How Blessed We Are!

Dearest Georgia,


Well, I just returned from spending my first weekend with you…and I loved it! You see, last week, you made your appearance in this world and you were welcomed by Mommy and Daddy, by your Grandma and Pop-pops and by Mimi! Your Papaw (that’s me!) was not there until you came home a few days after you were born. When I came to your house, you were sleeping (you do that a lot, since you are such a little baby!) but your Daddy went into your room and brought you to me and put you in my arms. Georgia, I already knew that I would love you, but when I looked at your perfect little mouth and nose, your dark blue eyes and your soft skin, I realized that not only did I love you, but that there was nothing that I would not do for you. I have heard people say, that a child is someone who carries your heart around with them! I believe that from the moment I held you, you owned Papaw’s heart!



I was able to spend the next three days with you, your Mommy and Daddy and with Mimi, before I had to return to work. I loved every minute of it, but I especially liked holding you in your little swaddling blanket and watching you sleep. I enjoyed singing to you to soothe you, when you cried. In fact, I sang a lullaby to you that my Papaw sang to me, when I was a baby and that your Daddy’s Papaw sang to him when he was a baby. For three generations, Papaw’s in our family have sung “A Little Brown Bear With Wings” to the babies who were born into our family. In fact, your Daddy’s cousin Jeff has written a song about that lullaby, but mostly it is about the men who have sung that song to their grandchildren! You see, Georgia, it is a very special little song, but the people like my Papaw and your Daddy’s Papaw GC were very special men who loved each one of their grandchildren very much. That is no different for you or your cousins, Mark, Luke and Caroline! I love all of you very much!



I also want you to understand that all of my grandchildren are special to me. Your cousin Mark Garrett was my first grandchild to be born and just like you, I fell in love with him the minute I saw him and his Daddy placed him in my arms. He is special because he was my first grandchild. Later, his brother Luke was born. When Luke was born, I was in a place called Africa. Your Mimi called me there to tell me that baby Luke had been born and I was very excited. A few weeks later, I returned to this country and was introduced to my newest grandson, Luke Patton! The amazing thing was that I loved him just as much as I loved his brother! Luke is very special to me because he showed me that God made Papaw’s to be able to love all of their grandchildren. He is also special to me because he liked to sleep on Papaw’s chest when he was little! Almost four years later, your cousin Caroline was born. Once again, I fell in love with a grandchild, the second I met her! Caroline was special because she was the first precious little girl that God blessed us with! Papaw loves Caroline and I am pretty sure she loves her Papaw too! So, you probably wonder if I love you the way I love your cousins. Well, the answer to that is YES!!!! You are special for several reasons. First, you are special, because God made you that way and He made you just as He wanted you…perfect! Second, you are special because your Mommy and Daddy love you. But you are special to Mimi and Papaw too! You are the first grandchild that your Daddy gave to us and that will always mean you are special! I can also tell you that when you hear your Papaw’s voice, even though you are a tiny baby, you turn your head to see me and when you do, your Papaw almost melts!



I am looking forward to so many things with you, Georgia! I am looking forward to your first crawl, your first steps, you first day of school and so many other firsts. I hope I am around to see all of those special times. But, if I am not, I want you to remember what I have told your cousins, Mark, Luke and Caroline…over and over again! You will always be able to say, “I had a Papaw who loved me more than anything!” And I do!



Love, Papaw

A Real Legacy

I have known a number of individuals who have through their lives touched my life and the lives of others.  Any of you who have read my blog know that my dad was such a man, but this post is about two men who have not only touched my life, but the lives of thousands.  They are building a legacy that will last through all eternity.

A little more than a week ago, Anita and I had the opportunity to celebrate an anniversary...not ours, but the 15th anniversary of Chad Selph being called to come to First Baptist Church of Allen, Texas.  Chad was his usual modest self, who was probably not as comfortable in the "spotlight" as he is in the pulpit where he shines the spotlight on our Lord and Savior.  In honor of Chad, the church asked another pastor to speak from the pulpit, Jack Riddlehoover.  As I celebrated this special time with Chad, the Lord impressed again on my heart how He uses His people to impact the lives of others.  You see, both Chad and Brother Jack have had an amazing impact on my life.

In 1976, Brother Jack stood in front of me and a beautiful, godly young woman and pronounced us man and wife.  Anita and I have always said that the choice of your spouse is the second most important decision you will ever make.  In my case, it was a great decision (hers...probably not so much!)  I can remember almost every word that Brother Jack told us during our counseling session with him.  He offered Biblical advice on marriage that has served us both very well.  Now, that would certainly be enough impact for anyone to make my top 5 list, but it goes on!  What I did not know was that the first full-time ministry position my good friend and former pastor, Chad, held was under Brother Jack.  I do not believe in coincidence like this!  I should have realized the same qualities that draw people to Brother Jack are also evident in Chad.  You might ask what those qualities would be.  Well, I am glad you asked!  When I look at these two men, I see:

• A dependence on their Father and a love for Him that controls their entire lives;
• A love for their families that is an example of Christ's love for the church;
• A heart for bringing people to the Gospel;
• A heart for ministering to God's people; and
• An ability and desire to see everything through an eternal perspective.

Chad and Brother Jack have impacted people throughout the world, by bringing them the message of the Gopsel.  They have mentored others who have done the same, thereby extending their own impacts to many other lives!

I have heard Chad say that at the end of his life, he wants his family to know that he loved God and loved them and that the best he can pray for them is that they do the same.  I believe that is an impact we would all do well to desire!  Anita and I love both of these men dearly and we are blessed and honored to have been two of the lives they have impacted!

Dear Miss Georgia!

Many of you who know me are acutely aware that I love all children, but I especially love my grandchildren.  I cannot tell you how much those three little ones mean to me.  I have always written letters to them, beginning even before they were born and I plan to continue as long as I am around.  However, my letter/blog writing is about to make a 33% jump.  Our son Mark and his lovely wife, Meghan are expecting their first baby, in late March.  We are all very excited and we already know that this little one will be a girl and her name will be Georgia!  As the time is approaching, I need  make sure that Miss Georgia knows how much she will be loved and how we can't wait to meet her.  I thought it might be good for Georgia to know a few things about our family.  So, the rest of this post is really for you, Georgia!

