What do I want my son to be?

Today Isaiah and I were "cooking" dinner (also known as picking up pizza). On the way there Isaiah asks me "Daddy, what am I going to be when I grow up?" Hmm...I thought about that for a while. Part of me wanted to tell him what he was going to be. But I didn't think that was fair. So while I was asking him what he wanted to be, of course I was thinking what do I want him to be. Do I want him to follow in the footsteps of his dad and grandfather and great grandfather? I don't know. I must admit, I am really impressed with the commitment level to Christ of the board members at the Lighthouse. I had a bunch of really super Christians at Bakerstown Alliance when I was the Pastor there. So honestly I am not sure what I want my son to be. As cheesy as it may sound, I want my son to follow God's leading. So it is my job as his father is to make sure that he is following God. After that? It is all up to God!

Going to the doctors...again

This past 7 days I have made 4 trips to the Doctors. I don't know if that is something to be proud of. Last Saturday it was Heather; Monday it was Samuel; Wednesday is was Isaiah; and tonight it was Heather again. I was thinking that it was my turn, but I decided to let Heather have another turn. Me personally, I am finally getting over a cold that I have had for about 2 weeks. Argh. I don't know what to say. I am thinking, hoping, and defiantly praying that everyone is on the upswing now. Hopefully soon we will have a healthy family again.

A great place to work

I had to leave work early yesterday because my son Samuel was having difficulty breathing and needed to go to Children's Hospital. I told a few people that I was leaving and why. Their response was amazing.
Everyone asking, "What is wrong," followed by, "We will be praying for Sam." One volunteer was doing some painting. Knowing that he was a man of prayer, I told him why I was leaving. I was fully expecting him to say something like "I will be praying for him." Nope. He said "Let's pray now." So he stopped painting and started praying. Love that guy. Love this place.
I don't how many calls, emails, texts, and people I got asking about Sam and offering to help. It it amazing to know that so many people care about me and my family.
I feel loved and supported. Thank you to all who prayed for Samuel, even though I will never know who or how many.

When you remember what is actually important in life

This morning I left for work at about 8 a.m. I had a meeting in the morning. Quick easy meeting, no problem. Then I believe I was having a discussion about budgets and cash flow situations (I know, you are so excited right now). Then I get a call. It is Heather. We had to take our little one to the Hospital. Samuel was not getting enough oxygen. Well at that point the discussion about budgets and cash flows ceased. I was in my car meeting up with my wife.
It is days like today you remember what actually is important in life. What actually matters. I guess that is the lesson I will take with me today.
After spending a long time in the hospital, we found out that the poor little guy has a little bit of pneumonia. Hopefully the medication will work, and he will be back to his normal little happy self soon.

My Relaxing Weekend?

I can not decide if it was a relaxing weekend or not. Let me see, and maybe you can help me decide. On Friday I rushed home with the Pizza (very important) and by the time we were done with dinner it was basically time to go to bed. So Friday was not that bad or anything. Then there was Saturday. I got a nice 5 hour date with my wife on Saturday. Or did I? It was 5 hours of Emergency Room fun (see Heather's blog for details). 5 hours of just me and Heather, but 5 hours in the Emergency Room. Then today was nice, other then Church and returning the monitor I did not have to do anything. Or is it that my 2 boys were coughing their heads off and were basically just miserable. On the other hand they did both go to sleep without problem tonight. Who knows. Off to bed.

How I know if I got my $$'s worth on my clothes

When I outgrow (or after I started running, under growing) my clothes I like to give them to someone that could use them. I feel that is just being a good steward of my property.
Now if it is a sizing issue, I don't mind getting rid of clothes. But then there is the other side.
That is the side where you get rid of clothes that still fit. Come on, you know what I am talking about. The ones where you buy them, take them home, and ask yourself "what was I thinking?". We all do that. When I have that happen, I kinda get upset at myself. I am just a frugal (ok, cheep) person. I feel like I am waisting my money.
What makes me kinda of proud (at least in a sick way) is the clothes that still fit, but are deemed unworthy to be worn and public and unworthy to pass along and head straight to the garbage. Ahh, then I know I got my money's worth!

The Guardian

I am sitting here watching a movie called "The Guardian." It is a good movie. Go get it on Net Flix. But the thing that is impressing me most is the talk what is the Coast Guard willing to do save someone. They are willing to whatever it takes to save someone. I just wonder if I have that same fight to do the things that God has called me to do. To rescue those who need rescued. I hope I do.

How I get rid of a cold

I am sick. It takes a lot for me to admit that but, I am. I have a huge sore throat. On top of that my whole body is aching. So at staff meeting today I shared my theory on how to get rid of a cold. Simple, exercise! I think you can get rid of a cold by some good old exercise. Being that I like to run, my method of exercise is running. Sound pretty easy huh? Now the rest of the staff thought I was crazy. I did go for a run today. And man did it feel great. Not to be gross, but I could feel some junk breaking up inside of me. After I was done I felt really good. Unfortunately now I feel bad again. Argh! Hopefully the other way Dan gets rid of a cold will work tonight. That would be the all famous NyQuil. That's some good stuff.
So what I would like to know from all of you is this: How do you get rid of a cold? What is your secret? Any suggestions?

The Economy and Families

As the economy was tanking, I knew certain things were going to happen at the Lighthouse. I anticipated more calls, more people needing help, and having to work even harder to find funding. Those things I expected. I was ready for them at least mentally.
But there was something that I was not prepared for: a number of marriages falling apart. I guess this was just an oversight on my part. The reason this is happening is when finances are not good, that puts a lot of stress on a marriage. That stress leads to marriages falling apart.
For example, about two weeks ago I was talking to a lady today who brought her car into our Wheels of Work program to be checked over. We looked at it, and the car was beyond repair. The cost to fix the car exceeded the value of the vehicle. I received a phone call from her today. She was wondering if we had a vehicle available. Unfortunately with new car sales down, the amount of people donating their old car is down as well. With less donated cars, we have less cars available. Because of this ordeal there was a lot of arguing and fighting, and now this couple is separated.
I am not sitting here blaming myself or anyone else. It is just a sad reality. I am hoping and praying for the family and the countless other families who are going/will be going through stuff like this. I will do my best to preserve the family.

Making life eaiser

Our microwave died today. I will admit it has been a good microwave. But after 17 years of existence, it quit. So we went to get a new one tonight. We found one that says it will grill/toast. Well that seemed exciting. We could replace our toaster oven and our microwave all in one fast swoop. Now the making toast in the microwave has not been going too well. We tried but we timed it and our old toaster oven takes 1 minute and 50 seconds to toast a piece of bread, and we have not been able to break the 4 minute mark with the microwave. Maybe we will try a few more things.
But that did get me thinking, why do we have a washer and dryer? Why can't we figure out how to do both in one unit? Doesn't that make sense? I mean we figured out how a dishwasher can wash and dry dishes. It is just a pain to go down in the basement to switch a load of laundry.
Hmm...why stop there. Don't you think it is a little ridiculous that there are ovens, microwaves, toasters, toaster ovens, convection ovens? Wouldn't it be great if they could just combine them all in one?
Sorry for the ramblings :)