Our New Van!

Hello, all, we bought a new van. What kind, you ask? The 2007 Hyundai Entourage, I answer! After nearly being duped by Universal Hyundai, my father-in-law called around and found a better deal than the first up in Sanford. Hurrying up there, after much time negotiating and putting our feet down in protest, we got a price that fit our desire.

Who says babies can't drive cars? Well, okay, they can't drive cars, but what about vans?!

Eli Eats and Swims

Eli has grown up so quickly! Cari and I got to feed him organic sweet peas the other night. At first he didn't seem to like it the way he ate the rice cereal. He finally swallowed the horrible-I mean, delicious dinner and hasn't seemed to mind it as badly since then.

Today, with the thermometer boiling at ninety, we felt it was time for our chubby monkey to go into the pool. Thankfully the Blairs have a swimming hole that's warmer than most others, and it appeared to be just right for Eli. He never really made any reactions that gave us an inside understanding on how he felt, but at least he didn't hate it. Towards the end of the fun, I noticed Eli was floating all by himself. I guess his belly will never let him down, literally.

Men of God

Before I write on the main subject, let me first thank God for my wife. Usually I'm thanking Him for her for the love and respect she gives me daily; the lunch she made me at 11 p.m.; the errands she runs for our family; or even the way she helps Eli in learning new things. Tonight, I'm thankful for the time she allows me to get closer to God through the men at our church. Even after being with Eli from early this morning till I got home around four, she kept taking care of our son while I was home and out the door going to a friend's house. I love my wife, but not just for these reasons. I love her because she's the exact person I'm supposed to be with, and because she is my much better half. She knows my thoughts as I'm conjuring them up, and when I fall apart and fall down, she uses the strength Christ allows her to pick me back up, dust me off, and comfort me. So, thank you, Carissa, for being so perfect as my wife and as Eli's mother.

All that to say, as Cari was changing a diaper, I left and went to Mike's place with Jeff. When we got there, Mike informed us that his radiator was slightly cracked; then I informed him that I didn't know what that meant, lol. I'm not much for the mechanics of vehicles. Mark showed up later and we all talked, discussed the things of God and politics, and watched an episode of "The Office." That show is terribly funny!

I think tonight I realized even fuller that our local church doesn't have to be perfect. We Christians should strive for perfection in Christ, but it takes time. Not every one is going to know theology to the level I wish they did. Not every man is going to lead their family the way the Bible promotes they should. We're not all scholars or teachers. We're not all good with children or groups of people. I wish I could say I was as patient as Jeff or as loving as Mike. I wish I had the fire to learn like Mark or the leadership like Jay. I, though, am not these men. I am a person who is not usually patient, but I strive to be. I don't like too much fun, but just enough. I could talk about God every second of every day and never burn out, but others around me might not want to. I have to realize that the body of Christ, our church, is full of different people with different gifts and different desires. I need humility like rain needs water: rain is water, so I should be the very essence of humility.

I thank our Lord for bringing these men and their families to my family's life. I am thankful that we've been placed in theirs, as well. I pray I'll never have to leave my friends, but the thing I look forward to is what I set my faith on: for eternity I'll know them, my brothers, and forever we'll praise God's name together.