Ok...I just finished my last final exam tonight at 10:13 PM.  It was a killer because it wasn't a simple task of regurgitation of information.  I spent about 20 hours on the take home final and it ended up being 7 pages of single spaced text.  Nonetheless, I am glad that its done.

On Sunday, I will walk across the stage and receive my Master's in Business Administration.  This has been a long and interesting journey.  I have made some lifelong friends that I will stay in contact with.  It's amazing how "things work together for them that love Him!"

Again, I will try to do more blogging!

If you are reading this, shoot me a note with an update on your life.

Yesterday, I ordered my graduation announcements and I will order my cap and gown sometime next week.  I'm getting pretty excited about being done with school.  August 10 is the big date!

Currently, we are in the ATL because Stacey is interviewing some Assembly of God churches for her research for her dissertation.  She had her first interview today and is pretty excited.  We will visit the morning worship service on tomorrow.

While here, we are staying with some longtime friends, Noel and DeAnna Gilliam.  They have been the "super hosts" of hosts.  They have a beautiful home and have been a real blessing to allow us to stay with them.  Things are going great for them and I'm proud of the things that they are doing.  If you can remember, please pray for DeAnna's father.  He's needing a miracle.  That's all that I can say right now!

In a previous post, I wrote about work conditions and I'm happy to report that God has come through again.  His timing and plan is almost never lined with mine, but His is always perfect.  I've been praying for a miracle and he sent one!  Stay tuned as I discuss the blessings that are on the way in the next few months.

Remember, God is in control and will never let you down.  I was reminded about this again when talking to a colleague and friend on yesterday.  We discussed some things that we've seen God do at Lee and how he used others to touch our lives.

Be blessed!

Ok..I haven't been very consistent with blogging, but at least I'm making an attempt.

Summertime is a time when I get a "second wind" and I'm able to focus and be refreshed.  I'm not sure why this happens this way, but I have thoroughly enjoyed it.  There's something about gearing up for the next school year that is exciting and calming!

In the midst of this refreshing, I will finish my graduate school work on August 10 with a Masters in Business Administration from University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.  This has been a great two years of my life and I would do it over again if I had too.

Lee University as a whole has been very supportive in my quest for self-improvement in more ways than I could have ever imagined.  I can't say enough about how happy I am with my job situation!

So, Stacey and I are in New Orleans this weekend because Stacey is presenting a poster at a sociology conference as a requirement for her PhD program.

While here, were able to drive around and see how things are progressing after the Katrina storm.  I was quite surprised to see so much progress, but sadden by the fact that there are a lot of homes that are sealed off; private and public housing.

Like most sociologists, my wife immediately went to the discussions of social issues; :-).  I agree that there are much larger issues that need to be dealt with and hopefully the government help meet the pending needs.

We visited the French Quarters, Bourbon Street, the French Market, and several other local attractions.  From a person born and raised in a big city; Washington DC, I like to visit and don't want to live there!  All in all, NO was a nice place to visit.

Over the last four months, I have been extremely busy with work and school.  I've learned how to trust God again even when it seemed impossible.  This semester presented many challenges for work and school.

I had an employee of three years that was very beneficial in the implementation project for our ERP system leave.  His departure left many wholes in my development group, but many opportunities presented themselves as a result.

In the midst of the emptiness and trying to figure out what to do next, a sense of peace came over me and I knew that God was near.  I started accepting resumes and under the advice of a dear friend, I made some internal changes that turned out for the better.

We haven't hired anyone yet, but we prospects are awesome and I anticipate us being able to make a difference in the lives of students over the next several years by utilizing our talents and gifts for the glory of God.

Stay tuned for the updates; it will amaze you!

Ok folks!  It's been a while since I posted an update.  Both Stacey and I are still in school.  I hope to finish my MBA this summer in August and Stacey is doing the research for her dissertation this summer with the intention to finish her writings by December.  As you can see, we will be very busy over the next several months.

We just decided to go to Orlando FL for vacation in May.  This sounds like it will be expensive, but it won't.  It should be a relaxing time away from our hectic lives that we both need.  We will be accompanied by Stacey's parents which it always fun.

Oh yeah!  We bought a Wii for Christmas this year and we love it.  Stacey loves the DDR game (dance, dance, revolution) and I love the Wii Sports.  I'm a Pro in tennis and bowling now and hope to conquer the other three sports too.  Needless to say, its a great way to relieve stress.

 Ok, the news media has taken this to a new level of ignorance.  I can't believe an article like this was posted to disprove prayer.  One can't believe and God and not believe in the power or prayer.  Prayer is not just one asking God for something, but it is being still and hearing the voice of God.  If God decides to not answer a prayer, he can because He's God.

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Power of prayer flunks an unusual test - Heart Health - MSNBC.com
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 This merger will definately raise the prices of washers.  The merger involving Maytag and Whirlpool will control 70% of the market and that would put them close to being a monopoly.  In actuality, they will be an oligopoly and I believe their market share will increase and pose some competitive challenges for other retailers.  I don't think that this merger was a good idea.

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Justice Dept. approves Whirlpool-Maytag deal - U.S. Business - MSNBC.com
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 This article gives important information on coaching employees and why its important.  Coaching requires time and a lot of us don't have the time, but its necessary to accomplish the goals of the employee and the organization.  I think that its one of the most important things a manager can do and I will be intentional about coaching my employees and getting to know them on a personal level.

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Leadership Development: for Your Employees, the Enterprise—and You - Leadership Research Center - CI

 This article gives great information, but make me a little sad since gas prices are still too high.

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Check gas prices in your state - Automotive - MSNBC.com
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 I have a Ford Expedition and I love it.  I hope that Ford will bounce back from its loss in profits.

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Ford set to close plants, cut jobs in revamp - Automotive - MSNBC.com
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