DAN GOULD

FROM THE INSIDE OUT

Category: Dan Gould

  • Thanksgiving

    “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
    His faithful love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1     (NLT)

    Well here it is, in less than 5 hours Stephanie and I will have eaten our first home made (our home, by us) turkey and shared a meal together as a family with my Dad joining us.  This year is different for us in many ways. Typically we are in MO seeing my side of the family and then traveling to see Stephs side of the family.  It typically includes a lot of food, a visit to the farm for a tractor rides, and yes, the forced family picture that no-one really wants to take.  But this year we are home in Texas because we will travel to MO in December for Stephs brothers College Graduation.

    But being away from the norm or tradition sometimes helps put life in perspective.  We have all heard it said that we take things for-granted.  Many times we don’t realize what we have until it’s gone or we miss out on something we are use to doing.  So today, make sure you tell the people closes to you how thankful you are for them.  As they say in the UFC be first, don’t wait for someone else to say something before you.

    Today, let’s not just eat a bunch of food and gather as family and friends without letting the people in our lives know how thankful we are for them.  They may never know how you really feel, and you may never have the opportunity to share how special they are to you again.  So be thankful!

  • Fast Trip and a Fast Weekend

    Where did it go?

    The weekend was filled with highs and lows but defiantly one we wont forget.  The highs would include seeing our families, celebrating with Rachel on Graduating College, Eating at Mexican Villa in Springfield MO, taking the bots to Dunnigan Park in Bolivar MO.  This is the place that Stephanie and I started dating and have been dating ever since. The weekend ended with a great end of the year small group party at the Winters Home for our 11th and 12th graders and a Craw-fish Boil today at the Millsaps.  These were some awesome times in a cram packed weekend. But it wouldn’t be a Gould weekend without some sort of Drama.

    Here are the lows from the weekend, Pizza Hut in McAlester OK, The Drive to Missouri, Josiah getting croup while in MO, The Drive back to Texas in the rain, which caused us to miss the Big Cabin exist forcing us to take the long way home. But the real kicker came Sunday Morning when our projectors went out just before our MS service.  This through me off so much because I had 2 videos taking up 8 minutes of my talk.  We ended up showing it on a little 27 inch stage monitor turned to the crowd.  Talk about throwing you off your game.  I was thankful we got one projector working for the HS school service.

    However, even though it went by fast, it was a good weekend filled with several memory markers.  Here are some pics that I captured from the weekend:

  • Warmness = Wagon Ride, Gilling, and Family Fun

    We had some warm weather yesterday and the family tried to take advantage of it the best we could.  While grilling some steaks the boys and I played in the back yard  One of their new favorite things to do is ride in the wagon.  So, I strapped Jackson in, he like to bail mid ride and the seat belts keep him safe and contained, and pulled them around the yard.  Even though the scenery never changed we had a lot of fun.  The highlight for me was seeing Josiah pull Jackson around the yard and hearing Jackson say cheese every time he went past me! Here are some pic of our wagon ride.

  • Jackson First Day of School & Mens Panel for MOPS

    What a day!!!  It all started with the boys both getting ready for School today at the same time.  Yes, Jackson started preschool today.  I was so excited for him and he seemed to have had a great day.  Here are some pictures,

    After we dropped him off to school I had the pleasure of participating on a “Man’s Panel” in MOPS.  I was the only guy on the panel that had his wife in the room.  Talk about accountability!  It was fun and the questions were good.  There are somethings that I feel I am doing really well at as a Husband and Father but there are definitely somethings I can work on.  I learned a lot just from listening to the other guys.  I was blown away by some of the answers when it comes to date nights, conversations, evaluations and stuff like that.  My prayer was and still is that it would be helpful and real for all that were involved.

  • Road Trip

    Last night the family made a trip to Dallas to hang out with Tyler and Jenn.  Tyler serves as our Student Worship Coordinator and Jenn is a first year teacher.  It has been fun getting to know them.  Tyler is doing such a good job at Fusion.

