I’m a typical boomer. One of those that wish I could have been more connected with my dad. He was a wonderful man who taught me so many life changing values and habits. But, I was not able to have those vulnerable, real life conversations with him.
When my wife, Annette, and I became parents we wanted to rewrite that part of our family heritage, break the chain as they say. We wanted to develop a close, deeply connected and “real” relationship with our six kids. For example, we home schooled through sixth grade to help build a “real” connection with our kids at a young age. We also worked at developing short and long-term goals. It was encouraging to watch as they sincerely prayed to discern their God-given gifts and where He may be calling them.
Their reward for keeping focused through high school is a 10-day senior trip anywhere in North America. I’m posting this from Santa Barbara, California while on the senior trip for our fifth child, Kaitlin (she’s on the right here with her sister and mom – the background is a beautiful building on the UCLA campus). We flew into LA last Friday and will be driving Rt #1 up the coast to San Francisco this week. It’s remarkable…beautiful.
These trips have now become an inspiring family tradition and an impact I couldn’t have anticipated. A passing of sorts into adulthood. We’ve been to Florida doing the beach thing, British Columbia snow skiing, Jamaica scuba diving, New England and New York city to see a Broadway play, and now California. Each trip is as unique as the child God created and put in our care. Each has been a celebration of their uniqueness, as well as their future. Thankfully, it seems to be one of those things God helped us get right in this effort for “real” relationships at home. At least it feels that way as we head north from Santa Barbara.
We met a Jewish rabbi and his wife at breakfast this morning and had a remarkable conversation. I can’t wait to share it with you. The cultural shifts impacting our Christian ministry are impacting Jewish ministry as well. It’s fascinating. More soon.
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Okay, you’ll thank me a latte for this amazing advice:
(1) Santa Barbara Zoo is awesome – small, inexpensive, view of the ocean, and the funkiest crooked-neck giraffe you’ll ever see in your life.
(2) Take the fam to Catalina Island – it’s about 26 miles off the shore and well worth it.
(3) For the love of all that is Holy and made by our Creator, go to In & Out Burger and get a Double Double Animail Style – - – and as an added bonus take a picture and blog about it. (Side note, you can order your Double Double in a lettuce wrap – I know how your hate those carbs)
You’re welcome in advance.
Michael