This About Sums It Up...

Hope everyone had a great Christmas and that your 2011 will be blessed.  I stumbled across this quote earlier this morning and thought I'd share. 

"What I believe is so magnificent, so glorious, that it is beyond finite comprehension. To believe that the universe was created by a purposeful, benign Creator is one thing. To believe that this Creator took on human vesture, accepted death and mortality, was tempted, betrayed, broken, and all for love of us, defies reason. It is so wild that it terrifies some Christians who try to dogmatize their fear by lashing out at other Christians, because tidy Christianity with all answers given is easier than one which reaches out to the wild wonder of God's love, a love we don't even have to earn."
- Madeline L'Engle

Christmas Greetings From The West Coast!

Scattershooting Wondering Whatever Happened To this Blog

Well, I'll tell you. The government's fiscal year ends September 30th. The money allocated for construction projects for the fiscal year has to be under contract by the end of the fiscal year, or it's gone. The government isn't exactly a well-oiled machine. Shocking, I know. so every July-ish, someone suddenly remembers that there is an urgent need to get these projects proposed on and awarded, like, soon! Panic ensues. We proposed on $750 million worth of projects this year, and well over half of that was between July and September. We won a record amount, to which I attribute to the hiring of me. So, I really didn't begin to fully process My Mom's passing until October rolled around. Couple that with Vanessa's trials and tribulations and I haven't been much in the mood for social media.

The worst day since the Funeral was a random Saturday in October. I was watching the LSU v Auburn game. Somebody fumbled, and in my head I heard my mom say "well, shoot". Her birthday wasn't bad for me, nor was Thanksgiving. It took an SEC football game to make me weepy.

By the way, Vanessa is doing much much better. It's been a long winding road since August, but she's is a world away from where she was. Still, the pain is there, but manageable. Her Thyroid problem rears it's head from time to time, but at least there is name to the monster now. Most importantly, her spirtual/mental state is 180 degrees from where we were. Thank you all for your prayers.

Enjoy this video from Emery's Christmas Play!





Here is the direct link for you Facebook readers... http://youtu.be/_vEGwzfvK-U

Read some great news this week. Apparently, the Gospel has been shared around the world, the poor have been fed, the homeless given shelter, wells have been dug for the thirsty and the naked have new clothes. Certainly all of this has happened, I mean why else would First Baptist Church be paying for a web site that exposes "Grinches"? Check it out HERE . Just so we are clear, if a business doesn't have decorations up or a clerk doesn't say "Merry Christmas" or, even worse, says "Happy Holidays", you can report them at the sight. You can also see which businesses to boycott because they are Grinches. Which is done to fulfill the words of Christ when he said; "By this all men will know you are mine, when you rage a war upon the culture and use economic strong arm tactics to intimidate people in to pretending to appreciate me at least once a year." and "And lo, there will be a war on my Birthday, fightest thou these lost people who have the nerve to act lost"

By the way, one clerk was labeled as a Grinch because she responded to "Merry Christmas" with "You too!". There was a time when I read about Jesus interacting with the Pharisees and thought it was "Them". Now days, I tend to think it's "Us".

It amazes me how much I still love opening the mailbox in Mid December and seeing the Texas Monthly "Bum Steer Awards". The Bum Steers were an important part of the year around my house when I was a kid. Even when I was too young to understand some (if not most) of the stories. Talking to my sister this week, I realized we have different rituals when it comes to the Bum Steers. She rarely reads any of the other articles. I on the other hand will read each article before reading the Bum Steers, just to delay the gratification. It's not just the stories, it's the puns, self referencing headlines and cleverly written spins on the stories that have always intrigued me.

For the uninitiated, the Bum Steers are collection of weird, stupid and funny news stories collected from around the State all year. Like the lawyer who threatened to sue Bush Intercontinental, the City of Houston and Continental Airlines if they didn't fork over $800 to replace the leather jacket he left in the airport food court...or the would be meat bandit who was caught with 15 pounds of meat in his pants...or the Cowboys and Longhorns seasons in general.

Here is hoping that you and yours have a great Christmas Season, and are blessed by the remembrance that God "regarded our helpless estate" to show us true Worship, Peace and Joy. The Kingdom was established 2000 and something years ago, it's her and now, and I hope it has the proper place with you and your family this year.

Bring on 2011, 2010 will be nice as a memory...

Picture Updates

You want to see some back to school pics? OK!

You want to see house painting updates?  OK!

Here is The Front Room/Living Room Before:

And After....

The Dining Room Before.....

And After....

And the Den Before....

after.....

The Outrage Of Grace

This is what we are going to do. We are going to pretend just for a moment that we are first century Jews. We live in a poor and dusty land. We scrape a living together by working hard. We are committed to our families because family is our lifeline, our best chance of survival. We are oppressed both politically through Rome and spiritually through our religion. Our religion has become a heavy yolk of tradition and regulations. There are rules for everything. How to wash your hands, how not to eat, when to work, when not to work, what to wear, what to say, when to say it.

The meetings at the synagogue reinforce the oppression. It seems that rabbis and rulers add new rules, or new steps to ensure God's favor every week. They read from the Torah and then tell parables to illustrate their point. One of their favorite parables they have repeated all of our lives in order to serve a warning for those who ignore tradition and law is the Parable of the Ungrateful Son. It goes something like this.

"There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them. Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' So he got up and went to his father.
As he approached his Father's House, I saw his father waiting, with his hand on his hips and a stern look upon his face. When he finally reached his father, he fell to his knees, grabbed his father's feet and said 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.'
His Father looked down at him and said, I have but one son, who is here with me. You have left my house and dragged our family reputation through the mud with you. You are an ingrate and are not worthy to be a servant of my servants! Depart from me, I never knew you.
As the ungrateful son left, the older, beloved son embraced his father and said 'Father, thank you for showing justice and for protecting the family name'.

Our teachers tell us that the father in the story is Yahweh, God. The ungrateful son is the Jew who doesn't appreciate what Yahweh has provided, one who ignores the rules, the tradition. The ungrateful son can be used to for one who has broken any part of the law. This is the burden that we first century Jews share.

