Christmas 2011

Mike and Mary were able to enjoy a quick trip to San Diego in February and were able to take Aaron and Christian with us. We enjoyed the zoo, Sea World, the U.S.S. Midway and more.  It was beautiful and a wonderful time.  Mary and Kelsey were able to travel to Boston with the high school marching band and enjoyed many historical sights and music performances. We continue to be blessed with busy lives, achieving children and wonderful family time. God is good, all the time. And all the time, God is good.
 

Brittany is now 21 and has entered her fourth year at WVWC. She is in the five year program that will allow her to graduate with her Masters in 2013. She has substantially completed her undergraduate requirements, finished the 2nd round of clinicals and started in to the Masters courses. She will start student teaching in early 2012 and will have kindergarten and fourth grade classes. Brittany stays active in the sorority Alpha Gamma Delta and was activities coordinator and new members coordinator. She is also secretary of the honorary Sigma Alpha Iota and is a member of Kappa Delta Pi, the education honorary. Brittany also participated in the flute ensemble at WVWC for the fourth year.
 

Kelsey is 17 and has now entered her senior year of high school!!! The college search has heated up and it is almost decision time! Kelsey has filled her past year with the Boston trip discussed above, performance in the school play “Oklahoma”, and her involvement in swim team, the band (did I mention that she was percussion captain?) and the St. C. Singers show choir. Her grades remain at or near the top in her class and she is looking forward to starting her college adventures in 2012.
 

Aaron entered high school in 2011 and is enjoying his 9th grade / freshman year. He played on the high school reserve soccer team and also with the traveling Wheeling FC United club. His soccer leg led him to being field goal kicker on the freshman and JV football teams as well. Aaron is currently on the swim team and the St. C. Singers show choir with Kelsey. It has been a wonderful blessing to see them get quality time together and enjoyment in participating in these activities. Aaron has braces now and has grown like a weed.
 

Christian is 13 and is now in the 8th grade. He marched with the high school band this fall and also participated in the rec league soccer. Christian continues to love the outdoors and was able to hunt with a friend’s family this fall and got his first deer, an 8 point buck. Christian also has braces now.
 

Aaron and Christian both remain in boy scouts, learned to play bugle for a merit badge and, as part of that process, had the honor of playing taps at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. With our quick vacation in Ocean City this year Aaron and Christian can both brag that they enjoyed the Atlantic and Pacific oceans in the same calendar year.
 

The entire family remains very involved with our church, Thoburn United Methodist, and in our community through various activities. We are blessed beyond measure with wonderful friends and family and are very thankful for you!


MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

All Three

I sought my soul But my soul I could not see, I sought my God, but He eluded me, I sought my brother-- And I found all three.

Life and Death

It has been a troubling week with much pondering. I've had a number of medical or death related events running through my life. They are causing me to reflect on my entire stay so far on this planet and challenging me to think about what I have left to accomplish. A friend in our town appears to have terminal cancer; he also has a wife and two young boys. A co-worker lost her dad this week. A dearly loved aunt, and a wonderful part of my childhood and upbringing, died suddenly this week. And then a dog that is a dear part of my brother's family had to be put down. These matters touched my past, my right now, and my future and were very impactful. I have so much left to accomplish. I have to start this minute.

Band Camp

Yes, I am getting old. And what that truly means is that there are so many memories already created and yet more to come.

This year I have three children attending band camp as students, one for her Senior year, and then one 9th grade and one 8th grade. Then my oldest daughter was asked to be an instructor for the flutes. I'm very proud of her, and all of the children. All four kids at the same band camp, creating memories they will treasure forever.

Which causes me to reflect on my own memories of band camp. Meeting my wife to be (24 years and going strong!), making great friends, and making great memories. My freshman year I was hazed by the seniors. My friend Craig Timmons and I dressed up like the Blues Brothers for an entire day of camp. Vaseline in our hair, dark blue windbreakers on, and then we performed Gimme Some Lovin' for the entire camp and parents. Quite a fun time!

Many memories. Many friends. Remember, one time at band camp...

Oslo

The news coming out of Oslo yesterday was horrifying. And today the search for the extent of the damage, and answers as to why, continues. I followed most of the developments on Twitter and was amazed at the real time nature of the dialogue. Coupled with "Breaking News" announcements from CNN and others that were hours behind and usually misinformed, it was clear that Twitter has become the outlet for news.

I only wish that something I could type and send might help those in need in Norway. I can not imagine the devastation of the so many families that lost loved ones yesterday, and in such a horrendous and needless way.

Prayers for Oslo.

I Can't Believe What I Just Saw

A quick reflection on last night's baseball game, and a thought that comes from within.

Aaron's team played their last ball game last night. They ended up losing 5-3 but it was a fantastic ball game. Both teams played very well and played very hard. We were in New Athens, OH. Two plays that obviously stood out to me as a proud father:

- man on first, one out, Cadiz is rallying. A hard grounder to short is fielded cleany by Tommy Stewart and he tosses the ball to second. Aaron gets to the bag, grabs the ball out of the air with his bare hand. Almost in one motion he then jumps and turns towards first and throws a strike to turn the double play. Even while he was in mid-air, before he threw the ball, the opposing coach yells "what a fantastic double-play". Simply amazing to watch.

- late in the game Cadiz is rallying again and we are attempting to keep them close. Man on 3rd with one out. The batter hits a flair over the right side of the infield, close to first. Aaron takes off at the crack of the bat but doesn't seem to have a chance of getting to the ball for the catch. The 3rd base coach sends the runner from 3rd to score. Amazingly, Aaron gets to the ball and makes the catch. Even more amazingly, he then leaps and throws the ball towards third, seemingly without looking. Of course, the ball bounces one time right to the 3rd baseman covering. Double play. Phenomenal.

