Party #1 for Carmen

After eating chili together and opening Carmen's first gift, we used Carmen's birthday as a good reason for us to have a family game night. Carmen wanted to play Phase 10 and she got to be the scorekeeper. This is an important position in our family.

We discovered Phase 10 during our vacation to Seabrook Island in South Carolina several years ago and it has remained a favorite for us. Here is a view of Becca's hand last night.

Here is a picture of us in Charleston, South Carolina near the USS Yorktown in 1999. The week we discovered Phase 10. We've all done some growing in the last seven years.

Will he go all the way??

Yes he Will!
Tonight was Southern Middle School's last home game and the 8th Graders were honored before the game.


Southern won the football game on this interception, broken tackle and extremely well placed block. That defensive touchdown in the first quarter would be the only touchdown of the evening.


The interception goes to Will Sweet.



The excellent block that gave Will the last 20 yards goes to Leo. Leo also had an excellent game.


Touchdown Storm!



Will's parents had a good view of the game behind their cameras.

Dave is the official Southern Storm film crew and therefore is the only parent with a bird's eye view.

Paintball Party

Adam and Hunter Hendrickson shared a birthday party this afternoon at Paintball Hill. Everyone had a good time.

Most of the time was spent learning how to use the guns and play the various paintball games, but the kids stopped long enough to eat some hot dogs and cut a cake.


Hunter got shot in the head in back to back games with complementing colors orange and pink. The kids are required to wear facemasks so getting shot in the head is painless, but messy.








Carmen and Rachel were two of the most successful competitors because of the relatively high level of caution that they possessed.

But Carmen did get hit during one of the games.

Panther Pride ( 300 Wins )

Last night, NorthWood defeated Plymouth 13-7. It was a very close game, but NorthWood finished strong with a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

A touchdown in the fourth quarter was something that was often needed by the NorthWood football program. When I played from 1981 through 1984, Jim Andrews was the head coach and when he needed a little more effort than what we were giving, he would hold up one hand.

That lifted hand represented "Panther Pride". Coach didn't have to say anything, all the players knew what it meant and so did all the fans in the stands any given Friday night in Northern Indiana home or away. It meant that we didn't lift weights, run, practice, review film, spend time together, and push each other to give up right now. All the effort needed to win the game, needed to be applied. We didn't always win, but we did our best for the program, our team and our coaching staff.

Coach Dodson was the linebacker coach and defensive coach while I was playing so I spent more individual time with Coach Dodson on the field and in practice. You can hear the honor in his words about Coach Andrews. Everyone who speaks of Coach Andrews, carrys the same honor. A great leader builds up the leaders that follow him.

I agree with Coach Dodson that tying Coach Andrews with 150 wins would be a good way to go out, but I know that Coach Andrews would want him to exceed that mark.

Another great leader once said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father."

You can read the article on the Elkhart Truth at the following address:
Dodson earns 300th win with NorthWood

Surprise Party for Adam

We surprised Adam with a 13th birthday party this afternoon. His birthday is tomorrow, but we had the party early. Jackie invited several of his friends from school, baseball, football and church to an afternoon of football and ultimate frisbee.

Later, they returned to the house for cupcakes, ice cream, and kool-aid.

Freshmen Season Over

The Freshmen 6 went out went out with a bang tonight. They beat Lafayette and Henry Clay in 2 game matches. One of the keys tonight was Janet Jones, who got out on the court with Coach Emily to help keep the girls warmed up between matches. Lexington Catholic needed 3 games to beat Henry Clay.

It really was a great season in terms of playing time for the Freshmen 6 even though it started out with weaker competition. On the way home tonight we divided the season up into the following sections:

• Regular Season: 8-1 ( only loss was to Lafayette )
• Freshman League: 4-2 ( both losses were to Dunbar )
• Woodford County JV Scrimmage: 1-0

Since the girls really only lost matches to Lafayette and Dunbar, you have to look at the individual records against those teams:

• Lafayette: 2-1 ( 2 wins in Freshman League, 1 loss in Regular Season )
• Dunbar: 1-2 ( 1 win in Regular Season, 2 losses in Freshman League )

Here are the pictures from tonight:
Final Game against Henry Clay

Carmen really wanted a chance to play Dunbar or Catholic tonight, but we ended up playing Henry Clay for the fourth time.

