Letter #7 - From Daddy to Shplinky...Merry Christmas

Dear Shplinky,

This letter will be short, but hopefully you’ll like it:

So, it’s Christmas Eve, 2010.  I am sitting in your Great Grandparents’ cabin with all your family.  We’ve just been hanging out, eating, laughing, and being family.  Every memory that has been made, I’ve thought about you.  Next year, YOU will have your first Christmas.  You will have your first encounters with ALL the family.  You will be passed around to everyone, hopefully not crying…but smiling, laughing, and making everyone go “Awwwww!”  

One thing that I want to tell you though…this weekend was the first time I got to hang out with your cousin Braelyn.  She is 6 weeks old.  She has bright blue eyes.  She cries really loud.  When I hold her, she laughs and smiles.  She is going to be your best buddy!  You guys will be in the same grade.  You guys will go through the same things at nearly the same time!  This brings up something that is very important.  Shplinky, God’s word speaks very clearly about friendships.  It talks very clearly about who you surround yourself with.

“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”

Proverbs 13:20

Who you hang out with, Shplinky, doesn’t make you who you are.  It isn’t the people you hang out with that make you do good or bad things.  That comes from what’s in your heart.  Yet, the Bible gives you, me, incredible insight on how to make life a lot more enjoyable and easier.  Surround yourself with people who push you to the Gospel; who push you to the grace of God; who push you to what’s true; who push you to do the right thing.  Make your closest friends those who will speak into your life, even if it means they will tell you what you don’t want to hear.

You and Braelyn are going to be best friends…my prayer is that you and her will spur each other on to Christ.  That you and her will be able to share how the Gospel has and is changing your life.  If you commit to having a friendship like that, you will be blessed.

A few things that you need to know about Christmas (mommy is gonna kill me…you might not even be allowed to read this letter until you’re older):

1. You will know why we celebrate Christmas…from your first Christmas till you leave our house

2. You will always be allowed to wake mommy and daddy up Christmas morning

3. You will get a huge, electric Jeep (cause I never got one as a kid, and they’re totally AWESOME)

4. You won’t have to wear SUPER nice dress clothes when we go to a Christmas Eve service…after the age of 10

Oh ya…and there’s no such thing as Santa Clause…he’s not real – I’ll tell you about the story of the REAL St. Nick!

Merry Christmas, Shplinky!  Next year will be your first…and our first as a family!  I love you.

Daddy

Letter # 6 Daddy's experience with his Daddy - to Shplinky

Dear Shplinky

Well, this week is kind of a monumental week for you!  In the womb, you developed your voice!  It is said that you actually might start crying silently.  I don’t know why you would cry, but it has brought up a thought in my mind.  How am I going to handle when you go through pain?

You know, it would be super awesome if you were a child that was perfect in heart, wonderfully mannered, and completely obedient.  It would be SO awesome if you loved God with all your heart 100% of the time and were the “angel” child.  But, God’s word is very clear that you are already a sinner.  You already have sin in you and because of that, you will not be perfect.  In fact, you are going to make some wrong decisions.  Those wrong decisions are going to cause you pain, and in turn, cause your mommy and I pain.

I think back to when I was not walking well with the Lord.  I was 18 and sitting at a coffee shop with my dad.  My dad has just brought a HUGE sin to my attention.  I could see the pain in his eyes as he asked me what was going on in my heart.  I saw the look of fear in his eyes as he knew that his I was heading towards destruction.  I saw the helplessness mixed with hope in his eyes as he realized that he could no longer “control” me and my decisions, but had to completely rely on God’s grace to bring me to repentance.  All this I saw…and it didn’t even phase me.  I wasn’t hurt by my decisions (well, I thought I wasn’t).  I wasn’t humbled by my sin.  I certainly didn’t give a crap about my dad’s care for me just because I had “messed up.”  I felt no pain or hurt seeing my dad like that.

Then my dad said something that rocked my world forever.  With tears in his eyes he looked at me and said, “Ryan, no matter how far you fall and no matter how deep your sin is, if you go down, I’m going down with you…fighting all the way.”  I nearly lost it.  Everything inside me broke.  I stood up and walked away.  Got in my car, drove 3 blocks to a park, and cried my heart out.  I saw, for the first time, how my sin not only hurt me, but how it hurt someone who loved me.

Shplinky, I want you to know.  No matter what you go through.  No matter what happens.  I will be here.  If you go down, I’m going down with you…fighting all the way!  Even if you don’t feel the pain of your sin, even if you aren’t convicted and moved to repentance, I will always care for you, love you, and be there for you, no matter how deep your sin is…why?  Because God has shown me that kind of love!

