Another Weekend in the Smokies

Oh-Olivia! You're just gorgeous.

This past weekend, we revisited the Smokies in Sevierville, Tennessee for Tripp's annual family reunion. Read about last year's for more detail about the stay experience. This year, it was all about the kids.

Leaving Chicago at 6:30pm at night, Tripp and I forged the 10 hour road trip in the dark. I was coming down with a pretty severe cold and the pain in my head kept me awake and alert for us to arrive by 5am EST. We immediately set up pack and plays in closet & bathroom and got to sleep from about 6am -9am EST. Tripp woke up with David and I slept in waiting on Judah. That sweetie pie (and Claritin) gave me rest till 10:30am EST. The rest of the day consisted of visiting with Aunt Bebe, Uncle Bill, Suzanne & the King family in our cabin, and also a walk up the steep hill to visit more of our Savell family.

David surprised us and revealed
excellent hidden cutting skills.

Thanks to my cold, I was allowed lots of naps and miraculously – Judah slept longer naps than he's ever done in his life. I felt that was God's grace tangibly extended to our family who was very much in need. Tripp worked out a business meeting in Knoxville for Monday, so we spent our last night at Uncle Bill's house. That meant a little more time together with the family and a stop at a very delicious buffet with southern home cookin'.

You'll see below some very precious shots of our kiddos spending time together. Last year, Tripp and I were in newborn Judah mode and this year, we felt much more at home in the reunion experience and enjoyed our family even more.

Aunt Cayte!

I think we'll have to continue to pose the kids
together on this swing. Such cute mugs.

A New Grace Period

Today marks the beginning of a new season for many people in our closely knit community of Christ's followers at Roger Park Community Church. The Greenberg family of 5, whom we've come to know and love over the past 6 years, has been called on to Florida to live near family. While the parameters appear secure, they leave behind their Chicago home of 15 years for no job and no certain landing place. They leave behind a legacy of evangelistic teaching and example of gospel sharing without fear. I don't think Tripp and I will realize to what extent they've impacted our lives until we're walking more closely in their shoes. 

As of today, Tripp was unanimously voted in as Interim Lead Pastor at Rogers Park Community Church. This is the role that Pastor Keith Greenberg is trusting the Lord to pass on to his friend and Elder, Tripp. The term 'Interim' in this instance simply means 'Lead Pastor with a Grace Period'. Tripp will fulfill all the duties of Lead Pastor as a Tent Maker, keeping his current position at his medical waste company. Interim means that the commitment though complete is not final. We'll assess God's leading as a family and church in early 2014. 

Let's take a moment to look at Tripp in 2007, the height of his good looks. 

Thanks to that sweetie pie in my arms, Tripp and I worked as helpers in a VBS program at a church in our hometown in Taiwan. Her parents were Christians and invited us to come help. While helping, we were asked if we wanted to go receive prayer from a man that was well known for prophesy. Tripp was unsure of the experience but we felt it would be culturally rude to say no. The man prayed for Tripp and it was translated to English by one of the other helpers. The prophesy included a few life turns, one that has become heartbreakingly true, and another that we're seeing today. 

Fluffy headed Tripp was informed that he would be called to ministry. This confirmed a dream he'd had sometime before:

"When I was in college, Jesus Christ appeared to me in a dream, and showed me what he would have me do... Namely to be in the church, and point the people to Him. This is hard to explain, but it was the most vivid dream of my life, and has given me great confidence in my purposes.  This experience has had a profound influence on me."

I wish I could get Tripp to sit down and detail out his feelings about this current grace period we've now entered into as a family. However, he fell asleep on the couch watching football tonight. He falls asleep on the couch most night while I work on my laptop on the other couch. 

Today I feel that we're given a very unique opportunity to taste missionary toil for Christ. This toiling is not partnered with insecurity about whether or not we're following God or doing the right thing with our lives. This toiling, according to 1 Timothy 4:10 and Colossians 1:29, is married to teaching the Gospel, the living hope, to everyone that everyone may be presented mature in Christ. We toil to get the word out that Jesus is the Savior to all. 

This is good news for our family because regardless of whether or not the Lord calls Tripp to Lead RPCC beyond winter 2014, we will learn to toil here and now. 

