Times of Remembrance

My beautiful bride is now a blogger and she is doing a great job with this new found hobby. I really get to see a brilliant side to her that is so refreshing to our marriage. I find that I love her more and more everyday.

Today she wrote of her mother. What a neat and wonderful woman she was. I really wish that we could have uploaded her digital story to show you all how wonderful she was and the impact that she had on so many people. We do miss her. It is these times of remembrance that we relish the good times.


Earlier one of my assistants called me to let me know they were putting her father into hospice care. He too suffers from kidney failure and other medical issues very similar to Andi's mom. Walking with my assistant during this time is like looking in a mirror from October and November of 2007. Andi and I know to well what this season of life is like. Our heart breaks for Dot and her family at this time. We must not lose sight of the Father during this time and minister to their needs, sharing Christ's eternal love and grace.

Champions

Who says winning a Texas State Team Championship has to be done by a team? What an amazing story! Rochelle High School Wins Class 1A Girls State Track Championship

Spring Cleaning....

So here it is, the last day of the 2007-2008 academic year. This day has been a long time coming!!! WHOOP!! My staff and I are way ahead of schedule from where we typically are this time of year. We have spent the day completely cleaning, organizing and inventorying the entire athletic training department. It is with great anticipation and excitement that we welcome this day, because if all goes well... we will have everything in its new home by next weekend and then all we have to do is order the new stuff and get that put away in June. Which means... July will be relaxing!!! Can I get a WHOOP!?!?

Gililland's Island

Well... it has happened... my Beautiful Wife is now a blogger... WOW!! You can check her out at Gililland's Island. Enjoy!!

The Man Card

OK, let's talk about the ever popular "Man Card". You know the one... the card that men of all ages get to punch when they do something manly. Manly things come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, voltages, watts, and of course power (most of the time dealing with explosions of some sort). Well I have been told on more than one occasion that I need have my "Man Card" taken away. The first of which was when a well respected man said it should be revoked because I didn't have the right tools to fix a water leak, the second was when my brother told me I didn't know how do something or other (can't really remember). And I am sure there have been others who have thought that I should never have my card reinstated. Nevertheless, lets talk about the "Man Card".

Recently there has been some discussion on men going to the theater, the ballet, or the symphony with their wives. It was not that they wanted to, it was that they were dragged into it one way or another. I find that funny. I guess (in my opinion), I have the GREATEST WIFE in the world. Just yesterday we went to the movies and saw a manly movie, her idea. She loved it!

I say all this because, Saturday I had to actually tell a well respected man to, be a man and go to the symphony with his wife. After much prodding from me and convincing him that it would be a good time and we could double date, he reluctantly agreed. Well, let me tell you this... he LOVED the experience and even spoke of wanting to do it again. Some men would say he needs to have his "Man Card" revoked. I say... PUNCH ANOTHER HOLE IN THE STINKING THING!!! IN FACT PUNCH TWO!!!!

It takes a real man to sacrifice and do things with his wife. It takes a real man to say I Love You to his wife everyday (multiple times a day). It takes a real man to say I Love You to his children every day (again multiple times a day). It takes a real man to say I Love You to his brothers in Christ. I could go on and on. I am so fortunate to be in the company of so many Godly men. They all exemplify to me what a real man is. In my opinion a real man is one who is well rounded. A man who is able to be a strong unmovable mountain with the guys, yet as calm as a clear stream of steadily flowing water with his wife and kids. A man who can listen to the call of the Lord and serve his wife's and children's needs, at the same time providing them with leadership, direction and protection.

"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,"
Ephesians 5:25 (ESV)

So the next time you have a Brother tell you he went to the theater, ballet, symphony, antiquing, or if he did something that made his wife happy, instead of telling him to turn in his man card, give him the "Man's Service Star" to pin on his chest, and punch a hole in the "REAL MAN CARD".

Out on the Porch Playing Washers....

Growing up in Texas was the greatest adventure. I will be the first to admit, I am extremely biased to what I refer to as the "Homeland". Welling with Pride for the Lone-Star State is an understatement for me. To say I love Texas... well that too is an understatement.

