My Bucket List

A fun movie is The Bucket List, featuring actors Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. In the movie they meet in the hospital, each one finding out they have terminal illnesses. They compose a "bucket list" - things they want to do before they "kick the bucket." Throughout the movie they bring out a page from a yellow legal pad and cross off each event as they complete it. They set off on a world wide adventure of their lives. The movie is worth renting.

In this morning's Bible reading, King David was getting some of the things done in his kingdom that had been desires of his heart. He had wanted to build a temple, but God told him otherwise. He wanted to bring the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem, but the first attempt had ended in disaster. In today's reading, David is successful in his attempt to bring the ark to Jerusalem and place it in a special tent that he had built. I wonder if David had a bucket list? As you read through the account of his life, it seemed like there were a lot of things he tried to accomplish at the end of his days.

As I thought about this passage of scripture that I had just read, I thought about my own life. I have been a husband for almost 36 years, (August 9th), a father for 34 years, a pastor for 36 years. If my good health continues, I would like to work full time for 8 more years. For the most part, my life has been fairly predictable. So what would be on my bucket list? If I could had the time and resources, what would be at the top of my list. Without a doubt, number one would be to spend some time in Israel. I would love to see the land of the Savior. I would also like to have enough time to spend in a missions project somewhere in the world where my work would have a lasting impact. I would love to spend some time with a struggling congregation, helping them to heal and get back on their feet. Maybe in a small Colorado or Oregon town with a trout stream running through it. I would enjoy going back to Alaska and fishing for salmon or steelhead in one or more of Alaska's majestic rivers. Perhaps flying into the roadless wilderness where few people visit. I would like to record a second piano project, probably a Christmas project.

How about you? Do you have a list? Let's see, I think I have a yellow legal pad somewhere around here...

Hearing the Specific Voice of God

My daily reading this morning was from 1st Chronicles 14. In this chapter there were two accounts of the Philistines coming against David and his troops. Verse nine has the first account; Now the Philistines had come and raided the Valley of Rephaim; so David inquired of God: "Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?" The LORD answered him, "Go, I will hand them over to you." Then, in verse thirteen there is a very interesting exchange between God and David. Once more the Philistines raided the valley; so David inquired of God again, and God answered him, "Do not go straight up, but circle around them and attack them in front of the balsam trees. As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move out to battle, because that will mean God has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army." So David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army, all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.

Wow, what a wonderful relationship that God would give David such very specific directions in order for David's army to achieve victory. I can't tell you all the times I have longed for God's specific instruction like this. While I have been privileged on many occasions to hear from God, never has it been this specific. Generally God has spoken to me through his Word or in my mind to confirm His Word, or confirm a truth I was trying to apply to my life. Is it possible that we can expect God to speak to us with this kind of detail? I think so, after all, David was a human, like me. While he was called a "man after God's own heart", he was still a man, with weaknesses and sin. But he also knew how to seek forgiveness and how to worship his way to God's heart. "Oh God, help me to come into Your presence in such a way that You are able to speak to me in very specific ways."

One Of Those Milestone Birthdays

Tuesday, July 6th, Kathy celebrated one of those milestone birthdays. She probably doesn't want me to tell which one, but there were two groups of five candles on her cake. In the morning I fixed a brunch for Kathy and our kids. She opened several cards and our gifts. The only thing she had asked for were Barnes & Noble gift cards. She was hoping to get enough on the cards to get a Nook e-book reader. At times, Kathy has trouble holding books because of her battle with fibromyalgia. She thought the Nook would be easier to hold. I had told Kathy that we were having the brunch with our children early in the day so that the two of us could have a birthday dinner by ourselves. I told her we had 6:30 PM reservations. That evening, we left home and made a stop, at a local grocery store bakery to get a cake that I had ordered. I could tell she was a little puzzled. Then we went a little farther and stopped at an Italian market to pick up the salad and pasta that I had ordered. Now she is really confused. Then we drove to one of good friend's home. As we turned the corner onto their street, Kathy proceeded to tell me that our friends were out of town, they had left several days earlier. What she didn't know was that everyone from our small group was at our friend's home. What a fun surprise. Not only was she surprised and got to eat a wonderful Italian meal with good friends, her friends had gone together and purchased a Nook for her. She was quite surprised, and grateful.

