Christmas Travels!

I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas. We had a great time. My parents came to Chicago to spend the holiday with us. We were really busy the entire time, but it was so much fun. It was a perfect time of eating good food, seeing Chicago, shoppping, playing games, and laughing.

We also spent some time with my sister, Allison, and her family. We got to attend my nephew's Christmas performance at his school. We had a really fun time with Allison's family. Her kids make us laugh so hard. I got my hair highlighted while visiting them, so I am no longer a brunette...I am so happy to be blonde again. We went on a double date and had so much fun catching up with Ty and Alli.

Before heading to see my sister, we spent time with Brandon's family. We celebrated Christmas with the Mick's. Christmas was extra special this year due to three new babies! It was so fun to be around our nephews who are 6 mo. and 9 mo.

After a few quiet days in Chicago we leave again tomorrow to head to Des Moines for two weddings.

Merry Christmas!

One Semester Down!

Today was the last day that students were allowed to be on campus for the fall semester. The second floor (where we live) of the girls dorm is a ghost town. I cannot believe that my first semester here is over. It went so fast. One of the perks of my job is that I do not have to work over breaks. My fellow RS's and I split up the total days of winter break to be "on duty". My days are the 24-27th of December. So, Brandon and I are taking off tomorrow for time with family. Here is our schedule for the next couple weeks. If we are going to be near any of you and you want to see us, call and we will try to work it out!

December 15-18 Christmas with the Mick's
December 19-21 Lincoln, NE to see the Thomas Family
December 21 Over night in Des Moines
December 22-27 Chicago....Christmas with my parents and "duty"
December 28-1 Des Moines for two weddings ( you know who you are!!)
January 1 Back to Chicago

Guys weekend.

This past weekend, I took a 7 hour car ride (one way) to beautiful Slim Lake in the Northwoods of Wisconsin to spend some time with old college friends. My friend Ben's (green shirt) parents own a wonderful cabin on a very pleasant lake there. Due to ministry obligations and general life getting in the way, I have been unable to spend much time with my friends from college. Also in attendance were: Aaron a.k.a. Karona (yellow shirt), Shane (gray fleece on far right, your right not his), and BJ (black hooded sweatshirt...okay if I just said "he's the really hot one" you'd be able to find him). I have shared much of myself and many life experiences with these guys and love them dearly. The other guys in the picture are roommates and friends of Ben. Most of them were fellow NWC grads and all around good guys. We reminisced much and laughed so hard that our sides hurt by the end of the weekend. Thanks guys for a great weekend.

4 years!

Can you believe that I have been married to this woman for 4 years? Well believe it, yesterday marked our 4 year anniversary. I am so blessed.

I'm not sure why, but....

I recently began a list of television shows I would like to see taken off the air with great celerity. This is by no means an exhaustive list of the shows which no person should bear, but this is where it stands including the reason for a swift disposal:

1. The NEW Jim Bakker Show -- scam artist, Scam Artist, SCAM ARTIST!
2. Last Call with Carson Daily -- Carson Daily's categorical lack of personality and his supreme inability to come across as anything other than CREEPY.
3. The Tyra Banks Show -- The Tyra Banks Show
4. The Megan Mullally Show -- It just doesn't work.
5. Nancy Grace -- Besides the eye makeup... well, there's the pushing people to suicide for starters.
6. The Tonight Show with Jay Leno -- It's just a time-slot that should include humor, originality, and talent. Somebody call up the bullpen and get Conan in here.
7. Show Me the Money -- Captain Kirk urging you to pick your "Dancer with the answer!" Please, make it stop.

Feel free to add to this list. Maybe we could draft a letter to the President of TV and voice our collective discontent.

Congrats Aaron and Jess!

Over Thanksgiving break we had the pleasure of seeing Aaron and Jess get married. We met Jess last year through Epoch. She is an amazing woman whom I miss dearly. Brandon sang in their wedding and did a wonderful job (I'm not biased at all). Jess was a beautiful bride! I meant to post some of these pictures last week, but we got sick and busy. Happy one week anniversary Jess and Aaron!

On the Other Side

Tonight, as I was thinking, I realized how different my life is from last year at this time and in so many ways. I know that seems like a "duh" statement, but I am talking "different" in more ways than geography. I am no longer working with individuals who are financially poor. My department at work decided to sponsor a child from Chinatown this Christmas. We bought items to give this girl as presents. I was so happy to participate in this. Picking out items to give to Jenny was so much fun. In my last job the families that I worked with were sponsored every Christmas and I had the joy of delivering the gifts to the families. From my experience, sponsor programs are meaningful and bring so much joy to the individuals. While I do not want to demean sponsor programs in any way, I was convicted in my own heart that this isn't enough.

I was thinking back to last year and the fact that my interactions with needy (needy in the physical sense) didn't come only once a year. At points my daily interaction with my clients drove me to feeling calloused and numb. I know that response was wrong, but I also know that giving one child Christmas, a child whom I will never even see or meet also feels inadequate. I am not working in the human service field right at the moment, and reaching out to needy people will take more work...but I don't think that means I am off the hook in any way. This is just a thought that has been floating around in my mind. I am hopeful that it will lead me to loving the less fortunate around me on a consistent basis.

I'm so full.

Here we are, back in Chicago. We had a great weekend with both of our families. Lots of time with all of our nephews and niece. It was a blast, but definitely good birth control... if you know what I mean. This may be the first time that our tiny dorm room/apartment has seemed quiet.

Though our stomachs are distending, the self-inflicted proof of another year of celebratory gluttony, Abe and I pressed on in holiday fashion. Tonight we set up our meager tree. This place still doesn't feel totally like home, but throw up a fake fir and you are one step closer.

In no particular order.

