University Graduation - 25 years late

The mere fact that I wanted to attend Biola University proves the existence and cleansing power of the Holy Spirit.

“For I was lost, but now am found.
Was blind, but now, I see.”
John New­ton, Ol­ney Hymns (Lon­don: W. Ol­i­ver, 1779)

Most adults reentering academia have a great story to tell. My story isn’t great, but it is of the great guiding love of the Holy Spirit. Prodded by the Holy Spirit and Douglas Grisham’s father, C. S. Lewis, who constantly reminded me on Biola’s radio commercials, “Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil”, I approached Admissions Counselor Vanessa Velasco about attending Biola University. Emboldened by the Holy Spirit, I sought admission on a Friday and signed up for my first class, Acts, with Chico Goff, to start the next Tuesday. Off I went to class; my timing was perfectly in sync with God’s timing.


I thought.


The university had other thoughts. Biola is a leading Christian academic institution with a process for admissions. My admission was a little problematic. I had to write a letter explaining my dismal G.P.A. I had to write a letter explaining my “lack of academic progress.” I wrote another letter explaining some youthful indiscretions. I had to be interviewed by Biola’s BOLD faculty Advisor, Emilio Nunez. This took a few weeks and I was still attending Tuesday night classes with Chico. I was sure I wanted to be at Biola. Biola wasn’t so sure if or when they wanted me. But they were sure of one thing, that I shouldn’t continue taking the Acts class until I completed all the proper steps for admission. They requested that I stop coming to class. In anger, I continued attending and finally had to attend my last class, listening from the lobby. Chico taught the class and could look out the door and see me listening.

Finally at the break, he came out and returned my graded work and said that since I was not on the roster, he could not continue to grade and accept my work. He counseled me to take the class later. He said that maybe it was not in God’s timing that I should attend the class.
I did not hear the Holy Spirit saying, “In My time, not yours.” The Holy Spirit had been there the whole time watching me. So instead of fighting the system, the Holy Spirit gave me Kathy Mavity. She shepherded me (rod and staff-like) through the process and had me admitted as a “Pre-BOLD.” As a “Pre-BOLD” I was not assigned a cohort group. But the Holy Spirit led me to take another Bible class with a student who heard my story and said, “Pray for your cohort group. Pray for the students that will be a part of it, they will be integral to your success.” The Lord answered my spoken prayers and those that were unspoken and surrounded me with a group of friends will liver forever as “The McGee Group.” We are cohesive, loving, caring and strong in His love. The Holy Spirit was so tangible and apparent in our classes, we sometimes would leave class and immediately e-mail one another and say, “Was that you or the Holy Spirit?” The Holy Spirit was working and active at Biola San Diego.


What other proof do I have about the Holy Spirit’s existence besides, my admission, Kathy Mavity and the workings of the McGee group?


My professors. I’ll only name a few.

Dr. Charles Bradshaw
Dr. Forrest Weiland
Pastor David Fandy
Dr. John Coe
Dr. Jason Wilson.

Jason was my Statistics professor. I used to love Math and was fairly good at it. I loved the precision and the wild mathematical theories. But not all students had those positive feelings. Jason has an enormous heart for the Lord and seeks to help those who came with fear and insecurity into a Statistics class. So Jason sent an e-mail prior to the first week of class to all of the students. He asked that we pray about what God wants us to learn in Statistics and how God will use that to grow the Kingdom. He asked us to pray about any bad experiences we had or about anyone who said that we weren’t good at Math or said we weren’t smart enough. Then he asked us to forgive them and come to class with an open, loving heart. Jason may look like a mild-mannered Math professor, but he is a titan of Faith.

These are only a few reasons why I know the Holy Spirit is alive and well in my life, in your life and especially here at Biola University. So as I write this and think of my graduation day, 29 years after my high school graduation, I see the words of a writer, John Bingham, who wrote about completing his first marathon. He said, “The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.”

