Jayna asked me to stand in as an “honorary” father at her wedding this past weekend. It was truly an honor. Her dad, Buck, and I were great friends during his last few years. In those days, I had the pleasure of playing in a band with him. I was also youth minister to two of his kids – Jayna and Dustan.
This weekend, I thought of him quite a bit and missed him greatly. I’m so grateful to have known him and been able to serve alongside him. Jayna worked with me here in Lake Jackson as a summer youth assistant too. Anyway, the wedding was beautiful and we got to see quite a few old friends too. Good stuff.
Kasen, discovered himself in the mirror at the hotel. It was pretty funny watching him laugh and giggle and dance and kiss himself. Here are a couple of pics.
I was at my in-laws house earlier today and we celebrated my first Father’s Day. There are all kinds of jokes about in-laws, but mine break all the stereotypes. They’re great! They have truly welcomed me into the family and I feel at home when I’m with them. (The only place I don’t feel at home with them is in the pantry, but Mike is hardly allowed in there himself. – LOL)
My father-in-law, Mike loves to eat. It doesn’t matter what he’s eating, he always sits down and enjoys every bite. It’s a normal thing to see him sitting at a table alone when everyone else is in the living room on a TV tray or on the floor. He knows how to savor his food.
Anyway, there’s a scene in the movie the Bucket List where Morgan Freeman comes home. He clearly loves being with his family. The scene shows him at a crowded dinner table passing food around laughing and then when they pray together, he sneeks a peek at his loved ones. He is truly contented – savoring every moment with them.
In that scene Morgan Freeman plays the role of my father-in-law – Mike. He lives for times like today – when his crowded house becomes a home for everyone – when the Krolczyk’s show up and he and Leroy can whisper together – when the guys meet around the grill and the girls leave together to “run some errands” (that’s code for “we haven’t bought any Father’s Day gifts yet.”) – when he is torn about whether to hold Kasen, Kallie, or Reid – times when smiles are common and laughter is contagious – He savors those moments as if he is storing them in his heart for a rainy day. He is proud of his family. He loves his family and would give anything for them. He is a true Father.
I hope and pray that my home will be filled like that one day. Thanks – Mike and Patti for your example and for treating me as one of your own. The Bible describes children as arrows. (Ps 127:4-5) I’m sure Mike felt like his quiver was full today, and I know he savored every moment of it – it was all over his face.
Prayer: Thank you God for my family, and Miranda’s family, and the things we’ve learned from them – the examples they’ve shown to us. Give Miranda and I a home full of family too. Empower and lead us to aim our arrow (Kasen) correctly and guide him to take ground in advancing the Kingdom of God. AMEN.
I just saw the movie “The Bucket List” last night and thought I’d make my own list of things I wanna do before I “kick the bucket.” I’m sure this list will change over the years as different things become important for me, but I’m gonna at least get started with my list here.
I’ll mark those things I’ve completed in blue.
Follow Jesus – Live for Him
Be an awesome husband and father
Teach my children about Jesus with how I live
Live a risky life – take chances
Get in shape
Spend a week alone
Live in a real Biblical community Get my Bachelor’s degree – Aug 2008 – Biblical Leadership from College of Biblical Studies
Help plant a church
Spend a month on the Mission Field with my family
Write a book
Skydive
Race a car around a track a few times
Helicopter Skiing
Travel back to Israel
Scuba Dive the Great Barrier Reef – travel Australia
Kiss Miranda in Golden Gate Park as the sun sets See a volcano in Hawaii – June 2010
Get my mother-in-law to go camping in Colorado
Go on an African Safari
Climb to the summit of a mountain
Whitewater Raft through the Grand Canyon
Spend a summer camping with family
Record a CD of my own songs See U2 live – Sept 2009 See MuteMath live – Oct 2009
I know there will be more ideas later. I’ll just add them to the list.
Here’s another list of some amazing things I’ve already been able to do.
Marry the most amazing woman in the world Dance under the moonlight with Miranda
Witness the birth of my children, Kasen & Kesleigh Travel to Israel
Work under an incredible leader – my father-in-law
Grow up in an incredible family Kiss Miranda at the top of the Empire State Building Tell my dad goodbye on his deathbed
Recorded 2 CDs with Throne Together
Play and sing on stage leading hundreds in worship
Youth ministry
Disciple youth and lead them into relationship with Christ
Watch on as youth I worked with go into the world serving Christ doing missions in Africa, Egypt, Costa Rica, Thailand, planting churches, Leading worship, serving their church
Traveling Experiences:
Travel the World with My Father-in-Law: Israel
London/England – John Wesley/Soul Survivor
Rome & Italy
New York – Brooklyn Tabernacle
Phoenix, Arizona – Church of Joy
Go to Continuing Education Conferences in: Nashville – Worship Together
Ginghamsburg, Ohio – Media in Worship
San Francisco – National Youth Workers Convention
San Diego – NYWC
Dallas – NYWC
Saddleback – Purpose-Driven Youth Ministry Conference
Willow Creek – Youth Ministry Conference
Family Vacations: Yellowstone
California
Florida
Tennessee
Las Vegas
Washington DC
Tons of Ski Trips
Cozumel
Places I’ve gone with Miranda: New York
Florida – Honeymoon
Livingston
California
Colorado – skiing
Gulf Shores
Mexico Cruise
Hawaii
.