On a lighter note, your mommy seems to be pretty convinced that you are a girl.  I’m not totally sold.  We get to find out, hopefully, in about 2 weeks!  It’s kind of fun guessing what gender you are.  It’s fun to dream about what life will be like with a daughter or a son.  My mind races with so many thoughts on what we will get to do.  What we will get to experience is going to be so amazing!  If you are a girl, I hope you turn out like your mommy.  I hope you have her heart, her demeanor, and her looks.  If you are a boy, I hope you turn out like your PopPop (grandpa).  I hope you have his heart, his humility, and his passion for God!

A few things now to think about while you’re hangin out with mommy:

1.        Can you start moving?  It’s never too early to start exercising. (Secretly, I just want to feel you move).

2.       Please start telling Mommy exactly what you want to eat.  She is always confused about what she wants for food.  If you want pizza, tell her.  If you want hot dogs, tell her.  Please don’t ask for gross things like fish, cottage cheese, or pickles.  Thanks.

3.       Still keep using that left hand for everything.  You can start sucking on your thumb (the pregnancy timeline said you might be doing that right now), but make sure you suck your right thumb, so that left hand is free to develop!

I want you to come out now, but I know you still have LOTS to develop.  Your Mommy is already showing that you are in there; you’re getting so big!  Keep hangin in there!  Keep hating country music!

Love,

Your Daddy

Letter # 5 - Letter to Shplinky from Daddy (the talk)

Dear Shplinky,

Well, Thanksgiving weekend has passed.  It was super great.  Your mommy and I were able to relax, catch up on sleep, shop (3 ½ hours), watch a couple movies, and hang out with friends and family.  I kept thinking how awesome it’s going to be that next thanksgiving will be your first.  You will be about 4 months old!  I didn’t get to play football this year, which marks the first year in awhile that I didn’t do that on Thanksgiving.  So, next year…you and me – we’re gonna play ok?  I’ll give you a 100 billion-point lead to make it fair, ok?  But only next year…every year after that, you and me…living room…Lambros Arena Cushion Football…it’s on!

So, we need to have a talk.  It’s that special talk.  You know…father to son…or father to daughter.  It’s that talk that nobody likes to have with their kid.  It’s awkward.  It’s “emotional.”  Nobody knows the “right” time to talk about it.  Yet, I think there is never a time too early to bring this up.  You ready?  Are you sitting still?  I mean, floating still?

UofA is the worst school out of every school known to mankind.  As a Lambros, you will NOT like UofA…anything UofA.  You will have a special hatred of UofA.  UofA will be viewed upon on a similar level as sin.  God hates UofA.  You will stay away from UofA.  You will not wear any item of apparel from UofA.  I don’t care if you go to USC even (and that’s saying a lot because I don’t like them either)…just not UofA. 

Whew…ok.  Glad we got that out of the way.  Again, I’m sorry if that was awkward for you.  It might have been too early, but at 10 weeks, I think that talk was appropriate.

Ok, so seriously, Shplinky.  Right now you are growing the parts of your body that “determine” your gender.  How cool is THAT?!  Thus, this has brought up something that I was talking to your mommy about. 

If you develop into a boy: I will teach you what it means to be a man of God.  I will teach you Biblical manhood.  I can’t wait to teach you to open doors for ladies and how to treat women.  You will get to practice on your mommy.  You will go on mommy/son dates and you will open the door for her, you will lead conversation, and you will pay for her Starbucks drink (I will give you money and you will drink a hot chocolate).

If you develop into a girl: I will teach you that your value isn’t dependant on anything or anyone except your heavenly Father.  Your identity will be God’s Princess.  I will teach you to not settle; to have your standards high for the man for you.  I will teach you how to be a lady, but also how to run with the boys!  I will let you dress in pink and be all girly…but you will NOT paint my nails.  I will teach you how to let boys lead and how to honor God with modesty.

Either way, boy or girl, I’m excited for you.  It’s going to be so much fun!

Your loving waiting father,

Daddy    

Letter # 4 - from Daddy to Shplinky

Dear Shplinky,

What’s up?!  Man, this past week has flown by!  You’re growing continually and it gets me super excited.  You are the size of a quarter…a QUARTER!  You’re huge!  Your heart is fully developed!  It’s beating and fully developed.  This makes me sit here and marvel and wonder: I get the incredible responsibility of caring for your heart.  I have been given the responsibility to guard your heart.  I have been given the responsibility to train your heart.  This is so exciting!

Colossians 3:21 says, “Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged” (ESV).  Shplinky, I have been wrestling with this passage for a couple weeks.  I want so bad for you to do what is right, to love God, and to make the right choices.  I also don’t want to be overbearing on you. 

