My two cents...

Dawn is absolutely correct in saying that this has been a challenging week for us.  She is extremely busy attending her TESOL classes and the kids have been excellent in helping us around the house.  To say this week has been challenging would be a vast understatement.
Since Sunday, I have found myself in a deep depression.  It doesn't happen often and I can usually get myself out of this rut within a day or two.  Unfortunately, this time I haven't been able to jump out of it...

So.....I've been doing a lot of praying this week for some clarity and for God to take this anger out of my heart and depression out of my mind.  Yesterday, I got my answer...


Steve West is one of my best friends from high school and on Facebook.  Every once in awhile he'll send me a note to see what I'm up to.  He's in St. Louis with his wife and three daughters and is just a great guy.  If we lived closer to one another, I could almost call him a best friend as we have several things in common and can just tell it like it is.

Monica and Steve West....and me.

Anyway, in his email yesterday, he told me about the Tough Mudder event taking place back home in Poplar Bluff.  I had heard of the TM events, so I looked up the website and video.  After some emails back and forth, I knew I had found the motivation I needed to kill four birds with one stone.

1. Training for the Tough Mudder would help me quit smoking
2. Training for the Tough Mudder gives me a goal to train with Dawn to help her attain her weight loss goal.
3. We get to go home and see my family...which I love doing!
4. This physical and mental test will strengthen my relationship with God.

For those of you who don't know, a Tough Mudder event is a 10 to 12 mile obstacle course with 28 obstacles designed by the British Special Forces.   Here's a short video:  

Steve and I are going to do this with two more of our former classmates:  Brian Allen and Scott Kennedy.  We are team Adventure Freaks 2 and we're just looking to finish...a nice slow pace with teamwork involved.

I don't know if it's the barbwire, the mud, the electric wires, or the ice cold water...but I'm excited.

I've already downloaded the training program for the event and was up at 5 am to get started with Dawn...she was still exhausted from her busy week, so we'll start our workout together next week.  I did finish my first training day though about 30 minutes...and I'm whupped.  

By the way...my last cigarette was about two hours ago...

I'm gonna go take a shower, get dressed, give thanks to God for leading me out of this darkness and having Dawn in my life, and finally go to work.

God is good...

Challenges

I am completing my masters degree in Teaching English as a Second Other Language (TESOL) and am currently attending an intensive week of class on campus. This week has proven to be a challenge for everyone in the household.

The kids have been picking up the slack in many areas and it is a relief for me when I get home at the end of the day, exhausted, to see I don't have to worry about the meals and the house. There are little things that don't get done but I am not stressing about those. I admire the kids for taking on the challenge while still engaging in their day of football practice for the boys and work for Jenny.

Which, speaking of Jenny, I am seeing a new side to her this week. She is working with exchange students over a period of four weeks and I am impressed with her ability to make them feel at ease. She has a natural ability to communicate and step up into responsibility. For anyone who knows my daughter, this is an amazing step for her. The thing is, she has found her niche, she is really good at this. Her observation skills in her interactions have made her a valuable asset. I am really proud of her.

Another note on challenges, I am going to let Chuck add his two cents on what God has placed in his heart. I am so excited for him and for God answering prayer in an unusual way. But then, he is a God who doesn't always do things the way we would think.

Fish Heaven

Today I was talking with our three year old grandson, Xander, and he informed me he killed his fish. His mother told me the fish story and though I felt sorry for the fish, I couldn't help but laugh. Apparently, Jamie, his mother, went to feed the fish and discovered it was missing. After some prodding our little angel told his mother that he was playing with the fish. She asked him several times where the fish was and he insisted they has played and now the fish was sleeping. Xander had put the fish behind the antique clock on the shelf so it could sleep.

Jamie explained to him the necessity for water and fish needed it to live. He now understands that his fish was not sleeping. Poor guy!
The odd part is that our other grandson discovered his fish laying on the bottom of the tank. His mother, Lisa, told him the fish was sleeping. After he lay down for his nap Lisa took care of the fish.

These are the stories they will want to hear as they get older. Our lives are a wonderful collection of stories meant to be shared. So share!