The very first people you will meet after you are born, will be your Mommy and Daddy.  You will love them for all of your life and just as important, they will love you!  Your Mommy is named Meghan and she is wonderful.  She will take care of you when you are a baby and a little girl, but she won't stop taking care of you even after you are grown up!  She will teach you so many things, like how to read and play games, how to take care of your baby dolls and how to be a little lady.  She won't be the only one who takes care of you, though.  Your Daddy will also take care of you.  I have known your Daddy his whole life.  His name is Mark and he is my little boy...only he is big now!  Your Daddy will tickle you and play games with you.  He will teach you to ride your first bicycle and he will be there to pick you up, when you fall down.  He will also put mud on your nose when he comes home from duck hunting!  I want you to always remember that your Mommy and Daddy love you more than anyone and they will always want what is best for you...even when you think they don't!  The most important thing your Mommy and Daddy will do though, is to tell you about God and His Son, Jesus.  You see, you are going to be part of a family that loves God and they will teach you about Him and how much He loves you.  He will always love you, more than you will ever be able to know!

You will also get to meet your aunt and uncle, Aunt Alicia and Uncle Tim.  Your aunt is my little girl and just like your Daddy, I have known her for her whole life.  Aunt Alicia will be coming to Texas to help your Mommy after you are born.  You will find out that like your Mommy, she loves babies and children.  She is married to your uncle, Tim.  Uncle Tim also loves babies (in fact, they both love babies so much, that they have three of their own!)  Uncle Tim will be the best "baby swaddler" you will ever have!  He is also a pretty good guy to know, because he will let you ride on his shoulders!  Along with your Aunt Alicia and Uncle Tim, you will meet three people who are so excited that you are being born, your cousins, Mark Garrett, Luke and Caroline.  You will love them and I am sure you will think they are super fun!  Mark is named after your Daddy and he is the oldest, so I am sure he will boss you a little, but he will also make sure you get a turn at whatever game you are playing.  Luke is also probably going to boss you a little, but he is a really funny little boy and he will probably even let you play with Big Monkey and Widdle Monkey!  Now you also have a cousin who is a girl, just like you!  You and Caroline will love each other and I think you will also have lots of fun with her.  I know she will let you play with her dolls and you can have tea parties and play games and have all kinds of fun together!

One of the best things that will happen when you are born is that you get to meet your Mimi!  Mark and Luke and Caroline will tell you that Mimi is the best.  First of all, she will love...no matter what!  That means that she will love just as much when you are not being nice as she does when you are behaving very well!  No matter what!  Mimi loves little girls and she has already been buying you clothes and books and toys!  But do you know what else she has been doing for you?  She has been praying that God will always watch over you and take care of you and that you will always love Him!  Mimi will take you to tea parties (real tea parties!), to the park, to the zoo and many other fun places.  She can't wait to meet you!  When you meet Mimi, remember that she loves God more than anyone else I know and she will teach you to love Him too!

Last, you will meet me, your Papaw.  You will learn very quickly, that your Papaw is a softy, especially where little girls are concerned!  I will take you to the park and to the zoo with Mimi.  I will take you to eat ice cream and snow cones...you will love them!  I will also be there just to talk and to read books to you and anything else we might think of.  I guess the best thing I can tell you is that I will be there for you...no matter what!  I can't wait to tell you the story of Christmas and Easter and how God loved you even before you were born and I want you to love Him just as much as I do.  Your love for God will be the most important relationship you ever have!

Georgia, we already love you and can hardly wait for you to arrive!  Baby girl, you are already loved more than you will ever know! 

I love you,
Papaw

Sad Anniversary!

This next Sunday, January 22nd, marks perhaps the saddest anniversary in the history of this country.  On that day, there will be a number of groups who celebrate the 39th anniversary of an activist U.S. Supreme Court decision that said that a woman's right to an abortion was a "fundamental constitutional right."  There will perhaps be impassioned speeches about the right of a woman to choose to end a pregnancy.  There will be any number of media news stories about how far women have come as a result of this "landmark decision."  However, let us stop the obfuscation and really be clear about the anniversary we "celebrate!"

On January 22nd, what we will actually be celebrating is the sacrifice of more than 50 million unborn babies on the altar of self and convenience!  The number catches in my throat and tears come to my eyes every single time I speak of it.  As the father of two wonderful children and the father-in-law of two more, equally precious young people and the grandfather to three, soon to be four precious grandchildren, I cannot imagine what life would be like without a single one of these eight souls. 

So, this week, I will not be praying for God to strike all abortionists with some terrible plague.  I will be praying that we will turn from our wicked ways and that God will hear our prayers and heal our land.  In the end, it is not a pro-choice or pro-life decision...it is a decision to rebel against God or not, and that is the only choice!

Homeless...at 5!

Tonight I met a young man who is five-years old.  John (not his real name) looks very much like most of the five-year old boys I know.  He had short blond hair and a clean-scrubbed face and wore a pair of khaki pants and a little white Polo shirt.  The big difference between John and most of the five-year olds that I know and you know, is that John is homeless. 

Tonight, I had the blessing of working at Church Under the Bridge, in downtown San Antonio.  Church Under the Bridge is a ministry of a group of local churches, to the homeless population in central San Antonio.  We have the opportunity to serve these precious ones with a meal and a smile and most importantly with an opportunity to hear the Gospel.  In addition, we get to show them the love of Christ and the fact that they are not nameless and faceless, but that they matter.  For years, I confess that homeless people made me uncomfortable and my main objective was to walk past them with as little interaction as possible!  If you are honest, that probably describes most of you reading this blog too.  You see, I wanted to pretend that everyone looked and smelled like me and the people I sat next to in a pew on Sunday's.  Over the past four years God has been working in my life to show me that not only does He love the unlovable people, but He expects me to love them too and to show that love in a tangible way.  Oh, and He has been teaching me that sometimes, I am one of those unlovable people!

In the course of serving the meal tonight, God brought me face-to-face with "one of those homeless, unlovable ones."  The only problem was that he was five-years old and he reminded me more of my grandsons than he did a homeless person!  Just like my grandsons, he was a little quiet at first, but eventually was smiling and telling me that he was "doing real good" in school.  I also learned that he liked chocolate cake.  He showed me his backpack that contained not only his "school stuff", but also everything he owned!  I learned that he used to have a dog and that he had his own bed.  I learned that he did not know who his daddy was, but his mommy was really nice and took care of him and that she used to work for General Motors but lost her job and they moved to San Antonio.  I learned that he and his mom had been turned away from 5 homeless shelters tonight...I guess homeless people don't like being out in the rain anymore than you or me.  You see, tonight, I saw the face of homelessness and he smiled at me with chocolate icing on his face!  After that, I could see the face of the man who had a lame arm, the Army veteran with PTSD who continues to remember the ones he left behind in Iraq, the young pregnant teenager whose parents threw her out of the house or any number of the precious "unlovable souls" who blessed me by letting me see God do a great work in that place.

And if you don't realize it, it wasn't what I saw God do in the lives of these homeless ones tonight.  It was what He did in my life and the way that He showed me what they look like to Him!

