Happy Birthday to my Wonderful Husband of 20 year. Today a half a century young. You have been my greatest example on this earth of living life with an open hand. It seems unimaginable to me that you are in Florida alone for this milestone. But to you it is - I know just another day. So this my first blog is for you.
You have given freely when we did not have it to give relying on and knowing that it is all God's. You have opened our home to my family in their time of need over and over again in these last 20 years giving them support emotionally and at times financially. Some of the hardest lessons learned have been through the adoption and then the rejection of our son Jesus. I know it was you're heart's desire to give a 12 year old boy a loving family. This was for me the hardest part of our years together and God has helped me in so many ways to open my hand to his plans and forget about what I thought should happen-"the fairytale"-it is God's story not mine. I guess I didn't want to be the adoption "failure". Thank you for reminding me over and over again that we did not fail-God didn't write the story the way we wanted that's all. We need to open our eyes to his plans and purposes. Living life this way-it is hard- I thank God that I have you to help me with all of life's changes. It seems this newest life change in our family has brought me to my knees again in such a powerful and mighty way. It is amazing to me how change and living life outside you're comfort zone can bring you're prayer life to a whole other level. Sending Alex to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida has been the catalyst for me to take a closer look at how I'am doing with living my life with an open hand. At times -not so good. But I'am gaining momentum with this one- praying and staying connected to God. I do not want to struggle with worry. Forgive me God when I do. Again I have seen you open you're hand with Alex-after being his coach his mentor his hero and his Dad on and off the field for the last 17 years it is amazing to see how you have handled this life change. Not perfectly but well; as I heard in you're voice this morning. You sounded ecstatic for Alex never sad that you would not see him today on you're Birthday. I could hear the absolute joy that you had for him as he made the Academy Team this week and left this morning to play with this team in Birmingham AL. I love that IMG lives out of this philosophy in some ways too in regard to it's players-they help them live with an open hand. There is no guaranteed spot on any team regardless of age or tenure it is all up to the needs of the team and a individuals performance during practice who's going to what tournaments and on what team. They believe in player development and every opportunity to play is a opportunity to grow as a player and a person no matter what team or what position. They believe that player should be thankful for any time to play and that training and hard work is as important as winning. Make every day count-you do this well Doug I'am thankful to you and am glad that I have you to do this crazy life with. When I decided to do this blog I wanted the title to be "Open Hand" of course that was already taken- I guess it is more appropriate that it wound up being "Opening My Hand" I have not quite gotten it yet it is forever a process and I am thankful that God has put you in my life to help me run this race with an open hand Happy 50th !!!!! I Love you, Kim



Hebrews 12:1-3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, let us run the race with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us Fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith,who for the joy set before him endured the cross ,scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart !!!!!