Countdown -13: Tabling the Issue

As I write this, I have just finished my third shower of the day.  This is due to "poor planning" according to Kristin, but I think it is just because I've been busy.

After my morning workout (which I am incorporating some Bible Study and prayer with just to try something), I cleaned up to take some stuff to the Baptist Student Ministry for their International Student ministry.  This included our old coffee table (which we had replaced) and our end table (which we had not).  That meant I needed a new end table for the lamp I made:

Now, I had some left over wood from another project that just so happened to be perfect legs for an end table, so I went and got the little bit of stuff I'd need to finish the project.  Which existed solely in my head and not on any blueprint.  I like to live dangerously, what can I say?

I spent the afternoon working, and ran out of wood to finish it completely, and then had to clean up to go meet with Eric.  After I got back from that, I decided I needed to finish the job I started and went and got the rest of the wood I needed.  This is what necessitated the third shower of the day.  But, the job is complete, except for sealing it:

I like working with wood, it soothes me for some reason.  And I like being creative.  Can't wait to see it in the room!

Countdown -14: What if "Faith Like a Child" is Code for "Start Over?"

After taking a week off from exercise, I'm finding it very difficult to get back in the swing of things.  I am steadfastly refusing to believe that it is age that is causing my problems.  It doesn't help that I have recurring tendinitis in my right elbow.  It's really irritating.

But then I hear on the radio about the blind archer.  He is legally blind and yet has set the world record in archery- breaking his own record.  Won the gold just the other day in the Olympics.  There goes my excuse of a little elbow pain.

But why is it so hard when we lay off of something for a while, to get back into it.  Whether it is exercise or good eating habits or spiritual discipline.  Because I'm having a tough time with two of those.  Gave up on the good eating habits a looooong time ago.

Spiritually speaking, I've spent the last two years feeling drained from stress about work and life and church and everything else.  My times with God have been spent pleading- not exercising spiritual muscle.  And my spiritual muscles have atrophied.

Now, I've got to re-learn a lot of that stuff- how to have good times in the Bible, how to pray just to talk to God, how to see spiritual lessons everywhere.  Like the blind archer, I've got to figure out a new way to do what used to be so easy.

Guess it's time for some "faith like a child."

Countdown -15: Fresh Starts?

I've been pondering fresh starts lately, what with a new job and our church re-start all coming in the next month.  Here are some questions I've asked myself, and offer for all seeking a start over:

Can we really get a Fresh Start?  I mean, if you're in witness protection, yeah, you kinda have to.  But for us non-mob crime witnesses, it's probably difficult for several reasons.  Number one is that people have a hard time forgetting what came before- especially people called "you."  You have to be willing to close that door to the past before expecting others to.  Then you have to work to prove to them you are new and improved.  This will a problem our church has to hurdle, for sure.  Not that there were bad things before, but we need a clean slate.  Another difficulty is that most often, we start over right where we were.  This means all the same problems and temptations from before are still there.  Best pay attention to them.

How do we Start Fresh?  New job, new wardrobe, new car, new attitude.  It can be these things, it can be more.  I think the answer starts inside- are you ready for the change?  The rest will follow, but you MUST firmly decide to seek that fresh start, and in doing so, shut the door and lock it behind you.  As we resolve to change, the manner of said change will often present itself as we go.

What if it fails?  You try again.  During my attempts at a fresh start I have been humbled by failure several times.  Each time I either quickly recovered, or wallowed in self pity.  But eventually, I got up again.  I am reminded of the highly quotable Batman Begins, when Bruce Wayne's father asks:  "Why do we fall, Bruce?  So we can pick ourselves back up."

What if it Succeeds?  Enjoy it.  Revel in it.  Allow hope to grow.  But NEVER allow yourself to grow complacent again.  Nothing threatens success more than success.  For success can breed a desire to rest on your laurels.  Then you will fall and need a fresh start again.

 Lastly, if it succeeds- use it to bless others.  All of it.  The struggles, the wins, the little stuff and the big stuff.  All of it means something to you, and chances are, it will mean something to someone else.

Countdown -16: Leaning Towers of Laundry and Errands

It's funny how things stack up when you've been out of town. 

While we were gone, our large order of printed materials for the church was completed, our church t-shirts were ready, and so were our coozies for handing out to people.  We figure it is time to full on embrace the image we have as "church in a bar" with the coozie thing.  All these things were picked up before noon today, after dropping off the kids at MDO while Kristin was at teacher orientation.