Next year, the competition will be much steeper at the JV level with a few tournaments.

Ultimate Frisbee in the Fall

Enjoying the fall that is coloring the Bluegrass state while playing ultimate frisbee is a great way to spend a few hours with family. Carmen, Adam and I have been playing Ultimate almost every Sunday afternoon at Kirklevington Park this summer and fall.

Jackie and Buster joined us today and took some pictures. Carol, Aaron and Joshua also showed up to watch James.

I sat out the first game because of a rib injury that I received while playing football with Adam and the rest of the neighborhood the Sunday before.

Here are the pictures:
Ultimate Frisbee

Tates Creek Volleyball update

Carmen's freshman team has now lost 2 matches. The first loss was to Dunbar at the Freshman tourney two weeks ago that they avenged the following week at Dunbar for a regular season match.

Their second loss was to Lafayette in a bitter battle where Tates Creek Freshman won the first game but then lost the second game 21-19 and the third game 22-20. Carmen really wants to beat Lafayette so that she can say that they have beaten every team that they have played this year.

Tates Creek will be playing Lafayette at the second Freshman tourney tomorrow.

Here are some of the pictures of the last few games:
Lafayette (F/JV)
Harrison County (F/JV/V)
Dunbar (Varsity)
Bulldog Bash (JV)

Adam's First Game of the Season

Middle School football season starts late here in Kentucky. We played Crawford tonight and barely finished before dark. With teams traveling across Lexington in a bus, it is hard to start earlier than 5:30 so I'm not sure how we will squeeze them in as the days grow shorter.

Adam is number 34 and he is playing linebacker. I'm calling him "Sweetness". Adam's team is stacked with good sized athletes. I think he is the smallest defensive player.

Brandon Shrout (#22) did an excellent job of blocking, tackling and running the ball all night long.

The Southern offensive line dominated the game.

Crawford scored on the opening drive, but never scored again. No one really knows how many points Southern had since scoreboards are optional at Middle Schools ( along with the optional football field ) I've got pictures of at least 6 Southern touchdowns and I know they score before I got there as well.

View all the photos at: Crawford Game

Pete needs a job...

Many of you know that my brother Keith is in desparate need for a job. At least all of his friends think so.

I didn't know that Purdue Pete was looking until he stopped by the Lexmark booth at the world's largest Career Fair this week.

His interview was brief because of his inability to speak. His response to my first question, "Can you program?" was to motion so-so with his hand.

I think he needs to attend Austin's interviewing skills course at the Farmhouse Fraternity.

Tatesbrook Reunion

Yesterday was the first ever Tatesbrook reunion. Joyce Baker set up a picnic at Shilito park and invited as many people as she could. It had been over ten years since Jackie and I had seen most of the people.

I had never met Joe and Norma Kiser. Joe was a significant factor in building the original sanctuary. It was good to talk with him.

Stuart Henderson and his entire famly made the trip up from Alabama as well. As many people can remember, Stuart led the worship on Sunday evenings and also led us with Hymn #20 ( God of Earth and Outer Space ). Some of the little boys that requested that song 10 years ago are now husbands and fathers...

It was also good to fellowship with the people that we see as we go about our lives in Lexington from time to time. We miss them dearly.

If we do this again, I would like to attempt to contact some of our streams in Texas, Florida, Colorado, and Greenville that have graduated from Tatesbrook in the late 90's and beyond.

Here are the pictures:
Tatesbrook Reunion

Thoughts from the Hill

This is the first Saturday morning I have had at home in a very long time. Saturday mornings are the time that I go through mail and balance the books for the church and for our personal finances for the last 10 years or so. While trudging through the bills, credit card receipts, solicitation for donations, statements and other junk mail that Jackie placed in my overflowing box, I stumbled upon a jewel of a newsletter from Bob Warren.

I have copied the letter from his online version for your convenience.

THOUGHTS FROM THE HILL

No event has issued a personal wakeup call like the event which I will “attempt” to describe. It was the ultimate litmus test, the result of which rocked me at the core as I consider how far we have strayed as a nation. If after reading the following you can conclude that we remain a nation which heralds the truth, you might need to rethink your position.

