The Human Bent

Getting out of debt…

2010-10-11T12:21:00.001-05:00

Our church started a new series a couple weeks ago on money. It's a good series based on the Bible and a book by a pastor in TX who went through his own journey of getting out of debt. At LifeGroup yesterday we were studying how debt puts us into bondage. Here are a couple thoughts from that...

It's not about money! It's about re-orienting our focus, framework, perspective back to the one, true God. It's about walking away from the yoke of credit card companies and banks to living under the umbrella of God's protection. It's about making the choice and deciding to live under the Lordship of Jesus, not money.

Those who are Christ followers should use the language of debt in terms of relationship with God and others - not in terms of finances. Jesus the Christ paid our debt (because of our sin, due only to God) on the cross. We cannot pay God back. So, then, how do we respond? We strive to payoff the continual debt of LOVE to each other (Romans 13:8). I like how the NIV says the "continuing debt", meaning it can't be paid off.

To the question, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matt. 22:36-40)

Our response to God's love for us is to love everyone else. This is the Biblical definition of debt. Otherwise, the Bible says those who go into debt are fools. Ouch, that hurts! It is, nonetheless, true. It doesn't say going into debt is sinful, just foolish because financial debt chips away at our ability to be 100% fully devoted to God.

Happy Birthday, Grandpa!!

2010-09-04T01:24:00.010-05:00

5 year old with a camera...

2010-09-02T00:36:00.000-05:00

What Else Do You Do...

2010-08-23T18:21:00.000-05:00

When it's 100+ degrees on a Sunday afternoon and you want to get the kids out of the house? You go get motion sick at the mall...

Man, I'm glad I wrote this! I still stand behind it...

2010-08-18T15:23:00.000-05:00

WanderingSolesPhotography

"Gone are the days when higher education could create a new office or department that would be solely in charge of one area, and that area never interacts with other departments. With the Internet’s ubiquitous involvement in the daily business of higher education and the classroom, establishing online learning on the periphery of the institution no longer makes sense. Many costs associated with developing and implementing online learning programs are hidden or found in the form of people resources. Therefore, leveraging existing infrastructure is crucial when the leadership considers how to budget for online learning programs."

Janice...

2010-08-18T11:51:00.000-05:00

So I posted a pic yesterday Michelle sent of Presley doing something crazy while feeding the ducks. It reminded a colleague of mine of something, so he sent this email...

"Presley totally looks like Janice, the backup singer for Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem (the band from the Muppets)"

Now, I haven't watched the Muppets in years (YEARS!) so I'm unfamiliar with Janice. Don't know if this is a compliment or not... but if Presley grows up and makes it on the Muppets, I'll be a proud dad! Better yet, maybe she'll grow up to be a back up singer for somebody famous! Maybe I could join her...

Hmmmmm.....

2010-08-16T10:11:00.000-05:00

What does this problem tell you?

Avery and McKenna's first day of CA school...

2010-08-12T11:06:00.001-05:00

I can't believe they have started school already! Alas, it is so... and they were very excited! Didn't seem to have a drop of fear or hesitation in them! Their mom did pretty good too. ; )

And this is McKenna's teacher, Mrs. Burrell. Good luck, Mrs. Burrell!! :)

Further thoughts on "The Hole..."...

2010-08-04T16:29:00.000-05:00

A couple days ago I posted some thoughts about a book I just finished. Michelle sent me a link to another's post dealing with similar struggles on poverty and the poor.

A couple of thoughts come to mind after reading that post:

I'm no economics expert but redistribution of wealth will never solve poverty. In order for a redistribution of wealth system to be put into place, you need a government system to lead and manage it. This, in and of itself, will take resources that have no business in government hands. Personally, I think capitalism offers the best way to spread wealth across people and classes. It's definitely NOT perfect, and people abuse others through it, but I think it's better than any alternative. Governments only absorb wealth, they don't give (spread) it. My opinion.
For those of us who live in a capitalistic society and have resources (relatively - compared with the rest of the world), why don't we have a stronger internal desire to alleviate suffering and poverty around the globe? Is it just too far away from our real life? If "those" people were in our neighborhood or our family, wouldn't we do whatever it took to help them?

I'm still thinking this through, and I'm not pointing fingers at anyone else, but I wonder about this internal motivation. What are we scared of not having for our own families? What are we trying to protect? For me, I think it's a combo of 'out of sight, out of mind' and being easily overwhelmed by how much poverty is out there. I always find it hard to start anything when I'm flooded with how much needs to be done.

That's quotable...

2010-08-02T15:45:00.001-05:00

"In most college classrooms, power, authority, and control remain firmly and almost exclusively in the hands of teachers. It is part of what continues to make instruction very teacher centered and what makes many students disinterested in learning." - Maryellen Weimer

I wonder how these issues of power flood over into the Church today, too??

Thoughts on "The Hole in Our Gospel"...

2010-08-02T11:28:00.003-05:00

I'm finishing up "The Hole in Our Gospel" by Richard Stearns. This has been a powerful book for me in many ways. More than anything else, it brings to the forefront the issue of poverty in our world and how it can be overcome. Helping the poor is NOT an issue of charity, it's an issue of justice. If I can get that through my thick skull things may go somewhere.

The book deals with poverty on a global scale, but personally somewhere along the way I bought into the sales pitch that the poor are people who didn't want to work or didn't work hard enough. They were lazy. Now, I would never say that but my actions (or inactions, more accurately) reflected that belief. I know there are many variables that lead to poverty, but for whatever reason this perspective fueled my inaction.

Then, since we moved to CA we see more poverty in front of us than we ever have before (more wealth too!). In other places we've lived, the poor were contained in "that" area of town that we could simply avoid. In Pasadena, homeless people would setup camp for the night less than a block away. They walk through our campus all the time. I've never been approached for a handout so often anywhere else.

The disconcerting part for me is what to do about this. I wonder if it's the same for you? We see people who seem to be in need and we want to help. But how should we help? I don't mind giving people money, but that feels very shallow and empty. I know if someone has a few bucks in their hand they could at least eat something, but there has to be more. Compounding the internal struggle is that my encounter with homeless and those in need isn't scheduled. I'm usually with my family and in the middle of other things when we run into each other. I fumble to find some bills to give, I fumble in my conversation, I fumble showing the compassion they most deserve, I fumble showing these people that they are loved - at the very least because they, just like me, are made in God's image.

It shouldn't be this hard, but it is. I wonder what you all do to help the poor around you? Do you write a check? Do you go and serve somewhere? If we are Christ followers I think this should weigh heavier on our minds. Jesus often spoke of the responsibility people had to take care of widows and orphans. Why? In part because those were the two categories of people who society had deemed as dependent on others. Women and children were, in effect, second class citizens and without husbands or fathers they would become poor.

Finally, I'm thinking of this verse. Here, Paul describes a church who loved beyond their extreme poverty. Yet here I'm a part of the wealthiest country in the world and do very little to actively help the poor. I'm ashamed. But what can I do? Feeling overwhelmed can lead to doing nothing because none of us can do everything. So, I'm looking to start doing something. To set an example for my kids of showing Jesus' love to all. I don't know what it looks like, but hope I don't let the opportunities pass me by.

Caleb's 6 weeks old!

2010-08-01T23:55:00.002-05:00

He can't be this big yet, can he??

August 1!! It can't be!

2010-08-01T23:31:00.004-05:00

Well, let's see... the last time I posted Caleb just made his surprise entrance into the world. Yikes! Where have the last 6 weeks gone? Here's a snapshot:

We move from Pasadena to Valencia
Michelle's mom came to town to help when the baby was to be born
Caleb arrives the next day, almost a week earlier than expected
Home from hospital, unpacking, SIL and niece arrive from Kansas
Travel home to KS for Grandmother's funeral
I finish the faculty training course I taught at Fuller the month of June
Couple days later fly back to LAX with FIL
One week later Michelle's folks fly all 3 girls back to KS
Michelle and I continue unpacking the house, painting, trying to get house together
10 days later my folks fly all girls back and spend a week with us

So, this past week was the first week since early June that the 5, er 6, of us were together in one place. It's been nice (not that we didn't love having family here!) and interesting trying to find a new routine in a new town and house. We love being able to be outside alot and being in a house where you don't hear people walking, talking, yelling, etc... outside your window all day and night.

Caleb James makes his entrance...

2010-06-19T01:00:00.003-05:00

and quite unexpectedly! He was to be born this coming Tuesday, but things took a turn this afternoon. Michelle went to her regularly scheduled OB appointment today thinking she would be able to nail down the plan for the baby's arrival Tuesday. However, she said the nurses couldn't find a pulse. The doctor came in and said they needed to put a monitor on her to track the baby's heartbeat. She called me, nervous and anxious, so I got to the doctor's office as quickly as I could.

I was at our apartment trying to finish cleaning it all before giving back the keys. Michelle's mom flew into LAX just yesterday, so she was out at the playground with the girls. I quickly told her what was happening and left them at the apartment while I went to the doctor's office.

When I arrived the doctor was talking with Michelle and he told me everything was OK. But...(there's always a but, right?) he said it would be best to get the baby out sooner than later. So, Michelle and I decided we would just do it tonight - in case something was wrong.

To make a long story shorter, Caleb was born via C-section healthy and he seems to be happy. Right after he was born the doctor showed me his umbilical cord and it was tied in a knot. Just like you would tie a rope in a knot! I was amazed and the doc said it was a good thing he came tonight.

Praise be to God for His provision and protection in all areas of life! Welcome to the world, Caleb, my son! May your heart and hands praise Jesus your entire life.

Sad, but too often true...

2010-06-15T10:49:00.000-05:00

May and June in pictures...

2010-06-10T00:20:00.010-05:00

We're packing up the apartment and heading north, so here's the past month+ in pictures.

Avery's school had a day at the L.A. Zoo, so we took the opportunity. It was alot of fun, although rather disappointing. The SCZ is much better.

We took our first trip on the Metro with friends. Had a great day in Chinatown!

Played outside ALOT!

Did a little shopping...

Took in the new Shrek movie...

Tried watermelon for the first time - and loved it...

Took my beautiful wife out to dinner (picture quality thanks to 5 yr old)...

