Feliz Cumpleaños WALTON

Today we celebrate the fourth birthday of Walton, one of my two favorite boys on earth (the other is his little brother). Those of you that know me and/or know Walton know that I could write without ceasing about this child prodigy, but I will try to keep things as brief as possible.

Now that I am working in Mexico, there are many things I wish I could do, but sometimes I am just not able to do what I would like. Today is one of those days, as I am down here wishing I could be in Kentucky digging in the dirt with Walton on his birthday.

It is tough to put in words just how special this guy is to me, so I am going to tell a few stories about him and me.

I first found out about Walton late one autumn evening when my sister Le called me in Lexington, where I was attending UK, to tell me that she was pregnant. I was so excited that I started running up and down the street hollering to all of my neighbors that I was going to be an uncle. I then called a friend, Julie, who also happens to share Walton’s birthday, and asked her if she wanted to drive to Florence with me to see my sister and brother-in-law. It was already about 11 p.m., but we headed north on I-75, and I averaged about 100 mph (no joke), making the trip in record time. Now that I am in Mexico, where I cannot be extradited, I will admit that I hit 147 mph that night. Hey, I was excited! It was safe – I promise!

Anyway, we had a couple of false alarms before Walton was born, prompting several more mad dashes up from Lexington, but when the day finally came I was in town. I had four tickets to the Reds game (great seats) and three friends in town. Well, the guys had to go to the game by themselves, because I would not have been anywhere else but at Christ Hospital when the little guy arrived. When he came home from the hospital, I was staying at my sister’s house, and one night everyone was so tired and Le asked me if I would take Walton. I was delighted. I laid down on the couch and he fell asleep on my chest. I didn’t realize that Le wanted me to stay awake all night, so I fell asleep too, but only after surrounding the area with dozens of pillows in case he happened to roll off! I was so scared when I woke up a few hours later, and there was no baby on my chest! I laid there feeling around on the pillows, afraid to move, and then I heard a noise in the kitchen. At first I was amazed that he had gotten in there, but then my brother-in-law walked out holding the baby. Whew, was I ever relieved!

I remember on Walton’s first birthday I got him a car just like mine, and I loved pushing him around the house in his little BMW. I think he like it too! It wasn’t long after that when Walton began to walk, and I remember watching him down at Behl Street on the day he took his first steps. Before long he was everywhere, jumping off of couches, climbing everything, going to Reds games and UK games, taking train rides, going downtown (to Shua’s place). The boy even has a bridge across the Ohio River with his name on it!

Early on, Walton really began to enjoy working and building and helping other people do stuff, especially his Dad, the original Bob the Builder. There are not many four year olds (he was actually doing this at three) who can operate a pressure washer and a shop vac, drive a bobcat and a BMW, and propel themselves on a swing set with no assistance. Despite all of these accomplishments, the area where Walton has truly distinguished himself is in his role as a train conductor. Walton began working on trains around the time of his first Christmas. He has gotten more advanced each year, and it is common knowledge on Grace Drive that the way he currently operates the train set cannot possibly be duplicated.

I could go on and on about bouncey-bouncey and hide and seek and the fact that the kid was memorizing books before his second birthday (let’s talk about Rainbow Fish!), but I won't. (By the way, he is now memorizing Bible verses.) Anyway, I just want to say that I love Walton more than he will ever know and I am so glad that I get to be his Uncle Shua!

Walton and I have been doing this little thing since he began to talk, and it is really special to us. I will ask Walton. “Who loves you?” To which he responds “Uncle Shua!”



I then ask him “How much?” Now you have to do the motions here or it just doesn’t count. Walton will stretch his arms out as wide as they will go, and in the cutest voice imaginable will say “Thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiissssssssssss much!”



I then ask him “Why?



And he responds with an answer that is obvious to everyone who knows him, “Because I’m the BEST boy in the world!”



You are the best boy in the world, bubbaboo! Uncle Shua loves you soooooooooooooo much! Have a wonderful birthday!

Alianza

This morning I visited a place the likes of which most of you will never see. It is called Alianza (Spanish for "Alliance"), and to say it is the poorest section of Monterrey is like saying Alaska is the most northern state in the U.S. I took pictures and video for about a half hour, and spent about 45 minutes playing with some kids who had gathered for a weekly Bible school that is held on Saturday mornings. Most of them live in houses with dirt floors, no bathroom, partial roofs, and walls made of scrap wood, metal or any other material that can be found. They play on dangerous streets and in dusty lots littered with everything imaginable. Many of their dads are in the prison that is a few kilometers away, and it is obvious they are starving for attention and affection from a father figure.



