Catching Up

We caught Adam catching a few extra Zzzz's on Saturday afternoon. He had his computer on his lap and was talking to Dawn, when all of a sudden, mid-sentence, he started to snore! I'm not gonna lie, it was pretty funny.

In his defense though, the poor guy was out all night helping with the youth group's lock in. He did manage to catch a couple hours of sleep while he was there, and miraculously, didn't even get pranked! You gotta admit, he is one brave guy.

Of course, whatever big brother does, little brother has to copy! Yes, Bear really sleeps like this. In fact, when you pet him, he rolls right over to let you get his belly. Strange dog fits right in with the rest of the strange family! Haha. (No comments necessary, Uncle Dan!)

Now that marching season has come to an end, my life will get back to some semblance of "normal" so it will be fun to be able to post entries more frequently again. It is nice to be able to share a little glimpse now and again of what is happening in our world and enjoy hearing what is going on in yours as well.

We are really looking forward to this week as we celebrate Thanksgiving - after all, we have a great deal to be thankful for! I pray that you too, will find reason to celebrate and give thanks to the Lord above for all that he has given you throughout this past year. Please feel free to reply to this posting with some of those things you are most thankful for this year! May God continue to richly bless you.

Two...

It was too late to get the luggage out last night, and looks like it will be too late again tonight - grrrrrrr. I really wanted to do that... just... well,... just because!

Today was a work day for us at school and due to all the help I had from students over the last couple weeks, I was able to get out of there at a decent time. It was still crazy though and took me about an hour longer than "dismissal" time, but it was one of the earliest departures on the last work day that I have had in my 17 years of teaching. If you are one of my kids that helped so much -THANKS! I really appreciate it.

Many people are wishing us well on the trip and looking forward to hearing all about it. Some are jealous and some still think we're crazy! We ran into a friend last night who recently retired, Arlene W., and when she asked what we were doing for the summer and we told her, she stopped dead in her tracks as her jaw went slack and her eyebrows raised, paused a moment, then wide-eyed, said, "I don't really know if I would call that a vacation."

At my "Bikers Bible Study" tonight, some of the guys still think it is a huge undertaking and that 300 miles a day is going to be too much. Time will tell! In the end, the Lord is in control and will direct our paths. If that means that we will get as far as Farmington, NM and will have seen the giant ball of twine and the geographical center of the U.S. (thanks Ellen!), will have visited Kim and Don, Mark and Margie, and Rick and Kim; then find that we simply don't have the stamina to continue - so be it. [But Mom, don't you dare pray that the Lord will make that come to pass - we really do want to make the full loop to the Pacific!]

You might laugh at that, but my Mom has been known to pray for stuff like that and she seems to have one of those inside lines that He listens too!

Anyway, our study focused on Psalm 23. It is a psalm that focuses on life, and life abundant; not on death as we so often associate it with. It is a psalm of trust in the Good Shepherd who gently leads us along life's pathway with his staff in hand protecting us from evil and ever watching over us. He knows just where to take us to find the rich green pastures and pure, fresh, calm waters that meet every one of our needs. We can be content in Him and there is no need to "want" anything. Of course, our humanness sneaks in and we begin to covet and want and desire - but He truly does meet our every need. He only calls us to do whatever we can - and in whatever we do, work at it with all our heart as if unto the Lord. Then trust and obey.

So the guys were wondering who was going to call them needing picked up from the airport first, Dawn or me. They know that Dawn wants to go on this trip just as much as I do so they are wondering if I will bail before she does. That is quite unlikely, cause the bike is a bit too big for Dawn to handle... [but then again, once she gets it rolling, I bet she could handle it so long as she never had to stop! Hmmmmm. I might be in trouble!]

Another conclusion they came to was that they now plan to travel the first 1000 miles with us so when we pull into the hotel and I step up to the counter, I can point over my shoulder and say, "they are with me - they're my network!" [you know, like the Verizon thing... okay, it was a lot funnier in real life!] Seriously, I am truly blessed to be surrounded by so many great guys whose desire is to serve the Lord by serving others - thanks guys for all you do!

So, the countdown to the Great Adventure continues - TWO days and a wake up! Can't hardly believe it!

Take some time and spend it with the one you love - it is sooooo worth it! And may God bless you, too!

Have We Met?

So... Dawn walks down to the church at the corner of our street to see what it is like and to see about enrolling the kids into the vacation bible school. We were determined that we were not going to join the first church we attended after moving to town - this time we would visit several churches before settling into one of them. You know, look for the right fit.