As I close, I say thank you to all of the family, friends, brothers and sisters in Christ that helped me. And I thank them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Amen

Satan's advice to Barack Obama

C. S. Lewis wrote a great book called The Screwtape Letters . In the book, “we are made privy to the instructional correspondence between a senior demon, Screwtape, and his wannabe diabolical nephew Wormwood. As mentor, Screwtape coaches Wormwood in the finer points, tempting his "patient" away from God. (Amazon.com Reviews)”

I was trying to not be political this year but as I was exercising today I took this approach to having a “senior demon” as a campaign advisor.

Screwtape’s letter to Obama

If you want to get elected, there are few things my dear Wormwood, I mean Barack, that you’ll have to know. They aren’t easy and it doesn’t matter if you believe them or not, just do these things and after your elected, I’ll take care of everything.

Be on the Left – American media has been educated in some of the finest colleges and universities in the world. They are indoctrinated in this Petri dish until they graduate. If they work in the media, they can hold these beliefs and face no consequences like they would in the real world. Remember, you need them, they need a hero. It works.

Be good looking – Humans are designed to like the pretty. You can’t be beautiful or they’ll think you’re shallow. It’s even better if your opponent is older than you. Even better if he’s not as pretty.

Don’t have a lot of experience – Experience means you have left a trail of paperwork that can divulge our true intentions. Speak in grand tones about things you want to do, not about anything you have done.

Speak well – It is more important to speak well than to say anything. Remember, if you speak well people will believe you are intelligent and insightful. Do not speak about your true feelings or beliefs, those are dangerous and can be attacked. Any attack on you can be fended off with a laugh and a well-spoken line.

Be for abortion (call it “Choice”) – You don’t care about this topic, I do. Remember that mothers can vote for you, babies, I mean fetuses, cannot.

Do what is best for you at the time – If you are behind in fundraising, say you are for public financing, if you are ahead, don’t take it. If you are behind, challenge your opponent to an endless series of debates, if you get ahead, only do the minimum. Standards are for the other side, not for us. We want to win at all costs and the media will cover for us (See point 1).

If you have disgust for Americans below you, don’t say it – Remember that you need them to vote for you. If you think they cling to their religion and guns because they are afraid, DON’T say it. If you have to vent your disgust for the little people, say it in a safe place like at an editor’s dinner, at home with some college professors or anywhere in San Francisco.

Attack your opponent on YOUR weaknesses – If you don’t love the country, tell your opponent that you won’t question his patriotism. Since you are weak in experience, paint him as an entrenched part of the problem.

Promise everybody something – It doesn’t matter how the country will pay for it, Americans love debt. They all have it. They don’t mind if their country is mired in it also. It means they have company. Nobody totals up all of your promises after the election. If some sector complains, promise them some more.

Talk about being a Christian, just don’t live it – If you live like a Christian, you’ll have to follow my opponents Book. It doesn’t change, feelings do. We need flexibility if we are going to pull this off. People on the right are constrained by having to have moral absolutes and “loving your neighbor”, we want to win. Sure they are some good things about Christianity but don’t take it too far.

Make those poor voters feel like victims – Personal responsibility is so over-rated. Tell them it is not their fault and that “Big Business” or foreigners are at fault. Remember it worked for many of my protégés in the past.

You don’t have to have character, just speak about it. Charisma will win out in the end – Enough said.

I’ll keep an eye on you so the Enemy won’t suspect a thing.

Affectionately Yours,

Screwtape

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: THIS MESSAGE ORIGINATES FROM DOWN BELOW. THE INFORMATION IN THIS TRANSMISSION IS PRIVATE, CONFIDENTIAL, IS THE PROPERTY OF THE BEELZEBUB AND IS INTENDED SOLELY FOR THE USE OF THE ADDRESSEE IN HIS ATTEMPT TO DO MY WORK. IF YOU ARE NOT THE ADDRESSEE, YOU SHOULD NOT DISCLOSE, DISTRIBUTE, COPY, USE, OR RELY UPON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS TRANSMISSION. ALL PERSONAL MESSAGES EXPRESS VIEWS SOLELY OF LUCIFER WHICH ARE NOT TO BE ATTRIBUTED TO GOD OR HIS SERVANTS, AND MAY NOT BE COPIED OR DISTRIBUTED WITHOUT THIS DISCLAIMER. IF YOU RECEIVED THIS TRANSMISSION IN ERROR, PLEASE NOTIFY APOLLYON PROMPTLY AT (800) 666-SOUL.

