This week and last week I was able to spend some time doing some things I enjoy a lot. During some quiet time, I read a couple of chapters from two of Philip Yancey’s books, “Reaching for an Invisible God” and “What’s So Amazing About Grace?” I really enjoy reading his books. He has a certain style with his words and the way that he incorporates stories into the ideas that’s he’s weaving that I like. It also helps that his topics are engaging and keep my interest.

Just today, there was a severe thunderstorm that caused a tornado warning and I enjoyed watching it pour, what seemed like, sheets of water down and lightning so bright it lit up the dark sky and thunder so loud that it shook your body. Watching storms like that brings me into a state of awe of how awesome creation is. Which then brings me to thinking about God, the creator of all these magnificent and awe-inspiring storms. Another thing that I enjoy doing is playing games, video and board games. Two weeks ago, it was my birthday, and for my birthday I received a bit of birthday money. Which I used to get an Xbox and a game. So during the weekend, I woke up in the afternoon and spent some time shooting aliens. And then last Wednesday, Michael Stinson and Tim Aberle came to visit and we played settlers of Catan and later that night we played Risk.

Those are the things that I enjoy doing. What do you enjoy doing?

My wife and I found out, this week, that the baby we are having in November (due on the 25th...Thanksgiving Day!) is a little girl! At least they will say 99.9% certain that it will be a girl. They have to leave themselves an “out” in case they missed any anatomy...but from the view we got in the ultrasound...I agree with them totally. And both Sarah and I are extremely excited to be having a little girl.

As soon as I found out we were having a baby earlier this year I noticed certain worries and concerns that I had not noticed before. Like, “Is our house secure against break in?” or, “Do we need to sweep the house for anything dangerous before baby gets here?”. A protection instinct kicked in. And when I found out we were having a little girl...other thoughts kicked in. Like, “How will we keep her from wanting to dress overly-revealing in high school? (yes I know it’s a bit far off yet, but still!)”, and, “What are the best things I can teach her so that she grows up with wisdom?”, and “Do I even know how to parent?”.

These thoughts are likely normal for expecting parents, but I am also beginning to see glimpses of understanding, which I’m sure will deepen, about how God loves us. In talking with Sarah we are sure that one benefit of having children (among many) is the deepening realization of what God’s true love looks like.

We began to understand sacrificial love when we married. But our ‘significant other’ had, at least, already lived 20 or 30 years of independent life. Having a new baby introduces not only a hugely sacrificial love...but truly a dependant love. Blood of our blood, flesh of our flesh. And we seek with all our heart to raise her to be spirit of God’s spirit.

I am for-warned that there will be challenges. I know that there will be arguments as well as wonderfully happy times. And both Sarah and I look forward with anticipation to learning more deeply the love our Father, God, has for us, through the love we will experience being mother and father for our new little one.

I recently returned from a short term mission trip to Grand Goave Haiti with Indiana State University Christian Student Fellowship. This was my second trip to this area with ISU, and I knew that this trip would be a little bit different from last May’s trip. I knew that Grand Goave had been effected by the January 12th earthquake, and I knew that the town has been in a state of distress for sometime afterwards. I had read constant email updates from friends who were there, and I took what they were telling me and showing me in their messages as a chance for me to ‘prepare’ myself for what was to come.

Pre departure I thought I had prepared myself for the trip, but when I arrived I found out I had over prepared myself. The town of Grand Goave has still yet to return to the norm in terms of way’s of life. Many people are still homeless and living in tent cities located throughout the community. These tents are made of plastic tarps, essentially a green house during the mid day heat of the tropical region of Haiti.

When I returned to the states I found myself having a somewhat of a difficult time in adapting to the life of an American. For example every night I slept in a bed, while my Haitian brothers and sisters slept on the ground just a few hundred feet away from me. One day while we were in a tent city, fragile frail elderly people came up to us to share their story’s. Many of which stated they had not eaten much food for several days.

When we left Port-au-Prince on our Flight back to the states, I sat there in my seat looking out the window, crying. I was crying because I knew that I was leaving a country that holds a special place in my heart and I knew what was in store for me at home. I was coming home to a lot of things the Haitians do not have. A comfortable air conditioned office to work in, the ability of a car that gets me where I want to go, an extremely comfortable bed to sleep on, or a meal on the table every night.

I was almost to the point of being sick because I did not want to get on that plane and come home. I knew that there was more work to be done in the country, and I felt like I could help. But God had other plans.

Since my return I have continued to have subtle reminders of my time’s in Haiti. There have been two separate occasions where I have had tears during the invitation song at church, because the song has taken be back to Haiti.

For now I patiently await my return to Haiti. I know God is going to provide me with the means. But I find myself trying to “rush” that timing and I sit here and I have to stop and think about Jeremiah 29:11
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. NLT