Troy
12/26 update
Wow! Where has this year gone? It seems like yesterday I received the news that my father had been diagnosed with dementia. Now we are at the end of the year, and I can tell you, I’m really looking forward 2010.
Just a recap of the year 2009:
1/1/09 – receive word of Dad’s dementia
1/23/09 – receive word that Dad had a massive heart attack and travel to Tennessee that weekend
1/27/09 – Ryan calls from school complaining of a headache and is out from school for the rest of the week
2/2/09 – Ryan is admitted to Baptist Medical Center for a CT scan of his stomach
2/3/09 – we find out Ryan has cancer and begin the three month process of getting rid of it
6/15/09 – Ryan was listed as in remission from cancer
8/10/09 – Ryan started the 4th grade
12/16/09 – Dorris Sullivan (Buddy) passes away after a long battle with his heart
12/21/09 – went to see my Dad and signed for medical power of attorney as the nurses say he is not mentally competent to make decisions
Well – that just about sums up the year. And I didn’t even list everything that happened. After we found out Ryan had cancer, I kept asking if I could wake up tomorrow and it be 2010. And in a few mores days, that will happen. I just pray that 2010 will be a year to remember and for better reasons.
I hope that everyone had a very Merry CHRISTmas and that everyone has a joyous New Year! God bless each and every one of you!
Reconciled?
Many of us in the so-called “Bible Belt” have become numb to the power and message of the Gospel, myself included. We have heard it since our youth. Do we still consider the “Good News” to be that good? Do we share it with the passion it deserves? With our family? With our friends? With strangers? With our enemies? As I was reading Romans 5 tonight, I was convicted to the core.
“For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”
I’ve read that chapter and verse many times, but not in light of our current situation. Would I give the life of my children or put them through any amount of suffering to save an enemy or to reconcile a relationship? Absolutely not! It is simply not in me to do so. Even though I’ve heard other people give that example, it never hit home until now. In reality, the converse would be closer to the truth; that I would consider inflicting suffering on an enemy if it would save my children. I’m not proud of that, just stating my nature.
I am not going to expound on the above tonight. I am just going to ask a simple question. Do you know what it means to be reconciled to God by His Son?
Good Night and God Bless!
Ping!
I really must take the time to keep updating our blog. After a very hectic week, I realize that I have been remiss in updating the events. My son has even asked on occasion when I am going to post the story about his last deer of the season. 
I’ve got tons to say, but I am tired and am going to spend the evening with my wife. Regardless of the hustle and bustle of the situations I am in, I do thank God for all He has provided and for who he is.
Thanksgiving Weekend…
I left Wednesday night to go to our deer camp. After the morning hunt, I went back to the camp and waited for Victoria and the kids to arrive. Victoria had smoked a turkey and all the “fixins” and brought them for us to celebrate Thanksgiving as a family. We had a GREAT time. The boys and I went hunting (no nail-biting deer stories this time) and got to share time just doing nothing but being together. Unfortunately, Deanna was sick most of the weekend with fever, sinus drainage, and an ear infection, but she and I still spent Thursday night hanging out on the couch watching movies together (yes, I did watch Dora the Explorer for a couple of hours, the things we do for our children, especially when they are sick!)
We also read Dr. Suess’s, I think that is the correct possessive, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish with the kids and wonder what drugs that man must have been taking while writing that book! Chutes and Ladders is also fun, but I’ve got to teach Bryce to win gracefully; he is a bit of a showboater. I thought Victoria was going to throw a flag for unsportsman like conduct in HIS end zone.
So spending the weekend without computers, cellphones, and other distractions, what am I thankful for? Of course the cliche sounding answer of family comes to mind, but it is the truth. My wife for putting up with me and the things she does to maintain our home, my children for the true joy they bring into my life, and my new job that allows me to stay home and enjoy them more than I have in the past 8 years. Of course, this is all thanks to our Lord for his providence in making all things possible.
God Bless!
Quips from the deer stand:
- Bryce: Daddy, I’m hungry and ready for my snack.
- Me: We’re only going to be here for a little while so I didn’t bring a snack.
- Bryce: Umph! Mr. Bubba NEVER forgets the snacks!
- Me: Ryan, why do you think we have to wear orange when we go hunting?
- Ryan: It tells people “Don’t shoot me, I’m not a deer!”