Isn't IT Though?

We spotted this Jeep up North. I just loved the plate.

There is another sticker at the top of the windshield and a special badge on each side fender. There was mild discussion amongst the group as to whether or not this might possibly be the owner of the T-shirt company, Life is Good.

I mean, it could be, right?

The Cleveland Shower

In Loving Memory

Jeanne Piech

SOUTH BEND - Jeanne (Wolfe) Piech was born September 4, 1925, in Chicago, Illinois. She passed away in Howell, Michigan, on February 23, 2010. She was a longtime resident of South Bend, Indiana, where she was an employee of the St. Joseph Bank and Trust Company for 25 years. In 1970 she moved to San Francisco, California, where she was employed by a major bank for 22 years, retiring as Human Resources Officer in 1992. After 34 years in San Francisco, she moved to Howell, Michigan, to be near her family. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Michelle and Walt Hickok of Highland, Michigan; granddaughter, Jessica Keleman, and great-granddaughter, Lily Keleman of Highland, Michigan; grandson and wife, Loren and Sheri Hickok, and great-granddaughter, Ellena of Commerce Township, Michigan; and grandson, Brett Hickok of Queen Creek, Arizona. Memorial services will be held in St. Patrick's Church on Saturday, March 6th, at 10 a.m. Her ashes will be scattered near the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

~~~~~

We will always miss you, Nana...

To everything there is a time for every purpose under heaven

Ecclesiastes 3:1

Haiti Update - A Local Twist

While we have been praying for the people of Haiti, our church sent a small support team to ground zero. They left last week and we have been receiving email updates from the texts and short bursts the team has been able to relay back. They ranged in subject matter from "we're at the airport" to "we are here and slept on the dirt last night".

Below is the latest and most comprehensive update so far. It touched my heart and I thought I would share it here. Even with this description of the "new normal" in Haiti, still I can only imagine how their lives are truly upside down.

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Dear Orchard grove family,

In searching for the best way to meet needs, it seemed like going straight into the swelling tent cities would be the best place to start. Almost every open space is filling up with temporary housing made of bedsheets and blankets tied to posts of tree branches. The really fortunate have a tarp, the less have cardboard. Already these tent cities have some walkways that serve as streets and most people have a common "wall" (a sheet) with their neighbor.

Every home we went in received us graciously. We offered to pray in every home and everyone eagerly accepted. Our supplies were so limited that we had to "sneak" them in to the people we found to be most dire (not an easy job). Sadly the need far exceeds the supply. But we gave what we had until it was gone. The people were both gracious and patient but also desperate and pleading. We made a world of difference for a few, but felt like a drop in a bucket to the ocean of suffering.

Only the kids didn't notice. They still laugh. Still play. Still trust. Oh to have the faith of a child.
So much to share when we return but let me add a slice of an update from Scott Cornell...

After taking care of business the team split into 2 groups. PC, Evan and Shawn went back to the compound, picked up supplies, exchanged money, bought more supplies and met us at a tent city. Terry, Jordan and I visited a orphanage to find what foods they needed.

This orphanage is supported by a church in Garden City. There was an article in the Free Press last week on the church and their efforts. After visiting them, we went to the "City of the Sun", which is considered a slum in Haiti. We walked thru a church/school, which was damaged by the quake.

No one will go into it now, the kitchen was a separate building and was heavily destroyed. The classrooms consist of bench/tables with a chalkboard. There was still writing on the board, one was covered with physics equations. Terry prayed for the people there and we went to meet the other team at the tent city.

As we pulled up next to the city and jumped out we were passed by many Army vehicles, most of the soldiers were quick to return a friendly wave to a fellow American (we obviously stand out).

Like the other days, the first thing you see is garbage strewn all over, millions of flies, dirty brown water and then there's the odor. The small is over powering, but you just have to press on! Once spotted, the children in the city are the 1st to run and greet us, with smiles. They love attention and to play simple games. Its not long before your surrounded by kids, pulling you in every direction.

The team gathered together and found the friend of "Whitey" (our guide).
Her home in tent city consisted of blankets and sheets for privacy/protection from the sun. We came in with a large tarp and gave her a new roof and one wall. We used branches as tent poles and broken cinder blocks to secure it. She was very pleased with her new rook, we returned with rice, towels, baby wipes as well. We brought supplies hidden in a backpack so it wasn't obvious what we were doing.

Later on we helped another person with a tarp who basically had clear plastic bags up on branches. He also was so grateful for the gift.
