The road

Where will I end up today ?




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Inspiration

My inspiration.



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Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park. A nice Texas family getaway.

"We wanted the LBJ Ranch to be our home for the remaining years left to us , then to be open to to all who wished to visit" - Lady Bird Johnson 1999

It's been many years since I had been to the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historic Park in Stonewall Texas. I think the last time I was there had to be in the 1970's and at that time I was about 7 or 8 years old. I vaguely remember the trip with all of my brothers and sisters. We used to pile in a station wagon and head all over the Lone Star State . My parents would pack the ice chests full of sandwiches and chips and we would eat outside on the park grounds and then continue our tour. Today was no exception it was a absolutely beautiful day in Stonewall Texas..The high temperature today was about 82 degrees which was just about right to take my family on a little adventure for the day. 

We started out at the Sauer-Beckman living history farm which the kids loved .It displays rural farm life from the 1860's. 

I also loved visiting LBJ's ranch including his show barn, The Johnson family cemetery, his air strip where Air Force One often landed and of course the Texas White House. 

Looking for family fun? I highly recommend this trip. It was about an hour and a half drive from our home in San Antonio. We took interstate 10 to highway 87 and onward to Stonewall. My personal favorite areas to see at the park were of course Air Force One that is parked there near its runway . I also enjoyed the Texas White house. To enter LBJ's home it is only done by guided 30 minute tours with no touching and no photography once inside the house. I also enjoyed the "Friendship Stones" where different visitors went to visit the President over the years at the ranch. No guestbook here just wet cement! (see the picture above).

The final resting place of Lyndon B. Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson. 

Looking faith in the eyes.

I am God's servant. On Sundays I usually find myself transforming into a Eucharistic minister or Lector. The church I go to is pretty crowded. It's great to see a lot of young families. Some of us are  looking for faith. Some of us are all looking to maintain the faith we have. I really think that faith has many faces. I see these faces every Sunday. The faces of faith.

The construction worker with the large callouses on his hands.
The single mother juggling two kids.
The single dads.
The homemakers
The working dads.
The retirees.
The teenagers.
The young children.
The babies.



My face.

Government Canyon State Natural hike Jan 2011

Took my Canon Rebel to Government Canyon State Natural Area .I am a writer and amateur photographer. If you follow my blog you will see that I mainly focus on family issues and finding ways to have fun with my family. I still have tons to learn about photography but I kind of like it. There are some technical issues that I am working through but so far so good. I figured Government Canyon State Natural Area in San Antonio Texas would be the perfect place for my Rebel. It was the perfect setting for my little family. Sun and a cool breeze. My little ones are actually at that age where they are able to keep up with us during the hike. South Bluff Spur was definitely rocky but my kids did fine. We took plenty of snacks for them and water. Of course Government Canyon is pretty any time of year. This day almost seemed to be too perfect.

The weather was nice it at about 62 degrees. It was a bit nippy but the family enjoyed it.There was some construction there with the visitors center being remodeled. But who is there to visit the buildings? I was there to hike with my family. The picture directly below is the path that leads to the back country trails.

Take your kids to Government Canyon State Natural area. Your kids are guaranteed to have a great time. Don't forget your camera.

Be an encourager

Encouragement is a gift.

Encouragement creates energy.

Encouragement lasts a lifetime and can be life -changing.

Encouragement motivates positive behavior.

Encouragement is often the most effective form of motivation.

Encouragement most often comes from listening than talking.

Encouragement is more effective than criticism.

Encouragement can be as simple as a smile.

Encourage everyone you know and everyone you meet.

Bruce and Stan
Adapted from "God is in the small stuff."

Where did the holidays go?

I swear the holidays went by like a blur. Every year I think the holidays will go by so slow and they always go by so fast. I love all of the holiday music as well as all of the holiday sounds. Oh well, till next year. Hope you all have a great 2011.