January 2008 Collage

Just another WEEK in Paradise!

Well I thought I'd write a note to the most important people in my life.

I have to begin by saying that I LOVE being a Dad. I haven't been very good about playing game with you kids, even though that has been my goal, all week long, but I always make a point to wrestle with and hug you all for a little while each day. I think I need it as much as you do.

My schedule has been sooo busy. I'm trying hard to make it more efficient, so that I have more time to spend with each of you, and the Lord is certainly helping me. I feel like I get a little closer each day, even though I still have days that are crazy busy.

Last Sunday was nice, because we got to relax a little with the Kauffman's and I didn't have to do any writing or anything. Everyone needs a day of rest, which is what Sunday's are supposed to be, and I hope to be able to use Sunday afternoon as a special family time or time to have others over for a fun, relaxing afternoon.

This week has been so bitter cold (sometimes 5-10 degrees below zero before even counting in the wind-chill factor) that all of you kids have had to stay inside and haven't gotten to play in the snow. Playing outside is something that all of you love to do, so you've had a lot of extra energy that needs to be spent.

On Monday afternoon, I went to JC Penny's sale and bought a leather jacket for $15. I bought all of you children new hats and gloves.

Elijah picked a Transformers hat and gloves. Josiah picked a bright red and blue Lightning McQueen hat and gloves. Alana and Moriah got pretty pink and purple hat-and-glove sets with scarves. Each of you wanted to wear them around the house for the next couple of days, since you couldn't try them out outside.

I've also been trying to plan a trip to Gracie Shuler's wedding. She will be marrying Bro. Paul Alexander in about a month--someone we have dearly loved since we first moved to the Flathead Valley. Of course, Gracie is pretty special to me, as well, since I have known her since she was around Moriah's age. In fact, the Shuler family has been like family to me, and I used to wrestle with all of the Shuler kids the same way that I now wrestle with all of you.

It's actually a little hard to think about Gracie being all grown up. It happened so fast, and it makes me a little sad, because I realize that I need to treasure every day that I have with my own children, while you are young enough to be with me. The day will come when you, too, will be all grown up. Then, you will begin a life of your own, and there will be a big hole in my house where your noise and play and personalities and love used to be.

There's a song that I've been singing a lot. Yes, it's country. It's called "Just Another Day In Paradise," and it's sung by Phil Vasser.

The second verse says:
Friday. You're late.
Guess we'll never make our dinner date
At the restaurant. You start to cry.
Baby, we'll just improvise.
Well, plan B looks like
Dominoes' pizza in the candle light
Then we'll tippy toe to our room
Make a little love that's overdue
But somebody had a bad dream
Mama and Daddy
Can me and my teddy
Come in to sleep in between?

Yeah it's ok. It's so nice.
It's just another day in paradise.
Well, there's no place that
I'd rather be
Well, it's two hearts
And one dream
I wouldn't trade it for anything
And I ask the Lord every night
For just another day in paradise

Okay, so it's usually me who's running late, with so much on my plate, and I don't particularly like Domino's Pizza. The point is still applicable. Mom and I don't get to date much, and at least one of you children (Alana or Moriah) ends up in our bed almost every night.

In addition, everything takes five times longer than it should with five children, so it seems like there's never enough time in a day. What there is enough of is NOISE. Children flying up and down the hall like Superman. Moriah pinning Alana and Josiah down in a wrestling hold and Elijah tormenting someone just to get a response. When you're not yelling for help, your squealing with laughter (I actually prefer this to the pleas for help).

As a rule, neither Mom or I can hear ourselves think--or each other, when we're trying to communicate. Having pointed that out, I can't imagine my life without it. I, too, ask the Lord every night to help me hold onto this for as long as I can and not let it slip through my fingers.

I love your hugs, every day--feeling your thin frame in my arms as I hold you tight and knowing that you are God's precious gift for my life. I love telling you that I love you and hearing you answer that you love me too. I love it when I bend down to look for something and Moriah climbs onto my back and begins to say, "E-up" over and over until I have to laugh and take her for a horsey ride. I love the way each one of your laughs are so unique and each one makes my whole heart smile from rib to rib.

Just another day in paradise. Just another year. I'll teach you about life and prepare you for what lies ahead, but my heart will beg you, "Please don't go," even if I know I can't tell you that with my words. Just another day, Lord. Help me hold on, for as long as I can. ...and help me to have courage when the time comes, knowing that I've done what needed to be done and that they'll always be with me in my heart. I pray that I've loved them enough and that I too shall always be with them in their hearts and in the way they raise their own families.