Family.
Lucy.
Squirrel-friend.
Nephews.
Niece.
Turkey.
Beef stroganoff.
Stuffing.
Mashed potatoes.
Pumpkin pie.
Coffee.
Laughter.
Killer Bunnies.
Rope Swing.
Brandon the wedding singer.
Mr. & Mrs. Aaron Savage.
Tony & Katie.
1 Christmas down.
Undershirts and coasters.
New shoes.
Sleeping in.
Early mornings.

... more to come, I'm sure, the weekend is not over. We'll see you back here on Monday.

I hope you had a fantastic Thanksgiving.

You be the judge.

Brandon and I are at an impasse. We cannot seem to come to an agreement on his new facial hair. So, we decided to take a vote. Please weigh in on whether or not the mustache, yes that is a mustache, should stay. I am sure you can guess which way I am leaning.

Pumpkin Pie Attempt #1

This is a picture of my first attempt making pumpkin pie. Brandon and I were grocery shopping yesterday and I walked past a display of all the necessary items for a complete Thanksgiving dinner. As I walked by I had a craving for pumpkin pie and did not want to wait until Thursday. I decided to make one myself. Who knew that you had to bake pumpkin pie for an hour, and then let it cool for two?! So much for immediate gratification. The end result was a very sub-par pie. It was burned around the edge and mushy in the middle. I now know after discussing this with a friend that there are ways to prevent this.

In other news, I have one more day of work before we leave town. I am very excited for family time, good food, and to see my little dog Lucy!

Muffinssssss! (Actually my wife told me they were...Cupcakesssss!)

Can you guess how boring my life has become? This is what I did today, how about all you other men out there? What?!? I'm confident enough in my manhood to admit this...I think.

The city of wind will put hair on your chest.

Many of you who know me, know that I am sometimes referred to as "the Great Hairless Wonder." I am called this, for those who are too cretinous to infer, for my general lack of body hair. Today I was flexing, shirtless, in front of the mirror (as I am wont to do from time to time), and behold! My gaze fell upon a small group of infinitesimal hairs burgeoning forth from and around a mole. Now, I recognize that mole-hairs should not count as genuine body hair, but there was one, solitary hair germinating, not from a mole, but from my bare chest. I have a chest hair! I did take a picture, but to capture the microscopic scene I had to use the macro setting on my camera. A macro picture of a mole and surrounding hairs, I assume, would be much to revolting for a respectable blog.

Busy Weekend!

I had a really fun, busy weekend. Friday I took my 11 RA's on a retreat. The idea was to get away from the city and relax. We headed to a hotel in Naperville, IL. It was a really fun night of eating, laughing, playing games, and watching movies. It was so nice to have down-time with some of my favorite ladies.

Saturday night I had the joy of hanging out with my dear friend Sarah. It was so much fun to have Sarah in Chicago, show her my apartment, eat good food, and talk. There is something so refreshing about a good friend. I was so encouraged by her and only wish we had more time together! The one sour note of the whole weekend was that it took me 45 minutes to pick her up at Union Station. That is absolutely ridiculous as Union Station is 1 mile from us. I was completely lost! I think that is proof that I need to take Brandon's advice and study a map!


*abbey

My sister came to town.

It seems like we've had so few opportunities to spend with family in the past few years. But for the last few days we've had the privilege of having my sister and her family stay with us here in Chicago. They said that they came to visit the Brazilian consulate and a school south of Chicago, but I like to think that they came to spend time in the girls' dorm. One of the greatest things is that we've got to spend time with our nephew Sam Jr.. It has been a blast getting to know the little guy. He has got to be one of the most ridiculously, jovial children I've come across, but of course, who wouldn't laugh their head off if they had an uncle like me. A few notes to make about their visit:

1. We ate some of the best pizza in town.
2. We played Killer Bunnies.
3. We visited a new church, which we incidentally loved and plan on going back (this is good news if you are familiar with our woes of finding a church).
4. We drank a lot of Starbucks.
5. Sam and I had hours of discussion on theology, church, and Christianity, which I'm pretty sure was a ton-o-fun for both of us.
6. We ate Thai food, which didn't give us diarrhea. Sam Jr. didn't have the Thai food but had diarrhea all the way up to his chubby, little shoulders and had to have a bath in our kitchen sink.

*brandon

Booyah!

Please pray.

Please pray for my grandparents. My grandmother, yesterday, underwent a second surgery in under a week, dealing with her bout with colon cancer. There was much infection in her abdomen, so a second surgery was necessary to clean it up. She is struggling now and on life support. This is also very hard on my grandfather as he is watching his wife of 58 years struggle so.

A challenge has been issued.

If you are a nerd, you may want to take up my challenge here.

*brandon

Marathon!

Today was the Chicago Marathon. The above pictures are of us cheering for the runners. My sister's husband ran and did awesome. Joe finished in 3:29...I think that is really amazing! We started the morning right at 8 waiting to cheer for Joe with our signs and cowbells. If you will notice in the picture, we were basically the first people out there to cheer on the runners. It was freezing, very windy, but tons of fun. Watching the race at the beginning was so exciting, it was contagious. I was thinking "Wow, I really want to do this next year." But, at mile 25 it was a different story... it just looked painful at that point. I am really not sure it is something that I could ever do. Here's to Joe! Way to go!

*abbey

Yes!

I know, I know, it's my second post of the day. But, come on....

I'm in.

Brunneous.

Today was a good day.

It seems that days like today are few and far between for me in this city. It's not that the days are necessarily bad, they are just...boring. So what made today good? What made it less boring than most others?

1. Good Coffee - I got a new brew from Trader Joe's. It hit the spot this morning, and shook loose the cobwebs of another night of showers and toilets.

2. Good God - I've struggled spiritually since moving to Chicago. I can't hide it. I've struggled. I've been very focused on me, and without full-time work or school to date; I've had a lot of time to do so. I decided not to today. I got the guitar and Bible out and spent some time this morning focused on Him. It was good.