And some of us crammed a nap in when possible.

Here's to life in the apartment at 260 N. Oakland! Grateful we were able to land here for a while, but looking forward to life in a home again... that's not in student housing. SCV, here we come!

That's quotable...

2010-06-07T11:11:00.003-05:00

"There isn't a single county in the continental United States where more people are going to church today compared to 25 years ago."

Vince Antonucci said this while preaching yesterday at Real Life Church. Vince planted a church in Las Vegas called Verve. He has a heart to serve people and show them God's love, not just talk about it. Nice!

Kindle for iPhone...

2010-05-14T00:38:00.002-05:00

I just downloaded the Kindle Books app to my iPhone. I gotta say... I love Amazon! More than any other company I count on, they are on the ball! Amazon is the first place I go to look for anything I want to buy. Anything!! And this Kindle app is way cool. I downloaded 3 books for NOTHING, including Philip Yancey's Prayer. None of the books are any I would pay for, but this will allow me to see if I would actually use my iPhone to read books from without any cost to me. Nice!

Oh, and the Whispersync ROCKS!

Presley's moving on up...

2010-05-13T17:26:00.002-05:00

We got Presley a toddler bed a couple days ago and set it up for her last night. Due to the configuration of her room, the fact that we didn't take her crib down, and various hazards in the room (wall heaters, stacked boxes that would be problematic if an earthquake hit, etc...), I put the bed in the middle of the room. She seemed good with everything so when bedtime came I tried the same ritual as usual. She's a great sleeper so bedtime is no problem.

Anyway, the other two girls were more excited about Pres sleeping in her big girl bed than she was. And so when I was trying to put her down there was a little too much help and energy around. But, she laid down and I didn't hear from her when I closed the door.

5 minutes later... waaaaaiiiiilllllllling. So, I go into Ave and McKenna's room (which you must to get to Presley's room) and the lights are on, girls are yelling and Avery is holding Presley. Agh!! Presley was sobbing and did NOT want to lay in the new bed. So I threw her mattress in the crib, tossed Minnie Mouse in the crib, comforted my little boo for a minute and threw her in the crib. Didn't hear from her 'til 6:30am! So, unsuccessful first attempt.

However, she did take a nap in her new bed this afternoon! Yea!

McKenna-ism #8...

2010-05-13T00:00:00.004-05:00

My folks came to SoCal last weekend for a quick visit and we headed over to The Cheesecake Factory Saturday evening for a little supper. When our buzzer went off we went to the host desk to be seated. The waitress came over to seat us and I overheard:

Waitress: Osborn party of 6, are you ready?
McKenna: Mom, are we going to a party?

Then, while we were at the table waiting on our food, Avery and McKenna were telling their Grandma and Grandpa what they were planning to be for Halloween.

McKenna: I'm going to be Tiana!
Grandma: Oh! She has a pretty green dress!
McKenna: Yeah, but she has really dark skin and I don't know how I'm going to do that!

SCV blog...

2010-05-12T13:18:00.002-05:00

Michelle found this Santa Clarita Valley (SCV) blog the other day and I enjoy reading it. For one, it's focused on the area where we're moving, and two, I like food! :)

The way she found it was (I think) was by searching for a certain restaurant. See, down the street from us here in Pasadena is a little place called Marstons. Every Sunday morning we drive by it to head to church and there is a line waiting to get in for breakfast. Always. Then, when we come home from church, there's a line waiting to get in for lunch. Always. We keep saying we want to go, but of course the idea of waiting in line isn't appealing, so we haven't.

But, lo and behold, when we were up in Valencia this past weekend showing my folks the new place we came across a restaurant being opened up (not open yet) by the same name!! And it's right next to church to boot! And, LD's blog confirms this seems to be the case. Same place, new location! Yeah! I hear their french toast is the bomb... I hope to try it.

Things are moving fast...

2010-05-12T10:47:00.003-05:00

My "to-do" list is getting long... in fact, I may need to start keeping one! Over the past two/three weeks things have kicked into high gear here at Fuller with respect to my job and what I'm trying to do here. It's exciting - and nerve racking! My team is designing and developing the first faculty training program (for lack of a better phrase) that will teach all faculty members how to teach online. I'm playing with the idea of calling it Seminary Boot Camp or Fuller Boot Camp. I don't know... what do you think? Ideas?

Anyway, sounds simple, right? Riiiiiight! More than just the technical "here's how" pieces that everyone needs to know, our "training" really attempts to deal with culture change. Academic culture is very steeped in tradition. Sometimes good, sometimes bad - but tradition has momentum that can roll over almost everything, especially if it's something new. Faculty members in higher ed like to lecture. Students in higher ed like to learn passively (sit and listen - or sit and play online). Online learning changes all that. I'm praying we can make the shift!

One of the things I'm most thankful for in my move to Fuller is that they are letting me do what they hired me to do. Other places I've worked I have been handed someone else's agenda to put into practice. No innovation or change allowed. Not here, though. So far, even when there seems to be alot of nervousness about what we are planning to do, they are letting me move forward. I'm excited about it! I'm excited to see how God uses Fuller to reach new people and communities in ways we haven't been able to yet.

And speaking of moving fast... we move to our new home 4 weeks from today! Yeah!! And, oh my...

McKenna doing "Good Eats"

2010-04-16T00:07:00.003-05:00

This cooking "episode" came out of nowhere so the volume is low (I tried to edit it as loud as I could) and shots unplanned, as I grabbed my phone. You can hear Avery giving clues too. Um, this is Ham Pizza.

Yum.

Published Dissertation...

2010-04-07T13:41:00.003-05:00

came in the mail today! Not that I want to read it or anything... but it's pretty cool to receive a hardcopy of the little book I wrote.

Methodist Monday...

2010-04-05T10:16:00.002-05:00

Mark Beeson is pastor of Granger UM in Granger, IL. Very few pastors have lead a growing UM congregation like he has, so I'm excited to see this initiative. If you are a United Methodist pastor, or in the pipeline, I hope you would take a few minutes and contribute to this post.

Fuller Easter Egg hunt...

2010-04-03T18:24:00.009-05:00

Had a great afternoon at the Fuller Easter Egg hunt! The girls met up with some friends, found a few eggs, played tug-o-war, did a little potato sack racing... fun times!

This is the first Easter Presley's been able to hunt on her own. She's catching on quickly!

McKenna never had a problem catching on to candy hunting!

And, here's Avery chatting it up with her friend Lily after the hunt.

Transformation...

2010-04-03T18:07:00.004-05:00

McKenna talked me into going to the KidSpace museum a few weeks ago on "Caterpillar" night and we adopted a caterpillar. Little did I know that I had just signed myself up for a few weeks of care, house-building, etc...

But our little caterpillar went into her cocoon a couple weeks ago and emerged on Good Friday. We decided to set her free today. What an appropriate weekend for all of this to happen!

Μεγάλη Πέμπτη...

2010-04-01T11:10:00.002-05:00

Happy Maundy Thursday to you! Haven't seen a commercial on TV with that slogan yet (although there are a lot of "Happy Passover" commercials, which I find very ironic!), but maybe next year.

I love Google - er, I mean, Topeka! What an innovative and fun company. Yes, I know some people are scared they'll take over the world but at the rate things are going, maybe it's not a bad idea! (Just kidding!) Also, I've spent quite a bit of my life in Google, KS - and I'm getting ready to mail a tax check there. I wish the Church were a little more creative like this. Church-goers probably wouldn't get it though...

We're heading up to Valencia today to go through the house with an inspector. Hopefully things will go fine and no major hiccups. I'll post pictures after we get done.

Take time to remember that which is worth remembering today!

How to Make Pancakes, Part 2...

2010-03-25T15:10:00.003-05:00

this is after the commercial break...

How to Make Pancakes, Part 1...

2010-03-25T14:57:00.003-05:00

McKenna's preparing for her FoodTV spot

Touch...

2010-03-25T11:46:00.003-05:00

Touch… in our hyper-sensitive society today the idea of "touch" is quickly misconstrued and assumed something negative, harmful, or just plain bad is going on. Unfortunately, that seems to happen all too often. But I would like to see the act of touch swing away from the assumed intent of sexual inference to an act of friendship and blessing.

I'm on this subject because an acquaintance/colleague (someone I hope to know much better) recently posted this blog post. Jules is in India making connections for Tabor. Everywhere he goes his entourage is swamped by people wanting a peek or wanting to touch them. The Indians are wanting to be touched by them.

My friend Chuck has been talking on FB about being "hug deprived". While not always the case, he's now a hugger and hasn't been hugged in a while. He's feeling drained. My other friend, Zoe, told Chuck (her husband) that people need 8 hugs a day.

Speaking of touch in this way (that being an appropriate way), what's the purpose? It's different in all situations, but vital to human relationship, I think.

A guy putting his arm around a friend's neck or shoulder - let's him know he enjoys being around him, they're doing life together.
A friend reaching out to touch the hand of someone in mourning or scared or nervous - let's her know she is loved and can lean on this person for support.
A mom or dad setting their child on their knee to read to them or just cuddle - let's them know they are loved, important, can trust their mom and dad.
A kiss - on the cheek can simply be a welcome between friends, from a parent to child can be the most effective way to tell your kids you love them without saying a word.

I suppose the list is endless. But I wonder how many of us let too many opportunities go by to reach out and touch (in an appropriate manner, of course) their friend, co-worker, child, spouse, neighbor… perhaps a stranger who just needs to know the world isn't full of people who will take advantage of them. I know there are people who have been abused and the idea of touch to them could seem life-threatening, so perhaps they should be considered more gently. But that doesn't mean they don't desire or need to be touched by someone who won't hurt or abuse or take advantage of them.

I think touch is important to God. We don't serve a God who is distant; the God of the Bible is intimate. He walked with Adam and Eve in the garden, He wrestled with Jacob, He demanded that Moses remove his sandals in His presence. And Jesus… well, Jesus ate with sinners, touched lepers, reclined with prostitutes. Then there's that symbol Judas uses in the garden to I.D. Jesus to the roman guards - a kiss! Judas kisses Jesus. By the way the text reads, I can't believe this is the first time this has happened. It's not sexual, it's friendship. (Nevermind the jarring duplicity this leaves with us who understand the betraying kiss of a "friend".)