Lately there has been talk of a new rabbi from Nazareth who has been traveling from town to town. We have heard that he has healed the sick, forgiven sins, and is a new kind of teacher. His teaching have our religious leaders nervous. Some have even said that he might be the long awaited Messiah. Finally on day this teacher comes to our town. We all gather to see what the fuss is about. Deep down we hope that he will free us from our oppressors. Under the shade of trees just outside of our village we listen to him teach of The Kingdom of Heaven. One of us asks "Rabbi, what is the Kingdom of heaven like?". He smiles, and says

"The Kingdom of Heaven is like this; There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them...."

We are a little disappointed. This teacher with such a big reputation as a great teacher is telling us the same old parable we have heard so many times before. Yes, Rabbi, we know, The son spends the money unwisely and ends up feeding sheep wishing he could go home. We know. He continues...

"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' So he got up and went to his father."

He pauses, look at us with a smile, like he is going to shock us with what happens next. But we know the story, we know the moral of the story is to follow the rules and God will reward us, yet he continues still.

"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him..."

Wait..he's not telling it right. No good Jewish man would have compassion for such a son. Not to mention that no good Jew would run after him, what kind of Rabbi is this? What will he say next?

"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate"

This hit us like a punch in the gut. We wonder how this could possible have anything to do with God. Our faces show our confusion and his face almost seems to shine. He is delighted to purposefully mess up the age old story, and particularly excited when he speaks about the son receiving a welcome he doesn't deserve. Our minds race with the implications; Is he saying God is willing to welcome those who choose to ignore the rules and spit on tradition? It sounds promising, almost hopeful to our ears, but it flies in the face of everything we know. We don't get it. On one hand it makes sense, but accepting it would mean that our Scribes, Rabbis and Pharisees are wrong. Dead wrong. We ponder, we question, we discuss among ourselves what this all means.

What if God is like the father in his story?

What if we are forgiven completely?

What if we can be free of the burden of our religion?

How will this change our lives?

Grace At Work

Grace

It's the name for a girl.

It's also a thought that could

Change the World...

-U2

Over the last couple of years I've been on a road of reformation. Reforming my beliefs, reforming my actions, reforming my mind. The results of this Great Reformation have been varied. One of the best by products of this reformation has been a rediscovery of Grace.

I started this reformation thinking I needed to be more transparent in my life. Then I realized that instead of transparency, I need to just live in what C.S. Lewis describes as One Room. All my life, I am the same at work, home, shopping or where ever I go. It goes beyond transparency. My Faith, my relationship with my wife and kids, my work, my friends - can I be the same person in all areas of my life? Well the answer was no, I can't. Not alone. Not by trying to obtain the fruits of the spirit through elbow grease and hardheadedness. Not by searching for that some sort of secret formula, as if the Spirit works like math. Around that time I was able to study and teach the Gospel of Matthew to our Sunday School class. I was struck by Grace all over again. Me trying really hard to make everything right was just another form of religion. Jesus didn't care too much for religion, if you recall. I began to study, read, absorb as much as possible about Grace.

Grace dominates sermons, studies, books, songs and conversations in Christianity, but do we really understand it? The big question for me wasn't if I understood grace, rather it was do I live grace? Am I demonstrating grace? Am I applying grace. For example, if my role as a father is to teach my children the nature of God, what am I teaching them about God's grace? Do they look at me as the loving father who has made an effort to communicate with them, to give them tangible demonstrations of my love, to use their mistakes and shortcomings as opportunities to improve? Or do I demonstrate a hard line, vindictive, wrathful father whose love and favor is conditional upon certain expectations being met? The former begots love and growth. The later begots, well, religious-like devotion out of sheer fear. When faced with these questions, I soon realized that I had some growing up to do.

Grace is what everyone wants. You heard it said that everyone has a God-shaped hole that can only be filled with God. I believe everyone has a soul deep longing for grace, that can only be filled with a grace that comes from God. Karma makes sense when you think about it. It is the logical end result of our fallen nature - you get what's coming to you. But grace is what we want. forgiveness, mercy, love no matter what we have done. Unmerited favor is what we long for. If you think about it, we use the word -or the root word - quite a bit. We are grateful when someone is nice to us. One who is kind is said to be gracious. We give waiters, cabbies and others who perform well a gratuity. We offer congratulations when someone achieves success. We are gratified after a good meal. I like it when i get something gratis. We can use the original Greek word and be charitable and charming. We also use the word in it's opposite meaning: fall from grace, disgrace, ingrate, persona non grata - a person without grace

One of the things that stood out most to me when reading the Gospel was the fact that every conversation Jesus had, he intentionally left a piece of himself with the listener. I wondered what would happen if I fought through my laziness of mind and let grace have its way with me in all that I did. So, I started at home. My prayer each day was this: Let me be the type of father that when my kids think about God, they approach him with gladness and love, not fear and afraid of doing or saying the wrong thing. And let me demonstrate the grace that Jesus showed the church to me wife. That is, after all, what I was instructed to do during my wedding ceremony. It's been a journey. It's been tough. I haven't been perfect to say the least. But I'm doing much better than I had been. Not by force of will though. You can't just summon grace from somewhere deep within you. I can't grit my teeth and love these spoiled rotten kids even if it kills me. It has to come from the spirit and being self conscience that I have the opportunity to share the grace that was freely given to me to the people I care most about.

Next came the baristas, gas station clerks, Wal-Mart employees and call center people. They get enough crap, I'll give them grace. That, actually, has been fun. Now, they still do things that drive me crazy (I'm looking at you Wal Mart employees), and in some cases instead of grace, the most I have been able to show in some situations is neutrality - which is better than pre-reformation me. It's still a work in progress, but the change in my own life has been amazing.

