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

Sunday School

I wanted to say a special thank you to Karen and David Hill for inviting me to share my Zambia story with their Sunday School class this past weekend. David and Karen teach the 12th grade class at First Baptist in Henderson. I feel blessed to have been able to share with these seniors the amazing things the Lord has done with me and for my kids this summer. I really encouraged them to get plugged in to some type of ministry as soon as they hit their college campus; I am a big believer in this. I warned them that many things (both good and bad) will try and steal their time away, and to keep Christ #1. Also- I apologize for not getting my video up; I still haven't figured out how to post it on this site. I will keep everyone up to date.

As far as Acton goes- I will begin our "Re Boot" week on January 6th. I've got two more books to read by next week; the ones I've read so far include The Black Swan and Mastering the Rockefella Habits. Both are great business books that I would highly recommend to anyone running their own business. I am currently reading a book called Made to Stick, which is about clearly communicating. I certainly need to learn from this one!

One more thing- I will be mailing out my Zambia sponsorship packets tomorrow. I hope you enjoy the DVD when you receive it. If for some reason you don't get a packet- please let me know (travisearl14@gmail.com) and I will send you one. Just so that everyone is aware, this is my first time to raise a majority of the money for my mission trip. I am definitely uneasy about "asking" for money from family or friends- it's definitely a pride issue. I would appreciate your prayers; I know the Lord will provide.

I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year- may the Lord bless you and your family!

Romans 12:2,

Travis

Merry Christmas!

I just wanted to wish each of you a Merry Christmas! This brief break has really allowed me to enjoy time with family and reflect on this past semester. I have been busy burning up the roads back and forth from East Texas to Fort Worth meeting with various business people about potential business opportunities post Acton.

Tonight we had a wonderful time with family and friends as we met at the Hills house for dinner. It was so nice to share old and new stories and literally laugh until I cried. The Lord has certainly blessed me with a marvelous family and such wonderful friends!

I hope you have a wonderful, blessed Christmas. Thanks to each of you for your encouragement and prayers throughout this Fall!

Christmas wishes!

Travis

ps- please let me know if you want a copy of my Zambia video- I finished it last week!

Christmas break is finally here! This is a picture of our family at Bass Hall last week. We took Dad out for his birthday to see Ricky Skaggs & Family for their Christmas show. For those of you who don't know, Ricky Skaggs is an amazing bluegrass singer/mandolin player and a very strong believer. It was really amazing- their entire family is so talented.

This morning I had the pleasure to share my Camp Life/Zambia experience with my mom's Sunday School class. The Lord was definitely at work. Becky Pruitt really wanted me to play guitar (which I reluctanlty did). I also got to show them the new DVD I made from Camp Life. Please let me know if you want a copy and I'll be happy to mail you one. If I can figure out how to post the video on this site, I'll put it up soon.

As far as Acton goes- the semester has come to a stop. Two things I'll be busy with over the break include networking and reading five books (for Acton). I definitely am looking forward to a change in pace and getting to spend time with family and close friends from Henderson. I also want to say a special thank you to Kathy Simmons! She hand delivered a coconut pie from the Purple Turnip. This is by far my favorite dessert of all time!

I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! I also want to encourage you to take time at some point over Christmas to communicate with your family and friends how much they mean to you. We have so much to be thankful for!