Here’s a random picture dump since Easter. The bright yellow daffs have come and gone. Then the flowering cherry tree popped and petered out. Then the multi-colored tulips erupted, only to begin their fade into eleven months of obscurity. But I just started planting the new garden because it’s that time of year again, and because hope springs eternal. It’s the circle of life, and it moves us all, right?
The ladies are all out of town at An’s bridal shower today, and Andrew is off to his bachelor party. I kept Samuel and Levi myself last night, and we all went out to breakfast together after last night’s wonderful pizza-movie night.
I got to see “A Great Awakening” two weeks ago, Sight & Sound’s second major film. It’s the story of Benjamin Franklin’s interaction with George Whitefield two centuries ago. I spotted Andrew twice and Sonya three times along the way. Living in the same house with two movie stars is dreadful, but the film is well worth seeing. 🙂 You know for sure that most of the people in the production are local when everybody sits there to watch the credits.
Speaking of Sight & Sound, I got to see Joshua this past Thursday. That production is also worth seeing. The walls of Jericho came down, and Christ was lifted up. Several lines and moments got me right in the feels. Afterward, we got another back-stage tour, and we got to see some new areas this time. It’s like a small city back there.
Last but not least, Enya’s “Fallen Embers” is routinely said to be one of her fans’ most underrated pieces. I think the fans may be right. Happy weekend.
Another lap around the sun is almost complete, so it’s a good day to count my blessings. The boys came over this past Sunday night to help me celebrate, and they were so excited about the occasion that Levi blurted out what they had gotten me before I opened the gifts. Samuel was just dropping hints, so he’s starting to get how surprises are supposed to work. I guess that’s the difference between a 4-year-old and a 2-year-old. At one point, Sonya told Levi that he had cake on his face, and he said, “I don’t mind.” Too funny.
Every year their parents ask them, “What do you think Papa would like more than anything else in the whole world?” Samuel’s answer this year was a Lego wrecking ball. (Last year it was a Lego steamroller.) Levi’s answer was a pull-string racecar. Nothing could be more special to this birthday boy. Why? Lego contraptions are built together, and racecars that run under their own power are best played with two people. So, that’s what makes this little tradition so wonderful. We get to build things and play together, which is the best kind of celebration.
Believe it or not, the whole thing helps me understand the Old Testament sacrificial system a bit better, especially vis-à-vis the customs of the nations surrounding Israel. Unlike the foreign gods of the ancient Near East, Yahweh does not get hungry or need to be fed (Psalm 50:9-13). Rather, Israel is to “offer thank offerings to God” (Psalm 50:14). For him, it’s all about the relationship with his people. He knows the Israelites will want to give him gifts to express their love to him, so he lets them do so by way of the sacrificial system.
Same with this Papa. I don’t need another trinket in the house, but I absolutely treasure the time spent with my boys. I want to be near them. And—right now, anyway—they want to be near me. Even if I help pay for the gifts they give, as God likewise makes the creatures that get sacrificed back to him, I will enjoy the racecar and wrecking ball more that they will ever know. They even told me what kind of cake I wanted this year (white with white icing and sprinkles), and we were happy to oblige. They were genuinely wanting me to have a special time. And we did.
Other gifts this year included an English/Hebrew Torah, a 2-volume set of Greek New Testament manuscripts, 96 K-cups of Eight O’Clock Dark Italian Espresso, several other theology books, and a whole bunch of clothes and shoes for the upcoming wedding. (I undergrew my black suit, so I needed a new one.) And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. There were so many other cards and gifts, but it was time spent with family that made it all so special.
That and my flowering cherry tree, which fully blossomed today. It was like a little wink from heaven. Yes, I am indeed blessed.
Boy, oh boy, do the boys ever love their dirt. And mud. And sunshine. That’s one of the delights of the recent winter thaw. They’ve been cooped up for what feels—to them—like an eternity, and now they get to play outside again. (For now, anyway. Pennsylvania weather tends to be schizophrenic, so we’ll see how long this lasts.) I kind of liked not having to do yard work, but here we are at the dawn of another season to weed, mow, plant, water, etc.
Holy Week preps are in full swing, as is the current (tedious) section of my dissertation. On top of all that, there are a lot of other projects that seem to be stacking up. But I had to take a moment to post some pics of Samuel and Levi, as it’s been a while. Have I mentioned lately how much I love these guys?