It was so much fun to plan this day for my soul mate, my lover, my wife. We have been married for almost 36 years. We have had a wonderful life together and we're looking forward to many more years in the future. The great times have been so much fun and the tough times have only served to cause us to depend on each and our Lord for strength and wisdom. I love to watch Kathy smile and laugh, she did a lot of that on her birthday. Yay...

An Interesting Contrast

On Sunday we went to downtown St. Louis to see the late afternoon airshow and then the fireworks. Since the airshow airplanes used the Mississippi River as a reference point, I walked out on one of the bridges to get a closeup view. From current military planes to WWII planes to old bi-planes, it was a great show.

About halfway through the airshow, I began to notice small birds that were apparently nesting somewhere on the bridge supports. They would fly out from under the bridge and swoop up and down, almost as if they were mimicking the airplanes above them. After a while it almost became comical to many of us as we watched both the planes and the birds. Now, the planes were spectacular, some more than others, but the birds were just as good. :)

The last military plane was a current fighter jet. Its last pass was very low, 50 feet or so off the river. Just before the next bridge, it went straight up and disappeared in a few seconds. What a demonstration of incredible engineering. As everyone turned back to the river after watching the jet, there were the birds, swooping and doing very acrobatic maneuvers. Pretty cool. What a contrast. It reminded me again that while man has created some amazing things, God's creation is far more amazing.

All in all, it was a great night. Later on the fireworks were spectacular. Happy birthday, America!

Heroes

I went to college with a hero. I had several classes in the building that housed criminal and police studies, sociology, military science, etc. It also housed the San Jose State University ROTC program, and there was a room in that area for students to gather. That is where I met Grady Triplett. He was in the ROTC program and headed for a career in the military. Over the couple of years that I knew Grady, we had a lot of lunches together with other students, talked about a multitude of topics and generally had a good time. Jack In the Box was just down one block from this building, so we had many Jumbo Jacks with cheese...

Grady graduated in 1971 and was assigned to a platoon headed for Viet Nam. At this time he was a 1st Lieutenant in the Army. I don't think that Grady ever thought about being a hero, at least we never talked about it. He was a normal college student, eager to graduate and serve his country and to make a career of it. Shortly after arriving in Viet Nam he was shot in the neck by a sniper on August 17, 1972. He probably never even knew what happened.

If you go to the Viet Nam veterans memorial in Washington D.C., you see this incredibly long wall with hundreds of names on each obelisk. When I have had the opportunity to be in our nation's capitol, I have always tried to go to this memorial. I make sure I stop at panel 01W and count down to line 67. His name is there, Grady Thomas Triplett, my friend, and my hero. Even now as I'm writing this, I'm tearing up, 38 years later. Some things you never forget.

On this 4th of July, 2010, we can't forget those who gave the supreme sacrifice for us. Thank you, Grady.

Amazing Stories From the Old Testament

Another great story comes from 2 Kings 4:43-44. Just prior to these verses, the narrative says that the prophet Elisha was meeting with a company of prophets. Must have been a prophets conference. Apparently meals were included in this conference because Elisha was called upon in verse 41 to correct the ingredients in the stew they were having for one of the meals.

In verse 42, the narrative says that twenty loaves of barley bread, along with some heads of new grain were donated for one of the meals. His servant asked, however, "How can I set this before a hundred men?". (apparently the meat & cheese for sandwiches was not donated) Elisha answered, "Give it to the people to eat. For this is what the Lord says: 'They will eat and have some left over.'" The narrative ends this story by saying the they ate and had some left over.