Why do I share these comments? Am I bragging about my son? Of course. But the main reason I share these comments is that I am blessed. So blessed. When I am in my last days and think about the joys of my life, there will be seminal events that make the list. But they will rank lower than the simple joys. Like these:

- a smile on my wife's face when I've done something to please her, or cracked a joke to make her smile. When I see her self-worth at a maximum, then I know that I am doing what I should be doing as a spouse and friend.

- an accomplishment by my children because they were prepared for the opportunity and then made the best of it. While this includes a baseball play or two, it also includes a softball play or two, a musical performance or two, a dance recital or two, a church activity or two, etc.

My fondest memories are populated by the look of accomplishment on the face of loved ones when they know that they have utilized their potential, maximized it, and humbly moved on to the next challenge.

Fathers

If a man could grow wings
And learn how to fly
Sail over the highest mountains
To the very top of the sky

If a man could have strength
A might that could overcome all things
A power to push through and advance
An eternal source of energy to go with those wings

If a man could have reason
A wisdom to choose what is right
The courage to take the right path
To go with his endurance and flight

If a man could be fragile
And dependent on his family and friends
And know that his travels, his will, and his knowledge
Were all due to the life of his children

Then that man would indeed have it all
And would have achieved the greatest of pay
The very moment he was first called Dad
And honored on Fathers' Day

The Diamond

I have to admit that I am excited. Aaron makes his season baseball debut today. The season is half over but he broke his finger as the season started and was just cleared to play this past Thursday. We have been away from the diamond for a while. Aaron is a gifted fielder and I think his hitting is catching up. I'm anxious to see him back out there.

From Field of Dreams courtesy of IMDB:

"Ray, people will come Ray. They'll come to Iowa for reasons they can't even fathom. They'll turn up your driveway not knowing for sure why they're doing it. They'll arrive at your door as innocent as children, longing for the past. Of course, we won't mind if you look around, you'll say. It's only $20 per person. They'll pass over the money without even thinking about it: for it is money they have and peace they lack. And they'll walk out to the bleachers; sit in shirtsleeves on a perfect afternoon. They'll find they have reserved seats somewhere along one of the baselines, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they'll watch the game and it'll be as if they dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick they'll have to brush them away from their faces. People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again. Oh... people will come Ray. People will most definitely come."

Duet

What a fabulous weekend just past. Two great "night at the races" fundraisers, a Destination Imagination tournament, and singing a duet in Church with my daughter!
Watch the Duet

I am a very blessed man who manages to keep very very busy.

Challenger

Hard to believe that so many years have passed since the Challenger explosion. I will always remember walking in to the post office at West Virginia Wesleyan College and being told by a fellow student, Jeff Helms, that the shuttle had exploded. Another student at the college had gone to the school where Christa McCauliffe had taught. It was one of the first moments in my life that resonated on so many levels; tragedy...small world (at many levels)...and knowing while it was happening that I would remember those moments forever.

Lord, You Have Come to the Lakeshore

Love this hymn from our worship service yesterday. Just beautiful. Based on Matthew 4:18-23.

You have come down to the lakeshore
Seeking neither the wise nor the wealthy,
But only asking for me to follow.

Sweet Lord, you have looked into my eyes,
Kindly smiling, you've called out my name.
On the sand I've abandoned my small boat;
Now with you, I will seak other seas.

You know full well what I have, Lord;
Neither treasure nor weapons for conquest,
Just these my fishnets and will for working.

Sweet Lord, you have looked into my eyes,
Kindly smiling, you've called out my name.
On the sand I've abandoned my small boat;
Now with you, I will seak other seas.

You need my hands, my exhaustion,
Working love for the rest of the weary,
A love that's willing to go on loving.

Sweet Lord, you have looked into my eyes,
Kindly smiling, you've called out my name.
On the sand I've abandoned my small boat;
Now with you, I will seak other seas.

You who have fished other waters;
You, the longing of souls that are yearning;
O loving Friend, you have come to call me.

Sweet Lord, you have looked into my eyes,
Kindly smiling, you've called out my name.
On the sand I've abandoned my small boat;
Now with you, I will seak other seas.

Just before the dawn...

I was blessed with a reboot this morning. I drove my wife to work this morning and we were out early, before many others ventured out in to the weather and snow. We got 4-6 inches last evening and overnight so the roads were very covered and traffic was mostly nonexistent. It was truly a beautiful morning. The white blanket was inspiring and comforting.

Sometimes I get too worried about the trappings of life and what has already occured. I should be more focused on the promise of a new day.

Glimpses of God

My life has been full lately; busy schedules; busy lives; emotional; stress; you name it...full. And through these past weeks I've noticed an increase in glimpses of God. Examples, joy from youngsters (any age really) ranging from singing to music on the radio, laughing out loud at a joke or situation, hugs - many hugs. Sometimes I get too busy to just be attentive to God's plans playing out around me. Driving to work I saw a bumper sticker - "Be the Blessing". Amen.

#B90Days

I'm setting out to read the Bible in 90 days with MomsToolBox.com (they let me join the study even though I'm not a mom - thanks!). I learned of this on Twitter through @RebeccaWVU and @MomsToolBox. Everyone participating can share their progress and questions on Twitter each Monday evening (hashtag #B90Days).