25 things about our middle son Patrick

This is our middle son's 25 things about me--appreciate this testimony on Facebook

1. I’m a screwup. I know it sounds harsh but we ALL are in a way.

2. I’m thankful that God is for everyone. The God that created the universe cares about all of us. I don’t have to do enough good stuff to get into heaven. God is a loving and caring God. Because of grace, God can love me. God can even love the screwups. All we have to do is ask Christ to save us and he will. Because God is such a gracious and loving God he forgives. Christ took care of everything on the cross but didn’t just die, he rose again. Christianity is the only religion where we get to worship a God that has walked the earth, died and rose again. These aren’t my own words but I believe they are so true. I borrowed them from Louie Giglio’s DVD – Fruitcake and Ice Cream.

3. I love my wife. I know I don’t tell her enough…but I do love her.

4. Becky and I got to know each other in bowling class at Missouri State University. We also spent a ton of time at the Baptist Student Union. Our first date was on February 14th, 1997. We got engaged on June 7th, 1997 and married on November 8th, 1997. I took her to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City for our 10th anniversary. She loves dogs!

5. My birthday is on February 14th. It’s a mixed blessing. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard, “ohhh…you’re a sweetheart baby!”

6. I love my boys and I’m thankful I get to be their daddy.

7. I committed my life to full time ministry while at a college retreat where Louie Giglio was speaking. I never followed through with my commitment partially because I’m not a very good student and I got into a situation where I needed to work full time to pay my bills.

8. I volunteer at my church. I think way too many people make excuses for not volunteering their time.

9. I love photography.

10. I wish I was a better photographer.

11. I’ve been alive for 41 of the 43 Super Bowls.

12. I’m love college basketball, particularly the North Carolina Tar Heels. March Madness is like a holiday to me. I like the Razorbacks and enjoy going to their games but I’ve NEVER called the Hogs and I don’t ever plan on it. I don’t think it would be fair to the true Razorback fans to call myself a fan.

13. I’m a big St. Louis Cardinals fan. I hope the Cubs never win a World Series.

14. I just like sports. I don’t care who is playing…I just like to see a good game. Even if it’s high school. However, I can’t stand the NBA since Jordan left the Bulls. Yes, former Tar Heel Michael Jordan.

15. I like NASCAR. The first race I ever went to was the Daytona race where Dale Earnhardt was killed. I’ve also been to races in Talladega, Kansas City, and Bristol. The perception of all NASCAR fans being shirtless rednecks is mostly untrue. The majority of the fans at the races are clean cut. The exception is Talladega.

16. One of my grandfathers owned a tavern and was an alcoholic. I don’t like to be around the stuff because of what it did to him and what it does to others.

17. I try to give blood on a regular basis. People that don’t give because of “pain” or “fear” need to get over it. How do you think the people in the hospital in need of blood are feeling?

18. In 1996 I went on a five day backpacking trip to Wyoming with a group of guys from my church in Springfield, Mo. It was one of the most rewarding and beautiful things I’ve ever done.

19. My hometown of Billings, Mo had a population of 911 when I moved...make that 910.

20. I went to the same school from K-12. Same building and everything. There were 21 students in my graduating class and I can name all of them. We haven’t had a reunion since our graduation in 1986. Slackers!!!

21. I played basketball in high school. I scored 1 point my senior year. My bench riding friend Benjy Walkingstick scored 2.

22. 80’s music is the best. My 8th grade baseball team ran out on the field to “Eye of the Tiger”.

23. I had perms off and on from about 6th grade up through high school. Sometimes the whole head and sometimes just the back, you know…the poodle look. My mom is a hair stylist.

24. I had a white sport jacket so that I could have that Don Johnson/Miami Vice look. Don Johnson lived in a nearby town when he was in elementary school. My art teacher went to school with him when she was younger.

25. I got a ticket for Careless and Imprudent driving 2 months after I got my drivers license. I left a huge black mark from spinning my tires while leaving a high school baseball game. Little did I know the town cop was sitting behind a small building and saw or heard the whole thing.

26. I’ve now been driving for 25 years. I’ve had a total of 2 speeding tickets. The last one in 1994. I’ve never had an accident.

27. I have 11 nieces and 3 nephews.

28. Our Jack Russell Terrier Phoebe has had ACL surgery. She was named after Phoebe on Friends. Rodney…I know a vet that might be able to help you out.

29. I didn’t think I would be able to come up with 25 things….and I didn’t. I'm not a rule follower. I didn't tag 25 people either.

30. I don’t like being “tagged” and didn’t want to do this but I’m glad I did. I think that about covers everything. If you don’t know me a little better now, you never will.

31. I went by Pat until the Saturday Night Live character skits with Pat. Ever since I've gone by Patrick.

32. When you’re feeling down…revert back to #2.