"Happy Thanksgiving"

Oyster Stuffing... Traditional Bread Stuffing.

Cornbread Dressing Stuffing... Pork Sausage Stuffing.

Gluten Free Stuffing... Vegetarian Stuffing. (which I guess doesn't go in the turkey?)

Stuffing, stuffing, stuffing!

Sure, I love my turkey on Thanksgiving. But for me, it's all about the stuffing.
I'll skip the 'tators and the gravy. Skip the green bean casserole. Skip the cranberries.
Skip... skip... skip.

Show me the stuffing.

I guess it really is what's on the inside that counts.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

"Over the hill, and Thru the Woods..."

I love my children.


AND I love my wife.

I'm also grateful that my parents are willing to take on the four kids overnight.
This is so important for Samantha and I. It not only affords the both of us rest,
and quiet time; it goes far in keeping it real for us. It's needed, time alone.

Oh, How I urge all of you to find this time alone. It's hard, I understand.
Finding babysitters, parents live far away, no siblings to help out. I understand.

But some how, I urge you, find a way. Your marriage needs it. Your children need it.
Find someone you know and trust at church to take care of them for you. If not overnight,
at least for a long evening.

In the words of Nike: JUST DO IT!

"It's in the Genes"

Sometimes I wonder if I have an influence on my children's lives. I wonder if they listen and hear me. I wonder if they see how I live and will choose to model their lives after mine. This is a scary thing; because I do understand that they will not only (hopefully) model the good things in my life, but that they will also model the things that I do that are not so wholesome. I wonder.

But do I really have to wonder. Though some where I live in Western Pennsylvania may think we all are born with the black and gold gene, the fact is, loving our Steelers is a learned behavior.
Thankfully. 'Cause when that first rebellious child comes home one day wearing brown and orange... well, look out below.

"11, 11, 11"

Tomorrow is Veteran's Day. Thank a Veteran if you have the opportunity. Go out of your way to do it. They certainly went out of their way to provide you the cover of freedom you enjoy right now.

"If you had permission to do what you really want to do, what would you do?
Don't ask 'how', that will cut your desire off at the knees. 'HOW' is never the right question; 'how' is a faithless question. It means 'unless I can see my way clearly I won't believe it, won't venture forth'... 'HOW' is God's department. He is asking WHAT. What is written in your heart? What makes you come alive? If you could do what you've always wanted to do, what would it be? You see, a man's calling is written on his true heart, and he discovers it when he enters the frontier of his deep desire. To paraphrase Bailie, don't ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive because what the world needs are MEN who have come alive." "Wild at Heart" by John Eldredge, Thomas Nelson Publishers

That's the big K-grader.
She's down and out today.
In Bed.
Cough.
It just stinks.

The question I am left with is this: how do you insulate my other 3 children from the hacking/sneezing sick girl?

Or should I?

Right now, 3 of us are downstairs, she's upstairs sleeping. Eventually the brother who naps will need his crib... yep, that's right, he shares a room with the K-grader.

Oh well. Nothing to do about it, but give unconditional love.

That's not me in the dinghy. Well, not literally.

I have been riding around in one for quite a long time. HEY, I am literally afraid of water...
and spiritually, I am just as afraid.


"As the night was ending, Jesus came to them walking on the sea.
When the disciples saw him walking on the water they were terrified and said,
“It’s a ghost!” and cried out with fear.
But immediately Jesus spoke to them:
“Have courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.”
Peter said to him, “Lord, if it is you, order me to come to you on the water.”
So he said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind he became afraid. And starting to sink, he cried out,
“Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him,
“You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
When they went up into the boat, the wind ceased.
Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Matthew 14:25-33 NET Bible

I am starting to understand more each day that I don't want to hear Jesus say to me:
“You of little faith, why did you doubt?”