The next logical place to move with this grace has been work. Grace at home made sense, At some level I already love them unconditionally; or as close to it as I possible can. Grace with strangers was different. Maybe because it was because sometimes it is ignored or unnoticed. But, that is kind of what grace is about. 9 Lepers left grace to celebrate, only one truly understood. Letting Christ's grace move through me is it's own reward, and is the very least I'm expected to do. But grace at work, that has proven harder. Because coworkers are some where in between family and strangers. Some are friends, some are not. Some have lifestyles that make my Baptist sensibilities really uncomfortable. And that has been the lesson for me. If I was truly going to live by the example of Jesus and leave a piece of me with every conversation, then I was going to have to throw away some of my old thinking.

The first thing to go was morality. I don't mean I became immoral, but I stopped trying to act moral. We've been lead to believe that if we live good enough at work, we will attract people to Jesus. Here is my theory; Morality has never won anybody to Jesus. Nowhere in the New Testament are we call to be moralists. But Lane, we are told to "live a life worthy of your calling". True, but the ability to do so comes from grace. The problem with "acting moral" is that it tends to lead to judging others. And it leads to separation. We call them "the lost" and "The world". we acted shocked when "the lost" behave like, well, a person who is lost. How many people have entered the kingdom because of my stance on gay marriage? How many souls have been snatched out of hell fire because I was outraged at the levels of alcohol consumption among college students? Well, I'm not sure, but I suspect not many. But I do know this: every soul that has entered into the Kingdom has done so because of grace. I do what I do because of grace, not because of a mandate to be different than "them". Next, I had to stop expecting people to behave like me and just accept them for who they are. And they are broken, flawed, far from perfect, hurt and wandering losers. Just like me. Luckily for us, Jesus is for losers.

Again, bringing grace in my brief case to work with me has been a challenge. I haven't been perfect, far from it. the are good days and not so good. There are conversations where I have to take a breath and make a conscience decision to watch my mouth. It has been good though. But it brings up another problem. Can grace work as a business model? There is a point where capitalism and Christian spirituality clash. How can I demonstrate grace to the nth degree and still make money for my boss? How do I treat people under me who are problem employees? At what point does grace say "you know what, your fired, have a blessed day"? How about the occasional disgruntled employee who comes back in the office days after being let go and creeps everyone out? Is there a gracious way of filing a restraining order? How can I apply grace to, say, contract negotiations? I can easily see where grace is the standard operating procedure as it applies to relationships in the work place, but can it be the business model as well?

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Is it easier or harder to demonstrate grace if you work in a service type industry or own your own business or are an executive?

The thing about grace is that it is more than amazing. It is outrageous and it is dangerous. It upsets the apple cart of human policy regarding rewards and justice. There are times when it simply doesn't make sense, even to those of us who have experienced it first hand through Jesus. And most problematic, it flies in the face of the American Dream at some point. But if there were more grace at work, what would it do for us?

Scattershooting While Wondering Whatever Happened To Prefab Sprout

It's your weekly dose of McKibben happenings, minutia, news round up and misc. stuff.

• So much to read and so little time to read it. I'm working my way through Mere Churchianity by Mike Spencer, Living Resurrection by Eugen Peterson plus the new Texas Monthly is in, with a major piece on Lonesome Dove. Plus there is a new Dietrich Bonhoeffer bio out that I'm itching to get my hands on, and a leftover birthday book on the list named Life on The Vine. Plus there is paint, pool and work to be done.
• Vanessa has never read nor seen Lonesome Dove. That will need to be remedied soon.
  
• Obama has named Harold Hurtt as the director for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Office of State and Local Coordination. Starting July 6, Hurtt will supervise outreach and communication between ICE, local law enforcement agencies, tribal leaders and representatives from non-governmental organizations. Of course Hurtt is the former Houston police chief who supports Sanctuary Cities.
  
• In other news, the White House announced that Richard Dawkins will be an adviser for Faith-based initiatives, the Counsel for Cleric/Spouse Relations will be headed by Walker Railey, and a Fox was named Security Chief of the Capitol Hen House.
• Got World Cup Fever?!?!?! Me either.
• This is too close to the truth to be funny...

  Dad Life from Church on the Move on Vimeo.

  
  
• Note to current and future military officers: Reporter from Rolling Stone aren't on your side. Ever. Unless you are asked to give your opinion on the new Nickleback album, just offer your name, rank and serial number.
• The days are getting better, but thanks for your continued prayers.
• More to come this week...
  

That's All I've Got To Say About That, For Now.

The last week and a half has been joyful, surreal, painful, weird, amazing, depressing, sorrowful, and peaceful all bundled into one. I have a few observations, and then I really would like to talk about something else. I'm not disrespecting my Mother, nor am I running from the loss. Rather, I'm doing exactly what she would have me to do, exactly what she would have done. Get up, get dressed, eat something and get on with life. So here are some final scattershots and observations from the last week or so.


- I cannot begin to express my gratitude and appreciation for all of those who have mailed, emailed, called, and otherwise made contact with me, my dad and my sister. You've cried with us, encouraged us, shared stories with us and have been the friends and family that we needed. I said it last week, and I'll say it again; the grace that was shared with us last week has changed me. I apologize if my personal responses to you have sounded scripted or pat, but I've simply been at a loss for words. Thank you, and may God richly bless each one of you.


- I have a home church now. We might only go once a year max. We won't teach Sunday School. We won't lend a hand for VBS. It might be 2000 miles away, but FBC Pontotoc is my Church. Ken, Lewis, Mickey, Dot, Laura, the rest of the staff, the deacons and the beautiful people of this fellowship overwhelmed me with their love, concern, grace and outpouring of love. If you ever open a mission in CA, I'll be a charter member.


- I've heard horror stories of families fighting and bickering over funeral arrangements. I am blessed to have a family that was of one mind throughout the entire process. The long hard day on Saturday (that started late Friday night; none of us got sleep) was in many ways one of the most blessed days of my life. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Thank you Dad. Thank you Laura.


- I've always loved my sister, but I have a brand new appreciation for her now. She is awesome.


- I had this crazy idea that everything was going to be OK once we got back to California. But I spent Sunday wishing I could talk to Mom. One day at a time....


