Needs more exclamation points!

Sometimes the Blog is the last to know. The truth is that some moments in time are bigger than the blog. This is one of those moments. Sorry Blog, but you're the last to know....I think. For all of you who are in Blog's shoes, I apologize.

I looked for ways to tell you but since you never gave me your number and you don't ever write me then I assumed that I would have to be the one to break the news.
Larissa and I are having a baby!!! (can I put some more exclamation points)!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah, I know. The due date? December 12th, but I figure as late as we usually are, it might be the 15th or so. Rissa's 8 weeks along. What's that. Oh yeah, we told everyone two weekends ago. We broke it to everyone by giving them a picture frame that either read "you're gonna be an aunt, uncle, or grandma/grandpa". They were clearly surprised. When they saw the frame, it took a few seconds to register, Lizzy screamed in excitement, and then they all rushed to hug Larissa in a huddle leaving me and Matt to dumbfoundedly look at each other. I was dumbfounded because I didn't know whether to wait for them to head my way or join the hug huddle already in progress. Matt was dumbfounded because no one had turned their frame over for him to see. I'm sure he thought those were some pretty nice frames for a moment or two. They eventually let Rissa breathe and then, with a bit of coaching from me, swarmed yours truly as well. Katie was also fun to tell. She squealed and is now referring to the baby as just "Baby" (those New Yorkers are so strange!).

I wish I had a camera to capture my parents' reactions. We gave them Grandpa and Grandma frames. My mom was so excited that I think she started to bolt for the door to tell all of the neighbors what she'd just learned only to realize that a hug and kiss or two might be in order for the expectant parents. My dad, on the other hand, sat very cautiously in his recliner. He had not smiled yet. I was a bit confused until I saw his left hand cover his mouth. You could hear his five o'clock shadow grate between his fingers. I had seen this look a few times before mostly when he was talking about my mom's life changing surgery or about a young person's salvation. This was the look of a man that was trying his darndest to hold back an avalanche of tears. He told us that he had the most surreal of dreams where he was marveling at a child in a yellow outfit and he asked my mother "Do boys were yellow?" He was quite taken back to say the least. For him, I believe it was one of those moments where God puts His hand on your shoulder and you truly know that He is your friend. I've been there a time or two. Too cool. We were able to surprise Bryan and Kristi sometime later at their house after Bryan had come off the road with Cadillac Sky. They were eladed!

So here we are. Parents to be. I will do my best to keep you up to date Blog, and I'll be soliciting help with your help from time to time. This is a new chapter in our story and I can't to write it with Rissa as co-author. I've posted some pictures of the first sonogram for your viewing pleasure. Very cool! We need everyone's prayers even now. Please pray that Rissa has an easy pregnancy, that the child is healthy, wise, and grows up to be a great servant in God's kingdom. "Baby" is definitely joining the ranks of two great families. So much love waiting for one little infant. Too cool. Thank you God. Thank you.

He smiled.

I sit here at my desk typing these words having not a single good thing to account to my name. Trying to piece together a life of attempts. I've done nothing. I've done nothing. But there's a twist to the story. Somewhere within time and space, God, in His infinite wisdom and grace, saw me. He saw this wretch of a boy turned man (slightly) and smiled. He smiled. Not because of something I was to do or something that I had done. Yet for something that He was about to do. He smiled. Knowing full well that I had nothing at all to contribute to mankind, He chose me. I know it was His pattern in Biblical times to use those folks that were a bit outside the realm of normacy.

Never did I stop to think that the "bit outside" was me. He smiled. He chose me to show His glory. How big is that? And all I must do in return is share it with everyone. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy. What a task, huh? He brings joy and meaning into an empty life and all I'm supposed to do is share with others what He has done. It's the worldly equivalent of a man buying me a Ferrari and telling me my payment for it was simply to drive it around and show everyone. How easy. I know these thoughts come out of the blue but you'll understand soon what I mean. God is doing great things. I have done nothing. God has done nothing but good. He smiled. Does that hit you? He smiled. Think about it.