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November 23 the saddest lineOf course with 5 children we watch a lot of Winnie the Pooh. My favorite character is Tigger and I love it when he sings his song, "the wonderful thing about Tiggers, is Tiggers are wonderful things....." but I was thinking about the last line in the song recently. "But the most wonderful thing about Tiggers is I'm the only one..." What a sad line. In fact I can't think of a worse thing to sing than that, it would have to be the worst thing about being a Tigger. What would life be without all the other's around you that you love so much, and share your life with. How precious are all of those that are here with you and for you. It gives you a great appreciation and maybe makes you think for a second; before becoming frustrated at that child who continues crying and won't fall asleep, or the kid who gets into the glue and smears it all over the wall and himself. Maybe there's even a little more grace for those people that seemingly require much of you but have little to give back. Curse the day when everyone is gone. Enjoy it and spend yourself now. November 19 Theodore Roosevelt expresses the importance of the complete family unit and the uniquely special value of children in the home.
"Having been a sickly boy, with no natural bodily prowess, and having lived much at home, I was at first quite unable to hold my own when thrown into contact with other boys of rougher antecedents. I was nervous and timid. Yet from reading of the people that I admired – ranging from the soldiers of valley forge and Morgan’s riflemen to the heroes of my favorite stories – and from hearing of the feats performed by my Southern forefathers and kinsfolk, and from knowing my father, I felt a great admiration for men who were fearless and who could hold their own in the world, and I had a great desire to be like them…" November 14 Goo GahSomehow, someway the boys got Bannon hooked on Star wars BIG TIME! No doubt his favorite character is Darth Vader (you know my thoughts on this... see April blog) Bannon even does the Vader breathing, but when it comes out it's like a whisperred "Gooo Gahhh". And because of this that also became his name.
Besides watching the movie, if Cotter puts on the John Williams music CD, Bannon runs around all excited. He also practices his light saber skills faithfully and has learned to not hit anyone or anything not so duly armed. This of course is one of the Jedi laws. His new favorite toys however are the Star Wars epic Chess pieces that he plays with like action figures. There's Darth Maul, Count Duku, Yoda, Han and Chewy........ but his favorite of course is.....Goo Gah.
Last night I was having trouble getting him into the bathroom to brush his teeth. He kept coming in and then running out hoping I would chase him, which I usually do! Anyway, I said "Bannon, come here Goo Gah needes to brush his teeth." Oh well, that's a different story. A pitter patter of feet follow and it's brush time. I set him up on top of the metal waste bin where he always stands to brush his teeth. "OK Goo Gah, say aaaahhhhh", "now Bannon's turn." "All right Goo Gah now say "eeeeeeeeeeee." This ended up being a very effective technique as you can imagine. He even put his head under the stream of water in his turn to rinse his mouth out and get a quick drink. Then it was off to bed. What a fun night! November 11 CreditOver the last year I have learned over and over, it seems, the lesson that there are many times you won't get credit for the good you do. It's funny because when you're a kid your parents laugh and clap and encourage almost everything you do. Your first step, your first song, your 3rd place finish in the spelling bee all are done with accolades from those around you. Even teachers and pastors, coaches and scout leaders are usually fairly quick to give a "that a boy, keep at it and you will do well."
Then you become an adult. Maybe your friends or your significant oher give you a pat on the back or a "great job," but more and more you'll find that people are more aware of what you're NOT doing well than what you ARE. Everyone becomes a critic. And then when you have a great idea or do something significant, but don't make much ado about it, there's someone right there to take your credit and advance while you just shake your head.
Thankfully there is one watching who credits accounts where no man can steal and where the benefits remain forever. I do believe that a good man can not be held down and should never stop trying to stand. October 29 Just because I'm a nice guyWhen I was young I loved playing freeze tag because I was fast and could almost always escape the tagger and instead I would free everyone. So, just like other nice guys sometimes I'd just be "it" so the slow kids could get a break. Well apparently I've been "tagged" so I will be a good sport and play.
5 random facts about me:
1. I often talk to myself in the car speaking phrases over and over in different accents until I get it just right. I find it very entertaining.
2. In sixth grade I lived in Clarksburg, WV. One of my best friends, and a chum I spent countless hours playing "chase" with, was Billy Earp. He was a direct descended of Wyatt Earp.
