Vacation. Just the mere word brings about a bit of relaxation doesn't it? My family and I just got finished with a week of vacation and much of it was spent in the green grassy hills of Kentucky. I have some family there and most of them haven't met Jude so it was the perfect destination.
Time for a little background.
My aunt and uncle adopted 3 kids. Sarah the blue-eyed future auctioneer (it's dizzying how fast she talks), Josh who can do practically anything, and Marina who I affectionately call Natasha because, well she's Russian and that's comedy.
Now, I have to admit that I'm fascinated with these kids not just because they are family but also because they come from such a different background into our crazy family.
I tried to make it a point to spend time with each of them while we were there and pick their brains a little bit. I discovered so much about each of them. I'm not entirely sure that putting their information in this public format is appropriate, but it was quite eye opening. Just the idea of adoption brings up so many questions. What was life like before? What do you miss about where you came from? How did you come to the idea of adoption? Do you still keep in touch with family? Are you thinking about adopting in the future? I kept rolling over these questions in my head because adoption had seemed so distant from me. Then it sort of hit me... it's not.
Romans 8:14-17
"14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."
I have to understand that I too am adopted by God, and if I could have the sort of relationship with Him that my 3 cousins have with their parents then I'd be doing something right.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Monday, October 1, 2012
Two Years in a few lines.
So it's been nearly two years since I have posted on this blog. If you hadn't already noticed this is just something that doesn't come naturally to me. I don't really know what all I am supposed to be doing with this but I'll post something anyway.
Two Years:
Jude was born
Essentially fired from a church that didn't pay me.
Delivered Pizza
Worked Construction
Broken Leg on Thanksgiving
3 Months Bed Rest
Heard about First Christian Church Rock Hill
Pastor
Moving
Candice health issues.
That's where we are right now. Things have been up and they have been down, but it really has been the greatest adventure that I can think of. I don't know what the next two years is going to have in store for me and my little family in our tiny cottage in the woods, but I think it's going to be exciting. Hopefully I will update this more in that time.
Two Years:
Jude was born
Essentially fired from a church that didn't pay me.
Delivered Pizza
Worked Construction
Broken Leg on Thanksgiving
3 Months Bed Rest
Heard about First Christian Church Rock Hill
Pastor
Moving
Candice health issues.
That's where we are right now. Things have been up and they have been down, but it really has been the greatest adventure that I can think of. I don't know what the next two years is going to have in store for me and my little family in our tiny cottage in the woods, but I think it's going to be exciting. Hopefully I will update this more in that time.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Not just another butt to wipe
Candice and I are now home and have been for a few days. I have been on vacation from the church, and I have be loving every minute of being with my newborn son. I don't know if everything has hit me yet as far as actually being a dad, but I am sitting here watching the 12 o'clock news and have this overwhelming feeling of protection. Story after story someone is killed or arrested. I pray that I can provide a safe home.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
To the little dude.
So, here I am sitting here in the hospital waiting for you to show up. I can see your little heartbeat on the monitor and I can tell when you are sleeping. I haven't gotten a decent nights sleep due to some crazy dreams I have had about you, and last night was no different. Here I am awake before everyone else in the world and I am thinking.
First I thought that I wouldn't know what to do with a baby; I thought, "I am too rough". After came the questions, "What if I break you?" "Am I going to like you?" "Are you really a boy?" "What if you come out a girl?" and other crazy things.
I also thought of what you might like to do once you get older. Are you going to play soccer or football? Play piano or guitar? Like computers or fishing? Work on cars or chase the ladies? Whatever it is I will be there with you (except the chasing ladies. Mom won't like that).
I then started saying our pregnancy catch phrase of "I just can't wait to meet the little guy." But now as I sit here and wait I can't help but think, "I've already met you. We've known each other for a while now, and at times have even played together already. I just don't know what you look like (here's to praying it's like your mother)." The first time I felt you move I burst into tears. Then there was the first time I would push on you 3 times and you pushed back 3 times. All the times your mom and I have sat there and just watched you squirm. It's just been pretty awesome.
I think back to what Stephen (you can meet him soon, he's a little weird but we like him anyway) told me he said to all of his kids that were born, "Yahweh is the God of the universe and He sent Jesus as his son to the world to die for all sin." I know you can't read yet, but I'll tell you all about it as soon as I can get you in my arms.
First I thought that I wouldn't know what to do with a baby; I thought, "I am too rough". After came the questions, "What if I break you?" "Am I going to like you?" "Are you really a boy?" "What if you come out a girl?" and other crazy things.
I also thought of what you might like to do once you get older. Are you going to play soccer or football? Play piano or guitar? Like computers or fishing? Work on cars or chase the ladies? Whatever it is I will be there with you (except the chasing ladies. Mom won't like that).