Touch… maybe this is all too much for us today. Are we too far beyond being able to touch someone without being considered, or assumed, inappropriate? Are we all products of Freud, such that everything we do points back to something much more than friendship? Am I way off track here? I hope not.

And, as a disclaimer, I'm not a touchy, feely kind of guy. I'm not a hugger outside of family and friends. But I wonder, as a Christ follower can touch bring Hope to the hopeless in ways my awkward words can't? Can touch be a reminder that people care to the widow or orphan? What if someone approached you today and just wanted to touch your arm, your hand, your garment… for hope? Will you withdraw from them, or embrace them?

Now I want to go home and hug my girls!

Wednesday mash-up...

2010-03-24T16:06:00.002-05:00

LOST was crazy last night! It went all crazy spiritual on us, so I'm trying not to apply my understanding of Scripture to its twists and turns and just enjoy it. Hard - but I'm trying. It's a good show, but if they don't end it well I'm not going to be a happy camper.

The part that really drove me nuts was where Richard was asking forgiveness from the priest (in the late 1800's) for unintentionally killing a man. The priest said he could not offer forgiveness because the killing, for whatever reason, took place already. Nevermind the difference between killing and murder (notice the 10 commandments don't say "Do not kill"), the priest basically told him that because the act physically took place in history, forgiveness was not possible. Now I know this is a TV show and all, but with all the people watching it I have to wonder if certain misunderstandings were reinforced with people, keeping them from approaching the Gospel apart from what they think the Christian life is all about. I wanted to scream "if you repent, you ARE forgiven!" Alas, it's a TV show, Kevin. OK, got it.

My friend Brad posted this link today I thought worthwhile to pass on. How many of you have experienced this, seen it, or been a part of it?? I know of two different churches I've been a part of where this exact thing played itself out. In a pious manner, of course! :)

We went house shopping today up in Valencia and found a place we really liked, so we're going to put an offer in and see what happens! Excited but trying not to think about it too much. Not sure how the home buying process works itself out here in CA. I'm praying God opens or closes the doors according to His will for our protection. It's a nice place in a great location! So, we'll see...

Obamacare...

2010-03-22T22:37:00.002-05:00

I must say, I'm neither mad or happy about Obamacare passing this week. I'm tired of the political posturing and screaming. Frankly, even if this turns out to do everything the Dems say it will, history tells us one or the other party will screw it up in the years to come. Just like Medicare, it can't sustain itself decades later.

I remember something from Junior High government class to the effect of "no taxation without representation". Technically I know we're "represented"... I just wonder how effective these things are now. My initial reaction is that it is never good for our government to take further control of another part of our daily lives. Once the government has control we don't get it back. That said, if this bill really will open access to healthcare for more people maybe it won't be so bad. I'm VERY skeptical.

I'm not the smartest cookie in the jar, but here are some questions I have:

Why does it seem that taxpayers are being punished in all this?
Why didn't the government go after reforming the insurance companies?
Why didn't the government create incentives for private sectors to open access to healthcare?

I don't know much about all of this, but it really does seem as if people are just trying to take control - and not for the sake of helping those who can't help themselves, or afford healthcare. I hope I'm wrong.

McKenna-ism #7...

2010-03-18T23:20:00.003-05:00

We're sitting around watching KU whoop up on Lehigh tonight and the following conversation transpires out of nowhere:

Avery: Mom, what name do you want to call our baby brother, again?
Kevin: I like the name Noah.
Michelle: Noah's a good name.
Avery: Yeah, but what was that name? You know, the one...
McKenna: I know! If our little brother comes out with white hair, we'll call him Noah!!

iPad... why??

2010-03-08T11:58:00.002-06:00

Michelle and I have been wondering together why someone would buy the iPad. The reasons I come up with center around that it looks like this is a simplified communication device that handles more web 2.0 apps - email, pictures, books, etc... No heavy duty computing. I don't know if that's accurate or not.

This article is definitely interesting, but personally I don't care if paper books go away. I've never had a love affair with books. And it would probably be good if the traditional way to publish went away too. Just like realtors, it would be good to get away from middle man. Anyway, what do you all think about the iPad?? Is it worth it?

CA Science Museum

2010-03-03T11:33:00.012-06:00

Last Saturday we took a trip down to L.A. to the California Science Museum. This place sits right between the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, where the 1984 Olympics were held, and the campus of USC.

We went with our friends the Pendletons, who are kind enough to act as our guides in the L.A. area. James and Amy were at Asbury Seminary before coming to Fuller but our paths never crossed there. Now James is working on a PhD here at Fuller and Amy's a nurse at one of the local hospitals. Their daughter, Lilly, is Avery's age and their boy, Wesley, is a bit younger than McKenna, I believe. Anyway, a fun day was had by all!

By the way, I totally ripped these pictures off from Amy! Thanks, AP!

Avery, Lilly, and McKenna. We obviously need to work with McKenna on smiling!

Avery wondering if Lilly's going to get in trouble! (My firstborn...)

McKenna, Avery, Wesley, and Lilly

The girls were excited because this is the size of their baby brother right now!

This was an exhibit that blew wind at the kids while showing them how airplanes fly.

Looking at someone ride a bike on a highwire

Presley playing

Thoughtless demise...

2010-02-25T10:41:00.001-06:00

Chicken and Waffles...

2010-02-17T16:13:00.003-06:00

A long time ago I saw a TV special where some celebrity ate at Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles in L.A. I don't know why, but ever since I saw that I've wanted to eat there. Chicken and waffles actually sounded like a combo that would work (to me at least), and let me tell you... it does!!

My crazy colleague (who's been a friend to me since we've come out here) took me to Roscoe's today for lunch. When trying to decide where to eat he asked me,

"Are you a health food guy?"
"Um, no!"
"Great! I know exactly where to go."

It was great!! The hardest thing to decide was what to drink with the meal. Coffee or Diet Coke? I couldn't decide so I went with water.

Farming and decisions...

2010-02-16T10:31:00.003-06:00

With everything going on the past few weeks (birthdays, weddings in KS, more birthdays, heavey work schedule, the girls' school, etc...) Michelle and I decided to take a break from house hunting. Just to breathe for a bit. House hunting can be stressful and it's just different out here (that's an understatement).

We know we really like the Santa Clarita area. I don't, however, like how far it is from Fuller. I didn't plan on having that commute to and from work. But, we love RLC and the home prices are better up there, so if we're comfortable there I can commute. There are other areas down closer to Pasadena, but things are very claustrophobic down in this area. People everywhere. Everywhere! Can't. get. away. from. them.

So I'll need to buy a good car that can get decent gas mileage and is reliable. Planned on buying a beater but that won't work. Ah, expectations...

With regard to all of this newness in SoCal, Donald Miller's latest blog post has been messing with me: http://donmilleris.com/2010/02/14/following-god-and-farming/
If I'm honest with myself, I wonder if I've chosen to plow the wrong field? I tried not to choose things centered around me, but maybe I missed the boat. Not because things aren't easy, that's always a given when you move to a new place. Can't articulate anything further right now... so for now, I'm going to work the field I have and continue moving forward. I do believe God has a plan through all this, just wish I knew more now. Sorry for the rambling!

Avery's 7!

2010-02-12T00:08:00.014-06:00

Avery turned 7 years old last week! Again, I can't believe it. After a long, hard struggle to get pregnant we were blessed with Ave and continue to be blessed by having her as part of our family. She's such a smart, caring girl who's very aware of what's going on around her and doesn't forget a thing.

Avery has been with us through 3 state moves and 5 different homes. She is really becoming a very grounded girl who not only knows right and wrong but has a desire to learn more and follow Jesus to the best of her ability. She's a fun and enjoyable part of our family!

So to that end, Michelle and I surprised Avery (and her sisters) by waking up one day last week and announcing we would be heading to Disneyland to celebrate the day she was born! I think she wasn't sure if we were serious or not... but we were. And what a spectacular day we had!

I even got Ave and Kenna to go on a roller coaster with me! It was their first, so we jumped on the coaster in ToonTown. It was made for little ones but was still fast and "curvy". They LOVED it! We rode it three times, I think.

And while I don't have pictures, they loved the ToonTown roller coaster so much I talked them into riding Space Mountain with me. BIG MISTAKE. There were no lines so they didn't have time to think about backing out of Space Mountain, but I knew I was in trouble 5 seconds after we started the ride. Let's just say it will be a few years before they ride that again!

Here's McKenna getting ready to ride Dumbo - her first Disney ride EVER! : )

And here's the two older ones getting ready to ride "It's a Small World".

Without knowing what was really going on, we went through Mickey's house and then were ushered in to a room where he was and had pictures taken with him. The girls had a blast, though I'm not sure Presley was sure about any of this.

We did the same with Minnie Mouse, visiting her house. The girls said Minnie's house was WAY better than Mickey's. I doubt that, but whatever...

The Teacups were a dizzy-ing favorite of the day! Here's Michelle and the two older ones taking one last ride before the day was done.

A big Mainstreet parade ended the day with music and dancing!

What a great day we all had! I know Avery won't be forgetting it anytime soon... and that was the point. Thanks, God, for these three little girls who fill our lives with business, blessing, and joy!

McKenna's 5!

2010-02-11T23:47:00.008-06:00

My sweet little McKenna's five years old now!! I can't believe it. I remember we found out we were pregnant with McKenna as we were moved to Kansas from Kentucky. We were living with Michelle's folks at the time and I just started my PhD program. On Valentine's Day of 2005, three weeks after McKenna was born, Avery and I walked down to the Chrysler dealership in Abilene and bought our first minivan. 70,000 miles later, we still have that van.

So for McKenna's bash we headed to the American Girl store in L.A. for a little shopping, getting hair done, and dinner. The girls got dressed up, grabbed their AG dolls, and we headed out. A good time was had by all...

Wedding in KS...

2010-02-11T23:10:00.007-06:00

Well, if we ever picked a year to move away from Kansas it seems to have been a good one! They have had nothing but cold weather (and I mean COLD) and snow. So, even though SoCal has been very wet since we moved, it hasn't really been cold (although natives think so).

