try not to blink.
I knocked on Eva’s door.
“What’cha doing Cho?”
[Pokes her head out the door].
“Nothing Dad.” [Big grin]
[Dad pokes his head in the door].
I’m able to hold still long enough to take this picture of her Barbie Rock Band outfits. When Luik brings in his addition (below), I lose it completely. My face still hurts from laughing.
KISS would be proud (and most likely ask them to open for them). ch:
I know what all you men are thinking: “Where are ways #1-#138?”
Let’s just say this is a family friendly blog, not a “family making” blog.
Today we’ll cover Way #139: iPhone 4 Wonderment
Step One: Secretly plot to buy your wife a new iPhone 4 (or whatever generation is currently “in” at time of reading this article). Please note this may involve months of saving, and in the event that your wife keeps the books, accruing a stash of cash that she won’t notice*.
[*Refer to Anarchists Guide to Money Laundering for Dummies when necessary.]
Step Two: Make a stop to your fast food joint of choice to acquire a brown paper bag. Please note that you may wish to purchase food substances to ensure realistic grease spots and true-to-life fast food smell. For best results: Choose a night which your wife previously mentions** she wants to cook a “big dinner.” The adjectives “large,” “fancy,” or “special,” may also be used; when “special” is used, it is suggested that all offspring are “conveniently” removed from the home as this particular surprise may merit merriment not suitable for anyone else but you and your wife.
[**Listening skills required.]
Step Three: Insert activated iPhone 4 into brown paper bag. For best results: Have AT&T activate phone as close to intended delivery as possible so iPhone is “user ready” when she removes it from the bag. This ensures maximum wonderment effect.
Step Four: OPTIONAL – Assume patent-pending “Fast Food Drink Cam Grip” (or simply FFDCG for short) to accurately record the surprise, and yet hide that fact that you’re doing so. Please note that perspiration on cup’s exterior may inhibit recording device’s functionality; it’s best to drain cup of liquid prior to recording.
Step Five: Walk into house casually, faux-surprised at the “big dinner” she’s making and offer her a burger and fries. (Utilizing the FFDCG here only adds to the illusion that you’ve “forgotten” about dinner).
Step Six: Enjoy whatever happens next. Watch my experience below.
PS :: I love you, Jenny Lee. ch:
As I approached the downstairs bathroom door, I saw the distinct markings of humanoids under three feet tall.
The only question was, “Is it poop or chocolate?”
Only one way to find out…
What’s your guess? ch:
Today, my sister Natalie is getting married. It’s my first sibling to get married, and I’m finding myself a whole lot more of a sap than I expected I’d be. Cried while redesigning her wedding programs. Cried while writing her processional score. Cried while watching the photo-montage.
The only thing that keeps me smiling? The fact that my brother-in-law-to-be has the same name as a famous cult leader. Joseph Smith.
(What were his parents thinking?)
As to today’s Red Sox header, this may be the only time you ever see it on my website. Ever. Forever. Anytime. You see, Joe (Red Sox) and Nat (almost married Derek Jeter), got me and my father tickets to see a Yankee’s game in July as our bridal party gift. And they tell me it was Joe’s idea. (I also got a custom #10 t-shirt with “Bubba” on the back; picture below). Yeah, you’re pretty cool Joe. Here’s the Red Sox in your honor.
Congratulations you two. Jennifer and I adore you both and feel so honored to be your friends, not just family. Enjoy your day. ch:
While I’m sitting in my sister’s college graduation ceremony on Saturday, I received this text from my wife:
While I struggled to maintain my own self-control, I managed to type out the following response:
What involuntary actions (or reactions) do you struggle with? ch:
First off, thank you for all your prayers for Jennifer. While she has been extremely weak all day, she seems to be in better spirits. She stayed in bed most of the day resting, and her temperature fluctuations have been much less dramatic. I believe the antibiotics she’s on are kicking some butt, and hope tomorrow brings even more signs of health. I was just sharing with the staff here how grateful I am for technology and the ability to inform thousands of people around the world of a prayer need in only a few seconds.
On to the rest of the day…
To sit in a class and receive teaching is, for the most part comfortable, if not challenging. But when the teacher suddenly changes gears and makes the students act on their knowledge, things can get rather exiting (for the teacher), and nerve wracking (for the student, especially when it involves standing in front of people).
Among all the other material, one of today’s exercises was making the students write a song to the Lord, in 20-minutes, and then sing it in front of the class. For some it was normal, for others is was their first time writing a song and, even more, standing in front of people.
