This Sunday will be my last Sunday at West Side. I can't even begin to describe the emotions I am dealing with. To say the least, it will be a hard day saying goodbye to what has been my life for, in some ways, almost 14 years. But since I have no other job and Mandy has a good one we aren't moving, so we won't have to say goodbye to everything just yet... if ever.
But even as we say goodbye I can hear us already begining to say hello to something else. I'm not exactly sure what it is yet. I just know we are about to begin a new journey in our lives as a family and for me as an individual. Even though I am scared about it and even though I mourn greatly leaving West Side, I am excited about what lays ahead.
Maybe, I'll document the journey here. Maybe, I'll be honest with my thoughts here. Maybe, I'll figure something out here. Maybe.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Saturday, November 08, 2008
Ian James Peterson
Mandy delivered yesterday (11/7/08) morning at 6:22 AM. He weighed 8 lbs 14 ozs and was 21 1/4 inches long. Mom and son are both doing really well. To see pictures go over to Lucy's blog.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Sarah Paline
Now I'm not saying this is going to influence how I will vote or even if it will cause me to vote. But to see a woman on stage who is running for VP along with her child who has Down Syndrome brings a tear to my eye. In some small way I may have an understanding of how African Americans now feel with Barack Obama so close to the presidency.
Tips...
I found this on another blog:
Sarah Palin has just joined John McCain as his running mate, and she took the stage in Dayton accompanied by her husband Todd and four of her five children — including youngest son Trig, who was born in April. (Oldest son Track is in the Army, and will deploy to Iraq next month.)
A few minutes before Palin appeared, I heard David Gergen on CNN referring to Trig Palin as “a Down syndrome child.”
Ouch.We can do better than that.
It’s worth remembering that people with Down syndrome are just that — people — and should be referred to as such. Let’s make an extra effort, when discussing Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, to say that Trig “has Down syndrome,” or is a “child with Down syndrome.”Using language that puts the person first sends a strong message that people should not be defined by their disabilities.
Like all Americans, people with disabilities deserve our respect and consideration.And while we’re on the subject, let me offer some guidance on disrespectful language to avoid in discussing the lives of people who have Down syndrome.
Please, people, let’s not say that they “suffer” from Down syndrome, or that they are “afflicted” by Down syndrome. Down syndrome is a chromosomal condition that doesn’t interfere with a person’s ability to lead a happy, satisfying and productive life, and to contribute to their family and community.
Please, don’t refer to Trig as a “Down’s child,” a “Down syndrome child,” or “a Downs.” This is outdated language that demeans in its assumption that a person’s disability is the most important thing about them. And I shouldn’t have to tell you that old-fashioned terms like “mongoloid” and “mongol” are considered insulting by the disability community.
Looking for more information? Here’s a release from the National Down Syndrome Congress and the National Down Syndrome Society.
Sarah Palin has just joined John McCain as his running mate, and she took the stage in Dayton accompanied by her husband Todd and four of her five children — including youngest son Trig, who was born in April. (Oldest son Track is in the Army, and will deploy to Iraq next month.)
A few minutes before Palin appeared, I heard David Gergen on CNN referring to Trig Palin as “a Down syndrome child.”
Ouch.We can do better than that.
It’s worth remembering that people with Down syndrome are just that — people — and should be referred to as such. Let’s make an extra effort, when discussing Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, to say that Trig “has Down syndrome,” or is a “child with Down syndrome.”Using language that puts the person first sends a strong message that people should not be defined by their disabilities.
Like all Americans, people with disabilities deserve our respect and consideration.And while we’re on the subject, let me offer some guidance on disrespectful language to avoid in discussing the lives of people who have Down syndrome.
Please, people, let’s not say that they “suffer” from Down syndrome, or that they are “afflicted” by Down syndrome. Down syndrome is a chromosomal condition that doesn’t interfere with a person’s ability to lead a happy, satisfying and productive life, and to contribute to their family and community.
Please, don’t refer to Trig as a “Down’s child,” a “Down syndrome child,” or “a Downs.” This is outdated language that demeans in its assumption that a person’s disability is the most important thing about them. And I shouldn’t have to tell you that old-fashioned terms like “mongoloid” and “mongol” are considered insulting by the disability community.
Looking for more information? Here’s a release from the National Down Syndrome Congress and the National Down Syndrome Society.
Presidential Politics
As most of you know I have been a big Barack Obama fan, at least early on in the primaries. And if the truth is told, I still lean his way today. I like him better than McCain and I love a lot of things about his candidacy - I love what his candidacy represents for our country. But their are plenty of things that I don't like about him. For starters his views on abortion and this line he says about America being the worlds last great hope (my hope lies elsewhere than America). Right now I'm thinking about not voting in the presidential election as a way of saying as a follower of Jesus I can't honestly support either of these candidates who both offers visions for America that go against almost everything I think the Kingdom teaches.
But on a side note I heard this morning that McCain might pick Alaska's governor for his running mate. Which would be so cool because she is a woman and she has a son with down syndrome who was diagnosed prenatally (which means she could have had an abortion which 90% of the people in her situation choose to do). I can't imagine what it would do for the down syndrome community to have someone like the Vice President with a child with DS. That makes my heart sing! Though having McCain as president makes my heart cry.
But on a side note I heard this morning that McCain might pick Alaska's governor for his running mate. Which would be so cool because she is a woman and she has a son with down syndrome who was diagnosed prenatally (which means she could have had an abortion which 90% of the people in her situation choose to do). I can't imagine what it would do for the down syndrome community to have someone like the Vice President with a child with DS. That makes my heart sing! Though having McCain as president makes my heart cry.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Live From Boston
The family and I are at the National down syndrome Congress Convention in Boston. I want to explain everything, but I'm not sure I can. My emotions well up just about every other minute. I see someone with down syndrome everywhere I go, it's the most amazing sight. I love my daughter so very much. I am so proud of her.
