Morgan Press - November Morning

Thomas van Zandt sings,
"If I had a dollar bill, yes I believe I surely will,
Go to town and drink my fill - early in the morning."

I'm wondering what all of you do early in the morning.

This particular day when i got out of the shower, Morgan had a pile of blocks out in the living room floor. "Hey Dad, do you know why I'm sorting blocks? Because sorting is my favorite thing to do when I wake up in the morning!"

All of you organized people should be proud, as Amberly certainly was today.

Work and Play

(Grandaddy & Athan)

Our time in New Mexico/Texas afforded us opportunities to see family on all sides as well as good friends we count on seeing bi-annually. Everyone was delighted to see Athan, some for the first time, and Morgan had so much fun I think she’s still unwinding.

(Brothers & Papa)

In between 12 & 14 hour workdays I carved out some time for a few special trips. I'm reminded of Lonesome Dove, where work and fun are exemplified in the saga's two main characters: Augustus McCrae and Woodrow F. Call. Call takes jabs at his long time friend Gus for not wanting to work, staying up too late, and for too much 'philosophy.' In turn, Gus accuses Call of disliking fun altogether. At one point in defense of his funward excursions, Captain Gus remarks to Call that he is obligated to keep things balanced. Because of too much hard work on one side, he sees it his duty to have more than his share of fun. It's good for me that among spouse, brothers, and friends this kind of banter goes on! It's humerous, but I really am grateful for those that encourage retreat, rest, and sabbath in all forms. Stealing away to California in honor of Layne's graduation (he's the youngest) was sure a nice retreat. We had a great time catching up and getting punished by the ocean. I also traveled up into the pecos wilderness (near Santa Fe) with my good friend Bailey. We had a great time unplugging for a few days and quieting our souls.

Of course, work and play can't be so simply bifurcated, but it seems good to be mindful of each one's necessity and appropriate portion. Work regularly crosses the play line, and (especially with Strebeck vacations) play often opens the work gate. Rythyms of life I guess...

(New Mexico mountains)

A most significant update from the trip bespeaks our wedding anniversary. Amberly and I have now been at this seven years - wow. It would take a series of blogs - no, books - to express my gratitude for this opportunity. She has loved me well and fleshed out her wedding vows many times over. This is not to mention the mother she has been to our two children...she's the best. With no shortage of babysitters, we celebrated this milestone over supper and coffee a few times. I thought the formal celebration was over, but returned home to a gift that ranks up there in the top one or two. You can see my new coffee grinder below. It's not only groovy and old fashioned but also super functional. I've used it every day since I got it. With coffee from Rob's Roast Inc. and sister Brittany I'm all set for the start of the semester.

I guess that's all for now. I just spent a day with the guys at Abbey of Gethsemane, so I'll try to post about that sometime; a nice day of peace and prayer before the semester gets rolling.

(the grinder - can you say "German steel?")

greek alphabet melody

learning has become a family endeavor...thanks to Morgan-

Rhythms of Rest

Creative ways for the whole family to observe Sabbath can be hard to come by. A big thanks to the mama for the now famous dinner picnic. Morgan couldn't have been any happier - she got to watch Peter Pan while eating a sandwich and a plum! It was fun to watch her...she knew this was a special treat. Athan was also OK with it, for the whole event produced just the right amount of white noise for his post-meal nap.

These days, Sabbath days, are the days we need to remind us what it means to live; to "walk before the Lord in the land of the living." The work week derives its meaning from this set apart rest where we remember that we are children who belong, not gods who 'make things happen.' Of course Sabbath isn't confined to one day (certainly not Sunday for those with pastoral responsibilities!), but it is nice when a day can be set apart.

It's the little things really: hearing others drown out your own voice with songs proclaiming the mystery of the faith, don't-hold-back feasts shared with friends, any amount of activity or silence with children - things that help us slow down and catch glimpses of reality. When I run out of rope as Athan's dad, it is these days that remind me why I hold him and hope rather than look at him and despair.

Sabbath in the park

Sunday Morgan & I cut out for a couple of hours to explore the park scene here in Wilmore. We're all adjusting again to life in the shire (JD's wilmore synonym), and "outside" time simply must be woven into Morgan's schedule! She really likes a little dirt on her face, which must make her feel like she's gotten the good out of the day.


We had a great time getting sweaty and dirty in the Kentucky humidity, then proceeded to Clucker's for some Ale 8 & juice to cool down a little. It's rare with Morgan to spend a few hours with not a lot of words, but that's kind of what we did; we played hard, laughed/screamed, and were quiet for a while. I was really grateful for the chance to spend the sabbath that way...quiet, playful, and waiting.

As I watch Morgan's love for the outdoors grow, I realize how much i miss waking up 50 yards from a tack room and the gate to the horse pasture. I wished today that i could have saddled Biscuit and let her ride around for awhile. The smells and sounds seem all too real and i guess on Morgan's behalf I just missed them today...that's all.

Well, it's off to bed for me. Amberly and I have been trading out on the midnight and six a.m. feedings/meds, and i've been taking the 6 so it's time for some sleep. I've been wanting to get the blog cranked up and never know where to start...so here's a shot.

Athan's Journey

Hey everyone,

You can follow Athan's first few days here.

Love,
Ryan

Hiding

The other day Morgan was building “block-shapes” that all resembled houses (many more than i was able to catch on camera-unfortunately). They were cool, I must admit – made up of “circle” blocks with triangle blocks on top. Naturally, as she made more and more of these house shaped objects, the circle blocks became harder and harder to come by. She sorted through the box and had cleaned most of them out. I even tried to help by piecing 2 semi-circles together to make 1 circle, but she didn’t go for the impostor…only the real “circle” blocks would do. Somewhere in this search she exclaimed, “Where are the circle blocks?! Are they hiding?”

For the expectant and honest child, the blocks simply had to be hiding. She didn’t entertain the option that there were no more, or that she wasn’t looking in the right places…just figured they were “in hiding” (like the old Pearl Jam song I guess).

I immediately thought of this Lenten season and the idea of wilderness…40 days, years. It occurred to me that Morgan was voicing what many of us sense and wonder about God ½ the time. If we were honest, as we scramble and search for God I think we would find ourselves repeating David’s inquiry: “…How long (O Lord) will you hide your face from me?” This is a hard question, a good question, and an honest question…one that Lent provides space to ask. I love questions like this and the fact that our ancestors were named “Israel” (One who wrestles [with God]). It gets us closer to the heart of the journey, and at least for me this time – closer to what’s often going on. Yes, as I reflected on times where Christ seems to be distant I was reminded of another classic story of hide and seek. In the garden it was Adam, not the Father, who gave hiding a shot; and have we ever really stopped?

As we learn anew of the God who does not hide in the clouds but took on flesh and a cross, may the light of Christ shine on us – and may we awake, arise, shuck the fig leaves, and ourselves come out of hiding.