After I graduated from HSU in 98 (10 years ago...really?!?), I moved to Missouri to pursue my career as an athletic trainer. During the four years I lived in Missouri I was amazed at how the people of Missouri didn't swell with Missourian pride. The "Show-Me-State" was just that... skeptical to everything. Literally everyone would say..."show-me". They are a, "see it to believe it" kind of people. Nevertheless I really enjoyed living in Missouri and relish the opportunity to visit as often as I can.

So back to TEXAS! I am a sucker for Texas Country Music. I love the sounds of Robert Earl Keen, Jerry Jeff Walker, Pat Green, Corey Morrow, Kevin Fowler, Roger Creager, Casey Donahew Band, Randy Rogers Band (his little brother plays FB for us), Gary P. Nunn, Lyle Lovett, Aaron Watson (Amarillo/Abilene Boy!), and a whole host of others. The Ipod is always playing at the Gililland house. One of my favorite songs by Pat green is "I Like Texas". In the live version of the song, there is an additional verse and story about him and his roommates out on the front porch playing washers. Every time I here the word "washers", I think of Pat Green saying..."We were out on the porch playing washers." He talks about stop and go burritos from Allsups (growing up in White Deer that was a breakfast, lunch, dinner specialty for all the high school kids).

And I finally get to my point. I LOVE GRILLING OUT, LISTENING TO TEXAS COUNTRY MUSIC AND PLAYING WASHERS!!!! So last night... my beautiful wife and I made Bison Burgers (we're trying to keep it healthy), listened to Texas Country Music and played washers. We had so much fun, just the two of us. It was relaxing, we talked, laughed and competed! Great memories! I love spending time with my wife. I hope this becomes a weekly occurrence throughout the summer; grilling, music, washers, and precious time with my wife!

Shake It Like An Egg Shaker

Last night my beautiful wife and I met some friends of ours from church at a local coffee shop. We love to go to this place. It is a very nice, warm, inviting shop that has music every so often. So after dinner (and mowing the grass), we went to Tuscany's for desert and music. Our worship pastor plays there every other Tuesday night, so being a big fan of our worship pastor, we had to partake! It was great times... some sing-a-longs, laughs, and of course great conversation. My favorite part was being apart of the band for one brief moment in time... Shaking the Egg Shaker!! I think I will stick with my day job!

"The Christians who did the most for the present world were just those who thought the most of the next. The Apostles themselves, who set on foot the conversion of the Roman Empire, the great men who built up the Middle Ages, the English evangelicals who abolished the slave trade, left their mark on Earth, precisely because their minds were occupied with Heaven. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world, that they have become so ineffective in this. Aim at Heaven and you will get earth thrown in, aim at earth and you will get neither."
- C.S. Lewis

What a profound statement. This was atop the agenda for this morning's athletic department staff meeting. What a refreshing thought...to think of Heaven and all that we should be working towards for the Glory of His Name! For me this was very appropriate for my desire of leadership and the example that should be set by us all. I desire more than ever to be a leader that is focused more on the eternal implications rather than the bottom line of the daily grind. My attitude and demeanor will always set the stage for the way persons see the Jesus in my life.

I recently heard this story from one my assistants. Prior to their employment with us, this person's perception of me was very negative. "I would see you at a convention or a conference and think to myself, why would I ever want to work with that guy?!" This was confessed to me after this person's first year. Their impression of me was determined from an incident over 10 years ago, when we both were students at rival schools. Evidently, my actions dealing with student-athletes at a basketball tournament did not set very well. I have no recollection at all of the incident 10 years ago. But the only impression this person ever had for me was from this one incident. What hurts more than ever is that this person actually saw me as a person who did not bring Glory to the Kingdom.

After I learned this preconceived notion of myself from this assistant, we discussed in great detail how it was just a perception of who I was, and not who I really am. How many others have this perception of me? Sure this is a story of victory in the fact that we were able to discuss this incident and to work things out to where we actually laugh about the incident now.

