Heart Attacks…literally!

When I see Karen all dolled up, I tell her she’s going to give me a heart attack!

When my Byrnes Rebels or Carolina Gamecocks are in a close game, I say they are going to give me a heart attack!

We throw that around quite frequently when something we care about…throws us for a loop.

Today, my BEST FRIEND in the world had a very real heart attack!  He is more than a brother to me…and I WAS SCARED!!

It definitely put new meaning to the statement – ‘having a heart attack.’  The heart is an amazing organ.  It weighs 10 oz and is a blood-filled muscle.  In under a minute, your heart can pump blood to every cell in your body. And over the course of a day, about 100,000 heart beats shuttle 2,000 gallons of oxygen-rich blood many times through about 60,000 miles of branching blood vessels that link together the cells of our organs and body parts.  That’s a big job for a fist-sized muscle.

When it stops or is blocked/clotted, it brings to the brink of death or if not caught quickly or appropriately, can bring us to death.  It can come on us unaware.  That is scary.

Today my friend was cleaning his garage, he was transporting an old grill to the land fill and he felt weak and was hurting.  He stopped along the side of the road and rested for a few minutes.  Called his wife (my wife’s best friend) and got her voicemail.  After a few more minutes, it didn’t get better so he called 911 and they came and picked him up and transported him to the hospital.  We got a call from his wife Karen and headed immediately to the hospital.  Karen (my Karen) and I were scared!  We thought the worst - don’t judge me – it sounded bad.  I have faith but I also know what we were told in that moment on the phone.  We prayed and yes we trusted.  Because even when we pray, we don’t always get what we want, but we always get what is best for us!

Here is a pic of Andy (he is on the far left).  Not a good looking guy on the outside (HAHAHA!) but the best of the best on the inside (that is no joke!)

Andy and Karen (left), Kayla and Kara (middle), Garry and Karen (right)

Only God knows what is BEST and we have to trust Him.  Thankfully, that little 10 oz organ of Andy’s only needed 2 stints put in and he was back to his old self (almost) tonight.  He summed it up this way…God just isn’t finished with me yet!  And I definitely believe that…

ANDY FARR is probably the best husband, father, grandfather, friend and example of a christian man that I know on the planet.  And I get to call him my best friend!  I am so thankful for Andy and Karen.  They mean so much to Karen and I as we travel this journey called life and marriage.  We need them – we need their strength and their friendship.  We are so thankful for today’s outcome and once again, it gave me a fresh and new view of life - and appreciation for it.

I’ve always said to those that will listen – as you live, work and play, whatever you do, CAUSE GOD JOY in doing it!  I think it is time I get back to doing that more faithfully than ever before!

God bless and will be back soon with more!

A Granddaughter can change your life…

Reese Carolina has changed our lives for a few reasons…first she is the daughter of my firstborn son.  Shane and his incredible wife Shannon are incredible parents and are raising Reese in an incredible home environment.  Second, well, we love Reese and would do anything for her.  Her smile and personality melts our hearts.  Finally, we know she belongs to Jesus and He will guard, protect, guide and nourish her as she grows.  Having a daughter of my own, I know He is faithful and now He has another opportunity to show off with Reese.  More to come later…

Merry Christmas 2010

Let me begin by saying Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone and I hope that you have the time of your life with your family and friends during this time of celebration.  Take time to read the Christmas story and remind yourself and those around you that Jesus is alive and well and Christmas is ALL about Him.

I can’t believe it has been so long since I have blogged.  Alot has gone on in the Harper household since I last got on and blogged.  September 26, 2010 was my last day at Agilysys and on Monday, September 29th I started work at SYNNEX as the Director of Sales for their AIDC (Data Collection)/POS (Point of Sale)/Physical Security business unit.  Let me just say that I have been blessed.  I loved working at Agilysys and my family there was incredible.  But the past 3 months have been the most enjoyable I think I have ever had in business.  Its all in an attitude!!!

Karen and I are on edge…for good reasons.  We’re awaiting the birth of our first grandchild, a granddaughter.  Reese Carolina Harper is due January 7, 2011 but we are really hoping for a 2010 baby!  Shane and Shannon are doing great – they are ready to go and they are just the most precious expectant parents I’ve ever seen (I know they are ours so of course I think that).  I do believe the Lord has prepared them for this and as they begin their new family, we’re just praying for peace, love and joy for them!  Here’s our incredible daughter-in-love, Shannon with Shane and baby Reese…

Shane, Shannon and baby Reese

 Daniel has finished up his semester at Berklee in Boston and is busy writing music and like all of us, waiting for Reese to arrive.  Kara is busy working at Dolphin Quest and we’ll sure miss her at Christmas.  She will fly to Boston in February though and we can’t wait to see her again.  She’s faithful in calling a couple times a day so that eases the pain of missing her a little bit.

