elpis3's Xanga

Moving

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 15:30:40 GMT

The (R)evolution of Robert

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:57:06 GMT

It's been a week now, and I'm no less convicted, no less convinced that God spoke, and no more concerned about the future.

Perhaps I should back up. Holly and I went to a Student Leadership Conference last Monday and Tuesday put on by StudentLife. It was called Refuge. I knew it would be quality and that I would be challenged, but didn't realize that I would literally be sitting in a room full of people and feel the breath of God deep in my spirit. Tuesday night David Platt spoke on 2 spiritual musts for leadership. They are: 1) an unwavering confidence in the Gospel, and 2) an unwavering commitment to the Mission.

I fell under deep conviction. Deeper than I can remember previously in my life. I have been maintaining comfort while making it appear that I am stepping out, but my faith is small. My trust is small. My love is small, because (and probably directly proportional to) my view of God is small. Holly and I were left answering this question: "If we had no concerns in life (i.e. a mortgage, a car payment, no kids, no ministry, etc.), what would we attempt for God?" The answers started pouring out, and it was clear that we should pursue those things and trust in God to take care of the concerns. That night we began a prayer ledger with specific concrete things that we believe, even expect God to do, and He has already shown us His provision in this time of committing ourselves to His Gospel and His Mission. There is a sense of excitement, and intrigue to see God bring these things about in our life. How long will it take? How will He make it happen? Where will we go? What will we get to be a part of? Time will tell. My place in all of this is to STAY FOCUSED! I should remain with my convictions, remembering when God spoke, and without a passing thought to the needs of tomorrow. He will take care of all of that if I keep the important things...important.

Changes

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:52:17 GMT

This morning Trey brought a book into the bathroom, handed it to me, and sat down. As if to say, "Yes, it's time for you to read this to me." It was so sweet. The thought ran through my mind as I looked at him, my eyes filling with tears, that in just a few weeks he won't be our only child. He will be a competitor for time and attention with little sister. It's been so awesome playing together, laughing together, and learning together. I will miss it being the three of us. Don't get me wrong, I long to hold Claire Kate in my arms, and have a "Daddy's Girl." I can't wait to see her smile, or watch her grow. It will just be different.

I had similar thoughts before Trey was born. I loved the existence Holly and I had. It was awesome going through life together without the responsibility of caring for a child. As great as it was, I would never want to go back. I suppose this is just a time of mourning loss and attaining a new way of life. Only now, I'm not just thinking about me, but the "Wild Man" too. He has no idea what is about to take place. I think it's quite humorous actually. I expect Baby Girl will rock his world.

These changes are great! I welcome them, but I will miss what has been, understanding that on the other side that I will never want to go back to "the way it was" before Claire Kate.

The Armoire of Death Part II (The Defeat)

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 02:50:17 GMT

For Part I, click here.. They just wouldn't let sleeping dogs lie. Holly had taken my advice and put the large, white beast on craigslist. Oddly enough, not only was it too big for our house, but too big for every house of every person interested in it. Holly's Dad said, "I want to try it one more way." The mere thought nauseated me, but knowing that no one would be happy until they held the weight, shifting to and fro unable to move through the doorway, all the while sweat dripping and swear words gurgling in their throats, I said, "Go for it." He unveiled the masterful plan, and I must be honest with you, I had my doubts. I watched with little faith as they removed the crown molding, and began to slide the monster down the hallway. It didn't fit. In my mind I laughed an obnoxious "I told you so" laugh. Then the words that brought the beast to it's knees. "I think if I shave half an inch off of all the legs, it will go in." "What?!?!" I thought, "You can't be serious." He was, and he did. Just then a glimmer of golden sunshine beamed in through the window. They eased it into the hallway closet, tilting it ever so slightly as they went. They cleared the door facing of the room, and like it was made with the entrance dimensions in mind, the armoire slid perfectly into the room. It now sits beautifully in the baby's room, and will soon hold Baby Girl's clothes. It doesn't look very large now. Perhaps its prideful, swelling chest has been deflated. That's what happens when you mess with me...I mean, Holly's Dad.

Vomit Pants and the Hydrant

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 20:45:19 GMT

Me and Holly went to Atlanta last weekend for our 5th Anniversary. Yay for us! We've wanted to return there for several years now to visit the Aquarium, and when the opportunity presented itself, we jumped.

