Month: November 2011

A swiftly tilting planet

James HoganLeave a comment

And about dinner time here in Tampa! Only have a minute to write, but wanted to dash off a quick entry before dinner! Hopefully a longer, more in-depth one will follow later tonight, but I make no promises…

Just wanted to state how awesome our God is, truly. And how blessed I am, always. Tonight I spend my last night here at home for a while, before flying back to Scotland tomorrow, but oh have these last few weeks been amazingly awesome. From being blessed with such a loving family to being encouraged by the best friends a man can have…like I have said many times before, I am overwhelmed by the goodness of the Lord.

And now, time to help Mom and pour water glasses for dinner as Dad and Katharyn are almost home. Roast chicken, potatoes, onions, mmmm…chocolate cake to follow, along with some 24-watching? Yeah, pretty good night coming up if you ask me.

Over and out.

Thanksgiving, always

James HoganLeave a comment

How great is your goodness,
which you have stored up
for those who fear you,
which you bestow in the sight of men
on those who take refuge in you.
In the shelter of your presence
you hide them from the intrigues of men;
in your dwelling you keep them safe
from accusing tongues.

Praise be to the LORD,
for he showed his wonderful love to me
when I was in a besieged city.
In my alarm I said,
‘I am cut off from your sight!’
Yet you heard my cry for mercy
when I called to you for help.

Love the LORD, all his saints!
The LORD preserves the faithful,
but the proud he pays back in full.

Be strong and take heart,
all you who hope in the LORD.

Scent of Roses

James HoganLeave a comment

And as I think of writing a few lines here…I sign in happiness, relaxing at home in Tampa!! The cool Florida sea-breezes are blowing through the house and I smell lunch(hash – fried beef, potatoes, onions and carrots, mmmmm…) on the stove and I’m chilling here with Dad…yep it’s a good day!! Just had a sweet few minutes outside in the glorious Florida sunshine, watering the roses and digging in the garden a bit.

But no, getting home wasn’t that easy. After a somewhat over-adventuresome journey home(missed my connecting flight in Amsterdam, barely got on the next flight to Detroit, then snagged the last seat – first class, yo – on the Detroit-Tampa flight to arrive home some five hours later than I’d planned. And without my luggage. But I’m here home now and all is well!! Oh how wonderful it is to relax with Dad, Mom and Katharyn and enjoy this lovely vacation!

Yesterday was Dad’s 58th birthday!! So of course we celebrated in classic Hogan-style, complete with Pizza Hut and a few episodes of ’24’. How we do it! Dad and I finished up the evening watching the Oklahoma State(ranked #2) vs. Iowa State game…went down to 2OT with Iowa State pulling off the massive upset, complete with the field being rushed! A good birthday present to my dad, I’ll say! (Yes, Iowa State alumnus)

And now lunch smells almost complete – and how can I spend too much time on the computer when I can spend it with the fam here! – so I think I’ll be away. Before I do…some sweet verses I read this morning…(actually I would love to quote verbatim Psalms 37 and 38 in their entirety, but I’ll spare you)

Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He will do it. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light and your judgement as the noonday.
-Ps. 37:4-6

Oh glorious verses! How I long to follow my God in all that I do – and for Him to bring forth righteousness in me as the rising sun! Oh bliss.

And I’m really off now. Love y’all.

O ancient doors

James HoganLeave a comment

And good morning from Aberdeen, y’all!!

Not going to write long today(yeah right…well, I’ll give it my best shot), but it’s been far too long since I’ve updated so thought I should at least write a few words. In Starbucks this fine Saturday morning and have just enjoyed a praline mocha and a chocolate doughnut and some glorious reading! Of course, it’s a tad bit distracting writing now with the couple on the sofa next to me discreetly(or not) making out. Seriously, this is Starbucks, yo. Not your home.

Anyways! Guess what! I will be in Florida in approximately five days from now! And unlike several of my other trips back to Florida this year, it will not be for work or visa purposes…no, going back home for vacation, hurrah!! Specifically for Thanksgiving. And I just cannot wait to relax with Dad and Mom and Katharyn…and then see Maryanne and Laura when they return and we’ll all be together and again and it will be awesome. Oh yes. And a weekend in Gainesville(UF/FSU game!) seeing some friends that I haven’t seen in far too long? Yeah, that’s not too bad either.

I have to say, I am most grateful to God for giving me this very well-timed vacation, as work’s been quite intensely busy lately. Not complaining for the over-abundance of orders being placed through our plant lately, but I think we’ve all been getting a little tired out. And I will rejoice supremely to have this time at home…especially with such amazing people as God has blessed me with as friends and family. My cup overflows, y’all. What can I say??

(Oh and side note…I’ll be back in Aberdeen the first of December. Third of December is Coldplay concert in Glasgow – it will be just beautiful!! Rose and Beth and her sister Bree are coming too…Can’t wait! Also, this year has been absolutely ridiculous music-wise. Two Rhapsody albums came out this year. Two Enfield albums came out this year! One Coldplay album. New Nightwish album coming out December 2nd. Coldplay concert December 3rd. Oh yeah and…Snow Patrol concert here in Aberdeen 30th of January. Living in Europe is awesome. End-extremely-long-side-note)

So now as I enjoy my last Saturday in Aberdeen for a couple weeks, hope you all are having a most excellent day! I’m off to do a little downtown walking(maybe even shopping? Shocker!) so my writing will be cut short.

Peace, y’all. Peace and love.