I also chose to begin work on an aspen log lamp- from an aspen log we picked up in Colorado.  Turns out we had enough log for three lamps, but only enough wiring for one.  So, eventually, there will be three.  Nevertheless, it is hard to cut a six inch in diameter log- knots and all- with a circular saw.  But I did it anyway.  And I still have all my fingers and toes.  And no stitches or even bandages.

Other things stack up as well.  Namely, laundry.  But I'd rather not talk about that.

It's funny how things in general stack up, towers of wobbly desires and fears and aspirations- and they block the enjoyment of the moment.  In the midst of the errands, I found enjoyment in the moments of listening to a great CD, of working with my hands, and of being thankful for the peace of the place I am now.

Life is to be lived- not waded through.  So, even when it's the mundane stuff, try to find the joy of the day.

Countdown -17: A Recap

-23- Gymnastics-  Leslie's coach told us that she was ready to move up to the Emerald Team.  This team meets 2-3 times a week for 3 hours each time.  This was a shock and exciting to us, because Leslie has been on her current team for 6 weeks.  Seems she has potential.

-22- We were at my Mom's for the first leg of our trip to Colorado for Lauren and Scott's wedding I am to officiate.  The girls swam all day and we set out at 8 p.m. to drive through the night.  We got to Waco- 20 minutes down the road- before we hit our first major detour.  I am not a fan of Waco or I-35.

-21-Begins on the road.  All night driving gets us to Trinidad, Colorado for breakfast.  An hour and about five messed up orders later, we leave.  Possibly for the last time.  We get to South Fork, our destination, around 1 Mountain Time and are informed that we have our own place to stay, and not at the Bride's family home.  The place is amazing- the Fletcher family put us up in style.  Kristin and I walk around for the rest of the day with our jaws on the floor.  That night, we go to dinner and spot this:

 

I have a sudden desire for some Back to the Future viewing.

-20-  We wake up to the news of the shooting in Aurora.  Disbelief floods in- how could this happen? 

We proceed with our plans for the day, horseback riding for the first time with the kids.  Leslie got to ride Ken, Kristin got Barbie, Kenna got Spiro, and I got Spruce- a giant of a horse.

We headed out to the rehearsal and dinner, which meant a 2 and half minute up a driveway to the log cabin where the wedding was to be.  It was gorgeous.  We ran through the ceremony and avoided some ominous rain clouds.

The next day, we woke and spent some time in downtown South Fork, and for the second day, the girls were given something free by store owners while we shopped.  This settled it, the girls are going Camaro shopping with me. 

Now, the wedding was gorgeous, and I am so thankful Scott and Lauren asked me to be the minister.  And I gotta say, no offense to those whose weddings I have done or will do, but there really is a huge bar set for most beautiful wedding.  Case in point, here is the view the bride had as she entered.
     

We had to leave during the reception to make it Lake City that night, where we would spend the next day.  So we drove into the mountain sunset.

Sunday, we woke in Kristin's Uncle Fred's cabin, and he taught the girls Washers.  Then we went to a presentation done by a Wolf Rescue group in downtown Lake City.  Wolves are cool.  That night we dined at the Alferd Packer Cannibal Grill.  No, I'm not going to explain that, but you should Google it. 

-19-  We woke at 1:45 a.m. Colorado time and drove.  And drove.  And drove.

-18-  Kristin and I got a date day, as my Mom watched the girls so we could go see The Dark Knight Rises.  While eating lunch, we realized that July 24th- that day- was the 11th Anniversary of our first date.  Awwwww. 

As for the movie, wow.  Loved it.  Highly recommend seeing Batman Begins right before going, though- lots of connections to that one pop up.  As Kristin said, "I never thought I'd cry at a Batman movie."

That night, Kristin's mom came to my mom's house and we had burgers and showed pictures of Colorado.

-17-  We got home today.  It was a great trip, and now looking forward to getting back to the routine.

Countdown -25 and -24: More Anniversary

Kristin's goal had been to fit into her wedding dress on the 10th Anniversary- she'd worked really hard to get there. So, on the big day, we took pictures and I thought it would be a good idea to compare then to now, so here goes:

The weekend was very relaxing, and today meant getting back to the grindstone.  As much of a grindstone as this summer could be.  Kristin signed her teacher's contract today, and I  mowed the yard.  Which leads me to a new segment:

Lesser Things I Hate
Wasps.  Three of them stung me today before I could kill their nest.  Sneaky little buggers.

We're going to be without internet for a few days, so the plan is to do catch up stuff when we get it back.  See you in a bit.

Countdown -26 and -25: Tenth Anniversary

Tomorrow, July 13, will be Kristin and mine's tenth anniversary.  In light of that, I've declared tomorrow a computer free day at our house, so I'm covering today and tomorrow with this entry.

