James Woosley’s Blog

This week I started running again. Not that I ever really ran that much before, but since I have technically run at least once in the past and also stopped, the statement is true.

I’ve never really liked running alone. Solitude is okay for a nice stroll, but for a run, I need the extra motivation that only another person can bring (aka I don’t want to wimp out as easy).

The pastor of our church, Ed Litton, lives across the street and I’ve often seen him running at night. He’s run a few 10K’s and while not a speed demon (proper reference for a pastor…yeah, I said he’s not), he’s committed to doing it regularly. And since I’m now home every night, I decided to see if he wanted a partner for his outings.

We first ran on Tuesday night. After a half mile walking warm-up, we did another half mile then a mile walk to cool down. Not too impressive, but I’m just starting out again, remember?

Then Thursday he was feeling a cold coming on so skipped out. I didn’t have the energy to go on my own (remember that wimping out thing?), so I skipped too.

I just got back and we turned it up a bit tonight. He was running late, so I figured he had another engagement and just started on my own (say “Wow!”). Again with a half mile warm up walk and half mile run. Just as I finished, he came out of his house and we walked a half mile together. Then we turned it up with a full mile, followed by a mile cool down. (Are you following all the math here or just skimming?)

It was another beautiful night in lower Alabama. The stars were out, and the temp was perfect (mid to upper 50’s) for a run in January.

In addition to great exercise, it’s a great time of fellowship. Not that we only talk about God. We all know that our pastors are real people, but we sometimes forget it and have unrealistic expectations of them. If you have the opportunity, get to know the person who is your pastor. Not only will you gain a friend, but probably some extra insight to the sermon come Sunday morning.

And maybe, just maybe I’ll be ready for a 10K of my own this year!

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A few weeks ago Dave Ramsey had Larry Stewart (aka Secret Santa) on his show. It was a really neat interview with a man who secretly gave more than $1 million away a little bit at a time.

Larry now has a website where you can sign up to be a Secret Santa. You don’t have to give away money, just promise to commit a random act of kindness during the holidays. I signed up last week and today was my turn.

I’ve been in a bad mood for the last few days. Maybe it’s the holidays (I’ve always found them hard to enjoy…maybe because it throws off the rhythm of the rest of the year). Anyway, today I had to go out and finish my Christmas shopping. Heather’s done most of it this year, but I had to get something for her and for my secret gag gift person (we have a wicked cruel time in my family!).

I ventured to the store (can’t say where, they might be reading!). People were driving their cars like idiots, driving their carts like idiots, and whether cars or carts, the cell phone to their ear made it even worse.

After that trip, I headed to Walmart to get the van’s oil changed ahead of the trip to Missouri. The young lady who took the key had a red nose and looked absolutely beat. I assumed she had a cold. But when I came back to pay for my stuff and the oil service, she mentioned that she had a fight with a guy (husband? boyfriend?) and that the bills were stressing her out. Probably not a cold, but some serious crying.

I tried to lighten her mood with some cliches, told her I’d pray for her and wished her a Merry Christmas before heading to the parking lot. But when I got there, I just couldn’t drive off. I stashed my stuff and went back into the throngs of people (throngs, not thongs!).

You see, in addition to my shopping, I was looking for someone to help. God was telling me that she was the one to help. So I found a simple Christmas card, wrote a simple note and stuffed it with some cash. I walked back to the service entrance, saw her there and gave her the card. It’s funny, but she instantly had a wonderful smile. I told her Merry Christmas again and said that I was her Secret Santa. Then I walked out the door, jumped in the van and sped away. I felt like I needed to get out of there before she could open the envelope.

What a cool rush that was!

I just hope she doesn’t feel the need to look me up in the computer and send it back. I have to believe that maybe that small amount of cash will help her buy food or a toy for a child. I have to leave that to God. At the least I can believe that for a moment she felt some holiday spirit, and maybe that will carry her through whatever pain she’s going through this holiday season.

Your turn! What can you do for someone else? The challenge is on!

Last Sunday night, I had the honor and privilege of speaking to our church about Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. Our pastor, Dr. Ed Litton, asked me to join him for a discussion on giving, and it was a great opportunity to discuss the impact FPU has had on our church this year.

We started classes in January of 2006, and next weekend, we’ll complete our third class. The numbers thus far are impressive:

• 63 FPU Graduates (118 Attendees)
• $162,732.71 in Debt Paid
• $75,654.08 in Savings Created
• >$18M in Debt Offers Collected
• 98 Credit Cards Destroyed!!!

