Wednesday, July 20, 2011

a short story just doesn't contain it all

so about a year ago, i was randomly shopping at a local retail store. i wasn't finding much, but i had a gift-certificate-type-of-thingy that needed to be used, so i searched deeper for meaningless trinkets and/or doo-dads.
until...
from the back of the store, i hear a crash and a cry of pain followed by moaning.
realizing this wasn't the season to purchase halloween soundtracks (let alone, the completely wrong store to find that kind of stuff), i went to investigate. one of the store clerks had been changing light bulbs and fell off a ladder--about 15 ft.
so, i began to talk to him to see if he was OK--even though by the shape of his leg, he was not.
first things first: "sir, may i pray for you?" (this had double purpose: prayer, of course, is the best thing, but it also got him talking so that he wouldn't pass out). i don't really remember what i said in the prayer, but God heard it and answered it.
the sum total of my first aid knowledge has come from watching too much tv, so we called 911, applied a cool, wet paper towel to his forehead and kept him talking until the emts showed up.
during the conversation, i got to know don pretty well. married, recoverd alcholic, member of his church choir. and he said he had one last vice--chewing tobacco.
again, merely as a means of keeping him conscious, i asked him what it would take to give it up, especially since he'd already overcome alcohol. he admitted that he didn't have a good answer for that.
within a few moments, the paramedics arrived and i got out of their way to let them to what they are trained to do. let me add quickly, thank you to all who serve in emergency services.
that's about the end of the story. a couple days later, i called the store and asked about him. he'd broken both legs and was in for a long road to recovery.
i often drive past that store and would continue to pray for don over the course of the year. that is until about a week ago. as i drove past, i felt a need to call the store and see if there was an update. it didn't even cross my mind that it was coming up on the anniversary.
...but i forgot.
...but then God reminded me by way of a friend that use to go to church here that had worked at that store during the Christmas rush. "he's looking for you to say 'thanks'."
...and then i get a phone call in the office from him! he'd searched and found me and wanted to say thanks.
i got an update that he is walking again, though he still lacks stamina. that'll be the next goal for physical therapy.
and the whole point of this post, and a short story just doesn't contain all the mighty works of God herein, is a couple of insignificant details that led to major milestones.
first, he told me that he felt like he was about to go into shock--until i prayed and at the moment of "amen" all pain was gone. secondly, he reminded me that i asked him about his habit of tobacco (which i had forgotten) and informed me that he hasn't chewed since.
none of the credit goes to me for praying nor to don for his determination to walk again. all the glory goes to God for the way that He heals and confirms His presence, let alone His existence whenever we look for Him.
thank You, Lord...yup, that pretty much sums it up.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

100 songs every kid needs to know

when my oldest son turned 4, i burned a disk of songs for the family to enjoy singing together. it included quite a diverse playlist: showtunes, folk songs, bible songs, christmas songs and the like. it wasn't about a theme; it's just about singing in the car--a favorite family activity.
now that my youngest son is coming upon a birthday, i thought i'd make a new disk for him as well. (i feel compelled to point out how much we like gifts that can be shared by the whole family.) as i began to peruse and decide upon songs to be included, it led me to compile this master list of 100 songs that every kid needs to know.
i don't have any criteria or preconceived notions of what ought to be on there...or at least i didn't when i began. i wasn't looking just for songs from my memory of youth, i wanted good songs. quality is important.
the age of the song didn't really matter to me. if the latest songs are among the greatests songs, i'm happy to include them. but i always have a soft-spot in my heart for enduring music. some songs are great because they have stood the test of time, but some songs have stood the test of time simply because they are great. (and i should mention that some songs should retain their historicity--they are teaching moments!)
despite being for children, i didn't necessarily care if the renditions i found were of children singing. again with the concept of enduring, i want to expose my kids to great artists: bing crosby, frank sinatra, bill gaither, etc. as a music instructor, it sometimes pains me that upcoming musicians have, what i consider to be, some gaps in their exposure. who determines this, i don't know. it's another post for another blog on another day.
genre was another facet to consider, though this falls under some previous categories mentioned. i didn't want only sacred songs; i didn't want only inspirational songs. i want pop and rock and r&b and classical and standards and...and...and...diversity and eccelectism inspire me.
one overriding theme i see as i look at the titles i've compiled so far: encouragement. the lyrics have positive messages in them. even if they are silly lyrics (such as 'mairzy doats'), there is strength in the message. in the same line with encouragement is responsibility: there are songs that every citizen are responsible to know. (how embarrassing are 'national anthem' lyric snafus?)