- In the middle of the pain, there were some great moments. I got to introduce my first babysitter, Sissy, to my last babysitter Vanessa. I got to get reconnected to people whom I haven't seen in 30 years. I got to hold my second cousin's baby. I ate at a pretty good mexican resturant. I saw a couple of little league games and hang out with the coolest nephews ever.


- It took less than 2 years to become a California wimp. The cold, windy weather when we were there Christmas was bad, but the heat and humidity and mosquitoes drained me. My sister asked "are you going to gasp every time you walk outside?" Yes, yes I am.


- My cousin and I were talking briefly during the visitation. He stated that a great writer is one who can say the things that you've always believed, but didn;t know how to express. for the last two years, the person who has routinely said what I couldn't quite say has been the internet monk, Mike Spencer (www.internetmonk.com) . Spencer died in April, after a 4 month battle with cancer. His first and only book Mere Churchianity was released last week. I had pre-ordered a copy, and it was waiting on me when I arrived home. The Epilogue is a journal entry discovered after his death. It was dated December 4, 2009, the day he learned there was a tumor in his brain. His words on that day have served as a huge encouragment to me they are as follows:

At approximately 1 p.m. EST, the doctor's office called to tell me there were matters of concern on the CT scan. So no matter how long one has resisted the reality that the journey will take this turn, the turn arrives without permission and without the agreement that I will be able to find some mental tatic to live in denial. the next chapter arrives at its own time and with its own concern.
Like it or not, this is what I must live with, worship with, pray with, and love with today. This is my life as it comes to me from God. This is the god I know in Jesus. This is the God who gives my life significance. Whatever I am...or whatever I hope to be comes in the love of this God for me. The day is about receiving God's love; enjoying god's love, placing my many, many fears in God's love. this is today: a new turn, a new chapter, the same loving Father whom Jesus called Abba.
Every word of the Gospel is written to men who will be dead but are now alive by the mercy of God. This is my life and the life of all other persons.

- Below is the transcript of the Message from Dr. Ken Hester, Pastor of FBC Pontotoc. Frankly, I was dreading the funeral. Partly because of, well, the obvious, and partly because I'm not really good at sitting still and listening to canned sermons. I was afraid that was what was in store. Boy, was I wrong. No wonder my Mother loved Dr. Hester. I'll close with his words, for everyone who didn't make it to the services.

One of the biggest reasons we hired Barbara was because of her BSU background. I’m a BSUer from my college days at Mississippi State. I kind of operate ministry with a BSU flair. And because of Barbara’s BSU background I knew I could count on her to: (1) Love Jesus, (2) WORK at whatever, whenever, however to get the job done, (3) be joyful in the task. And she fulfilled that everyday here at First Baptist Church.

Her first day was our Feeding of the 5,000. For those of who don’t know, Feeding of the 5,000 is when our church cooks and delivers hot, Thanksgiving-type meals to the sick, shut-in, and impoverished in Pontotoc County. We do this with great collaboration with other churches in our county. We will end up delivering about 3,000+ meals in one day. To say the least, that day is absolutely crazy. That was Barbara’s first day. No staff was in the office. The phone rings off the hook. People shouting orders. Everybody is in a hurry. And everybody seems to have a walkie-talkie but no one stays in one place. It starts early and ends in exhaustion late.

I figured that if she comes back for her second day she is either (1) Nuts, or (2) a keeper. As it turns out, she’s both.

I want to apologize to the family and to her friends, far and wide. There is no way we can adequately give Barbara the honor she is due. You don’t live a life of love and ministry to her level and then appropriately summarize it in a few minutes. I think that it would take an eternity to honor her life. And we can’t do that here.

Barbara’s real honor is not going to come from us, but from the Lord Himself. In Matthew 25:34 & 21 says,

“Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, ‘Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. … Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.’”

You know, every semi-conscious pastor realizes that he lives or dies by his church secretary. She has the power to save your tail, or put it in a sling. I will not confess how many times she has saved me. But early on, we almost had a run-in.

Up here we love to talk and we love to eat. So, every birthday, we have a big breakfast for staff meeting. On her birthday, we schedule a big breakfast. And she commented, “You mean, I’m going to have to cook breakfast for my own birthday? Y’all just make the women cook, don’t you?” So, I said that I’ll bring the muffins. So, I did. I went to Wal-Mart, bought muffins, and brought them to our birthday breakfast.” She never complained again.

I love Barbara’s story about how she trust Jesus. She was going through some evangelism class which also meant that you went out to go make evangelistic visits. She said that while she was making her Gospel presentation that it finally dawned on her that she didn’t have to earn her salvation, but that it was a gift of God. That is so Barbara. I can just see Barbara leading this person to Jesus and then the Gospel hitting her right in the face.

I read in her obituary that she won Miss Congeniality at the Miss Mississippi pageant in Vicksburg. That’s not surprising. She never met a stranger. She fit right in.

Laura Franklin, our church’s financial secretary, and Dot Bell had a real heart friend in Barbara. Dot works up here on Wednesdays and told me that they don’t know if her and Laura will ever be able to finish a sentence. Barbara, Dot, and Laura would talk and talk and finish each other’s sentences and laugh and laugh. They had a lot of fun up here. I don’t know if they did any work, but they sure shared a lot of love.

Barbara made an impact with her life, especially with young people. We have high school girls up here to help. Mrs. Barbara would get all up in their business. She wanted to know the latest with Catherine. And when Leanna Grace worked up here, her and Mrs. Barbara had to have their talks. When Leanna graduated and went to college, she’d stop by here to check in with Mrs. Barbara. I don’t know who liked that more, Leanna Grace or Mrs. Barbara. Y’all need to know that Mrs. Barbara loved you very much.

I tell these stories, so you as a family, can know that your wonderful mother, your wonderful sister, your dear friend, never stopped being the wonderful person you knew back home, back in Texas, or when you lived under the same roof. She went by many names: Mrs. Barbara, Bam-Bam, Ba-ba-ba-ba-Barbara Ann (mine), Bar-Bar-a (Lewis), sister, Mama, or Honey. She is one incredibly wonderful person.

