What Every Father Needs to Know

"So let me say this as clearly as I can: You, Dad, are the most powerful man in the world...at least in their (your child's) world. Your children are looking to you to answer the deepest question of their lives. How you handle their hearts will shape them for the rest of their lives. Never forget that no one is as powerful as you are in the lives of your sons and daughters."

from: You Have What It Takes by John Eldredge

Retreat Weekend

Sarah and I took a long weekend for ourselves. Sarah's parents graciously watched Benjamin so we could get away for a weekend before the new baby comes. We spent 3 nights at a The Homestead Bed & Breakfast in Bardstown, KY. We saw most of the sites in Bardstown, checked out an Abbey in Gethsamanie, KY, walked a trail at Bernhaim Forrest near Louisville, ate dinner at one of our favorite resturants in Louisville, and had dessert at the infamous Homemade Ice-cream and Pie Kitchen. We talked about the upcoming arrival of the new baby and discussed our plans for the time around the due date. We took the back road highways from Bardstown to Bowling Green on our way home instead of the interstate. It's was a good weekend and nice to finally spend a few days on a semi-vacation.

I've added a few pictures to a flickr site. I'll be added a few more in the next several days. If you want to look at all of them go the http://www.flickr.com/photos/hrlittlephotos and click on 2007. Hope you enjoy.

In the Shadow

The weather here has been absolutely wonderful the last 3 days. Benjamin and I have spent several hours outside each day. He's old enough now that he doesn't eat everything and he gets around pretty well so I've been catching up on some much belated raking. He loves to wonder around the yard looking at this, picking up that, etc... He loves to go on walks down the hill by our house and lately he's been a bit fascinated with shadows. He likes to point down at my shadow and say "dadda" and the point at his and say "benjamin or baby". For fun I stepped behind him and then my shadow covered up his. Nice concept to think about in my walk with God.

Benjamin also went through a very clinggy faze about a week ago. Most of that has settled down but occassionaly when he's tired or sick he really starts up again. It's been a little challenging for Sarah because it could be percieved that he's not interested in her but that's not really the case. It's nice to be needed and to know that he Loves me but for a while it was really wearing me out. With the warmer weather he really wants to explore his little world. Most of the time he wants his Daddy to share in all of his excitement. Another interesting concept to think about in how much of the time I allow God to share in my life.

On Their Way...

We have some close friends who will be heading off for the next couple of years to China. They'll be taking their two children and "studying" Chinese at a University there. I've updated their blog link under "Bryan's Blog" on the right but you can also click here to read more: http://williamsinqinghai.blogspot.com/

We also have another couple, Roger & Camille, who we went to college with who will be returning to the US from China in a couple of weeks. They are expecting and the new arrival will come in about 8 weeks. They have several details to work out between now and that time.

I've also had several exciting opportunities with my business over the last couple of weeks. In the next couple of days I should have a chance to meet with a couple of prospects. I continue to receive positive feedback from my seminars and hope that the material is useful and equips the participants.