In economics, there is the study of macro-economics and the study of micro-economics.

The same is true when studying geography.  A macroscopic approach to human geography aims to identify large-scale patterns in observed phenomena rather than concentrating on local data, especially in the analysis of population distribution, and its relation to economic and social conditions. A microscopic approach to geography is localized: involving or concerned with strict geographic localization.

I have shared numerous times since our relocation to the Greater CSRA and Edgefield County, that although newcomers, I had been studying the trends of our region since the late 1990’s.  Honestly, what I had not studied was our own family farm.  Coming here in 72-hour increments for the previous two decades, my sisters and I, our spouses, and our children typically walked the same path each time we went out for a walk, which we did multiple times a day on our visit to what is now called Misty Morning Farms.

It wasn’t until the fall of 2012, when I started coming alone for extended weekends to begin thinking about a future in agriculture and how to best utilize our family heirloom, which has been maintained through four generations.  The first weekend I came alone, I parked my car at the edge of a hay field and walked into the woods.  I learned how quickly the topography changed. I was amazed at the steepness of our own property.  I spent that day exploring this part of our property, where I had never been, despite visiting here for over four decades.

There is an effort in our republic to silence the discussion of faith.  I don’t know about you, I personally find that troubling, especially when you look at our founding documents, which on more than one occasion refer to the hand of Divine Providence.

I believe there is more I don’t know about faith than I do know.  What I do know is God typically works in ways we don’t plan or understand.

Why the connection?

In 2012, as I was preparing to leave a world I knew extremely well to enter a world I knew very little, and very few individuals, I discovered major things about property I visited over four decades, but clearly didn’t understand yet.  I plan to return to this part of this editorial next week.

The point in sharing the introduction is to share one prayer I had that weekend in 2012, and part of an answer.  I say a part of an answer, because there is still an unknown future.  A prayer I had that weekend is that God would use our property for good things.

I believe this weekend’s Luke Bryan concert at Misty Morning Farms is a good thing, not only for Misty Morning Farms, but for Edgefield County as a whole.  This is an event Misty Morning Farms did not solicit, and never could have imagined.  Not in our wildest dreams.

Resulting from this blessing, thousands of individuals will enter Edgefield County for the first time.  This is transpiring after our county leadership recently approved new branding, a new logo and a new website.  All of which should be up for these visitors to see as they enter our county this weekend!  All of which highlight the best of what Edgefield County is about!  As our macrogeographic region is experiencing tremendous growth, I believe this is great timing!

Also resulting from this blessing is a display of amazing teamwork by our county and state leadership, from the County Administrator’s office, the Sheriff’s office, the Fire Departments, Emergency Preparedness, EMS, DOT, State Police, Verizon, the school system and many, many others.  Far too many individuals to list.  Not only have they been on numerous logistical planning conference calls, they have attended two site meetings.  What is truly impressive is they kept this event “under wraps” for months, after it was decided in January, until Luke Bryan announced in late May.

I believe our citizens have much to be proud of for the teamwork and the professionalism each of these departments (and ones I have inadvertently missed) have displayed.  I hope you will join me in thanking these team members in each of these departments for their efforts.

For those who want to know: department team members working this event will be compensated or reimbursed by the Luke Bryan concert promoters.

Here’s wishing you a productive week!

__________________________

Above is my editorial in The Edgefield Advertiser on Wednesday October 3, 2018.  To follow are three reports about the concert, which have been done by local media!

Click here to read and watch Alexa Lightie of WRDW Channel 12’s report on September 24, 2018

Click here to read and watch Matt Kaufax of WRDW’s report on Wednesday October 3, 2018

Click here to read and watch Shawn Cabbagestalk of WJBF Channel 6’s report on October 3, 2018

Candidly, I am torn about writing this week.  We just celebrated Labor Day Weekend.

