Hey Y'all...

Not sure if anyone still reads this, seeing as I haven't written in a year and a half :)  So, what's new?  Still married and getting better at it.  We are learning the ins and outs of life and how much God can teach you through someone else - how thier perspective and influence can show you so muchof how you think and feel... some good and some bad, but all good as it leads us closer together and closer to Him.  For those of you who are not married, most of the trial of daily living with a spouse is simply getting over sharing all your space, money, and time :)  So having lived with roomates at the Honor Academy did a bit to prepare me... haha, sort of ;)

What else... we have been going to a new church for six months or so, which has been amazing.  God has lead us to a small group where we are really plugged in and having a great time getting to have some awesome, Christ centered friends.  I have missed people like this for some time.  Also, today, my new pastor asked for me to join a mentorship group for men, to train up some new leadership for the church... i am excited and eager to see how and just what God is planning.

We also have recently bought a house.  It hasn't closed yet, but we have been approved for a loan and all that, so it is just a matter of a few months and we officially are no longer renting a dumb appartment (though it has been a blessing).  But, will be official homeowners :)  Another large step in life and an opportunity to see how God has worked.  You know those moments where everything seems to come together and all the little to big decisions you make seem to have been leading to the right moment and place?  Especially when the decisions you were most unsure about work out best?  It is a testimony to how much our God loves us and how little we should ever worry.

Those are all the majors in my life right now... I am pleased to say that though the last couple years have been very dark for my soul... times of trial and dryness, I have made it through and again the Lord is blessing my life and my obedience.  He has never left me nor will He, amen.  I have felt like Jacob, in the wilderness wrestling with the Lord, over His right to be my Lord and over the bitterness I have held against my past.  We all know it is very hard at times to forgive and let go, especially when you are forced to carry scars and pain for what was done against you.  But, how amazing is it when we are able to see how much our God loves us and know that though we hurt, so do those that hurt us?  My prayer has been that I would see with His eyes and love with His heart.  i am quite a ways from attaining this, but nothing is impossible for those that love and obey, amen?

So, I am sorry that this has taken so long to read and for me to write out.  I will try not to let it become so long between entries and a special thanks to Andi for her little memo and reminder :)  Take care and God bless.

Rick GM2

So I know it has been a long time since I last wrote... and through a pretty important few months seeing as i got married... but have no fear it went very well.  The first couple years are not as bad as some might want you to think... just remeber the words, "I'm wrong, you're right... now can we make up?"  and life seems to move on a little smoother :o)  Life is good, as much an adventure now as always and really a lot of fun.  There are always different things to stress over... but God is still on the throne and every bit a part of our lives.  There is so much to catch up on... and so much more to simply chat about.  I don't want to bore anyone.  Talk to y'all sometime.

Later,

Rico

The wedding plans are progressing... we are actually quite ahead of the game.  not much left to do but wait til that last week and throuw it all together.  We are only 12 weeks away come tommorrow.

I am VERY EXCITED!!!  It seems strange though, we haven't put this collosal amount of effort into it.  I was always under the impression that it was going to be stressful and difficult.  I am mean sure, we had a few tough decisions, but nothing compared to what I thought it was going to be like.  That is good news I guess, just hope we haven't forgotten anything :O)

What else... hmm... My business is growing.  I am going to a leadership conference this next week end... John Maxwell is speaking along with 20 other quite successful multi-millionaires.  The emphasis is leadership, I actually have 2 extra tickets if anyone is interested.  There are two other weekends one is this weekend in Milwaukie and the other in Las Vegas next weekend. 

There are some truly amazing changes happening to my industry and there is more money to be made then ever... and the influence I get to have in people's lives is nothing short of God's perfect grace!  AMEN!!

Well, until next time....

Same bat time, same bat channel...

RICO

After many days of long travel and lonely, dark nights.  I found myself beyond hope as to the outcome of my fate... for when you have been as far to the edge of yourself as I had been over these long months, you might know well the tail I am about to tell you.

Though I fought with the utmost intesity.... straining at every encounter to preserve the promise I had made to myself - never to be conquered.... here I now stood looking into the very face of my demise.  Tragic yes.... but with a small glimmer of hope.  A hope that comes with the knowledge, that though all that I am is beaten, still deep within me lies some remaining fragment of freedom.

The enemy I speak of is none less, than the most tenacious of all its kind... a beautiful woman. 

And so here marks the death of Rick Macbeth (a.k.a. - bachelor 'til rapture)... and the beginning of Rick Macbeth.... the married man (come June 17th).

Ok there... I updated!

Well hello again!  Thank you for all those wonderful comments to encourage the continuation of RangerRick's story time... I am can assure you there will be more to come :0)

Just wanted to share something with my wonderful friends and readers... my life was changed this weekend!!  Those of you from HA know those huge mountain top experiences where you truly meet God and feel the closeness of His presense...

I was at a business conference this weekend and it felt more like an Aquire the Fire event but for older people!!!  Many of you may not know, but I own my own business... it is in distribution and people development.  I am being taught how to teach others to make money... through a free enterprise system.  It is a really simple process to learn, but bottom line I am more and more being challenged to seek God and know His voice... to love people without fear and rejoice in their potential and share their lives in a way that help them find freedom finacially and spiritually.

God has lead me to the perfect vehicle to enable people to achieve their dreams, the dreams that truly matter!  The places in our hearts and souls that are deep and passionate, the places that only the Lord can understand, because for us there are no words... God has given me such a passion to see others set free from addiction, worry, fear, and the hopelessness this world grips us with... how great our God is and what dreamers He has created us to be... if only we will let Him raise us as His obedient children....

PRAISE GOD!!!