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Family & Parenting

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In Family & Parenting

We had a baby…

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Gowesky Family

On April 20th, 2011 we had a baby!  Her name is Leah.  She was 7lbs 3 oz. and very healthy.  We have been waiting for this day for a long time now and we are thrilled to have this little bundle of joy in our lives.

The best way I can describe how I feel is as an always but never type feeling.  It feels like Leah has always been apart of our family, but at the same time it feels like she has never been there.  I mean she is only 14 days old today at 2:31.  It is an odd feeling realizing that I can’t remember or imagine what it would be like right now without her in our family.

Watching Noah and Grace welcome their baby sister into the world has been a treat to experience.  It was so much fun to watch Noah literally fall in love with his little sister.  His first words about her were, “She has gorilla hair.”  Only then to follow up with, “She looks like a rat.”  The good news is that Leah didn’t take it personally and she just shrugged it off.  He has since called her pretty, and beautiful.  He is going to be a great big brother.  He told me the other day that now he has two sisters to protect.  It made me so proud to hear him say that.

Grace is consistently attentive to the needs of her baby sister/roommate.  I’m not sure what she is more excited about, having a sister, or having a roommate.  I’m pretty sure it’s the roommate bit that she is excited for.

God has definitely blessed Tiffany and I and we are grateful to Him for blessing us with three healthy, beautiful children.  Now, sleep on the other hand… We will continue to wait for that blessing.  But, I know it is coming.

~Peter

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In Family & Parenting

Spring Is Near

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Spring has to be near.  Yesterday I came home and spring training was breaking out in my driveway.  Grace and Noah were outside playing, taking advantage of the nice weather.  We played soccer, football, baseball, catch, and rugby(sort of).  You could tell that the winter blues had fully formed, and they were both tired of being house bound.  I am totally with them on that one.  Well they were working hard at breaking off the crust of winter.  I enjoyed being outside with them and playing ball.  It made me look around and see all of the spring projects that need to be done.  Man this is going to be a fun spring.  I can’t wait!

Are you looking forward to spring?  If so, why?

~Peter

[slideshow]

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In Family & Parenting

Dating two women at the same time

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Today I spent time with another lady other than my wife.  I’m telling you it was great.  Here’s the crazy part, it was even endorsed by my wife.  A lunch date with another woman.  Okay, truth be told, it was a little woman, none other than Grace Madison Gowesky.  We were having a daddy, daughter date.

Before heading out on our date I had tweeted this, “Taking Grace on a lunch date. Its gonna be all fairies, princesses and ponies.”  It wasn’t far from all that.  We had a great time together.  I asked her questions and then just listened.  I spent time listening to the one in our house who probably uses the most words but gets listened to the least, being the youngest.  It was fun to hear some of the things she said.

I asked her what made her happy… Man that response was awesome.  “Being on a date with Daddy.”  After wiping away the tear, I quickly responded with, “any other guy that wants to take you on a date has to go through me!  You got it?”  She said her favorite princess is Tiana.  Why you may say?  “Because she wears a green dress, and it’s my favorite.”  I asked her what she likes to do, “Color, dress up, pretend”  The conversation flowed much like that.

We sat and enjoyed time together.   It was quick, too quick, yet it was really good.  I sat and listened.  I became a student of my daughter.  I wanted to see what it was that made her tick at this point in time in her life.  It all could change by tomorrow and that’s okay.  Tomorrow her favorite princess could be Sleeping Beauty, she could hate coloring and love playdough.  Then tomorrow I’ll need to become a student all over again.  I learned a lot.  Plus we had a great time for enjoying lunch for $4.01.  (Bj’s hot dogs!)

For a brief moment in time I understand Grace, and she understands one thing for sure; I’m her daddy and I love her and think that she is beautiful and amazing just the way she is.

So here’s the question… Who in your life do you need to become a student of?  What questions should you be asking, and who should you be listening to?