Etc.
Just had a marvelous Zoom session with a seminary student. He’s an INFJ on the MBTI, the rarest of the combinations (less that 3 percent of the population). We get along swimmingly. I’d love to put him on staff, but he’s already spoken for.
I suppose all children call it “Valentime’s Day” at first. Then they get to a certain age where they realize, “Hey, it’s actually called, ‘Valentine’s Day.'” And then they start saying it correctly, much like when they make the transition from “libary” to “library.” I’m not about to correct Samuel and Levi on either word just yet. There’s plenty of time for that. And then there’s a final correction they’ll need to learn when I tell them it’s actually “Valentino’s Day,” but that’s another post. 😍
Last night we had them over for pizza-movie night, and we told them we would decorate, set out some candles, and have a special dinner for them (although they absolutely forbade us from making any food substitutions for the pizza). They got so excited for the holiday special that they insisted on wearing their nice outfits we got them for Christmas Eve, complete with bowties.
It was an overload of cuteness. This morning they opened their gifts and had a marvelous time. A Valentime. One to remember. Below are some pics and vids from the past couple weeks.
The table is set for the Valentime special.All of us dressed up for the occasion.Two weeks ago we had fun painting.Levi painted me a red picture because I’m a Phillies fan.
Levi painted his arm, too.The fireplace is ready for indoor S’mores.Trying to make the marshmallows golden brown.Last week we made Valentime cookies.Lots of hearts and lots of flour.And a turkey pot pie, too.Water and food coloring are the ingredients for ice blocks.And now we let them freeze.And then we build our building with the colored ice bricks.The foundation is set.And a snowman in the front of the house.Fun on the furniture.Getting ready for bed at our house.But who wants to go to sleep?
Learning the Cha Cha Slide for Uncle Tino’s wedding.A Valentime treat this morning.
My apologies for such a long hiatus. Life has been full and meaningful since posting three weeks ago. I just needed that “long winter’s nap” to recover from everything. 🙂 But I’ve missed you! Anyway, our Christmas Eve candlelight service was rich and wonderful, not to mention well attended. Samuel and Levi practiced their parts (singing “Silent Night” and “Joy to the World” while standing next to me with lit candles), and they nailed it.
After worship, we watched—at Drew’s request—the first part of Jesus of Nazareth, focusing on the Gospel Infancy Narratives. Peter Ustinov hits it out of the park as Herod the Great. Olivia Hussey (what a name for someone playing the blessed virgin Mary!) is likewise stellar in her role as the mother of Christ. In fact, except for a few duds along the way, this epic film from the mid-80s is very well cast and perfectly set. I have the script almost memorized.
Our Christmas Day celebration was magical, too, especially with the boys growing in their awareness of what the fuss is really all about. After verifying that Jesus was in the manger, and singing “Happy Birthday” to him, we read together from Matthew 2 and then opened our gifts. Christmas dinner followed, and then the kids were off to their next stop.
The next day we traveled to Delaware and spent half a week with Sonya’s siblings and their families. The food and desserts we enjoyed were amazing, but my stomach (thankfully) can’t hold what it used to, and it (unthankfully) lets me know that in various ways! It’s great to be down 65 lbs., but I’d still like to go 15 more. That might require getting back in the pool. We’ll see.
On Sunday, January 4, we hosted an Epiphany party at our house for neighbors, friends, and church members. That, too, was well attended, and it was fun to connect with all who came. I get a little sad when all the festivities are over, but there’s much to look forward to in the coming year. Leading the list is Andrew’s wedding in May. In addition to planning on all the arrangements, he and An are looking for a house close to where they work.
Right now, Sight & Sound is in their “changeover” period, which means long and strange hours as they get ready for their new show (Joshua). It’s a massive effort to coordinate all aspects of a major theater production. The new cast rehearses during the day, which pushes the tech team to have to work second- and third-shift hours. But I’m already getting hints that it’s going to be amazing.
Additionally, their film, A Great Awakening, is set to release in theaters on Easter weekend. Andrew has a small role in it, and Sonya is an extra—a townsperson attending Whitefield’s revival service. With multiple takes for that scene, she says she got saved seven times during the filming. 🙂
Yesterday we celebrated Micah’sbirthday here at our house, complete with a big dinner from Tosco’s. His boys love him to pieces, as do we. He’s such a good husband and father, and he just got elected (unanimously) to be a deacon at his church. He’s also a big cheese where he works, and they love the value he brings to the practice.
