Over My Dead Body The young man who has been courting my middle child, Laura for the last year calls me at 10:00pm and asks if he can come talk to me. I had just walked in the door from a high school ball game and had the flu and was ready for bed but knew by his tone that I didn't need to reschedule this request. Hints of an upcoming wedding had been dropped around the house for the last couple of months and Cheryl and I couldn't be happier with Laura's choice. She had shared with me last summer that she "loved" him. She was happiest when she was with him. He treated her with respect and kindness. They prayed together every day. It was inevitable. But, was I ready for him to ask me for her hand? He had told me a few weeks earlier that he wanted to formally ask me for permission. I acted tough and all but I have to admit...I really like the guy. We play a lot of foosball when he comes over, we listen to Casting Crowns and FFH, we watch sports, he's a keeper. Well, he shows up within 5 minutes and nervously begins floundering around the topic. I kinda felt sorry for him. I intentionally bring up superficial stuff just to make him panic! Finally he gets to the meat of why he came and asks me if its OK that he marries my Laura. "Laura Riley?," I'm thinking. My best try at being a rough, tough, hardnosed dad just caves in. I said "yes" like it was a blur. I had dreamed about making him sweat, beg, rake leaves, and wash my car, but I really like the guy and I know Laura thinks he placed the planets in their orbit. My rehersed "Over my dead body" gave way to cooler heads. We ended up talking for nearly an hour about the future, what to expect, his weaknesses and Laura's strengths! No, I welcome him in and look forward to walking my princess down the aisle in 5 or 6 years!(I told him he could marry her...I didn't tell him WHEN!)
NOTE!At Adams request, this news is not to reach my wife, Cheryl's, ears before Laura tells her after their engagement in a few days. Bloggers Truce!
New Territory. Any Bloggers advice will fall on fertile soil concerning approaching this new experience.
Keith
  ¶ 3:34 PM 4 comments

  Iraqi footwashing Yesterday was Mission Emphasis day at our church and Keith Schramm did a wonderful job updating us on the many worldwide efforts which we support financially. As I was reflecting on ways we serve he stated something that blew me away. One of our members, Steve Jones, is currently serving in Iraq and has led several of his buddies to Christ. We have been sending care packages on a regular basis as a means of encouragement to him and his new christian soldiers. (Steve has been in vulnerable areas since he landed in Iraq. His squardron was one that assisted in transporting many of the ballot boxes to their destinations and knew they were a priority target for an attack from the local militants.) He gets our bulletin and noticed we were collecting funds to send to the Tsunami victims. Keith mentioned that our body had raised over $16K to assist the victims...$217.63 of which was collected by Steve and his buddies, and sent back stateside. This is a man who is denying self to save my a#$, in a God forsaken part of the world where insurgients choose to meet their maker, ie Allah, or whoever, by strapping a nail bomb to their chest and taking down as many innocent people as possible. But yet, without resentment, considering the state he's in, finds time to gather up some funds to help a people he doesn't even know. Here's a guy at war, sending monetary support to those he considers less fortunate. What a great example of footwashing. Steve, I salute you and your giving heart. May I never complain again about the weather, the grocery bill, Hardings tuition, or my lukewarm shower after my son used all the hot water. Thanks, Steve.
Keith
  ¶ 11:17 AM 1 comments