Yesterday was Janelle's birthday, it was also a day of flexibility. The things we planned on doing we did not do and the things we did not plan on doing we did (but not in the Paul fashion). We planned on coming home for lunch and going to the Cheesecake Factory for her birthday dinner. Instead we went to lunch with our friends the Bells and went to Snappy Tomato with Chris and Micalynn Barker. While it wasn't what we had planned to do, it was better because it was time spent with friends.
We were going to take the Christmas tree down today but I could not stand the thought a wrestling boys, the trees and protecting the ornaments all at the same time....so we took down the tree last night while the boys were sleeping. There is a lot of additional space for the boys to play in now.
I was thinking of the upcoming new year knowing that it will be like every year having its share of dissappointment and sorrow, that is not what I focus on. Instead I look forward to spending time with my wife and boys. Trips to see grandmother, camp, grandparents coming back during the summer and the general promise of a new year. The new year also brings us closer to eternity with the passing of each day, so I need to make every day count.
In closing, again Happy birthday Janelle and Happy New Year to all of you.
In Him,
David
Monday, December 31, 2007
Friday, December 28, 2007
My Family
Me and my LOVELY wife, yes, I know I married UP.
Grandmother and Christopher
Christopher displays his architectural abilities
Jacob, a true Joy!
Holidays and Observations
We traveled to my mother's home for the Christmas holiday. We had a wonderful time and the boys love spending time with their grandmother. It was a busy time with a day at Dollywood, presents to open on Christmas Eve, the visit from Santa on Christmas morning, visiting the congregation that I grew up in on Sunday morning and spending time with family and friends. We are truly blessed!
One of the inconveniences of staying with my mother is her internet connection. It is rather slow and sporadic at times. I think my in-laws in China have better service than she does. But for all that she uses the net, it is perfect for her and that is all that matters. It does make it difficult to post and read other blogs though.
I received the movie that I truly wanted from my wife as a Christmas present. The movie is titled Amazing Grace and it is truly an amazing movie. It is based on the actions of William Wilberforce and his attempts to abolish slavery in the British empire. His mentor / preacher / father figure was John Newton, a former slaveship captain. I will not go into the details, rather I would urge everyone to see this movie. It proves that 1 man can make a difference.
Early on in the movie William is having a conversation with his butler when the butler asks, excuse the paraphrasing please, "you found God sir?" To which William replies: "rather he found me, it is rather inconvenient when one finds God." It is inconvenient to find God. As humans there are things that we WANT to do that as Christians we should NOT do. But on the flip side, it is a grand adventure to walk with God and to know him. Everything good that I have in my life I have because of God. My parents, my wife and my children are all blessings from Him. Happy New Year to all.
In Him,
David
One of the inconveniences of staying with my mother is her internet connection. It is rather slow and sporadic at times. I think my in-laws in China have better service than she does. But for all that she uses the net, it is perfect for her and that is all that matters. It does make it difficult to post and read other blogs though.
I received the movie that I truly wanted from my wife as a Christmas present. The movie is titled Amazing Grace and it is truly an amazing movie. It is based on the actions of William Wilberforce and his attempts to abolish slavery in the British empire. His mentor / preacher / father figure was John Newton, a former slaveship captain. I will not go into the details, rather I would urge everyone to see this movie. It proves that 1 man can make a difference.
Early on in the movie William is having a conversation with his butler when the butler asks, excuse the paraphrasing please, "you found God sir?" To which William replies: "rather he found me, it is rather inconvenient when one finds God." It is inconvenient to find God. As humans there are things that we WANT to do that as Christians we should NOT do. But on the flip side, it is a grand adventure to walk with God and to know him. Everything good that I have in my life I have because of God. My parents, my wife and my children are all blessings from Him. Happy New Year to all.
In Him,
David
Friday, December 21, 2007
Great Expectations
I wrote in my last post that I have certain expectations when it comes to Christmas, what I did not write is that these expectations are based on my experiences in the past. The kind of Christmas that I had as a child has shaped what I expect Christmas to be as an adult. Unfortunately many of us approach religion in the same manner. Our previous experiences shape what we expect out of a church. Sadly many do not take the time to honestly look for themselves at what the Bible says of what the Church should be.
