Bovine Theology

Okay, so we didn’t sell the yard, but we did manage to sell a bunch of our stuff. The yard sale was Friday and today, and it was more successful than I imagined. I wasn’t sure it was worth doing both days, but afterward I am glad that we did. Friday was actually a better day for us than today. Our neighbor up the street also had a yard sale today, and I think we lost some of the traffic to them. Plus it was just plain HOT today, so I’m not sure as many people got out. I loaded up the leftovers and took them to the Potter’s House. The garage is amazingly empty!

The kids also played a part in the sale by setting up a water and Gatorade stand. They worked hard, and we worked hard on them to use their manners, look at people when they were talking to them, etc…The older two were more diligent and were able to earn more than the Munchkin, who preferred to go inside when she got hot.

Afterward today, I grilled some chicken and we had dinner and played before putting the kids down. They were real troopers to endure the past few days with both Leslie and I so preoccupied with the garage sale. We’re working with them to help them manage their money that they made with an envelope system for savings, giving, and spending.

As the school year begins, I will also start teaching a Sunday School class at church for the young adults and college students. I’m looking forward to it, even though it has been a long time since I have taught regularly. Leslie and I have always enjoyed working with college students and I think this will be a great opportunity for us to connect with and share with these young people. I guess I am a little nervous about teaching since it has been so long, but I hope it will be like riding a bike. It will be a good challenge for me to get back into the habit of studying regularly after being so focused on caring for my family and my work.

One other prayer request that I’d like to share is for my mom. She has a condition where her esophagus has shrunk over the years, to the point now that she can barely swallow much. After visiting a few different specialists, she is now with one who has been stretching her esophagus. It’s a real challenge as each time she must be put to sleep, and afteward the pain is pretty bad. But she called today and sounded really good and seems to be doing better after the last stretching. Please pray for her healing and for the doctor’s wisdom to treat her.

Leslie has been working hard for the past few weeks getting ready for our yard sale tomorrow and Saturday. Tonight we were scrambling to get all the last minute things setup and signs posted. It’s going to be hot the next two days, but we’re hoping for a good turnout. The kids have contributed a few items of their choice and are planning on having a water and gatorade booth to make a little extra themselves. This is all a part of our Dave Ramsey liquidation. We’ve had a joke around our home that Dave has moved in with us for the past few months. We’re working hard to cut spending and find ways to contribute all we can to our debt.

I would like to ask for prayer for a friend of mine at work, Mark. He and his wife were missionaries in Honduras until he was diagnosed with a brain tumor several years back. They had to move back to the states for his surgery and subsequent healing process. Although his health improved, they were unable to return to the field. A few months back, Mark began experiencing debilitating headaches and the same symptoms of the previous tumor. It seemed like he might have another one. However, a recent MRI indicated no tumor. Although we are all thankful, it is somewhat frustrating not knowing exactly what is causing these continuing headaches. The doctors told him it was stress. Although this is quite possible, I’m sure he still has doubts. Plus, how do you remove stress from your life?? So please pray for him and his family as they all suffer together through this. Mark has a great attitude, but I know he is really hurting.

Another friend of ours, Carol, is also experiencing some debilitating health issues. She and her husband, Bill, were some of our dearest friends in Birmingham. Pray for Carol and the doctors as they look for a solution, and for Carol’s endurance through her suffering.

Leslie and the kids are preparing to return to school next week. It’s hard to think the summer is over. But we’ve had a good one and have much to be thankful for. This year will have its own unique challenges for us as my travel schedule with work is still demanding. I really enjoy getting out and meeting with churches to discuss their missions ministries, but it is difficult being away from my family, and it is especially difficult on them.

Those who know me probably know the impact Steven Curtis Chapman has had on my life. If not, you can read more about it here. Pray for their family today. My heart is killing me for them.

MARIA SUE CHAPMAN, DAUGHTER OF STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN, DIES IN ACCIDENT AT FAMILY HOME

NASHVILLE, TN…5/21/08… At approximately 5pm on the afternoon of Wednesday May 21st, Maria Sue Chapman, 5 years old and the youngest daughter to Steven and Mary Beth Chapman was struck in the driveway of the Chapman home in Franklin, TN. Maria was rushed to Vanderbilt Childrens Hospital in Nashville, transported by LifeFlight, but died of her injuries there. Maria is one of the close knit family’s six children and one of their three adopted daughters.

Here are some videos of Maria.

A few weeks ago I received an email from some friends of mine through MTW, Peter & Stowe Shockey. Stowe has been diagnosed with stage three rectal cancer. I hurt so deeply for them. I guess I am now in tune in a way I haven’t ever been before. You can read their story on their website here.

