Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Olympics
Has anyone been watching the Olympics? Aaron and I have officially become winter Olympic experts. Watching all those athletes perform, I'm further convinced I wouldn't last a minute out there. The cross country skiiers impress me the most. When you finish a race and then collapse afterwards from sheer exhaustion, that's incredible.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Back from the Blogosphere
Haven't even been to this place in about two weeks. I've been busy..
Aaron broke his wrist about a month ago; playing, of all things, "pirate" with a friend. He jumped off the couch, his wrist ended up in a cast for four weeks. Just got it taken off Tuesday.
In other less stressful news, I've decided to get my doctorate; beginning in the Fall. Kate's going to likely bump up to teach first grade next year depending on the enrollment, and the two of us are praying about a possible opportunity in Haiti this summer. I watched the coverage, and as a father who has a child waiting for him in Heaven, I was destroyed by the pain in some of those parent's faces. We have to do something, and millions are, which is amazing to watch.
Adoption waiting game continues. I know He's in control, but I'd love to hear something..
God bless..
Aaron broke his wrist about a month ago; playing, of all things, "pirate" with a friend. He jumped off the couch, his wrist ended up in a cast for four weeks. Just got it taken off Tuesday.
In other less stressful news, I've decided to get my doctorate; beginning in the Fall. Kate's going to likely bump up to teach first grade next year depending on the enrollment, and the two of us are praying about a possible opportunity in Haiti this summer. I watched the coverage, and as a father who has a child waiting for him in Heaven, I was destroyed by the pain in some of those parent's faces. We have to do something, and millions are, which is amazing to watch.
Adoption waiting game continues. I know He's in control, but I'd love to hear something..
God bless..
Friday, January 8, 2010
Hope, Love, and Grace
I couldn't sleep last night, so I went downstairs to the kitchen. I sat at the table, and I sort of took in the quiet blackness that can be found at 2:30 in the morning. I kind of just sat there. At first, I wasn't thinking about anything. For about 10 minutes or so, I sat there quiet and still; rubbing my hand along the top of the table. My mind sort of began to drift to the bigger picture of my family. I looked out the window and thought about the time when Aaron will learn to drive, graduate high school and college, get married, make me a grandpa. I thought about dancing with Kate at our 50th anniversary, how beautiful she'll look with grey hair and wrinkles. All the future hopes that we'll experience together and with him. The future hopes of one day being told we have a baby in China who will share our last name.
I thought about how much I love my wife. She's a complete angel, truly sent for me, handpicked by God. Amazing woman. I thought about how much I love being a father, how much I love watching Aaron grow and change. I thought about how much I love being a son, brother, uncle, friend. I love the roles God's given me.
Then I began to think about Grace. I watched a video of her the other day; smiling and giggling at the camera as she was trying to hit a baseball off a tee. She'd miss, look at the camera, laugh, and pick it back up. She didn't have any hair at that point, but you'd never be able to tell she just had a few months left down here. I realize my daughter will never learn to ride a bike, tie her shoe, drive a car or graduate high school. I know there will come a day 20 years from now when I will look out at a beautiful day and wonder if I would have been walking her down the aisle that day. I know I'll always wonder what she would have named her children. I'll always wonder those things. But at the same time, I will always be thankful that God gave me four years with a beautiful little girl. My life will be forever changed because that little girl came into it.
I thought about how much I love my wife. She's a complete angel, truly sent for me, handpicked by God. Amazing woman. I thought about how much I love being a father, how much I love watching Aaron grow and change. I thought about how much I love being a son, brother, uncle, friend. I love the roles God's given me.
Then I began to think about Grace. I watched a video of her the other day; smiling and giggling at the camera as she was trying to hit a baseball off a tee. She'd miss, look at the camera, laugh, and pick it back up. She didn't have any hair at that point, but you'd never be able to tell she just had a few months left down here. I realize my daughter will never learn to ride a bike, tie her shoe, drive a car or graduate high school. I know there will come a day 20 years from now when I will look out at a beautiful day and wonder if I would have been walking her down the aisle that day. I know I'll always wonder what she would have named her children. I'll always wonder those things. But at the same time, I will always be thankful that God gave me four years with a beautiful little girl. My life will be forever changed because that little girl came into it.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
The Rising Hope
One of the smaller books I read through during my "media sabbatical" was Charles Swindoll's "The Rising Hope". God knew the perfect timing for this book to land in my hands. I've been struggling with that around the holidays. Here's an excerpt:
"Christ is the cornerstone, and His children are living stones that make up the building. Each time someone trusts Christ as Savior, another stone is quarried out of the pit of sin and fitted into the spiritual house He's building through the work of the Holy Spirit. And carefully overseeing the construction is Christ, who is the hands-on contractor of this eternal edifice. Each of us is His living stone. God is the Master Architect, and every stone is being placed exactly where He designed it to fit. Furthermore, as any experienced stone mason will confirm, there are no unimportant stones. Because you have been chosen to become a part of His house, you can be certain God finds you immensely valuable. Never forget that, even on those blue days. We are living stones in a spiritual house."
