Category Archives: Daniel

My Sons, the Comedians

For one reason or another, we like to laugh a lot in our family. Kathy and I have always keenly enjoyed each other’s sense of humor, and we’ve tried to incorporate a love for laughter into our children.

It may be that we have succeeded a little too well.

On Monday, I made some hard-boiled eggs in Kathy’s swanky Insta-Pot. We generally mark the eggs with a Sharpie so that people don’t try to scramble them for breakfast. Sometimes, if Kathy is feeling particularly cheerful, she’ll put little hearts on them, or even write messages like “I love Tim” on a few of the eggs. This can be a bit disconcerting for guests, so we try to pre-shell the eggs if we offer them in a salad to lunch visitors.

But Kathy was busy working on her computer, so she asked David to mark the eggs. It is possible that he resented the job — a fact I discovered the next day when I opened my lunch.

I'm not sure which is worse, that I ate the egg without hesitation, or that I was vaguely proud that my homeschooled child could spell 'poisoned' correctly.

I’m not sure which is worse, that I ate the egg without hesitation, or that I was vaguely proud that my home-schooled child could spell ‘poisoned’ correctly.

Recently, Daniel’s computer video card died. For several days, the computer would not display anything at all, until we figured out how to revert to the integrated video card on the motherboard. Since Daniel mostly uses his computer to play high-graphics video games, you can imagine how distressed he was.

Unbeknownst to Daniel, I recently ordered two new computers for my parents, but had them delivered to my house so I could install some additional hardware and software. Dan happened to be home when the computers were delivered, and he quickly made some alterations to the labels on the packages. Kathy sent me this sequence of pictures at work, to let me know my packages had been delivered, and were greatly appreciated:

Daniel spots the packages by the front door ...

Daniel spots the packages by the front door …

His heart leaps in hope ...

His heart leaps in hope …

Daniel can't believe his eyes, when he reads the address label ...

Daniel can’t believe his eyes, when he reads the address label …

A close-up of the professionally-printed address label ...

A close-up of the professionally-printed address label …

I’d like to think that God is honored by the fun that we have in our house … that the joy we take in each other brings joy to His heart as well. I guess we’ll find out in Heaven, if Jesus plays practical jokes — He’s had more than 2000 years to be working on some of them. If that doesn’t worry you at least a little, then you have no imagination …

Tim

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What Daniel Found

In July, Daniel received an acceptance letter to Calvary Bible, and in August he and Tim set off for California. Watching the transformation and change that has gone on in Daniel’s life since he left for school has been incredibly moving.

I have seen the Lord grab hold of Daniel and fill him with a new power and passion for the Word.

Prayer has become one of his strengths.

He has faced the real temptations in his life with transparency and honesty, seeking accountability from other godly men.

In September we got a text (and pics) from Daniel.

“Hi Mom. This is a new chapter in my life. I got baptized!!”

DanielBaptism1

DanielBaptism2

DanielBaptism3

DanielBaptism4

DanielBaptism5

My heart rejoices to see Daniel grow in wisdom and maturity. It is clear that he longs to follow God’s leading and call in his life. The school ended it’s year with a banquet of celebration. Although we couldn’t be there to enjoy the final moments, a dear friend who works at the college sent me a picture.

Bethany and Daniel all dressed up.

Bethany and Daniel all dressed up.

Daniel completed his first semester at Calvary successfully. So incredibly proud of him!!! He applied and was accepted to the program in Israel next year, leaving in February. God’s hand is on Daniel, and we are earnestly praying for him as he takes each step.

Project 365 – Day 338 (Dec 4)
Kathy

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For You, Daniel

Today we are here to feature a few of Daniel’s Favorite Things

Cause we’re thinking of you, and we miss you, Daniel!!

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Friends – Daniel’s good friend, James, came over to visit David today

Games – David and James played DC Comics Deck Building, pretty much Daniel’s favorite board game.

