A Halloween Tradition We Will Miss...

Kate Smith just recently passed away, on September 14.  She will be missed - and she will always be treasured by our family...

Kate was the wonderful lady that took care of all four of our kids when they were infants up until they started going to school full time.  There are many great stories about Kate over roughly the decade that she spent pouring into our kids and into our family - but for now just two quick ones:  How we met her and our Halloween visits.

1)  When Josh was a baby, we were able to find a lady that could provide day-care for him when Martha had to go back to work.  But within a few weeks she abruptly had to change her plans - and gave us a few days notice that we had to find someone else.  Yikes!  I remember making many, many phone calls trying to find another day-care provider, only to be told that all spots were basically full.  I was put on a few waiting lists, but I was NOT hopeful that I could find a place for our 2-month-old Josh.

A Residency partner of Martha's told us about a neighbor lady of hers that had taken care of her baby boy.  We could call her - it was worth a shot - so Martha did.

Martha got on the phone with a Kathleen Smith - and the conversation went something like this:  "Hmmm - yes I could take care of your son - but I must say I will have two very strict conditions."  Martha gulped.  Kate went on:  "The first, is that you will have to let me spoil him" (Martha smiled and was OK with that one), "and the second, is that if you are late picking him up on Wednesdays, he's coming to Church with me!"  Martha laughed out loud!  "No problem - no problem at all!", was Martha's reply.

We knew we had found a gem - and she certainly turned out to be one - in so many ways!!!

2)  The second quick "Kate Story" is really more of a Tradition - one that we will deeply miss:  Every Halloween we would pile all the kids into the van and head to her place - so that she and her husband "Bud" (also a great human being - real name: Everett) could get the first view of the kids in their full Halloween Costumes before trick-or-treating later that evening.  We always looked forward to going over to "Kate-Bud's House".  She had candy, of course - but more importantly, she always had a warm and welcoming heart for all of us.  We would chat and hang out in their living room for the better part of an hour before heading back to our neighborhood.  She sure loved our kids.  She was very much another "grandma" to them.  And we sure considered HER as family...

Time keeps marching on...  Old Seasons pass...  Lessons are learned...  New Seasons are ushered in...

This is really the first person my kids have been close to that they have lost to death.  As it is so often, it's a deeply "Happy/Sad" experience.  We are so happy to have known Kate - yet so sad to not have her around - yet so happy that she is with her Savior, Jesus - yet sad that Bud has lost his wife - yet happy to recall wonderful memories - yet sad we won't see Kate this Halloween...

During this time of the year, we will always remember and cherish you, Kate.  Rest In Peace.  We know you do - because we know you Rest In Christ...

Cheering A Baseball Classic

First of all:  I am a Baseball Fan

Second:  I am a Chicago Cubs Fan

Thirdly:  Because of #2, I should not be cheering for the Cardinals, right?

Regardless, it was hard not to cheer wildly last night.  What a GAME!!

The Cardinals became the first team in World Series history to come back - twice - from 2 run deficits in the 9th and 10th inning - to then pull out a win a most dramatic Game 6!

World Series/Game 6 excitement has some pretty historic company - just in my lifetime alone:

-Carlton Fisk, the Red Sox catcher, "waving" his fly ball into fair territory for a winning homer against the Reds in 1975.
-Bill Buckner, also with the Red Sox (and an ex-Cub) letting a ground ball go through his legs against the Mets in '86.
-(*See Edit below)  Kirk Gibson fist pumping his injured body around the bases after hitting a game winning homer - in his only WS plate appearance - for the Dodgers against Hall of Fame pitcher Dennis Eckersley in '88.  (One of my personal favorite baseball moments of all time!)
-Joe Carter (an ex-Cub too) also hitting a walk off home run for the Blue Jays - but this time, to win the '93 World Series.

-And now:  Cardinal David Freese - a St. Louis native - majestically jacking a ball high and deep into the October late-night sky - to see it soar over the center field fence - to tie the 2011 World Series at 3 games even against the Texas Rangers.

Ohboy-ohboy-ohboy-ohboy-OHBOY!!!!!!!!!

No - I am not a St. Louis Cardinal Fan.

BUT - Man, I AM CHEERING --->

-For many people I know who are first my good FRIENDS - as well as Cardinal Fans.  I genuinely am happy for them!
-For my in-laws (they are here visiting us from MO!) who stayed up WAY past their bed time to watch the end of the game downstairs.  They still remember the golden Stan Musial era - and when Harry Carey was a Red-Bird broadcaster.
-For my brother-in-law Kraig - who was AT THE GAME - and had BEHIND HOME PLATE TICKETS!!!!!  (My goodness!! -- I just got light headed writing down this sentence!!!)
-For the Grand Old Game of Baseball - it will do her good to have the first Game 7 in almost a decade.
-For the FUN that it was to banter back and forth during the game and after on Facebook and literally dozens of texts!!
-For the simple boyhood sense of magic that still lives on in my 47 year old soul around a sport that can still capture my imagination and delight my senses - and THRILL me to the very core!!

