Not long ago, I met an older gentleman at the Hospital where I work. He was a retired professor from the College in my town who seemed to have had a full life, and even in his retirement was now attempting to write a book. In spite of many advancing health problems I noticed that he seemed to possess a certain levity, even joy. He told me several stories and life experiences Read the rest of this entry »
A finite man of mortal means
who will not see beyond his genes
disbars all transcendental claims
making foolery of celestial aims
and yet desires to live in spite
of a looming everlasting night
in which no bride and bridegroom dance
and dearest things are naught but chance
and reason is found a crazy whore
made worse by feigning there was more
where purpose is a charmer’s potion
and love itself mutated motion
So will the moon give warmth to him?
From where does lunar brilliance stem?
If not the Son then tell from whom
comes light and life to vex the gloom?
And why do our internal things
chafe so against those ponderings
which figure man the sum of parts?
God put Eternity in our hearts.
There’s a straw man down in Kansas. Maybe you’ve never heard of of him. But chances are you’ve glimpsed some news brief about his campaign. He is Fred Phelps, minister of the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka. Loosely defined he is a preacher, but unlike any preacher you’ve ever seen. He is lanky, white haired, wild eyed, and what most would call raving mad. But unlike Dorothy’s lovable sidekick, he and his family-comprised congregation have been dubbed as the “most hated family in America”. Read the rest of this entry »
When a documentary is enriched with mystery, villainy, and urgency, it is more than just informative. It is downright delicious. But since heavy spices do not guarantee a good dish, let cooks and eaters beware. The additives mentioned above are used freely by fictional writers, conspiracy theorists, and religious fanatics of all flavors. So in reading about a documentary that has to do with secret codes and global intrigue, you might guess that I’m about to describe some religious docudrama about the end of time. But I’m not. I’m actually calling attention to religious fanaticism’s polar opposite. English actor and political activist Tony Robinson, in the 2006 documentary called “The Doomsday Code”, gives us the same white knuckle drama with a different twist. Read the rest of this entry »
The next morning (Monday May 14th), we got up and met our Chinese guide “Tom” in the Lobby. We were introduced to our next guide “Summer” who would accompany us to the city of Taijuan where we would meet Zachary later that afternoon. We left around 9:30 AM, and arrived in Taijuan at about 10:30 AM. Read the rest of this entry »
I must apologize, for totally neglecting my blog. It’s now been over 4 weeks since our trip to China to adopt Zachary You An Jones, and I haven’t posted anything beyond an introduction. So now, I will try to update you (probably over the span of several posts) about the trip to China, and about Zachary.
On May 11th we caught a shiney bird from Atlanta Georgia to Chicago Illinois. And after about a three hour layover we began a grueling 13 hour flight to Beijing China. Thankfully the iPod shuffle that my friend Irvin loaned me, kept me somewhat occupied. And I also did a little reading, snacking, and thinking about the adventure to come. Then came the second hour … and a few hours later, the third hour … and so on. Read the rest of this entry »
Well, here we are just a couple of hours before leaving the house for Atlanta Georgia. From there, it will be a flight to Illinois, and then (after a four hour layover) to Beijing China. Laurie made lists long ago about what to pack, and what to do before we leave. She has been pouring over the list all day, as we’ve been scurrying around tying up loose ends. And I am thankful for her meticulous attention to detail. The suitcases are packed, as well as our carry-on bags. I picked up some iced coffee from McDonalds to keep me awake for the 3.5 hour night trip. Of course I requested it without ice, so that it wouldn’t be diluted at the time of departure. I can add my own ice. Read the rest of this entry »
My wife and I are about to make another momentous trip to China, in order to adopt a child from there … again. In additon to our wonderful biological eight-year-old son Caleb, we have been blessed with the ability to adopt Anna, our now four-year-old daughter. Zachary will be our third child, and we are looking forward to meeting him. As much as we’ve enjoyed pouring incessantly over a few photos, we want more! We will be leaving on Friday for Chicago Illinois, and then to Beijing. I am not looking forward to the flight. But I can be thankful that my good friend Irvin loaned me his iPod shuffle. One gigabyte of mp3s ought to keep me musically engaged during the long ride.
We also want to thank all of our family and friends for their support, prayers, and encouragements. We’ve been waiting so long, I think they’re expecting us to bring back a much older person than a two-year-old. We’ve joked about this quite a bit at work. The image of me flying back to the States, perched upon the boney knee of an aged Chinese gentlemen, having a wurther’s moment, and garnering some ancient Eastern wisdom, has been visisted again and again.
Though we don’t have a laptop, we will try to add occasional entrys to this blog. So, if you’re interested in what’s going on, check back here in a few days. Just choose the “2nd Chinese Adoption” link on the left.
God bless,
Stephen and Laurie.
Caleb and Anna Zachary
I had a disturbing moment of clarity not long ago, kind of like a suddenly aching tooth. It was a bitter taste in the most unlikely of all places: a candy store. As I stepped off of River Street, into a well lit world of cartoonish confectionaries and intoxicating smells, I noticed a sinister little plaque hung there on the wall, by the entrance Read the rest of this entry »