I love the fact that her first date with Don was on a motorcycle. I love the fact that her and Don got snowed-in at a “Sonic” because they were “talking” for two hours. I love the fact that she loved her BSU kids. I loved the fact that she loved her family and that she loved having Laura and Andy close and how proud-but-missed Lane and Venessa. I know you know this, but your move to California … well, to Barbara it felt like China. I loved watching her play with her grandkids on the floor in the office or on our church’s playground. I loved how deeply she loved her sisters, her brothers, and her mother.

Let me address her on a professional level, as her boss. I can tell you from past experience that a church secretary is a ministerial position. One doesn’t do it for the money. Not only is there administrative obligations to fulfill each week, but you also have to take care of people. Sometimes they are spitting mad. Sometimes they are sad and hurting. Sometimes they are on cloud nine. Sometimes they need a benevolent hand. Sometimes they are con artists. Sometimes they need someone to talk to. Sometimes they have questions. Sometimes they have opinions.

Barbara McKibben was the consummate church secretary. She worked here for 3 and ½ years. She was a friend, a mother-figure, a mentor, a listener, a talker, a prankster, a care-giver, a laugher, a fan, a supporter, an encourager, a believer (in Jesus, in you, and the Jesus in you), an instigator, a finisher, a patriot, a loyalist, a holder of babies and hands, a backer, a fronter, a side-kick, an evangelist, a counselor, a preacher, a planner, a boogie-ing Baptist, a hugger, as well as a wife, a mom, a grandmother, a daughter, and a sister.

Let me address her on a personal level, as her friend. I’m going to miss her. I’m going to miss how she wouldn’t want to be too much trouble, but how she would have loved to be here and listen to all of this. I am going to miss her encouraging lies like how each Sunday my sermon was meant specifically for her, and “No ma’am, Mrs. Barbara, I haven’t lost any weight.” I am going to miss how we both liked listening to 1950’s music. I’m going to miss her laugh. I’m going to miss her blue eyes. I’m going to miss her lean-in-hand-on-cheek hugs she gave me. I’m going to miss her tears at the Veterans Day Parade and in church services. I’m going to miss that she had her favorite flavor of Moon Pie. I’m going to miss her love for everything Mississippi State. I am going to miss her doing so badly at our office’s NCAA basketball bracket picks. I am going to miss how she always accuses Dot of cheating. I am going to miss her being Barbara.

You know, this is a shock to all of us. We knew it was bad, but even in our worse case scenarios, we imagined that we would have more time. This doesn’t seem real.

We knew she didn’t always feel good, but looking back, I wonder just how bad she really felt and how she just plowed through, never letting on how bad she actually felt. She would just smile and laugh and carry on through all of the pain.

I am grateful that she did not have to endure a long and hard and eventually unsuccessful journey of chemo-therapy.

This body, her body, your body is going to pass away. The body lives under the curse. This day would indeed by utterly tragic if it were not for the Gospel of Jesus. I love how Paul put it in I Corinthians 15:51-57.

The Eulogy I Could Never Have Given

While sitting in a small consultation room in the CCU after just being told of my Mother's death, and waiting to go in the room and see her; my dad, sister and I began talking about the arrangements. I spoke up and volunteered to say a few words at the funeral. The next day we decided to keep the service short and simple out of consideration for the kids in the family. I was relieved. I would have loved to speak, but I am pretty sure I would have dissolved into a blubbering idiot. Plus, Dr. Ken Hester delivered the perfect message. I did however write a few things down on Friday night and Saturday - plus I've read many stories that friends and family have sent about Mom. What follows is my thoughts mixed in with what others have said in the last few days.


I volunteered to say a few things about my Mom. Which sounded like a good idea until I tried to think of something to say. My mother wasn't typical, so I didn't want to give a typical eulogy - tell when she was born, when she died, where she lived, who she was related too, followed by a few standard words of what she meant to me and my family. I wanted to say something profound, thought, as well as memory,- provoking. But then I remembered that my Mother thought everything I said was brilliant, so I'm just going to go for it.

I'd like to tell you stories about her. But I'm afraid some of those stories might leave the wrong impression; She won Miss Houston and competed in Miss Mississippi - but she didn't fit the beauty queen stereotype. She had weird mom phrases like "I'll make you think..". for example if I said "Mom, I'm going to the lake", she would reply "I'll make you think your going to the lake!" if she had other plans for me. But that might her sound, well, confusing, which she wasn't. I could tell how she look on in disbelief as my father and I put both mashed and sweet potatoes on our plates during a potluck. But that would give the impression that she was fussy, which she wasn't.

Instead, let me tell you about her Legacy. I don't know that Mom ever thought about her legacy. If she did, she kept it to herself. I'll be honest here and admit that I have thought about mine. How will I be remembered? What will be posted to my wife and kid's facebook walls when I'm gone? I'm not sure what mine will be, but if it is half of my Mom's, then I'm an OK guy. Her legacy is tied to the roles she played in life.

First, she was friend. A fierce friend. It's been said she never met a stranger, which is true. She treated just about everyone the same. However, it took her a while to become your friend. But once she did, you had a friend you could "trust with your checkbook" as my Dad would say. She was loyal, a confidant, a counselor, a listener, your chef if that's what you needed, a babysitter (of both children and adults), one who would offer an opinion - even if it wasn't what you wanted to hear, a shoulder to cry on, a partner to cry with, a helper, a giver, one who was always there. We all need friends like her.

She was a teacher. She taught people from the nursery to the nursing home. And some of it was in a class setting in Sunday School, VBS or in a college course. I had the privilege of being in a class with her my 2nd semester in college. She even tried to teach the instructor her views of eschatology. I won't mention who got the better grade in that class (though she often did). We received messages describing the way she taught in everyday life. Some have mentioned she taught them what it meant to be a Christ follower. Others have said she taught them to be a Mother, or how to have a Godly marriage. She taught me those things as well. Almost as important, she taught me how to make good cornbread. Recently, she taught me how to face illness, bad news and ultimately, death. I spoke with her last Sunday and she told me "son, if everything is OK, I'll be OK. And if things aren't OK, I'm OK".