The coolest thing I have been praying about has been this commitment I am making to you: I will always care for you and train you in the way you should go, but always encourage you.  What am I going to encourage you with?  God’s Word; God’s grace; and God’s love.  You are going to make mistakes.  I am going to make mistakes.  But make no mistake about it, I will ALWAYS try my hardest to encourage you, through the good times and hard! 

People have asked me how I am going to handle when you make a mistake…even if you make a BIG mistake.  Although it might be hard and I might not respond in the right way every time, you will never question or be in doubt that I love you.  You will always know that you are loved, no matter what you do. 

Your mommy has been getting sick recently.  I pray every day that you calm your happy butt down and let mommy be pregnant in peace.  I know you want to come out soon to meet us, but seriously, give your mommy a break!  Also, her emotions have been all crazy!  She’s been a little spacey too.  You know what’s funny, I think it’s hilarious!  Sure, it’s way different and it’s weird getting used to, but I love it!  It’s a side of mommy I’ve never seen.  Lastly, she has started some food cravings.  Honestly, I feel bad for you.  She is going to crave some weird things…and that goes directly to you.  Bummer…just a bummer.

So, I have a few questions for you.  If could think of the answers and stick to them when you come out that would be great.  First, are you going to be crazy-outgoing like me and your Poppa Lambros, or are you going to be more reserved and quiet?  Are you going to be left-handed or right?  Are you going to cry a lot?  Are you going to want more siblings?  Are you going to come running up to me when I get home from work?  Are you going to be ugly when you come out?  If you could have these answers figured out and stick to them that would be awesome.  You have about 7 months to figure it out, so take your time.  But don’t procrastinate until the end.

A few things to be thinking about:

1.       I will be changing your diapers when I am with you, so please do your nasty business while I’m not there…it will be great bonding time for you and mommy.

2.       If you are a girl, I won’t be able to stop mommy from decorating you…I’m sorry.  It’s just gonna happen.

3.       If you are a boy, you will act like a boy.  I will let you run around the house naked, pee in the backyard (only at our house), and have toy guns.  You will also open the door for your mommy and never be afraid to kiss your mommy on the lips.

I’m counting down the weeks.  We’re almost ¼ of the way there!  I love you!

Daddy

Letter # 3 - from Daddy to Shplinky (introducing Mommy)

Shplinky,

I’ve been thinking about you a lot today.  I really, really want you to come out soon.  I know it’s going to be another 7 months or so, but I wish it were right now!  I can’t wait to hold you in my arms and watch you.  I think for the first couple weeks I’m going to have such a blast watching you; your expressions; your laughs; your cries; your frustrated face; your hungry face; your poop face (which I will video tape).  I’m excited to lose sleep over you.  I’ve already got a list of video games I’m going to master while I stay up with you.  It’s going to be good times!

So, you’ve probably been wondering, while you’re in there, what your family is going to be like.  So, let me take these next few letters to tell you about your family.  Starting off with your mommy:

Your mommy has an amazing story.  God has been watching over her life in incredible ways.  I’ll let her tell you her remarkable story of redemption and grace…it’s amazing!  The first thing you should know about your mom though, is that she loves you the most (second to me ;).  She is the most loving person you will ever meet.  She never sees the wrong in somebody (at first).  She has the biggest heart you will ever see!  She cares for people.  She serves people.  She takes interest in people.  It’s incredible to see, and even more incredible to be a part of. 

The second thing you need to know about your mommy, is that she loves your daddy with unconditional love.  Your daddy is a broken, busted up dude, but your mommy loves him no matter what.  She serves him every day.  She listens to him.  She cares for him.  Her heart breaks when his heart breaks.  She gets excited for what excites him.  She always supports him.  She submits to him Biblically…not in value but in role. 

The third thing you need to know about mommy, is that she loves Jesus with all her heart.  She is not perfect by any means.  She makes mistakes.  She sins.  Yet, her love for her Savior flows from a heart that has been completely changed by God.  It is contagious.  It is evident.  It is the best!

A couple other things you need to know: 1) she loves country music (don’t worry, I’ll make sure she doesn’t force you to listen to that crap) 2) she is a veggie FREAK…so just prepare yourself 3) she can’t stand boogers …so I will be cleaning your snot for you…and if you could make sure you don’t sneeze all over her, that would be great!

So, your heartbeat right now is about 150 beats a minute…which is awesome.  You are going to have a strong heart…physically and spiritually.

You are growing super fast (in baby time).  You are going to grow for many years to come…physically and spiritually.

