Losing Dad

My father passed away 10 years ago today, just 9 days past his 62nd birthday. Colon cancer. It was 10 weeks from the day that he was diagnosed to the day he died. No, he had not got checked regularly. My mother and I held his hand as he took his last breath, and then faded away, turning ashen. I like to think that my dad is in heaven, but I'm not sure. Although I felt that I knew my father well, we spent lots of time together, I don't know if he was saved or not.

I miss my dad everyday. I wish that he was here to see his three beautiful granddaughters born after his passing, and to see his older grandchildren mature. I wish I could sit down and talk to him the way we once did; that I could seek his advice and council in the many complex matters of life. I'd love to share one more martini (gin, straight up, extra dry, two olives). I'd love to smell his stinky cigar again.

Losing my dad was traumatic and tragic. However, losing my dad strengthened my faith, my marriage, and my family. Losing my dad made me take my health much more seriously (and yes, I get regular checkups and exams). But the most significant thing about losing my dad was that his passing forced me to look upward towards my Father for guidance and inspiration in my life. For that I am thankful.

The Facts

Here is an article published recently in the local newspaper about my students and our class:
http://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com/news/ci_13430044

John Fisher's Evidence Art Show

Artwork by my friend and retired Redlands High School Art teacher John Fisher, video shot by students Trevor Stevens, Edited in Final Cut Pro 6 by me.

Wait Quietly

Lamentations 3:21-26

But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
"The Lord is my portion," says my soul,
"therefore I will hope in him."

The Lord is good to those who wait for him,
to the soul who seeks him.
It is good that one should wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.

District 9

I rarely get to go out to see a movie. But I took advantage of the 3 day weekend and went out last night to see District 9 on the recommendation of some of my students. What an amazing film. The special effects are top notch, and you never doubt for a moment that the alien "prawns" are not actually on set with the human actors. The film takes on the style of a documentary and the performances are believable and very authentic. District 9 is an R rated movie for language and violent, and yes it is very violent. But the story is so much more. Through science fiction the film makers challenge the audience to take a good hard look inwardly at how we treat each other, and especially those "aliens" in our world. I felt the movie was excellent, very well made, and thought provoking. I strongly recommend seeing District 9.

Family and Conflict

My family is just as dysfunctional as the one next door. I am working with my older children to help them repair and establish positive relationships with each other and other people. I found this list over at Focus on the The Family. I gave it to them last Saturday and asked them to read it once a day each day and to pray for God to work in their hearts. Tonight we talked about it, for an hour. Did the reading and prayer help? It was a slighty smoother week. However Friday was a very difficult day. I recognize that the harder I work to lead my family, the more intense will be the attacks to destroy my family. I am grateful for a loving God, for his protection, and his will.

Teacher Mojo

This is the start of the 4th week of school if you count the day of the week that school started. So far it's been a great year. I have classes full of fun students who want to learn, work hard, and seem to enjoy the courses. And I am having a great time in the classroom. My teacher mojo is high while my writing mojo is, well, absent. Usually when things are going this well I have lots to write about, but not right now. For right now I am simply loving my job and enjoying spending time with the new students. Isnt' that cool?