Oh God, let me see things as You see them!  Let the things that bring you joy, bring me joy and let the things that break your heart, break mine too, Father.  In the name of the One who saw my unlovableness and still died for me, Amen!

I Wish You Had Known Him!

Dearest Princess Caroline,
It is so hard for your Papaw to believe that you are now six months old!  I hope you know how much we all love you.  I know your Mommy and Daddy feel so blessed to have you as part of their family.  I also know that your big brothers love you...even when they lick you!  By the way, what's up with that?!?  And, of course, Mimi thinks you are the best little girl ever.  I hope you also know that Papaw would probably do anything you wanted him to!  However, there is someone I want to tell you about that you don't know...your Papaw G.C.

You see, Caroline, your Papaw G.C. died about six months before you were born.  He was your Mommy's Papaw and your Papaw's Daddy.  I know that sounds kind of confusing for a little girl, but it will not be long before you understand it.  In fact, I'll bet that Mark Garrett can tell you something about Papaw G.C.  I wanted to tell you somethings about your Papaw G.C.  First, he was a man who loved Jesus and he loved his family.  When I was little, I always knew he loved me very much.  The way I knew that was because he spent time teaching all the things that he thought I should know.  He taught me that Sundays were the days we spent worshiping God.  He taught me how to hunt and fish and how to work hard and enjoy it.  He also taught me that a man should love his family more than himself.  He taught me that having fun was important too!

When your Mommy was born, I got to see how he would do as her Papaw!  In my eyes, he had pretty big shoes to fill...those of my Papaw!  And as Mark Garrett would say, "My Papaw was amazing!"  When you are a little bigger, I will tell you about my Papaw!  I think your Mommy would tell you that Papaw G.C. was a pretty amazing Papaw for her and Uncle Mark.  If Papaw G.C. were here, I am sure he would tell you the "Tomato Rabbit Story!"  You'll have to hear that one from your Mommy!  He would tell you about growing up in a small town in Texas.  He might also tell you about a very cold place in another part of the world, called the Chosin Reservoir, a place where he served his country and didn't think he did anything special...but I did!  You see, Caroline not only was he my Daddy, he was my hero too!  And I really miss him a lot.  I would always call him and tell him about the things that your brothers were doing and saying and I would sure have called him to tell him about you.  When I told him about your brothers, he would always laugh and say, "Those little hammerheads!"  But, I know he would not call you a hammerhead!

I really wish you had known Papaw G.C.!  However, I know that one day in the future, you will get to meet him, just like I will see him again!  On that day, he will want to hear all about you and I am sure he will tell you the story of the "Tomato Rabbit!"  I love you Caroline!

Papaw

One More Papaw!

This has been a hard year...a year filled with changes.  There have been so many changes that I sometimes have to stop and realize that all of this has happened in less than a year.  If you pinned me down, I guess I would have to tell you that the biggest change was the loss of my Dad, in March.  Sometimes, I still can't believe that I can no longer pick up the phone and tell him about the latest escapade of his two great-grandsons or how beautiful his great-granddaughter is.  I knew him as my Dad, but all of his grandchildren and great grandchildren knew him as their Papaw or Papaw G.C.  So, when I met my first grandson, I knew I would be his Papaw!  All of these thoughts hit me this week, as I remembered that this week would have been my Dad's birthday.

As I thought about these memories this week, another thought struck me...that through the sadness and loss of my Dad, I have a new appreciation and love for my brother.  You see, I have always loved Rusty, but he was my kid brother who hung around with Freeman and me, playing Sports Illustrated Baseball (if you have to ask, you will never "get it!")  This past year, though, I have realized that not only do I love him, but I like him a lot and respect him even more!  We have cried and laughed through all of it and yes, I am even sorry for most of the things I did to him when he was younger...although I am sure that his service as a homemade go-cart crash dummy advanced automotive science by years!  Over the Thanksgiving holiday, Rusty found out that his son, Jeff and his wife, Courtney, were expecting his first grandchild!  We were all very excited and even though I already knew the answer, I had to ask, "What do you want the baby to call you?"  His answer was, "Papaw."  All I can say is, welcome to the Papaw club...you'll be great!   After all, you had a good example!

I love you, Bud!

Changes

To our friends in the Hewitt-Miller BFG,

The one thing we know in this life, is that we will all face changes throughout our lives.  Some changes are easy, while some are hard and heart-rending.  Anita and I are facing one of those hard changes in our lives.  Sunday was really our last "official" day to be in our Bible Fellowship Group (Sunday School to the uninitiated!)  We will be moving to San Antonio, where I am working on a new hospital tower at Brooke Army Medical Center.  We will be listing our home for sale shortly and we will live in San Antonio until we see where God leads us next.  However, one of the changes that we are making will be to leave our church home and find a new one in San Antonio.  Of all the changes we face in our move, this is the one I really do not look forward to.  Yes, I know all the theological answers...and I accept the fact that God will have a place for us.  However, I still do not like leaving the church where my children came to follow the Lord or where they grew up and where we saw so many of their friends grow up as well.  I especially don't like leaving the "family" that we have in this church.  Over the past few months, we have been encouraged and blessed by the friends that we have come to know and love at this church.  Last year we were blessed to be part of a small group that began a new BFG and I was blessed to be part of a team that taught this class.  Together, we have grown close to each other as we laughed and smiled and celebrated the marriages of children and the births of grandchildren (we are all about the grandchildren in this BFG!)  We have walked beside each other as we have mourned the deaths of parents and loved ones, and we have been devastated by the loss of one of our own.  Through all of this, you wonderful friends have walked beside each other and "have been the church" to each other.  I can never tell them all how much you mean to Anita and to me.  It has been one of the greatest blessings of my life to be a part of this...and I do not want to leave!

However, we will leave and we will be grateful that God will show us where He wants us to be and we will make new friends and family at a new church...but...we will never forget the friends and family we will leave here in Allen!  And in case anyone thinks they are rid of us for good...we will be back!  As the apostle Paul said of the believers at Colossi, "For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives" (Colossians 1:9)  We too will continue to pray for this church and for all of our loved ones in the Hewitt-Miller BFG!  Please know that you are all welcome to visit us in San Antonio...in fact, we will be disappointed if you do not!  We love you all and thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your love and friendship.

In His Strength and Love,
Clint

Welcome, Caroline Grace Williamson!

Over the past nine months, we have grown more and more excited as our daughter, Alicia has carried a precious life within her.  In April, we learned that this baby would be Tim and Alicia's first daughter and Mimi and papaw's first granddaughter.  Well, last night Alicia and Tim went to the hospital and this afternoon, we welcomed our newest family member, Miss Caroline Grace Williamson!  We are thrilled!  First of all, we are so thankful to God for this precious blessing and for her good health and the health of her mother.  You all can read this, but it is really for my grandaughter, Caroline Grace!