I then started saying our pregnancy catch phrase of "I just can't wait to meet the little guy." But now as I sit here and wait I can't help but think, "I've already met you. We've known each other for a while now, and at times have even played together already. I just don't know what you look like (here's to praying it's like your mother)." The first time I felt you move I burst into tears. Then there was the first time I would push on you 3 times and you pushed back 3 times. All the times your mom and I have sat there and just watched you squirm. It's just been pretty awesome.
I think back to what Stephen (you can meet him soon, he's a little weird but we like him anyway) told me he said to all of his kids that were born, "Yahweh is the God of the universe and He sent Jesus as his son to the world to die for all sin." I know you can't read yet, but I'll tell you all about it as soon as I can get you in my arms.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Good tunes and good times
So after a friend kind of had a part in me feeling convicted I deleted all the pirated music off my computer. I know how music can influence pretty much everyone, but if you are listening to the same songs over and over it kind of gets to be like stale bread. I've felt this way for the past couple years, and all I did was blame the artists for not coming out with better music. So this same friend who had a bit to say about my pirating music shared pandora.com with me, and I can once again say that I am excited about music again! No longer am I just expecting what comes next in the iTunes shuffle, but I am hearing songs I have never heard before from my favorite artists. On top of that pandora takes your musical tastes and puts that in some sort of matrix based on who likes the same things and plays other music for you from other artists. So I'm also finding new artists to know and love. I really can't get over it. Now I have lots more loud music to annoy everyone in my vicinity with when I start to rock out.
With all of that being said Candice and I are really starting to try to figure things out. This baby is coming so soon and there was an issue this week. It cleared up very quickly and I have no doubt that it was God. So I'm still trying to figure a bunch of junk out before he gets here. I don't even know how to go about trying to find a pediatrician, but it is something that I am just going to have to learn.
It's kind of scary. I guess I am just too much of a self-centered person to consider how much goes into taking care of a baby. I haven't seen a doctor in years and it's just one of those things that I don't think about. I guess priorities are changing and I better step up to make sure this little dude is going to be taken care of in the best way possible.
With all of that being said Candice and I are really starting to try to figure things out. This baby is coming so soon and there was an issue this week. It cleared up very quickly and I have no doubt that it was God. So I'm still trying to figure a bunch of junk out before he gets here. I don't even know how to go about trying to find a pediatrician, but it is something that I am just going to have to learn.
It's kind of scary. I guess I am just too much of a self-centered person to consider how much goes into taking care of a baby. I haven't seen a doctor in years and it's just one of those things that I don't think about. I guess priorities are changing and I better step up to make sure this little dude is going to be taken care of in the best way possible.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Break Down of the last 24 hours
8/31
9:20 AM
Mom called during staff meeting. Ignored. Texted "In staff meeting is this an emergency?"
Reply: "Can you pick me and Laura up at Atlanta Airport and drive us to Augusta"
I texted back "Sure lol"
12 PM
Called Mom to talk about big issues with the pregnancy with Candice. She says we don't have to come pick her up any more.
9PM
Mom asks if I could still pick her up and take her and Laura to Augusta. I agree.
9:25 PM
Facebook post: "Okay this may sound weird but is there anyone in the Greater Atlanta Area who wants to ride with me to Augusta and back tonight? I kind of need someone who I like to help keep me awake."
Also a few phone calls made to people to see if they wanted to go.
9:33 PM
Kevin Blackwell agrees to go.
11PM
Pick up Kevin.
11:40 PM
Arrive at Airport. Many phone calls to Mom and Laura... no answer
11:50 PM
2 Cups of coffee at a diner close to the airport and conversation with Kevin.
9/1
12:30 AM
Back at airport. Still no answer after many calls. Bathrooms closed. Meet a Haitian woman who has 20 grandkids from Miami. Then I meet Charles and start talking to Charles about God.
12:50 AM
Still talking to Charles about God.
1:00 AM
Buying Charles a cheeseburger at Wendy's in the airport.
1:05 AM
Mom's plane lands
1:15 AM
Meet Mom and load the Jeep up.
1:20 AM
On the road to Augusta and have lots of good conversation with Kevin
3:50 AM
Drop Mom and Laura off in Augusta, turn around and head back to Atlanta
4:25 AM
Getting tired and eyes get heavy. Looking for Gas Station
4:27 AM
Jeep hesitates and skips a little bit... now wide awake, and desperately seeking a gas station.
4:40 AM
Sign for BP Gas Station!
4:42 AM
Pull up to BP... closed...
4:45 AM
In depth discussion about whether to stay at the gas station till it opens or go down to the next one.
5:00 AM
Gas station still closed. After using Kevin's iPhone to look up the next gas station we finally decide to head to the Koziers Aamaco.
5:16 AM
We pass the place where Koziers Aamaco is supposed to be. "Dat der green dot passed dat der red dot."
