Morgen

We named her Morgen because we really liked the name. We spelled it with an "e" because I like being difficult--well, not just that. It also means "morning" in German, and I liked that much better than the "Morgan" that most people use. The "morning" thing has turned out pretty cool. I LOVE getting her up in the morning. She always wakes up smiley and happy, and so excited to see me. I even wrote her a song a while back that includes the phrase "Morgen in the morning makes me smile." And she does.
She did something that really made me smile yesterday. I went in to get her up, and she did something different than usual-she went for her stuffed bear. And her stuffed hippopotamus (not life-sized). And her pacifier. And her other pacifier. And then came her blanket. The blanket was one thing too many, and she literally just fell face first, holding all her prized possessions, into the mattress of her crib. Splat! I laughed (but probably shouldn't have, as she wasn't so happy about the ordeal).
It did get me to thinking, though. How much are we like that? How many good things are we trying to hold on to that are making us unbalanced? What good things do we really just need to let go of, to pursue the best things that God has for us? Let it go.

Thankful

They tell us that the first Thanksgiving in 1621 was a celebration of life and survival, as much as anything by the 53 Pilgrims who actually made it through the winter (most didn't make it), along with their Indian friends. There is a slide show and stuff here if you'd like to see some thoughts on the subject (click on "the first thanksgiving" tab--I opted to direct you to the site with more pictures!).

Thankful. I'm really thankful for my family--Jen, Noah and Morgen, as well as our extended families. I'm thankful for God's plan for us--for rescuing us from spiritual death and granting us life. I'm thankful for His provision here on Earth, meeting our needs daily (our needs which, based on the above picture, are far less than what we may think). I'm thankful for amazing friends who love us and have chosen to live in community with us (again, different from the above picture, but we're working on it). I'm thankful.

I Thessalonians 5:18
18 "Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

The Fire Station

Today was a family field trip to the Henrico County Fire Dept., station 12, where Jen's brother, Andy, works. In the bucket to the left was Andy, Noah and your's truly. Those things are a bit wobbly when you get out there a ways! Andy made me wear a helmet when we rode up high--I initially put it on backwards, I guess. He let me know in a gracious manner...

Squirrels

I've been blogging from Richmond, VA the last couple of days, home of my in-laws, where my mother-in-law, Nancy, really is quite the hostess. The photo to the left was the spread that she's put out now for the neighborhood squirrels--oh, to be a squirrel in her yard...you don't have to bother with storing nuts for the winter--let alone having to actually shell them for yourself. They truly live the good life.

Jen (my wife) and I had very different upbringings, proven by the next photo of my brother, Tyler, and me as kids growing up in Northern Kentucky. We lived on a lot of acres of woods where numerous adventures took place. We had squirrels over for dinner as well. Tasty.

Barbie Girl

Those who have read my blog may wonder how on earth I've turned out like I have. I think it's from hanging out with friends like Michael Conners, who, in the middle of a perfectly "normal" email correspondance to me, made the following observations. I laughed my head off. Enjoy.

Quoted from Michael Conners:

Factoid: I have 76 full-sized Barbie dolls in my house.
I was picking them up one night and I was straightening them out and figured that as long as I was doing so I might as well count them. 76. That's 25 and some change per daughter. Doesn't count the smaller-sized side-kicks, little sisters and pets. I've shared the number with some guys at work (who also have little girls) and their eyes get real big. I wonder how many missionaries could have used the $$$. God, forgive me.
I may have some of my co-workers daughters over for a play date and have them take a door prize. It might be naked (10% of Barbies counted were without clothing).
Thinking about it, based on the manhood represented in my current Barbie population, my daughters will think that men like to wear pastel colored tights, knee-high boots and are Princes. And based on the Barbie movies we own, they like to sing and dance, too.
That is bad.
Another factoid: Martin Short voices the Lead Evil Guy character in the Barbie movie "The Princess and the Pauper".
How the mighty have fallen. Lead Evil Guy's character name is Preminger. All around thief, Confidence Man and swindler. I've thought about sending Martin some fan mail on the work. I am sure he really needed the scratch at the time he agreed to the part. Fan mail would shame him.

I'm really thankful for crazy friends like Mike Conners.

