Buckets of Thanks

Well, I have been up to my ears in reading and writing papers. I am on the home stretch of myr first semester of grad. school and find myself staring another Thanksgiving/Xmas Holiday right in the face. We have been in Virginia the past 8 Holiday seasons so this year will be a bit different for us. I love holidays. I love food. Now combine the 2 and you got something. I would start listening to Xmas music in August if Mindy would let me. Anyway, I wanted to write about some of the things I am very thankful for this season. So here goes...

I love Mindy. She is a rock star to me. There is no way I could have done or do anything without her love, support and constant encouragement. She is my best friend and my number one fan. I am thankful for her more than words can say.

I love my kids. They are different everyday. Cade is becoming a little boy more and more. Parker's smile lights up the room. We have been so blessed to have such sweet, smart, beautiful children. I am thankful for them.

I cherish my chance to learn more about helping marriages and families. I could never have imagined how challenging it is to be in graduate school again. I forgot about the reading, writing, reflecting, discussing, and sleeplessness. But I love every minute of it (ok, I don't always love the writing part!! I am thankful for this opportunity to grow and learn.

I am so thankful for many other things. My friends. My family. I am not sure I could ever thank them enough for all the support and love they have given me in my life. Without support from friends and family, its hard to accomplish much (in my opinion). I hope I can become better at being a friend and family member.

Overall, I am thankful for so much. What are you thankful for?

Interesting, church and state still seperate I guess

Mindy and I were talking on Saturday. She was telling me about something that happened on my favorite show, Oprah. She had a guest on there on Wednesday. It was a lady who writes for the Wall Street Journal (I believe). The discussion about the Presidential election and the challenges that face our new President. There was also a brief mention by the lady, about how the place to be this Weekend would be at churches all across the country. I was like, "why did she say that". Mindy explained that this lady thought most churches would at least mention something about how our country has come such a long way in electing an African-American president. I thought that was very interesting and didn't pay much attention to it. Then we went to church Sunday.

There was no mention of the election or the new President. I went to class and no mention of it. Now, I know it is not necessarily PC to bring up such things in a church setting. Well, except when we are praying for our current Republican President and such. I also realize most people in the town I live in did not vote for President-Elect Obama (nor did the state). However, the fact it was not mentioned is interesting. Why is it interesting you may ask? Or you may be wondering why it is such a big deal. Well here are few reasons.

One, 80% of our country is white. He received over 52 million votes. I am assuming some of the white voters voted for him. Two, he is African-American, he is part of our country's minority of folks. African-Americans (and other minorities including women, Hispanics, Asians, etc) have been looked down on and had rights taken away/withheld because of the fact they are not white or male for generations. Three, he is African-American and is now going to be President of the USA. Four, again 'the world' we as Christians so long to be UN-apart of has recognized how instrumental and historic and Grace-Filled this election has become to so many while WE in 'church' have simply gone on business as usual.

I am upset but also know we still have a long way to go as a 'church'. Probably some of you will take offense to what I say. I am sorry. But think about it. How many of us would have been talking about this in church if McCain had won?

Community Conversations

I love a good conversation. I even love having that conversation with someone or someones I don't see eye to eye with. As long as it is civil and rational and not so filled with heightened emotion. I have been able to have a few of those conversations in the past couple of weeks. With my classmates and with people via blog sites and on my Facebook account. I am so grateful to have all the conversations. I was having a great conversation with a classmate last night. We were talking about different aspects of Barack Obama's past and the presidency and such. It was great because it was 2 people with differing views honestly trying to learn from each other. We really ended where we started, shook hands and said, "See you tomorrow". I have had several great comments on my Facebook account from a little note I wrote. I love it.

I have not always been that way though. I used to get pretty riled up with those that didn't see things the way I do. I still get very bothered by that but I guess I have learned to control those emotions and start seeing people as just that, people. I am pretty sure there was a time when I would have jumped up in arms with some of the folks I have talked with over the past week or so about the Presidential race. I know there was a time in my life when I wondered how anyone could possibly be so wrong while I was so right. I hope those days are gone...they probably pop up from time to time (right Mindy??!!).

I am reminded of several instances in my life where I have had conversations with someone and thought that person was crazy. Looking back those are the ones I have learned from and grown from the most. It is easy to agree with people and get on a bandwagon of good ideas and similar thoughts and aspirations. It is very hard to be challenged and have to think for yourself. Heck, it isn't even real fun to have spend the energy to think for yourself sometimes. But that is how we are made. We are made to take in, process, and act on information and experiences. The taking in and processing can be done fairly easily but the acting on the information is where I have had trouble (though it does take me a while to process info too). I am working hard at being better and having community-minded conversations with people...especially those that believe differently than me.

"Hello, Change"...he said as he watched Barack's speech and took in the moment.

I have only voted in 6 presidential elections. The first was in 1992 and the latest was yesterday at 4 pm. Mindy and I took Cade and Parker, strolled up to the polling place, and cast our votes for Barack Obama. We live in Texas. We used to live in Virginia. We were party of the minority of voters that cast ballots for Obama in Texas but would have been one of the majority that, for the first time in 44 years, voted for a Democrat for president. There were so many things about this election that are different than the first one I voted in.

I guess you could say I have liked Barack from the start. I know that in the state and town I live in now, that is not the most popular thing to say. I know there were a lot of skeptical people (and still are) who say and said he was a communist, socialist, closet Islamic radical, non-Christian, etc. There was so much smear from the far right fundamental Republican side. There was so much fear spread from that area. Yet, through out the campaign the person that stayed steady and rock solid was our President-Elect. Even last night he was in command and was poised to take on a role that is not going to be easy nor 'fun'. He can not please so many people but that is one of the reasons I like him so much. He is not trying to please people, he is trying to lead a nation into a new time. This is the first President elected that is of a new generation. He is the first 'postmodern' President. He ran on a platform of change. His platform was so powerful and effective, his competitor tried using that word change in his speeches and stumps and without much success.

So now what? I noticed today that the sun came up. I also saw that the world is still spinning and the wind blows. My kids were still sleeping safely in their beds as I left the house. Mindy was just waking to drink coffee. I got to school and began reading for the day. The stock market is just cranking up. Trucks are traveling and trains, planes, and people are going about their day. Nothing has changed really, but everything has changed. I am in awe by the events of the past months and it hit me last night as I watched and listened to both speeches. Sen. McCain was gracious and humble and just like I thought he would be. I have tremendous respect for him and I believe I even like him more now. Barack was clear and direct and a breath of fresh air. He is the first African-American voted to our nation's highest office EVER in our history. I am awed by that. I am proud of his being elected. I know some of you have trouble with that and will continue to have trouble. Some of you will never like him and I want to give you permission to NOT like him. But don't be fooled. Times have and are continuing to change. Change is not just coming anymore, it is here.