It is amazing to me in this age of high speed internet, cars, planes, satellite communications, etc.; that the most influential person in the world is a poor carpenter's son who died nearly 2000 years ago. He did not have a tv show, hardly traveled compared to what we do today and yet the world recognizes him both in this holiday season and in how we measure the passing of time.
I want to use the upcoming year to get to know this carpenter's son better. To better understand what the church should be and my role in it. To be the husband, father and role model that I should be.
Happy Holidays, In Him.........
David
It is amazing to me in this age of high speed internet, cars, planes, satellite communications, etc.; that the most influential person in the world is a poor carpenter's son who died nearly 2000 years ago. He did not have a tv show, hardly traveled compared to what we do today and yet the world recognizes him both in this holiday season and in how we measure the passing of time.
I want to use the upcoming year to get to know this carpenter's son better. To better understand what the church should be and my role in it. To be the husband, father and role model that I should be.
Happy Holidays, In Him.........
David
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Can't Wait
As a small child I always loved Christmas. I could not wait to look under the tree and see what Santa brought me and all the other gifts that I was getting. I also loved picking out gifts for others and wathching their faces as they opened their gifts. I still love Christmas and can't wait to see the boys faces this year.
I always want to pick something that is suitable to the person for which I am buying, although my method of shopping has changed. I used to be a powershopper. I would wait to the last moment and do all my shopping in one frantic day of shopping. I am now more of a bargain shopper. I will shop the doorbusters, Black Friday and anywhere else that I can get a deal. I will carefully comb through all the sales flyers (F.S.I.s in the business) looking for the best deals on what I have chosen to purchase. I always shop with this caveat, if I don't think the person will truly like or can use it, I won't buy it.
I hate buying clothes for my nieces. I don't want to be the clothes uncle, I want to be the cool uncle that gets them cool things, not clothes. I hated getting clothes when I was younger. It wasn't that I was unappreciative, it was that what certain family members picked out for me had nothing to do with style. When I would put on their outfit I would feel like Ralphy wearing the pink bunny costume in "A Christmas Story".
I have certain unwritten rules about Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. It is part of who I am. I try not to always inflict my rules on others but I do have certain expectations. Even if you don't live up to my expectations I do know that I love Christmas and as the song says, it is the most wonderful time of the year. Merry Christmas.
David
I always want to pick something that is suitable to the person for which I am buying, although my method of shopping has changed. I used to be a powershopper. I would wait to the last moment and do all my shopping in one frantic day of shopping. I am now more of a bargain shopper. I will shop the doorbusters, Black Friday and anywhere else that I can get a deal. I will carefully comb through all the sales flyers (F.S.I.s in the business) looking for the best deals on what I have chosen to purchase. I always shop with this caveat, if I don't think the person will truly like or can use it, I won't buy it.
I hate buying clothes for my nieces. I don't want to be the clothes uncle, I want to be the cool uncle that gets them cool things, not clothes. I hated getting clothes when I was younger. It wasn't that I was unappreciative, it was that what certain family members picked out for me had nothing to do with style. When I would put on their outfit I would feel like Ralphy wearing the pink bunny costume in "A Christmas Story".
I have certain unwritten rules about Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. It is part of who I am. I try not to always inflict my rules on others but I do have certain expectations. Even if you don't live up to my expectations I do know that I love Christmas and as the song says, it is the most wonderful time of the year. Merry Christmas.
David
Monday, December 17, 2007
Sick Little Boy part 2
In my last blog I mentioned that Jacob was sick. Well his fever finally broke on Friday night and then he was full of energy and wanting to play, so he and I stayed up till 11:30 and then I rocked him back to sleep. That was the good news.
