Transparency

The Gosselins

I have to admit I this is not something that I would normally blog about, but after watching last nights episode and hearing the news of  John & Kate's pending divorce I just couldn't help it.  A couple of years ago my wife and I got turned on to this show, our whole family has been faithful viewers ever since.

Meg and I have talked quit a bit about everything going with the show and in their lives ever since all this news has broke.  She summed it up best last night when she said, "I feel like part of our family is being torn a part."  Isn't it interesting to see how people you watch on TV feel like a part of your family?  You watch a 30-60 minute program week after week and you feel almost like they are your family.

I feel for John & Kate because they have fallen into this trap that so many other parents of my generation.  Ed Young summed it up best with his series called, "Kid CEO."  Somewhere along the way we have bought into this notion that our lives as parents have to revolve around our kids.  Being in youth ministry I come in contact with so many parents that allow the kids to dictate the schedule and priorities of the home.  Now don't get me wrong I am not saying that the kids have no say and can't do anything.  I just believe that we as parents need to instill balance and priorities in their lives.

I would love to count how many times the Gosselins have said, "it's all about the kids" or just simply "for our kids." in one episode.  If that were truly the case then Jon & Kate should have stopped filming the show and spent more time working on their relationship.  If the kids truly are your number one priority then the best thing for them is to grow up with both parents loving each other living under the same roof. 

Just my 2 cents...

105 Days

Well I don't even think anyone even checks this any more...but I thought I would at least throw something up here to mark a milestone.  It has been 105 days since my last post.  It almost sounds like I am bragging or proud of it, but to be honest I am rather embarrassed.

This is the deal...I LOVE blogging, I read peoples blogs ALL the time, I have at least 10-20 setup on an RSS feed so that I know whenever they update their blog.  I love to read about some of the things that they are going through, some of the lessons they are learning in life and ministry.  But has I read those blogs, I read what they are writing and I feel like, "what do I have to offer? I am not that eloquent...I am not that spiritual...Does any one even read this thing?" 

Even though I have these thoughts, I have this desire deep down inside to blog.  I have this incredible longing to write (blog) and it help people to transform their lives.  I wish my blog would in some way be a help for those that read it...but I guess that will never happen as long as I don't write at all.

I hope that you do not perceive this as seeking pity...wait a minute...no one will probably read this, so I guess it doesn't matter...but just in case you happen across this entry...please know that I am NOT seeking pity, just being honest about why I have not been blogging.

I don't want to make an empty promise, so I am not going to make some promise to blog every day or anything like that...but I am going to attempt to do a better job at blogging!

Been Awhile...

Yes, I know...its been awhile...just a few days shy of 2 months...man I think that is a record for me...the longest I have gone without blogging.  If you look below you will see that I left off with "An Eventful Week"...it went from an eventful week to and eventful two months.  Here is a quick rundown:

• We still have not closed on the house that we are trying to buy
• I went to Honduras to build a church
• My head has been spinning with everything I have been taking care of at FMC.

Now I know what you are saying..."that is only three things, whats the big deal?"  Well let me explain a little more.

The house - after my last post and the report that everything was good with the house, everything was going along well...got all the financing, money in place to do some of the updating, picked out our appliances, picked and purchased 25 boxes of 16x16 ceramic tile, had our roofer ready to put on the roof, we even had our closing date moved up to Thursday, November 6th...all sounds great huh?  Then all of a sudden we got an email from the title company saying they couldn't do the closing...the day before (Wednesday)!  All they said was that they didn't have some paperwork regarding the deed.  No big deal right?  They thought they would have it within a week.  A week passed by and still nothing...then we found out...the house is owned by Lehman Brothers...ring a bell?  They filed BANKRUPTCY in September!  So our closing date has come and gone, we have filed a 30 day extension on our contract.  We also had to file and extension on our interest rate for 30 days...that one will cost us $400-500 at closing (oh! the seller wouldn't pay for that...even though it was their fault!)

This has TOTALLY stressed us out...it has really challenged me as well!  Meg and I prayed ALOT about this house...they amount we offered, all the financing, even the negotiation of the roof repair...and everything went EXACTLY as we had prayed...but then all of a sudden, everything came to a screeching halt! I just don't understand...I mean honestly...why?  I have been asking myself this question for weeks!

Did I miss God?  Did I not hear his voice?  I sure thought I did...then what went wrong?  I know that as my Heavenly Father, that Christ wants the best for us, and just as the scripture says, "You who know how to give good gifts, then why wouldn't I give even better ones" (smelcer paraphrase)  Why would God answer all of our prayers up to this point and then seemingly throw the brakes on?  If he didn't or doesn't want us to get this house, why did he allow to get this far?  Can you tell I am struggling with this? 

Anyway, I have given up! (maybe that is what God was waiting for...) I am going to quite emailing my Realtor, my finance guy, the title company...ALL OF THEM!  I AM DONE!  I am going to totally and completely put this into God's hands! I am going to quite trying to make this happen and allow God to work what he needs to work...and if things are together in 30 days then we will take that as a sign that it is not to be...I am not going to lie...I hope it doesn't come to that...it would be an incredible let down!

I would really appreciate your prayers! Meg and I are really looking forward to getting in this house!  What a Christmas gift it would be to our family to get to celebrate Christmas in our new house!

Well, this thing has turned out pretty long...I will share about the trip to Honduras later...maybe tomorrow.  I have a video that I will post as well!  Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!