5:17 AM
Decision to keep going forward to the next station is made.
5:20 AM
Passed the point of no return
5:25 AM
no more gas... no more forward motion... middle of no where.
5:26 AM
Get 1 bar of service and see the next gas station is 8 Miles up the road.
5:34 AM
Started walking and trying to hitchhike. Logging trucks are passing as are the occasional jerk who speeds up as they pass
5:38 AM
Kevin sees a shooting star
5:42 AM
Kevin is peeing on the side of the road
6:00 AM
Still walking
6:10 AM
Still walking... hearing coyotes
6:11 AM
Discussion on horror movies that start out with a broken down vehicle in the country
6:37 AM
See well kept up land scaping.
6:40 AM
Walking pass a golf course. I decided to call the number on the sign.
6:41 AM
After talking with a man find out that we have about 4 miles left to go. I offer to pay him $20 to take us. He accepts.
6:42 AM
Kevin and I celebrate like little girls as a pickup truck pulls up.
6:47 AM
Arrive at gas station... no gas cans.
6:50 AM
Find the only mechanic/auto parts store in town and buy a gas can.
6:53 AM
Fill up the gas can and head back.
6:58 AM
Can't figure out how to attach the spout to the gas can.
7:03 AM
Guy who picked us up figures it out and we fill the Jeep up.
7:05 AM
Back on the road.
7:29 AM
Very tired again and not able to continue. Kevin suggests power nap and energy drink.
7:37 AM
Pulled into a gas station and have a good power nap and Monster Energy Drink
8:02 AM
Back on the road with Project 9-6-1 giving us lots of great music to jam to.
9:44 AM
Drop Kevin off.
10:00 AM
Arrive Home.
10:02 AM
Asleep on couch.
9:20 AM
Mom called during staff meeting. Ignored. Texted "In staff meeting is this an emergency?"
Reply: "Can you pick me and Laura up at Atlanta Airport and drive us to Augusta"
I texted back "Sure lol"
12 PM
Called Mom to talk about big issues with the pregnancy with Candice. She says we don't have to come pick her up any more.
9PM
Mom asks if I could still pick her up and take her and Laura to Augusta. I agree.
9:25 PM
Facebook post: "Okay this may sound weird but is there anyone in the Greater Atlanta Area who wants to ride with me to Augusta and back tonight? I kind of need someone who I like to help keep me awake."
Also a few phone calls made to people to see if they wanted to go.
9:33 PM
Kevin Blackwell agrees to go.
11PM
Pick up Kevin.
11:40 PM
Arrive at Airport. Many phone calls to Mom and Laura... no answer
11:50 PM
2 Cups of coffee at a diner close to the airport and conversation with Kevin.
9/1
12:30 AM
Back at airport. Still no answer after many calls. Bathrooms closed. Meet a Haitian woman who has 20 grandkids from Miami. Then I meet Charles and start talking to Charles about God.
12:50 AM
Still talking to Charles about God.
1:00 AM
Buying Charles a cheeseburger at Wendy's in the airport.
1:05 AM
Mom's plane lands
1:15 AM
Meet Mom and load the Jeep up.
1:20 AM
On the road to Augusta and have lots of good conversation with Kevin
3:50 AM
Drop Mom and Laura off in Augusta, turn around and head back to Atlanta
4:25 AM
Getting tired and eyes get heavy. Looking for Gas Station
4:27 AM
Jeep hesitates and skips a little bit... now wide awake, and desperately seeking a gas station.
4:40 AM
Sign for BP Gas Station!
4:42 AM
Pull up to BP... closed...
4:45 AM
In depth discussion about whether to stay at the gas station till it opens or go down to the next one.
5:00 AM
Gas station still closed. After using Kevin's iPhone to look up the next gas station we finally decide to head to the Koziers Aamaco.
5:16 AM
We pass the place where Koziers Aamaco is supposed to be. "Dat der green dot passed dat der red dot."
5:17 AM
Decision to keep going forward to the next station is made.
5:20 AM
Passed the point of no return
5:25 AM
no more gas... no more forward motion... middle of no where.
5:26 AM
Get 1 bar of service and see the next gas station is 8 Miles up the road.
5:34 AM
Started walking and trying to hitchhike. Logging trucks are passing as are the occasional jerk who speeds up as they pass
5:38 AM
Kevin sees a shooting star
5:42 AM
Kevin is peeing on the side of the road
6:00 AM
Still walking
6:10 AM
Still walking... hearing coyotes
6:11 AM
Discussion on horror movies that start out with a broken down vehicle in the country
6:37 AM
See well kept up land scaping.
6:40 AM
Walking pass a golf course. I decided to call the number on the sign.
6:41 AM
After talking with a man find out that we have about 4 miles left to go. I offer to pay him $20 to take us. He accepts.
6:42 AM
Kevin and I celebrate like little girls as a pickup truck pulls up.