Moriah, you're such a born leader. You naturally want to take charge and make everyone do what they're supposed to do--like when you drag Josiah to the van screaming, because you know I said get in the van and he still wants to play.

Alana, you are such a nurturer. I love you so much. I know that you are going to be a wonderful helper and a wonderful wife and mother some day. You love to do nice things for other people, and of all of my children you are the one who most like to hug and tell me that you love me--often times when I'm busy or even grumpy and really need that to snap me back to reality.

Josiah, you are so much like me--off in your own world, much of time. You love to play with your LEAP Pad, and you'd much rather sleep with a truck than with any stuffed animal. You make the biggest messes--your the one who always comes inside during the summer looking like you've just had mud for dinner and the one who inevitably ends up with part of your meal in your hair. I don't know if I was that messy, but I sure see a lot of physical and personality markers that remind me of myself when I was little. You are my little adventurer.

Elijah, you are sooo smart and creative. In you, I see a lot of myself as well, even though you look more like your mother's side of the family. Like any boy your age, there are a lot of things you don't like to do, but you are always so happy. You love to laugh, and you always find something good in everyone or every situation.

I know I'm hard on you sometimes, but its because I see you acting in a way and doing things that I did at your age (and beyond) and I don't want your to lack for the guidance on the path to maturity, which I lacked. I also get impatient with you, like my Dad did with me, and I'm still learning how to be more patient while yet standing firm, so as to teach you the right rather than continually chastise you for the wrong. The bottom line is that I'm so very proud of you and I have great expectations for what you will do with your life, as well as what GOD will do through you.

In closing, I must mention that I have discovered a group called ApologetiX, a group of very talented musicians and performers who have taken some of the old classic and popular rock songs and parodied them with a Christian theme. I can't do justice to how talented they are in what they have done. I put a couple of their songs up on my Myspace page earlier this week.

One of the songs is a spoof of the Beach Boys' song Barbara Ann, called Baaa We're Lambs. You children have laughed to that song and sung it repeatedly for days. It's a great song, like many of the ApologetiX songs. My personal favorite is Bad Dad, a parody of Daniel's Powter's hit song Bad Day, because it has such a powerful and profound message; but I hope that it will not mean nearly as much to you, because I want to be to you an example of what a godly and lovely father should be.

Lastly, I have to mention again to your mother: Rebekah, you may never understand how much your presence in my life has meant to me or how wonderful it makes me feel to hold you close. I fall more deeply in love and in desire for you, every day.

Sincerely,

Dad.

Thinking of the children, as they start a new year

Dear Children,

The holidays are now over, and life has gotten back to its frantic pace. I am remaining committed to spending my early hours with the Lord, but journaling my experiences has become more and more of a challenge.

It is a challenge that I am confident I shall overcome, because the Lord has been helping me to redeem the time, so I become a bit more efficient every week. I’ve just got to hang in there and stay committed.

I want you to know that staying committed and believing that “Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it.” (I Th. 5:24) Therefore, “let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faith not.” (Gal. 6:9)

I had an effective time with the Lord, this morning. Sometime, it takes longer than I anticipated and I am not able to accomplish all that I had wanted, but every step is important. I made a list of things for which I want to pray every day and a couple of scriptures that I feel God has given me for this year, and I know that God is in it.

As for the past couple of weeks, let me begin by saying that you have each been a joy to watch, in many ways. Allow me to list just a few:

Alana: You have such a tender heart. Many times, your concern and sensitivity to the needs of those around you has warmed my heart. Last week, you were the first one awake and I was already working hard in my office.

At about 7:00 a.m. or a little after, you brought me in a glass of water, even though you hadn’t been in to see me yet. When I asked you if you had decided on your own to bring me water, you replied that you thought I might be thirsty. I thanked you and hugged you tight. You made my day.

You and Carrie Beth Hendricks are absolute best friends. You can hardly wait to see each other, and you love each other so much that you hate to say goodbye.

Elijah: You are always surprising me. Sometimes you are so attentive and sometimes you are so oblivious. I guess that has a lot to do with your age. Once, last week, you saw Tabitha in her swing all by herself and drew her a picture to hang on the side of the swing. The picture was of a person, to keep her company so that she wouldn’t get lonely.

I took you all sledding on the week of New Years, and everyone was so excited about it. We went to Bro. Josh’s house and sledded down the hill. You actually stood up on the sled and rode it down the hill by yourself, like you were snowboarding or surfing on the snow. At just six years old, I was impressed.