A few months ago I received a call from a local high school principal asking if I would agree to speak at his school’s graduation ceremonies. I was honored that he would call, especially sense several of the students graduating would be either children or grandchildren of many of my friends. I was also honored because of the man I knew the principal to be, a man well respected in the community and a fellow believer. I asked if there were parameters to the subject matter I might address, to which he replied, “no.” He said I had twenty minutes and a free reign to say whatever I deemed necessary.

The thing I knew going in was that I needed to be sensitive to the environment and honor the students who were graduating. They did not need a sermon (chapter and verse), but they needed to hear something that would encourage them as they faced the world of their day. In the next paragraph I will begin writing as though I were presenting the speech to you, but understand that it was addressed to a student body of over two hundred and an audience of approximately four thousand. Because I very seldom write my speeches, what follows is not an exact replica of what I stated, but a partial reproduction. Here we go!

It am honored be with you tonight. You have paid the price to be here, having completed the requirements necessary to graduate and pursue your dreams. In fact, sitting where you are confirms that you can process information and draw conclusions, validating that you are thinkers. Don’t you love to think? Isn’t thinking fun? It should be, for your generation has accessible to itself the largest information bank of any previous generation. As a result, each of you has developed a world view—a grid through which you run everything that stimulates your senses and penetrates your mind. This world view is what you use to define for yourself what you deem to be truth and what you deem to be error. In 1964, when I graduated from high school, we called this “perspective,” or “what made a person tick,” but your generation has labeled it “world view.”

However, as you “think” and continue to develop your “world view,” your world view cannot violate the following principle—“the fundamental law of thought is the law of noncontradiction.” In other words, if what you believe contains contradiction, it is non truth, it is error. Therefore, if A=B, and B=C, then A=C. We also know that 2+2=4, not 5, because 2+2=5 is a contradiction. Therefore, no matter how sincerely or passionately someone teaches that 2+2=5, he or she is sincerely and passionately wrong. There is little doubt that none of us would have darkened the doors of this building had the architect who designed it began with the presupposition that 2+2=5. For sure, he may have designed one building based upon that mindset, but I dare say that anyone would have hired him to design a second.

I say all of this to make a point. When you leave this high school there will be those who say to you, “There is no such thing as an absolute.” However, in making this statement they have stated an absolute, creating a contradiction and validating their error. Postmodernism is running rampant in our society, a mindset that deems absolutes as taboo and nonexistent. However, we have just proven that postmodernism is taboo in itself and has no foundation on which to stand.

When I graduated from high school I owned a world view (perspective) much different than I possess today. It was different because I lacked wisdom, wisdom being the correct use of knowledge. Let me explain.

There are four terms that I defined in 1964 as follows:
(1) Wealth—The ability to do anything I wanted to do whenever I wanted to do it;
(2) Notoriety—Doing something well enough that everyone in the country knows who you are;
(3) Power—Putting my thumb on others for the purpose of having them accomplish my desires;
(4) Success—This was a term that I had difficulty defining because success is basically a synonym for fulfillment, and the people who were labeled as successful were in many cases grossly unfulfilled.

However, some thirty-two years ago, and ten years after high school, I began pursuing truth—“absolutes” in other words. I desired to know truth above anything else in life. The reason I possessed such a passion was because I saw the majority of the world as ill-equipped to give adequate answers to the tough questions of life. As a result of my journey, my world view has changed and I define the previous four terms as follows: (1) Wealth—Being content with what you have; (2) Notoriety—Living your life without fanfare or public acclaim, never promoting yourself or your agenda, only to have society realize after you are gone that everyone should have known what you were about; (3) Power—Serving others; (4) Success—Basically a synonym for fulfillment, is realized only after properly defining the first three terms.

In my pursuit of truth, I have discovered that it is found only in a Person, a Person who is invisible, a Person who claimed to be the way and the truth, and His name is Jesus Christ. I have studied the major religions of the world and found Him to be without equal—the only one capable of answering the tough questions of life void of contradiction. And just think, He is my best friend and confidant, in fact, my very life.