3. Good Lunch - We're kind of sick of the food here at Moody. But the food tasted better today, since I got to eat with my beautiful bride and chat in her lovely office (yeah, I am a little bit jealous that she has an office).

4. Good Friend - I got to have a brief conversation with a good friend. The update sounded good. I'm happy for him and awaiting more news.

5. Good Cider and UEFA - I watched Manchester United beat up on København while enjoying a hot cider on this cold, wet October day. Perfect.

6. Good Job - I work tonight. I am a janitor/doorman at an apartment building on the "Gold Coast" of Chicago. It's humbling, servile labor. But I thank God for the job. The lessons He's taught through it are priceless. The little money that I earn helps.

I hope you all had notable days.

Shalom.

*brandon

We love Joe Barrett!

Sorry, you haven't heard from us in a while. My life has been consumed with preparation for the GRE. But, that's all over now, as I took the test on Wednesday. It wasn't much fun, but I did alright. We are now just waiting for Wheaton's reply.

This weekend Abbey's parents are in town. The boys went golfing today and the girls shopped. Tonight we went to, what I believe to be known as, "Little Italy." My brother-in-law's boss, Joe Barrett, took us to a little hole in the wall Italian spot. Mama Mia, it was a-good! After dinner we went back to Joe Barrett's apartment for dessert and coffee. Before we did that though, we went 62 stories up to the top of his building to check out a beautiful view of Chicago.

Besides having great taste in Italian restaurants and a phenomenal apartment directly above the House of Blues, Joe Barrett is one of the greatest guys I've ever met. If you're ever in Chicago, you should meet Joe.

Thought I would include a couple pictures of our evening as well.

-brandon

(Abe and I)

(Joe, Andrea, Chuck, Sue and Joe Barrett)

(a view from the top)

Ahhh, the beautiful North East...of Iowa.

Abe and I are leaving in a little while to spend some time with my parents in Guttenberg, IA. We are really looking forward to playing with Lucy and taking a much needed respite from the city. Much of my time will be spent studying, however; as I will be taking the GRE in just under 1 week. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Oh, and by the way, I'm loving this weather :). (I just wanted to say something that I could put a ":)" behind. I've recently come to the conclusion that I don't use enough ":)'s" or even ";)'s". So from now on, you will see more ":)'s" or ";)'s" from me. On second thought, ":)'s" and ";)'s" take far too long to type. I'll just use the traditional method of ending my sentences with a ".".)

Who said it?

"The philosophers have only interpreted the world in various ways; the point, however, is to change it."

Name the accidental theologian behind those words. I dare you.

A brief conversation.

Oh man, tonight was awesome! David Bazan was phenomenal. It was quaint, it felt like a family gathering. Abbey and I had a great time. He played all of her favorites and some of mine. It was everthing I could have imagined. And as the show closed and people were gathering to talk, it happened....

(while shaking the man's hand)
brandon: "I just wanted to say thank you. Thanks for everything."
david: "Oh, you're welcome. Thanks for coming out tonight."

BACKSTORY:
In the last few years, I have had an awakening, of sorts (if you didn't know, ask me about it some time). David Bazan's music has been instrumental in arousing my soul and intellect to the stark realities of the world in which we live, for better and worse. I owed him a "thank-you." Mission accomplished.

*brandon

Jealous???

Go Cubs!

As I write this I can hardly believe that it is actually me having these thoughts. I went to my very first Chicago Cubs game today. They played the LA Dodgers and......WON! I went with the Residence Life team, we had our "staff meeting" at the Cubs game today. It was a really good time. I think I may actually be a fan? Which would be wierd for me as I have never, ever cared an ounce about any sport in my life. I got to eat peanuts and sing "Take me out to the Ballgame". Good times.

*abbey

We're all in this together...thought I would let you know

Well, here's where we stand with the old kidney stones. I went into the pee doctor (More mature people call them Urologists, and believe me there were plenty of more mature people in the waiting room. I think I was the youngest in the room by 40-50 years) on Tuesday. Apparently I have 1 small stone remaining in my left kidney. CaT scans layer images in a way that the one stone appeared as "a number." So that's really good news. I think the worst is behind us. The doctor has me drinking a gallon of water a day, but the rest of my life is back to normal. Thanks for your prayers and moral support through it all.

Dang.

I recieved a call this evening, on my cellular telephone, from the urologist's office. It seems that my celebration of victory was a little premature and abhorringly short-lived. Apparently I have a "number" of additional stones in my left kidney as well as two "obstructed" stones between my right kidney and bladder. The worst part is that I'm not even sure of what that all means. But I take solace, in regards to my ineptitude, in the simple fact that the nurse that relayed the information hadn't the slightest grasp at the specifics and universality of her statements either.

Believe me, I asked her to repeat herself a number of times, that I might gain an inkling of the breadth of her words. And though the news was grievous, it was delivered in relative haste. It went something like this:

"Good evening Mr. Mick, your body has, for some unknown reason, decided to initiate a self-destruct mode. Pain, pain, and more pain is unavoidable. Morphine will be necessary, but will only breach the surface of your PAIN. You will want to die. And this could all happen at any moment. We'll see you Tuesday morning and talk about it a little more, have a great holiday weekend"

And that was that. She had no further answers to my pesky questions. She hung up. My life, my sanity are unsure. But she was tired of my questions. I guess we'll find out Tuesday. Have a great holiday weekend.

Kidney Stone Incident of '06....resolved!

(the two small, black dots are my kidney stones. i'm so glad they are in this cup and not in me.)