~Peter

 

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In Faith in Real Life

Exciting News

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A while back I shared with you that my sister and her husband are moving their family overseas to Bangladesh to serve the people of Bangladesh and bring the light of Jesus Christ to a very spiritually dark and dimly lit country.  Well when I first shared with you about their aspirations and desires they were somewhere around 8% supported.  It excites me to share with you today that they are 100% supported!  They have received 100% of their travel expenses as well as their monthly support.

It has only been 51 days and they have received all of their financial commitments.  THIS IS INCREDIBLE!  GOD IS AMAZING!  It is exciting for me to watch God provide and take care of them.  51 DAYS!  You can follow what they are doing over at their blog, www.thelongfamily.org, I would ask you to subscribe to their blog, or check regularly, pray for them as they head out, join their prayer team.  Their is no doubt in my mind that God is going to use them in incredible ways!

Check out their latest blog post here.

To learn more about their ministry there check out this video here.

~Peter

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In Family & Parenting

Step on the gas

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It feels to me like time is stuck on cruise control.  And the pedal was jammed against the floor when it was set!  This past Saturday was Noah’s 5th birthday.  I feel like it could have been 3 or 4 weeks ago when we first brought him home from the hospital.  As we left the hospital both Tiffany and I were waiting for them to say, “No, you are way to young to drive this baby home.”  I was halfway tempted to make a T-shirt that said I’m older than you think!

5 years ago this little kid came into our lives and made a beautiful mess out of me!  I am so thankful for him and the ways that he challenges me to be a better husband, father and man.  It is crazy how much you learn about yourself when you get married.  It’s even crazier how much you learn about yourself once you have children!

I am looking forward to the next 5 years!  It’s gonna be awesome!

This video feels like yesterday!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YS-fus3moLM]

~Peter

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In Family & Parenting

Obeying God

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One of the things I am really excited about is not actually happening in my life directly.  It is happening in the life of my sister and her family.  I have been wanting to share this with all of you so that you can be informed, you can pray, and maybe some of you would even consider supporting them.

Meet Heather and Jon Long.

The big news is that Heather and Jon and their four kids are heading to Bangladesh to serve as missionaries.  There is a ton of information over on their website.  You need to go there and read up on it.  Their site is www.thelongfamily.org.

Please make sure and check this video out.

Missions is an adventure.  Moving is an adventure.  But moving around the world in order to participate in missions, that just has to be unreal!  I am so proud of them as they follow God’s leading in their life to the country of Bangladesh.  I love them both, and I will miss them as they are literally on the other side of the world from me.  Yet I am so excited to see how God is going to use them in the lives of the people of Bangladesh.

When I talk with them about how God has led them to this act of obedience, it makes me wonder, what is God leading you to do? Let’s hear it…  What does God want you to do in your school, your work place, your home, or in your neighborhood?

~Peter

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In Family & Parenting

Slow it down

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This week has come and gone with the greatest of ease.  Man!  I’ll tell you what, time slips by before you know it.

This week I was in meeting after meeting it seemed.  We ended up in the hospital with Noah’s forehead…  I met up with some other youth pastors discussed long range goals… I stressed out.  I cleaned our whole front yard(all million walnuts and all) and it seemed like life flew by.

Photo 76 Today I am going to try and slow it down.  Take it in.  Listen to each moment.  Spend time with the kids doing silly things… drawing dinosaurs, birds in nests, cranes, and whatever else Noah’s mind can think of.  We’re going to play pirates, build blocks, and legos.  Grace will run around and play kitchen, and tag along with big brother.  Today won’t come back…

The next time I’ll visit today will be in my memory.

What is one thing you want to slow down and enjoy today?

~Peter

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In Family & Parenting

lazy saturday

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Every now and then it is really nice to just sit and relax…  This morning proved to be one of those days.  Noah and I enjoyed a morning together, while Tiffany and Grace ran to the grocery store, (clearly not as much fun!) to get a few necessary items.  I wanted to share with you a glimpse of our morning.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ps5U4M9m0is]

What is your favorite thing to do on your “Lazy Saturday”?

~Peter

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