But a couple of weeks ago we headed back to the big ICT for Michelle's cousin's wedding. What a great week! It was great to be with all our family again and get to see some extended la familia we haven't seen in a while. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to see many friends but we were able to see a few.

We stayed in Wichita for the first few days, had the girls' birthday party with the family, and then headed to the metropolis of Liberal, KS for the grand festivities. Jessica, the bride-to-be, asked Avery and McKenna to be flower girls. They were very excited! Julie, mother of the bride, sent the girls' dresses to Pasadena a couple weeks earlier to try on and hem, so the girls were very excited to wear them finally. Michelle and I knew McKenna would do fine walking down the aisle but we weren't so sure about Avery. But we shouldn't have been worried a bit, they were marvelous! They walked down the aisle and stood as instructed without missing a beat. True to form, however, little McKenna had an itch that after trying to discreetly take care had to finally pull her dress up to get. In front of everyone! Ah, that's our McKenna. Life will be adventurous with her!

Then we had a great evening of eating and dancing. Little misses McKenna and Presley have a penchant for dancing!

What a nice week! And, the girls did GREAT flying. No kidding! Avery and McKenna were like old pros. And, praise God, Presley fell asleep on the flight back to Pasadena! I think some people in Pasadena thought we may not return too! :)

Know your bit...

2010-01-22T16:37:00.003-06:00

I thought this was a very cool article that looks at how our IP-based info travels through physical space here in the U.S. Many people I work with on a regular basis assume the Internet should just be available without constraint wherever they are. This article shows how the infrastructure is vast and complex. Good stuff!

Weekend and ICT...

2010-01-22T16:21:00.002-06:00

I'm looking forward to this weekend! It's been raining here all week, and I mean ALL week. Of course, 10 inches of rain in L.A. is like 4 ft of snow hitting the midwest. Businesses close, it's all the news people talk about, but here the soil turns to liquid when saturated past a certain point. Thus, mudslides begin and Al Roker comes to town. That's been our week.

But, tonight we're heading up to have supper with the pastor of the RLC. Michelle taught with his wife in Kentucky and Rusty's from Wichita originally. Nice connections and looking forward to it. Plus, they have two girls Avery and McKenna's age.

Saturday we're having a McKenna birthday celebration. She has placed her order for breakfast, KU plays at 11am, then we're surprising them with a trip to the American Girl store in L.A. for a birthday party. It's a party for both girls really, but we can't afford to go there very often so we'll knock both out at a time! :) Actually, Avery will probably get a good birthday excursion too.

Then Sunday we fly to ICT for Jessica's wedding at the end of the week! I'm looking forward to seeing my family again and being back in Wichita. This has been a very difficult move to CA, so some time at "home" will be nice. Flying with all 3 girls will be interesting! Praying they sleep. :)

Emotional dump: Haiti, rain, and quatro...

2010-01-19T18:37:00.002-06:00

The devastation in Haiti is stunning. Especially for a place where the government already couldn't take care of the basic needs of its people. Pat Robertson's comment on it is, perhaps, more stunning. I like Fuller's President, Dr. Mouw's, response here. It doesn't offer answers to this specific situation but I think it sets up the conversation much more accurately.

So... winter in SoCal equals rain. And lots of it. And mud slides. Even tornados! And cold weather one doesn't associate with SoCal. Not cold as in Kansas cold. Not bone chilling cold. But cold as in, 'I was wearing shorts and flip flops yesterday, and today I can't' cold. I see those eyes rolling from you mid-west, Great Plains, Colorado region folks. But the brochure said something about sunny southern California weather... and it's only partially true! At least this time of year...

Quatro (baby #4) has really thrown us for a whirl. When I learned of Presley's impending arrival in '08, I was a bit nervous. Having to learn zone defense after playing man-to-man for 3 years was a bit jarring. But, we were in Wichita, home-base if you will, and we knew we would have support. We also had great doctors and knew the system. Now we are in L.A. This is a different ballgame. Not necessarily bad - definitely not good yet - just different. We don't have family. We have a very small support system. Haven't found good doctors yet. We don't have a home, nor do we have room for a baby. Of course, we can make due even in light of all these things. Especially when our situation is set alongside those in Haiti. That's a hole nother level. Nonetheless, I am grieving from the reality of life in SoCal not meeting expectations. Even expectations that aren't so high. Don't get me wrong, there are some very cool things to do out here and to see. The Golden Globes, after all, were 10 minutes from us a couple nights ago. But the reality of living in this place, rather than just visiting, is setting in. It's different. It's a bit claustrophobic. It's definitely confusing. Not sure about all this, but I trust God. I know He will bring us to a place, here or there, that we love. Over all, I hope our girls can look back on this time and not remember pain but remember good times and a time when we trusted God.

McKenna-ism #6...

2010-01-08T18:46:00.003-06:00

I've had several McKenna-ism's to share since the last one a couple months ago, but I've forgotten them. However, today Michelle caught one and told me I should put it up. So, here it is...

Our realtor called and took us up to Santa Clarita to look at about 7-8 houses. Of course, we drag all the kids along with us. For the most part, they all do really well. They like going in and seeing the houses and checking everything out with us. Most of the homes we look at here are traditional two story, where the kitchen and living spaces are downstairs and the bedrooms are upstairs. We were in one house this afternoon and went upstairs to look around and Michelle was with the girls in the master bedroom and over heard:

McKenna: Wow, Mom, look how BIG this shower is!! We could all take a family shower in there together!!
Michelle: Uh, yeah we could - but we won't!

That's my McKenna. Always wants to include as many people as possible in her activities!

On Patience...

2010-01-05T12:29:00.003-06:00

I'm using YouVersion's reading plan this year for my daily Bible readings on my iPhone. Yesterday's reading was the account of Noah and the flood in Genesis. For the first time it really struck me how long Noah and his family were on that boat - almost an entire year (less about three weeks). A whole YEAR!

I started to wonder what in the world they all did for a year. I mean, you can only play Parcheesi and Connect 4 so many times before it gets old. There was no Wii, no Apps to pass the time, no radio. The Bible says nothing about scrolls… did Noah read, I wonder?? Heck, I don't think they even passed the time cooking and cleaning. After all, do you think they built a fire to cook with on a wooden boat? Sounds kind of chancy to me.

We watched the movie Evan Almighty last week with the girls and in one scene Evan's wife is leaving him because he's gone crazy listening to God and stuff (you know those wacky people who actually listen to God must be crazy!) and God shows up and talks to her (in the form of Morgan Freeman, of course). God asks her, "If someone prays for patience, do you think God gives them patience or does He give them the opportunity to be patient?"

Well, I don't know if Michelle or I have been praying for patience or not (I don't think I have been… Michelle??), but God's giving us plenty of opportunities to be exercise patience lately. Living in student housing is the biggest opportunity. It's dirty, noisy, lousy electricity, not enough room, one bathroom, and just plain, well, gross. We're living in a new city where we know a lot of people but have very few, if any, friendships. Of course, friendship takes time to cultivate. You have to spend time with people to be friends with them. These things will all come, it just takes time. Patience. We've lived here a month and a couple of days. Noah was in his boat for 11 months and a few days. I hope God doesn't want us to exercise patience that long.

I'm praying for a nice home for us. A place that we all enjoy, where we can settle in and get our bearings again. A place that's affordable, that has room for our growing family, that is in an area with great schools. This is our exercise in patience. We will continue to wait upon the Lord.

Snow Days...

2009-12-28T17:17:00.006-06:00

We went down to Snow Days at the Kidspace Museum here in Pasadena this morning. The museum is right down by the Rose Bowl, so we got to see all the goings on down there too. It was a great morning!

The museum brought in a machine that basically made a big pile of snow and kids could go in and play on it. It was kind of lame (as far as piles of snow go), but the girls enjoyed it. And, I suppose, alot of kids here have never played in the snow.

This is the girls on their little patch of dirty snow/ice!

The girls jumped in a bounce house with a new friend named Lily who's Avery's age. They had a great time playing with her today.

And, there were a couple of celebrity sighting there too! Sarah Gilbert (Darlene on "Roseanne" and Jennifer Gardner were both there with their kids. The picture of above is me trying to discretely get a shot of Jennifer. She's behind the lady in the light sweater in sunglasses looking down at her phone.

Christmas in the apartment...

2009-12-26T15:32:00.010-06:00

We had such a great Christmas yesterday! Since there's NO extra room in our apartment there weren't BIG toys (praise God!), but we're still trying to find a place for everything. Even though we weren't in Kansas with our family, we had a nice day of GREAT food and relaxation. I must say, I don't miss the below zero temps! Here are some pictures from the last couple of days.

Here's Avery after our Christmas Eve service at church up in Santa Clarita. The sun was shining off the mountains in the background and was beautiful! So was Ave!

Here are the brownies the girls made for Santa. He liked them! ; )

Presley got a little chair that she LOVES to sit in. It's Tinkerbell.

Here's the girls in their new pajamas... Princess and the Frog for the older girls,
Minnie Mouse for Presley.

Here we are reading the Christmas story (iPhone, YouVersion) before the girls dive into the gifts.

And this was the AWESOME lunch Michelle made for us! What a great celebration!
Merry Christmas!

Finding community...

2009-12-23T11:48:00.003-06:00

Probably the hardest thing about moving to any new place is finding community. That feeling that you have people around you who you can know, enjoy, trust, and do life with. Of course this all takes time too!

One way that's important for us to becoming part of community is finding a church home. For the past two weeks we've gone to Real Life Church in Stevenson Ranch. Crazy thing with this church is that the lead pastor was at SCC when we lived in Kentucky and his wife taught with Michelle at an elementary school in Jessamine Co. Also, his hometown is Wichita! Weird!

Anyway, Michelle and I really liked the church from first arrival and the girls asked to go back the second week! That's huge! All three girls went to their own areas of the church without any problems - even Avery! So, while we're leaning toward that area to buy a house, I think we've found a church we would definitely plug into.

And, I'm almost positive I saw Victoria Jackson there too! :)

No home to be found in Pasadena...