3. When I finished watching Rocky III on the TV with my brother Matt and my cousin Chris I proceeded to dance around the kitchen throwing punches until I slammed my fist through the wall. I thought I was tough. I now know that sheetrock, if hit in just the right spot, isn't all that difficult to break.
4. I love the sound of ice cubes clanking in a big tall glass of lemonade. I've actually wanted some all day.
5. The minute I step in the door of my house after a long day of work is my favorite moment of every day. I also love Friday nights, homemade pizza, the idea of "time off" (we all know there's no such thing for an adult) and MOVIE NIGHT.
OK, there it is. Now with my balzing speed I'll tag Ben, Joe, Peggy - mom. See ya! October 24 appraisalHow the heck do you spell appraisal......it doesn't look right. Anyway......
We're having the house appraised today so I've been working on it, trying to get the back attic room "finished" so that we had a fourth bedroom. At 2am this morning I finished (for the most part) and went to bed. Much thanks to Ben, Jim, Jody and my boy Jake for all their help. I could not have finished it without them.
Jake and I had a lot of time to talk. We were talking about what things would make the house more valuable and he says, "just wait until she (the appraiser) sees our mirror! It opens and there's even like a medicine cabinet behind it. She'll really like that!" I forgot how cool I used to think that kind of mirror was when I was his age. Thanks Jake!!!! You're my boy! October 16 The Bills BlessingThe Buffalo Bills won their second straight game yesterday to move into a tie with NE in the AFC East. They played well enough to win and well enough to gain back some of the respect they lost from me. I listened to the game on the radio as I was installing cabinets at Mom and Dad Levenduskys. I'm glad they won, but the bigger blessing was coming home to hot coffee and fresh baked apple pie, and kids excited with the Bill's win. Unforced, they had watched the game themselves and recounted, to me, several of the key plays and players that led their team to victory. It was so nice feeling the connection to all of my kids while at the same time there was that undercurrent of a smile from Dee through her baking and candles. It was a sweet, cozy and loving home to come home to. Whether or not the Bills continue doing well, I know that I continue to be a blessed man. October 13 SuperpowersSomehow in class we got talking about superpowers and which one was the best. Flying, super strength, speed, laser eyes, super stretchability....... these were all mentioned. My question was with invisibility. Without the advent of Edna Mode, I was wondering if you became invisible (at will) if your clothes would also, or would they remain in the line of sight. What then would be the point of being invisible? I suppose then you'd have to go around invisible unclad. Eeeech! The problem with that is what if your sneaking around the store or a football game unseen, taking in the sights and something happens that causes you to lose your concentration and wham....... hello world. I decided if this was the case then invisibility was not the power for me. I'll be honest it makes me feel funny to go to bed without shorts, shirt, and socks and shoes nearby just in case there's an emergency and before you know it there you are standing in front of the locall fire department and channel 6 news.........unprepared.
This whole phobia probably stems from an incident that occurred when I was 6. My mom needed to drive my dad to work and get home in time to send us off to school. Call me prophetic or what but I remember asking her to just wait one minute while I changed out of my full length, Batman feety pajamas. "No honey, we don't have time." I heard her echo as she walked out the door. "Now come on." Like a good boy I followed along with my younger brother Matt, also dressed in his feety versions of the nighttime apparel.
I remember saying goodbye to Dad and then heading back. We were running late outselves and had just enough time to get home, get changed and out the door. As we passed through our hometown I saw the busses filled with kids and felt the embarassment start to rise in my face. "Man I hope my classmates don't see me in my car." They probably didn't but it was about to get bad. Right in the center of town where all of the roads merge/cross I heard the terrifying sound of the putt......puttt.....puttt....whoosh of a car running out of gas. Long story short.... just picture Matt, Mom and I walking down the last mile of road, us boys in our feety pajamas to our house. Busses passing, kids sticking their fat whooping heads out the window, "where's the Batmobile? Ha, ha, ha." Not a good way to start the day.
Come to think of it, maybe be invisible, feety PJ's or not, would have come in handy. October 04 things that made my weekA cup of hot, strong coffee in the morning.
A evening walk by the lake with my family.
A smiling football player "Did you see that tackle Dad?"
The pitter-patter of feet running to meet me at the door.
A 4-toothed smile when she sees me.
The Lone Ranger music playing when you hit scan on the radio.
Finding a 5 in your jean's.
A pretty head on my shoulder, "I love Friday nights Daddy."
