As I write this, and start this blog, it is January 13th and the election is May 13th. Although it's not yet confirmed -- since the filing periods for candidates officially does not open until tomorrow -- it looks like for the first time, I'm going to have competition in an election for my job of Family Court Judge. Lots of mixed emotions - certainly a bit of anxiety, but definitely some excitement too. So many friends (and others I don't really know) have been supportive in their comments and their tangible help - it's been really humbling.
Some good friends came over last night and we prayed together - that whatever comes to pass, I would act in ways that are pleasing to the Lord, Who's in control of all this anyway. Doesn't mean I'm not going to have to work hard or will be free from worry every moment - but it's good to know Who's ultimately in charge and that lots of folks are gathering around me to help remind me of that!
I've often said, I love my job, but I'm sorry there's so much need for it since it means families are in crisis. Since I don't think we're going to solve that problem - I mean, there will continue to be families in crisis - I feel very privileged to be in a position where I can try to help them the best I can. If I do not continue as Judge after this year, it'll be a disappointment, but though it may sound trite I really do believe "where God shuts a door, He opens a window." So - I choose to be excited about what's next, and will strive to be an honorable campaigner and opponent to any challenger.
In the meantime - I'm incredibly proud of my children. My oldest son, Christopher, next month will have his 3 years of internship as an architect completed, and he'll be eligible to sit for his licensure exam. I have no doubt he'll pass it with flying colors. He's never wavered from wanting to be an architect - he was 4 when he decided! Perhaps the best thing for me is that he's the chief designer on our brand new dining hall at our beloved West Virginia Baptist Camp at Cowen, where I've spent at least a week each summer since 1972. You can check out the progress at http://www.cowencampaign.org/. Can't forget daughter-in-law Alice who at long last will graduate with her Masters in Science Education in May - way to go, Alice!
#2 son, Cameron, still has curly long hair :) and is doing great things for the Kingdom in Morgantown with his wife Sarah (who also will finish her Masters, in Social Work, in May!). Cameron is my soft-hearted, compliant kid and all that comes out in his songwriting. He's working with Great Commission Ministries and its college church, H2O, which is housed at a storefront coffee/cereal bar on High St. in Morgantown called SoZo - right in the heart of WVU land! Their church, Chestnut Ridge Community, is a fantastic base for Cameron & Sarah to work in ministry from.
#3 son, Duncan, has his History degree from Fairmont and finished a semester of seminary but since then has been going from thing to thing a bit - he spent some time at WVU, finally, which made me glad for him because he's always been such a die-hard WVU sports fan like Dad! But, WVU classes and Dunc didn't seem to gel well, so he's back home and working now which is fine. He may start seminary again - there's an extension program which meets here in West Virginia for working people and he could finish his Master of Divinity in about four years. So we'll see...
Our only daughter, Colleen, finished her freshman year at WVU last year and, as planned since high school, transferred to Huntington Univ. in Indiana for its great Digital Media Arts major. She's learning film, animation and digital photography in a great Christian environment, with wonderful mentors like Steve Leeper and Bryan Ballinger. She's my chief producer for campaign TV spots, if I wind up needing them!
And then there's #4 son - our wonderful "surprise." He's 10 and just fun -- keeps me young. We're reading "National Treasure: Book of Secrets" together right now, and soon we'll re-read (for the third? fourth? time) "Prince Caspian" by C.S. Lewis (Narnia books) before the movie comes out this Spring. I've read once a month to his class since he was in 1st grade and this Friday is the day! I'm going with him on a school field trip to Philadelphia PA. It's right before the election but - I promised him I'm going, and I'm going!
My wife, Annette, is doing great things with her private Christian counseling practice, and right now is planning what will be about her 30th trip to Haiti, in April. If I do wind up not having any competition in the election - which could happen, we won't know the entire lay of the land FOR SURE until early Feb - then our youngest and I may go to Haiti with her this year. It's over the Spring Break from school. He's never been (except in utero!) and I've been twice but not since Dec. 1995-Jan. 1996. That was before our youngest son came along, and all the rest of us went except Colleen, who was 7 and stayed behind with family and friends. After we were there, I said to Annette, "I don't know why I didn't realize this before, but I hate the thought of leaving her behind. I'm not coming down here again until Colleen is old enough to come too," and she agreed. Well - then comes another kid! As of now, Colleen has been to Haiti seven times. But, it's time for me to go back, since #5 is just on the edge of being old enough to go. If it's not this Spring, it'll be soon.
We took a family pic on 12/26 which I'm posting along with a picture of the special Christmas gift my children got for me! At any rate, must close for now. Tomorrow is Domestic Violence day at the office and I need to be prepared. But first - Amazing Race, my only vice besides coffee, is on tonight!
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