The Richest man in the world

Hey Everyone,

According to the Internet a man named Carlo Slim Helu of Mexico is the richest man in the world with $53.5 billion dollars. That's a lot of money. But you know what? He's got nothing on me.

For those of you who don't know on Sunday September 5, 2010 at 2:00AM Emma Anne Cartwright made her appearance into this world by c-section. Along with being healthy and all of that she is pretty cute. If you don't believe me here take a look.

Now you might be saying to yourself "Paul you are a youth minister and we know that no one gets into youth ministry for money." If you said that you are right, you don't get into ministry, youth or otherwise, to make money but as I sit here on my couch watching King Of The Hill I'm telling you I am the richest man in the world.

I came to this realization even before Emma made her grand entrance into this world. April and I went to her doctor on Tuesday August 31st and we were admitted to the hospital because April's blood pressure was high. I began posting on my facebook and sending out texts to our friends and relatives and immediately people were lifting us up in prayer. This was the first sign that I was richer than I had ever imagined.

One night in the hospital turned into two and on the third night very late they moved us to labor and delivery because we needed to deliver our baby. I've never been as scared as I was that night, and I have never felt the kind of love that I felt that night. People were texting and calling and praying for us literally all over the world.

We spent all day Friday and Saturday in labor and delivery and still Emma didn't make an appearance. April's Mom and Grandmother showed up Saturday afternoon and began to help me and blessed us in a huge way. April was able hold out until 11:30PM Saturday night but when her blood pressure got up to 200/90 the doctor said it was C-section time. The first time I held our little bundle in my arms I knew I was rich.

We got to bring home our little Emma and I am doing my best to learn how to be a Daddy. She knows who I am already, and yet, in so many ways I am just getting to know her. I hold her in my arms and I feel the weight of knowing that she depends on April and on me for everything. I change her diapers and rock her to sleep and I feel that I am totally overwhelmed and then I remember that I am no less prepared than any other father has been.

When I was in college I was at the family ranch helping with our cows. My Pap-paw was coming to the end of his journey here on this earth and was in a wheelchair watching us work. There was some mishap and the work slowed down with a cow in some distress. I wasn't doing anything and my Pap-paw called me over and said these words to me. "Paul, I don't have a lot of money in the bank, I don't have a fancy car and I am losing my health. But I look around and I see my family here at this place that has been my home my whole life and I know that I am rich."

I thought I understood what Pap-paw was saying that day but I really didn't until I held Emma in my arms for the first time. Thank you Pap-paw for showing me that I am the richest man in the world. I am the richest man in the world because I have a wife who brought our sweet precious daughter into this world. I am the richest man in the world because I have my little Emma and I will always be her Daddy. I am the richest man in the world because I have family that I am related to by blood, by friendship and through our bond in Jesus Christ. I hope you feel that you are the richest person in the world because when you think of it, with all that we have, we are truly rich. Thank you for blessing me, I hope I have blessed you.

Be Strong and Courageous,

Paul