Special times

I have tried to spend more times with the kids in my family that aren't as active in, uh...activities as some of my other kids are. Things like breakfast on Saturday morning...and golf. I have had sweet times with them and it's fun to get them out on their own.
 
I had retired from golf about 7 years ago it was taking up too much time away from my family. I've played maybe 2 times in the last 7 years. My 2nd youngest son has had an interest in it for a while, but, I thought it would wear off. Well, it hasn't yet. Talking to my wife, we thought it would be a thing that he and I could do together. He's a hard worker and is starting to get the hang of the rhythm of the game. He's got a lot to learn about hitting the ball consistently, but, I am going to try to keep out of coaching him. We've played twice and each time grandpa was there and gave some good tips...a friend from church played with us and gave my son some balls and random advice. I think that may be a good way to go about this since it's rare that you ever play alone. Maybe, Lord willing, I'll just throw in a small training tidbit, but leave it up to him and advice from others to improve his game. I don't know yet. But, all I can say is it's been very nice. Some of my other boys have now started showing an interest in golf...but, don't know if I can afford many playing...again, we'll see. My wife mentioned that if everyone played it might take away from the special time I have created with this son. Good advice but, I'd hate to discourage it. It might be something they can do together when they are older. I can imagine them staying close, playing golf, loving their families, each other, each others families....It's not like soccer or baseball or something, you can play this until you die basically. I don't think I want to discourage it.
 
Breakfast with a couple of sweet girls is just pleasant. We go to a buffet and this particular buffet has a chocolate fondue fountain. Stab a strawberry, marshmallows, coconut macaroon with a stick, put it in the fountain, and let the chocolate harden - oh man, you'd think we'd won the lottery. I am amazed how my youngest daughter can get so much chocolate AROUND her mouth...but, she enjoys it. My 14yo goes too. I love this young woman. Such beauty, such wisdom. Priceless. Thank you God for all my sweet precious girls whom I love with all my heart and thanks for the time I am getting to spend with them.
 
A couple of my boys, (1 and 2) and my 2nd oldest daughter go to church with me to set up and get things going for me on Wednesdays and Sundays. I need to remember to tell them how helpful they are. They are such a tremendous blessing. Not only to me, but I watch them interact with others...they are a blessing indeed.
 
I have a couple more kids to integrate into time with me. I'm soooo looking forward to time with them too.
 
My kids are such blessings. God was right...............again.
Psalm 127:3
Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.

 
 
 
 

Temper is a funny word.
tem·per[tem-per]  - noun
1.a particular state of mind or feelings.
2.habit of mind, especially with respect toirritability or patience, outbursts of anger, orthe like; disposition: an even temper.
3.heat of mind or passion, shown in outburstsof anger, resentment, etc.
4.calm disposition or state of mind: to be outof temper.
5.a substance added to something to modify its properties or qualities.
6.Metall.
1. the degree of hardness and strengthimparted to a metal, as by quenching,heat treatment, or cold working.
2. the percentage of carbon in tool steel.
3. the operation of tempering.
7. Archaic.  a middle course; compromise.
8. Obs.  the constitution or character of asubstance.
- verb (used with object)
9. to moderate or mitigate: to temper justice with mercy.
10.to soften or tone down.
11.to bring to a proper, suitable, or desirablestate by or as by blending or admixture.
12.to moisten, mix, and work up into properconsistency, as clay or mortar.
13.Metall.  to impart strength or toughness to(steel or cast iron) by heating and cooling.
14.to produce internal stresses in (glass) bysudden cooling from low red heat;toughen.
15.to tune (a keyboard instrument, as a piano,organ, or harpsichord) so as to make the tones available in different keys ortonalities.
16.to modify (color) by mixing with a medium.
17.Archaic.  to combine or blend in dueproportions.
18.Archaic.  to pacify.
- verb (used without object)
19.to be or become tempered.
Looking at 3 and 4 they seem like total opposites. It's a word that describes the way I am feeling though.

There are many things in life I understand waaaaaaaay better than youth ministry. For example, I am in charge of about a half a million dollars worth of technical equipment that's used to run a multi million dollar business. I am trusted and even respected as to my opinion in all matters regarding it, improvements on it, or replacing of it. I get paid well for knowing this rather useless stuff.

I am the proud dad of 9 amazing kids. They continually amaze me with the maturity and love they show.

I am a soccer coach of 14 terrific kids. They are all respectful and obedient (for the most part).

And then, I am a youth guy at a church with very few youth from actual church members. I have been trying to treat them like adults and give them the benefit of the doubt on many issues. Trying to be something that they don't get in the world...But, they just continue to try to be disruptive and disrespectful.

So, what does this have to do with temper? Several things:
-Need to temper (#9) how kids are behaving. I need to temper their attitude.
-I'll need to exhibit a cool temper (#4) yet still let them know how serious this is.
-Need to temper (#10) my attitude and angst toward what I have no worldly authority. Ultimately, the kids are the Lord's and I need to remember that their souls are what's important.
-Maintain my temper (#3) especially in areas where I do have authority and not let this particular role rule my thoughts across all my other roles.
-Eliminate my tempering (#18) of the youth...

I need to temper my attitude and temper the action of the kids without losing my temper.

