Stefanie

Dear Anthony,

Overall, the trip has been very good. Stefanie has a been a blessing.

Her family and friends thought she was crazy to fly out to Texas with no money in her pocket to meet a man she barely knew that could pick up at any time and disappear to god only knows where....

but despite all that, she showed no fear. I watched her smile more than she frowned.... I watched as she experienced what "island time" meant and how she begun to relax... then began to shine... For the first time, spreading her wings in flight.

These trips mean the world to me Son, literally... and I see and experience so many things that you only read about in books. I am glad that Stef came out to experience some of this with me.

As Jesus says, the meek will inherit the earth. Its a promise that has been proven over and over and over again as I take these trips. So many times have I found myself on the side of the road or alone on a bench with very little or no money at all... when I would have no choice but to be patient, humble and pray. And out of nowhere, the help that I needed at the exact moment that I needed it, would show up.

How do I return the favor, by showing up when someone needs me. That's how God works. He works through people. How do I begin my day? Lord, how can I best be of service today? Then rely on him to show me the way.

Son,

Sometimes people may come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there, to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson, or to help you figure out who you are or who you want to become.

You never know who these people may be(possibly your roomate, neighbor, co-worker, long-lost friend, lover, or even a complete stranger) but when you lock eyes with them, you know at that very moment that they will affect your life in some profound way.

And sometimes things happen to you that may seem horrible, painful, and unfair at first, but in reflection you find that without overcoming those obstacles
you would never have realized your potential, strength,willpower or heart.

Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of luck. Illness, injury, love, lost moments of greatness, and sheer stupidity
all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests, whatever they may be, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere. It would be safe and comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless.

The people who you meet who affect your life, and the success and downfalls you experience help to create who you become.

Even the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are probably the most poignant and important ones.

If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your heart, forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious when you open your heart. If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because in a way, they are teaching you to love and how to open your heart and eyes to things.

Make every day count!! Appreciate every moment and take from those moments everything that you possibly can, for you may never be able to experience it again.

Talk to people that you have never talked to before, and actually listen. Let yourself fall in love, break free, and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right to. Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don't believe in yourself, it will be hard for others to believe in you.

You can make your life anything you wish. Create your own life then go out and live it with absolutely no regrets.

Warmth and love,

Dad