I have an old ABA basketball with me for the purpose of illustration. I was offered $1,800.00 for this ball only a year ago. Obviously, it has lost its color, is flat, and is basically worthless in most circles. However, the man who offered me such an inflated price knew something. He understood that it possessed worth because of the individuals who had touched it—people who knew more truth about the game of basketball and how to apply that truth than anyone alive. They were men like Julius Erving, George Gervin, George McGennis, and others who were the best of the best. My point is this. If we will but allow possessors of truth to speak into our lives (touch our lives), in the end we will possess worth, and at the same time, be an example of what truth can do in the heart of its possessors. I would encourage you to enter into the pursuit of truth and the corresponding adventure of faith. Again, thank you for your time and willingness to make me a part of you special celebration.

After I finished my speech, I had no idea that a local TV station had filmed it. When I returned home, I began receiving calls from individuals who stated that they had seen me on the 10:00 pm News. What I had not realized was that the same TV station had interviewed both the principal and a portion of the senior class beforehand about my coming as a “religious speaker.” I did not personally see the broadcast, but was told that the only portion of my twenty minute speech aired was as follows: “In my pursuit of truth, I have discovered that it is found only in a Person, a Person who is invisible, a Person who claimed to be the way and the truth, and His name is Jesus Christ.” I found it interesting that the only segment aired was my statement containing the name “Jesus.”

What I took away from this experience was priceless. First off, I saw a principal walk out on a limb, put his name and neck on the line in having a “religious speaker” address his senior class. He is to be commended. God is already honoring that decision and will continue to do so in the future. I also saw the local interest this generated, even resulting in a newspaper writing a very solid story about what had transpired. One of the greatest things I have learned, however, is that many who saw the broadcast viewed my speech (and the fact that I would use the name “Jesus”) as an act of bravery. Please don’t misunderstand what I say in response. I have been very encouraged by all who have given me positive input and greatly appreciate their hearts and concern. But this, more than anything else, has shown me where we now live in America. Since when does using “the name” in a public setting indicate that an act of bravery has been witnessed? Would Paul would classified it as such or would he have laughed at the thought?

2 Corinthians 11:24-33 Think about it, and as you do, walk on!

Eby Family Reunion

Barb and Gene Klein hosted the first Eby Family Union at their home in Osceola. It was a good collection of many of the descendants of Charles Victor Eby. We believe this was the first meeting since a Christmas dinner at 211 South Elkhart Street in Wakarusa in 1985.

Grandma Eby would have made a fuss about "those that didn't make it", but then she would go ahead and have a good time. Aunt Helen was the most senior member and filled the role of going around telling everyone to eat up before she had eaten anything herself.

For those that didn't get the CD from Gene, I've posted a portion of the pictures:
Family Portraits
Candid Shots

One day, I hope to post a family tree so that we can all know the names of all the great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

Tates Creek Volleyball

Tates Creek Volleyball has had some very unique challenges:

1. Coming back from loss of key senior players
2. Expectations associated with being first Lexington team to reach KHSAA final four
3. New head coach ( building an entirely new staff [not an easy thing to do] )
4. Young varsity squad ( three freshman and an eighth grader )

Since so many freshman have been playing varsity, there were only 6 left to play on the freshman team and they are doing very well. They have not lost a single game (they have won every match in 2 games) and really haven't been challenged yet. That will change when they play the freshman from Lafayette, Paul Dunbar and Henry Clay. The competition at the freshman level so far is very disappointing. That must be a huge advantage for the Louisville schools. The interest there allows them to field deep teams that get to play competitively at Freshman, JV and Varsity levels.

If you want to follow their season, you can track the team at www.tatescreekvolleyball.com

I have taken pictures at a few of their games as well:
Madison Southern (Freshman)
Madison Central Game (JV/V)
Bourbon County Game (F/JV/V)

Church Campout

Last weekend was the church campout at Aldersgate. Adam ran around with a pack of kids that were catching crawdads and cooking them during free time. Carmen and Jackie got there a day late so Carmen could attend volleyball conditioning. Becca followed goats around the campground.

