Making Memories

Todd and Daniel planned a canoe trip for the weekend - a guy's trip. It's sure to water, mud, sleeping bags, campfires, and roughing it.

They made all the preparations themselves except for my attempt at contributing gluten-free pumpkin granola bars - FAIL. I'll have to work on that one. They took them anyway. When you're really hungry, just about anything tastes good!
I'll have to admit that as they were loading up, I was giddy with excitement for them. Making those memories. Sometimes the biggest disasters make for the best memories. Not that this trip will be a disaster. In fact, it will be far from it, knowing those two. But when unexpected things happen, those make for the best stories to recount for years to come.
Off they go into the great unknown. I'll pick them up Sunday - somewhere. They have no schedule, and no goal other than to be in the moment.
Thank you, God, for opportunities to be in the moment...

Sunday morning

We traveled Sunday and left early enough to enjoy the foggy fields as we drove. I love road trips. There's something about being cut off from outside interferences and just being together.

So much nurturing of the soul happens in our conversations, a time to reconnect, and, even if for a little while, set aside the busy-ness of the outside world.

Like being in a cocoon of sorts.

I love it.

We'll talk soon!

I Stand By the Door

A few years ago, Todd Jr. shared this poem with me. I've thought about it recently and decided to share it with you. What do you think about it? Where do you stand?

I Stand by the Door

By Sam Shoemaker (from the Oxford Group)

I stand by the door.

I neither go too far in, nor stay too far out.

The door is the most important door in the world -

It is the door through which men walk when they find God.

There is no use my going way inside and staying there,

When so many are still outside and they, as much as I,

Crave to know where the door is.

And all that so many ever find

Is only the wall where the door ought to be.

They creep along the wall like blind men,

With outstretched, groping hands,

Feeling for a door, knowing there must be a door,

Yet they will never find it.

So I stand by the door.

The most tremendous thing in the world

Is for men to find that door - the door to God.

The most important thing that any man can do

Is to take hold of one of those blind, groping hands

And put it on the latch - the latch that only clicks

And opens to the man's own touch.

Men die outside the door, as starving beggars die

On cold nights in cruel cities in the dead of winter.

Die for want of what is within their grasp.

They live on the other side of it - live because they have not found it.

Nothing else matters compared to helping them find it,

And open it, and walk in, and find Him.

So I stand by the door.

Go in great saints; go all the way in -

Go way down into the cavernous cellars,

And way up into the spacious attics.

It is a vast, roomy house, this house where God is.

Go into the deepst of hidden casements,

Of withdrawal, of silence, of sainthood.

Some must inhabit those inner rooms

And know the depths and heights of God,

And call outside to the rest of us how wonderful it is.

Sometimes I take a deeper look in.

Sometimes venture in a little farther,

But my place seems closer to the opening.

So I stand by the door.

There is another reason why I stand there.

Some people get part way in and become afraid

Lest God and the zeal of His house devour them;

For God is so very great and asks all of us.

And these people feel a cosmic claustrophobia

And want to get out. "Let me out!" they cry.

And the people way inside only terrify them more.

Somebody must be by the door to tell them that they are spoiled.

For the old life, they have seen too much:

One taste of God and nothing but God will do any more.

Somebody must be watching for the frightened

Who seek to sneak out just where they came in,

To tell them how much better it is inside.

The people too far in do not see how near these are

To leaving - preoccupied with the wonder of it all.

Somebody must watch for those who have entered the door

But would like to run away. So for them too,

I stand by the door.

I admire the people who go way in.

But I wish they would not forget how it was

Before they got in. Then they would be able to help

The people who have not yet even found the door.

Or the people who want to run away again from God.

You can go in too deeply and stay in too long

And forget the people outside the door.

As for me, I shall take my old accustomed place,

Near enough to God to hear Him and know He is there,

But not so far from men as not to hear them,

And remember they are there too.

Where? Outside the door -

Thousands of them. Millions of them.

But - more important for me -

One of them, two of them, ten of them.

Whose hands I am intended to put on the latch.

So I shall stand by the door and wait

For those who seek it.

'I had rather be a door-keeper.

So I stand by the door.

Radical

One of the "dangers" of growing up in a Christian/church environment is learning early on the "right" things to say and the "right" way to act without having to make it personal. This certainly is not a new revelation by any means.

Another "danger" is being "comfortable" with certain passages of Scripture and not really searching for the deeper things in those passages.

I am thankful for family and friends that encouraged me to look beyond the surface and work out my faith in an honest, truth-seeking, challenging way. I'm thankful also that the Scripture has grabbed ahold of Todd and all three boys as well, and it is too their lifeline.

