This past Sunday the church announced that my family and I will be moving to St. Louis in August to work with a church there. One thing I want everyone to know is how great of a church Lincolnway Christian Church is. I've been part of a lot of churches, and few have been as healthy and as spiritually rewarding of an experience as this one. The staff and the elders are an amazing group of people who truly care. Jeff is an amazing leader who is doing amazing things for God's kingdom in New Lenox. In the short two years I've been here, I've learned so much about leadership. Terrie has been a great friend and someone I enjoy spending time with. Sherry has been our family away from family. In my short period here they have taught me a lot about leadership and spiritual development. I'm forever grateful.
And to the students, I look forward to spending the rest of the summer with you and remembering the times that we've already spent together. Remember these times:
I had quite a relaxing fathers day. However, I can't say the same for my daughter.
My daughter is a very girly-girl. She wants to wear dresses all the time, and refuses to throw a ball without standing like a ballerina. With this personality comes a fear of bugs. She will do all she can to avoid bugs.
When we got home from church, she noticed a bug on our wall and asked me to get it down. It was up near the ceiling and I couldn't reach it, so I told her that we would just leave it. So she took matters into her own hand. She went into the kitchen and grabbed a broom. She then climbed onto the couch and in an attempt to swat it down. The closer she got to touching the bug, the more scared she became. Eventually her nerves got the best of her and she chickened out.
Being Father's Day, I wanted to show her what father's were all about. So I grabbed the broom and swatted at the moth. It fell to the ground and Ashlynn became more afraid. Now it was on her level. In an attempt to comfort her, I said,
"Don't worry! It's just like a brown butterfly. It won't hurt you."
I then lifted up my size 9 sandal, and stomped the life out of the bug. I saved the Father's day! Or so I thought.
This is what happened next:
After shooting the video, I wanted to make things better. So I went over to the moth carcass, planning on throwing it out the window. I thought if I threw it the right way, it would look like it was flying again. Maybe.
I leaned over to pinch one of its mangled wings. As I did, the moth looked me in the eye, got up and flew off, landing on the wall. Ashlynn saw this and thought I brought the moth back to life. She must think I'm amazing. But only I will know the truth. That being that I'm took weak to kill a bug.
Here she is with her revived friend:
Nobody ever says that she looks like me? Here's why:
Rachel to Ashlynn
If Ashlynn continues to look like Rachel, here's what she'll look like when she's about 12-14 years old:
Rachel to Ashlynn
If Ashlynn continues to look like Rachel, here's what she'll look like when she's about 12-14 years old:
Yesterday, as I sat down for a small lunch, my daughter said something that triggered a long discussion between her and me. She looked at the table and noticed that there were only two choices of food. Chicken nuggets and French fries. So she said, "Only two things!" She was right, this was a smaller lunch than normal.
One of the virtues we are trying to teach our daughter (did I mention I'm having another daughter??) is that we are blessed to live in America and have the things we have. Every Christmas we spend a good portion of time talking about how we need to give to others who aren't as fortunate as us. Then as a family we give. Also, every few months we go through her clothes and toys and talk about what we are going to give away to someone less fortunate.
I sensed it was time to have another discussion. I told her that after lunch we would be looking at some pictures on the computer. She was really excited. She really enjoys playing on the computer. So as soon as we finished our chicken nuggets and french fries, we sat at the computer.
I opened a file of pictures labeled "South Africa". A few years ago I had the opportunity to go there and be in a culture that was not as fortunate as the one I was used to. It was eye opening. Ashlynn and I looked through those pictures for about 30 minutes. With each picture we talked about how they didn't have a lot of the things we had. How some never heard of a Barbie, seen a DVD or colored on paper.
In her eyes I could see a sadness well up. She then said, "Daddy, I'm going to give them some of my Barbies and crayons."
As we looked at the pictures, I pointed out one important fact that many of us overlook when we talk about this issue. I told her,
"Look at their faces, Ashlynn. Do they look happy or sad? Happy right?! Even though they don't have your toys, they are still happy. What they really like is friends. You should be their friends."
As Americans we see people who don't have many possessions or the benefit of technology. And we think, "Those poor people" (as if technology and possessions determine if someone is rich or poor). So we send them a box of stuff. I'm all for helping people by giving them things, but I think we should send more friends than possessions. Be a friend first; take an interest. Then give. People tend to give just to alleviate guilt rather than to alleviate hunger and need. If you really want to help give of yourself AND your possessions.
I pray for two things for my daughters every day:
1. That they will make wise choices in life.
2. That they will use their lives helping less fortunate people.
Here are a few of the pictures that I showed her from my trip. I'm in all of them, can you find me?
___________________________________________________
I'm giving up on the previous blog idea. I realized that only the first hour of my day was interesting.
Also, do you want to find out how rich you are compared to everyone else in the world? Check out this website.
One of the virtues we are trying to teach our daughter (did I mention I'm having another daughter??) is that we are blessed to live in America and have the things we have. Every Christmas we spend a good portion of time talking about how we need to give to others who aren't as fortunate as us. Then as a family we give. Also, every few months we go through her clothes and toys and talk about what we are going to give away to someone less fortunate.
I sensed it was time to have another discussion. I told her that after lunch we would be looking at some pictures on the computer. She was really excited. She really enjoys playing on the computer. So as soon as we finished our chicken nuggets and french fries, we sat at the computer.
I opened a file of pictures labeled "South Africa". A few years ago I had the opportunity to go there and be in a culture that was not as fortunate as the one I was used to. It was eye opening. Ashlynn and I looked through those pictures for about 30 minutes. With each picture we talked about how they didn't have a lot of the things we had. How some never heard of a Barbie, seen a DVD or colored on paper.
In her eyes I could see a sadness well up. She then said, "Daddy, I'm going to give them some of my Barbies and crayons."
As we looked at the pictures, I pointed out one important fact that many of us overlook when we talk about this issue. I told her,
"Look at their faces, Ashlynn. Do they look happy or sad? Happy right?! Even though they don't have your toys, they are still happy. What they really like is friends. You should be their friends."
As Americans we see people who don't have many possessions or the benefit of technology. And we think, "Those poor people" (as if technology and possessions determine if someone is rich or poor). So we send them a box of stuff. I'm all for helping people by giving them things, but I think we should send more friends than possessions. Be a friend first; take an interest. Then give. People tend to give just to alleviate guilt rather than to alleviate hunger and need. If you really want to help give of yourself AND your possessions.
I pray for two things for my daughters every day:
1. That they will make wise choices in life.
2. That they will use their lives helping less fortunate people.
Here are a few of the pictures that I showed her from my trip. I'm in all of them, can you find me?
___________________________________________________
I'm giving up on the previous blog idea. I realized that only the first hour of my day was interesting.
Also, do you want to find out how rich you are compared to everyone else in the world? Check out this website.
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