The Community

A few days ago I posted about the special sense of community Rachel and I experienced with our family, friends and Church family. A few months ago I blogged about several people that meant so much to Rachel and I throughout her sickness. Well, I need to revisit that list and thank a few more people again. Especially our church friends as they have meant so much to my family.

Scott and Christie Samuels have become close friends and have been such a blessing throughout Rachel's struggles. They have made countless trips to hospitals and have ran several errands for Rachel and I. They also assisted us in a way that we will never forget and could never repay. Thank you Scott and Christie!!!

Eric Magnusson is another I need to thank. Not only has he been a prayer warrior but he has always been ready and willing to help with the details. He has ran errands and made airport runs. And today he took half the day off to take Rachel to Henry Ford. Thank you Eric! You are a blessing to me and my family!

Kim Speck is my sister but she has been so much more than that these past few months. She has made countless runs to the grocery store and has babysat Abbey too many times to count. Thank you Kim!!!

There are so many more to thank as I have in past blogs. But these friends have stood out lately and we are grateful!

What would we do without our church community and family?

The Old Songs

As I rocked my daughter asleep tonight I found myself softly singing to her, "Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross." In fact, most nights I rock her to sleep with an "oldie." Songs like, "At The Cross," "I Know That My Redeemer Lives," "It Is Well With My Soul," and "Victory In Jesus." I love these songs. I like our contemporary songs as well but I must admit the old songs seem to have a little more substance. As Abbey drifted off to sleep I found myself wondering if she will ever know those old songs that her father and grand-father grew up on. I hope so.

The older I get the more and more appreciation I have for my heritage. Oh, I went through a stage when I was pretty cynical toward the Church of Christ but that time has come and gone. I am in debt to my parents and grandparents for the faith they instilled in me. And while ALL churches have their dysfunctions I have found that the heritage I belong to is one to be proud of. We are a pretty loyal bunch. The sense of community we experienced when Rachel was sick was incredible. For about a month or so we would receive cards in the mail everyday from "such and such" Church of Christ. Churches made up of people we did not even know, but nevertheless we would receive cards and phone calls from these "strangers in Christ."

I love my heritage. I love my brothers and sisters in Christ. And I love the old songs.

My prayer tonight is that one day Abbey will say the same thing.

Sleep well Abbey. And if you wake up crying...daddy knows a few good hymns.

Top 10

I have received a few calls and emails this week from people asking me to update my blog. I don't really feel motivated to update it unless there is something newsworthy to post OR if I want to share some theological ideas from a recent conversation. So I am going against my will and updating just to update.

Here are some things that have been going on and a list of events coming up:

1)We had the Rochester College faculty and staff appreciation dinner last Friday night. My friend George Evjen won "staff of the year" and my father won "faculty of the year" I wish they gave out "spouse of the the year" if so, my mother would have won in a landslide.

2)Rachel and I are attending Elder Link next Saturday at RC. Elder Link is a weekend seminar for leaders in the church. Speakers include; Rubel Shelly, Randy Harris, David Wray and others! I wish the Elders from my church would attend!!!!!

3)I will be traveling to Nashville and Texas for a week in Feb. I am attending a reception in Nashville on behalf of RC and then hosting a reception in Dallas, as well as hosting an RC reception at the ACU lectures. I'm excited to see old friends in Abilene. I'm hoping I can stay with my good friends Clint and Alana Logue.

4)I will be in Seattle the first weekend of March to visit a good friend, Travis Bass

5)Rachel will start driver's rehab in early March!!!

6)I will be in Minneapolis March 18-20 visiting some churches and friends of RC.

7)Randy Harris and I will meet for our traditional Final 4 weekend in Indianapolis the last weekend in March.

8)I'm in the process of scheduling events for April

9)Rachel, Abbey and I will travel to the Pepperdine lectures the first week in May to teach a 3 day class, "When Your Wife Has 30 Minutes To Live, Searching For A God We Cannot See," I will handle the first part of the title, Randy Harris is taking care of the subtitle and Rachel will say whatever she wants whenever she wants!

10)I will be in Florida in mid May traveling to churches and making connections on behalf of RC.

Thats just the top 10.

Thanks for tuning in!

Klint

Rachel (And Klint) Update

Rachel is doing well. She is waiting for her drivers rehab class to start. The class will teach her to make up for her loss of vision as she gets back on the road. She will also get special mirrors for the car if she needs them. She gets VERY tired and fatigued during the day which makes it difficult for her to take care of Abbey but we seem to find a way to make it each day. We are getting involved with small group at church and trying to get out more which I think is great for her and the entire family. I am staying very busy at work as I just took on more responsibilities. Abbey is growing fast! She does something new everyday. My dad and I are going to watch Kent State play basketball this weekend. For those of you who don't know I coached at KSU in 2001-2002, great memories and one of the best years of our life. Rachel and I still miss Kent. Coach Christian asked me to sit on the bench but I think I'm going to pass. If I do that I'm afraid I would be too tempted to jump up and start coaching. Rachel said I was pretty "active" on the bench. In fact, I can't remember a time I coached sitting down. I spoke at a local high school the other day. We gathered in the gym and they asked me to use a microphone. I kindly said, "were in a gym, so I don't think I'll need one." They had no idea what I was talking about. Thanks for your continued prayers!

Klint

More Abbey

Abbey's 1st Birthday Pictures

Enjoy!!!

A Letter To My Daughter On Her First Birthday

I've debated whether or not to post this letter. At first, I was going to keep it private but after further thought I have changed my mind. I framed this letter along with the gift you will read about and gave it to Abbey on her first Birthday. Thanks again for taking part in my families journey.


Jan. 1, 2006

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.


My Sweet Daughter:
These verses have taken on new meaning since your arrival. 2005 started out as the happiest time your mother and I have ever experienced. You literally ushered in the 2005 year. What a joy to watch your birth. Daddy has had many exciting experiences but all pale in comparison to your birth. In an instant you became unconditionally loved. As soon as you came out of mommy, I asked the nurse, “Can I touch her?” Holding you and touching you has been my favorite pastime since.

Although 2005 started out with such joy, it has also brought great sorrow and sadness. My wife and your mother came within inches of dying. Someday, when you are old enough I will tell you the whole story. But for now this is what I want to say. In your lifetime you will experience both great joy and great sorrow. I suspect there will be times when life makes sense and everything seems to run smoothly. However, daddy also realizes there will be times of hurt, depression, questioning, doubt, sadness, anger and utter confusion.

Abbey, I pray everyday that you will hold on to God’s word as your guide and reference point. Take solace in the fact that we are told there will be a “time and season for everything.” And please, Abbey, I pray, never let you immediate circumstances dictate your faith and trust in almighty God.

Your first birthday gift from daddy is a clock. You will receive many more from me in your lifetime. I pray you will let this gift (and all future gifts) represent the time and seasons of your life. Again, some clocks or watches you receive will come with great joy as we experience times of celebration. And on other occasions these time pieces will represent much sorrow and sadness. But they will always represent that God is in control and one day will bring all time under his reign.

Abbey, I pray you will never put your faith and trust into things that have no power to index your reliance upon God. Instead, stay close to his word, rest in his grace and know that in time, God will be who God will be.

You are my greatest joy.

Happy 1st Birthday.

Love,
Dad