Stealing Home

There are few if any more exciting plays in baseball than the theft of home. It takes great timing, a pitcher and catcher asleep and guts. All three of those ingredients converged last night in Boston and I'll be honest, it couldn't have happened to a more deserving team, the New York Yankees. Nice job Red Sox!

My Three Sons:Patrick;Part 2

Everything is kind of a blurr. I could get some of the specifics messed up a bit, but the story is generally correct. Val and Pat began dating while she was taking classes at IUSB to become Dental Hygienist, which she is. Their relationship was deep enough that when Val graduated and left for Indy, Pat jumped at the chance to move there as well with Enterprise. He trained with them at the airport where they put folks they want on the fast track. But even though he was moving up, he knew there something different he wanted to do with his life. He wanted to go into pharmaceutical sales. And after a number of interviews with different companies, some getting him down to the final two candidates, he landed a great job with Sanofi Pasteur selling vaccines to help keep kids from catching life threatening illnesses. And he is really good at it. Even cooler is that there is a common thread that runs through all three of Dana and my sons: they have chosen careers that really help people.

And for Pat that mind set has spilled over into his leisure time. Patrick has become deeply involved in a ministry called Samaritans Feet. You might remember some basketball coaches who coached barefoot in a game this past season to draw attention to kids who don't have any shoes in such places as South America or Africa. You might have seen the Governor of Indiana, Mitch Daniels, do an press conference barefoot to announce that Indianapolis will be a hub and warehouse for the shoes that will be sent with volunteers as they wash and place shoes and socks on children's feet. He is helping me in South Bend and his brother Todd in Elkhart do the same thing. Just like his brothers, Patrick is a difference maker.

And as they wait to start a family, Pat, and Val who has been working closely with Habitat for Humanity, are giving of themselves to make a difference in the world around them. Add to that their ministry of service to those in need in the city of Indianapolis at their church, and you find a couple driven to help people meet the challenges life places in front of them every day. I am so proud of them

But I am proud of all of my young men and their wives. You see, my three sons wouldn't be nearly as effective in their lives if it wasn't for the love and support of their wives. And it works the same in the other direction. Katie wouldn't be as great a mom and teacher at Jefferson Intermediate School as she is without Tim. Jami wouldn't be as great a mom and Communications Manager at Granger Community Church without Todd.

Dana and I are in awe of our family. They are full of the love of God and it shows. They all are some of the finest people you will ever meet. I just hope someday you get the opportunity.

The Masters-Is There a Need to Say More?

Today starts four of the greatest days in sports. The Masters. If you are a golf fan, you may be in South Bend but your heart is in Georgia. For four days in April at the Augusta National Golf Club, a select group of the best golfers the world has to offer will play not just for the treasured Green Jacket but for immortality. Someones dream will come true on Sunday. Someones heart will be broken. But rest assured all will have given their best. After all, it's The Masters.

My Three Sons: Patrick;Part 1

I have been taking stock of the arrows in my quiver over this past week, one at a time, from oldest to youngest. Today I start sharing a bit about Patrick. Yes, Pat was born on St. Patrick's Day. It was a challenge from my dad over the phone as Dana and I were leaving for the hospital. And I'm glad we did it. I'm sure there are plenty of "Freds" who were born on St. Patrick's Day, but it really seems kind of natural to give someone a special way to celebrate their birthday with a little more zest. Pat and his wife Valerie live in Fishers, Indiana just outside Indy. Though they don't have any children, they do have a cute dog named Layla. She is very little and very quick. If she ever gets out without a leash, good luck retrieving her.

Pat graduated from college with a double major in Criminal Justice and Psychology. I thought that was always a great combination of studies. Shortly after graduation Pat became a Probation Officer for St. Joseph County. He had to meet with men of various backgrounds and who had done various crimes. Pat loves people, and has a great way with them. No matter who they are or where they've been or what they've done, Pat is someone people trust. I think he was doing fine until a guy literally crapped his pants while Pat was interviewing him. I really think that was the beginning of the end for Pat as a Probation Officer. His big brother Todd would agree it is a calling, not just a job. While he remained an officer, Pat began to look into other areas of employment. After a number of interviews he landed a position of Manager Trainee at Enterprise Car Rentals. One of the reasons he took the job was because the management training is considered one of the finest around and could be a determining factor if he would leave Enterprise for something else. It was then he met Valerie.
Tomorrow:"I'm moving to Indy."

My Three Sons:Tim; Part 2

In our family, the guys always out numbered the women, or woman in this case. Dana was the Queen in our home (to me she still is). She was the only female in our house. Today, thanks to Todd first, and now Tim we are on a plan to even out the gender gap. I never had the experience of raising daughters and I can't tell you how glad I am. Not because I don't like them. Quite the contrary. I have found myself wrapped tightly around their little fingers! First it was Morgan and now it is Macie. That's not to take anything away from Carter. He is now and always will be "Boo Bear's" Buddie. I just want to make a point that my sons are going through something I never had to go through. And let me say they are great dads and are placing the bar real high for who ever decides to date one of my granddaughters.
But let me get back to Tim.

When Tim decided to give up teaching he needed to find something that would scratch his itch for children. He happened to find a man who was looking to bring on a person to become an Orthotist. An Orthotist is a professional who works closely with doctors in making braces that make walking possible for children who may be developmentally delayed, or adults who, for whatever reason, need specialized braces to stay mobile. In short, Tim is a life changer. By taking the challenge to go back to school at Northwestern University and study the joints and muscles specifically and the rest of the human body in general, he has taken the peaceful demeanor that endeared him to his students and is using it to bring hope to children who otherwise might never get out of a wheelchair. You see, he is a visionary. His goal is not to help kids to be good enough, but to be an advocate for their greatness. Anyone can work with metal. It takes a man with a tender heart and a soft touch to change a life. And that's Tim.