Oh precious little one, you cannot know how much you are already loved!  Your mommy and daddy and your big brothers, your aunts and uncles and especially your Mimi and Papaw have been looking forward to meeting you since the day we knew found out you would be born.  I want to tell you some things that you will need to know about your family and how much they love you! 

First of all, your Mommy is my little girl and at one time, a long time ago, she was not really much bigger than you.  You will learn that you have the best Mommy in the world, your brothers will tell you that!  Your Daddy will love you the same way I loved your Mommy.  Both of them will love you no matter what happens.  That is one thing that you can always know!  They will teach you many things as you grow, how to dress your dollies, how to have tea parties, how to ride a bicycle, but the most important thing they will teach you is that God loves you and that He can do anything!  Don't ever forget that, little one!

You will soon get to meet two of my very favorite people in all the world, your big brothers, Mark Garrett and Luke Patton.  They are the best.  They have also been excited to meet you and have lots of fun planned with you.  Most of that fun will have to wait until you are a little older.  Always remember that Mark and Luke will watch out for you.  Since they are a little older than you, they know a few more things than you.  They will show you their favorite books and I'll bet they even let you play with their trains when you are a little bigger.  I think Luke may have a bit of a hard time saying your name.  As your brother Mark would say, "That might be a little bit tricky for him!"  But always know that they will love you...even when it might not seem that way!

In a few months you will get to meet Aunt Meghan and Uncle Mark.  Uncle Mark is your Mommy's brother and he is the one your brother Mark is named for.  Aunt Meghan will read to you and have lots of fun with you.  She has been waiting to meet you just like the rest of us.  Uncle Mark will love on you and hug you and he will seem really silly sometimes, but always know that Uncle Mark and Aunt Meghan love you sooooo much!

Now, let me tell you about a very special lady that will be waiting for you at your house, when you come home from the hospital...Mimi!  Mark and Luke think that she is the best Mimi ever!  And I think they are right.  Your Mimi has been waiting for you for quite some time.  She has already bought you books and cuddly animals and dolls that you will love!  Mark and Luke can tell you that she has a whole closet full of toys at her house, just for you and your brothers to play with!  Mimi is one of the wisest people you will ever meet.  She loves God and loves to tell your brothers about Him and I know she will tell you also!

That leaves me, your Papaw!  Mark and Luke will tell you that there is one thing that you can know...you have a Papaw who loves you more than life!  I can tell you one thing I already know about you.  You already have your Papaw wrapped around your little finger (that just means that you can pretty much get Papaw to do anything you want!)  Oh Caroline, I am so excited about going for walks with you, and reading bedtime stories (Mark and Luke are pretty big fans of my bedtime stories!), rocking you and loving on you!  I want you to know that Mimi and I will always love you no matter what!  Well, I can't wait to see you in a couple of weeks!  I love you, baby girl!

Papaw

Confusion Over Obama's Faith

In one of the most recent survey efforts by the Pew Research Center and the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, the American public has indicated some confusion over the President's faith.  Apparently, more than 40% of the American public does not know what the President believes.  This is up significantly from last year's survey.  I could probably offer a number of reasons for the change and for the confusion about the President's faith.  However, that is not my point today.  Suffice to say that there are questions and confusion that centers around his beliefs.  And, it is probably true that his actions and words have done nothing to clarify his belief system.  However, the deeper question for you and me is not whether the American people know what the President believes, but rather the real question is whether my circle of family, friends and acquaintances can look at me and know what I believe?

I profess to be a follower of Jesus Christ, but does this belief system drive what my life looks like?  How would the people around me respond if asked about my beliefs?  Would they be able to say without question that he is a follower of Jesus Christ, no matter what or would they respond by saying that I was a Christ-follower except when life got hard?  Would they say that he really stands out as an honest, dependable employee who always gives more than others?  Would my family say, he would give up his life for his beliefs and for us?  Would my church family agree that I have a passion for God's Word and His work? 

The worst possible answer I can imagine, to the question about my beliefs, would be "We are confused about his beliefs!"  Wouldn't that really be an indictment of my lack of trust and obedience to God?  It would be much like the indictment of the church at Laodicea "So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:16)"  It is my prayer that we always live so that there is no confusion about our faith!

A Great Time!

Well, summer has almost come and gone and with it vacations and family trips too!  Our summer was relatively eventful.  Mark and Meghan celebrated their 1st anniversary and have weathered the first year of marriage quite well.  Anita and I, along with Meghan's mom and dad, Steve and Donna, are all so glad they "found" each other!  The summer also saw me start a new job in San Antonio, as a senior project manager on the renovation of the existing Brook Army medical Center and the addition of a new 8-story hospital tower.  I love the job, but do not enjoy being away from Anita all week.  We are pretty unsettled about what we should do and where we should live.  With our financial situation, we will be looking to sell the house and downsize this fall/winter.  So we await what God has for us.  He has led us through some amazing paths over the past several months, reinforcing what Anita says, "Life is hard, but God is good!" 

I think Anita would agree, that the best part of our summer was the visit by our daughter, son-in-law and two grandsons.  They spent a little over 2 weeks with us and we had lots of fun and made lots of memories!  Alicia decided to drive out to our home, from King's Bay, Georgia and she asked Meghan to come and travel with she and the boys.  Tim was limited in the time he could spend away from the Navy.  Meghan and Alicia drove for two days and arrived at our house on a Saturday afternoon, with two little boys who were ready to be out of their car seats!  The good news was that Aunt Meghan probably loved Mark and Luke even more after her trip than before!  Over the next two weeks, we had lots of good bedtime stories, trips to the pool, fun with the pellet gun, an outing to the lake with Papaw and Uncle Mark, a ride on the light rail and visit to the aquarium, snow cones and ice cream!  Best of all, I got to spend pretty much all day and evening on the weekends, with all of them.  One of the best times of the day for Papaw is bath-time and bed-time!  It is interesting that when they are at Mimi's house, they believe that Papaw is the one who should bathe them and put them to bed...so I do!  As Mark would say, they have both gotten a little bit tricky now.  They know which stories take longer to read and they also know that Papaw will read until Mimi or Mommy tells him to stop, which usually happens after the fourth or fifth story!  We also usually have to sing a song for each of them.  Sometimes Mark will choose a hymn, but sometimes he will ask for the "Aggie song" (for the non-Aggies, that means the Spirit of Aggieland!)  He will sing along with me and never miss a word.  He also knows and sings all the hymns he requests.  Luke is not quite up to Carnegie Hall performance standards yet, but he does know "Nothing But The Blood!" and he sings it with gusto!  After reading and prayers (Mark prays that God will take away "mine and Lukie's heart of stone and give us a new heart of flesh!") each one gets tucked in.  Luke likes to have me tuck in "Jake, Big Monkey and Widdle Monkey" and then he likes to have his back rubbed for just a minute.  Mark sleeps with Jake (yes they each have a Jake bear) and usually a car if he can get it past Mom or Mimi.  He also sleeps with an iPod playing his "night-nights music."  He likes for Papaw to "lie down and snuggle with me for just a minute or two."  As I leave, I always tell him, "No matter what happens, always remember that you had a Papaw who loved you no matter what!"  He responds the same way, every night...he looks at me and smiles and says, "Me too, Papaw!"  I can't resist either one of them!