They gave an award to this doctor here in Boston who works in their down syndrome clinic. In a video tribute they had a whole bunch of kids with down syndrome saying thank you to him. I couldn't help thinking that their could hardly be any better reward in this life than to have all those kids thanking him. My tears welled up pretty good during that one.
I can't fully explain it, but some days I think I understand God just a bit better because of down syndrome.
They gave an award to this doctor here in Boston who works in their down syndrome clinic. In a video tribute they had a whole bunch of kids with down syndrome saying thank you to him. I couldn't help thinking that their could hardly be any better reward in this life than to have all those kids thanking him. My tears welled up pretty good during that one.
I can't fully explain it, but some days I think I understand God just a bit better because of down syndrome.
Friday, July 04, 2008
Into The Wild
Just finished reading Into The Wild. I thought it was a great read. It would have been a great read just for the writing style and good story told, but it was so much more than that. I thought I saw some of me in the person the story was about. I thought maybe I had 2% of him in me. I know that is not very much, but I could somehow just understand the itch in his life that he just had to try and find a scratch for and the idealism he had to live for. He wasn't perfect, but there was so much about him that I respect so much.
I wonder about my "in the wild" experience just after college in the West End of Mount Vernon. I wonder how wild I really let it be. I wonder how much I sold out in the midst of it. I wonder how much I've let the idealism from those months fade from my life. I wonder how much of that idealism was good to let go of and how much of it should never have been let go of. I wonder about how risking everything might be the only way of finding everything.
Good book, pick it up and read it if you get the chance. I need to find Travis Bickle some time and have a discussion with him about it.
I wonder about my "in the wild" experience just after college in the West End of Mount Vernon. I wonder how wild I really let it be. I wonder how much I sold out in the midst of it. I wonder how much I've let the idealism from those months fade from my life. I wonder how much of that idealism was good to let go of and how much of it should never have been let go of. I wonder about how risking everything might be the only way of finding everything.
Good book, pick it up and read it if you get the chance. I need to find Travis Bickle some time and have a discussion with him about it.
Friday, May 09, 2008
"My Brother"
I went to a community pastors meeting yesterday here in Mount Vernon about a controversy that is brewing in our little town. At one point in the meeting I spoke up and basically shared my opinion on the controversy. Let’s just say I won’t be invited to speak in most of the other pastor’s churches any time here soon. But then another pastor from my denomination spoke up to ask a question and referred to me as his brother. Now I’m not exactly sure where this pastor stands on the issues we discussed, but it has never felt so good to be identified as someone’s brother before in my life. In a room where I wasn’t the most popular person it felt so affirming to have someone call me there brother regardless if they agreed with me on this particular issue or not. Thanks Larry, I won’t forget that.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Random thoughts...
-If we are going to encourage our kids not to go to the military we have to provide a viable alternative for them. I talked to a girl this morning who is going to the Army after she graduates from High School in a few weeks. Honestly, if being in the military didn’t involve killing people or doing other things for our empire that go against the Kingdom it would be a great option for her. What other alternative do I have to offer her?
-Reading books on my front porch is a great way to talk to people. I could sit in my room and read books, but if I do it on my front porch all sorts of people walk by and it just makes room for conversations. Just yesterday I tried it out and had a wonderful conversation with my paper boy. I wonder what other things I can do in my front yard just to make myself more open to my neighbors?
-Just ordered three new kitchen appliances after one of them broke. Am I a slave to the god of consumerism? This one has been really tearing me up inside.
-Served on a jury a few weeks ago. It was a case involving a guy who went to two different doctors and got the same medicine from both (though he went to both for different legitimate reasons and both doctors knew he was seeing the other). He technically broke the law I guess, but in my heart I think he just thought he got lucky. I was ticked off at the prosecutor for even bringing the case. I was the lone juror for 2 hours who said he was not guilty until I was convinced to vote guilty. Not the most pleasant experience in my life.
-Did you know a police officer can look up your prescription history when ever he wants? He can then investigate you and then file charges against you if something looks fishy? I think I might call my state rep about that one and possibly the ACLU.
-Almost done with Shane Claiborne’s “Jesus for President.” GREAT BOOK! Now if I can learn to be a faithful citizen of the Kingdom in the ways I believe Jesus wants me to be. This book has probably influenced all the above thoughts.
-Reading books on my front porch is a great way to talk to people. I could sit in my room and read books, but if I do it on my front porch all sorts of people walk by and it just makes room for conversations. Just yesterday I tried it out and had a wonderful conversation with my paper boy. I wonder what other things I can do in my front yard just to make myself more open to my neighbors?
-Just ordered three new kitchen appliances after one of them broke. Am I a slave to the god of consumerism? This one has been really tearing me up inside.
-Served on a jury a few weeks ago. It was a case involving a guy who went to two different doctors and got the same medicine from both (though he went to both for different legitimate reasons and both doctors knew he was seeing the other). He technically broke the law I guess, but in my heart I think he just thought he got lucky. I was ticked off at the prosecutor for even bringing the case. I was the lone juror for 2 hours who said he was not guilty until I was convinced to vote guilty. Not the most pleasant experience in my life.
-Did you know a police officer can look up your prescription history when ever he wants? He can then investigate you and then file charges against you if something looks fishy? I think I might call my state rep about that one and possibly the ACLU.
-Almost done with Shane Claiborne’s “Jesus for President.” GREAT BOOK! Now if I can learn to be a faithful citizen of the Kingdom in the ways I believe Jesus wants me to be. This book has probably influenced all the above thoughts.
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