Burning Down the House

So I want to brag on my parents a bit and show the power of what can happen when wives submit to their husbands.  It has a great funny ending. Get ready.

So one day, my dad was watching some special on TV that homes should have their fire extinguishers visible and handy in case of fire.  First of all, I think all of kids were not even aware that we had one.  Being the responsible caring dad that my dad is, he asked my mom where ours was located.  She said in the closet by the kitchen.  Great, we have an extinguisher and its in a central location easily accessible.  Good enough?  Not for Big Ray.  He decided to put it in the kitchen on top of the shelf.  Super tacky.  Right when you walk in our front dour, your attention is immediately drawn to the big red  fire extinguisher.

Now, my mom is not a nagger by any means.  But this was so not attractive and even in my limited homemaking decorative skills, I would agree with her.  However, she decided it was not a fight worth picked at decided to let it go. (I think secretely hoping he would realize how tacky it was).  Well a week later, after a long record of 0 fires in our house... guess what happened?  This is my sister Heather and her friends. :)

And think... all because my mom kept her mouth shut and respected my dad! Way to go parents! P.S.  When someone's house is on fire, who thinks... lets film it!!! But hey, would not of had this good laugh if it wasn't for Kelly Baker.

Christmas... Journeys Beginnings and Ending

I was told today of a poem.  It is a epic poem that tells the story of Christmas.   As I say the word Christmas, I get excited to jam out to Christmas music, but it is much to early to talk of Christmas music (at least according to some of my roommates).   Today, I am actually going to talk about a part of this poem and how it applies to my life now.  In addition, it also applies to all of our lives and the beginning and ending of chapters, as well as our inability to go on to the next chapter. 

In this poem, the author describes the lives of the shepherds.  They are men who care for their sheep, an overall mindless task and gaze at the stars.  There is very little purpose or meaning beyond looking at the stars, but more out of a way to pass the time.  They acknowledge that the stars are there and that they are good, but very little thought is put into the meaning of the stars. 

The wise men on the other hand, devote their lives to studying the stars.  They try to predict the future through the stars and have developed their own philosophies based on the stars.

One day, the shepherds are called out of their mundane task of being “lil bo-peep”  and see a starry host of angels.  Really, can you imagine what that would be like?  As they follow the star to see the messiah, their journey begins. 

On that same day, the wise men know they have an important task of following this star.  They are not exactly sure of their steps, but they know there is great meaning to finding where this start leads.  When they follow this star and see the messiah, descover that they have found the a true meaning of life, and their journey ended.

Now, I am no poet, nor really a famous story teller like my good friend, Eric Miller.  However, I hope you were able to understand the story and have it impact you like it did me.  I find myself at the manger ending one journey and starting another.  I find that the past three and half years, I have served in the Dominican Republic with purpose.  I was clear of my call there and felt real direction in all that I have done there.  My vision was clear as I trained girls in volleyball, discipline and responsibility.  They were taught about Christ and how they can be leaders in their communities.  To “end” this chapter, it seemed that everything was mounting up to a final goal of our trip to the states.  English. Following the rules (so as to not get kicked off the team).  Practicing hard to beat the tough states teams.  Fundraising for the trip.  Using all my free time to organize and plan every single detail of the trip.  Everything seemed to be leading up to the trip. 

And then we came to the states.  Our team bonded together in an incredible way.  The girls grew in so many ways.  I have even seen fruit in this as many of them and am thankful that we had the opportunity to go on the trip.  However, I find that a new journey is beginning.  Now what God?  I find myself going back to the beginning and remembering why God has called me to the DR.  What are some new things that I need to focus on that I may have lost sight of in my intense efforts to plan for the trip. 

If you have made it this far in this long blog, I encourage you to examine where you are in your journey.  Have you just gotten complacent and now just look at the stars and say, “Oh, those are pretty”  ? Are are you like the wisemen and continue to examine things and search out the deeper meanings of things?  As a teacher, remember back to the beginning of your journey and remember that you entered teaching to to make an impact on kids lives, to inspire.  As a husband, remember why you love your wife and remember what it was like to win her heart.  As we reflect on our past journeys, we also have to continue start new journeys.  What kind of coach do I want to be a year from now?  How can I better love my husband better like I used to when I was his girlfriend? (I’m speaking for those married ladies, that is). My prayer is that we can all continue to remember our past and use them to actively begin new journeys that bring us closer to Jesus.  So yeah… Merry Christmas!!! Never to early to start celebrating right?