You are so smart and read so well. You think about things that most kids your age don’t think about. Now, if we could just work on your attention span. *sigh*

You like to wrestle with me, and we have been doing that a lot lately. I’ve tried to teach you a few moves, while we play fight. You are so determined that you won’t give up until you finally beat me.

Josiah: You have started to say more words, now, which is an answer to prayer. You’ve always been the silent type—unless, of course one of your siblings took something from you, in which case the whole house can hear you. It’s so nice to hear you answer along with Dora the Explorer or Diego. Dora says: “Say map.” You yell out, “MAP!” I love it.

You’ve also become more affectionate and desirous of my attention. Although you were always close to me, when you were smaller, you have been ok with letting Moriah hog a good majority of my attention until recently. Now, you insist on making her share. It’s nice to see that. You, like her, do not like it when I have to stop playing and go back to work.

Moriah: Yesterday (January 14) was your birthday. You were so excited. You couldn’t wait to have cake. You couldn’t wait to open presents. And you were so excited for everyone to come over. Faith & Hope gave you a stuffed bumble bee, and you sure have loved that thing.

You have also become much sweeter, recently. We were watching a movie, one night, and eating popcorn, but Elijah realized that he did not get any of a certain kind and said so, disappointedly. You brought him over a handful so that he wouldn’t be sad. Then, you brought him over a kernel or two intermittently, for several more minutes.

You LOVE your daddy. It seems like you want me to hold you constantly, and I have to exercise a lot of willpower to walk away, some times, so that I can get my work done. You hug me tightly and lean your head against my own. You always want to sit on my lap, and you’re the first one to run up to me and throw your arms around my legs, when I walk in the door.

You also LOVE spending time with Grandma Jenkins, and she loves spending time with you too. She always reads to you and talks to you. You just eat it up.

Tabitha: You are growing more expressive everyday—and louder, too. When you are happy, you are SOOOO happy. You LOVE to laugh and smile. And you are CRAZY about your Mom. But, when you are tired or hungry, you are MISERABLE (and so is everyone else!)

You have learned to roll around, now, from front to back and from back to front. You can move a good distance on the floor, just by scooting and rolling, and you hate to be left out.

On Saturday, we all built a snowman. It was probably the best snowman that I have ever built. You all helped, and it turned out quite large. We packed it good, so that it wouldn’t fall apart if the temperature warms up a little. Then, we dressed it up with fixins from a snowman kit that was given to us last year. He turned out to be a handsome snowman, to be sure.

It’s been a good couple of weeks, and we’ve been consistently getting a beautiful snowfall. It’s snowing as I write this letter.

I can’t wait to see what the rest of this week holds in store.

A great two weeks!

Dear Bekah & children,

The last two weeks have been wonderful.

Last week was something of a mix, because we spent the first couple of days preparing to leave for Havre. That meant that I had to get a lot of extra writing done. Although we originally planned to leave after I got off of work on Tuesday afternoon, I ended up having to run some errands afterward and decided that our best course of action was to leave out first thing in the morning and avoid going through the pass late in the evening.

The following morning, I e-mailed some things in to my editor and woke you all up so that we could get going. Getting five children and tired wife going certainly takes longer than the half hour that I had hoped for, but we managed to get out of the house and on the road at a decent hour.

Before long, we were in Havre, at Bro. Kirby and Sis. Nancy's house. Although they were away in Souix City, IA, Bro. Caleb & Sis. Mandie came over to have dinner and play games with us.

From the very first hour that we were together, Moriah and little Emilie hit it off. They seemed destined to be the best of friends, playing together and even sharing a chair. It was so much fun to watch.

We played games with Bro. Caleb and Sis. Mandie, like Cities and Knights, which was a lot of fun. However, we also talked about the Lord and fulfilling His will for our lives by reaching out to our communities. We talked about deliberately making new friends and establishing a strong relationship, upon which to build a future witness and labor of love for Christ.

We also talked about how I can be a better pastor to them and provide a more ongoing and relevant ministry to them, even though we do not see each other on a regular basis. I'm excited about implementing some of what we discussed, which I will begin immediately following the New Year, with all of the members of our local church and with them in particular.

Bro. Caleb and I went shopping together one morning and Sis. Mandie and your mother went shopping after that. We had a wonderful visit that was, as always, too short.