She was a mother. In many ways. She was a second mother to many. Mine, Laura, and my Dad's facebook walls and inboxes have been filled in the last few days of stories from her ministry at the BSU (or BSM, for you progressive types). There isn't a doubt that she had a gift with college students. So many have testified how she would listen & counsel them. And that her love and care for her "kids" didn't stop at the edge of campus, or after graduation.

Of course, she was the first mother to me and my sister. And what a mother she was. It is difficult to put into words really, so I'll use this example. One day when I was in high school, it was close to my Mother's birthday, so I went to the Mall with a friend to find her something. Now, let it be known that I'm not the world's greatest shopper (except for the beach towel I bought my sister for her birthday in January - THAT was awesome). After wandering around for a while my friend finally asked "What are you looking for?". "I don't know", I replied, "what do you get for a woman who has nothing?". He asked what was she into, what hobbies did she have. That was the point, she didn't knit, sew, stitch, quilt, scrapbook, garden, shop or anything. I told my friend "I don't know, she's just into us I guess". I didn't understand it then, but I do now. She was into us. Some moms loved it when school started back in the fall. Mom dreaded that day - and was as happy as us on the last day of school. Everything she did was in some way directly related to us. That's why she didn't start with her important ministry with the college kids until we were in college. She was all the things a good mom should be, and so much more. Remember what kind of friend I said she was? What kind of teacher? Double that and that's exactly what kind of Mother she was to Laura and I. The verse that she embedded in me was "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength". There should be another verse that says "I can do all things through Christ and Mom, one gives me strength, the other believes in me". She was a believer in Lane. She was my biggest fan. (Vanessa is my biggest fan now, but Mom was a close 2nd for the last 15 years.).

I'm not sure how old I was, but I was pretty young when I realized that one day, my parents would make pretty good grandparents. And I was right. Mom was the perfect grandmother. My son Asher was the first grandbaby. The day we brought him home from the hospital we entered our house to the smell of butterbeans, peas, cornbread, chicken, and all the other comfort food that she was famous for. I realized soon afterwards that she did that not for me and Vanessa. No, she did that knowing that we'd be too busy eating to hold the baby. After the meal she said "y'all look tired, why don't you take a nap". Well, were were exhausted, so we did. She was sneaky, that Memaw. We thought she was being nice, but all she wanted was a solid two hours with her Asher. She screamed and then cried when we told her we were having a daughter. She loved living close to Matthew and Josh, loved playing with them, loved watching their ball games, loved watching them grow. I've heard it said that you can measure a person's worth by how they are thought of by their grandchildren. If that is true, MeMaw was undoubtedly the greatest person on earth.

Let's not forget that she was a wife to my Dad for nearly 42 years. I remember sitting in church one Sunday and my dad was helping with the offering. As he was walking down the aisle in his sport coat and tie, my mom leaned over and whispered in my ear "Look how handsome he is, how well he carries himself, so straight and proud..". That is the moment I realized "wow, she digs dad". And she did. She would follow him anywhere and she almost did. Mississippi, Tennessee, South Texas, North Texas, back to South Texas and finally home to Mississippi. I don't know that Dad's confidence came from Mom, but I'm pretty sure that was the case. They were opposites in many ways, but their marriage set a firm example of what I wanted my marriage to look like. It is so fitting that the last face she saw on Friday night before she went Home was his.

Above all of those my Mother was a woman of faith. Simple faith. Let's be clear, that doesn't mean her faith was blind, or immature. It was a deep, direction-giving, life-leading faith. But it was simple. She was unencumbered by theological platitudes and she was unmoved by the latest church growth trends. She simply believed that God was able and willing to do all the things he said he would do. I'll admit, at times, that was incredibly frustrating to me. "Mom, it's simply not that easy!" I'd say. But over time I've come to realize that yes, it is that easy. We try to complicate things, or try to construct doctrine or dogma that limits God. But, oh, how profound a faith it is that trusts Him Who Is Able with all things. That faith is what made her a good friend, a teacher, a loving 2nd mother, a great 1st Mom, and a dedicated spouse. She wasn't just a hearer, but also a doer. And she practiced that faith in our house, and on campus, and in your kitchen, on the floor with her grandkids, in church and everywhere she went.

I am reminded in Hebrews Chapter 10 of the "great cloud of witnesses" who have gone before us. Christ is our example in all things, but that gathering of witnesses, those who have gone before us whose lives proved that following Christ was more than another religion, their legacies are our encouragement in all things. Mom joined that great cloud on Friday. Her legacy isn't our example - "Be imitators of Christ" - but rather, her legacy is a tremendous encouragement to me, and all who mourn, that a simple yet tremendous faith can impact the lives of your family, friends, and all who you meet. I pray that my children's and nephew's legacy copies that of their Grandmother. And one day, when friends and family are gathered to celebrate my homegoing, that it will be said of me "He followed Christ, and He was his Mother's Son".

Barbara McKibben, 1945-2010

Last night, I was sitting here in my parent's dinning room, typing a blog update on the status of my Mom's condition.  Just before posting at 11:30, I recieved the call that we needed to hurry back to the Hospital.  She was struggling to breath all day and it grew worse and worse as the night wore on.  She passed just before midnight. 

So many things I'd like to say, but I can't right now.  I've volunteered to deliver the eulogy, but there isnt a realistic chance of that happening.  I've attached the obituary that will be run in the local paper, as well as the Denison Herald-Democrat.  They're church, FBC Pontotoc will serve lunch on Noon Tuesday for all family and out of town friends. 

On behalf of my family I want to thank each and everyone of you who sent cards to Mom. Her room was  so full that you would have thought she had been in the hospital 4 weeks, not 4 days.  The grace that has been domonstrated by so many of you has changed me.

Please continue to pray for my Dad.  She was his soulmate, best friend, partner in crime and wife for almost 42 years.  The funeral will just be the begining for him.

