My oldest son is ELEVEN today. Once he's out of school for the day, the fun begins with a party at LaserQuest for him and a bunch of friends, followed by gifts at home with the family. I am especially excited to give him a pocketknife I bought him in Texas last week. He's been asking for a pocketknife for probably two years.

I remember well the day we drove to the hospital in Warsaw, Indiana, eleven years ago. After only four hours of labor, Joshua Matthew was born to us. Looking back, I can't believe how little Luanne and I knew about life or marriage, let alone parenting! But God has been so gracious and has led us every step of the way. Josh, you are teching us what it means to be parents! I love you so much. (I'm sitting in Starbucks typing this quick before a meeting... and getting all choked up in the process...).

Amazing how a kid can go from this

to this...

On Sunday, I had the amazing privilege of baptizing my oldest son, Joshua. I introduced myself and then introduced him as "my beloved son, in whom I am well-pleased." These were the words that were heard coming from heaven as Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River. I wanted Josh to know that I am so pleased with him... so proud. I hope he can grow up knowing that my love for him is unconditional...

He talked about "asking Jesus to come into his heart" when he was a little boy of four, and then he said he wanted to be baptized because he knew it was the right thing to do and he wanted to follow God and follow what the bible said. Way to go, Josh!