And you thought that Jesus was the first one who fed people without there being sufficient food when the meal started... Here is a wonderful response to a need, and one that didn't require anyone to panic, or try to "fix" the situation. While I realize that this was Elisha, one of the greatest men in the Old Testament, we're talking about here, I don't think this story is here just for us to read and think about how great Elisha was. I believe that it is another reminder that God can provide in ways that do not even occur to us. You may be in the middle of a seemingly unsolvable problem. You have exhausted yourself thinking about a way to "fix" it. You've even helped God along in the process by thinking of ways He could solve the problem for you. It's time to rest, and let God be God.

I have a situation like that right now. It even has a time limit attached to it. I am really trying to trust God in this. Any fix that I have come up with will ultimately hurt us, so I have determined I am not going to "fix" this. Oh God, be God in this situation and do the same for readers of this blog that desperately need to trust You today. Help us to stop fixing and start trusting. Amen.

Wouldn't You Like This Recipe

Last Friday my "read the Bible in a year" reading was from 1st Kings 19:1-21. Elijah was running from Ahab and Jezebel. In verse 4, Elijah came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, Lord," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors" Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep. Have you ever felt like that? Sometimes going to heaven early seems like a wonderful alternative to dealing with all the issues that seem to come in waves, at times.

But going on, All at once an angel touched him and said, "Get up and eat." He looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, "Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you." So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. What a great response by God to Elijah's request. Instead of taking his life, like Elijah had asked, God prepares a meal for him that gives him strength for a forty day journey. The scriptures do not mention that Elijah stopped to eat, or rest, but traveled non-stop until he reached Horeb. Boy, would I like to have that recipe. That is the "bread of breads". And speaking of the ultimate "bottled water".

At the height of our frustration, at the point of our giving up, God can move in with an answer and direction that we could not even envision. Elijah wanted to die, God had a grander plan. Elijah would have given up, but when God directed Him to Horeb, Eliajh experienced God's glory. Oh Lord, in the midst of my frustration and panic, help me to hear Your voice. Help me hear Your plan, O God, let me experience Your glory.

Happy Father's Day, Dad

Today is Father's Day. Special lunch, cards, gifts, then on to the 4th of July. Sometimes it seems like special days are just interruptions in our daily routine of living life. However, on a day like today, it is good to pause and thank God for our father's and all that they have contributed to our lives.

Most of what my father has taught me has been by example. I learned by observing him living life like it is supposed to be lived, with a little verbal instruction thrown in every once in a while. And, occasionally a little physical instruction that made an impact on my backside as well as in my thinking. I've written before about life lessons that I live out today and have tried to teach my own children. For instance, when my dad taught me how to care for our yard, the last thing you did was sweep the street. That made the yard look finished, and the job complete. Today, I can't mow our lawn and trim without that last step. The greater life lesson was "complete the job, finish the task."

To this day, my 90 year old father looks sharp, hair neat and combed, moustache trimmed. My children always got a kick out of picking my parents up at the airport when they came for a visit because my father always had a shirt and tie and/or a jacket on. They'd ask, "why is grandpa all dressed up?" The life lesson is always look your best, you'll feel better about yourself and people around you will treat you with respect. It just takes a few extra minutes to be the best you can be.

I remember as a child going to an older lady's house nearly every Saturday morning with my dad. He would chop kindling for her wood burning stove. He would make sure she had enough kindling and wood for a week. I never saw him get any pay for that. She wasn't a relative, and to my knowledge, when she passed away, he never received a thank you from any of her relatives. He simply saw a need and filled it. That has been a huge life lesson.

My dad served in WWII, proudly serving his country, and then came home and lived a productive life, raising a family and serving God. I am so thankful for his legacy and teaching. Now for 34 years its been my turn to be a father. Thanks dad for all the instruction, example, and love. Happy Father's Day! I love you.

Yearning For the Glory of God

The definition of yearning is "a deep longing, especially when accompanied by tenderness or sadness."

