Every Day Something New

Everything is happening at break neck speed these days around the building site. I take a good look around in the morning when I get to the office and by the time I make my daily 3/4 mile walk around the property everything has changed! Last night when the workers left they had just nicely lifted one section of the front frame of the Family Center into place. Now, as of 4:25p.m. the entire frame is up and most of the roof is on! Last night when the workers left they had just nicely placed the "lift station" in place. Now, as of 4:26p.m., it is completely installed and buried and the water lines running to the buildings have been trenched, placed, and filled!

The pace is amazing and appreciated!

That's kinda the way life is for us "oldtimers"! It seems like as soon as we seem to get a grasp on where things stand, everything changes. About the time I learned to control the the reel to reel tape recorder, they gave me an 8 track player, about the time I learned to control the 8 track player they gave me a cassette player, about the time I learned to control the cassette player they gave me a CD player, about the time I learned to run the CD player they gave me an IPOD! You get the picture! Oh yeah, about the time I learned how to use the remote to control the picture on my TV they bundled everything together and told me I had to have HD! Super 8 movie camaras became VCRs, and VCRs became DVD players! Typewriters became desktop computers, desktop computers became laptop computers. Maps became GPSs and telephones became message centers! Is it any wonder I'm confused! The pace of these last 60 years on planet earth has been amazing and in spite of everything happening so fast it has been appreciated.

One thing I know; before to long we are all going to take a walk from this life to the next and there, for the Christ Follower, we will spend eternity with the one who is the same yesterday, today and forever and it wouldn't bother me one bit if everything else in the Heavenly realm is also changeless! For me that would simply be another proof that THE BEST IS YET TO COME.

Up Up And Away

The concrete has now been poured for the floor of the Worship Center and some of the walls have now been set! What was is no longer and a new beginning has begun to be visable to all. Not much to say right now but I know tht the "BEST HAS JUST BEGUN".

A Man For All Seasons

I have decided that I am indeed a man for all seasons. My wife would have you believe that that means the football, basketball, baseball, and hockey seasons. However, what I am talking about are the "real" seasons! I am presently visiting with my oldest son and his family in central Michigan and the colorful leaves and grasses reminded me of all the beauty that is a part of this wonderful world of ours. Living, as I do, in Florida we just have two seasons; wet and dry!

Having lived the vast majority of my life in the Midwest I became accustomed to a variety of weather and the seasonal changes. Spring time, with the warming of the soil and the budding of the trees and plants, always reminded me of the freshness of life and the promise of things to come. Summer time, with its' flowers and song birds, reminded me of the fullness of life and the joy of living. Autumn time, with its' colorful displays and the touch of freshness in the cool air always invigorated me. Winter time, with her bone chilling winds and blowing snow,always reminds me of why I live in Florida.

Seriously, it seems like which ever season I was living in I was always looking forward to the next. For 60 years it has been a cycle of looking ahead to what was to come next. While here in Michigan this week it finally dawned on me (I'm a slow learner) that while it is important to understand that THE BEST IS YET TO COME it is just as important to enjoy the present as it happens. So, as our lives continue to cycle by, let's somehow learn to live in the moment while still looking forward to all the changes that are yet to come.

Sun Set / Sun Rise

On September 30th and October 1st I was forced to do something I had long thought about doing. I had wanted some day to go from coast to coast here in Florida and see a sunrise on the Atlantic Coast and a sunset over the Gulf coast. After all this is the "Sunshine" state! I even thought about listening to the song; "Sunrise / Sunset" on the journey east to west.

But as you can see from the title of the blog I got it backwards; "Sunset / Sunrise"! One of our good members was placed in the V.A. Hospital in Tampa on the day before a scheduled prayer retreat in Daytona Beach. So the door was opened for my trip...just in reverse.

After a mid-afternoon hospital visit I drove to Hudson Beach, enjoyed dinner at "Sam's", and watched the spectacular splashing of the sun into the calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The drive, almost straight across the state, took me through the Ocala National Forest and into Daytona Beach by 11 p.m.!

By 7:18 a.m. the following morning, the orange orb had found its way to the Atlantic Ocean and made a sizzling appearance over the wet horizon.

