Friday Conversation with Z.

On Friday the 28th, Jodi was able to take "I" and "W" on a field trip to Berry Plastics. They had a great time. "Z" had got to stay with me and helped me move into my old office at Forbes Field after being in a temporary location for 8 months. Of course a 4 year old gets bored quick, so one of my co-workers gave her a coloring book and colors to help her occupy her time. Since the book was Armed Forces related, "Z" was able to color a lot of stuff red and blue (the page was white). She had one particular page that had some Service Members depicted on it and one was wearing a combat helmet. "Z" made a comment about me wearing a helmet, I quickly did some math in my head and figured she had never seen me wearing a combat helmet (she's almost 5 and I retired from the Army National Guard over 3.5 years ago) so I told her that she had never seen me wearing a helmet. She quickly pointed out that I wear a helmet when I ride my motorcycle so she had. I stand corrected. Of course, that whole thing got me to thinking that not only with "Z", but with "I" and "W", I will only be able to tell them stories of my service as they really wouldn't remember what I did. So much different than what Arden and Jordan got to experience and it will affect they way we are able to raise them. I'm not going to try to say if it's good or bad, just different. We all have parts of our lives that are different than other parts and we have different people sharing it with us. Invest into the time that you are sharing with people right now. It won't matter if the experiences are different later, because we will all be different in that time.

Things are changing

Wow, so things have really changed for us/me in the last month or so. Retired from the Army Guard and took a job as a DOD Contractor working with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. Still helping Soldiers along with other reserve component service members. The retirement thing was so quick. Most Soldiers have 6-12 months of preparation to get to retirement. Me, I took about two weeks. Had to get a lot done, but made it happen. I wouldn't suggest it for anyone unless you have a loving family and a very good job offer. Paul

What are you going to leave when you depart?

9 days ago, I traveled to LeMars, IA to attend the graveside memorial service for my step-father, David Peterson. If you hadn't heard the story, he suddenly passed away on March 26, 2010 due to a heart attack. Dave was may step-father for 36.5 years and was the father figure I needed after my Father has passed away and three years had elapsed. From the age of 9 on, Dave was my Dad.

Anyway, We were at the graveside. Now, there wasn't a huge hole dug, as he had decided that he wished to be cremated. That was OK, just a hole with a piece of plywood covering it. The minister started brief service and I was holding my son Isaac's hands to keep him still for the time. During the service, the minister talked about Dave's service to the church, camps, children, etc. I have to admit, my mind wondered and I started to think about how he served me as a father growing up. I am sad that my children, especially the two youngest, won't have Grandpa to talk to about life issues.

I'm reminded of a conversation that Arden said she had with him concerning tattoos recently. Grandpa Dave never said that getting a tattoo was wrong, just gave her advice and was assured that she had gotten his advice and would make a decision based on good information.

Anyway (again), I was thinking about things like this and what mark Dave was leaving on this Earth, when I happened to notice a plastic container in my brother James' hand. It was only about the size of a gallon of milk. I was just standning looking at it and then I saw that there was writing on the top. It said 8416, David Paul Peterson. It finally hit he, it was the ashes. That's it, something about the size of a gallon of milk was all that he left here physically. Then I started thinking again about all the people that he influenced, by preaching, attending camps, being involved in Boys Scouts, working at a school as both a para-educator and a custodian, and in the last couple of months in a court appointed guardianship program. He left his mark in all that he did.

I only wish that I can leave my mark just 1/10th of his.

Thanks again, for being a great example in how to live your life.

Can you finish what you started?

Well, The four other kids and I have been helping Mom around the house completing projects that our father, Dave, had started since he and Mom bought the house. Some of these projects were started since he recently retired from secular work. He was a small town minister and would have always been one no matter the age that he left us. We are finding little things here and there and trying to find all of the stuff to finish it up. Sometimes it's like a scavenger hunt looking for something that we don't even have a clue that we needed. It makes finishing the project kind of tough, but we are finding the stuff we need and getting it done.

Am I mad at him for leaving these things for Mom and us to deal with? By no means, no! I am happy that he got some of the projects started, because it was keeping him home with Mom and it was making the home theirs. Would it have been nice to have detailed instructions with how to finish the projects and where the parts are located, but what fun is that.

We all have been given a project here on Earth that we are supposed to be working on and we've been given detailed instructions on how to complete it, we just have to take the time to read it and follow it. The Bible has amazing stories and instructions, but it does no good sitting on a shelf or on "display" someplace.

Take the time and finish what you've started.

Should I Be Jealous, Part 2

So, previously I blogged about being jealous of something my oldests were doing. Now the question is, should I be jealous or covet my stepdad?

David Paul Peterson, my stepfater of almost 37 years, finished his race here on Earth on March 26, 2010 and is enjoying his reward in Heaven. Part of me is joyous in that he gets his prize he has long been striving to obtain, part of me is sad that I won't have him to discuss current events, politics, and our Christian walk, and part of me is jealous that he has his reward and I'm still striving for mine.

I have to remember that he wouldn't want me to be sad at all, but to rejoice in what he did and how he lived his life. He didn't preach at churches that ever had over 100 in attendance, but he preached at those small churches with the Bible as THE word and nothing added to it. If he stepped on your toes, they were in the wrong place. You better get them moving!

He lived his life everyday that it could be his last and had no regrets for anything he did since it was always focused on the cross. That's better then any named building or endowment fund.

Thanks, Dad.

Being Grounded for Life

The other day my oldest asked me out of the blue, "What would you do if I became famous?" I only thought for a moment and then replied, "Keep you grounded." She gave me a look that said that's interesting AND stupid, Dad.

Now I didn't mean that she would never be able to leave the house (or the second floor for that matter). I meant that if she were to become famous, she would have many people and organizations trying to vie for her attention and/or money and they would seek to influence her. I would simply remind her of her promise to God that she made when she became a Christian and would work to still have her ear once in a while. Insulating her from the outside world would be nice initially, but the caterpillar will not turn into a butterfly if the wings can't spread and soar. She'll just fall flat on her face and wonder what happened. Now they aren't going to fly right away, there will be problems, but learning to fly includes learning not to fall (again).

Keep 'em grounded.

Should I be Jealous

So. I know it's been a while, so I better get back to posting something out here.

So, my oldest two children got to go the CIY and church camp this year and it really helped them focus more on their spiritual life. They got a week for each event. They were away from responsibilities of the household, with no real requirements except just to worship and learn.

So, should I be jealous? At this stage in my life, I don't have the opportunity like that just to worship and learn. I'm always dealing with being the husband, dad, brother, son, etc. I just can't drop stuff and go anywhere. I'm thinking of the emails I'd have to deal with at work, the phone messages, the stuff that just appears on my desk and that's just at work. Wait until I dig up all of the family stuff. Whew!

I believe I'm looking at this all wrong. I still have the opportunity to worship and learn daily and I just need to do it. David Heffren, an OCC student from our church, preached on James 1:22-24 today. It was simply titled Learn and Do. I was reminded that we don't have to just try to do things, we simply need to do things. It was hammer to the head. James laid it out for us and we just need to learn and do it.