I have had the privilege of experiencing the glory of God a couple of times in two churches that we've worked in. The first was in central California in the early 70s. For a period of months there was a wonderful sense of God's presence every time we met. People were saved, baptized in the Holy Spirit, healed and transformed. Interestedly, even though we had prayed for this move of God, after a few months it quietly changed. I wonder if God thought we had experienced everything He had intended for us?

The second time was a church we served in Grand Junction, Colorado in the mid 90s. This was at the height of the revival in Pensacola, Florida. Our pastor and several people from the church attended the revival and on their return, a several week move of God began in our church. Sadly, there was so much opposition to what our pastor wanted to see happen, it eventually resulted in him leaving the pastorate of the church. In spite of the opposition, again, peoples lives were changed, people met God in wonderful ways and people met God for the first time. I regret that I did not get a chance to attend any of the Pensacola services. I have always been hungry for a glimpse of the glory of God. There have been times in my life where I know I have seen a bit of His glory, and heard from him directly, but never in a consistent manner.

18 months ago there was a revival going on in Lakeland, Florida. I had almost made up my mind to make a trip there when it was discovered that the evangelist in charge of the revival had made some poor choices and needed to step out of the ministry for a time. Why is it that when it appears like God is allowing up to glimpse His glory, weird and crazy stuff begins to happen? I think the answer is that our battle is not with "flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens." I also realize that notoriety of any kind brings pride and a headiness that is hard to resist. Another element is that I think people get so deperate to catch a glimpse of God's glory that humaness gets in the way and funny things get manufactured.

With all that said, I still have a yearning to know the glory of God. Sometimes I am sad that I am not more diligent in seeking God's face. "Oh Lord, help me dream dreams, see visions, be aware of Your glory. Help me to seek Your face. I want to know You."

Writing A Blog Is An Interesting Process

I wrote my first blog post on February 26, 2008. We had just returned from a building project in Mexico and had taken a few hours to visit an orphanage just outside of Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. Since I can speak Spanish, I spent some time speaking with the founder of the orphanage, Hermana (sister) Josphina. Since Hermana Josephina only speaks Spanish, it was a priceless opportunity to spend time talking with her because none of our group was fluent in Spanish. I posted a picture of us talking that someone took that afternoon.

Today's blog, June 11, 2010, is number 143. I have written on all kinds of topics. I've told you about my family, our church, spiritual issues, political issues, great moments in my life and not so great times. As you have read my writing, you have discovered my spiritual values, my political leanings, my biases and likes and dislikes. It has been interesting to hear your feedback and the enjoyment many of you have received from reading about childhood memories. Many of my core values were formed by my parents who taught me by having conversations with me, and sometimes more importantly, living lives that clearly demonstrated values that are part of me today.

One of the posts that has been the most fun was when I told you that I had lost my chili pepper connection. I posted a picture of the jar. Within a couple of days I had a gift bag of peppers on my desk. This was followed by a case of peppers from the Choir at our church, and then by others of you who found the peppers in several stores in the St. Louis metro area. Since that post, I have never had to by another jar of Embasa guerito peppers. It also told me that a lot of people read my blog.

Lately, I have felt a prompting of the Holy Spirit to write blogs that are helpful to people caught in the uncertainty of the age we live in. I am caught in this uncertainty. We live in an amazing age, with advances in technology at an all time high. And yet, no one seems happy. Well, that will be a blog topic.

If you are a regular reader, thanks for reading. I hope to keep writing things that will keep bringing you back. Blessings...

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Well, actually it isn't...I just needed a good title. Actually, though, if the lightning bugs would line up in a straight line, it might look like mini-lights outside.

I've been listening to new Christmas music for a couple of weeks. Last night I had a Christmas listening marathon, listening to musicals and individual songs. I spent some time thinking about presenting the timeless story this year again with our Choir, Orchestra, ensembles and drama group. As I read the lyrics of many of these songs, it reminded me again of the wonderful story of Christ's coming that never gets old. When you take some time to meditate on the story, I think the Holy Spirit gives us some insight that makes the story even more personal.

