Sometimes it doesn't work.

Tonight Isaac and I sat in on a workshop about 3-D printing.  Its amazing to think that I have access to a machine that literally can turn my ideas into reality.  We learned about hardware and software and online service providers.  We busted some myths about the technology and learned some helpful tips.  3-D printers and designers must be patient, we learned.  We observed beautifully designed models that took over 6 hours to build and heard about how college student are quickly getting a decent ROI just by hitting print while they do their homework.  We also learned that sometimes it doesn't work, and sometimes, the only way to know that it doesn't  work, is to try it.  And then we tried something that should have worked, something that had already been tried and that had worked before.  People from a broad range of ages, ethnicities, and industries, all ducked, stood on their tip toes, and shuffled all around to catch a glimpse of the real time build.  Teachers were asking questions, engineers were observing cool already printed gadgets, and then it happened.  Imperfections started to appear. It soon became evident that this was a failed build and the efforts were aborted.  Why didn't it work?  Perhaps the wobbly table?  Perhaps some combination of everyone moving and also the wobbly table?  Perhaps the extractor was malfunctioning?  We don't know.  But the build was stopped.  The machine was given time to cool down.  The calibrations were checked.  And the group tried again on a different table.  I don't know if it worked.  The ten year old and I had bailed to partake in Sonic's half price shakes. But we had a great night.  We met some cool folks and learned a whole lot.  And I was reminded that sometimes it just doesn't work.

Closing Time

So in my heart of heart I felt like speaking at youth camp was a book-end for a difficult season of ministry. We came home from camp only to be waiting still for some of the financial provision that we are planning on... but evidently still waiting for.

On Saturday my phone charger broke and and so did my car alternator. I understand these are minor inconveniences but seriously? Not really the evidence of the new season I was hoping for.

I was hopeful that Sunday at church would be a kind of homecoming with lots of excitement and record attendance. It was just another hot Phoenix Sunday with a lot of people missing and it's own unique struggles. Again, this is something I'm used to but it's not really indicative of a new season of harvest and fruitfulness.

I spent the entirety of Monday morning with Isaac at the dentist. He had a couple of fillings, a tooth extraction, and several crowns... Oh and lots of drugs to try to minimize the kicking and screaming. They had more work to do on the top but I stopped them when the bill hit $2,000. Welcome new season of monthly installments! It fills like another car payment... if only I could drive my son's baby teeth to work. CASH for CLUNKERS?

Today is meet the teachers night and it's also Leah's first day back at school. Today I got to take gum out of Olivia's hair and tomorrow both the girls get shots. Why does being a good parent involve so many opportunities to make your children scream?

Leah and I remain excited about what's ahead. I hope this real and a bit self pitying post doesn't cause folks to be concerned. I'm just realizing that there is still quite a bit of finishing to do in this new season.

Sabbath...Sorta

I should probably stop doing this because I pretty much suck at keeping a sabbath. Here's to a little bit of virtual accountability. Had four kids to the ball park before 8:00AM. The boy played his last game. Season batting average... .000. Never even stepped into the box. It's cool he's four. Today a line drive nearly took his head off but he told me it was cool. Left the boy and the wife to watch a buddies game, and I took the girls to the bank, which doesn't open till 10. We strolled around Stater Bro's Market until someone was available to take my money and then went back to the ball park. Picked up wife and son and watched almost a half hour of flag football before heading to Shakeys for the team party. Four toddlers at a Pizza place, lost in the "fun zone", politely asking for more tokens... "daddy!". Ran into a ministry mentor/ buddy and was able to catch up a little. The boy was honored (he got pizza, pepsi, a pin and a punchball...WOOHOO!). I thanked the talented, patient, and extremely gracious coaches for a great season, before we headed out. We just got one of these in our town and the wife wanted to check it out for upcoming B-Days or Youth ministry stuff. The place is like Chuck E Cheese on Steroids. Came home. Snuck over to church and did some work (I told you I suck). Came home and took a nap (counts as rest right?). Was able to go to a high school play, just me and my wife, where we ran into a bunch of our students. Picked up the kiddos (Thanks Mom!) Did a little more work and am now writing this grammatically messy confessional Sabbath Post.

Honestly, I'm having a hard time seperating work, ministry, personal time, family, etc because it all seems so connected. I desire for all these areas to be integrated. I desire to be healthy, to feel whole, and to know peace. I'm just not there yet.