2009-12-21T18:57:00.004-06:00

"This is a GREAT time to buy a house in California!" We hear it all the time, and yes it is a good time to buy a house in California. The problem is, unless they have to nobody is selling their homes in California. At least in the Pasadena area. With our pink brood we need a little space... at least 4 bedrooms to be exact. In Pasadena, in a decent neighborhood, and not a complete dump that I have to renovate, we're looking at a cost of well over $850K. Um, that's just a bit out of our price range. Ok, it's alot out of our price range.

So, our realtor suggested we look northwest a bit. At first Michelle and I weren't excited about that. We wanted to be close to Fuller and Pasadena. But we took a few days to digest the news and we went for a visit of the area. One of the problems, of course, is the traffic in the L.A. area. It's brutal. If you don't have to commute, don't! But, the area we're looking at is along a freeway that usually flows good with traffic and is in the opposite direction of the majority of traffic patterns.

We're looking in the Santa Clarita area. Really, either Valencia or Stevenson Ranch. It's a nice area. Reminds us of the Colorado Springs area, where it's wide open and you can see but there are also mountains all around. Very pretty! In Pasadena we feel very claustrophobic, like everyone's on top of us. It's very urban here. Feels less so up in the Santa Clarita area.

And we found a couple of houses that we can see our family living in and, *ahem*, "afford". Nice homes in nice neighborhoods with good schools and open spaces to play and walk. We really like the area and are praying we find something there that won't break our budget.

So, please pray for us and this decision. It means a commute for me, which means a car (hybrid??) to add to the mix and everything that goes with all that. But if Michelle and the girls are happy, I'm happy! :)

Hi, my name's Kevin...

2009-12-21T18:42:00.002-06:00

Yeah, so I took a little blogging hiatus. I see my last post was the day before we closed on our house in Wichita. Can't believe so much has happened in one month. So much excitement, pain, struggles, doubt, joy, and the list could go on. I think the hardest part is getting a front-row seat to Michelle's pain in all this. We made this decision together but, of course, I can't help feeling responsible for her hurting and angst since, after all, we're out here for my job.

But I still sense it's more of God's call on our lives than just my job. I really do believe this is where God wants us right now but that doesn't make the transition any easier. The hardest is probably going from 2400+ sq. ft. house to less than 1300 sq. ft. apartment. And an old apartment at that. Having to partially live out of boxes, run to the breaker room to reset blown breakers so we can cook or turn the heater on. It's annoying at best; maddening at worst.

But we're here and finding our way in a new place and new life. I'll be blogging more now and catch you all up on what's going on. Lots to share... and if the breakers will stop blowing I'll have Internet at the apartment now.

Finishing up in Wichita...

2009-11-23T00:39:00.002-06:00

With the incredible help of Marla, Shawna, Ron, and CJ, we finished (for the most part) packing up the house today. The movers come tomorrow morning to load all our earthly possessions in a truck. My aching knees, exhausted body, and mind that won't shut off for a while wishes we weren't so worldly right now.

More than ever I'm convinced the Lord placed this move to CA in our path. The job's a great match for my call, education, and experience. The people have been terrific to work with and I'm really looking forward to getting out there.

But, I also feel a sad sense of loss. This is the second time Michelle and I have left Wichita. If there's a place on earth called home to me, it's Wichita. Leaving my family, friends, and familiar community is tough. Having to pull my family out of their familiar surroundings is tough too. It's not something I would choose to do (pull my wife and girls from their surroundings), but I know this is God's call on our lives right now. I'm sad for my girls, especially Avery. I'm sad for Michelle and myself because we're leaving our family. But I'm excited because I know God has great things in store for us. It's hard to be excited for the future when you're grieving the loss of the past and present.

But I'm confident Michelle and the girls will thrive. We'll make friends, learn a new culture, get to experience many new things, and grow closer with each other. More than this, I hope my girls learn they can trust God in ALL things in life. I hope they will be able to see that even when God opens doors to seemingly impossible dreams, we can take a leap of faith and trust Him.

I'm praying that Michelle and the girls will find very close friends, that we'll find a great church where we can serve, and that we find a terrific house close to the seminary in our price range. But I'm not worried about these things. I'm more concerned that our family stays close to God and to each other through all these changes. We're going through a significant number of life stresses right now and knowing God's got us where He wants us, brings a peace that goes beyond anything we can make sense of.

Pray for us over the next week!

Avery's last day of school

2009-11-21T07:52:00.004-06:00

Friday afternoon Michelle and I took treats to Avery's class to celebrate (mourn?) her last day at McCollom Elementary School in Mrs. Stemple's class.

Michelle and Avery made rice krispy treats and we took some juice boxes a little before the end of their school day. Early last week I took a few pictures in Pasadena and emailed them to Mrs. Stemple, so she pulled those pictures up on the SmartBoard and showed the class where Avery would be living.

Avery's classmates loved seeing pictures of the mountains, the elementary school in our neighborhood, and downtown Pasadena. Then Mrs. Stemple presented Avery with a folder of letters and drawings her classmates made telling Ave good-bye. It was very sweet, a little sad, and very affirming of Avery. Michelle and I are SO glad she was in Mrs. Stemple's class this fall. Avery had the opportunity to make friends and learn so much in 1st grade, we're going to miss this class and this school for sure.

But in all these sad things, I still know that God has prepared the way for us to transition to Pasadena. It makes no sense to move such a long way from family, friends, and a great community except to say God has arranged it in our hearts and in reality (even when our minds continue to question). He is calling us to follow, and so we will.

Abby needs a home!

2009-11-09T11:29:00.005-06:00

I'm starting to get nervous about finding our 8 year old beagle a new, loving home. We're going to be living in an apartment in CA for a few months so we can't take her with us. We found a beagle rescue near Wichita but it would break my heart to take her there. She's a sweet beagle, great with kids, makes a great family pet. If you know of anyone who might be interested, please point them my way.

Thanks!

McKenna in Fall...

2009-11-09T08:20:00.006-06:00

I'm having to clean up my computers for the move, so here are some pictures of McKenna from this fall..

Grateful...

2009-11-06T22:27:00.002-06:00

Had a fun night tonight celebrating a completed Ph.D. with family and friends. It was a crazy night between talking, eating, kids screaming and playing, phone calls about cars hitting Bambi, etc...

I'm keenly aware that I am way over educated for my intelligence, and there's no way I would have accomplished so much without others. So as a way to thank those who have been my greatest supporters and encouragers, here's the acknowledgment page at the beginning of my dissertation. It's a bit more formal than I usually am, but it covers it all pretty well.

"I would like to thank my dissertation committee: Dr. Ronald Aust, Dr. Tracy Russo, Dr. Edward Meyen, Dr. William Skorupski, and Dr. Young-Jin Lee, for your tireless guidance, encouragement, and collegial leadership through this process. A special thank you is extended to Dr. Tracy Russo for support and encouragement from a distance, on late nights, and over weekends. I appreciate you all!

My appreciation also goes to the faculty, staff, and my peers in the e-Learning Design Lab. I benefited greatly from your experience, scholarship, and knowledge, and am grateful for the opportunity to work with you all.

I would also like to thank my parents, Gerold and Leora Osborn, and my parents-in-law, Mike and Gerri Keating, and the rest of my family for your immeasurable sacrifice, love, and support shown to me and my family over the last six years. This achievement would not have been possible without you all.

My deepest love and gratitude goes to my wife, Michelle, for your continual love, encouragement, and sacrifice. This journey would not have been possible without you by my side, nor would it have been worth the effort and sacrifice. I love you! Also to my incredible, sweet daughters: Avery, McKenna, and Presley. You are my light and enjoyment in life, and I thank you for your sacrifice of time so that I could pursue this goal.

Finally, to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, through You all things are possible! Thank you for Your love, provision, and protection in all ways. All glory, honor, and praise be to You, forever!"

Ph.D.... it is finished!

2009-11-03T08:18:00.003-06:00

I successfully defended my dissertation yesterday, which culminated with my advisor saying "Congratulations, Dr. Osborn!" What a great moment that capped a stressful 3 days of pouring over my presentation and manuscript, making the smallest of changes. I felt pretty good about what I knew, it was the unknown about the dissertation defense that was killing me. Overall, it was actually pretty fun. And I only have a couple of minor edits to make and then I submit it for publication. So, in all, I'm done!!

This journey began for us almost 6 years ago this month when I applied for the Ph.D. program while we still lived in Kentucky. God has really guided our steps through all of these crazy years and jobs and houses, etc... and I'm grateful for His protection and provision.

Let's see... in the last 6 years we've:

lived in 4 homes (3 of which we owned),
added 2 sweet girls to the mix,
had at least 4 jobs,
imposed our stuff and lives on Mike and Gerri for 9 months (thank you!!),
gone through 6 different vehicles,
logged at least 93,000 miles on our vehicles traveling between Abilene, Lawrence, and Wichita,
spent many a weekend in in-laws homes,
enjoyed being close to our families... and the list goes on.

So many people have helped us get to where we are, I can never sufficiently thank you... Mike and Gerri, Mom and Dad, all of our brothers and sisters, my Grandma... your support and encouragement is priceless.

However, Michelle and my girls have been the biggest sources of encouragement and support. Michelle has sacrificed much to support me and has filled the gap while I was locked away studying and working. I love you, babe!

And so now we are on the verge of beginning a new life in California! We're excited and nervous, looking forward to it and yet we know we will miss our family. However, I truly believe God has opened these doors for us, even beginning way back 6 years ago and perhaps beyond. We've been in His hands all this time and I know He will guide and protect us on this new adventure!

Sick weekend...

2009-10-17T20:27:00.003-05:00

Even when Avery is sick she blesses me. She drew this picture for me earlier:

Avery awoke with a 102 degree temp yesterday and it has fluctuated throughout the day. I took her to the doctor but he just said it's a virus and to let it run its course. She's coughing like crazy though. I feel sorry for her.

McKenna had the time of her life the past two days. She went over to help Aunt Marla with a garage sale yesterday and ended up staying there all day long and even spent the night with the Beagleys. She sold hot spiced cider at the garage sale and ended up being quite the little sales person. She had a blast. But, she ended up with a fever tonight too. Ugh! So far Presley's doing good... hopefully she will stay that way.

We're hoping we get some calls for the house tomorrow. We've had some good feedback from the people who have come to see it so far, but they weren't ready to buy. We may turn it over to a realtor this week if we don't hear from anyone tomorrow.