My own research and writing efforts have included a massive study on the Trinity, along with my doctoral dissertation on the torn veil in the temple. Both are going well, albeit slower than I would like. The outside teaching and speaking calendar is also coming into view, and it looks like the year ahead will be full and inspirational. I suppose my main prayer request would be for good health, energy, and focus to accomplish it all. There’s a lot of noise in the world right now, and it’s all too easy to be sucked into the vortex of its never-ending brokenness.
Until the warm weather returns, I’ll be inside the house building forts with Samuel and Levi. They recently discovered the magic of creating their little man caves, and I’m here for it.
Be well.
‘Smores are yummy. And messy.Less on the face means more in the belly!My helpers to clear the snow.I wonder where Andrew gets his silliness from.Every year Micah defiles our Nativity scene. This year it was a Crystal Cave sign.Something for everyone.By the chimney with care.Ready to feast.The stuff we shouldn’t eat.Getting ready for the kids to stop by on Christmas morning.The ceramic tree and the gumdrop tree.Lyrics we were singing to my mom when she went to be with Jesus.Two of my gifts opening a gift.An elf from the North Pole.Microphones for the boys.Inside the latest fort.It’s more like a Bedouin tent.More ‘smores.Happy birthday, Micah!
Speaking of mid-80s, here’s a schmaltzy one from that period. Anyway, it’s nice to be back.
Wednesdays are the best. And today was the best of the best, as we made our annual gingerbread houses with the boys. I say “gingerbread,” but there’s neither ginger nor bread in these constructions. I say “house,” too, but Samuel made a police station, and Levi made the garage for the police station. We also added some snowmen made from marshmallows.
Our kitchen is trashed right now. And it’s the loveliest room in the house. I’ll let the “houses” harden and then take some pics later. But below are a couple snaps of the artists at work. And some old guy I don’t recognize anymore.
Samuel turned four on Monday, and we had a wonderful celebration with him Sunday after church. First, his family and closest friends gathered at Ballocity at the Works entertainment complex in Wyomissing, where the kids exhausted themselves playing in the indoor jungle gym. There were lots of rosy cheeks and tousled hair by the end of our time there. We then drove to his house in Womelsdorf where we enjoyed cake and ice cream, and Samuel got to open his presents. It was heartwarming to watch him share his new toys with his brother and friends.
It was a police officer-themed event, as Samuel is enjoying lights, sirens, and catching bad guys these days. On Monday, his actual birthday, we joined him for lunch at the restaurant of his choosing—Chik-fil-A. They had an indoor playground there, too, which may have been a bigger draw for him than the waffle fries.
I love this little guy so much. In fact, one of the biggest joys in my life these days is to hear him (and his brother) call me “Papa.” He is light years beyond “precious” to my heart. Below are some shots from the day, along with a few other miscellaneous pics from last week.
A day to celebrate Officer Samuel.“I get the first piece of cake, but who’s going to cut it?”The cake was … arresting.Tons o’ fun at Ballocity.“Here I come!”Making Thanksgiving cookies–turkeys with orange sprinkles.After 27 years, we had to get a new tractor. Levi already had his John Deere and wanted to compare.
You may have heard of that tea called “Sleepytime,” the caffeine-free herbal blend by Celestial Seasonings designed to help folks relax and unwind before bedtime. Well, I must have been drinking a new flavor this week called “Weepytime,” as the tears have begun to flow a little more freely these days. How come?
The temperatures outside are plunging, and the turkey inside awaits a good smoking. The leaves on the ground are rustling around and painting the landscape with perfection. Tthe holly berries out back have erupted, stippling their way across the massive green backdrop that pricks all who come near. That can only mean Thanksgiving is close at hand—the wonderful American holiday in November where we push the pause button on life and celebrate the goodness of God to us. “Count your many blessings, name them ton by ton.”