For instance, have you wondered about the task that the angel Gabriel had to carry out? He made the announcement to Mary about the baby that was going to be born by her. Can you imagine his confusion when he thought about his Lord, so vast that the universe could not contain Him, but now small enough to fit in a womb. Hands that formed the universe would now be tiny and almost useless. The creator of language that would have to be taught the words to communicate with His parents. Did Mary know she would be feeding the King of Kings and Lord of Lords? (I wonder if He ever threw cereal on the floor) Do you think Gabriel paced around in indecision as he pondered the message he was to deliver about someone he knew so differently?

I imagine that Gabriel was always fairly close to Jesus as he grew up. Protecting him, watching for danger, making sure that Jesus was well cared for. He may not have totally understood the plan, but he did know the Savior. I imagine that many times a day, perhaps under his breath, Gabriel could be heard singing the words, "Glory to God in the highest."

Enough thinking, back to the next song. I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas.

God's Incredible Creation

I am constantly amazed at God's creation. Creation that goes on despite any input from us. Creation that has been in existence from the beginning of time, and will go throughout eternity. The picture on the left is of a plant in the lily family that the former owners of our house planted. It comes up every year, just like clockwork. This year it has four beautiful blooms. Some years it has only had one. I purchased some caladium bulbs this year and planted them in various places. They are the ugliest bulbs you can imagine, but they come up in such a unique way. First a shoot comes up, it thickens and then begins to open. The caladium leaves in the picture have only been open this way for about three days. I have several others in various stages of opening, each one so different. Do you suppose that God took the time to design each plant, each flower, each vegetable? Do you think that the "days" of creation were actually longer time periods in which God took the time to design everything we see in a unique way?

For quite a while, the wallpaper on my work computer has been the Sombrero galaxy. Google "Hubble telescope" and search their site for a picture of it. It is a phenomenal example of one of God's huge creations.

So here we are, just a "vapor" in the span of time. Preoccupied with the economy, our jobs, raising our families, worried about the future, and on and on. And yet in my yard I have a wonderful example of God's word when He said in Matthew 6:28, "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin". The beautiful lily you see above is just there, pointing me to God and His infinite resources, His wonderful presence and His unqualified love for me. Maybe before I check my checking account balance tonight I'll go out and have another look at that lily.

A Wonderful Privilege

Majesty, Majesty. Your grace has found me just as I am. Empty handed but alive in Your hands. Majesty, Majesty. Forever I am changed by Your love, in the presence of Your Majesty, Majesty.

I love to lead and play this Michael W. Smith version of the song Majesty. It has a great melody line and beautiful chords. I have the wonderful privilege to be a worship leader, and a piano player. Sometimes I think I can worship better as a pianist than a singer. I am a mediocre singer, at best, but I am so grateful for the gift of playing the piano. For those of you who are not musicians, there are different ways of playing an instrument, and proficiency has nothing to do with it. Some musicians never get beyond the mechanical technique of playing. Others can only play with music in front of them and are limited to what the printed music allows them to play. I believe God gave me the gift of interpreting the printed music in a creative way that expresses worship in both a very personal way as well as shared with an entire congregation. One of the absolute joys of the past eight years has been to creatively worship with my friend, Jonathan Gathman. He is one of most creative musicians I have ever known. At times, the blending of his improvising on his cello and my piano playing would surprise us. There were times when we were playing for the prayer time at the conclusion of our Sunday evening service, that we would be stunned by the music that we produced. I really believe that the Holy Spirit anointed us in a manner that produced music that was beyond our ability to arrange or devise on our own. Sadly, that service doesn't exist anymore, so that opportunity does not exist any longer.

Worshipping God in playing is such a wonderful privilege. Thank you, Lord, for parents who sacrificed to give me piano lessons. Thank you as well for a teacher who taught me to improvise early on in my learning to play. Thank you West County Assembly of God for the opportunity to let me lead you in worship, and to play for you, and Him.

