A day in the life of...Mark Williams

A life filled with moments.

Life is made up of moments.  Moments we remember.  Moments that make us remember why we live.  Moments that are full of life.  The kind of things that happen that make us thankful we have another breath of air in our lungs.  These aren't just happy, joyful ones.  They are moments that are full of hurt and heartache. Life isn't just about the happy times.  It's about making it through the tough ones with friends and family.  The moments where really, our relationship with God is the only thing that can sustain us.  Those moments of life can sometimes seem unbearable.  But we know that God surrounds us with people who help us through those moments. 

The good times, on the other hand, are full of joy and laughing.  I made one of those moments with my family over Christmas.  It started on Christmas morning with my son opening up his final gift:  2 tickets to the New Orleans Saints-Atlanta Falcons game in the Superdome on Monday Night Football.  The day after Christmas.  The joy started when he opened the tickets.  But the making of the moment lasted through the trip down to New Orleans.  Spending time with friends.  Eating cajun food together.  Taking my son to the Superdome and to his first NFL game.  Feeling the excitement as we entered The Dome.  Feeling the excitement of a packed out house.  Seeing Drew Brees break the single season passing record for yards thrown.  Seeing him wave the "foam finger" that I bought him.  Talking about the game on the walk back to the hotel.  Listening to him call his mom when we got back to the hotel to tell her Thank You too.  Eating beignets at Cafe' Du Monde the next morning.  Watching him take a nap beside me on the way back home. 

You see, that is a moment for us.  As a family.  As a father and son.  These moments are what make life full.  For some, it's taking your daughter for some Mom/Daughter time or Daddy/Daughter time.  For others it's going hunting.  Heading out for a "date" with your kid.  Those moments are made with our spouse as well.  We make these moments with our family.  We make them with friends. 

God blesses us with a life live.  Make moments.  Don't just buy things.  Do things together.  Serve together.  Work together.  Play together.  Worship together.  But most of all, live life together. 

 

Life is precious. Don't take it for granted.

The longer I live, the more I realize that we are only here for a short time.  Whether someone lives a "long" life or it is cut short, we are all here for just a brief moment in time.  I have been reminded of this over and over these past 2 weeks.  When something as simple as driving home from church can tragically change your life by losing a child in a car wreck, or the sudden loss of a parent to a heart attack.  My heart aches and the burden is heavy for people going through this.  Our God, though, is steadfast and loving.  He is the Comforter.   So what will I do:  Cherish this life that we have been given.  Live it to the full EVERY day.  Be a part of the mission of God.  We must live our lives as if each day is our last.  I know that sounds cliche, but it is very true. 

Love on your family.  Love on your spouse.  Give your kids lots of hugs.  Tell them that you love them. Share the Gospel with them.  Don't just spend quality time with them.  Spend quantity time as well.  Because your time is brief. 

Our zoo trip

35 of us made the journey to New Orleans today for a trip to the zoo.  It was truly a family day.  I wrote a note and gave it to all the adults that went.  I encouraged them to not just let this be a trip to the zoo.  I encouraged them to take advantage of a day with their kids or grandkids.  The trip wasn't about animals.  It was about relationships.  With family.  With friends.  Making moments where we can show Christ's love to our kids. 

We had a fantastic day!!  The trip to and from was filled with great conversation and lots of laughs.  The time at the zoo was filled with wonder as we checked out some of God's cool creations.  Malaree's favorite:  The Zebras.  My favorite:  The alligators.  Melanie's favorite:  The baby Orangutan and the peacock.  Micah's favorite:  The monkeys.  The one thing I like about the New Orleans zoo is where I eat lunch, The Cypress Knee Cafe.  This is one zoo cuisine that is excellent.  I had seafood gumbo that was great!!  Melanie had the red beans and rice.  True cajun eatin'. 

Today was a day I'll remember.  Not because of the zoo.  But because it was spent with family and friends. 

A little more on Spring Break

After we worshipped at FBC Philadelphia Sunday morning, we jumped in the car and headed to Starkville.  Micah and I went to Dudy Noble Field for the baseball game between State and Auburn.  We won 5-0 over Auburn.  It was a great Father-Son afternoon of baseball.  Baseball is relaxing.  Lots of time to talk and enjoy the company with each other.  My son, and the time I spend with him is special.  He's growing into a young man.  I pray that my influence on Him would be a godly one.  I pray that he sees Jesus in my actions, in my words, and in my instruction.  I pray that he sees that he is valuable to me and his mother.  He truly is a gift from God. 