I got to thinking, as I walked down the beach, during my day of prayer that my trip really wasn't backwards at all. It was just the way it should have been. Someday, also at perhaps an unexpected moment, I will take a journey into the setting sun. My day here on earth will come to end and I will wake to the sunrise of a brand new day. Thanks to the "SON RISE" I am excited about that experience. It helped me to remember that for the Christ-Follower the "BEST IS YET TO COME".

A Beard and a Building Permit

I have never had facial hair! Not until now! I have discovered that, for my wife, my growing facial hair once every 60 years is too much! My sons have both had a variety of facial hair but me..never. A month ago I decided not to shave until our final building permits were issued by Orange County. We were at the point of re-submitting all the changes required from our first application and everyone seemed confident that after the 30 day review period we would be set to go. That 30 day period just ended and two of the eight departments have come back with additional requirements. That means it could be another 30 days (hopefully less).

No one ever told me about all the controversy a little hair on the face might cause. My daughter likes it ("trendy" she said), my granddaughters won't kiss me ("what's that on your face?" they said), my wife hates it ("looks dirty" she said), people from the church have mixed reactions ("love it", "you look like Jack Sparrow", "hate it", "where'd Pastor Dicer go?", "I am praying really hard that the permit comes soon.", they said).

Add to that the fact that I am not sure I like it. You see, after 60 years of looking in the mirror at a clean shaven face it's tough to get used to something different. Besides no one told me how much it would itch, or how nasty it feels when you sweat and your upper lip becomes saturated with moisture (remember..we sweat alot in Florida).

I guess I see it as a reminder to me and the congregation that we are waiting on God's timing for something very important. And in that regard, a reminder that the BEST IS YET TO COME.

I can't wait until that Sunday when I appear clean shaven as an indication that we have cleared a very big hurdle and everyone begins to rejoice. I have a feeling that Sherry will lead the cheers.

Until then..."be patient...THE BEST IS YET TO COME!"

Fishin' and Fashion

I can't believe that it has been so long since my last post but things have gotten really busy here in Orlando. It seems that every day is packed with issues regarding our new building. Everything goes well and almost 70% of the site work is completed! We are still waiting on our actual building permit and hope to have it by October 1!

I did manage to take a few days off and fly to Indiana to do some small mouth bass fishin' in Sugar Creek with friends Clyde Barnhart, Tom Hull and Rick Wetnight. It was a wonderful, refreshing time of fellowship, sport, and the great outdoors. This is one of my favorate spots in the entire world.

The trip doubled up for my granddaughter's second birthday party in Danville, Indiana. When I asked her where I lived she replied, "At the airport"!!!! LOL. She just knows that's where they pick me up and that's where they drop me off. Grandma Sherry and I had a good laugh at that but, to be honest, it hurt a little. I wish I could be closer to all the grandkids but I know I am where my Lord wants me to be. She made a beautiful princess in her new dress.

I guess my upcoming trip to Heaven will be alot like these trips to Indiana. I will be going to a place where the beauty is second to none and I'll have the chance to see family and friends that I haven't seen in a long time. So I continue to believe, that as good as it is here and now, that THE BEST IS YET TO COME.

I Wonder What's Out There

Every so often this picture of my four grandsons comes up on my computer screen and right now it is my screen saver. It was taken last December at Daytona Beach. There's just something about it that really makes me pause and think about what their futures may look like; something about the fact that they are running toward the vast Atlantic Ocean hand in hand.

Along with my two lovely grand daughters, I pray for them daily. I can not begin to imagine what the vast ocean of the future will look like for them. I have journeyed over 50 years since a similar picture of me might have been taken and what a different world it is today then it was in the 1950s. I don't even want to get into all the changes I have experienced in those years. Chances are that it will be even more staggering for these children.

How important it is that we, who are parents and grandparents, do our best to provide a stable backdrop as they run head long into the waves of life. And how important is it that they as brothers and sisters stay hand in hand; supporting, encouraging, and strengthening each other. I pray that they will always be close, always be connected, and that for them THE BEST IS YET TO COME.

Ripping Out and Bringing Down

It has started in earnest. The heavy equipment has arrived and the initial steps toward constructing a new building has started. Before the week is over much of what has been standing will by piled up and laying on the ground. That includes sheds, buildings, and trees.

