Family « Journeyman Journal

Follow the Leader

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

I have been walking through the book of Isaiah for the past month or so. It’s been awhile since God and I took a journey through this book. It’s one of my favorites. It’s deep. It’s rich. I get something new and important every time I pick it up. I must identify with God’s people during Isaiah’s lifetime. We have much in common, which isn’t necessarily a good thing!

Today I got a little flashback to my childhood days. Do you remember playing “Follow the Leader”? What a great game…as long as you were the leader anyway. I loved being out in front and blazing the trail. Following was okay once in awhile, but being the leader was where it was at!

I remember one summer climbing a 14K mountain with my uncles. Naturally, they took the lead because they were the adults. I lagged behind…far behind. It annoyed my uncles because they had to keep stopping and letting me catch up. Until finally my uncle stopped and told me to take the lead. He let me set the pace. And everything changed. All of a sudden I was way out in front; they had a hard time keeping up once I got in front.

What’s the point? Just this: It’s my naturally tendency to take the lead, but that doesn’t really work in my spiritual life…

I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow. Oh, that you had listened to my commands! Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea. (Isaiah 48:17-18, NLT)

God says I’m supposed to let Him lead. He knows the way. And the problem is that when I do what comes naturally—when I take the lead myself—then I get too far ahead of Him and miss the path I should follow. I think I know the way, but I don’t. I need to let God take the lead. I need to follow The Leader.

The benefits? Says right there in the passage: Peace and Righteousness. I could use more of both!

23.06.2010 Devotional, Leadership, Spiritual Musings No Comments

They’re Naturals

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

Last night Anita and I took the kids down to the park to play catch and swing the bat a little bit. It has been a long time since we’ve taken them to play catch and it’s been even longer since I’ve played softball (I miss it). We expected to have a little fun running around, messing around, and trying to learn/teach a few skills. I fully expected Kyle to pick it up (he tends to be the jock in the family)…but we were pleasantly surprised.

Every single one of our kids was able to pick up the bat and make good (if not great) contact with the ball. They took instruction and applied what they learned with positive results. And throwing the ball was no exception. Each one of them can throw and catch (to one degree or another). They’re naturals. It runs in the family blood I guess (on both sides of the family).

We had a great time together a a family and I’m starting to plan my retirement. ;o) We are planning on getting them signed up for t-ball/baseball/softball this next season. They’ll make their GGPa proud!! Watch out world!

18.05.2010 Family, Hobbies, Recreation, Sports No Comments

Enjoy It

Tuesday, April 7th, 2009

School is drawing to a close (can I get an AMEN?!). One more class. Six more weeks of papers and studying. One more grade. And then I graduate…I can actually see the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s so close I can taste it. And the ride has been fun, but it’s time for it to be over.

But that simply leads to the next question: What’s Next? And God has finally released me to start praying about it…about what’s next. No answers yet—but at least I get to pray about it and start looking toward the future. So that’s what I’ve been doing over the past week. Not in large doses of prayer, but in simple prayers where I just ask God, “What’s next? What do you have in store for us? What should we be preparing for?”

And then I listen…

This morning He gave me an answer I was not expecting: “No matter what happens…enjoy the process.”

Enjoy the process. Hmmm…

Interesting. Not exactly what I was expecting. But I get it.

Don’t worry. Don’t fret. Don’t get your undies in a bunch (I might have added that one myself)…just enjoy the process regardless of the results. During the process…whatever that ends up being…I get to learn about myself. I get to learn about God. I get to connect with God and share thoughts and feelings with Him. I get to walk with God and hear His voice.

I should say…WE get to walk with God and hear His voice. I’m not alone in this process. Anita is in it with me. The kids are in it. I have no idea what’s coming down the road but I will enjoy the process. And I just might end up with exactly what He wants for me in the process. Wouldn’t that be a bonus?

07.04.2009 Ministry, School 1 Comment

Family and Spiritual Heritage

Wednesday, March 25th, 2009

It is Spring Break for my kids this week so we decided to hit the open road—to Kansas and Missouri. I know…I know…not very exciting. But we had a purpose. Last year my great-grandfather (Rev. C.F. Croy) turned 95. For some reason I can’t even remember now, we were not able to make it to his grand party. But it isn’t often your kids get a chance to meet their great-great-grandfather so we decided we would make the trip during their Spring Break. So here we are.

