life

I realize it has been weeks since I've posted anything on the blog.  It isn't for a lack of things going on.  Maybe that's been the problem...so many things going on and I'm not exactly sure what to say about them.  For starters Michelle and I are expecting a baby in October and we just found out this past week it is a boy.  The predominate response when we tell people it is a boy is something like, "Payback time!"  We, of course, are hoping he takes after his mother!

We've been going to childbirth classes the past few weeks and it has been quite an experience.  They get a little long so I try to throw some humor around to lighten things up.  The beauty of it is that no one gets my humor.  Most people in the class are very conservative and don't appreciate the comments I make.  This of course only makes Michelle laugh harder because of how awkward I make things with my jokes that no one appreciates. 

My dad was recently diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.  Unreal, I know considering my mom just finished a year of treatment for breast cancer.  Their blog: http://nealandtrishsmith.blogspot.com is no longer just about my mom's updates but now about both of their health updates.  I've really been wrestling with this new trial our family faces.  It is interesting to see how people respond to this news.  Many people respond in a way that implies that God owes my parents something because they are good people.  We have been reminded that God owes us nothing.  Out of his love and compassion gave us the gift of salvation.  Often times I think we follow Jesus just because he gives us something we want (money, success, a job, health, etc.)  He does bless us with things but my faith is not based on those things.  The point of the gospel is that I get Jesus.  If everything else is taken away, my joy would be complete because I still have Jesus.  We have been reminded of that many times these past few months.  My dad begins treatment soon and this phase of the journey will bring many new lessons and refining of our faith.

These are a few things that have been going on the past few weeks, not to mention my brother coming home from a year in the Dominican Republic, doing a funeral for a four month old, and personal wrestling of what God is doing in my heart.

It's been an interesting time but God continues to shape me and for that I am grateful.