GOOD NEWS!

Mark is home! We picked him up at the airport on the 16th. Karina was elated. Mark took her to school to meet her teacher and Karina is so proud! Mark is in the middle of getting his house ready and he'll move in by early October. He has to put in some new floors, get his furniture moved from Las Vegas and some other things. As I said that night, "It's good to have the family together."

Also - Luke won his election. You may now call him, "Mr. Secretary." He ran against three girls (which split the female vote). I tried to offer the Vice Principal a twenty to "keep it fair", but she wouldn't take it.

To retire Luke's campaign debt to me, please send you tax non-deductible donation to:

Luke owes Dad $48

Carlsbad, CA 92009

VOTE FOR LUKE!

Luke ran up to my office and told me the news. He ran for Student Council Secretary and was one of the top four candidates, so he is in the finals. I asked him why he wanted to be Secretary and he didn't answer me till getting ready for bed that night. "Dad, everyone wants to be President or Vice President. Lots of kids like money so they want to be Treasurer. Not many kids want to be Secretary." Nice pre-race strategy. So now he must make one poster, submit a speech and stand for election.

Sooooooooooo, we used to have a great family live with us for a while and the father is a graphic artist. One phone call and Bill Kozak was at the house after dinner, with his Apple laptop, Photoshop and our ideas. Within 45 minutes, we had the poster ready and we sent it to Kinko's. Two hours later we had it printed. three hours later I still couldn't fall asleep because I was still laughing.

Karina's 5th Birthday Party

Pinata - Teaching children that if you hit something with a bat long enough, candy comes out.



This was a major event for our house. Karina has been talking, planning and probably dreaming about this since July. With all that has happened to her, I'm glad she has something that she looked so forward to. We staged it at our community pool. Karina's sister Malishka and her husband came from Vegas, along with Mark's friend's Jake, Cassandra and their children Brooklyn and Brielle. Karina's brother Markie came also with a few guys from out Monday night pizza crew. Pool, party and a pinata.

The next day Karina went to the San Diego zoo with Malishka and Malcom. By Sunday night we had a very tired little girl, but still extremely happy because she shared it with her dad.

And we got to share it with her also.

1st Day of School - Hannah 5th - Luke 4th - Karina Kindergarten

This is the same thing all around America, the first day of school. Except to us. We now have Karina in our family. Mark won't be home till mid-September so we got Karina ready for school, a little young, a little small, but ready. When we found out she was going to be staying with us, Darcy immediately signed her up for Kindergarten. She goes in the afternoon during the same time Darcy teaches. Great timing.

So Luke goes to school by bike and Hannah either gets a ride with a neighbor or Darcy rides her. Now to Karina's first day. We wanted to take lots of pictures for Mark. Karina got out her back pack. It was so big that it went down to her knees! As Darcy and I started to argue about it, I saw that it had princesses on it. Karina would carry a lead box, filled with water if it had a Princess on it.

So off to school she went to Mrs. Fishers class. No crying, no sadness, just another adventure for one of the most amazing children we've ever known.

Re-Smithification of Luke - 6 Day "Guy" trip

I haven't been working for a while and it has probably been the best time of my life. I've been finishing my degree, training and spending time with the kids. But, I wasn't spending as much time with Luke as I used to. Real time. So we decided that we needed a "guy trip" to kind of get Luke back to where he used to be, more polite, more friendly and just having a better relationship with me and others.

First we went and visited Selena (I was a bridesmaid in her wedding), who manages the Van Nuys Airport. Great trip to tour the airport, have lunch and start the trip.

Next to Thousand Oaks to see my cousin Bobby, his wife kids, my uncle and my cousin. Luke thought this would be the best, but it was tough because his older cousins, Ryan and Brett, had friends there that were their own age (19-21) so they didn't quite spend as much time as Luke wanted to with them.