Sometimes our plans don't pan out like we think they will. As Dawn arrived they asked if she wanted to help teach one of the grade levels! When I came home from work that evening, she told me she would be helping teach in one of the classrooms for the week and I about fell over. They didn't even know her! What kind of church would do such a thing?!


As it turned out, everybody thought she was from one of the other churches in town and by the end of a wonderful week in vacation bible school with the kids, Dawn introduced me to several of the people she had met. It just felt like we had known them for a very long time. Well, we decided to go to the church service on Sunday morning and, well, so much for looking into several churches because we simply felt like we were "home". Did you ever have that feeling you have known someone for a very long time, and yet, you have just met? That was how it felt walking into our new church - well, it was new to us 17 years ago, that is.


Jackie experienced something like that recently, and in turn, Dawn and I did as well. It seems that a young Prince Charming has entered her life and she couldn't wait for us to meet this young man who had made a great impression on her. It was like they have known each other forever, and yet had just recently met. You know the feeling, you don't come across that every day, but when you do it feels great.


Well, we have had the pleasure of spending a few hours with Will, and it seems that we too, have known him for a long time. We found that we have much in common - family, faith, and interests. It is uncanny when such things happen but always a treat. We thoroughly enjoyed dinner as the four of us talked and laughed the evening away. It is always interesting to see where our pathways lead and who we come to know along the way.


May God continue to bless you, Will, in all you do!

C'mon Dad!

"Can't we put up the pool today? C'mon Dad! Please?!"

"Today Adam? I'm really busy and have a ton of work to do."

"Please, Dad? It won't take very long, will it?"

What a fun day that was. The kids couldn't wait to get the pool up. We had to get sand for a base, pull up the sod and level the spot. That meant putting everything else on the back burner for the day, but ohhhh, was it worth it! We worked together [well, maybe I did the work and they were prodding me on with the familiar, "Are we ready to put it up now?!" statements] all afternoon.

Our dog, Libby, and our neighbor, Missy, even got in on the fun. Three kids and a dog, jumping in and out of the trailer into the sand pile [the same sand pile that I was supposed to be spreading out as a base for the pool] squealing with joy, laughing and goofing around. It warmed my heart then as it does today remembering it.

By the end of the day, we did get the pool up, though it took most of the day to do so. But in the end we had a great time and made some memories that have lasted a lifetime. [it helped that Dawn video taped most of the action like we did for most of the kids lives! Couldn't help it, they were so cool!] That was a long time ago.

Anyway, when Adam came home today and asked to go for a ride - which I had been thinking about all day, and it was a beautiful sun shiny day - I unfortunately had to decline. After all, I had to get a load of wood in. Priorities are priorities, sorry. Come on Adam, there are only 3 weeks left before we leave on the Great Adventure and we have to bring in at least four more truck loads to be sure we can get through next winter! [In case you didn't already guess, we heat with wood]

"Dad, it's a great day for a ride!"

Of course, it wasn't too hard for him to talk me into it - he gave a few reasons why I should go and after a little prodding, I once again caved. The wood could wait. A short ride would still leave plenty of time to get a load of wood in and as Adam so aptly pointed out, Mom would be home from work when we get back so she could go with me and help with the wood. Sounded like a game plan that could work! After all, didn't I just write yesterday about taking some time to R&R once in a while?

The ride was a nice break. Our bikes rolling down the back roads, my son and I taking in the fresh air and open road - ohhh, what a nice break! We were gone for a little under an hour, but it was very refreshing. Thanks, Adam, great idea!

Tomorrow we go to pick Jackie up from college and I am really looking forward to seeing her again. We will pack her dorm room tomorrow and come home on Sunday (after she sings for graduation). So, Sunday the family will finally be back together again and that will be very nice. Hmmm... I wonder what the kids will get me into next... Sorry kids, no more pools!

The Beast

It had returned. Against all odds, the beast was once again on the prowl and this time it had entered the main encampment! The women and children were afraid for their lives and the old men knew there would be trouble, but the warrior was unshaken.



Knowing the nature of the beast and its very predictable patterns of behavior, the warrior made his plan to rid the tribe of the beast once and for all! With the ladies and children safely well out of reach of the frightful beast, the warrior put his plan of attack into action. In methodical confidence he set his trap and began the waiting game - the wicked beast is definitely a crafty foe and patience was the key to luring it into his snare.



The plan? Simple. Kill the beast!



