Cravings.

our "valentines" (feb 3, before my first surgery): we both had a dessert :-)

My wife and I are completely different in one major way:  my wife could live without sugar altogether...and I crave it.  After I lost weight,  my wife noticed something about me.  One night my eyes became as wide as saucers when I saw a dessert and she said, "You really are a fat kid inside, huh?"

It is true.  I grew up with desserts all around me and I LOVE THEM.  If you've ever had my mother's pies, you understand.

I've been acting pretty good the past week or so, but the other night I was craving a dessert.  I dutifully called my wife and asked her if she'd like me to pick up something for her, too...I already knew the answer: "No." She is so good.  Well, I went out to the nearby Fresh Market and looked at the desserts.  I went there because I knew I could get just one single cupcake, and, from experience, I knew that the calories would be worth it at that bakery.

But, when I got home I didn't just have just a single cupcake in my bag.  I had a whole Apple Brown Betty Pie and vanilla bean ice cream.  Who am I?  I'm a monster!

But, you know, I think it isn't just about sugar.  For us who are "fat kids," I have to suggest, that, in part, it is about memory.  I can almost taste the snickers bar when I am in the check-out line.  I could taste the deep vanilla of the ice cream as I picked it up off the shelf.  Worse, when I go home, the memories of my mother's cooking is intoxicating: whether it is something universally delicious like Blackberry pie or beef stew or something like depression-era mackeral patties.  It isn't the culinary genius as much as the memory of that food from my time growing up that makes it so amazing (but, mom, you are also a culinary genius).

church folks, can you almost taste it?

Memories are powerful things.  On Sunday, at my church, we celebrated Holy Communion.  For Christians, the taste of the bread and juice/wine are meant to draw on memory the same way as my mother's cooking did.  For adults who grew up in the church the taste of bread and juice (wine) takes them back to memories of childhood in the church.  For the early Christians it must have been a powerful reminder of a time when Christ was in their midst doing incredible acts.  For all Christians of all times it connects us to the people who have come before us.  It is a very real connection to them.  It also reminds us of all the people who will come behind us in our living tradition.  Perhaps just as importantly: because there are churches around the world in every time zone that celebrate Communion / Eucharist daily, there are Christians constantly communing with one another and with Christ!  Communion is a very real sign that we are connected to one another and Christ no matter our distance through time and space.  It is amazing, really.

Our Sunday Morning, An Update, & Testimony

I guess this what happens when you don't have a plan, but pick up a video camera and start recording.  This is the video that is going to be used at the Evenglow Bible Study on Tuesday to give residents an update on my recovery and to show them the fruits of their labors as they prayed over my mother last Spring!

It is really great to be back in Pontiac and relaxing at home, but I sure did enjoy my time in Pittsfield with family!

Also, I think we'll add another video here.  I asked Edwina Wilber, after church, to comment about what makes Pittsfield so great.  I thought you might enjoy her response:

The Day We All Love to Hate (or Hate to Love?)

Carrie looking stunning as she prepared for our wedding on Aug 28, 2010

Carrie had a great time last Saturday, wedding dress shopping with her sister. So much so, that when she got back to her parent's house...she decided to play dress up, herself. She got in her wedding dress -veil and all. Wow. I teased her, but she looked just as beautiful as the day I married her. Maybe more beautiful, actually. She gets all stressed out about some grey hair and worries about her weight, but she is being completely silly, I think most of you will agree. She is beautiful. It's not just on the outside. It isn't just something based on looks. My wife and I have agreed to spend our lives together. Those bachelor themed shows that make fun of marriage as "death" or getting "hitched" or "the old ball and chain" just don't get it. Each day I spend with my wife reminds me of why I married her. We have our fights and difficult moments, but overall we have grown in our love for one another.


Loving one another is not something that happens when we "fall."  And it isn't so magical that it takes away all our troubles.  Do I hear an "Amen?"  No, love is something we have to work on and something that has to be maintained and grown.  One way we do that is on special occasions and with our words (feelings).


As we approach Valentine's Day it is an opportunity to simply share with our loved ones why they matter to us.  For some of us it may be difficult to say the words because circumstances, other relationships, family trouble or time has gotten in the way.  For others of us, we find ourselves in a new relationships where sweet words come easily, perhaps too easily. Valentine's Day should not just be a day of mushy clichés, but thoughtful words of care from the heart.


This year I have much to be thankful for.  I have a wife, parents, sister and in-laws who have surrounded me with love and care.  I can't ever repay them for what they have done.  They wouldn't necessarily want me to...but I can tell them what it meant to me.  I can remind my wife of my love for her and show her that I'm not finished working on that life / love with her.  Who do you have in your life that you need to show some appreciation for?  Who do you have in your life who you might work to grow and strengthen your relationship?


Valentine's Day is a good place to begin.  It's not just a day of romance, it's a day for growing in love with the family and friends around us!