Beyond Bringing Up Boys

2260 miles but we are home! I'll unpack and update as soon as I can.

One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is going to programs that feature children —often so humorous and uninhibited. Today was a Thanksgiving program given by the first graders. As they sang “I am a Promise,” while each of their precious little faces flashed up on the big screen, I couldn’t help but think of this poem: I took a piece of plastic clay And idly fashioned it one day. And as my fingers pressed it, still It moved and yielded to my will. I came again when days were past: The bit of clay was hard at last. The form I gave it still it bore, And I could fashion it no more! I took a piece of living clay, And gently pressed it day by day, And moulded with my power and art A young child’s soft and yielding heart. I came again when years had gone: It was a man I looked upon. He still that early impress bore And I could fashion it no more. Author Unknown

In Luke 24, two disciples were traveling to a village called Emmaus…and they talked together of the things that had happened. While they were talking, Jesus joined them but they did not recognize Him. Jesus asked why they were talking with such intensity and sadness. Incredulously, one disciple asked how could He possibly not know what had happened (thinking that He must be a stranger). Ironically, they told Him the story of the crucifixion and resurrection. Several weeks ago part of this passage perplexed me. Verse 21 says, "But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel…" Hoping. Another version says, "We trust ed ." I don’t think that I had ever noticed the past tense usage before. But I could relate. "I hoped that God would…" "I believed that God…." In 2001, I found out that I was expecting again. Samuel had just turned one and I was overwhelmed but eventually happy. A "normal" ultrasound turned abnormal very quick...

We’ll be leaving Saturday to visit David’s family for Thanksgiving break next week. We plan to stop overnight in Louisville and visit our friends and church there. This is good timing, let me tell you. Seth is grabbing every woman with gray hair, hugging, kissing and saying, “I lika go to your house and see your grandpa!” This has happened on at least 4 occasions to complete strangers and so far every “grandma” has been nice.

“It was exhausting.” That was Samuel’s comment after he dutifully escorted the female, first grade homecoming representative onto the football field to be announced tonight before the Homecoming Game. If he only knew!

Samuel's middle name means perseverance. He was born with a natural tenacity but we have encouraged perseverance by reminding him the meaning of his name when he wants to quit. I've heard him say to himself when he is struggling to conquer something, "Samuel 'I can't quit' Balty." His tenacity has frustrated me at times but I desire perseverance to be a character trait that all my children possess. One of our favorite Praise and Worship groups is Selah. The African songs on their project are the only songs my kids can sing in Congolese. It was a great privilege to worship with them last evening in God's outdoor cathedral with blue skies, painted by God Himself. One of our favorite parts of the concert was when a couple of men from the Congo came forward and sang, impromptu, Selah's African songs with them. What a delight to see them sing...and (gasp) move, dare I say dance to "their" music! Many of Selah's songs speak to me personally...

Dear friends from Kentucky, I regret to inform you that in just 4 short months we have a Card that has decided to become a (Georgia)Bulldog. (Today is "team" day at school)