Barbara Ann McKibben

Barbara Ann (Gann) McKibben died Friday, June 11th at NMMC. She was born August 10, 1945 to Bobbie Lee and Gertrude Criddle Gann. Barbara graduated from Houston High School in 1963 and attended Clark College, Itawamba Community College and Grayson County College in Denison, TX. She was selected Miss Houston in 1963 and was later awarded MISS CONGENIALITY in the Miss Mississippi pageant in Vicksburg.



While living in Texas, Barbara was employed with Baptist Student Ministries at Grayson Community College, since returning to her native Mississippi almost 4 years ago, she has been employed at First Baptist Church in Pontotoc.



She is survived by Don her husband of almost 42 years, Son Lane(Vanessa), Daughter Laura(Andy) Clark, Grandchildren, Asher McKibben, Matthew Clark, Emery McKibben and Joshua Clark, her mother Gertrude Criddle Gann of Houston, MS, her brothers William (Mable) Gann of Houston, Hubert (Monette) Gann of Vardaman and Bobby (Barbara) Gann of Starkville and many nieces and nephews.



She was preceded in death by her father, Bobbie Lee Gann, brothers Rubin Wayne Gann, Walter Gann, sisters Mavis Bell and Mary Jo Baird.



Visitation is scheduled for Monday, June 14th from 5-8 PM at the Fellowship Hall of First Baptist Church, Pontotoc. Funeral services are scheduled for Tuesday, June 15th at First Baptist Church Pontotoc. Services will be conducted by Dr. Ken Hester. Browning Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.



Pallbearers will be Larry Gann, Glenn Gann, Michael Gann, John Gann, Dr. Everett McKibben, Phillip McKibben, Ric West and Mike Pettit. The Deacons of First Baptist Pontotoc will serve as Honorary Pallbearers.



In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be made to First Baptist Church, Pontotoc and Baptist Student Ministries of Grayson County College, Denison, TX 75020.

A Letter To 16 Year Old Lane

Dear Me at 16,

Greetings from 2010. Tomorrow, my friend, is our birthday. You'll be 16 and I'll be 40. I'll let that sink in for a moment - 40. We've been through a lot, and I've got to tell you, there isn't a whole heck of a lot I'd change. Except your hair. Seriously, dude, just...do something else with that. Appreciate while you can, 'cause you have just another 14 or 15 years with it. But I digress.

I'm writing this basically because I've got something you don't. Facial Hair! I've got something else that is even more important, if you can believe it, than facial hair. Perspective. A lot is about to change in a short amount of time. Trust me the next 24 years pass faster than you can imagine. I'd like to offer you a ton of advice and warnings and who to stay away from and what not to say (like, never EVER offer to 'babysit' your own children - Trust me), and which classes to take and when to pay attention and what to ignore. But, the choices you make between then and now effect who I am - and I like me. Plus, I know you, you'd forget it all anyway. So here are some highlights of things you will need to know.

First, think about the one thing that is the most worrisome to you. It keeps you up at night, stays just under the surface of all your thoughts. I don't remember it. I can't begin to imagine what it is. And that is not because I'm old and forgetful. It's because that ultimately, you have nothing to worry about. You are concerned with being accepted. You will be. It bothers you that you aren't part of the cool kids, or known as widely as you think that you should be. You will discover soon, that being amazingly popular among a group of close friends is a far greater joy than being accepted by the masses. Deep down you know that, but let this be an encouragement to just be you. Things pick up after high school, you'll grow more comfortable in your own skin, and amazingly, people appreciate you for who you are.

Next, be careful about making snap judgments about people and judging others according to your own standards. Life will be more joyful when you learn to meet people where they are and love them for who they are.

Speak up. I've figured that out by now, but it will make life better on 25 year old Lane if you learn to make your voice heard. You know when you have an idea that sounds great in your head but you lack the confidence to share those thoughts? Say it. Out loud. In front of people. If they don't hear you the first time, say it louder and repeat it until they do hear. Not all of your ideas are as golden as you think they are (there will be a 'retiling the bathtub project' that you should really reconsider) but most are better than you give yourself credit for. Stop hoping someone else says it, stop playing a supporting role to people with the same ideas as you, and lead.

Finally, you need to grasp this next jewel right now: No one will just hand you all the information you need. You have to pull it from them. Learn tenacity; if you need it, GET IT. Stop sitting around and waiting for it to drop in your lap.

Here are some cool things to come. You get married, sooner than you think (in less than 10 years!). She's hot, and truly your better half. You don't miraculously stop being goofy, you just find a hot girl who has a goofy guy fetish. You are a pretty good husband and a good father. Deep down you are a family man who is looking forward to having kids. You know how cool you imagine your kids will be? They are indescribably more cooler than that. They are awesome. We are blessed beyond belief.

The Cowboys return to glory, the Astros will make a World Series, and the Rangers...well, the Astros make a World Series! MSU is just still pretty much what you've come to expect.

There will be wars. None involve the USSR because the USSR doesn't exist anymore. There aren't two Germany's any more. Somehow Cuba manages to survive though.

A call to be a full time disciple isn't a call to work in a church full time.

Here in 2010, we get around town with hovercraft and jet packs. Just kidding, we're still earth-bound.

Take all of your records, and burn everything but the Dylan, U2, Pink Floyd & Beatles. Your musical awakening will happen soon, but most of the stuff you have now is crap. Even Petra.

Appreciate your Mustang. It'll be a while before you get another one.

On that note, slow down. I could have another Mustang by now with all the fines you will pay out over the next 5 years.

You are in construction, but won't work with your Dad. But it's a good gig and you find the perfect niche.

Oh yeah, next year, when your drafting class takes a trip to Grayson College to see the new Computer Aided Drafting software, you might want to pay closer attention to that. Much closer.

Eating like you are still in college into your 30's has consequences. Mix in a salad.

Also, be careful what you say about California and Californians - they might just be your neighbors someday. Also don't be surprised if you encourage your son to wear a Lakers jersey. I'm not crazy.