Josh introduced his "Eagle Song" to us. We all played too much ultimate frisbee. Eva wore Scott and I out on a fast paced bike ride. Emily did a great job hosting the talent show. Most of all, we just spent time together in the heat (and sometimes rain).

Thanks Matt & Kim for all the hard work that went into this.

Here are all the pictures that I took:
Aldersgate 2006

Southeastern Baseball

Adam has already moved on to football, but some of his fellow Southeastern Baseball players are still playing in the Cal Ripken World Series.

Adam played rookie baseball with two of the players and played football with one from the Tide. He will also be playing football this year with another player when he gets done slugging in Maryland. They are doing very well.

For those of you that would like to follow along, here are the links:

Cal Ripken League World Series Stat Center

• Team Standings
• Individual Hitting Statistics

First Day of School

This year will be Jackie's most difficult school year. As a "hands on" parent that volunteers in order to be involved with the education of her children, the challenge of having three children in three different schools seems danting. Becca is at Veteran's Elementary, Adam is at Southern Middle and Carmen is at Tates Creek High.

Life is a Journey...

If you are looking for fellowship with children of the King.... watch this video.

Need a Ride?

Personally, this might be a little risky. I'm not sure Josh is qualified to drive and capture video at the same time.

Finishing Well

This weekend, we got to hear from Peter Lord. He spoke to us five times and encouraged us each time to dig deeper for fellowship with God through the discipline of listening in prayer.

During the weekend, he mentioned that he is reading a book call Finishing Well. I've looked up the book and see that it is by Bob Buford and he has interviewed some of my favorite people like Jim Collins and Roger Staubach. I bet he tried to interview John Wooden. The forward is by Ken Blanchard.

He didn't interview the following people that have inspired me to finish well.

Peter Lord - This weekend at 76, he demonstrated a desire to learn, grow and change through some of the most difficult times of his life. "God's working harder on me now than He ever has"

C.S. Lewis - came to Christ via long, hard reasoned road. Married late in life. Lost his wife not long after marriage. Journaled
A Grief Observed for many to read later.

Charles Victor Eby - waited until he was 88 years old to accept Christ. Walked with the Lord four years before he died. Evidence of change was difficult to distinguish when you have 88 years of habits... but the internal change helped him eternally.

Bud Etsinger - in this last month, I heard a young boy describe his 79 year old grandfather as the "greatest husband ever". I personally watched a transform in his life shortly after halftime (in his 50's) and saw another step up again this month as father to his girls.

What Cancer Cannot Do

While cleaning up around the house this morning, Bud and Jackie found one more clipping from Ruby. This was one that she asked Jackie to get at the house and place in her purse while she was in the hospital at the beginning of July....

What Cancer cannot do

Cancer is so limited.

It cannot cripple love.

It cannot shatter hope.

It cannot corrode faith.

It cannot eat away peace.

It cannot destroy confidence.

It cannot kill friendship.

It cannot shut out memories.

It cannot silence courage.

It cannot invade the soul.

It cannot reduce eternal life.

It cannot quench the Spirit.

Maybe Ruby's fight to the bitter end for life was because of the charge that Paul gave to Timothy in I Timothy 6:12 "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses."

Or maybe it was to mentor her loved ones just one last time to never give up.

Or maybe it was to let cancer and Satan know for sure, that they were limited and ineffective.

I hope that one day you will be able to ask her yourself.

Ribbon of Hope

In Ruby's last month here with us, her feet were rarely soiled with the dust of the earth, so Jesus probably would not have chosen to wash her feet.

Jesus would have sat at her side and held her hand, and prayed with her and for her. He would have prayed with the family, talked with the family, loved the family and prayed to the Father for her family.

Jesus would have been the greatest husband to her like Bud was in sickness and in health.

Jesus also would have read scripture like Larry did, pastored like Ruth, Ott, Mike and Mike did, praised God with song as the family did, loved like the residents and families of Miller's Merry Manor, visited like their Sunday School class at Union Center Church of the Brethren, prepared food for the family like the neighbors of all denominations surrounding them, given gifts and letters like Kenzi did, fed her like Kim did, drove long routes like Robin, turned her and washed her and comforted her in numerous ways like the staff at Miller's Merry Manor and Elkhart General Hospital did, and wept like Ruby's sisters and daughters did.