Its deeply touching to give out these supplies, yet equally saddening when we didn't have enough for everyone.

Its amazing to see the people in the city carrying on with their lives, making do with whatever they have. Their strength is encouraging to me.

After we gave out our supplies we returned to the orphanage with 200 pounds of rice and 4 gallons of cooking oil. We stayed and interacted with the kids, playing basketball and games.
Looking forward to seeing you soon. Thank you for praying for us and for the beautiful people of Haiti.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you feel the pull, you can donate your God-given resources to the people of Haiti in a multitude of ways. Here are just a couple:

• The Red Cross


• Hope for Haiti

The Last Day

So, although I haven't posted it here yet, many of you are already aware of our most recent blessing; I found a job! Or, more accurately, a job found me!

There are so many things I(we) am(are) grateful for in our lives, and employment is definitely one of them. Other items on the list include spending the entire summer (5+ months!) with E and really forming what I pray will be a lifelong bond with our daughter. I have memories beyond memories of this summer and plan to dedicate a future post here to all the things her and I took on as part of our normal daily and/or weekly routines.

Today is our last weekday together. With Monday as my first day (yes, I would LOVE to start on the short Thanksgiving week, sure no problem!), I will miss being with her terribly during the days. On the flip side though, there is a large part of me that knows heading back into the mix is, without a doubt, the right thing to do.

A big thank you to all of our friends who helped us out during this scaling back time. It is definitely times like this when you know who is really on your side. I received many messages this summer ranging from general encouragement to specific potential job leads. It is one of these private leads - a sort of a friend of a friend told me this once kind of deal - that ultimately led to the opportunity that played out to be my next gig. Thank you. You know who you are.

We are really looking forward to finding a new schedule and settling into our new groove. All this patient waiting has led to this moment, the start of a new chapter. We are truly blessed and could not be more thankful. As a friend of mine always says, "Praises Up, Blessings Down". Amen to that.

Hope For Today, And Always

Today's hope is for our great country and anyone affected, directly or indirectly, by the attacks that occurred eight years ago today. Naturally, everyone remembers where they were "when", but how many of us also remember that many lives are still disrupted to this day? Please take a moment and lift these people up in prayer today.

We will never forget you...ever.

The Good Kind of Waiting

E and I have really been enjoying our time together lately and I truly feel blessed to be doing the Lord's work. A friend and mother of one (soon two!) stretched our thinking last year at a small group encounter by describing that when the housework and baby work became a bit overwhelming, she would try to remember that everything she was doing was both for her and the baby (and her husband) but it was also for the Lord. Clearly this made an impact on me because not only do I remember the conversation, but I feel this way today, not to mention I am sharing and passing it on here with you. I mean, when you stop and think about it, it makes real sense, doesn't it?

We are in a period of "waiting" right now. Anyone who has been "waiting" before knows what I mean and can relate to the process. The most peculiar part of waiting this time is the sense of peace. Although this is not solely about me, I happen to find myself very restful with where I am today. This just goes to backup the ideology that we are all exactly where we are supposed to be. At times like these, there is something very comforting about a growing faith. We really do live with hope, and it has opened our perspectives.

You Reign

Lord,

As we look around our environment today, it is easy to observe many frightening things all around us. From natural disasters like hurricanes and devastating flooding to the uncertainty of Wall Street, our national & now global economies and the housing market, it is easy to feel mortal & helpless very quickly. It is easy to feel overwhelmed, powerless and scared. It is more important than ever that we continue to build our faith in these uncertain times.

We ask only one thing from You, Lord. And that one thing is not that You snap Your fingers and "fix" these desperate situations. That one thing is not that You would protect or insulate us and our families and friends from the hurt that others are experiencing. That one thing is not even that You would help us feel safe and secure.

The one thing we ask of You is that you would continue to allow us to learn to place our trust in You at all times. As a human being, it is very easy, and sometimes natural, to feel as though we have complete control of a situation. Help us to realize the reality of these assumptions, Lord. The reality that we do not have control of anything. We need to learn to trust that You are in control. Help us to place our trust IN You.

Also, help us to realize that it is not all about us.

