My Woo Woo Is Growing Up!

It is almost impossible to believe, but my oldest as I type this has been at her senior prom nearly an hour. Last night I scanned over one hundred pictures of her from birth to present. It was a great trip down memory lane. I sat at her last band concert and nearly every song she played in I wept. I just can't believe it. People said that it would get here before I knew it, and now I know how true that is. Life truly is a vapor that appears for a short time and then is gone.

To this day I still tuck her in every night and pray with her as I do my other three. She still hugs me in public. She is never ashamed to call me dad and hardly ever makes fun of me for my stupid jokes. She has uncertain thoughts about the future. She still wants to know what I think about things. She respects me and we have a wonderful relationship. What more could a dad ask for?

Two weeks from yesterday is her graduation day. She will begin a new chapter in her life. I look forward to what God has in store for her in her lifetime. I only hope that I live long enough to see that outcome.

The Word says, (Psalms 127:4-5 NCV) "Children who are born to a young man are like arrows in the hand of a warrior. {5} Happy is the man who has his bag full of arrows...." Thank you Father for my family!!

The Greatest Gift

Mother's Day is this Sunday and as with any holiday in America, we have to start thinking of a gift for our moms (and wives who are moms). It's tough sometimes coming up with the best gift. I read a humorous story that many of you may have already heard, but here it goes anyway.

Three sons who left home, went out on their own and prospered? Getting back together, they discussed the gifts they were able to give their elderly mother.

The first said, "I built a big house for our mother." The second said, "I sent her a Mercedes
with a driver." The third smiled and said,"I've got you both beat. You remember how mom enjoyed reading the Bible? And you know she can't see very well. I sent her a remarkable parrot that recites the entire Bible. It took elders in the church 12 years to teach him. He's one of a kind. Mama just has to name the chapter and verse, and parrot recites it."

Soon thereafter, mom sent out her letters of thanks: "Milton," she wrote, "The house you built
is so huge. I live in only one room, but I have to clean the whole house." "Gerald," she wrote to another, "I am too old to travel. I stay most of the time at home, so I rarely use the Mercedes. And the driver is so rude!" "Dearest Donald," she wrote to her third son, "You have the good sense to know what your mother likes. The chicken was delicious!"

There are lots of great gifts we can give and receive. Gift giving is wonderful fun and builds relationships. It's a good thing.

I have receiveded many good gifts in my life and not just stuff either. I have been gifted with a great earthly family--wonderful wife and children. I have been gifted with a great church family at Creekside who loves me and lets me be me. I am surrounded with friends in the physical world and in the internet world through this blog.

I could go on and on, but the greatest gift I have ever received is one that our heavenly Father showed us through Jesus. It is the gift of forgiveness. Knowing my life the way God does and Him still forgive is incredible! Knowing me the way Ellen knows me and for her to still love me is a gift I cannot describe. My children know me so well, and still love me. That's forgiveness. It even stretches into my relationships with others outside my family--church, blog, friendships, and more. What more could a man want than to be forgiven. What a precious gift indeed I think it's the greatest gift of all!

Much Better Day

Today is a much better day. Danielle is feeling better. Though she is scared, she seems to be past this particular episode of seizures. She doesn't want to go to school for fear of having another one, but she struggled with that the last time she had a major seizure. Please pray for her that she can have some understanding and that God will bless her with healing.

I found a song today by Casting Crowns that describes where we should be in our suffering. It's called "Praise You In This Storm."
I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen"and it's still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God
Who gives and takes away

Chorus:
I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God
Who gives and takes away

Chorus
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

Mixed Feelings--Mixed Up Faith!!

Wow how things can turn on a dime. I had a great week at Pepperdine. The following at some one liners that probably only the people who were there will understand, but indulge me anyway.

I am the lone man in the granny club with three shots. I paid dearly with stomach pains shooting so many granny shots in PIG. I withstood relentless abuse for my southern draw. Yes we do turn one syllable words into two. I can't help it if people can't talk properly. I saw the whole world from the "rock." I was the true tourist of the week. Cameras in hand, I got moving and still photos of lots of stuff. There was lots more, but all that I can think of with the jet lag and the bad stuff on my mind that happened when I returned home.

This morning (May 6) Danielle woke up having one absance seizure after another. She then had her first grand mall seizure in four years. It was like turning a great week into a nightmare. Thanks be to God that she came out of it this afternoon and is at home doing well. She is angry. She is sad. She is asking questions that we all ask if we were just honest enough to admit it. She wants to know why God has not stopped these things. She is wondering why church is so important if God is not listening. Tough questions to deal with as a dad and mom. You know why? Because I have some of the same feelings. Why not take them away? What good could possibly come from this?

I had a friend tonight ask me, "Why don't you stop asking God to remove them and start asking Him to help you understand what it is that He has in store?" The initial response to that question might be, "forget you man, you don't know what we are going through!" But then again, he may be right. I just don't know.

Please pray for my daughter and us that we can get some kind of understanding here. I am so thankful that we don't have to go through everyday with the same stuff of today. I am thankful that she don't have this everyday like some other children. It still hurts deeply to see your own child get to the point where she does not know you.

Please just pray for us.