I ran across this sermon series from a friend of a friend's blog, and to say that it is challenging is an understatement. I want to encourage you to take the time to listen/watch these eight teachings. They are also on Itunes (search for David Platt Radical).

WARNING: Some of your current thought processes will probably be challenged. I encourage you to be open to what God has to say to you through these teachings. Of course, test them, search them and seek after what God would have you do in your own life.

Todd and I have been stretched and challenged and inspired to live out our faith in a radical way. We're still asking God to reveal exactly what that means for us, but without a doubt, it will be . . . RADICAL. Praise God!

Click on the graphic to get started

My Prayer for 2010

I've had some verses running through my mind for a few weeks now, and as I was reflecting on them realized these verses are my heart's prayer for me personally, my family and friends. So if you fall into the family or friend category, rest assured this is my prayer for you, especially the section bolded!

Ephesians 1:15-23:

"For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the hevenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and domininion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age, but also in the one to come.

And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way."

Christmas 2009

We spent Christmas in Phoenix this year with LOTS of family. So fun! We are so blessed!!

Todd, Johnny, Kira, Adam, and Daniel:

Todd, Johnny, Grandpa, Kira, Grandma, Adam, and Daniel:

Colin, Todd, Gretchen and Adam trying to find the wild javelina. Adam caught a glimpse, and then it disappeared!

Adam, Connor, Colin, Terry Lee, Daniel, and Connor playing some game that shocks you if you don't push your button first when the light turns green. I wasn't brave enough to try it!

Todd and Joy. Look at all the sahuaros!! So beautiful!

Terry doing what he does best!

Todd, Adam, Colin, and Cameron:

Todd and Joel!

We had a chance to hike at Thunderbird Mountain Park. Adam Daniel, Kira and Todd Jr.

Kira and Kathy!!

Gretchen, Cameron, and Claudia!

Betty looking beautiful in red!

Todd and Grandma sitting by the outdoor fireplace. On the ledge just above Todd's head, a roadrunner made an appearance. They got pictures - I didn't.

It was a wonderful trip! We are SO blessed!

Taking it all in stride

So Daniel brought home a note from school this week, but not THAT kind of note because Daniel is just not THAT kind of kid. Daniel doesn't make waves, but not because he doesn't have opinions or is "passive" as someone once described him, but because he has a tremendous amount of inner strength and self-control. Sometimes I think he is much more of a grown-up than I am.



Anyway, though, I got a little off track...



So Daniel and Josiah got in the car after school and Daniel announced that he had gotten a note in his locker, but that he hadn't even opened it yet - See, I told you he had self-control.



So I, who have less self-control, said, "Open it, open it." As we were driving away from school I glanced at Daniel's face in the rearview mirror as he read the note - smile, big smile.




Daniel, taking it all in stride, announces, "It's from Audra. She wants to go out with me."


"Oh really?" I asked.


"Yeah, but I'm going to tell her no, because ..."


"You're ELEVEN maybe? " I helped out.


"Yeah, but... (as he is folding the note back up) it's good to know, for future reference, of course."


"Of course."


Big Smile, pink face, red face, REALLY red face...


"Wow, my face feels really hot!"


Giggle, giggle, giggle from the back seat - They are only 11 after all...

Game day

On Wednesday, Huntington University played IPFW which is a division I school in Fort Wayne. It was a great game!

IPFW scored in the first minute off of a penalty kick resulting from a foul being called on the Huntington keeper shown in the video below.

Also in the video is a shot taken by Adam (#11 in green). Every time I've watched it, I've held my breath to see if he scores. Remarkably, it never changes... It's a great shot, nonetheless.

At the very end of the video up in the stands, you can catch a glimpse of Todd, Daniel, Rachel and I. When the clip ends, if you move the little slider to the left just a tad, you can see us. Todd's in a baseball cap, Rachel is in a brown T-shirt, and I'm leaning forward just next to our friends who are standing up. We're just above and to the right of the center of the shot.

Huntington played a great game, but came up short 0-1. Adam had a good game - the first game back after his broken nose. Daniel and Adam both have games on Saturday.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bA8DvqJ1NEU

School and Soccer Season

Well, school is in full swing again for Todd and Daniel, and Adam's classes start Monday. June seemed to go pretty slow, but I don't have a clue what happened to the rest of the summer. It's always a little hard when the kids go back to school. It's so quiet around the house during the day. I do have company, of course, but she's not very energetic or enthusiastic, and she really doesn't contribute much of anything. I even tried to hire her to catch up my filing for me, but you can see how that went!

We've been doing some traveling to Adam's soccer games which started last week. The team looks good this year!!

