Hoss Update

Some of you have asked how Hoss is doing. I am pleased to report that he is doing well. Not that he has not been doing well. He does have a rather enviable existence.

It is Spring and with Spring comes downpours - downpours of white hair. His shedding is not so noticeable in the winter. He continues to break things - just by virtue of his running into stuff. His snoring has gotten worse - age and weight gain??? Please let me know if you have information about a manufacturer that makes nose strips for dogs to help decrease snoring. Breath Right is the name, I think. His breath is not bad, but when he drinks he carries about a quart away in his mouth and deposits it in a long line of dribbles. Those puddles have caused several falls because they are on hardwood floors and create a glaze just like ice.

He eats grass, swallows burritos whole, barks at cats, and hates rabbits and baths. His appetite knows no end and he believes napping is mandatory. He loves to be outside, has no leash discipline, and loves to eat flies. Other than that, he really is a good dog. Believe it or not, he possesses a unique dignity though it is not always readily apparent. I think we shall keep him.

Graduation

We are rejoicing with Andrew that he has graduated with his Masters from the University of Illinois in Springfield. The program is called PAR - Public Affairs Reporting. PAR involves class room work and an internship. Andrew has been working at the state capital and has gotten a whole other education reporting on state politics, especially during the events of this past year.

Now he faces the rather perilous pursuit of a job. The current economic climate causes some concern as does the state of journalism as a whole. Newspapers are struggling thanks in large part to the internet. We are praying for Andrew and asking the Lord to give him wisdom as he continues to seek where he should live and what he should do. In the mean time, if it is not evident in the picture, we are proud parents and thankful for his diligence. The time has flown by. It seems like we were just preparing him for kindergarten.

Keeping Up Appearances

He soars over the rim and jams it home! Boom! Move over Shack. Get out of town LeBron. Aaron is going to school you. He is a good 2 feet over the rim - and still less than 6 foot tall. No more retirement worries for me, baby. NBA by the time he is 18. Yeah! It is Hummer time.

And yet and alas. Someone told me it does not count if the rim is only set at 7.5 feet. Even Keith Gaesser could dunk at that height. But, just looking at the picture from here, it sure looks like he is flying.

It is all about the appearance. People say that pastoring is not dangerous. I work with wonderful people, spend a lot of time in a church building, and am surrounded by great books. The most precarious part of my day is the walk/drive to and from the building. But, there are dangers not so obvious and I am not talking about germs. I am talking about seeming to soar over the rim when it is only set at 7.5 feet. I am talking about keeping up appearances and maintaining perceptions. Talking about praying but not praying. Talking about holiness wihtout being holy. Talking about God without bothering to getting to know Him.

And, the Lord shows such grace and patience. He brings people and circumstances into my life to bring me back to the reality. He is faithful!

In the mean time, Aaron will keep jamming it home at 7.5 feet. And, he is still growing. Maybe, just maybe!