Long Overdue Update

Greetings from College Station, Texas! I'm sitting in my hotel room right now thinking about all the close friends I have and how I wish I could catch up with you all. I've decided to start updating my blog so I can keep everyone in the loop on where I am, what I'm doing, and how the Lord is using me.

This summer Austin and I got an opportunity of a lifetime- we got to run Camp Huawni (www.camphuawni.com). We had an amazing summer with the kids; it was a great change up from the grueling Acton schedule. We had many kids say it was their "best summer ever"; that made our hearts smile.

On July 21st I flew out with my brother and Mom to Zambia; we took part in putting on Camp Life, a camp for orphans in Lusaka, Zambia. I actually got to be with my same orphans from last year- it was a blessing to see how they've grown. They have endured so many struggles they encouraged me once again to live a better life for His Kingdom. I love my kids! (https://fathersheart.legacymissions.org/ambassador.php?aid=1A.00000919). It was also a blessing to have Austin and my Mom there- this experience truly changed my life in a profound way and it's so neat to see that happen in their lives as well. I am planning on going back next year. Pray about it...you never know...maybe you should come with us!

Finally, in August, I accepted a job with Royalty Pecan Farms (our family's orchard) in Caldwell, TX. It's been a rich experience, as we've assembled a great team of people and a unique, premium product (www.royaltypecans.com). After running the retail side for Royalty for a few months, I am so grateful for the lessons learned at Acton and for the teachers and classmates who pushed me to learn more. There is no shortage of ways in which to implement the lessons learned at Acton.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful December and happy holidays. May the Lord bless your Christmas- what a wonderful and magnificent birthday we get to celebrate.

God bless and keep in touch!

Travis

Hello Family and Friends!!! I apologize for the much overdue update. Things are going fast and furious, and I feel blessed to be at this stage of school, life, etc!

As far as Acton goes- things are great. Two weeks from tomorrow and we are finished! It's truly been one of the most stimulating journeys in my life. Tomorrow morning I will be pitching my business opportunity with classmates Hugo, Lawson, Scott, and Joe. We will actually be pitching a real business opportunity, one which we may potentially pursue post Acton. Also, last week I was privileged to host the TCU CEO Club. Brad Hancock, a very talented entrepreneurship teach at TCU and dear friend, and the TCU faculty led a group of TCU students to sit in on a case study. The students also got a chance to hear from former Horned Frog Vernon Bryant as he discussed private equity, what it means, and what all he does here in Austin. Thanks to all you TCUers who I got to meet- I truly enjoyed getting to hear your stories and ambition for an entrepreneurial career path.

On to other news- I attended the 2nd Zambia Camp Life meeting two weeks ago- it was also amazing. I have been praying that the Lord would come through financially for me this year. Thanks to many of you, I raised half of the $4,000 needed for the trip. This past week- God showed up and supplied the rest! I was reminded of Proverbs 3:5-6; He is so clutch! Please continue to pray for my kids and my brother and mom, who are also going with me. The final Camp Life meeting is coming up on April 17th.

Lastly, as some of you may already know, this summer I have secured a very high paying and lucrative job opportunity- the Camp Huawni director position! Well, maybe monetarily it doesn't pay great, but the intrinsic (i.e. enduring/self) value of loving on the kids and staff this summer is priceless. Hey- I do get free rent and will be on the meal plan of our famous chef Miss Ada (she is the most wonderful cook in all of Shelby County!). Following Huawni and Africa, I hope to be back either in Fort Worth or Austin. I've got several opportunities- please pray that the Lord will make the path clear to me and that I would follow joyfully.

So, as Acton winds down, I am trying to soak up as much of the environment and knowledge as possible. I'll be graduating on May 3rd, finally. So before I go, just know that each of you are in my thoughts and prayers. Thanks again for your support. And finally, remember that each day we are all called to be on mission to loving others- we are missionaries, believe it or not! Have a blessed Easter!

He is Risen,

Travis

ps- I am currenlty mentoring a prisoner named James- he and I are involved in the Prison Entrepreneurship Program (www.pep.org). Please pray that the Lord will bless and guide him as he begins the process to turn his life around and start his business.

