Roller Disco?

Lynetta and I went rollerskating tonight!
The church had a family skating party. It was a costume party with a 70's theme. It was great! There were more Afros, bell bottoms, beads, and peace signs than we had seen since back when we were there the first time - back in the real 70's.
You see, Lynetta and I started dating when I was 13 years old. (1971) She actually gave me my 14Th birthday party. She lived across town, and I couldn't drive. The only time we got to see each other was at church. The only dates we ever got to go on were the monthly church skating parties. So, we never missed one.

Just to tell you how much things have changed since the real 70's; We were never allowed to play popular music at the church skating parties. The only music that was allowed was organ music. The Roller Rink had special records just for us. They (the church leaders and our parents) were afraid that we might play Rock and Roll. They thought skating to Rock and Roll looked too much like dancing. We heard many fiery sermons about avoiding even the "appearance of evil." We all thought it was ridiculous. How could rollerskating while listening to "real music" ever appear evil? We never really complained though - at least not out loud.

So tonight - some 36 years later - Lynetta and I enjoyed Rollerskating together again. My feet were killing me. I probably won't be able to get out of bed tomorrow. There were a couple of times that I wanted to take off my skates and quit. But, I knew from experience that the "Couple Skate" was near the end of the night. I remembered that 36 years ago the "Moonlight Couple Skate" was the highlight of my month. Things haven't changed much after all.

A Cool Breeze?

Today is the eleventh straight day that Middle Tennessee has had temps over the 100 degree mark. In my typical lazy man fashion I am using this extended heat wave to my advantage.
I have a long list of things that really need to be done around my house, but its just too hot :)

As I was puttering around my back yard this morning I could have sworn that I felt a cool breeze. It only lasted for a second, and it was just slightly cooler than the dry blistering air that surrounded me, but it gave me a chill. This phantom breeze rustled the leaves on the trees sending many of them falling to the ground. For just a split second it reminded me of Fall - my favorite time of year.

I spent the rest of the morning procrastinating and dreaming of the cooler days to come. I made a list of all the grand things that I will accomplish when the weather becomes more favorable.
It seems that I am always waiting for something. My list of dreams, goals and simple everyday chores keeps growing - but so does my list of excuses.

So I'm writing this simply to remind myself of this hot day in August. A day when I had all the time in the world and accomplished absolutely nothing. I plan on rereading this post in February when I'm sure that I will be procrastinating and dreaming of warm summer days. Yeah, that's when I'll get busy- that's when I'll get it all done.

Lynetta's lines

I took Matthew up to Lipscomb College Monday. I helped him set up his dorm room. I organized his closet. I made up his bed. I did everything a mother should do - then I kissed him good-bye and I left. I held up pretty well - at least until I got in the car and drove away. All year long I have been trying to prepare myself for this day. I knew from my experience with sending Kari and Andrea off to college how hard it was going to be. But, sending Matthew off to college was only part of the challenge that I faced.

Matthew has always talked to us about someday finding his biological mother. Gary and I have always supported him and encouraged him. We told him that we would help him anyway that we could. I guess I just never dreamed it would happen so quicky.

You would think that I would have learned by now to simply trust God and let him lead. But I must admit that I am still struggling with that one. If I were allowed to write the ending to Matthew's story I'm not so sure that I could. Perhaps I am being nieve, perhaps I am being a little over protective, perhaps a little selfish. While I was thinking of words like closure and acceptance and moving on, God was using words like relationship, new beginnings, and family.

I understand that the words that God seems to be choosing for Matthew are much better than the ones I had in mind but they are unexpected and to be honest they are a little scary. But I'll be fine (a little insecure, but fine) God and I have had differences of opinion before. Luckily, he always wins.

Psamls 139 3-6 (Easy to read version) Lord, you know what I want to say, even before the words leave my mouth. Lord you are all around me - in front and in back of me. You gently put your hand on me. I am amazed at what you know. It is too much for me to understand.

My Latest Reason To Worry

Just thought that I would lighten up a little and share with you just one more reason for my gray hair and shattered nerves. Jesi got her licence last week. Lord help us all :)

Two Sides to Every Airport

While picking up Matthew at the airport Saturday Lynetta and I noticed something profound. We noticed it at about the same time.

