In a couple of hours, Deanna and I will leave for the airport to catch our flight to Tulsa. We look forward to this with great anticipation. We look forward to seeing our Awe Star family, to meeting more of them, and to meeting many of those of you who have supported us in prayer.

We are uncertain of our ability to "post" while we are there. It is our intent to keep updating, so please check in when you can (the schedule may be different).


When I was little boy I began measuring myself against my father. I would ask to see his hand, and put my palm to his, to see if my hand was nearing his in size. I remember how I wondered if my hand would ever get that big...I just seemed to grow too slow.

I remember how thick and dark the hair on his hands were...and how mine were "bald"
(the interesting contrast is that he was bald, and I had a ton of hair...but that was then). I noted every crease and wrinkle and thought of them as uniquely "my dad." No other dad could have hands this huge, this handsome... there was a fondness to just looking at them.

I don't why, but I was so surprised the first time Beej came up to me, and asked for my hand...and did exactly what I had done. He continued comparing his hand and mine for size, the rest of his life. Not daily, weekly, or even monthly...but every so often, he'd check in to see how much growing he had left to do. And he'd take my hand in that same caring fashion and inspect it.

On the morning that Beej passed, nurse Nadley asked if we'd like to have his hand print cast into plaster. We did. (Nadley was not working that night, but came in only to support us, as Beej was dying)

The other day, I got out that plaster memory. I compared our hands... at least one more time. His hand should have been able to reach the size of mine, I thought. Then my breathe left me, as I realized that the footprints he'd made in life were much bigger than mine, and I still had some growing to do.

Father God, please let Beej measure his hand with Yours. It's a familiar tradition...I think we learned it from You, for I am always measuring my life with Your Sons. I love you.

brent (dad)


Lori, we certainly are praying for you! Jesus loves you so much. Have you surrendered your life to him?