1.  We have lived in seven different locations and three different states

He doesn’t have a name, a voice, or a personality yet — but I love him anyway.  The tag that he came with says his name is Sunny but I don’t like that name.  I will be using him during the children’s sermon on Sunday morning.  I did a little (VERY LITTLE) ventriloquism in high school.  My dad [...]]]>

He doesn’t have a name, a voice, or a personality yet — but I love him anyway.  The tag that he came with says his name is Sunny but I don’t like that name.  I will be using him during the children’s sermon on Sunday morning.  I did a little (VERY LITTLE) ventriloquism in high school.  My dad had a puppet and I would use the puppet some, but I did not get into it too much.  But ventriloquism has intrigued me over the years.

I have talked with my friend and fellow blogger about the use of storytelling in church.  She has blogged about her experiences of memorizing the Gospel lesson and telling that rather than reading the Gospel.  I love that idea and perhaps that muscle memory will help in memorizing my sermon as well.

But I think using puppets during the children’s sermon will A) Help with children’s sermon preparation B)  Engage the children in Biblical Stories C) Engaged the congregation in the Biblical Stories and D) Bring a new dimension to our worship.

I love the fact that we have a number of families in worship on a Sunday morning, it warms my heart every time I am able to look into the eyes of a child at the communion rail and put my hand on their head and give them a blessing.  I love hearing the sounds of children in worship.  I hope this brings us an opportunity to expand the role of children in worship.

I am giving myself until June 6th to create a character for my little friend.  Any help that you can give me would be great!!  Like I said, I need a name for him, a personality, a voice.  If you have heard a voice of a cartoon character lately that you think would fit please let me know.

The story that I have thought of so far for my little friend is that he is the “forgotten”  the disciple,  he claims that there were in fact 13 disciples and since 13 is an unlucky number, he was the one that go cut out.  He says that it was all political and he is mad about that.  His overall personality  may be grumpy disciple and he wants to tell “his side” of the story.  Grumpy is usually pretty funny….I like funny.  But I am open to changing that, I want this to be good stuff.  So I have two questions……

1)  If you were to bring your child to church (or if you already do) what kind of character would you like to see?

2)  What other ways would you like to see children involved in worship on a Sunday morning?

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I especially would like to honor my wife……

She is an amazing mother and wife.  She keeps our family going.  She is understanding about the demands of my job [...]]]> It’s Mother’s Day!  I think that it is great to take some time for those who are mothers and those women who play an important part in children’s lives.

I especially would like to honor my wife……

She is an amazing mother and wife.  She keeps our family going.  She is understanding about the demands of my job and she keeps our home in order.  I don’t know what I would do without her in my life.

There are some people who are born to be mothers and wives,  I think my wife is one of those people.  She loves children and she is constantly looking to improve herself as a mother and as a person.

With the business of life I sometimes forget to tell her how much I love her and how much I appreciate her…..so I want to say that I love you my wife and my love.  I can’t thank you enough for all that you so for me and for our children.

I cannot let Mother’s Day pass without the acknowledgement of my mother.  I have wonderful, loving parents who have always been there for me throughout my whole life, especially my mother.  She was there for me as a child, she supported me throughout my schooling, and always encouraged me.  I have had pretty crazy ideas in my life and my mother was there through it all supporting me, encouraging me and loving me.  She always gives her advice but is supportive of me even if we go in a different direction.  Thanks Mom!  I love you!

Mother’s Day is Not for Everyone

However, as much as I love my wife and my mother, Mother’s Day is not happy and positive for everyone.  With the celebration of Mother’s Day there is also those who are unable to celebrate this day.  Mother’s Day (and Father’s Day) is a day of pain for some people.  It is painful for those who have lost mother’s (especially recently), it is painful who have lost important women figures in their life, and it is painful for those who try to have children but are unable too.

There were more than a few tears shed in worship this morning and I can only attribute that too the heartbreak of those who are saddened by this day.

Here are two links that I found today.  The first on is about why the author does not like mother’s day. The other link is to an article about why the author loves and mother’s day.

If you love mother’s day or you would rather hide out, I hope you have enjoyed your day and if there is an important mothering figure in your life, you have taken the time to honor them.

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I must say I really enjoy [...]]]> My son has been involved in Cub Pack 71 for awhile now.  He absolutely loves being a cub scout.  There are some kids in his pack from the church, so he sees familiar faces.  He loves the projects that we do and he loves just being social with the other kids.

I must say I really enjoy being a dad of a cub scout.  It really brings me back to my days as a cub and boy scout.  I always worked really hard during my time in scouts.  I earned a lot of badges and really pushed myself (with the help of my parents) to receive the rank of Eagle Scout.

I feel good about being an Eagle Scout because it is the highest rank that can be achieved by a Boy Scout.  If there is one thing that I can keep with me throughout my entire life is the fact that I am an Eagle Scout.  Don’t get me wrong all ranks in scouting require hard work to get there, however becoming an Eagle is exponentially harder because it is something that comes with time and dedication. I remember there was a  senior scout in my troop who earned every badge that he needed to become Eagle.  He did the work, all he had left was his Eagle project — he knew what he was going to do, but never took the time, or put in the effort to finish his project.  Thinking back on that situation I wonder how he feels about it now.  Granted only a small percentage (most reports claim 4-5%) of boys in scouting will achieve the rank of Eagle, but to come that close and not achieving it is probably the same feeling an Olympic athlete gets.

Throughout my life I have felt like I have embodied the Boy Scout law — to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. As well as the Boy Scout Oath.

On my honor, I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.

I hope that my son will abide by them during the course of his life as well.  He is excited every  time he earns a badge and he wants to keep up with it.  I don’t see any problems with that now, but as he gets older and his interests varies I wonder what it will take to keep him interested in scouting.

I think my love for the outdoors, kept me interested as well as achieving the different ranks and the support of my parents as well as the scout leaders.

I look forward to remembering and reflecting and sharing my experiences in Boy Scouts as my son progresses through the ranks himself.

This post is part of the Fatherhood Friday group of blogging Fathers and Mothers over at Dad Blogs. Please click on the image below to find more great writing from other bloggers trying to make sense of this whole parenting thing.

I have found some great dad blogs check them out:

Clark Kent’s Lunchbox

Real Men Drive Minivans

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First there is the princess cake….

Then there is the princess eating the cake

My little princess had a [...]]]> February is birthday month in my family.  Both of my parents and both of my children have birthdays in February.  Last Saturday my son had his birthday party.  Here are some pictures of celebrations from my kids birthday’s.

First there is the princess cake….

Then there is the princess eating the cake

My little princess had a nice quiet family birthday.  We took her to Build a Bear and got her favorite dinner and had some cake.  It was a nice, simple celebration.

Next is my son’s cake.  It was a Star Wars themed party.  We went to Kidzclub to celebrate.  They did a great job!  Here is a picture of his cake…..

Here is the king blowing out his candles….

We had some great celebrations — memories were made, cake was eaten and presents were opened.  Happy Birthday!

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