change of title

Three Generations

Well, after my earlier blog today I realized the original title of this blog " i am her father" is not fitting.  The title may be a work in progress but as for now it is "a dad's view."  I do want to write just to hurting parents as well so maybe I will create another blog more narrow in focus.

getting up to speed

So, I am in downtown Orlando today sitting in an open office area on the 17th floor of the Plaza building.  This is the office space used by Bonded Entertainment, Renee's management company. (It's not Renee's company but the company that manages her booking etc.) They have graciously given me permission to work here when I find working from home getting to me.

I don't come everyday.  Parking in downtown Orlando costs $1 per hour and I can't justify spending $6-7 per day to use the office here.  On occasions I have driven from home to a nearby hospital and left my car to take the bus downtown.  It costs $4 per day to do this.  It takes much longer to get to the office but it has it's upside besides the cheaper cost.  It saves gas and tolls as well but also gives me forced time to read on my way to work!  I actually like "...leaving the driving to us"  bus ride.  For those of you not old enough to remember, that was a paraphrase of the Greyhound Bus slogan back in the 50's or 60"s on television commercials!  YES, they actually advertised on TV and the complete slogan was, "Take the bus and leave the driving to us!"

While living in Moscow, Russia we did not have a car but took public transportation everywhere.  I really enjoyed the slower pace of using it even while not necessarily convenient at times.  Driving brings it's own stress to me and the constant need of paying attention to my driving as well as the driving of others.  You have to plan in the day the extra time but again it actually relaxed me to ride and not be in control of the speed in which I may travel.  When I drive I feel the need to "get there" as quickly as possible.  I have power and control to some degree.  I learn from public transportation that surrender can be a good thing and it brings me benefits.

Well, can you see where this is leading me?  Issues of "power," "control," and "surrender" are exactly the issues God brings to my life in my relationship to Him.  They are also mirrored in any recovery work and our steps to sanity.  Surrender of my will (power and control) to God and His will brings the greatest experience of contentment and peace into my life!

enabling

What's it called when I care more about something in someone else's life than they do?  When I try to "help" them because I  don't want negative consequences coming their way. You know, the reminders, hints, FYIs, subtle or not so subtle placement of bills, due dates or even tax related documents in hopes they will want to be as responsible as I think I am.  

So is that the message I am sending?  Be responsible like "responsible me!"  Sounds like a movie title. oh wait, that was "Despicable Me!"    nough said.  

what to call this

I began this blog as a place to talk about hurting parents.  To have a place where a parent can come and get some encouragement while they walk a painful path. 

I haven't stayed with that as far as content goes but have gone in several directions.  So the title of my blog seems too narrow and inappropriate.

So now I wonder... should I change the name?  Should I start another blog to put a variety of thoughts down and keep this one for parents?  Those of you who blog, what do you suggest?

home going

My former co-worker, friend and man of God, Don Hawblitzel, died Sunday morning March 20.  I enjoyed being with Don.  

He had a heart for Christ and a passion to see people all over the world know Him.  

We laughed, ate cheap lunches off the dollar menu at McDonalds and talked about our work.

I will miss him as will so many others who knew this gracious servant of God!

anniversary

March 18, 1978... a beautiful day at Bok Singing Tower in Lake Wales FL.

A beautiful Tower in the background, a beautiful Lilly Garden, beautiful people gathering to observe this beautiful occasion, and of course a beautiful bride!  This beauty is still with me 33 years later!  LG!

some wonderful things...

We are so excited over the new pregnancy of our daughter in love Becky!  Add onto it the ongoing excitement of their young daughter Avery!  She continues to thrill us with her growth.  Each day she is doing more things that make us laugh and marvel at how God designs humans and their path to maturity!

payback

I was reading the book Crazy Love.  This chapter was talking about payback  When doing nice things for people are we doing them only to those who can repay us with similar kindness?  The kicker is we can and will be repaid! Do you want it now or later? 

Lord help me to always want and have it later! 

Luke 14:12-14

two other wonderful children

...as we were talking to a publicist she told us of an event where someone was able to approach the parent (mother) of a well known person. Immediately after the initial comment the parent said, "I have two other wonderful children."

...oh yes, I agree and I also have two other wonderful children!

renee the movie

...last night I was up until 2 am.  That in itself is unusual. But I was also with several hundred others, part of the night life in downtown Orlando.