Now to Santa Barbara to see Jake Muldowney, Jim Muldowney's son. I say that so you'll know who he is, but even if he wasn't Jimmy's son, he is a great guy. He picked my mother up in Las Vegas (He's a student at UNLV) and drove her to Mark Millam's house in Summerlin, Nevada. He's an intern at Sandpiper golf course. We saw the course and then took Luke to get his haircut. See, one of the issues that we had is that Luke wanted his hair real long like one of his friends. It looked like a mullet gone bad. It was my fault. Again, I didn't spend enough time with him. So Jake and I talked him into a haircut. Then a walk around Santa Barbara, a picture with Jake and Luke and then a picture with Jake, Luke and a homeless guy.

Jake has gone from being a friend's son to being a friend of the family in his own right. I could be no prouder than to have Luke look to him as a friend and a man he can turn to.

Off to San Luis Obispo (SLO) to see Chad Theule and his family. This was a great time as Chad was one of the originators of Monday Night Pizza 9 years ago. We went out to Pizza, spent time at the beach, biked and went to the SLO Farmer's Market. True friends are true friends no matter how far away they live or how often you see them.

Then back to Carlsbad to go camping with Norbert and Derek for Derek's 9th birthday. We took their trailer up to Big Bear. Luke and I camp a lot with the YMCA Indian Guides but it is much better having a 28' trailer, or "Aluminum Tee-pee" as we call it in the Guides.

This was a great trip. A trip that every father should make with each of his children. Time alone to talk, to laugh, to pray and to spend time with friends.

Luke is back to the "old" Luke.

We are back to being best friends.

The Smithification continues.

Darcy Learns to Surf

Since Darcy is a native Californian, you would just assume she surfed. Not so! She took surf lessons with "Surf Divas" of La Jolla. She loved it. It is a gift a gave her from Christmas and she went with some other teachers from school. After 16 years of marriage, I think she liked this present more than anything I ever got her. Of course she needs a new wetsuit, and a board, and maybe a real cool woody wagon to take her and her friends to the beach also.

Bailey (1995 - 2008)

We had to put Bailey to sleep today. We took this picture a few hours before she died. She was still suffering with the throat problem but as of the last few days she was not eating much. She also was having problems at night. Darcy was brave and after I carried Bailey to her pillow in the van, Darcy took her to the veterinarian. Luke got a chance to say goodbye, he was going camping with some friends. He took the picture of Baily he had in his room with him camping and said he never wants to talk about Bailey ever again. He'll get over it. Hannah has gone from convulsive crying to "Dad, now we can get wood floors."
Bailey was the best. We'll miss her. I have tears in my eyes even as I write this......

Now I'm a Try-Athlete, just a real slow one

San Diego International Triathlon

1000 meter swim, 20 K Bike ride and 10 K run

( I got passed by a 77-year old)

OK, so I didn't expect to win. I really didn't, I just wanted to be in the middle of the pack. Not unrealistic is it? Well I started in the middle of the pack in the swim, but then my goggles filled with water. I stopped, cleared them then they filled again. I stopped, tightened them and went on. They filled again. I stopped. A lifeguard on surfboard asked me what was the problem and I told her my situation. She said, "come over here (she wanted to call me a loser, I know) , rest on my surfboard and put your goggles under your swim cap." OK, that fixed it. But now, the wave of swimmers behind me had caught up. But I finished the 1000 meter swim and went on to the bike section.

I did OK on the bike section, finishing at about 18 miles an hour from down by the water, up to Cabrillo monument for two laps and then back down again. I didn't seem to pass any of the other 45-49 year old men who finished the swim earlier though.

Transition to the run - I felt pretty good and I figure I did about 9:30 minute miles. Still didn't pass any of my fellow 45-49 year old friends.

Finally, the finish line. A man passed me. On a triathlon, you get "marked" with a marker that says "S" or "I" for the two different distances, Sprint or International (the longer one I did was the International). So this man passes me and I see marked on his led I-77. A friggin' 77-year old man passed me. If I could have caught him, I would have knocked him over into the bay........