From Wikipedia: “Labor Day in the United States of America is a public holiday celebrated on the first Monday in September. It honors the American labor movement and the contributions that workers have made to the strength, prosperity, laws, and well-being of the country. It is the Monday of the long weekend known as Labor Day Weekend.”  It began in the late 1800’s and “by the time it became an official federal holiday in 1894, thirty U.S. states officially celebrated Labor Day. All U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and the United States territories have subsequently made Labor Day a statutory holiday.”

The holiday we celebrated this past weekend was instituted at the Federal level 124 years ago.  Are our modern labor circumstances worthy of our celebration? 

I am a glass half full kind of guy.  I believe our republic still has the greatest resources in the world, to include human resources.  I also believe we have the most opportunity because of the foundations laid by previous generations.  I do however think it wise for us to reflect on how this holiday was originated, its meaning and determine if it is still fitting today.

Today in our republic, we live in a generation which has the largest middle class in the history of the world.  The vast-majority live with air conditioning, television, wireless devices and transportation, in apartments and homes with square footage averages beating out every other industrialized nation in the world.  We have attained a quality of life the first generation of “Labor Day” participants could only have dreamed about.  All these benefits come from labor and are worthy of celebration!

However, I question what the first generation of Labor Day participants would think about America today, where we are required to import so much of our labor, in so many industries.  We must import labor for everything from our food production all the way to our STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) industries.

Why is it that a nation which celebrates our labor, is required to import so much of our labor, in so many industries?

Why is it we are incrementally increasing our national debt, in many respects to fund this labor?

Why is it this is transpiring at the same time so many of our businesses struggle to find the work-ethic within our own citizenry to fill the jobs which are currently available, many sitting vacant until the guest worker arrives?

Why is this labor shortage is transpiring at the same time our citizen work-force participation rate is at an all time low?  This is not to be confused with the unemployment statistics.

 Returning to Wikipedia’s definition, we must ask ourselves the question, do these trends add to or detract from “the strength, prosperity, laws, and well-being of the country” as “Labor Day” is intended?

 I can see many angles this discussion could potentially go, so when it is posted online, I’d love to know your thoughts.  More next week!

Here’s wishing you a productive week!

Last week I shared my personal experience of holding back vomit when I toured the Nazi Concentration Camp Dachau twice during the 1980’s.  I wrote about today’s trend of American millennials and even their parents not having a solid grasp of history as it relates to the horrific acts and statistics surrounding the holocaust in Europe and the extreme sacrifice of our immediate past American generations to restore liberty and sanity to the European continent.  Click here to read.

At the end of March, I wrote about The Cathedral of Notre Dame collapsing from within.  Click here to read.

I begin this week linking both articles as I believe there is a correlation.  Also, in both, I call for action from the coalition of the willing.

Thinking more deeply on the holocaust, we must recognize tyranny never ends.  It existed before the 20^th Century hell created by the German Nazi regime.  It continues today in many third world nations.  It prevails in the cultures dominated by particular worldviews.

What made the scenario of the holocaust in Germany unique and so devastating is the fact it took place in the homeland of Beethoven and Bach.  This evil thrived in the homeland of the great theological reformer Martin Luther.  Stated differently, this was a nation-state which had a history of exceptional culture, great faith, significance in the reformation, and was clearly impacted by the renaissance.

Yet there are multiple documented stories of houses of worship along the train-tracks of the beautiful Bavarian landscape who would choose to sing louder as the trains passed by, in order to drown out the cries of human life as their fellow citizens, loaded like cattle in train cars, passed by the church, in route to their forced labor, abhorrent bodily experiments, and for most their ultimate demise through the gas chambers.

What is it about human nature that causes so many, the multitudes actually, to do nothing in the face of evil?  How do we as a culture strengthen the spines of the few, so that culture will lean in the direction of principle and virtue?

Next week is a great opportunity to help strengthen the spines of some, in the best way we really can in my opinion, and that is through prayer.

