Rainbow Over Highland Lakes Camp

Insert Title Here...Time for a Title Change?

When I started my blog, Insert Title Here, on Sunday, August 14, 2005, I wasn't sure what my blog was going to be about, but it has become a writing exercise, an outlet for some of my theological thoughts, sharing family news and some political rants. I am uncertain if Insert Title Here still fits my blog, so I need your help.

I am going to start a poll, but also want your comments. Should the title of my blog remain Insert Title Here, or should I explore a new title? I am not even sure if I could come up with a new title, but I think I will open the discussion.

Positive: Insert Title Here works because I have a different title for each blog, so you could insert that "new" title each time.

Negative: When people ask me about my blog, Insert Title Here and they ask me how to get to it, I have to respond, "www.jhellums.blogspot.com" instead of www.inserttitlehere.blogspot.com because someone already has it, but never post.

Drop me a comment and maybe a vote on my poll. Thanks for reading, if it is Insert Title Here, or if it isn't!

God Bless.

Psalm 125:1-2

Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be shaken but endures forever.

As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the LORD surrounds his people
both now and forevermore.

Must See Pictures

Random Thoughts...(That Will Do)

Cash for Clunkers...almost 750,000 new vehicles were sold, so now 750,000 Americans are further in debt; thanks Cash for Clunkers (I know this maybe a little late, but that's why the title is Random Thoughts).

A couple of days off sure does heal the old body.

The Dallas Cowboys didn't look half bad; Romo did better in the second half, but I guess this is only Week 1. How 'bout them Cowboys!

Sadly, the Astros will not be making the post-season, go figure. Who shall I root for...I thought Texas had a chance, but it doesn't look like that will happen either. Go Colorado!

The Men Who Stare at Goats is on my "to see in the theater" list.

I am reading Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10 by Marcus Luttrell with Patrick Robinson on a recommendation by my boss; I can't put it down.

The Miles dedication went off well. Dennis Swanberg is a funny guy and does an amazing Billy Graham impression. A highlight (paraphrased):

Dennis' mother - "I just paid $2.37 for gas. Did you hear that son, I paid $2.37 for gas today. How much do you pay Dennis?"

Dennis' reply - "I don't know, Momma. We just pull up to the pump and fill up weather its $2.37 or $4.47; we still need gas."

Dennis' mother - "You don't know how much you pay?"

Dennis' reply - "No Momma, I don't."

Dennis' mother - "Well, that why you don't have nothing, you don't even know how much gas is."

I am sure that went off better when Swanberg told it, but I had to share (maybe if you read it out loud and talk like an old lady for his mothers parts it will be funny).

Ok. Randomness is coming to a close. The back story on the video of The Ira & Jeremy Show next time, stay tuned. Have a great evening.

The Ira & Jeremy Show

Back to Work

After a refreshing five days off, a birthday celebration and Landon's two month milestone, I am back to work. Saturday, September 12th is the dedication ceremony of Miles Auditorium at Highland Lakes Camp. Our featured guest and comedian will be Dennis Swanberg. It should be a pretty neat dedication ceremony (Kari and I met in the old Miles Auditorium). I believe God is going use this new auditorium to touch thousands of lives; young and old and I look forward to God using me at Highland Lakes Camp.

Landon continues to grow. I am not sure exactly when this growing is happening, maybe it happens while I am at work or while he sleeps, but I cannot be for certain. It seems like I get to see him so much and I would be able to see the "growing" happen right before my eyes, but I guess it doesn't work that way; he just keeps getting bigger! He is now smiling and laughing at just about anyone. I was lucky enough to capture one of these moments on film Monday morning (on my new video camera, thanks Mom); it is such a precious moment. At some point I hope to share a few of these videos with you (like Landon Makes Faces).

My birthday celebration was amazing. The Lord has blessed me with such an amazing wife. She went all out to make it one of the best birthday celebrations. She made arrangements to have my mom there, a few gifts and wonderful food. We ate homemade chicken and dumplings, chocolate cheese cake with cherries on top (yummy!) and rice crispy treats. She knows how to take care of her husband and treat him like a king. I love you, Kari.

That's about all the time I have. Back to the family. God Bless...until next time.

Ring the Bell Promo

"Ring the Bell" is a fundraising campaign by Highland Lakes Camp aimed at raising money for Miles Auditorium. After the fire in Nov. 2006, the camp had a vision to build a new building and office complex in place of Miles Auditorium. Currently the auditorium and office is complete, but we are asking for your gifts and support to help pay for the new building. To donate check out www.highlandlakescamp.org or call 1-888-222-3482

Baby Landon Getting Bigger

Landon weights about 12 pounds and is about 23 inches long (according to Mama's measuring tape). This coming Friday he will be two months old and getting his first shot.