Fort Wayne has a national soccer showcase every year, and this year Huntington got to play against Cincinnati Christian College Thursday night. Adam scored the first goal of the game!



Towards the beginning of the second half, however, Adam's face had a collision with an opponent's head. We knew it must be bad because as soon as the ref got over to Adam, he stopped the clock.... then the trainers came running out.... then they put on their gloves. So as we watched from a distance we tried to figure out where the blood was coming from - nose? teeth? gash in head?



It was the nose... Thursday night...

Friday morning.... Profile shot - Check out the goose egg between his eyebrows!

Saturday morning.....

He didn't lose consciousness (Praise God), and the doctor on-site at the game said there was no indication of a concussion. He came home with us (obviously) after the game, and I woke him up during the night Thursday night just to check on him. An ENT doc checked him out on Friday and said everything looked okay. No need to come back unless he's unhappy with the cosmetic appearance after the swelling goes down. He feels a lot of pressure in his face and eyes from the swelling and has a slight headache, but is recovering pretty well. Thank you, Lord!

As a side note, as he was being driven off the field to go to the training room, the players on the bench from the other team told him they were praying for him, and after the game, the player that he collided with came in the training room and apologized (even though it was accidental) and said he'd be praying for him! That speaks volumes to the quality of character of those players!

Just so I don't leave you hanging, we won the game 2-1, and the Huntington players filed through to check on Adam as they were leaving and said, "We got it for you!" Such a great thing to be part of a great team! I'd be proud to have any of them as my son!

That's it for now. Take care!

Zoo fun

A week or so ago, we made a trip to the Fort Wayne Zoo. The African Exhibit was completely revamped and definitely worth a visit. The weather was beautiful, but the sun was a little hot on Adam's newly shorn head. His hair ended up being a little shorter than he had planned on, but he now knows the error of his ways and has taken note for future self-haircuts. I think he looks awesome with or without hair! Here are pictures for your viewing pleasure:

The Monkeys were Adam's favorite!

I think Rachel is practing her monkey face!

I don't know what these flowers were, but they were BEAUTIFUL!

And THESE too!!

It's Indiana Todd!!

Sorry, I'm too tired to rotate this one...

Jelly Fish!!

Just yesterday

Phoenix Arizona, 1992 ***It truly feels like yesterday

Daniel just looked at the picture and said, "I remember that chair; I was just sitting on it." :)

You've just gotta love the mauve from the 80s/90s. The color's not so great anymore, but the chair is still going strong. Random, I know...

I'm just missing a certain someone who's not home this summer...

Small Town Life

Small town life has its disadvantages, sure, but there are also advantages and things that just put a smile on your face, like this message on our answering machine yesterday:

"Hi, it's Tyler from Pizza Hut. I just found out yesterday that we're getting an ice cream machine, and I thought to myself 'First thing Tuesday morning, I'm going to call the McLaughlins,' so I just thought I'd let you know. Have a great day."

With just a handful of eating establishments in our small town, when Pizza Hut took over the neighboring storefront and went from carry-out only to adding a small dining room, we along with many other residents were quite thrilled. Wednesday night is buffet night, and we've been pretty regular in our attendance. They have the best salad bar!

Anyway, Tyler is one of the managers, and a great one at that. You just know that if Tyler is there, the buffet will be fully stocked and ready to go. For the past year or so since the dining room opened Todd has commented upon leaving that as good as the food is, it would be better with a little ice cream to top it off.

Well, after much begging, the ice cream machine is a reality, Todd's happy, and I think I even hear the Cheers theme playing in the background.

Grandma's visit

Mom came to visit over spring break, and we had a wonderful visit. She got to see all of our family and Mark and Jeni's, squeezing in a visit with Calvin before we left for the airport. Poor Calvin had to spend spring break in Destin, Florida... Here are some highlights of her visit:

Sunday, we headed up to South Bend to catch up with Todd Jr who was leading worship at a new church and got to spend a couple hours with him after church.



Tuesday we headed out shopping with Jeni and Kelly and ended up at Olive Garden for lunch. Can you say "Unlimited Soup, Salad and Breadsticks?" Mmmmm...





Wednesday evening we met Adam and Rachel for dinner in Fort Wayne.

Thursday evening, Mark, Jeni and Kelly came over for dinner.

Saturday, mom and I went to Adam's soccer tournament at University of St. Francis. It was a ccccold and wwwindy day!! We were able to spend quite a bit of time with Adam in between the games which was really nice!

We had a great time while she were here, and it went way too fast, and YES, everything we did involved eating (and I have the pictures to document it!) :)