Every once in a while you just want to let people know how things are going with you. And it’s not that everything is going exactly right, just that the things that are going right really make life seem pretty good. (Translation: I’d like to take a moment to exercise my parent/grandparent bragging rights.)
I’ve been kind of busy over the last month or so (around May 16, 2008) and kind of preoccupied. But here are some of the things I was preoccupied with.
My number two son graduated from the University of Maryland Baltimore Campus last week. The university awarded him his MD during their graduation ceremony at 8 o’clock in the morning. He is now Dr. Jones.
He has been working his tail off for the last three years and the payoff finally arrived.
If you remember, he is in the Army (though he was Reserves during school). Right after graduation he was re-commissioned as a captain. And at the end of the month he is to report to Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu to complete his residency. And you’re right, that’s going to be a tough tour. But I guess someone has to make the sacrifice and do it. Too bad though. That means I won’t be able to mooch any kind of free medical care.
Grandson number one (Avery) had a birthday. He is now one year old. His parents had a big bash for him last month. Here’s a solemn looking picture of the little munchkin.
Finally, son number three and his wife are pregnant. They are stationed in Korea, Osan AB. Actually, SHE is stationed at Osan. He is a contractor maintaining sensing devices to support her Air Force unit.
The baby is due in about ten days. They already know the child is a girl and have named her Elizabeth Ruth Jones. Elizabeth is the name of one of the Great-grandmothers on the wife’s side. I’ll likely post a couple of picture of the new baby and the parents shortly after the event.
Hey - lovely pics Mel. I’ll get my seven year (who always moans when I get him to do his homework) to have a look so that he’ll see that hard work - usually pays!
Righter says congrats Melvin–you have a lovely family-especially Avery—who is getting cuter by the minute–:-)
Congratulation Melvin and thanks be to God for allowing you too see hard work pay off in so many ways. You got bragging rights NOW!
Congrat’s Mr M..It’s always nice to hear news to celebrate in the life of God’s children.
Congrats Melvin! It’s nice to see someone who is an actual Doctor! Instead of “DR.” Ken Hagin,”DR.” Fred Price,etc. I know your son is an MD but still he’s a real Doctor!
Congratulations Mel!! You have a lot to be proud of!! The fruit of your labor is coming to past. Enjoy your family and the special moments they bring into your life!
Congrats……college level academics is never easy. My nephew is to graduate within the next year for computer and graphic design. Hopefully, he lands a job quickly to begin paying off those dreaded student loans.
N’Catina,
No need for a job…just tell your nephew to “sow a seed of faith” to Melvin and he can watch his student loan super naturally erased
(MN: Send all contributions to
Nephew Debt Erasure Ministry
Melvinite Tempe of Fantastic Happenings and Marvelous Events
12356 Anathema Lane
Bowie, MD )
Congrat’s Melvin. I’m sure t’s hard for the many “anonymous’” who visit this site to believe that these great people come from a man without a soul
Seriously, you are to be applauded - along with your son. Thank God through Jesus Christ that you were granted the honor of laying the foundation that your children and grandchildren are able to walk on.
Alright - enough with the mushy stuff - back to exposing the wicked!
Congratulations Melvin!
May you be continued with blessings into the future.
Melvin, I’ve been reading this blog for about a year, and am currently amazed because my husband and I could have actually met you last week. My younger sister just received her MD degree from the University of Maryland Baltimore Campus at the obscene time of 8 AM. What a small world. Well Congratulations to you and your family. God Bless.
(MN: For good while I was standing in the back with a VERY tall fellow who looked somewhat like me. That VERY tall fellow was my brother. Oh, and I actually wore a suit. )
And congratulations to your sister! Watching Joseph, I know how much work it took.
My son is about to bust 2nd grade wide open y’all………..WATCH OUT!!
That depends on how much of 2nd grade my daughter leaves him to bust open, cause SHE’S A BAD MAMA JAMMA!!!!
Hey R4C, we may have the only first graders around studying from the Reformed Catechisms……..an arranged marriage doesn’t sound so bad. It would save us a lot of anxiety.
BTW, I don’t want no goat or nothin’ for a dowry.
LOL!!!! Good grief bro’, can I get her through high school first??? (LOL!!!) Funny you should mention the catechisms…I was just about to ask you if you knew of a good technique to teach her (and my other 2) the Westminster Shorter??? I was thinking of incorporating a few questions during our family bible studies…Any thoughts???
(P.S. Stop playin’…You know you’d want much more than a goat for dowry…I’m thinking these days it would be a year’s worth of gas…smile…)
R4C,I’m doing the Westminster Shorter with my Jordan as well. Frankly, I tried to find a version with a bit easier language, but couldn’t.