Our Hotel was only a block from the MARTA so we parked our car for the entire weekend and went all over the city on the train. It was about a 22 minute ride to Peachtree Street where we would exit for the Aquarium. Then we walked for about 10 - 15 minutes through Centennial Park to the Aquarium. Holly and I strolled hand in hand enjoying the nice weather and the beautiful city view. In our bliss we didn't notice what lie ahead. I was surveying the possible lines to purchase entrance tickets when it happened - a sharp jerk on my arm. The very arm where I had been holding Holly's hand. What happened? We were in the midst of a deep conversation about the whale shark we were about to behold when Holly unknowingly stepped in someone else's vomit. It looked as though someone had poured out a gallon of baby spit up, but chunkier. She was wearing flip-flops. Flip-flops that have no traction. The flip-flops that had traction were tucked safely in her suitcase, in our hotel room a good 40 minutes away. She didn't wear them because they give her blisters between her toes. Now, doing the splits in someone else's vomit, blisters didn't seem to matter. Two friendly men helped me pick Holly (7 1/2 months pregnant) up, her black gauchos spotted with up-chuck belonging to someone we didn't know. We made a quick decision to purchase tickets and enter the aquarium where Holly immediately went into the bathroom to properly wash the regurgitation from her pants. When she emerged, there was no barf visible to the naked eye, but I could not get close to her for the entire day.

When we returned to our hotel, we took a cut-through from the sidewalk to a corner entrance. We had done this several times with no consequence. This instance proved much more eventful. As we wandered onto the lush grass, laughing about Holly having to wear vomit pants all day, I heard a very loud, ominous sound. It seemed to encompass us, and I could not find it's source. As I examined the horizon line for possible danger, I spotted a man with a monkey wrench fastened tightly to a fire hydrant. As quickly as he could, he spun the monkey wrench to open the water valve, allowing thousands of gallons of sparkling H20 to come barreling in our direction. I looked deep into the oncoming flood, grabbed Holly by the hand, and jerked her arm in a similar manner to the way she had jerked mine as she dangled uncontrollably in a stranger's purge earlier in the day. I moved speedily out of harms way, Holly in-tow, and quickly spun to thank the kind gentleman for not noticing two people who he almost rolled into the woods with his toy water cannon. He apologized. As Holly and I reached our second floor room, we glanced out the window to see the massive waterfall that reached 20 feet into the air. We were both thankful that our close encounter with that same waterfall did not end in tragedy, as would have been likely for any "normal" couple.

All in all, it was a pretty normal day for us. After all the excitement we settled in for a nice nap. Oh, and the vomit pants, Holly put them back on and wore them to dinner that night. Just as pretty as she pleased.

The armoire of death

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:36:35 GMT

It seemed just like any old armoire, despite it's grande size and solid wood construction. Yet, within this beastly baby's room furnishing, laid a cold-blooded killer. It killed space and time, leaving us basically in a dimension of what seemed like a vacuum, an abyss. We were unable to move side to side, or up and down. No matter the position, it seemed we would be defeated. "What about coming in through the window?" someone naively suggested. We prayed for them, because we so desperately wanted to kill them. "Perhaps if we cut off the legs and took off the door facing..." I pretended I didn't even hear that one. So, here it sits overlooking the living room peeking at me, just to see if I'm posting it on Craig's List. Hear me good people! I will not allow this killer to remain laughing at me in the living room. It's purpose was to hold Baby girl's clothes in Baby girl's room, but alas it can not. Therefore, maybe Holly will listen to me, and make a profit off of the peddling of this gargantuan savage and move to plan B. I'll let you know!

Bad Week to Start blogging

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 21:45:44 GMT

What a busy week! Holly and I have been attending a missions conference this weekend. I have been so busy, I haven't even played Sudoku. I was up to #400 on the Daily Sudoku Web App for the iPhone. I'm afraid to complete today's puzzle for fear of how far I have dropped.

I just read this post and realized I am the biggest dweeb I know. Plus I lose another 2 cool points for using the word dweeb - I've never heard a cool person call someone a dweeb.

A couple of thought provokers from this conference:

1.) Better is the worst enemy of Best: We often settle for good, or excellent. All the while God has called us to be perfect, the Best. Unfortunately, good is good enough.

2.) Sometimes Gods greatest punishment is letting us live the "normal life." When God calls us to something extraordinary and abnormal, but we choose the average, that may be the worst punishment. Imagine missing out on all that could be. I have been thinking, and I can not remember one person in Scripture that God used in a mighty way that lived a "normal life". I live a normal life. What does that mean? I think it may be time to do something stone-cold CRAZY. I'm not just talking about doing something wild for the sake of being wild, but listening and begging God to do something magnificent. Then begging for Him to let me be a part of it.

Xanga Misses Me

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 03:42:36 GMT

I recently received a special email just for me from Xanga. They miss me and desperately want me to blog again. I think I shall.

Home Sweet Home

Sat, 17 Nov 2007 21:15:16 GMT

After 16 hours of travel, it is good to be home. I have seen an incredible move of God and will forever remember the people of Bolivia. Continue to pray for them as their country faces a possible Civil War. My prayer is that something that begun this week would change the entire nation for the glory of God. Pray also for Ron Sumner (a team member) that had to remain in the hospital in Santa Cruz because of several issues. Thank you for all your prayers this week, I am truly grateful!

Home Sweet Home

Sat, 17 Nov 2007 21:15:05 GMT