Next week, Thursday May 3^rd is the annual National Day of Prayer.  The organizers of the National Day of Prayer, which was first created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman, recognize that as a republic we are facing forces dividing our citizenry in vitriolic camps which is extremely unhealthy for our country.  As a result, the theme this year is “Pray for America – Unity, based upon Ephesians 4:3 which challenges us to mobilize unified public prayer for America, “Making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

I encourage you to visit the website by clicking here and participate in one of the events in our region.  If you are a faith leader, and you are not yet leading your congregation to participate, I would encourage you to add an event for your individual community.

Here’s wishing you a productive week!

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I am on a journey.  The year is 1986.  I am half way through the privilege of living in and touring Europe for two years, ages 16 to 18.  I had already spent a fair amount of time in Bavaria, a region in modern unified Germany, dating to 555 A.D. 

This journey during the summer of my 17^th year I invested a large portion of a day at Dachau Concentration Camp. My mother and I travelled to this hell hole, where during World War Two an estimated 188,000 Jews were contained, subjected to ungodly bodily experiments and inhumane labor practices.  A compound where close to 32,000 humans were slaughtered via gas chambers then disposed of in incinerator’s.

I vividly remember being sick to my stomach as I walked into the chambers where human life was gassed.  Humans were led into the chambers in large groups, naked, told they were getting much needed showers.  Holding back vomit, I viewed the pictures of pyramids of human flesh, where they had gasped their final breaths, climbing on one another, attempting to get higher, gasping for air.

The following summer, touring my best friend from the States around Europe, I invested another day at Dachau. I couldn’t lead him through Europe without him seeing this hell hole, which had been created and thrived in the land of Beethoven and Bach, during our Grandparents generation. Just like my personal struggles the previous summer, I remember his working to contain vomit during his visit to Dachau.

By God’s Grace, our grandparents’ generation liberated the European continent from this evil a mere 42 years prior to our visit.

Last week, April 12^th, 2018 was Holocaust Remembrance Day, 73 years since liberation and 31 years since my last visit to Dachau.  A report was released last week showing that “66 % of American millennials and 41 % of American adults could not explain the significance of Auschwitz (another concentration camp) and that 41 % of millennials believe that fewer than 2 million Jewish people were killed during the Holocaust.” https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/66-percent-of-us-millennials-dont-know-what-auschwitz-was.

We are now three generations removed from the liberation of Europe, from this insanity, and most of today’s American’s don’t know the history or the sacrifice of our immediate ancestors.  This is problematic and requires action.  What can we do?

We must not simply grieve about the loss of this historical knowledge, and the inevitable risk it creates for each of us.

It is not enough to simply get angry about the lack of education, bureaucracies which might be exacerbating this trend and textbooks which are not accurate. 

Like our responsibility for our individual immediate and extended families’ financial well-being, we are also responsible for our individual immediate and extended families’ educational well-being, as both responsibilities impact our individual future generations.

As a parent, grandparent or perhaps even a great-grandparent; as an aunt or an uncle, here are three easy things you can do.  First, educate yourself.  We live in the greatest generation in history as it relates to the capability to invest time in one’s own education.  Second, rather than planning a family vacation to Disney World or to go on a cruise, plan a trip to Washington, DC.  Among the many sites which every American should visit, be sure to visit the interactive Holocaust Museum.  Be sure to invest several hours in the exhibit “Propaganda” on the lower level.  In that exhibit, your heirs will learn the concept of “fake news” is not new.  It was used in the 20^th Century very effectively, to the demise of over 6 million human lives.  Third, find ways to incorporate historical education into your extended families’ routine.  In my humble opinion, the dividends your individual family will receive from such investments will exceed the dividends received from that trip to Disney World.

Here’s wishing you a productive week.

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As I prepare for Hump Day, which also happens to be Master’s Week, I am beginning the day sipping coffee, sitting in the dark on my great-grandfather’s front porch, listening to the rain fall, the wind blow, the thunder roll and watching the lightning. As dark turns to day, and the rain tapers off, I also am enjoying the sounds of birds, insects and the steaks (cows) in the field. I am also keeping track of the traffic count, which each passing year increases on this beautiful country road our family has been blessed to know for well over a century.