"Christ is the cornerstone, and His children are living stones that make up the building. Each time someone trusts Christ as Savior, another stone is quarried out of the pit of sin and fitted into the spiritual house He's building through the work of the Holy Spirit. And carefully overseeing the construction is Christ, who is the hands-on contractor of this eternal edifice. Each of us is His living stone. God is the Master Architect, and every stone is being placed exactly where He designed it to fit. Furthermore, as any experienced stone mason will confirm, there are no unimportant stones. Because you have been chosen to become a part of His house, you can be certain God finds you immensely valuable. Never forget that, even on those blue days. We are living stones in a spiritual house."
Friday, January 1, 2010
Ok, an explanation:
I didn't desert this place. I didn't have a major crisis that prevented me from being here. I just needed a break from the media that can hold people down at times. Kate, Aaron, and I challenged ourselves to avoid television and the computer for a month. Movies were out. They're just giant TV's. The Internet was out; although I did send a message to my brother that ended up as a "tweet". That was accidental, and Kate forgave me. ;) Cell phones weren't part of our "challenge". However, the Internet on the cell phones were out.
Media just has a powerful way of holding you back. In the past month, I think I've played Monopoly Jr. 50 times with my son. I read through a couple books. Kate and I cozied in front of a fire and talked for about four hours one night/early morning. I honestly don't know if I would have done those things (at least consistently) if I had the hazy glare of the computer screen sitting in front of me. The one exception was work. I was able to access it at work, but even then, I felt like I was cheating. So if it wasn't school related, I wasn't on it.
Did it work? I think it did. We did watch the ball drop in Times Square yesterday, but we didn't turn the television on until 11:59, so Aaron could count down with the rest of America. 12:01; it was off again.
I'm not saying television is bad. I'm not saying the computer is dangerous. But, I had more fun this month without those two things taking up my time than I've probably had with them right in my face. My prayer life got deeper. My Word study became richer. It was a good thing.
As for the other two, they did well. I thought Aaron would miss Disney. I thought Kate would miss TLC. I knew I'd miss football, but we made it. It's amazing how odd it felt to actually read a newspaper to find out the news of the day, but I'm glad the three of us stuck it out this past month.
So, again, I didn't abandon this place. I just got a reality check. :) We could have easily cheated. We weren't around each other 24 hours of the day to see if one of us turned on the television or searched around on the computer. But, without speaking for the two of them, I didn't want to. It became more than just a challenge for me after a couple weeks. It became a serious wake-up call as to how much media plays in my life. For that reason, I never cheated. Did I want to? Yes, but I didn't.
Media just has a powerful way of holding you back. In the past month, I think I've played Monopoly Jr. 50 times with my son. I read through a couple books. Kate and I cozied in front of a fire and talked for about four hours one night/early morning. I honestly don't know if I would have done those things (at least consistently) if I had the hazy glare of the computer screen sitting in front of me. The one exception was work. I was able to access it at work, but even then, I felt like I was cheating. So if it wasn't school related, I wasn't on it.
Did it work? I think it did. We did watch the ball drop in Times Square yesterday, but we didn't turn the television on until 11:59, so Aaron could count down with the rest of America. 12:01; it was off again.
I'm not saying television is bad. I'm not saying the computer is dangerous. But, I had more fun this month without those two things taking up my time than I've probably had with them right in my face. My prayer life got deeper. My Word study became richer. It was a good thing.
As for the other two, they did well. I thought Aaron would miss Disney. I thought Kate would miss TLC. I knew I'd miss football, but we made it. It's amazing how odd it felt to actually read a newspaper to find out the news of the day, but I'm glad the three of us stuck it out this past month.