First Time Out With a "New To Us" Boat

Our family had an unexpected blessing last Thanksgiving. When we were celebrating Thanksgiving with my family in Columbus, Ohio, my brother-in-law, Terry Hedlund, asked me if would like to have their boat that was docked at Lake of the Ozarks. Terry and Lila (my sister) and my parents were preparing to move to Raleigh, North Carolina. They were preparing to sell their two Columbus homes and their Lake of the Ozarks home. Since the boat was on a lift dock to keep it out of the water, it did not have a trailer. After the holidays, I began a flurry of research to determine where the best place would be to buy a trailer. I found out the the Internet is an incredible place to do research and quickly got up to speed on trailers, price, size, features, etc. In April I traveled to Lebanon, Missouri, and purchased a brand new "last year's model" trailer for an amazing price. Then on May 3rd, Shawn and I met Terry at Lake of the Ozarks and took possession of the boat. We became the proud owners of a 1998 18' Bayliner Capri. We tried to remember everything that Terry told us about it. However, after today's "first outing", it is obvious we didn't remember it all.

We decided to go close to home. The Mississippi River, the Alton Pool, to be exact. I picked a state park with a free launch ramp andwe headed out. As we arrived at the launch ramp, we discovered that it did not any docks attached. This meant we had to start the boat and drive it off the trailer. Shawn tried his best, but he couldn't get it started. I had to crawl over the bow and into the boat to get it started. After a few tense moments, we finally got it going, put it in reverse and moved away from the launch ramp. With people waiting, it seemed like hours, but hopefully it was only a few minutes. Later as we were navigating down the river we decided to explore what looked like a lagoon. Just as we got to the mouth of the lagoon the boat suddenly came to a very sudden stop. Oops, we had found a sandbar. After several tense minutes (I think boats and tense go together), we finally got off the sand bar, only to discover that part of our propeller became a souvenir of this trip. Later we found a log, going 20 miles and hour, and decided maybe we should call it a day. After successfully getting the trailer down the ramp, Sam did his best, but he couldn't get the boat on the trailer. I got to wade into the water, attach the winch strap and winch the 2,000 pound boat onto the trailer. I think people were cheering when we finally pulled away, or was that people happy that they could use the ramp now. All in all, not too bad. We learned a lot. Now, back to the Internet to find out how much a new propeller costs. I don't think Walmart carries them...

A Future Marine

Shawn is our youngest. Last night he graduated from the eighth grade. I took him to school this morning to attend an 8th grade day at Six Flags and realized that this was the last time I would drive a student that lived in our house to middle school. Shawn is excited to attend high school. He is determined to get the highest GPA possible. He also has determined that when he graduates from high school, he is going enlist in the Marines. Here his plan has a couple of options. Last night he was suggesting that maybe he would make the Marines a career and attend college in midlife to train for a second career in law enforcement. He has also talked about getting out of the Marines after the initial commitment and going to college to train for a law enforcement career. Shawn is determined, he has been that way since being very little. When he focuses on a goal, he usually meets it. Very early he expressed his likes and dislikes. He always likes to do well, but not necessarily in front of a group. He is very athletic, but sometimes shy in being seen participating in a sport. Shawn has expressed an interest in trying out for football as a freshman. I hope he does it. He'll do well.

Shawn had a tough start as an infant. He was born addicted to a couple of drugs. Kathy held Shawn almost non-stop for two weeks as his little body cleared itself of the drugs. When we expressed an interest in adopting Shawn, the social services department of the county we lived in made sure we knew all of the possible problems that would likely come as Shawn grew up. After hearing all the disclosures, you would have thought we were buying land in a nuclear disposal site. We dedicated him to God and have prayed him through his 14 years. Most of the problems Shawn could have had, never surfaced. Shawn has great plans and we're praying that God will help him achieve them. Next stop, high school. Go Shawn...

