We believe that we're living in a different Thanksgiving dispensation, so that the former rituals of turkey for Thanksgiving no longer apply... oh, sorry, that's not what I meant.
Thanks to y'all who posted what you're thankful for. I think we posted our Thanksgiving Tree request too close to the holidays (giving all you ungrateful people the benefit of the doubt). But that's okay: we ended up not doing a Thanksgiving Tree anyway. But you still have time to comment, because what I plan to do instead is hang the Thankfulness comments on our Christmas tree. After all, Christmas is just as good a time to be thankful. And you don't have to have turkey, either.
-- SJ
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Recent Randomizer Remarks
"Toys don't have seeds."
*
"Yay! I have fifty cents! Now we can get married because it isn't Halloween anymore!"
*
Daddy: "They are missionaries who go to Thailand, which is a long way away, and tell boys and girls about Jesus."
The Randomizer: "Yes! And Spider-man helps them!"
-- SJ
*
"Yay! I have fifty cents! Now we can get married because it isn't Halloween anymore!"
*
Daddy: "They are missionaries who go to Thailand, which is a long way away, and tell boys and girls about Jesus."
The Randomizer: "Yes! And Spider-man helps them!"
-- SJ
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Laughing All the Way
"Hey, I have a joke! Refrigerator?"
"I don't know."
"Butter! Hahahahahahaha!"
And that's only one of the many side-splitting comedy routines that Stuart brings to our lives. And to think, he's only three years old!
That's right... Today he's three years old, and amazingly funny. He watched the video of his birthday party this morning, and doubled over with giggles at the part where I was trying to film guests and he kept sticking a plastic horse up into the camera. At church on Sunday, he said all the liturgical responses at all the right times, only he added "-y" on the end of everything: "But deliver us from evily." "Christ has diedy, Christ is riseny, Christ will come againy." "Ameny!"
Almost as soon as Stuart emerged from the newborn-blob stage, he's been the life of the party. Darren and I tried for a year and a half to make Addie laugh, without much success; Stuart was cracking her up by the time he was a year old. He's just a happy boy.
The above "joke," by the way, is something he got from a Bob the Builder episode. I unfortunately didn't hear the original exchange myself, so I have no idea what the joke is supposed to be. Stuart thinks it's genuinely funny in its present form, however. His laughter is contagious, so we always laugh, which confirms his belief that he's the funniest thing walking.
It's been a jolly three years. I can't wait to see what the years ahead hold!
-- SJ (who, obviously, is quite proud of her SJ)
"I don't know."
"Butter! Hahahahahahaha!"
And that's only one of the many side-splitting comedy routines that Stuart brings to our lives. And to think, he's only three years old!
That's right... Today he's three years old, and amazingly funny. He watched the video of his birthday party this morning, and doubled over with giggles at the part where I was trying to film guests and he kept sticking a plastic horse up into the camera. At church on Sunday, he said all the liturgical responses at all the right times, only he added "-y" on the end of everything: "But deliver us from evily." "Christ has diedy, Christ is riseny, Christ will come againy." "Ameny!"
Almost as soon as Stuart emerged from the newborn-blob stage, he's been the life of the party. Darren and I tried for a year and a half to make Addie laugh, without much success; Stuart was cracking her up by the time he was a year old. He's just a happy boy.
The above "joke," by the way, is something he got from a Bob the Builder episode. I unfortunately didn't hear the original exchange myself, so I have no idea what the joke is supposed to be. Stuart thinks it's genuinely funny in its present form, however. His laughter is contagious, so we always laugh, which confirms his belief that he's the funniest thing walking.
It's been a jolly three years. I can't wait to see what the years ahead hold!
-- SJ (who, obviously, is quite proud of her SJ)
Monday, November 21, 2005
Update on Rosemary
I talked to my sister last week. The situation went from hospitalization to partial bedrest to simply "don't overexert yourself." It seems that the fluid level is on the low end of normal, so everything is stable. Still be in prayer for the baby, however, as there is still a lung mass present, which offers all kinds of unknown complications. Rose and Matt thank you for praying.
-- SJ
-- SJ
A Thanksgiving Request
Dear Friends,
It's time for our occasional tradition of a Thanksgiving tree. Please comment briefly with things that you are thankful for, and then we write them out on pieces of paper, tape them on a branch, and use the resultant tree as a table centerpiece for Thanksgiving. It's been lots of fun the years that we've done it!
