Isaac's first solo class

The boy started school last week - for the first time as a teacher! He was hired as an adjunct professor at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA. His first class is 'Christian Ethics in Conflict.' Here is the course description:

"CHRISTIAN ETHICS IN CONFLICT (Columbia Theological Seminary): Christian ethics is born out of conflict. This statement refers to both the history of Christian ethics as an academic discipline and the ongoing call to pursue a faithful Christian life. Christian ethics thus brings us face to face with the conflicts and crises that inform our very being. In this course, we will examine issues such as climate change, violence, capitalism, racism, and sexism with the belief that they present challenging opportunities for critical engagement and transformation. We will reflect on what it means to respond to these challenges faithfully as practicing Christian ethicists and how we might account for those responses."

This actually brought back memories from my first ethics class. My eyes were certainly opened to so many things I'd never even considered. It was such a breath of fresh air from the conservative evangelical teaching I'd received up to that point. It truly was a transformational experience for me, and one I am so thankful for. Hopefully it can be for the 20 or so students in his class as well.

I believe today is also Isaac and Ricci's 8th wedding anniversary. My how time flies. That was such a fun time. Looking back through the pictures on Facebook makes it seem so long ago though.

***

Romans 12:1-2

"So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you."

 

First day of school

Today is the first day of school for the grandkids. I've been praying for them and about it all morning. I can't imagine being a child or parent under the circumstances of this year. Such staggeringly stressful times.

Anyway, I am glad the kids are in a small private school. The same one they've always attended. And, yes, they are attending in-person. A is now in 4th grade, B in 2nd, and C in 1st. My how time flies!

I feel like I've sort of lost touch these past few years. I'd always hoped to be a better, more Christ-like influence in their lives. One memory I have from when our kids were starting school was always trying to find just the right verse for each of them, and I'd make a little business-card with the verse printed on it so they could keep it in their pocket or backpack. That way if they started to get nervous or afraid, they could pull it out and hopefully find some comfort there.

Nowadays I almost feel like if I tell someone I'm praying for them, they'll either think I'm joking, or they'll wonder what's wrong. Such is life...

I do hope the littles have a great day and year. I hope and pray it can be as "normal" as possible given all that's going on.

***

Psalm 56:3-4
"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
    In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid."

 

My first college

Last weekend I stopped in at the first college I attended after high school. This is a picture through my windshield of what I guess is still the main building of the Black Hawk East Campus just south of Kewanee, Illinois. It is a much larger campus now with several additional buildings, including some on-site student housing that wasn't there in my day.

I only attended for one semester. I believe I had a track scholarship, but I never did run track. At the time, Jane was attending ICC in East Peoria and my intent was to transfer to nearby Eureka College to compete in track. Somehow I ended up just transferring to ICC, and that ended my college track career (before it ever started). I rented an apartment in Washington, IL for one semester, then Jane and I ended up just living together in her apartment in Washington the following year. I wonder how different my/our life would have been had I went to Eureka and ran track (Ronald Reagan's alma mater, btw)...

Anyway, I don't have a lot of memories of my time at BHE other than living in an apartment in downtown Kewanee. At the time it was above 'Tina's Shape Shop' and was not a very nice building. Drunks used to sleep on the crooked stairs leading up to my second floor room. I shared the apartment with my high school friend Brian G., and this is where I proposed marriage to the lovely Lady Jane. I lived there until someone broke in and stole Brian's stereo. I don't really remember how it happened that I/we didn't live there anymore. It's all kind of a blur now.

BHE was also the first place where I made friends with black people. Greg and Johnnie. Not that we were real good friends, but we smoked cigarettes together. I didn't realize it at the time, but the athletic director - who also taught my Intro to Psychology class - didn't think too highly of me because I smoked while on an athletic scholarship. Greg told me about this later. He was on the basketball team, as was my roommate.

So, that's about all I can remember about my brief time there. Coming back from my aunt's funeral last Saturday, I simply drove up between the buildings and turned around in the parking lot. I could barely recall having ever been there. Kind of sad, I suppose.

Grandparents day

This past Friday (9/6) was Grandparents/VIP Day at the school our grandchildren attend. They have it every year, and last year was the first year we visited all three grandkids - though the youngest was just in preschool. So this year we got to visit kindergarten, first and third grades.

