Lydia Graduates: Magna Cum Honduras

With a degree in Mathematics, a minor in Bible and Spanish, Lydia rushed from graduation last Saturday, May 9th, for six weeks. Is she using her math degree? Nope. She’s using her God degree. Our Lydia is gifted in translating the gospel cross culturally. So, she’s using what God has given to her. This fall she goes back to Lee U. for her Masters. Will she be using her math degree? Nope. She’s using her passion for helping people to receive the first ever Lee U. Masters in Cross Cultural Counseling. Figuring out people’s problems is new math at its best!

We are all so proud of you Lydia Lea! And also for graduating Magna Cum Laude and Magna Cum Honduras!

Same as When She was Two

Since Lydia was born she has slept in unusual places. She’s fallen asleep behind sofas, on my back, in a backpack, in the back of a van, in her spaghetti, on the toilet (when we were potty training). She came home for Easter weekend and after an early rise at 6:00 a.m. to go to Starbucks by 7:15 and to set up the equipment for worship at Daniel Boone High School, I found her sleeping on the deck in our back yard. Some things never change!

Newsless in JC

Look on the left: A little warped but another way to "stay in touch."

Since February 3rd, 2009, I have not watched the news, tracked my favorite news websites or listened to the radio. I don’t own a TV. I have a My Yahoo top news story tracker, but that’s it. I’m free to listen to books on CD’s in my car, having finished fascintating novels and non-fiction. I’m wondering when Steven James’ novels will be put on CD?? The thought process is less cluttered. My imagination is more free. I’m not so worried or depressed.

But watching the weather? That’s another story. My family thinks I’m the weatherman. Every morning Ellen or Nathan asks: “What’s the weather going to be dad?” And I always know…

Remnants of a Boy

Just loving my kids, each with a unique gift to this world, I noticed the unique attempts, subconscious most likely, of my son to make us aware of his presence. He’s been making paper airplanes, or should I say, his big sister, Grace, is making them, and he’s flying them. He flies them and leaves them. If it wasn’t paper airplanes, it would be his army men. If not army men, then cars. If not cars, then his socks, or anything that would remind us he is part of us. I could get mad, or as I did the other day, I loved seeing him in my mind, reminded of his joy of living, and the pleasure in watching these planes soar, twirl or drop like a rock. I love these remnants of him left all over the house!

Here are some photos I took to help you see what I mean.

Girls in College

Rather than writing profound theology how’s about I just live it out? It’s all about grace. Grace is the one commodity the church has no one else can give out. Why are church people so stingy?

Lydia at her apartment playing cards.

So, about three years ago, our oldest, Lydia, goes off to college. a month into the experience, I’m pretty upset. She’s up till 2 and 3 am every night. She’s not studying as hard as I did. She’s playing games. After a difficult phone call where I challenged her about some of this, Rhonda and I prayed, I was grumpy, turned out the lights, and God said, “Tell Lydia you trust her. She’ll be fine. She’s going to be fine.” So, I did. I called back and said, “Lydia, I have three words for you, ‘I trust you!’” She burst into tears, relief and reconnection to her dad. That was grace. She’s doing great. What a testimony of grace she has for others, too.

Then, Gracie left for college a few weeks ago. Her college environment is a little more loose and free. It’s a small campus with not much to do. Other kids party. Chapel services are boring. I’ve learned from Lydia. Grace is going to do fine, but what a boy magnet! and what pressure to go out “clubbing.” She’s learned the difference between helpful and harmful, smart and stupid behavior

Grace and one of the girls she coached this summer.

We haven’t had to have the “I trust you” confrontation, but I’ve told her, “I trust you.” She’s growing up fast. A leader. An organizer and collector of kids who want to love God. Interesting. Grace at work.

Nathan

Everyone I meet is impressed with Nathan, our eleven year old. This doesn’t mean they are impressed by his ability to manipulate the Rubrik’s cube or do handstands. Something about him is intriguing, authentic and unspoiled. He connects with people. I’ve watched him hug older folks as though they are long lost grandparents. He is always smiling. He knows when he is wrong. He hates it when he’s caught. He swims hard in the pool. His muscles are ripped. His teachers know he’s focused, honest and dependable. He’s not a kid that hides in the corner or is irritating to their sensibilities. Nathan loves life. He wants to be liked. He’s impulsive and crazy, funny and well read. He surprises me when he wants to cook or mow the lawn.

Yet, school is a bi-polar subject. As I dropped him off on Tuesday, he saw a friend, Alex, going into school. As soon as his head left the car, he yelled out for Alex with a huge smile on his face. Alex turned and stopped, almost to the door. Nathan hurried to catch him. Alex best buddy. A comfort zone in the wild land of Middle School. Both had big backpacks and saxaphone cases in hand. I was corner dust, until Nathan looked in the car before slamming the door and yelled, “I love you dad!” Awesome! A piece of his heart is still with us.