I finished 64th out of 68 men in my age category.

If I had registered for the Clydesdale (over 200 lbs.) and over 40 group, I would have been 12th out of 18. I'm only five pounds shy of a Clydesdale, hell that's 4 Bon-bons.

If I was in the 65 - 69 year old category, I still would have been 3rd out of 5.

But how many of those men had sausage sandwiches for lunch the week before in preparing for the race? Twice! But I did. Sausage - The fuel for my racing.

In this race I "completed" versus "competed".

I have another triathlon scheduled for July 19th. It is in Camp Pendleton. It's a 1500 meter swim, 40K ride and a 10K run. That's my last triathlon for the year I suppose.

If I see that old man I'll knock his wrinkly butt off the road.

The problem is I live in one of the most physically fit areas of the country. Most of the top triathletes in the nation are in this area and even the average athlete is in great shape. If I raced in Wisconsin or Canada or somewhere up north, they would be fatter, eat sausage and take their time in a race. Maybe that's my new tactic, not race faster, race slower people........

Last Class of the Biola McGee Cohort Group

I attended my last class at Biola with my cohort group, McGee. I started with these students 18 months ago, now they are friends that I have grown to love. Biola has helped me grow as a student and as a Christian. But I have a long way to go.

Current plans are that I'll graduate in December, if I can get all of my elective classes done.

Now I need to find a job. I had a great opportunity that I didn't get, but I know that there are opportunities for me, I must find them though. I want to thank all of the professors at Biola, Kathy Mavity, my academic advisor and my cohort group. I also must thank my family who had to put up with me being tied to my computer these past two years and away every Tuesday night.

The Lord has blessed me with the time these past months to be available for friends in need, to learn to swim and complete a triathlon and to take more classes towards my degree.

I feel that after I complete the Pendleton Olympic Distance Triathlon on July 19th (.9 mile swim, 24.8 mile Bike and 6.2 mile run) and finish some online classes at the same time, I'll be ready.

Ready for what, only God knows........

Mark and Karina move into our house

Some of you may remember my neighbors who used to live next to us, Mark, Oksana and their little girl Karina. Mark and Oksana helped us find and contact our relatives in Ukraine. My mother and I travelled to Kiev and stayed with them. After our trip, Mark and Oksana thought that the dry air of Las Vegas would be better for Mark's health. They bought a house there and rented out the house next to us. As time went on, Oksana's health deteriorated and on May 30th, she died. Mark is 75 years old and has been planning a "final" trip to Kiev to sell all of his remaining properties. Unfortunately he has to also bury the ashes of his wife and he left to do that recently.

Now we are taking care of Karina till Mark's return and they will live with us until the renters are out of Mark's house in September.

Karina is a joy of a child and Hannah is sharing her room, her toys and her friends (and her Mom) with Karina. This is difficult for Hannah but she is doing a great job.

Karina has been registered for kindergarten in the fall. She will be in the afternoon session so that she can go there with Darcy.

For now, we are taking one day at a time. Karina seems to be adapting extremely well to living with us and the loss of her mother. We have visited a counselor to talk about how we deal with Oksana's death with Karina and that helped us. Mark should return soon and we'll be one big happy family, all six of us.

Hannah and Tom visit Pittsburgh

Hannah and I spent a few days in Pittsburgh with my family. Hannah loved being with her cousins, especially Janice's boys, Liam, Declan and Kegan. I've been accused by some family in Pittsburgh (who shall remain nameless) that if you read our blog, you'd never know we had family in Pittsburgh. Well we do. We had a great time and Hannah was actually away from her mom for five days. They are so amazing close, at first I thought we had not cut the umbilical cord between them, in actuality, we must have replaced it with a bungee cord.

Hannah is 4th Grade Student of the Year

Hannah was named the Student of the Year for her school in the 4th grade. We're not sure of all of the requirements, but she has excellent grades, is amazingly responsible and helps others. All of the 4th grade teachers voted on it. Hannah didn't want to go to the award ceremony. It was with the school district and she would get her award from the mayor of San Marcos. Only after her teacher, Mrs McClymonds said she'd take her with another teacher, Mrs Holmes, did Hannah agree. She allowed her mother to go also (not Dad though). If you remember, Hannah's academic career didn't start so strong, but she has rallied and is organized, responsible and loves her school and her teachers. She did so well that I told Luke if he got the same grades as Hannah, he could have a televison in his room.

