It’s Christmas Day here on Pamlico Sound. I am at work and out of town for a week and my wife and son are in Indiana today visiting my in-laws. I can’t help but think about the good food and fellowship with family I’m missing out on in both Indiana and down home on the Newport River. A lot of things have entered my mind this morning.
It’s been a quiet day and a bit lonely feeling having to work on Christmas. I’m really missing my little boy today. I miss his laughter and his company doing outdoor things together. Despite feeling a wee bit lonely today, it’s turned out to be a really pretty day here on the water. The sunshine has kept me perked up and good conversation with the crew has kept me laughing. I’ve been fortunate today as well because I’ve had some opportunities to listen to a couple of encouraging sermons by way of my smartphone. Days like today I try to be diligent to stay in God’s Word and remind myself that our Savior is here with me.

Whether you had to work on Christmas or not, don’t loose sight of the real reason for this holiday...God coming down to the earth and becoming flesh to walk among us and to eventually die for us to save us from eternal Hell.
Don’t forget to go outside and enjoy the things the Lord has made...even if it’s just in your own backyard.

Merry Christmas,

Kevin-

While in Alaska I took my son for a ride down the Glenn Highway from Glennallen to Wasilla and back. It was an all day trek, but well worth it just to have that time with my boy. What we saw along the way was amazing. There were a couple of other days that we got to spend together walking in the snow and exploring new things in Creation.

Below is a mixture of photos that I took spending time with him and exploring God's artistic works.

It was a great time that we got to spend together. He wanted to get into everything and do everything. So many times he would tell me that he wanted to walk in the snow. He wanted to know where the moose were. Many times he just wanted to touch the trees and the spruce needles. Of course this made me happy because I’ve prayed and I am still praying that he’ll grow up to love the outdoors as much as I do.
So far, so good!

I don't have any idea how many fathers get to take their sons to Alaska, but I would encourage all who spend time with their boys in the outdoors to do so. There is so much to see and experience. There is so much to talk about concerning God's goodness, the creation of the world, and the formation of the mountains during the time of the Flood of Noah's day. My son at the time of this trip was about 2 1/2 years old, so I don't know how much of this trip he'll actually remember, but I hope the day will come when we can go back to this beautiful place after he is a little older  and dig deep in our study of God's Word, and explore more of the work of our Lord's hands.

Whether he remembers this trip or not, we will always have these pictures to look back on and enjoy.
I hope you've enjoyed this blog entry, and I thank you for stopping by and staying a while.

In Christ,

Kevin-

Hello everyone!
I recently had the chance to return to Alaska with my wife and son. This was my second trip to “The Great Land”. My first trip was right at the end of summer back in 2015. This time I had the opportunity to see it right at the end of winter. I don’t think anything or anyone could have prepared me for the beauty that I would see there this last time.

By his kindness and generosity of taking me up in his plane, I was able to see a side of God’s creation that I have never seen before. My eyes went into sensory overload as I took in the beauty of the snow covered mountains, glaciers, frozen rivers and lakes.
I was reminded of what it must have been like as the mountains and volcanos formed from the tech tonic plates shifting as the fountains of the great deep were opened up during the time of the flood (Genesis 7:11, Psalms 104:8 NASB). I wonder what was going through Noah’s mind as the earth shook and the waters raised the ark over the mountains as they were forming?

Hello All,

About a week ago I went exploring on the back roads in the mountains near where I live. While exploring, I came across these beauties and they let me get pretty close to them for a few good camera shots. It was a fun day and the Lord showed me a great amount of sights. I always enjoy a ride in the mountains or out in the country. It's very relaxing, and I never know what I'll get to see. There was a little bit of snow on the ground up there, and that made everything all the more prettier.  

One of my wife's favorite Bible verses is Psalm 18:33 - He makes my feet like hinds’ feet, And sets me upon my high places.

One of mine is Psalm 42:1 - As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God.

I find it amazing all the examples God uses in creation to remind us of His Word.

I hope You're having a good year so far. Don't forget to go outside and explore all the things God has made...even if its just in your own backyard.

In Christ,

Kevin-

Hello to you all!

I'm a little late getting these pictures that I took of the eclipse on here, but I hope you enjoy them. I didn't get outside in time to get  a picture of the full moon before the eclipse, but I was still happy with what I got. I used my Canon EOS 50D, and my 100-400mm lens for these shots. And I remembered to cut my image stabilizer off while using my tripod. Thank you all for stopping by and checking these out. I hope you were able to see the real thing as it happened on January 20th. It was quite spectacular.

Click on the images to enlarge them-

Don't forget to get outside and enjoy the things the Lord has made. Even if its just in your own backyard!

In Christ,

Kevin-

The hike started out pretty easy. It was nice to have some alone time with the Lord and enjoy the visuals of the sides of the mountain and trees covered in ice and snow. As I went further up, the mountain got steeper and the snow got deeper. My legs really started to burn. I had to stop to catch my breath more than usual. There were a few times that I thought about turning around. But I hate quitting!

Whenever I quit something, I feel defeated. It’s the thought of knowing that I gave up, and I really despise that feeling. I don’t want this mountain or any mountain to beat me whether it be a literal mountain or life challenges like my job, staying in God’s Word, or my marriage. I don’t want to quit!

Sometimes the paths in this life are really hard. But when the trails get steep and the snow gets deep, we need to pray for God to give us guidance and strength to keep going, to keep moving, keep our eyes on His wonders, and never give up.

