Looking for Holiness & Happiness Today
Late night with sick kids + Late night with sick wife + Early morning with sick family = Unproductive, tired, cranky, sick Patrick I’ve tried to write several blog posts this morning, but my ‘spirited’ nature keeps getting in the way and it sounds like I’m going to hurt someone. So no blogging for me [...]
Ephesians 6 & The Chainsaw
Yesterday was a good opportunity to point the boys to Jesus, and then amazingly enough it was reinforced today. We had a big work party at our house (Big ups to the Gieglers and Ray’s for all their help!!) yesterday. We painted furniture, we hung pictures, we assembled cabinets, we mounted a tv, etc, etc. [...]
Getting Re-centered
I took yesterday to get re-centered…actually, my body did. If it was left up to me I would have kept pressing forward, but my body knows Me better than I do. Muscle aches, headache, chills, nausea, and 3 or 4 naps put me down yesterday. Jennifer kept asking me what was wrong with me – [...]
Dreamin About Bling
Sometimes I know better than my children…sometimes. Last Friday Noah was sitting outside by himself, sulking about something I am sure. While mulling over what a terrible family he has arrived into he began trying to break a piece of a 2×4. It wouldn’t break with the strength of his hands. It wouldn’t even break [...]
Compelling Hope, Exhausted Love
It is hope that compels me when my love has been exhausted. A few of the kids were putting lunch on the table today and everyone was gathering around…everyone except for Noah of course. Day 2 of the hunger strike was continuing. Jennifer asked me if I was going to call him to lunch and [...]
Back on the Crazy Train
John 12:25-26 – Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. I have been gone [...]
To Be a Fly
Alarm Clock Daddy, I’m wet <at 4:50am today>. ~ Ana Stereotyping Daddy, Daddy <in a hushed voice and pointing to a girl at the baseball game>, is that Laura Takisaki? – Ana Theology Dad, I think we should start praying to Uncle Lynn and Jesus at the same time. Cause Uncle Lynn just got there [...]
Daddy, Why Were You Talking to the Policeman? – Ana
Sigh….Here is the last post in my 4 part series to catch you up on our lives. Most of you who have followed our Ethiopian adoption journey know all about the ups and downs (if you are new to us, feel free to read through the archives to catch up). I have tried to share [...]
Culture Shock
The culture shock has been sudden and slow. Let me explain. On one hand it is sudden – southern drawl, sweet tea, the obvious diversity in population, hot humid weather and family. On the other hand it is slow – trying to acclimate to a religious society after living in a secular society for 15 [...]
17 Hours
After a year of praying, planning, talking and dreaming – Jennifer and I finalized the last details to move our family back to the South after a 15 year absence. It honestly felt like we were moving to a new mission field and not necessarily moving ‘back home’ since we had never lived in the [...]
Try to Keep Up
Someone told me long ago There’s a calm before the storm, I know It’s been comin for some time. ~ John Fogerty As those of you who were regularly following us have realized – well, I haven’t been posting much. The short of it is that Life is FULL and overflowing. We have had more [...]
The Legend Continues
I have been amazed at Caleb’s quick grasp of the game of baseball. Being left-handed, his coaches wanted him to try out pitching. Caleb has not only done well, but has exceeded any and all expectations that we had for him. When he first told me that his coach wanted him to pitch I simply [...]
“Does Bitch Mean We’re Done?”
We have had a lot going on in our family lately and when that happens everyone gets neglected. Jennifer had been noticing that she needed to spend more time with the older 2 girls, so she planned a movie time. It was one of those cutesy romantic comedies that wasn’t too over the edge, but [...]
Red & Black
We have entered a new world – that world is called ‘Little League Baseball’. It is a strange world. Husbands and wives who drive BMW’s mingle with those of us ‘less fortunate’ in our 15 passenger vans. Husbands who were expensive suits and sunglasses are warming up with their kids next to dad’s wearing worn [...]
Pillow Talk
Here is our good morning conversation: Patrick: Oooh, look what I found! Jennifer:<through a stuffed up nose> What? Patrick: An angel has fallen into my bed. Tell me beautiful angel, whatever happened to your wings. Jennifer: <not impressed by my romanticism>The kids pulled them out and I crashed. Patrick: How terrible… Jennifer: <slowly waking up [...]
What is Wrong with Me?
(I just found this in my drafts to post, but I forgot to post it) It has been one of those weeks. A rollercoaster week, you know, ups and downs. We have ended on an up, but I really hate the downs. For most of you who have been following our lives, you know that [...]
Baseball Tryouts
Noah and Caleb warm up for tryouts today. They are stressed out, but excited! Or maybe that’s just me!!
Mommy, Whose Tummy Did I Come From?
We were eating dinner when the question came. I’m not sure what was said to trigger the question. Usually at the McConnell table there are several conversations going at once and you just sort of jump in if you want. Something was said and the question came. It wasn’t that we were unprepared for the [...]
Toddler Reasoning
Ana: Dad, do you love me? Patrick: You know I love you. Ana: <giggling> Do you love me a lot? Patrick: <thinking Ana needs some reassurance I put down my book> Ana, I’m not sure I could love you anymore than I already do. <bend down to give her a kiss> Ana: Then you should [...]
One Day
One day a year, time stands still. One day. It is a strange day. There are smiles, there are tears, there is pain, there is joy. There are pictures, and songs, and memories. All in one day. It is a day that we pause in time. Breathing comes fast and sometimes not at all. It [...]
A Toddler’s Perception & A Sister’s Love
We are traveling to Raleigh today for an Acts 29 Church Planting Conference. The older five are staying with my parents and the babies are spending some time with a couple from New City and then with Jennifer’s parents. While we were driving, the babies wanted to talk to Makayla and Emma. Ana was chatting [...]
Ted, Be Strong for Jesus
A good friend arrived in ATL a few days ago and we were able to spend the weekend with him. Ted was a high school student when I first started discipling him at Valley Bible Church. We enjoyed some lively conversations because Ted is a deep thinker and does not settle for churchy answers. He [...]
Steelers Fever
The family headed over to the Capitol Theater for the Super Bowl this year. At the beginning of the season we all picked our favorite teams and pulled for them every Sunday. The boys have really fallen in love with football and have been practicing non-stop. One by one our teams fell in the playoffs [...]
Home, Temporarily
As I mentioned previously, a couple from our church offered us a home to live in for the next few months. They are CPA’s busy with tax season and are unable to sell their home until May. So they asked if we would be interested in moving in rent free until they can sell it. [...]