Food – and they all ate homemade mac n’ cheese. Definitely Daniel’s favorite side dish of all time. He once got a huge pan of it as a Christmas present (top gift of the year).

Sport – not just any Frisbee for Ultimate, but a Worldview Frisbee.

This blog post is for you, Danny Boy! We miss you. The only thing we forgot was a can of ReddiWhip and some Minecraft. LOL!

Hope you’re having a great time at school!

Project 365 – Day 253
Kathy

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A Sequoia Side Detour

Sarah and I got a call from Tim and Daniel this afternoon.

Tim: “We’re looking for the Sequoia National Park. We don’t have good coverage, so can you look it up online and tell us where to go?”

Me: “Wait, where are you? I thought you’re taking Daniel to school.”

Tim: “There’s time for that later. We’re driving away from the coast now. That’s why I’m calling you. Help us out.”

Me: “Um, okay, what do you want to know?”

Tim: “We want to see big trees. Something impressive, but we only have a few hours, so we’re not too picky.”

LOL! No problem. I’ll get right on it.

Google Search – Big Trees, Sequoia National Forest.

Daniel knows how to pose.

General Sherman tree is 275′ and weighs 4.1 million pounds. Yikes!

Tim - a tree hugger wannabe.

Tim – a tree hugger wannabe.

Looks like they found something worth seeing.

Impressive.

Impressive.

As Tim says, there's just no way that a picture can really do justice to these amazing sights.

As Tim says, there’s just no way that a picture can really do justice to these amazing sights.

Daniel – you are heading for greatness!

Living Large!

Living Large!

Tomorrow they’ll try to fit in something mundane like college.

Project 365 – Day 235
Kathy

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Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

Our middle son, Daniel, is heading off to college in just a few short days. We’ve been busy this summer, and we realized that we had never thrown him a graduation party, back in June when all the ‘trendy’ and ‘together’ people throw parties.

We are so thankful to all those who contributed to the party!

We are so thankful to all those who contributed to the party!

So Kathy kicked into full-bore party mode. She gathered decorations, made dozens of hand-crafted desserts and hornswoggled many of her friends into bringing chips and salads. In spite of my natural resistance to such things, even I was sucked in, spending hours selecting photos of Daniel to print and display.

Sage advice from Lloyd.

Sage advice from Lloyd.

We rented a small picnic shelter at a nearby park, and Kathy’s girlfriends rallied around her to help with the last-minute sandwich assembly and cooking. They made three large dishes of Macaroni and Cheese (Daniel’s favorite comfort food) and headed over to set up at the park.

These girls can stand the heat, so they stayed in the kitchen.

These girls can stand the heat, so they stayed in the kitchen.

The party was a triumph. Nearly 80 of our close friends attended, many of them writing blessings to Daniel and promising to pray for him this semester. Daniel graciously stood around and talked with his guests in spite of the lure of frisbee-throwing kids all around.

Even standing on my tip-toes, I'm STILL shorter than Daniel.

Even standing on my tip-toes, I’m STILL shorter than Daniel.

Unfortunately, several of Daniel’s close male friends were unable to attend the party, being out of town (or in some cases, out of the country). Still, Daniel was able to make do.

These girls brought a lot of life to the party.

These girls brought a lot of life to the party.

When I felt we had reached critical mass, I asked several of the guests to pray for Daniel. When it was my turn to pray, I found myself choked-up, deeply grateful for all those who love Daniel, have invested in him over the years, and who came to celebrate and wish him well. Truly we are blessed in this town, for our family to be so well-loved.

Round up the usual suspects ...

Round up the usual suspects …

On Saturday, Daniel and I will drive down to Calvary Chapel Bible College for his first semester. I am very eager and excited to see what possibilities God opens up for him.

Tyler and Tricia, signing Daniel's Dr. Seuss book.

Tyler and Tricia, signing Daniel’s Dr. Seuss book.

Project 365, Day 229
Tim

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