This morning I am going to give you an update on my family. I guess since it is my blog, I can do that. No, I do not want to be misunderstood by anyone, but I am asked continually about the members of my family.

Josh was honored in Little Rock on Monday night by State Farm Insurance and Hooten’s Football Publishing as one of the top 3 coaches in Class AAA in the entire state of Arkansas. This was a great honor to be up for "Coach of the Year" for the state. The coach who won took his team into the State Championship game. Josh was named in November the "Coach of the Year" for our conference here in Northwest Arkansas. At 25 years of age, he is blessed. On the way back from Little Rock he started getting sick (and I was driving him) and is supposed to return to school today. He has been really sick.  What people do not know is that winning coaches pay a high price during the entire year, but especially the season. Many weeks, especially in the playoffs or other big games, these guys will work 80 plus hours a week, not sleep well at all and eat rather irregularly due to their schedule. His body was gone before he got sick, so this virus has been rather powerful upon him.

Kate has taken care of Josh this week.  She is a great wife to Josh and a super Mom for Peyton. Her smile is a blessing and her spirit is always flexible and supportive to her family.  We are just praying that she and Peyton do not get sick.

Peyton is growing big-time. I have not seen him all week, so last night we stopped by and spent some brief time with him in the "sick ward." He is really growing and is engaging more and more. I reminded him again as I do every time I see him, "Peyton, I love you … change your generation."

Nick has really been busy completing his finals, working extra long hours during the Dallas Christmas Festival, and taking care of managing life. I miss his humor being around me and of course, just him. He is a special young man with a great future before him. God is using him greatly in his new ministry assignment.

Meredith participated in the Dallas Christmas Festival as a dancer, has been working full-time at GuideStone Financial Services, and taking care of the normal details of life. She is a real blessing to all who meet her. Her smile, spirit, attitude, and walk with Christ are really special. She is perfect for Nick. They make a great team together and will be used of God in a big way.

Jeana has been loaded down big-time with the challenges of keeping our lives going with the essentials and attempting to do Christmas shopping. This year is just different with the sudden loss of my Dad. As always, Jeana has supported, loved, and been beside me. She is a great wife!

Mom and our family lost Dad four weeks ago today. It is amazing that life can change so very quickly. She struggles daily and most days, hourly. Family and friends are trying to hold her up, but many things she has to go through herself. Pray for her.

I am blessed.