Dinner in Calera

The picture says it all.

Student Life Camp

I've been spending a couple days on the road for promo at work. I
spent some time at covenant in Georgia as well as Lee in tennesee. Its
been nice seeing first hand what all of the hard work is intended for.

Oh Brother Where Art Thou

Today is my oldest brothers birthday.  He's nearing 40 years old.  I have only seen him a handful of times in the past 10 years.  He started doing drugs as a 15 year old.  Now I don't exactly know when he started but its said to be at church camp.  Every once in awhile I think about what that moment must have been like for him.  At a place where he should have been growing, he began a slow decline down a path of destruction.  Working for a "camp" organization we tend to focus on the good stories.  We hear about kids who make life changing choices.  Kids who decide to follow Christ.  We don't hear stories of kids like my brother.  We meet together, share emails from youth ministers and lift each other up.  Often times I wonder why we even praise ourselves if we quickly follow those statements with phrases like, "to God be the glory".

I would love for my brother to turn his life around.  For him to overpower the struggle of Meth, Cocaine, Heroin, and other deadly drugs.  I grew up praying that he would snap out of it.  As each year passes, he inches closer to his end.  My father has mentioned to me that he is now preparing himself for a funeral.  He needs someone to step in.  He needs someone to show him the love of Christ.  Will you be that someone?  Well unless your in New Jersey, probably not.  But maybe someone there will.  I often question my motives when it comes to helping the homeless or giving strangers a hand.  I sometimes think, if i'm doing this just to feel good about myself, then I shouldn't do it at all.  I wonder how many people look at my brother a homeless, meth using, middle aged man and turn the other cheek.  I'll be the first to admit, it's going to take a lot more than one person stepping in sharing God's love.  Most of the time I think sharing God's love is giving some dude a meal and telling him God loves him.  Is that what that man needs?  Does that man need some middle class 20 something "sharing" God's love?  I'd like to think it helps.  Or as we say it in church, "plants a seed".  Who is going to water these seeds?  

If I seem frustrated or unclear, I am.  I'm just trying to work it out.  I'll be honest, I am scared for my brother.  I'm scared for his salvation, I'm scared for his health.  I've never known him, and have never considered him a brother.  I hope for that to happen.  I miss him.  I look at my son and feel for my father.  I would do anything for my son.  I would give my life, I would give away all of my possessions.  My father has given years of his life to my brother.  Lord please deliver my brother of pain, suffering, depression, and addiction.  Bring him closer to you.  

 

Reds Game

Saturday we took Miles to his first MLB game at turner field in
Atlanta. The braves beat the reds 9 to 1. But if Miles is going to
like the Reds, he might as well get used to losing.

Happy Baby

Miles has been super happy so far. Check this cutie out!

Going Home

The visit was fun but its nice to be going home. Griffey cant get
comfortable.

Max & Ermas

Lunch at Max & Ermas with family.

Pita the wonder

Pita enjoying the crib. She's a loner sometimes. Oh Pita.

Lunch with the family

Miles and his cousin Elliot

Miles @ student life

Chillin during my lunch break.

On the road

Griffey sleeping in the backseat somewhere in tennessee

Miles has a tooth!

His first tooth has finally made its way in. He seems a little
frustrated. Teething is no fun for babies. Hence the frown.

No Country For Old Men

We watched No Country For Old Men on Blu-Ray last night.  Wow.  It's pretty intense.  Javier Bardem was awesome.  He was was definition of intimidation.  I really like Tommy Lee Jones and I would have liked to see him play a larger role in the film.  I expected him to throw down at the end with Javier.  Actually, I wanted it to happen.  I could have done without Woody Harrelson in the film.  Something about that dude just creeps me out.  Anyways, I enjoyed it.  4 Oscars well deserved.

Elevation

No, not the U2 song.  But now that I said that, I know your singing it in your head.  Anyways, more info on my brother Craig and his experience in Vail.  So day 2 of his trip he was having a hard time breathing.  He is now on oxygen.  It's been crazy but he's getting better.

Typical

Alright, let me step up onto my soap box.  I am tired of fake people.  You know who I am talking about.  The people who claim to be friends with everyone but somehow manage to rag on these same "friends" behind their backs.  If you've ever been friends with a person like this, you've got to believe when your not around, they are ragging on you.

These are usually the same people who seem to have it all together.  They have everything, they need everything, they love looking important.  They claim to love Christ, but can't love others.  They go to the popular churches, they wear expensive clothes, their in debt up to their eye balls, they dominate conversations, they force their opinions and claim everyone else as ignorant.  They don't really work for anything but have everything.  They don't work hard, they don't challenge themselves, they sit on today and expect the same tomorrow.  They believe they are invincible.  They consider themselves "safe".

