Saturday . . . In the Park . . . I think it was the 14th of June

Several things have happened since the last time I wrote on our page. My grandfather passed away on Monday, and I drove back to Illinois to visit with family and attend his funeral. It was sad, but very encouraging to know that my grandfather was such a strong Christian. He touched the lives of so many people and had a simple but profound faith that left on impact on even the hardest family members. I got to see his life in pictures and heard it through stories, and became even more thankful for my family, but more importantly for my Lord and the relationship I have with him. To know that I will get to share eternity with my grandfather and other relatives who have passed as well as my own family and Jesus himself is enough to inspire me to live out my faith as much as I humanly can.

So after a few days of reflection and visiting, I was extremely grateful to get to spend time with my wife and daughter. We started off the day with a trip to Findlay Market and enjoyed some of the local farmers (tomatoes, strawberries, oranges, blueberries, and some local honey) as well as some delicious southern style chicken wings, waffle fries and eclairs.


After our fun at the market, we came home and got ready to go to a birthday party. We met two couples at Crossroads about 4 months ago and have been getting together with them about once a month since then. Today was Jack's first birthday party (son of Justin and Jessica) and he had a construction theme. Cate got to don a cone hat for the occasion.


After all the festivities we ended the day with some browsing at Half Price Books and some Starbucks. All in all, it was time well spent with the fam.

I needed to add a quick note about a recent facebook status I used. I quoted a certain character from Sex in the City (Harry, husband of Charlotte) who said "I am destined to be surrounded by beautiful women." I think I identify with that because of historical circumstances (our first pet was a female cat, our second was a female dog, and our first child was a beautiful baby girl) and my vision of the future (in the short term, it would be convenient to have another girl to use a lot of hand-me-downs, but in the long term, it might be a little rough with two weddings. . . I will not be like Steve Martin in father of the bride). In either case, I am blessed, and will always thank God for the beauty that surrounds me.

- Papa E