As a diversion, the warrior takes his lady on a long journey ensuring both her safety and a sense of security to well up within the beast - it can surely sense the mighty warriors presence and would never come near the encampment with him still within its walls. The warrior and his lady take advantage of the journey, enjoying fellowship with tribal members living in faraway lands and they enjoy a fantastic feast of fatted bull and other spoils of the land. The time spent together is sweet, somewhat surreal, especially in light of the snare waiting to spring on the unsuspecting beast!



As the beast enters the encampment, with all of the occupants in safety, he unsuspectingly takes the bait and falls for the mighty warriors trap! In the blink of an eye the vicious beast can only see a brief flash of steel pass over its head. There is absolutely no time to react and the beast knows he has lost the epic battle for survival and then, everything goes black as life passes from his being in one last, slow exhale of breath.



With confidence in the snare he had set before their departure, the warrior returns with his lady, proudly allowing her the honor of finding the beast - that fearful pestilence that simply would not rest until it had struck its fear into the encampment.



As she peeks into the drawer where the trap had been laid, my lady, Dawn found the mouse in the trap, just as I, the mighty warrior, had planned! Ha! That little rascal will not bother my lady again!



I am sorry that I couldn't post a picture of the mouse beast, but I thought that would simply be over the top and too much for the young to view, it might even bring about nightmares. No instead, I will simply sign off with a mothers day wish for all who may read this entry...



Mothers, you are truly a gift from God above. Your depth of love and care for your children is never really understood by them; seldom appreciated for the work that you do and yet, you continue to shower them with blessings. You always want the best for them and fret over their welfare. You worry more about them than anything else in your life because they mean everything to you.



Only a mother can understand what it truly feels like to bring that little life into the bright world filled with promise and hope. But in the flash of a moment, time passes and the mother must let her child leave the safety of her home and fly off into a world which now seems full of danger and trouble. She is only left with a prayer. A very deep heartfelt prayer - and she waits.

The answer she longs for finally comes, "Fear not, for I am with you always. Trust in me." And so, she lets go and watches her precious one fly; she is flooded with emotions untold.



Thank you, mothers, for your continued prayers. Without them, we could never survive!

Dogs

Dogs are pretty special creatures, aren't they? This is Bear and he drives me crazy sometimes, but he is a good dog. He sheds all the time, has a licking problem and thinks he is a cat [you know, the way they walk all around and between your legs!]. It is fun to tease about finding him another home, but truth be told, I would never trade him off or give him away.

The e-mail about how special dogs are is going around again. You know the one - it says that we should be more like them because dogs do things like: When loved ones come home, always run to greet them; allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy; take naps; stretch before rising; and run, romp, and play daily. There were many more, but you get the idea.

Now, I don't know about you, but I'm glad that I was not born into the canine world, thank you very much. Humankind can greet each other with a hug, kiss or a simple handshake - I just don't think that I would be up to wagging my tail and sniffing your butt the next time I see you!

Hey Mom, Just For You

As I was out washing my bike today, I just couldn't help remembering my old Suzuki 125. I spent hours that day polishing it from front to back - was I ever excited. Chrome front and rear fenders, chrome luggage rack, chrome headlight housing, chrome heat shield on the exhaust... chrome, chrome, chrome! This little thing couldn't keep up with the bigger bikes I rode with but she sure did try hard!

Mom came home one day and asked if I would like to look at a motorcycle. Like, what, are you kidding me?! Would I even consider turning that one down? Not on your life! I had to ask what she was talking about, pinch myself really hard and get over my chin which had fallen onto the floor before getting out the word (yes, singular!), "Why?"

For all the work I had done on the farm that year, this would be my pay! You have got to be kidding me, right?!

We brought that little sweetheart home and I simply could not get over the fact that it was mine - all mine! Oh sure, I had a bike before this one - a little Rupp Scrambler that my brother and I rode into the ground! We bought the Rupp with money we earned putting in hay over a summer for a local farmer. But this, this Suzuki was a real machine! And oh, was she ever a looker. I just couldn't help but polish it up - ahhemmm - well, that one time anyhow.

After that, it wasn't long before it was packed with mud from front to back and the chrome pieces started coming off [I honestly don't know whether they fell off due to rough abuse or I took them off so it would look more like a race bike; either way I really rode it hard!].

Mom, you always have a way of catching me at my best moments and encouraging them. You have had, and continue to have a way of finding the best in me and most everyone you come in contact with - for that I will always be grateful. That first bike had me puffed up like a peacock with pride and it was all because you knew my heart and my desires and always looked for ways to make special things happen!