Yup - I'm a little tired today.  This Great World Series Game 6 Episode ended way past my bed-time too - and I had to be at a Bible study at 6:15 this morning.

I can catch up on the sleep - eventually.  If you stayed up last night - you will too...

But - It would've been impossible to catch up on the EXCITEMENT that was a part of an unbelievable an improbable Game 6 - that I am SO thankful I stayed up to experience...!

(*Edit:  Ooops!!  My cousin Tim - an even bigger baseball fan - has corrected the error that Gibson's homer was in Game 1 of the '88 WS.  Thx for the catch, Tim - but it sure FELT like a Game 6 - LOL!  It still is an awesome moment - I was jumping all around my apartment like a nut-case - with the neighbors wondering what the honk was going on!!)

Lunch With Rob

Just had lunch earlier today with my ol' friend Rob.  He is someone I met during my first few weeks in Cedar Falls - when I first moved here way back in Oct. of 1987.

What a gift to still be good pals after all these years.  There is something to be said about still being in contact with someone that has known you for a long, long time.  Rob knew me when I still had some hair - and I knew him when he was sporting a mighty sharp mullet!!  (Sorry Rob!)

We had a nice lunch at Maid-Rite.  We had a free and easy discussion around our busy schedules, our children, the Chicago Cubs - and what cars we'd still like to buy if we ever had enough $$ to do so!

I walked away from our brief lunch together feeling very encouraged.  As I headed to my mini-van to go home to let the dog out before going back to the office, I noticed my face was smiling.  I simply enjoyed the wave of gratitude I was feeling for his friendship and presence in my life.  You can't fake years.  And I don't think I could really fake anything around Rob - he's known me far too long...

How about you?  Do you have an old pal - a friend that has been one for all or most of your life?  How about setting up a lunch, or making a phone call, or writing a note, or sending a text - just to keep that friendship bridge steady and sturdy.

Don't forget to pray for them.  And don't take them for granted - that is so easy to do.  Some of us are aware that we are blessed with the gift of deep friendship that others never get to experience in their lifetimes...

Rob - I hope you see this post.  Thx for being a great, great friend - for a looooong time now...  I'm glad we have some good stories to share and tell.  God bless you...

Wanting What Is B.E.S.T.

Saw this today and I liked it...  (Goes well with a previous post from a few days ago!)

You and I are called to be in places and in relationships where we are asked to help bring out the BEST in others. Maybe you are a parent, or a boss, or a teammate or a co-worker, or a teacher...

God has a plan to help people discover abundant life - and YOU are a part of that plan in the lives of people you know and care for...

How about using the following acronym when you hope to bring out what is B.E.S.T. in someone else:

          B - BELIEVE in them

          E - ENCOURAGE them

          S - SHARE with them

          T - TRUST them

How could this not benefit everyone??  People are are led toward growth and maturity when they are nurtured.  Who wouldn't feel more secure and motivated and responsive if someone intentionally  believed, encouraged, shared and trusted them?

If you are looking for a simple foundation on which to begin a relationship or improve an existing one, go out of your way to give your B.E.S.T. to them...

A Soccer Dad on "Healing": A Lopsided Approach?

Josh played in the State Soccer Tournament in Des Moines over the weekend with the Cedar Valley Select Team that he is on.  They played two games before being eliminated.  They won on Saturday 2-1, in very exciting double over-time.  (They played most of that game down a player!)  Sunday they lost in regulation - with a full squad.  And they lost - by a lot - something like 0-10.  The team they played was very, very good!

Two things happened to Josh:  

1) He got pummeled physically - bad enough that he had to come out of both games.  -- The first game he got a “nerve stinger” after diving for a ball - and was not able to keep playing.  He needed medical clearance (from someone other than his physician mother) to be able to play again on Sun.  And in that game he got his foot stomped on to the point where he couldn't walk straight - and again had to leave the playing field.

2) As a goalkeeper - he got pummeled at his position.  If you follow soccer at all, if you are down by 2-3 goals, that means the margin of defeat is pretty significant.  Losing in a double-digit shut-out?  That hurts too.  Uggh...

I gotta say it:  As his Dad watching from the sidelines - BOTH "beatings" were hard on ME too.  You think I'd be MORE worried about how his body got banged up, right?  But the goalie shellacking he was taking "under the posts" was not much fun to watch either...