The allotted time was actually 8:30 am - 11 am, but Jane and I both had to work, so we did an abbreviated 9-10:20 am. We spent about 20 minutes apiece in each child's class, and then they were all three out at recess at the end. Carrie was also there for some reason. Maybe she was a VIP(?).

I started out with Bennett and Jane with Caleb. B actually seemed happy to see me. After that we switched, and C was also glad to see me. Then we both ended up in Anna's room together. I was first to arrive and she just wanted to know where her momma was. She cheered up a bit when Jane got there.

So, that's pretty much how that went. I always feel awkward at these things, because they seem a little unorganized. None of the teachers talk to you, which seems weird to me. Of course, most of them look like they're about 14 years old. Anyway, I guess it is what it is. It's nice to get to see where they go to school.

Another school year

Yesterday was the first day of school for our grandkids. Better them than me. Here they are in front of the same door Anna had her picture taken for her first day of preschool. My how time flies!

It's hard to believe they will all three be in school all day this year. Kindergarten, first and third grades. At least they are all in the same school.

The weird thing is... while I can remember some things from earlier, third grade seems to be where my clearest memories began. That's when I started wearing eyeglasses, but I can also remember so much more about it.

Sometimes it makes me sad to think of kids growing up. There is so much they have to face today, and so much heartache they're going to have to experience. Yet, I guess that's how life works. While I wish I could protect them forever, and provide them with the safety and security of a drama-free life, I know I have to suck it up myself and simply hope and pray for the best.

So, that's what I will do. It's a new school year. I can only imagine the changes that will take place over the next nine months...

All in

All three grandkids are now in school. Crazy.

Anna and Bennett started last week. Anna is in 2nd grade and Bennett kindergarten. Caleb went this past Monday for his first day of Pre-K. So hard to believe how fast they are growing up!

What also seems strange is how excited they all were! The older two were bouncing off the walls last week. Caleb was soooo disappointed that he couldn't go when they did. Hopefully that joy will last awhile.

Grandparent's day 2017

I was once again fortunate to be able to attend "Grandparent's Day" where the grandchildren go to school. Last year I visited Anna in Kindergarten, but this year I got to visit both Anna's first grade class AND Bennett's preschool class!

I started out with Bennett. He has a nice-sized preschool class of nine students. He goes every day until 11:30. His teacher and teacher's aide were both really nice. We went through the normal morning routine of announcements and devotions over the intercom. Then they said the pledge of allegiance to the American flag as well as the Christian flag. After that there were introductions, pictures, and we interacted with our students doing various things about the room. Bennett was very outgoing, but in a mild-mannered way. He was much calmer than the other two boys in the class. :)


Jane started out with Anna in first grade and about halfway through we switched. When I got to Anna's room I had a small chair by her desk. I think her desk sits next to Joe. I remembered most of the kids in her class from last year. Anna was also very quiet, but she did raise her hand and answer a question in front of everyone. We had a time where they could do whatever activity they wanted. Anna chose to play a game on an ipad (apparently there are enough for all the students in her class - not sure how many that is). Then they had recess in the gym because it was raining outside. The second graders were also in the gym and it was a little hectic at first. When we got there Anna just sat by me along the edge. Another boy in her class did so as well. Pretty soon she ventured onto the gym floor and joined the fun though. She played with a hula hoop and then walked on the stilts (pictured). After that we went back to her room and they dimmed the lights and had a reading time. Anna grabbed a beanbag chair and we sat on the floor as she read. Then it was time to go.

Before I left I stopped by the gym and Bennett's class was in there playing "Duck, Duck, Goose." Jane had already left and Bennett seemed happy to see me. When they were done I left too.

All in all it was a nice morning. I'm glad they found this school because it is much nicer than if the kids had to attend a city school. They're fairly quiet and while I don't think they're necessarily sheltered, they aren't used to seeing what a lot of city kids see. It seems to be a great place, and their parents like it a lot. That's good enough for me.

So long school

They've torn down the buildings where I went to elementary and high school. It had originally been the Buda School District, and more recently part of the Bureau Valley School district. It will always be remembered as Western Community Unit District 306 to me though. That's what it was from 1961-1995, as well as when I lived/attended there. That's what it was when my dad was the principal there too. In fact, he was the high school principal 33 of the the 34 years Western existed (1961-1994). Not only was he the principal, but over the course of his tenure, he was also athletic director, golf coach, assistant football coach, assistant superintendent, bus driver, and probably various other positions as well. I can't really remember attending an event at the school where my dad was not present. So it's kind of sad to see the buildings torn down.

