a check there a check.

I have a 16 year old girl with three children! What is up with that?! Where was mom and dad when that was "a happening." Why should I have to wonder about my future when I have gotten a check for nothing and where do you get those $100 jeans with somebody's face inked into them that don't fit!

It's not a race thing, but it is a responsibility thing. God tells us to take care of the sick, dying, and poor. Absolutely but there reaches a point that those who make out like they are sick, those who act like they are dying and those that are poor because they don't try to work need to be facing the "man."

I tell people all the time that there is no such thing as something being fair in this world, but there is the principle of justice. this thing that folk say, "you give me respect and I'll give you respect" is a bunch of stink. If you are respected then that is just the way it is. People are respected not for what they do for you but what they do that is real for you.

So let me say this, if you didn't do it then good but if you did then good. BUT what ever happens, happens whether you did it or not. Respect me, ok or not. God is God and we are not.

Choose to rejoice and other stuff too.

One of my favorite authors is Henry Blackaby, you know the Experiencing God guy. Thought i'd share a little something that speaks loudly to our opportunity to make a choice.

CHOOSE TO REJOICE
“But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing
hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” Acts 16:25


Your joy as a Christian should not depend on your circumstances. Joy comes from God, and therefore it cannot be affected by what is outside of you. Don’t be fooled by letting the actions of others determine your joy. True joy comes from knowing that God Himself lives within you and has fellowship with you, regardless of your environment. Real joy lies in the knowledge that holy God has completely forgiven you of every sin, and even now, He has a home prepared in heaven where you can spend eternity with him. (John 14:3). The circumstances of your life cannot change these truths!

Paul and Silas faced some of the most difficult circumstances imaginable. They were falsely accused, arrested, and imprisoned. They were beaten and shackled in the darkest, coldest, section of the prison. But they refused to allow their horrific situation to dampen their joy! They did not blame God for allowing these things to happen to them. Instead, they praised Him for His goodness! In the darkness of the night, they prayed and they sang. God brought a miracle that released them from their chains, but perhaps the greater miracle was that His Holy Spirit could so fill them that even in their painful imprisonment they could overflow with joy!

Do not allow difficult events to cancel the joy of knowing you are a child of God. Choose to allow God’s Spirit to fill you with His unquenchable joy, and your life will be a miracle to those who watch you face the trials that come.

Source: “Experiencing God Day-By-Day Devotional” by Henry T. Blackaby and Richard Blackaby

Never to late to find out who you are.

It is never to late to discover what you are here for.

As a matter of fact it takes quite a while for many of us to gain the knowledge we need to recognize we need a change and it MIGHT BE time for that change. You see I believe I feel into the teaching/coaching profession because I didn't have anything else to do. Over the many years I've learned how to teach and how to coach and gained in wisdom of who needs me more than others. That's why I felt like I was a good teacher and a pretty good coach. The key element for me was "caring" and the primary force behind that was Jesus Christ. The closer I get to him the more I could recognize what I was here for.

I want to encourage anyone who might read this, all one of you, to look inside before you look "for". What you really are is what is inside you. Not you abilities but your beliefs and your heart. Abilities can always be developed but the heart, well that's far above human production by efforts. WOW, that was deep.

Anyway, today my God, the God of second chances, says to you and to me "go ahead, try again. Seek, I'm still here and I will give you the desires of your heart."

Ain't it so.


GLORY, GLORY, GLORY.