Called to Put People in Debt - Responsibly

This morning I was reading Jeremiah 1 and read how God called Jeremiah specifically to be a prophet. I began thinking (uh oh), does God call people to do other things outside of a ministerial occupation. It didn't take long for God to answer back - "Really? Are you really asking Me that?" Yes, I am pretty sure that is what He said...

I was quickly reminded of all of the events early in my life that prepared me to do exactly what I am doing. That gives me confidence in knowing that being a mortgage broker is where I am supposed to be. Here's how I know...

Starting in college I begin to live a life of "if I want it, I should have it...even if I charge it." It all began with a $500 maxed out credit card and it spilled over in to making some other bad decisions as well... like all the student loans that piled up during college, buying a brand new car and financing all of it... so many bad finanicial decisions that created heavy burdens of debt. 20+ years later, to some degree, I still have scars to prove the financial pains of my early decisions. I absolutely, 100%, with complete clarity can say - "I hate debt!" So you may ask... "If you hate debt, why are you in an occupation that puts people in the biggest debt they will have?" Thank you for asking... It took me a few years to answer this question, but here it is. Since I have such a hatred for debt, it gives me a great outlook when I am sitting down with a young family and knowing my past helps me to plan their future with them. You see, a family's debt load will certainly have an impact on where a family will be financially in 10 or 20 years down the road. It is this knowledge that compels me to take my job seriously and help them make the best decision. As much as I like helping families get into a new home, I like more helping them get a loan that they know with confidence will be paid off at some point in the future.

So yes... I feel called to be a mortgage broker...

Whitney Was Given a Treasure Chest for Graduation

This past Friday, May 28th, my little girl graduated from high school. It is so hard to believe! I am excited for her but then sad that 18 years have flown by so quickly. It was like a blink of the eye. There is something about a dad's little girl that you just don't want her to grow up.

Anyways... she was given a treasure chest and it was filled with treasure. Let me explain... Before I tell you the treasure and you say "that is so cool"... I must admit that this was not my idea. This idea is from a mentor of mine in the mortgage business, Todd Duncan. Todd has two boys and shared that he was filling two chests with books that he had read that had changed his life and when they graduated from high school, he would present them with the chests. He said this accomplishes a couple of things... 1) Obviously, starts them out with a library of great books, but most importantly, 2) leaves the child with a legacy from their dad.

There is so much I want my kids to know and so much I am afraid I did not teach them while they were at home. The books don't replace not communicating with my kids, but they add a vast array of knowledge and wisdom that go far beyond my brain. I have learned so much from reading books on God, leadership, discipline, time management, finances (not my favorite, I admit), and motivation - and hope I can pass on some of what I have learned. Inside the front cover of each book, I wrote a short letter to her on the lessons I learned in reading the book and a challenge to her in that area. There were about 20 books in the chest.

I did this for CJ a couple of years ago as well and will start working on Bryce's next... If you'd like to know the books, let me know...

Success will either find you or miss you by the people you hang out with and/or by the books you read.

Pain is Gain - Right?

Today is only my fourth day into doing the P90X training program. If you want to see what P90X is - click here. I have been working out fairly consistently for a few months but nothing compares to what I have done over the last four days. It has been brutal, yet I am seeing the results already. I am looking forward to seeing what the results will be after 90 days. This training has reminded me of a great truth - for what I desire requires a lot of work.

This truth can be applied to any area. If I want...

- a great family, I have to make the effort to show up, be present and give

- a great business, I need to work hard

- a great faith, I need to spend time with God

- a retirement, I must save and be thrifty

- to create a legacy, I must give to others even if it hurts

- great friendships, I must make spending time with friends a priority

- memories, I must create memories

I recall after my mom's passing, we found a journal that she kept. The day she wrote in it, she made comment that she was enjoying her flower gardens and others occasionally would stop by and enjoy them too. The gardens and home were adorned perfectly. She said some people would stop and view the garden and say that they wished they had a garden they too could sit in and enjoy. She said the fact is that a gardener does not sit very often and enjoy because if they did, there would be no garden.

Anything that is worthwhile takes time. What in your life is worthwhile to work hard for?