Forty isn't old. Fifty is getting younger everyday.

I'll leave you with this piece of advice: everyday you'll send your son off to school with the same five words of encouragement - Do Your Best, Be Yourself. You'd do well to follow your own advice.

Your Pal,

You at 40

Aggresively Inarticulate

Like, one of my favorites from poet Taylor Mali, ya know?

Typography from Ronnie Bruce on Vimeo.

We're Having A Party!

 You are Cordially Invited

to

The Mckibben House Painting Party

in

Beautiful Temecula, California

Sometime in the next 30 - 45 days

Paint, sleeping accommodations, & recreation will be provided

From 8 Am until the whole thing is done

BYOB

(bring your own brush)

RSVP, especially if you have experience resurfacing cabinets

We just found out that the bank accepted our offer on the house.  Should have a closing date set soon.  If you can't make the party, you are more than welcome to contribute to the "Let's Build Lane an Outside Kitchen Memorial Fund".  Of course, we will have plenty of room, and a great guest room (Jeff, don't even start)  for you to stay in when you come visit.  So, we expect all of you to make plans soon.

Handel's Messiah, Part III, with Hallelujah (pt. 2) - The Triumphant King

CHORUS
Hallelujah: for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever. King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Hallelujah!


Part III

I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; and though worms destroy this body yet, in my flesh shall I see God. For now is Christ risen from the dead, the first-fruits of them that sleep.

Since by man came death,

By man came also the resurrection of the dead.
 
For as in Adam all die,

Even so in Christ shall all be made alive

Behold, I tell you a mystery; We shall not all sleep; but we shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at
the last trumpet.

The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written; Beats is swallowed up in victory!

O death, where is thy sting? O grave! where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.

But thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.


If God be for us, who can be against us? who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth, who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea, rather that is risen again, who is at the right hand of God, who makes intercession for us.

CHORUS
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, and hath redeemed us to God by His blood, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory and blessing. Blessing and honour, glory and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever.
__ Amen.



 

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Selection From Handel's Messiah, Part 2 - The Passion

Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.

He was despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. He gave His back to the smiters, and His cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: He hid not His face from shame and spitting.

Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows! He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him. And with His stripes we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way. And the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

Thy rebuke hath broken His heart; He is full of heaviness. He looked for some to have pity on Him, but there was no man, neither found He any to comfort Him.

Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto His sorrow.
He was cut off out of the land of the living; for the transgression of Thy people was He stricken.
But Thou didst not leave His soul in hell; nor didst Thou suffer Thy Holy One to see corruption.

Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of Glory shall come in. Who is the King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of Glory shall come in. Who is the King of Glory? The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of Glory.

Stupid Pictures I found While Searching For a House

We've begun the process of looking for a home to purchase here in Temecula.  We've been scoping out prices and neighborhoods by utilizing online resources.  It has shocked me to no end at the quality of pictures that Realtors are paid to post in advertising a property.  We've seen houses where there were six pictures; one of the front, 4 of the kitchen from different angles, and one of a toilet.  Which just leads us to believe that when compared to the bedrooms, the toilet is the nicest thing they could show. 

It amazes us at the number of pictures of standard utility rooms.  Not fancy shmancy utility rooms with cabinets, counters, mud sinks, room for extra storage and your own Asian dry cleaner.  Just your plan old regular run of the mill laundry rooms.  Also, bathrooms get big play in the house photos.  So, we've gone thru and picked some of the oddest pictures we've found, just for your viewing pleasure.  Please enjoy.

 The breathtaking views of the mountains are so amazing that you'll forget to perform basic maintenance on your pool.

In Case you were wondering, the house comes equipped with a toilet.

"Imagine yourself living here...without all the crap in the yard"

You know what will really sell this house? An oddly framed picture of the bedroom where the killing took place....

Repeat After Me.  "Cell phone cameras are not real cameras"

"You know, selling this house is crucial to our long-term financial well being, so we have to do this right.  Want me to put the chairs down?" He asked.  "No, it'll be fine" replied the Realtor.

Trust me, it's just better if you keep it dark.

This tells me absolutely nothing about the house

somebody learned how to edit pictures with Microsoft Picture Viewer

"Honey, come quick! Your not going to believe this, but it has a FRONT DOOR!!"

"If you are 2 or 3 years old, this is what it will look like when you enter your new house"

What?  Why?

Lot's of stretch out room for your ladder and trash cans

"the house is perfect, love the location, love the size, plenty of backyard for the kids to play in, the price is right, good neighborhood, great schools...but if there were only a picture of the backyard gate...oh! there is!"

"The house comes complete with a large patch of concrete somewhere on the property"

Because knowing your washer and dryer will be well taken care of is important

It's taken with a cell phone, it's a picture of the laundry room.  You do this for a living?

"Over sized towel bars in the guest bath allows room for two towels"

"If you pass out drunk in the foyer, you'll love the craftsmanship of this beautifully upgraded fixture"

You know the house is crappy when this is the only picture they will show, pt 1

You know the house is crappy when this is the only picture they will show, pt. 2

"Oh My! I've always dreamed of a toilet with a wooden seat!"

"The storage shed  gives the backyard a 'retro' feel and also serves as a gateway to hell"

Because the 1 thing I look for when purchasing a home is room for a shower caddy

If you have an astigmatism, this is what your kitchen will look like

"Great house, great location, great schools, plenty of room for the kids to pla....wait! is that a Kholer toilet?  I'm an American Standard man!  No way I'm buying this piece of crap"

Amazing how you can be looking at a picture of the bathroom and still know nothing about the bathroom....

"deter would be burglars with the 'abandoned property' landscaping"

"Nice house, great location, near shopping with easy access to freeways, tons of upgrades including a washer connection box"

seriously, what is the deal with laundry rooms?

Standard tiny bath tub included

Which is most shocking?  The fact that a professional home seller thought this picture was OK, or the fact that they let a baby play in the room?

"wow honey! it has a gate! next to another structure of some sort"