Simply Powerful Family Time

Call it Dune Therapy, but the Indiana Dunes State Park and National Lakeshore are where we go to relax and simplify. Even when it is not suntan weather, it is a great place to go to see the perfect balance of nature and commerce!

Why I'm not a Bad Dad because my kids don't play soccer, basketball, etc...

Why I'm not a Bad Dad because my kids don't play soccer, basketball, etc...

This weekend we're road-tripping it for 2 1/2 hours to Lake Michigan (who doesn't dream of the beach in November?)

The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is a superlative place any time of the year. As a family we will exercise our bodies by hiking the beach, forest, and trails. It is a setting to behold any day of the year. We will exercise our minds by observing the change of seasons and how God created nature to winterize itself.

We will also exercise family time as the five of us, and add a grandmother into the mix and we have extended family time.

We will also enjoy the commericialism of Bass Pro Shops and maybe even an antique mall and restaurant. These trips are huge for our family. We'd go camping if the weather were about 20 to 30 degrees warmer, and the campground was open. But day trips are adventures that motivate us to get up early on Saturday!

Problem is, soccer families are stuck at home. For example, my co-worker across the hall told me earlier this year that her family can't go on the camping and exploring trips we do because of soccer, band, and whatever else. My advice to quit those things didn't seem administratively feasable.

So, once again we choose as a family to march to our own drum instead of what middle class suburbia would have us do. And we're much better off for it.

And by the way, we do get our competitive sports in via martial arts. Big tournament tonight! One of the kids might advance to the next round.

The Homesteading Journey Begins Today

Darling Bride and I are now pursuing a dream. We are simplifying our lives.

Truly, we have already been simplifying, although involuntarily: business woes have taken away luxuries such as vacations, designer clothes, our comfy home in the suburbs, but it has been a blessing in disguise.

We have discovered what the book THE SIMPLE HOME by Sarah Nettleton calls "the luxury of enough: a simple home puts us in touch with the simple pleasures of life: the warmth of winter sunlight, the scent of flowers through an open window, a family meal at a communal table..."

Problem is, how do I get from Certified Public Accountant to GREEN ACRES?

I'm also reading MADE FROM SCRATCH by Jenna Woginrich because she tells about how she became more self sufficient, a little bit at a time. So real people don't have to go from McDonalds to Old Mac Donald (had a farm, E I E I O) all at once.

So now, the journey begins. And the blog resumes.

Quality and Quantity Time

It was April 18th, and we could hardly wait to get to Lake Michigan.

No, we weren't beach bums in the Spring, we were a family on an adventure together.

We needed some family time together, and we like to go places and do things as a family.

Did you know that the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore ranks 7th in plant diversity among all National Parks?

So here's the point: Thanks to God for allowing me to hang out with my wife and kids for a day exploring the dunes. And my own mom was with us too.

Easter, 2009 - Some Thoughts

Have you ever watched a favorite movie, or TV show, or read a favorite book, time and time again, and gotten completely immersed in the suspense and drama? Even though we know how the story will turn out, we still get caught up in the plot complication: will the good guy win over the bad guy? How will the hero escape this situation?

To me, Easter is like that. We know how the story ends - Jesus is risen! Yet, as we navigate through Thursday, and Friday, and Saturday, and wait for Sunday, we feel the passion, the agony, and the sadness that is the crucifixion. Part of it out of the story itself, part of it coming to grips with our own sinfulness, both personally and corporately, that moved Jesus to choose the cross for us. We wonder - will the good guy win over the bad guy? How will the hero escape this situation?

The good guy wins! The hero arose from the situation! Death is conquered, sin is forgiven! We celebrate - He is risen! He is risen indeed!

Maybe God created a sense of drama, suspense, and anticipation within us so that we would always re-live the sorrow of Good Friday and the joy of Easter.

I know I did this year. And will again.

And I wait until Jesus comes again, even though I've read ahead and know how the story will turn out.

Why a responsible guy would ditch a responsibility

Today I am "playing hooky" from work for a few hours. Yes, I am taking a night off of work as tax season winds down.

Why would I do that?

I miss doing fun stuff with my wife and kids. The balance between earning a living and actually living is a delicate balance, and I'm looking forward to the pendulum swinging soon. I want to have dinner with my family (not another drive through, please!) Don't know what we'll do after dinner, but that doesn't matter!

We choose to be a one wage earner family so that we can decide the training and education our family will have, instead of our government school. To do that, I work a full time job and prepare tax returns on the side during the season. This fall, I will be starting the road to earn my M B A. Have to work, have to make time to play. Also, I am very careful about not taking too much time away from family for other stuff, like hanging out with guys.

The countdown is on! Only 9 more shifts to go until the end of tax season (or Tax Season, depending upon your perspective). Excitement is brewing as our family transitions into Road Trip Season (always capitalized to show importance)!

A trip to Lake Michigan is in the works!

But what if the weather is bad?

No problem! We will do the following:

A lighthouse tour in Michigan City

A new Visitors Center at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

A shopping list at Pro Bass Shops

Most importantly, I miss doing fun stuff with my wife and kids terribly. I know I just said that, but it is worth repeating.

God's Protection Over Me

This week I've chosen to see God's hand of protection over me instead of being unhappy that He hasn't blessed me more.

Compare the photo of me uploaded with this post to the photo with my profile. Same person, same time of the year, different cameras with different lenses. One photo is a blessing, one is a curse. Just goes to show that how we see life depends upon the lens and perspective we have.

One way among many that God is protecting me that was always there, but I've been reminded of:

Word came this week that another marriage in my extended family is failing in a big way. The lens and perspective I have at the moment allows me to see God's protection over me, my own marriage, and my own family life.

God's grace, God's word and my application of it to my life, allowing His influence, and Scripture influenced decision making have made the difference. My own marriage and family are vibrant and growing because of the saving and keeping work of Jesus Christ. I have a relationships with my kids. I'm connected in my local church, including a small group that provided interdependence. Even as I struggle with synergizing the need to earn a living and the need to be home with my family, we are working together to keep it in line. And we're waiting for the end of tax season, then a big family celebration.

The "world" would predict that failure is my destiny. Jesus Christ says that being like Him is my destiny. When Jesus comes and transforms, He doesn't usually do it with flash and dance, shock and awe. Instead, it is a quiet, behind the scenes work built around who He is, what He as done, and what He is doing, and using truth to influence decision making.

Usually, I struggle because I don't feel as blessed as I ought to be. True, He throws financial trials my way to make sure He has my attention. That manifiests itself in my having to be intentional about counting my blessings. This week counting my blessings got a whole lot easier when I noticed that I've been protected from problems that others I care about have.

Now the call is to find out how to come alongside my struggling comrades...