Voice Box

farewell for the rest of June

My wife, two children, and I are leaving on a much-needed, much-anticipated family vacation tomorrow.  We can't wait to spend time with family and friends in New York and Ontario for two weeks.  So, needless to say, I will not be blogging or checking my email again until July 1st.

There are a lot of exciting things going on here at HopeChest that I hope you'll be a part of.  There are Vision Trips coming up in Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 to Russia, Uganda, Swaziland, and Ethiopia.  Vision Trips are ways for your faith community - church, school, small group, business, online network - to begin a holistic, long-term, and redemptive relationship with an orphanage overseas.  Email me if you are interested in learning more about these opportunities.

Well, I'll talk to you again in July. I'll begin blogging daily again at that time.

60 years!

My Dad turns 60 today. 

Though I did send him an e-card with a monkey being silly and a bit crude, I am really in awe of my dad's wisdom, loyalty, and balance of strength and tenderness.  I am blessed, to be sure, by Christian parents who love, support, encourage, and advise me.  I am encouraged by an older sister and a younger brother and their families who do the same.  I am encouraged by a wife who inspires me with her courage and compassion.  On a day like today, when my dad is turning 60, I can't help but humbly acknowledge the blessing of family that I have received by God's grace and turn with hope and help toward those without.  I can't help but respect my dad more and more as I seek to grow in integrity and knowledge, dedication and affection to be the best husband and father I can be.

So, Dad, thanks!  Thank you for being a blessing to me and Julie, Jude and Lucy, and to so many others. 

And as we all approach Father's Day on June 15th, a day that holds great joy as well as deep pain for so many people here in the States, let's turn to the God whom Jesus and we call Father who loves us with perfect parental love.  Let's turn to those in our own families, and let's turn to those without families.