Coach Dad

I haven't had alot of free moments to sit down with the house being quiet lately... the boys are asleep, Brooke is at work at the Jags are playing Monday Night Football. I've had some great experiences to write about lately, but they left me before I got to. But I couldn't let tonight pass by.

I knew today was going to be a challenge. Brooke had to work which meant Dad duty, but Dad duty and Coach duty - a new, yet not necessarily a winning combination. Coaching is OK and Dad is OK, but Coach Dad is a different story.

Brock and I were anxiously watching the clock to see if we were even going to make it to football practice on time, as Jake was still napping. And dinner for Jake still had to happen. He made it and I had prepped the "bag of life" and figured we could do some food on the way and some at the field. Noticing a smell - you know the kind that stops you dead in your tracks - wafted upward before we made it to the car. Running back inside and frantically trying to undue those midget snaps on 15 layers of clothes (Mom is into the dressing for cuteness not practicality)... there it was. No time to put on the much needed HAZMAT suit... I had to go in. I got layer one off and there it was. Nothing like poop coming out of all available crevices and on to every layer of "cute outfit". Had to work fast, which meant only coming up for air a few times. This one was so good, that I'll make sure Jake thanks me for this when he is old enough to understand.

The next part of my journey had me looking like Steve Martin in "Cheaper by the Dozen" trying to coach football with a 1-year old on your hip. Doesn't exactly inspire greatness in your players, but then again, I'm coaching 8 year olds who would rather chase each other around and pull each others flags then actually run the plays we call.

"Welcome to Moes" is where we ended up as I knew I was racing against the bedtime clock, but hey,kids do eat free on Mondays - it was a great audible. Coach Brian, Shara and their three joined us which gave us one of the more rowdy tables in Moes, but it was fun. What was more fun was trying to eat a Joey with my left, put it down and feed Jake with the left while the right had to hold since all the high chairs were taken. That might have been harder than coaching with Jake.

But we finally were on the way home, while I was drafting one last play for the evening. I'm giving Brock the call to run a fade route and get the bath running, while I prep the bedtime bottle, get baby undressed and in the tub and clean; handoff back Brock to warm the bottle and throw it deep to me in the end zone where I'm trying to grab flailing limbs and get PJ's on. Then it's off to bottle and some rocking while Brock is doing his pre-bed routine.

I didn't score any big yardage tonight, but we managed to keep penalties and fumbles to a minimum! All in this great game of life in the Veleber world!

Happy Birthday Jake... but don't eat that cake!

Well as if birthdays aren't exciting enough around the Veleber house... this one takes the cake... literally. It's hard to believe that we welcomed little (now not so little) Jake Taylor into the world a year ago. It is amazing to me how fast he has grown and how fast the time has gone by.

So the big #1 was upon us and we had all of our family, out-of-town relatives and friends over for the big celebration. Other than the rain messing up the outside plans it was a fun time. Then we get to the moment of truth. Will Jake not like the cake or will he dive in head first? He was hesitant at first and after some samples he decided to go for it. Massive handfuls of icing and cake going down the hatch. And in the process... getting all over his face.



He seemed to be enjoying it until he got some into his eyes and we decided to alleviate the crying with a quick bath. Well, once we rinsed all the icing off his face it revealed why he was crying. Hives. And I mean hives all over his face. His eyes were swelling shut and he started drooling uncontrollably. Pretty big allergic reaction. We're trying to reach the doctor on the phone while trying to calculate the dose of Benadryl he should get.

So the big party that started at our house ended at TMH (our hospital). Jake is better now. He even was baptized on Sunday following the ordeal and did a great job.

Why should we ever expect anything "normal" around the Veleber house?

Where were you?

I couldn't help but reflect on the events of today that changed our world just six years ago. It's hard to believe it was that long ago. I was sitting in Christian Theology II at Beeson Divinity School when our class was interrupted by someone trying to bring us news of some sort of tragedy, but without really knowing what was happening. Class immediately was ended as we all gathered in The Commons around a TV to figure out what was happening and to pray.

I don't have alot to say about the 9/11 itself and I don't really want to dive into the "politics" of it all - which sadly, I think that incredible tragedy has merely turned into.

But I do remember the age-old question of "Why would God allow such evil?" being raised by alot of my students at the time. I remember church being packed out literally wall to wall the next few Sundays. I remember the feelings of fear, hurt, sadness and the nervousness of waiting to hear if my NY relatives were safe.

The more I think about it all, the more I long for home... not here on earth, but the real home I was created to enjoy. "But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take these weak mortal bodies of ours and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same mighty power that he will use to conquer everything, everywhere" (Philippians 3:20-21).