I first met Peter & Stowe at an MTW event known as the Vision Retreat. This is for people who are seriously interested in missions, and they were praying how the Lord might use them on the foreign field. They are both writers, and Peter is a filmaker. He and I hit it off immediately as he was interested in using film to extend theological education. So we talked shop and exchanged ideas, even though Peter is a professional and I’m just a hack. We’ve stayed in touch and met again this past November at the Global Missions Conference. There they got to meet Leslie and Stowe and Leslie had the opportunity to get to know each other. Little did any of us know the impact that would just a few months down the road.

The Shockeys have two daughters, and I would ask that you pray for their entire family. They have a very difficult road in front of them.

Today, I returned from a short trip to Macon to attend the Central Georgia presbytery meeting. Leslie had a rough day with her stomach and so as she was resting this evening, we read a new blog together. We don’t know these people, but the wife has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. It was sobering to read, but it reminded me of how much we have to be thankful for. You can check out their blog here.

I had the chance on Friday, on my way to Macon, to stop in and have dinner with my parents in Griffin. They took me to J. Henry’s, and we had a wonderful dinner together. We ran into a handful of people there who know Mom and I joked, as I have many times, that I’m going to get a t-shirt made that says “I’m Jody Wallace’s Son.” I’ve rarely gone anywhere in Griffin with her that we haven’t seen someone she knows. Friday night we visited with one of the principals she used to work for and the chairman of the school board (who sent a wonderful piece of cake to our table). It makes me proud of my mom because she has had such an impact in that community. I think they’re really going to miss her when she retires next month. But I am so glad she is finally getting to do so.

I know I am rambling tonight, but my head and heart are full of the many things I have to be thankful for. Coming home always makes me especially thankful for my wife and children. They have been such troopers during the ups and downs of life. Tonight it was such fun to give piggy back rides, and hugs. Spending time with my parents makes me especially thankful to have such opportunities. Even though our visits are so often brief, I am thankful for our relationship and our closeness. I’m thankful for my brother, who I spent years fighting with as a kid, because now we are really good friends. I got to see him briefly on Friday in between church visits and have lunch with him. His unconditional love for me is refreshing. I am thankful for the Body of Christ, as I witnessed a presbytery meeting today, during which men graciously dealt with the “business” of the church and shepherding their flocks. I am thankful for the Timberlakes, who graciously hosted me in their home Friday evening, and cared for me as a friend even though they didn’t know me. Most of all I am thankful for a God who loves me, and continues to do so. I’m thankful for His care for me, even when I feel like my life is a wreck, and the constant reminders of His graciousness to me through my family.

Today I got to work from home, so I was here when the gang arrived. And I was glad, because today some special t-shirts also arrived via UPS. I got them in time for Mother’s Day, but of course couldn’t wait. So I put one on each of the kids, and mine on me, and we marched into the living room where Leslie was sitting. Her reaction was worth every penny for the shirts, and all the time designing and uploading them to my newest project, www.cancersuperhero.com.

So here are the kids with their shirts from the front, from the back, and just a cute one of them on the couch. And I got one too. And yes, the Munch has her bathing suit on. She pretty much puts it on every day within 15 seconds of walking in the front door.

So why did I do this? Well, I wanted to celebrate the fact that Leslie fought cancer bravely. She endured surgery, radiation and chemo, and more chemo. She did it while keeping a full-time job teaching. She did it with three small kids. And she did it with a husband who was juggling three jobs, including one that involves frequent travel. And in doing this I thought, “other people might want to celebrate the same thing with their loved ones.” So I created the same design with different relationships. It’s not to celebrate cancer (duh!), or even becoming a “survivor.” A lot of people fight cancer and lose the battle. But the way they fight is honorable. In an age where honor is missing, replaced instead by celebrity, I wanted to try and bring it back for Leslie.

Let me also say what I didn’t intend by doing this. I did not intend to diminish God’s glory in honoring Leslie. Any of you who know us know how we have only had Christ to cling to through this experience, and we are more than aware (we are deeply grateful), that by Christ’s sufficient grace to us, we have gotten this far. I picked the term “superhero” because superheroes are human (typically). None are completely invulnerable. None are omnipotent. But they each something with “super human” strength. And I think Leslie has fought with the same strength.

So if someone you love has fought or is fighting cancer, celebrate their bravery, strength, and endurance. Visit www.cancersuperhero.com if you want and take a look around. I’m still adding a few more relationships, and I still need to tweak the way some things are showing. Many of the shirts have a bunch of different colors available, but you don’t see those until you click on the individual item. Not all shirts have the “fighting cancer” logo on the back, and some of the sweatshirts and polo shirt has a smaller version of it on the top/back. Anyway, feel free to send me your comments/questions/suggestions.

The kids have already asked if they could wear them to school on Friday.

Oh yeah, and here is Leslie with her new hairdo.

If you haven’t looked at Leslie’s blog lately, she has finally updated it, and with a good post about some of the things the kids have said recently.