Still it makes me think. I know that I fail to fully be joyful daily, but should I not always strive for the Joy of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ? Even on the days that I am not joyful. From this conversation I am reminded of Hebrews 12:1-2
"1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (ESV)

We are surrounded daily by a great cloud of witnesses. We have the opportunity everyday to be light unto the darkness or to allow the darkness to overcome our light. Heaven...this is our desire, not Earth. Won't you dream of Heaven with me? Will you live for Christ daily? Will you play a pivotal role in reaching others to know Christ? Just some thoughts for the day...O What A Day!!!

Looking for Service Ideas?!

Two weeks ago, our church promoted a service message. This had a lasting impact on my life.

I'm Back!

I'm back... so to speak. The year of athletics as I know comes to an end today. This is the last day of off-season and it feels like forever since I stopped to take a long deserved breath. Little did I know when I we started nine months ago that this would have been the year that it had been.

School is out in two weeks, then it is a week of rest before I head to Outdoor Education camp, which will encompass the last two weeks of May. I am looking forward to OEC this year. I never know what exactly my responsibilities will be for OEC. Typically I am the man everyone loves to hate in the mornings, as I bring the "Rise and Shine" to the campers every morning in a very unique way! I then get to share the daily devotional and set the stage for the spiritual aspect of OEC. The rest of my days are spent taking pictures, helping with the different areas and healing the sick and injured. It is always a time for great fun!

I am hoping with the end of this crazy year, that my post will become more frequent. To all my loyal readers - I'm Back...so to speak!

Christmas Time

Well I am back (so to speak). Back for another addition to what I had hoped would be a daily blog, but obviously it has turned out to be just a page in webspace! There has been a lot of change that has taken place over the past four months. Change that has been hard to handle and change that has been welcomed with open arms. I must first confess that I am not one who is opposed to change and often times, I need change. But when it comes at you when you least expect it with the outcomes being drastically different, change can cause a great deal of stress. This semester (since I work in the academic world I refer to life in four categories - Spring Semester, Summer Break, Fall Semester and Christmas Break), has been the most challenging for me both as a believer in Christ, a husband, a friend, and as a professional. Serving as the lone athletic trainer for a football team can sometimes be more than a handful. Trying to balance life and work is difficult enough without having the added pressures of unexpected change.

The biggest change to take place has been the passing of Andi's mother. Karen went to be with the Lord on November 6th (coincidently my 33rd birthday). Andi, her sister and brother-in-law, and I were there at the hospice center minutes after she passed. It was a sweet precious time with family one that I will never forget. Andi is doing well considering she lost her mother, her best friend. I have had the great honor to weep and mourn with her during this time and it has honestly been such a blessing. Karen suffered from kidney failure and from bi-polar disorder. I only knew her for two and half years, but during this short amount of time, I never knew anyone as sweet and selfless as her mother. When she started getting sick last April, I knew that our time with her would be precious and that we should make every moment count. My fondest memory of my time with Karen were the two weeks she stayed with Andi and I after her stroke in April. She and I would have lunch everyday together, and I was her personal taxi service when she had to go to dialysis. She always was so grateful to me and bragged about her taxi service to the friends she made at dialysis. This Christmas will be difficult without her around. She made everyone laugh with her childlike innocence. I still hear her saying, "Oh Hi!!! How are you?!" I miss her.

The other major change in our lives occurred September 11th, no not the anniversary of 9-11, but rather the purchasing of our home. We entered the wonderful world of home owners this past semester and that has been more change that I could have ever imagined. Still it has been welcomed and exciting. Andi loves being our homemaker and she has done a fabulous job of making our house a home. We still have some painting to do, so I am sure the honey-do's will be abundant come spring time and summer.