Into Daddy's Arms

Most of my spiritual journey these days tends to revolve around either my students or my kids. Neither of which is bad, but makes for interesting perspectives on life and God. I'm always amazed at how God can teach us through the lives of others. I guess that is why we are on this journey of faith together.

Last night it was Dad Duty. I realize I haven't written about my adventures of Dad Duty when Brooke has to go to work in awhile. Almost every one yields a story worth sharing. I managed to keep everything under control last night until bedtime. Jake usually does a good job of lying down to go to sleep on his own, but last night, as soon as I laid him down he reached his arms back up for me and crawled up into my arms.

That is pretty unusual since he mostly does not like to be rocked to sleep. So there I am standing by his crib as he has crawled up into my arms and onto my chest. Go ahead girls... "aw"... I know. It was a special moment until my lower back and arms figured out he doesn't weigh 10 pounds anymore. Swaying back a forth with a small tank in your arms isn't easy on the body.

After I put him down I just reflected in the glory of the moment. I know those opportunities won't last forever. And I had forgotten the comfort and security of being held in my Heavenly Father's arms. What a gentle and warm embrace and a place of refuge. There is nothing like being held by the Father. "Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you" (Psalm 25:20). What a great promise from Scripture.

Summer Dreams...

It's hard for me to even type the words. Summer's over. You would think someone in student ministry who lives out of his suitcase the majority of the summer would be glad to be back in his own bed. And it's not that. It is always tough being away from my family and only being home for just a handful of days all summer long.

But it is equally as hard to say goodbye to summer. Primarily for spiritual reasons. Even though I do alot of 'giving' spiritually during the summer, I also receive quite a bit. It is so encouraging to not only encourage God's work in the lives of my students, but God always does a powerful work in my heart as well.

It is always hard to leave the mountaintop. Having concentrated times in God's presence is good for my heart. I can see why Peter said, "Let's pitch some tents and stay up here." Our hearts long for the mountaintop where God's presence is felt and seen. But valley dwelling calls to me. That's home and where I'm called to live and minister.

But I'm so grateful for the summer. I love the mountaintop. I love watching God move in powerful ways among our students and sharing that experience with them.

Camps and mission trips are done. My prayer is that God's work would continue to go forth as we pray His Kingdom come!

Mission Nicaragua :: Travel Update

We are stranded in Miami. Apparently AA is a shaky operation here in Miami. Last year we spent 5 hours in MIA. This year, I stood for 2 1/2 hours straight in line trying to get us on another flight. While the agent was working on multiple options (after even trying other airlines) I called Delta and was booking us on a flight while she was still helping me. Then I just handed her my cell phone to let her finish it up. So they have put us in a hotel and we fly out early in the morning on a direct flight back to Tally. Here's the info:

Delta Flight # 6156
8:35 am MIA - 10:05 am TLH

Mission Nicaragua :: Day 8

It's hard to believe that our work and time here in Nicaragua is done. Even though we have invested many hours of sweat, tears, hugs, laughter, giving, receiving, learning, growing and even stomach discomfort - it is going to be very hard for us to leave here in the morning. The reality of that set in for many of us today on the worksite. We are going to return to Diamaris' home in the morning to pray with her, dedicate her home to the Lord and to her family and even give gifts of clothing and supplies for their home. That will be a bittersweet time because we have grown so attached to her and her children. We didn't totally finish the house, which was disappointing for us, but it is amazing that in a few days working we were able to totally contruct a home (4 walls completed) around her existing home. All that remains is to put the roof on and then tear down her old home. We wish we could be here to see that, but the stone masons that were working with us will complete the home hopefully by Tuesday.

After working today, we had a powerful time of ministry and prayer at Sister Ruby's. She is a prayer warrior and always has a word from the Lord for us. God moved and spoke individually to our hearts in a mighty and authentic way. We have already started to process that time, but I'm sure it will take awhile for it to sink in and for God to complete the work that He has begun in our hearts this week. Only eternity will truly know what comes out of this week for our team.

We shared a special team meal tonight as we were able to eat out at a local restraunt. It was a fun time to be together and enjoy some great Nicaraguan dishes. We also had a suprise birthday party complete with a guest musical artist for Debbie.

All of us have great stories to share. Stories that reflect the lives of a short term missionary who has been impacted by seeing the Gospel go forth, through our hands and feet and has in turn changed our lives. I encourage you parents especially to give your student the gift of unhurried time, by sitting down with them and letting them talk. Encourage them to open up, ask good questions, and be ready to hear about the work God has done in their lives.

We have been so blessed to have been used by God as small people in the huge narrative of God's story. Our heartfelt thanks go out to all the families who allowed us to go and for all those that have supported our team through financial resources and through prayer. And a special thanks goes out to my wife, who sacrificially gives to me time away to allow me to minister and be ministered to on missions like this.