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

Movement

I'm a few inches closer to school rhythm again, so i guess you could say the semester's second wind is here. I miss the girls for sure, and my love for them grows daily with the 1000 miles between us. It's funny how I notice that increasingly while they are away...it's probably that the realization is hightened in solitude and absence. ?
Amber felt the baby move yesterday! Still only mama can feel it at this stage (we're into the 2nd trimester now), but soon we'll be able to feel and even see the kicking and squirming from the outside. I loved hearing the joy in her voice as she brought me the good news over the phone. There's something about truly good news and the heralds that bring it that causes unmatched anticipation and joy; I have this in mind with the season of Advent nearing. Listen to Mark: "The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God..." How can I (we) ever prepare for a new baby? A new Kingdom?
Here's to new beginnings and the Word that brings them to life...

off to class...

#2

Amberly had her first official appointment with our midwife today and everything seems to be going well. You can go here (14 weeks) to see what is going on developmentally with our little 3 1/2 inch baby. We got to hear a heartbeat today...that is such a fascinating thing. There are no visible outward signs yet, so when you hear that rapid pulse its like new life is announcing itself loud and clear! To top off an exciting day, some new friends brought dinner over (knowing Amberly has been sick) and we shared a great meal before i went to class. Bryan and Emily just got married about a week ago, and here they were bringing us dinner...it was humbling and we remain grateful. I'm curious why i'm hesitant to receive gifts (and the simple gift of relationship itself) from people i do not know extremely well. We seem to have a tendency to stay at arms length with people for some reason. I know there are some good boundaries and protective instincts...but i also know that something in us resists sharing life with others. Every time we hang out with Adam & Dru we thoroughly enjoy it (and Morgan is especially excited), yet there is this lingering fear at times that we are burdening people. Do we all feel that to an extent? Maybe it's just that i suck at receiving...I mean, can i really enjoy Chad's gumbo and Meredith's hospitality if i can't simply be grateful? When McCrary offers me renewed friendship and i miss the point, or Fatty initiates a great conversation only for it to drop on my end...are there roots here in failure to "lean?" The list goes on and moves into the walls of my house as i miss the weight of my brother's words, Amber's thoughtful question, or Morgan's "hold you Dada?" I guess it all goes back to being present...truly present...to the Father and to others. Here we learn to listen and receive well, just as we surely learn how to give and to speak. Thanks to all of you who will not let us live alone...but love Christ enough to bring new wine, even where the (my) wineskins haven't been changed in a while.

Church as Polis

Sometimes we figure the way to “change” things is to engage an existing culture (like America), adopt all of its particularities and structures and just hope we can sprinkle a little God (as if He were a consumable good) here and there. This happens as we try to “get our people in office” or superimpose something like the 10 commandments on people who don’t have the context to understand them. Another thing we might do is insulate ourselves from the “evils” of culture and end up building fences to keep things out in the name of holiness. I’ve participated in both of these erring worldviews. The kingdom of God is not passive or content to be relegated to an invocation at the super bowl. Rather, the kingdom of God involves an alternative (if you will) way of living and dying. Rodney Clapp and others have described this as the church being “culture-forming.” This alternative way is nothing fancy or a series of formulas, but a simple liturgy of worship, meals, Scripture, and baptism. Participating in this way of life truly creates something solid that people can see, touch, wonder about, and join in.

One way we are seeking to do this as a seminary by common readings. Each day, everyone has a chance to steep in the same passage of Scripture and ancient reading. This is one way we can move forward as a life-giving community. The reader is online as of today for this particular season, so anyone is welcome to share in this time!


You can find the Asbury Reader here.

Adios-

beans for the bachelor

The girls are back home for a few days with all of the family. I got a few pictures from my mom of Morgan...I sure miss listening to her throughout the day. It's funny the other things i miss, like watching her walk around carrying cups and pitchers from the kitchen or hearing the "crunch, crunch" of the latest item that she pirated from the (in a prior day unreachable) table.



Fernando Ortega was a guest at the seminary today as a part of Kingdom Conference (which began today). He played in chapel this morning as well as in a concert this evening. He has written many songs and has something like 14 albums out. He told us this evening that he was from New Mexico...turns out his family farmed in the Las Vegas area. Nice to hear some stories from the "homeland." (this tribute pic is for you, Fatty.)



It's time for me to read a little more now...adios

It's only fitting...

In this world of blogging (that i had not previously entered), it seems hard to know where to start. I always feel this way with a new journal too. Am I waiting for the "perfect day" to blog about or the perfect setting? Anyways...

I chose today's story to begin my blog because it's funny, you'll appreciate it, and because i had a little time. It's only fitting that my 1st blog involves coffee and Morgan...2 of my great loves, right? As Amberly & i were drinking coffee and sharing the morning together, Morgan began to participate in our conversation (she does this in all sorts of creative ways!) by climbing up on the couch with us and on us while reaching for our coffee cups. We, being the proactive parents that we are, thought "we'll just let her try some and after tasting she won't want it any more." We decided against Amber's cup because she puts sugar and cream in hers and we figured it wouldn't be as "nasty" as mine (black.) After my cup had cooled for a moment longer, we let the trial begin. She grabbed the cup in anticipation, took a sip, then another, then..."ooooh, I like this Dada" was written all over her face! I even caught some "after evidence" on camera.



So...so much for the "let her taste it to keep her away from it" theory. I guess this means Morgan and I will be all set for conversations over coffee when she's older.