January18, 2008

Times they are a'changing.  Kyle heads back to Grove City tomorrow.  He'll be taking three four-credit Sciences (Organic Chem II, Physics II, and Genetics) this term.  He will need your prayers.  Michelle has started school at J. Sargent Reynolds this term.  She's pursuing a degree in Respiratory Therapy.  She will need your prayers.  Chris started work this weekend at Walgreens as a cashier/stockboy.  He will need your prayers.  Meanwhile, I'll be hanging out at home with the cat.  Hey, someone's got to keep him company.  Till later, I bid you, adieu.

December 15, 2007

Folks,

I haven't Xanga'd in forever, it seems, so here's a quick update.  My better half is going back to school to get a degree as a Respiratory Therapist so that she can teach "sleep" classes.  She tells me it's a rapidly growing field.  My eldest son apparently is enjoying himself way too much at school.  Today, he took three final exams, had someone cook him beef stew for supper, and now he's out playing in the snow.  It's a hard life.  My youngest is obsessed with movie trivia, Madden football, and WarHammer 40K.  BTW, do you know the difference between the Tau, the Eldar, and the Space Marines?  Thought so.  As for me, I hold an extremely important, highly sensitive position at my church.  What, pray tell, is it?  Well, let's just say that bat clean-up in the church lineup.  What's that?  You really want to know what I do.  Well........OK........I am, uh, you know.....how do I put it.....I guess I'd better just say it right out.....I'm the church's housekeeper.  Yep, that's right.  I'm the one who cleans up after the rest of you head home from church.  As I tell people, it's a dirty job, but someone's got to do it.  Seriously, if you want to learn humility, try cleaning up after people.  Maybe one day I should tell you my "Clean now, or clean later" story.  It hit me where I live.  Well, that's all for now.  I have to hit the sack in preparation for tomorrow.  ZZZZZZZ....mops...and buckets.....Lysol.....Clorox......409........wipe, wipe...spray, spray......dust, dust.....empty trash.......vacuum carpet......sweep, sweep........ZZZZZZZZZZ............

Summer

My, hasn't the summer gone by fast?  Our family hasn't let the moss grow under our feet.  I'm now the deacon/housekeeper for our church.  Ask me sometime about my Clean Now or Clean Later story.  The missus is busy working nights to pay for Kyle's 2nd semester.  Speaking of Kyle, he leaves for Grove City in less than two weeks.  How did he spend his summer?  Sleeping...and playing...and sleeping...and playing...and sleeping.  He should be well rested from Physics and Organic Chemistry this fall.  And Chris?  Let's just say that the unexpected is normal when he's around.  As a family, we had a great time at the Icthus rock festival in Wilmore, Kentucky, a fun vacation at Sunset Beach, wet good times at the Hazzard's pool and the Anderson's river cottage, and rest when needed.  Soon it will be fall.  I wonder what that season will bring.  May God be with you.  Rob

May 19, 2007

A friend of mine graduated today.  It's funny to think of someone 30+ years younger than yourself as a friend, but that's what Jason Wilson is.  I watched him walk up to get his high school diploma at the Homeschoolers' Graduation at MCC today, and I couldn't help but reflect on the changes I've seen in him as he's grown up.  When I first met him, he was my sons' friend, the nice, chubby, uncoordinated little boy from down the street.  Over the years, I've seen him knock off and nearly lose my glasses at Kings Dominion (Ooops!), earn a red belt in tae kwan doe, go on several Young Continental and mission trips, and become an accomplished ballroom dancer, not to mention an extremely friendly and handsome young man.....Girls, have you noticed?  However, I think his greatest gift is his cheerful nature.  Even when he's upset or frustrated, he never becomes gloomy, and like the sun rising in the morning, you know his innate good cheer will resurface again soon.  Next fall, he'll be leaving Richmond to attend school at Geneva College north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he hopes to study church ministry.  I for one have no doubt that he will succeed in whatever he sets out to do, for that's the type of person he is.  And I for one will miss him.  Good luck, Jason, and may God bless you.