I also got to spend time with my daughter and son-in-law and we all got to "meet" our soon-to-be-born grand-daughter.  She is not a big fan of her two big brothers climbing all over her Mommy's tummy and she usually responds by kicking back!  September should be interesting around the Williamson house!

All in all, it was a great time and we fell blessed beyond measure!  We Love you Mark and Meghan!  We love you Alicia and Tim!  And, Mark and Luke and Baby Girl Williamson, always remember that you have a Mimi and Papaw that love you no matter what!

Giving Away Your Heart

Yesterday, I received a voicemail from my daughter, who called to say, "Well, just in case Mark Garrett didn't have your heart already, just wait until you hear him sing "the Spirit of Aggieland!"  Now, she knows a lot about me giving my heart away, because I gave it to her one Sunday morning, in September of 1978.  As I thought about her voicemail, I began to realize that there were a number of times I have given my heart away, to different people and what that meant.

I remember a Christmas season, in 1974, when I realized that a young lady named Anita, had taken my heart, almost before I knew it.  What had been a good friendship had become the beginning of a lifelong love.  Over the past 36 years, I have never regretted giving her my heart and I would do it over again every day!

In 1978, I met a little girl named Alicia, who with one little quiver of her bottom lip, stole my heart away.  For the next 25 years, she continued to own my heart and then, even after she stole another man's heart (sorry, Tim!) she has always known she had mine as well.  Two years after she was born, I once again gave my heart away to her brother.  I knew the minute I saw him and held him that he too would own my heart.  Through all the days since, he has had my heart, to carry around with him.

In September of 2005, I met a little boy named Mark Garrett and held him for the first time.  He definitely stole my heart and I didn't even mind.  I don't know if he even knows it yet, but he will always have my heart and there is nothing that could ever change that.  Two years later, at a pay phone in Malindi, Kenya, I knew that once again, I would be giving my heart away to another little grandson.  This time, it would be to Luke Patton.  He has, like his brother before him, completely captured my heart!  I think the real trouble lies in the fact that in September, I will be giving my heart away again...to a little granddaughter that will be just as wonderful as her brothers.  I can't wait!

Over the years, I have realized that God intended for us to develop the kind of relationships where we give our hearts away to those we love.  In fact, it was so important that he gave us a model, in His Son.  You see, the most important time I gave my heart away was a summer night in Irving, Texas, when I gave my heart of stone to Jesus and He gave me His heart of flesh.  As the poet said, "...that has made all the difference!"

I have no idea what your life is like.  You may be lonely and have not a single person to whom you have given your heart.  Or you may have lots of people in your life.  Either way, I can tell you that if you have not given your heart to the Lord and Savior of the world, you are not complete.  Unless that heart give-away has taken place, you are just going through the motions of life...without purpose and without hope!

I would love to sit down and tell you how that heart transplant can take place.  If you would like to know more, just post a comment for me and I will get back to you.  In the meantime, I just would like to keep giving my heart away...it's the only way to really live!

For Alicia, Mark, Tim, Meghan, Mark Garrett and Luke Patton (and a grandaughter to be named later!)

Throughout my life, I have been blessed to have had several great "dad" role models.  I have had two grandfathers, Papa and Papaw, who left no room for doubt about whether they loved me.  I had a father who, though he is no longer here, is by my side every day.  And, I have a father-in-law, who showed me what the phrase "Duty, Honor, Country" was all about!  I believe that there have been no greater influences on my life, by anyone on this earth, than these men.  So, what did I learn from them?  I am glad you asked.


My Papa was my mother's dad.  He had coal black hair and had a 1948 Jeepster that he drove.  I remember thinking that I would really like to have a red Jeepster when I got big.  His was filled with all sorts of tools, most of which I had no idea even what they were.  However, I knew they had to be cool!  It seemed to me that even though he was retired when I came along, he always had some job to do around the house or at church.  I don't know if he knew it (now that I am a grandfather, I am actually sure that what he did and what he said to me, were very deliberate) but to a 5-year old boy, there is nothing that means more than for a grandfather to take him and show him how to use a tool...especially ones that required electricity, gasoline or acetylene to run!  I remember to this day that after we would eat breakfast (usually biscuits, gravy, eggs and bacon; old men and young boys require lots of calories for work purposes!) we would go out to his old garage.  His garage was an old dirty, musty structure, with dirt floors and cobwebs all around.  It was amazing to my small self!  He would then lay out a few tools and tell me to take them to the chicken coop or the garden fence or any number of locations where a minor construction project awaited us.  I seriously doubt that I did anything helpful for him, but I can never thank him enough for spending those mornings with me and teaching me how to work with my hands.  I can probably trace some of my love of tools and building to my Papa.  By the way, he was the first person to ever "let" me use a gasoline-powered tiller!  I remember thinking, when he died, that the world would never be the same...and I was right.  However, I have my memories and I never see an antique Jeepster without smiling and thinking of him!

Another role model in my life was my Papaw.  When I think of him, I think about the Brad Paisley song, "When I Get Where I'm Going."  There is a line in that song that says, "I want to walk beside my grandaddy and match him step for step and tell him how I missed him every minute since he left!"  I always tell my grandson, Mark Garrett and Luke Patton, that no matter what happens to me or to them, to always remember that they had a Papaw that loved them more than his own life.  I tell them that because it is what I know about my Papaw and it has carried me through some hard days.  My Papaw believed that a boy was never too young to learn how to run an outboard motor on the back of a small fishing boat.  Later, I did learn that he had an ulterior motive for teaching me how to run an outboard by the time I was 5-years old!  He knew I would be willing to run the motor all day and he could fish!  As Mark Garrett says, "That would be pretty tricky!"  He also taught me how to finish concrete, put on shingles, cut and lay building stone.  I think the most valuable thing he taught me was simply that spending time with a child is really the only way to show them how much they are loved.

