Hunter's Education

I (Ryan) recently took a Hunter's Education course at Remington in order to get my hunting license. This fall, providing I can fit it in, I intend to go hunting for the first time. I haven't really talked to the kids about it, but Lauren was keen to the fact that I wasn't home before she went to bed one night last week and had overheard that I was in a hunting class. Here is the conversation that took place the next evening at dinner...

Lauren: "Daddy, did you learn how to hunt last night?"

Daddy: "Well, I didn't really learn to hunt. I just learned how to be safe when I do go hunting."

Lauren: "Because, Daddy, I was looking at the book you brought home and it had a deer on it. Are you going to be hunting deers?"

Daddy: "Now that I took the class I can hunt all sorts of things. But, yeah, I can hunt deer, too."

Lauren: "Daddy, I don't want you to hunt deers! I like them and they are cute. If you are going to go hunt I want you to hunt something else. Like foxes, or bears, because they can be mean - you can hunt those and that will be okay. And, if your boss says, 'Hey guys, let's go on a field trip and hunt some deers' you just tell him 'No way. I'm not hunting deers. I'm just going to hunt foxes and bears.' Okay, Daddy? You can just tell him that."

Recent Pics

First Day of School

Monday was a momentous day for Lauren as she had her first day of kindergarten. I know everyone says it, but honestly…when did my little girl get so grown-up?!? Being a completely new school for her and not knowing a single kid there, she still wasn’t nervous – just very excited and curious. She had met her teacher the Friday night before when we attended the orientation, so she felt good about that. She marched right in with her backpack on and proudly walked over to the desk with her name on it. It all felt so surreal to me; almost like I was having an out-of-body experience. I just watched this confident, cheerful little girl walk around the room, introduce herself to the other kids and “jump right in” to her surroundings…absolutely no fear whatsoever. And I had to ask for a hug when it was time for us to leave – I’m not even sure she would have noticed we had left or cared to say goodbye to us.

As we walked out of the room, the tears started to come. I know that this is just the beginning of many times throughout her life when I have to let go of her, trust her to someone else’s care and pray that she will be okay. But, knowing that sure didn’t make it any easier today! Thankfully, they had a little brunch/social arranged in another room for all of the Kindergarten parents. So, I found I wasn’t the only one struggling to come to grips with what this day meant. It was a great time to meet some of the other moms and get to know each other better. I am so relieved that she is attending a Christian school and I know that is where God wants her to be for now. We don’t know how long she will get to be there, but we are trusting the Lord for those details.

The night before her first day, after we put Nolan to bed, we spent some time with Lauren talking about the school year. I decided that every year before she starts school, Ryan and I together will pick a Bible verse for her…that will be her verse for the year. We, of course, will seek the Lord’s guidance on what is appropriate based on where she is at and what she needs to hear most. I had the verse printed on some pretty cardstock and framed it. We gave it to her last night and it will sit on her dresser until she starts 1st grade and gets a new verse…and so on. This year her verse was Colossians 3:23 & 24b. Because she is so much like her mother, with perfectionistic tendencies, and she can get really down on herself for not doing something perfectly or as good as someone else did, etc...we felt this verse was a great reminder for her. It states: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for men. It is the Lord you are serving.” And that is my prayer for Lauren this year – that she will shine her light bright for others to see and that she will bring glory to God in her school!

Here are some pictures from the morning:

A Prayer for My Sister

Tomorrow (Monday) my older sister, Kelly, will be going in for major back surgery. They are attempting to correct a bulging disc she has been dealing with in her back for a long time. She has seen several physical therapists, tried different exercises and been on countless pain medications and muscle relaxers. It has caused her chronic pain and severely altered her quality of life. And this is a woman who has a VERY high pain tolerance! Yet, despite her physical struggles, she has continued to praise the Lord and serve others…what an amazing example!!

So, it is my prayer that the surgery not only be a success, but that the recovery will go smoothly and she will heal 100%. It is so hard knowing that she is going through something like this and I cannot be there to help in some way. But, I know that God will continue to be her strength and her "Jehovah-Rapha" (the Lord who heals).

This Too Shall Pass

When this journey first began, my resolve was unshakably strong.
But now I’m growing weary of this path You’ve placed me on.
I feel my faith is fading and I’m questioning You more.
The voices of fear inside my head are difficult to ignore.

Each day is such a struggle, just to make it through.
Seems like there’s no joy to be found, no matter what I do.
Stuck in this survival mode with no relief in sight.
I pray, at the end of this tunnel, there will be a light.

But You have said, “All things work for good…”, so I’ll keep trusting You,
Asking for strength every day that You’ll help carry me through,
Believing that this trial is all a part of Your plan,
And resting in the promise that You hold me in Your hands.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”
~ 2 Corinthians 12:9