I am thinking about life 100 years ago and am wondering what my 12-year-old grandfather and 44-year-old great grandfather would be thinking, as they potentially sat on this same porch, drinking coffee as they prepared to go to work. As there was a 32-year span between the two men, I am confident that in addition to the labor that was ahead for that specific day, they were thinking of different things. Yes, I called my 12-year old grandfather a man, as the expectations of 12-year old farm boys 100 years ago was vastly different than the expectations today’s society places on 12-year old individuals.

My great grandfather’s mind might have been on the devastation of World War I, which was six months away from ending, a fact no one knew at that time. He may have only been thinking about this year’s agricultural business, so focused on the immediate that he couldn’t think beyond what was right in front of him. Having been blessed to know my grandfather during the last decade of his life, I can safely assume my great-grandfather was thinking further ahead than one year.

No doubt, much like today’s agricultural business owner he was concerned about the labor force, the weather and cost structures he couldn’t control. Since he died in 1926, I am confident he couldn’t have imagined industrialized agriculture as we have witnessed in the last half a century. I am confident he couldn’t have imagined the future of agriculture being in hydroponics or aeroponics, where entire cities could see their greens and vegetable food supply being produced vertically inside containers or high-rise buildings, with high-tech systems monitoring lighting and water with unimaginable specificity, as we are witnessing in the 21st century.

I am confident he couldn’t have imagined the traffic count in front of his driveway being what it is this morning. I am confident he couldn’t have imagined the only region he had ever known being transformed by industries called cyber-security or golf. The idea of his neighbors’ homes being rented for thousands of dollars a week during a golf tournament would have been ludicrous – especially when he had only a few years prior constructed his home for $ 300 and a motorcycle!

As for my 12-year-old grandfather – he very likely was only thinking about how quickly he could accomplish his morning chores before school! While the events of his life would later force him to think long term, and become adept at it, at that point in his life, he was very likely focused on just getting through the day.

For me, thinking about history, both at a high level, as well as the individual family level, I am grateful for our heritage. As you look at your personal family heritage, I hope you are grateful as well and that you can glean wisdom from both family failure and success.  Then, regardless of where you are today as an individual, will choose to put your hand back on the plow with vigor, in such a way those coming behind you will look at your life’s work and be grateful for your effort.

I hope you can focus on more than simply getting through the day, sometimes a great challenge, I know.

However, you choose to begin your Hump Day – I sincerely hope you have a productive day!

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This week I am going to be brief.  How many people do you know who like to talk trash?  How many people do you know who are all talk, but no action?

I’d like to give all of us, Edgefield County Residents, the opportunity to do both – talk and take action!

As you know, trash on our roads is an eye sore for everyone.  It also provides a perception of how others see us.  As someone who has had the privilege of travelling in many states, I get really discouraged when I return to South Carolina to see the amount of trash on our roads.  If you google search “South Carolina Among Dirtiest States” you will witness many articles written about this problem.  Any individual or business looking to relocate to our state will see this, and it will impact their perception of us.

Personally, it is even more discouraging and frustrating when I enter our great county and see the amount of trash on the major roads in our historic county.  As an elected official, I hear many complaints about it from those I serve.

Joey Smith, the Fire Chief of the Merriwether Fire Department, and his team has for many years taken a pro-active step to improve this view; however, to be frank, they need help from good citizens like you me to make an adequate dent.

In that vein, I invite you to participate in this years annual “Trash Pick Up Day.”  You can learn more and R.S.V.P. to participate by going to this website:  www.CleaningUpEdgefieldCounty.Eventbrite.com.

I want to thank my fellow councilman Art Biggs for highlighting this issue at numerous County Council meetings, for working with the Sheriff’s office to enhance their program, and for his help in promoting this annual event – with the desire to go beyond one event, but through community involvement create bi-annual county wide events in all Fire Districts.  But we must start somewhere, so we want to join where the work is already being done, under the leadership of Fire Chief Joey Smith.