Well after a long, hard battle with two of my toughest, smallest opponents.....I emerge the victor. A little bedraggled. A little battered. But I, Sir Brandon of Chi-town, a bruised reed I did not break, have vanquished my foes. That is, if by vanquish I mean that I finally peed them into a strainer...because that's what I did. I've been told, a staggering amount of times over the past 4 days, that passing kidney stones is much like giving birth. To that I lift my glass to those worthy warriors we call "moms". Holy crap was this an ordeal. If that's what childbirth is like, I'm sure glad my curse is to work the earth. I feel as proud as a champion of battle, I have won. But there is also a tinge of remorse, for the battle is over. Okay who am I kidding, there's no remorse. I'm so happy that those bloody stones are out of my body. Huzzah!

Kidney stones recap...to date.

Monday 3 pm: Something is amiss. Something is not quite right. It feels that a flower of pain has bloomed in the right side of my abdomen.

Monday 5 pm: Abbey and I go to Walgreens for some Gas-X to see if that will alleviate the issue.

Monday 6 pm: Not working, let's go to the ER. Pain isn't incredible, but we better check it out.

Monday 6-8:30 pm: ER waiting room. Pain seems to come in surges. Pain increases with each surge.

Monday 8:30-11 pm: In the ER. Pee tested, much blood. Dr. thinks it might be kidney stones. CaT scan affirms doctor's suspicion. I have 2 stones, one is 1mm and the other is 3mm. They are located halfway between kidney and bladder. I'm given one dose of morphine, though I don't really feel a lot of pain. This is my first experience with Morphine, feels like someone puts a pillow over your face, can't breath, scared, then, and then, nothing... no pain, no common sense. I make friends with every passer-by. Great Dr.'s and even better nurses in ER. Doctor comments that he wasn't positive it was kidney stones, that is before the CaT scan, because I wasn't showing signs of enough pain. He said people were usually screaming with pain, he commented that I must have a high pain tolerance.

Monday 11 pm: Abbey and I return to the girls' dorm. I feel pretty good about my "high pain tolerance" We eat McDonald's as a late, late dinner. Take narcotic pain medicine, get a little buzzed from it, write a short post. We go to bed. Tired, but confident that the worst is behind us.

Tuesday 4:30 am: I awake. OOOOOUUCH! This is bad. Pain medicine not working. Let's go, Go, GO back to the ER! My "high pain tolerance" theory is out the window. This hurts, hurts bad.

Tuesday 5 am: Arrive back to ER waiting room. Check in process goes smoothly except for moaning and vomiting due to immense, immense pain in my abdomen. This is the worst pain I have ever experienced in all my life. More vomiting, more moaning; bordering on screaming.

Tuesday 5:15 am: Back into the ER. Anti-nausea and morphine injected into blood stream in the nick of time. Morphine lasts about 15 minutes. More please? Sure. More pain, more vomiting. A few more shots of anti-nausea and morphine later, they take me to the ER Observation room.

Tuesday 9 am - 5 pm: ER Observation room. Soooooo drugged, can't keep my eyes open for more than 5 minutes. Abbey sticks by my side the whole time. Incredible patience. Nurses take forever to respond to my calls for more pain med. My waking moments are spent drinking water and attempting to urinate through a strainer. Abbey eats cheese popcorn and watches "White Chicks" with the Wayans bros. while I sleep.

Tuesday 5 pm: I'm fed up with the poor service of the ER Observation room. The pain has subsided. Let's go home.

Then until now: Much water. Much peeing through strainer. Awaiting the arrival of my twins.

Rainy Day Women #12 & 35

Everybody must get stoned....KIDNEY STONED! Well I had a fun day. But I think that the Hydrocodone is kicking in, so the tale of pain, pain, more pain, then some morphine will have to wait until tomorrow.

*brandon

Yipee, Yipee, Yipee!

We're now just days away.

The freshman have arrived!

Today marked the arrival of all the new students at Moody. I was really busy today and met lots of students and even more parents! It was a good day. All of the new students are here for a few days of orientation before classes start.
As I was watching the students make awkward introductions and smile uneasily at each other, I couldn't help but remember my own first few days of my freshman year of college. I thought of how much I did not want to be at college and how awful I thought orientation was.
I also thought about Sarah Miller. Sarah is an amazing friend of mine, we met in orientation. Going on five years out of college we are still friends. I was down the hall just a few minutes ago talking to a group of girls and I told them about Sarah. I encouraged them that they will most likely be meeting someone in the next few days that will end up being a life long friend.
As different as it has been to move back into a girl's dorm, I do love all the energy and excitement that is around us!

*abbey

The return of the Mick

I, Brandon (unfotunately without Abe), will be returning to the DSM on the morrow. I will be in town from Monday evening through Wednesday afternoon. I need to do a few things to get our fair "Bunglehole" ready for sale. I'll be busy getting some stuff done, but give me a ring-a-ling if you'd like to buy me coffee, lunch, and/or dinner; I should have some spare time. The number is still the same, hope to hear from you.

Shalom.

It's about freakin' time!

Well I think these pictures are a little overdue. This is our home, come on in....

(our little bedroom)

(our closet)

(le toilet)

(the livingroom)

(the livingroom #2)

(the kitchen)

(the kitchen #2)

(the study...yup, the study!)

(the study #2)

(brandon's escape hatch -- a.k.a. the stairwell)

URGENT: Please pray for Jake!

(Jake's the one on the left... your left... the one with the huge smile... okay, he's the white one)

My good friend, Jake Bouma, fell last night while playing a game with the junior high ministry he works with. He is in the hospital right now with some internal bleeding (of the bladder and intestines, I believe). It doesn't sound life threatening, but the doctors are monitoring him. He is in a lot of pain right now. He cannot stand up. They are not sure how they are going to get him home to Des Moines; the camp is in Missouri. Pray that there might not be any more complications for Jake, that his pain would subside, and that he might recover quickly.

