Gain a child...lose a child

We have a new son! Sort of. Meet Samuel.



On Thursday the Chizzlwicks became proud sponsors of Mr. Samuel De Andrade Lima through an organization called Compassion International. Compassion will ensure Samuel gets an education, health care and other necessities most of us take for granted...and they will do it all in the name of our great Savior.

On a heavier note... on Friday we learned that Mandy miscarried and we lost our second child. We are saddened by this turn of events but find comfort in our Lord.

He gives and takes away, Blessed be His name!

Dumpster Daddy

Some friends and I were taking advantage of the warm weather today to get in a round of disc golf.

I noticed that disc golfers leave a tremendous amount of garbage behind. Mostly empty beer cans. After everyone went back to work, I had the grand idea that I would clean up the course and make some money in the process. Times are tough and every cent helps. So inspired by a woman named "Dumpster Muffin", I enlisted the help of the wife and child and off we went. I was able to get a full bag full of aluminum cans. My wife on the other hand, she managed to track down 1 can.

The recycle machine is on the way home...unfortunately it was busted. With the help of google we found another location not too far away.

The final tally....40 cents.

That equals about 20 cents an hour. Just slightly less then my day job. Not enough to pay for our new baby.

O Holy Night

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
'Til He appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees! O, hear the angels' voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born;
O night divine, O night, O night Divine.

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,
O night divine, O night when Christ was born;
O night divine, O night, O night Divine.

Who or what is Normal?

In my travels, I recently crossed paths with a missionary on his way to Paris. His wife had an article published in Christianity today a few years ago titled "A more perfect society." Good read. I also recommend you watch a sweet video of their son Michael. He is quite a dancer!

Been thinking a lot lately about terms like "normal" and "perfect"

Reflections on a year of Daddyhood

Our offspring recently turned a year old. I remember awhile back my friend Jason said that when you get married you discover just how selfish you really are...man was he ever right! This year ive learned that having a kid adds approximately 100 million percent to my selfishness factor....for example, why wont that goober stop crying so I can think enough to write this blog about him!

I always knew that being a father wouldn't be easy. What I wasn't prepared for was the range of emotions that comes along with it. From feelings of utter helplessness and sorrow to laughter and joy, no emotion is left untouched. This has been a long, interesting and beautiful year. Ive learned what it means to be needy and needed. More than anything, i have learned about grace and my desperate need for it. There is nothing quite like being a daddy-o. Happy birthday ya big chooch!

MnM

Our friends Jason and Vanessa had their precious babies Melody and Madison tonight. I cried as I held their lifeless bodies and my mind turned to heaven... a place where sickness, sorrow, pain and death are felt and feared no more. Thank you Delgados for letting us bear this burden with you....and thank you Jesus for defeating death.

Power Stash

Whatdayall think of my new look? Should I keep it or retire it lick-a-dee-split? Polls are open to your right.