I met my father-in-law, Charlie Horton, in 1975, almost a year before I married his daughter.  From the first time I met Charlie, he treated me like a son.  He recruited me on many a crazy trip to the dump, to scavenge building material..."perfectly good lumber, after you remove the nails, cut off the rotten parts and scrape all the concrete off!"  I remember the Christmas after Anita and I married, when we had no money and were going to have to borrow money for me to finish my last semester of college.  He called and said if I wanted to earn a little bit of money, he could set up a couple of odd jobs.  I readily agreed and he told me to come to Abilene as soon as I finished the semester.  When I arrived in Abilene in mid-December, he had lined up a "couple of jobs!"  Apparently in "Charlie speak" that meant as many as we could do working 12 hour days for three weeks.  I never knew how much he would pay me, but we figured anything would help.  However, when Anita and I got ready to go back to Arlington, Charlie gave me an envelope that had more than enough money to pay for my tuition, fees and books!  I learned the value of helping someone while letting them keep their dignity.  To this day, I never think about Charlie, that I am not grateful to the Lord for bringing him into my life (along with Anita, of course!)

The fourth man that molded my life was my Dad, G.C. Miller.  I am amazed every day that I am still learning from the things he taught me and told me and showed me throughout my life.  With Dad, he never made a big outward show that he was teaching you something, he just did it and expected it to stick.  My Dad taught me that loving the Lord was more important than anything you could ever accomplish and that loving your wife and family came next.  He also taught me, by years of being a living example, that because God and Christ loved the Church, we needed to love it too.  The Church was the only organization that was given the charge of spreading the Gospel...and, is there anything more important?  My Dad also taught me how to appreciate and care for God's creation.  He always taught my brother and me to make sure when you left a deer lease or a ranch or farm, to leave it in better condition than when you arrived.  However, the one thing I know from my Dad, is that there is ONE THING...to live life by looking through the eyes of eternity!  For that I will be thankful every day of eternity!

This Father's Day is the first without my Dad and I cannot begin to tell you how hard that is!  This Saturday, several children, grandchildren and my Mom will all go to the DFW National Cemetery, where we will see his burial place.  We will laugh and tell good "Papaw" stories and yes, I will admit we will cry, but here is what my Dad would tell us.  If he could, he would use the words of the angel who said to the followers of Jesus, on that resurrection morning almost 2,000 years ago, "Why do you seek the living among the dead?  He is risen, he is not here!"  You see, my Dad will not meet us at the cemetery on Saturday.  He will be spending his first Father's Day with His Heavenly Father and with his Savior and Lord!  There is one more thing he would tell all of us and all of you, "BE THERE!"  When the day dawns that you and I cross over that river or if the Lord returns first, my Dad would want you to be there in heaven with him!  He would ask for no better Father's Day gift!

I don't believe I could tell you anything more important...just be there!  And I will see you there!  If you don't see me when you first get there, just find Jesus and I will be the one holding His hand and touching His side!

The Road Taken

My favorite poet is Robert Frost and my favorite poem is one he wrote, entitled The Road Not Taken.  In this poem the poet tells of taking the road less travelled and what this meant in his life.  We all have choices we make about the roads in life we will take.  Almost 35 years ago, I chose a road that has lead me to the place where I am today.  You see, almost 35 years ago, I asked Anita Horton to become Mrs, Anita Miller, and to the surprise of most, she said yes!  I can honestly say, it has been the most amazing ride and it has gone by so incredibly fast. 

Anita has been one of two anchor points in my life.  The other is my relationship with Jesus Christ.  Through the mountain-top experiences, as well as the deep valleys of life, she has stood by me and given me the kind of unconditional love that most people only dream of.  She has never wavered in her commitment to her Lord and Savior or to me and her family.  She has always had one goal in her life...to see as many family members and friends know Jesus Christ as possible!  I have come to love her wit and sense of humor.  She can laugh at herself and can cry with a friend who is hurting.  I admire her determination to stand for what is right, no matter the personal cost.  I think there is no one I personally know that has a heart more attuned to truth.

However, my favorite side of Anita is the one she reserved for her two grandsons.  She loves them both and they know it.  They both consider her "their own personal Mimi!"  And, they are right.  Whether it is making a hand print wreath or reading a Bible story, they know that Mimi loves them.  As with our own children, she prays for these two little boys every day, just like she prays for their mom and dad and their uncle and aunt! 

As I contemplate the last almost 35 years I have been privileged to spend with her, I am humbled by her love, for me and others and especially her Lord.  I cannot imagine what my life would have been like without her, but to paraphrase the poet, "she has made all the difference!"

I love you, Anita!  Happy anniversary!

What's Your Perspective?

I have a strange hobby.  I read lot's of obscure, technical books, articles and reports about a variety of historical subjects.  I have just recently slogged through the three-volume set of Shelby Foote's Anthology of the Civil War.  It took me a while to get through all 2,000+ pages, but I did and I found it very interesting.  I tell you this, so you will hopefully not think me crazy!  I recently stumbled across several writings and film documentaries about Biblical archaeology.  I have been fascinated by the lengths some authors will go to "prove" their own pet, implausible ideas about how events happened in the Bible.

Most secular scientists start their writing by telling us that they come at the study from a scientific and unbiased perspective.  They usually make some kind of statement about letting the facts and the evidence speak for themselves.  I believe there is a technical term for this...hogwash!  I do not believe there is anyone alive, who has the ability to approach anything from a completely unbiased perspective!  We all have a "worldview", that pervades all that we do, say and think...and that is not necessarily a bad thing!  However, when you claim you have no bias from your own worldview, you are trying to pull the wool over your audience's eyes.  Worse still, you are blinding your own eyes to the truth!  I will tell you that I am very much biased by my worldview.  You see, I believe that the universe and all that is in it was created by God.  I also believe that God loved mankind so much that He sent His son, Jesus Christ, to be the perfect sacrifice for our sin debt and that same Jesus died on a Roman cross but was resurrected three days later.  Every interpretation of data that I make, has this as the grounding perspective.  However, I also recognize that there are many who totally discount this perspective and have a secular or postmodern worldview as their perspective.  This secular worldview generally rejects the idea of God and certainly does not accept the idea that God can and does perform miraculous acts on this earth.  They also, in order to remain true to their worldview, reject the idea of the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ!  So, when I hear someone tell me they have no bias, my response is one of great skepticism.

I recently came across an article titled, "Alternate Theories of Resurrection."  It was written by Norman Geisler.  In the article, Geisler puts forth the alternative theories that many with a postmodern worldview offer as "proof" that the resurrection of Jesus either did not happen or that there is a rational explanation that would explain it away.  He then proceeds to point out the very real problems with all of the alternatives, except of course the real resurrection story.  Anyone who reads this article and still denies the resurrection must suspend reality and rational thought in order to retain their secular, postmodern worldview. 

