So Much to Say...

...so little time. This phrase has been bouncing around in my head for the past few days. Between laundry, family, homeschooling, laundry, housework, Linds' job, laundry, my job search, volunteer church work, laundry, meals, dealing with our financial situation, etc., it feels like we're working three full-time jobs between the two of us. Laundry for six (two of which are almost potty trained, two of which are discovering sweat glands) equates to almost a full-time job. Now, I'm given to exaggeration at times, but this is no joke...

Having had two extended stints at home with kids (once with two kids and currently with four), I give mad props to those stay-at-home-with-the-kids moms out there. I believe most of your husbands have absolutely NO CLUE what you endure. And, no offense, but I laugh at people with only one kid that complain about how hard it is! OK, I'm bordering on self-righteous, so I better shut up! All that to say, being at home is a lot of hard work, but it is also an incredible blessing.

Anyway, so much to say...so little time. Gotta go! Here's a blast from the past...

Talk Is Cheap

Last night, about 50 volunteers/key leaders of our church had a great night worshiping, celebrating what God has done so far in '08 (and He ain't done yet!), and anticipating what He'll do in '09. It's an honor to serve with such dedicated people. Their hearts for God are so evident in the sacrifice of time, energy, and emotion they pour into the vision of Lifepoint Church - reaching people who are far from God.

Something Jeremy shared really stuck out to me. He talked about about various stages of commitment (and this applies to anything, not just the Church): understanding, embracing, communicating, and defending. Each is a step is one of deeper and truer commitment.

In short, we can understand something, but not embrace it. We can embrace something, but not communicate it. We can communicate something, but not be willing to defend it (with our lives, reputations, etc.). The truest test of commitment is one's willingness to defend the vision.

Vision is such a buzz word in today's lingo, especially in the Church, but how often do we plod through life without it? What visions do you have for your life? For your health, finances, family?

• I understand, embrace, and even communicate my belief in eating right and exercising regularly, but I don't always defend it by my actions.

• I understand, embrace, and even communicate my belief in living within my means and saving for the future, but I don't always defend it by my actions.

• I understand, embrace, and even communicate my belief being a godly leader to my wife and children, but I don't always defend it by my actions.

You see, it's not enough to rest on principles and conviction; they must be consummated by action. I've experienced many lofty visions (both personal and corporate) that have ended up littering the graveyard of good intentions because they were not defended by action. The vision may have been understood, embraced, and communicated, but it wasn't lived out. As they say, "Talk is cheap."

What area of life are you doing a lot of talking?

Conventionally Unconventional

Above is a phrase I've used countless times over the past nine years of my life. Why? As of today, I have spent those last nine years married to my amazing wife, Lindsay.


Happy 9th, Linds. Here's to 90 more! Although my words and actions often fail, I love you more than I could ever hope to show you. You are truly the other side of me.

From the beginning of our story together, God has seen fit to make sure we never do things in a conventional fashion. In fact, we do so many things unconventionally, it's become conventional (if that makes sense). While I won't bore you with every detail, suffice it to say we've got some great stories whenever we get around to writing our autobiographies. Lindsay has long said she wants to write a book, and I don't doubt she will (I'll no doubt serve as her proofreader. Snicker, snicker...). I've never thought seriously about it, yet with each passing year it seems I have more than enough experiences and material from which to draw.

So, without further adieu, here are some chapter titles I've come with. If you know us well, some may sound familiar, others not so much. If you don't know us well, please don't think any less of us...

1. How Not to Remember the First Time You Met
2. Pop Tarts, Mello Yello, and Other Gifts of Affection (and Occasionally Bribery)
   
3. Dating with Daughters
4. Gas Pains in Birmingham
   
5. Long Distance Relationships Are Not For Wimps
6. Taking the "Big" Out of "Big Wedding"
   
7. First Night Honeymoon Suggestions: College Football & Japanese
   
8. How to Buy Stock in U-Pack, U-Haul, and Budget Rent-A-Truck
9. Morning Beer-Drinking Neighbors and Other "Fredneck" Adventures
   
10. Fort Worth, Texas - So Far From Home, Yet So Close
    
11. "And They Came Two By Two..."
12. The Joys of Home Ownership
13. Virginia Is For Lovers. Maryland Is Not. (Sorry, MD friends! Don't take it personally...)
    