so, you can see where i'm coming from. but you won't yet see where it's going--i haven't compiled my final list. feel free to post and respond with ideas and suggestions.

Lord of Creation, thank You for the gift of music. may we be responsible with the sounds with which you have entrusted us. thank You also for my wonderful children--a gift so undeserved. i am blessed.
1. Alphabet song
2. Awesome God
3. Bare necessities
4. B-I-B-L-E
5. Father Abraham
6. Give a little whistle
7. God bless America
8. Have patience (from music machine)
9. I got rhythm
10. I love to laugh (from mary poppins)
11. If I had a hammer
12. If you’re happy and you know it
13. In the garden
14. Inka-dinka-doo
15. Let a smile be your umbrella
16. Mairzy doats
17. Oh how he loves you and me
18. Oh susanna
19. Oh what a beautiful morning (from Oklahoma)
20. Old macdonald
21. Over the rainbow (from wizard of oz)
22. Puff, the magic dragon
23. Rocky top
24. Seventy-six trombones
25. Sing (as recorded by the carpenters)
26. Singin’ in the rain
27. Star-spangled banner
28. Take me out to the ballgame
29. This little light of mine
30. Together wherever we go
31. Tomorrow (from annie)
32. Trading my sorrows
33. Twinkle, twinkle little star
34. Victory in jesus
35. What a wonderful world
36. YMCA
37. You are my sunshine
38. Zaccheus was a wee little man

stay tuned for more development!

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

100 songs every kid needs to know

when my oldest son turned 4, i burned a disk of songs for the family to enjoy singing together. it included quite a diverse playlist: showtunes, folk songs, bible songs, christmas songs and the like. it wasn't about a theme; it's just about singing in the car--a favorite family activity.
now that my youngest son is coming upon a birthday, i thought i'd make a new disk for him as well. (i feel compelled to point out how much we like gifts that can be shared by the whole family.) as i began to peruse and decide upon songs to be included, it led me to compile this master list of 100 songs that every kid needs to know.
i don't have any criteria or preconceived notions of what ought to be on there...or at least i didn't when i began. i wasn't looking just for songs from my memory of youth, i wanted good songs. quality is important.
the age of the song didn't really matter to me. if the latest songs are among the greatests songs, i'm happy to include them. but i always have a soft-spot in my heart for enduring music. some songs are great because they have stood the test of time, but some songs have stood the test of time simply because they are great. (and i should mention that some songs should retain their historicity--they are teaching moments!)
despite being for children, i didn't necessarily care if the renditions i found were of children singing. again with the concept of enduring, i want to expose my kids to great artists: bing crosby, frank sinatra, bill gaither, etc. as a music instructor, it sometimes pains me that upcoming musicians have, what i consider to be, some gaps in their exposure. who determines this, i don't know. it's another post for another blog on another day.
genre was another facet to consider, though this falls under some previous categories mentioned. i didn't want only sacred songs; i didn't want only inspirational songs. i want pop and rock and r&b and classical and standards and...and...and...diversity and eccelectism inspire me.
one overriding theme i see as i look at the titles i've compiled so far: encouragement. the lyrics have positive messages in them. even if they are silly lyrics (such as 'mairzy doats'), there is strength in the message. in the same line with encouragement is responsibility: there are songs that every citizen are responsible to know. (how embarrassing are 'national anthem' lyric snafus?)

so, you can see where i'm coming from. but you won't yet see where it's going--i haven't compiled my final list. feel free to post and respond with ideas and suggestions.

