Processing 2010 - Pt 1

Last night I was looking back over my blog entries from the past year.  This is my top 6 from the year:

#6 - A Confessional Prayer

#5 - I Cried Like A Baby

#4 - I Was Held Up At Gunpoint

#3 - I Lost My iPhone

#2 - The Funniest Flight Attendent Ever

#1 - Disney With My Princess

Why six?  Because.

In many ways #'s 3-6 give good pictures of what my entire 2010 has been like.  But that's for another post.

Dad

Yesterday was my dad's birthday. 

When I was really little, like 5 years old, I remember sitting shotgun with my dad down 177th Ave, our street in Lowell, Ind.  This was when there was always snow on the ground between November and February, not the wimpy midwest winters we get now.  

Lowell didn't have the plow army that Chicago has, so our street was covered deep.  We were only a little ways down from our house when the car started spinning.  At 5, it felt like we were doing dozens of 360's. I remember being terrified and excited at the same time.  It was awesome!  

I also remember dad kept his cool.  In my mind's 5yr old recollecting eye he had a big smile on his face and was laughing, though in actuality it was probably masking a tad bit of worry.  

He got the car back under control and we stopped - facing the way we were originally headed.  I started bouncing in my seat & screaming, "Again!  Again!"  He laughed & said, "I don't think so."  

He kept me safe and he kept things under control.  That's my dad.

In my life I've learned that I can't always keep things under control.  But that car ride is an example of how my dad has always taught me to keep a level head, do my best to do what I can in the midst of the situation, and to try and keep a smile on my face (even if it be a nervous one).  He's also taught me what it means to help people and to work hard at whatever I'm doing.

It's my dad's birthday.  Yesterday.  =)

I am very thankful to be able to call Roy Moss my dad and am very grateful for him.

Happy birthday dad!

Little Drummer Boy

Great rendition here by Jimmy Fallon & Jack Black:



This song has always been one of my favorite Christmas tunes. Its lyrics succinctly stating the human condition:

We are all poor.
We have no worthy gifts to bring.

And yet the baby came for us.

And that is the beauty of the gospel.

Santa Driscoll

Mark Driscoll, the founding pastor of Mars Hill in Seattle, wrote this blog entry for the Washington Post: "What we tell our kids about Santa"

Though I still lean toward allowing for Santa while the kids are as little as ours (1yr & 4yrs), his is probably the most fair & gracious take on the subject.  I recommend the read.

Your thoughts on Santa?

Fainting Goats

At Moody I teach a class called, "Teaching the Bible."  It's not as redundant as that sounded.
John, one of my students, was teaching his final lesson yesterday and showed this video:

Christmas isn't about giving

Christmas shopping isn't so bad. I listen to an audio book while I'm waiting in line. I do multiple laps around Sam's Club while I'm there so that I can have multiple takes at the samples, hence a free lunch. I sit at my laptop and click a few links for what's left. What's all the stress about?

Baylee

Four years ago today, around 10:30am, I was packing up my stuff after a grad school class when I received the text message from Jeannette: "Having contractions"

Four years ago today, at 10:49pm, God brought our Eden into the world.

Here is the story of everything in between those two times: Baylee comes home.

We had a great day full of a french toast breakfast, fun at the museum seeing the Christmas trees, and then pizza & cake with family.  More festivities tomorrow.  Getting her to bed, I had my head on the pillow next to her and asked, "did you have a good birthday Baylee?"

She got a big smile on her face and said, "YES! I had a good birthday!"

I love this girl.  

Four words can't summarize the feelings and emotions of joy from these last four years with her. 

I am incredibly thankful and privileged to be able to say that I am this little girl's daddy.  

Mom

Today is my mom's birthday.

When I was in high school my mom rarely missed a soccer or basketball game.  She was always there, usually with Greg's mom, cheering us on; cringing worriedly if I was being overly aggressive, on the field if I was hurt, clapping and yelling when I would score a goal.

She has always cheered me on.

As a husband, as a parent, as a teacher, as a pastor, as just plain old Bobby...I know she is always supporting me, is always available for help,  is always, still, cheering me on.

From my mom I've learned to work hard.
From my mom I've learned how to make to-do lists.

From my mom I've learned to love family.

From my mom I've learned to be resilient. 

From my mom I've learned to sacrifice.

From my mom I've learned to do my best.

Today is my mom's birthday.

I am thankful for her beyond what words can express, and I love her immensely.  I would not be who I am today if not for her love, support, & sacrifice.

Happy Birthday mom!  I love you!