Once the entire 16 acres that comprise the building site are cleared we can begin to see the foundation of the new facility laid. Somtimes life is like that, before we can make any real progress in building a new life we must first of all take care of the things that are tied to the old life. For the believer that is exactly what happens when we, through repentance and faith, become a Christ-Follower! That's why we read in the Word that "all things pass away and all things become new".

You see the old and the new cannot co-exist. It would be impossible to build our new building with old buildings, concrete slabs, and trees on the building site. They must be removed.

It is exciting to watch the heavy equipment rip trees out of the ground, roots and all. It is exciting to see them knock down and remove those things that stand in the way of building our church. But I can tell you with assurance that, as exciting as these things are, I know THE BEST IS YET TO COME.

It is exciting to watch the Lord rip sin out of someones life, roots and all. It is exciting to see Him knock down and remove those things that stand in the way of that new believer becoming a "sanctuary" for His Spirit. But I can tell you from experience that, as exciting as these things are for the new believer, THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

"Fightin' Waves"

We just returned from South Carolina where we took our five year old grandson, Christian, on his special vacation with grandfather and grandmom. A great time was had by all.
He spent allot of his time "fightin' waves" . He saw them as a challenge, an adventure, something to be conquered and enjoyed. Time after time he would pick himself up and go after the next wave hoping that it would be the biggest and best one yet. I would stand close by in case he needed me but didn't rush in each time he went under the foam. I think it made him braver just because I was near. He taught me a lesson.
I have gotten too old! When the "waves" of life come against me I see them as dangerous and threatening. I have determined to accept these billows as challenges and adventures, as events to be conquered and enjoyed. I have determined to pick myself up and wait on the next "wave" with great faith that my Heavenly Father is standing close by in case I need rescued. I know He won't rush in each time I seem to be going under but I'll know He is there just the same. I think I can be a little braver knowing He's close and that THE BEST IS YET TO COME.

A Wonderful 60th Birthday Present

Yep, I'm 60, six oh, the big 60! Not 40, not 50, but 60. That used to sound so old. I don't feel 60 (well not all the time). Sometimes I feel 70. But it's just a number, right? And I guess I really turned 60 about nine months ago anyway so what's the big deal. So what'd I do on the BIG day? Spent nine hours in the office, ate dinner at Red Lobster with my "younger" wife, fielded phone calls from family and friends, watched some TV, surfed the net, and went to bed at 9:30 p.m. Just another day like most of my other 21,915 days.

But on day 21,916 I got a great present! I finally was able to sign the papers that will get the permitting phase on the road and the dozers on the site. We could be beginning the site work by next week.

So this seventh decade of my life begins with a brand new adventure. They say these kind of things keep you young. We'll see! Regardless, I know one thing for certain...for both the Metro West International Church of the Nazarene and for me, THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

"It's Only Just Begun"

The Carpenteers sang a song some time ago called "It's only just begun". That title came to my mind this week as I watched truckloads of building materials being unloaded at our Apopka Vineland Road property.

They started arriving around 8 a.m. and are still a day later unloading and moving things around. It finally looks like a work site! Oh, we still have some "permit" issues to take care of but it is now only a matter of time until the building that lies on the ground right now becomes the building in which we will one day worship. I am excited to see things start to happen but I know that "the best is yet to come." And I give thanks.

When the Church Throws Dirt

In case you were looking for something controversial you'll have to look elsewhere! We're talking about the Ground Breaking Ceremony we had last Sunday (June 8, 2008) for our new church facility! It was a wonderful day as we remembered all those who have paved the path for us to get to where we are and dreamed about where we'll be a year from now.

One of my very first acts as the new pastor of Metro West International Church of the Nazarene was to sign papers purchasing 30 acres of new property. That was 46 months and a 100 meetings ago. Now we move from the selling property, raising funds, and worshiping in a school phase to actually constructing the buildings phase.

These have been good months with plenty of blessings, a great deal of struggle, and a a bunch of promise. Faith has brought us to this place. Yet, as good as it felt to gather on site, worship the goodness of the Lord, and turn a few shovels full of dirt, I need to be certain you understand that THE BEST IS YET TO COME!!!!

Friends, Five Irons, and Fairfield Glade

, and hittin

On Memorial Day six friends met to play some golf and make up for lost time.

Fred Hall, Gene Smith, and I grew up together going to church camps in Eastern Michigan and to college together at Olivet Nazarene University in Kankakee, Illinois.

