Culture Shock

Ten months ago I asked our oldest son Enoh if he would like another little brother or sister. "Yes,"he responded, "little baby David". "But how do you know it will be a boy?" I asked. "Because girls aren't named David." he replied as if there is such a thing as a stupid question. Then, a couple months later when we found out we were having a baby, Enoh casually reminded us that his name would be David. While we were still in the States we found out that he would be a boy and wanted to surprise Enoh and Ian with the news over lunch. Enoh wasn't surprised. In fact, he had already decided that David's middle name would be after a character he had been introduced to in preschool - David 'Mad Birds' (as he called it) Bohall. I'm not even sure those who subscribe to "child led parenting" would go with Enoh's suggestion for a middle name. But we had to consider the first name. After all, King David was...

Many of those who know my wife Petra wonder why her husband is the one with the blog. She is the more opinionated of the two of us, can usually (ok, always) construct a better argument, and she's incredibly creative and dedicated - all characteristics of people who write great blogs. Well, now there's proof. She was asked to guest write for whenyourise.com  - a blog whose creator is passionate about helping children fall in love with their Savior.  Petra's post  is about the most important thing in parenting. It's good. And so is the blog. Take some time to check it out. 

The Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in Tvrđa, Osijek, Croatia What do you do when your car isn't where you parked it an hour ago? That was the question running through my head when I walked out of a traditional Croatian restaurant in the old part of Osijek after a great conversation with good friends. Would this be the first thing I've had stolen in Croatia? I soon found out it had been towed by a truck called "the spider". I had made the mistake of parking in a clearly designated walking zone. If it hadn't been for the 10 other vehicles parked there when I first arrived I probably would have thought twice about parking there. After explaining the situation to the waiter, he called me a taxi to get to where my car was impounded. By the time I got there, I was prepared to accept the penalty. Even though it was an honest mistake, there was no denying the fact that I was in the wrong. When the policeman told me how much I owed, I asked if it might be...