Starting Fresh!

Routine, Routine, Routine! I need it, want it, and love it. It's surprizing to me that each May I get so excited about school letting out. I love the summer...sunshine, vacation, mission trips, students hanging out at the church, swimming pools, interns, long summer nights, catching up on reading, and of course, mastering my golden tan (as tan as a Scotch-Irish white boy can get). However, as much as I love the flexability that summertime brings, as we move closer to autumn, part of me ends up longing for the structure from which I wanted a break just a few months earlier.

So when August rolled around this year, I think I was as "pumped" about the school year start as my daughter Harper, who was beginning kindergarten. The first day of school was on a Wednesday. So on Tuesday morning, Harper came out of her room dressed in her "first day of school outfit," with her backpack strapped on her shoulders, proclaiming to everyone, "I am ready for school!" Her eagerness and readiness to launch into a world that will become her norm well into adulthood caused my wife and I to laugh, as we thought cynically to ourselves, "If only she knew...." But part of my thinking is right there with my daughter. I, too, am ready for schedules, routines, planning, discipline, expectations, and yes, even deadlines! I find that I am at my best in those moments. So here we go!! But check back in late April, because I am sure I will once again be begging for some summertime relief.... but this time I may have a six year old little girl pleading just as hard!

American Tradition

On our way to the beach this past week, we happened to "stumble" into a very cool experience. Rapidly approaching our destination (ahead of schedule as you would expect with two goal-oriented people), Kelly and I realized that it was dinner time. Our normal approach would be to grab whatever was most efficient (quick, cheap, and on the same side of the road). However, just as we began to discuss our options, we passed a sign for Waffle House. Knowing that our kids had yet to experience this American tradition, we sacrificed our "Nascar-like" time for some entertaining eats.

As you can imagine, the "scenery" was just as enjoyable as the food. We sat at the bar, described the menu to the kids, and chatted with our Italian waitress (ok, I guess this should be considered an International Tradition). We ordered two All-Star specials, explaining to our kids that you are what you eat. They didn't get it! Our cook appeared from a side booth where she had been hanging with some of the locals. As she prepared our food, our kids watched in awe and asked questions about everything being cooked, and I realized that simple things can still fascinate and satisfy.

As our food arrived it became clear to me that there will need to be some adjustments the next time we visit. Both of our kids went straight for my favorite, the chocolate chip waffle. Ugh....parenting always shows you how selfish you are.....As we left the restaurant, well off schedule, Kelly and I acknowledged that the journey really can be just as enjoyable as the destination! And sometimes we just need a greasy spoon to remind us!

Strong

Recently I participated in my friend Joseph's wedding. Throughout the weekend, I was reminded that Joseph and his friends are at a different life stage. Countless hours of basketball, wiffle ball, and college-like goofing around, although fun, wore me out! You see, Joseph is just a "few" years younger than me. However, what stood out most to me that weekend was the relationships between Joseph and his good friends. Guys from his childhood and college buddies shared stories and memories of lasting impact. As they interacted, the strong bonds that exist between them was evident. They truly love each other and desire to see one another grow as godly men.

Observing those interactions reminded me of the strong friendships that I have. As the years pass by, it becomes easier and easier to get wrapped up in the "here and now" and forget about relationships which were once much more prominent. And although the majority of my time and energy is now spent with my wife, kids, students, and people in my local community, I know that the person I am today has been greatly shaped by some of these life-long friends:

- Brad is the brother I never had. Since the age of 5 we competed, laughed and lived together.
- Reggie is the older brother that I always knew would protect me and keep me out of trouble.
- Goldy has shown me the virtue of loyalty.
- Busick has taught me how to encourage others through word and deed.
- BW has always been there to hold me in check and ask about my life.
- Rowland has taught me how to make everyone feel included.
- C-Scott has modeled selflessness and sacrifice.
- D-Rowe has taught me the fine art of listening (I need more of this).

These men are forever a part of my life, and I am truly grateful. Regardless of the amount of time that we now spend together, I know that I have friends for life, and the man I am now has been shaped by who they are. I just hope that it doesn't take another weekend of exhaustion to help me remember this!

Busy!

It drives me crazy when people say "I'm busy, or I'm staying busy" when asked how they are doing, As if busyness were a virtuem emotion or feeling . So bringing up this topic is really tough for me but I can't accurately explain the past 6 weeks of my life any other way. In addition to regular office hours and routine family responsibilities, I have attended 3 graduations, 7 graduation parties, a weekend retreat for 5th and 6th graders, spent 8 days in Nicaragua, celebrated 3 birthdays, father's day, taken day trips to Atlanta and Hendersonville. During this time I have taught 21 times, sat in countless meetings and returned what seems like a bazillion e-mails.

Ok, I feel better now! I must admit that I have really enjoyed the past 6 weeks. Some of the highlights include:
* Hanging out with the kids on the Fusion retreat
* Participating in Joseph and Chelsea's wedding
* Lots of fun time and closure with our seniors (I will miss them!)
* Learning about Jesus, the church and Nicaraguan culture
* Teaching in the weekend services at Grace (always a humbling experience)

I believe that God has taught me a lot during this whirlwind of activities. I have plenty to think about, share and hopefully put in to practice. One thing is for sure. I am convinced now more than ever that I don't want busyness to characterize or control my life!

