Bovine Theology

Aggie is getting to the age that she likes to carry around a notebook with her to write and draw in. She likes to show us her work, whether it is her art, or her words. She copied “Relay for Life” from Munchkin’s t-shirt tonight and was especially proud of that. But the other night, as we were driving home, Leslie and I overheard her telling Munch that that her diary was also the same word as when you have to go to the bathroom really bad. After laughing quite a bit, Leslie explained that her diary was not her diarrhea.

Yesterday, the girls got haircuts. And if you ask me, I think they’re about as cute as they can be.

McGrooter had to get in on the action, but was, of course, silly!

Nearly another month has flown by since my last post. As with most everyone I know, we’re busy. What’s new?! But we are doing well, despite the continued adjustment back to the school routine. The kids each seem to be enjoying their new classes and teachers. Leslie is still regaining strength and starts physical therapy next week.

My schedule has kept me busy. My latest project has been Leslie’s school website. It started out as me volunteering to update and maintain the current website, but then no one had access to the past designer’s material. So I “got” to re-design the site from the ground up. It is mostly finished now with just some final content to be added as I recieve it. The website is here.

I’ve also been on the road a good bit, with a trip to Michigan last week. I flew in and out of Detroit, but had the opportunity to criss-cross the state a few times, traveling to Grand Rapids, Holland, up through Midland and Bad Axe, and finishing in Traverse City. It was an absoulely beautiful time of the year to be there, and I was blessed with getting a nice rental car with a big sunroof! My meetings went well and even got to visit with a pastor who (after about an hour of conversation) I realized I knew from about 20 years ago! After one of my meetings, a couple on the missions committee took me out on Lake Michigan on their boat. We spent about an hour and a half on the lake and it was gorgeous. I’m trying to get in some visits to my northern states before it gets too cold, at which time I’ll refocus on my southern (and warmer) states! I took a bunch of pictures with my camera phone which I’ve placed on FaceBook here (hopefully the link will work).

We’re getting more involved in our church in Gainesville. I’ve begun teaching the college and young adults sunday school class and we’re starting a small group in nearby Dawsonville in the coming weeks with another couple. We have also started Financial Peace University which will hopefully help keep us focused and motivated on the task of getting out of debt. Every time we watch Dave Ramsey, a ritual which Leslie keeps us disciplined doing regularly, I am reminded how counter-cultural this idea is. Yet it is also continually humbling as I am reminded of my past mistakes. So, for any young people who might read this, take it from me…avoid debt like a plague!

Tomorrow we are planning on going to the funeral of a friend from years ago, JoAnn Calderwood. She and her husband were friends of ours when we first got married. She died, unexpectedly, of a heart attack last week. She called Leslie the night before she died and they talked for about half an hour. It has been a shock to us both, but was especially to Leslie after their talk. Please pray for her husband, Gene.

Next week, I will going through a Bible study/workshop, called Living in Grace at work. It is a course that all of our new missionaries go through and is similar to Sonship. I’ve been trying to do it several times since I started at MTW, but things always seemed to come up. Leslie and I were supposed to do it together last spring, but I fell and fractured my back the week before. I’m disappointed that she and I can’t do it together, but I am excited about this opportunity for me to be challenged.

On a lighter note, I’m happy to say that my “new” little Civic is doing great on gas mileage. I keep track of my MPG with every fill-up, thanks to my dad’s training, and my lowest measurement so far has been 31 MPG for a tank. It’s never been so fun to save on gas!

I meant to write something about each of the kids but it is late, so I will just say one thing about Aggie. She is growing up to be quite the young lady and really enjoys helping. Sometimes too much for her mother and I! But we’re learning to be patient and foster this desire in her. She gets her stool (the one my dad built for me when I was 2) and brings it in the kitchen to help with meals, packing lunches, and anything else we’ll let her do. During one of our meals this week, she was describing something from her day to me. In the midst of her dialogue she used the expression, “and you know, that freaks me out!” Leslie and I both had a good laugh. She loves “helping” the Munch do a variety of things, sometimes with Muchkin’s protest. But since we don’t know how long this might last, we are learning to cherish it and are trying to point her to Christ in and through it.

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.