Different...

The world seems like such a different place since last night...

since the "news"...

but then again,

is it?


I say this because things...

events...

have been in motion regardless of my knowledge or awareness.


It's time to stay focused.

I've got some projects in the works that will get a little help...I hope...from this blog.

One of these projects is the Backpack Impact program.

I also need to get back into a regular habit of posting to the blog...a routine.

This is my 1st foray back into the blog.


Tomorrow...time to elaborate on the mission and background of Backpack Impact.

Oh blog...how I've neglected thee...

In all seriousness...totally didn't mean to neglect you for....

What?!

It's been almost a year?!

And what is this...Goonies?!

Well...it's almost time for my return to the blog....

Updates of the journey thus far,

the happenings in the journey,

the past 10 months.

The journey continues to be amazing and beautiful.

A "re-boot" of sorts in the works,

so...

Stay tuned...!

"Look! He Walks Again...!"

Sarala says...

"Look! He walks again...!"

Now...I guess I should provide a little back-story.

We were in the parking lot of an Old Navy.

As it were...I was rockin' my standard flip-flips, which are always a necessity to those of you that know me.

I had just gotten Sarala out of the car...took one step...

and...

the stupid flip-flop broke...

and...

the total weight of me went into my big toe, which then went straight into the asphalt.

Now, I would've included a photo but the graphic content may be a little much.

As a result,

a layer of the front of my toe was essentially scraped back, or actually to the side...

and the impending weight resulted, in...I hope...a jammed toe.

It looks pretty rough though.


To come back to Sarala's comment...Crystal and Sarala went inside to purchase me some new flip-flops while I tended to my toe with the first-aid kit..

As I slip on the new flip-flops and take a step...

Sarala, dramatically says...

"Look! He walks again...!"

I love the intensity...the concern...but ultimately...

her outlook on things.

It helped return me to Earth...reality...

that my toe is just a toe...

and yes...

I can still walk.

So...

Alright.

It's time to get back to the blog.

I've spent a lot of time lately thinking about the blog...

not wanting to check it because I know I've been neglecting it.

But...

it's time.


It has been a month since my last post.

Here's a quick look at what I was up to during my absence from the blog:

• The last month has seen the end of another school year.
• I spent 7 days teaching summer school.
• Held some open gym time for the b-ball time...in preparation for a shoot-out.
• Took the team to Potosi to play in a shoot-out, where we actually ended up winning all of our games.
  
• Spent a lot of time learning lyrics/songs for a benefit for a friend of ours
• The Hope Endeavor rocked it out at Bobby Powell's and, thanks be to God, raised some funds for our friend.

Fast-forward a couple days....

Now I'm sitting on the couch, watching Chopped as I type, and

respite.

So...as I continue to watch TV and relax...I leave you with some photos from the Night of Hope: Benefit for Ray Jones with musical guests The Hope Endeavor.

Here we are in the green room with Ray (standing to my left)

Something I found in the hallway...

Pilfer.

If you're ever worried about pilfering...

there's something for that.

What's Up With Ray?

So...there is this new blog I follow...

found at

What's Up With Ray?

Ray is a friend of mine who is facing some major health problems.



Here he is playing drums for me last Spring for an anniversary party we threw for my in-laws. We rocked it out playing some Beatles songs.

He was only able, physically, to play music with me one more time...about a month after this photo was taken.

His health problems include a bleeding disorder and liver disease.

As a result, he is in need of a liver transplant. Only this past Thursday was he officially put on the active list...which means it's close.

He's only 25 years old, with a family of his own.

His son is a little younger than Sarala at 2 and a 1/2.

I am blown away by how Ray has dealt with the circumstances surrounding the health challenges he faces each day.

I ask that you join me in praying for Ray...

for his family.

Again, you can follow along with Ray at the address above.

Some Things I Like...

TV Show
Community



Product
Pilfer-Proof Tape



Book
Pudd'nhead Wilson


Music
Andrew Osenga



Alright y'all...

summer is nigh.

Andy O House Show...

Well...the Buckman's are hosting an Evening of Stories and Songs with Andrew Osenga at 7pm on Tuesday, April 20th. This will be a house show in Arcadia, MO. We have reached our limit on seating, but if you are interested in being placed on a waiting list in case someone cancels, we ask that you comment, leave an e-mail address, and we will let you know if space opens up.

Where I've been...

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 10:10

This is where I've been lately.

I'll explain.

It has been awhile since my last blog post.


I have been unfocused...

wrestling with doubt...

anger...

apathy....


Things from my past...

letting myself get overwhelmed...

and letting the time I spent with God get replaced with other things...

convenience...

work...

even playing guitar....


The part about playing the guitar has been especially tough to acknowledge...

especially since a lot of my guitar playing has happened in response to God through worship.

What happened?


Slowly...

subtly...

the joy...

hope...

dreams...

and relationship I had with God were ebbing away.


I found myself letting my everyday become mundane...

letting the amazing things that God has done through Sarala become distant memories...

and I didn't talk to God anymore.


Which brings me to the second part of John 10:10.

I was reminded lately that God is a God of restoration...

hope...

peace...

and grace.


I had to remember to just be.

I was too busy doing.

The things I was doing were good things...

but even good things can get in the way of seeking God.


I had to remember the things I once knew:

to be a child of the Father...

to be a husband to Crystal...

to be a father to Sarala...

and...

to just be.


So...

this is where I've been.

It seems like I had to refocus...

and as a result...

everything else has begun to fall back into place.


Trust in the truth of the passage above....

The words of Jesus....

Circles...!

Sarala is finally drawing circles!

This last week or so has been killing me.

Cerebral Palsy.

It's something that I haven't really thought about in awhile.

Two things have really forced it back into the forefront of my mind...one of those things being...

Circles.


Sarala is finally able to draw circles.

This is a major celebration in the Buckman family.

She's had a delay in her fine motor...which has resulted in her not doing things like drawing...coloring...age-appropriately.

You don't see it until there's something to reference it to...

like other children.


It's not something I consciously do...

but it's something that I don't want Sarala to have to deal with later on...

once she enters school...

which will be real tough on me since she'll be in my building.


Okay...back to the present.

The amazing thing about this picture...

it was delivered by Sarala's occupational therapist while I was in my classroom...

lost in my thoughts.


I say lost because it seems that I've been struggling with letting discouraging words gain ground...the tendency to overwhelm myself grows...

and then...

I hear a "Mr. Buckman?"


I look up...

see the picture...

and see something amazing...

beauty.


It's a picture of me...

Sarala's daddy.


I find beauty...peace in this picture.

God has done some amazing things in and through Sarala...

He's not finished yet.

He's got her handled.

Why am I letting myself bear the burden of worry...

when He's already done so much....

And I know He's not finished.


I noticed that I even have the spiky hair...

or as Sarala calls it...

tall hair.


I love it...

just another amazing reminder of God's grace...

mercy...

love....



And yes...the poster below hangs just inside the entryway at her preschool.



Every time she sees it, she says

"Look...Sarala and Daddy!"

Again...it must be the tall hair.


Look for what God's doing all around you...

you'll find glimpses in places where you least expect it.