Some things I have been enjoying:

Late night feeding times. About 3 or 4am he has his first morning snack and he and I get to hang out. The best part is, after his belly is full he falls right back to sleep.

Baby noises are precious. It is hard to describe for a blog, but baby noises are amazing.

Changing a diaper is tricky. You have to be very careful when opening a little boys diaper; I am happy to report he has only shot me twice (Whew!).

Dressing someone else (Landon) is hard. Maybe it is because I am trying to be careful with him, but I move to slow when it comes to putting clothes on him.

When Landon smiles he melts his daddy's heart.

I hope everyone is doing well. God Bless and keep it tuned to Insert Title Here.

Photoshoot w/ Cordsen Photography

These are just a few of the many pictures that were taken by our friends Rod and Dana. Check out www.cordsenphotography.com for his work. He does some great stuff. More to come.

"Pop the Chutes"

At the end of the day my boss will usually say, "Pop the Chutes." That is how I feel as Saturday approaches. Saturday officially marks the end of summer for Highland Lakes Camp; which means summer staff goes home, PR slows down and Retreat Season begins. The transition has already begun: Milam dorm has been converted back into a meeting space, bunk beds were pulled from the hotel and extra tables were moved from the dining hall. These are just a few of the retreat season changes being made.

Kari, Landon and I have been blessed by volunteers Rod and Dana Cordsen with baby and family photos. Rod is a professional photographer and has been volunteering for the PR staff for the last two weeks. It has been a pleasure getting to know him and his wife through work, fellowship and a photoshoot. They own a company called Story Studios and have a guarantee that I have never seen before, check out his websites Story Studios and Cordsen Photography.

Landon continues to amaze me everyday. He is starting to make new sounds and he is beginning to follow objects with his eyes and head. I watched as he scooted to the position that he found most comfortable before he fell asleep; so he maybe a little picky. He enjoys music, but most of all he loves being with his mommy. Kari's presence alone calms him.

I hope and pray each of you is doing well. Take care and tune in next time for more from Insert Title Here.

One Month and One Day (Plus some)

I might have said it before, but Kari and I are having a blast. I do confess, Kari is sleeping less than I am, but we are finding a good balance. Last night, we went to bed at midnight and he slept till 4:55am. After about a 20 to 30 minute snack, he went back to sleep until 7:15am. We are praying he repeats this routine tonight.

He continues to get bigger and bigger. I am amazed daily at how quickly he is growing, even though I heard "they grow up fast."

We are coming to the close of Summer 2009: Children's Camp and Pre-Teen Three are all that is left on the calendar. I am continuing to enjoy my job/ministry here at Highland Lakes Camp. Each day brings something new and God is do amazing things here. Please keep us in your prayers as we wrap up the summer.

God Bless.

Landon Makes Faces

Reflections on Fatherhood: Part Two

"The newness of fatherhood continues to strike me with wonder and amazement."

Little girls dream about their wedding, how many kids they will have and what house they will live in. Boys think about dirt, tearing things up and food. I don't recall every imagining what it would be like to be a father; I don't believe I could have imagined it correctly anyway.

Sitting up at four in the morning, just Landon and I, in the living room hanging out is priceless. As I watch his facial expressions, listen to his sounds, I wonder, "what is he thinking?" I have resolved that when he is dreaming he is seeing colors and shapes, similar to fireworks, but I am just guessing. I enjoy watching his faces so much I have caught myself just filming his face; crying and whining and all.

Landon is getting so much bigger and so quickly. People always say, "they grow up fast." They aren't kidding. He is now 20 inches long and weights 7 lbs and 10 ounces. We went to the doctor and he seems to be doing great. The doctor said he has a strong neck and he is doing well.

Kari went to see Mama yesterday. I got a phone call and Kari said he rolled over. Are you kidding me? I am not sure how old kids are supposed to be when they roll over, but if he is rolling over already I guess that means we will have to keep a closer watch on him so he doesn't roll off things. (wonderful!)

I hope that everyone is doing well. Keep it tuned to Insert Title Here. God Bless.

Landon Getting Bigger

Here Big Momma: New Pics of Landon

Reflections on Fatherhood: Part One

"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

At this point, the summer of 2009 has been huge when compared to previous summers in my life. As most of you know, I lost my grandfather on Sunday, June 28th and six days later Kari and I had our baby, Landon.

In just a short period of time, myself and my family experienced a loss and welcomed a new life into this world. As the verse states, the Lord is faithful through it all. God has taught me a ton in a very short period of time.