Shalom.

*brandon

Vocabulary, Quantitative Comparison, and Analytical Writing... Oh My! Chapter 2 -- "The Answer"

Well, for those of you who are waiting with baited breath for the answer to the question I posed last post; the correct answer is..... (C) demotion from glory! And if you were waiting for me to post an answer, may I suggest a dictionary. If you can't afford one right now, www.dictionary.com is absolutely free. But, great job if you got it! More posts to come on the topic of the GRE, I am sure.

*brandon

Vocabulary, Quantitative Comparison, and Analytical Writing... Oh My!

Per admittance to Wheaton's graduate program, I am required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE for short). As I began studying the Antonym section in my Barron's "How to Prepare for the GRE" , I came to the stark realization that my vocabulary is not where it ought to be for this exam. I will give an example question that I encountered below, but needless to say, I spent about an hour and a half today listening to The Appleseed Cast and doing a little light reading by Merriam-Webster. This should be fun. No seriously, it was really fun. Weird, huh?

Directions -- In the following antonym question, a word printed in capital letters precedes five lettered words or phrases. From these five lettered words or phrases, pick the one most nearly opposite in meaning to the capitalized word. Because some of the questions require you to distinguish fine shades of meaning, be sure to consider all the choices before deciding which one is best.

APOTHEOSIS:
(A) departure from tradition
(B) impatience with stupidity
(C) demotion from glory
(D) surrender to impulse
(E) cause for grief

Go ahead give it a shot, see how you do. Believe it or not, I got this one right.

*brandon

One Week Down!

Our first week in Chicago has officially come to an end. This week has felt like an eternity to me. It is strange to think that it was really only one week ago that I said "good-bye" to many of you. It feels like we have been here forever, but time is also going really fast for me. As a result of that, I didn't have time to reflect on all of the changes in my life. This weekend, as life slowed down, things got hard. Brandon and I both laid in bed last night with feelings of homesickness for our little white house and adorable dog Lucy. Not having Lucy has been the hardest thing for me. I miss that little pup like crazy.

On a postive note, I am loving my job. I don't really have a handle on what I am doing yet, but I already have a great feeling about my position. I met one of my RA's this last week and she seems great. Meeting her made me very excited about the school year and the relational side of my job.

This post isn't anything profound. Just an update from me since I have been silent for some time now. Your continued prayers are appreciated.

*abbey

From the lips of children and infants...

***disclaimer***
The following thought is a work in process. There might be a couple of holes in the pattern, but I think there is something there. Thanks.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have been thinking a lot about my hastening entrance into the world of "Christian" Academia. I have been thinking a lot about Luke 10:21 when Jesus states (excitedly) "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure." (emphasis mine)

I guess that my prayer is that I would not lose "it". I am confident that, as a developing leader, I need to be well prepared so that I might lead soundly and with confidence. For this reason, I long for wisdom and learning. But I pray that I might never forget that the secrets to the Kingdom are easy enough for a child to understand.

I've often wondered why children were so favored by Jesus. I've wondered if it was for their unashamed social interaction (the kind of fearlessness I see in the Kingdom). I've wondered if it was their humility (the kind that is unavoidable due to their status and the kind that is imperative to being like Christ). Today, as I read this passage in Luke, I wondered if it was for their innate sense of literal obedience to authority (the kind that would lead to unquestioning service of your master).

In regards to the latter, here is something I have observed in the 27 years I have lived on this great terrestrial sphere; the more you study something, the less you are able to take pleasure in the beauty and simplicity of your study. As you become wiser and wiser on your specific study, the more you tend to feel that you know it. The more you feel you know it, the more you tend to feel that you have power over it. The more you feel you have power over it, the less you will tend to find beauty in it (for if you know it and have power over it; it is less than you).

What does this have to do with Jesus and children? We must never lose sight of the fact that at the end of the day, children get "it". As hard as we will study it, as much as we read into it, at the end of each day children understand it. And I think there is something beautiful about a child's literal obedience to a simple call.

I pray that I might learn in humility and that I might become wiser in obedience. Lord, I pray that I might never lose sight of what you have held from the learned and wise and revealed to children. Lord, let me never lose sight of the Kingdom.

John 14:15
"If you love me, you will obey what I command"

Matthew 4:19a
"Come, follow me"

And so it begins.....

We arrived safely yesterday afternoon to a heat wave and what will probably be the smallest space Abe and I will ever live in. With the help of some wonderful, young Moody students, we unloaded the truck in no time at all. With all of the items inside, Andrea and Joe (Abbey's sister and husband) showed us one of their favorite sites in this great city...Costco. With a giant box of granola bars in tow, we were treated to some hot, hot Chili (a la Andrea). After much chili and much laughter, we came back to the girls' dorm, unpacked some, and crashed. Day 1 completed.

Day 2 started very late. Awesome. What we thought would be the dining room/study, turned out to be only a study. Sweet for me...I've never had an office. Sad for Abe... no dining room means no dining room table for us at this time. Without the need for a dining room table, we went ahead and returned the Uhaul. Afterwards we decided that a trip to the wonderful land of Ikea would be an alright way to spend the afternoon... and evening. We were there forever. What a place, those Swedes sure know how to make a lot of stuff!

The overall feel of our lives right now is overwhelmed. It's hard to believe that this is our home. The busyness of the city is incredible (and it was the weekend). Traffic is ridiculous. We miss Lucy. Abe is starting a new job. I've lost my identity. But, we are excited to see what God has in store for us here. He brought us here for a reason, we are sure of that.

*brandon

It's so hard to say goodbye...

No really, it's so hard. It's hard because it really hasn't set in yet. This week has been full of tying up loose ends and saying many, many goodbyes. But it hasn't set in yet. I suppose it will on Friday as family and friends gather at our home to help us load the 2nd smallest Uhaul that they make (I hope it's big enough).

In case you have been under a rock for a while, this Saturday, Abe and I are moving to "The Big Breazy", Chicago, IL; it is time. We will, for the next 2+ years, be living in a girls' dormitory. We will soon be saying our final "farewell" to our beloved Lucille 3. We will, with finality, be closing the red door to an empty house. We will be heading down I-80 to the hustle/bustle of city life. We will be leaving all that we have known as a married couple.

Our first years in the DSM have been good. We've made lifelong friends. We've been inspired to dream. We've grown wiser from experience. We've fallen deeper in love.

God bless this city, may His face shine on her, and may His love and Will flourish here.

Thanks for the memories.

*brandon

Lost.....and then found!

This has been an interesting couple of days for me. Brandon is gone and I am packing up our life in Des Moines one box at a time. It has been emotional for me to start seeing visual reminders that our time here is coming to an end very quickly. I also lost something very important that caused me quite a bit of stress.


This last Sunday I realized that I had no idea where my moleskin journal was. I did not panic at first, but looked all through my house, car, Brandon's car, and any bag I had used in the recent past. No luck. At that point I started to panic. I actually just received my moleskin this last Christmas as a gift from Brandon, he encouraged me to start journaling. My argument for not keeping a journal was that I find them to be very intimate and always worried about someone reading my thoughts. Well, against my better judgment I began to journal in January and loved it. I found it so refreshing to write my thought and feelings without having to censor them. I also discovered I tend to write when I am feeling a strong emotion. As a result of that my journal entries are definitely not anything that I would want anyone to ever read. As I started to think about some of the entries that I had written I became very paranoid about where my journal was. I will cut to the chase and let you know I found it under my bed, underneath a suitcase 48 LONG hours later. How it got there I will never know. Why I didn't see it there the first five times I looked I also will never know. I do know that I am very relieved to have my little journal back in my possession. Now I have to decide if I will keep on writing, We shall see.


abbey*

Pacifism in Chicago

I'm sitting in a hotel room in West Lafeyette, IN. I am here with our high school group for the national conference of Evangelical Free Churches, more commonly known as "Challenge." It should prove to be interesting, if you know me well you know my stance on youth conferences. But now is not the time or the place to go there. I will, hopefully, have a fantastic time with our group on this "last hurrah" of my days at Valley.

Today we had to pass through Chicago to get here. Abe called me at the exact moment we were passing through. She asked if it felt like home. With frank honesty, I answered, "no." It didn't feel like home. It probably won't for a while. But, in time, it will.

On a completely different note, I read a lot on our bus ride. I read some Martel, some N.T. Wright, and I finished "The Secret Message of Jesus" by Brian McClaren. Though McClaren's works have sparked much controversy in conservative, evangelical circles, I feel the need to hear him out. I feel this for two reasons; first, I am moving to the liberal side of conservativism (to be safe) and second, he has good things to say.

In one of the chapters he lays out a very convincing argument for a pacifistic lifestyle. Pacifism is something I have been personally mulling over in the ol' bean for a while now. I read the Scriptures, and I can't help but see it. I realize that this is a sticky subject, but I feel that this is one of those things that you've got to figure out where you stand. It seems especially important in a day and age when wars are waged and violence is effected in the name of God (if you think about it, this statement is incredibly ambiguous, so don't get to bent out of shape). So if I were to take a stand, I would have to say that I am a Pacifist. I might be a developing, or a progressing, or even a struggling one, but I am a pacifist. It seems that if you are follower of Christ, you put your stock in God's economy. And in God's economy, love and peace will win, period.

This is a strikingly political post for me, but nevertheless, it must be said. Let me know what you think on the topic.

Shalom (which means God's Peace, if you didn't already know that).

Andi Pandi

For those of you that do not know, the lovely lady in this picture with me is my little sister Andrea. She is amazing and if you do not know her you are missing out. To be fair, and I am a middle child so I like to keep the peace, I must mention that I also have an older sister that I will post about at a later date.

In only 16 days I am moving to Chicago and will live in the same city as my sister for the first time since I was 18 and she was 16. Anyone who knew me at 18 knows that I have changed and grown so much since that time. Anyone who knew Andrea knows that she also has changed since she was 16. I am thrilled to have the chance to live in the same city and spend time together as "adults". I know that living near Andrea will encourage me, comfort me, and challenge me to chase after the Lord. I have always admired her for her amazing faith in Christ. Andrea is loyal, generous, funny, and very wise. Many times I forget that she is actually younger than me. When I start to get really worried and panicky about our move I remember that with all the change comes the chance to live life alongside one of my best friends. I cannot wait!

abbey*

The weight of the world and then some...

Tonight we had a bunch of college students in our home for hotdogs (wieners if you prefer) and fellowship. Over the last year we have had our home open to these kids nearly every Monday and some Thursdays. It has been awesome.

Which leads me to the title. My heart is heavy (with what seems like the weight of the world). I love you all. We love you all. Though we are moving on, know that it is not easy. We have so much time, energy, and love invested here with Epoch Ministry. The reality of our move is really setting in this week. It will be really, really hard.

Tonight was a reality check. We are really moving. We are really leaving this house, you, and even Lucy (she was the small one with a bad haircut, in case you were wondering). There is so much emotion tonight.

Please pray for us as we are praying for you.

I raise my glass and my prayers, tonight, to the individuals of Epoch Ministry.

Shaloam.

brandon*

First Post Ever!!

This is my first post ever. I have never blogged for many reasons. One reason is that I think it is very odd and unsettling to have my thoughts posted for anyone who stumbles upon them to read. The other reasons are not worth spending time writing about. Since this blog is to chronicle "our" life in the girl's dorm, here I go.

Tomorrow I start my first day of the last week of my job. I have been surprised at the emotions that I have been having. I have found myself being really sad to say "good-bye" to clients whom I thought I would be pleased to leave behind. I have started to think about how good I have really had it at my job. I do work at home, it doesn't get much better than that. When I start thinking these things I realize that I have this personality trait which causes me to become very idealistic about things when I am leaving them behind. For some reason I rarely remember the bad. My brain automatically eliminates the bad/sad things and only leaves behind the fond memories. I suppose to some extent most everyone does this?

I guess that's good news for anyone who has ticked me off in the last couple of years!
Abbey

i've got a 100% return rate on my missionaries

Last night we returned from our week long mission-adventure to Parmelee, SD. It was one of the hardest, yet one of the best trips I have ever been on. I return a changed man.

I left on this trip less than enthused. Due to two past experiences at Parmelee, I admit that I was struggling to find love in my heart for this place and these people. I perceived the children to be rude, disrespectful, and vulgar.

Well, I was way wrong about the children of Parmelee. They weren't rude, disrespectful, and vulgar...they were rude, disrespectful, vulgar, and VIOLENT... and I fell in love. This was yet another example of answered prayer. I spent a fair amount of time in prayer leading up to this trip and one of the things that I continually prayed for was that God might break my heart for Parmelee.

And He came through. The children's actions and words broke my heart. The deplorable living conditions broke my heart. The alcohol abuse and prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) broke my heart. The infiltration of gangs, drugs, and violence (which gangs bring to a culture) broke my heart. The sexual/physical abuse rates among Native American children broke my heart. And much more...

I'm not sure where I go from here. I will continue conversing with Jake about this. I plan on doing some research on the underlying issues involved in the condition of America's native polulation. And I will pray.

Shaloam.

have you ever played "simon says" with the devil in the pale moonlight?

I'm sorry for not posting in a couple of days, my computer has gone on the fritz. I'm not sure what it is, but Jake has guaranteed that it's fixable (don't worry Abe). I wouldn't mind if it was dead, as I'm planning on getting one of these babies, but I have a ton of pictures that would be devastating to lose.

Anyway, let's get to a post. Many of you have been praying for our safety. Praise God for answered prayers. Our team has been able to see prayers answered in a very real way this week. We have been blown away by the power and faithfulness of God Almighty. On day one of Kids Klub in Parmelee, we were spiritually and physically attacked by a few of the children. Over the past few days it has progressively gone better and better.

The social hierarchy of the children is very important as there is a very primal pack-mentality to their behavior. The alpha male of the pack is a kid named Jeremy (see pic in previous post). On day one Jeremy was much of the cause of any/all of our danger. Jeremy is a mean, violent, rotten kid. And we love him. Yesterday, Jake and I even were able to lay our hands on him and pray for him with a couple of the other kids. It was awesome.

Well, let me tell you about answered prayers and the title of this post. This one kid, since everyone tends to follow suit in a pack, could have ruined our entire week if he wanted to: two days ago Jeremy showed us all up during a sweet game of "simon says" and yesterday he and one of the other "trouble-makers" made some of the most beautiful stained glass coffee filter crosses that Sami had ever seen during craft time. I'll let those words sink in.

Praise God for answered prayers. I know that these kids, no matter how mean, are just kids. Sometimes I honestly wonder if it's demon-possession, but most likely it's due to their crappy, sexually/physically abusive, unhappy existences. I'm so happy to see God working in this kid's life this week. At the end of this week, he'll probably go back to being alpha male, but this week we've seen glimpses of his lost childhood. Thank you Jesus for that. Jake even mused that as the week has gone by Jeremy seems to be forgetting that he's supposed to be bad. He's still a (k)nucklehead, but praise be to God that he did not ruin this week for everyone.

Shaloam.

Of dust and wolves

Meet Jeremy. His general attitude toward us here, so far, can easily be seen if you look closely enough at this picture (hint: look at his hands). He's a angry kid. I have no clue what pain this kid is dealing with in his life. But he has taken it upon himself to project his anger, frustration, pain onto us. It's late, I'm tired, and there is so much I would love to delve into about this kid; so many issues I see from this single picture. But, it's late and I'm tired.

Here's what I want to say tonight. I am really struggling with Matthew 10:14-16. I'm not sure exactly what these verses are saying. How could the most loving human of all time say, "walk away from those who seem to need love the most." I can't get there, I read the words and process them with my western-thinking mind. And I don't see it. How could Jesus say this? Is this what He is saying?

There is much to say here also of the statement: "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves." Oh man, have I seen this played out to a most disturbingly literal degree this week. I want to discuss this as well. But again, I am tired and it is late.

If you wouldn't mind, please read and reread this passage and weigh in on it for me. Let me know what you think. And, keep praying for us.

Shaloam.

A Chevy Corsica, Tendonitis, and Mean Gene's Pizza are in the Pan

Day one was interesting to say the least. It started great with ample time to play and prepare at the hotel. Pizza Hut lunch buffet never tasted so good. The van ride to Parmelee was hilarious with a rousing game of "Who's in the Pan?" (see pic: Jake and I wanted to make sure everyone could hear us). Our time in Parmelee began spectacularly. We had a lot of fun playing stuck in the mud and kickball, hacky sacks flew, girls painted fingernails, and oh yeah...tons of piggy back rides. Though it was tiring, it was good. We had an average program. I say average because it is pretty much par for the course to have kids climbing, yelling, and running around in a general destructive pattern while a "program" is happening in front of them. It was actually going pretty well.

Until a mud fight broke out. A palpable air of violence quickly came over the entire group as mud led to mud clods, which led to rocks, which led to bigger rocks. It was as if something triggered in their small bodies. Some evil secretion plunged into their veins. Their entire demeanor and appearance changed and contorted into something that wasn't quite human, a predatorial fog thickened. Laughter turned to snarling. Smiling turned to empty glares.

