BEHIND THE SCENES

Family of eight people outdoors in a lush green park, standing on grass with trees in the background, smiling at the camera.

My “WHY'“

God has allowed me to be a part of this family, to lead them, love them, and point them them to the only hope we have - Jesus

Colorful hot air balloon floating above a forested landscape at sunrise or sunset with a partly cloudy sky.

Week 30: “Let Go or Stay Grounded”

The ground team prepared everything for the hot air balloon ride, the setup, equipment, the plan. But none of it mattered until the ropes released.

Only then could the balloon rise and do what it was built to do.

That moment became a picture for me of how easily we can stay tied down by fear, insecurity, past failures, sins, other people’s expectations, or our own need for control.

Sometimes the thing keeping us grounded in’s lack of gifting or calling, it’s what we are still holding onto. God still has a plan and purpose for the gifts and callings in your life so that others will know who Jesus is.

Two men sitting on a floral patterned couch, smiling, with one man’s arm around the other. There is a framed painting on the wall behind them.

Week 7: “The Call I Never Expected to Make”

Week 8: “The Prodigal Son”

These two weeks come from some of the hardest and most formative moments in my life.

In week 7, I write about making the call to my brothers in the fire service and asking them to help with my brothers funeral, a moment I never imagined I would have to face.

Week 8 looks at the story of the prodigal son, but not just through the younger brother’s eyes. For a long time, It was easy for me to see the outward sin in my brother’s life while overlooking the pride, judgment, and brokenness in my own.

The truth is I could see myself in both sons. One ran from the Father. The other stayed close outwardly, but still had a heart that needed Him.

Both stories reminded me that grief, loss, sin, pride, and pain all bring us to the same place: we need Jesus to meet us exactly where we are!

Six poker chips in black, green, blue, white, red, and gray with a central medal featuring a phoenix and the words "Game Over" on a sandy surface.
A man is performing a handstand in a gym, with gym equipment such as rowing machines and weights visible in the background.
A couple taking a selfie in a hot air balloon, with the colorful balloon visible in the background and lush green trees below.

REAL STORIES • REAL PHOTOS

THE “WHY”

BEHIND THE WEEKS

Colorful embroidered patch for Alamaba Fire and Rescue, featuring a firefighter in gear and a red helmet, with a mountain and lightning background.

Week 20: “Three Years for Five Days”

The Alabama Smoke Diver program became a three year journey for me, all for the opportunity to become the less than 1% who hold the certification.

What started as a physical challenge quickly exposed something deeper: internal pressure, fear of failure, frustration, and the temptation to let two years of failure define who I was.

Those three years taught me life lessons that resilience isn’t pretending failure doesn’t hurt. It’s refusing to let failure have the final word. That God can use adversity, that trials are a part of the journey. Don’t waste your story, others need to hear that God is with you during adversity.

A man performing a muscle-up exercise on a pull-up bar at a CrossFit competition in an indoor gym. The gym is filled with spectators and other participants, with gym equipment and black medicine balls visible.
Group of firefighters in full gear standing outside a brick building, with smaller images of individual firefighters wearing helmets and masks preparing or resting.
A man in black athletic gear riding a stationary bike at a CrossFit event, with a coach or trainer standing nearby taking notes, in a busy gym environment.
A man jumping onto a wooden box holding dumbbells in a busy gym during a CrossFit competition.
Man in black shirt doing squat exercise with barbell, surrounded by people in a gym, in a crowded fitness event.

Bonus Week: “Strength That Last”

Fitness has played a major role in my life, but there were seasons when something good began taking a place it was never meant to have. Training, performance, competition, and physical progress can become an easy source of identity, and for me, there were times when fitness became a little god.

1 Timothy 4:8 helped me reframe what real strength looks like. Physical training has value, but never meant to be the center.

Today I still train hard, compete, and invest in my physical health, but I’m learning to pursue something more complete, becoming more healthier mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually, with Jesus as the center of it all.

A man standing in front of a large sign at the World Police and Fire Games, with athletes in sports uniforms and medals. The sign features a cityscape and event details.
A smiling baby girl lying in bed with pillows, stuffed animals, and a sign that reads 'Two Months'.
A group of people holding an ultrasound image of a developing fetus with a grassy background.
A happy family at a celebration, featuring a man in a blue suit, a woman in a pink dress, and a young girl in a white dress with ruffles. They are smiling and posing closely together in a warmly lit venue with blurred background decorations.

Week 11: One Word, One Breath, One Test

Five years post surgery to not have more kids, we truly thought we had the best plan and that chapter was over!

We had made our plans. We thought we knew what the future looked like.

Then came the one test that changed everything.

Kenna became a reminder that no matter how carefully we plan, God is still the Creator. He is not limited by our timelines, our expectations, or the boundaries we think are final.

Sometimes the unexpected thing is the very thing that reminds us who is really in control. Only Jesus!