We'll post a picture of the tree. Sparseness will reflect badly on your gratitude. (There, anyone feel guilty yet?)
--DJ (with comments from SJ, who is scratching his hair, one of the many reasons he is thankful for her)
It's time for our occasional tradition of a Thanksgiving tree. Please comment briefly with things that you are thankful for, and then we write them out on pieces of paper, tape them on a branch, and use the resultant tree as a table centerpiece for Thanksgiving. It's been lots of fun the years that we've done it!
We'll post a picture of the tree. Sparseness will reflect badly on your gratitude. (There, anyone feel guilty yet?)
--DJ (with comments from SJ, who is scratching his hair, one of the many reasons he is thankful for her)
An Interesting Book
Last night, I read Arena by Karen Hancock. It's a fairly well done Christian fantasy, and I'd recommend it.
There were several good parts that I really liked. I liked Hancock's metaphor of wading through water (baptism) as Callie becomes a Christian, and I was impressed by Hancock's insistence that Christianity is a war, against both external demons and internal sins. In fact, the Publisher's Weekly review on Amazon cautions against the violence. Hancock also isn't afraid to mention romantic/sexual attraction, but she doesn't overdo it either.
What I didn't like: There were one or two glaring spots of clunky exposition. It appeared that she had to get information across to the reader, so it was dropped into the Guide's briefing (pastor's sermon), which went on for 3 pages. Also, the book's view of the Church is pretty low - almost everything is about individual relationships with the Christ figure.
But the main problem I have with it is that I don't think it's Christian. It's Gnostic.
The heroine is sucked out of the real world into the Arena, and the entire book is about escaping the Arena. The Arena, which stands for the world, is unreal, corrupt, and except for a few areas, under the dominion of demons. The only hope is escape to heaven. The Christ figure appears as a human, but it's questionable whether he is actually human or whether he just appears to be one (the heresy of Docetism).
But the most explicitly Gnostic statement is when the Christ figure says "The real you is not this outward flesh; it's the part that thinks and feels and remembers and decides. Your soul resides in your body as your body resides in your clothes -- that is your true self." And that is about as Gnostic as you can get. It certainly isn't Christianity, which proclaims belief in its most basic creeds in the resurrection of the body - "this outward flesh," as Hancock calls it.
I liked the book, though. It made me think -- and it's rare that fantasy, Christian or otherwise, makes me do that.
--DJ
There were several good parts that I really liked. I liked Hancock's metaphor of wading through water (baptism) as Callie becomes a Christian, and I was impressed by Hancock's insistence that Christianity is a war, against both external demons and internal sins. In fact, the Publisher's Weekly review on Amazon cautions against the violence. Hancock also isn't afraid to mention romantic/sexual attraction, but she doesn't overdo it either.
What I didn't like: There were one or two glaring spots of clunky exposition. It appeared that she had to get information across to the reader, so it was dropped into the Guide's briefing (pastor's sermon), which went on for 3 pages. Also, the book's view of the Church is pretty low - almost everything is about individual relationships with the Christ figure.
But the main problem I have with it is that I don't think it's Christian. It's Gnostic.
The heroine is sucked out of the real world into the Arena, and the entire book is about escaping the Arena. The Arena, which stands for the world, is unreal, corrupt, and except for a few areas, under the dominion of demons. The only hope is escape to heaven. The Christ figure appears as a human, but it's questionable whether he is actually human or whether he just appears to be one (the heresy of Docetism).
But the most explicitly Gnostic statement is when the Christ figure says "The real you is not this outward flesh; it's the part that thinks and feels and remembers and decides. Your soul resides in your body as your body resides in your clothes -- that is your true self." And that is about as Gnostic as you can get. It certainly isn't Christianity, which proclaims belief in its most basic creeds in the resurrection of the body - "this outward flesh," as Hancock calls it.
I liked the book, though. It made me think -- and it's rare that fantasy, Christian or otherwise, makes me do that.
--DJ
Saturday, November 19, 2005
A Party
We just finished having a birthday party for Stuart, who is turning three on Tuesday. There were seven little boys and a little girl here, besides Stuart and Addie. Ages ranged from 2 to almost 6, and personalities ranged from aggressive to shy. The noise level was rather high for the entire two hours.