Hell, if his grades get this good, I'll get him a flat screen.........

Conquering Fear

Well, maybe I haven't conquered fear, but I have pushed it back a great deal. I actually swam my first triathlon at Glorietta Bay, off Coronado Island. Not a long race, but a 1/2 mile swim in open water. For those of you who have know my history of non-swimming, this was a personal accomplishment. I had been swimming in the pool at my gym since January. Struggling every week, but going to the pool 2 - 3 times. Making slow progress every week. I was not nervous the night before the race and was not nervous at the start of the race. I had been able to swim a mile in the pool in about 35 minutes so I knew I could do the distance, it was the open water part, swimming straight without lane lines and being able to swim a course marked only by orange buoys that was a challenge. I had a slight panic attack before the first buoy at 200 yards. I felt I was swimming in a zig-zag pattern and swimming too fast. Just then, a swimmer swam right over top of me. I was actually going straight and she was lost. She pushed me under the water with no warning. I had to stop and decide if I wanted to go on. Quitting thoughts did flicker in my head. But I didn't. I decided that I'd slow down, take longer strokes and ease up on my breathing.

I finished the swim and was in the transition area in about 21 minutes (in the back in this picture). Not fast, but not bad and my goal of finishing while not having to be rescued was accomplished. I was definitely at the back of the pack.

I then had a 12 mile bike ride on a flat road. No problem. I got passed a few times but passed them back so that was about even.

I had a 3 mile run that I finished in about 25 minutes so that was a pace I could live with and I had "speed" left at the end.
1 hour and 31 minutes after I started, I had finished my first triathlon.

Fear just moved back 1/2 mile.

I was tired but thrilled. It was the club race for the Triathlon Club of San Diego. They have it once a month. My next race is a shorter race, the Encinitas Super-Sprint on May 18th.

So proving that men can make anything a contest, I was waiting to meet a friend from Biola for coffee. We noticed a kite up in the tree and thought, "How hard can it be to just toss these traffic cones into the tree and get a free kite?" 45 minutes later we had 5 cones stuck in the tree and still no kite. We eventually got our cones down and I added the stupid picture of me (in the blue shirt) on one of my tosses (I did get the last two cones out though). If you click on the picture, you can also see a guy climbing out to try and get the kite while we throw cones at it! I thought that was the end of it. No kite, but a valient effort. Nope, that was not the end, Jonathan came back several hours later with a ladder, had his wife stabilize it, climbed up the tree and got the kite. Kind of like David Letterman's Stupid Pet Tricks - Stupid Tri Tricks.

Luke - "Don't look backward, just look at what's in front of you"

Luke and I had a great day. A father and son day. A day to skip school and see a baseball game day. A day to sign your son out of school because he has to see "Doctor Padre." Luke thought I should have signed him out with "baseball fever." We headed downtown to see the Padres game. It was a great game with Trevor Hoffman pitching the last inning and getting the save for another Padres win. The game ended at about 3:00 so we had time to go to Mount Soledad, which Luke saw on the way downtown and said he had never been there. Mount Soledad was awesome as it always is. Great views of the ocean and Luke got to see the plaque honoring my dad.