Those numbers are even more impressive because not everyone who participated in the course submitted their debt and savings data.

I’ve also been able to lead two classes at my workplace.

The discussion was well received, and several people asked for more information afterwards. In fact, we may do a similar discussion for our Sunday morning services prior to our next classes starting in February. I had a great time and really enjoyed sharing this life-changing information with such a large group (200+).

Our next class starts February 18th. If you’re in the Mobile, AL area, please consider joining us. If you’re not, find another class at DaveRamsey.com/fpu. There are thousands of classes each year, and people really are getting out of debt and building wealth. You can too!

For more information about FPU and the class schedule for FBNM, visit GazelleIntensity.com.

My wife and I adopted our son Ian last year from Taiwan. It’s been quite an adventure, and you can review the entire story here. Ian is now two and a half, but still not talking much (though he can scream and screech with the best of them).

We initially blamed the lack of words on the change in languages (we got him when he was ten months old). But as time went on, we suspected the problem was more complex. It didn’t seem to be learning disability as he is very clever and bright. I thought about autism for a bit, but that was quickly ruled out. It turns out he just can’t hear very well (which also explains the decibel levels he reaches in anger).

After many tests and doctors (the first of whom said the loss was severe), we now know for sure that he has a mild-to-moderate hearing loss in both ears. And on Wednesday he received his hearing aids.

He did great the first day, but since then he doesn’t want to wear them for very long. It’ll be quite an adjustment, but his doctor assures us that once he realizes that he can hear better with them, he’ll want to wear them.

His near future holds speech therapy and when he turns three, a special preschool to help him catchup developmentally. But he’ll be fine and once he does get caught-up, I think he’ll quickly get ahead. Of course, I’m a biased dad!

So what caused this hearing loss? We jokingly say he caused it himself by being so loud (it really is hard to believe!). But the likely cause is either genetics or the severe fever he had when he was a month old in Taiwan. It could be a combination, but we don’t really know.

The good news is that we’re able to help him where his birth family may not have been able to. But it’s not cheap. Almost no medical insurance covers hearing aids, and ours doesn’t cover the testing. The original doctors recommended aids costing $4-5000+ dollars. The new doctors (who specialize in children), were able to cut that in half.

And for all those Dave Ramsey/FPU types out there, no we didn’t have to put it on a credit card! I was afraid that was my only option for a while, but between stopping the debt snowball and the price cut, we were able to make it. Prayer really works! And as an extra blessing, the day before the appointment we got a check in the mail from our bank saying we had overpaid our escrow and were getting a $300 refund.

We messed up in September and bought a van we shouldn’t have (because we borrowed money). I regret that now, and have vowed it would the last time I borrow money (except for a modest mortgage if we ever move). Taking care of my family may be the only other exception. But God found a way for us not to have to do that this time. I’m hopeful that we’ll get out of debt and build up our savings enough that I never break that vow.

If all goes well in 2007 we’ll be debt free! And with the hearing aids and help, big sister Anna will have some competition when it comes to non-stop talking!

Ah, the joy of a entire week off and only having to burn three days of vacation. Now that’s something to be thankful for!

But much like every other week I take off, it’s filled with wasted time and emergencies keeping me from my planned tasks around the house.

Sunday night, my wife had to go to the ER for a kidney stone. She’s better now, but it was painful and horrible. I’m thankful she’s okay and I’m happy to have been here to help. But I lost three whole days playing stay at home dad. Bummer.

Okay, that sounds really selfish. Honestly, it is. I truly am glad to have helped out. It’s just that I work away from home so much, I still have unpacked boxes from our move more than five years ago. I’ve lost my office to my son, so my office is now the corner of a multi-purpose room in the back of the house. Yeah, I’m definitely feeling selfish this week.

So let’s do the cheesy Thanksgiving thing and list some of the things that I’m thankful for:

• Jesus Christ and His Sacrifice for us all
• My Family, whom I love
• My Job, which I enjoy and am good at
• Dear Friends from the past whom I don’t keep in touch with enough
• This blog, for making me realize some things are simply more important than a little time off

A great life is one lived in service to others. I’m okay with the service and happy to do it, I just don’t always have the best attitude in the moment. But afterwards, I can appreciate the sacrifice and be glad that I’ve done it. The effects of that service almost always outweighs the boxes that remain unpacked.

Hope you had your fill of turkey this year!