"Get up...the game's only half over."

On New Year’s Day in 1919, Georgia Tech played the University of California in the Rose Bowl. Shortly before half time, a man named Roy Reagals recovered a fumble for California. Somehow he became confused and he started running 65 yards in the wrong direction. A team mate tackled him just before he would have scored for the opposing team. When California attempted to punt, Tech blocked the kick and scored a safety.

The team headed off the field and went into the dressing room. As they sat on the benches, Reagals put a blanket around his shoulders, sat down in the corner, put his face in his hands and cried like a baby.

Coach Nibs Price was silent. No doubt he was trying to decide what to do with Reagals. Everybody just sat there. When the timekeeper announced three minutes till the end of the half, the playing time, Coach Price looked at the team and simply said, "Men, the same team that played the first half will start the second."

The players got up and started out -- all but Reagals. He didn't budge. The coach looked back and called him again but still he didn't move. Coach Price went over to Reagals and said, "Roy, didn't you hear me? The same team starts the second half." Reagals looked up and with tears in his eyes he said, "Coach, I can't do it. I can't do it. I've ruined you. I've ruined the University of California. I've ruined myself. I couldn't face that crowd in the stadium if my life depended on it." Coach Price reached out, put his hand on Reagals' shoulder and said, "Roy, get up and go on back. The game is only half over."

None of us know what kind of year 2008 will be. What we do know is that as long as God has us on this earth, He has a purpose for our lives. Until then, the game is not over. He will give us all we need to keep on going, in good times and bad, in moments of victory and even in moments of defeat.

Psalm 27:1-2 (NIV)
Of David.

The Lord is my light and my salvation--
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life--
of whom shall I be afraid?
When evil men advance against me
to devour my flesh,
when my enemies and my foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.

Papa's Letter to Olive

Dear Olive,
November 20, 2007, was a day that I had been looking forward to for a long time. We anxiously waited at the hospital for your arrival. I will never forget the look on your Daddy's face when he came out to the waiting room to show us pictures of you, our first grandchild. As he held up his camera, he told us that your name was Olive Elizabeth Haas. The baby we had been looking forward to since Mother's Day was finally here. We were so happy.
The first time I held you in my arms was an incredible moment. You are the daughter of my daughter; you are my granddaughter. I felt as if time had made moments out of years. It seems like just the other day that I held your Mommy in my arms and looked at her like I was looking at you. I thank God for the blessing of you and the home you were born into. Your Mommy and Daddy are pretty special people as you will find out soon enough. You were blessed to be born to a mom and dad that will love you and do whatever is necessary to provide everything you need. And, best of all, they love Jesus with all of their hearts and they will teach you about Him and show you Him through their lives.
Nana and I are going to have such fun with you. We will make many happy memories together. You will always know that we love you and that we want to be with you. We know you will face many kinds of experiences during your life. Some will be easy and some will not be so easy. We will help you to know that if you put your trust in God and rely on His Word, He will bless you in more ways than you could ever imagine. You have a wonderful life ahead and we look forward to what God is going to do through you.

I love you,
Papa

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths."