Dear Grandpa

Dear Grandpa,

I miss you.

Tuesday, you said goodbye.

This Friday, my dad, your son, delivered your eulogy.  I wish I could've been there.  But he said something that I think would've made you smile:

"Dad has three children.  And in Wes, Karen, and Shelly we are blessed with wonderful marriages,  Our children love one another and are so faithful to each other.  We have exactly what Dad wanted for us.  Dad was a fighter.  I don't know how he got us here.  But here we are.  Our families are built on what he gave us.  Even if he wasn't sure how to give it."

"Dad was a fighter."  That sums up alot of it.  Grandpa, you were the soldier that our family needed.  Two years ago, you had one of the closest brushes with death one could have, but you told him no.  I remember seeing you in the hospital, and then afterward.  I could not believe the change.  After being out of the hospital for only just two days, you looked completely different.  You never belonged in the hospital.

I'll never forget your enthusiasm.  Whether it was threatening to wrestle me, or asking me why I didn't have a girlfriend, or telling me that I would never beat you in one-on-one; whatever it was, I knew that you always had my back.

I remember the summer before my senior year, when I went back with you to your old house to mow and do some yard work.  I was working in the front and you were in the back.  After finishing up, I walked around the house, and then. . . my heart stopped.  I saw you laying completely spread eagle on the ground.  When I ran up to you and asked urgently if you were okay, you only smiled and looked up  at me through your bushy eyebrows as if I were crazy.   "I'm only resting."  You told me.  Then you asked if I had finished the front yard.

I was always slacking.

I remember as a first grader, when I played basketball, that you were always the loudest in the stands.  When coaches reminded me not to listen to the coaches in the stands, they couldn't possibly mean you.  Or Dad for that matter.

Grandpa, I'll miss you.

Your big grin.

Your bear hugs.

It won't be the same.  It's going to be tough, but I trust the Lord has a plan.

Rest in peace, Grandpa.

Engagements and Other Things

"Engagements and Other Things" really just boils down to an engagement and nothing else.  If you have not been around on social media in the last week, then you might have missed that my older sister, Micaiah, became engaged to Eric Shaw.  It has been my pleasure to witness these two grow in their relationship over the last six and a half months.  I am thankful that I was able to be up here and get to know Eric.  He and Micaiah are a great match, and I am very excited for the future that these two have ahead of them.

In the "Other Things" side of my life, I have been working, sleeping, working, eating, sleeping.. and working.  But that is what summer is for.  Gotta "make bank".  But at weeks end, I generally find myself even busier with either visiting family in Seattle, or going out of town to participate in Hoopfest.  (Which is apparently the biggest 3-on-3 basketball tournament in the nation.)  

Somehow, summer did not slow down one bit and school is just one month away.  But I can confidently say that I am excited to go back to school.  I'm definitely ready to do something with my mind again.  (As an aside, mowing grass and washing dishes isn't mentally taxing, but that may just be me.)

I hope you all are having a restful and productive summer, and I will see you around!

Congratulations, Micaiah and Eric!

New in the Old

This past weekend marked the end of a chapter, and the beginning of another.

Over this weekend, I graduated from highschool!  I can't believe how fast time has flown, but I am excited and ready to go to college.  But not only was it special that I graduated, but my older sister and father came into town for it.  It was the first time since January of last year that the entire family had been together.  And so accordingly, just like every other time we come through Kansas City, we revisited the old haunts.

Although we have seen the sights of Kansas City more than I can count, every time we come back to it, I see it differenly.  We either have an addition to the family, or we've grown up and gone off to college.  The story is different even if you've already been there before.  It's the tradition that my family has made, and that is what makes it special.

Here are some pictures of this past weekend:

When you go to the airport back to back nights, and you're running on 4 hours of sleep, you do goofy things.

I was just marveling at their follow through.  I wish I could throw pennies like them.

On Friday, we all went downtown to ride the new streetcars that were just put in place a couple weeks ago.

Taking pictures like this is difficult in a streetcar.

Hipster coffee house is hipster.

Here we go, abit more space out here.

After wandering around Union Station and riding the streetcars, we drove up to Liberty Memorial.

Saturday rolled around, and it was time to graduate.

Back together again.

Thank you to everyone who made this journey possible!

Once a Teen Knighter, Always a Teen Knighter

Teen Night has been a blessing that has just grown over the last 18 months.  My friends who are in it, make it what it is today.  The fellowship, the discussions, the food, all have been a blessing.  Although we come from different denominations, we still worship and learn about God every Friday night.

For the past four or so months, we have been practicing some dances.  We've been learning the steps, then reviewing, and then finally memorizing them to near perfection.  (Emphasis on near) ;)  We've been building up to Micaiah Lopez's and Emiko Patterson's big graduation celebration.  Or Commencement.  As it is the beginning of a bigger and better chapter in their lives.

So in honor of the past weeks of preparation, dancing, and studying I just wanted to show you some photos of the actual Commencement and the fun we had at and before it.  The majority of the Hohenfel's Homeschool community turned out for the event, so around 100 people were attending the celebration!  Needless to say, alot of work went into this from alot of different families!

Photo creds: Jared Patterson.  We get hyped for the Word. ;)

Photo creds: Jared Patterson.  He takes the majority of the photos you'll see here.  He takes that camera everywhere.

This picture was taken at Micaiah's birthday party.

Also at Micaiah's birthday.

This one was actually taken by Mrs. Vass.  Food, fellowship, and fun.

Table tennis is intense.

These guys really are loud at basketball games!  Make me feel supported :D  Again, way to catch the moment, JP.

Class of 2014 (middle)  The two on the outside are random Sophomores.

The FAB group together.

All Hail the Seniors!

Thank you for all the great times we have!  Once a Teen Knight, always a Teen Knight.

These past two years have been amazing with y'all!  Teen Night has been so special.  And a special thanks to Emi and Micaiah!  Thank you so much for being the mom's of the group.  I cannot remember how many times you two have told me to put my jacket on, while playing ball with the others in the cold.  *sigh*  You just don't get it.

Seriously, you two are amazing women, and I don't think this group would've been the group it is without you.  And Micaiah, thank you.  I love you.  To the Teens of the Round Table.  Well done, and thank you.  Way to dance.  Way to laugh.  Way to fellowship.  Way to eat.  Way to tease.  And way to laugh through the tears.

Once a Teen of the Round Table, always a Teen of the Round Table.

Childlike Love And Brotherly Protection

As we head into this new week, I would just like to throw some stuff at you for food for thought..  Not too hard, just hard enough to make you think alittle.

Whenever my mom or dad put my little sister (Belle, beautiful Belle) to bed she will constantly yell, "Goodnight!"  Or, "Night night!"  Or, "I love you."  To anyone who will listen to her.  This simple innocence that many young children have is endearing and cute.  But what does that have to do with us?  Why am I bringing it up?

When we first are reborn as Christians, we have a dependence on God.  That childlike love that Belle has, we have with God at the beginning of our walk with Him.  But then, as we grow, we start growing away from Him.  And push Him away.  We don't want to associate with Him, we want to be His children, but at the same time, we want to be part of the world.  We can not serve two masters at once.

And that leads me to the second point.  We all know the stereotypical older brother, who is so defensive of his younger sisters.  And then the stereotypical sister who get angry at her "overprotective brother."  But why is it always viewed in a negative light?  It should be counted as a blessing, that your brother is wanting to be involved in your life and is willing to watch over you.  That should be a comfort, but like our relationship with God, we push him away.

And so this is my thought for you, when you go into this week, remember to love God and to trust Him, but also remember to look out for others, and be willing to learn from others when they offer advice.  Don't push your brothers and sisters away.  Love and care for them.  And protect.  Do not let the wiles of the Enemy deceive and destruct.

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13 ESV)

Feasting

I was debating what to title this post, I trashed Thankfulness or Thanksgiving or Gratefulness.  They all seemed so cliche.  Thus, you have the title Feasting.  Which could still be considered cliche.  But not as cliche.  And the word cliche is totally cliche in and of itself.  Anyway, I must not set foot on the forbidden pathways of bunny trails.

It's important to remember the reason why we are able to enjoy a time of feasting.  Thanksgiving is a time to remember about what has passed since the landing of the Pilgrims, and also the things God has done for us. It's a time to remember what we are thankful for.  And it isn't just the things we have experienced.  It's all the challenges that we have faced and overcome.  And it is everything that God has given us, either to bless us or to grow us (which in itself is a blessing.)

I'm going to list things that I am thankful for.  But, it is nearly impossible to list everything.  So I'll give fifteen things and reasons I'm thankful for.  Because fifteen is such a good number.

1.  Christ and His sacrifice.
2.  Family.  And the unbreakable bond between siblings.
3.  Friends and loyalty.
4.  A good community of believers.
5.  Homeschool and for my mom and dad who provide me such a great opportunity to learn.
6.  Relationships made through Veritas Press.  I know that falls under friendships, but it has to be spoken for.
7.  Veritas Press.  The best online school ever.
8.  Basketball.  It is an amazing sport, and I've played it for a long time.
9.  Food, one of the greatest inventions of God ever.
10.  Samwise Gamgee.  He may be a fictional character, but he was an amazing man to look up to..  Or a hobbit to look down to.
11.  Dogs..  Man's best friend.
12.  Teen Night.  A great environment to trade stories, fellowship, and to drink in the stories.
13.  Omnibus.  It can be one of those challenges.  But it is amazing.
14.  Music.
15.  And last, but definitely not least, deodorant.  One of the best things invented for stinky teenage boys like me.

“Gratitude looks to the Past and love to the Present; fear, avarice, lust, and ambition look ahead.”---C.S.Lewis. 

Super Mom

Proverbs 31:31, "Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works, praise her in the gates."

For those people who say Moms aren't super, my mom is living proof that proves them very wrong.  It's her birthday today, and I just wanted to thank her for everything here.  Well.. maybe not everything.  Because that'd be a long list.  Anyway, I'll sum it up for you.

Thank you mom for making good meals.  Thank you for being there and letting me rant, and then telling me to calm down.  Thanks for all those delicious meals you have made for the family.  Thank you for putting up with my slowness in school.  For all the times you shuttled me to and from practice.  For coming to my games.  Thank you for raising me for the Cause of Christ.  Thanks for doing laundry all those years until I could reach the nozzles at the end of it, and reminding me to take out the trash.  Thank you for reminding me not to make my younger siblings laugh to loudly, and thank you for being there.  Always.  You are the perfect mom.

You are a woman worthy of being, "praised in the gates."

Friendship

I felt like I left the past post unexplained.  Love.  And friendship.  Friendship should be based on love.

We'll define love as the Bible defines it, "Willing to lay down one's life for another."  Friendship is based on that concept of love.  Not that mushy-gooey love, but one that you would be willing to sacrifice all you had to make sure that that person lived.  In today's culture, friends are just those who have common interests.  Of course that can be an easy thing to gravitate to.  If you and another person, say, love hockey, then you probably enjoy doing it together.  And you can't forget that you probably enjoy hanging out with each other, thus making it easy to hangout with that person.

All of that is great and good..  but what is true friendship?  What makes friends become strong, so that nothing will separate them?  Yes, being ready to lay down your life is one of the things that make up a strong friendship.  But also being able to stand up to them, point out where they err.  Yet also, at the same time, offer encouragement and a helping hand.  (Maybe even a manly hug now and then)

I think this quote sums it up nicely, "A true friend never gets in your way unless you happen to be going down."
Arnold H. Glasow

Brotherly Love

I just want to leave you with something real quick this Friday night.  What does it mean to, "Lay down one's life for a another?"  