As I watched my Mama express her everlasting love to my dying grandfather she stated, "I'll sell everything I have in order to get Papa home and comfortable." WOW! Short of dying for him, which I am sure she would do, she would give it all up for her spouse. This everlasting love for her spouse is one I hope to give my wife and son. This also is just a glimpse of how our father in heaven loves us, "For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies" (Psalm 57:10).

This theme of love continued on July 4th. As Kari cried, groaned and expressed her labor pains we rushed to the hospital, time stood still; several hours later we became Mommy and Daddy to Landon. Once I laid eyes on our precious gift I was in love. I used to say, "There are no pretty newborns." People would insist, when its your own it doesn't matter. Those people who said it doesn't matter when its your own, were right; he swept me off my feet by his presence and cry.

The amazing responsibility and trust that is bestowed upon someone who has a baby is beyond description. A father is supposed by responsible to take care of his child, but yet he has to trust that God will protect his child whenever his earthly father can't be there for him. Many people said, "Your life is about to change." This is true, but an understatement. We attempt to pray daily for him and myself to trust that in the good times and in the bad times, "His love never fails."

Love of your spouse; love of your child; (love for everyone) and love for God should be everlasting and unconditional, even if he grows up to be a football player or a book worm.

More to come, Reflections on Fatherhood: Part Two.

God Bless.

New Pictures

Landon Jeremy and Family

A Little Background on the July 4th Birth

Originally back in October the doctor estimated that we would have Landon in early July. After several other appointments and various tests it was determined he would be due on July 20th. Therefore we scheduled a c-section for July 14th.

On Friday, July 3rd, Kari began experiencing contractions. We called the doctor several times to figure out how we would know when the best time to go to the hospital would be. We were told to write down how long in between contractions and how long each one lasted. Once they reached 5 minutes apart and lasting for about a minute for an hour, than we should go to the hospital.

The contractions continued through the night. With one phone call to the doctors office and several to my mother in law, Ruth, at approximately 6:00am we decided it was time to go to the hospital. We hurriedly made preparations; packed our bag and gathered cameras, etc. (since he was 10 days early we had not already done these things). I remembered that I left my camera at the office so before leaving campus I ran into the office to get the cameras, just in case (still believing we weren't having the baby).

Our hour drive allowed for a perfect time to see what the contractions were doing. She had been contracting for almost 24 hours, but there was no pattern. The pattern formed on the way to Round Rock. As we watched the clock the contractions were hitting 5 minutes apart and lasting for one minute. We found out our doctor was on call and we arrived at 7:30am.

We were quickly taken upstairs to labor and delivery where the nurses monitored and reported to our doctor for about 30 to 45 minutes. Before the doctor came to see us one last nurse measured her cervix; Kari was already sitting at 4cm. Now it is not uncommon for someone to be 4cm and not deliver immediately, but our doctor came in and advised we have him on July 4th. Without hesitation because of the pain and because we were ready to meet our bundle of joy, we advised the doctor to proceed.

At about 9:15am they wheeled Kari back to the ER and I waited patiently in the room for a nurse to come and get me. I had some trouble getting all my gear on and even tore one for the shoe covers (they should put arrows on those things or at least have someone help you put them on). We went back to the ER and the doctor was ready to go.

9:53am Landon Jeremy was delivered. I watched as the doctor removed him from my wife's belly. She proudly showed him off to Kari and I. I witnessed the cleaning and first diaper; in addition the weighting and measuring. The pediatrician showed Landon to Kari than handed him to me. We waited with Mommy behind the sheet as the doctor finished the procedure. Mommy immediately showered him with kisses and glowed with happiness at the sight of our baby boy.

By 10:30am we were back in our room with Landon. He doesn't cry much and loves to be wrapped tight in his blanket. He enjoys snuggling with his Mommy and we already treat him like our little prince. He makes several funny faces and even has this half smile face. There are two dimples, one on each side of his face and two little dimples under his bottom lip (which we have noticed that both my brothers have these dimples).

Kari's parents and siblings and my Pop, Donna and Brooke were in the waiting room ready to meet Landon. We took a few minutes and than Kari began vomiting. This last for about 4 hours, but she has not thrown up since. Many family and friends have already come to visit and welcome Landon to the family. Thanks to everyone who's dropped by, called us, sent us a text message, wall post or whatever other form of communication...Thanks to everyone for your love and support. We look forward to introducing each of you to Landon shortly and expect to be out of the hospital by Tuesday morning.

Please continue to keep us in your prayers. This morning Landon gets a shot and circumcised. I am not looking forward to this painful experience, but believe it is necessary for our baby.

Stay tuned to Insert Title Here for more pictures and possibly some video. If you want to drop a comment, please feel free.

God Bless.