Oh, yes, and there would be laughter and children.

Ruby always wanted what Jesus wanted, and even moreso as the end of her life approached. In early July, Ruby met with a lady in charge of Ribbon of Hope. A neighbor of Cheryl's had lived through a battle with cancer and started a support group to help others make it through the battle whatever the result. This lady had taken the baton from Cheryl's neighbor and was moving forward with ministering to more and more families.

It was not difficult for Ruby to choose a memorial foundation for donations at her funeral yesterday.

For those that were not able to make it to the viewing or the funeral, you can find out more about the foundation at the following link:

Ribbon of Hope

Georgetown Tournament

It has been a pretty tough month for Adam with his grandmother in the hospital and nursing home. His commitment to the Lexington Southeast minor select baseball team has kept him away from Indiana where he would love to be.

It has also been tough for the team this week at Georgetown. After being crushed by the giant corn fed boys of Woodford county on Friday night and again by a Frankfort team on Saturday morning, I didn't think it could possibly hurt Adam's attitude if I told him that his grandmother died before they played Harrison County at noon.

I took a lot of pictures from right field where Carmen and I were planning the rest of our weekend while we enjoyed the game, but a mother of another player took these pictures from the perfect vantage point of Adam's score over a blocked plate.

This is the point where Adam was faced with a decision. He could dive head first and touch the plate with his left hand like he had seen the professional players do many times, but he had never practiced that. He could also choose a hook slide, but he had never practiced that.

Without practice, he decided to do what Adam Howard did to him in the SouthEastern All-Star game. He was safe at home plate.

Remembering Ruby

I don't know where to start with this one, but I guess it would have to be with her persistent influence on her husband to have another child late in life. Bud told me last week that she worked on him for years to have another child. Ruby was nine months pregnant with Jackie (that late child) at Shirley's High School graduation.

Ruby was all about family life. She loved match making. ( that's what she was doing when I met her and that is what she was doing the week before she was admitted to the hospital ) She loved weddings. She loved showers. She loved babies. Three of her grandchildren were born in Kentucky and she was there for all of them. Those things are the greatest things on earth, but where Ruby is today there is so much more and now she has a better picture of what is there.

One of the things I loved about Ruby was her faithfulness, loyalty, predictable behavior, consistancy. Those attributes combined with a hardworking body and a strong will are a powerful combination that can be used to overcome many obstacles in life on earth. Her success and joy on earth was the final ingredient that made the Ruby Recipe fight to the bitter end of life.

We love you, Mom.

Old Yellow Clipping from Ruby

Even while Ruby was confined to a nursing home bed and no longer able to talk to us, she left us another clipping, this one was yellow with age. This clipping was found in a mug by Jackie last weekend and there was never a better time for her to find it.

Earlier that week, Ruby told us that she wanted to stay with us despite the pain. Each day now is precious the principle of the cross is demonstrated. Everyone who loves her wants her free from pain and while she herself hangs on to the end with joy.

Other Items in the Barn

While Dad and I were in the barn looking at his onions, I noticed this Stop Sign. From the style of the writing it looks like it might be from around 1986

Big onions came early this year

After the heavy down pour in Wakarusa in the first part of July, Dad had to pull all of his onions. The rain washed all the dirt off the top of the onions so he put them in the barn to dry.

B.A.S.I.C. Youth Camp

I'm a little late in posting this, but two weeks ago, I took a load of boys to the Hill for camp. As is the tradition for Matt and his crew, they always stop at Walmart to unwind from the long drive and kill a few minutes before arriving at Bob's on time. This year we spent more time on the dirt bags than in the store. Adam thought he was Spiderman.

Some links from Camp:
B.A.S.I.C. Training
Back from the Hill ( Matt's blog )
Bob's camp 4th year ( Jess's blog )

This year I stayed at Bob's to talk with Rick, Brady and Matt while waiting on Michael and Stephanie Wilkerson, so I ended up getting an extra assignment of taking some of the girls to Burger King at 8:00 PM.

Picnic in a nursing home?

Tammy McDaniels was wonderful to Jackie's family during this difficult time. It is always good to have good friends that know how to minister to one another.