McKenna sings (sort of)...

2009-10-15T10:18:00.002-05:00

This is a little clip of McKenna singing while she was drawing one day. This is the song everyone sings at the Kansas Christian Ashram.

McKenna-ism #5...

2009-10-12T21:34:00.003-05:00

I was showing the girls the route we might take to get out to Pasadena from Wichita tonight. First stop might be Liberal, KS so we can visit Aunt Marlene and the greater Keating crew before heading west. Then, I pointed to Albuquerque, NM on the map and asked Avery to pronounce the name. She actually came close to getting it right. As she sounded it out, McKenna watched and listened very closely...

Avery: Al....buh...cuh....cuhrrrrr...cue

Michelle: That's great Avery, very close... it's Albuquerque!

McKenna: Albuquerque! That's where Sharpay lives!!

Kevin: *blank stare at Michelle*

Michelle: (trying to bring clueless dad into the excited conversation) Sharpay's on...

McKenna: High School Musical!!

*sigh* My first thought is... the girls watch way too much TV. But, at least we got some "cool" points for planning to stay where Sharpay lives!

Fun evening with friends...

2009-10-12T10:41:00.003-05:00

The Grahams invited several of us out to their place for "An evening on the farm" last Friday. Well, what an evening it was! We had a blast hanging out with friends we haven't been with for a while. The Grahams have a beautiful place out in the country. The kids loved roasting food over the fire, swinging on the tree swing and riding the four-wheelers.

Michelle and I even got a little skeet shooting in! This was Bill helping Michelle shoot a shotgun for her first time. She did good! I haven't shot in several years, but I was still able to hit a few.

Thanks for a lovely evening, Bill and Nancy!

We're moving to California!

2009-10-04T22:04:00.001-05:00

Yep, that's right... the Osborn's are moving to SoCal! Yikes!! We're excited and anxious all the same. I have taken a position at Fuller Theological Seminary. It's a position that encapsulates much of my education, experience, and calling, so I'm VERY excited and looking forward to starting.

The bad part, of course, is that almost our entire family lives here in Kansas (or Texas). It's going to be tough being 1500 miles away - but airfare is cheap right now! Of course, real estate in SoCal is NOT cheap. It's crazy, and it almost made this whole thing not possible. But finally, we're trusting God to work all the details out and we're setting out to follow Him on this new adventure.

Lots to do over the next month. Please pray for us as you think about it. We're putting the house up for sale, I'm finishing my dissertation, all while trying to keep the girls' school schedules and everything else going. We've also figured out keeping a house clean and decluttered with three little ones will be next to impossible. But again, we trust God to bring a buyer for our house and take care of the details.

So other than the dissertation work, this is the big news for our clan and one of the reasons why I've been so silent around Human Bent. Lot's more to come...

Happy Birthday, Presley!

2009-09-28T16:11:00.009-05:00

I'm a little late, but my baby girl turned 1 on Saturday! I can't believe it... What a blessing little miss Presley is to me (and our family). She's just a joy to us. God gave her a sweet spirit and I pray she serves and blesses the Lord all the days of her life.

As you can see, Avery and McKenna LOVED being able to "help" Grandma bake a cake for Presley's birthday party.

Presley loved her cake and made a HUGE mess.

Presley loves one of her new dolls...

Here's Presley hanging with her favorite person in the world on her birthday at Friends University's homecoming.

Dissertation submitted...

2009-09-18T14:49:00.002-05:00

On Monday I submitted my dissertation to my advisor. 140 pages of (almost) blood, sweat, and tears. One document that I've labored over for almost an entire year. I've used the imagery of swimming through mud with no goggles on as to what this experience was like. I had/have no idea where it's going or what it's going to be like. I just went. And now I'd like to say I'm done! But I'm not. Now I pray and wait. Wait for feedback from my advisor and pray it is not a huge, significant amount of change and/or edits. Then I will wait for feedback from my entire committee. 4 other people who see things differently than I, have expertise in fields that I don't, have agendas that might counter my own. I pray the Lord gives me favor, and I get nervous just thinking about it.

If I make it through those hurdles, then I will defend the dissertation before my committee and the public on October 27. If I pass the defense, then I will be done. Feels like it will never end. Feels like I could fall off the cliff at any time. But I trust God to carry me through and look forward to being able to look back over this experience and see it differently.

Almost there...

Happy Birthday, Dad!

2009-09-04T16:39:00.002-05:00

(sorry... this is the best picture I could find of you - and Avery took it!!)

We're celebrating my dad's life today! I'm fortunate and blessed enough to have a dad who has always loved me (and my family), been involved in my life, and is now involved in my girls' lives.
Dad is one of the most creative and talented guys I've ever known. Ever since we moved back to Kansas I've had the opportunity to work on several home and building projects with my dad and learn TONS from him. Anyone who knows him also knows what an incredible wood worker he is (someday I'll do a post of some of his projects - they're amazing!).

I can't remember a time when dad wasn't up for a good time: going to the lake, enjoying some ice cream (have I ever mentioned how much I LOVE ice cream? Probably got that from him.), or just hanging out together. And now I enjoy watching him interact, teach, and play with my girls. They love him and I love watching how they learn from him.

Dad, I'm glad you were born! I love you, happy birthday!

Happy Birthday, Gary!

2009-08-20T23:33:00.003-05:00

Today's my brother's 38th - I said 38th!!! - birthday! Wow! It seems like just yesterday he was wearing boat shoes, white shorts, and sporting a mullet. Maybe it was a quasi-mullet, but it was very mullet-ish.

Gary's always been a softy with a wild streak in him. In many ways we're alot alike, but he was never afraid of trying things and getting in trouble. I just didn't want to get in trouble. He's a great husband to my SiL and dad to my nieces, and my girls love being around him when we get to see them. When we were younger it seems there were many more days than not when we didn't get along, but I really enjoy his friendship now. We share alot of laughs whenever we're together and I just enjoy being with him. Most days I wish we lived closer to each other... maybe someday.

May God continue to bless you this coming year!

I love you brother, happy birthday!

1st day of 1st grade...

2009-08-18T15:19:00.007-05:00

It was a good day! Avery did great and had fun too. When I got home from work she told me about two friends she made already: Libby and Rachel (I think). There are only 7 girls in her class of 20+ kids, so she's batting almost .300. Not bad! I asked her if she knew any of the boys in her class and she said no. That's just fine with me! :)

Michelle's such a good mom! She let Avery pick what she wanted for breakfast and supper on her 1st day, then got up and made pancakes per request.

Of course, the first day of school was in the middle of an August typhoon. It rained hard and there was a snafu with the bell, so the kids were in a holding pattern in the gym before school.

Avery let her mom take a quick picture with her new teacher, Mrs. Stemple.

We ended the day with Baskin-Robbins with Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt Marla, Uncle Phil, and Reese. Good day!

Surprise visit...

2009-08-13T21:46:00.003-05:00

One of our closest and dearest friends from our years in Kentucky, Melanie, stopped by tonight on her way through town. Mel's family and our family became very good friends while we were at seminary and we still stay in contact but don't get to see each other very often. Michelle had a meeting tonight and wasn't home, I hated to even tell her because I knew she'd be upset she missed her. I can't even tell you how much Melanie and her family mean to us! There are just some friends that distance will never separate...

Computers and graying...

2009-08-13T11:28:00.002-05:00

I'm working my way through my final chapter of the ol' dissertation. I hope to have a good rough draft of everything by next week. With all of the back to school goings on I'm not moving quite as fast as I had hoped.

I've got to get a computer for our family! I really want a Mac but it will cost about double what a comparable PC machine will cost. So, I'm re-thinking and looking at a PC now. It's not really that big of a deal, but I REALLY like Macs better. Maybe we'll be able to get one next time around...

So, I notice ALOT more gray hair in my beard lately. I mean... ALOT! I wonder if it's the dissertation, oldest starting 1st grade, job... all of the above?? Oh well, I guess if it gets too bad I can just shave, right?

On my way to work this morning I heard this song from the past. It was a great way to start the day! Puts things in perspective nicely...

Happy Birthday, Phil!

2009-08-10T12:30:00.003-05:00

My BIL, Phil, had his 31st birthday this past weekend. Phil's a great guy and good friend. His nieces love him to pieces, especially when they get to ride his back around the house and otherwise play rough with him. Phil's always ready to help anyone out, and most people know how knowledgeable he is when it comes to horticulture. I'm glad you were born and glad you're part of the family. Happy birthday, Phil!

Pres & Gabe...

2009-08-10T11:50:00.004-05:00

Some good friends had their first baby one month before Presley was born, Gabriel. Gabe got to come over and play a few weeks ago and he and Presley had a great time together...

Of course, playing in the dog's kennel is always fun...

Playing with Noah's Ark...

Resting...

and, we tuckered Gabriel out. What a fun night!

Time's flying by...

2009-08-10T11:26:00.002-05:00

I know... I'm in blog neglect. Part of it is due to Facebook and Twitter, because most thoughts I post there now. Most of it, though, is because I feel I've had my head in my dissertation so much this summer. And, I have. Not enough, however, because I'm not finished but I'm making good progress.

Here's what's been happening, or not happening, in our lives lately...

Sickness has made its way through the family... not fun but it didn't last long
I've been writing
Michelle has been getting the girls, particularly Avery, ready for school. First grade. Public school. I'm excited for Avery, I think once she gets used to everything and knows what to expect she'll have a blast. I'm also feeling a little nostalgic over her going too... where's the time gone!??!
I've been writing
I eat too much ice cream, but I don't feel bad about it either. I sort of feel bad that I don't feel bad, but then I get over it quickly. Is that bad??
I got new jeans yesterday... needed them. Bad. I like them too. Funny how new clothes that fit good make you feel good too.
Michelle and I have been reminiscing about shopping for new stuff when school starts... I used to LOVE to get new shoes. I'm picky about my shoes more than anything else. Don't know why, just am.
It's nice to live close to family. I know it may not always be that way and I really treasure it right now.
Presley learned how to blow kisses last night at my parents. Very cute!

