No matter what I may face in life, I try to live out what I believe.  It isn't easy, but as a Christian, I feel I must show the love of Christ in word, in action, in thought, in everything I do.

I pray several times a day (or whenever I think about it), I read the Word, and I keep my mind/priorities focused on Him.

My name is Mitchell.  Mitchell Holmes.  I live in Omaha, Nebraska, with my wife, Stacie, and our two daughters, Mallorie Jordan (10) and Miracle Jade (6).  We also have two dogs, a Grand Pyrenees named Jake and a mutt named Gizmo (he's part German Shepherd, part Labrador retriever, and only God knows what else).  Stacie works for a high powered attorney; meanwhile, I stay home and take care of things here at home.  I did work, but I got laid off last year.  It was a hard time for all of us, but God saw to our needs, and He's been providing everything we need ever since.  We don't have to worry because God is taking care of us.

I love being home.  I keep the place clean, and I can interact with our younger daughter, Miracle, who has cerebral palsy and other problems (blindness and deafness; she can't talk, see, or walk).  I take her to her therapy/doctor's appointments, and I see that she is fed, kept clean, and happy.  She is a wonderful child; I am blessed to be her daddy.

Meanwhile, I take Mallorie to her games (she plays soccer in the spring, summer, and fall), to her after-school programs, and tell her what a wonderful job she is doing with her grades, sports, and helping me take care of her little sister.  She is going to be a very good mamma one day; she takes after my wife.  I am very proud of her.

I am very much involved with my church.  I am on the worship team (I sing just about every Sunday), and I also help with the greeters ministry one Sunday a month before church, greeting the congregants and the visitors, interacting with them.  It's a great way to see old friends and make new ones.  I'm also going to the men's luncheon every Saturday, where we have fellowship and pray for our church.  We eat out at different places: Olive Garden.  Appleby's.  McDonald's.  Golden Corral.  Taco Bell. 

In addition to all of that, every Friday, I help out with the Beautiful Feet ministry; here we minister to the city's homeless population and share the love of Jesus Christ with them.  It makes me think of just how blessed we really are: we have food in our bellies, a roof over our heads or a place to call home, and even employment (most of us, anyway).  A lot of the people we minister with at Beautiful Feet have nothing.  It's really an eye opening experience.

In short, it gives me (and all who participate) a new perspective on things.

I love sharing the Word or a word of encouragement with others.  I love telling other people about Jesus Christ.  Jesus Christ is my Everything; He has been my Everything ever since I was eight years old, when I first gave my life to Him at church.  I can't imagine not having Christ in my life; it's something I've always known and cherished.

I am not perfect, and I am not saying I am.  I have made plenty of mistakes and have fallen short.  I am far from perfect, as I am only human; but I am forgiven if I repent of my wrongdoings.  I am a Chrsitian, but like anyone else, I have slipped from God's grace and sometimes don't feel I am worthy to know Him as Lord.

As long as I keep my eyes Upward, on Jesus, then I don't have to worry, because I know He is always with me and will guide my path.  He will take care of all that I can possibly need, and He will never leave or abandon me.  I also have hope that I will go to Heaven, to be with Him, forever and ever, and that is what keeps me going.

Well, I have to go.  Have to take Miracle to her neurologist's appointment; she is scheduled for an MRI.  Hopefully all will turn out well.  Just say a prayer for her, and for me; I'd greatly appreciate it!  I also am going to visit some of our church members who are shut ins and give them a word of encouragement as well as take them a hot meal; they can use it on this cold, snowy winter's day.  I will write in here again; until later, take care, and may the Good Lord bless you as much as He's been blessing me!

~To be continued.~