We know that You use painful situations to change people - to change perspectives - to change priorities - to change thought patterns. We know you use scenarios to provide opportunities for us to think about others. We ask that You would open up our hearts and minds and switch the gears in our minds from a "Hope that doesn't happen to me" gear to a "How can I help someone out" gear. We need You more than ever, God. Please soften our hearts, clear our minds and allow us to hear Your voice and see Your guiding light in these troubled times.

Amen.

A Leafy Family Promise

Yahoo - Fall is here! The sun is shining and the high is supposed to be 53 today! What a great time of year this is, especially if you can take the time and go on a leaf sightseeing tour! Every year I say that I will plan a trip for us and every year I find myself remembering that promise when the leaves begin to change. Oops.

Well, this is it! I am putting my foot down (not too hard - the baby is asleep!). I am planning a tour for us next year! Mark the calendar and save this post, because next year I am taking the family out on a weekend getaway. Now, mind you, with a baby on board it may not be the original all-weekend-long-drive-the-perimeter-of-our-state kind of trip, but even an afternoon out would be nice, right!

I feel great today, which is very ironic because I am fighting a cold and stayed home from work today. I'm running the gamut, fever, headache, stuffy head, hotheadedness, congestion, but feeling great! On the inside that is.

Here's what drives me to feel positicve and heal: I just feel like we have so much to be thankful for. My thank you prayers to God could fill an entire day! (They usually fill an entire commute to work in the morning!) I look at my wife and daughter and just feel a sense of calm and mixed wonder. I truly am the luckiest husband around. These are some of the the things that give me hope today. Hope that tomorrow will bring us a renewed faith and hope that we will enjoy today, while its here!

Daddy Doody: Part II

Welcome back loyal friends & readers (& new readers, too), and no I have not forgotten about updating this site. Let's just say sometimes it is a challenge to find a usable plot of time for an update I am proud to post here. (I do not like feeling as though I'm rushing one out the door)

When we first started this site, amongst other things, the goal was to capture each and every new move, sound and facial expression that Ellena made. That proved to be easily addressed in the beginning. However, at this point, we're just trying to keep fresh food in the house and gas in the cars!

A lot has been happening in the last few weeks - more so than at any other point in Ellena's life, so far.

Some of the highlights include:

- Daycare: She started last week Tuesday and so far, from what we can tell, really likes it! We continue to struggle with who does the dropping off and/or picking up, but personally I have found both to be be enjoyable. When I drop her off we get to spend a little bit of time together as I wake and change her as well as supply bottle number 1. Then we're off. She has adjusted to the new faces at her daycare and really doesn't seem to mind being outnumbered by the boys at all (takes after he mom in this regard!)

- She grabs, kicks, tries to stand and talks, a lot: Night before last I was bathing Ellena and I note this as the first night she really played in her bath. Now, she typically enjoys it and I can tell by how she smiles and looks at us and the truth is she's probably just happy to be out of her diaper! But this was a really playful bath! She kicked up and down and splashed water about and pushed herself back into the water and I almost think I caught a giggle in there, too! Here is exhibit A: a photo showing her grabbing action.

We have witnessed her look at her hands and feet and, at times, we've even touched her hands to her feet and she's felt them up! It's a real joy to see her learning, especially about herself.

- Faith: Yes, even Ellena's faith is growing! She being dedicated at our church this Sunday and we're very excited for her, as is our church family. She will wear a beautiful outfit her Great Grandmother made by hand. More to come on the dedication after it happens.

Finally, a word on my duties as a father. Many people have commented to me, either in person or email, about my post labeled Daddy Doody. Mostly, the inquiries were in regard to the follow up to see if I survived. Some actually encouraged me to not be frightened. This was a good lesson in blogging actually as I didn't feel as though that was the message, but I can see how it might have read that way. The reality is that, similar to all other Ellena posts, I wrote about my time with her mainly to serve as a documentation practice. Simply stated, we don't ever want to forget our time with her and I especially didn't want to forget how I felt about staying home with her alone.

It actually turned out to be a very positive thing for both of us. I realized that it wasn't difficult at all to watch over her and it actually confirmed an earlier belief I had that I might want to stay home with the kid(s). I liked it and it was a blessing to be able to do so.

Spotted: Jesus-Loving Family Van Proves Even Followers Need Groceries

A wonderful surprise was this van, personalized and spotted at the grocery store. It gave me chills.

Click to enlarge.

I honked, BTW.