White Blood Cells

So it was 4am, and my job was to "camp out" over night in the same room with Noah (my 6 year old son) and administer his pain meds after his surgery a couple days earlier. Once he was awake enough to take a dose, he decided to talk a bit....

"Dad, does water go into your bloodstream?"

"Well...eventually, some of it makes it's way there."
"Can I have a drink of water...? I want to give my white blood cells a party for helping my body be strong and fight those bad germs."

"How is a drink of water going to do that?"

"Well, it's a swimming party, and they're going to have a pool."

"Oh, of course...I should have thought of that...."

"Hey dad, can we turn on some music for them, so we can all dance?"

"Sure." (I had my iPod handy and some small computer speakers)

Our conversation went on for a while...it was without a doubt the best white blood cell swimming and dance party I've ever been to...and an amazing night with my son.

When you choose to celebrate the little stuff, anything can be a party.

Poem

So, I was dancing around with my kids, saying silly stuff yesterday, and out stumbled this poem. This is a quick revision or 2 later (yes, the original was even worse, I guess...)

"Tongue-Tied"


Once there was a cross-eyed frog
That couldn't catch the flies it spotted.
Every time it's tongue went out,
It got confused and then it knotted.


And some horrible frog jokes to polish it off:



Q: Why are frogs so happy?
A: They eat whatever bugs them!

Q: What happens when two frogs collide?
A: They get tongue tied!

Q: How does a frog feel when he has a broken leg?
A: Unhoppy.

Q: What happens when you mix a frog with a bathtub scrubby-mit?
A: A rubbit!

Q: Why did the frog read Sherlock Holmes?
A: He liked a good croak and dagger.

Q: What happened to the frog's car when his parking meter expired?
A: It got toad!!

Q: What's green green green green green?
A: A frog rolling down a hill

Q: What is a frog's favorite game?
A: Croaket

Q: What did the frog order at McDonald's?
A: A hoppy meal with French flies and a diet croak

Q: Why did the frog say meow?
A: He was learning a foreign language.

Q: Why did the frog go to the hospital?
A: He needed a "hopperation" !

Q: What is the thirstiest frog in the world?
A: The one who drinks Canada Dry!

Q: How deep can a frog go?
A: Knee-deep Knee-deep!

Q: What do stylish frogs wear?
A: Jumpsuits!

Q: What does a bankrupt frog say?
A: "Baroke, baroke, baroke."


OK...focus on the day's projects....

Half Past Ten

Whenever I get a call late at night from someone, I generally expect the worst. I guess it's my nature. I always tense up a bit, and prepare mentally to head to a hospital or something....
So, last night the phone rings at 10:38pm. Ugggh. Jen answers, listens for 20 seconds or so, then tells the caller that I couldn't possibly be their grandpa, because I'm only 32. (yes, I explained to Jennifer afterwards that technically, a person could easily be a grandpa by 32--she didn't want to hear it, really)
What was that call about??? Jen told me that the the caller said, "Is this the home of Ted Williams? (yes) OK...I know this is going to sound strange to you, but I've been looking for him for a while, because I really think that he could be my grandpa...." Jen said the lady sounded pretty nervous, etc., and she thinks it was a legit call. Crazy!!
It makes me think, though. What are we looking for? Who are we searching for? Everyone wants to be a part of a family. A real family that legitimately shares life together. That is what we are called to be as the body of Christ. It is one of the things that the "church" is really to be about.
Maybe if she calls back, I'll offer to fill in as "grandpa" for a while... (although it would be a bit strange, as Jen said she sounded like an adult African-American woman--maybe she would still appreciate the "quarter out of the ear" trick....)

El Arca de Noe

(this blog entry title was for the single Spanish speaking blog reader that I may or may not actually have out there somewhere....)--------------

"No Animal Left Behind" was the name of the play (I think).

Vicki Chappelear was the master mind behind it (writer AND director of the play, whose children are pictured here--hippo, hyena, skunk, and one of Noah's sons)

Tom Chappelear is the husband who managed to figure out life while his wife pulled off this massive undertaking (45 minute show)!

My Family, with hundreds of others were among the VERY pleased audience.