I also want to thank my State Representative Bill Hixon who introduced legislation this year to address this statewide issue.  If you google Bill Hixon introduces bill on trash, numerous articles will come up.

My belief is cleaning up our county roads, and the misperception it creates, will take our personal action and our individual pride to clean up the roads we are responsible for.  In that vein, I sincerely hope you will work and fellowship with us on March 31^st.  Again, details can be found by going to this website: www.CleaningUpEdgefieldCounty.Eventbrite.com.

Here’s wishing you a productive week!

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It has been a privilege serving the residents of Edgefield County on Edgefield County Council since January 2017, having been elected in November 2016 to serve the Merriwether District, District 5.

I am pleased to announce I am running for re-election.

Since my arrival in Edgefield County in 2013 I have openly shared the fact that due to our family history in the county dating back to the 1800’s, I have from a far watched with keen interest the demographics and activity of the entire region since my High School days.  Graduating in 1987 means I have been watching the region for over 30 years, even though I have lived here only five years.

One of the phrases I used numerous times when speaking with people about Edgefield County since arriving here is “a rising tide lifts all boats,” and that, “if we plan for the rising tide, our future potential really is unlimited.”  I still believe that to be the case.

Personally, I believe we are living in one of the most exciting times to be living in the greater CSRA.  The region is experiencing unprecedented growth, which has the potential to impact Edgefield County in amazing and positive ways, if we plan appropriately. 

During the last year, County Council held a listening tour which included meetings in each of our five districts.  We held joint meetings with most of our boards and commissions.  We reworked our Strategic Plan and in 2018 we are already executing activities to prepare a new Comprehensive plan.  As Chairman Dean Campbell mentioned in his annual report, it truly has been a team effort.  To see his report, please click here!

In December of last year, I hosted a seminar for Edgefield County Residents on the impact Fort Gordon is having on our region.  Executive Director Tom Clark of The Fort Gordon Alliance was the speaker.  I would encourage all residents of Edgefield County, indeed the greater CSRA region, to watch that presentation – as it provides great visuals of what is transpiring in our region. 

In closing, since my arrival in Edgefield County in 2013, I served close to two years on the Tax Appeals Board.  I served over a year and a half on the Edgefield County Hospital Board, where I still serve as County Council Liaison, since my being sworn in to County Council in January 2017.  I am proud of what our team has accomplished and I desire to continue serving the residents of Merriwether and Edgefield County.

If you would like to be on my e-mail distribution for County Council, please feel free to e-mail me at Scott@HScottCooper.com or call me at 803-293-5087.

Many reading this don’t have grandkids, let alone great-grandkids; therefore, they will wonder what’s the point.  The point is Proverbs 13:22: “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.”  We can assume the opposite of this Proverb is also true.

Last week (linked), I highlighted this Proverb discussing our Federal Unfunded Liability Debt.  Our collective Unfunded Liabilities are over $ 111 TRILLION.  Stated differently, the individual taxpayer unfunded liability as of Sunday is over $ 922,000.  

One of the challenges we face in our republic is the education of our citizens on public policy issues.  A large percentage are taught via humorous, sometimes vulgar soundbites on shows like Jimmy Kimmel, Rachael Maddow and Dennis Miller.  Other’s get biased angry soundbites from sources like George Stephanopoulos, Joe Scarborough and Sean Hannity.  One could also debate the quality being received and the worldview being taught from most of our public educational systems.

The reality is only a very small percentage of American’s dig into the actual-facts behind the soundbites.  This year, I want to encourage each of us to do more fact digging vs. mud-slinging.  The reason ultimately returns to the proverb above.  Our ancestors bequeathed to us the most prosperous nation, with the highest quality of living and the largest middle class in the history of the world.  What will we leave to our heirs?

