Last night was Honors Night at Patrick Henry Middle School – Kaitlyn is wrapping up eighth grade there today. The fact that she is hitting high school and already old enough to drive in South Dakota (14) is a bit weird for me. Kristen has driven to PHMS every school day for nine years with one of the three kids. An era is over. (Funny… I typed PMS and just caught the missing H – thank God I caught the missing H)
Thomas makes the switch now from Lincoln High School to Roosevelt High School since we moved closer to Roosevelt. Caleb graduates from Lincoln on Sunday. He’s thinking about that – today I’m thinking about how do I preach a shorter message in the second service on Sunday so I can get to the graduation ceremony by 1 P.M.. Kristen is thinking about getting food prepared and tables, etc… big graduation party here at the compound this weekend. You can read my earlier tribute to Caleb on his 18th birthday here. I’ll add just a few thoughts here…
Caleb is bigger than I and he’s proud of that – but I always retort with… “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man… stature without wisdom just makes you a big dummy.” I’m happy to report the wisdom growth is notably catching up. He still throws the cats in our creek but, even there, lessons are being learned… they scratch him so badly he won’t go near them and the end result is he doesn’t throw them in the creek. I think he’ll fare fine in the adult world.
On Monday, I gave him his graduation present – a black MacBook. Kristen thought I should wrap it. I decided to put it in the fridge right before he came home from work. I briefed the other residents of the home and we acted like nothing was different and sho-nuf, the boy went straight to the fridge – smiled, took out his cell phone to snap a photo, grabbed the computer and some string cheese. Years ago I used to trap raccoons and muscrat. Same basic process… set bait carefully in a frequently traveled spot, back away and wait. Snap! Only this time Caleb got caught in my blessing trap.
He’s a blessed boy and a great blessing and he’ll affect many people’s lives.
6 comments
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May 16, 2008 at 1:07 pm
PC
Steve, I have to comment about you calling your place the “compound”. Wasn’t that what they called David Koresh’s place in Waco? Maybe -The Farm, Ranch, Homestead, or Ponderosa would be a better option.
What a great idea with laptop, you gave new meaning to the term “Grabbing a cold one”. Just think, in a few more years when you open the frig, there will actually be food left in there!
Congrats to Caleb, it’s great to know a 18 yr old that would rather go to a revival than a kegger. May God richly bless your family this weekend.
May 16, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Kristi
It is a little sad to think about the kids moving on to another level of school. Today was our last day at Horace Mann after 9 years. It’s also exciting to think about where God will take them next.
May 17, 2008 at 9:05 am
Steve Hickey
Kristi – I’m excited about what is next for all our kids!
PC – I’ll work on another name than “compound” – I am aware of the negative connotation with Waco – we’ve joked that no one should really worry unless they see me out there burying a school bus and putting up the high fence. Kristen calls it “kedesh” – it means sanctuary or holy place, the northern-most city of Judah – a city of refuge. “Compound” still makes me smile.
May 17, 2008 at 9:40 am
Teresa
Personally, I like “Kedesh”-every home should be that! Have a great Open House, I’m sorry we can’t be there to see your new place, but as Kelsie’s is at the same time…well I always wished I could do that ‘Star Trek’ thing and beam myself places! Blessings-TK
May 19, 2008 at 7:42 am
Nikole
Just so you know… Jeremy and I believe Caleb is already affecting lives. Zander is crazy about Caleb and we think it is great that he looks up someone like Caleb who has a great heart and love for the Lord.
Oh and I like “compound” – I think it’s funny.
But I’ve been told I have a strange sense of humor.
May 20, 2008 at 5:12 am
Joseph
Steven, I am so proud of you and your family. I love you guys very much and I wish I could have been there for Caleb’s graduation. He is definetely becoming wiser (judging by his remarks on facebook!
) and I’m thrilled to know that he is answering the call on his life.
I don’t recall getting anything from you for my birthday !?!@###@ Any way, you guys have a ton of fun on Sunday, and, it doesn’t take a miracle for you to preach shorter… oh wait, what am I saying?… of course it takes a miracle. I guess I’ll be praying for one for you this Sunday.
Finally, PC, even though Koresh’s place was called the compound, that doesn’t imply that the word should be removed from our lexicon when referencing something positive. Steve I say stick with compound (I guess that’s the Nigerian in me coming out)