Nathan’s First Big League Game

Nathan’s First Big League Game

Furlough, or “home assignment” is a time for a missionary family to get to do some things that they don’t necessarily get to do while on the mission field. Yesterday was one of those days.

We’ve been Tampa Bay Rays fans since they came into the Major Leagues, and this year, they are playing really well. So I decided to take Nathan to his first baseball game yesterday. We got some cheap tickets on StubHub and took off for the day.

Our tickets were 2 rows behind the wall in left-center field, and every Sunday at Tropicana Field, they have Family Fun Days, with all sorts of fun things for families with kids to do. They also happened to be giving out Super Hero Capes (which is why Nathan wanted to go, I think).

So, we ate peanuts, got a foot long hot dog, ate some Carvel ice cream, and watched baseball. It was fun to hang out with my big guy all day.


Check out all of our pictures on Flickr.

5 Goals and Challenges to be Completed by December

I have realized that I am better when I set goals that are pretty challenging. So, I’ve set a few goals that I’m hoping to finish at least by December 1.

  1. Read the Bible in 90 days. I’ve been following the B90X plan and should be done by October 20, 2010.
  2. Train for a 5K I’m thinking about running the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day if I can get up that early.
  3. Eat healthier. I’ve been writing down everything I eat, trying to make better eating choices.
  4. Run 100 miles. In September, my goal is 30 miles. In October, I’ll run 30 miles. In November, I will run 40.
  5. Reach 75% of our final support goal. As of right now we’re at 55%.

So those are some of the things that are occupying my time and thoughts right now. It’s going to be challenging.

Lead Me – Sanctus Real


I heard this song on the radio today on my way home from the hospital. It is exactly where I am right now in my life, with 3 awesome kids, one of which is less than 48 hours old and Janell who is the most incredible person I have ever known.

This is my prayer:

Father give me the strength
To be everything I’m called to be
Oh father show me the way
To lead them won’t you

Lead me, with strong hands
To stand up when they can’t
Don’t want to leave them
Hungry for love chasing things
That I could give up

I’ll show them I’m willing to fight
And give them the best of my life
So we can call this a home

Lead me
‘Cause I can’t do this alone.
Father, lead me
‘Cause I can’t do this alone.

The Boys and their Sister

Nathan wants to introduce you to someone. He’s so excited to have a sister. Ben still isn’t sure what he thinks about her yet. I’m sure he’ll love her soon enough.

First Day of Kindergarten

First Day of Kindergarten

One of the major milestones for our family this year is Nathan going off to Kindergarten. When we first started thinking about coming to the United States for Home Assignment, we thought it would be great for him to be able to go to Kindergarten in Florida.

We were blessed by Grace Christian School to be given a full scholarship for Nathan to attend there this year. Grace Bible Church means a lot to us. It is where we got married. It is where I (Dennis) attended school from 2nd-12th grade. We have lots of friends there and many great memories.

So today we took Nathan to his first day of Kindergarten at Grace. I pray that he will have fond memories of this school, too, and it will be a place where he can come to learn many great things. One of the things I am most thankful for about having a Christian School education is knowing many things about the Bible that I wouldn’t have known without attending Grace.