 

**Big Sigh**  (Of the "Soccer Dad" kind...)

I have been reflecting about the weekend all morning...  

I am finding that a prayer has been emerging around both "health" scenarios - and my son Josh...  

Yes - I know he can get hurt physically.  Anyone that is involved in athletics might have to deal at some point with broken bones, concussions, sprains, etc.,  It comes with the territory.  I get that.  I played soccer myself for two years in college - and I remember playing with a slightly fractured big toe and trying to "outsmart" a quad strain.  

But I also know he can get hurt beyond the body - in his soul.  Scars can linger from bad emotional experiences in the athletic world that can also potentially "cripple" a young athlete - sometimes for life.  How many of us can cringe and groan - right now in this very moment - over a blunder, a shameful sports blooper or a bad performance of ours from several years ago?

I think my "Soccer Dad A-Ha Moment!" this Monday morning is that a healing perspective is often needed - in both areas.  But isn't this tricky?  A broken bone is much easier to diagnose than a broken spirit.

I feel led to PRAY this:  That I might be the kind of Dad that can truly pay attention to healing that my children might need - in BOTH the body and the heart. 

Have you ever been a "lopsided" parent?  Maybe you've been the loud "just suck it up!" parent - or the overly worried "they are playing so rough!" parent.  Or worse - you haven't noticed ANY need for stepping in with your care and encouragement.  Whatever the case - I invite you - if you are a parent - to seek a more invested AND balanced approach toward the well-being of your children.

But remember:  If any healing is needed - it's not about focusing on YOUR physical or emotional issues here.  Tell me THAT doesn't happen, huh??  Pay attention to the needs of your kids.  Your needs can be focused on too - but at another time, please...

I should wrap this up:

No doubt, Josh was banged up in both areas - but God made it easy for us last night.  I marvel at how He seems to arrange all real healing...   

Not by "accident" - Josh had a "Fan Club" yesterday!  Myself, Martha, Joel, Grandma Sally and his girlfriend, McKenzie - we all came down to watch him play in Des Moines.   

This was NOT my idea - I think it was his little brother that suggested the following:  Instead of driving straight home, we went to Hickory Park Restaurant in Ames after the blow out game - and together we had a great meal and some ice cream.  We all sat together and chatted and ate in a big noisy booth...  

Yup - I noticed he was still limping a bit to and from the restaurant - but less so than before.  I also noticed the relaxed smile and demeanor Josh had after his big chicken and ribs dinner and caramel apple sundae.  It gave me an impression that I am able to translate just now - a day later:  

He's going to be fine.  He's healing up in both...

An Encouraging 5K Morning!

My son Joel and I just ran a 5K race this morning:  The Grant Wheeler Faith 5K.  I believe it was the 10th Annual running of this memorial event.  It was a perfect morning to run!!

Grant Wheeler was a young husband and father that was killed in a tragic car accident.  He lived his life in such a way that two of the most important things in his life - running and his faith in Christ - are STILL being celebrated a decade after his passing.  Apparently he also was a top notch and enthusiastic encourager...

I have recently discovered running.  It is so much more than a sport.  It is a culture.  I have actually found it to be a counter-culture!!  In a world so filled with discouragement and giving up and settling for not giving or being your best - running has given me glimpses of how individual and community effort are supposed to click and work together.  And encouragement is at the very heart of the running community...

I will be writing quite a bit about running in future entries - but for now I just wanted to share that is was a fantastic morning to run:  with my son, with a few good friends, with 250+ other runners, with people cheering you on - with a mission to remember and honor the memory and life of Grant Wheeler...

I felt so encouraged this morning - and maybe because of this -- I ran a personal best!!

Thanks, Grant.  Your encouragement lives on...

"2-4-6-8 / What Do YOU Appreciate?"

The Tommy Emmanuel song on Pandora that stopped me in my tracks that day in my office was: "Those Who Wait".  Here it is below.  It was the last song he played at that first show Martha and I went to in Aurora, IL in Feb of '09.  It is one of the two complete tunes that I recorded that evening.  (Not sure I was supposed to do that - but I did!)  (Actually, Tommy said he was thankful for what Youtube and Facebook are doing for artists across the world!)  Along with "Angelina", they were my favorite pieces of his at the time.  And he closed his concert - with those two songs!!

I PROMISE that Tommy will NOT be the only thing I write about on this blog!  ;0)  I thought I would upload these videos just to share - so that you might enjoy them too.

I have a question for you to ponder:  Is there a "milestone" you can identify in your life - a moment, an experience, a task, a trip, a relationship, a book, a child, a song, an encounter, a challenge, a conference, a word, etc. - that was a doorway to something "powerful and new" in your life that you find yourself appreciating today?