    After the long drive, (I respect what Tyler does even more knowing how far he drives to invest in our students) we had dinner at Royal Thai.  I must say, that the food was amazing!  Probably the best Chicken Fried Rice I have ever eaten.  The place reminded us of our favorite restaurant in Warrensburg called Siam. I ordered the Pad Thai Chicken and Stephanie had the Mongolian Beef.  The food was great, the company was awesome, the boys behaved, and it was fun just to get away and have dinner with family and friends!

    Now we just have to find a Thai food place this good closer to us, any suggestions?

  • Bust a Move – Jackson Style

    Jackson has been working on his dance skilz.  We happened to catch a short clip on video of it this weekend.  Here is his debut, enjoy!!!

  • 32 oh man!!!! (not old man)

    Yep, its official . . . today I turn 32!  Hard to believe I know!  So I thought I would do 32 random facts about me:

    1. My wife is my best friend!
    2. I love my boys and they teach me so much about life and God!
    3. I have never craved Ice Cream.  I will eat it but don’t really like it that much!
    4. I like warm weather!
    5. It excites me to see people come to know Christ and then experience Him regularly!
    6. I love working with teenagers, and Believe God can do great things through them!
    7. I have a black belt in Taekwondo, so you better watch out!
    8. I use to play the drums and thought I was going to be a band teacher!
    9. Football is my favorite sport!  However I like playing Volleyball and Softball also!
    10. I don’t understand soccer but am learning it because of Josiah!
    11. Ephesians 3:20 is one of my many favorite verses in the Bible along with James 1:22, Romans 12:1-2, Hebrews 12:1-2, Psalm 37:4
    12. Romans 8 has become my new favorite passage of Scripture and the book of James kicks my butt, but is still my favorite!
    13. I like to play racing games at the arcade (Dave and Busters)  My wife tries to win but . . .
    14. I like riding dirt bikes and look forward to doing that with my boys!
    15. Stephanie says I am no fun to play Volleyball with because I am so good and competitive! (that’s the way I interpreted it)
    16. I like to watch baseball at the field not on TV. Go Cardinals!
    17. I still watch Wrestling on TV! (sad i know)
    18. LOST and The Office are our favorite TV shows with Friday Night Lights and American Idol being close behind!
    19. If I had a million dollars . . . don’t have the first clue how I would spend it.  Would definitely pay off debt, save, and make sure my family is taken care of!
    20. My first car was a red Firebird!
    21. My first job as a teenager was as a Painter, Mowing Yards, Mechanic, and working at McDonald’s!
    22. If I had more time I would, read more, write more, spend more time with family and friends!
    23. One of my favorite memories as a kid was going to Disney World and riding dirt bikes with my dad and brother!
    24. Jamaica still holds a special place in my heart!  Have been there for 4 mission trips and Honeymoon!
    25. Blue is my favorite color!
    26. I have become a Mizzou football fan and will always like the KC Chiefs!
    27. Springfield MO has the best Chinese Restaurants.
    28. I like to be on the water! (wave runners are my favorite, but boats are cool also)
    29. Stephanie and I went on a 7 day cruise on our honeymoon!
    30. I drive a jeep and wish I had the money to deck it out more than just the tires!
    31. I use to Golf, it’s been awhile but want to play again soon!
    32. I love my life! Everyday is a gift and an opportunity to experience God through the challenges and victories that each day brings!

    Wow, I made it.  I got stuck at about number 8 but was able to pull it through!

  • Josiah aka Womanizer

    So, today was valentine party day at MDO where Josiah goes to school.  On Tuesday Night Stephanie had Josiah put his name on all of his classmates Valentine cards.  As he was filling them out he asked if he could give one to Dani “his girlfriend”.  Dani was the girl that Joe played with all last year.  They were in the same class but this year they are not.  So this morning, he went to the other class and gave her the Valentine present that he had picked out for her.  Her eyes got real big when she saw him and saw the little heart shaped box of chocolates, Josiah got ready to walk away and she gave him a hug! It was a proud moment for the Gould boys.  Josiah was on cloud 9 and I was so proud of him!

