The Shack by Young

I just finished reading this incredible book called The Shack. It is on the bestseller list right now and someone else had recommended it. I took her up on it and bought the book trusting her judgement. I started on a night I was incredibly tired. Don't start reading a new book then or you will be like me and have to start over the next day when you are refreshed -- it will be a waste of time. Not knowing what I was getting into, I ended up not being able to put it down. The story is about a man, Mack, who took his children camping and his youngest daughter was abducted and brutally murdered. As you can imagine, his life changed drastically. It was referred to as The Great Sadness with which Mack lived his life from there on. That all changed when one day, a note arrives and he has a dramatic encounter with God. All of this is written fictionally of course but I don't think I have ever read a book quite like this. Young's ability to write in a way that backs truths of God without having to quote scripture is amazing. (Yes, not every time do we have to read something that has a gazillion scripture in it to hear truth at a different level!) At times, I related to Mack in this book as I wrestle with my own issues and deeper understanding of God. He addresses the Trinity, the function of God, Son and Spirit as one, the death of Christ, suffering, evilness in the world and God's purposes, our choices, thoughts of "is God enough - can He be trusted - does He really love us?" He writes about Mack's own personal past pain and gives what healing can look like ... I could go on and on about this book. But I found myself relating with Mack as I think of my own journey through life and reading the process Mack went through for restoration with God and family. This book describes what I think every single one of us might, can, and should go through in order for us to grow in His Love and experience His Love completely. I hope you will pick up this book and read it. When you do, email me. I would love to hear your thoughts. Of course, I did some research and there is plenty that disagree with the book. It's fiction. Can we just get out of our little safety zones for a small read and enjoy what it brings? The "living life in a box" for the love of God .......

BASEBALL and VISION!!!

Part two, here is some pictures of Jack --- looking quite different in his GLASSES!!! These last five weeks have been life changing in our house. Jack could not hit the ball coming out of the pitching machine. It is a long story .... but after him complaining about his eye and saying he can't see out of his right eye when he closes his left, we took him to see the eye doctor. We found out Jack basically has "lazy eye" and has never developed the vision in his right eye!!!! So we have been patching his left to "wake up" that right eye and he has been a little sport about the whole thing. We also got him glasses and can I tell you what amazing progress we have seen!!! His last game, he hit every time and over the second baseman's head!!!! His eye is getting vision even though it will take time to develop completely. He can actually see the ball coming in now so he is connecting with the ball each time. This has been such a boost to his self-esteem!! God is so good!!! The doctor said sometimes people never realize the problem and Dr. Gant referred to Jack as a "clever little boy!" Which was why we never knew it!!! Leave it to him to make due and not complain!!! Anyway, his game has totally changed and now, he LOVES baseball!!! He is our outfielder and loves to also play on the pitcher's mound. He has a great arm and is very consistent in his throws so the coach says keep him playing!!! Amazing what some eye glasses can do!! He thinks he is "so" preppy ... he loves it!!!! He says he looks smarter in them!!! LOL!!!! Wearing the patch has also made him very popular in school .... Erica told him to tell the kids his eyeball fell out to entertain the others and then he would be really, REALLY cool!!! Thanks for the tip!!!

PLAY BALL!!!!

Well, I find myself late on most everything these days. You would think life would slow down but I am finding it isn't. We have been smack in the middle of baseball season!! This year, we are fortunate to have the boys on the same team and we have an awesome friend as a coach! So this year has been amazing and we have had so much fun. We have playing on Friday nights and Saturday. Turning those uniforms around overnight has been a little challenging. Spencer has had an amazing year and improved greatly over last year. He is the first up at bat because he consistently hits every time. Our last game we played, he started the game right off with a homerun, his first one ever!!! I can't describe the smile on his face and the noise in our dugout! He enjoys playing second base but I think his favorite is being catcher. He doesn't get bored and I think he enjoys making me a nervous wreck when he is back there. I can't believe how much he is changing at 8 years old. Every time I see him in the morning, he looks a little taller!! What has been fun also is watching Scott help coach their team. Funny, he coaches at first base and he uses his index fingers to tell them when to go or come back. Erica said the other night, "Dad, you looked you were shooting guns when you were yelling for him to go to second base! Pow, pow, POW!!!" And she imitated his actions! He really did, too!!! I think it is neat how Erica has shown her support as well by going to all the games and helping me be the Team Mom. She has been a great help!!! What a year!! Go Premier Knights! (Scott sponsored a team this year!)