So hear we are Christmas time!!! This is my favorite time of the year. It gets colder, there are chances of snow (maybe not here this year - but nonetheless snow may come for someone), and friends and family spend time together. We will be heading SA (San Antonio) on Friday as soon as Andi is finished with school. There we will spend time with her sister's family, and have the big family Christmas party on the 22nd. On Christmas Eve we will celebrate with her dad and step-mother, then it is back to A-Town for Christmas Day. My parents are coming into town tomorrow and will hold down Fort Gililland for us until our return. Mom will hopefully start some cooking and my Dad and Granddad will just hang out. Christmas day will be exciting as EVERYONE from my Dad's side of the family is coming to our house! Welcome to the home owners association! Abilene is half-way for everyone and what a better place to have it, besides we don't have to go anywhere! It will be fun. As soon as we get back from SA on Christmas Eve, I will get the smoker going and smoke a turkey for the feast! This will be my first smoked turkey so please pray that it comes out good!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!!! WHOOP!

More Final Thoughts

I continue to be amazed at the people in my life. How so many unknowingly show me on a daily basis how I should strive to be more Christlike. My wife is my number one fan. She is constantly holding me up in prayer and I can sense her prayers daily. She is a woman who desires nothing more than to glorify God with all her life, including tireless supplication for her husband. Today, is my first full day off in over two weeks and I am excited that I get to spend it with the one I love the most, my Andi. She is so special to me and I love her with all my heart. I am so very grateful for her and her prayers. She is in my mind the essence of the Proverbs 31 woman.

FINALLY FINISHED

The toughest two weeks of my year have come and gone. Two-A-Days! And now we are down to the last seven days until the official start of our season. I am excited on many levels, and this year will be an exciting one I know for sure. The past two weeks (17 practices total), were very trying this year. It was during this time that I had to stop and fall on my face and seek God to give me the strength, the wisdom and the courage to face the challenges that were placed in my path. I am reminded in James Chapter 1:2-4, 12
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may beperfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

v.12 "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him." ESV

I pray that I will remain steadfast throughout all the trials of my life. I am so grateful for these past two weeks and what I have learned and will continue to learn.

Weekend Warriors Part Two

Well here it is July 15th and the summer is officially half over. Since my last post it has been a roller coaster of emotions for Andi and I. We have continued to spend every weekend in San Antonio. Her mother continues to grow ill both mentally and physically and because of her illness she can no longer live by herself, and it has been difficult to find placement for her. This situation in our life has once again shown us that we have to fully rely on God for the strength to endure. We are learning so much about ourselves, and together, Andi and I are growing closer not only to one another, but also to Christ. He alone will see us through the night and we will weather the storm that is surely ahead of us. Sure our summer has had great memories of good times and those are the ones that we are clinging to, yet it has also been field with those memories that will not soon be forgotten. Our hope lies completely in Christ and we are sure that His mercies are new daily. Andi and I have realized that we should stop asking the "why" but the "how are you growing us" questions. This has been where I have found peace. He continues to sharpen us daily as we face the difficulties of our future.

Proverbs 27:17 - As Iron Sharpens Iron, So One Man Sharpens Another.

Oh that I would never be dull.

Weekend Warriors

In May I sat down with my staff and we discussed our summer schedules for the office. As we all discussed our summer plans, I casually made the comment that Andi and I were just going to be taking a couple of weekend trips this summer and a big vacation next summer. Little did I know just how wrong I was, it has been every weekend! We have been on only two planned weekend trips, the others (since May) have been unexpected trips to San Antonio to take care of Andi's mom. We have had great times and we have had rough times during our weekend excursions. I can't wait for the fall to get here so that we are in a normal pattern of life! Andi and I are definitely enjoying the summer, but we miss the time with our church family and a weekend to relax!

Continual Change

The older I get, the more I realize that change is an everyday part of life. Change, for the most part is good...some would even go so far as saying change is GREAT! Yet, there seems to be those who are resilient to dramatic change and they want everything to stay the same as it has been since the "Leave it to Beaver" days. Unfortunately we don't live in this sort of mythical world. No, our world is in a constant state of change. We are either growing or we are shriveling our minds and bodies. Growth is change, and growth (no matter how you look at it is good - often great) leads to a stronger understanding for the call that God has placed on your life. One of my favorite illustrations of this is found in Philemon. I am a big fan of redemption and this short letter from Paul is all about growth and redemption. Philemon had every legal right to punish Onesimus for running away, but through the Holy Spirit and Philemon incredible faith, Onesimus was forgiven and redeemed. Onesimus changed, he became a follower of Jesus Christ and his life was changed forever. As we continue to walk this path of life, we will be in a continual state of change. Some of us will change in ways that are not pleasing to the Lord, and others will grow closer to Him daily. Oh how I pray that I am sharpened everyday by the men in my life, to encourage me to change and to be the man God has called me to be.

