Baby Names
We have six children, and I rather like each of the names we picked out at or shortly after birth. Our youngest, however, told me today, “I don’t want to be Zane anymore. I want a new name!”
Maybe you are expecting a child, or know someone who is in pretty deep with “the name game.” Here is an interesting bit of data which may - or may not - be of help. The top three names for boys and girls in Texas:
1: Jose & Emily
2: Jacob & Mia
3: Joshua & Ashley
What about your state?
Terminal D, Friday Noon
Let me share some thoughts from an experience from last week, at the Dallas-Fort Worth airport:
They came along the upper deck of Terminal D. Three and four across, they strode the walkway toward an unknown destination. Men and women in combat fatigues. Carrying packs and gear bags, they were obviously back from a tour of duty in the Middle East.
I first became aware of the clapping several gates down from where we sat eating lunch. And as the wave of applause came nearer we joined in. Many in the terminal stood to honor the soldiers as they passed by.
One man raised his glass in a toast to those warriors who, having fought for the freedom that we enjoy and too often take for granted, were finally coming home.
Home to be reunited with loved ones and friends. Home to recover from the wounds, physical, or emotional - or both. Home to a daily routine that doesn’t revolve around the threat of IEDs, planning escape routes, weapon readiness and patrols. No known enemies here, no bad guys to engage, no need to say goodbye to fallen comrades. They were coming home to safety, security, serenity. And they surely needed, wanted and deserved to be home.
The applause continued. On and on those soldiers came. The clapping kept on going, as well. It was an emotional scene. I found my eyes tearing up as this kept on for at least seven or eight minutes. So what that my food had gone a bit cold – I was sure these brave men and women had had plenty of cold meals, plenty of interrupted lunches, while they served in Iraq, or Afghanistan, or wherever they had been for months. I could enjoy my entrée’ in a few moments. This was a moment to let go of my own selfish interests and to express gratitude to those who risked it all for me and for my family.
I wanted to capture this moment and never forget.
How I wanted my wife to see this. How I wanted my kids to be here, so they could catch a glimpse of the honor being afforded these warriors. I hope they will one day have the same kind of opportunity, the privilege, to one day give a round of applause for some soldiers passing through an airport.
So they never forget.
Couple of Pics From Family Camp
A couple of weeks ago our family enjoyed a very special week at Redcloud Ranch, near Lake City, Colorado. It is a beautiful place, with some wonderful folks. We had a grand time, playing in God’s creation and enjoying some fellowship.
Top: Here’s a picture of the camp Chapel, nestled in the foothills. Inspirational!
Bottom: Yours truly on a hike. Refreshing!
What Can You Do When You Encounter A Stroke?
It is rather a scary thing, I should think, to encounter someone having one of these.
Rocky Mountain High
Have you had a good family vacation this summer? Last week our family visited the western slope of Colorado, enjoying time in a state wildlife area (gorgeous!) and then a week at family camp. We had a blast!
Look, Dad, I can get my boots wet! Zane loved the mountain stream we hiked along.
Our youngest daughter enjoyed a snake she caught. Mercy was shown hours later when “Corbett” was released.
Why Adopt?
I’ve known a lot of adoptive parents, and have yet to run into one who thinks that they are “sacrificing” by bringing a fatherless child into their home. Rather, we adopted because it is the right thing to do, Scripture commands that we reach out to these children, or perhaps we have a tender spot in our heart from our own upbringing. “Because I wanted to do something sacrificial,” isn’t a motivation I’ve encountered, though.
Even the world gets this. In fact, the other day I read this quote from one famous Mom about her own adopted children:
“When I was growing up I wanted to adopt, because I was aware there were kids that didn’t have parents. It’s not a humanitarian thing, because I don’t see it as a sacrifice. It’s a gift. We’re all lucky to have each other…I suppose I’m giving them the childhood I always wished I had.”
I appreciate the honesty of that statement and resonate with her reason for making a difference in a child’s life. And while I don’t agree with everything this woman does or says, her perspective of being an adoptive Mom grabbed me. It is selfless, at heart. That’s what the Bible calls us to be, isn’t it?
Few people would know this, but a well-known member of the U.S. House of Representatives has invested a lot into the lives of fatherless kids. His story is pretty inspiring.
