Wedding Weekend

This weekend was a wedding celebration for  my son Drew and his beautiful wife Jamey.  It would be incorrect to say that they were married this weekend.  That had actually occurred earlier this summer in Carle hospital.  Jamey's father was in ICU and they wanted him present for their wedding.  15 or so of us gathered there and had one of the most moving ceremonies in which I have ever had the privilege of participating.  Sadly, he passed away the day after.

On September 24th, we gathered to celebrate their marriage.  And celebrate we did.  They planned a moving ceremony full of love and emotion.  Personal vows were written and read.  Music was played that reflected their love and commitment.  After the ceremony, we moved into a pavilion for roasted hog, potatoes, green beans, and some of the best cupcakes I have ever eaten.  There was live music, dancing, and wine.  People laughed, some cried, a lot visited and, as far as I know, a good time was had by all.  

I am very grateful for a blessed day and even more grateful for having a blessed family.  To God be the Glory.

Surprise Surprise!!!!!

Some surprises are not very nice.  I was diagnosed with cancer this summer - surprise - not nice.  Some surprises are awesome.  My wonderful daughter calls her mother and me and informs us that she is married.  She had done what she had said she would do - eloped.  I guess it should not have been a complete surprise. She and Tyler, a handsome young man she had dated since high school, had decided to be a bit less traditional and do a "ten dollar - ten minute" wedding.  It was not a spontaneous decision on their part.  They had thought long and hard about it.

So I now have a son-in-law.  He loves my daughter and is very good to her.  I am grateful to have him as an addition to our family.  They are doing well.  Now, if they will only surprise me with some grandchildren!!!!!!!!!

Things In The Air

I am back.  I left the blog world and moved over to the Caring Bridge world because of recent health issues.  And, it has been a whirl-wind summer.  I am still having trouble wrapping my head around the fact that my two older children are married - both in unusual circumstances  and I was diagnosed with prostate cancer.  All of that I will write about in this blog.  But, I also want to write about stuff I have seen in the air this summer.  I am always looking up.  It is amazing what you can see if you do.

The above plane is an Air Tractor AT502.  Better known to us as a "crop duster".  It is registered in Colorado, actually.  But it was spraying a field near my house this summer.  It is a beautiful plane - especially the bright yellow against a clear blue sky.

Watching a crop duster is like watching a private air show.  The pilot dips and turns and twists with amazing dexterity.  And, it is pretty exciting to see a plane that low that close. 

Looking up helps me keep perspective.  It can also be pretty entertaining.

On the Other Side

I have been to a lot of weddings in my life.  The vast majority of them found me up front.  Before me would be the nervous and excited, anxious and animated bride and groom.  I had the best "seat in the house" for watching the two of them look at each other with wonder, love, and gratitude as they speak their vows.  It never ceases to amaze me as I hear them pledge their lives to one another - and to pray that they will seek God's grace as they come to understand just what it is they are doing.  I think of the Scripture: There are three things that are too amazing for me, four that I do not understand: the way of an eagle in the sky,  the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a young woman.  

For the first time, I am going to be on the other side.  My oldest son Drew has discovered his soul-mate in Jamey.  And, in early fall, they are to be married.  I am discovering what it means to watch your child that only yesterday you were teaching to ride a bike or drive a car or throw a baseball become a man, find his way, pledge his love, and start his family.  His mother and I are proud of him and have come to know and love Jamey.  She is smart and pretty and she loves my son and she is kind to us.  So, I will sit on the other side of this one, proud and emotional, laughing and crying, praying and hoping.  

Cruising

Where are these folks going?  You ever look up and wonder?  I shot this jet at cruising altitude through my 102mm refractor using a Nikon D40 hooked directly to the telescope.  Watching jets fly over is interesting.  It is amazing how many people are overhead on any given day.  Imagine the stories of all the folks on this one plane.  Some may be headed out on a long overdue vacation while others are going to buried a loved one.  Maybe we should pray for the people who are jetting over us.  And, never lose the fascination of the invention.  All of that weight - thousands of pounds - five or six miles above the surface of the earth going over 500 mph.  Pretty impressive.

Whacked!

It has been an interesting week!  I told someone that this is what happens when you tell folks to "Repent"!  The truth is, this is what happens when a 53 year old father challenges his almost 15 year old son to a game of basketball.  Son says "I'm gonna drive the lane".  Dad says "No your not!"  Son does, dad doesn't.  Aaron felt bad about it, but I assured him it was not his fault.  His elbow looks much better than my eye.  The eye will heal, but I am not so sure I will challenge him again.  Maybe we will just play "Horse".  

Wild Game Dinner

This photo does not do justice to the setting of the first annual GCBC Wild Game Dinner.  Gloria and Bob Dickey decorated and the place looked awesome. Almost 50 guys showed up to dine on everything from deer roast to duck jambalaya. Some very kind ladies supplied us with sweets.  Larry David, retired Upland Game Biologist with the state of Illinois, was our keynote speaker.  He did a wonderful job on the topic of "A Hunter's Faith". We gave away 21 gifts. The overwhelming response has been positive.  We are already making plans for next year.