Attacks

The hate in this world little alone this nation is great! We that show love and concern for nation are under a great attack for we do not agree with their liberal, socialist, demonic views, little alone the out right wickedness that is so over whelming by all these groups that are attempting to make a name for themselves.  This may be a time of great parallel with horrific attacks against opposing views that don't agree with their demonic agenda. Great hatred for those that are different then themselves the killing of innocent lives. No one is owed anything but yet they think they are owed everything. Evil is far reaching and if you don't agree with it  you are ether punished or possible killed. You speak the truth and they attempt to silence you and they won't stop till they have  achieved their goal. There are many groups out there all under different names but if they are not under Christ they are under Satan and therefore they are demonic! We that know God and His Word are not surprised by the events that are taking place. For they must happen to bring about the fulfillment of prophecy. We can not fear the events that are unfolding before our eyes for our trust should be in the Lord! The Word of God tells us not to be surprised that these events are happening, but look to God for our redemption draws near. Many will fall away in this great tribulation those that hold true to God are not immune from these trials but our faith is to be strengthened it is being refined! Threats are coming from all directions but be not swayed be not afraid we must stand in courage for we know that the Lord goes before us.

Lessons Learned

The hardest thing as a parent is to allow your child to learn from their decisions, that means that once they make a choice you don't run and bale them out every time they get in trouble. They must learn to put forth an effort and not think that they don't have to do anything and get what ever they desire with out trying while they live how ever they want. It is easy  to run to their aid when they place themselves in a uncomfortable position, but what would they learn from that? We all have learned from poor decisions that we have made in life, we have gained wisdom from those experiences in what to do or not to do in certain situations. If we love our children enough we will allow them to experience these hard times and learn from them, so they will learn what to do when we are no longer around to aid them. We must allow our children to learn to be self reliant so that they won't depend on others or the tax payer for their survival, they must learn to put forth an effort and trust in God, once they do this others will be willing to aid them how ever they can.  In the story of the prodigal son the father allowed his son to go his way and live the life that he choose, however he did not run to his son's aid when he hit rock bottom. He waited for his son to learn from that experience and to return home. When he saw his son coming home then he ran out to him embracing him, restoring him to his position with in the family. This is what is wrong in this nation today every one thinks that they are owed something and that they don't have to do anything to obtain it. They belief they are in titled to what ever  they desire with out putting forth the effort to get it. They have been rescued every time they fell and where never allowed to learn from the mistakes that they had made or learned how to get out off the trouble they are in.  You can share with them what they need to do to correct the problem but they refuse to listen blinded by their own ignorance and rejection of the truth.  Until they come to their senses, or their right mind returned to them they will walk in this darkness unaware of our true intentions and the love that we are trying to show. 

A new Grandpa

Still trying to let it all soak in daddy's little girl is going to be a mommy. A young lady she has become I have had a hard time letting go. We didn't always see eye to eye but we are still  very close as it should always be. I have concern for her future for this changes everything, life goes from being hard to something much harder. I don't doubt her abilities but yet I know she has questions. It doesn't seem that long ago as I stood by her mother welcoming her into this world. However it has been over 19 years oh how they went by to quick! The time seemed why to short from her being a baby to a child to a teenager who thought they knew it all to being the woman she is today. She  has questions I know for I have questions of my own. Not only has her life changed mine has changed as well. This new life she now carries this blessed gift from God will change the world in which we live in their own unique way. I look forward to holding this new life a descendant of my own blood. I knew I never deserved the three daughters God blessed me with but now He is blessing me with a grandchild that He has chosen for me. I am blessed to see my children grow for I will be truly blessed to see their children grow. I have not always been a God fearing man but now that I am I have the honor and privilege of passing down the wisdom that God has given to me the knowledge that comes from knowing Him. In a very short time I will be holding this new blessing in my arms thanking God for all that He has done and allowed me to see. 

Little Girl

She was just a baby that grew into a woman. A little girl who stole my heart away. I watched her grow, and it went to fast if I only knew how short the time would be I would of been more of a daddy than a father who was away. If I could of done more if I would of spent more time playing instead of angry words. She left home before she finished school. Could not take the stress of home anymore. I see myself in her and the decisions she making in the way I once lived when I thought I knew it all.  If I could go back, live a different life a life of love, patience, and understanding instead of quick tempered and hateful words. She is my baby girl whom I miss having at home.  But she grew up spread her wings flying away. "Little boy blue and the man in the moon" is a song that is so close to home. I swore I would not be the man that my father was to me, but I treated my daughters the same way he treated me, driving one of them away. I am much older now, I know the error of my ways, I know I can't turn back time. I can however show my love for her helping her in away I can. I might not agree with the choices she makes, but that is where she will learn wisdom is from the mistakes she will make.  No matter what she does she is still my daughter a child that God in trusted to me for a very short time.  As she begins her adult life may she ever be reminded that I love her that God is with her that she may of learned what to do and not to do when she has a family of her own. We have our children for a very short time you will tuck them in bed one night and the next day it seems they are moving away. If we had a little more time to figure it all out, just maybe we could be the parents that we should of been. But we don't so while they are little play a little longer spend less time working and complaining speak words of love and not so much screaming. They are only with us for a very short time. 

Letter to State

The following is a short speech I presented today in front of Advocates for those who have some type of  mental or physical disability and those who provide care for them. It was a forum that was held in front of the Advisory Panel for Policy making.

To all it may concern:  

In regards to the 3.5% cut in funding to DDS services.

This is an outrage! There could have been other cuts that could have been made, starting with salaries of our elected and appointed officials and representatives.  This move is going to be catastrophic to those who receive services and to those who provide those services, most of the employees that work for various agencies receive some type of state assistance for they do not make enough to provide for their families as it is, and those who don't receive any state assistance barely make enough to survive.  We do not receive a livable wage as it is.  There are many who do this job out of love and compassion for those who need some type of assistance, Do Not take advantage of this Desire to make someone's life better!! To those who receive services this move will take away a quality of life that they and their Families have fought so hard to obtain.   This move by our representatives will set us back decades in services.  This 3.5% cut is going to have far greater effects than you will not be able to comprehend or refuse to see! We have been fighting for an increase for years and you all know the need! But through your greed and selfishness you refuse to place the money where it truly needs to go! I have been in or around this field for over 14 years! My wife has been providing services to the same individual for all of those 14 years!  Many of the people in this field have spent a good part of their life doing the same thing caring for the same person for the length of their career. These people we care for are not just a job they are family!  We want to see them get the best quality care they can get with all the services they need so that they can live the most productive full life they can.  With you taking away these funds you are robbing them of that life. A big portion of those we care for have lived in an institution of some sort. They fully remember the lives they had then and many fear with the cuts that they will be going back to that life.  These People have their own homes many volunteer or have some type of employment to contribute to the community in which they live!  With these cuts many will be no longer to contribute to their communities as they have been. 
Our employees need to be treated better, they need a raise and not a pay cut which is a good possibility with this cut.  Agencies are going to have to find ways to survive and stay afloat with this shortfall.
You that have the power to change this should reconsider this cut and how it is going to affect 1000s of Oklahoma lives!  Cut your own salaries/ or other things that do not matter, instead of robbing from those who so desperately depend upon these services.   Employees and those who receive services are depending on you to make the right choices.  "True character is doing something for someone who can do nothing in return!"

Sincerely Orlando Houston  
Support Coordinator @ Central State Community Services of Oklahoma