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
-1 Corinthians 16:13

Thank you for stopping by and staying a while. It’s cold outside but don’t let it stop you from getting outdoors and seeing the things the Lord has made, even if it’s just in your own back yard.

In Christ,

Kevin-

Hello Everyone,
Here are a few memories I thought I’d share from my 2018. It was a good year of spending valuable time with my wife and son and other family members. It was also a good year of exploring nature and God’s word. I hope you enjoy these memories as much as I do. Click on the small tabs to expand the pictures.

January- Fun spending time with our son

February- Orlando and Tampa,Florida

March- Micah got to help his Granddad a bit and I got to meet Dr. David Jeremiah

April- Easter Sunday, walks in the park, and Micah’s dedication to the Lord

May- Lots of good times in the outdoors

June- My wife arranged for me to meet my favorite marine artist Guy Harvey at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA. My cousin Ellen and her husband can to see me in the OBX of North Carolina as they made a trip around the country.

July- Went to Kentucky and saw the Ark Encounter! Very exciting! Later in the month we went to Luray Caverns in VA.

August- More outdoor fun, my wife and I got to see Wynonna in concert. Micah got a haircut from his Granddad, and got to attend his very first baseball game. Unfortunately, this was the month I lost my little Treasure.

September- Beach time, fun on a farm, and preparation of the boat for Hurricane Florence.

October- Amazing sunsets, hiking with my boy, and fun at Bush Gardens for Micah as he got to meet some of his favorite Sesame Street Characters.

November- Micah’s first barber shop haircut, fun fighting at a marriage conference, and Branson, MO.

December- Christmas with family, Micah’s first visit from Santa, and creation where I work.

God is good and provides for us all. Even in ways we cannot see. I hope you had a great year. Don’t forget to get outside and enjoy the things the Lord has made. Even if it’s just in your own back yard!

In Christ,

Kevin-

Hello there!
It’s been a few months since I’ve had time to sit down and write. I ran into someone in a restaurant who reads my blog a few nights ago and she gave me encouragement by telling me how much she enjoys it. So I thought, well it has been a right good while, so here I am catching up and sharing some thoughts that have been on my mind for quite some time.

Occasionally we all go through times of questioning things in our life. Things that seem to drag us down. Those questions leave us with more questions for God.
Questions like...
What is my purpose in this life?
Am I doing what I’m supposed to be doing right now?
Am I doing all I can do to serve God right now and for my remaining years?
Am I helping others enough?
Did I do the right thing by making this decision or commitment?
Should I have done that?
Why didn’t I speak Truth in love at that perfect moment?
Am I forgiving enough?
Will I ever get to get back to using the gifts and talents God has given me?
Am I a good enough leader and father?
Am I visiting my parents enough while they’re still in this life?
What am I to do with the time I have left?

Then the questions for God...
God, why am I angry so often?
God, am I truly yours?
Why am I having such a dry spell getting back into your Word?
God, are you hearing my prayers?

All these questions can lead us onto a tremendously uncertain path of doubt. But I believe it’s not only the questions. I believe it’s someone that seems to not be talked about enough these days... the devil. When we get on a wrong path he is quick to whisper directions that seem solid to us for a while, but end up leading us to an area of dead ends or deep waters far away from the Savior.
This time of year (especially), with the days being shorter and darker we tend to fall into a period of depression as well, making it easier to get on a wrong path.

God on the other hand puts us on a path that we don’t always understand. Though we can’t always see where it leads, we need to trust Him on the way to the destination that’s His will. This is certainly not easy. I know for myself here lately, it has caused me to ask so many questions like a child asking “why” after every answer. My dad has told me so many times looking back on his life that he wondered many times what God was doing in his circumstances, but later could see clearly what He was doing the whole time. Dad always referred to it as God leading him through different doors.

Tonight I’m praying for answers to my many questions and I want to trust my Heavenly Father to lead me on the paths unfamiliar to me.
I hope you will pray for God to lead you as well by giving your whole life to Jesus Christ and letting His will be done in your life for His glory.

Don’t forget to get outside and enjoy the things the Lord has made, even if it’s only in your own backyard.

In Christ,
Kevin-

Well, Hello to you all.

Tonight I am sad writing this.

Today I lost a dear friend and companion of 28 years. My Lil' Buddy, "Treasure" has passed away. I don't know what to say really except that I am so very thankful to God for the time He allowed me to have him in my life. I am also thankful for my wife who loved him dearly and took him in like her own.
Treasure was a spark of joy all the time. He was always so happy to see me and Jen  come in the door from work or a trip, bobbing his head up and down, chirping, and dancing side to side on his perch. He was just the best for therapy, always making me laugh with his getting into everything and wanting to climb all over me. It was so good to have him during many tough times in my life.
I got Treasure from a little pet store in Virginia Beach, VA when I was 16 years old. I'm 44 now. It will be a big adjustment not having him around and hearing him whistle and cracking seeds open with his beak. I know and trust that God will ease the pain of this loss using time as His tool.
A short while ago tonight my nearly 2 year old son was looking at Treasures cage and then looking back at me as if he were asking me where Treasure was. That was tough. Well, I just wanted to share some thoughts and pictures of him from over the years.
God is good all the time and we should be thankful always with Him sharing His creations with us. Treasure was certainly a part of His creation I won't forget.

We had us a good run.

Good night and God bless.

Kevin-