The government has begun to help out a little bit in Alianza, and has built a new school, a small medical clinic, and a community center where they teach the adults to read, write, cook, and care for their children. There are also several churches that are doing mission work there, but with a population of 30,000 there is a lot of work to do. In between getting hugged, tickled, and having my hair pulled by 15 or 20 elementary aged kids, I let them take turns using my camera, and then looking at the pictures on the screen. It is amazing what little things can make a kid's day. I have promised to print out some pictures to give them when I return, and I am looking forward to the next time I can visit. My buddy Al goes there each week to lead a Bible study for several moms in the neighborhood, and I will probably start tagging along whenever I can.



The youth group from my home church in Kentucky is going to be working in Alianza in July, and I look forward to what God is going to do during that week. There are a lot of hurting people there, a lot of people who need hope, a lot of people who need Jesus. Whenever the kids in Alianza are taking a picture they throw their right fists in the air and shout "Arriba los niños de Alianza!" which means "Rise up children of Alianza!" I pray that these kids would be able to rise up out of their circumstances and surroundings and become all that God created them to be, and I hope I can somehow be a small part of helping them do it. Arriba!

Happy Easter!

This post is specifically for my three favorite people in the world: my nephew Walton, my neice Neva, and my baby nephew Graham. If you want to read along, that's fine, but this is for the ones who call me Uncle Shua. Since I am in Mexico, and you are in Kentucky, we are going to have the first ever Online Easter Egg Hunt. I remember how much fun we had last year hunting for eggs, and I think we can have even more fun this year. Below is a picture of Walton and Shua after last year's hunt.



Shua has made 24 eggs this year. There are 8 blue eggs for Walton, 8 red eggs for Neva, and 8 green eggs for Graham. Walton and Neva need to help Graham find his eggs since he is little and doesn't know what green is. Below is a picture of all of the eggs.



Three eggs are hiding in each picture. (You can click on the picture to see a larger version.) There will be a red egg for Neva, a blue egg for Walton, and a green egg for Graham. (Have you read that Dr. Seuss book Green Eggs for Graham?) Okay, let's get started! I think there are 3 eggs hiding by Shua's keyboard! Can you find the eggs?



Good job! I think those were 3 dinosaur eggs. Can you see the spots on them? Okay, now we need to go check the bathroom. I think there are three eggs hiding near Shua's sink. Can you help me find them?



That was great! Bob the Builder could not have done it any better! Now we need to find the three eggs that are hiding on the table. Can you find them?



Did you see all the little crosses on the eggs? That is to remind us that Easter is all about Jesus! Okay, those eggs were kind of easy to see, but I think this next group is going to be tougher. Can you help Shua find the eggs that are hiding in the printer?



Wow, great job! I think you deserve an Easter cookie after that one. I wish I was in Kentucky to eat some of those awesome Easter cookies that Gigi always makes! Okay, are you ready for another one? Can you help Shua find the eggs that are hiding on the patio?



Good job! I really like those eggs. They look like they are cracked, but they're not. Okay, lets see if we can find some more. I think there are some eggs hiding near the TV! Can you find them?



Wow, I can't believe how fast you are finding all of these eggs. Great job! Okay, we still have a few more that are out there hiding. I think I saw some over by Shua's bookbag! Let's check it out.



How did those eggs get in my bag? I am going to have to keep it zipped up from now on! I think I just heard something in the refrigerator. We better go check it to see if we can find some more eggs!



Those eggs were tought to find, especially the blue one! You are doing great! There are only three more eggs out there. Were are they? I think you are going to have to ask Shua!



Hey, Uncle Shua is crazy! It might be the water down here in Mexico. :-) Well, you have found all of the eggs. Thank you so much for your help! I love you so much and I miss you really bad. I am glad we got to hunt for Easter eggs together today. I can't wait until I get to see you guys again. Have a wonderful Easter, and don't forget that it is all about Jesus! I love you!

Good Friday

I am sitting here in my apartment watching The Passion and thinking about what Jesus did for all of us. There are no words to express my unworthiness. I feel like Peter after the rooster crowed. What perfect love He has for me! We always see Judas as such a villian, but how many of us have sold Jesus out for far less than thirty pieces of silver. The word "amazing" does not do justice to His grace.

I have been reading the different Easter accounts in the Gospels today, but the passage of scripture that has gripped me the most is Isaiah 53:5 - "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." What a beautiful picture! There are so many emotions I feel as I watch The Passion and think about Christ's suffering and sacrifice. However, I can't help but to rejoice in the peace and healing that he has brought to my life.

I pray that we would all take time to consider who Jesus is and what he has done for us, not just on Easter weekend, but every day. He is the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6) He came so that we could have life, and have it abundantly. (John 10:10) His love for us sent him to the cross. His death paid the price for our sin. His resurrection empowers us to live as new creations.

My favorite line from the movie comes when Jesus in carrying his cross to Golgotha. He falls and his mother is there beside him. He looks at her and says, "I make all things new." He has made me new. He can make you new as well. Allow him to change your life. Jesus offers forgiveness and healing of the past, fullness and joy in the present, and hope and a purpose for the future.

In John 17:3 Jesus said, "Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." Have a wonderful Easter weekend. He is risen!