Pizza out of the oven.
A kiss at the door, "Have a great day, honey!"
September 20 sloppy joeLast nght we had Sloppy Joes for dinner. Sloppy "Freakin" Joes! Tell me one guy who doesn't like the smell and the taste of that classic American cuisine? Just the way you hold it and half the meat-stuff falls out when you take a big bite! Tha's what I'm talking about. And for some reason the bun always tastes so moist and fresh..... what's up with that? The buns don't taste that way with a hamburger? It's weird. And no matter what you eat with it, you always save that one last bite of Sloppy Joe for last.
Ladies, listen. For some reason no guy will suggest Sloppy Joe as a desired dinner when you ask him if there's anything special he wants to eat that week. But mark my words, you whip out the Sloppy Joe on a Monday or Tuesday night when he's not expecting it and you'll have a happy and productive man all week long. I wonder what a woman's Sloppy Joe is?..........flowers?.........chocolates?.........hmmmm. September 17 tryNever want to fail
never want to fall
never get the chance to gain
if you don't get out there at all
the blows of battle
the stings of war
serve only to remind
that we're in the fight
that we're alive and struggling with all that is in us
Don't give up
don't listen to the doubter
that would turn and run
he'll never be at peace with himself
he'll never have anything to show for his efforts
a good name with sweat on the brow
is greater than the quitter in comfort September 13 Before and AfterIt's amazing what a good surgeon can do. I got surgury today and even though my nose is still swollen I think you can see what a difference. Thanks for asking Michelle! September 07 that's why.......Just a little adendum to my last entry. Cotter and I were riding the horses in the back paddock. We were having a lot of fun. As we finished up I decided to trot JJ one more time. I got going toward Cot near the barn and suddenly.............................let me just say I fractured my nose.................................. in a few places. I sit here at the computer seeing much more of the screen out of my left eye because a good portion of my snoz is over there hogging the right side of my face. I will see the plastic surgeon tomorrow. Maybe they can really make me look like George Clooney or Tom Cruise while they're at it?  September 06 why not now?Saturday and Sunday I had the great priviledge of riding the horses with Hannah B, my great riding partner. On Saturday we just took a short jaunt down the road, through a field, grabbed some apples off a tree and came home. On Sunday afternoon we again went down the road but then we crossed a field, rode up a steep hill and hit a mountain path through the woods.
The sun was shining through the trees and there was a gentle afternoon wind, a perfect day for riding. As we rode furthur we came to a tree that had fallen across the trail. It was a fairly large tree and lay about 2 feet off the ground.
"I can't wait until we're good enough to come running down this trail and jump that tree." I said. (in about 3 years - I'm thinking)
"Yeah, Dad. Me too."
We walked the horses over and continued. A while later we returned, crossed the log and started for home.
........."wait a minute......... what the heck (I thought)........what am I waiting for?"
Let me let you in on a little truth: a lot of times the only way you ever get better is just to try something. You can read all the books, go to all the seminars and talk to all the experts you want, but that doesn't get you to do it. Sometimes you just need to hold your breath and go for it.... do or die.
"Hold on a sec Han. You stay here I'll be right back."
"Where are you going Daddy?"
"I'm going to jump this sucker!"
"What?"
Now my words were solid but in my mind I was like....."Jeremy, what in the world are you thinking? You are going to kill yourself!" "Quiet down, I told myself." If little kids can do this so can I."
I took JJ down the path, turned him around and before I could talk myself out of it I said "Come on boy!".................. He broke into a quickt trot and I got in the groove. I expected him to balk at the log, but as we closed in he didn't even flinch. We got to it and I leaned forward and stood off the saddle a bit. Up and ............down, breaking into a nice smooth canter.
"Woooohooooo!" I yelled to Hannah, who just happened to be looking in the other direction! My greatest equestrian moment and she's not even watching! Anyway I did it again just to show her and again it was just like JJ and I were old pros.
"Come on Han.... your turn."
"What?????????..............OK, Dad!"
Hannah B walked Noel over the tree, down the path and turned around.
"Just keep her going and hold on!" words of wisdom from this horse-whisperer.
