I posted a blog on 1-18-09 in which I mentioned in passing “Hannah-Grace’s Whopper,” and have since had several people ask me what was the whopper. So, by popular demand, here we go.

Several weeks back H-G got off the bus and instantly began to weep and cry and came into the house an emotional mess. I was upstairs working on some things and after the crying continued for quite some time, I came down to see what was the matter.

As I entered the kitchen Kim was sending H-G up to her room. Kimberly told me that she had gotten into trouble at school and even had to go to the principal’s office for disobedience. Our kids know what will happen if they are disobedient to their teachers (or adults), so when I had all the details, I knew that she needed a pop. But as I was about to go up the stairs with a wooden spoon in my hand, Kimberly suggested that we call the teacher just to see what happened. So I called and left a message.

I then went upstairs to talk with H-G. She told me everything that Kimberly had told me – exactly. She went across and area in the classroom she was not supposed to go. She disobeyed several times. The teacher took to the office where the principal talked to her. As she was telling me the story in great detail, she was crying.

As I finished up our talk the phone rang and it was H-G’s teacher. I asked her what happened, and I began to explain what I was told. The teacher’s response was that H-G had an excellent day, that she was happy, and that her behavior was great. I didn’t know what to say, so I thanked the teacher for calling and letting me know what didn’t happen.

Why would H-G tell us a lie where she knew she would get into serious trouble? The bus ride from her school to our house in only a few minutes. Did she come up with this whole story in that amount of time? This is a first for us!

Today H-G and Caleb won awards for respect and responsibility and were recognized as a kid of character. Way to go kids!

Have you ever had one of those days? You know when the day swirls around you and at the end of the day you just want to collapse into the bed. For me it hasn't been just a day but it's been that way for over a month. Some of you may have even checked my blog a couple of times and have noticed that it's been awhile since I have updated it. There has been so much that has happened -- Here's just a summary:
- Special Exceptions Approval
- Our Open House
- Cub Scout riding the Santa Train
- Hannah-Grace's whopper
- Christmas Day
- Christmas Eve Service (Notice H-G's Capri Sun)

Not to mention the normal drama. Our next hurdle is this coming Sat. and the Cub Scout Pine Wood Derby. So starting on Tuesday, the boys and I will begin construction. I'll let you know how it goes.

For the past two weeks I have lived in a small Sleep Inn hotel room in Wake Forest, North Carolina. It was my original plan to try and finish my doctorate of ministry project. I have been working on it for over three years and the past two years I have made no progress at all. I tried taking a day off during the week – that didn’t work. I tried going to the “Shepherd’s Rest” at Skycroft (a pastor’s retreat that you get for free three days during the year) – that helped, but three days a year wasn’t much help either. After thought and prayer I decided to just go to NC and meet with a faculty on almost a daily basis. So after two weeks, the last night of my stay, I am ready to go home. I have completed the project except for last chapter, which is a review of the whole project.

I am thankful for Daybreak Community Church that has allowed me to be away for these two weeks. We have two faithful men in our church who have preached in my absence. Thanks guys!

The first Sunday I was here, I visited a church that Kimberly and I helped start in Holly Springs, NC. We helped get everything ready for the launch and first service, and then we went to MD. But it was really cool to see what God has been doing in the 8.5 years we have been in Frederick. In many ways they are like us – meeting in a Elem. School, trying to break the 200 barrier, etc…. The visit was a complete surprise for my friend and he even asked me out for lunch. It was great to catch up. But it was also really cool to think back over the past 8.5 years and see how God has changed me (and my family). It’s way too much to go into here, but I feel I have grown by leaps and bounds.

Back to this whole degree thing. In many ways this project has been a weight that I have carried way too long, and finally feel like I can drop it (almost, I have one last chapter). I still have to defend it before a board of professors, and give an oral defense in Feb. But if all goes well, I can graduate in May.