I'm not even sure what the buildings were being used for at the present. I think the plan now is to keep the single-story part (gym, cafeteria, and some offices/classrooms) and bring in some portable classrooms for 3rd-5th grades (or something like that). When I attended school here the Buda elementary was in the East wing, and Western High School was in the West wing, and part of the East. Kindergarten and Jr. High were in neighboring Sheffield (Buda and Sheffield made up Western).

I have a lot of memories from the old school - though probably not as many as my dad. His first job out of college was as the Ag teacher at Buda High School. When they consolidated with Sheffield to form Western, he was talked into becoming the school's first principal - at the ripe old age of 28! I just recently learned that he didn't really want to do it, but let himself be persuaded into it. It is not something I enjoyed as a child growing up in the same small town, but I do have to say that I always admired and respected my dad even if we didn't always get along. He really did (and does) care about kids, and people in general. He took a lot of crap from a lot of people on behalf of people who were never aware of him standing up for them.

It just dawned on me the other day that perhaps part of why I took being let go as a pastor so hard was because of the fact that my dad spent his entire career at the same place. I guess I had always dreamed I would remain the pastor of the same church my whole career too. When it was cut short after 14 years, I guess I felt like my dream had died, as well as I had failed to live up to the example my parents set. Not only could I not keep a job, but my parents have lived in the same town their entire lives since leaving college. Not that it's bad or wrong or anything to not, but it's somewhat disappointing personally.

So, the school buildings are torn down. My mom was texting me pictures all day Monday as it was happening. A bunch of them sat in lawn chairs across the street and watched the bricks tumble. I suppose that's 'progress,' or something. It's kind of sad to me. Not that I care all that much about the buildings or the current school district, but from a more nostalgic point of view. I imagine it was hard on my parents to watch. Here are some pics...
 

My dad at what used to be the door to his office.

The elementary side.

Another brick... in the ground.

Isaac's graduation from Candler

We just returned from an extended weekend in Atlanta, Georgia to help son Isaac (and Ricci) celebrate his graduation from Candler School to Theology. He received his Master of Divinity, and we are very proud parents. Here is a little blurb from the Candler web page article:

Candler conferred a total of 147 degrees this year, which included 89 Master of Divinity, nine Master of Theology, 14 Master of Theological Studies, five Master of Religion and Public Life, three Master of Religious Leadership, one Master of Divinity/Master of Public Health, one Master of Theological Studies/Master of Public Health, two Master of Theological Studies/Juris Doctor, 22 Doctor of Ministry, and one Doctor of Theology degrees. - See more at: http://candler.emory.edu/news/releases/2017/05/candler-celebrates-sends-forth-class-of-2017.html#sthash.MbFCHow6.dpuf

Isaac will now be pursuing his doctorate at Emory's Laney Graduate School. He will begin this coming fall.

It was a beautiful weekend in Atlanta for graduation - which took place on Monday, May 8th. The day started with the Emory graduation around 9 am. We then attended a luncheon at Candler, and the seminary held their ceremony in the afternoon. It was nice to meet some of Isaac's friends and teachers for the first time. They were both very nice ceremonies.

THE TRIP -
Jane and I drove down and back. We left Friday after work and went as far as Dayton, OH. That took about 2 hours and we thought that would give us a head start on the next day. What we didn't think about was that it was also graduation weekend in Dayton, so we had a little trouble finding a hotel room. We ended up getting the last room at a pretty nice place and spending way too much, but it was nice to only have an 8-hour drive Saturday from there to Atlanta. We came back yesterday, so it was basically Saturday evening through Tuesday morning in Atlanta.

We were glad daughter Carrie was able to be there too. She flew down Saturday and left Monday evening. That was a long time for her to be away from the kiddles but it was nice having the family together for a few days.

The three of us stayed in a dorm on the Emory campus. It wasn't exactly 'home' but it was super convenient for the graduation festivities. Isaac and Ricci's house just has one bedroom and it's a bit of a drive from the campus. Plus traffic was just a little insane all weekend. Actually, Atlanta traffic in general is pretty insane to us!