So, I read it beforehand and simply try to put it into words and concepts I HOPE he grasps,and let the Holy Spirit do the rest.
I’m also going to put my simplified version of the questions on notecards on the refrigerator, his bathroom mirror, and his headboard. Then I’ll go over them with him during the week and quiz him on Saturday. If he remembers it all, off to the ice cream parlor.
(MN: You’re BRAINWASHING the boy!!….Very good. Nothing like a dad doing his job. )
Hey GaryV glad to hear that you’re still pumping the ol’ catechism. My boy is doing well with it too but we have had a bit of a lapse of late (my fault!).
Personally, I wouldn’t worry about the antiquated language - as you know, children have a remarkable way of remembering and grasping concepts irrespective of language.
Now I’ve done with the pleasantries I’m coming for ya my friend - will you be teaching your boy catechism 95 “To whom is baptism administered?” Hope not, otherwise I’ll be putting a sign up at the baptimal pool in your church “No small children allowed!”
One further quick point - a lot of brethren over here have noticed when they visit the USA that although there have been a lot of debate about the ten commandments being removed from court houses, the American church generally seems to have just 9 commandments - ie the 4th is missing “Remember the Sabbath day…” which is aptly taught in catechism 57.
Help me out Bro’ …what’s your take on this?
It wasn’t that plaid, bell bottomed, polyester leisure suit again, was it Mel??
(MN: You were there?!?!?!? )
gee whiz, some people really do need to get w/ the times! the 70’s era is so played.
oooh, you and peggyboo done a good job up in there! rejoicing w/ the family :o)
ps. avery still needs a buncha love bites, his cheeks are callin’ me! (just keep this btwn us though).
Well congratulations Bro. Melvin! I’m a student hoping to go to university myself, so seeing pictures of hard work paying off are a real encouragement.
I’ll keep your son and his family in prayer as well.
Congratulations, Melvin, to you and your family as you receive God’s blessings!
Melvin you are blessed and highly favored! You sure got the anointing on you brother. You even gave a quadruple anointing to your son. Is it the Mom’s side or yours?
Congratulations on all the wonderful blessings God has given to you and your family! You have much to be proud of!!!!!
And that baby is sooo cute!
Dear Melvin:
Congratulations on your’s son’s recent graduation. I am sure that you and the Mrs. are proud of your son as you should be. It looks like there are some great things happening in the Jones family, between graduations, birthdays and expectant birth. God bless you my friend!
Sincerely,
BT
Add mine to your many congratulations Mel!
Congrats my friend…………best to Peggy as well.
It’s nice to see some good news. Congratulations!
Congratulations.
So what is Dr. Jones’ area of expertise in medicine?
(MN: Orthopedics. )
Melvin, you and your wife are proof positive of the Scripture: “Raise up a child in the way he should go…..” Your seed speak loud and clear of what they were taught to observe and to do in your home. As well, they are pleasing to the eye. To God be the glory!!! Beryle
I dont know why but I have an overwhelming urge to quote Indiana Jones movies…anyway congrats..
There sure are happy times in the Jones’ household. Many blessings my brother!
Hi Mel,
Congrats from us here in the Caribbean. And to your son as well.
“Feed the flock, not on the flock.”
Congrats Melvin and Peggy!
do whacha do Melvin. a single college man like me needs to start getting some tips. you ought to have several blogs a year to prep the rest of us fools on how to raise kids who can make something of themselves.
Oh what a great day Melvin. Dr. Jones in the real!!! You are so right hard work always pays off. I was stationed in Souel and visited Osan a few times. Much better food in the Air Force!
Best post in weeks! Congrats, Melvin!
Mel,
My utmost congrats to you and the family…Wonderful accomplishment indeed…Praise be to God for all of His many blessings…
Solus Christus,
R4C
Congrats Mel on the wonderful family! My son Emmanuel was born on Monday the 19th & I am overwhelmed with love for the little guy! I have 2 girls as well. I can only pray that they will put God first & have the drive and desire to do good works in this crazy world!
Congrats Mel,
It is good to see a young man get his MD. GOD is really blessing you & your family.
Wow! It’s AWESOME - Babies and Doctors - I like that combination. Congratulations on the success of your family.
(MN: I appreciate it. But it’s not all a bunch of successes. I have some rough areas out there as well. )
Praise the LORD for HE is GREAT!! HE is favoring you and your family mightily, and I daresay that it is due to your obedience to HIM and willingness to do HIS will. Congratulations…enjoy every moment!!!
Congratulations Melvin! I am glad to hear that your family is doing so well.
He’s going to have a hard time finding a biblically sound church in Hawaii. My husband and I searched for a year and a half before we found a biblically sound church here. Hawaii is definitely full of the prosperity foolishness. It seems like we went to just about every church on this island. Has he found a church in Hawaii?