Writing Our Names in the Sky

One of the perks I love about my job is some of the incredible places I get to visit.  And  the best perk of all is when Kristin, Emma, and Mac get to go with me, which was the case this past weekend.  You see, Mac’s birthday was this past Saturday and he LOVES airplanes....I mean really loves them.  It just so happened that one of the artists I manage was performing at the Wheeler/Sack Airfield on Ft. Drum, right outside Watertown, NY.  So, we threw Mac a grand ol’ party on the flight up, had cake in the terminal there (at 9:30am), and proceeded to the airfield where we had one of the best parties I’ve ever been a part of.  

I did have one thought......

I was gripped with incredible fear and gladness as I watched Mac’s face light up when we arrived on base.  The fear was from the thought of Mac growing up and wanting to join the military and go off to fight wars, sometimes wars I might not want him to fight.  The fear that I might loose him to a cause that doesn’t mean as much to me as he does.  

But the gladness came from the same thought and how we were able to take him to the place where seeds might have been planted, a place where he could stare his passion in the face and feel his heart come alive, even if it means he wants to join the military and go off fighting wars I might not want him to fight.  And yet all of my fear and even gladness was no match for the love of my son.  I will love him no matter what and I will fight for him and alongside him.  

I was reminded that God feels the same way about me and you.  

As you will see from the pictures, we were alive and our hearts were soaring as high and as robust as some of the F-16’s that shook the ground we were walking on.

It was like they were writing our names in the sky.....

Sacred Ground

This is where I have rested, played, laughed, cried, screamed, prayed and loved...

I have watched sunsets (and the occasional sunrise), swam, sunburned, built sandcastles, fallen in love, raised my children, lost a child, lost my faith, grieved, sang at the shore, danced on the waves, and worshipped my God.

It’s not just a house or place to vacation....

to me, it is Holy.

K

Pigtails

This morning I watched as my sweet baby girl ran off to Kindergarten for the very last time.  I cried as her red ribboned, pigtails bounced out of my view.

God continues to whisper, 

                        “Let go and trust me”...

K

Just Not Sure....

Today was Emma’s end of the year party at school.  She is NOT a kindergartner anymore.  :(  She is growing faster than I ever imagined.  I marvel at her and at God because of her. 

Later, I was writing with a good friend.  He and I were working on a song for Young Life Camp this summer where he is playing music.  The song is to be used during the time between the Cross talk and the “twenty minutes”.  We were attempting to capture what the general thoughts and feelings are during that time.  I don’t think we quite did it.  We only got a chorus finished with no verses.  But with only a two hour window in which to work, I think we did pretty well.  It’s a work in progress.

Tonight, we got word that our small group leaders, Greg and Pam had some good friends loose a 5 year old child in a terrible accident.  On my way home from writing with Ryan, I heard the sirens and saw all the commotion and didn’t know what it was all about until we heard the news.  It happened a few miles from our house.  And although we did not personally know the family whose child died, it still hurts like hell that our friends who knew them very well are suffering.  I talked with Greg on the phone briefly tonight and could hardly get any words out.  All I could say was how sorry Kristin & I are and offer our prayers and anything else he and his family need.  

I am angry......sad....hurt....lonely........and I am just not sure........

One Proud Momma

This has been a HUGE week for our family!  My kids have been keeping me very busy...and, I am SO proud of all their new accomplishments!!!  It’s been a non stop party at our house.  We’ve celebrated over pancakes, school performances, pee pee and bike riding...just to name a few.

101 Dalmations, Grandparents Day Performance.

Potty Training on the GO!  :-)

Biker Chick!

Divine Appointment

"Life takes a bit of time and a lot of relationship."

-William Young, The Shack

I'm Giving Notice....

I recently demoed a song that I had written during our vacation a year or so ago.  I was walking through a dark night of the soul.  Anyway, the lyric from the song goes “Starting Today....I’m giving notice.....that I’m gonna live my life.....starting today.”  

Well, one of the ways I am letting my life imitate art is what took place this past Sunday night in the small town of Powell, TN.  I along with some really dear friends organized a fundraising concert to benefit Young Life Capernaum in Knoxville.  Capernaum is Young Life’s ministry to kids with disabilities.  It is a worthwhile cause indeed.  This is the first time I have played out in public in about three years.  I was really glad to share a little of my story through song and raise a little money in the process.  For those of you who attended, THANK YOU!!!!  For those who missed out, I’ll catch you next time.  

Probably the thing that made me the most glad was that the venue was this really  nice “barn”/gathering room of the parents of Justin Bailey.  I met Justin when he was a freshmen in high school at Powell back, I guess, about 10 years ago.  Now he is on staff with Young Life in Knoxville and developing the Capernaum ministry.  So, it was extra special that the event was hosted on his family’s property.  My beautiful wife and children were there cheering me on as well as my in-laws and a host of dear friends.  

Another mosaic to add to the portrait.......