Logistically, we took route 33 from Fort Wayne to I-75 through Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee and that took us all the way there. It is 648 miles and takes right about 10 hours one way. Saturday it rained most of the way - especially through the hills of Kentucky and Tennessee. That was not a pleasant drive. Coming home Tuesday was much better with just one little bit of rain around Cincinnati. There was less road construction than I expected, and other than a couple of accidents holding up traffic on the way down it was a pretty good trip. I definitely prefer this route to going through Indy, Louisville, Nashville and Chattanooga. Dayton and Cincinnati are the only two cities you go through and they're both pretty easy to maneuver.

There is a ton more I would like to include, but basically just wanted to get something down to commemorate the occasion before time slid it away. Hopefully I can add more thoughts and memories later. It was a good weekend and we feel pretty blessed. Here are some more random pics:

All of us at the Emory graduation.

The happy family before the Candler ceremony.

Isaac receiving his diploma.

My first 'grandparents day'

Yesterday I had the pleasure and privilege of attending my first ever "Grandparents Day" (as a grandparent). Our sweet little Anna-bug is in kindergarten at St. Paul's. I was fortunate to get a couple hours off work so I could join her class, along with grandpa Andy and great-grandma Esther. Jane would have loved to have been there, but with a new job and all it just wasn't workable.

The day was somewhat complicated by the fact that there was a fog delay. So instead of being at the school from 8:30-10:45, it was just 10:30-11:30. It was further thrown into turmoil that Carrie locked herself and the kids out of the house with no car keys when she went to take Anna to school. Fortunately Drew just happened to be covering for my at my facility, so I was able to take his key and give to Carrie, and then I just took Anna to school. She was only about 5 minutes late.

So I got to take the granddaughter to school for the first time. She had to show me where and how to enter the building, and where her classroom was. Of course this was after she found me a parking spot right in front of the school. :)

I really like this school, and her teacher seems to be nothing less than spectacular (Ms. German). The grandparents (and other VIP's) sat at the tables with their child. At first we listened to the daily Scripture reading and prayer over the intercom. Then the teacher shared a little. As she said, Kindergarten is fun because the child starts as a preschooler and ends as a first-grader. So a lot of changes take place during this time of their lives. I've actually already noticed changes with Anna (positive).

Anna apparently shares a table with another girl who is even more shy than she is. We sat and watched as the teacher had the children do this exercise where they brought two items in a paper sack and they had to rhyme. The child gave clues until someone from the class guessed what was in the bag. I was so impressed with Anna because after the first few kids (while she was still be shy), she eventually joined and would raise her arm up high when she had a guess. I think she answered like 4 times (with the correct answer too). It was so nice to see her participating and talking and interacting with the other kids. Then they played a game where they rolled dice to help them draw a picture. She is an excellent draw-er and color-er. Then it was over.

I left a very proud grandfather. I suppose I will always be a little partial to the first grandchild, and only granddaughter (so far). She is such a sweetie.

When I left the school I then ventured down to Jane's place of work and saw her office for the first time. It's pretty cool. It's on the fifth floor of a downtown building. She has her own little cubicle with 2 windows that look over Ewing Street toward the St. Francis Performing Arts building. We went to lunch downtown and then both headed back to work.

So the day started off pretty well. Unfortunately I then had to go to work, and it was pretty much downhill from there.

Benny starts preschool

Benny's first day of preschool 9/7/16

The middle grandchild started preschool today. Oh my. I can't believe how Bennett has grown. Carrie said he was very excited to be starting "school" and went to his first day without a hitch. He is attending the same one Anna attended.

Currently he likes to be called Benny or Bennett, but no longer just B. He is a super-easygoing kid who laughs easy and likes to have fun. He can also be very serious about his cars and building towers. He's always been good about playing by himself, and he and Caleb play really well together. So I don't anticipate school being much of an issue for him. Caleb, on the other hand, did not handle things so well this morning - as you can see from the picture below. Poor kid. I'm sure he will adjust soon enough.

Bennett and Caleb 9/7/16

Just for kicks I looked back and wondered how Anna's first day of preschool picture compared. I'm surprised how much taller Bennett is, because Anna seems to be so tall now. They are both pretty darn cute in my opinion.

Anna's 1st day of preschool 9/3/14