The best of times...

Our good friends Shane and Maranda are celebrating the safe arrival of their first child. Daughter Emzie was born last Saturday, weighing in at 8 lbs., 14 oz. That's a big first baby, but both her parents are tall, so I think Emzie is destined to be quite statuesque (and beautiful of course). Congratulations to all three of them!

...and the worst of times...

Craig, the father of two of my former students, was killed in a worksite accident on Wednesday. He was only 51. Craig was -- well, is -- the kind of man that I would describe as "valiant." He was a really great guy, and enthusiastic outdoorsman and leader for the Royal Rangers (sort of a pentacostal version of Boy Scouts), loving husband, attentive father, sincere Christian. A hard loss for his family. Daughter Allison is engaged to be married, and I know she will feel a huge void as she walks down the aisle without her father to give her away. Pray for all of them, please.

--Sparki