My sister has been safely resting in Jesus for a year now, and that touches the heart. So does the thought of receiving a new daughter-in-law next year. Samuel and Levi, of course, continue to delight my soul, as do the growth and expanded ministries of our church, which is motivated to follow hard after Jesus. (God gave us a Christian preschool out of the blue this year after a time of fasting and prayer.) There’s been good progress on a massive dissertation, which is turning out to be my life’s work and the best of all I know about God and his ways from Scripture. Food, clothing, shelter, family—the list of things for which I can be thankful is long and lovely.
But the floodgates opened in earnest a few days ago when I unpacked our new Nativity scene. I’ve been wanting to get a replacement for several years now because the one we’ve been using is a bit too antiseptic for my taste. The new one is much more rustic and realistic. It’s earthy and crude, which I like because the first Christmas was really a Christmess.
God came down. All the way down. And landed in a manger—right on top of cow spit and barnyard bacteria. Right on top of King Herod’s royal bombast and bluster, thus inflaming his rage and insecurities. Yes, Jesus came a long way to save us. Two thousand years ago, the eternal Son of God stepped across the stars of the universe to become a zygote in the womb of Mary, a teenage girl from a tiny town no one esteemed. And then he was born like one of us. Did he suck his thumb that first night in the feeding trough?
The Prince of Peace came in peace. Nothing is more disarming and unthreatening than a baby. But how is this possible? This is Almighty God we’re talking about here. The one who fills the universe is now filling his diaper? I still can’t fully get my mind around the incarnation. No worries, though; it has captured my heart and unleashed my imagination, and that’s good enough for me. It reduces me to a puddle every single year, whether I want it to or not. I suspect that’s because I believe it with the totality of my being.
We won’t display the new Nativity scene until the last dish is dried from the Thanksgiving feast. After all, we’re not decoration heretics. But even then, it won’t contain the newborn Christ until Christmas morning. Advent comes first, and we’re taking Samuel and Levi on an Advent-ure of anticipation, helping them learn to wait for the good things God has for them. (That’s a good lesson for big kids, too.) So, every time we walk past the crèche, we look for baby Jesus and say, “He’s not here yet, but he’s coming.”
Yes, he’s coming again, friends. Jesus is coming back to the planet he made and the people he loves. That, too, is a good lesson for big kids. Are you ready?
The local Home Depot has a series of workshops for the little ones.Samuel is focused on the task at hand.Brothers at the Pretzel Hut on Papa-Gaga Day.Levi snuggling in his pizza blanket.Samuel loves his daddy’s hat.Levi loves going down the slide backwards.Samuel’s love of books has begun.Love and cuddles from mama.The boys love the indoor playground at Ephrata Community Church.“And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall” (Malachi 4:2b).Levi going all the way to the top for the big slide.Playing is hard work.The trees at our church have been stunning this fall.Not one but two “burning bushes” off the church parking lot.The tree-lined walkway out the front of the church.
It’s too early to know for sure, but my guess is that Samuel is going to be the scholar/musician, and Levi is going to be the class clown/linebacker. Time will tell.
Samuel is turning four in three weeks, and oh what a blessing he’s been to my heart. The joy has been non-stop since his birth. And yet, there’s been a slight pinch in my soul recently that I’m trying to process. “Samuel Sandwiches” are no longer a thing, and after a recent tickle fight and attempted game of “This little piggy went to market,” Samuel informed me that he doesn’t want to do “baby things” anymore.
All righty, then, Mr. Samuel. Message received. You’re growing up, and I need to let that happen. Thankfully, he still lets me cuddle with him as he’s falling asleep during pizza-movie night, but I’m sure the days of that great delight are numbered, too. Still, I will love him without measure every stage of his journey while I’m on this planet—just the way he needs to be loved. That, too, is part of the joy. And it makes me have to grow up, too.
I love it when Halloween falls on Pizza-Movie night. On the other hand, I did get arrested earlier for robbing a bank and making off with the loot. Samuel was a police officer this year, and I was a bad guy. I was actually dressed as a Philadelphia Phillie when he arrived, but he insisted I dress like a criminal. I think he enjoyed cuffing me a little too much.
Levi was a John Deere tractor this time around. He picked up farmer girl Sonya and gave her a ride around the neighborhood, where we collected lots of fun-size candy bars and other treats. The folks on our block were all charmed. We’re waiting now for the inevitable sugar crash, followed by lots of snuggling. What a blast we’re having already this weekend.