Ethan, shown crafting his song above, had a joyful call-answer clapping song that you might hear around a playground, while Abby had a sweet, lofty melody of adoration. Not everyone had to share, but those that did really blessed the rest of the class.
After lunch, the entire school put on a mini-concert for the elderly residents that live in the apartment building of the church (what an awesome ministry to have right inside your church!). They were really touched, and expressed their appreciation of having so many young people around.
After a quick siesta, I did a workshop with the students on team-building in a worship setting, audio basics 101, service layout, song selection, sound check, and ran a basic practice with them (in preparation for a service they’re leading Thursday night). And at the end, we had a rather spontaneous class on prayer as they laid hands on one of the French students who is deaf in his left ear. While he wasn’t healed right there, we’re believing for it this week! Belief for miracles seems to be a theme as Kevin (one of the staff) and I prayed for a Muslim soldier in a Moroccan restaurant last night. He had lost his eye in the war, was so open to Jesus, and was really touched, as were the restaurant owners (who gave us free food afterward!). ch:
My voice is certainly feeling fatigued. 3 hours of teaching theology and 2 hours of teaching music theory will do that to you. But I love it.
Today was Day 1 of the students 6-month School of Worship, and I felt honored to be their first teacher. That, and I have the luxury of looking original with everything I say. [grin] It was a wonderful morning, and I like this class a lot. Today I shared the unabridged version of my testimony, and then went into personal worship from a Kingdom, culture shaping mindset. After a short break, we had a multi-instrument breakout session, and I taught on guitar mechanics on the entire fretboard and “the number system.”
Teaching and ministry aside, I would ask for your fervent and heartfelt prayers on behalf of my wife. Jennifer is dealing with a fairly severe infection, is being treated with prescription antibiotics, and has been ordered by doctors both here in Switzerland and the US to rest. Thank you for standing with us for her complete healing. ch:
Over Christmas week, Jennifer and I stayed with a longtime friend of the family outside of Rochester as there was no room for us in the inn. The bed was incredibly comfy, the atmosphere warm and inviting, and the newly renovated bathroom very stylish. Gotta’ love a hot shower. As I didn’t have my own shampoo, I reached for theirs.
You’ve got to be kidding me. Tousled?
So I tried it. And here’s me sporting the tousled look:
This is someone’s cruel idea of a joke, I can just tell. I’m half ready to start my own line of products now. For bald dudes who still want to use shampoo. We’re people, too. ch:
PS :: Upon completing this post, my wife informed me that it was her shampoo. I feel violated.
- – -
BOOK
Amazing how we’re still reaping the benefits of Jesus’ birthday 2,000 years later. From our clan to yours, Merry Christmas. ch:
Everyone needs a Christmas Cow, so I thought I’d let you share mine. With love from Evangeline Mae. ch:
3H2
I longed for a fellow adventurer. Someone that treasured life as I did. Someone that found sunsets in Paris breathtaking, the ocean on an island shore captivating, the stillness of the Alps in winter stirring, the ruins of ancient castles inviting. And the Lord knew my desires before I was even formed in my mother’s womb. He knew it wouldn’t be good for me to be alone. And so he brought me Jennifer Lee. My other whole. My rib. And I praise him for being so thoughtful, so gracious. I have been given what I do not deserve. I love you, Jenny. Thank you for the best years of my life. Eyes ever on the horizon. ch:
Don’t see me?
That’s because I’m under the yak. Yes. He’s sitting on me. And boy does it stink. (All puns intended).
For those who follow this blog on a somewhat regular basis, you know that when a yak sits on me, that’s code for, “I feel like a Mack Truck hit me.” Which is also code for, I’m sick.
And it seems I’ve been getting hit quite frequently over the last few months. Enough that people are replying to my Twitter and FaceBook status updates with, “what? again?”
While I at least know that my insane life-pace tends to shrug off rest (OK, “tends to” is an understatement. I get it), I am at least curious to know how you deal with being sick. Are you one of those who, as soon as you feel something coming on, hunker down, take the vitamins, and rest up? Or do you push yourself, shirking the stuff you know to do simply because you’re far too driven? Or are you somewhere in between? And what seems to work for you?
I know that I was down for the count on Sunday, but stayed faithful to 3 of my 4 scheduled meetings. Monday was my day off, so naturally I hunkered down. Then Tuesday, I was feeling a little stronger and went to work, then worship practice. Turns out that was a bad move, as today I got sat on by the yak again. Hard core. Slept until 12noon (ummm, can’t even remember the last time that happened), took a nap from 2pm-5pm, and planning on going to bed early.
So what’s your story? And feel free to lend me your secret family remedies (all legal methods, please. I’m not that desperate). ch:
RN