That's where we met Bryan Solomon and we all became close friends.

Mike Adams just thinks he went to Olivet but the truth is he came into the picture in the late 1970s. The final member of our group that day was Don Smith, Gene's "little brother" who tagged along at those church camps.

It was a great time of renewing friendships, enjoying the beautiful scenery on the Cumberland Plateau around Crossville, Tennessee, and losing not just a few golf balls. Gene and Fred now minister in Michigan, Bryan pastors in Indiana, Don and I pastor in Florida, and Mike travels around the nation as a full time evangelist.

We seldom see each other but when we do, we pick up right where we left off. True friends truly are friends forever! We laughed, we cried, we competed, and we told stories of days gone by. As far as I am concerned it was a 9.998 out of 10!

But as good as it was, as beautiful as it was, I can't give it a perfect 10 because it will pale in comparison to that great reunion day that is yet to come. There, amidst the beauties of Heaven, we will be joined by so many good friends and family that we haven't seen in quite awhile, we will tell stories of days gone by, and we will laugh. We won't cry and we won't compete but we will say that it was true; THE BEST WAS YET TO COME!

Hockey and Heaven

"My" Detroit Red Wings just won the National Hockey League Championship! (Real fans always take ownership of their chosen teams!) I am a big sports "nut". I love the the drama that plays out in heated competition and it doesn't get any better than in playoff hockey!

A hockey team, probably more than in any other sport, reflects family. They refuse to let anyone pick on another team member, they refuse to sit on the bench with some litttle pain and allow another team to have an advantage, they just seem to reflect the old "all for one and one for all" thing. They pull together, each filling their own role, for 60 minutes of controlled chaos.

The ultimate goal is that, after about 100 games, they win the Play Offs and hoist the Stanley Cup high in the air for a victorious skate around the arena.

I also noticed that "everyone" got to take a lap with "the" cup! It didn't matter whether they played or not, they were counted as a part of the team.

Sounds a little bit like the way it should be in our biological family and our church family. We should always stand up for each other, refuse to let the little hurts sideline us, and understand that only as we work together as a team will we be successful.

One last thing. In order to win the Stanley Cup you must first win your Conference title. In hockey you will not even touch the trophy that goes with that hard fought victory. Why? That is not your goal. Your goal is nothing less than the Stanley Cup!

For the Christ follower we trust there will be numerous victories along the way but we must never allow them to detour us from our ultimate goal, our final victory, when we conquer the last great opponent, Death, and reach the pinnacle of our life's Play Offs. Yes, someday this controlled chaos that we call life will hear the final horn and we, who have "toughed it out" will be the final victors.

I want to be able to hoist the emblem of His cross high above my head, take a skate around the ice, and end up in Heaven! Remember, THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

Caps, Gowns, and Robes of Pure White

Every year we take time in our church to celebrate those who graduate from High School and College. Every year my graduation gets more distant and forgetable. It was 1966 in Port Huron, Michigan that I "graduated" from Port Huron Northern High School and 1970 that I "graduated" from Olivet Nazarene University in Kankakee, Illlinois. I heard somewhere that by the time we reach 55 years of age that we only have our brain working at 50% capacity. So I guess I'm normal in that I can't remember anything anyone said at either ceremony and that I can't even remember who the "commencement" speakers were. (You'd think I'd remember 1 of the 2 so maybe I am worse off than most.)

I do know that the words graduation and commencement always go together. We graduate (finish, leave behind) and then we commence (make a new start). With that in mind, I remind you that "the best graduation and commencement are yet to come." One day we will graduate from the school of this life and as believers we will walk across a final "stage", the book will be opened and we will hear "well done...enter in....and commence to enjoy all the blessings of eternity in Heavenly places with the Lord, Jesus Christ." We'll put on a graduation gown of pure white and walk into the glories of time without end. Yes, THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

We Have The First Images Of Our New Baby

We have the first images of our new baby! The artist renderings for our new facilities on Apopka Vineland Road have arrived! Gestation time will be 50 weeks! A due date has been set at May 2, 2009.

This has been and will be a costly "pregnancy" for our church family but the Lord is providing the resources to pay all of the costs of the adventure. The final bill, including purchasing new property (30 acres), remodeling a 3,000 square foot house into office space, and building a 20,000 square foot building, will be around $6,200,000!! And you thought your babies were expensive!