At the end of the day, we are left with a choice between two worldviews...Christian or postmodern.  There is no middle ground.  You cannot have both.  Either you accept that God is who He says He is or He is not.  If you accept that God is who He says He is, then you have one more choice...to bow the knee and your heart and acknowledge Him as your Lord or to admit the truth, that you refuse to acknowledge Him as your Lord.  The second choice places you squarely in the camp of the secular, postmodern worldview...in direct rebellion toward and rejection of God and His Son.  So what's your perspective?

For interesting reading you can go to Associates For Bible Research for a variety of technical articles from a Christian worldview perspective.

What Do You Do When God Answers Your Prayers?

Have you ever wondered what to do when God answers your prayers?  According to a number of surveys, a large majority of people in this country claim to pray at various times.  I will accept that at face value (only because I don't want to argue about that!)  However, I wonder what the response of these same people would be if they really believed God would answer their prayers and then saw Him do it?  There is no debating that as Christians, we are told to pray without ceasing in I Thessalonians 5:17.  In fact, the word for prayer or pray is used over 400 times in the Bible, so it must be important, don't you think?  Jesus himself told us that whatever we ask in His name, he will do.  So why do we pray such wimpy prayers? And, why are we so shocked when God answers our prayers?

Over the past few months, Anita and I have been struggling financially and we have asked God for His provision for our needs (it's amazing what I see as a need, that God doesn't!)  We have been praying for a job and it appears He has provided es opportunities.  So what do I do now?  One of the jobs will require that Anita and I travel overseas for the next two years.  There are lots of unknowns associated with the job and the move, but God has certainly done what we asked.  The second job will be in the States, and will require that I travel to San Antonio every week.  In retrospect, I did not respond properly when I received the job offers.  My first response was not to go to my knees and thank a faithful Father for His amazing provision.  No, my first response was to begin to see the problems and challenges that would come from working in an international setting, wondering what to do with our home, and probably most important, would our grandchildren even remember us when we returned (that's a big one on my list!)  So, let me say, somewhat belatedly, that we are so grateful for these opportunities God has put before us and we humbly acknowledge that He is indeed Lord!  I would also ask that He forgive my ungrateful hearts!

I have just told you how not to respond, but let me give you an example of what to do when God answers your prayers...even in a way that you never saw coming.  And, even in a way that may cause your heart to hurt!  We have some dear friends who have been a part of our family for more than 25 years.  Their youngest daughter was inseparable from our daughter.  We will call these friends T an D (we do change names to protect the innocent around here!)  From the time their daughters were babies, they have prayed for them to be obedient to God and to be used to His glory.  I know this, because I know their hearts!  When their oldest daughter was in college, she felt called to full-time service ministry.  In fact, she spent almost two years in Asia, as a missionary.  When she returned home she fell in love with and married a young man who, like her, felt called to the ministry, as a missionary.  They pursued the education and training necessary to become missionaries.  All the while, T and D continued that same prayer for their daughter.  Last year, we all learned that their daughter and her family (now with a grandson and a precious granddaughter) would be travelling back to Asia to spread the Good News of the Gospel!  I am sure that their hearts were hurting as they put their daughter's family on a plane to travel half-way around the world, but I also know they had found an amazing joy in the obedience of their daughter and her husband and they were truly grateful to God for His answered prayer!

So, what do you do when God answers your prayer...even with an answer you don't want?  First, respond with thanksgiving.  God wants only the best for His children, not the easiest, not the safest, not the most comfortable, but the best.  Second, go ahead and tell God that you will need His grace and His mercies to get through that answer to your prayers.  He already knows when you feel disappointed and hurt.  You can't surprise Him or shock Him and He will love you no less, just because you are unhappy with His answer to your prayers.  Lastly, like the woman who persistently begged the judge for justice, keep praying!

Double Standard

It seems to me that the current debate over whether the State of Arizona has the authority to pass a law that Arizonans believe will help them protect the borders of their State, reveals a great deal about our country.  Some of the things that have been revealed are disconcerting, like the fact that many Americans apparently believe the Constitution is no longer a document that is an absolute guarantor of negative rights...those things the government cannot do to you, but it is now a document that more closely sets out what the government will do for or to you.  This is a slippery slope for this country, just like the idea that truth is not absolute, but relative.  Once you take the first step towards the slippery slope of relative truth, the hinges come off the gate and the worms come out of the open can (I do realize that I am mixing metaphors, but I really wanted to see if I could fit three idiomatic metaphors in one sentence...and I can!)  Another  issue of note, revealed in the current debate is that we appear to be unable to have a debate at all.  This country was founded on the principals of open debate and discussion.  In fact, I believe, based on everything I can read, the Founding Fathers of this nation had some very heated disagreements.  However, those disagreements were marked by educated and well-thought out discussions that did not routinely fall to the level of the personal attacks and name-calling that are hallmarks of today's disagreements.  However, the real issue that I see in the current debate about the Arizona law is the double standard we see applied.  You may ask, "What double standard?"  Well, I am glad you asked!

For the past several days, I have not heard a news report from any source, that did not at least mention the Arizona law in passing.  I thought I might escape the furor over a law that many would deem unconstitutional (although, few of those speaking out can offer a reason as to why it is unconstitutional!) by turning to the local ESPN radio station.  Alas, it was not to be!  The ESPN telephones were filled with people calling in to tell the world (or at least the sports world in the DFW area) why baseball should or should not be involved in the current discussions.  I was fascinated by the fact that so many people have such strong opinions about the issue.  It seems that many people believe that baseball has no business in politics.  However, there is a vocal minority like Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Alec Baldwin, Jeanine Garafalo (who made her the expert on anything?) and Bill Maher, that claim that baseball must be involved with politics, at least in the current immigration debate.  Now here is where the double standard comes in.  Listen to the following comments made by some of the above mentioned folks, "Baseball, as the American past-time, must make sure the voices of these who cannot speak for themselves are heard!; Baseball must weigh in on the side of fairness and equality!; and, Baseball owes it to future generations to do the right thing!"  Now, suppose the debate was over abortion, do you honestly believe the same folks above would make statements like, "The Church must speak for those who cannot speak for themselves!; The Church must weigh in on the side of fairness and equality! and The Church must stand for future generations!"  So, apparently baseball should be involved in politics, but the church should butt out?  I think that if you look up "double standard" in the dictionary, this will be the example you will find...unless of course the dictionary is in a public school classroom; then, all references to "church" will be removed!

