Off The Beaten Path: “There once was a man who had two sons…”

While this particular man also has a daughter, I have spent this last week with my two sons in Morganton while Laura and Katherine Mae have been at the beach. Hudson, Charlie and I have had a lot of fun going throughout the routines of everyday life. We’ve also had some challenges which we won’t get into at this time, but let’s just say I have grown in my appreciation for the work my wife does as a stay-at-home mom! As Laura has said about my sabbatical, “He’s just trading one job for another!” She is right that it is a “job” to be a stay-at-home parent. I am so glad that this is the only week I’ll have to experience that without Laura by my side!!!

The Bailey boys (all 3 of us) had some good times this week and actually did o.k. in the area of personal hygiene and healthy eating. (Although I did eat at fast-food more than I would have preferred. KFC grilled chicken: thumbs up! BK fire-grilled ribs: thumbs down!). The highlight of the week came at the conclusion with a day-long adventure in the mountains. We went to Upper Creek Falls on Saturday and had a blast hiking, playing in the creek, skipping rocks, enjoying nature and a picnic lunch along the way. I particularly enjoyed Charlie’s questions throughout the day: “Why are there boulders? Why are there birds in the forest? Why is the creek so wet?” I think with the help of my first stab at answering him, Charlie is well on his way to developing a strong theology as his questions morphed into: “Why did God put that boulder there? Why did God "borned" the birds in the forest? Why did God make the water so wet?” (I’ll let you know when I come up with those answers!) After we hiked out we decided that the day would be incomplete without a trip to Blowing Rock for Kilwin's ice cream and playing at the playground. What a day we had!!!

The girls are on there way home today and we can’t wait to see them - I really mean that!!! Today is also a special day for Laura and me as it is our 12th anniversary! The years have flown by! Life can get pretty crazy at times, but what I tell her still rings true after 12: I wouldn’t want to be on this roller coaster adventure with anyone else by my side but her! I am truly a blessed man in so many ways. I am so grateful to have this time of sabbatical to be able to enjoy these precious gifts I have so graciously been given. Thanks be to God!

-MRB