    When I picked him up, Dani came into his classroom and gave him a special valentine.  Again it ended with a hug.  At this age it really cute and so innocent . . . I just hope I am not training him to be the womanizer that Brittany Spears describes in her song but a young man that will treat girls and women like a daughter of the King.

    Here are some pics of him putting his classmates gifts together!

  • You’re my Father

    Today as I was getting Joe ready for school (he was complaining about going, he’s only 4, we have a long way to go at this rate) he asked if I could give him a piggyback ride up to his room to get some clothes.  I was going to say no but instead, I asked him why?  He answered without hesitation and said, “Because you are my Father!”

    The moment he said that my heart was filled with joy and instantly my mind changed from saying, “no” to saying, “get on and lets go!”

    At first I thought it was no big deal.   But as I drove to the church today, I couldn’t stop thinking about how big that statement was and how it relates to my relationship with God.

    Josiah had no reservation about asking me for what he wanted.  In his world I am his dad and why wouldn’t I give him a piggyback ride?  It’s kinda a no brain-er.  But then when I heard him acknowledge me as his father it made my heart swell with joy and I wanted to give him what he was asking for!

    So here’s the lesson.  I have a Heavenly Father that wants to bless me more than I could ever try to bless my son, all I need to do is ask.

    Why ask . . . Because He is my Father!!

  • What a Day – Family Fun, Cussing, and a Seizure

    Yesterday started as any normal Friday does, everyone sleeping in a little, before the day get off to a start.  Stephanie had the pleasure of having lunch with Kristy who has been a huge encouragement and blessing to our family, while I had the pleasure of hanging out with the boys at Chick-fil-A FOREVER.  No it wasn’t that bad.  The boys had so much fun!

    From there we went to visit one of our students in the hospital.  If you will join us in praying for Brittany Stene, that would be awesome.  Brittany for the last year has been battling cancer and now has to battle a blood clot in/near her heart.  Praying with and hearing their story made Jackson seem very healthy.  Just reemphasizes that everyday is a gift from God, and one that should be cherished, enjoyed, and put to good use making the most of the opportunities presented.  I don’t know all that is in store for Brittany, but i do know that God is growing her faith and using her to grow the faith of her mother as well.

    Since we were in North Dallas, we decided to make our 2nd visit to North-park Mall.  This time was much different than the first visit in the fact that you could park, and walk through the mall peacefully.  We ate at PF Changs which has become one of our families favorite restaurant.  The boys love the chicken fried rice.  As we walked the mall, we did hit up some stores.  I found a good deal on some sweat pants that I wanted to try on before I bought them.  I take Josiah to the dressing room with me and as we are talking I am trying on the sweat pants, without missing a beat Josiah looks at my sweat pants and says, “Dad, you can’t buy those they are to f****** long!” . . . . . . . . yeah, that’s what I did also.  I thought maybe I had not heard him correctly so I asked him to repeat what he said!  Yep, he said exactly what I thought he said.  I know what you’re thinking, Yes, I am a pastor, and yes, he is a pastors kid.  I told him that’s a bad word and we don’t talk like that.  I tried to get him to tell me where he heard that but he couldn’t answer.  So, we are in the process of evaluating how and where he could be picking up language like this!

    Once we got home, we put the boys down for bed and then Jackson decided to have a seizure.  This is the first time that I felt like I knew what to do.  Jackson’s seizure only lasted for 3-4 minutes, it’s still 3-4 minutes to long.  After his seizure was over we took him to the ER at Centennial where he had another smaller seizure as we were walking in.  The doctors were great.  They put him on oxygen and gave him some Valium.  After 3 hours we were able to go home.  We don’t know what the nexts steps are.  Jackson has had a seizure every month at the first of the month now the last three months.  We thought we were one the up and up, but I guess we now have more questions that still need to be answered.  The Good news, Jackson is back to his normal self and already getting in to things he is not supposed to.  Please continue to pray for us as we continue the journey of finding out why he is having repeated seizures and/or get his medication under control!