A dedication to the celebration of the life of Mark P. Weiland:
I typically never write or post blogs on Saturdays. But today I make an exception to honor and celebrate the life of Mark P. Weiland, our dearest friend, whose life seemed to be taken from us all too soon. Just two months passed his 30th birthday, Mark, as a passenger in his own vehicle, was involved in accident that I believe can now only be characterize as "it was just his time to go home."In fact, it was the words spoken by minister that day officiating his funeral that comforted us the most ~ "It was Mark's time to go Home....to be with his Heavenly Father....."
Treat Every Day As A Gift
Not too many days go by that I don't think about our best friend Mark, whom we affectionately referred to as "The Duffer!" I honestly don't recall how he came by that nickname. I'll have to ask my husband to remind me some time, but I think it had something to do with his golf game. It's easy to recall Mark's larger than life personality, his contagious laugh and smile, and most of all, his generosity, kindness and love for his family and friends.
We honor his memory today and everyday since Dec. 30, 2000, when my husband and I named our first child ~ Mark Michael Lamp ~ after him. Since then, we remind ourselves to approach each day with an attitude of gratitude, with purpose, passion and conviction to do what is right and what is best for the greater good, to treat others the way that we would like to be treated and to honor God with our actions and words in the process.
"The
greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and
falling short,
but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark." ~
Michelangelo
Find Your Passion! Make Great Things Happen!
I take my purpose and passion to promote agriculture and to be an advocate for the industry as a whole very seriously. In my last blog post, I talked about setting a 52-day goal to see what you accomplish. With that said, how do you view today ~ June 30, 2012?? Half Over?? Or Half Started?? While you evaluate your answer (and I hope share it with me as well) thank you for allowing me an opportunity to share examples of what putting action to your dreams and goals can accomplish in less than six months:- Sign new contracts and be named a co-National Executive Coordinator for a documentary film like the Great American Wheat Harvest:
- Meet new, like-minded people and become business partners!
- Meet an Advocate for Agriculture, like Miss America 2011, Teresa Scanlan!
- Help start a NEW Affiliate for the American Agri-Women!
Certainly, these accomplishments reflect my dreams and goals. I'm a firm believer that any one of us can accomplish what we can not begin to fathom or comprehend when we let go of the ungodly and unnecessary obstacles in our lives. During a sermon, I heard one of our pastor's say, "People who start well are a time a dozen. People who finish well are rare and special."
Be RARE!! Be SPECIAL!! I plan to view June 30, 2012 as HALF-STARTED!!
I know that's how my friend Mark P. Weiland would see it.
And I know that is what my Heavenly Father has called me to do too!! How bout YOU??