We spend the first part of the weekend in Topeka, KS with Grant and Amy English (and their kids of course). On Monday we took the 2.5 hour trip to Nevada and introduced the kids to my spiritual hero. We went back the next day and are now in Olathe, KS spending a few days with Anita’s sister, Lisa. Here are a couple of pics from the visit in Nevada:

Me and My Hero!

The Whole Gang

The visits where short, but brought back a lot of great memories. This man is truly a spiritual giant in my life…not to mention the patriarch of the family (my oldest living relative). He was a pastor for as long as I can remember and I grew up wanting to be this man. He was kind. He had integrity that I didn’t know anyone could actually have. He loved Jesus with his whole life…heart, soul, and mind. He walked the walk and talked the talk. He is my hero. Period. I want to be just like him when I grow up.

I must admit that while I wanted the boys to meet him (Lindsay got to go to the birthday celebration so she already met him), I was a little apprehensive for the visit. I had an image of this man that I selfishly did not want to be tarnished. The last time I saw him he was strong and healthy…the man I admire and look up to more than anyone else. But that was just selfish.

And it was hard. His health is good, but his mind is fading. His long-term memory is great (he can pick people out of a picture from 50+ years ago) but his short-term memory is another story. But he is still the man I admire. He still loves Jesus and he is as kind and gentle as ever. I am glad we made the trip. In the pictures above you are seeing 5 generations (although two of them aren’t in the picture). This man is my family heritage. He is also my spiritual heritage. I am who I am today in large measure because of him.

25.03.2009 Family, Vacation 2 Comments

He’s All Boy!

Thursday, February 26th, 2009

Last weekend Anita took Lindsay to the Revolve Tour—a Christian mother/daughter conference. They even spent the night downtown, which meant me and the boys were on our own for Friday night and all day Saturday. I was actually looking forward to it…two days to spend with just the guys.

So on Friday morning I got Logan and Kyle together and asked them what they wanted to do together for the weekend since it was “just the boys”. Kyle did not hesitate for one second in exclaiming: “I know! Let’s take your sword and destroy everything!!!” (And he said it while sweeping his arms in a wide arc to indicate the entire house).

He…is…such…a…boy! And I must admit that the thought does hold some appeal.

Although it sounded like fun, we channeled his energy into something slightly less destructive. We ended up going out and getting some movies and a game for the Wii (Ghost Squad) that we played together for hours! A little eating out rounded out the two days together. We had a blast. And yes, Kyle is all boy..through and through…

Doing what he does best!

26.02.2009 Family, Guy Stuff, Misc Ramblings 2 Comments

Deck the Halls 2008

Sunday, November 30th, 2008

We got a little jump on the Christmas decorations this year. This is the first time I can remember having the tree up before December rolled around (yes, I know we beat the clock by less than one day). This is one of those traditions I love (although sometimes it doesn’t feel that way in the middle of it). Here are some pics from the festive event…

Kyle Hangs His First Ornament (for the year)

Logan Hanging His First Ornament

Lindsay’s Turn

Sensing a Theme Here?

Lindsay’s Turn to Add the Angel Topper

Kyle, Lindsay, Logan
Good they look like their mom huh?

The Baumgartners 2008

Our Natural Pose

I still can’t believe Christmas is just around the corner.
Feliz Navidad!

30.11.2008 Christmas, Family, Holiday No Comments

What Does Heaven Smell Like?

Sunday, November 16th, 2008

I have no idea where this question came from yesterday, but in the car one of the kids asked this question. It’s one of those questions only a kid would ask—and it’s kind of fun to think about (although it doesn’t really mean anything in the grander scheme of things).

Here are the answers our gang came up with:

Lindsay & Kyle: Agreed that heaven smells like laundry detergent.
Logan: Thinks heaven will smell like limes (gotta love citrus!)
Anita & I: Agreed that heaven will smell like newborn babies (the good smell)

What will heaven actually smell like? Who knows, but Logan said it best when we had all given our answers: “It will smell like that but better!”

So what do you think heaven will smell like?

