Bovine Theology

Another whirlwind week for us is nearly over. I just returned from a trip to Birmingham this evening. The Munch went with me down to my brother and sister-in-law’s while I was gone. She had a blast playing with the boys and being spoiled by Uncle Rob & Aunt Stacy. She even got to visit the Pell’s and play with the new baby goats. Here she is going for a swing at the Pell Ranch. We also got to stop in and see Grandma and Pop on the way down. I had some wonderful visits while in Birmingham, both with churches and with friends there.

Leslie did well while I was gone, although she is worn out. This week is the CRCT for many of the students, including McGrooter. I think there will be relief when that is all over.

We found out this evening that my mom has some blockage in her arteries and the docs are most likely going to want to go in for a closer look. I’d really appreciate your prayers for her and dad during this time.

It seems to me like this blog has become more about my family’s health issues than Bovine Theology. However, I continue to see God’s sovereign hand in many aspects of our lives. For example, this finding with mom was discovered after another test that she had as a result of her cousin’s recent findings regarding his heart. This particular test came back okay for mom, but they then decided to do a stress test which revealed the blockage in her arteries. Had she not gone in for the one test, which turned out okay, she would not have learned of the other, possibly more serious problem.

More than this, I was reminded once again of God’s care for my family through our time in Birmigham and then bringing us back close to family in time for what we’ve been through with Leslie. As difficult of a time as it was in Birmingham, we have so many relationships that are truly special in our lives. I am also convicted of how often I get so wrapped up in my own struggles, that I fail to appreciate and cherish what God is doing in my life at that time. I so easily get focused on the negative things, and regretfully fail to realize that He is working through those very things to conform me into the image of Christ. Our God is a caring Father, which I am amazed by when I consider my own role of fatherhood. I am blown away by the love He has for me.

Spring Break has come to an end. I am very thankful for the many ways God has blessed us this past week.

Leslie is feeling better today after getting the antibiotic in her system. Her fever is gone and she is regaining her strength. We celebrated McGrooter’s birthday with a bang, although not the bang we’d planned (due to a quarantine of the house). I managed to finish a cake for him that we hope to cut into tomorrow.

I finally had time to upload some photos from our trip to the beach. We didn’t pull the camera out much, but Leslie did catch a few good ones of the kids on the beach.

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.

This morning we have a 10-year-old girl in our house. She literally stood beside me while I cooked breakfast and explained to me all about her family, including her 14-year-old brother who drives her to church. It’s because her dad has the flu and her mom is staying home with him. Her little sister is 2, and is just a baby (played by a baby doll). And then there is her dog (played by her sister, Munchkin). Are you totally confused now? I am! I think the explanation was longer than 15 minutes. It was quite intricate.

Leslie is not feeling well this morning and is still in bed. I took her some pancakes, which will hopefully make her feel better (or at least the chocolate chips inside them will). The pancakes are very healthy, really! They’re my specialty. The girls call them panny-cakes. They include all-natural, organic milk, flour, eggs and sugar. Then I throw in un-natural chocolate chips for good measure. It’s dad’s special touch. I gotta keep things real!

Munchkin is still running around barking. I thought she would have grown out of this 3 months ago. She is now trying to lick my leg, but just for reetend (her word for pretend).

McGrooter is playing legos and using his shells he collected from the beach for weapons of war (I think). He and I got to go fishing last night right before dinner. Lake Lanier is still really low, but we found some worms in the yard and decided to go throw them in and see what happened. He got a few bites and I got one good one, but no fish. He is very excited about his upcoming 7th birthday!

Aggie is now asking me if I want her to show me some of her moves. Sounds too much like Napoleon! After her first attempt, which she explained wasn’t right, she did some kind of ballet-nsync-mc-hammer move. Of course, I offered my praises, to which she replied, “I learned that in karate.” Yeah, she’s never taken karate. Okay, now she is rubbing lotion all over my legs and feet, saying, “you’ll smell good daddy.” I can’t tell you how much I hate lotion. Sun-tan lotion, body lotion, any kind of lotion. I’d rather be burned or have itchy skin than put that stuff on. But I especially despise having Bath & Body Works super-smelly lotion rubbed on me. Yet, here I am, smelling like cool cucumber or juniper breeze or something like that. And before I can even type this, both girls are now lying on the couch saying they are sick and asking me to rub their feet.

Oh my, just thought I would share a little of what our “normal” looks like. It’s never boring, and never lacking creative imaginations. I just wish I could keep up. Sometimes it feels like what I think a bad drug trip must feel like. Then again, maybe I just need another cup of coffee.

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.

I feel like thanking God the taxes are done the way this man (from a Tyler Perry play) thanks God for chicken:

Funny is good after many hours doing taxes.

Leslie has returned to the blogging world. It’s been a while because of her health, but I’m glad she’s back at it!

I saw one of the new Smart Cars today riding around Gainesville. The thing is tiny! I couldn’t help but take a picture of it at it when we stopped at a red light. I assume the appeal is the gas mileage this car must get. But the funny thing is that people are modifying this rides. I’m betting my Uncle Bob will get one like this with a Suzuki Hayabusa engine in it:

Poppie, Leslie’s grandfather, joined us for dinner tonight. We had such a good time together. Leslie baked fish, and prepared some yummy veggies to go with it. Poppie sang to the girls, and of course Aggie had to be in his lap as long as he could stand it. Leslie wore herself out, of course, but still seems to be doing a little better each day.

The kids are really excited about Spring Break and our upcoming beach trip. The Munch was a little disturbed at first because her green floatie was in the blue van and “daddy sold it.” She cried saying she needed her floatie. I was able to reassure her that her green floatie had long been unloaded from the van before daddy sold it, and was safely in the basement. I’m not even sure if she can still fit in it!

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.