So, again, I didn't abandon this place. I just got a reality check. :) We could have easily cheated. We weren't around each other 24 hours of the day to see if one of us turned on the television or searched around on the computer. But, without speaking for the two of them, I didn't want to. It became more than just a challenge for me after a couple weeks. It became a serious wake-up call as to how much media plays in my life. For that reason, I never cheated. Did I want to? Yes, but I didn't.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and *ahem* a birthday..
It's been awhile, so I will throw a few things into one pile.
Thanksgiving was different this year. It was the first without Sam. I never knew a Thanksgiving without him, and to know that his place at the table was empty was depressing. But, to know that his place at the banquet table in Heaven was completely full gave me hope! I am so thankful for the gifts He's given me, both those in plain sight and those in disguise.
The day after Thanksgiving is usually my wife's time to shop with all the women in our two families. This year, Aaron and I tagged along. Actually, it was just the three of us. And not one item bought was bought for us. We have been thinking about this for quite some time now. So, we did go Christmas shopping on Friday; for a family we've never met. Single mother, three kids. One of the kids is Aaron's age, which tickled Aaron. He knew "exactly what the boy would love to have!" We bought each child a few clothes (what child doesn't love opening clothes on Christmas morning, right?). We bought a couple toys apiece. We bought the mother a few different items as well. Christmas is not about the presents, but when you have the ability to help those who are less fortunate than you, do it. It's our responsibility as Christians to look after our brothers. I'm really excited about meeting this family. We've invited them over to our house for Christmas, and I'm hoping they accept the invitation.
And I think it's someone's birthday today too. ;) 41 years already..
Thanksgiving was different this year. It was the first without Sam. I never knew a Thanksgiving without him, and to know that his place at the table was empty was depressing. But, to know that his place at the banquet table in Heaven was completely full gave me hope! I am so thankful for the gifts He's given me, both those in plain sight and those in disguise.
The day after Thanksgiving is usually my wife's time to shop with all the women in our two families. This year, Aaron and I tagged along. Actually, it was just the three of us. And not one item bought was bought for us. We have been thinking about this for quite some time now. So, we did go Christmas shopping on Friday; for a family we've never met. Single mother, three kids. One of the kids is Aaron's age, which tickled Aaron. He knew "exactly what the boy would love to have!" We bought each child a few clothes (what child doesn't love opening clothes on Christmas morning, right?). We bought a couple toys apiece. We bought the mother a few different items as well. Christmas is not about the presents, but when you have the ability to help those who are less fortunate than you, do it. It's our responsibility as Christians to look after our brothers. I'm really excited about meeting this family. We've invited them over to our house for Christmas, and I'm hoping they accept the invitation.
And I think it's someone's birthday today too. ;) 41 years already..
Friday, November 20, 2009
A future daughter-in-law??
Aaron came home from school today with one thing on his mind. Her name's Alexis.
"Aaron, do your homework."
"Hang on, can I call Alexis?"
"Who?"
"Alexis."
"Who's Alexis?"
"Um, my girlfriend."
"You're 8."
"And a half.."
Ah, he got me there. How foolish of me! Of course eight is too young for a girlfriend, but eight and a half is completely different! So I asked him about this "girlfriend". I asked him if they hold hands, and he said, "dad, that's just gross." Oh thank goodness! I breathed a nice, long sigh of relief on that one. He said they sit together at lunch and play kickball together at recess. I asked him how this meant that they were "dating," and he said, "we're not dating, dad, she's just my girlfriend." Ah, I hope God keeps that innocence in him. :)
"Aaron, do your homework."
"Hang on, can I call Alexis?"
"Who?"
"Alexis."
"Who's Alexis?"
"Um, my girlfriend."
"You're 8."
"And a half.."
