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.

Getting in Shape?

I should be asleep right now, but I'm a little wired from working on a Hebrew quiz (yes, only a seminary student could make a goofy comment like that). A few things:

• It has been a good while since the last post, but that's ok because i signed up for the "blog quarterly" template when this whole thing started. (As opposed to J and company who keep it coming like the news)
  
• Scholarship seems to move faster than life. Like a stomach and good food, or calf muscles and a pick-up game, capacity is reached...add a percentage for growth (sometimes fast, sometimes slow) and that's what you've got. What is a kingdom pace for living...or for learning? I write not because I'm frustrated with "having to read," but rather because my tendency is to shift into high gear with tasks (in this case studying rich texts and treasured resources) and roll the windows up on life.
• I wish i could put into words what an honor it is the parent the little Princess Morgan (more stories to come). Amberly is matchless as a mother, and i enjoy journeying with her through laughter, tears, and wonder while Morgan is growing up. (The shortage of adequate words carries over into the subject of Junior [#2] as well.) I'll be counting on my tribe of homies to help us raise a boy...

That's what I've got for tonight.

Believing in the priesthood...
Ryan