Hi Brian!

I apologize for not having the blog up yet for this week! I simply lost track of what day it was! I usually begin working on it on Sunday and then add to it and post on Monday because you always use to read it on Tuesday. We got home from our grandsons' football game last night and I didn't think of it. I will be posting it later today! 

Hi again Brian! 

I have been thinking about you and Kristine a lot this past week as we began the adventure of having two high school football players in our grandsons, a granddaughter who plays high school soccer and basketball and another granddaughter who excels in music. (We have yet to hear her play publicly because her competitions have only been before judges as this point). As I was thinking of all the juggling that you have to do to make sure that each of your daughters has the best possible opportunities to excel, I was reminded of a song by Michael W. Smith called "Secret Ambition". If you're not familiar with it, he speaks of Jesus as a "Paragon". The dictionary definition of "paragon' is:  a model of excellence or perfection. Jesus was exactly that, pleasing some and scaring others! I have shared with you many times how the Lord has shown me that your family has reached SO many people, ministering to them of God's LIFE, LOVE, CARE and ATTENTION, most likely without even mentioning HIM specifically. It is just who you are and how you live! So now you have become an example for us! Our part as grandparents is much smaller than yours, but we have learned how to pray more specifically, encourage, love, appreciate, attend and celebrate them. Thank you for your excellent examples! You and Kristine are PARAGONS of support and encouragement! Here is Michael W. Smith with that song! We love and appreciate you both so much, and your lovely ladies. It has been SO fun to see them again! On a side note, it won't be long before I am the shortest one of us all again!  :)

Young man up on the hillside

Teaching new ways

Each word winning them over

Each heart a kindled flame

Old men watch from the outside

Guarding their prey

Threatened by the voice of the paragon

Leading their lambs away

Leading them far away

Nobody knew His secret ambition

Nobody knew His claim to fame

He broke the old rules steeped in tradition

He tore the holy veil away

Questioning those in powerful position

Running to those who called His name

But nobody knew His secret ambition

Was to give His life away

His rage shaking the temple

His word to the wise

His hand healing on the seventh day

His love wearing no disguise

Some say, "Death to the radical

He's way out of line."

Some say, "Praise be the miracle

God sends a blessed sign.

A blessed sign for troubled times."

Nobody knew His secret ambition

Nobody knew His claim to fame

He broke the old rules steeped in tradition

He tore the holy veil away

Questioning those in powerful position

Running to those who called His name

But nobody knew His secret ambition

Was to give His life away

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!