The good news is that we are within a few thousand dollars of being able to pay cash for the "baby". The sale of our Hiawassee property, interest on our banked funds, and our local building fund should, by the due date, be able to pay the bill in full!!!!!

I trust you'll check in from time to time to see how the "baby" is coming along.

Fried Chicken, Curry Chicken, Jerk Chicken

Sunday was our first "annual" Sunday School Picnic! What an afternoon! We gathered on our new property after church and stayed most of the day.

I remember Sunday School Picnics growing up as great times of the church family getting to gather to share food, fun, and fellowship. The three-legged sack races, the balloon toss, horse shoes, and so much more made them great experiences. They are fond memories.

This one, here at Metro West International, was not all that different. We played softball, touch football, volleyball, and horse shoes. We had an abundance of great food and a good time of "Hymn Singing" before we went home. The difference between this great event and the ones I remember as a kid was the variety of foods.

In days gone by it was hot dogs, hamburgers, fried chicken, potato salad, baked beans, chips, and lots of great deserts! This time it was all of the above along with special dishes from South America and the Islands! Simply put, it was indeed an "International" Sunday School picnic!

I couldn't help but think (and thank) about the beautiful fellowship that the Lord has allowed me to be a part of here late in my ministry. It must be a little like what Heaven will be like and as I listened to all the different accents sing "It is well with my soul" I found it hard to believe that "the best is yet to come". Yet I know it is! When we join together on that Heavenly property, share in a banquet for the ages, and sing praises to our God and Savior, it will be beyond compare. I know that the "best is yet to come" but I sure am enjoying the blessings He allows me here!

On District Meetings

In our denomination it happens once a year. Pastors and delegates from a certain geographical area get together to reflect on the year past and to dream about the year to come. It is called District Assembly. I remember a time when I was excited at the approach of a District Assembly with all of its' reports, elections, special speakers, and reunions. They lasted three or four days, every pastor gave an oral report and it was a wonderful time of shared fellowship for the "church".

Now "Assembly" lasts a day and a half. There are no oral pastor's reports and there is hardly time to say hello to anyone. I suppose that in our busy world it is a better way to go, more convenient, more programmed but I miss the the slower pace and the chance to spend more than a moment with friends and fellow clergy.

Our Assembly last week was as slick and ordered as any I have ever attended. The speakers were excellent, the music was awesome, and the time was well spent. But, for me, it lacked. I must be getting old as I find myself thinking about the old days and the memories come flooding back.

I guess there's no question I'm getting old as two friends, who shared many of those early Assemblies with me in Eastern Michigan, RETIRED!!!!! Dr. Eugene Frame and Rev. Ernie Lewis RETIRED!!!!! I turn 60 in just a few more weeks so I know that the rocking chair can't be to far away. Not to far away for me or my friends who started in ministry when I did (back in the days of Yore) Fred, Gene, Brian, Mike, if you're reading this, just know that even for us old preachers "the best is yet to come".

What's Wrong With Being A Secretary?

Sometimes I just don't get it! What's wrong with being a secretary?

This week we were to honor our "Office Administrative Assistants" with a special day. When did it quit being secretaries day? Someone help me out here. Is the word "secretary" a bad word? Is it somehow demeaning and degrading to those wonderful folks who do the bulk of our work for us? Is it "sexist" in some subliminal way? I just don't get it!

Wendy is our secretary (OAA) here at the church and believe me she deserves to me honored for the work and ministry that she does. She is my right hand "person". She rescues me on a continual basis. She is faithful in her work ethic and and is absolutely indispensable in the office.

(Don't tell anybody.....but she even brings me coffee every once in awhile)

If Wendy were a William would "he" be offended by being called a "secretary"? Is that what it's all about? Are male nurses soon to become "Medical Personal Care Givers"? Where will it end?

But until it does just let me say,one more time,; "Happy Secretaries Day" to all who do so much for us and remember "the best is yet to come."

Grow Where You're Planted

Yesterday I transplanted one pathetic little white flower to an empty flower bed at our new office complex. One little lonely bloom!

It came from my home where I planted its' grandparent three years ago. The grandparent, a mother's day gift for the moms at church, must have been healthy because now I have it's offspring all around the house and pool enclosure. We'll see how Jr. does here at the office.