Lord of Creation, thank You for the gift of music. may we be responsible with the sounds with which you have entrusted us. thank You also for my wonderful children--a gift so undeserved. i am blessed.
1. Alphabet song
2. Awesome God
3. Bare necessities
4. B-I-B-L-E
5. Father Abraham
6. Give a little whistle
7. God bless America
8. Have patience (from music machine)
9. I got rhythm
10. I love to laugh (from mary poppins)
11. If I had a hammer
12. If you’re happy and you know it
13. In the garden
14. Inka-dinka-doo
15. Let a smile be your umbrella
16. Mairzy doats
17. Oh how he loves you and me
18. Oh susanna
19. Oh what a beautiful morning (from Oklahoma)
20. Old macdonald
21. Over the rainbow (from wizard of oz)
22. Puff, the magic dragon
23. Rocky top
24. Seventy-six trombones
25. Sing (as recorded by the carpenters)
26. Singin’ in the rain
27. Star-spangled banner
28. Take me out to the ballgame
29. This little light of mine
30. Together wherever we go
31. Tomorrow (from annie)
32. Trading my sorrows
33. Twinkle, twinkle little star
34. Victory in jesus
35. What a wonderful world
36. YMCA
37. You are my sunshine
38. Zaccheus was a wee little man

stay tuned for more development!

Friday, April 29, 2011

humbling

those that know me, know that we've adopted three times, sort of.
the oldest one never filed any formal paperwork, but she's ours and we love her equally (even though she's driving me crazy, crazy, crazy!). the younger two are both technically, officially, openly adopted.
here's something you may not know about our adoptions: we have openness with birthfamilies.
i don't ask that any of you try to understand the "what" or "why" of open adoption. all i can say is that for us, it was the right thing to do. if we adopt again, we may not have openness, but for now, we know we are blessed because of it.
anyway, i only mention that to set the ground work to tell you about my humbling experience.
part of our openness is to write semi-frequently. i suppose many would say that we correspond often once you hear how many times we write each month, but compared to my mother who was a letter-writing machine, we'll leave it at "semi-frequently".
also, in our openness, we get together. this is not as often, but that's merely a logistical thing--to schedule two families and traveling isn't always easy nor convenient with life's busy-ness.
however, at our last visit with son #1's birthmother, she asked if we were going to adopt again. we don't really have secrets from her, so we were open and told her yes. we definately want to adopt again. our boys are praying "for more babies to come to our family, another boy and a little girl." we told her a little about or financial planning to be able to afford the process again.
as we do with everyone that asks us, we told her, with a grin, she could recruit for us--that if she knew of someone facing a choice of creating an adoption plan for their baby, then we could make it work out to connect with them. realistically, this could save us considerable amounts of money, because no agencies would have to be involved. it's not about the cost, but it's certainly a consideration.
well, that's the backstory. now for the humilty.
we got a letter from her yesterday. it always brightens our day to hear from her. my wife and i tease each other over who gets to read it first (she beat me this time).
i couldn't believe when i read it that she told us that she was actually talking to pregnant women about us! she not only "brags" about us and our son (she knows and is very careful to not call him her son. we respect her deeply for that.), but she has come to a place of healing that allows her to move past the guilt to a place of helping others experience peace.
i suppose she'll always have regret--not regret for her choice, but for the life choices that forced her situation to require such a choice. but peace has come to her heart.
as an adoptive parent, i can't imagine a higher praise than for a birth family to work for you to bring healing to others. this is a tangled web of weirdness, and yet there is peace and trust and, above all, love.
dear Lord, please bring more babies to our family, another boy and a little girl. and please continue to bring peace and healing through her (You know her name and hold her close). and not just for the blessing of my son, but more so for the relationship with her, we thank you for bringing her into our lives. she is a remarkable woman and she has a divine calling on her life. for any woman and/or man that is facing a choice, i pray for your peace and guidance on them, even if...especially if they don't believe in You.
and Lord, let me be your vessel to bring healing and peace wherever you plant me.