For my friends in South Carolina, if you don’t know Joe Dugan, and his team – I would like to introduce you to them.  In my opinion, they have done more to educate South Carolinians on Federal Public Policy issues than any other group I know of.  This weekend, Saturday January 20 – Monday January 22, is the 6^th Annual Convention where they have focused on polices / issues such as:

• Media Bias
• National Security, to include Muslim Brotherhood Infiltration, Antifa Activity, Marxist Activity, Immigration Security Issues, Terrorism, Threats from China and North Korea, and Electric Grid Insecurity.
• Deep State Bureaucracy / Shadow Government Activities
• Educational Issues
• Judicial Activism
• Voter Apathy
• National / State debt and unfunded liabilities
• Much, much more.

I would encourage each of you to check out the list of speakers participating in this weekend’s conference by clicking here!

As you can see, it is weighted heavily toward National Security speakers, which is encouraging to me, because I believe “Providing for the Common Defense,” as written in the preamble of our Constitution, truly is a non-partisan, non-respecter of person issue.  It should also be the primary function of the Federal Government.

For more details, please review Joe’s website by clicking here!  The link to register is at the top right-hand corner of the home page.

In closing, I am aware some will automatically tune out when they see the name Tea Party.  I would strongly urge you to look at the topics being discussed, and come with civility, a notepad, and a willingness to learn.  All speakers will be available for civil discussion during the course of the weekend.

Monday January 22^nd will deal specifically with South Carolina Issues.  Each Gubernatorial Candidate has been invited to the Gubernatorial debate.  You can look online to see who is currently participating.

I hope you have a blessed week!

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In mid-January the credit card bill for Christmas arrives.  What shape will you be in when you open that envelope(s)?

Perhaps you’re one of the few who never spends beyond their savings account.  My grandmother was like that.  I’ll never forget the advice she gave me shortly after graduating college and purchasing my first car on credit.  I asked her experience with car loans.  She replied, “Scott, if we didn’t have the cash, we never bought it.”  She lived her life that way.  That was in 1991.  She was 82.  I wish she was here to visit my kids, and now my grandson, to impart such wisdom.

When was the last time you looked at the US Debt Clock?  If it’s been a while, I would strongly urge you to check it out at www.USDebtClock.org.  I implore you to look a number that isn’t today’s current debt of over $ 20 Trillion, but the Unfunded Liabilities number, which due to commitments we have made, which aren’t funded, adds to our current debt.  As of Sunday, our republic’s Unfunded Liabilities was over $ 111 Trillion.  Stated differently, that’s over $ 111,000,000,000,000.00.  Watch the pace that number grows.

In short, we are creating one hell of a credit card bill for our grandkids and great grandkids.

I am sure when the bill comes due, they will be happy they provided us such a tremendous, decades long spending spree.  What do you think?  #Sarcasm.

Personally, I think our descendants will look at our lives and ask, “Why did they do this to us?”  They, being us collectively.  Then our descendants will look at our personal lives to ask, “What did he/she do to prevent this bill from being delivered?”

Personally, I believe our national overspending and overcommitting to spend future dollars, as a republic, is a national security issue.  Furthermore, I do not believe our elected leaders, or the deep-state bureaucracy in Washington, DC is capable of reigning in our collective appetite for spending our descendant’s future income.  I believe spending beyond our means as a nation is a non-partisan, non-respecter of person issue.  It should concern every one of us, regardless of race, creed or party.  Furthermore, I believe it is a moral issue.  Proverbs 13:22: “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.”  I would assume the opposite of this Proverb is also true.

I do however believe there is a solution, and that is called The Convention of States.  https://conventionofstates.com/.  If you are concerned about the debt bill we are sending to our future generations, I would encourage you to do three things:

• Go to https://conventionofstates.com/ to learn about this process for yourself.
• Watch a debate on this issue, which is between two personal friends. In this case I agree with Michael Farris.

• If you live in South Carolina, please consider joining your fellow South Carolinians at the State Capitol on January 17^th as they meet with State Legislators about this Constitutional process. You can find more information about this event by clicking here.