On our way home, we passed through Cut Bank, which was all lit up with one of the best displays of Christmas lights that I have ever seen. We did not notice it on the way to Havre, because we went through while it was day. Boy were we in for a surprise on the way back, especially when we saw the lights around the town hall.

Here are some pictures from the trip:

















Traveling home through Morias Pass was an experience. The snow was falling hard and fast and we had to follow the tail lights of the person in front of us, when that was possible. It wasn't easy. Part of the time, I had to drive very slow because the wind was blowing and I couldn't see anything. However, we made it through and gave thanks to the Lord for His protection upon us.

When we pulled into Kokanee Bend, it was like being in a winter wonderland, with snow falling all around us and even some new lights put up in the yards of our neighbors. Elijah was quick to get inside and turn our lights on, so that everyone could see our lights too.

The next few days were full of activity, as we had our Christmas program and prepared for Christmas Day, which was just two days away. The Christmas program was very nice. You children made us laugh, because you looked so cute dressed up as shepherds and angels.

Moriah was the littlest angel, and Grandma joked about her halo being a little crooked. She wasn't kidding! Moriah was the busiest one of them all, and it certainly provided an evening of entertainment for the whole church.

The next day was Christmas Eve. Rebekah and I busied ourselves with the final preparations for Christmas, making last minute purchases, hanging decorations inside the house and wrapping gifts once you were all in bed. We hung and filled your stockings with lots of good things, which were as much of a delight to you as the presents beneath the tree.

On Christmas morning, you couldn't wait to open presents. Of course, I had been up typing out a Christmas message to our friends and church members. We ate scones for breakfast, which your mother had prepared--they were absolutely delicious--and then gave each of you a bath so that you would look nice for pictures.

We had a good prayer and talked about why we have Christmas, before we opened presents. Elijah and Alana understood well, which made me very proud. As I prayed, I felt so very thankful for all of the gifts that God has given me, both through the offering of His only Begotten Son, through His forgiveness and the change in my life, and in giving me such a wonderful wife and each of you children, who bring so much joy and fullness into my life.

Once you were finally allowed to open presents, the magic really began. You were all so excited. Even Josiah. Moriah couldn't wait to eat the candy in her stocking, and Elijah and Alana were excited about the flashing light-up balls we put in each of the stockings.

Elijah's favorite present was a Ninja Turtle Paleo Patrol set, with a dinosaur and bone-clad ninja turtle who rides on it's back. He played with it all day and wanted to sleep with it that night.

Alana got two Pegasus My Little Pony figures, which she absolutely adored. Moriah got so excited when she peeled back the wrapping paper on her gift and found a brand new baby doll and stroller. She kept saying asking, "Mine?" and saying, "Open. Open."

Each of you children had paid a dollar to your mother to choose one of the gifts that she picked out to give to me--a rather neat idea, I thought. Elijah was excited to give me a game of Othello. Alana gave me a new pair of gloves, which she set her eyes on immediately and knew that they were exactly what I wanted. Josiah gave me a lighthouse. Moriah gave me a new dress shirt and tie.

Ok, Mom upstaged me, this year, but next year will be different.

All of you got new LEAP books and a dress-up set--three knights and a pirate. Elijah got the pirate outfit, which he guards with his life. You made a great pirate, son, but I'm glad you decided to throw the earing away.

Throughout the day, we fought with the swords. Even Alana got into the action. Of course, Elijah and Josiah ganged up on me and took great pleasure in driving me to the floor, where Elijah playfully severed my head. Thanks, son. I love you too.

The new Lincoln Logs were a big hit, as well, but they were for all of you. Grandma even built a house with them to show you how it's done. Apparently, Grandma is an old pro at building houses with Lincoln Logs.

Grandma and Moriah even assembled a puzzle together, which we gave to your children for Christmas. Not surprisingly, Grandma did most of the work, but Alana later discovered that she could assemble the puzzle all by herself. Good job, Alana!

Rebekah bought me a Thompson Chain Reference Bible. It was just what I needed, gray and black and a travel size, engraved with my name. Thanks, Babe. How did you know? *wink, wink*

Grandma and Grandpa ate Christmas dinner with us. Everything was delicious--one of the best Christmas meals I've ever had, and that included the pies. After dinner, Rebekah and I opened our stockings, both of which had plenty of good stuff, like cologne for me and hair items for her.

Before the day was over, I had gone back for thirds and fourths on Grandma's turkey and stuffing. Eventually, Dave and Melissa came over so that you could play with Tim, Dan, Beth and Andy, while we drank hot chocolate and played a game of Hit The Deck.

