Last Monday my father and I visited Harper’s Ferry, WV. It is about ten minutes from my house and I had never been. What made the day memorable (other than having some much needed “dad-time”) was what you get for six dollars. If you have never been, you pay at toll booth style gate, park your car, check out the welcome center – which was manned by at least two people. You are then given a map and encouraged to get on a bus (which was air conditioned and clean) and driven about two miles to the town. There at Harper’s Ferry is a whole town of displays complete with tour guides taking various school groups around through the town. We were even told we could “audit” the group if we wanted. Plaques and things to read are on every entrance, bench, and pathway.

Let me get to the point. I have a job where I am constantly thinking about cost (I know for example how much the four color folding map we were given would cost). Someone has to pay for the person at the gate to take my money, the campus itself, the bus, gas, upkeep, landscaping, personnel, on and on – and we get all this for six dollars!

Who’s paying for all this? Our elected officials feel that the story of Harper’s Ferry is important enough to spend what has to be hundreds of thousands of dollars to let people know the story.

There is a saying that goes something like, “if we do not know our history, we are condemned to repeat it.” I know it’s not the exact quote – but think about a modified version of the quote, “if we know our history, we can build upon it.” We become a better nation when we and our children know what has happened. John Brown is a hero to some, and a hated person of antiquity for others. But he and his story allow our society to move forward, having learned from him. A society moving forward is worth me paying the six bucks.

Knowing your history helps you to build upon the future, whether it be unmentionable or heroic. Just keep moving forward.

Monday evening was our first parent/teacher conference since our move to Brunswick. The school system sent an info sheet home which included some suggested questions and behavior that would make the meeting go smoothly. I found it humorous that they suggested that you compliment the teacher in some way in order to establish rapport.

I think I know where the origins of this piece of paper came from. Some where in the school’s past there had been a string of bad parent/teacher conferences and the basis of the problem was parents coming to the meeting unprepared, upset, uninformed, hurt feelings, etc… and things did not go well. So an administrator somewhere said, “why don’t we put together a list of suggested questions, comments, and how to “talk” with a teacher about their children.”

I just find it a shame that our society needs someone to tell us how to talk to each other. Whatever happened to courtesy, common respect for each other, or even just love for our neighbor?

Kimberly and I left the meeting encouraged, a list of things to work on with our boys, and a renewed high respect for professional educators.

Yes, we did use the sheet of paper, and we did ask some of their questions – it was helpful.

Caleb and Joshua go to Brunswick Elementary School and have recently been learning about safety issues (police, fire, 911 etc.). Since their grandfather was visiting we thought it would be a great idea if he would come in and give a “safety” presentation. He is the sheriff of Russell County, Alabama and has over 30 years of law enforcement experience. Pop Pop gave an age appropriate talk on safety, and gave out some pencils, rub on tattoos, and plastic sheriff’s stars. Then we all went to lunch in the lunchroom and enjoyed some pizza, pretzels, and some kind of chopped fruit (I couldn’t make out what it was).

By the way, those seats that are built into the table are made much smaller today than they were when I was in Elementary school. All the students were amazingly well behaved and well mannered.

Thank you Nana and Pop Pop for making today a special day in the life of my children.

Daybreak was at the Frederick County In the Street celebration this past Saturday. In the past we spent a ton of money four color slick brochures, did a craft that got the children to come over to the table, and from there we would push the church. This year we decided to just share the gospel through a necklace with various colored beads that circled a small wooden cross. We decided to scrap trying to get people to come to us, we have decided to just focus on going and serving them.

The highlight of the day was to see our young children precisely and effectively sharing the gospel to other children. Sometimes you begin to wonder “are we making a difference?” and God gives you something like this past Saturday. I was very precious be apart of this wonderful event.

This past Saturday was Daybreak’s quarterly Respite ministry. This is where we provide a program for children with special needs so that their parents can get a break and rest. This was a special respite because we had a new friend join us. His name is Brody and he is a 100+ lbs. Malamute. Brody is a rescued gentle giant, who this past Saturday brought joy to many children.

As a therapy dog, he has been trained to do specific things, but there is a love within him that just can not be taught. Somehow he realizes that his touch brings healing, therapy, joy (whatever you want to call it) – he knows that kid’s faces light up when they see and touch him. He even seems to be especially sensitive to children who are incapable of coming to him or expressing their joy as others might. Cathy and Glen Fudge are Brody’s handlers and their ministry is wonderful.