As rocks, some nearly the size of a child's fist, buzzed past my head, I decided to take the troops and run. Covered in mud, bruised and battered, we were literally driven out of town... by children. With voices of reassurance that we would return falling on doubtful ears, we ran.

I'm not ashamed, I had to do what I had to do for the safety of my kids. This day will remain in my memory for a long time. For a while, I may only remember the sounds of stones, but in time I hope to remember one of the funniest games of "Who's in the Pan?" that I've ever played. I hope to remember Molly, Sami, and Jake. I hope to remember our relentlessly loving kids. I hope to remember the good.

low-brow humor reigns supreme

So... today I left with the high schoolers for a week-long mission trip to Parmelee, SD. To put it simply, I am glad I am here...for now. This week does add more than a little stress to my life, as we are now within a month of moving to Chicago. I will desperately miss the mrs., we are pretty dependent on each other lately, as the stress levels are high. The "Rez" doesn't always prove to be the friendliest environment (emotionally, spiritually, or physically). But I am glad I am here. It only took a little low-brow humor for things to be placed into proper perspective.

The day did not start well. I was late getting to church. I forgot some crucial items at church and had to turn around and meet B. Barker half way (thanks man!). It was super windy, making trailer hauling a fight the entire way. We had a tire blow out on the Suburban (you can check out a pic here). All of this adding to my stress levels... and then it happened (timing may be off a little, but this is how I'd like to remember it)... someone farted. It was one of those silent but deadly kind. And I laughed. I laughed my fool head off. I laughed until I cried. I laughed until I was nearly weeping. The smell progressively got worse, and I progressively laughed harder. No one claimed it. Perfect.

And that's why I'm glad I'm here...for now. I needed a good laugh. I need a lot of laughter right now. Thanks for the laugh today Mr./Ms. Anonymous Flatulator. Keep praying for me, I need it. Keep praying for Abs, she needs it. Keep praying for this team of young missionaries, they need it. Pray for the town of Parmelee, SD, they need it. Pray with out ceasing... and laugh... it does a heart good.

Shaloam.

My Chocolate/Peanut Butter Milk Shake Brings All the Boys to the Yard

Last night after Guys'/Girls' Groups (of the college ministry that we are a part of) Abbey and I went to the Drake Diner with a few of the guys from the ministry. The Drake Diner is a place that Abbey and I discovered, only recently, to be high on our individual lists of choice restaurants. It's odd really, as the Drake Diner is nothing special. It is in a less than desirable neighborhood (by most "West-side" standards... sorry guys, it's true, but we live here too). But one thing that the Drake Diner does have going for it is the chocolate/peanut butter milk shake. It was undoubtedly the ice cream treat of choice last night at our table, everyone had one except for Travis...he had the banana split (no pineapple).

As we continue to prepare for the move to the girls' dorm, I keep catching myself appreciating things more, like last night, for instance. Sure, I loved the company, those guys are awesome. But that's obvious, of course I will miss them greatly. But I also found myself appreciating a simple chocolate/peanut butter milk shake from the Drake Diner. I appreciated it even more so today as I attempted to make one for myself at home. It was a disaster. My peanut butter: ice cream: milk ratios were way off. What I ended up with was really cold chocolate milk with frothy peanut butter flavored scum floating on the top.

Dang... I'll miss the Drake Diner.

Apple-sleaze

Upon conclusion of a short shopping trip to one of the more "ghetto" of the malls in the DSM, Abbey and I decided to dine at one of the more "ghetto" of dining establishments in the DSM...Applebee's. We enjoy the grease-bombs every once in a while. Tonight was one of those times. Though the food was delightfully sub-par, the atmosphere was even better.

We were seated in a booth next to a couple of wonderful characters, later I discovered them to be some of the best of America's organized labor. Appearances mean very little to me, I appreciate the creative facial hair, tattoos, and sleeveless shirts; but it was these fine gentlemen's conversation that riveted, disgusted, and caused much laughter at the Mick table. They discussed copulating with plump, Lutheran girls. One of them informed nearly the entire restaurant that his wife found him to be one of the horniest men she had ever come across. But the conversation which caused the most laughter from us is detailed below. I hope you enjoy. For a frame of reference: both men were more than slightly inebriated.
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waitress (placing check on the table)- "Is there anything else I can get you, another soda or maybe some dessert?"

man - "Do I look like I need dessert? I'm stuffed and besides, I'm already a fat little man."

waitress (anticipating affirmation) - "That's alright, I'm a fat little woman."

man (flirtatiously smooth) - "Yeah, but you have nice nails."

waitress (dejectedly glances at her fingernails)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

God bless the U.S.A.....

Misquote of the Morning

Abbey: Wee, Blah, Boo, Duh....What are you doing?
Brandon: I'm trying to avoid eye contact with the crazy person.
Abbey: I'm not crazy, I'm just crazy fun. (misquote)

[in actuality, Abbey's response to my statement is still unknown, but what i heard was much funnier... I'm sure you had to be there. but, I'm glad you weren't as it took place while either or both parties were yet to be fully clothed for the morning]

life in a girls' dorm

On July 15, 2006 my wife and I will pack up our things from our little bungalow in the DSM and move to a one-bedroom apartment located within a girls' dormitory in Chicago, IL. Abbey has accepted a position as a residence supervisor at Moody Bible Institute (thus our reason for residing in a girls' dorm) and I will be pursuing full-time graduate studies. There are plenty of questions to be answered. We are definitely stepping out into the great unknown. I'm sure that the drastic change in scenery, acquaintances, and vocation will provide much fodder for stories. We have created this blog to chronicle our adventures as we begin our "life in a girls' dorm"