matthewmcdill.com » Journal

Meeting a WWII Veteran

Matthew — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 20:07:52 +0000

My daughter Bethany played in a piano recital at a nursing home last Friday afternoon. After the presentation I met an amazing man. His name was Jim Cole. Mr. Cole had blue ball cap on with big yellow letters: “I am a WWII Veteran.” The first thing he said to me was, “We should have sung ‘God Bless America.’”

I introduced my boys to him and explained that they had been studying, reading, and writing about war. He told us that he was in WWII for a long time as an airplane pilot. He flew “the biggest bombers we had.” His summary of the war for the boys: “Germany and Japan were trying take over the world. And they almost did. About the only countries left were America and England. We had to stop them.”

By this time a dozen kids and adults had gathered around to listen to Mr. Cole. He was old and bent, but his clear voice and build revealed that he had once been a very strong man. “The Germans and Japanese had better planes than anyone at the beginning of the war. Faster and better maneuverability.” He stressed the importance of learning and being ready. “If someone tells you to go bomb a certain country, you can’t do it unless you know where it is on the map! When I was your age, I knew where the countries were on a map.” He leaned forward and shook his finger at the boys. “Learn! Learn! Don’t be a dummy! If we have to go to war again, it will be you boys who have to fight. Learn and be ready! You’ve got to think and use your brain. Use your head for more than a hat rack.”

While we were talking Anna and Meredith Riggins and Chloe and Emma Curtis prepared to sing “God Bless America.” They sang in harmony and it was beautiful! By this time there was no one left in the room but Mr. Cole and some of us who came for the recital. As they started to sing, his shaky, bruised hands reached for the walker sitting in front of him. He slowly pulled himself to his feet. He sang with them. His face was beaming. It may not be possible for these young ladies who sang to know what an amazing Christmas present that song was to Mr. Cole.

I was inspired by Mr. Cole’s strength, his sense of honor, his sense of responsibility, his desire to be ready, and his pride for our country.

Isaac is Born!

Matthew — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 15:34:47 +0000

After waiting 9 days past the due date, Isaac David is finally born! We arrived at the hospital around 3am. At 3:15 our midwife checked Dana and told us she was already 10 cm. dilated! The rest was smooth and quick and Isaac was born at 3:58am.

He is 8 lb 4 oz, 21′ long. Both mom and baby are in perfect health. We are thankful for this answer to many prayers beforehand. Here are the beautiful baby and mom:

Snow!

Matthew — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 20:52:56 +0000

The Christmas tree is up.

Snow is falling.

The chickens like it.

Still waiting on Isaac (5 days overdue) . . .

New Chicken Coop

Matthew — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 00:44:23 +0000

Today we built a new chicken coop for our much smaller flock and for winter protection. We bought all our supplies at the ReStore for less than $20. You can see the laying shelf inside, the door for collecting eggs, and handles on the sides for moving.

Baby Countdown

Matthew — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 02:06:40 +0000

We have two weeks until Isaac’s due date (Thanksgiving Day)! I’m not sure what that means since he probably won’t actually be born on that day, and there always the possibility he is not a he. So . . . we are nearing the general vicinity of the time that our next baby will be born! If he is a boy, then we will be even with four boys and four girls. We are getting ready and excited around here. We are all grateful for God’s blessing of this new life.

But this addition will actually make #11 in our household. We have added another family member this year. Brock Buchanan is a young man who moved to the area to attend ASU and ended up coming to our church. The short story: he lived with us over the summer, moved into an apartment this Fall, but decided he liked living with us better! So now he’s back and part of the family.

And now for an unrelated, random, cute picture. Kathryn is three (front) and Samantha is one (back).

Back from Camping

Matthew — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 16:14:30 +0000

We returned late last week from an almost two week camping trip. We are grateful to inherit a pop-up tent camper from my Dad. We had a great time at Timberlake Campground near Bryson City, NC (west of Asheville in the Smokey Mountains). Here is a picture of our camp. You can see a creek runs right next to it.

Sneak Preview of Workshop

Matthew — Fri, 27 May 2011 13:43:26 +0000

I am eager to speak this afternoon at the NCHE conference! Here is a sneak preview of my Prezi (instead of a Powerpoint). Maybe it will convince some conference attendees to come check it out.

NCHE Conference Update

Matthew — Fri, 27 May 2011 02:44:43 +0000

Glad to be at the NCHE conference again this year. Already bought our curriculum for next year (always the first thing we do). My Father’s World has a BIG area at the book fair. Also bought great gifts and new (old) books. It was good to hear Mark Hamby again. Good coffee at Brew Nerds. Nice dinner at Mellow Mushroom.

I checked out the room I will be speaking in tomorrow. Pretty big. Hope it’s full. Pray for me. I don’t want it to be “just another workshop.” Of course, I assume (or hope anyway) that none of the speakers want theirs to be “just another workshop.” But I am praying that a passion will be ignited (or fanned) for establishing authentic relationships with their children and helping them to follow Christ!

Morning Prayer

Matthew — Tue, 24 May 2011 10:55:59 +0000

Here in the High Country it is finally warm enough early in the morning to sit outside to meet the Lord. I can sit here and listen to the birds sing. I can look out at my garden. We have planted asparagus, about 18 tomato plants, peppers, leeks, and we have some mustard and collard greens coming up from last year. I love being outside!

Here is a wonderful morning prayer from the Psalms:

“Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,
for in you I trust.
Make me know the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.
Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God!
Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!”

Psalm 143:8, 10

Speaking at the NCHE Conference

Matthew — Mon, 23 May 2011 16:35:44 +0000

I am looking forward to speaking in one of the workshops at the North Carolinians for Home Education Conference. My time is Friday, 3:30-4:30 in the Gains Ballroom. Here is the title and description:

Who’s the Boss?: Biblical Authority in Parenting

Children are ever changing, complicated, individually unique little beings. How can we successfully love and teach them? How do parents establish control in the home and at the same time teach children to establish their own faith and motivation? Parents are given authority and responsibility from God to both discipline and disciple their children. In this session, the balance and timing of these two responsibilities will be explored.