So, what is my point?  Simply this, the world hates the Church.  Jesus actually promised us this, so why are we surprised?  So, if the world hates us already, shouldn't we then be more focused on obedience to God and stand for absolute truth (whether it is political or not?), double standard or not?  If pleasing the world is your goal, Jesus tells you exactly how to achieve that objective.  He tells us that the way is broad and smooth to gain the world's approval and friendship.  The catch is that not only will you be loved by the world, but you will end up spending eternity with them, in destruction!

Advice To My Son-In-Law

My son-in-law, Tim Williamson, is an amazing guy.  He is a great husband to our daughter and an awesome father to our grandsons.  Most importantly to Anita and me is the fact that Tim loves the Lord and gives spiritual leadership to his family!  He also is one of those self-sacrificing young men who serves in the U.S. Navy submarine service.  As a naval officer, he spends many hours away from all of us, defending our nation from those who would wish us harm and for that we are truly grateful.

However, Tim is about to enter the realms of Barbie dolls, tea parties and princesses!  In September, he will meet the newest addition to the family, a precious baby girl.  As a father who went through the same thing almost 32 years ago, I thought I might offer him some thoughts about what to expect.

First, be prepared to never own your heart again!  From the time you meet this little girl and she curls her tiny hand around your finger, through her first day at school, to her leaving home for college, all the way through walking her down the aisle at her wedding, she will carry your heart around with her.  She will be the only person in the world, besides your wife (my daughter...who still walks around with her daddy's heart) who can melt you with a smile, a look or a tear!  Furthermore, you will love every minute of it!

Second, remember to make as many memories with this little girl as you can.  Memories as simple as reading a bedtime story or taking her to get a snow cone or listening to her talk to her dolls, when she doesn't know you are there!  Remember how she looks when she plays dress-up.  Listen to her little girl giggles that sound like the music from the greatest symphony in the world.  Mostly, remember and cherish those times when she climbs into your lap or comes into a room just to give you a hug!

Third, make sure she knows how much you love her and that you will love her, no matter what.  She will need to understand that the love you have for her, no matter how great, is only a fraction of the love her Heavenly Father has for her.  Remember, that you will always be the first man in her life!

Finally (and this is the hard one!), remember that your job as her father is one of planned obsolescence!  You will begin working yourself out of a job, the day she is born!  I can tell you that every milestone she reaches, will be a bittersweet one to you.  When you see her take those first steps, when she walks from your car to the front door at kindergarten, when you drive away from her college dorm and when you walk her down that church aisle you will remember every moment you spent with her and be better for it.  I can tell you from experience, you will be proud of her, but you will also feel like you are losing a small part of her.  That's why I hope you make lots of special memories, because you will always have those!  It seems like only last month that we brought your wife and my little girl home from the hospital, and then, last week she went off to school and this week she has a family of her own, with you!  It has been a joy to watch her grow, but it sure seems like it went by too quickly!  That's the way time works, as the poet said, "Time waits for no man!"  However, our Father tells us to make the most of our time and to redeem those moments and memories and that is what I pray for you, Tim!

There is one more piece of advice I would offer...make sure you meet her first date, at the front door, with the shotgun you just happen to be cleaning!  I love you and can't wait to meet your daughter!

My First Letter to My New Granddaughter!

Dearest Little Girl,
Today has been an anxiously awaited day for our family. Today was to be the day that your Mommy went to the doctor for her official first sonogram and we were to find out whether you would be a little girl or a little boy. You cannot know how excited we have all been since we learned that you were to be born. We all wait for you to arrive in early September.

You are going to be born into a family that will love you more than you ever could imagine! The first people you will meet in our family are your Mommy and Daddy. They will take care of you and help you grow, but most importantly they will love you and tell you about how much God loves you. In fact, God loves you even more than your Mommy and Daddy and all the rest of you family! The next people you will meet will be your two big brothers, Mark Garrett and Luke Patton. They are both very excited to meet their new little sister and to help take care of you. In fact, since Mom and Dad told him that he was going to be a big brother again, Mark has insisted that you would be a "baby sister!" He was quite emphatic and would in fact, argue that you were a baby sister anytime someone would suggest otherwise. I guess he was right after all! Luke will be almost three years older than you and he is looking forward to teaching you all about Thomas and his friends. He will probably try to boss you, but remember he loves you very much!

The next person you meet will be a very special lady. She will be your Mimi. Mark and Luke can tell you how amazing she is, but you will get to find out yourself! She is a wise, godly and funny lady who will have tea parties with you and take you to see the spring flowers and who will always have books and toys for you. You will be Mimi's very first granddaughter and she will love you and take care of you.

Next, you will meet Uncle Mark and Aunt Meghan. Mark Garrett and Luke think that Uncle Mark is the coolest guy ever and they think Aunt Meghan is very special too. Aunt Meghan will read to you and tell you stories. They will both love you and are very excited to meet you! I'll bet that somehow, Uncle Mark will buy you your first camouflage baby clothes!

Now, let me tell you about myself. I am your Papaw. Your Mommy was my little girl. It will take you a little while, but you will quickly learn that Papaw is wrapped around your little finger. Mark and Luke will confirm that for you! I am very excited to meet you and to hold you and love on you. We will do fun things together, like read books, play games and pretty much anything else we can think of! As your big brother Mark would say, "It will be fun!"

Well, you have a few more months to grow inside of Mommy and then when you are ready, you will be born and we will all meet you then. I can't wait to hold you and sing to you and tell you the story of Jesus! I hope you know that you already have your Papaw's heart!

I love you,
Papaw

"I No Teach To Catch Flies!"

In our family, we have been very excited since Christmas when Alicia told us that she was expecting Baby Williamson #3. Mark Garrett has been very pleased with the prospect of being a big brother to a second sibling. He is pretty confident that he has done a great job with Luke and is ready for new challenge. He is also quite sure "it will be a baby sister!" We are not quite that confident, but we will find out soon! Luke has been a different story, however. He has been fairly uninterested in the concept of being a big brother! However, that may be changing!

At school this week, Alicia was talking to Luke's teacher, who told her about a book they had read. In the book, the mother of a young frog had a baby frog and apparently the story was about how the young frog was the big brother and how the frog taught his new sibling how to be a frog. After reading the story, Luke's teacher asked he would be a good big brother when his Mommy had her baby. Luke looked at her and calmly replied, "I no teach to catch flies (apparently that was a big part of the little frog's job!)"

We are pleased that Luke is now getting excited about his new sibling (that would be a baby sister for those of you who take Mark Garrett's side in this!)" However, we are even more pleased that we will not have to worry about Luke teaching the new baby how to catch flies! I love this kid!