We then went to De Anza Cove in Mission Bay for my second week of open water swimming. Luke was going with me so he could swim with another 8-year old boy, Bobby, who is training for the same kid's triathlon. We were in our wetsuits ready to swim out 25 yards into the bay and float near a buoy for further instructions. We all got in the water to head out. But I couldn't find Luke. He wasn't with Bobby and his mom either. I couldn't see him. I then look out about 15 yards in the bay and Luke is with the leaders swimming out to the Buoy. OK, he doesn't have the fear his father has so I followed him out there. We floated in the water for 10 minutes discussing what the workout was going to be and I discussed a smaller workout that Luke and I might do. The group was going to swim 75 yards at a time, stop and then discuss triathlon techniques. I told Luke we'd swim a little less. Well the group started out and Luke started out right in the front of all theses adults. Swimming pretty good for the first 15 yards. I couldn't see him too much but I knew he was right by my side. After this he stopped and looked at me with those nervous eyes and said, "Dad let's swim closer to shore." No problem, and we headed in and swam with Bobby and his mom for the rest of the hour. Great day and we ended it at McDonald's on our way home. We try to always review our day and find our favorite part, what we should be thankful for or what we could have done better. I thought it would have been better to have seats in the sun at the game because we got pretty cold. I thought we should have practiced swimming in the bay before other people got there like Luke had suggested. I then asked Luke how it could have been better. He wanted to catch a baseball at the game. I agreed, that would be cool. We then discussed why he got nervous and wanted to head back to shore. He said he looked back as he was swimming and realized how far he was from shore. He said he'd never do that again because it distracted him. He said "Dad, that's the key, don't look backward, just look at what's in front of you."

I think I learn as much from Luke as he learns from me. He is braver. He has growing wisdom and I pray that we can keep him from any harm until he becomes a full-grown Christian man on his own.

Best Friends and "death bed" stories

Time with my children is always special and at this time of my life, Luke and I spend a lot of time together. Whether it's Monday Night Pizza with the other dads or going to a Padres game together as we will on Thursday, I never quite know what to expect. Out of the blue, he asked me,"Who's your best friend?" I had to stop for a second because I spend a lot of time with friends and I am blessed with close friends. I finally answered that Tyler Fitzgerald is probably my best friend. After explaining who Tyler is and that if I asked him, he would fly out immediatley if I needed him, we went on to another subject. As God organizes this, Tyler called last night. I spoke to him this morning and we have certain stories that are to be told on each other's "death bed" to keep us going. This is one of Tyler's:



Tyler works alot. Maybe not a workaholic, but he puts in the hours. When his son Ross was six or seven, he would come up and sit on Tyler's lap and watch him. Ross asked why Tyler had to work every night. Tyler responded, "Because I can't get all of my work done during the day."



Ross said, "Maybe you should have your teacher put you in a slower group."



That story should keep me laughing on my "death bed."

Luke tries BMX racing - Looking for sponsors!

After a few weeks of bargaining, starting with Luke wanting a motorcycle, we reduced the request down to a BMX bike so he could race. The unusual thing is that Luke only wants him and I to do this (he bikes, I drive hime there). So on Sunday we gathered up his newly acquired equipment and headed to the track to practice. As you may notice, Luke wanted a black bike and all black equipment. Luke is concerned about these things. Practice is one hour before the races and an hour afterward. Luke didn't want to race until he got used to what he had to do. Well of course he loves it. He's getting more comfortable with each lap. Each race is one lap only. It is also very clear that there is a level of equipment that far outweighs what we have invested so far. Carbon fiber bikes, multiple front cranks that are changeable based on lap times and thin, smooth wheels. These setups start at $6-700. That's where we'll need sponsors! He's got to show real investment in time and passion before we go to the next level. The new deal for Luke is that every four times he reads to Darcy or me (10 minutes silently and twenty minutes aloud) he gets a trip to the BMX park that is about 30 miles from our house. I will keep everyone updated as we proceed down this "non-motorized" path.

Easter Bunny

OK, I should probably stop these but here's Hannah's note to the Easter Bunny. We usually are at Darcy's parents so Hannah directs the Easter Bunny there.

Luke at the Doctor - The night before the battle starts?