It was a challenging weekend for us all. Leslie continues to feel exhausted. She says she still feels like she did during chemo. She was able to get out on Saturday, but has paid for it. That, and she has tried to do too much around the house. I guess it points out my own inadequacies as a housekeeper. I did manage to get the yardwork done, and most of the laundry. But even that is still folded on the couch since I don’t know where everything goes. I think the hardest part is that we all feel like everything should be back to normal, but life still feels far from that. There is just always so much to do, and I guess that is true in everyones’ lives. I think when Summer gets here we might finally start to get caught up.

Leslie has been really sick today. She woke up last night with a sore throat and a fever. The fever reached 103, which is really high for her. I went tonight and picked up an antibiotic for her, which she was nervous about taking. The last one she took really hurt her stomach. I’m not sure if it is allergies, a sinus infection, or maybe even strep. But she feels pretty yucky and has been in bed all day. Pray that she will get the rest she needs and recover quickly from this. The Munch has had a runny nose and a low grade fever as well.

Spring Break has flown by this week. It really didn’t turn out as we expected, but then again, when does it? We did have a nice trip to Myrtle Beach, although shortened a bit. We left Monday, a little later than we planned, about 11 AM. After a full day of driving, with plenty of potty breaks, and a circling pattern around Commerce, GA (for Leslie’s tummy’s sake), we arrived at the Wyndham around 7:30 that evening. They didn’t have a room for us in the tower that had been reserved, which was a bit of a disappointment. The one we ended up in just wasn’t as nice as last year. Actually, the first room they put us in had been smoked in so I asked if we could try another one. We finally got settled in and hit the sack.

The weather was colder than we wished. Leslie and the kids went for a walk the next morning, all bundled up. After breakfast, we headed down to check out the pools. Even though they were heated, the wind made it FREEZING! We decided since it was too cool for outdoor stuff (and both indoor pools were closed), we’d go do some indoor activities. We tried out the children’s museum since our reciprocal membership allows us free access. We recommend the one in Myrtle Beach. There were lots of fun things for the kids, and I even enjoyed a few too! The neatest thing was when we came in and presented our family pass, the lady at the counter said to Leslie, “Oh, I know who you are.” She lives in Myrtle Beach during the week, but Dillon, SC on the weekends. She attends the church where Leslie’s sister and brother-in-law were before moving to Greenville. It was a real encouragement to hear how they have been praying for Leslie.

We took in a movie at the IMAX before heading back for some of Leslie’s homemade spaghetti, and then I took the kids out for a walk on the beach. Wednesday, we got up and the indoor pool had finally been opened. The kids had a blast, although both girls hung on to me like glue. But soon the word was out, and the pool was packed. So we went upstairs for sandwiches, and then out to the beach after lunch. We enjoyed a few minutes of sunshine before the clouds rolled in and the temp dropped again. But McGrooter was bound and determined to get as far into the ocean as he could. I stood in the waves with all three of them, lips blue and shivering. Yet they kept saying, “this is awesome!” Soon, they’d had enough and we made some sand castles before heading in. We decided to go ahead and pack up so we could hit the road after dinner. We were supposed to stay another day, but with the cold weather, Leslie still not having much strength, and the funeral for Jan Kooistra on Thursday, we decided to head on home. We had a quiet ride back since we waited until night, and got home just after 2 AM. Leslie and I finally got in bed by 3.

I got up this morning and headed to the funeral. Leslie really wanted to go, but we couldn’t work out for anyone to keep the kids. I wish she could have been there, and hope to get a video of it. The entire service was well done but I especially enjoyed the eulogy, which Dr. Kooistra did himself. The love they shared was truly something special. And Jan’s selflessness will continue to be a testimony to others who suffer. It really convicted me, and I feel so inadequate to have any responsibility of suffering. I guess more than anything, I was convicted of how much I have to learn. Do remember Dr. Kooistra as you pray.

Leslie and the kids helped Grandad and Poppie in the garden today. Actually, Munchkin was the best helper. I got some grass cut, and then we all got in bed by 9. Everyone is good and tired tonight.

Jan Kooistra, wife of Dr. Paul Kooistra (MTW Coordinator), passed away on Sunday. You can read more on MTW’s website here. Although we knew Jan’s health was drastically declining around the turn of the year, it was still very difficult news to hear. Leslie and I really didn’t know Jan. I had only met her a few times. But we felt a special closeness to her because of her battle with cancer. Her testimony was tremendous (you can read some here). Dr. Kooistra’s was as well. I never knew as I first heard him share about caring for her, the impact it would have in my own life. Please pray for the Kooistra’s as they walk through this time of grief.

We continue to thank God for Leslie’s increased strength. Although far from normal (whatever that is!), we see a little progress each day.

We have had so many friends join in our celebration through emails, phone calls, flowers, and today a very special gift. My co-workers at MTW collected a monetary gift for us, and gave a very generous gift for “a weekend away.” We were both very thankful and humbled by this. It demonstrates to us the love of God in that His people would share in our joy and progress through this trial.