That’s all for now – Karen and I pray that your lives, marriages, relationships and homes will be blessed this holiday season.  Remember, most of the time it begins with you!  SO, tell someone you love them – then SHOW them that love by serving them some how this holiday season!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Garry and Karen

Family Reunions and Church

We had a great time at Karen’s family reunion today.  Karen comes from a beautiful family and well, it was one of the things I loved about her when I met her.  Her mom and dad have both passed and they left a great legacy.  Karen’s 2 brothers are wonderful.  Keith and his family made it but Ken, who has moved to Louisville, KY couldn’t make it.   I’m proud of Karen and her family and am so blessed that they have accepted me into the family.  Here is Karen and some of her cousins…

Aunt Peggy, Cindy, Linda, Leslie, KAREN and Rita

Every time we have these reunions, which are every year, it reminds me of my family and how blessed I am to have a great family as well.  My dad passed away in November of 2002 but my mother is still living (in VA) and she is a precious lady.  My sister lives in VA as well and my brother lives in Jacksonville, FL.  Here are a few takeaways from this years reunion…

FAMILY REUNIONS

1) They can be good (and fun)

2) Seems that children keep being born (there were 13 children there)

3) Love is/was in the air

4) Karen has some incredible aunts, uncles and cousins (and so do I)

5) Families are important to NOT forget about

6) Story telling is a lost art!

Oh yea, we did go to church prior to attending the reunion.  Church attendance is important.  Not for any other reason than the Bible instructs us to NOT neglect the assembling of ourselves together.  Our preacher (Perry Noble, www.newspring.cc) preached on money today.  Money is the #1 thing that keeps us from having a full and vibrant relationship with Jesus.  So, if your money is more important to you than attending church or reading your Bible, you might want to do a heart check.  Love ya, mean it!

Go and CAUSE GOD JOY!

I’m back…let’s talk CHANGE, Football and LEADERSHIP!

CHANGE…

Ok, summer is over and school is back in.  For us, our kids are now all settled, the boys are in Boston and Kara lives in Waikoloa, HI.  Yea, its been major change for us.  But they are doing great and love what they are doing which gives Karen and I great peace!  Karen and I are loving life and taking Shag dance lessons.  We’re excited about our GRANDDAUGHTER coming around January 8, 2011.  This has been probably the most exciting time of our lives as we prepare to be grandparents.   I started a new job 2 weeks ago and am absolutely loving it.   I am now the Director of Sales for the AIDC/POS Group at a company called Synnex in Greenville, S.C.

There is always some fear and trepidation when you start a new job but after the first day, I felt right at home.  I work directly for a Sr VP who I have a lot of respect for and the team working for me is right out of the top drawer.  I work with a guy named Brandon who is my Sales Manager and he has provided me with a lot of confidence, encouragement and support in my first two weeks.  It’s really nice to have guys like him on your team that you can trust and go to battle with and for.  The only problem with Brandon is that he is a Clemson Tiger fan.  Why do I always get stuck having to work with Clemson Tigger (sorry) fans?  Oh well.  Guess it could be worse – HA!  Change is good and it can revitalize you if you let it.  The key is making changes in  your life that you trust are in God’s will and then well, YOU BETTER TRUST HIM!

Football…

The football season has started and so far all is well.  Byrnes High School won tonight 52-6 vs. Forestview out of Gastonia, NC.  They finally hit on all cylinders and the guys built up a lot of confidence.  USC looked great against Southern Miss last Thursday night but tomorrow is a big test for them as they play the University of GA in Columbia.  Karen and I are driving down to the game and hoping to see Marcus Lattimore (Byrnes HS) light up the scoreboard.  He is a special kid with a special talent.

Leadership…

This is something that I have been doing a lot of reading on lately with my job change.  I’ve re-read the Fred Factor and several other great books, but two have stood out more than others.  They are entitled The Servant by James Hunter and Walk the Talk by Eric Harvey and Steve Ventura.  In the latter book, here are some of the key principles on leadership I wanted to share.

1) Words to Live by are Just words unless you actually LIVE by them.

2) You are what you DO.

3) Everything you Do counts.

4) The Golden Rule is still PURE gold.

5) Character is the key!

* Commitment

* Honesty

* Accountability

* Respect

* Attitude

* Courage

* Trust

* Ethics and Integrity

* Responsibility

How are you doing with all these things?  It’s always refreshing to do a little internal investigation and study yourself.  Men, one of the best ways to do this is to have a heart to heart wtih your wife and see what she has to say.   She is the one person that I’m sure is willing to be honest with you.  It’s also good to have a friend that you can trust as well.  But a little advise on this one, make sure its a friend that you know is walking with Jesus in such a way that he has your BEST interest at heart.

Hey – its good to be back and have a great weekend as you…

CAUSE GOD JOY!