And I figure I should focus on the Anniversary part of things for it.

Kristin and I met through church and the Aggie Baptist Student Ministry.  I was the youth intern at Hillcrest Baptist here in BCS when she started attending there.  I got the opportunity to be the interim youth and college minister when the guy holding those positions left for seminary, so I created a college student team of leaders- and Kristin was one of the ones on it. 

We spent a lot of time together that summer, and I asked her out.  It took neither of us too long to figure out this was something special, so on December 8 of 2001 I asked her to marry me.  And on a rainy and cool July afternoon in 2002, we were married.

Over the last ten years, we've lived in Marlin, Seymour, and College Station- and a brief couple months with  my Mom while we sold our house and bought a new one in College Station.  We've seen awesome and terrible things- in life, in ministry, in careers.  We've survived great stresses and enjoyed great victories and brought into this world two beautiful, intelligent, unique girls.

We've dreamed together, of hopes and futures.  One dream, from early in our marriage, was to move back to College Station and work with college students.  We had no idea that we would celebrate our tenth anniversary doing just that.

Like all couples, we've had our fights.  Some legitimate, some trivial.  But the good times vastly outnumber the bad.  We've changed each other in that natural and healthy way couples do- she's softened me, and I've toughened her. 

Tomorrow, we will watch our wedding video (and probably contemplate finally converting it to DVD) and we will spend the day with our girls at the pool and at home.  We'll probably watch some Lost on Blu-ray.  And when we send off the girls to gymnastics for Parents Night Out, we'll have a romantic dinner somewhere other than McDonald's.  Someday, we'll get to celebrate our Anniversary in style, with an international trip or some romantic get-away.

But for now, we'll simply enjoy each other's company.

And really, isn't that what an Anniversary should be about?

Countdown -27: The Fall of Summer '12

Two things you need to know before I start today:

1)  I am ANXIOUSLY awaiting the Dark Knight Rises- the last Batman movie by Christopher Nolan- in which is seems Batman finally meets his physical match in Bane. Bane, who broke the Batman's back in the comics.

2)  I get bored with workouts and try to do things frequently to spice it up.

You remember I mentioned a while back the pull-up bar that caught me in the eye?  Well, today I had it up for inverted sit-ups.  I do a handstand, hook my legs over the bar and proceed to do sit-ups while hanging upside down. 

I do not tell you this to brag, I tell you this to relay my stupidity.

The key thing to doing this exercise is making sure the bar is secure.  It's a righty-tighty kind of installation, with rubber ends that are supposed to hold it in place when properly installed.  SUPPOSED TO.

Two things may have contributed to what comes next.  The bar was not exactly level, just a slight degree or ten below level.  The other was the two decade old, and until recently, unused rubber stoppers.

In any event, as I was sitting up for the my second sit-up, I heard a pop.  Then a "whump!"   In split second, I was on my back, legs still up in the air- on the verge of having the breathe knocked out of me.  My lower back was sore, and my head was a little twanged.  Laying next to me was the bar, the end of one of the rubber stoppers blown off and the washer spinning on the floor.  On the door frame is a nice long, black streak where the bar fell.

I am thankful I was in the "up" position, so I landed on my back and not my head.  I am thankful for carpet.  I'm glad I didn't have the bar as high as I originally had it.  I'm glad no child or animal was underneath me.  I am thankful I too will be somewhat crippled like Bruce Wayne in this Batman movie- he is a hero of mine, after all.

Now, to find a new way to do dangerous sit-ups....

Countdown -28: Rainy Days

I love rainy days.  Always have.  Anybody who can't appreciate rain has never lived in a drought.  Or in Texas in the summer.

This afternoon, I went outside and sat on my porch, on the ground, and just listened and smelled and watched as the rain poured down.  I can't remember the last time I was able to just sit and soak up the rainy atmosphere.

The dripping sound as pools of liquid on the ground are shot with drops from the sky.  The faint crackle of rain on leaves.  The feel of the spray- a light mist covering my face and clothes.  The tangible drop in temperature.  And the smell.  That's my favorite.  Everything is fresh and clean.

For me, rain means a fresh start.  I don't know why, but it is. Rain is hope.  Rain is a promise of life to come- because rain will make the flowers and the pumpkins and the trees and the grass in our yard grow. 

Today, it was a promise fulfilled, as Kristin got her confirmation call that she officially has the job in Bryan.

I love rainy days.

Countdown -29: A Day of Almosts

We had a great weekend, spending time at home, watching a lot of Lost on Blu-Ray, and putting together a new coffee table.  Kristin found this idea on Pinterest, so I had a busy day Friday and Saturday.