We finished off the party by dumping out 4 garbage bags of balloons that Sara and I had blown up last night. This was an instant hit, especially when the older boys found out that they could throw them at me and I would throw them back. The balloon fight soon degenerated into bucking bronco games.
Sara now says that a requirement for little boy parties is to have at least one Daddy there.
--DJ
P.S. Addie and I, the two introverts of the family, will now spend the entire day recuperating and basking in the silence.
We finished off the party by dumping out 4 garbage bags of balloons that Sara and I had blown up last night. This was an instant hit, especially when the older boys found out that they could throw them at me and I would throw them back. The balloon fight soon degenerated into bucking bronco games.
Sara now says that a requirement for little boy parties is to have at least one Daddy there.
--DJ
P.S. Addie and I, the two introverts of the family, will now spend the entire day recuperating and basking in the silence.
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Prayer for Rosemary and Felicity
My mom told me today that my sister Rosemary has been hospitalized since yesterday while the doctors are monitoring the amniotic fluid level for her baby (she's seven months along). Normally it wouldn't be an enormous deal for the baby to come early, but little Felicity already has trouble with her lungs so an early birth isn't desirable. They've been giving Rosemary fluid, and she was to have an ultrasound today to see if it's made any difference. I don't know any results yet, but it's very worrisome. Please pray that things will smooth out and Felicity will be all right.
-- SJ
-- SJ
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Something a Father Did Right
I had a very conflicted relationship with my stepfather. He didn't understand women (unfortunate, as he lived with three) and I was a hypersensitive teenager. He wanted to spare me the mistakes he made himself, but the way he communicated it made me feel accused of things I never did. He died when I was twenty, and I've spent the subsequent eight years working through memories, understanding him more, and apologizing a lot.
And I've realized that there were some things he did that I took completely for granted. One of those things was the greatest favor he could pay an awkward teenager with a keen sense of failure: he told me I was pretty.
It was a usual part of Sunday mornings when we came downstairs dressed for church. Either, "You look very nice," or, "I get to go to church with the three prettiest ladies in the county." He always forgot that his favorite color was purple, but we knew because he always noticed when we wore it. His compliments weren't very polished: he once told me after I'd gotten a haircut, "Your hair looks nice. Did you brush it?" I pretended to be indignant. But I still remember the compliment.
I've always taken it as a credit to myself that I never went sneaking off to meet boys during those years. Now I realize that it's probably because I knew my father thought I was pretty and funny, so I found the approval I wanted at home. I don't think he realized that, in all his misguided efforts to keep me unhurt and unscathed, he really was doing it right all the time.
Several of my friends are parents now. To you fathers of little girls: whatever else you do, remember to tell her -- often and with great frequency -- that she's pretty.
-- SJ
And I've realized that there were some things he did that I took completely for granted. One of those things was the greatest favor he could pay an awkward teenager with a keen sense of failure: he told me I was pretty.
It was a usual part of Sunday mornings when we came downstairs dressed for church. Either, "You look very nice," or, "I get to go to church with the three prettiest ladies in the county." He always forgot that his favorite color was purple, but we knew because he always noticed when we wore it. His compliments weren't very polished: he once told me after I'd gotten a haircut, "Your hair looks nice. Did you brush it?" I pretended to be indignant. But I still remember the compliment.
I've always taken it as a credit to myself that I never went sneaking off to meet boys during those years. Now I realize that it's probably because I knew my father thought I was pretty and funny, so I found the approval I wanted at home. I don't think he realized that, in all his misguided efforts to keep me unhurt and unscathed, he really was doing it right all the time.
Several of my friends are parents now. To you fathers of little girls: whatever else you do, remember to tell her -- often and with great frequency -- that she's pretty.
-- SJ
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Happy Birthday to Lindsay
It's my sister's birthday today, and I'd like to publicly thank God for her. I remember when she was born; because my mom had some serious health problems during the pregnancy, Lindsay was known as the "Miracle Baby."
Lindsay is a very cheerful person, and she brings joy to everyone who knows her. I'm very proud of her recent participation in drama, and I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of play she'll be in next.
