Introduction

Here we go again! I can’t believe I’m sitting here writing a second book. I didn’t even plan on writing a first book! I just submitted an idea to a website on a whim never expecting it would turn into what it became. But the family devotionals that I just happened to save on my computer for some reason became a book. An actual book! Like when I Google myself, an Amazon link pops up! Say what? And by the way, yes I tried it. I Googled myself. I have no shame. You’ve all done it too. Right? I hope. But back to the point….this has truly been an amazing ride! I cannot believe what the first book has given me. There have been so many compliments, congratulations, kind words, and contacts made because of the book. I can’t count the number of people that have told me they are enjoying it. I had one friend who told me it was like reading Harry Potter…he couldn’t put it down (shout out to Mark). I’m not sure it’s quite up to Harry Potter standards, but I was humbled by the remark. I had another friend at church come up and talk to me all about the book, repeating many of the fun facts I shared because he loves reading it. Oh, by the way, this friend is 5 years old! (Shout out to Jack). I got to do an incredible book signing complete with Disney decorations galore (shout out to Heather, Susan S., Jennifer and Susan P.). I got to do an extremely fun podcast where for an hour we talked about my life and the book (shout out to Amy, Katie and Kerry of the “Sunday Lunch” podcast). I’ve had so many wonderful opportunities because of this book, and I repeat….it’s been an amazing ride! I want to make clear that I give all the credit and glory to God. I am but His humble servant and this is all part of His plan. I believe that with all my heart. This all happened because He wanted it to. My constant prayer for years has been for Him to give me an avenue to talk to others and share my faith. After I wrote the devotionals for my family, I also prayed that there would be a way to be able to share them with others. And He made it happen! He gave me a way to share them! Do you think after those prayers my wife just happened to buy a book published by Theme Park Press? And I just happened to read it too? And I just happened to look on their website? And I just happened to see the link to submit a book? And I just happened to have the idea to submit my devotionals to be published? And they just happened to agree to publish them? You can believe what you want, but I have no doubts that it was God’s plan. God answers prayer!! He allowed my thoughts and words to be published as an answer to my prayer and so I could share with others. He has truly blessed my life and continues to surprise me with wonderful gifts. And now He’s doing it again!

As I mentioned, the first book brought so many conversations. I was humbled and honored to talk to so many about it, and I was genuinely flattered by all the kind words. I also had several people ask me when book two was coming out. My first instinct was to laugh it off, which I did. There were no plans for book two. I was still enjoying the moment that was book one. But then that question kept coming up. So I thought about it. Book two? Really? That would be great and all, but I just don’t know if I’m up for doing this all over again. It was such a long process. The first book took over a year to write and then over a year to publish once submitted. Do I really want to do that again? Wait…that brought another question. Would Theme Park Press even publish another book from me or is it a “one and done” kind of thing? So I figured I’d send an email. It wouldn’t hurt to just ask, right? Theme Park Press has been very good to me. The publisher (shout out to Bob) always answers my emails pretty much instantaneously. So I told him I was maybe, possibly, perhaps, perchance, just entertaining the possibility of writing another book, and would he be interested in publishing again. As expected, I got a response in less than five minutes. And I couldn’t believe what it said. He said he had been meaning to email me and ask, “When are you starting book 2?” Not only that but he extended an offer…get me a draft in 45 days and I’ll publish a couple months after that. Say what now? I had to read that again. Write a whole book in 45 days and publish in 2 months!?! What happened to that three year process I was so used to? My first thought was…ain’t gonna happen! Disney may be magical, but I am not. But then I talked to God. He is magical. And I got the strong feeling that He wanted me to give it a shot. My family agreed. So here I am writing book two. It’s going to be a lot of late nights and early mornings, but that’s the life of a paramedic anyways. We don’t need sleep!

So what do I write about? I’ve already done all the attractions at Disney World. What now? The restaurants? The shops? The cast members? Universal? Oops, sorry Disney. That may be blasphemy…I’m not sure. Anyways, I had a friend or two suggest I switch coasts and take on Disneyland. Not a bad idea! I love Disneyland. However, I’ve only been there three times. Not nearly as much as the World, but I could still write about it, right? One problem I quickly realized. A lot of the attractions at Disneyland have copycats at Disney World. I can’t write about the same attractions again. I’ve already given all the fun facts. I don’t want redundancy. So I did some quick research and counting. There are a little over fifty attractions at Disneyland that are unique in that fact that they don’t have a repeat at WDW. But I need 100 devotionals. That number worked well in the first book, and I want to keep the same format. What about the resorts? Quick count. There are over 30 of them if you count both coasts. Getting close to 100. What else? Cruise ships! Love those! Almost to 100. Surely I can just fill in from there. And that’s exactly what I did.

So here it is! I present to you a new set of 100 daily devotionals based on the attractions of Disneyland, the Disney resorts, and some bonus material as well. I hope once again you enjoy it and can learn a little something about Disney. Most importantly though, I hope you learn a little something about God. I hope you can once again read these devotionals with your families. Share them together, discuss them, read the passages presented, ask questions, learn and grow closer to God. That’s my wish, my dream and my prayer.

I wear a blue rubber bracelet on my right arm. I’ve been wearing it for several years now. It was a free gift from a Bible class teacher (shout out to Darrell). It has one word etched on it. The word is “Perissos.” It’s a Greek word which means exceeding abundantly, beyond what is expected, imagined, or hoped for. We were told when given the bracelets that it is a reminder of how much we have been blessed by God. I have definitely been blessed abundantly, beyond what is expected, imagined or hoped for. Anytime I get upset, down, worried or scared, I have a reminder on my arm that I don’t need to be any of those things. Despite my many faults and sins; despite the reality that I mess up and disappoint God a lot; despite the fact that I don’t deserve a thing, He still continues to graciously bless me. I am still on the narrow path to Heaven. I still plan on being there to see my son, my Father and His Son. And I still want you to join me there. I am still praying for everyone reading these books. God has chosen you. He wants you. He gave His Son for you. He’s prepared the way for you. So take advantage. The best is yet to be! (Shout out to my wife, Susan who always says that). May God bless you all!