Class Reunion--Oklahoma Baptist University

I just returned from Shawnee, Oklahoma where I attended my 35th (!) college reunion. I told Paul and Ryan that in some ways it seems like I graduated about when they did. But I must admit that I have a few more miles on me than they do. :) OBU is consistently ranked as one of the best values in U.S. News and World Report. I had Ivy League and Rhodes Scholar professors when I was there. I never had a class that was taught by a graduate assistant, and almost all of my classes were small.

For all those reasons and more, I joke with Paul and Ryan about the "real green and gold" being in Shawnee instead of Waco. But I'm a huge Baylor fan also, especially basketball. I missed the exhibition game last Saturday, since I was in Oklahoma, so I'm looking forward to seeing the Baylor men this Saturday.

I'd like to know who reads our blog, so the first person who reads this and calls me can have 2 of our tickets to an upcoming game. We have new seats that are very good--6 rows up near mid-court. So let me hear from you!

Great new movie out--"Fireproof"

The Sappingtons just got back from watching "Fireproof", the new movie written by the same folks who did "Facing the Giants" and "Flywheel". Kirk Cameron plays the lead role of a fireman who's having marital problems. He eventually learns the importance of being a good partner, both in marriage and in fire fighting. We highly recommend that you go see "Fireproof" as soon as you can! For more info, visit www.fireproofthemovie.com.

Good and good for you!

Hi everyone! I just found out about a great place to eat! On Fridays from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., for $12 you can eat all you want of some of the best-tasting, healthiest food you could ever want!
It's served at the Hamilton House, 1521 Austin (next to Sironia). Han Ashley is the lead chef there on Fridays, and each Friday is a different menu. Don't go expecting meat, or a bacon, egg and cheese biscuit!! It's strictly vegan, but I was amazed at how delicious everything was! For more information, you can call the Hamilton House at 754-2823, or email Han at TheEpicurean@mac.com.

Steve

Time for Football!!!

Unfortunately, I have not had a lot to blog about in recent weeks. Nothing exciting has happened on the golf course and I have been working a lot (which I am not allowed to blog about). But, I am ecstatic about the upcoming college football season -- just ask my wife!



For those of you who do not know me, I am a Baylor and Alabama football fanatic--it extends beyond just a "fan"--I am truly a fanatic! During my four years at Baylor, I missed one home football game and attended 9 away games -- and Baylor was horrible during this time. I missed the one home game because my wife, Michelle, and I drove through the night to attend an Alabama game in Tuscaloosa. Why Alabama? Well, where I grew up, you were either an Alabama fan or an Auburn fan - end of story! And, since my father graduated from Alabama, and my grandfather worshipped Alabama, I did not have much of a choice. Honestly, most of my childhood was spent either studying old Alabama films or pretending to be an Alabama player in the back yard. Then, when my family moved to Texas, I continued to bleed Crimson -- they say that once you are a BAMA fan, you will never go back. And, for as much as I love Baylor, I will always pledge allegiance to Alabama football!



So, why am I so excited? Well, Michelle and I will be attending the Baylor v. Wake Forest game this Thursday where we will witness the new Art Briles offense. Then, on Saturday, Alabama plays Clemson on ABC primetime. Let's hope that the Bears and Crimson Tide will pull the upset -- Sic' em Bears and ROLL TIDE!!!



Ryan

Hey Everyone. Steve, Paul and Ryan will all be in Houston on Thursday, August 14th. We'll be speaking to area pastors about "Fully Funding your Ministry Vision in this Generation". So if you know of anyone in the Houston area who has interest in that topic, please have them call or email for details.

Steve

Paul's Adventure

Hey everyone-

I'm writing this a little late, but it has been a little busy since getting home.