I’d like to mention The South Carolina Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, who serves most of us as our State Senator fully endorses Convention of States, and will be involved in the January 17^th event mentioned above.  I greatly appreciate Senator Massey for leading in this effort.  I also appreciate my State Representative Bill Hixon, who supports this effort and Representative Bill Taylor who has spear-headed this effort in South Carolina, and is known nationwide for his efforts.

In closing, one of the best things we can do for our great grand-kids is to get our republic’s debt-house under control.  More next week!

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Scott and Suzy on Christmas Eve

Closing the final “work day” of 2017 yesterday, I (Scott) was amazed at how quickly the year passed.  I spent time reflecting on what I have not accomplished.  In addition to thinking about what else I had hoped to accomplish, but didn’t, I spent time reflecting on James 4:14 “you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.”  The entire chapter of James 4 (linked) is valuable when reflecting on time. Matthew 6:33, and the entire chapter of Matthew 6 (linked) is another gem when reflecting on the use of time and resources.

What are you reflecting on this New Year’s Weekend?

In addition to thinking about the investment of 2017, I spent some time thinking critically about the last 5 years.  January 1, 2013 was the day I drove to South Carolina to begin a new life for my wife and me.  Suzy and David, our youngest son, planned to join me after David graduated High School in June 2013.  David was to spend a “brief season” with us, as he considered his future.

You may already know the work we have been engaged in on multiple fronts; Suzy in Dental Hygiene; Scott in agriculture, a weekly column at The Edgefield Advertiser, work with High Frontier, Managing a U.S. Senate Campaign, and serving in local county government.  Each of Scott’s endeavors have required significant investment of time studying.  Each of these endeavors have made great strides.

This New Years, we, Suzy and I, want to share with you our recognition that God works through painful, generally unwanted circumstances.  Over the course of our first five years in South Carolina, we have come to acknowledge and adapt to the fact that our youngest son David will likely be with us, dependent upon us, our entire lives.  The diagnosis yet completely unclear, is related to the autism spectrum and mental disorder.  The bottom line is following high school he took a severe spiral downward, and after a multi-year roller coaster, we have adjusted to a life we hadn’t planned.

We do not share this with you to seek pity.  Prayers yes, but not pity.  We share this with you for three reasons. 

First, frequently this time of year, everyone puts their best picture forward in Christmas Cards and letters.  We think that is fitting, because people genuinely want to hear how their friends have done the previous year, and this time of year is the natural time to provide an update.  But let’s be honest – the painful parts of life are often left out.  And the reality is, far more people are struggling with painful parts of life than not, and our friends are either growing or withering as a result. 

Second, it is our belief and our faith, which we celebrate this time of year, which tells us these things are given to us, not to crush us, but to create in us the individuals God will use.  His ways and His plans are generally not ours.  Romans 8:28. 

We humbly acknowledge that finding the resilient spirit which looks for the purpose and chooses to “press-on” is not easy.  It requires support, which may come from places other than where you had hoped.  The above verses were provided as a potential lifeline for whatever you may be going through.  For Scott they were key to his personal resiliency, which is still a daily journey.

Third, researching what Scott now refers to as the plagues of the autism spectrum and mental disorders on our republic, we are profoundly grieved by the number of families which are facing similar and in many cases far more devastating circumstances.  The toll these scourges are ravaging on human life, marriages and families is on an epic scale.  My gut tells me every individual who reads this will know impacted lives.

In closing, sometimes people ask me (Scott), “why invest / waste time in civil governance?”  My reply is simple.  Because I value life, and because it’s personal. 

As it relates to the subject matters above, there is far more I do not know, than what I do know; however, in my gut I know there are some key public policy and lifestyle choice factors driving the increases we are witnessing in the diseases I highlight above, and it’s having a devastating impact on lives.  I would covet your prayers as I continue serve at the levels and in the circles of influence that have been opened to me, to help increase awareness and work with those seeking solutions, for our immediate family and beyond.

Many blessings to you and your family, as you prepare to enter a new year!  May it be a productive one!  If you have a minute, please make a comment to let us know how you and your family are doing!

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