On this particular day, Tammy showed up with a picnic basket full of sandwiches, chips, flavored ice tea, a table cloth and cloth napkins. Shirley, Tammy, Jackie and Becca all ate together in the room with Ruby.

Ruby may not have been able to join in the conversation, but she knows that her girls and grand girls appreciate the same things that she does.

The Lord is my shepherd

I shall not want.

Mike Brady called a few minutes ago while I was in the room with Ruby to tell me that he had left “B.A.S.I.C. Training” camp with Carmen and Adam. My cell phone always breaks up in the room so I went outside to the covered porch near the entrance. When I got there, someone was moving a large rock with a fork truck, so I moved to the parking lot where it was sprinkling.

It was still loud so I moved to the sidewalk near the semi that brought the fork truck, still too loud, so I walked down the road. Next, it began to thunder and lightning, so I headed for my Jeep in the parking lot to finish the conversation with Mike and here I sit.

I’m listening to God play percussion on the rooftop.

Sometimes, if God wants you to listen, he’ll herd you like sheep. If you have ever heard Ken Davis talk about sheep, you know that loud noises scare sheep. Sheep can be herded by loud noises like a sheep dog barking or a wolf howling, but they can also know the sound of the Shepherd’s voice.

After reaching a resting place for the night, a shepherd may play a song for his sheep to calm them before he sleeps himself.

Can anyone be thankful for cancer?

This is a very difficult topic, but Jackie's family is dealing with the devastating disease directly.... and beautifully. Did I say beautifully? Love is beautiful, but love has a price, thankfully Jesus paid that price and now we all can face death with confidence, pain with confidence, separation with confidence.

One thing I have observed this week in Wakarusa is that by loving people her entire life, Ruby is now surrounded by loving people.

A transformation has taken place in Ruby this week. Throughout her life, she has ministered to people via cards, notes, prayers, phonecalls, verses, songs, Guidepost clippings, cookies, pies, meals, random newspaper articles, books, photographs, gifts, service, service, and service.

This last week, her family and loved ones needed courage. God has allowed her to exude courage when she directs us to get tissues for each other and ignores the occasion tear in her eye. She can't make us a pie, or even underline a verse in a card, but she has taken care of her family when she is at her weakest moment.

I am reminded of this chapter that I have altered. Originally, it was from Paul to the Philipians, but it is appropriate verse to describe the family that I love and the saint that has been at its core.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Did Jesus Love Martha the way she was?

Over the years, I have heard several pastors and teacher use Luke 10 to teach present day Marthas to slow down.

I know an 80 year old Martha, I know a 40 year old Martha and I know a 30 year old Martha. I love them all dearly.

Would I tell any of them to act like Mary? Never...

.... but the question to you is this, "Would Jesus tell them to act like Mary?"

Luke 10:38-42
Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.

She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord's feet, listening to His word.

But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me."

But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

A Soldier Comes Home

The world today is fast paced and goal oriented, always moving forward at the speed of electron flow beneath our fingertips on the keyboard, but today, on July 4th, a member of my family sent me a story about some of the photographs of the year that stopped me. That's one of the qualities of a photograph that I like. Photographs make time stand still.

Second Place
Todd Heisler
The Rocky Mountain News
"Jim Comes Home"

You might want to take a moment to view those photographs of a young family that gave up a great deal so that we could continue on our busy way.

Ultimately, God's purpose is much bigger. Through freedom, God's message of love is much larger than the message of war or certainly hate. In these eight simple photographs of the Cathey family, you can see that message of love.

As you freeze time with photographs of your children this holiday, remember the families that have given their lives for others all over the world.

Remember the story....

... I was telling just the other day about Adam getting rubber separators put in between his teeth just before the Pirates headed into the Southeastern tournament and how he ran into Stephan during the pregame warmups and got a black eye?

Well, Adam replayed that day for us yesterday. Different team, different day, different object, but basically the same story.

He got his braces on this week and during the pregame warmups for the tournament in Jessamine County, he took a ball to the same eye. He has another black eye, worse than the first and painful to look at.

The folks at church have given Adam a number to call if this continues.

Awards Night

A few days are like eternity to boys...