Encountering Tommy Emmanuel - the man and his music - opened a fresh season of appreciation for me toward creativity, craftsmanship and art.

How about you?

Maybe briefly share such a milestone here in the comments section below?  I'd appreciate that.  And I will celebrate with you what you have learned and are probably still learning...

This blog will be a LOT more fun if it's more than just me writing...!

So here is YOUR "cue"(Q.) to join in the fun...

"Wanting what is BEST for others by always GIVING your best."

Just to get things rolling - gotta put a Tommy Emmanuel video on here!

I discovered this guy as I was listening to Pandora.com in my office about three years ago.  I had an acoustic guitar "channel" on in the background as I was working - and then a song played that just stopped me in my tracks!  There was a "No way!  That's beautiful..." moment - and I went to my screen to look at who the artist was - and the name was Tommy Emmanuel.  I haven't been the same since...

There is no doubt I will be sharing quite a bit of Tommy and his music on here.  It was the first time in a long time that an ARTIST and his ART managed to soak its way past my all-too-cluttered senses to reach me in a way that I was moved.  Changed.  Altered.

I had forgotten that good art has the ability to scramble your DNA and leave you completely re-arranged.  And a good artist  has a transcendent gift that can deliver that moment of transformation - even through the internet.  There is no doubt for me that God designed it to BE this way:  Truth is captured through art in a way that is powerful and unique, as it is wonderful...

As an aspiring musician myself, I have always been convinced that there are few things more incredible than a good song - but it had been awhile since I had been on the receiving end of that impact.

This is a song that I got to see Tommy play live about 2 1/2 years ago.  It is called "Angelina".  (This is my concert recording from the front row seats that Martha and I had!)  He has said that it is probably his most "universal' song - meaning it's usually his most requested tune - and the one that seems to consistently touch the most people.  It was written for his daughter.  Hmmm....

There is a line in the intro where he says, "If I had one message that I wanted to give her, it would have to be in this song.  And then I started wondering if this is how God feels about me, and you, and everybody else on the planet.  Here is a Daddy's perspective..."

I believe a Daddy's perspective is deeply wanting what is BEST for his children.  But a good Father not only wants what is best - he GIVES HIS BEST.  Tommy tours roughly 320 days a year - or so he told us.  He has all kinds of time consuming engagements when he is on the road - workshops, meet-and-greets, CD signings - and shows.  And yet - he says that he still practices about 5-7 hours - daily!!  What!?  He is still practicing and perfecting songs he has been playing for years...?  He is arguably one of the best guitarists in the world - and he still practices that much??  Wow...

Tommy not only has a gift -  he is a a good steward of his gift!  He said that evening:  "And you know why I practice so much?  Because I am thankful for what happens in YOU when I get to play for you..."

Well - I am thankful for what happens to ME when I am on the receiving end of his craft and his art...

By the way.  You have a gift.  Just like Tommy.  And it's just as powerful as his.  God is an artist - he crafted and created each one of us.  Because we are created in His image - you ARE an artist too!  You HAVE a craft.  Let that sink in.  Maybe you teach, or you fix things, or you listen well, or you design tractors, or you work a cash register...  God has given you a means to change and re-arrange people at the very core - for the best....

I have learned much from Tommy and the way that he continues to claim and polish his gift.  He is SO generous with what he has been given.  I am amazed at how he does not let it sit idle on the couch - even after close to 5 decades of playing.  I am struck by how hard he still works at it - and also by how he gives it away so freely...

"Wanting what is BEST for others by always GIVING your best."

What an efficiently short and simple statement.  Tommy's still teaching me this - every time I hear a track of his or watch another youtube video or hear another interview or read another article.  I can see how he translates these words to his instrument, but more importantly how he really lives them with his life...

I don't know about you, but these words have the power to take me quite a good ways down a road that I know I REALLY want to be traveling on...

It's Time...

It's time.

I need to start writing some things down.  Especially now.  There are just too many rich and deep blessings that would be "lost" if they didn't get written down somewhere...

So - This will be my attempt to record, recollect and reflect on some slices of life and pebbles of learning along the Way.

I look forward to what I might learn as the road continues to inch longer and longer into what I am convinced is God's perfect timing for me - and for the people and places I love.

I hope I have the courage to be real.  I hope I have the wisdom and discernment to write what needs to be said - not what I think someone else wants to hear.

Most importantly - I hope I never stop being amazed by what happens when human beings humbly seek to Love God, Serve Others in Christ - and Live and Enjoy Life to the Full.

Thanks for taking a peek...