Saturday I kept the boys while Janelle went to class. After mommy got home, Christopher and I went to McDonald's playland for him to run out some energy. We then had a errand to run to Wal-Mart. At that point Christopher said something he rarely says, "lets go home daddy." I said it would only take a minute and then we would go home. Warning sign number 2, he said his tummy hurt. Warning sign number 3, he would not ride in the cart but wanted me to carry him instead. We were shopping when all of a sudden he threw up on daddy's shoulder. I rushed out of the store, pulled off my jacket and threw it in the trunk, got some towels and cleaned him up and then put him in his carseat and drove him home. I felt terrible all the way home and apologized for keeping him out when he wanted to go home...he kept reassuring me that "its okay daddy, its okay."
We enter the house when he gets sick on me a second time. Gross! He's crying, feeling awful and scared. We keep reassuring him that its okay. I hand him off to Janelle and go get out of my gross clothing. I come back, change him into pajamas while Janelle cleans up the entry way and puts the clothes into the wash. We fold out the couch, turn on a movie to calm him down and to let him relax. He now loves "White Christmas". During the night he gets me for the third and final time. We change him, me and the bedding again and settle down for a restless night.
God gives us kids so we can start to understand him. Through it all, I love Christopher and my only desire was for him to feel better. I wonder how many times I have thrown up on God and yet all he wants is a relationship with me.
In Him,
David
Saturday I kept the boys while Janelle went to class. After mommy got home, Christopher and I went to McDonald's playland for him to run out some energy. We then had a errand to run to Wal-Mart. At that point Christopher said something he rarely says, "lets go home daddy." I said it would only take a minute and then we would go home. Warning sign number 2, he said his tummy hurt. Warning sign number 3, he would not ride in the cart but wanted me to carry him instead. We were shopping when all of a sudden he threw up on daddy's shoulder. I rushed out of the store, pulled off my jacket and threw it in the trunk, got some towels and cleaned him up and then put him in his carseat and drove him home. I felt terrible all the way home and apologized for keeping him out when he wanted to go home...he kept reassuring me that "its okay daddy, its okay."
We enter the house when he gets sick on me a second time. Gross! He's crying, feeling awful and scared. We keep reassuring him that its okay. I hand him off to Janelle and go get out of my gross clothing. I come back, change him into pajamas while Janelle cleans up the entry way and puts the clothes into the wash. We fold out the couch, turn on a movie to calm him down and to let him relax. He now loves "White Christmas". During the night he gets me for the third and final time. We change him, me and the bedding again and settle down for a restless night.
God gives us kids so we can start to understand him. Through it all, I love Christopher and my only desire was for him to feel better. I wonder how many times I have thrown up on God and yet all he wants is a relationship with me.
In Him,
David
Friday, December 14, 2007
Sick little boy
We have had a rough past couple of days. Jacob has been running a fever and kept us up most of the night Wednesday night. On Thursday he went to the doctor. They were concerned enough that they ordered chest x-rays. The good news is it was not pneumonia, the bad news is it was not pneumonia. If it had been pneumonia then they could treat it with antibiotics. Instead it is a virus and it pretty much has to run its course (10-12 days). We have to keep an eye on him to make sure his breathing doesn't become too labored. Keep him in your prayers please. I'm not complaining. Indeed I feel blessed that this is the worst that we have experienced up to this point with our boys. I thank God that he gave us two wonderful children who are so healthy.
Big brother got to come to work with daddy yesterday while mommy and Jacob went to the doctor. We had a good time. I pulled out a secret stash of toys for him to play with, dug out some goodies for him to eat and we had some new puzzles for him to work. It was fun for both of us.
Christmas is almost here and it is very busy in the White house. Presents to wrap, still a few to buy, cards to be mailed out, boys to play with and keep out of the tree. Happy holidays to all of you!
In Him,
David
Big brother got to come to work with daddy yesterday while mommy and Jacob went to the doctor. We had a good time. I pulled out a secret stash of toys for him to play with, dug out some goodies for him to eat and we had some new puzzles for him to work. It was fun for both of us.
Christmas is almost here and it is very busy in the White house. Presents to wrap, still a few to buy, cards to be mailed out, boys to play with and keep out of the tree. Happy holidays to all of you!
In Him,
David
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