In the past I’ve had opportunity to write about my son Joel who in September, ’04, had a brain tumor removed at the U of M Hospital … and subsequently went through months of radiation and will be continuing chemo treatments through December of this year. Thanks, by the way, for all your prayers. Relatively speaking … he’s doing very well … caught up on all his homework for his Junior year of high school … and will be taking his ACT test Saturday, June 11. What an incredible year for him … Please continue to keep him in your prayers.
I’ve also written about my daughter Leah, my oldest (20 years old) seeking your prayers for her especially as she spent the 2nd semester of her Sophomore year at Calvin College in a study program in Spain. She came back safe and sound … and a lot poorer … on May 20. It was great to see her … and even more outstanding having her home for the summer. All too soon she will be headed to Grand Rapids for her Junior year, living off campus with 4 other girls in a house. Again I thank you for your prayers for Leah … and look forward to your continued prayers before the Lord in her behalf. Thank you again!
But as I attempt blogging on a regular basis again (… please pray about that for me also. I truly believe that blogging is a great way for me to communicate to the congregation that God is allowing me to shepherd. I know that blogging allows me to share my prayer requests as well as share with the members of OSL and a wider audience … what I’m thinking, reading, … what I’m geeked about or what is challenging me. It’s just that I’ve been busy enough with ministry and emergencies that a regular time to blog has either not been guarded … or it has just been preempted by necessary other tasks in ministry and family …) I would love to tell you a little about my other children and have you pray for them as well.
My son James is our third child, 15 years old, and finishing his freshman year at Holt High School. He has a huge heart, is most loving, and truly kind … accept a few times a week towards his younger sister Hannah. He adapted so well to High School coming out of Our Savior Lutheran School. I was a proud Papa going to the Honors Assembly and watch him receive a High Honors certificate for his 3.5. - 3.9 for his first year in High School. He also did very well as he played soccer for the Freshman High School Soccer Team.
But I believe where James truly shone … was in how willingly and gladly and almost imperceptibly … he picked up the “slack” in the family when Joel was incapacitated and Leah’s was overseas. He picked up a good number of their chores WITHOUT BEING ASKED … and when he was asked to do even more when Pat or I were down in Ann Arbor with Joel … he did so cheerfully. James also continues to be the one child that will most often pull off a prank … delighting with his brother in the use of last month's acquired “Fart Machine” (which he will unashamedly tell you can be purchased at www.fartmart.com). James is also the child that will most often remind us about family devotions … and attempts to do some regular devotion time on his own.
James has always proved to be a great entrepreneur. Whether with his brother years ago going around to construction sites and collecting pop cans for the refund money (they saved enough one summer to buy a set of golf clubs that they used together) … or putting together a flyer for “Brothers Working Together” … a brotherly effort at a summer job of watch pets, doing lawn work, or whatever … and distributing the flyer all over the neighborhood. He still works hard at coming up with innovative ways to make money … and squirrel it away.
Most importantly, he is just a loving child! He loves Jesus, his mother, siblings, friends, and is not hesitant to tell me that also. I truly love him!
Please keep James in your prayers as well. Pray that God grabs his heart and helps him determine how he wants to use his life for His glory. Pray that he remains in the Word and in prayer … not as a sometimes exercise … but as a necessary part of his life that he thirsts for. Pray that God uses him as a building block in our OSL Youth ministry … and in his High School.
Thank you for your support … and prayers.
Next time … a word about my youngest Hannah!
