Being Thankful and 5 Things On My Radar

This weekend was spent with my wife’s family as we celebrated her grandmother’s 86th birthday. Family from all over came together for a few days to say proudly to this woman they loved that this time was “all about her!”

She is very special, as family truly is.

Josiah and Micah, my two boys, were able to play with their cousins. It was fun to see them interact, to play in the water, to kick balls in the yard. We ate too many sweets and had a lot of laughs.

One of my favorite moments was when everyone was sitting together and this sweet ladies’ children shared stories about why they were thankful for their mom. Imagine getting to that age and having the people you have cared for so long share stories of the impact that you had made on their lives.

That must be the ultimate “job well done” moments.

It was another reminder to me that we shouldn’t wait so long to let people know how much they mean to us and the impact they have had on our lives. It is good to say “thank you” early and often.

5 Things on my radar this week:

1. The Supreme Court is reviewing a Texas pornography law that has strict viewer requirements. This is important because it can set a precedent for how to restrict porn access to younger individuals. I think that porn has become a bit of a silent killer lurking on the phones of much of the youth in America. This is legislation that seems in the right direction. (https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/07/02/supreme-court-new-cases-porn-vapes-guns/)

2. Is Biden going to step down? I am not big into politics, but I do understand that this election is shaping up to be one for the history books. There is continuing pressure for Biden to step down, but he has said he has no plans to go anywhere. Get your popcorn out and watch the show! (https://apple.news/AmGMYPOUFSz22SBo6CAMN8Q)

3. Praying for those impacted by Hurricane Beryl. There has already been destruction and loss of life in Jamaica and Mexico. It is soon to hit Texas. Pray for those already impacted and those who have been. (https://www.npr.org/2024/07/07/nx-s1-5032054/beryl-hurricane-texas-coast-prepares)

4. “The Man With 1000 Kids” on Netflix. I am not going to recommend you watch Netflix often, but if you are going to anyways, check out this docu-series. While the desire and ability to have children is decreasing in much of modern society, some people can’t stop. This is a story of sperm donation gone wrong, and sheds light on an issue that many don’t know is a problem.

5. To Dye For by Alden Wicker. Olga got a fantastic book for us to read on the unspoken dangers of the chemicals and fabrics that make up our daily wardrobes. The truth is that many of the clothes we purchase and wear actually might be making us unwell. I look forward to sharing more details from the book and outside research in the future.