What are your dreams?

Over the weekend I have had tons of time to think. We spent the weekend at the ranch, which is basically 1500 acres of pure beauty. There are a few houses, crops, cattle, and just plain ole space. Although we had six 9 year old boys running around, it was still a nice, quiet time for me to enjoy the southern sky and just "think." Joe and I enjoyed what he calls "longnecks, " and just talked about life and our family's history. Joe and Shirley are both so insightful on business, family, and life in general.

Today, as we celebrated Joe's 60th birthday, I can't help but think there is a reason why I was brought here to share this special time with him and the rest of his family. At dinner tonight, everyone took the time to speak to him about how he has impacted each and every person's life. He is so generous and has truly impacted so many others in ways that are truly unexplainable. I have only been here two weeks and I can already tell how great of a person he is. He as well as everyone else have made me feel so welcomed, even though I am long distance family to them. It's great to learn so much about my family, while at the same time learning so much about life.

Joe has what he calls "Sprintisms" which are basically life lessons based on how he runs his business, the Sprint Companies, which is a landfill business of Texas (only one of many companies he has started). He says, "We work harder than anyone else and we tell the truth." Even though these may be business terms, I feel as though these two things are the basis for life in general. If you tell the truth and work as hard as you are able, I believe you will gain the most you want out of life. I'm telling you, I have never truly thought about life until these last few weeks with the Swinbanks.

Joe also mentioned Friday night, "I feel like kids these days aren't dreaming like we used to. Even adults these days need to dream." After thinking about this, really thinking about this, I definitely agree. I know as I have lived my life, I think about how much I want a "job," but I have never really thought about what my "dream" for life truly is. I know I want to teach, but what more do I want from that?

Even tonight when talking with both Joe and Shirley, Shirley even said to me as we walked in the door, "I can't help but feel that there was a true reason why you were brought here, other than for student teaching." Even though that was only a few short hours ago, I can't help but agree with her. The experience I have had down here in Texas is far more than I ever dreamed. It goes beyond teaching, and it has given me a new perspective on what I want for my life. I may be rattling on for some of you, but I want to challenge everyone reading this to think about what their true "dreams" are for their lives, and what they want for the people they love. Think about it....