I got to thinking, as I dug Jr. out from where he had been comfortably growing, that God's children are also sometimes dug out of comfortable places and relocated far away. The fact is, that if we will grow where we are planted, we can bring happiness and beauty to our new environment. It is not easy to find ourselves at a new place in our lives either figuratively or actually. But let us determine to grow in the midst of the uprooting and to show God's grace and beauty to those in our new surroundings; in the midst of struggle, in the midst of loneliness, in the midst of disappointment, in the midst of confusion. Where ever the new place may be let's remember that, if we are faithful and drink in the water of His Spirit, the best is yet to come.

The Blessings of Struggle

One of the things that pastors are called on to do is to visit folks who are in the midst of the struggles of life and death. Yesterday was such a day for me.

First, I traveled cross town to visit Eric in his hospital room. Eric is a long time Christ follower who plays various percussion instruments in our Praise Band. He has been fighting cancer for the last year and nearly lost the battle this last week. As we visited I told him about Bazil, a young man whose mother passed away just hours after he had joined our church. When I concluded my prayer at the end of our visit Eric asked me if he could pray. His prayer, less than a minute long in his weakness, was for Bazil! Here, in his weakness, he prayed for strength for another whom he hardly knew! I was blessed.

I found Bazil at his parents home surrounded by family and friends. The home was filled with praise and laughter. But why shouldn't it be....a child of God had gone home. He shared with me the story of her quiet passing and how he had shared some thoughts from my Sunday morning

sermon with her just before she passed. He told her that "the best is yet to come" and that "death is just a comma (,)!" Her last word spoken this side of eternity was "Allelluia"! And again I was both humbled and blessed in the midst of struggle.

Last night was "Church Board" meeting.

One of the "joys" of being a pastor is the holding of monthly church board meetings! I figure that I have chaired over 600 such wonderful encounters during the past 38 years. They can be times of rejoicing and celebration or they can be times of contention and frustration. For the most part, my experiences with these monthly business meetings has been mmore enjoyable than not. The fact is that it is a miracle of God's grace that so many different types of folks can come together and accomplish anything.

Board members come from all different walks of life and all different steps on the social economical ladder. Some come to the meetings from their own board rooms, see it as just another meeting, and can't wait to get home. For others it is their big chance to be heard, their only "meeting" of the month, and a place where their opinion is valued. The secret to any success achieved by such a diverse group of people can only be atributed to the fact that the church is a divine institution and that the Lord uses all kinds of folks to get His will done.

Here at Metro West we have all the factors that make a Church Board diverse and then some.
Our Board is comprised of people from seven different nations who come in every shade and color. Our meetings look more like a committee meeting at the U.N.! People born in the U.S.
(African American and Anglo), Haiti, Barbados, Jamaca, Antigua, Puerto Rico, and Brazil make up the leadership team of our International congregation. They mirror our wonderful congregation and give just a little glimpse of what Heaven will be like.

Our meetings are not quite "heavenly" but pretty close and I know that the "best is yet to come."

Yesterday was a wonderful day at our church as we welcomed 18 new members into our fellowship. I was a little tired as we got back from Grand Cayman (wonderful, restful vacation week) at midnight but the praise and worship and the wonderful people of Metro West kept me goin'.

It is nice to get away but I am always glad to be back home. I am glad that throughout my years of ministry that our family has taken time to vacation together. Those times provided many of my fondest memories. I trust Sherry and the kids can look back with the same good feelings as I do.

Now that I am getting older I still believe that the best vacation days are ahead. Now we enjoy special times with kids and grandkids and I know that "the best is yet to come".

And away we go....

I have decided to join the other "bloggers" in my family and away we go...
The title for this blog space "The Best Is Yet To Come" comes from when Jesus turned the water into wine at the wedding reception. When the host tasted it he said to the bridegroom; "You have saved the best (wine) to last". I have decided that that is just the way our Lord works. He saves the best 'til last. I believe that, for the Christ follower, their best days are not yesterdays but tomarrows! Thus, I trust that with every post you will this truth exibited in my living and my words. He has given me some fantastic yesterdays and I can't wait to see what my tomarrows may bring. Even when this earthly life of mine comes to an end, I believe my best days are yet to be.