P.S.: After I posted this I realized Kyle asked this same question back in January. I guess he didn’t get the answer he wanted then.

16.11.2008 Family, Misc Ramblings, Spiritual Musings 1 Comment

Waffles and Knight Rider

Saturday, October 11th, 2008

Tonight was one of those impromptu family nights that I absolutely love. They seem to come around more often in the fall when the weather turns a little colder and everyone just wants to huddle up together.

Our theme tonight was waffles and Knight Rider. For dinner I made “from scratch” waffles (they were AWESOME). After dinner we all sat down to watch the new version of Knight Rider. I remember watching this 80′s version with my family. No, it’s not quite the same but the boys love the car and the action—and we are all together.

Family memories are built on stuff like waffles and Knight Rider. Even if the kids don’t remember it…I know I will. Just enjoying each other’s company makes it worth while. And did I mention the waffles were good?

So…what are some of your favorite family memories?

11.10.2008 Family, Misc Ramblings 3 Comments

The Bachelor Life

Wednesday, August 6th, 2008

For the past two days I have been a proverbial “bachelor” while my family has been in Wyoming visiting my wife’s parents. I know it sounds great…house to myself…schedule free to do anything I want…yada yada yada.

But it just ain’t so. It S-U-C-K-E-D! First, my lifeis plenty busy that I didn’t exactly get to do anything overly exciting (unless you count homework and boring TV exciting). And I flat out miss my family. They are a part of me and I love being with them. I have the greatest wife on the planet and I missed being with her and sharing my day with her. I have great kids and truly enjoy hanging out with them…they are just fun to be with (most of the time).

And to top it all off, I couldn’t sleep worth a &%^$#! It has been a long time since my work-travel days when I got used to sleeping alone. It doesn’t feel right and I couldn’t get used to it.

The good news? They are all home again! Life is back to “normal” (whatever that means). We are back together again…it feel right!

PS: After some more thought and discussion, here is the list of Manhood Principles we settled on:

A Real Man Knows and Walks with God
A Real Man Lives by Biblical Standards «We have a list of 12, but that’s another post
A Real Man Works for Something Bigger than Himself
A Real Man Loves and Protects His Wife and Family

Would still love your feedback and thoughts before it becomes “set in stone” this weekend”…

06.08.2008 Family, Manhood, Misc Ramblings 2 Comments

Weekend on the Water

Sunday, July 27th, 2008

We just got back from three days at Jackson Lake (just 1.5 hours NE of Denver). We went with three other families…one of which has a boat! I absolutely L.O.V.E. getting away with family and friends! It feeds my soul and is always a great time. We went last year too, but we were alone then…fun, but it’s also good share the fun.

This particular weekend was spent with Greg & Susie (and their 3 girls), Michael & Amanda (and their son Noah), and Lindale & Briana (sp?) (and their son and daughter…this was the first time we’d met them…great family). All told we had 8 adults and 9 kids. Does it get an better?

Of course it was a hot weekend, but we spent most of it at the beach or on the boat. The first night sucked royally…wind blew hard all night…nobody got any more than a couple hours of sleep (and most didn’t get any sleep at all). But the next day paid the rewards as we water-skied and tubed for most of the day (thanks to Greg & Susie for pulling us around the lake).

I tried to be manly and get up on the wake board, but it was nothing doing. I did get up on the skis twice (but if you blinked you might have missed it). Nothing like trying something manly to keep you humble! Lindsay was able to get up on the training skis once (she was up on the skis but couldn’t quite stand up). Always fun to watch your kids try something new and exciting and love every second of it…they especially loved being pulled by the tube!

We didn’t get a single picture…but our friends did so as soon as they post them we will share. Now we take it easy for the rest of the evening and get back to the “real world” of school (math is over for me, but I’m right back to it this week), work (ugh!), and the mundane parts of life that make it real. I always have a hard time getting to my devotions over a long weekend, but still feel connected with God anyway…He’s so good!

Oh yeah…almost forgot, Logan (our 8 year old) also learned to ride his bike this weekend! Now, of course, we can hardly get him off of it. It was a long time coming, but he picked it up fast once he put his mind to it (sounds like someone else I know…that would be me in case I was being to obtuse ). I’m so proud of him!