I'm writing this after Luke's doctor's appointment on April 10th. Luke had a headache last week and I picked him up from School. Since we had gone BMX racing the night before, I surmised that his neck hurt because of using a heavier helmet than he ever had before. Luke is the only one in the family that gets headaches. Well that was last Tuesday and he was a little sick when we went camping. on Saturday. Again on Sunday he got a headache and then he had to get sick, but he felt getter after that. Wednesday he had a headache at school that turned into a large one after school. "My head feels like it's going to explode daddy!" After Motrin and a short nap, he was better. I was on the edge of taking him directly to the hospital, but the doctor said if it gets better bring him in to see us. On Thursday, the 10th, I brought him in. Unfortunately our doctor, Dr. Balch, was out so we saw Dr. Metsch. Normal check up except after they took his blood pressure, they left and then had the assistant come back in and check his pressure again. I knew that was a little strange. Dr. Metsch came in and explained that Luke's blood pressure was in the 95th percentile. High, but not high enough to to cause the headaches. He then asked Luke to urinate in a cup. Luke was pretty excited to do this and proud that he didn't spill! They did a quick analysis there and then the doctor came back. He said Luke's protein level as high in his urine and that there was blood in it. There was a look in the doctor's eyes that showed his concern. I saw it. He said he'd call me Friday and wanted my cell phone number. We went to another laboratory to have blood drawn. Luke wanted to watch her take the blood and was brave. A little boy, Brock, went first and said it didn't hurt much and that he only said one "ouch".

I've always had a fear, maybe a foreboding, that Luke was to be in a major battle in his life. I pray that he won't be and this post will not be published. If not, and we are to be in battle with Luke, I have prayed that we would be faithful to the Lord's teachings and His plan. These battles are here for a reason. I sat at Mission Bay last night before my swim and cried. For no known reason yet. Is the Lord preparing me? Is this the night before the battle? Will we be brave?

But Luke is fine.  Is there a battle in Luke's future?  Yes.  Do I know where or when that is? No.

Will we be Brave?  I hope so.

Will we be obedient to the Lord?

Yes.

Darcy turns 40!

We had a semi-surprise birthday party for Darcy's 40th birthday. Darcy knew we were having a party, she didn't know that we were making it a 1968 theme. Most people dressed the part, with a few going well beyond and making it a great time. We decorated the outside of the house with palms, built a "temporary" bar in the street and had a "Darcy Trivia" contest, with the winner getting a gift certificate to Starbucks (the winner, Julie Hagen). Darcy's parents came down and so did her sister. It was a great time and the "temporary"bar is now a "mobile" bar that will be wheeled to anywhere in the neighborhood where a party is hosted. Everybody had a great time and when I turn 40 I want the same thing for me.

Monday Night Pizza

Luke and I continue with a tradition of " Monday Night Pizza. It has been 4-5 years for us and it is a gathering of a few dads and their children. No moms. I'd say that the group started 7-8 years ago with the Theule family. My mother shows up when she is in town as a "special exception." to the "No Moms" rule. I just happened on this picture of one of the past nights when our friends, the Michaels, still lived here. The highlight is when the 7:00 PM train goes by at high speed. We've been doing this for years, but it is still amazing to have a train speeding by, 6 feet away from you at 60 miles per hour. Jeff Steffen and his children are the longest ranking member of the group now since Chad Theule and his family moved up north. When I pulled up this picture, the best part is Jeff's son, Judah, on the bottom right, shuddering from the speed of the passing train. We eat Pizza at Pizza Port in Carlsbad. We head either to the "train" park, or in the summer, down near the beach. Then to Starbucks for some drinks and checkers for the kids. Nothing really special, but a time every week when dads get to spend time with their kids and the moms get some free time. If you're wondering, Hannah "opted" out a few years ago as she was the oldest and didn't want to go anymore. Now that Luke is the oldest, I'm wondering when he'll want to stop going, but he still looks forward to it every Monday. We have a special football that we only use on Mondays and we keep it in my car so we won't forget it. When he starts to get tired of it we have him bring a friend. The real question is, when he stops coming, where will I find another kid to bring with me so that I can still go?

Hannah in Pocahontas

Probably everyone would be surprised that Hannah continues to appear in school plays. This is her second one and she seems to enjoy the long hours of practice. Darcy helped out with props, as all parents of the cast must be on a "team" to help the production. In so many ways, she is so mature for her age and in so any other ways she is, and always will be our little girl. Luke actually pondered auditioning for "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown", but decided against it.