Saturday was my family reunion and we managed to have almost all of the kids there. Sam had to work but Lisa was able to attend. So, all the kids and the two grandsons arrived to get reacquainted with distant cousins. I hope over time my kids will see the importance of staying connected to distant family. Right now they rely on immediate family but there is much wisdom and joy that can be gained from branching out.

Xander and Colin

Jedidiah

Over the years the number in attendance has dwindled due to distance. I have not seen my cousin Beth in ages and it was nice to see her family for the first time. Though, I do feel a bit old seeing little ones I remember now have children of their own.

I get a bit melancholy after these events for three reasons: I feel guilty for being so disconnected from extended family and these are the people who remember my parents. Every time I run into my cousin Carol, I remember all the promises to come and see her only to have not followed through. It makes me sad to see how busyness in life has interfered with relationships.

My parents have made such a significant impact on this earth and over time fewer people remember them. I am reminded on occasion just how unique their lives were and how they lived, I just wish others could be inspired by their sacrifice. There are days I miss my mom and when I am around extended family members it doesn't feel so lonely.
Our family and friends are the foundations in this life that keep us real. Often we take for granted they will always be around, but they won't. After the loss of my cousin, Bob, last year, I was reminded that time is precious when spent with those you love. 


My cousins, Rita and Darwin, are amazing, They are both late into their lives and still ride bikes around 20 miles a week. Good golly, after a mile I would be aching. I have got to start moving more. 




This was a good weekend of catching up, laughing and remembering loved ones, and of course, lots of food. 

What a day to start a blog, Friday the 13th!
As Chuck said, we have talked about starting a blog for over a year now and it just didn't seem like the right time. It is like having a child, if you plan it the time is never right, you just have to let it happen.
So, here we are, about to embark on a new adventure. So, glad you could join us.

Okay...So Dawn started this blog for us after months of us talking about it and talking about it and talking about it some more...


Where I'm usually the one to push her into doing something, she made the first move and I'm actually happy she did.  I have no clue what we're gonna write about or share, but I'll start with how this blog came to be.


One of the things I love most about my marriage to Dawn is that we have our "porch time".   If you know me, then you know I smoke...bad habit, don't start please.  I refuse to smoke indoors, so I always go on the porch.  Dawn would join me and we would watch the world go by on our street.  We do a lot of our quality time talks there...chat with our neighbors as they walk by...and dream about the future.


We have several pieces of furniture on the porch and depending on the mood, you'll find us sitting on the couch, the stairs, or even our double lounger (I love that lounger...great for naps on a lazy afternoon).  So, we'll just find a seat and relax...de-stress from our day and catch up on life.  


We have absolutely no clue where this blog is going to lead, because we know we are not in control...God is.  Our relationship with Him is deep and always growing.  Dawn is a licensed pastor in the Wesleyan church and I'm a grad student, working on my MBA with hopes of becoming an Executive Pastor in the future (or I want to win a lot of money on a game show with my Sheldon Cooperish brain)...


By the way...I talk a lot and have been known to write books with my emails.


"Wisdom from the Porch" may have actual bits of wisdom in it.  Here's one...never play leapfrog with a unicorn.  One of my favorites.  Most of the time, we'll probably just write about what's going on in our lives at that time.  The thing is, this is one form of our legacy...something that will be left behind when we leave this earth to enter His eternal kingdom.


We don't have any pictures of us on our porch.  I've asked and was quickly told no by Dawn.  I pouted, but it didn't help.  But, I am posting one of my favorite pictures of us.  This was taken by our very good friend Cecilia Krenz at her wedding.  Go figure, this young lady just married her love, Jordan (Hi, Jordan!) and she grabs a camera and takes this wonderful picture of us.  

By the way, CiCi and Jordan are about to have a baby.  Well, CiCi is gonna have the baby...Jordan will be there to coach, support, and do whatever CiCi tells him to do.  I can't wait to see the baby!


Anyway, I digest...I hope to coerce Dawn into getting a picture of us on the porch...nothing posed...just us.  I might have to have one of the boys do it for us.


There is a bazillion things I could say right now, but I realize it's also 12:30 am and I have to be up to get the boy's ready for football practice and I have to work as well.  I'll close this for now and thank you for reading this...there will be more coming from the porch later.


Chuck


p.s.  i like purple...