At last, we settled down to watch a Christmas movie. Elijah played with his dinosaur while we watched. We all ate popcorn. Josiah and Moriah played swords, ever so nicely, as they sat and watched--one of the most pleasant exchanges of sibling play I've ever seen between the two of you (and, best of all, no one got hurt).

It was a near perfect day.

Updates

For those of you who actually read these letters, I know that I've been slow in posting due to the scarcity of my time these days, but I have made a commitment to post a new letter at least once a week and to post a new message on my Letters to the Flock site no less than three times per week.

Thank you for checking in.

The Last Couple of Weeks

Dear Rebekah and children,

I want to thank you all for being so gracious during the past couple of weeks. I have been so busy with work and the local outreach that it has meant a lot of extra work for all of you.

Working for both the Bigfork Eagle and the West Shore News has placed a lot of demands on my time, doing investigative work, interviews and following up on leads. I know that has taken me away from home more than usual, and that has been a definite adjustment for you.

I want you to know how very much I love each one of you. Coming home to you is the highlight of every day. Seeing what Elijah has done in school, hearing your mother's stories about what Alana, Josiah and Moriah have been up to and seeing your faces light up because Daddy has come home. Together with your mom's embrace, these are the things that I love and look forward to.

Although it has meant a lot of additional work, I have managed to get our website online and functioning. It even looks pretty nice. It still needs some work, but it is already pretty efficient. I have posted three mp3 sermons for download, so far, so that we can reach out to our members, friends and family members who are not able to be in service with us, and I will continue to post these messages weekly.

That has been a goal of mine for several months, so I feel a tremendous relief to have actually gotten it done. Now, I can continue to feed our sheep who do not reside in Columbia Falls, which gives me a lot of comfort, since I had previously been very troubled by my inability to reach out to them on a regular basis.

Last week, Elijah lost his tooth. I can remember him showing everybody who would listen, when we went to Holidayfest in Lakeside. It was a lot of fun to take both Elijah and Alana with me to work that day, since I was covering a Christmas event. I don't usually get to take any of you along with me, since I do a lot of interviewing and meetings. We sure had a lot of fun together.



After Holidayfest, we went to a tree lighting ceremony and the Bigfork parade, which was woefully short due to the incredibly cold temperatures. As soon as the parade had ended, we found ourselves a warm building to hang out in until the blood was circulating in our extremities again. Finding no hot chocolate, as we had in previous years, we returned to our van.

I tried to teach the two of you how to slide on the icy snow on our way to the van and almost lost control on a hill. You both thought it was pretty neat.

Today, I am going to take your Elijah, Alana, Tim and Dan and your mother all to a Christmas play at the Christian Center in Kalispell, for which you are all very excited. Sister Melissa is going to watch Josiah and Moriah while we're at the play. After a busy week, which is not entirely over yet, I look forward to spending some quality time with each of you.

Tabitha has been a lot of fun these last couple of weeks, as well. She is smiling and laughing a lot more, and she loves to spend time with Daddy. She talks to me quite a bit, although I have no idea what she is saying. I've learned that I have a knack for two things: putting her to sleep and making her spit up on me.

I know that there are times when I have to discipline you for disobeying or fighting with one another, but I love you more than words alone can express. I couldn't imagine not having even one of you in my life.

Day After Thanksgiving

Dear Children,

Boy did we ever have an adventure, today. Your mother was gone to your Uncle Micah's wedding, so I got you all up at 6:00 a.m. and took you with me to check out all the Day-After-Thanksgiving sales. Most of the time, people commented on how good you were, which made me proud, but Josiah definitely had his moments.

You all got throws, which will be yours on Christmas Day, including Tabitha who was in Tennessee at the time. Elijah and Alana both thought it was the greatest thing. I bought you the throws because you're always playing with your blankets, which means that I have to hunt them down when I'm ready to put you into bed.

When we got home, you couldn't wait to put the Christmas tree up and decorate it, which we did after getting a bite to eat. You all did very well, and I was again proud of you.

We took pictures of each stage. Elijah even took pictures of me, which turned out remarkably well for having been taken by a six-year-old.

After dinner, we drank hot chocolate and ate popcorn from a Christmas tin that we picked up earlier today. We had our devotion while we drank the hot chocolate, around the kitchen table. The popcorn made a nice treat, while we watched The Happy Elf on the computer.

By that time, you were all ready for bed--even if you didn't quite know it at the time.

Here are some pictures of our day. I hope they bring back good memories.