Returning to "Normal"

This Friday, July 11, Steven Curtis Chapman will perform his first live concert since the death of his youngest daughter, Maria Sue Chapman. The concert is in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and will be followed by concerts in Michigan (July 12) and Nebraska (July 13) . I have checked on the family almost daily by visiting their website and reading Jim Houser's blog. Jim is responsible for the "day to day management of Steven." I have provided the link here but it comes with a caution: take a kleenex with you and go when you have time to spend reflecting as Jim speaks for the Chapman family.

May 28, 2008: "So, how are they doing? It is unanswerable... but I'll say this... I see them holding on to the Gospel better than you could imagine or hope for, just as you might think they would. Today, the room is quiet, the talk is somber... but occasionally you'll see a smile. Once in awhile, you might even hear a light laugh. Hope never left, and hope is just starting to show itself again, in small ways. There is still profound sadness. There is still deep concern for some in the family and how they will chart their way out of these dark days. But, there is a Savior, they are sure of it, I hear them talking about it. Heaven is real. It's real-er than ever to this close knit family.

Sadness with hope.
A wedding cake picked out today, hope with sadness.

a little girl crying missing her sister, sadness with hope.

basketball practice and carpool and lasagna from friends for dinner.

The new normal is not much fun right now."

http://chapmanchannel.typepad.com/jim/

It's A Boy!

Scott and Brenda, Lucas and Lia, had a special Independence Day celebration when they received their referral and pictures of their little boy from Vietnam. His name is Cat Thanh Nahn and he was born April 22, 2008. The family must wait for the US to do their investigations and paperwork so it will be 2-3 months before they can travel to Vietnam to bring him home. Everyone is very excited!

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

The schedule wasn't "business as usual" at FBC this morning. We had a patriotic emphasis in the worship service and then SS was to be held off campus - each department will choose their own time and place. I invited all of my toddlers over to my house but none of them are allowed to drive so they had to go wherever mom and dad are going. Bummer! So, I am going to work on a few things in my office and then head over to see Zoe. She has a pool AND cable tv!

Last year, at Christmas time, I joined Netflix. I chose the one-at-a-time unlimited plan which means for 8.99 plus tax, movies show up one at a time in my mailbox. I watch them at my convenience, put them back in the mailbox and voila! another movie appears. The selection is amazing and the turnaround time is never more than three days (I mean I put return movie in the mail on Monday, I receive my next selection on Wednesday.) I can't really say I have been adventurous in my selections: I've seen newer movies like No Reservations and 27 Dresses. Neither one of those were remarkable but my curiosity was satisfied. I'm working on seeing every Jane Austen movie, PBS and Hollywood versions. I keep a list of all the movies I've rented and rate them 1 to 5, There has been only one movie I didn't watch past the first 10 minutes (rating 1) but several I would like to own (rating 5) Martian Child with John Cusack is one of the movies I purchased. Based on a true story, it is about a widower who adopts a 7 year old boy who believes he is from Mars. I can't promise you there is absolutely no profanity but there is no sex and that is a refreshing change.

Akeelah and the Bee is another movie I would recommend. Akeelah prompted me to put Spellbound, a spelling bee documentary, on my list. I haven't seen it yet so I'll have to get back with you on that one.

Anyway, if Zoe has a dvd player, I am going to watch August Rush this lazy Sunday afternoon. I hope you holiday weekend was a good one.

Happy Independence Day!

8:30 AM: Poured myself a delicious cup of French Caramel flavored coffee and headed over to see Callie.

10:00AM: Met with Pam Evans, friend and professional decorator, to get her opinion on the tile I have chosen for the floors. Although the darker tile is prettier, Pam agreed that it is too dark and much less versatile than my lighter choice. Ok, I think we have a winner!

12:30 PM Headed out to the barn where friends keep their English Pleasure show horse. "Rock" lives and trains in another part of the state but has been here recuperating from an injury. He is a huge sweetheart and, under the supervision of his owners, I was able to help give him a bath. I really enjoyed being around him. It kind of scratched a childhood itch to know all about horses.

2:30ish Just as the dark clouds were rolling in Robin and I left the barn, picked up some "lunch" and came back to my house. We planned to watch the movie Amazing Grace but we ended up talking and had a really sweet time of fellowship.

5:00 PM Packed an activities bag for myself and headed over to spend time with Zoe. Got some luvin' and heard fireworks. Made me think about Breanna Horn in Korea. It is weird to spend your Independence Day in another country. (Though not as weird as spending Thanksgiving in another country.)

Meet Zoe, The Love Cat

Zoe, on the other hand, is not content to sit on your lap. She wants to snuggle into your chest...so she can rub her head against your face and your neck and maybe get a little nibble on your ear. You massage her and she, in her own way, returns the favor. After a good rub down, she would have a little nibble (note the order: love is more important than food) and a nap on the ottoman but she would come back for another massage any time I gave her a sideways glance.

Zoe has an adorable square shape to her - as long as she is tall - but it's her bunny tail that makes her irresistible.

I will miss both these girls when their families return.

Callie, The Lap Cat

Meet Callie, The Lap Cat. I was privileged to feed, scoop and provide lap time for one purrrfectly lap-o-licious calico while her humans where gone. While I executed an under the chin massage with one hand and cautiously held a warm cup of java with the other, we exchanged catty comments about the current events on the early morning news show.

"Man shall not live by bread alone...."

Well, we all know that VBS is so much more than a sucessful snack supper. It is more than picture frames made with popsicle sticks or a necklace made with dried pasta. I was struck with the number of volunteers of all ages working to make VBS happen. But the bottom line is creating an environment conducive to impressing Scripture and Biblical truth into the minds and hearts of our children. Kids are like sponges! Teach them the salvation story in song and they will know it forever. God promises us that His Word will not return void. Today, a senior adult quoted a verse to me that she learned in Vacation Bible School. I wonder if her VBS teacher realized what a powerful investment she was making.