Golf and Friends

On Monday night Andi and I went over to another couples house for dinner. It was so good! The food was amazing! Andi and I love being around this couple, they are a great example of how to love on people and we love getting to play with their daughters (2 and 1). After dinner we all set down for a nice game of no limit hold-em (no buy in mind you!), and let me tell you, the Gilillands were hot that night. Andi and I seemed to get all the cards. Unfortunately, we were not the big winners for the evening, nevertheless it was great food and fun with our friends.

Yesterday I played golf with one of my favorite buddies. It was nice and relaxing as we battled through Diamond Back, bad shots, and the ever increasing heat and humidity. There were great shots such as my 30 ft (+) putt for par, and Tim's stellar tee shot that saw the ball go straight up and back down, right in front of where he had tee'd it up. Great memories. One of my favorite aspect of the day was just having the time with Tim and sharing. I think he said it best in a recent e-mail: "As much as I will enjoy reading your blog, I much prefer our times together face to face in engaging conversation." How true that is. When was the last time you had engaging conversation with a loved one or a friend? Make some time to engage them in their interests and listen intently to know their heart and mind. Trust me it will bless you beyond your imagination!

Overcoming

Overcoming great odds or even small odds can sometimes cause a man to struggle with the question, "is it worth it?" My answer is, of course it is worth it. We are reminded in James 1: 12 "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him." (ESV) Isn't it amazing to think of how much Christ loves us? His grace is so refreshing and it is this grace that gives us the hope for enduring the trials. Overcoming odds is a theme that we will all endure throughout our lives. Let us take captive our thoughts and remain steadfast under trial. I know that we will be more richly blessed when we have overcome the odds.

One Year Anniversary!

I can't believe that it has already been one year of marriage. A good friend of mine told me the other day, "the first year was my toughest". I would have to say that this has been a great first year! Andi and I started our year at Lake Tahoe and celebrated our year at Inks Lake. Tahoe was fine accommodations, and Inks was fine camping at its best (rain included, free of charge!). We had a blast a year ago and just as much fun camping. I will admit, the water at Inks was a good 40 degrees warmer than Tahoe! We didn't see any mountain lions or bears on this trip, just deer making their way through our campsite. No rock climbing in Yosemite, but we kayaked the lake, had a great time on a jet ski, and hiked thought the pink granite park. The simplicity of camping was relaxing and a breath of fresh air. We powered down our phones at 12:00 AM on Thursday and didn't power them back up until we got back to Abilene. I am so grateful for the stress free weekend we shared together. Often times we don't take time to be in God's presence the way I believe He intended it to be, in nature. I am so grateful for the love of my wife. My anniversary gift from her was a journal that she had been keeping for me from our days of dating. I had given her the exact same gift on our wedding night, a journal that I had been writ ting to my wife for four years. It was crazy that we were writing to each other at the same time and never even knew it. What a blessing Andi is in my life. It is my prayer that we will continue to grow together and be a blessing to others. I can't wait for the next 50 plus years!

What a Year!

I can't believe that it has been almost a year since my one and only post on what I thought was going to be a daily regimen of writings. Unfortunately, this eager ambition of my mine to be the next great blogger of our generation never manifested into existence. So here we are, one year older and wiser.

Andrea and I are quickly approaching our 1 year anniversary and it has been a fun year. Our honeymoon to Lake Tahoe and Yosemite was awesome and I highly recommend it to all who love to travel! We have the cutest little house here in Abilene and we are looking at possibly buying our first home. Andrea was hired on full time with AISD and will continue to teach 3rd grade in the fall. We both love our church and are excited to be in the midst of God's will for our life!