Ryan + Amanda + Sophia + Samuel = Bush
The folks came last weekend, so we went to the zoo. (Some have accused us of a zoo addiction. I can neither confirm nor deny that accusation.)
[Look at that face.]
[Sophia meets Panda. Don't worry. They tranquilized him first. Notice the glazed look in his eyes.]
[Abuela and Sophia. Lion in the background.]
I got another gig. You probably already know about my job at Crichton College as an adjunct. It’s a great job and I’m grateful for it, but it doesn’t quite meet the budgetary needs.
I’ll cut to the chase. I scrub toilets on Monday mornings. I knocked four of those bad boys out this morning. They didn’t know what hit ‘em. But, I don’t just scrub toilets. I also clean, mop, sweep, dust, vacuum, etc. I am Mr. Clean. Except hairier.
Some really cool folks needed someone to help clean their house. I called them. They have a son in college named Ryan. Bam. I’m a housekeeper.
That makes me an enigma. A contradiction. An irony. Toilets by day. Hebrew by night.
I’m studying Hebrew right now. Hebrew puts lines in your forehead.
Have you noticed I don’t update like I once did. I’m sorry. I spend my free time exfoliating. Trying to get those wrinkles to iron out.
One last word, before I get back to my ha’ams and yabs: God has taken us out of the desert to an oasis. Our cup is full!
Serving Jesus does not mean just going to church. It does mean that, but it means also living and serving every day where I am. It means helping others to know Jesus in every way possible - the neighbor next door, the friends at school and in the community, lost ones around the world.
Hattie Bell Allen, Jesus Saves.
Sophia was supposed to be taking a nap when she came out of her bedroom. I scooped her up and laid her in her bed.
Me (trying to be stern): Sophia, you need to stay in bed and go night night.
Sophia: Ok.
Me: Don’t get out of bed again or you’ll get in trouble.
Sophia: I like your shirt, daddy.
Me: Thanks.
You’ve probably noticed that blogging activity has come to a slow drip (coffee metaphors are especially timely for me). There are two reasons for this:
1) Time. Not as much of it. I’m busy learning Hebrew, people!
2) No internet. Now that we’re poor, internet is a luxury we’ve cut out of our lives. So, I spend a fraction of the time online that I used to.
I still blog. In fact, my output would probably be twofold had I the time and access. I have tons of stuff rolling around noggin these days.
Yesterday evening, as we were driving to church, we pulled over to let a blaring firetruck pass.
Sophia: Do you see that Flower Truck, daddy? Where is it?
Me: Sophia, that’s a Fire Truck.
Sophia: Ooohhh. . . Do you see that Flower Truck, daddy?
Because you all have been clamoring for some more tie action . . .
Amanda calls this one my ‘Power Tie’.
If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if a Golden Retriever and a Poodle fell in love and got married, wonder no more. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Gus the Golden Doodle.
Gus is Ginger and Calvin’s new addition. Ginger is visiting for a few days and brought Gus along. Sophia sure likes having someone to boss around.
I know, I know. You’re asking yourself “Well, how . . . “. But, I’m not at liberty to divulge that information.
I like Jon Foreman. Despite his distinctive voice, it took me several months to realize that this is the same guy who sings for Switchfoot. Probably because his solo stuff sounds altogether different.
Mr. Foreman has released four EPs (Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer).
These short albums moved me. Maybe they’ll move you. You can sample them on itunes.
My wife made these this morning. And by ‘made’, I mean ‘from scratch.’ Hello!? Those are real blueberries! Straight off the vine (or tree or bush or whatever)!!!
I am told, and I pay lip service to the fact, that the Christian “is a new creation” –that in some real but mysterious way he carries within himself a new life, Christ’s life. But how far I am from really accepting in heart and action the fact that every day I pass Christ in the street, ride with him on the bus, and serve him at the shop or in the office — and that I am charged with the privileged task of ministering to his growth in the souls of my brethren.
Paul Hilsdale, Prayers from Saint Paul
Sophia now uses the potty (a.k.a. toilet). This is in large part due to the steady persistence and patience of my amazing wife. Amanda probably asks Sophia 5 times an hour “Do you need to go potty?”. And, every once in a while she does.
Today was a landmark day. She called me about 30 minutes ago from the mall: “Sophia used the potty at the mall!” she said. My first thought was “Big deal. I’ve done that a hundred times . . .” That’s a big deal because there are a lot of distractions in a mall bathroom. But that didn’t keep Sophia from walking out of there with a dry diaper and an empty bladder.
Oh yeah, in case you are wondering what motivates Sophia to use the potty, it’s really quite simple. She likes to flush. But, she can only flush once she has used the potty. Also, there might be a little chocolate involved, too.
Muy bien, hija!
It’s my new hobby. You can collect them, too.
We moved to Memphis to start graduate school at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary just over a month ago. Seems like years ago. At any rate, I feel like I’m different. I’ve already learned some things.
And not just things like the Hebrew alphabet or the role of Trajan in early church persecution, but things about myself.
I need accountability. Even more, I thrive when I have accountability. MABTS provides it.
Amanda was made to be a wife and mom. I know this because she is so good at it and it brings her so much joy.
I’m called. I’ve struggled with exactly what that means. It’s a word that’s thrown around a lot. But, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, God has work for me to do. I’m excited to roll my sleeves up and get to it. And not after I graduate. Right now.
I have been lazy. I can admit it. I’ve been going way to easy on myself when it comes to obedience to Jesus Christ. I didn’t even realize it. I’m thankful that I’m now in a position where I can see it clearly.
Life in community is good. More on that later, but let it suffice to say that God has allowed us to share this time with some amazing folks.
Finally, I look good in a baseball cap.
I got that bad boy at the Bibles For China Thrift Store . . . $1.
The early Christians did not believe they were following a new religion. They were Jews, and their main difference with the rest of Judaism was that they were convinced that the Messiah had come, whereas other Jews continued awaiting his advent.
Not that she uses it . . . Maybe one day!
This is definitely worth some time.
One of the best things about our time at the Promise House was working with Keri. She was the relief houseparent and our friend. Keri left the Promise House just before we did to begin graduate school. She got married last Sunday. Guess who was the flower girl!
[Keri is the one holding Sophia in the birthday picture two posts down.]
This is where we eat.
Check out this shot taken by Jason Kratz at Sophia’s birthday party in July. He’s a pro. You can see more of his work here.
Sophia will be sharing sleeping quarters with Samuel in a few months. Here are a few shots of their beds.
[Baptism] candidates were completely naked, the men separated from the women. On emerging from the waters, the neophytes were given white robes, as a sign of their new life in Christ. They were also given water to drink, as a sign that they were thoroughly cleansed, both outside and inside. Then they were anointed, thus making them part of the royal priesthood; and were given milk and honey, as a sign of the Promise Land into which they were now entering.
- Justo Gonzalez, History of Christianity
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