Forest of the Plains

This morning Jacob let out a shrill scream just moments after I left the room he was in. I came back to see what would cause such a commotion. I was greeted with a giant smile that said, “I knew you couldn't resist me!” There was nothing wrong with this smart little boy.

Jacob laughed while I told him the story of “Never Cry Wolf”. He did seem to pay attention to the one-sided discussion, but I don't think he really cared. Or else he knew that I would continue to come every time he uttered such a scream.

I think we need to buy an espresso machine for our house. Parenting is going to require a lot of good quality coffee and I won't have time to go into town each time I need a cup!

Just needed to remind myself of that. Today is Jacob's first day at day care. He'll be at daycare two days a week (and still be with Grandma & Grandpa for one other day each week). He's at a facility that will ensure his basic needs are met and he will be totally safe. It's just not the NAEYC-approved facility that I wanted - so I feel a little like I let him down.

For his first day Jacob is sporting a cute onesie that says “I'm new here” and has Earth on it. I meant to take a picture, but I forgot. Maybe I'll remember to take one this evening...

Well, the grant did not get renewed so my clients will be without services and my job will end on February 17. I'm currently looking for a new job. If you know of a good social services-ish job opening in South Central Kansas, let me know!

I’ve been feeling tired. I assumed it was because I get up in the middle of every night to nurse Jacob.

About two weeks ago I noticed that I was getting big circles under my eyes. Then there were racing thoughts keeping me up, though I was exhausted. I assumed that was stress about our impending move.

I haven’t been feeling very hungry. I assumed that was because Jacob often interrupts my meals and that I’ve been snacking on Christmas candy.

This morning I realized that I have been taking the wrong dose of Synthroid for two months. Oh! I even have a script for the correct dose that is dated 11/2006. OH!!! (a light goes on) Guess I’ll get that filled this afternoon. And I’ll assume that I’ll be feeling much better in 3 weeks.

Yesterday our neighbor died in a farming accident. I never met him or his wife. John visited with his wife a couple of times. As a result of John's visits, we knew we would be glad to have them as neighbors.

In the country you have an obligation to your neighbors. People help take care of each other. But, usually you know your neighbors. Since we don't even live there yet (we'll live there in 4 more days), we didn't know these neighbors.

How do you act neighborly to neighbors who aren't quite your neighbors yet? Somehow a plate of cookies doesn't seem enough.

Me: “We're moving this weekend.”
Co-Worker: “Oh! The house is done?”
Me: “Well, mostly. The floors will be refinished and the walls painted by Friday. I think we'll have all the outlets, light switches, and light fixtures installed.”
Co-Worker: “Do you have window coverings up yet?”
Me: “We will need to go a week without kitchen appliances.”
Co-Worker: “So the windows aren't a priority?”

I forgot to add that we're also hoping at least one toilet will be installed...

Looking for some weekend excitement? You're welcome to come and help us move!

This week, in addition to the debconf thing, I also used “mulitmeter” and “punch down tool” in an appropriate context. I can almost explain the rating system for insulation by myself. Recently I marveled that not everyone is familiar with a manabloc system. Over Christmas I explained the purpose of a version control system to my brother-in-law (and enjoyed the utter shock on the face of my other brother-in-law when I said I have a favorite one).

I think something might be wrong with me!

At least tonight I had a discussion regarding the benefits of using Dreft versus a regular detergent that is hypoallergenic. Does that help redeem me?

Somehow the phrase "debconf 7" has managed to work its way into my vocabulary. There doesn't seem to be a wiki entry for it, but I wonder if they have a "wives of geeks" section? Jacob will be 9 months old then. And, yet again, we're considering doing something nuts.

Just before Christmas Jacob spent about 30 minutes appeasing Mom by participating in a photo shoot. Let's just say that some of us had a better Christmas than others!



At least it all turned out well in the end!

Each week I look forward to reading the newsletter from the congregation I grew up attending. I wonder how many people are impacted by publishing the newsletter online? While I read the newsletter to help stay connected to my home community, many times I am also impacted by the column written by the pastoral team.

From the January 7, 2007, newsletter, this is written by Firman Gingerich, Lead Pastor.:

“On my days off you will likely find me at my wood lathe puttering around looking to create something of beauty from a piece of wood. As we begin a New Year, I invite you to join me in reflecting on some perspectives from my woodturning hobby that I think parallel my faith and role as a pastor.

I often start with a piece of wood that has rough bark on it. It's truly remarkable what is uncovered as layers of wood are removed and the piece takes shape. I can't predict what the grain patterns will be. The first piece I turned on the lathe offered me a wonderful moment of celebration when I discovered an amazing inner beauty. We each share being created in God's image; sometimes it takes hard and creative work to discover each other's inner and unique beauty.

Wood that has been stressed or damaged from age actually offers the most potential for a beautiful vessel. Sometimes the stress of insect invaders, mold, and decay leaves some remarkable patterns in the wood. I certainly know in my life and in my journey as a pastor that most of us experience significant stress and woundedness in our lives. None of us lives in a perfect world. One experience I really love about pastoral ministry is listening to life stories. It's remarkable the way stress and pain shape us. There is an inner beauty to our life stories as we connect them to ways God meets us in our pain.

The longer I keep turning wood, the more convinced I am that each piece has its own beauty, and once that is seen it is up to the artist-craftsman to help reveal the inner beauty. This gives me a great frame of reference on relating to people as a pastor.

The sad reality is that without attention some beautiful pieces of wood rot and decay. This reminds me of the power and strength of a healthy Christian community. It is in our relationships with each other that we have opportunity to discover and notice the uniqueness and beauty that God has created within each one of us.”

Right now part of my family is dreaming of creating something beautiful. I look forward to seeing what is created, once the stress and pain is behind us. To build on Firman's metaphor, I think we've just bought the wood lathe.

I love Firman's last sentence, so here it is again: “It is in our relationships with each other that we have opportunity to discover and notice the uniqueness and beauty that God has created within each one of us.”