Disney 2010

Our trip to Disney over Thanksgiving was AMAZING!!  Like any vacation to Disney, it wasn't restful.  It was, however, refreshing.  It was just the four of us.  No specific time schedule.  No one to meet up with at a certain time.  Just our family enjoying the most magical place on earth.  People either love Disney World or hate it.  I fall into the "Love it" category.  I'm cool with that. 

Why?  It's the place where fantasy meets reality.  It's a place where the creative gifts of so many people come together to create an EXPERIENCE that is incredible.  I like things that are creative.  Disney is the best at that!!  I like it because my family enjoys "getting away" there.  We enjoy the food.  We enjoy the family time.  And we enjoy being in "another world", even if for a short time.  Are there other, more relaxing vacations?  Sure.  But Disney is pretty cool....and we'll definitely be back!!

A world where I only post a month apart

I stink at posting to my blog.  But, alas, here I am.  I really have failed.  Mainly because I have so many stories to tell, and haven't made the time to do it.  Oh...I can find the time, but usually I'll peruse facebook instead of posting something useful here.  So, really, I just need to make better use of my time. 

Well....here's a summary.

On the home front, Melanie is the PTO president at Agricola Elementary School.  To say she is in her element would be an understatement.  She has really done a great job turning the organization around.  She has it organized and "on the move".  I'm voting my wife for U.S. President in 2012....or 2016. 

Micah has been playing soccer like a madman.  I am coaching his team.  We are 8-0, with 2 games left.  He has scored 20 goals in those 8 games.  He is so much fun to watch.  He's not the biggest one out there.  But he is definitely one of the toughest.  He has good "game sense".  I look at my time with those boys as a ministry. 

Malaree is taking dance.  She is taking ballet, tap, and jazz.  She is so cute showing us her "moves".  She's my little priss pot. 

I have been busy, busy at work.  The church ministry never seems to slow down.  We are in our new preschool, children, and student facility.  We are trying to tie up the loose ends of the facility.  It's been a long road.

I traveled to Peru again for a mission trip on Oct. 8-16th.  Chase Allen, Cassie Holland, Kim Loftin, and I headed out for an amazing adventure.  We traveled some CRAZY mountain roads.  We have adopted an Unreached People Group in the Andes mountains.  We are focusing on 4 villages in the Chillon River Valley, north of Lima, Peru about 3 hours. 

I've been non-stop since being back from Peru.  We made a quick trip to Starkville for homecoming at Mississippi State.  It was great to see family, meet up with friends from high school and college, and go to the game.  We've got to do that more often.  So.....lots has happened, and maybe I'll go back now and blog on some of the stories.  But don't hold your breath. 

a really good weekend

Well...this weekend was a good one.  Friday night was "date night" for me and my bride.  We tried an Italian restaurant in Mobile that came highly recommended.  Via Emila's was wonderful.  It was good to have some "us" time. 

Saturday was a long day.  We got up early to head over to Steve Rouse's farm to see the 1500 ducks.  We helped get them down to the pond for a little swim.  We had a blast.  You always have a blast when Steve is around.  We did a little fishing while we were there too. 

We came home and did some much needed yard work.  By mid-day, we had already accomplished a lot.  Then we did the important stuff.....a Saturday afternoon nap.  Ahhhh.  Sat. evening was breakfast for supper.....then a movie night at home with the family. 

Worship today at ABC was great.  I helped out in UpStreet this morning by telling the story of Isaac and Abimilech.  I ALWAYS enjoy my time in UpStreet.  All in all, a really good weekend. 

Malaree's 1st day of preschool summary

Here's a little video of Malaree talking about her first day of preschool.

Joshua 1:8

School starts back today

We dropped Micah off at Agricola Elementary this morning for the beginning of his 4th grade year.  Wow!!  My little man is moving on up.  He's excited about his teacher, Mrs. Hataway.  I'm proud of who Micah has become.  He has a servant's heart and a desire to love God and love people.  I pray he has a great school year!!