Hello, how are things in your part of the world?
While you are used to seeing funny things on my blog, let me play it straight this time. As a wise friend once told me, "Act like a clown all of the time and that is how people will treat you, like a clown". So, with that in mind, here is my attempt at something serious.
Things are going well in the Buckman household. In spite of the usual trials and life's challenges, we are truly blessed. Yes, the price of everything is going up, while our wages stay the same, but by third world standards, we are very rich. I read in today's paper that a family of five in Sacramento needs to earn $65,000 to be "self-sufficient", but we have managed to live pretty good, well below that figure. When you factor in things like good health, above average intelligence, great extended family and God's grace, we are zillionares!
What has brought on this sudden realization of gratitude? Well, a few things, actually.
First, I just got done watching Total Makeover Home edition. Let me admit, I just balled my face off for a good half hour. The shirt I used to dry my tears was very damp when it was done. I am not kidding about that. This show always makes me cry, but this weeks episode was special. It highlighted the Martinez family in New Mexico. Gerald, the father decided to move his family into a crime infested area to show the folks who lived there, Gods love, and to literally help them with food, shelter, etc. Their ministry has not only helped hundreds, but the crime rate in that area was reduced by over 50 percent since they arrived! That is called making a (huge) difference! It was Gerald's hope that if folks saw what one family could do in their neighborhood, then they too would want to do the same. It touched me, because I have been thinking about what kind of legacy I want to leave on this planet. Do I want to be known as a funny guy, who works hard and loves his family? Yes. Those are good things. Honorable things. But are they enough?
That is what I am struggling with. I think I want more than that. But how? You can be sure I am praying about these very things, and in my tears after the show, I asked God how I could make a difference. I know that moving my family into the ghetto is not realistic. But as I thought about it, there is a tangible way we are making a difference already. Their names are Keila and Kelisson, and they live in South America. We have been their Compassion International sponsors for about 4 years. We have had other children we sponsored before them, for the last 20 years. I tell you this not so you will give us a pat on the back, but so that maybe it will spur you to do the same. As I looked at the Compassion website before writing this blog, I was reminded there are literally thousands, if not millions of children living in extreme poverty. And at the same time I felt God nudge me and say, "You asked, and here is the answer". So from today forward, I am going to tell everyone I know of, how they can change the world. You can sponsor a child, or 2 or a hundred if you are that blessed, through this great organization. They exist as a Christian child advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enables them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults. Today, Compassion helps more than 1 million children in 24 countries. That is awesome! Even if you do not decide to sponsor a child on a monthly basis, right now a world food crisis is taking place, and a one time gift would be great. Help me change the world, one child at a time. Jesus said "And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward. " Matthew 10:42
I am sure I will go back to doing some funny posts, and life will continue on for us the way it always does. But if one child is sponsored because of my post, or funds are donated in any amount, then I have changed the world. You can too, because as Gerald Martinez said, "we all have to do our part".
Thanks for letting me do mine today, and if you were offended by this post, I do not apologize one bit. God told me to, and that is enough for me.
www.compassion.com
Monday, August 25, 2008
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Welcome to the teenage zone.....
........That's why I sleep in the garage.
Yes, its true, we have entered that phase of life (insert scary music here) where we have teenagers in the house. Female teenagers. Two of them. Mine. (insert a confused and scared look on my face here). And another one who is 11 going on 19.
Oh, I knew it was coming. I remember the day they were born, I said to Kathie, "Do you realize in 13 short years we will be the parents of teenage girls?" She was still high from the happy pills so she said something like "that's great dear, let me cut off your penis" What? I chalk it up to 36 hours of labor, and the fact I have a penis. Somehow, he always gets blamed for everything. Yes, I said he, all of us guys view our little man as just that, a separate, but special part of our whole make-up. Most guys I know have a pet name for him, and you are not going to find out what mine is. Lets just say it rhymes with loose. And has antlers.
Anyway, I got off track. Back to teenager stuff. Like emotions. Can you say "hyper sensitive crazy goofy intense"? I knew you could. I thought it was Urban legend that you could simply ask your daughter, "How was your day?" and they stomp down the hallway screaming, "Daddy, how could you ask me such a thing?" (Insert door slamming here!) I admit, I do get cranky myself at times, when I discover that the two gallons of milk and 3 large boxes of cereal have been consumed in a day and a half, but that's when I usually retreat into my own little oasis, my garage.
Now, mine is nice, and I love it, but its nowhere near the level of my cousins husband, who will remain nameless. Lets just say it rhymes with rent. And starts with a B. Anyway, he has a pool table, cool beer mirrors, a TV and carpet. I asked if I should take my shoes off the last time I was there, it felt like hallowed ground. My garage is nice, I have a small TV and a mini fridge, but it is usually covered in the 17 loads of laundry that need doing at all times. So, I trudge out through the towels and girls undergarment and more towels, and watch TV. I have threatened to move out there permanently, but it is too hot in the summer, too cold in the winter, and there are spiders. Did I mention dirty towels?
