Billy
Billy
| "Christ Jesus... is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?... [Nothing] will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8: 28-39). Indeed, WE ARE NOT ALONE! |
Rosie
| "A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies" (Proverbs 31: 10). |
Ian
"Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him" (Psalm
127:3).
Lauren
"All glorious is the princess within her chamber..." (Psalm 45: 13).
Billy Burroughs
"...He was pleased to become the [daddy's] son-in-law" (1 Samuel 18: 26).
On the home front all is well. I was raised on a farm in the small town of Dearing, GA. God has BLESSED beyond measure: Rosie, a city girl from Augusta, GA, and I married in 1972. We are still together... after all these years. Imagine that! Unfortunately, I'm not as close to retirement as I'd like due to a job change some years ago. But, hey, only *one more to go. Woo-Hoo! I'm the Mental Health Director of a 150-bed Prison Psychiatric Unit, with a fifteen bed Crisis Stabilization Unit, a ten bed Acute Care Unit, and an additional 200+ Outpatients... Not a dull moment there! Quite literally it's blood & guts & hanging & head banging & so on everyday. What was I thinking when I went into psychology! I've a Master's Degree from VIRGINIA TECH. You might have heard of Michael Vick, 1st Draft Pick by the Falcons, 2001? Maybe I should not mention "Michael" after his recent "Troule" with dogs... But that's the place. VA Tech is in Blacksburg, VA. In fact, Mountain Lake, which is just outside of town, was the location where the movie "Dirty Dancing" was filmed.
Back to work, the State of Georgia has really turned me into the quintessential "mid-manager". While it's a "little different" from Cool Hand Luke, you can believe me on this one: The Warden is still very much The Boss... However, my true Vocational Joy has been in Christian Ministry. Especially while serving at my "Little Church in the Big Wood". It was like going back in time--A Real Sanctuary, but I had to resign from Hopeful Baptist Church, October 1999. I just couldn't keep it up between work, family, momma, and daddy. But I have "peace" about it. Both of my parents, Grover & Vera, died in 2000. It's strange not having momma and daddy here... I'm not even close to being over it, and I Never Will Be! We were a close family. They were the BEST! They really took care of Rosie, the kids, and me. Strange, though, it feels Weird "Sitting in the Pew" instead of Sharing the GOSPEL from the Pulpit. Still, it was the right decision to make with all that had been going on in our lives at the time. I've been a Southern Baptist Bi-Vocational Minister since 1984, serving in several small to moderately large churches. I guess I'm like on Sabbatical... or something? But, hey, Mental Health Director at the prison, no contest, right?
Now for the bragging rights: Our real JOY is our children, Ian (age 30) and Lauren (age 27). Ian is a "Computer Wizard". He and Lauren both had full Academic Scholarships plus $2000/year over expenses at AUGUSTA STATE UNIVERSITY.
Ian graduated from ASU in May 2001. He graduated with HONORS (3.86 GPA), i.e., summa cum laude, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Hope Scholar, and Highest GPA/Computer Science. Lauren graduated December 2002. She graduated as VALEDICTORIAN (4.0 GPA), not to mention summa cum laude, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Hope Scholar, and Highest GPA/Education (English Literature). Where have the years gone? Ian and Lauren chose to stay at home (made this mom and dad extremely happy) instead of going away to university. Imagine that! Rosie and I married at age 18! Lauren is the writer in the family. She teaches English Lit at Evans High School, and she hopes to publish her "works"... she has always been quite gifted, graduating from high school as Salutatorian, June 1999. Ian and Lauren both attended WESTMINSTER PREP here in Augusta. It was a major financial sacrifice, but God had burdened our hearts about Christian Education (not to mention that the school system in Augusta/Richmond County is the pits). He Richly BLESSED us! College cost us nothing and the kids made money on the deal! Can't beat that.
On July 13, 2002, Lauren married her first "real" boyfriend, Billy Burroughs. He and Lauren started dating in December 1999; they started looking for engagement rings in January 2002 and were engaged on January 25; they were married (like way too soon ;o) in July... But What a Catch (for Billy, that is)! Seriously, he's a Super Christian, All-American Boy Type. He also teaches at Evans High School. Both Lauren and Billy pursued postgraduate studies and obtained Masters Degrees in Education. Billy has been Ian's "best-est friend" since 6th grade. Lauren is a beautiful young lady, who loves the Lord. Sadly for this mom and dad, Ian moved into his first apartment on May 26, 2001. He had shared a "Bachelor Pad" with Billy until "The Marriage". And yes, we then experienced the "Empty-Nest" Syndrome, that is, until Ian moved back home =o) For now Ian's most interested in his job at PSI (PowerServe International), making lots of money, driving way too fast in his Mustang GT, playing guitar, and hanging out with his friends (See Bottom of Page: "Crazy Southern Paintball Showdown") -- some of which are in a band called HORSEPOWER. Fortunately, Ian has Rosie's hair =:o) Now he would be a "good catch"! Any young ladies out there who may be interested should send your Resumes to "the daddy" ;o)
My brother, Ronnie, "recently" retired as Asst. Superintendent of Schools in Pike County, GA. You can imagine the debates we have had through the years between he and daddy (an elementary school principal) and I regarding public verses private education. At least momma and daddy got to see the kids graduate from high school. Ronnie is the "Great White Hunter" and "Fresh Water Fisherman". He has a web page on Fresh Water Fishing that you may find interesting? His wife, Linda, has a site on Travel where she serves as your Personal Cruise Guide. When you get ready to cruise, be sure to Cruise With Linda. They opted not to have children... They'll never know what they have missed. Linda is an Accountant with the Feds in Atlanta, traveling the world as an Auditor-- making sure our tax dollars are at work...
Okay, I'm staring to Ramble On (Hmmmm, sounds like a Led Zeppelin Song) As you see, I have the Garrison Gift of Gab ;o) That is all for now, January 2009. Updates to come? You bet! Can't WAIT for some Grandchildren...
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