Well, that was me then and I thought you would like to see me now... not much has really changed after all, has it? Now there is a little less hair and an entire lifetime of other sweet memories sandwiched in between like the best Oreo cookie in the world! I will always praise God for the blessings he has showered me with through you! Thanks!

Way to Go Kiddo!

Hey Jackie, way to go on all of your finals! Now it is out on tour for my princess.

I can't help but remember all those HUGE hugs from my little girl that were so often accompanied by the butterfly kisses, and of course the sincere, "I love you Daddy," as she looked so intently into my eyes with her hands cupping my face. Then just as quickly, we were skipping along, hand in hand, swinging our arms, laughing and giggling, "Hurry up, Daddy, hurry up! The water's perfect!" You just couldn't wait to jump in and you always had to splash me, squealing with joy as I gave an exaggerated shiver and asked, "Hey, are you trying to freeze me or something?!" It thoroughly warmed my heart to see you having so much fun.

Then you would yell, "Come on, Mom! What are you waiting for? Aren't you coming in?"

"That's alright," she would say, "I think I'll sit here on the beach and just watch you guys for a while." Her smile would reveal a true contentment in watching her baby girl simply enjoying life.

As the sun went down, we would gather around the campfire and listen to our girl chatter away about all the exciting things she had experienced during the day. Of course, we could never forget the somemores! My little princess always thought the best somemore was chased down with a couple of the Hershey bars right out of the wrapper!

Many years have come and gone, as have countless campfires and somemores, but there is one thing we will never grow tired of - the joyful chatter of our girl! Jackie, you have a way of jumping into life with a joy and excitement that few others can appreciate and it is thoroughly refreshing for those of us who get to share in it with you.

We love you, kid, and are so very proud of all you have accomplished. One year down, only three to go! Sing well and enjoy the tour along with all that the Lord brings your way - I know He takes great joy in you!

Safety First!

If you did not get a chance to read our last posting, you really need to do that to more fully understand and appreciate this one. So...

Jackie! You simply cannot believe what we found for you! As we were out preparing our butts for the Great Adventure, we came across this jewel! Definitely a safe ride - it seems like it would be safe as a tank! It even has plenty of room to get all of your junk... [I mean], stuff down to college with you. BONUS!

What do you think, kiddo?! I bet we could even get it for a good deal. Do you want us to look into it? Of course, you need to let us know right away because I bet this beauty won't be around for long!

We were able to get about five hours in the saddle today. First, we had to check on the car and make some decisions on how we should proceed. It looks like it will be totalled. The front clip is busted up and pushed back far enough that the doors both catch when you try to open them. The drivers door is bent all up and the window is busted out. The bumper cover is destroyed and the rear end has some damage as well [the car's rear end, not ours - the new saddle is great!]. But, all things considered - Oldsmobile, you make one tough car!

Next, we traveled a couple hours to one of the large motorcycle shops in the area to look at some new gear for the trip. We are pretty cheap though, so we didn't buy anything. Wednesday we will go out and pick up some gear that we have finally decided buy - a couple new helmets and a new headset. I know... BLAH BLAH BLAH... boring! But you should try to get a couple extra bucks out of my wife - no easy task, I can assure you of that!

The good stuff was actually all the secondary roads we traveled and the time spent together. There is a tremendous beauty that surrounds us every day and we cannot ever take that for granted! We tend to take too much for granted - family, friends, blessings, creation - you know, stuff! Most of all, we tend to forget about how special our spouse is and how much they bring to our lives.

Dawn and I cherish our time together and can never get enough of it... all because of that crazy calendar with all the little squares filled with scribbles that equate to meetings, appointments and obligations which seem to be a requirement of the 21st century. You know, I lost my day planner [which my kids have affectionately named, "Your Life, Dad!"] last summer and thought my life was over! (no pun intended, haha) That was the first appointment calendar I have ever lost and I can assure you, it already had the next 12 months planned out. Now that was scary! But, you know, I actually survived the ordeal. Hmmm... is that further evidence that there is life after death? Get it? Life after death? Ahhh... never mind.

Well Jackie, make the time to study for finals - schedule it in if you must. Remember to trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him and he will make your paths straight.

By the way, we really like that car! What do you think?

And for all who may be reading this... remember to proceed with caution! The curves can really get you! Take the time to spend with those who are close to you cause you never know...

