Two from Nineteen

Last winter, while visiting family in California, Colby and I went for a walk to kill some time, enjoy the sunshine and to talk. Most of our conversation revolved around his latest idea to do more traveling - not a surprising topic of conversation for anyone who knows my son. This time the plan was not just a January Term trip abroad, like he had done before, this was for a full semester of study at Maastricht University in the Netherlands. As parents tend to do, and like Sandy and I had done before, we met this new idea, initially, with many reservations, questions, and doubts. 

Blessings #736 to #760

736. A visit from Jim and Gail.

737. Observing Calli's senior pictures photo shoots and realizing that my little girl is not so little anymore!

738. Building endurance for running - going a little farther, a little faster with a little less pain!

739. A break in the heat and actually getting a little chilly at night.

740. The chance to comfort, listen to, and pray for friends.

741. Hearing the frequent conversations between Calli and Laura, her friend in Spain - Calli helping Laura with English and Laura helping Calli with Spanish.

742. Listening to Colby and Calli talk about Spanish and using Spanish. Who would have thought that we would have two Spanish speaking children?

Questions

Sometimes I wonder what Jesus would be like if he were to come to earth today as a human. I know his basic character would be the same as it was over 2000 years ago (and still is today), but how would it look in the world we live in today? Where would he live anyway? Would he be more likely to live in America or Syria? Would Jesus choose a country of wealth, prosperity, and power, or would he choose a desperate country in turmoil? If Jesus were born in Mexico, would he come to the United States legally? How would he cross the border? Would he bother becoming a U. S. citizen? Would he want to come to the United States at all?

Blessings #701 to #735

701. Another successful 8th Grade Seattle Trip
702. An awesome bus driver willing to build robots with our 8th graders
703. Grateful students and parents
704. A horse ride with Calli
705. An invitation to a Masters Degree celebration by a former 8th Grade student - thanks Trinity for making my day!

Loving God

I have heard much, over the years about loving God. It always sounds so simple, at least it sounds like it should be simple. Maybe we just don't think much about it and we make loving God simplistic, mere emotions and warm, fuzzy thoughts about how nice he is. But if loving God is so simple, why am I so bad at it? When I really think about what it means to love God, I realize I don't love him much... at least not nearly as much as I should. I realize that loving God is hard... it shouldn't be (he is GOD after-all), but it is. 

Blessings #674 to 700

674. A week away from work
675. Open and honest conversations with Colby and Calli
676. Colby and Calli valuing their education - embracing short-term sacrifices for the sake of long-term goals
677. Forget the Frock
678. Snow in April on the day I take out the barbecue - a reminder to "go with the flow" and embrace everything that God sends our way
679. The graciousness of my small group for burgers poorly done
680. Easter Supper at Mom's with Colby's Whitworth friends
681. People willing to help with the Niños Golf Tournament
682. Sponsors for the Niños golf tournament
683. Corrie and Romina's heart to serve and willingness to go
684. Steve and his chainsaw
685. The next door children playing with Beka
686. Small children in the neighborhood, playing and laughing
687. An enticing dream, a tantalizing possibility, of something different 
688. A wife that is willing to sacrifice for the sake of my crazy dreams
689. Friends that understand
690. Colleagues that look out for one another
691. A heated committee meeting where difficult things are said, but offense isn't taken
692. Better days of prayer and an increased awareness of his presence
693. A friend's return to God
694. A son who dreams crazy dreams and actually works to make them happen
695. Dinner with church family, nearly half our age, that doesn't mind hanging out with old folks
696. Sitting outside for quiet time with a warm cup of coffee on brisk weekday mornings.
697. Sunshine when I wake up (instead of darkness)
698. Ab "workouts" with Sandy and Calli
699. The whole family laughing together
700. Friends willing to pray and offer wise counsel for us in the midst of big decisions

God Calling, Part 2

Ok, so God didn't really call me Tuesday night, and we didn't really have the conversation described in my last blog, God Calling. I did talk to God, though, mostly some complaining and venting and some repeated requests that I have been making for several months, but I didn't actually hear God respond to any of it. As far as conversations go, it was rather one-sided. That is basically how all of my prayers are - one-sided monologues where I spew out everything that God already knows. I'm not complaining, I'm just saying that is how it is. 

God Calling

God called me on the phone last night - not my cell phone (that would be weird), my spiritual phone (I was glad I turned the ringer on - I missed his call the day before because I had silenced phone during the church worship service). It was no big deal really, just one of our typical conversations.

"How's it going, Darrell?" 

"I'm doing fine, God. Thanks for asking." 

"Sorry you didn't win the final game in your NCAA basketball bracket!"

"That's ok - I had a pretty good run. I suppose your bracket turned out pretty good?"

The Lost Art of Silence

Blessings #643 to 673

643. Our home as a place of refuge for friends
644. The ability to make the occasional home repair despite my limited "handyman" abilities
645. A "random" contact for Colby with Partners International 
646. Emily and Kellie sitting with my mom on Sunday
647. Dumplings at Linda's