Hello Old Friend

Well, well, well. If it isn't my old friend de Karlos. It's been awhile...long time, no write. What's been shakin'? Seems as if a couple years have passed by, and I guess it's because a couple have, or at least a year and a half have. But I'm doing better, I've lost some weight, I've gained some back, but overall things are very different for me. I think I'm ready to give this thing a try again. Reading is believing though, huh? Yeah, I figured you'd say that.

So, here goes. Gabe's been rocking 1st grade and Hallie has been rolling through pre-school like tank. What an amazing thing to see happen, life unfolding before you in the crazy mix of "time standing still / time flying by" video stream. I look at pictures from just a couple months ago and I'm wondering where those kids went. I look at pictures of me and wonder where that white clump of hair on my head has come from?! The other day my wife says, "Karl, it looks so nice. And it's so soft!" And I'm thinking, because it's on my head and not yours sister! Anyway, time marches on, or at least it seems to sometimes...

Another semester has come and gone. This makes 21 of them we've been through. Just last night we were talking with a friend and now that we've been at this for 10yrs when people ask us about things we've done in LFC, it's all starting to run together. Was that 2 yrs ago? Maybe 3? Oh yeah, that was like 7 yrs ago. Years used to seem so distinctive -- that was during my 1st year in ministry or that was my 3rd. Now I can remember the first day on the job, a few other trips here and there, but a large part has seemed to wave bye bye to my brain and left for greener pastures. And I'm cool with that, just learning to get used to it.

But I will say this...God's been very faithful. Unbelievably so. Things that happened early on, that at the time seemed so important and huge, have now faded and I can't hardly remember why I was so worked up in the first place. Wonderful folks have come and gone, and some mean ones here and there as well, but overall the majority have been really great.

So I'm ready to pick up the pen again, or rather, dust off that keyboard, and start writing down some more of these moments and people, so I don't see them wander off into the distance never to be thought of again. God's been too good to forget what He's done and is still doing --- too gracious, too kind, too wise, too smart, too just, too fair, and too loving.

In the days, weeks, and months to come, my purpose is to remember...the good, the bad, the mundane, and the special. I'm hoping my next post won't be a year from now, but if it is, it's because I'm too busy living. Too borrow a quote from the lovable if not controversial Ace Ventura: "If I'm not back in 5 minutes, just wait longer!"