In the beginning....

Well here goes - my foray into the blogosphere. Until now, I have hesitated to blog for a couple reasons. First, there are some academic endeavors that have needed fulfilled first. Writing here though should serve to get the creative juices going. Secondly, someone once said (and the quote has stuck with me), "Blogging is like urinating. Anyone can do it and people are equally interested in the results." Therefore, if you're here reading this, please know I'm not insulting you but rather applauding you - for taking an interest.

Some have expressed an interest in a newsletter of sorts from me lately. This blog will have to do. I figure some of my routine will make for good blog fodder.

This week much of my time was spent in a couple hospitals. The miracle of Annabelle came to us on Thursday - three weeks early. She valiantly endured two surgeries consecutively on the two days following birth - utterly amazing to view God's handiwork.

Yesterday I went to see Jane and Bill. Jane was released later in the day. Bill called me to tell me that he had indeed had both legs amputated the day before. He's suffered from a disease in them for an estimated 6 years. He has told us many times that they would take the legs. He endured the pain all that time. His sojourn has left him on the streets at times or living in his car on the parking lot. For the past 2-3 years he has had constant care and housing. Thanks be to God.

His requests to have it done were with mixed emotions. We were never completely sure whether it was motivated by the pain level or a need for attention or both at any particular time. It was finally medically advisable this week and actually occured. It still didn't sink in until I saw him face to face. There was a great sense of loss. I prayed with him. He wept, then I wept and couldn't finish the prayer. God heard it anyway. I assured Bill we had walked with him up to this point and would continue to walk with and for him now.

Today I traveled up to Lake Forest, Cali to witness the nuptials of two of our congregants, Rebecca Go and John Paynter. They made a beautiful bride and handsome groom. A friend, Jamie Gates, officiated for the first time on a solo basis and did a superb job - classy, commanding and tastefully comedic.

For a nightcap we went to the Q to see the Bolts rope the Cowboys 31-17. ¡Good Times! I still hold a small place in my heart for the Cowboys having lived in two Texas towns and idolizing Roger Staubach as a kid, but then again these aren't the same Cowboys.


I reached my goal weight today having dropped 25 in 2.5 months. It's been a goal for awhile. I didn't see it coming until one day we were weighing food donations from a local grocer. Two of my friends, Greg Merrill & David Crazythunder, who volunteer at the church were having a competitive debate about their weight. I wanted to settle it and hopped on to see that 16 lbs. had recently vanished. Figuring the scale must be broken I confirmed it on two others. From then on it seemed to come off like an avalanche. The plan now is to celebrate by going to one of my favorite restaurants to gorge myself silly. Makes perfect sense to me.