Sunday, I got to preach at Hillcrest Baptist Church.  I was looking forward to it because it was the church where I delivered my first ever sermon back in 2001.  It was the church where I met my wife and where I began my ministry career.  I was also looking forward to it because I had not preached in a traditional church in over five years.  Turns out, I really enjoyed it!  I love speaking, and I love when it connects with people, and several people came to tell me just how much it did.  I used to struggle with compliments about preaching, but I realized that if someone got something out of what was said and they want to tell you how much it meant- just say thank you.  God knows who really is getting the glory, and so do I.

We kept waiting around for the rain today, and it didn't come.  So, I got almost done with some Gate publicity stuff.  Finally, we decided to head out to the pool- then we noticed the large black cloud.  We thought we'd give it a shot, and see if we could get just a little in.  We almost made it to pool when we noticed everyone leaving the pool- apparently the lightning warning went off.  So we rushed home to beat the rain, and I rushed out to the grocery store to beat it.  We almost got rain- but the storm curved around us and we got tiny sprinkles.

Right now, it's raining more, so we're thankful, and hopeful for more tonight and tomorrow.

Countdown -30: Rules, Rules, Rules

We went swimming today, as we have done countless times the last two summers.  But this summer, we've noticed something:  more rules.

Now, the rules are not posted, at least, not the specific rules we are accused of breaking.  Today, I was told that Leslie could not jump off my shoulders into the deep end.  I am standing shoulder deep, and she is jumping into the deeper water.  We've done this almost every trip to the pool this year, and it is always directly in front of the lifeguard.  Today was the first it was mentioned.

This is also not the first time this summer that we have "gotten in trouble" with the lifeguard.  The first time was when Kenna was in the deep end with a life jacket- a no-no.

I don't mind following the rules for the pool, not at all.  But I don't like getting in trouble for something that I didn't know was wrong.  Especially when the clearly posted rules (no hanging on the lane ropes- and one kid was practically tight-rope walking it)  and rules like the life jacket one are being broken right in front of the lifeguards and nothing is said.

So, when the lifeguard got onto us, I asked her where that rule was posted, and pointed out it had never been a problem before.  She said she would get it for me.

Before we left, we went by the headquarters and voiced our issue.  Apparently others have complained that there are no "deep end rules" posted in the deep end, and that different lifeguards enforce different rules, but no one higher up has decided to act on the concerns.

Phew.  I just needed to vent.  But I must say, if the worst thing I have to complain about is swimming pool rules, life is pretty good, dontcha think?

Countdown -31: A Lehrmann Dictionary

So, beginning today, there is a countdown.  31 working days until I...well...start to work again.  Today was marked by a huge job milestone to kick things off- I got my paperwork for CSISD done and I have my ID badge.  It's much better than the driver's license picture, for sure.  Other than that, I spent the day with my mom while the girls and Kristin were at Mother's Day Out.  First we went to look at the stained glass store- Mom's new hobby that she is, as usual, quite good at.  Then we tried to track down a champagne colored tie for a wedding I'm doing at the end of the month.  Found one at Jos. A Bank- and nowhere else in town.  Unfortunately, I would refuse to pay $80 for a tie in good financial times, so I bought one for 1/20 the price with shipping from Amazon.

Over the last few days, our family has become aware that we make new words rather frequently.  Now, these may be "inside jokes" and you may have "had to be there," but it's worth a chuckle, I hope.

Buttom-  reference to one's posterior, as in when I threw a dog toy that hit our dog in the rear and said- "I hit her right in the buttom."

Chak- what can happen when something is lodged in one's throat, as in when Kenna had a plastic toy in her mouth and Kristin warned her, "Spit that our before you chak."

Grispet- cut of beef used commonly in BBQing, as in "Mom and I will have grispet for lunch tomorrow."

Dirkt Deposit-  a banking transaction where a monetary sum is deposited electronically, rather than by check, as in my Mom asking, "Will the school do dirkt deposit?"

Sniffling- act of smelling something, as in Kenna saying, "The dog is sniffling my feet."

Librarium- not a new term, but worth mentioning.  A place to check out books from, as in Leslie, when younger asking, "Can we check out books from the librarium?"

I'm sure we will discover new linguistic gems in the days to come, and we'll try to share them with you.

DAY SIXTY FOUR: The End is the Beginning

So here is what happened today:

I got up, worked out, and set about making sure our ceiling fan was properly attached.  Then, I did laundry in preparation for my Mom coming down for the 4th, and worked on cleaning the carpets.

