Radio Interview for my book
I’ve been a guest on a few radio broadcasts but they’ve always been about Royal Family KIDS. I seems weird to even write the words – radio guest. How would a guy like me end up on a radio program? Believe me I am not spectacular or anything. It’s all about a grand God doing miraculous things in my life. Maybe it’s simply because I’m one of His kids. Reading through the Bible I find plenty of common folks catapulted into history because God likes showing up when the odds are not good.
So, you can listen to the broadcast on Rhonda’s website.
Let me tell you how I met this great lady.
I was poking around on LinkedIn and noticed that someone had checked out RFKC. When I looked up the person’s name it turned out to be Rhonda Sciortino and she was an author! Her first book
- From Foster Care to Millionaire
caught my attention. I read it and knew we had to meet. So I zipped off an email and arranged for her to come by the Royal Family KIDS office.
The meeting was amazing and she has been a friend of RFK ever since. Rhonda has spoken at many of our camp fundraisers and church services and has been a keynote speaker for our annual leadership conference. Our people adore her! She carries herself with a humble confidence that points to the grace of God working through her life. Pick up a copy of her new book,
So you can hear the quick audio version of my testimony by listening or downloading this radio interview.
Thank you God for a thriving life and family and thank you Rhonda for giving me a brief “web-celeb” moment. It was a blast!
Who is my mother?
Who is My Mother?
When I was seven years old, I received P.D. Eastman’s best-selling children’s book Are You My Mother? as a gift. It was my favorite book for a long time.
In the story, a mother bird’s egg is about to hatch. The egg begins to rustle around, and the mother bird goes off to find her soon-to-arrive baby something to eat. The baby bird hatches while its mother is away, and he wonders where his mother is. The baby bird goes off to look for his mother but, not knowing what she looks like, walks right past her.
It was at a Royal Family KIDS training and after forty years of pushing “mom thoughts” out of my mind – it happened.
It took me right back to the feelings I couldn’t put words to or explain as a child. I realized that I didn’t know some very important pieces of information about my birth mother. I didn’t know what she looked like. I didn’t know what her voice sounded like. I didn’t know what she smelled like. I began to heave sobs. Somehow that little guy’s voice and the yellow words in the darkness became a long-lost key to a door that had been locked for over 40 years.
THEN… Just before my book is released, my cousin calls and says, “are you ready for some news?”
Robin and I were sitting outside our daughter’s (Ally) work.
It turns out that my cousin found my birth mom. She’s 78 years old and has been living in Lakewood (where we lived for 25 years) for the past 9 years. What?!
You mean I actually could have passed her in the grocery store or at the mall? Yes. At present she doesn’t want much to do with me. Realize, this is a lot to spring on a senior after 50 years of trying to forget. I sent her a copy of my book and told her that she has three additional, beautiful, grown grandchildren and that I’m doing well. I hope somewhere inside this brings her comfort and a little bit of pride. Believe me, my life would have turned out very different if it hadn’t been for Jesus and my wife, Robin.
So today I’m reflecting on Mother’s Day very differently.
I miss my adopted mom very much. She died in 2009. I always dedicated my “mom thoughts” to her on this day.
But now my mind also shifts towards the woman who gave me life. She carried me through 9 months of vague, tumultuous relationship with my bio dad. She had 9 months of wondering what to do with the youngest of her 7 or 8 children (possibly from different fathers). After I was born she was instructed to leave and never have anything to do with me. That’s the way it’s been for 50 years.
The story continues. I’ll keep ya posted as I find out how things turn out.
What’s cooler?
A new book or our family to celebrate it?
I know it would seem that the coolest part of the evening would be the new book launch or the line of people wanting me to autograph their copy. But you know what – that is nothing compared to these people standing behind me to celebrate.
It’s their moment too.
Robin and I have made it a priority to push ourselves, work hard and do everything we possibly can do as long as we can do it – all for the Kingdom of God. We wanted to set a path and a pace for our children so they could see imperfect – yet passionate – parents following God with all our heart.
Book Launch & Signing
New Book is OUT!
Last night’s book launch was a huge success. I am so thankful to Wayne and Royal Family KIDS for such an opportunity. The book is now for sale. Just click on the links to the right. We’ll ship it out from the RFK office. Please indicate on the PayPal form if you’d like it signed. I’m working on the audio CD and the mp3 version should be ready soon. Enjoy. Let me know what you think by leaving comments here on the blog.
Dumb Things I Do
A Major Personal Goal
I am posting to celebrate a new weight goal. I wish I could tell you I donated my weight to a needy friend, but it’s GONE! Robin and I started working on this goal on Oct 1st, 2011 and now Feb 20, 2012 I am down 40 lbs. Here’s a before & after. The before was taken last August and the after was taken today.
Now on Pinterest!
Download a sample now!
It’s almost here! The official book launch will take place at the 22nd Royal Family KIDS Banquet on March 8, 2012. But you can download a sample here.
Royal Family KIDS Banquet
Join me at the 22nd Annual Royal Family KIDS Banquet as we feature grown-up campers as they share their powerful stories. I am honored to launch my new book “A Seed of Hope in Toxic Soil” by giving each attendee a free copy.
22nd Annual Royal Family KIDS Celebration Banquet
Thursday, March 8, 2012 (6:30 pm)
Irvine Marriott Hotel
18000 Von Karman Ave.
Irvine, CA
Tickets: $50.00 per person
Table of Ten: $500.00
Advance ticket purchase required.
For tickets, please contact the Royal Family KIDS office at 714-438-2494 or purchase them online at www.royalfamilykids.org.