It was due to Lindsay that I got to go to England. She decided that she wanted her senior trip to be something special, so she and I went over and spent two weeks touring London, Scotland, and Wales. That trip is one of the highlights of my life, and it wouldn't have happened without Lindsay deciding to "go for it."
I really enjoyed it when Lindsay lived here in Virginia, although I understand there were some serious questions about our alleged brother-sister relationship raised at the office by people who couldn't understand how in the world two people so very different could possibly be related.
Six and a half years ago, I asked Lindsay to check out Sara Roberts at a party we were going to, as possible wife potential for me. Lindsay approved, showing excellent taste. She also very carefully did not tell me that Mom had already told her that I was interested in Sara, which shows typical Lindsay discretion.
God bless you, Lindsay! You're a great sister, and I'm so glad that God put you in our family!
--DJ (also known as "Darn" to my sister)
Lindsay is a very cheerful person, and she brings joy to everyone who knows her. I'm very proud of her recent participation in drama, and I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of play she'll be in next.
It was due to Lindsay that I got to go to England. She decided that she wanted her senior trip to be something special, so she and I went over and spent two weeks touring London, Scotland, and Wales. That trip is one of the highlights of my life, and it wouldn't have happened without Lindsay deciding to "go for it."
I really enjoyed it when Lindsay lived here in Virginia, although I understand there were some serious questions about our alleged brother-sister relationship raised at the office by people who couldn't understand how in the world two people so very different could possibly be related.
Six and a half years ago, I asked Lindsay to check out Sara Roberts at a party we were going to, as possible wife potential for me. Lindsay approved, showing excellent taste. She also very carefully did not tell me that Mom had already told her that I was interested in Sara, which shows typical Lindsay discretion.
God bless you, Lindsay! You're a great sister, and I'm so glad that God put you in our family!
--DJ (also known as "Darn" to my sister)
Sunday, November 06, 2005
A Fact You Could Live A Happy Life Without Knowing
"Fertility drugs given to women today to make them produce more eggs are extracted from the urine of menopausal nuns in Italy."
-- "The Genius of China," Robert Temple (1985)
SJ
-- "The Genius of China," Robert Temple (1985)
SJ
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
The Feast of All Saints
So maybe we were a bit sketchy on the "all saints" part, but the food sure was good. Tuesday night was our Fourth Annual All Saints Day party, and was a success yet again. I can say so, not because Darren and I plan such smashing parties (although they're not half-bad...) but because our guests make it so much fun.
The best part, again, was the food. We assigned everyone a saint, and each person brought food relating to that saint. My apologies if this list gets a little long, but the resulting spread was so entertaining that I've decided just to transcribe the explanations. (Note: Even the single guys did their own cooking.)
Joneses:
Thomas the Apostle (Doubting Thomas).
Food: Chai tea latte, curry (made from scratch, no less, by Darren!), and lemon cookies.
Connection: Thomas traditionally was a missionary to India. And you might be able to relate the cookies to Thomas, but we doubt it.
Grace:
Basil the Great
Food: Smoked prosciuttio, peas, and pasta with basil.
Connection: It's spelled the same.
Katie:
Joan of Arc
Food: Cookies and apples.
Connection: Cookie recipe is an old French one. And the apples... because Joan was in her father's produce area (he owned 30 acres) the first time she received a vision. Thus apples = produce, produce = visions.
John Caleb:
George
Food: Scones
Connection: St. George is the patron saint of England. Scones are a traditional English food. Hence, the connection.
Gabe:
Patrick
Food: Toad-in-the-Hole (he added, If it's bad, it becomes "Frog-in-the-Bog")
Connection: This is a traditional Irish dish -- which was also exported to Australia, suitable for the patron saint of Ireland and Melbourne. This is the Australian version, made with bulk sausage and applesauce.
Leah:
Teresa of Avila
Food: Tuna and rice meatloaf
Connection: Avila is in Spain, and this is a Spanish dish. (Note: Leah's first plan was to ask a missionary friend for some Spanish recipes; the reply was that she had some good ones, but they were all in Spanish.)
Suzanne:
Nicholas
Food: Salmon wraps and turkey wraps
Connection: Patron saint of fishermen and Bishop of Myra, which is in modern-day Turkey.