Hannah and Noel took off into a nice canter, a fluid pair of dancers. As they approached the tree Noel gathered herself and lept. Now I can't be sure but I think JJ just barely cleared the tree when he jumped. It seems he never does more than he has to. Noel, on the other hand, was not fooling around. She cleared that tree by 2 feet at least, which put her 4 feet in the air. I watched in a slight state of shock as Hannah rose off of the saddle about a foot! But in a quick moment she was back in the saddle and she and her horse were running by me. "WOOOOOOHOOOO!" I yelled. I was so proud of her!!! What a trooper, overcoming her fears and following me with nothing but heart and some faith.
We rode home conquerors, riders baptized by trial. What a cool way to expand yourself. Next it's going to be Joe and Ben jumping the tree. Can't wait. August 23 Future Bills or notOn August 6th the boys went to their first practice for youth football. Even though I was out of the country it was a big day for me. Since those wonderful and fateful words "Congratulations Mr. Moore, it's a boy," were uttered by the doctors I have dreamed of my boys playing football.
There are two divisions in the football program, 3rd and 4th graders and 5th and 6th graders. Being in 5th grade Cotter is playing on the older squad and Jake in 4th grade is playing with the younger. Obviously since it is their first year they are a little behind in terms of experience..........(but I don't think they've noticed so let's just keep that to ourselves.) They have been practicing now everynight, 2 hours, rain or shine for over 2 weeks and the boys are being pushed physically more than they ever have before, but they are loving every minute of it! They talk about the drills when they get home, and they talk about their coaches...."Oh, he's the nicest coach...." and "yeah, and the old tough one..." I IM'd Dee on Sunday the 14th (4pm Nepal, 6am US) to see how things were going. She told me that Jake was standing next to her with his helmet on complete with a big smile!
Anyhow, the boys have been learning a lot. They are not the best at every drill yet but I question them after practice about what they think they did well and what they could use improvement on. "Listen to your coaches....... You've got to push yourself all the way through every drill........ give it your best and you'll do fine......."
In each division there are about 75 kids. The coaches have been using only a couple of them as quarterbacks to run drills so I was surprised to hear that yesterday they held try-outs for that position. In the younger group 8 kids stepped up, Jake being one of them. After his first throw the coach said "You know what? You look like one of those big guys. Why don't you go over there and play linebacker."
In the older group four kids stepped up, Cotter was one. Cotter says that his first two throws were very good. His third one was "bad."
It is not the fact that they did well or not, I was just proud to hear that they stepped up. I hadn't expected or encouraged them to do so. It was all on their own. There was no voice inside them saying "you can't do that......you don't have any experience........what if you're not good enough?........." I thank the Good Lord and my wonderful wife for instilling such a "can do" attitude and one that's willing to "give it a go." What can be done with a life that has such an outlook? Whether or not either of my boys ever plays for the Buffalo Bills, I'm very happy to see such an imprint on the fabric of their souls. August 19 The Greatest HugSay what you will but in my opinion, the best kind of hug is one that doesn't end.
When my family picked me up yesterday in Albany my heart could barely contain the love I felt.
I kissed my beautiful wife
 and gave hugs and kisses to each of my beautiful children: Hannah , Jake , Cotter , and Abby . Everything in me had been waiting.....longing......and hoping for this moment for days and days. Bannon, who did not and could not understand why Daddy had gone away just had the hugest smile on his face when I peeked in the side door of the van. Sitting in his carseat he quickly shot a glance to Hannah, who was sitting next to him, for confirmation that his eyes were not deceiving him. "Dad-da!!!!!!" he screamed....... "Banny!!!!!!!" I followed....... I quickly undid his restraints, picked him up and gave him a hug. He layed his head on my shoulder and rested his little hands on my back. After a moment, when most good hugs end, I expected him to raise his head and look at me.....possibly stammer out one of his patented 2 year old sentences and we would share a smile. Instead he didn't move......he didn't even utter a sound, he just rested there on my shoulder and hugged me
and hugged me
and hugged me.
It is so good to be home.
God called me and used me on the mission field. I preached the gospel, encouraged the brethren, worshipped with the believers, prayed for the sick to be healed and helped, with other great men and women, to forge new ground for the kingdom. But when I got home.... when my family was in my arms I knew that I was back to the most important call in my life.