Observations From An Airport
Watched a couple getting off the connecting flight in Dallas. The puddle-jumper, which the airline more respectably calls a “regional jet,” could not accommodate the usual carry-on luggage. We had to gate-check it, and as we awaited delivery to the jetbridge, they talked quietly. Then the bags were available for us to grab and go, and I observed the young woman going to retrieve one or more of their bags. Odd, I thought, that HE wouldn’t do that job. Inwardly, I shook my head.
“Getting to be an old guy,” I thought, “because a man should always do the heavy lifting. That girlfriend, or wife, whichever she was, should not have to go get the suitcase. Where is chivalry, or common respect anymore?”
At the gate, waiting for the connecting flight home, I watched another couple. They were younger and married, by the rings they each wore on the appropriate finger. She was leaning on his shoulder, dressed attractively, and seemingly content. Why she would be comfortable, I could not figure out. Because there he sat, with a portable game player, thumbs banging away on the controls as he made his way through mazes, or past aliens, or whatever the challenge in front of him was.
He was fully engaged. Actually, fully DISengaged. He seemed absolutely oblivious to his wife. The PSP had his full attention. The woman next to him was not even acknowledged in the least. I pondered what I was seeing, and reflected that there are plenty of times when my wife and I have been simply “talked out,” content to simply be together and not in any particular need of conversation. I’m okay at those moments, and she is as well. Life needs some space. This was not such an occasion, though, it was plain to see. “Wake up, man” I thought. “Set the stupid game down and talk to her!”
Maybe its because my own wife and I are just so tired these days from parenting our children, one of whom has some special needs, that it is hard to even imagine having uninterrupted talk-time. We don’t travel together without them. We have a few dates each month, but often those are more like business sessions, going over some issue related to parenting, home schooling, or the budget, or the calendar.
I guess I projected onto this guy. As I thought some more, I wanted to get in his face and say, ”Hey buddy, what are you doing? You have a pretty wife, she adores you, she wants and needs you to talk with her. Don’t fritter away this prime opportunity for growing closer together and for feeding her soul on a mindless video game.”
That’s what I had rolling around in my mind, alright, when I suddenly realized the Pharisee in me. Oops. Busted.
Suddenly bothered at my own shortcomings, I had to admit there are times – too many, really – when I have an opportunity to talk with my precious wife. She wants and needs me to do that. I want to keep growing closer, to nurture her, to connect. But I easily turn my attentions elsewhere. Instead of running through the day’s events, I succumb to the distractions of email. Instead of sharing some of my heart, I read the newspaper. Instead of talking about the kids, and what’s going on in their lives, I check out, distracted by some arcane activity.
So, on my way home I will cherish in my heart the beautiful wife God has given me. I’ll think of her anew. I’ll determine here and now to avoid the distractions. I’ll renew my attentions to her. I’ll endeavor to get away with her more frequently.
And I think I’ll try to be less judgmental of others at airports.
(If you’d like to hear some dynamic interaction about the nature of marriage, listen to this conversation.)
Our Godly Heritage
David Barton is a phenomenal speaker offers a fascinating - and thoroughly documented - look at the religious foundation of the U.S.A.
If you’ve never heard him, hold on - this guy is mighty fast in his delivery! So much to share, so little time…audio presentation here.
Here’s a video clip of David in action.
Good man, great message.
George Jetson’s Surgery
If George needed heart surgery, he might benefit from this.
More discussion here.
Entertainment Overload
My wife heard Dr. Archibald Hart on the radio yesterday and told me she thinks he is spot-on about the need to guard ourselves - and our kids - from information and entertainment overload. Pretty solid advice from someone with a lot of wisdom.
We’ve tried to limit the amount of media our kids consume, for instance. Our computer is in the living room, and the younger kids have to have an adult around and permission to go online, and event then, only to a few approved sites. We’d rather they play outside, read or have some game-time, really. And we don’t watch TV, except for an occasional educational show (or a Jane Austen show from PBS). We watch movies/DVDs, but only average one or two a week.
So Dr. Hart’s suggestion that entertainment and excitement are habit-forming and need to be carefully managed got a loud and clear, “Amen!” from Dena.
One quote from the show:
I’m a gadget person, but I discipline myself. I will not touch a keyboard after eight o’clock in the evening because if I do, I know I’m not going to get to sleep [on] time … I have a cell phone, but only one person knows the number, and that’s my wife, and it’s [only] for emergencies. Very few people have my e-mail address.
BTW, here’s an article by Dr. Hart about the “excitement addiction.” It is a real condition, and one which may be affecting someone you know.