Monday, March 28, 2011

simple joys

some highlights from my weekend away. i call them simple joys.

  • access to better quality exercise equipment than i have at home made exercise less of a drudgery.

  • i saw john kerry.

  • conversations with students

  • pizzaria due (it's pizzaria uno, the sequel)

  • shopping in chicago

  • amazing adjudication at purdue (and their choirs are pretty amazing)

  • naps on the bus!

  • coming home

  • even though the boys were more than an hour past bedtime, it was glad to see them and give them their presents

that is not all, and is, in no way, a prioritized list. but, with a smile on my face i look to the past with a smile (and hope to get more sleep very soon).

Thursday, March 24, 2011

stomping grounds

this afternoon i get to travel homeward...well, sort of.
i get to accompany (in two ways) a local high school choir to a competition held very near where i went to high school. i'm very excited!
shortly after i left for college (august 1992), my parents moved away from the region and so i don't have many opportunities to return. i won't get to do much outside of the planned agenda for the long weekend, but still, it'll be fun to stomp the old grounds.

(the two ways of accompanying are as tour chaperone and as pianist.)

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

dichotomy

dichotomy is one of my favorite words. i could spend a lot of time explaining why; i could draw comparisons and the like to demonstrate why i like the word so much. here's my reason of the day.
my blog presents an interesting dichotomy. well, at least it's interesting enough to me to write about it, but it's probably not actually interesting at all.

my blog has always been my place to unleash my thoughts. because there are no rules of blogging, i tend to just throw it all out there and see what rises to the top. it's cathartic to look for trends and patterns in my life.
and yet, it keeps me centered because of the notion of who might read it. that is, it keeps my integrity in check, shaping me to write honestly, with integrity instead of bad-mouthing, bashing, etc. words in general are powerful to build-up or tear-down. my blog forces responsibility with words. and it is my conviction that even when correcting and rebuking, we can do it in a manner that builds up.

and thus the two sides of my dichotomy. i need to unleash my thoughts. i have a great tool at my disposal that can help me sort through the stuff, the muck. but just like grace, the tool's potential is worthless unless it is put to work.
on the other hand, i'm not sure that i want to be responsible with my words. the issue is deeply personal to me and involves as person in my life. i don't know if that person ever reads my blog or not. if they didn't, i could just tear them down as anonymous and i think i'd feel good for the moment. but if they were to read my words, would they be built-up or torn-down?

another strand of my web is that now that i have posted this, many in my life will become self-conscious. they'll develope a judas-complex: "surely, not i!" which is not the point.
i question whether i should write about it at all.
but that leads to my first point: this could be a great tool for me to sort through my thoughts--which desperately needs to happen.

Lord, let my words be from you at all times whether they come from my mouth or my fingers.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

it's amazing the difference one feels when exercising and eating properly. it's so hard to break out of the old routine and establish new ones, but man, it is worth it!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

i wasn't going to post today. i just wasn't in the mood.
this is how my day started...(actually, it started yesterday).