Pray for me to be able to finish my dissertation well this month. It's time to be done, and it just takes alot of time to write, edit, communicate with my committee, etc... I really do appreciate your prayers and intervention on my behalf.

My grandma's birthday...

2009-08-03T15:49:00.006-05:00

My grandma turned 96 years old this past week. 96! Wow! She's the last of 11 of her siblings. She's outlived most of her friends, except for one lady who has been her best friend for a LONG time.

She lives on her own in an assisted living community but she likes to get out every now and again, so we had her over for supper. The girls enjoy their great-grandma and we had a good time celebrating her birthday. The girls decided to make a strawberry cake and mint chocolate chip ice cream. Not sure how that goes together, but we had fun nonetheless and ate well!

After we ate, McKenna roped her into playing a couple games of Connect 4 and Operation. I'm not sure Grandma knew what she was in for!

And, of course, Presley had fun playing with her walker.

McKenna-ism #4...

2009-08-03T15:36:00.003-05:00

A week ago I took Avery out on a date and this past weekend I took McKenna out on her date with me. If you haven't figured it out yet, McKenna's a trip to say the least. Anyway, for our date she wanted to go to the mall and ride the carousel. OK, we did. And we got cotton candy. And slushes. And caramel popcorn (this was what I wanted, not her). And she rode some other rides. And she got a candy bracelet for herself and for her sister. She always wants to get something for Avery. Very thoughtful girl, don't you think?

After the mall she wanted to go to a playground. So, we're driving to the playground and it's a nice, cool evening outside. Out of the blue - and I mean we weren't talking about anything even remotely related to any of this, she says:

McKenna: Dad?
Me: Yeah, McKenna.
McKenna: Do we have bears here?
Me: Bears? Uh, no. We don't have bears here.
McKenna: But they have bears in Colorado!
Me: Yes, there are bears in Colorado.
McKenna: Remember that time we were eating at the table at Aunt Marlene's cabin and a bear came up and looked in the window?
Me: Um, well, I remember that story but you and I weren't there. We were in Wichita when that happened. Avery was the one there.
McKenna: Oh! Well, I don't ever want to go back to Colorado again!
Me: Why??
McKenna: Because the bears will get me!

July 20th!

2009-07-20T12:16:00.002-05:00

Holy Cow! It's July 20th! Where in the world has the summer gone??!? I've been writing like crazy on my dissertation. I've got alot done, have alot more to do. Ugh...

This past weekend was a bit weird because Michelle got a 24-hour virus or something, so she was hugging the toilet Saturday afternoon until yesterday morning then sleeping the rest of the time. I felt sorry for her because there wasn't anything I could to do help, so I just played with the girls and tried to keep them somewhat quiet. Luckily, our old neighbor friends who just moved a couple weeks ago called and ask if their little girl, Maddie, could come play. That was good!

So, I'm trying to get back on track with the dissertation this week. Thursday, we're celebrating my youngest nephew's birthday, Friday we're having some friends and their kids over from ye olden college days, and Saturday my folks are having a family reunion from the Osborn side of the house. I get tired thinking about it. I really enjoy all these get togethers, but my nature is to be introverted so all these things really wear me out.

Oh, and also some friends of ours little boy is having his birthday party on Saturday afternoon we would like to make it to, but I'm not so sure it'll happen. However, we should see them Tuesday evening (Zoo night!) and Friday evening, so we may have to give him his present then. Whew!

What a week!

Ave's random art...

2009-07-16T08:45:00.002-05:00

This is a picture Avery drew on my office whiteboard the last time she dropped in. The girls like drawing on it when they come by, and I like the result! I've kept it up there for about a month or so, but had to remove it yesterday because I had to use the board. Bummer...

Dissertation craze...

2009-07-08T11:43:00.002-05:00

One of the reasons I'm not posting much right now is because I'm hitting my dissertation hard. Will have my head down for about 8-10 weeks. If you think about it, I would appreciate your prayers in this process and for me simply to finish. Many who have gone before say "the best dissertation is the one that gets finished!". Oh how I understand that now. This process is a little like swimming through a muddy river with waterfalls on each side of you - at least it feels like that at times. I'm confident I'm getting close, I just don't know where the finish line is - or if I'm running in the right lane. But I think I am... In all things to God be the glory.

McKenna-ism #3... sort of...

2009-07-08T11:34:00.002-05:00

The girls headed up to Abilene this morning to spend a couple of days with their Grandma and Grandpa and I got this email from Grandma Keating about 30 minutes after they hit the road:

"She said her nose hurt and Grandpa said he had a band aid. She said ok and put it on where it hurt! Hard to breathe but says it feels better."

That picture is SO McKenna... it makes me laugh! I love my girls...

Kate McRae...

2009-07-06T11:40:00.003-05:00

this is a little girl who is on my mind. I don't know her, but we prayed for her as a family Saturday and I've been praying for her constantly since. Maybe it's because she looks like my little McKenna. Maybe it's because my heart breaks because I can't imagine the sense of helplessness of watching one of my girls in so much fear and pain. Maybe it's because of the little taste of cancer I've experience in others in my family. Maybe it's just because this is a little, innocent girl who can't understand why things are different, why she can't talk, why she hurts, and why she's stuck in a hospital being poked and prodded by people in cold suits all day. Maybe it's because the prognosis doesn't look good...

Yet Hope remains. Our God is the only One who can heal, and He still does miracles today. My prayer is that the Holy Spirit shows up in all power and glory in Kate's room and that she wakes up fine in the morning. No brain tumor. No cancer. The doctors dropping to their knees, jaws open, putting Darwin on the shelf and opening the Bible. Wouldn't it be awesome to have Kate baptize one of her doctors some day? It doesn't happen very often, but I believe it can happen. God does the impossible and He loves little children fiercely.

Please God, heal little Kate and be glorified through her life.

McKenna-ism #2...

2009-06-30T15:21:00.002-05:00

McKenna: Dad, will you read this book to me?
Kevin: Sure!
McKenna: Okay, you read the first page and I'll read the second.
Kevin: (Looking surprised).... Uh, okay. (I read the first page)
McKenna: (After looking at the page)... Dad, I need pictures to read books!

Inaugural McKenna-ism

Summer in TX...

2009-06-22T21:34:00.009-05:00

was HOT! But we had a blast visiting my brother and his family. It's always a trip that goes too quickly for us, probably more than for them since we invade! But we enjoy catching up with Krista and Gary and all of our girls have alot of fun together.

Here are the 4 oldest girls...

and little Presley now in the mix...

The girls loved swimming, and spent alot of time in the hot tub.

We brought my nieces back with us to ICT, so we were packed in like sardines.

and this was the typical temp outside on the way home. Highest was 108, lowest 97.

Oy-vay!

2009-06-17T13:36:00.000-05:00

It's hot out today!

Wow!

2009-06-17T09:54:00.002-05:00

I just got done talking with this dog on Skype. I'm not kidding. He sounded alot like my dad, and complained alot like him too! :)

McKenna-ism...

2009-06-13T06:00:00.001-05:00

We have alot of these, but this was this week's McKenna-ism...

Michelle: "How do we get to heaven?"
McKenna: "I know how to get to heaven. You gotta get hit by a car or something..."

VBS and Camp...

2009-06-12T22:56:00.009-05:00

Ben, Avery, Presley, McKenna, and Lizzy all had fun this week at VBS and Day Camp.

This is a few of the people at the finale tonight. Burgers and concert at the NW YMCA. Swimming after. Good times.

Well, I tried to get Avery in a shot but she was packed in the middle of 150 other kids dancing and singing.

So the arrow is just to give you the general area of where McKenna actually is... she is in there. She had ALOT of fun. Dancing. Singing. Rockin' it out... and she did. Oh, she did.

And here's my little sweet pea, Presley, and her favorite person in the world. She just got her swimsuit on to go swimming tonight. She LOVES swimming.

A week of humanity...

2009-06-12T10:49:00.002-05:00

This has been a tough week for friends of ours. It's been a tough week for Michelle. Friends of ours were pregnant at what they thought was the "safety zone" of about 18 weeks - almost halfway through the pregnancy. Then, Tuesday morning the amniotic fluid started leaking. Basically, a seemingly very healthy baby slowly died in a matter of two days because his natural life support disappeared.

These situations are very difficult. Nothing anyone can do about it. You want to trust God for a miracle, but it didn't happen. Our human bent is to think "why me??". At some level you compare this to situations where the mom didn't want to be pregnant, does everything to harm her baby, and still has an easy, safe birth with a healthy baby. Our human bent is to scream "THIS ISN'T FAIR!!!".

But God's justice is not our justice. God's character is bigger than we understand. And God's provision in ALL of life's circumstances - the good, the bad, and the downright gut-wrenching, horrendous circumstance - is not only sufficient, but we can find hope in Him.

If you haven't read the little book of Habakkuk in a while, I encourage you to today right here. It won't take you 10 minutes. And it could help change your perspective. There's this little word in chapter 3, verse 18 that is a turning point for the whole book. Yet. This one little word changes the prophet's outlook of his circumstances. From mourning and despair (after all, this book is a litany of trouble) into trust, joy, and hope.

God is a God of hope and joy; someone we can trust through the painful times of life just as we can in the joyful times. God likes to take impossible situations and change them to possibilities for His glory. After all... our redemption through Jesus moves us from death to life.

So, how does God use a situation where a mother loses her unborn baby? A baby with fingers and toes. A baby whose time wasn't now. How does healing come? Well, I don't know - Yet, God remains with us. God remains trustworthy. God's love never leaves us.

Yet... there is hope. Emmanuel... God is with us - even in the hard times.

Psalm 47:2

2009-06-09T13:39:00.002-05:00

Avery and McKenna are at camp this week and Avery has a new Bible verse to learn everyday. Today's is Psalm 47:2... I like the expanded version:

^1-9 Applause, everyone. Bravo, bravissimo! Shout God-songs at the top of your lungs!
God Most High is stunning,
astride land and ocean.
He crushes hostile people,
puts nations at our feet.
He set us at the head of the line,
prize-winning Jacob, his favorite.
Loud cheers as God climbs the mountain,
a ram's horn blast at the summit.
Sing songs to God, sing out!
Sing to our King, sing praise!
He's Lord over earth,
so sing your best songs to God.
God is Lord of godless nations—
sovereign, he's King of the mountain.
Princes from all over are gathered,
people of Abraham's God.
The powers of earth are God's—
he soars over all.

