Do you see this gray hair in my beard?! I did not have that two hours ago. Claudia got her permit! Way to go Claudia!!! We’re proud of you!!! (And scared to death! Please fast and pray for us. lol!)
Our 11th and 8th Grader!
Today was another first day of school – 11th grade for Claudia, and 8th grade for Natalia. We prayed for them this morning and sent them into this school year with these words from Paul to Timothy, which I am praying for all of our students today:
“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord” (2 Timothy 1:6-8a).
“You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. 3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.
“8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
“11 Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; 13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself” (2 Timothy 2:1-13).
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).
Mahaffy Family Reunion
Two weeks ago we traveled down to Yorktown, Virginia for the Mahaffy Family Reunion. The last time all of our families were all together was 21 years ago (we’ve come close at a couple of weddings) , and that was before any of my generation were married. Each family was assigned a different color t-shirt, and the numbers on our t-shirts represented the order in which we joined the family (really cool idea!). There were 55 of us in total from 83 years old to less than 2 months. In addition to the obvious joy of being with everyone and catching up, few highlights for me personally:
It was the first time my parents and all of my siblings were together in 5 years.
It was the first time I’ve seen my only brother in 3 years. 
Seeing my parents with all of their 11 grandchildren at once for the first time ever.
One night all of us “older cousins” and our spouses went out together (There is a 14 year gap between my grandparents’ oldest 3 children and their youngest 2, so those of us born to the older 3 all grew up together, and the children of the younger 2 are in the age range of my daughters.)
Seeing my daughter walking with her great-grandmother.
Seeing my grandparents with all of their 5 children and spouses, 17 grandchildren and spouses, 18 great-grandchildren. What a legacy!
My Mob Wife
Yesterday I was planning to take Adriana on a surprise date to Staten Island to visit a store owned by Drita – one of the stars on the show Mob Wives. The previous night, as I was planning it, I kept thinking it would be a fun thing for her to enjoy doing with her friend LuAnn, but it was too late to invite her along. Well, what a coincidence when LuAnn just happened to stop by our house yesterday morning after a visit to the doctor, and she was free! So, we invited her along with us and we had a great time at Drita’s store Lady Boss, took a quick pic in front of Big Ang’s, then had lunch at the one and only Denino’s brick oven pizzeria. Fun day!
Let’s Play Ball!
On Monday Natalia had her first-ever school softball game. She looks really solid as a catcher, and the team played great, winning 17-0. Proud of our little ball player!
Birthday 2014 Pics
This morning Adriana and I had coffee with some of our dear friends from Michigan, Tony and Kim Brani, whom we lived with for about a month 17 years ago. We haven’t seen them in about 15 years, and it was so great reconnecting with them while they were in town here in NY. Adriana and I then drove to Freeport for lunch on the water. We then drove to Jones Beach and enjoyed sitting and enjoying the sight and sound of the beautiful ocean waves crashing This evening our family went out for dinner at Benihana. Family, friends, and food. Just the way I love celebrating my birthday. Thanks to all for the kind birthday wishes.
Home Date Night
Tonight Adriana and I enjoyed a different kind of date night. We went out shopping and bought ingredients, then came home and made dinner together. We made a margarita pizza and enjoyed it together in candle light with a beautiful bouquet of tulips. We then watched a movie together. What a fun, interactive shared experience. To our friendship!
Girls Finally Get Christmas Present!
After a brutally cold winter, our girls were excited to finally be able to use their Christmas present today. They are very happy!
My Favorite Met: Daniel Murphy
I am not a New York Mets fan, but I am now a Daniel Murphy fan. Daniel Murphy is the Mets’ second baseman. Watch this video, then read my response:
I want to say this to Mr. Murphy:
Thank you for putting family first. Thank you for choosing your family over your job. You are the kind of hero our warped culture needs!
You will have hundreds, if not thousands, of more baseball games to play, but you will never again have the chance to experience the birth of your first child and be with your wife for the first few days to share the joy of your new life as a family of three.
Your child will never remember what you did, but I am sure one day he will hear about it. The message you have communicated to him is that he is more important than anything in the world to you. Well done, sir!
Thank you for taking the high road when you were criticized. You showed your values, and so did your critics. What a shame that they have bought into the lies of our modern culture. How many kids go to bed every night in their big homes, in their nice beds, feeling like they don’t really matter to their parents; that only money and success does? Yes, it is wonderful and honorable that these parents work hard to provide for their children, do not get me wrong. But I know of way too many parents in our culture who bring home paychecks that enable to their families to live comfortable lives, but their children are starved for the one thing money can’t buy: a relationship with their parents, because they are always out chasing the next dollar.
Today I honor you as a man, as a husband, as a father, and as a much-needed role model! I don’t know if you are a Christian, but I would not be surprised to hear that you are. Thank you for representing the heart of God the Father as well. I’m so glad He didn’t just create us and “get back to work.” Rather, He created us and loves us and deeply wants to be with us as His children.
Claudia Speaks at High School Club
My oldest daughter Claudia is so awesome! Yesterday I had the privilege of listening to her speak at her high school Christian Club. She is a great young speaker, and shared her story so clearly, courageously pointing her peers to Jesus. God is doing good things at Roslyn High School, and we are so proud of her!
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