So, I press on ahead, trying to endure all of this and wait til they start dating. When they are 34. Seriously, I am not ready for that part yet. Teenage boys with their constant I-pod in their ear, that dumb look on their face, and that shaggy, unkempt hair. Its the 70's all over again, except we kept our butts in our pants. And we had 8-Tracks.
So about dating, I heard a comedian say he had the teenage girl, dating dilemma all figured out: He would not potty train his daughter. She would be on her first date, and they boy goes to make his move, and asks, "what is that smell?" That's a good idea, but then we would have to rent a shipping container for all the laundry. I still say stun guns are the way to go.
So anyway, I try and endure the wild mood swings, the constant attitude, the almost constant texting and Cell-phone bills, and the hugs. Yes, that's right, when one of my daughters stops and gives me a great big hug....the world stops spinning for just a few moments, and everything is all right. "Dad, I love you".....makes me tear up and makes me so GRATEFUL that The Lord allowed me to be a Dad, to three wonderful, special, smart, talented, awesome, (insert about 100 more qualities here) girls that keep me on my toes, but also bring me much joy and contentment. I love you ladies, and promise to watch out for you, and embarrass you, as much as I can. You must promise to help with the laundry, keep on keeping me on my toes, and keep on hugging me as long as we are both alive.
(insert a smile here)
Yes, its true, we have entered that phase of life (insert scary music here) where we have teenagers in the house. Female teenagers. Two of them. Mine. (insert a confused and scared look on my face here). And another one who is 11 going on 19.
Oh, I knew it was coming. I remember the day they were born, I said to Kathie, "Do you realize in 13 short years we will be the parents of teenage girls?" She was still high from the happy pills so she said something like "that's great dear, let me cut off your penis" What? I chalk it up to 36 hours of labor, and the fact I have a penis. Somehow, he always gets blamed for everything. Yes, I said he, all of us guys view our little man as just that, a separate, but special part of our whole make-up. Most guys I know have a pet name for him, and you are not going to find out what mine is. Lets just say it rhymes with loose. And has antlers.
Anyway, I got off track. Back to teenager stuff. Like emotions. Can you say "hyper sensitive crazy goofy intense"? I knew you could. I thought it was Urban legend that you could simply ask your daughter, "How was your day?" and they stomp down the hallway screaming, "Daddy, how could you ask me such a thing?" (Insert door slamming here!) I admit, I do get cranky myself at times, when I discover that the two gallons of milk and 3 large boxes of cereal have been consumed in a day and a half, but that's when I usually retreat into my own little oasis, my garage.
Now, mine is nice, and I love it, but its nowhere near the level of my cousins husband, who will remain nameless. Lets just say it rhymes with rent. And starts with a B. Anyway, he has a pool table, cool beer mirrors, a TV and carpet. I asked if I should take my shoes off the last time I was there, it felt like hallowed ground. My garage is nice, I have a small TV and a mini fridge, but it is usually covered in the 17 loads of laundry that need doing at all times. So, I trudge out through the towels and girls undergarment and more towels, and watch TV. I have threatened to move out there permanently, but it is too hot in the summer, too cold in the winter, and there are spiders. Did I mention dirty towels?
So, I press on ahead, trying to endure all of this and wait til they start dating. When they are 34. Seriously, I am not ready for that part yet. Teenage boys with their constant I-pod in their ear, that dumb look on their face, and that shaggy, unkempt hair. Its the 70's all over again, except we kept our butts in our pants. And we had 8-Tracks.
So about dating, I heard a comedian say he had the teenage girl, dating dilemma all figured out: He would not potty train his daughter. She would be on her first date, and they boy goes to make his move, and asks, "what is that smell?" That's a good idea, but then we would have to rent a shipping container for all the laundry. I still say stun guns are the way to go.
So anyway, I try and endure the wild mood swings, the constant attitude, the almost constant texting and Cell-phone bills, and the hugs. Yes, that's right, when one of my daughters stops and gives me a great big hug....the world stops spinning for just a few moments, and everything is all right. "Dad, I love you".....makes me tear up and makes me so GRATEFUL that The Lord allowed me to be a Dad, to three wonderful, special, smart, talented, awesome, (insert about 100 more qualities here) girls that keep me on my toes, but also bring me much joy and contentment. I love you ladies, and promise to watch out for you, and embarrass you, as much as I can. You must promise to help with the laundry, keep on keeping me on my toes, and keep on hugging me as long as we are both alive.
(insert a smile here)
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