Summer Sizzle

Jeremy swam in RSA's Summer Sizzle, his first long course swim meet of the season. ("Long course" is when the pool is set up to be 50 meters across -the long way- rather than 25 yards which is "short course.")


He swam 3 events on Saturday while I got to watch, and 3 more on Sunday while William was there. Jeremy won one of his heats on Saturday and another one on Sunday, and he was awarded with ducks. He loves to get ducks!


Jeremy has "B" cut times for his 50 backstroke, 50 breaststroke, and 50 freestyle! This qualifies him to swim in meet for which cut times for those events are required.

Way to go, Jeremy!!!

Happy Father's Day!

William had a great Father's Day. We of course, he the annual Father's Day water fight. The kids and I filled around 125 water balloons, and water pistols were armed for the ocassion. This is everybody's favorite part of the day!

He enjoyed a steak dinner and a giant homemade iced cookie for his special dinner.

I am so thankful that God has blessed me and my children with such a wonderful daddy!

I FLEW A HELICOPTER!

Susan has been telling me for a couple of weeks that when I saw by birthday present, I was going to "pee my pants."  I had NO IDEA What she had in store, and while I did manage to stay dry, I was very excited when I found out what it was.

My story starts the night before my birthday.  Susan and I were up late turning the house upside-down looking for the charger for the video camera because she assured me I would want video of my big day (she was right).  Well, we never did find the charger, so I headed out first-thing Wednesday morning to buy a new charger.

While I was gone, the children put a bath towel on my chair, and brought down a change of underpants for me . . . Just in case.  Then Susan gave me a small gift bag and I started opening things.

The first thing out of the bag was motion sickness pills.  I was at a total loss for why I would want these as a gift.  They do remind me of Ethiopia though since they saved my lunch many days from the rough and bumpy "roads."

The next thing I opened was a matchbox helicopter.  This is  when I started to think I was going on a helicopter ride, but Susan insisted I keep opening.  The next item was a helicopter pilot manual and I finally figured out I was going to fly the helicopter.  I really was excited about this.  I also got a hat and a t-Shirt like the brand of helicopter I was going to fly.  This is really cool since the flight was only 30 minutes, but I still have the shirt and hat.

So, later that day, we headed out to the airport.  I sat with the instructor for about an hour to cover some items required by the FAA and a few pointers to make the flight more fun and successful.  Then we went up in the helicopter.  This is something I have wanted to do for a long time.  About 15 years ago, someone asked me what my dream job would be and I told them I always wanted to fly the helicopter and report on the traffic.  Susan was totally shocked when I told her this, and I think it has taken her this long to work up the courage to let me try it out.  

We went up in the air, a couple miles away from the airport, then the instructor let me take control of the helicopter for a little while.  I was surprised how small the helicopter was and the views were AMAZING.  We stayed fairly close to the ground and below the clouds so you could really take it all in.

I guided us back to the airport where we went over to a field for hover practice.  The instructor warned me I would not be able to hover and even demonstrated how the helicopter would shake, rattle, and roll when I took control.  We practiced a few maneuvers where he would demonstrate something then I would attempt the same thing.  Susan told me there was no doubt when I was flying verses when the instructor was flying.  Apparently, it takes about 10 hours of flying before you get even semi-decent at hovering.

After the hovering, we headed back to land which felt kinda funny under my feet.  The flight was over, but the memory of it will last a lifetime.  I will never forget flying a helicopter for my fortieth birthday.  I have the most amazing wife and she really hit the jackpot on this birthday gift.

Later that evening, we went out to dinner at the local BBQ place.  They have the second-best bbq in the area :-).  Then we went to Susan's mothers house to celebrate with her family including more gifts, and the cake which had 40 candles as I had requested.  

It was an all around great day, and my family really made me feel special.  

Then...and Now

Meteku & Bethlehem
June 2008
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Mercy Bethlehem & Benaiah Meteku
June 2009
North Carolina, USA

Africa Hope

I've been looking for about 2 months for a ladies t-shirt that supports either an adopting family or a cause in Africa, and I finally found something!

Africa Hope Apparel has some really cool designs, and the best part is that after you pick your shirt, you choose an organization in Africa to which the proceeds of your shirt will go!

I chose Elpis International in Awassa, Ethiopia. This is near where Benaiah is from. The organization provides hope through Jesus Christ in helping to meet physical and spiritual needs.


There are other worthy causes from which to choose and some COOL shirts that will help raise awareness and help us help those in need! Go get one or two!

Happy Referralversary!

One year ago today, we got the call and met our new son via photographs and family history! So much has happened since then! We are so blessed to have Benaiah Meteku in our lives. He is so full of joy and love!



At the gym this morning, I listened to the Daily Audio Bible passage from II Samuel 22 through which God spoke to us to name him "Benaiah." I know that God his BIG plans for this little man!

God is SO GOOD!