Ah, he got me there. How foolish of me! Of course eight is too young for a girlfriend, but eight and a half is completely different! So I asked him about this "girlfriend". I asked him if they hold hands, and he said, "dad, that's just gross." Oh thank goodness! I breathed a nice, long sigh of relief on that one. He said they sit together at lunch and play kickball together at recess. I asked him how this meant that they were "dating," and he said, "we're not dating, dad, she's just my girlfriend." Ah, I hope God keeps that innocence in him. :)
Friday, November 13, 2009
Who God Is
I've really been trying to be quiet before the Lord the past few days. In trying to figure out this incredible God of the universe, I realized that I knew so little about the One who loves me unconditionally. God's still very much a mystery; though I think the good kind. As Aaron's said before, God's "like trying to sleep on Christmas Eve, but you can't 'cause you know the morning's coming!" I can't wrap my finger around who God really is, but I do know who He really wants me to be. I'm trying so hard to be the husband, father, and servant that He has planned, that He is molding. I fall, and I stumble, but I never turn away. There are days I don't understand God, a lot of days I don't understand God, and there are days that I wonder if He's just playing a mind game with me, but I know that His ways are perfect. I'm the sinner, not Him. Sometimes, I want to throw my hands up and say, "are You really there?" I've had a couple days like that this past week. Then, I look at a sunset. I feel the breeze on my face. I fall on my knees and humble myself in His amazing grace and love. I want so much of Him sometimes, but I don't stop to realize that He's already given me so much of Him. He's given me an amazing marriage to an amazing woman. He's given me an incredible son and daughter. He's given me breath. He's given me the ability to find love and compassion in this world. I spend so much time wondering if He's there, that I neglect the evidence sometimes. He's an awesome God, and I'm just a man. I can't make the sun rise. I can't make the stars twinkle. Only a perfect God can make beauty in this world of mess.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Crazy November
November 1st: Aaron got a cold (not H1N1 or the flu, praise God!)
November 2nd: helped one of my step-brother's sons move into an apartment, began teaching guitar at the church to a couple kids from the youth group
November 3rd: Kate got sick, Aaron was still sick, guitar lessons again, began writing piano music for our church's Christmas program, graded about 100 History tests, tended to sick wife and sick son, stayed with Aaron while Kate went to doctor (just a cold, no flu or H1N1!), I got sick at about 2:00 in the morning (which turned out to be food poisoning from the fish I ate earlier that day)
November 4th: Kate was still sick, Aaron was still sick, I called in sick but was finally able to keep food down around mid-afternoon, prepped for our trip to Nashville this weekend, continued to write music for Christmas program, created lesson plans for the substitute on Friday and Monday
November 5th (today): Kate and Aaron are feeling a bit better, more Christmas program music writing tonight
Aaron has missed school all week, and we're leaving tomorrow morning for Nashville anyways. Kate's gone into homeschooling a sick kid this week while being sick herself. I've learned not to eat fish that smells funny, although it looked perfectly fine at the time. Now I'm left wondering if the three of us are up to driving eight hours tomorrow. Busy week, and it's not even over yet. We head for Nashville, Tennessee tomorrow morning. We're staying with Dan and his family. Saturday night is my nephew's birthday party. Sunday is National Orphan Sunday, and we're going to church with him in the morning than to a special event at Christ Community Church later on that afternoon. Monday, it's back in the car to head home. Very busy November so far..
November 2nd: helped one of my step-brother's sons move into an apartment, began teaching guitar at the church to a couple kids from the youth group
November 3rd: Kate got sick, Aaron was still sick, guitar lessons again, began writing piano music for our church's Christmas program, graded about 100 History tests, tended to sick wife and sick son, stayed with Aaron while Kate went to doctor (just a cold, no flu or H1N1!), I got sick at about 2:00 in the morning (which turned out to be food poisoning from the fish I ate earlier that day)
November 4th: Kate was still sick, Aaron was still sick, I called in sick but was finally able to keep food down around mid-afternoon, prepped for our trip to Nashville this weekend, continued to write music for Christmas program, created lesson plans for the substitute on Friday and Monday
November 5th (today): Kate and Aaron are feeling a bit better, more Christmas program music writing tonight
Aaron has missed school all week, and we're leaving tomorrow morning for Nashville anyways. Kate's gone into homeschooling a sick kid this week while being sick herself. I've learned not to eat fish that smells funny, although it looked perfectly fine at the time. Now I'm left wondering if the three of us are up to driving eight hours tomorrow. Busy week, and it's not even over yet. We head for Nashville, Tennessee tomorrow morning. We're staying with Dan and his family. Saturday night is my nephew's birthday party. Sunday is National Orphan Sunday, and we're going to church with him in the morning than to a special event at Christ Community Church later on that afternoon. Monday, it's back in the car to head home. Very busy November so far..
Saturday, October 31, 2009
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