It really does feel like it was yesterday that my little guy was born. After a brief touch of crying, he looked up with those dark, observing eyes and quietly took in the view of his awestruck green parents. And we were never the same.

The hospital let us take him home. It felt like we were getting away with something, walking out to our car with this bundle of fragile, hopeful life. “They’re really just letting us walk out of here?”

Thirteen years later: today. Teen guy.

Many of you parents have already crossed this threshold of becoming the mom or dad of a teenager. I often get from the parents of teens a knowing look about what lies ahead for me. I can only explain the look like this: “Sympathy mixed with humor mixed with what looks like the strain of a difficult bowel movement.” It’s a great face, by the way, and many parents of teens make it. You should go to the mirror and try to duplicate my description. Go ahead, I’ll wait.

They know that there is joy, pain, gray hairs, great talks, misunderstandings, chem changes, and all kinds of stuff coming up in the next several years. I’ve got a long journey ahead of me.

We went out to breakfast this morning (keeping in step with one of his favorite statements from his toddler years: “Special times, dad.”). We sat talking, eating, joking – and it all felt so mixed: sadness, joy, celebration.

I think I would put it this way: I’m transitioning. I  appreciate my son now in different ways – his comraderie, his peer conversations. I’ve come to appreciate his jabbing humor, heart for justice, and quiet voice. He works hard; he is focused; he gets down. He has good days. He needs encouragement. He is my son.

So yeah, it’s going to be a long road. But I’m pumped. I wouldn’t trade one gray hair if it meant missing it. And hey: if you see me making that “moving look”, just remind me about what I said here.

I don’t know what that’s like. It broke my little Libby’s heart. We were both so relieved to get a call from him just a couple days ago; they had lost everything, but were all alive and together.

Libby is an amazing little person. She is always teaching me things, and the more I trust her and step back, the more she shows me that she can do so much! Maybe you have one of these kind of go-getters? Well, when it came to what we can do for Haiti, for her the solution was simple: $2.21.

That’s a specific amount, isn’t it? It’s also a special amount: it’s what she has. Kind of humbling – it seems like such a small thing but to Libs it was her piggy bank.

It reminds me of the passage in Mark 12 where Jesus is watching people give, and he’s blown away not by the big donors but by the widowed lady who gave a fraction of a penny, yet was all she had.

Encouraging, but humbling. Makes me think: I’m sure that many of us could give without thinking about it. My advice? Don’t.

Don’t give without thinking about it. Think about it. Let it get stuck in your heart. Break your piggy bank.

Tylenol shouldn’t be at the top of your Christmas wish list. I mean, come on.

Every year it happens, even amongst throngs of people who say they’ll resist it: turmoil over the Christmas season. Why? Why would we ever choose this? And I use ‘choose’ very purposefully. See, I think that all of the stress, worry, maxed credit cards and lack of peace are the result of a choice, albeit subtle.

A choice to worship with part of one of the fastest-growing religions in America: Consumerism.

Now before I’m pelted with holiday cheer in the form of fruitcake thrown in my direction, think it through:

• Credit card offers sent out every fall, with the marketing slant “being able to cross off everything on your Christmas wish list!”
• Stores chock full of extra kiosks and displays – full of strange collections you would never buy anyone (penknife and travel mug set?), except that it’s Christmas and you have no idea what to get Uncle Stewart. And yet you feel like you have to get him something.
• Hours and hours wasted, aimlessly wandering through aisle after aisle of meaningless gifts, only to spend a few measly hours with your family opening them.

These are all symptoms of a much bigger disease. Now please understand: I give gifts. I shop. I buy holiday wares. There’s a sweet place for gift giving and tradition and all of that. Some of my most cherished holiday memories come each year in the form of established family traditions.

For me, though, it’s a deeper problem than gift-giving: I want the holiday season called Christmas to reflect the peace, grace, and joy of Christ. I don’t mean this in some religious social way, like fighting to make CHRISTmas be about Jesus, or demanding government buildings display Christmas trees. I mean this as a personal decision for me, and from the heart of a pastor who sees fellow followers of Christ burnt out from the holidays.

How consumerism has replaced many of the pieces from the original Christmas story:

• The star in the east is replaced by fluorescent lighting and glossy print ads.
• The shepherds keeping watch by night have opted out; late night shelf-stockers at local retails stores prepare the altars for next days worship.
• As opposed to angels singing, “Glory in the highest!” we now hear credit companies shrilly singing: “0% interest and no payments for six months… O.A.C.!”

Solutions? Take it personal. We do not need rallies or protests. We need deep internal change, manifested in our attitudes, holiday focus, and spending habits. Here are a few ideas:

• Spend less. Decide that you will not go into debt for Christmas. One way my family has spent less is to stop buying gifts for every adult sibling – with my brothers, in-laws, and spouses that’s eight presents! We sometimes secretly choose one sibling, but it really makes it easier every Christmas.
• Spend time. Your greatest gift is presence. The huge amount of time spent shopping could be logged at home, playing a game with your family, or baking together.
• Give the gift of serving. Every Christmas season is an opportunity to serve and be a blessing to others. No matter how big or small, make plans with family or friends to serve and touch lives. There are countless shelters, food banks, churches, schools and service groups doing something… get out there!
• Read the Christmas story. Get back to the raw beauty of the story: a humble birth in a hillside stable by a small town girl. That literally changed history. Sit down and read the accounts (found in the gospels of Matthew and Luke) of Jesus’ birth.
• Create honoring traditions. What will you add to your holiday season that brings honor? Peace? Joy?

