Weight. No Kidding.

My weight is a topic I like to joke about.  I enjoy the humor it  can spark in a discussion.  I fear my humor sometimes masks how serious the issue is to me, and to millions of others.

After my heart attacks 7.5 years ago, I lost 50 pounds (243 down to 193), and have kept 40-44 pounds off ever since. My weight seemed to settle in at about 200.  I've done well through the years, but lately I feel my resolve weakening.  These days I feel I could eat a doorknob.  I desperately want to eat everything in sight.  My weight is inching up, currently at 205.2, the highest it has been in recent memory.  This is not a laughing matter.  My future, literally, hinges on it.

I have long admitted I have a food addiction.  I say it in funny ways, but it is a serious truth.  I would appreciate your prayers. Only the Lord can solve this juggernaut in my life.

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MBC Exec Board

I spent yesterday and today in Jefferson City for our quarterly MO Baptist Convention Executive Board meeting. As convention President, I serve as chairman of the Board.

This is an important organization. Over $14,000,000 in Cooperative Program funds flow through the Baptist Building in Jefferson City each year. Our state convention is a powerful outpost for Christ's Kingdom.

The search for a new Executive Director began officially today. A search committee was appointed by the Executive Board. Pray they will find God's choice servant to lead Missouri Baptists.

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Whales and Sugar

Over 1600 humpback whales live near Maui. Often you can see them from the beach, but getting a close look requires a boat ride. It's well worth the $45 price tag. I'll post a short video clip on Facebook.

We were on a good excursion. Whales were jumping all around us. We especially enjoyed hearing them via the boat's underwater sonar system.

Sugar cane is a beautiful plant. It sways in the wind with grace. A plant takes two years to reach harvest time. When it is time, the field is burned. The outer leafy part is burned off, but the moist sugary inner part is left behind to be harvested.

It looks like sugar cane is natural to the area, but not so. The plantation owners had to lay 74 miles of irrigation pipe. Where the irrigation does not reach, the ground is parched brown.

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Luau

No trip to Hawaii would be complete without the obligatory Luau. Is it worth $100 per person? Good grief no, but it adds to your cultural well roundedness.

I moved in close to see the pig as they pulled it up out of the ground. You can see the pictures on my Facebook wall. I have trouble eating anything that's looking back at me.

I enjoyed the dramatic portrayal of Hawaii's history. They were not derogatory about the coming of Christian missionaries. We ate with couples from Sacramento, Calgary, and Toronto.

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Road to Hana

Even if there were no tourist spots in Hawaii, it would still be worth your while to visit there. The natural beauty is stunning.

Hibiscus grows wild. Fruit trees abound. The sight of sugar cane blowing in the wind is graceful. The sand, the surf, etc. On and on it goes.

Our favorite nature experience was the infamous, frightening Road to Hana. About 50 miles long, over 600 turns (some U-turns), 52 one-lane bridges, about 3 hours to drive. I made it the whole way.

Making it to the North Pole, to the top of Everest, yea to the moon, has brought no more satisfaction than when this scaredy cat preacher saw the Hana city limits sign. I posted a picture on Facebook to prove I made it.

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USS Arizona

The highlight of our trip to Hawaii was seeing the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor. Few events in my life have been more memorable. I will post pictures of it on my Facebook wall.

The oil still leaks from the sunken ship, as if shedding tears for the dead. The USS Missouri is moored facing the USS Arizona, the symbolism being that the Missouri keeps watch over the Arizona.

This December 7 will mark the 70th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. About 14 survivors of the Arizona are still alive. Due to their advanced years, this may be their last reunion.

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Lindbergh's Grave

How many people go to Hawaii to find a grave? Only yours truly. There are of course other reasons to go there, but from the first of our planning, I was focused on Charles Lindbergh's grave.

Lindbergh made his solo transatlantic flight in 1927. He also made a whirlwind tour through the USA to the adoring praise of millions. While he was running this national victory lap, my dad was born. Thus his name Charles.

To reach the grave became for me like a search for the holy Grail, or if you will, a pilgrimage to Mecca. Okay, yes I'm given to hyperbole, but you get the point. I wanted to see my dad's namesake's grave.

It was hard to reach and hard to find, but worth the effort. I'll post pictures of it on my Facebook wall.

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