i woke up with a headache yesterday. that's not uncommon for me, but it's a hassle nonetheless. often these things go away as i get moving for the day. and since i didn't have to work yesterday, i wasn't too worried about it. i was home with the boys and had a great day of nothingness planned.
but, my headache dropped. it fell out of my head and lowered itself into my neck and shoulders--aka "achy". you know that feeling! for me, it usually marks the beginning of the flu.
and then it happened, i sneezed and that triggered my throat to hurt. oh crap, i hate being sick on my day off.
but, the boys were delightful yesterday. they played so well together all day. they ate a good lunch and took good naps. it was a perfect day except for that whole sick thing.
...though i did notice that son #1 was not listening to me.
actually, i realized he couldn't hear me very well and with a sore throat, we were quite a pair: i couldn't talk and he could hear me anyway.
i should qualify that i had all the symptoms that israel should have had. he didn't have any symptoms, except for the hearing-loss.
i woke today not feeling much better, but kept israel with me so that i could try and get him into the pediatrician's office.
guess what? double ear infection! no wonder he could hear me. but, the dr. actually said, "these are so infected, i'm surprized it didn't wake him up during the night." (cue the "failure as a parent" theme song).
so, as you can see, blogging just didn't rank very high on my priorities today.
but, when i finally got a chance to sign into facebook, my perspective and priorities changed. drastically.
for you see, my friend from college is finally getting a donor liver. he's been waiting for a while and today is the day. he is a father of four and devoted husband. he is one of cincinnati's finest, a police officer. and i've been praying for the family for a long time, so i'm so excited for this answer to their prayers.

but, it made my puny headache and my son's double ear infection seem so much less significant. don't get me wrong: i still need healing, as does israel. but less pity for me and more prayer for God to shake the lives of those around me.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

today was a better day for the treadmill because...
it's still facing a wall, but it's nearer the TV, so i can watch and walk (which lets you know how to time the walk).
i got up early enough to do it
i had an unusual schedule this morning, so i was able to get up and go the distance, eat breakfast and then do it a second time.

small steps, people. that's what it takes.

Monday, March 7, 2011

so, here's the spring break dilemma:
do you use the time off to catch up/work ahead or do you actually enjoy a break?
i'm not sure how my calendar will reflect it, but i really want to just enjoy a break.
...and then i feel guilty for wasteing time.
...and then i smile broadly because this is the hardest decision i have to make this week. i am blessed.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

not a good weekend for treadmilling...
rather, it was a perfect weekend to treadmil: rainy, windy, chilly, etc.
i just did't make it on the beast.
but, it's a new dawn of a new day in a new week. overcoming is about taking one step at a time. like a treadmill, you sometimes feel like you're stepping and stepping and not going anywhere. but often times, the destination is not as important as the journey and what you "get" from it is not nearly as important as what you put into it.

Friday, March 4, 2011

day two of treadmill was a little better.
i learned two things about myself today:
first, i have a phobia of falling off the back of the treadmill if i lengthen my stride (long-legged people are like that).
second, i've got to find some appropriate workout music. the shuffle on my zune just ain't cutting it.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

day one of treadmill did not go as well as planned. the fact that i was facing a wall instead of the wide-open road was probably part of the problem...at least that's my story and i'm sticking to it.

Monday, February 28, 2011

i haven't been in a very write-y mood of late. in fact, i see that it's been 6 months since i entered anything here in the blog. then today i woke up a little early and couldn't get back to sleep--which isn't such a big deal, it was only about 30 minutes before the alarm, so i decided to get up and do some wii exercise.
i logged into my wiifit user and what'dya know? it's been about 6 months since i wii'd. i'm seeing a trend here.
and apparently, since it's been 6 months since the wii was used, it needed new batteries...so i fought with that for a bit.
in the end, i never did get to the exercise part, but i did weigh in. um...yeah... that's gotta change.
for my loyal readers, all 4 of you (my own mother nor wife actually read this), i want to remind you that this blog is for me, not you. i'm not here to dispel great insight or knowledge. i blog to collect my thoughts and to throw them out there so that people can respond if they want to.
well, despite it all, i don't have a game plan. i don't know what i'm going to do about it. i'm not going to crash diet, but likely, if someone offered me poor quality cookies, i'd eat too many.
and in case you haven't figured it out yet, while my up-scale is my point of view, i am fully aware that things in my heart and head aren't quite right. that's what actually needs to change.

dear Jesus, i need your help to...well, i'm not sure what i need to do, but i rely on you.