The best boy in the whole world

Today is the birthday of my oldest nephew, Walton. Happy Birthday Walton!

I am so proud of Walton. I am probably the proudest uncle in the world. Instead of just listing all of the things that make Walton so special, I am going to tell a few stories about him.

Walton loves to take care of peolpe. The other day, his Grandaddy was feeling sick. As Grandaddy left Walton's house, Walton ran out of the room, quickly returning with a bottle of Tylenol. Walton wanted to make sure that Grandaddy had medicine so that he could feel better.

Walton loves to play with trains. He is a trainiac! This was planned. Uncle Shua gave Walton a train on his very first Christmas. Now Walton's favorite trains are those from the Thomas the Train collection. Below is a picture of Gordon, Walton's favorite engine.



Walton is a great big brother. He has a little siter, Neva, and a little brother, Graham. Below is a picture of Walton, Neva, and Graham. Walton loves to teach Neva and Graham new things. Neva loves to try to do everything that Walton does. Sometimes she likes to say, "Walton can't do this" before performing some type of trick. She is a funny girl. Graham has a great example in his big brother Walton. I can't wait to see these two boys together as they grow older.



Walton is a hard worker. He is always helping his parents and grandparents with their projects. Walton loves to help his Daddy and is very skilled using tools. He can use a pressure washer, shop vac, cordless drill, and even helps his Mama vacuum the house. He also takes very good pictures with the camera. Walton took the picture below at Christmastime. Look how Neva is hiding.



Walton is becoming quite an athlete. He can run very fast and is also a good jumper and can hit a baseball pretty good. He is working on flying, which is a good quality for any developing superhero. Below is a picture of Walton practicing in the pool.



Walton is a very smart boy and is about to finish his first year of school. He is always learning knew things and pretty soon will be smarter than his Uncle Shua. One thing I know he will never forget is the first thing I taught him to say. I would say "Who loves you?" to which he would respond "SHUA!" I would then say "How much?" and Walton would say "Thiiiiiiiiiis much!" while spreading his arms out as wide as they go. I would then ask "How come?" and Walton would state the obvious fact, "Becaus I'm the best boy in the world!"



You are the best boy in the world, Walton. I love you so much and I miss you lots and lots. I am so pround of you and I can't wait to see you again. Have a wonderful birthday!

On the inside looking out

I could write for hours tonight, but I realize only my Mom would read it, and I also have a ton of homework to do and a test tomorrow. I just got back from having a talk with my friend Rebecca*. She is a freshman that reminds me way too much of another freshman I once knew.

Being a Christ-follower in today's world means we're often going to feel like outsiders (not in the S.E. Hinton classic sort of way). We are called to be different and many times it is painfully obvious just how different we are. Lately my heart has been continually broken as I meet more and more students who are searching for life and meaning and purpose, and I have realized that I am not on the outside; they are.

As followers of Christ we are insiders to the greatest love in the history of the world. We've got what everyone is searching for. Christ entrusted eleven men with spreading this to the world, and 2000 years later it's our calling and priviledge to continue to spread it. How do we do that? We love people. On the night before he was killed, Jesus told his disciples to love one another, and to love others as he has loved us.

Let's get back to Rebecca. She is searching for life, and for love, and she doesn't know where to look. Tonight I pointed her in the right direction. It may take a while, I pray not too long, but I want her on the inside, and so does God. I have hope for her, but what breaks my heart is knowing there are a half-million Rebeccas crying themselves to sleep tonight in my city, and 10 million more across Mexico. How many live in your town? How many do you talk to everyday?

We've been entrusted with a gift. We've been called to spread the love. Who do you need to love today? Who is your Rebecca? Open the door for someone on the outside. Shine the light. Show the love. There's plenty of room up in here.

*Names have been changed to protect the guilty

2007 Virtual Easter Egg Hunt

Happy Easter Everyone! I hope you are having a wonderful day celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus. May you believe that he is the Christ, the Son of God, and by believing have life in his name. (paraphrase of John 20:31)

Last year at this time an excellent tradition was started when Uncle Shua hid Easter Eggs at his apartment in Mexico, and Walton, Neva, and Graham searched for those same eggs, online from Kentucky. Here we have the second annual installment of Uncle Shua's Virtual Easter Egg Hunt.

The following pictures have eggs of various size and color hidden in different locations. There are some really big eggs for Graham to find, and some smaller eggs for Walton and Neva to find. There is even one picture with lots of eggs and Walton and Neva will need to count to see how many are there. (click on the picture to make it full-screen)

Happy Easter and enjoy the hunt! Uncle Shua loves you so much!

Picture 1 - The Couch
How many eggs are hidden in this picture? Graham, where is the big green egg? Walton, do you see the orange egg? Neva, which egg is bigger?



Picture 2 - The Door
How many eggs can you see on Shua's door? Neva, what color is the big egg? Graham, how many eggs are there? (Walton, can you help him?) Walton, what color is the smallest egg in the picture? Can anyone see anything else interesting on the door? Does Mama recognize the foto?



Picture 3 - The TV
Graham, do you see something big and yellow? It's an egg for you! Neva, can you find an egg? What color is it? Walton, I have a challenge for you! There are actually three eggs that you can see in this picture! Can you find the third egg? Where is it? What color is it? (Hint: Look at the TV screen.) Walton, you are so smart!



Picture 4 - Lot's of Eggs

Graham, how many eggs can you point to in this picture? You are such a smart boy! Neva, how many colors do you see? Which egg is the biggest? Which egg is the smallest? I love you Neva! You are my gorgeous genius! Walton, which color has the most eggs? Which egg is hiding the best?



Great job with the Egg Hunt! I hope that you all had fun! I wish I could be there with you to celebrate the day Jesus rose from the dead! Jesus loves you very much and your Uncle Shua loves you too! I love you Graham! I love you Neva! I love you Walton! Dios les guarde!

Uncle Shua