Sing for the Day

It was a a busy, busy week, but ended very nicely.

My Dad came out for a visit, Ian had his chemo and spinal tap, Kathy went back to Dallas to visit her Mom who was in the hospital dealing with her own very serious cancer, and I went down to Puerto Rico for work. The day after I get back, we are all together and back in town, and it's time to head off for ski week up in Tahoe.

Thanks to some good friends it all worked out. The boys stayed with those friends and had a great time on the extended sleepover. My Dad survived the chaos, and Kathy's Mom is now out of the hospital and back at home.

After all that, the last few days in the mountains were clearly God-given. Blue skies, good snow, a beautiful Tahoe mountain, and again, good friends. Thursday saw Ian, and his friend Will, take their first ride up on a chair lift and come down the full mountain. They overcame some significant fears, and after a morning of work together, they and their friends were off on their own to enjoy the day. They did great on ski's, but I gotta admit, I know they had a better time just playing in the snow and sledding, which did allow me to have a full day to hammer those slopes, and my knees, into submission.

We get to watch as our children grow, learn, and become their own persons. They each have their own challenges and burdens, but that is all they know, and with love and encouragement, they go on with life with greace and abandon. God be praised. There are even those times that the challenges are not in the forefront of my mind, and I can just enjoy the times of life we have been given

Ian has his 12th week MRI this coming week to see how the treatment is working. His health is good and we are encourage by his strength and attitude.


This thing called cancer has not beaten us, Ian, or his grandmother, and we are thankful. We will keep on keeping on, one day at a time, enjoying the lives we are given,and for the time that we have together. Again, God is good.

Sing for the day
Sing for the moment.
Sing for the rest of your lives

... A Far Green Country

By most measures today was a very good day. My lovely wife came back to us safely after a quick trip back to Dallas. We worshiped together as a family and I watched as my two boys rounded the bases and fielded grounders and fly balls successfully in the warm afternoon sunshine. Now everyone is going to bed tired and satisfied. God be Praised!

We have some new challenges ahead of us in the short term. Kathy's mom is in the hospital, and really only has a very limited time left with us. We will need to explain to Caleb and Ian that their Grandmother has gone on to be with God. That Ian can, and will, survive something similar to what claimed their grandmother. I will also be traveling down to Puerto Rico this week to evaluate a new opportunity.

We covet your prayers, and are sustained by the love and care of God, as expressed by those around us.

The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back and all changes to silver glass. And then you see it. White shores, and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise (Tolkien)

They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. (John's Revelation)

The Waiting is the Hardest Part, or Time is on my Side?

Here's a news flash for everyone: I love BBQ. Really good BBQ. Yes, I know most you would never have guessed, but it is true.

I smoked some pork butts yesterday, to go along with a few briskets from a good Texas brother for the gathering we were having at church for the big game. I got a late start, and didn't get the meat on till about 9am. We went on about the day, with basketball and a good ball throwing and hitting time with Caleb and Ian, and when it came time for dinner, I really wanted to exercise a little chef's perogative and sample the q. But it wasn't time, and I had to wait. That spicy, smoky, heavenly aroma infused the whole neighborhood, but no touching till at least 9pm. 225F cooked to internal temp of about 190F, normally about 12 - 13 hours for me. No exceptions. I had to wait, and wait I did.

Like in the rest of life, good things take time. From the classic 9 month wait, or waiting for that big buck to Really step out into the clear, or the time it takes to make good BBQ, there is not much you can do to rush a really good thing. You wait in peace, take advantage of the time, and believe your wait is not in vain. Even if you think you may explode.

Good Weekend. Good game. Good family, friends. Good BBQ

And God is The good. And in that we rest, we wait, and we live on.