14. As the Church Turns
    
15. No Guts, No Glory
    
16. Livin' on the Edge
    

The rest is yet to be written. Linds, as unconventional as our life together has been, I wouldn't trade it for anything because it's been with you. We've overcome a lot, and we will surely overcome more...together.

God, thank You for the precious gifts of my amazing wife and the children You have blessed us with. On this special day, we commit again to honoring You with our marriage and our family. Continue to watch over us, protect us, and guide our path as we follow You. Amen.

Seasons Change

It's that time of year again. Football is in full-swing, the weather has turned schizophrenic, everyone's sinuses are starting to acting up, leaves are starting to wither. God bless fall.

When it comes time for one season to give way to another, we usually welcome it. Why? Because we want a change. We want to break out our other-season clothes and see if they still fit (I'm convinced this is really just an excuse to go shopping). We want to start eating different foods and drinking different drinks (sorry, I just can't do coffee regularly during the summer!). We want to enjoy some different weather than 90+ degree days we've been experiencing for what seems like forever. We want to break the monotony of life. We are anxious for a new experience...

Life's seasons aren't quite as predictable or sometimes even welcomed. Sometimes they last shorter than we wish they would, sometimes longer. The seasons could be good or bad, depending on your perspective. Regardless of whatever season you're in right now, rest assured that change is blowing in. It could be in the form of a move, a new child, a shift in health, financial hardships, a quickly advancing career, a sudden tragedy. Just as God has given nature a rhythm of seasons, He has given a unique rhythm to each of our lives.

Whatever change is coming, make the most of it. When God blesses you with prime rib, well...eat dead cow and rejoice! But when God seemingly gives you lemons, make lemonade. Don't endure it bitterly; embrace it for the sweet opportunity is represents to participate in God's rhythm for your life. And rest assured that God, who rules sovereignly over His creation, has your best interest in mind.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

~ Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Something Eye Learned Yesterday

So, yesterday we learned the hard way that a three-year-old boy's cornea should heal quickly. You can read all about it on my wife's blog here...


When we found out we were having a boy (and a girl!), we said to each other it's time to lower the deductible. Like Eye always say: "Never a dull moment!"

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

So, it's been a while since I've blogged. I seem to go through spurts, like so many others. My main excuse? The blessing of having my wife at home as she has recovered from her surgery. We are very thankful that all has gone well; your prayers have certainly been a huge part of that!

Anyway...wife at home...yeah. Ever hear that phrase "don't know what ya got 'til it's gone?" Yup, it was more than just a song by that 80s superband Cinderella. Well, that phrase could sum up the past six months of our lives. The last month or so since surgery has once again whetted my appetite for what's been "gone" temporarily - my wife at home and me working. If anything, this season of life has given us a greater appreciation and desire for the proverbial "it."

"It" just fits. Ya know, like an old pair of jeans and a t-shirt (VT, of course...). About this time next week we have to slip back into our starched polyester pleated trousers with a wool button down dress shirt. Yeah, I know there's no such thing, but it makes my point - it sucks to wear and it looks awful to boot.

Here's hoping (and praying) we can find that ol' pair of jeans and t-shirt again soon...

Leave a comment for goodness sake; it motivates me to blog more often! In fact, I dare you to.

Surgery Update

God is so good!

Lindsay came home from the hospital yesterday afternoon, a day earlier than expected! She is still sore, but feeling pretty good and slowly getting back to eating normally. The surgeon was able to operate laparoscopically, so that should really help her recovery move along a little quicker. He removed about 10 inches of bowel (4-5 of each small and large intestine) and said he has every reason to believe that she should do well for many years!

We appreciate all the prayers that have been offered on our behalf over the past days, weeks, and months. Please continue to pray with us that Lindsay will be free of any Crohn's symptoms.

If you don't already, you can follow her journey on her blog, TwinsX2.