A blessed weekend

As I shared on Facebook earlier – we had a wonderful weekend celebrating a dear friend’s birthday on Friday night, celebrating my sister’s adoption of two amazing kids yesterday and then taking part in their dedication on Sunday.

Each of the events were great reminders that I’m blessed with amazing friends and family and have so much to give thanks for.

I wasn’t able to take as many photos as I would have liked at any of the events but I do have a few videos and photos from Aaron’s party Friday night.

For what it’s worth:

Our Zambian son

IMG_3384

We had a dear loved one pass away recently and someone asked, “Was it family or a friend?”

I had a hard time knowing how to answer it. Technically and officially in the light of the law he was “just a friend.” But to our family members he’s so much more than that.

“Friend” just doesn’t do the relationship justice.

In the same way, calling my best friend Matt, “my best friend” or just “Matt” doesn’t really do him justice either. Which is why we always refer to him as “brother” or Uncle Matt with our boys.

Have any “friends” like that?

All that to say, while it may confuse some, my “sister” Kathryn is living and working in Zambia right now and just sent us a number of photos in an email titled, “Your Zambian son.”

That does my heart good.

IMG_3387

Our family has sponsored Lupiya through Family Legacy thanks to Kathryn’s work. He lives with his grandmother and several cousins in Lusaka, Zambia.

Separated by thousands of miles and yet we can still call one another family.

Isn’t it good to know that family goes far beyond anything a law, a blood relationship or even geography can define?

There’s no blood or law uniting us – it’s something much stronger – love.

IMG_3393

IMG_3395

Find out more about child sponsorship through Family Legacy.

Time for a digital Sabbath

rest | photo by http://www.flickr.com/photos/tribalicious/194137374/

It’s time for a break… a short one at least.

Let’s turn off our all our digital connections (email, Twitter, Facebook and more) this weekend and really spend some time with our friends and families.

Take a break from all the noise and rest.

That’s what I’ll be doing anyways. Starting tonight (Wednesday) at midnight, I plan on disconnecting for the long weekend and don’t plan on returning to the online world until at least Sunday evening.

Friday’s podcast is posted and scheduled (it’s a good one) and otherwise, if anyone needs me you know how to reach me via phone.

Along with spending time with my family, I’m hoping to do some good reading, continue working on the #nanodrawmo project and perhaps get some Frisbee golf or geocaching in.

I might even work on creating some Christmas gifts for this year as well.

What about you? What can you do instead of continually checking in with your online networks?

Here’s to a long relaxing break.

Some link love

Some great posts you may have missed recently…

Faith:
The Colbert Report on the “Ground Zero Mosque” and whether Barack Obama is a Muslim or a Christian
Enjoying God’s Reality
Loving our Muslim neighbors unconditionally
Has Pro-Life Become Un-cool?

Living:
Launch Every Single Day
100 Ways to Simplify Your Life (and Make Yourself Happier)
How Many Wows Will You Miss Today?
Being Busy is Not That Important
Divine Interruptions

Technology:
Make Phone Calls Directly from Gmail
Kodak’s First Digital Camera
Google Tweaks Gmail’s “Undo Send” Labs Feature
A long time ago, before death by PowerPoint
30+ Twitter Usage Guidelines for Christians
Seasons of the Soul
Tracking The Companies That Track You Online

Work:
10 Creative Ideas for Different (Better) Business Culture
Finding a job that you love

You can see these links and more by following me on a regular basis Google Buzz.

Baby Shower #1

Diaper Cake
Diaper cake (no we didn't eat it ;-). It was a 'cake' made of 190 diapers! | Photo by Jonathan Blundell

We had a great baby shower yesterday for Laurie and the boys.

I use the word “we” loosely since I just showed up and helped unwrap the gifts ;-).

It was a great time and we brought home a car load of gifts. I’m not totally sure where we’ll put them all.

But a HUGE thanks to Jen, Kara, Evie, Aunt Linda and Aunt Gwen for putting it all together.

Laurie and the hosts
Laurie and the hosts | Photo by Jonathan Blundell

It was amazing to see how loved we really are!

Thanks to everyone who came and for all the amazing gifts.

Cake
Baby shower cake | Photo by Jonathan Blundell

We have another shower coming in a few weeks and even better yet — the boys appearance is getting closer and closer! Laurie just passed the 27 week mark last Thursday… now if we can find her some relief for her bed-rest-boredom.

Coy Christensen at White Rock Coffee

Coy Christensen

After a full weekend, I joined a few friends and family to hear our friend Coy Christensen play a gig at White Rock Coffee last night in Dallas.

Coy did a great job, playing an hour long set, primarily of his own songs, but throwing in a few covers from Jon Foreman, Shaded Red, John Mark McMillan and When In Rome as well.
Continue reading Coy Christensen at White Rock Coffee