I have the right to remain silent.I get to make one phone call.Levi and his tractor. And his Gaga.The boys enjoying their haul.Every child does this with Bugle snacks.Our little kitchen ninjas.Backyard ‘smores with Samuel.
They’re not necessarily my favorite flowers, but the orange and yellow marigolds around the front of our house really popped this year. So did the garden out back, which featured five kinds of tomatoes, three kinds of peppers, two kinds of green beans, carrots, onions, basil, and radishes. I still need to work on plant spacing next year, but we were thrilled with the yield. (I think I’ve had more homemade bruschetta this year than all my previous years combined!) We were able to give hundreds of tomatoes away to our friends and neighbors.
The biggest surprise was the pole bean, which we planted to round out the row after running out of the regular beans. Having grown up in the city, I had never seen these fascinating vines before, and I was astonished at how they kept growing toward something to “grab.” It went from its own string trellis to the neighboring pepper cage, and then the next, and then the next. I was worried that it might take over my next-door neighbor’s garage. I think I understand the whole Jack-and-the-Beanstalk thing a little better now.
Anyway, as we move deeper into the stunning season of fall, the present plants are starting to come to the end of their lifecycle. Next year we’re planning to install decking on the patio and get new outdoor furniture. It’s a pleasant place to relax, hang out, and make ’Smores, which our munchkins love to do. But for now, I just wanted to enjoy the marigolds in the sunset. The pictures below don’t do them justice, so you’ll just have to stop by sometime and see them in person. 🙂
When I get a chance, I’ll have to pull together some pictures from OBX. Samuel and Levi both had a blast at the beach. (And I had a blast watching them have a blast.) I also need to post some pictures from a great time we had with the boys at my nephew’s “America Night” that he coordinated for a recent Hamburg Hawks football game. Let’s just say there were firetrucks, police cars, and helicopters involved–a dream come true for little boys.
I was having major computer issues several weeks ago, so I wasn’t able to post a wonderful memory involving Samuel. His parents and I took him to his very first baseball game, a Reading Phillies game at First Energy Field. He loved it—not just learning about the game but all the fun that goes with it, like the mascots (Change-Up the Turtle, Blooper the Hound Dog, Quack the Duck, and Bucky the Beaver), the on-field sillies in bewteen innings, the wonderful ballpark food and snacks, and the Ostrich hotdog guy. It was also “Dinosaur Night,” so that was some extra fun.
Bethany and I got choked up several times, not only because it was a “first of many” kind of event, but more so because of the relational dimensions of the outing. Baseball is a great game, but shared experiences with those you love is priceless.
And that’s what’s been happening all week. We’re at the Outer Banks right now with all four Whites, and we’re having a blast. These little munchkins give so much joy to my heart. As I watch them play in the sand, I pray that they can be spared the harsh realities of this evil world for as long as possible. Lord willing, we’ll be back on Sunday. Maybe I’ll have some beach pictures to share.
Bethany and the boys traveled to North Carolina this week along with Sonya to visit Sonya’s brother, so I’m missing Samuel and Levi right now. I’m grateful for the Face Times we’ve had, but I’d rather play with them in person and give them belly zerbits. It sounds like they miss me almost as much as I miss them, but they’re having a blast.
Uncle Joel works at (and lives right next to) a golf resort, so he took the boys on a ride in his golf cart. I think they’re hooked. Aunt Donna had a massive spread of Thomas the Tank Engine trains for them to play with. So, they’re feeling all the love. In the meantime, I’m just getting caught up on some projects that have piled up during my recent speaking gigs. So is Micah. We pledged not to bother each other this week. We’re just two introverts meeting together in separate places. 😊
I say the same thing about ice cream, cookies, and every other fun thing they like to nibble on at snack time.
And every time their smiling protest is the same: “No, yummy!”
Speaking of yucky, I had another little phrase I used to say to them on occasion, and they would always giggle disproportionately to what I thought the line deserved.
If I spilled something, or found a stain somewhere, or saw a wiggly worm in the driveway, I would say with a grin:
“Yucky Pooh Bear!”
And they would laugh. I mean, really laugh.
But I never understood why.
Until recently.
Turns out they thought I was saying, “Yucky poop air!”
So, now I get it. (The laughter, I mean.)
Little boys and their bodily functions—things they’ll always enjoy giggling about, I guess. It’s just nature running its course.
Now that I know what they think I’m saying, I still say it to them.