Reminder...

This past weekend we took about 50 high school students on a weekend retreat to the mountains of North Carolina. However, this was not the typical "have a lot of fun, study the bible, play ridiculous games, and stay up 'til 2:00am retreat. (Ok, we did do some of that!) No, the entire point of the retreat was to prepare for three summer mission trips. We have youth mission teams going to Nicaragua, Peru, and the Bahamas. (I promise it is a mission trip!)

If you know me at all, you know that I absolutely love taking students on cross-cultural experiences. Watching their eyes widen and their hearts explode as they experience "what the rest of the world lives like" is a true blessing to me. I believe it is one of the greatest things we can do for our students. These types of experiences, time and time again, lead to life change, ministry focus, and leadership development.

There is something special about loving on those who have great physical needs. This weekend, it became clear again why I need these experiences in my life. They are perfect reminders of the gospel. Some of the people who are in need are in need because of their poor sinful decisions (so am I). Many are blind to the help that is available to them (so am I). Some will reject the love and mercy that is extended to them (so will I). Some will not offer even a hint of thankfulness when compassion is shown to them (nor will I). Some will walk away unchanged by the words and deeds we offer (so will I).

I realize that my spiritual condition was and is just as bleak as the physical conditions that permeate the slums of third world countries. Additionally, I know that I routinely am blind to, reject, and go unchanged by the love and mercy that Christ so graciously offers me. However, the beauty of it all is that the gospel never stops coming. God's love reaches farther than any rejection I have to offer. The gospel keeps holding out hope for my soul, and that is why I will continue to hold it out for those in need.

Happy Birthday!

Both of my kids recently celebrated birthdays. This year, I started a new tradition of writing my kids a letter for their birthday. I know, it's not nearly as appealing as a Nintendo Wii or an American Girl Doll, but hopefully one day it will be something they look back on and appreciate. I stole the idea from Matt Chandler, a pastor in Dallas that I really appreciate and follow (don't want anyone to accuse me of not giving proper credit). I thought I would share one of my letters:


Dear Calahan,

Happy Birthday! I cannot believe you are seven years old. It seems like it was just a few years ago when we were bringing you home from the hospital in Dallas.

I wanted to write you this letter on your birthday to tell you how special you are and how much your mom and I love you. Watching you grow as a young boy is so fun, and we are thankful that God has chosen us to raise you.

Some of my favorite memories over the past year include:
- Seeing you finish kindergarten
- watching you try to eat without your two front teeth
- coaching your soccer team, "The Bulldogs"
- fun times at the beach (golf, the ocean, bikes, putt-putt)
- watching you learn how to tie your shoes all by yourself
- your first trip to Chapel Hill (UNC/Dook football game)
- coaching your basketball team, "The Greenwaves"
- waking you up really late at night to watch UNC beat Dook in basketball
- playing Nintendo Wii with you

There are so many things I could write about because you are such a great son, and I always have fun with you. Since you are our first born, we are learning with you how to parent. By now you know that we mess up a lot and are still trying to figure out how to do this thing. We love you and want the best for you.

More than anything, we want you to know how much we love Jesus, and we want you to understand your need for him. I love you so much Son, but not as much as Jesus does. His love for you is perfect. He died for you, and I hope the rest of your life is changed because of that truth. As you grow older, my biggest desire for you is that you would fall more in love with Jesus. I hope that you will see how much your mom and I love Jesus, and you will love him too.

I am so happy to be your dad. God is so good to me to let me have such an amazing son.

Love,
Daddy

Two Shining Moments

It was a Monday evening in late March of 1982 and my face was glowing. Partly because I was allowed to stay up so late on a school night, which for a 7 year old is a really big deal. But my face was also beaming because it was glued to the TV screen. And I mean literally glued. OK, well not literally glued but almost. I was forced to sit/stand within arms length of our television set because the picture would only come in clearly when the dial (if you don't understand ask your parents) was held at a certain angle. That night my mom and I took turns squeezing the dial while the other jumped up and down and cheered on the North Carolina Tarheels to a national championship.

That experience is forever etched in my memory as the beginning of my avid, sometimes borderline insane, infatuation with the North Carolina Tarheels. I am sure there were games and moments prior to that spring night but none more memorable.

This past Monday I shared the same experience with my 7 year old. Dressed in our Tarheel gear, Calahan and I sat in front of the tv and watched the entire game (even the postgame interviews and the infamous "one shining moment" video) until after midnight. He too was pumped about it all. Staying up 5 hours past his bedtime, getting to see Tyler, Danny and others play their last game and watching them win "the trophy" which he has been asking about since the season began.

The sentimentalist in me hopes that one day he will be blogging about that night or at least telling his kids about it. Who knows, he may soon forget it entirely. But one thing is for sure. I won't! And now, instead of one shining moment...I have two!