So be it!

Boundaries for guys...

2009-06-08T11:05:00.002-05:00

I quit reading alot of church leadership and pastor blogs several months ago because it's not the occupation God's put me in right now. I just don't have time to be involved in academic innovation and leadership and follow these things on the side. I still have a huge passion for church leadership but I don't really care to follow the movers and shakers out there right now.

So, I was quite shocked when I read this today. I'm sad and disappointed. This is an issue for all guys no matter what occupation you hold, but it's especially damaging to the Kingdom of God when it happens with pastors. Basically, when a pastor commits the sin of adultery everything he or she has ever said is negated in people's minds. Right? Whether it should be this way or not, this is what happens. The bad thing is that if that pastor was a Biblical preacher, then people are negating God's Word in their minds because they equate that with an adulterous pastor who preached those words.

Dave has his take on it here. I have alot of thoughts about this, more observations than thoughts really, and I'm not sure I can articulate them. My first observation is in attitude. There are alot of church planters out there right now with attitude. They're storming the gates of hell for Christ, and they'll tell anyone the same if they get in their way. That's an attractive leadership style to many non-Christians or nominal Christians. Problem is, I think, it can easily lead to what I'll call "Superman syndrome". When that leader with attitude has some measure of success he gets more and more confident that "how" he does things is the right way... so he does more of whatever that is. Slowly, he thinks to continue being successful everything depends on him. So he stays at the church or office more and more hours. He quits dating his wife. He misses his kids games, concerts, and trips. He doesn't tuck his kids in at night because there are committee meetings. All of a sudden, everything depends on his presence. He gets worn out, his wife is (rightfully) nagging him because he's never home, his kids are acting out... all of a sudden there are no boundaries and the other side of the fence looks very green. BOOM! It's all over and he doesn't know what happened.

Guys, create boundaries in your life. Even if others look at you weird! Even if you're not a pastor!

Don't hold meetings behind closed doors with a female (unless it's your wife or mom).
Don't ride alone in a car with a female (unless it's your wife or sister or mom).
Don't go to lunch alone with another female (unless it's your wife or sister or mom or grandma).

Get the idea? People may make fun of you. It may be inefficient. It may seem awkward at first. But, you're creating boundaries and a culture that protects you and your wife.

This isn't a comprehensive list, so help me out. What other boundaries would you include? Computers boundaries?

12 years and loving it...

2009-06-07T05:00:00.002-05:00

After 12 years of marriage I can honestly say I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat. Michelle's my best friend, the one I trust most on this earth, the one I laugh and cry with, the one who I love spending time with. God has flooded my life with grace, mercy, and blessing through my wife.

I can't imagine life without you, babe, and I'm looking forward to many more years together. I love you!

TGIF...

2009-05-29T08:41:00.002-05:00

This was a short week, but I'm really glad it's Friday. I've spent alot of time on the road this month just in Kansas. Between travel for dissertation research and meetings at our sites in the NE part of the state, I've logged close to 1500 miles extra.

Do you ever feel like a human-doing instead of a human-being? That's kind of where I'm at right now. I know it's just this season of life but I'm ready to return to a being. God calls Himself the "I am", which you English majors can help me on but I believe it's a verb form of "to be", right? So, since our God expressed His own identity in terms of "being" and not "doing", I think as His followers we should be the same. Yet, we're all kind of prone to doing aren't we?

I can't go into details but I had to turn down an offer this week I really didn't want to turn down. It was the right decision and I have peace about it, but it wasn't what I wanted.

I only have one more dissertation interview and then I can begin my data analysis! I'm excited to get moving through this part and see what comes from the research. I record each of my interviews and then I have a person transcribing the interviews. I'm thankful that this person does such a good job too! While I don't like to pay for something like this usually, it's worth it to not have something else on my plate in the evenings and weekends.

We're headed to Abilene today for a birthday celebration. Looking forward to that and the nice weather!

Bill Self...

2009-05-19T14:13:00.002-05:00

The Jayhawk's coach, Bill Self, came to town to do a book signing today and Michelle and the girls got to go meet him. I'm jealous...

Meal $$ homework...

2009-05-18T15:07:00.002-05:00

Alright... Michelle's post makes me wonder about you all, so I'm asking you to share a little - for real! How much money did you spend on food - all food and drink - last month (April 1-30)? We budget around $500/month on food for the 5 of us. Get your checkbook, logon to your bank statement, grab a calculator and take 5 minutes to add up your grocery bill, eating out, Starbuck's runs, etc... everything. Don't be shy, share!

Decisions, decisions...

2009-05-18T09:53:00.003-05:00

I have friends who base every decision they make on what they think is "God's will" in their life. I commend people for being concerned about what God wants in their life, and I think we should all ask God what it is He would have us do in all life situations. But, for followers of Christ, unless we decide to willfully sin, making one decision or another shouldn't necessarily mean we're deciding to either be in or out of God's will.

Sometimes we're given multiple opportunities requiring choosing one thing over another and each of them could end up being a challenge, a disappointment, or a blessing. But any of the opportunities - no matter the result - could very well be in the will of God for our life. When presented with these options it's a difficult decision to make, I think. Priorities must be chosen, but you can't leave God's willingness to work in the situation out either. God has a way of showing up and doing things nobody ever imagined - and blessing people in ways they never could have calculated. But it seems a little manipulative, to me, to plan on God doing something miraculous in these situations. Maybe that's a growth point for me, I don't know.

Anyway, thinking about the hard decisions today.

Tigers...

2009-05-17T22:05:00.003-05:00

We went to the Zoo first thing Saturday morning to see the brand new tiger exhibit. I must say, I think they did a great job. It was a nice exhibit and the tigers are beautiful animals. Here are some pictures from the day with cousin Reese and good friends, Lauren and Luke:

Time to get serious...

2009-05-11T15:03:00.002-05:00

I've been talking about it for a year and now Michelle's tired of me talking and suggested we just do it. So, it's time to take the plunge for a new TV. At least take the plunge in the next 2 months. :)

We were having a tough time finding dates and locations that would work for us at the lake this summer, and with Presley being only 8-9 months old, we decided to forgo the water this summer and finish our basement. With entertainment system. Yowza! Sounds GREAT to me.

So, here's what I'm thinking...

We can't decide how to arrange the basement. It's one big room and could be arranged one of two ways. Basically, we have an entertainment area and a smaller office area. We need an interior designer to come help us!!

Here's the TV I want...
Not too picky on surround sound, but I'd like to have a Blu-Ray player that upconverts DVDs...
I started a Visio schematic of the room over lunch today so we can move all the furniture around in different arrangements and see what we like... we'll see if this really works.
We're going to paint the walls...
We have this stupid alcove in the middle of room that was created with the foundation of the fireplace, and we're trying to figure out what to do with it. I think I would like to pull electricity over to it and put in a dry bar area (is there such a thing??) for a small refrigeratort and microwave. I'd bring water over there but it's too far from another water source and I'm not going to screw up the plumbing.

Woo hoo! I don't like painting, but I'm looking forward to getting this project going!

Happy Mother's Day...

2009-05-10T10:17:00.002-05:00

to my beautiful wife, Michelle, who is an amazing mother to our girls and the richest blessing to me

to my loving mom, Leora

to my extraordinary Grandmother, Viola

to my Aunt Loreta

to my Mother-in-law, Gerri

to my sisters: Shawna, Krista, and Marla

Running shoes...

2009-05-07T12:34:00.004-05:00

I was in need of a new pair of running shoes. About 9 years ago Michelle and I went to John's Run/Walk Shop in Lexington and spent a long time with guys who know what they're talking about and tried on shoe after shoe to find one that was comfortable and fit well.

I've had several knee surgeries and still have alot of pain and issues with my knees, so I was definitely wanting a shoe that helped with all that. Anyway, this was the first time I found the Nike Air Pegasus. All I can say is WOW!! I loved that shoe! In fact, I've purchased about 6 or 7 pair since that first one and I had no reason to look elsewhere.

Then, a couple years ago I heard they were phasing the line out. Yikes! I was not happy. But I started trying other shoes and never found one I liked as much. But I was able to find the Air Pegasus so I still bought them.

But this year I have a little money at Dillards and thought I'd try the Ecco brand running shoe. It looked nice and I've heard great things about Ecco. So we went there last weekend and I tried this shoe on.

In fact, the shoe salesman was telling me how much I was going to love this shoe while he was helping me, so I was really excited and expecting to just love them. I was ready to pay before I even got them on - and these were $130 shoes.

And then I put them on. Nothing. Well, they felt good, but not great. They weren't anything like my Air Pegasus! I was so disappointed - so we went directly over to Dick's Sporting Goods and picked up a new pair on sale for about half of what the Ecco's would have cost me. I love my Air Pegasus...

Hip-hop worship...

2009-05-07T09:17:00.002-05:00

Tony has a great post up today. He articulates something I've been thinking about for a long time. I've been in churches that have played with hip-hop/rap, but people of my generation (especially white folks) are really going to have to think about this issue.

And to help all you worship leaders, here's a little hip-hop/rap 101 from Pandora...

That's a pretty cool tutorial, don'tcha think? I like Pandora and use it alot from computer to computer because I always have the music I like. So, spreadin' a little Pandora love, here are the stations I currently have on my Pandora:

* John Denver Radio
* P.O.D. Radio
* Harry Connick, Jr. Radio
* White Christmas Radio
* The David Crowder Band Radio
* Brad Paisley Radio
* Third Day Radio

And of course while this eclectic list might give you whiplash, Pandora gives me only the music I like. Very cool.

What stations are on your Pandora??

Fitbit...

2009-05-05T13:19:00.002-05:00

Check this thing out... it looks very cool. I'm not that into fitness (as you can easily tell), but I think it could give me data that would help me change behavior to get healthier. I almost bought one today, but I wouldn't spend that much money without talking to Michelle. Also, I would like to buy about 3 of them for some other people who I think would enjoy them too. But I wonder if they would take that the wrong way?? As if they needed to workout more.