We took in the final show last night, and it was AMAZING! Everything went off without a hitch (mostly!), and this one kept my kids eyes glued to the stage. Not only that, but they had to work extra hard to actually hear everything as a result of the roar of laughter that repeatedly swept through the audience of adults and children.

Vicki took one of the most common Bible stories, and gave it a bit of a modern feel, with hilarious characters comprised of the animals shown above, along with penguins, peacocks, raccoons, love birds, lions, etc., all in couples. The show ended with a clear presentation of the gospel message-God loves us and has made a way to redeem us through His only Son.

My only complaint with the show is that it's not running another week....

Great job, Vicki!

Spiderman

So, I finally sat down and watched it last night (somehow managed to miss it in the theaters). I've watched enough movies to figure out that they pretty much all have a primary theme--even wacked-out movies like Dumb and Dumber (which is "stop being such an idiot"). Honestly, I was impressed by Spiderman 3, as it played itself out. The theme: bitterness will destroy you if you let it.

What truth! How many times have we let bitterness rage within, refusing to go to a person, in love, with an understanding and forgiving spirit? This NEVER ends up well, and only leads us farther from where God wants us to be. Even though it could turn us into an evil super-villain (which would be cool for an hour or so, maybe), as proven by this movie, I would never suggest it.

Forgive.

Ephesians 4:31-32

31"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

Breakfast of Champions

So, this morning, I got up early with Noah, who asked if I'd make him some french toast. Being the son of one of the most creative cooks I know (my dad sometimes comes up with some amazing stuff...emphasis on "sometimes"), I decided to hop out of the french toast box.
The hop was easy when I saw egg nog next to the milk. A couple of eggs later, with some cinnamon, left over rolls from last night's dinner, etc. we had egg nog french toast. Yummy!! Give it a whirl... Let me know how yours turns out.

(Hint: I might add a little extra nutmeg to the equation if I were to do it over again)

Fix My Eyes

Last week I was lying next to my 6 year old, as he was preparing to go to bed and we were telling stories, as we do every night. He suddenly kicked into prophecy mode again (this sometimes happens, especially during times of struggle for him), and he began to passionately talk to God: "God, why can't I see you? Why don't You have skin like this (pointing to his leg, where he'd pulled his pajama leg up)? I just want to see You! I know You love me...can You just fix my eyes, so I can see You?" Noah went on a bit longer, but my mind got stuck there. Why would Noah ask God to fix his eyes? I never expected his prayer to go that direction.

I was pretty convicted by the fact that the problem is NEVER God. It's always me. The fact that I so often choose to look at a problem more than God has nothing to do with God's ability to be seen, but it's my choice to intensely focus elsewhere, blinding me to His overwhelmingly obvious presence. He is there, waiting to be seen.

Mark 10:13-16

13People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." 16And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

Out of the Box

This morning I got out to see a worship leader buddy of mine, Joel Kovacs, out at Jersey Baptist Church . Joel leads the worship for the Emerge service there. Little did I know that they had a guest "speaker?" there, a guy named Darrin Hoover from Box Church here in Columbus. While he told the story of the Gospel--God's plan to rescue and redeem mankind through the sacrificial death, burial, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ, Darrin created an amazing painting that depicted the love of Jesus for us. The time was filled with amazing music and lighting to help set the mood for the story-teller. Darrin also pulled out 15 or so previous paintings to help convey the message. You can view a previous recording of Darrin's amazing talent by clicking Thousand Words. What a gifted artist...may you continue to proclaim the gospel, Darrin!

The Monster is Loose

Yes. It appears that Frankenstein has a pet butterfly. Who knew? They were out on the loose reeking havoc on the neighborhood in Richmond, VA for Noah's favorite day of the year, Halloween. Much thanks to those of you who have prayed for him, as surgery not only went well enough for him to participate in that glorious cavity filled event (he amazingly felt dramatically better the day before Halloween), but for us to finally get to travel back to Columbus. We arrived back in town last night after being gone for over 2 weeks. Bills and yardwork abound....

Takin' it to the streets

Well, here it goes. Blog post number one. I've been considering this WAY too long, and have decided to just jump off the ledge into the scary unknown. Let it officially be known that I have no idea what I'm doing yet at this point. Go team. Go team, go.