6:47 AM
Arrive at gas station... no gas cans.
6:50 AM
Find the only mechanic/auto parts store in town and buy a gas can.
6:53 AM
Fill up the gas can and head back.
6:58 AM
Can't figure out how to attach the spout to the gas can.
7:03 AM
Guy who picked us up figures it out and we fill the Jeep up.
7:05 AM
Back on the road.
7:29 AM
Very tired again and not able to continue. Kevin suggests power nap and energy drink.
7:37 AM
Pulled into a gas station and have a good power nap and Monster Energy Drink
8:02 AM
Back on the road with Project 9-6-1 giving us lots of great music to jam to.
9:44 AM
Drop Kevin off.
10:00 AM
Arrive Home.
10:02 AM
Asleep on couch.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Intentional intentional intentional
This morning I got a phone call from a man who said that he had stuff to drop off for "The Garage Shop." Essentially we have a system in place where kids 1st-5th grade have a chance to earn Jesus Bucks by doing things like bringing their Bible to church, bringing a friend, or even if they are just going above and beyond what is expected of them at church. On the last Sunday of the month we open up shop for the kids. It's pretty much like Chuck E Cheese tickets with those type of prizes.
So the call comes in and I wait for him to come in and drop off the expected super balls and whoopee cushions. He strolls in with 3 backs loaded with stuff! We're talking Zhu Zhu Pets, (which if you aren't involved with children is a very hot commodity) Lego sets, and even a DS i with a game. Usually when you buy stuff for the church you get reimbursed and the whole time he was standing in my office I was thinking, "Well there goes my budget." He then mentioned a hard lesson that I had to learn that was pretty stinking expensive and said "Here's another lesson for you. Purposefully put money away that you can give away later. I can't afford to go get a cup of coffee this morning, but I could afford to go out last night and get all of this for you guys." He then went on to talk about how he and his wife intentionally put money aside every month just to give away. They don't touch it, and they don't need to. Every once in a while they find someone that could use their help and they don't even second guess helping them because they have been intentional about preparing to help. There was no thought of "Let us examine our budget and get back to you," or "Hey I've got the electricity bill to pay and that is consuming all of our extra resources right now." Because of this man and his wife taking that money monthly and putting a "To Give Away" sign on it they don't have to think about any extra money in the budget because they made it part of the budget, intentionally. Amazing... truly amazing.
Part of the deal with accepting this job was the understanding that I would raise my own salary, and I have to deal with the "Let me see if I have room in the budget." I'm not harping on people because I think they are tightwads or anything like that. This is more of an introspective look at my own intentionality. I'll admit that I do not set money in a pile to give away, and if I saw the pile of money there and there was a bill to pay I don't know if I would be strong enough not to use it. The look on this man's face when he talked about how he could just go through Toys-R-Us and spend this money without a qualm or the heart palpitations that it would give the rest of us was absolutely priceless. The money wasn't his any longer he was just managing it, and before he could do that he had to be intentional about giving it away.
Thanks Bryan.
So the call comes in and I wait for him to come in and drop off the expected super balls and whoopee cushions. He strolls in with 3 backs loaded with stuff! We're talking Zhu Zhu Pets, (which if you aren't involved with children is a very hot commodity) Lego sets, and even a DS i with a game. Usually when you buy stuff for the church you get reimbursed and the whole time he was standing in my office I was thinking, "Well there goes my budget." He then mentioned a hard lesson that I had to learn that was pretty stinking expensive and said "Here's another lesson for you. Purposefully put money away that you can give away later. I can't afford to go get a cup of coffee this morning, but I could afford to go out last night and get all of this for you guys." He then went on to talk about how he and his wife intentionally put money aside every month just to give away. They don't touch it, and they don't need to. Every once in a while they find someone that could use their help and they don't even second guess helping them because they have been intentional about preparing to help. There was no thought of "Let us examine our budget and get back to you," or "Hey I've got the electricity bill to pay and that is consuming all of our extra resources right now." Because of this man and his wife taking that money monthly and putting a "To Give Away" sign on it they don't have to think about any extra money in the budget because they made it part of the budget, intentionally. Amazing... truly amazing.
Part of the deal with accepting this job was the understanding that I would raise my own salary, and I have to deal with the "Let me see if I have room in the budget." I'm not harping on people because I think they are tightwads or anything like that. This is more of an introspective look at my own intentionality. I'll admit that I do not set money in a pile to give away, and if I saw the pile of money there and there was a bill to pay I don't know if I would be strong enough not to use it. The look on this man's face when he talked about how he could just go through Toys-R-Us and spend this money without a qualm or the heart palpitations that it would give the rest of us was absolutely priceless. The money wasn't his any longer he was just managing it, and before he could do that he had to be intentional about giving it away.
Thanks Bryan.
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