I'm not just talking about work.  I'm talking about everyday people.  I'm talking about women who are so concerned about their casseroles and their laundry that they leave church early on sunday mornings.  I'm talking about men that don't sacrifice and work hard for their family.  Corner cutters.  

It's about time to really reach out to those people in your life who are your true friends.  Most of the time, they are the people you don't hang out with a ton.  People you see at church, the guy in your office who you say hi to occasionally, the facebook friend who is always interested in how your doing.

Invest in someone.  

 

My Brother Gets Stranded

Alright so I received this message on April fools day and thought it was a joke.  But it for sure was not.

My brother Craig is pretty big time.  He works for General Electric, he's basically their legal counsel.  A couple months ago he spoke at a seminar in Miami.  I guess things went well and they asked him to speak in Vail this month.

Monday he flew into Denver, Colorado and made his way into Vail.  Let me note by saying, he was driving a white toyota rental car.  Monday if you didn't hear, there was a 60 - 75 car pile up.  A couple semi's jackknifed, and with the combination of a blizzard, there you go.  No he wasn't involved in the accident.  As he was heading into Vail on i70 he came upon the accident.  

He decided to exit the interstate and find another way out.  The snow was so bad, he couldn't tell if it was night or day.  He drove for about an hour and a half or so away from the interstate.  He didn't really know where he was going.  He was just hoping for a way around the accident.  After driving for awhile he decided to turn around and make his way back.

As he attempted to turn around, his car began to slide off the road.  He was stuck and he began to panic.  He reached for his phone and the battery was nearly dead.  The reception was terrible as he was in the middle of a blizzard.  He exited his vehicle and attempted to call his wife.  She could hear one or two words here and there and knew he was in trouble.  

He spent the next hour or so trying to stay warm in his car contemplating what the next day or so might be like.  He then walked down to a main road hoping and praying someone would drive by.  His prayers were answered as an SUV approached.  

The man rolls his window down.  He has a full beard, he was missing a couple teeth, and as my brother described him, he was a for real mountain man.  He mentioned it would be impossible to pull the car out without a chain.  This chain was at his cabin about four miles up the road.  My brother accepted his offer and jumped in his truck.  

The next several minutes, my brother was nervous.  The guy was super nice but I mean come on, it would be hard not to think about awful things.  The get to his cabin, my brother waits in the car.  A couple minutes later the man brings out a chain and they head back to the rental car.

When they approached the car, another truck was plowing the road.  It took awhile for them to get the car out but it finally made its way out of the ditch.  My brother thanked the men and finally was on his way.  

It took him several more hours to reach his destination.  When he finally reached his hotel, he couldn't sleep.  I'm glad he made it out of that situation.  It could have been a lot worse.  

Dine Out

In November when Miles made his debut into this world, everything changed.  Without a doubt, his birth was the best moment in my life.  Seeing him grown and develop has been amazing at every stage.

Prior to Miles, I hadn't really paid much attention to children in public.  I mean I notice the occasional five year old throwing a fit at the grocery store.  And yes, its annoying at times.  Especially when the parents seem oblivious to the issue at hand.  

Awhile back we took Miles to Baha Burger in the Mountain Brook area.  As usual, we approached the building seeking out the ideal spot to park a baby.  We ended up sitting outside several tables away from the closest couple.  

I ran in to place our orders and headed back outside to join Jenny and Miles.  First off, Miles is a fairly chill baby.  He doesn't throw fits or cry a whole lot.  He does however make little noises here and there, and occasionally he'll sneeze or cough.  He mostly coughs just because he can, babies do that.  I mean if you just found out you could clear your throat, you'd do it to.

As we sat there waiting for our food, we noticed something very interesting.  Several couples approached the tables surrounding us, saw Miles, and decided to sit somewhere else.  You know, I'm not too offended by this.  I mean, I understand.  People want to sit somewhere comfortable.  They don't want to be bothered by the noises of an infant.  The next couple really took it to the next level.

A couple of 30 somethings sat next to us.  Miles was quiet and I don't think they saw him before sitting down.  A couple of minutes into our lunch Miles started talking.  You would have thought I poured battery acid on those two.  The man turned and rolled his eyes.  A couple minutes later Miles sneezed.  The man turned again and mumbled, "Oh good grief".  My blood started to boil and I started plotting of ways to make this guy more miserable.  My conscience came into play and I decided to ignore the couple and enjoy the rest of my meal.

Throughout the rest of our lunch, several more comments were made.  I walked away from the lunch with appreciation for families with multiple children.  It is very hard to get out of the house, to get going, and to enjoy "normal" activities.  Next time you're out in public have some sympathy for parents.

Miles on Easter

Snapped a pic at lunch on Easter Sunday. Thought it was well worth
sharing.