Charlessa and Jesse:
Anthony(s)
Food: Resurrection rolls
Connections: St. Anthony the Great lived in tombs, made bread for six months at a time. St. Anthony of Padua: a widow gave bread/corn to poor because the saint answered her prayer to resurrect her son.
Peter and Kelly:
Ambrose of Milan
Food: Multiple bags of Milano cookies
Connection: Milan... Milano... get it? The Sauers actually couldn't attend, but Peter obliged us with an emailed (original) history of Ambrose's life. It wasn't exactly educational, but it was a big hit.
Will:
Sir Thomas More
Food: Baked apple crisp and whipped cream
Connections: Sir Thomas More is the patron saint of judges and lawyers. He was born on Milk Street, hence whipped cream. He was imprisoned in the Tower of London, hence wheat/oat crust (bread and water diet). He wrote Utopia, which was mentioned in Ever After, which featured apple throwing, hence apples.
***
Added to the feasting was our traditional trivia game (it changes every year, but there's *always* a trivia game); a lovely sing-through of "For All the Saints"; a responsive reading of an evening prayer; and lots of visiting. This party is one of the highlights of our year. For all our friends who are too distant to join us, just think of the cool Saints' parties we'll have in Heaven!
-- SJ
The best part, again, was the food. We assigned everyone a saint, and each person brought food relating to that saint. My apologies if this list gets a little long, but the resulting spread was so entertaining that I've decided just to transcribe the explanations. (Note: Even the single guys did their own cooking.)
Joneses:
Thomas the Apostle (Doubting Thomas).
Food: Chai tea latte, curry (made from scratch, no less, by Darren!), and lemon cookies.
Connection: Thomas traditionally was a missionary to India. And you might be able to relate the cookies to Thomas, but we doubt it.
Grace:
Basil the Great
Food: Smoked prosciuttio, peas, and pasta with basil.
Connection: It's spelled the same.
Katie:
Joan of Arc
Food: Cookies and apples.
Connection: Cookie recipe is an old French one. And the apples... because Joan was in her father's produce area (he owned 30 acres) the first time she received a vision. Thus apples = produce, produce = visions.
John Caleb:
George
Food: Scones
Connection: St. George is the patron saint of England. Scones are a traditional English food. Hence, the connection.
Gabe:
Patrick
Food: Toad-in-the-Hole (he added, If it's bad, it becomes "Frog-in-the-Bog")
Connection: This is a traditional Irish dish -- which was also exported to Australia, suitable for the patron saint of Ireland and Melbourne. This is the Australian version, made with bulk sausage and applesauce.
Leah:
Teresa of Avila
Food: Tuna and rice meatloaf
Connection: Avila is in Spain, and this is a Spanish dish. (Note: Leah's first plan was to ask a missionary friend for some Spanish recipes; the reply was that she had some good ones, but they were all in Spanish.)
Suzanne:
Nicholas
Food: Salmon wraps and turkey wraps
Connection: Patron saint of fishermen and Bishop of Myra, which is in modern-day Turkey.
Charlessa and Jesse:
Anthony(s)
Food: Resurrection rolls
Connections: St. Anthony the Great lived in tombs, made bread for six months at a time. St. Anthony of Padua: a widow gave bread/corn to poor because the saint answered her prayer to resurrect her son.
Peter and Kelly:
Ambrose of Milan
Food: Multiple bags of Milano cookies
Connection: Milan... Milano... get it? The Sauers actually couldn't attend, but Peter obliged us with an emailed (original) history of Ambrose's life. It wasn't exactly educational, but it was a big hit.
Will:
Sir Thomas More
Food: Baked apple crisp and whipped cream
Connections: Sir Thomas More is the patron saint of judges and lawyers. He was born on Milk Street, hence whipped cream. He was imprisoned in the Tower of London, hence wheat/oat crust (bread and water diet). He wrote Utopia, which was mentioned in Ever After, which featured apple throwing, hence apples.
***
Added to the feasting was our traditional trivia game (it changes every year, but there's *always* a trivia game); a lovely sing-through of "For All the Saints"; a responsive reading of an evening prayer; and lots of visiting. This party is one of the highlights of our year. For all our friends who are too distant to join us, just think of the cool Saints' parties we'll have in Heaven!
-- SJ
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