This year we certainly have a lot to be thankful for. In a lot of ways I would say we have more to be thankful for this year than ever. Is that true? Sure, a lot of awesome things have happened, but should I be any less thankful any other time? Do I value certain things too much, and those things are what make me thankful?

I have been listening to a seminar that a pastor in Minneapolis named John Piper gave about prayer, fasting, and meditation. I have to say, it’s been really challenging. It has challenged what I am thankful for, and how to create a spirit of thanksgiving in all areas of my life.

Like orange juice. Did you give thanks for the orange juice you drank this morning? Why not? Orange juice, as much as a child, is a provision from God, and I want to thank God for all providence in my life.

So God, thank you for the harvest. Thank you that you bring rain when the crop needs rain, and sun when the crop needs sun. Thank you for the farmers whom you have given knowledge to grow and nurture the crop. Thank you for the hard workers who squeeze and bottle the orange juice, the truck drivers, the stockers at Hy-Vee, and the technology of self-checkout so I can enjoy a refreshing glass of orange juice in the morning. Thank you for a job that pays me more than enough to enjoy such luxuries. And thank you, my God, for life today, so I could enjoy that glass of juice.

Maybe if we were more thankful for orange juice, we’d be all-the-more thankful for the big stuff.

Happy Thanksgiving!

It’s hard to follow up a post like, “we’re having a baby.” It’s like trying to write a song after you won a Grammy, or writing your next novel after the Pulitzer. But, alas, a singer must sing, a writer must write, and a blogger must blog.

We’re sneaking up on 16 weeks and everything is still tip-top. Katie’s nausea has subsided a little, but it still comes and goes. Not too long ago, we wondered, “What will our baby look like?” Today Katie sent me a few candidates.

Editor’s note: if these are your kids, my sincere apologies. We’re not pedophiles, my wife just likes reading random blogs.

A girl? Katie has become convinced we’re having a girl since both our sisters have all boys. She claims that she’s finally coming to terms with dealing with the possibility of having a girl. In all honesty, I think Katie kind of wants a girl, it’s all she talks about. Could this beauty be our child?

I’m certainly grateful for the fact that we’re having a child in the first place, so I don’t want to get too demanding. But, to me, in an ideal world we’d have a son first. I think it really gives me an opportunity to teach him about leadership, taking responsibility for the younger ones, etc. Especially if our son looked like this dapper lad!

Deep, deep down, I kind of think that Katie really wants a panda. Could this be our panda?

Oh well, can’t win them all.

If it’s on Facebook, then it’s true. We’re having a baby!

Today marks Katie’s 14th week, so we found out back in August. But this journey has been nearly a year in the making. In the fall of last year, we began talking more about entering that next stage of life, and we came to find out the journey brought along some speed bumps.

We tried and tried and tried for what seemed like forever, though in retrospect it was such a short amount of time. Never-the-less, I know it was hard for Katie to be met with disappointment each month. On top of that, we began to wonder if something was wrong. Like is often the case with struggle, hardship, or suffering, it’s one of those situations that teaches you to be way more sensitive and compassionate towards other couples in whatever their situation may be. For that, we praise God for changing our hearts.

Then, in June, the test came back positive. We were so excited and thankful, but that would only last a couple weeks. We had the unfortunate experience of having a miscarriage, which was by far the hardest thing we had to deal with in our marriage. Again, God allowed us to learn and grow a lot through that time. Our marriage is stronger now than ever, and we’re pretty darn excited to be where we are while heading to this next stage of life.

My hope is that Katie and I will continue to deepen our hope and faith in the God who gives life, and breath, and everything else. Being where we are today, I think we have a much sharper picture of God’s timing and goodness, but this isn’t the end. Now, more than ever, we need to cling to the God that gives us hope.

There is a side of this experience that weighs down our hearts. We have close friends that continue to struggle in child-bearing, or know they that cannot have kids. To be honest, that sucks. A lot. I don’t understand why we of all people are blessed in this way when others aren’t. I am constantly amazed by the grace and patience of our friends who continue to struggle, and we will continue to pray for them.

So there it is. It seems strange to me because there’s no change in me, but I can see a person growing inside of Katie. I know the weight of fatherhood will come in time, but for today I am preparing for the joy and responsibility that’s been given to me. I think Hannah said it best:

“O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and a razor shall never come on his head.”

I’m not specifically asking for a son, and our kid will probably get haircuts. Well, maybe. But the point is that God has heard our cry and given us the blessing we asked for, and now we want to turn around and raise our kid in honor of the God we choose to serve. That is the very least and very best thing we could do for a God who is so gracious and so wonderful.

If he were a rock star, he’d be Glen Hansard .

If he were a drink, he’d be a Peroni.

If he were a restaurant, he’d be the Blue Bird Cafe in Kansas City.

If he were an animal, he would be a big Boxer that is sweet and tender, but will bite you hard if you hurt someone he loves.

If he were a state, he would be Washington. Or Oregon.

If he were an article of clothing, he would be dark jeans.

If he were a book of the Bible, he would be Isaiah.  Poetic and beautiful, but deep and thought-provoking.

If he were a politician, he would stand for social issues and justice. Basically whatever Jesus stands for.

If he were a car, he would be an old Volvo station wagon.

If he were a superhero, he would be Superman. Strong, courageous, but very humble, not wanting to draw attention to himself.

If he were an apostle, he would be Peter.

If he were a food,  he would be a steak. With A1. Medium well.

If he were a color, he would be brown. (hahahha…he IS!)

If he were a football player, ahem, a FOOTBALLER,  he would be Jozy Altidore.

If he were an actor, he would be Ewan MacGregor.

If he were a bird, he would be an eagle.

If he were a tree, he would be an oak.  Strong, durable, and he turns the most lovely shade in the fall!

I love this man and I am eternally, eternally grateful for him.