But that isn't what you care about, is it?

Kristin called the lady from yesterday back.  She informed her that the SPED position at Henderson she applied for had been filled, but that they kept coming back to Kristin's resume, and thought she had a great interview.  (FYI:  This is the interview she thought she tanked, badly.)  When this new position opened up, Kristin was the first one she thought of.  It would be an Autism teacher at Kemp Elementary in Bryan.  If Kristin was interested, the Special Services lady would call the principal, who would then call Kristin.

A few hours later, the principal called Kristin- from her vacation- and they chatted.  They clicked so well, that the principal said she'd call the Special Services lady who would call HR who would then set up Kristin's paperwork signing.  The call ended with the principal saying she was looking forward to working with Kristin.

And so, it ends.  It ends exactly three months to the day after I was fired.  It ends with Kristin and I getting two jobs we did not apply for.  It ends with us not getting exactly what we originally planned for, but, especially in Kristin's case, getting exactly what we always wanted.  Kristin has always had a heart for students with autism.  Now, she gets to pour herself into them.  And I get to learn how to deal with little, hugging kids.  But I get to do something that matters, something that makes a difference.

We get to devote ourselves to the church we started, we get to share the same basic schedule and vacations as a family.

Through this journey, I've been angry at people and angry at God.  I've sought God, I've pleaded with Him, and now, now I thank Him.  I'm still a little peeved it took this long, but right now that is getting lost in the thankfulness and hope that fills me.  I have no doubt that God helped in this- despite my assertions just a few weeks ago- and perhaps he helped more than I know.

I am also thankful for you- you who prayed, who encouraged, who sent gifts, who listened to my venting and who did things we may never know about that played a role in where we find ourselves today.  Not to get political, but you have proved my point as to why I oppose and resist taking government welfare:  the Church should take care of their own.  Your grace and generosity have left us speechless.  Thank you for demonstrating the love and power of God.

This is the end.

This is the beginning.

Tomorrow is Independence Day.  Our family will celebrate our freedom- and our new hope.  July 5th begins the countdown to the start of the new jobs, and I hope you will join us on that journey as you have on this one.

It should be fun.

DAY SIXTY THREE: And the Answer is...Tune in Tomorrow

We had a great weekend traveling to Seymour for the wedding of one of my former youth and spending time with the folks from our old church.  We met some other, new people, including one lady who was the wife of one of the ministers doing the wedding.  We were talking about how we may have met before, when she brought up the only time she went to the same camp we were at, and some guy did this Captain Jack Sparrow impersonation.  I raised my hand and admitted it was, in fact me.  She then complimented me by saying that was "The best I've ever seen."  (Her words, totally  not mine.  I lean toward Russell Brand as the best, because he never drops it.)  Alas, it is retired.

We managed to make the weekend without worrying about jobs, and had a great time.  We got home, where we are dog-sitting Daisy, Kristin's brother's dog.  She is tiny, and she apparently barks at night.  We think that may come from the cats walking by her kennel at night and teasing her.  That sounds like our cats.

Today, we cleaned.  A lot. 

Then Kristin left to meet with someone, and she left her phone.  I heard it ring just in time to miss the call, so I decided to wait for the message, to see if they left one.  I began to work out, and then heard the chirp of the phone indicating a message.  I had caught the number, and though I did not recognize it, I felt it was job related.  This is probably because I have been anxious and anticipating one all day.  I paced around for a bit, then decided to wait til Kristin came home.

I did one set before I decided to call Bre- the lady Kristin was meeting with- to see if she could ask Kristin if I could check the message.  Bre didn't answer.  I give her props for that, not being rude and answering the phone during a conversation and all.  So, I went back to working out, ready to wait til Kristin got home.

After another set, I reasoned that if this was an important message, like a "Call right now for a job message" I should check it so I could go tell Kristin.  And if it was a "Sorry, you didn't get the job" message, I could take the brunt of the impact.

So, I listened.  It was from a Molley Perry at Bryan ISD, and she left a number and asked for Kristin to call her tomorrow.  I tried to determine who she was, what school she was with.  When Kristin got home, she was perplexed like I was, and we found that she was the director of Special Services- aka Special Education stuff- and was the lady Kristin interviewed with weeks ago and felt bad about it.

So, there we are, a call to return, and no idea what it could be about.  Well, we have an idea, but we don't want to get our hopes up or dash them either.  But someone wouldn't leave a message that vague if she didn't get the job, right?  And if it was for another interview, they'd ask if she was interested, right?  I mean, it has to be good, right?

There, now you can be on pins and needles like us until tomorrow.