Pitch...Puff...Pitch...Puff

"Grass, Dirt, and Smoke: The Reflections of A Little Leaguer." This would be the title I would give my childhood memoirs.

Baseball was my life as a kid. I loved everything about it, especially the smells. Pine tar on my black Louisville Slugger. Oil on my blonde leather glove (Rawlings, of course). Dirt on the leather ball (again, Rawlings). Sweat in my cap. Freshly cut grass. And, the cherry-scented smoke aromatically rising up from my coach's pipe.

Dave Finton was my favorite coach ever. Today, I learned that he passed away. My heart sank for his family. And then it soared as I reflected on his life. Dave was a common man who worked hard for my home state's Department of Transportation. The tall southpaw seemed to have supernatural endurance when throwing batting practice to his "boys of summer" who donned the maroon and white pinstripe uniform of Bob's Finer Foods. As impressed as I was with Coach Finton's pitching stamina, I was even more impressed with his ability to simultaneously puff on his pipe, which stuck out from the right side of his mouth, clenched firmly between his teeth.

It was all so rhythmic and aromatic...Pitch...Puff...Pitch...Puff...Pitch...Puff...like music and incense.

RIP Coach Finton. You stood tall in my life. You gave me confidence at an early age that I could face challenges and rise above my limitations with hard work. With your even temper, you taught me that patience and kindness wear well with people of all ages. I drew upon your example when called upon to coach my own little leaguers. You made my summers, Dave. And, those summers helped to make me much of the man that I am today.

Let Someone Do Good For You

Why is it so hard to let someone do good for us?

Maybe this isn't a problem for you, but I was confronted by it yesterday as I stood at a register in a sporting goods store, two cents short of what the clerk expected.

From somehere over my right shoulder, I heard very pleasant voice say, "Oh, I have two cents!" A woman that I didn't even know was quick to the draw, digging into her purse to pull out her two copper coins needed for my purchase. I became extremely reluctant to accept her act of kindness and embarrased that I was unprepared. She was all smiles and felt good about "doing my good deed for the day."

I know that feeling. I prefer to have that feeling. You see, I would rather be the one giving two cents than receiving it. Helping people usually brings a rush of good feelings. Being helped is just way too awkward. The $0.02 might as well have been $20. My reaction would've been the same.

It bothers me to think that I would've much rather been on the side of giving away two cents than receiving it. Why should I hog all the good feelings. And, why should I want to deny someone the simple joy of knowing that they've done something to help another. Because I'm a proud human being! But, that's no excuse.

Today, I'm glad I didn't have the two cents. What is more, I'm glad that I didn't have the sense to come up with a way to keep this very nice lady from doing good.

Let someone do good for you. It'll make them smile...and God too!

Attaboy, Jordan Fetters!

The Fetters recognized a family milestone on June 2. Our oldest son, Jordan, graduated from Central Dauphin Highschool. It was a wonderful night as we sat with family and friends in the Giant Center (Hershey, PA) to watch his class of 480 students turn their tassles and grab their diplomas. He appeared more than happy to say "Goodbye" to this phase of their lives. He admitted to me later that it was the "moment he looked most forward to in high school."

It's hard for me to wrap my brain around the fact that Jordan has reached this point in his life. It came so fast. (I was warned about the breakneck speed of a child's development). As the graduates were called name-by-name, I was flooded with memories. I coached some of them in soccer, baseball, and basketball. I watched some compete in the athletic arenas. Some I watched on the theatrical stages. Many others I simply recalled traveling grade-by-grade with Jordan since Kindergarten. I was especially proud of the four students that have known me as "Pastor Todd" since they were three years old. What a night!

Attaboy Jordan! I'm very proud of you!! I can't wait to see what God is going to do in and through your life.

Jordan with best friend, Ian Isaac

Standing with classmates

Getting his hands on the diploma

"Thanks For Holding It Together"

Lisa and I are celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary today. "Happy Anniversary, Lisa."

Earlier today, I received congratulatory text messages from my brothers, Brooks and Luke. Their anniversaries are this week too. Luke and Audrey will celebrate 26 years tomorrow (December 18). Brooks and Barb will be married 28 years on December 20.

I like what Luke's text said today, "Thanks for holding it together."

His five words got me thinking. In a day and age when couples call it quits way too much, I am thankful for a wife that is committed to "holding it together." I'm also thankful for...

1. My parents who've modeled "holding it together" for 53 years.
2. My father and mother-in-law who've modeled "holding it together" for nearly 50 years.
3. Brothers who've modeled "holding it together" for over 25 years.
4. Sons who need and expect their parents to "hold it together" during their lifetimes.
5. Friends who encourage us during seasons where it's challenging to "hold it together."
6. A congregation that prays for us to "hold it together.

7. A wife that is worth every effort to "hold it together" everyday of our lives together.

And mostly,

8. A God who is the faithful Third Strand that "holds Lisa and I together."

"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

(Ecclesiastes 4:12)

(Mom & Pop)

(Luke & Audrey)

(Brooks & Barb)

The Splendor of Simple Things

A dog. A fresh snowfall. A walk in the woods. Christmas songs coming from my coat pocket. That was my experience this evening. It was very nice. Very inspirational. Very pleasant. Very simple.

Colonial Park received a nice snowfall of one and a half inches. The fresh white powder was Jazzmine and I out to walk, run, and play. It was the simplicity of this night that reminds me that God is great and God is good. Great enough to create the world [snow]...good enough to care for me by sharing the snow with me.

I do hope that you find God very good this Advent season.

Photo-op With Senator McCain

Well, here it is...the long awaited group photo of the motorcade drivers with Senator and Cindy McCain. I am in the back row, far right.

McCain Motorcade

Big day today...got to be a driver in the McCain motorcade as the Senator was stumping in Harrisburg. My job was to drive a van for some of the press. There were also drivers for campaign staffers. Understandably, Senator McCain was in a protective SUV, not driven by some yahoo like me.

It was interesting to see things up close and personal. So many details. Background checks. Bomb-sniffing dogs. Secret service agents. It was also pretty cool to be assumed as secret service as I stood stoicly by my van outside the rally venue. One lady even thanked me for "all you do for Senator McCain and our country." (Since I couldn't accept her appreciation for heroic acts of vigilance and courage, I accepted her kind words as a response to Pastor Appreciation Month).

Once the event was over, a staffer invited the drivers inside the Forum for a photo-op with Senator and Mrs. McCain. I can now say that I have spoken to, been spoken to by, and shaken the hand of a presidential candidate. Senator McCain even bought me lunch. Well, actually the campaign provided subs and chips and soda for everyone involved in the motorcade, volunteers, press, and staffers. At least I got to each lunch with them...if you consider it eating together when they are in the plane and I am in my van some 300 yards away.

Here are some pics from my big day.