Remembering Dad

Today is the day my Dad was born 80 years ago. I've had a flood of memories about him today.

He had a difficult life, especially those first years as a depression era baby and the circumstances under which he was born and then had to live.

This first picture is from 1949. Isn't he handsome? Dad was a medic in the Air Force.

The next picture is my favorite one of my Dad and Mom. It was taken in Great Falls, Montana, circa 1964-66.

The last one is from circa 1970-72 at the top of Wilkerson Pass, Colorado, around the 4th of July. The snow was unexpected, and I had on shorts, so Dad carted me on his back to the outhouse.

Rest in peace, Daddy! I love you!

Church Today

It was fun yesterday to reminisce and look at the wedding photos and see how much and how little our church has changed in the last 22 years.

Pastor's sermon was about Christ's power and might and how it is displayed in weakness and submission and re-unites us and restores us with God the Father. This was based on the Gospel lesson from Mark 1:1-8 where John talks about someone mightier than he who is coming to us.

Bible class was interesting in that we talked a bit about the pericope nature of our readings in the Divine Service before delving back into our discussions of the Gospel of Mark. We are in chapter 13 now! Woo hoo!

One tidbit Pastor shared was that he told us there were two books of the regularly accepted 66 books of the Bible that do not show up in any pericoptic readings. Do you know which ones they are? I'll post the answer later this week.

As we talked in class today about families being divided over the Gospel in New Testament times and as part of the things leading up to Christ's return, we also discussed how our church becomes our family. This is most certainly true.

Today I was marveling in the return of a friend and his wife who usually are on the western slope of Colorado this time of year. Unfortunately health concerns have had them staying here rather than there. The elevate the discussions in our Bible class in numerous ways and although I'm not happy about the health concerns, I am glad they are among us now!

Also, I got to offer hugs and support to a dear woman who is missing her husband so much right now. Being at church where they shared so much together is hard for her and with Christmas coming up, Bob's favorite holiday, she is finding it hard to overcome the flood of loving memories. Please remember sweet Darlene in your prayers. She is the dearest, kindest person and I ache for her broken heart.

V for Veritas, Tactic or Strategy

"I am afraid Senator Obama does not understand the difference between a tactic and a strategy." John McCain, September 26, 2008 at the Presidential Debate between the two senators.

My oldest daughter, Sarah, has had a political bent since she was 2 and 1/2 where she punished her Grammy for voting for Ross Perot by not walking with her anymore or holding her hand. This event occured on the way to Dan's Bake Sale. Google it if you don't remember it, or are curious.

Since then her political interests have grown and developed through the years.

At the age of 9, Sarah drug us down to the local Republican office and she offered to volunteer for Bill Owens in his campaign for governor. Because of her age, they required that a parent participate in volunteering with her. A reasonable request to be sure, but also requiring a time commitment on our part.

So, like good parents, we complied and began volunteering beside her. This was in July. In August of that year at the annual Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Parade that many political candidates walk in, our daughter was carrying a sign in support of Bill Owens close to his float. As we walked the parade route, folks called out to us that having her carry the sign was "child abuse." Little did they know that it was her passion that spurred us on to helping her do what she desired to do.

This was also the first time that we had been referred to as Sarah's parents.

Because we homeschool, we were able to tailor Sarah's learning to her passion for politics. She took three years of the US Constitution and can quote many sections of it. She not only learned the basics, but also about the Supreme Court cases that helped to shape the interpretation of the Constitution.

She also volunteered as an intern for four years in high school for a representative who, together with his wife, founded CHEC (Christian Home Educators of Colorado). In those four years she learned about the reality of politics from the inside and grew in her understanding and knowledge of how the inner workings of the political scene are accomplished, or not. She also volunteered on many more campaigns, locally, statewide and nationally. Some were winning campaigns, some were not.

Right now there is a referendum on the Colorado ballot that would allow 21-year olds to run for and hold office in the Colorado State House or Senate. The age requirement now is 25-years old. This referendum was co-sponsored by the representative that Sarah interned for with the specific intention of allowing people like Sarah to run for office.

Since graduating from high school in May 2007, Sarah has been the Executive Director of the HEARTH Fund, a Political Action Team that promotes choice in education, Christian family values in Colorado politics. In the last election, the HEARTH Fund supported 16 candidates and 10 of those were elected. It was founded in 2004 by Representative Kevin Lundberg. Since Sarah assumed the ED position, the HEARTH Fund has almost doubled in size and continues to grow. She began the 5X5 campaign, helped with state-wide caucus training and recently launched the SEND campaign on the Amy Oliver Show.

Tomorrow, Sarah has the opportunity to approach a local investor to ask him to help fund her vision for the future of the HEARTH Fund. We would appreciate your prayers for that meeting.

Well, Sarah has become convinced through the last several months that she needs to geer herself towards becoming more involved in politics. (Is that possible?) Therefore, she has begun a political blog and I invite you to view it and engage her in discussion if you feel up to debating on the internet.

So, how does this tie in to the quote at the top? Truth is always truth, and that's not a tactic, it's a strategy. Veritas mean truth. I could say something rather mean-spirited, but I'll exhibit restraint for now and refrain from doing so!

Let me know what you think of her blog in my comments.

BOC

An elder in our church who plans to go to seminary upon completion of his AF duties is teaching a class on the Book of Concord. It's so amazing!

My older two daughters and I take it, and my husband does when he can (when work commitments don't interfere).

Tonight we were talking about baptism and it was so exciting to dig through His Word and realize what He says about it throughout Scripture!

I am so grateful to our teacher who really pours himself into research and to grounding everything in Scripture. (Of course, the confessions themselves are incredibly grounded in Scripture already...)

Anyways, I'm feeling tremendously grateful! So thanks, Paul!

They Will Be Missed!

Early last week we learned that a long-time elder at our church had gone to sleep on Sunday evening and died during the night. "Doc" was quite a character at our church. His sense of humor was legendary, and he always had a smile for everyone. Doc was a wonderful man whose life reflected his trust in his Savior and knew Lutheran theology in and out and any other way you cared to look at it. His loving service to our church will be missed. He even had served as an usher and as a communion assistant last Sunday. Doc is enjoying the heavenly feast now. It's also comforting for us to think of him being reunited with his precious Evie, whom he's been missing since her death in November 2006.

We also said good-bye to charter members of our church today at a reception following the Divine Service. Edna and Dick have been such loving examples to all of us for their trustful faith in Christ as their Savior. The countless hours of service that they gave so lovingly in so many capacities continued right up until the last couple of years when health concerns prevented them from giving more.

Edna and I last served together on our parish's Board of Education the year that our parish had to close the day school. Those were difficult times and her wisdom and discernment in those matters was invaluable. Edna and I became very close then.

Their devotion to each other is equally impressive.

Dick and Edna were active, involved members who always yearned to learn more. They were at every Bible study they could make and contributed so much to those studies.

They will be missed. We are glad they will be near one of their daughters and their grandchildren. I pray that their transition goes well and that they settle in nicely and quickly.