August 14 A Day of RestWell, yesterday was a tortuous day for the majority of our team. The well meaninged but possibly questionable food plus the Formula-one drive back to Kathmandu plus the exhaustion and heat plus the very foul pollution from every single vehicle traveling the road just caught up to our team. The exhaust is located on the right side of the vehicle and since they drive on the left, exhaust is always blowing in the windows at you. Even when you pass someone (which we did hundreds of times) the exhaust from the truck you are passing nails you. It is almost unbearable. Everyone but Jack joined the "potty club" or the "hurling club." Unfortunately Peter was the founder and president of the latter. He struggled from noon to night, but eventually settled in and got some good sleep. He and everyone else have gotten a lot of rest today. Everyone is starting to come around again and be themselves.
Tomorrow we are heading to the Bible College Bhim is associated with in town. We are going to lead worship, share and teach for a time in the morning. It is funny because the communication here is something that takes getting used to. Things are said, but sometimes not really meant. Some times you find out at the last second that dozens and dozens of people are waiting for you, and are expection a mind-blowing message. It is all very good and it is what we signed up for. God has also never failed to open our eyes and ears to hear what He is saying.
Tomorrow night we will be ministering at a home meeting.
Tuesday we are going to a huge church picnic. Bhim wants to bless his church family with us, and since we've only seen them once he arranged the meeting.
Wednesday we leave.
some side notes:
everyone is getting along unbelievably well. It has proven out time and time again that 7 was the perfect size for a team here.
Keila, Lore and Nancy continue to be a profound blessing to the women and children we meet and spend time with here. Their love and words of encouragement ring in the hearts of us all.
Peter and Ben have been resounding troopers and do everything without complaining. These are two men who have totally sold out their lives WILLINGLY to God. He has used them everywhere we go to draw crowds and make people laugh. They have also shared their hearts and spoken the word boldly.
Jack is a constant support and is always there with a bottle of cold water, or medicaine, or a "that was just what they needed to hear!" You can tell from his words and his actions that he loves the people here and has been totally moved by the call of God. What a blessing it has been to be with this team!!!!
Pastor Bhim is much more than he may appear at first glance. Here is a man who gives everything for the sake of the gospel. He preaches with fire and enthusiasm and a smile on his face. He dances with children. He has (as far as I can tell) no real "gifting" to lead worship but he gets up there and pounds the drum, strums the guitar and plays the flute with everything that is in him. It has inspired me greatly.
I'll write some more tomorrow if I get the chance. August 13 Gorkha Church - Take 2We woke up early today, packed our things for the 6th time so far this trip and were off for another Saturday church service. We arrived back at the Gorkha church around 8 o'clock. Because Saturday is everyones day off the children were all outside of their huts and clay houses waiting for us. I literally saw kids jumping up and down and start running for the church when our van pulled up. The sevice didn't start until 8:30 so we started saying hello, and we played games. I have to thank my bro. Ben 1000 times........"Thunder, Fire, Lightening," is now a great hit in Nepal. The kids everywhere love it. It was fun trying to trick them. All the villagers would laugh when I would get the children to go off a space they were supposed to stay on. Ben, you know what I'm talking about!! We also did Purple Pancakes for them. It was probably our best time. All the children were laughing their heads off. The service itself was a miracle. After an hour of Nepali worship, our team got a chance to share words of encouragement and scripture to these very hungry people. I told you before that the church room is only 9' by 20', but there were at one time over 80 people pressed in to hear the word of God that he put on our hearts. We got to preach the Gospel for the first time to over 40 buddists who came to see us. They all sat in the church and listened with eager ears. Praise God for the work He is doing here. Praise Him for answering your fervent prayers. Praise Him for using us (jars of clay) to pour out His blessing on hungry hearts. Praise Him for calling Pastor Bhim to lay down his life for his countrymen. The service was also a miracle for another reason. Apparently, during the service a dozen men rode up on motorcycles. They were very unhappy with what was going on and they were looking to cause a lot of trouble for Bhim and the faithful men of the church. Bhim did not tell us until afterward, but the men just turned around and drove away for whatever reason. When we heard this Jack and I expressed extreme interest in seeking these men out to talk. It is hard for us to watch our brother persecuted for the sake of the Gospel and not be able to do anything about it. We all need to pray for Bhim and the Pastors and evangelists who work out in these remote villages. God is doing a great work and the enemy will do what he can to slow it down. Bhim has already been beaten by three men once. He was hurt badly. The cost of the "Good News" is high for many men and women. We who can pray should do all we can. Everything of value in this world only comes at great cost, otherwise it wouldn't be of value. Love and miss you all. |
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