It Will Be Your Favorite, Papaw!

There is a place that every child looks forward to visiting from the time they are old enough to understand about it. It is Disney World, aka "The Happiest Place on Earth!" Now, I am not sure that statement is somewhat hyperbolic, but there it is, nonetheless. This past weekend, our daughter and son-in-law took advantage of their proximity to Orlando, to visit Disney World with our grandsons. Mark Garrett was so excited that for at least a week, he could think of nothing else. In fact, I think he then got Luke hyped about the trip, even though neither of them had a clue as to what "Disney World was really all about!"



I believe they had an awesome time...at least according to Mark. He called me to tell me all about his trip and was he wound up! He explained to me that his favorite rides were the "parking lot tram", the monorail and the "Farmstormer (that is The Barnstormer, a kiddie version of a roller coaster for you uninitiated!) I think his mom and dad thought the parking lot tram was a bit of a waste, but as they say, "You can tell a three-year-old, you just can't tell him much!" Mark explained to me that, "The Farmstormer goes very, very, very, very, very fast, Papaw! It was my favorite! It will be your favorite too, Papaw!" I am sure it will be, Buddy, and I look forward to going to Disney World with you in the not too distant future. I love you and Luke!

What's In A Name?

Dear Mark and Luke,

Last night, as I was reading a book about the history of Scotland, I began to think about names of people and places. As I did I began to think about the meaning of your names. You see every name has a meaning behind it and when your mommy and daddy named you, they thought about the names they gave you.

Mark Garrett, you know that you were named for your Uncle Mark and the name Garrett came from both your daddy's family and from your mommy's grandfather's family. However, both of those names have special meaning. The name Mark means valiant warrior and was the name of one of the early church leaders, a man named John Mark. He is the one who wrote the Gospel of Mark. It is amazing to me that when he was young, John Mark went on a mission trip with Paul and later turned back and went home. That doesn't sound much like a valiant warrior to me, but then the Lord gave him renewed strength and courage and we later read about him boldly preaching the Gospel and even writing one of the Gospels! God can do amazing things when we let Him. Your middle name is Garrett and this means "he rules with a bold spear." Do you realize, Mark Garrett, that your whole name means "valiant warrior who rules with a bold spear?" It is my prayer for your life that you always be a valiant warrior for the Lord, with a bold spear that is the Truth of His Word! Remember your name little one!

Luke Patton, your name is very special too. Your name comes from your daddy's side of the family and also has a special meaning in the Bible. The name Luke comes from a man named Luke, who was a doctor and a leader in the early church. Luke wrote one of the Gospel accounts and the book of Acts. Luke's account of Jesus' life and the history of the early church are two of the most detailed, accurate and powerful accounts of those days that are in existence. They form much of the foundation of what we know and believe about the early history of Christianity. Luke travelled with the apostle Paul and was with him when he wrote many of the letters found in the New Testament. In fact, between Paul and Luke, the two of them wrote more than half the New Testament! The name Luke means "light." I believe that is an appropriate name for him and I pray for you. The name Patton is also very special and means "from the town of warriors." Your whole name means "light from the town of warriors." Luke, it is my prayer that you will always be a light that brings the true Light of the World to others as boldly as if you came from a town of warriors!

So when anyone asks, "What's in a name?", you can tell them what's in your name!

I love you,

Papaw

Take Care Of Mimi

Dear Mark and Luke,
I know you two guys are really excited because your Mimi came to visit yesterday. She was very excited to be able to come and see you too! I am always a little sad when Mimi leaves to go somewhere to visit because it means that she is not here with me. You see when you have been married to someone as long as I have to Mimi, almost 33 years, then you really miss them when they are gone. The first day or two she is gone are always the hardest. I often walk around and start to say something to her and then remember that she is not here. I usually don't eat as well as I should or take care of myself as well as I should when she is gone.

There are a few things you should always remember about your Mimi. First, she loves you no matter what. She loves you when you are good and when you are bad (although she prefers it when you are good!) Did you know that there is nothing you can do to make her love you more than she does right now and there is nothing you can do to make her love you less either? You see, God is the same way. He loves you no matter what and He always will and because of that love, we love Him and want to obey Him. Mimi understands that love is patient and kind and that love is faithful and that describes your Mimi to a "T."

Second, Mimi is the wisest and most godly woman I have ever met. Probably the only silly thing she has ever done was to marry me and I am really glad she did! If you listen to your Mimi, you will always get good advice about life and about how to live life.

Third, did you know that Mimi prays for each of you everyday? She does! In fact, Mimi and I pray for you both to grow up healthy and strong, but most of all we pray for you to follow the Lord your whole life long, as your "night-nights music" says. We have prayed for you even before you were born...that's how much Mimi loves you!

Fourth, Mimi loves dessert! She loves red Sour Patch Kids and Gummi Bears. She loves strawberries and milk. In fact, I can't think of anything with sugar that she doesn't like! And she will always share with you two!

So you guys help take care of Mimi while she is there visiting you and give her lots of love and kisses. I miss Mimi and you two very much!

Papaw