It was a belated birthday present for James. Every time we pass through Seattle, he sees this huge rock wall at the REI building in town. So for his birthday he wanted to climb it. Today was the day it happened.

I have to admit, I was surprised at how easily he took to it. No fear… none.

I’ve seen him climb trees before, but this was a thing of beauty. It’s incredible to see natural, God given ability at work. He’s found his calling.

He cleared 65 feet, no sweat (that’s a six and a half story building). He made it all the way to the top. I had myself a proud papa moment. My six year old boy impressed me (and the onlookers) today. Way to go James!

Today is a momentous occasion! James is turning 6 years old! Happy Birthday James!

James (my 5 yr. old son) has a school project that some of you may be able to help us with.

His kindergarten class just got through reading a book called Flat Stanley. Stanley was a little boy that had a bulletin board fall on him and he became flat as a pancake. Being a flat boy has it’s advantages. Stanley soon learned that he could be mailed all around the world for only the cost of a stamp.

So here’s the project. Flat James needs to take a trip and he wants to visit you! I’m asking a few of you to print and cut out Flat James (see below link), then take him with you on an adventure or simply with you in your daily routine. Take pictures and show Flat James a good time in your area of the world. Also, Flat James has brought with him a change of clothes (link below). If you like, decorate the clothes to represent where you live or what he did when he visited you.

Any info (pictures, etc) will be shared with the class as they study about geography.

Either email (sdelony@yd.org) or mail Flat James (326 S Stillaguamish Arlington, WA 98223) back to us so we will be able to share in his adventures. I’ll also chart his adventures on this blog and share pictures as they come in!

Thank you!

For a printable size of Flat James click here:

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i64/stuartdelony/FlatJames.jpg

And his clothes are here:

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i64/stuartdelony/FlatJamesClothes.jpg

James Delony, my 5 year old son, took his first step towards manhood this week.  He drew blood on his old man. It was amazing.

We were wrestling and running around the house. I was chasing him. He takes a sharp turn into his room and begins to slam the door shut. My head procedes to meet the door full on. Blood and liquid stitches ensue.  At first, James was upset thinking I was mad at him, but after a moment, he looked at the gash. I told him I was okay and congratulated him. Then from that moment on, he had this twinkle in his eye. I think this is the first time he realized that he could be powerful.

So today around the house, he walks a taller and puffs his chest out a bit. The boy is growing up.  He is becoming a man.

Miriam and I are definitely in for it. I can only blame my southern baptist heritage for this. I didn’t realize that being SBC penetrates your DNA… but I guess it does.

So here’ s what happened.

The other day, my wife, enters our den to see something odd transpiring. My daughter, Aida (3yrs), is standing on the couch with my son Samuel (2) and dozens of stuffed animals sitting on the ground listening. She picks up a microphone and proceeds to introduce the “crowd” to my son James (5). Aida sits down, James grabs the microphone and stands on the couch. He begins to ask the kids and the stuffed animals if they know Jesus and launches into a mini-sermon. Then he opens things up for an altar call, asking anyone who wants to accept Jesus to step down front. Many stuffed animals were saved that day.

He’s amazing. I have no idea where he gets this stuff. It’s not like he’s seen it on Sundays at church - he’s always in kids church.  It’s the gotta be the SBC, I tell ya. It’s like a skunk - once you’re sprayed, it’s hard to get the stink off of ya. So we’ve either got a Billy Graham or even next Benny Hinn on our hands… Oh boy!