As most of you know, I got married on July 7th, 2008 to a wonderful girl Becca. We were married on the beach at sunset in Jamaica and then had another 3 weeks to enjoy each other and travel. We stayed in Jamaica for a week and enjoyed every moment. We stayed at the Couples Swept Away resort, which if anyone is thinking of going down to the islands we would highly recommend this place. We did everything from snorkeling (both day and night), to kayaking to reading on the beach. The atmosphere was so relaxing and the people were so great. As they always told us..."No promblem Mon!"

We then started off on another adventure and flew to San Diego, CA. Our plans on this leg was really not to have any. We rented a Dodge Charger, had a GPS that sometimes worked, and a goal that we need to get to Oakland by July 25th to fly home. It was so much fun sharing the experiences with Becca. Even though I grew up in Southern California, I hadn't done 90% of what we did so each day, we were able to see, or do or try something totally new which I know we will cherish for the rest of our lives. We surfed (which I did lose wedding ring #1), and rented Beach Cruiser bikes, and went to a famouse Arts and Crafts festival called the Sawdust Festival (where I purchased ring #2), went to Disneyland, walked around Hollywood, camped along the Pacific Ocean, white water rafted in Class IV rapids and stayed in an old mansion in Napa Valley. Wow, that even felt like alot to type!

We are now back, trying to set up a home (as I am realizing is different than just a house I used to set up:), and getting back into the swing of things.

I hope that all of you get to meet Becca soon. I of course will be happy to show pictures, which I am trying to figure out how to put on my new iphone (wedding gift from my mom). I look forward to sharing stories with all of you soon.

Paul

Rick Shaw in Alaska

Hey Everyone. Rick Shaw is a commercial pilot who’s part of the TWM family. He recently flew to Sitka, Alaska and sent me these pictures. If anyone else has had a neat trip, please send us some pics and we’ll upload them to our blog. Paul and Becca are scheduled to return from California on Friday, so by next week or the week after, we should be able to show everyone some nice pics from their trip.

Saturday Golf Group

Hello to all. One of my passions is golf and I will likely be blogging about my Saturday golf rounds frequently. Almost every Saturday (except football season), I play with a group of members at BlackHorse Golf Club in NW Houston -- and we have a great time "hacking" it around the course. Today I shot 91, but had two birdies in the round... Interestingly enough, we had two eagles on the same par 4 out of our group of 11 men -- congrats to Allen Frank and Greg Davis!!!

-Ryan

Congratulations to Paul and Becca Hamilton

Hey Everyone, this is Steve again. For those of you who may not know, Paul married Becca Miller this past Monday, July 7th, in Jamaica. They are also going to take a "road trip" up the coast of California, so they should have some neat things to share with us next month about all their travels.

Technology and a book recommendation

Hi Folks, this is Steve. Well, after Ryan taught me the difference between a "post" and a "comment" on a blog, I'm trying to "post" this in the right place. If you wander around the "comments" area, you'll see the same message!

I just read a book that is one of the best I've ever read (and that's a lot of books, since I'm 57!). This book answers, better than anything I've read, some of the key philosophical and spiritual questions that most humans ask themselves at one or more points in their lives.

I strongly encourage you to read "The Shack" by William P. Young, and visit his site www.theshackbook.com. If you've ever asked yourself, "How could a good God allow evil, pain and suffering?" then this book will be a breath of fresh air for you.

And the book is not just for Christians. There are tremendous insights into topics like how to improve your relationships with family and friends and why and how you should forgive.

Not only does the book have amazing insights, Mr. Young's writing style is world class.

Please let me know your opinions once you've read the book.

Welcome!

Welcome to TWM Group's blog! TWM Group is a financial planning and asset management company that develops, implements, and manages financial plans to help our clients meet their life goals. But, even though we are writing this as a company, our blog will not contain any content that is related to our business (I know you are all very disappointed). It will, however, contain information that we want to share with all of our clients, friends, and families.

Our company currently consists of three financial consultants (Ryan, Paul, and Steve) plus Steve's wife Anna is our office manager (she keeps us in line)... You will be seeing blog posts from all of us. If you want to learn more about our company, please visit www.twmgroupllc.com.

-Ryan