Graduation - Part 2

As I mentioned in yesterday's graduation blog, Nicole is an adopted daughter. The amazing thing about foster children and adopted children is that, for us as parents, they become just like birth children immediately. The biggest difference is that foster children that we had in our home over the years needed a lot of prayer, love and care. Most of them had issues that required medical or therapy care. Many of them came to us in terrible shape. It's probably a good thing that we never kept track of the time Kathy and I (mostly Kathy) spent in doctor's offices, labs, traveling time, gas used, etc. If we knew in advance what it would cost in time, money, etc., we might not have been so giving. Nicole captured our hearts immediately. We nicknamed her ET, because she had such big eyes and a big forehead. As you can see to the left, our ET has become a beautiful young lady.

One Sunday, when she was 2 or 3, we had special guests at our church. They had a ministry to abused children. They told some stories of rescuing children from horrible situations. After one very sad story, I thought to myself, "I know Nicole had a rough start, but nothing like this." Almost immediately, the Holy Spirit whispered in my mind, "you rescued Nicole from a life that would have been much worse than this." When I consider her difficult start in life, and where she might have been, I can understand the special bond that I have with my Nicoletta. (my nickname for her)

Now she off to college in the fall. Our prayers will take on a different focus as she prepares for the future as a young adult. It is so great to see God at work in our children and I am so thankful to be a front row observer. These 18 years have flown by and the next 4 will too. God is faithful and I can't wait to see His creativity at work in Nicole's life in the years to come.

Graduation - Part 1

We celebrated another milestone for the Salazar family last night. Nicole graduated from high school. Nicole came into our lives as a foster baby almost 18 years ago. She was a premie, with severe birth problems, but today she graduated as a beautiful, smart and personable young lady with a wonderful future ahead of her. One of my earliest memories of time spent with Nicole will always be firmly planted in the front of my mind. I took on the responsibility of putting Nicole to bed at night, usually by holding her and giving her a bottle. Many nights during her first winter in our home, I would take her downstairs into our living room, turn up the gas logs and enjoy some quiet time as she went to sleep. (sometimes we'd both go to sleep) Many nights I would pray over her. Since she was a foster child, we had no idea how long we would have her, or where she might go. What we did know was that her mother was a 14 year old runaway that was running from the law. We did not know who her father was, and to this day he is unknown. The only person that seemed to care about her was her maternal grandmother who was trying to get custody of her. One night as I was praying for her, I agonized over the fact that Nicole did not have a father. Suddenly it seemed like the Holy Spirit stopped my prayer and whispered in my mind, "you are her father, you have taken responsibility for this baby and you are her father." At this moment I also realized a tremendous sense of God's love for me, Abba Father, "Daddy", embracing us both and helping me realize that God loved us both with an overwhelming love.

18 years later, I truly am Nicole's father. After 18 months of contentious legal manuvering, a Colorado family court decided that none of Nicole's blood relatives had passed a home study. Since she had been with us for so long, we could not put her back in the foster system and we started adoption proceedings. Last night as I watched her walk across the stage to receive her diploma, I breathed a prayer of thanksgiving to our Father, who had allowed me to be her father. Tomorrow I'll relate another story that showed me how much God loves us all.

Scary Moments - Raising Teenagers

Last Saturday night I was talking to my son Sam via our cell phones. Nicole and I were picking him up from a friend's house, but when we arrived at the friend's house, he wasn't there. He was in the middle of telling me that he and his friends were on the way when his voice stopped. At first I thought the call had dropped, but I could hear background noise, and then I heard a teenage girl screaming. She was saying "he's unconscious, he's unconscious, wake up, wake him up". I could also hear Sam in the background saying "where's my phone, I lost my phone". At this point, Sam's phone disconnected. I tried calling him back, and didn't get an answer. While I was trying to call him, a call came in from a number I didn't recognize. The voice mail was Sam, crying, telling me he had lost his phone and to call him back. Then I realized what was going on. Sam and his friends had been in a car accident while I was on the phone with him.

