Photos II
Until recently, I had forgotten the importance of hair care for teenage girls. Now I remember in my own teens how I brushed my hair constantly, curled and primped it, and often shook my head so it would fall nicely in place. I wasn't alone, then or now!
Photos
When our kids turn 16, we give them a bigger birthday gift than normal. Last May, Adam received an all-white suit from several family members. He also loves to dance, energetically! [I don't have an actual photo of him in the suit, but here's one in all white from a few years ago:]
Not Young Anymore
I've often read that older parents lack the physical stamina of younger moms and dads. Supposedly, our greater wisdom makes up for it. I'm not so sure about that!
Technology
Sarah and I are sitting in the local library, within sight of each other. We've had an extended conversation via chat on Facebook. It's fun. She's sending me photos of herself to put on my computer screensaver, to join other images of family members.
When I was in high school, I joined the computer club. We had a teletype machine with no screen. My first term paper on the computer (rather than a typewriter) was in graduate school, five years later. Microsoft Windows wasn't yet available. My first laptop computer was still twenty years away.
What a change! And our kids have no idea.
Burn Out
Jonathan looked very weary last night. I told him that he looked about as burned out as I've ever seen him. He looked at me, and said, "I'm not burned out; I'm broken."
Whew! I did my best today to do childcare and free him up for some time alone. I hope the Thanksgiving weekend will do him some good.
Sandwich Generation
This blog gives lots of information about the generation younger than Jonathan and me. We also have parents with various health concerns.
Jonathan's father has been diagnosed recently with esophageal cancer. Yesterday we received the good news that the cancer has not yet spread, so he has the opportunity to fight it. Please keep him and Jonathan's mother in your prayers.
Reality Check
A few weeks ago, two of our kids refused to do their chores. Since this included laundry, among other things, Jonathan told them they'd have to wash their own clothes, on their own dime.
After one two-hour visit to the laundromat, and a whole bunch of quarters, they are now doing chores again!
Resourcefulness
Jonathan's parents gave us a wonderful popcorn maker, a professional type that makes LOTS of popcorn. It works well when everyone is watching a "family movie" by DVD. But recently, only one or two kids were home, and I didn't want to crank up the big popcorn maker. Our stash of microwave popcorn was gone, and I was reluctantly pulling out a large pan, vegetable oil, and our jar of loose popcorn.
Paul told me that there was an easier way. He took a paper lunch bag and filled it with popcorn. Sealing the opening was challenging, since items that include metal (like twisties) won't work in the microwave. But he folded over the end of the bag and secured it with a toothpick threaded through the paper a couple times. It worked like a charm.
Chapel
Twice a week, I lead chapel for the nursery school pupils at our church. On Tuesday, the three-year-olds come to the sanctuary for a short service, followed by the two-year-olds for a song or reading. My favorite group, however, is the four-year-old class on Friday morning. They are old enough to have interesting ideas about the stained-glass windows, which are the topic of our services.
In the middle ages, churches in Europe employed stained glass to teach Bible stories to the masses, who were illiterate. Today, the largest group of non-readers in our society is preschool students. Their lack of reliance on written words heightens their observance of images. I am often struck by their observations, which sometimes go beyond my own.
Today, we looked at a window about Jesus' role as shepherd. The image included a colorful green pasture of grass for a sheep to enjoy. I asked the class a leading question: "What do sheep eat?" Expecting "grass" as the answer, it was gratifying to hear them say instead the word "hay" and point to another window we discussed weeks ago: the Christmas image of a manger.
My Shoulder
When I slammed the van door into my arm last summer, the entire accident took place in less than a second. A premonition struck me, however, that this brief event might have longer-term repercussions. I was right.
An MRI shows that one of the tendons connected to my rotator cuff was torn when I involuntarily pulled my arm away from the van door. Surgery has been delayed until after Christmas, thank goodness. But the latest estimate of recovery time until I can play organ again is three months. That's impacting Holy Week and Easter.
Besides issues at work, I also won't be driving for six weeks after surgery. And walking on ice during a Chicago winter won't be a good idea, either. Looks like my (and our family's) life will look quite different for a little while.
Different Meanings
I've heard that most high-wire artists working in circuses are Ukrainians. Besides lacking a fear of heights, their skills in gymnastics are legion. Our kids also possess these abilities, and I can assure you, their genes did not come from me!
Recently the weather turned cold, and I asked one of the kids to layer their clothing. "That way you'll have the flexibility you need in the autumn. Several layers in the morning will keep you warm, while you can shed them at recess when you get hot from running around."
"Mom, I don't need more flexibility. I have enough already. I can do like fifty flips in a row!"
One of the "The Questions"
"Why didn't my Ukrainian parents want me?"
More Lyrics
I hear a lot of teen radio in our car. While this song has only rap for the verses, the chorus (given here) is sung with good music:This one's for you and me,
living out our dreams
We're all right where we should be
Lift my arms out wide I open my eyes
And now all I wanna see
Is a sky full of lighters
A sky full of lighters
[a performer looking at an immense audience holding lighters]
Amazing!
I just saw some photos on the internet of military dogs parachuting out of planes. Wow!
More Lyrics
One of our kids told me this was their favorite song:Refrain:7 times 70 times
I’ll do what it takes to make it right
I thought the pain was here to stay
But forgiveness made a way
7 times 70 times
There’s healing in the air tonight
I’m reaching up to pull it down
Gonna wrap it all around
Verses:I’ve been living in this house here
Since the day that I was born
These walls have seen me happy
But most of all they’ve seen me torn
They’ve heard the screaming matches
That made a family fall apart
They’ve had a front row seat
To the breaking of my heart
I remember running down the hallway
Playing hide-and-seek
I didn’t know that I was searching
For someone to notice me
I felt alone and undiscovered
And old enough to understand
Just when I’m s’posed to be learning to love you
Let me doubt again
I lost count of the ways you let me down
But no matter how many times you weren’t around
I’m all right now
God picked up my heart and helped me through
And shined a light on the one thing left to do
And that’s forgive you
I forgive you
Not Sticking Out
When Jonathan and I taught classes in Hong Kong, the students would almost never ask questions in class. Instead, we would be swamped for ten or fifteen minutes after the period ended with multiple students verifying what we had said. We learned that saving face is a very important part of the culture. Therefore, the students wouldn't risk losing face by asking questions. In addition, they didn't want us to lose face for not having explained the concepts well enough. I'm not kidding!
No one wants to stand out. And if one person does, the rest lay low. It works that way in families, too. I'm just thankful that (most of the time) only one child demands the majority of attention.
Lifting My Spirits
In Thee is gladness amid all sadness,
Jesus, sunshine of my heart.
By Thee are given the gifts of heaven,
Thou the true Redeemer art.
Our souls Thou wakest, our bonds Thou breakest;
Who trusts Thee surely has built securely;
He stands forever: Alleluia!
Our hearts are pining to see Thy shining,
Dying or living to Thee are cleaving;
Naught can us sever: Alleluia!
Since He is ours, we fear no powers,
Not of earth nor sin nor death.
He sees and blesses in worst distresses:
He can change them with a breath.
Wherefore the story tell of His glory
With hearts and voices: all heav'n rejoices
In Him forever: Alleluia!
We shout for gladness, triumph o'er sadness,
Love Him and praise Him and still shall raise Him
Glad hymns forever: Alleluia!
-
Lutheran Service Book, Hymn No. 818
Sorry
Too busy to write. Hope to come up for air soon.