A Curve In The Road

Did you ever notice how, every once in a while, life throws an unexpected curve at us? You know, you are just driving along and BAM, there it is!

Well, we had one of those experiences yesterday. Dawn and I got home a little after 11:00pm from visiting her parents (who live an hour away from us), just started settling in for the evening - you know, take care of the dog, brush the teeth, and so on - when the phone starts ringing.

Now just a little background on the day. Jackie is out with a friend. Adam is in Pittsburgh at a Red concert (Red is a hot new band with three members who are good friends of ours). Dawn's mother is suffering from degenerating health diseases, and we have three aging grandmothers. So a call after eleven really messes with the mind! Dawn reluctantly answered the phone with so many possibilities running through her mind. I was wondering if Jackie was in trouble, or if Dawn's mother suddenly took a turn for the worse, or maybe it was Adam in trouble.

Dawn began pacing, then headed for the stairs. I could tell by the pace of the conversation that there was trouble - it was Adam... he was okay... "Mom, everyone is okay, but I don't think the car is gonna be drivable anymore."

Now the mind goes into high gear and begins covering all the bases. What happened? How did it happen? How is the other driver? Did you call 911? Etc., etc., etc.!!!!

We find out they are about an hour and a half south of our house on the highway, and yes everyone is okay. The other car is in the median and the police are on the way. "Don't worry, I am on my way. I will be there as soon as I can! Hang tight and call me on the cell if anything changes."

Dawn starts praying and thanking God for, once again, watching over our children and their friends.
I jump in the truck and head down the road. I thank the Lord over and over for keeping them safe - after all when traveling down the road at 11:00pm going 65mph and getting run off the highway by another vehicle into a guiderail [I have a friend who works at PennDOT who emphatically pointed out that they are NOT called guardrails - go figure] anyway - when you hit the guiderail at that point and spin 180 degrees, hit the guiderail again, spin another 180 degrees and end up in the middle of the highway with four people in the car and the other car doing the same... you kind of expect more to happen than a couple of bumps and bruises. Well, literally, there were three bruises - Adam bruised a toe, Patrick and Christine one ear each (from bouncing off of their side windows) and Matt - who happened to be driving planned it just right and ended up without a mark! [I know, Matt, I know - this was certainly unplanned!]

One never plans for something like this, it just happens. It is a curve in the road that we cannot see around. What is just around the bend is out of sight for us. We don't know what is there. We assume the road is clear. We slow to ensure that we can negotiate whatever might be there, but in the end we simply cannot see the whole picture. As it happened, on this curve, Matt was rolling along at the speed limit of 65mph. The other driver was upset and traveling in the passing lane - much faster than Matt I might add - when she received a phone call. As she began looking for her cell phone in the dark her attention was drawn away from the road and she failed to negotiate the curve in the road just as she was passing the kids [haha, kids, they are all in their 20's and 30's!]. Matt said it was like a perfect police maneuver, she pushed their front end right into the guiderail and the rest is history!

So beyond the obvious thoughts of safety, what could we possibly be thankful for? Well, for various reasons the kids asked to borrow our car for the trip which proved to be extremely safe - much safer than any of their much smaller cars. Christine had an opportunity to pray with and try to console the other driver - a very different experience than most drivers would have after pushing another vehicle into a guiderail. Another blessing is that we have a couple other cars to rely on while this is straightened out - each of the kids are depending on one vehicle each. Perhaps one of the biggest blessings is that some basic safety practices were reinforced - WEAR YOUR SEAT BELTS AND DON'T BE DISTRACTED FROM THE ROAD BY YOUR CELL PHONE!

On the way home, as we all talked about the evening then moved beyond the shock of it all we had opportunity to laugh at Adam and Matt's comedy routine [these guys are really funny when you get them together]. As I was pondering Adam's bruised toe, the memory of playing, "This Piggy Went to Market," with his toes when he was just a tiny little guy and experiencing the joy of his inevitable laugh as the last little piggy went, "weeee, all the way home!" welled up in my heart and I was truly thankful that the memories we will make together will continue.

There will come a day when we will rejoice as we enter into The Kingdom, but this day is not Adam's or the kids. Of course, I couldn't let the moment pass without a small jibe, "Adam, the angels in heaven are rejoicing because you did not end up "going home" tonight to bother them!" Haha... just kiddin' ya Adam, just kiddin'!

Jackie's comment to her brother... "What? You wrecked my car? Thanks a lot Adam!" Of course, she was just having some fun with her brother... or was she?!

Stay tuned Jackie, we may have found something for you!