Passport

On Monday, we received Danae's passport. We are thankful that this process went smoothly and without incident. We now have an appointment scheduled at the Consulate of Jamaica in Chicago to get a visa for Danae. We are currently looking for tickets and hoping to fly the week of July 10th.

Family Vacation

Last week, we went on a little getaway with Keri's family. We had a great week of fun and fellowship. We hung out at Lake Michigan. Here are a few pics. The kids had a great time in the sand.

Happy Birthday Daisha!!!

2 Years ago today, we were blessed by Daisha's entrance into the world. She continues to bless us everyday with her smile, love, and laughter. Happy Birthday Daisha!!!

Passport Pics

When we were applying for Daisha's passport, we had an awful time with her passport photos. They were denied for having a little bit of a shadow and for not being able to see her ears behind her ridiculously chubby cheeks. Ultimately, I think we had to end up proving scientifically that seeing her ears behind her chubby cheeks defied all laws of physics and they finally relented a passport. Anyways, we are back at it again with Danae, but this time we hope its a one time shot. But, in an effort to help guarantee it as a one time shot, we went through 3 battles of pictures. The first picture we took was too close. I took it to CVS to print, but the picture wasnt good enough and they wanted to charge me $10 for 2 little pictures that I took. So, we took some more pictures, only to find out that Keri's hands, which were holding down Danae's hands, were in the picture. 3rd times a charm, we got a pic and we are hoping that it is good enough to get accepted the first time. We got the application sent off today and now we are in waiting mode for the passport. After we get the passport, we need to get her visa at the Jamaican consulate and then we should be ready to go. Maybe in 4 weeks or so.

P.S. - Here is the end of the story of CVS wanting to charge me $10 for 2 little 2x2 photos. I ended up putting the 2 little 2x2 pictures on to one 4x6 and then went to CVS to print the 4x6. So, at the same store, same machine, same product, I got for $.31 what they wanted to charge me $10. That is a good Jamaican experience right here in Leo, IN.

The Next Story -- a book review

Do the Jetsons think like the Clampetts? They certainly process life differently, but how? We must acknowledge that our lives have reached the tipping point and we more closely resemble the Jetsons than the Clampetts. So, what does this mean for us and our calling to live as Ambassadors of God’s Kingdom in this world. Author and blogger, Tim Challies, takes a shot at these questions in his book, The Next Story. He begins with a great question that I am sure the Jetsons should have been asking themselves, “Am I becoming a tool of the tools that are supposed to serve me?” In an attempt to provide a framework for each of us to answer this question, Challies brings to light some definitions, trends, and ideas. He defines technology as “the creative activity of using tools to shape God’s creation for practical purposes.” And then, he goes on to encourage the readers to “disciplined discernment” that keys around the idea that it is the human application of technology that determines whether it is used to honor God or further human sin. While fully acknowledging the potential good of technology, Challies did a good job of outlining some dangers. Again, back to the “who’s boss” question, technology has a unique ability of taking control of our lives and creating idols that we willingly worship. Challies outlines the idols of the desire for productivity, the desire for significance, and the desire for information. All of us who have tipped our lives towards the Jetsons understand the reality of these idols. Challies goes on to look at how technology can affect how we think, how we live with distractions, how we process truth, and what technology does to our understanding of authority. These topics were all dealt with well and I think deserve our time, consideration, and meditation. The book did a great job of not trying to build walls where there should be fences or conversely not only drawing lines in the sand where there needs to be walls. And, with a well-rounded look through the lenses of experience, theory, and theology, the book ends up building frameworks that assist the reader in their process of disciplined discernment. We have all seen that technology, “wears its benefits on its sleeve, but its drawbacks are buried deep within.” And therefore, our Christian walk demands that we give technology the necessary time and discernment as we consider its effects on our life. While the book is not a Magna Carta of issues concerning technology, it is a tool for those who want assistance in discerning the realities of technology in their lives. If you know you are closer to a Jetson than a Clampett, then you must take time to consider whether technology is a tool that serves you or whether you are serving the tool.



P.S. - I have a material connection because I received a review copy that I can keep for consideration in preparing to write this content.