It doesn't mean that you have to be ready to lay down your life for another Christian.  We're talking about something on a bigger scale.  Not just your brother in Christ, but for your fellow humans.  Not just those who follow Christ, but the one's who denies that He exists.  To be willing to lay down one's life for another, you are willing to take up the Cross of Christ.  And that is one of the biggest callings for a Christian.  

You need to be ready to help, sacrifice, and even die for your loved ones.  And maybe even for those who you don't even know.  If Christ laid down His life for us, and was humiliated in such a way as to die on the cross like a common criminal, how much more should we be willing to lay down our lives for another?  

That's my thought for the night.  I apologies if it wasn't very clear, I'll try to expound more on it in a later post.

Out of Communion

We've all seen that one child that just breaks down, when their parents leave them with a babysitter... Or their siblings. (A.k.a. my youngest sister)  They just can't seem to get over it, they just can't accept their fate. 

It may be annoying, but really, if we just took this toddler's reaction and applied it to our relationship with God, we could not possibly go wrong.  If we loved our Creator like this toddler, we would not err.  We need to cling to Christ, and hold fast to Him.  Don't let go.  Hang on to our Father and do not go astray.

That leads me to another point, we are always breaking our fellowship with the Eternal Father.  Every time we sin, every time we act on an evil impulse (whether that be to annoy a sibling, or leaving the toilet seat up) is breaking the communion that we enjoy with our God.  He is so much bigger than us, and His compassion is so large.  But we refuse His advances and His entreaties to come back to Him.

Don't become like that generic teenager, who despises showing affection for his parents.  Go all out, preach it on the hills and valleys.  He deserves it, does He not?  Be that toddler who is scared to be separated from his family.

20 Years

Last week was my parents' 20th anniversary.  They are amazing parents and I wouldn't trade them for the world.  Not only have they raised five children, they have moved across oceans and continents with them.  How many people could do that?  How many people can homeschool five kids and succeed at it?  These parents are exceptional.  If it is true that there are superheros in this world, well, I know two of them.

They have set such good examples of how a marriage should be.  I know how a man should treat his wife by watching my dad.  And I've learned what true love is when I see my parents interact.  And I know what to expect in a wife by seeing how my mom treats my dad.  

In our culture today, you would be hard put to find a solid marriage.  It is unfortunate, and we need to change that.  As Christians, we need to set the example by having wonderful relationships.  My parents are a splendid example.

20 years ago they were a cute couple with no children.  20 years later, they are still amazing and have five children.

Drunk at The Fest

*disclaimer* Not one of us got drunk at the fest.  This film as been approved for all audiences.

What is the first thing people think when you say "Oktoberfest"?  Drunk people.  But in the later part of the morning there aren't many drunk people.  And that's exactly when we went.  We hopped on a train (8:15 on a Saturday morning.  But we won't go there.)  And rode it all the way down to Munchen for the Ok
toberfest.  So prepare to see a picture filled blog.  And be amazed at the abilities of my dad with a camera.  Hope you enjoy!

On the way up to the Oktoberfest.  Belle...  And her pretty face.

Brothers.

I don't know why, but my Dad's coffee mug got in a LOT of pics.

Rule #1 about Fight Club: Is that we don't talk about Fight Club.

Lopez is the definition of gracefulness.

That darn girl wearing that dirndl.  (Talk to the Germans about the lack of vowels.  It's been driving me insane)

The brave ones of the family.

Beating up little kids made fun.

My brother is taking after me.

We've missed Dad!  But now he's showing his gangster side.

Besides all of these memories!  I had some highlights..

1. Got to taste some real beer.

2 Got to ride in a train for a total of three hours. (Total highlight, right?)

3. And finally, I had an amazing family to share all these memories with.