One of our shared hobbies has always been people watching - especially in airports. We love to watch people interact and then try to figure out their stories.
We were watching a young Asian couple quietly huddled together on a bench. It was obvious from their affections that one of them would soon be leaving and one of them would be staying behind. Perhaps it was just the mood we were in (a direct result of the emotional roller coaster we have been on lately) but the scene soon became very sad and very hard to watch. The closer the time came for the one to depart, the more desperate and intense the embraces became. They were not even trying to hide their tears. It was as if no one else was around.
Of course there were other people around - lots of people. We saw a little boy clinging to his grandmother. He was crying (more like wailing) and pleading with her not to leave. There was a large family obviously sending their first child off to some far away college. The emotions were intense - the scenes all heartbreaking. We soon found ourselves being drawn into the sadness.
We watched as the young Asian couple finally separated - their fingers reaching and touching just as far and as long as they could. It was the man who was leaving. The young woman stood alone and watched him until he finally disappeared behind the terminal. Then she slowly turned and walked away - alone - in a sea of people - desperately alone. The tears in her eyes and the pain in her heart were contagious. We didn't know her, but our hearts were breaking for her
Then, suddenly, across the aisle, on the other side of the airport, we heard cheering - shouts of joy and celebration. It seemed very out of place and highly inappropriate.
We quickly realised that there was another side to this airport. There was the departure side and there was the arrival side. The departure side was sad, painful, and depressing. The arrival side on the other hand was pure joy. Lynetta and I looked at each other at same time and smiled. Almost in unison we said, "Were sitting on the wrong side of the airport!"

As we travel through this life we must endure many departures - some short term ones, and others more permanent. It helps to know that the more painful and difficult the departure, the sweeter and more glorious the reunion. In other words, no matter how tough it gets down here in this life just remember: We are all just temporarially sitting on the wrong side of the airport.

Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

This is a picture that Matthew brought back from Florida. The lady that looks like so much like Matthew is his birth mother Laura. Beside her is her husband John, Connor age 14, Blake age 10, and Austin age 8.

A Quick Update

Matthew called today. He is doing fine. Actually he's doing great.. It seems that his birth family lives on a lake, and have a boat, with lots of toys. So don't feel too sorry for him.
Lynetta and I celebrated his good furtune by going to Walmart and spending $300.00 on stuff he will need to head off to college Monday. So, life goes on.
When he gets home maybe I can talk him into writing on this blog and sharing some of his pictures and stories.
Thank you all for your interest, thoughts, comments and prayers!

Waiting for Word

Today the National news is fixed on the unknown fate of the six miners trapped in a coal mine out in Utah. The agony of each passing minute for the families and loved ones is unimaginable.
My heart truly goes out to them. I have prayed for those families. I ask you to do the same.
I do not in anyway mean to minimise the horror of that situation, but I wanted to tell you about another agonizing wait.

Lynetta put Matthew on an airplane this afternoon and sent him off to Florida. There waiting for him to get off of that plane in Tampa was Laura, his birth mother, Connor, his 15 year old full brother, and Blake and Austin, his 10 & 8 year old half brothers, and his maternal grandparents.
We are very grateful that Matthew is getting this opportunity to meet his birth family, but we must admit it is a little unnerving - especially for Lynetta.

So, here we sit waiting for word - any word. We know that he got there safe - and we are greatful. We know that he will be treated with all of the love in the world - and we are greatful. But what we really need to know is how he is inside. Matthew is a very mature independent young man in many ways, but he is still very young at heart. We are still, I suppose, a little over protective of that heart.

Tonight after supper I pulled out a few old photographs of Matthew and his sisters. I heard sniffling behind me. I turned around to see Lynetta with big crocodile tears in her eyes. So I put the pictures away and gave her a big hug.

Every time the phone rings we both jump out of our skin. He had better call soon!

Reunion

I'm sorry that I have not updated this blog in a while. There has been a lot going on.
The Letters that arrived were awsome. Laura sounds like everything we have always prayed that she would be. It is a very exciting, emotional and nervous time for all of us - especially Matthew.

Laura told Matthew that he has a grandfather who has been praying for him by name each day for the past 18 years. He is now in poor health and he has made it his dream to someday meet Matthew. Well, he will soon get the chance. I just bought Matthew an airline ticket. He flys out next Thursday morning. Please keep him in your prayers. (He is trying to be cool about this, but we can tell that it really has him tore up)

Where is Geraldo Rivera and his camera crew when you need him? This reunion would make a great TV movie!