In the Middle of Mid Terms

Hi y'all!

I apologize for taking so long to update everyone on what's going on. School has been fantastic but super busy. I just finished up my fourth mid-term exam and will be taking my Raising Money final this coming week. It's crazy how fast time flies- we've only got 7 or so weeks of classes left. Every Acton alum I talked to says to cherish this time and finish strong, which I'm doing my best to do. I'm really going to miss being with such a bright and down-t0-earth group of classmates. This past Friday my good friend Rodrigo (from Guatemala) forced me to have dinner with him- we'd been planning on getting together just to catch up outside of classes, but our schedules are always swamped with school work. It was great just to hang out with "Rodas", as I call him, and unwind a little. Fortunately he got to meet Tully, who was on his way down to Lake Amastad for a bass fishing tournament.

On other fronts, last night I got to go to the first Camp Life meeting here in Austin! Thank you to those who are supporting me- it's been a blessing to see how God has been at work financially. I need to raise another $2,000 or so to pay for the trip. The meeting went very well- Greer caught us up on all that's going on in Zambia and introduced this year's theme (John 3:16). I'm especially excited that this summer I'll have family with me- it's going to be amazing! It was great seeing Josh Rives, who now works full-time for Family Legacy. Josh said he's going to be putting up my video from last year (the one I can't find out how to post on this site). As soon as it's up- I'll post and/or provide a link.

I hope everyone is doing well and hope to see y'all soon!

Sponsor my Zambian Orphans Online

I have some wonderful news! You can now sponsor one of my kids through Family Legacy's website. It costs just $36 per month to take care of my kids' basic needs (school fees, supplies, food, etc.) It's so easy, and one sponsorship will literally change one of my kids' lives forever. I know some of you have asked me how you could sponsor one of my orphans. Just click on the link below and it will take you directly to my page. Each one of my kids is certainly a miracle- they are great kids who love the Lord. Thank you so much for your support and God bless!

Sponsor Travis's Orphans

Acton Coming to Dallas

Hello! I just wanted to let everyone know that Acton will hosting a reception for prospective students in Dallas next Monday. Click on the following link for details:

Dallas MBA Session

It will be held at 6pm at the W Hotel downtown. If you're in the neighborhood and would like to learn more about the Acton program, please register for the event! It's open to anyone interested in Acton. In fact, I was first introduced to Acton at this same event last year. It's funny how things have come "full circle". I am also excited because I will be making the trip as a "current student" and I'll get a brief chance to travel back to DFW. I am looking forward to sharing my experience with others- it's definitely been a great ride so far. Hope to see you in Dallas- now back to studying!

Best,

Travis

Back at Acton

This week has been very eventful back at Acton. Tuesday through Thursday we had a door to door "Sales Challenge". This was something I have been looking forward to all year. As many of you know, I started my Edward Jones business by going door to door in Cleburne; it's how I sparked many of my relationships. Thus, I felt I had a good chance to win the challenge; we were selling Austin Junior League cook books. One of my friends and teammates, Jason Herd, plays guitar, so we had the idea to play a Cook Book Jingle to get our foot in the door (literally) and sell some cookbooks. It worked great! Unfortunately, our team ended up getting 2nd. Thankfully, I learned more about myself and how I can be more effective selling (which I will hopefully do one day when starting my own business).

On Friday we had a debreif at Acton on our service projects. Each student was asked to spend 8 consecutive hours with someone in need. Fellow students shared some very compelling stories; each story reiterrated what life is really all about (Mathew 22:36-39). I shared my story about spending the day with my ninety-four year old great aunt. The experience was indelible. Time "stopped" and I was able to reflect on how precious our time truly is.

So, I am excited about this last semester at Acton. I really want to thank you for your support and prayers throughout this time in my life. I met with many family and friends over the break and was very encouraged by your kind words and thoughfulness for my future. It was also a blessing to hang out with you Murf (my close friend Charlie Hutto pictured above) in Nashville. My prayer this last semester is that I will absorb as much as possible from this spring classes and wonderful master teachers. I also hope and pray that I can be an encouragement to others. Have a wonderful and blessed 2009 and take some some time off to think about "what's most important".

God bless,

Travis