Mission

She is taking her first missionary trip. I am proud of her and love her dearly. Please be in prayer over the trip.

Lucky

There have been a few weddings and proposals bouncing around. People that we knew as kids are now married and young adults we know now are proposing and accepting and planning their lives together...it starts the old noggin to thinking about my littles.

Here's the short of it. Some parents are going to be extremely blessed by whom their kids get attached and other parents, perhaps, not so much. What I mean is that there are kids I know that I wish I had a mate for so they would get married and I could have them in my family. Those kids would be just a tremendous blessing and add so much to our existing awesome quiver full.

Then I think about it from the other end. Are WE shooting out blessings to others? Will parents of others view our children as added blessings to their families? Then I think, "Well duh..." and move on. :-)

Yeah, my kids are flat. out. the. best.

Attitude

It's quite obvious that things happening in ones life can be reflected in their attitude. Perhaps they shouldn't, but in my case, I usually wear my feelings on my sleeve. It's amazing how hard it can be to alter the attitude without altering the happenings as well. What I mean is it's hard to adjust to the NEW happenings by just making a change in my attitude. Usually, I have to get rid of the stuff that is altering my attitude. Lately, I have been extremely terse, short, and generally cranky. When I reflect on the cause it points to how my life is upside down, how I am struggling with managing time, how my bible study times have been practically eliminated (they are now just reviews for teaching...not my own relationship) and how tired I am when it's bed time. Other things come to light as well; I am not spending quality time with my kids, there is no exercise to speak of, and the guilt of not being more studious really tugs at me. These all exacerbate the condition and a vicious cycle is created.

In my most public role, a youth soccer coach to 14 kids, it's even become evident. I had worked hard on not yelling at my kids in the past years. (Not that I was perfect)...but, would try to encourage the good and not blast out on the bad. With this condition I am in, I have absolutely regressed. It's so disappointing. But, this last game, I had added strength...It was a much more enjoyable environment for everyone.

So, as I try to point to the good and not the bad...please have patience with me. I have somewhat fallen off the wagon and I'm racing to try to jump back on. :-)

Thanks!

Choose wisely

I am feeling behind In everything, but primarily relationships. When times get busy, I tend to focus on low hanging fruit. Things that can be easily knocked out or marked as finished are my primary targets. It's a tactic that I've picked up over the years to make sure stuff gets done at the office. The problem is, strategies that are good in the office don't necessarily translate to smart decisions at home.

For example, this past Monday rain had caused our plans (soccer game) for the evening to be cancelled. It was our first free night in a long time. I quickly place myself in front of my computer, put on a soccer match on espn and started sorting through bills and address changes, etc. One of my boys wanted to shoot his airsoft gun and was asking permission. We hadn't messed with them in months and I told him the batteries were probably dead. But, he could take my BB gun out and shoot it. However, I didn't want him shooting it alone. I was hoping an older brother would volunteer to help him, but he didn't wait for me to set that up. He ran to the back and then ran to me and said "ready dad!". Don't you know that I never left that chair until after the kids went to bed.

I was extremely productive that evening and got a lot of work done that needed to get done. Low hangin fruit...check.

What category did I put my eager son in that evening? What category of his did I move into?

Yeah, crappy huh.

The water's fine

I believe one of the hardest things for me to accept about Christianity is that it's free. To make matters worse it compounds that by saying that anything you attempt to do is as menstrual rags...no matter how "good" we think it is. One of the stories that, to me, illustrates this well is the story of Naaman in the bible. See, Naaman had it all. He was a man of valor and blessed. His servants appeared to actually love him. There was one small detail in his life that was not really considered good, he had leprosy.

Naaman was told of a great prophet that could cleanse him. He approached his king and letters were written and a road trip was planned. He grabbed gobs of money and fine clothes for a gift and eventually visited Elisha. When he arrived, Elisha didn't even see him in person but sent instructions for him to wash 7 times in the Jordan river. You probably already know the story.

The part I really like is the indignation of Naaman at the proposed solution. He brought pounds and pounds of gold and silver, but the solution would merely cost him some trust and potentially humiliation. Doubt had to be prevalent.

It's the same with grace, isn't it? You can't one up Jesus by offering him a "fair" trade for it. It's priced the same for everyone...free. The catch is you have to believe and that may seem humiliating for some...

The waters fine, come on in!

Nice quiet evening

Awesome project

A friend of ours at church is kinda related to our land lord...he found out that Jdude is really into gardening and they started a project for a raised bed. Here's what they ended up with. Great job guys!!! Thanks Mr. A!!

Routines

I really feel productive when I get in a routine. Things are predictable and can be anticipated and that sure does make one look smart and feel prepared. Additionally, planning is simpler since you know what's coming up. Yep...It's always refreshing when a routine starts up.

But, the distance between routine and rut is very short. Those scheduled events can become monotonous. The predictability of it all is such a killer of spontaneity. We all know that a little spontaneous action adds excitement to ones life. :-)

It's such a difficult balance to try to maintain. Especially, now that the sale of the house is complete. It seems that we all want to be "done with it"...that we want to be back in our routines again. The problem is that we've only just begun...

Lord help us adjust to this "chaos" and remember to keep things important that are important...and help us not long for the routine, but the adventure You have us on. In JESUS name!!!