Shplinky…I’m so stinkin’ excited for you.  I can’t wait to see a picture of you soon!

A few things to be thinking about:

1.       Start thinking peanut butter and jelly sandwiches…your dad loves them…and wants to have lots of them with you

2.       Continue to tell your mommy that her boy names for you are horrible. 

3.       Start thinking which sport you want to focus on…baseball, basketball, football, soccer…etc.

4.       The Phoenix Suns aren’t doing too good right now…but they’re still our team!

Love you Shplinky!

Your Dad

Letter #2 - from Daddy to Shplinky

Dear Shplinky,

What’s up?  I hope all is going well in there (mommy’s tummy).  This week I’ve been thinking a lot about how much you are growing.  You are already 10,000 times bigger now than when you were first conceived.  Holy moly that’s big!  It’s also super cool that you’re growing.  Obviously you won’t realize it until you’re much older, but you have been created by an incredible God.

[13] For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

[14] I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

[15] My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret,

intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

[16] Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them,

 the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

(Psalm 139:13-16 ESV)

It’s amazing to read these verses, Shplinky, and realize what they are saying.  Right now, you are being “woven” together by God…every single part…even your most inner parts (between you and me, I’m hoping you have an outer part…just saying).  Every detail being designed and created aren’t just by accident.  They are made by God Himself.  On top of that, He is making you wonderful!  No matter what you look like, what sex you are, what you’ll look like in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 100 years, you are wonderfully made.  You are being made with intricate design and detail.  Shplinky, your days of creation are already written in God’s timeline.  God is in control…has been since before you were created…and will always be, forever and ever.

I want you to know little Shplinky, that you being in mommy’s tummy is pretty nerve racking.  There are definitely a lot of things that can go wrong.  Sometimes I get hit with thoughts of “what if something bad happens?”  My heart becomes fearful for you, for your mommy, and for our family, if something were to happen to you.  Yet, these verses I just stated give me so much comfort as I wait for you to come.  You are such an incredible picture of God’s sovereignty and grace.  When you are born, it will show God’s grace in such an incredible way (and also His sovereignty).  If you are not born, it will show God’s sovereignty in the very same incredible way (and also His grace).  “Watching” you grow is showing me how both God’s grace and sovereignty work together.  Thank you for that.

So your mommy and I had a “horrible” time thinking up names for you yesterday.  We pretty much already have a good idea what your name will be if you are a girl.  Yet, if you are a boy, we are stuck.  We have no idea what your name will be.  Your mommy is throwing out absurd names like Kyler and Blake!  Can you believe that?  Listen, I don’t know how you’re communicating with mommy right now, but seriously, start communicating some sense into her.  Trust me, you don’t want to be called Kyler for the rest of your life.

What were my names you might ask?  I’m glad you wondered.  I was talking about Owen, Skyler, Rock, Jett, etc.  Not gonna lie, those are kind of kick butt names!

Well, I’ll leave you with a few more things you should be thinking while in your mommy’s tummy (and I promise to tell you all about mommy next letter):

1.   Left-handed people are the coolest people ever…so start working on that.

2.  Cheerleading is not a sport (if you are a girl and want to do that, it’s totally cool, but it’s still not a sport).

3.  Starbucks is the worst coffee you will ever drink.  As a member of TeamLambros II, you will call Starbucks…StarSUCKS. 

 

I love you and am counting down the days!

Love,

Your Daddy

Letter # 1 - from Daddy to Shplinky

Dear Shplinky                                                                                                                                          

Well, this is the first time I am writing to you.  Is it weird that I am a little nervous?  I guess it’s not weird because my nervousness is mixed with excitement, joy, amazement, and a little bit of crazy.  There are so many things I want to write to you about.  I want to tell you about every single thought going through my mind.  I want to tell about everything I’ve learned in life.  I want to tell you all about your mom.  I want to tell you about your future family, Mimi and Poppa (my parents), Grandma Batman (your mom’s mom), Grandpa D (your mom’s dad), all your aunties and uncles, and so much more.  I know it will happen soon…and I know you want to know all about it…be patient.

Shplinky, I want you to know how scary it is knowing that you’ll be here in about 7-8 months (if my calculations are correct, 33 weeks ;).  I’m not really that scared about being your dad.  I’m not really that scared about teaching you how to play sports, how to read and write, how to talk, how to be respectful to people, and all the rest of the stuff you will get to learn in life.  I am mostly freaked that I won’t be able to share and show you your need for a Savior. 

Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go…”  I know I am going to fail you as a dad.  I am not perfect.  I am sinful.  I have made mistakes in the past, I currently make mistakes, and I know I’m going to make mistakes in the future.  Yet, the greatest thing in the world is that God has provided a way for me to have a relationship with Him and have my mistakes forgiven through His Son Jesus who died on a cross for my sins.  See, my greatest need in life has been taken care of.  My standing before God is rectified because of Christ’s sacrifice, not because of my works.  Now, my role as your daddy is to show you your greatest need in life.

Currently, you need things in order to survive.  You are developing hands, arms, and legs right now.  Your heart is developed and you have a heartbeat.  Your brain is developed into 2 sides already.  You are developing a liver and pancreas.  You need blood.  You need nutrition.  You need lots of things as you develop in your mommy’s tummy.  When you are born, you will need many things to survive.  You will need oxygen to breath and lots of other things that I don’t even know yet (sorry, I haven’t had a kid before).  Yet, the greatest thing you will need will be more important than oxygen…that can cease to exist.  You will need more than food…that can be taken away from you (don’t worry; I’ll help you sneak your green beans to the dog so mommy doesn’t see).  You will need more than water, which can run out at any time (your favorite soda will be Pepsi and not Coke btw).  What you need little Shplinky, is to know and understand your need for a Savior…that can’t be taken away from you and is worth more than anything in the world!

See, although you’re super cute already…and you’re going to be a super cute baby…you’re sinful.  Psalm 51:5 says, “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.”  When you were conceived, you were conceived with a sin nature (thank your great, great, etc grandpa Adam for that).  You, me, your mommy, and everyone were dead in our sins…but God, who is your heavenly Daddy, is so merciful and gracious.  He gave up HIS Son so that we can be saved from our punishment.  God gave up His son so that YOU…my child…can be saved.

My highest priority…my number one goal as a daddy…is and will be to help you see the need for the Gospel in your life – for salvation and for your spiritual growth and maturity.  If I fail you in everything except showing you your need for Jesus, I will be a proud daddy.  Jesus is the best thing in the whole world!  He will never leave you.  He always has your best in mind.  He is truth.  He will love you unconditionally!

Well, the first letter to you is coming to an end.  I can’t wait to write you more!  You have no idea how long I’ve waited for you! 

Oh ya, a few things you need to be thinking about while you’re in your mommy’s tummy:

1.       Country music is of the devil.  Don’t let anyone tell you different.

2.       Vegetables will taste delicious for about 4 years, and then you’ll see that although they are good for you, they taste like poop.

3.       When daddy takes you to get a slurpy before dinner because they are the bomb, we still tell mommy that we are hungry for dinner, even though your mouth will be stained red and blue and she’ll know what really happened (you can blame me).

Hope you’re doing well inside your mommy.  She is gorgeous and looks more beautiful every day.  I’ll tell you all about her in the next letter I’m sure!

I love you.

Daddy

Why Letters to Shplinky?

So what really goes on in the mind, heart, and soul of a recently married man (8 months) who has found out that his beautiful bride is pregnant?  What words can describe that feeling?  What pictures, descriptions, and metaphors can even be used to explain the emotion felt when the words “you’re going to be a daddy” are heard?  My mind has not stopped racing – my heart has not stopped pounding – my soul has not felt such elation as it does now after hearing the words affirming that, Lord willing, in 9 months, I will be a proud father.

I didn’t really know exactly how to “blog” about this incredible experience.  I wrestled back and forth trying to figure out how I should capture these moments.  When I look back on all this, what do I want to have written down?  Should I write every day?  Should I share my thoughts in detail?

Blah blah blah.  That’s what I think.  I don’t want to write a blog just because.  I don’t want to just write a “documentary” about the wonderful creation of another human being and he/she being given to me by God.  No.  I don’t want that.

So what do I do want?  Well, I want to share with all who wish to read, my thoughts and conversations with the little-one-to-be (we’ll call him/her “Shplinky”). 

First, Shplinky is not in any way a derogatory term for this wonderful human being that is being created as we speak by the God of the universe.  It is simply a name I am using as I don’t want to say “it” or always use him/her, he/she, etc.  Shplinky is my name for the baby until I get to experience the wonderful feeling of holding God’s creation in my hands.

Second, these letters are not to come across as me trying to draw attention to myself.  My desire is that I will make public my prayers and conversations about Shplinky so that you can follow along with me, see God’s incredible creation unfold in front of you, and maybe even see a pregnancy from a perspective you’ve never seen before.

Enjoy and comment all you want.  I hope that these letters will not only inspire, encourage, and put a smile on your face, but that you will see God’s incredible design, grace, and sovereignty in the heart for His most prized and loved creation.