Sabbath

So my non reverend buddy Rev Rock has made a public commitment to do better at honoring the sabbath. And as part of that commitment he blogs about them. And as a hopeful fantasy that I might practice this better I anxiously check his blog multiple times on sunday looking for an update. And I've tried to do the same but much less regularly. See here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.
So I haven't done too many lately... Saturday was nice. The wife was away so I was playing Mr. Mom. Woke up to wet ground outside which meant the morning's PONY baseball event was canceled. Played dominos with the boy (he's actually very good), and then with the girls when they woke up. Served up Cereal for everyone and lounged around till late morning. Took a long hot shower and got all three kids dressed. Moved the church buses away from the potential sink hole (it's a long story, see previous post). Went to Shakeys for Lunch-Bunch. Scored some free tokens from coach stanley, which we transformed to tickets and then into small animal erasors.
FUNNIEST PART OF MY DAY: I'm driving home and #2 says "Dad, the erasors nose is IN my nose". Yes she had broken off a piece and somehow lodged it in her nostril. I am so stoked I got it out with a mini-screw driver and did not have to visit Kaiser Permamente. Took naps. I love my chair. Played outside. I love my fence. Went to Blockbuster, Everyone should try this on a Saurday night with three toddlers. Got fast food dinner for the kids, I was still stuffed from Shakeys. Gave the kids bathes. Watched a video with the kids. Read books (Good stuff like "The little Red Caboose"). The wife came home. Kids greeted mom. Put kids down to sleep.
Watched Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer with the wife.

I think Rev says parenting by yourself doesn't count as rest but this was the closest I've got in several saturdays. The Fantastic Four sequel was terrible, but if that's the worst part of my day, who can complain. Tomorrow we head to AZ for vacation with family and friends. I'm anxious in a good way.

Angels Beat Seattle 9-5

700 Wins for Mike Scioscia. Vlady proves once again he is the bigger sport. And the Angel's are one step closer to cinching the Title again. Way to Go Halos.

I got to go to the game with two little boys and one brother in law. That was fun. Oh yeah, the boy actually played at his own game today. And when I got home I had some apple pie. I feel really American tonight!

Pony Basball

My kids love Baseball. I remember being at opening day at the Big A, taking the boy to the rest room and a fellow asked, "Kid's first game?" "Third this year" I replied. (We had caught two pre-season games in AZ that year). We have not gone to that many games this year and I'm not trying to say we're fanatics or even hyper fans. I just mean to say my kids know all the words to "Take me Out to the ball game." My boy owns more bats as a 4 year old than I did in my entire childhood. And after "Dadda" and "Momma", his first word was "ball". The kid thinks the Angels are heavenly and the Yankees are, well... evil.

So he started Pony Baseball Shetland league this year. He has been so excited! He got new shoes and pants, pulled out the old glove and bat, found his baseball belt and was ready to go! This was going to be so much better than Pre-Shetland. They actually play games! So the kid has had two practices and he is yet to hit, field, run bases, or do all that normal team practice stuff. Don't get me wrong, He has a great coach and every other boy on the team has done this stuff, my son just won't. His mom was so frustrated after his shy, scared, defiant attitude on Wednesday, I was taking him today... you know, to show her how it's done. So I got him on the grass playing catch and I dragged him around the bases, literally kicking and screaming. But getting him to willingly join in and enjoy himself...unuh nope it just didn't happen. Please don't think I'm one of those phsyco parents vicariously living out my lost youth through my kids. The boy loves baseball. He is just a little bit shy navigating new places and new people.

Perhaps all of this could have been avoided if he had been placed on his more out going buddy's team like we requested when we signed him up. "It won't be a problem" the director of the entire program said confidently with a smile. "We should be able to work this out" said both the coaches involved when we found out they were on different teams. "It's not going to happen" said the Shetland director after a couple of rude manipulative phone calls. Imagine my response today when our coach says "By the way they're still working on putting your boys on the same team." Really? I don't ever want to be "that" parent, and honestly I've let it go, but the kid's four! Can we help him out just a little bit?

Makes me wonder about all the negative connotations I've heard about PONY being the more competitive of the baseball leagues. You see my boy's buddy's brother is a little bit of a legend here in our sports obsessed town. Is it possible when the draft came around he was a first round pick and the poor spoon kid just wasn't? I don't know . We'll see what happens. Go Padres!

Any tips out there from parents who have gone through this? I've tried threats and bribery; (both with the boy and the league officials). This is going to be quite a bit of time and money for him to sit in dirt and be mad at everybody. I want him to learn the value of not quiting, and I want him to be able to navigate these weird uncomfortable social situations. Maybe it was too soon? Any thoughts? I have a feeling this one might create as many comments as the Kindergarten controversy.

150th Post... Kids in Crisis

If and when I write a book, Dean Merrill is the one I want to edit it. He sent me a copy of his new book and I've jumped in with two feet. It has a slight clinical slant to it but seems to focus on the old "relationship with rules" approach. Very helpful and written in an accessible manner that should me helpful to parents, youth workers, and anyone else who is making a difference in the lives of young people.