Thursday night it was like the end of the world. Friday night, they had all recovered from their emotion draining loss.


Receiving the National League Season Record Champion Trophy helped the recovery:

Grandma Eby is 70 Today!

Happy Birthday Grandma!

My mom was busy all day long getting things done on her birthday. Three people at the doctor's office sang Happy Birthday to her. One of the people was the wife of a boy that went to school with Keith.

She has enjoyed the day.

Pirates are out of the tournament

The Pirates put up a good fight against themselves tonight while playing the Royals, but they just couldn't get anything started. There were several kids hurting from the Angels game and some more sickness and some of the kids just didn't have the energy to play the game.

It was a depressing way to watch the end of a great season, but at least the team won't look back on this night years from now and blame any single person for their loss in the tournament.

It was ugly.

To make it worse, the Royals are a tough team and they played very well. At the end of the game the scoreboard read 9-0, but it seemed more like 90-0.

Pirates win Game 2 of the tournament

It was a grizzly fight. Many of our players were hurt going into the game. More were hurt during the game by the Angels pitcher that was pitching harder than anyone in the league this year. Battered, beaten or not, the Pirates prevailed 5-4 in the sixth inning.

Buster made it to the first tournament game and was hoping to make it to the second. He got all dressed up at home trying to convince Mom that he could help out the team.


Adam was one of the players hurt before the game. He and Stephan collided in warmups and Adam ended up with a black eye. Earlier that afternoon, Adam had rubber bands put in his mouth to separate his teeth for braces and took some Tylenol for the pain.

Adam went 3 for 3 with two doubles and the game winning single to right field with two outs, and two strikes in the bottom of the sixth.

It was a night game, so I didn't have my camera. We had to get this photo of his black eye after he got back home.

Father's Day Weekend

So far, I've had a great Father's day weekend.

Saturday:
1) The front landscaping was weeded by Jessica
2) Adam led the way on cleaning and organizing the garage. ( and did an awesome job )
3) Robin joined us for burgers ( really late )
Sunday:
4) Jackie made muffins and coffee
5) Michael Lamb (a father) showed up at church in need of help
6) Carmen picked out my Father's day present ( A DVD: End of the Spear )
7) We sent Becca off to Bluegrass Christian Camp with Emily.
8) We watched the movie I've been wanting to own for a long time, but didn't tell anyone.

God is good in the way that He meets all of our needs through family like those that have crossed my path this weekend.

Pirates move on to Tournament

The pirates completed their season this last weekend and the team is really playing well together. They finished the season at 18-1 which makes them National League Champions.

This morning, they played the Red Sox in a close game in the first round of the tournament. Here are the pictures that took this morning: Red Sox Slide Show

Of all the many challenges this team has faced, I like the challenge of loving the game and playing as a team above winning. I think they have done this well. The coaching staff and players have kept this goal high and the parents have followed along as well. None of us have a perfect record, but we are understanding what teamwork and community is all about.

Wouldn't it be amazing if ....

God had used the grandfather of a boy that I grew up to help pave the way for Dr. Scott and Dr. Kim to reach the Awa in Ecuador?
Engineering Mission Center for HCJB

Richard Moore in the center of this photo, played defensive tackle in front of me. His father Clyde Moore was the son of Clarence Moore who was one of the key contributors to HCJB in Ecuador.

Crown International and the Moore family got me into engineering. Their radio station (WFRN) kept me focused on positive Christian music and their amplifiers busted my ears in a Larry Norman concert at the Notre Dame Convention Center. To this day, their Crown amplifiers are powering God's message in the church I attend in Lexington.

Stephen Phipps on the left, played nose guard and gave me the title "Glory Grabber" because the better he executed, the more tackles I got. He was a friend that rode bike with me nearly every Sunday afternoon. Due to the biking, he and I could squat more weight than anyone else on the team.

His father, Ron Phipps, was a pastor in the missionary church and sponsored a few cross country bike trips. I think the group was called "Wondering Wheels" and then changed to "Out Spoken". I also told Steve that I got a better work out than he did because I rode a Sears Free Spirit while he rode one of the high end, foreign, super lightweight bikes with more gears.

Both of these guys made a significant impact on my life.