I quickly called him back, made sure he told me he was okay, got his location and we drove as fast as I dared. When we got to the accident scene, the entire 4 lane street was blocked off and there were 2 firetrucks, 3 ambulances and a host of police cars. Sam's friend, the driver, was so wedged into the front seat that the firemen had to cut the top of his classic Camero off. As I stood with Sam and watched, I thanked God that it appeared that everyone was okay. It was a little disconcerting to see all the gurneys they had out. Sam had some minor lacerations on his forehead from windshield glass, but that was about it. It seems weird to me that after seeing how much damage was done to the car, I didn't hear the impact over the phone. What happened was that in mid-sentence, Sam's phone flew out of his hand during the impact and landed under the driver. He could hear me calling his name, but in the immediate confusion he couldn't find his phone.

Several hours later, (all four teenagers were taken by ambulance to the hospital), we left St. John's Emergency room. Cuts were bandaged, x-rays taken, instructions and best wishes given. We called Kathy to tell her we were on the way home. What a blessing to say "we're on the way home." Anything different than that would have had terrible consequences. "Thank you God, for your protection, and love. Where would we be without You?" Sam was shaken, and sore for a couple of days, but he's okay. "Thank you, Lord."

Russell Has Seen Better Days

I have a very funny daughter. One of the funny things about her are her names for everything. Last year when Josh and Kelly left for South Africa, he left his 1992 Honda Prelude for Nicole. She promptly named the car Russell. So instead of referring to "the Honda, or Prelude, or Nicole's car", it is "Russell".

Monday was a sad day. Nicole was turning a corner in a busy intersection and the traffic suddenly came to a sudden stop. Unfortunately, she and Russell didn't stop in time and Russell came to a stop underneath an SUV. As you can see in the picture, Russell didn't do so well. We had hoped that Nicole could drive this car to college next year. She'll be commuting about 20 miles one way to school. But, since Russell is 18 years old, has 234,000 miles on it, plus other health difficulties, we only had liability coverage on him. The SUV had a few paint scrapes. To add injury to insult, Nicole was driving Russell on Wednesday and his hood flew off. Fortunately, it landed on Russell's windshield and not on top of someones car.

So, our 18 year old, almost high school graduate, (I'll be blogging about that in a couple of weeks) gets to trust God for another car. Russell will probably sold for parts and won't bring much money. It will be an interesting time to now put God's promises into action that we and our church have been teaching Nicole all her life. If indeed our God is Jehovah Jireh, what does that mean for an 18 year old making one of life's biggest transitions? We'll see, I'll keep you posted.

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo is a holiday that commemorates the Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5,1862. While not an "obligatory federal holiday" in Mexico, it is celebrated primarily in the state of Puebla, and in the United States. Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico's Independence Day, which actually is September 16, the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico. In the United States, many people mistakenly think Cinco de Mayo is Mexico's Indepence Day.

Tomorrow may be a very interesting day in the Southwest. The new Arizona immigration law has stirred up a hornet's nest of opposition. The sad thing to me is that Arizona wouldn't have had to deal with this if the federal government had simply enforced the laws already on the books. As a Hispanic male who faced some prejudice in my teens and early 20s, I find it interesting that Al Sharpton and other non-latino, racial issue, lighting rods are in the Southwest commenting and spreading misinformation. In my opinion, these are uninvited pot stirrers who need to stick to their own issues. Regardless, this is just another opportunity for many to say ugly things, throw rocks and other objects, and make law abiding latinos look bad. Shouts of Si Se Puede, Yes We Can, are so misplaced. Yes We Can what? Believe misinformation? Not find out what is going on for ourselves? Be led around "by the nose" by agitators who's main agenda is agitating?

So how does a Christian, conservative, latino man celebrate Cinco de Mayo? 1) Pray for Arizona and the people who are so divided over the issues. 2) Try and be a conduit in any conversation of correct information. (I believe that the root of the problem here, like in so many volatile issues, is that people do not take the time to really find out what truth is) 3) Pray for a return of civility in this country. 4) Go to my favorite Mexican market for a bowl of menudo.