I received a call late Thursday night from Frank and Connie Vitiello, one of our church families. They shared with me that their house was packed full of North Stafford students who were hurting from the recent news of Justin Whitaker. If you read the local newspapers over these past few years, you will recognize the name of this young baseball player from North Stafford. He has been battling cancer since his freshman year with a short stint of remission. His cancer returned last fall, and he is once again fighting for his life as his health took a bad turn. Last night a group of students gathered at the Vitiello home to walk through this valley together.

As I entered their home, the pain was obvious in the face of these teenagers. We pulled the kids all into one room, and I led them in a time to share what they were thinking and feeling. It moved through tearful pleas, prayers, and funny stories of remembrance. I felt a little awkward only knowing three of the kids in a whole group. Believe it or not, I did not preach. I listened, and then I prayed. I was so encouraged hearing the Christian students of the group sharing Jesus with their friends. Tragedy does that. It gives permission to talk about life, death, and faith. Jesus was exalted! May God reveal himself to these kids at this hour. Way to go Frank and Connie for allowing your home to be a place of healing. Your awesome!

Be praying for Justin and his family.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.” Psalm 34:18

My middle daughter Sydney just completed reading Little House on the Prairie for the accelerated reader program.  It sparked a curiousity for the rest of the family.  Pam sent off for season #1 of Little House on the Prairie through Netflicks so each evening this week my family has been watching the tales of the Ingalls family when the times and the country was much different.  I had forgotten the sweetness and simplicity of this TV show.  What has been amazing for me is watching these old shows through the eyes of my kids.  It’s amazing how captivating these simple episodes still are!  I had forgotten that TV shows can be about family, values, community, and faith!

I love these family moments.  I love my family.  I have an incredible wife!  I am more in love with her today than when we first met.  My kids bring me so much joy.  I often get frustrated because we tend to live at such a fast pace life, that my time with my girls seems so rushed (school, choir, dance, soccer, did I say dance!).  Yesterday, I snuck over to Winding Creek Elementary for lunch.  Elementary cafeteria, priceless!!  I was able to sit with Hannah and then sneak over to Lexie’s table.  I feel like my days are numbered with Hannah.  I am not sure she will want dad to come eat lunch next year at HH Poole Middle School.  The challenge in having three daughters is that they each have a different 30 minute lunch schedule.  I only made two lunches, so you do the math.  I am hoping Sydney will forgive me today!

O’ for the days of living in a little house of the prairie.  Wait a minute, Charles Ingalls physically works way too hard!  

 (I am up to 10 blog readers!!!)