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.  

Hallelujah Chorus and a Funeral

Today we had a funeral that ended with a benediction I had never heard before - the Hallelujah Chorus.  I told someone that we had to be careful lest the celebratory nature of the song be misunderstood. There was no delight in death or in the death of this particular person.  But, before she died, she made sure that those of us planning her funeral end it with this glorious song.  She was no a person to be easily denied. So we did - end with the Hallelujah Chorus.  Her family exited the building behind her casket as the Chorus was being played.  I don't want to deny the pain and suffering of death.  We should not be flippant about it.  But, there is something about reminding ourselves of the resurrection of Jesus and the victory He provides over the grave.  I can't think of a much better way to do that than the Hallelujah Chorus.

Country Church - Pine Ridge Baptist

The church is not a building.  The church is the body of Christ, a living organism over which He is Head.  But, there is something about church buildings.  Pine Ridge Baptist Church - the building - sits in the heart of Melder, Louisiana physically, spiritually, and at least in years gone by, socially.  It was there that I first heard that Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.  Wonderful people who loved the Lord would gather in this place along with some not so wonderful people.  We would sing "Standing on the Promises" and "Revive Us Again" and "How Great Thou Art" out of the Broadman Hymnal.  Kind folks would teach squirmy kids Sunday School out of quarterlies and then help us spray paint macaroni gold before we glued it on poster board.  We had amazing home cooked meals there and we had some very raucous monthly business meetings there that hurt our testimony and sometimes hurt one another. Following Sunday morning worship, men would gather in the Louisiana heat near the front door and several would have a smoke together.  I was introduced to Jesus there and baptized there as was my mother before me.  Her funeral and my father's funeral was held there.  It still stands, a quaint building but so much more.  My life was changed there.  I am grateful.

Memories

My brother recently made this picture available to me.  The memories flooded back when I saw it.  J. D. Ford owned the store.  He and his wife were part of our lives because the store was such an essential part of our existence.  My parents did not buy all of their groceries there, but they did buy a lot of milk and ice cream and cola and chicken feed.  The Ford's allowed us to have a running tab which my dad paid at the end of each month. Occasionally, I could charge a cream soda or a moon pie.  The front porch of the store was a great place to hang out and hear the local news.  There was a post office inside the store where we received our mail.  And, we bought most of our gas there.  It saddened me to see the store close and then be torn down.  The Fords are now with the Lord; they were wonderful Christian people.  Many of the general stores like this one no longer exist.  We buy our groceries and gas from people we don't know.  And, who sits on a front porch to drink a coke and visit?   I am very grateful for those memories.

February 2011 Blizzard

Where were you during the Blizzard of 2011?  It was an awesome display - full of sound and fury.  Beautiful, actually.  Though, I know it caused some significant difficulties.  We cannot control the weather.  It helps put us in our place.  Personally, it could not have come at a better time.

January Skies

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According to a weather almanac, January is the cloudiest month in Illinois.  (July the least, I believe)  So, the telescopes have been parked most of December and January.  I have gotten out for a few quick looks because some of the best targets are out in the winter.  An example would be the Orion Nebulae.  In the winter, the nights are long.  You are able to get started viewing earlier and stay out later - provided you can take the cold.  The cold weather also makes handling cold metal interesting.  I wear "glittens" - mittens which are also gloves and which the "top" is removal to allow you to grab things such as eyepieces.  The two biggest opponents to viewing are, however, the clouds and the wind.  I also find my desire to be a bit dampened in the winter.  Getting layers and layers of clothes on is a bit of a drag.  But, you don't have to worry about mosquitoes, skunks, bats, and other assorted wildlife.  The neighbors do seem to have more lights on in the winter, but that may be because I am usually out earlier in the evening than in the summer.  This Christmas someone surprised me with a  new astronomy gadget I can't wait to try and to write about.  Hopefully, as soon as the clouds are gone, the wind is not blowing, and the temperature above 10 degrees.  Maybe that is the way I tend to serve the Lord, only when the conditions are just right.