I hope you have a beautiful Christmas season… Tylenol free and clear of shopping madness!

I was looking through some summer 2009 food pics that brought back some great memories; thought I’d share them.

1. Crawdads in Buttah: Had a great time this summer camping with friends down on the Deschutes. After tubing, we waded through the river catching these little delights; a quick boiling and some melted butter made ‘em rock and roll. Just like when I was a wee lad.

2. Kansas City BBQ: Got a chance to take a quick trip out to Kansas City this summer; an opportunity to share in a church planting discussion. Got to meet a large table full of incredible leaders with big hearts and big vision.

Since my flight into Kansas City got screwed up, I missed a KC Royals game, but I didn’t miss out on some Kansas City BBQ. That’s me looking all primal. It’s hard not to feel a little caveman-ish when you are eating meat off a bone the size of your forearm. 

3. Eatin’ at Beau Legs: Once you eat at this place, you know you’re coming back. A lot. Period. Beau Legs in Lacey, Washington. In fact, why aren’t you there by now?

My friends Justin & Jennifer led me to this oasis of goodness. Catfish, greens, fried okra, brisket sandwiches, etc. And my personal favorite: The shrimp po’boy. Just ask for Frank’s Hot Sauce; they keep it in the back.  

4. Grilled Peaches in Summer: I love to grill. I love eating with the family; my kids, brothers and siters, mom and dad, & nephews. Lots of food (we are the frightened food family), then playing 500 football on the lawn.

And one particular day: Grilled peaches with honey and cinnamon over vanilla bean ice cream. So good. Make a grown man cry.

I tried to take a browsing stroll around Costco, but as always, I ended up in one of two places: electronics, or books. That day it was books.

So glad.

They have a boxed collection of Roald Dahl’s kids books – 15 of them – for $24.95. Dang. Do the math on that – umm, well, you know. Less than $2.00 a book. So naturally, said boxed set went under my arm and accompanied me to the checkout.  How very cordial of that boxed set! Guess I should invite it home…

Which is great – me and Eli are already plowing through them. They are such crazy fun! I am starting Danny The Champion Of The World tonight.

Quick recap:

• Went on a fiction reading spree – something like a novel a week for almost four months now. Which I know isn’t a lot for some, but I had become such a non-fiction reader that I lost some of the joy of printed story. Great to be back in the groove!
• Summer trips – The Oregon Coast was great, lots of down time with my kiddos and the sweet lady. Sandcastle building is one of my top relaxing hobbies. Plus some great here and there’s, camping and family fun.
• The House Is Going Up! Our house is being built, bit by bit! This has been fun to see happen.

So hey, good to be back. See you around more soon.

Sorry, but when you live in the Pacific NW, the blogging goes down when the sun comes up!  I’m sure there’s a web tracker to prove that.

I have been having a blast watching Aiden play baseball (.609 batting ave!), drinking lots of iced coffee, and enjoying this beautiful weather – as much as I can in a boot and crutches.  Two more weeks to go, by the way.  Then the crutches go, and I start physical therapy or something.  I think I basically stretch a lot, and do some granny Tae Bo.  Who knows?

Have a great weekend, friends.  Get out in the sun.

- Opening Weekend for Capitol Little League – Aiden’s first up to bat of the season was a triple, about ten feet shy of the fence!  He couldn’t hide his smile from the rooters.

- Saturday night dinner date with Kristy at Budd Bay.  Thanks to Auntie Mojo, we had some serious prime rib and plank-smoked salmon, with a view of the bay.  The only problem was the kink in my neck from trying to catch glimpses of UNC and Villanova on the screen behind me!  

- Sunday morning gathering at the Fountain:  Today was another reminder to me of how it all happens:  we have great teams at the Fountain Church.  So many hard-working friends making it happen every week!  Props to Bryan Herrera for jumping in on the drums every week while my achilles heals up!  You rocka-rolla.

- Spending Sunday afternoon on the couch with my foot up, watching Duck Soup (the Marx brothers) with the family.  “You know, you haven’t stopped talking since I came here?  You must have been vaccinated with a phonograph needle.”

- 70 degree weather after a week that included rain, snow, and hail?  My kids played in the sprinkler today!

- Finally:  This weekend kicks off Spring Break!  Kristy gets a week off work, we get some down time, and – best of all – a bit of sleeping in!

Some things I’m learning:
- Krull (1983) was a great movie… in 1983.  I still enjoyed it (on the couch) in 2009.  A very young Liam Neeson was in it; I didn’t remember that.  I only remember as a child really wanting a glaive!
- My kids are sweet compassionate people.  Libby always tells me she wants to be my servant… I think she means nurse, or assistant – but servant is way too cute!
- Things like being able to get up and get a cup of coffee should never be taken for granted.
- A couch is a great place to develop self-pity if you’re not careful.
- Carne Asada tacos from the taco bus, hand-delivered by your bros, is as good a medication as vicadin.  Better.

So I’m learning a bit.  Thanks to everyone for the prayers and support.  I’ll let you know how it’s all progressing as I go.  For now, the sutures are out, and I have 10 weeks on crutches to go.