It is hard to express how proud I am of Tim and Katie. From the proposal of marriage with the pumpkins, to the mom and dad that they have become. They have shown a special relationship with each other, that God Himself in Heaven is rejoicing over. You see it takes two to make a great marriage. I am so glad Todd and Jami and Tim and Katie are working together to make sure they work.

My Three Sons:Part 2; Tim

Tim began dating his future wife in college. Barely. They actually might have begun dating just before graduating and going their separate ways. And I mean by one day! What a sad thing that would have been. Katie and Tim just this past November gave us our third grandchild, Macie. Macie Mae Ruth is the long version. Her middle name Mae, is from Katie's grandmother. They had thought about naming her Ellie, but well the Beverly Hillbillies Show kind of messed that up, if you get where I'm going.

Tim started out being a teacher after getting his teaching degree from Bethel. Tim has always been a kid magnet. He likes them and they love him. It was just a natural thing to become a teacher;and he did. His specialty was elementary education. Tim is cool, calm and unshakable; a perfect combination of traits for the classroom. He had the respect of his kids and he liked them too. One thing Tim wasn't fond of was when a child would cry. Sometimes though, if a child was having a bad day it would happen. The little guy would always get the question "what are you crying for?" Usually, before long, the matter was deemed to be too trivial to waste perfectly good tears on. Tim was just able to help them put things in the right perspective. Someone has to be the clear thinker in elementary classes. And clear thinking he is. I think maybe Tim might have stayed in teaching if not for the politics of it. Many things are decided during preschool year teacher meetings in the school building. Let's just say that some things weren't decided upon quickly enough for some and leave it at that. But when Tim left teaching, they lost not only a great teacher, but one heck of a fine baseball coach. Tim took on the JV coaching job at Adams High School for a year. He had the best temperament of ANY coach I have seen in high school. The third base coaches box can be the place that has the loudest sighs, orneriest scowls, and silliest stomps; all of which scare the player in the batters box to death. If coaches knew how nervous they made their hitters, they would stop...I think. But all that ended when Tim gave up teaching. Where did he go? What is he doing? Stay tuned.
Tomorrow: Still helping little kids.

My Three Sons:Todd;Part 2

Being a husband, dad and employee are three positions my son Todd takes very seriously, and he is excellent at all three. But as should be the case, his relationship with his Savior, Jesus Christ is number one in his life. Let me say that again. That's how it should be. That's what strengthens his commitment to his wife, children and job. By keeping his eyes and heart on God through Jesus, in the power of the Holy Spirit, Todd has increased the value of each of his other relationships. How cool is that?! And that's not all.

Todd and his brother-in-law Matt Ernsperger, have partnered together in ministry to the teens of Elkhart County and any others who may show. The ministry is called Revolve. Todd not only deals with troubled kids in his work, he is trying to make a difference with as many as he can in his and Matt's ministry. God is actually letting him go into the devil's playground during the week, and is also giving him the keys to the fence that keeps the kids inside so he can minister to them on Sunday.

Matt and Todd are agents of change. They know that if these kids can begin to make Jesus a part of their lives, change will happen. Is it easy? In a word, no. In a world where almost no one models the life they speak about it gets tough. They have to model Christ the lover, teacher, friend, counselor and accountability partner. And folks, that ain't easy. If you want to follow these guys and their ministry, go to www.toddruth.com. His site is called Live a Revolution Everyday.

And that's the calling on all of our lives. Jesus was the ultimate revolutionary of His time. I am so proud of what God is doing through Matt and Todd. God has placed a passion in their hearts and they have taken it and run with it. Has it been easy? Heck no. Do you really think the enemy is going to go quietly? Let's get real. But I do know one thing. God has called others into partnership with these two men of God. I also know that God is in the process of speaking to the people He wants to have help them. It may be you. I don't know who it is. I just know God doesn't hang people out to dry. He equips them. In this case it happens to be sending others who share the passion to see the next generation empowered by Jesus. Don't miss out on an opportunity to make a difference. Just like Todd and Matt, you will never be the same.

My Three Sons: Part 1; Todd

I have three of the finest sons ever put on this earth. They have married three wonderful women from three equally great families. They all are different in many ways but alike in so many as well. They are all very generous, tender in a manly sort of way and Cub fans. I'm going to share a bit about each of them, one at a time. Let me start with Todd.

Todd married his high school/college sweetheart Jaimie. Together they have two of the neatest kids, Carter and Morgan, my first two grandpeople. He is from my vantage point, a terrific husband and a great dad. Why? Because he is purposeful about cultivating those relationships. He and Jaimie and his brother Tim and his wife Katie take turns watching each others little people so the other can have a date night with their spouse. What a great idea! Tim and Katie kind of get a better workout, chasing after 4 year old Carter and 2 year old Morgan than do Todd and Jaimie with my third grandbaby, Macie who is only months old. Plus Todd makes sure he has a date night with Carter and Morgan too. If you want to get to know someone you have to spend time with them. Todd is doing that with the people God has given him as his family and he takes that responsibility very seriously. I am so proud of him and Jaimie for that.

Todd is the oldest of the three. He is a juvenile probation officer. Todd loves what he does and the kids he is involved with, but he is a no nonsense officer. He has to be. These kids come from some of the worst conditions imaginable. For most it is kind of like you get what you have put into them. Were they born that way? No. Were they given chances? In most cases, tons. But extra chances don't equate into changed lives. Caring people do. And that is where Todd comes in. He cares enough to hold them accountable. Do the next right thing and things might begin to change. Continue on the same path and the time gets tougher and the people you're in with get rougher. It is their choice and they know it. But his story doesn't end there.

What he does with his brother-in-law Matt, tomorrow.