Last year, this time

Last year, this time Ebony offered to do a family maternity photo shoot at our apartment. It was wonderful having her take pictures of me and the guys, she's a joy of a friend. They were so precious and intimate, I wanted to keep them private... but looking back at them now I think they're so creative it's a shame I didn't share her talented artwork. Thank you Ebony!

A Teacher's Touch

About two years ago, a very important teacher stepped into our lives - for the sake of her privacy, we'll name her Mrs. Sweet. She's courageous in every way and has set a powerful precedence for toddler behavior in our little church nursery. The first Sunday I left David in her care, I was amazed and inspired by the way she crouched down to communicate with the little man. She praised the way he set down toys and immediately guided him with gentle words when he revved up to throw one. When it looks like David is going to runaway with his emotions, Mrs. Sweet suggests a new fun thing to do or play. And that new fun thing is often her.

This past weekend, we got a chance to go to our favorite frozen custard place with Mrs. Sweet and her husband. By now, David's grown very fond of her and will run when she suggests or take her hand to cross the street. I absolutely love saying to David, 'Mrs.Sweet is coming!' because he gets shyly excited. Very endearing to see my sons grow attached to people I also love.

At the custard place, I sat back a bit and observed Mrs. Sweet interacting with David. She was so kind and David became such an important person in their conversations. His getting up from the table didn't ruin our conversation and turn in into discipline. Instead, Mrs. Sweet got up and took him to have a closer look at candy and we picked up when they returned.

I'm reminded as I write how my Albanian missionary friend said that my children are a key part of my ministry. That's exactly how Mrs. Sweet treats David, like he's a key part of our outing.

This past year, I've set to really 'train' David in obedience to me and Tripp. This has required a lot of communication, consistency, teaching, outlasting, and bootie spanks. After a while, Tripp and I feel that all we do is reprimand David. Our tones (everyone's) start to intensify until someone is yelling and sadly, that's Tripp and myself by most bed-times. It's become increasingly harder to train without loosing self-control and heaping past frustration on to accidental spilled milk. And we're only on training child #1!

Watching Mrs. Sweet, who has raised children and teaches many daily, literally changes me from the inside out. David and I have had one of our best weeks, and I just wonder if it's because of the custard date. Which brings an interesting conclusion - I am the variable. My changed attitude and heart somehow effected my interaction with David enough that he acted differently. I suppose I am the one that needs training. Or maybe just simply, a teacher's touch.

Happy Mother's day to my mom...

The difference a sister makes

I never used to refer to my girlfriends as 'sisters' until I met Clare Weaver. She would always sign emails, 'love you Sister!' And I always felt so touched that she referred to me as a sister. Having a younger sister, the title denotes a world of responsibilities and commitments. I often have the feeling about my sister that we'll make it through thick and thin. Through the good times and through the bad, no matter what - we will be sisters.

When Clare called me 'Sister,' it actually changed my entire perspective on friendship. One of Clare's spiritual gifts is serving. So, as I was redefining friendship to 'sisterhood' I also observed that service and self sacrifice accompanied. In thought, I could name many dear sisters in my life, near and far. I thank God for you.

Clare got married two weeks ago, Saturday, April 26th, and it was a rich time celebrating my dear sister with fellow members of God's family.

Talk about sisters, I love these women.

I never used to refer to my girlfriends as 'sisters' until I met Clare Weaver. She would always sign emails, 'love you Sister!' And I always felt so touched that she referred to me as a sister. Having a younger sister, the title denotes a world of responsibilities and commitments. I often have the feeling about my sister that we'll make it through thick and thin. Through the good times and through the bad, no matter what - we will be sisters.

When Clare called me 'Sister,' it actually changed my entire perspective on friendship. One of Clare's spiritual gifts is serving. So, as I was redefining friendship to 'sisterhood' I also observed that service and self sacrifice accompanied. In thought, I could name many dear sisters in my life, near and far. I thank God for you.

Clare got married two weeks ago, Saturday, April 26th, and it was a rich time celebrating my dear sister with fellow members of God's family.

Meeting AB

We had the pleasure of a special visit with the Bobbitts back in March, during which we met for the first time AB = Aubrey Bobbitt. She's a precious addition to our family, as of last December, and although her first few months of life have had both parents bouncing and problem-soliving more than before - Aubrey is a sweet soul and we all loved being with her! Before another month goes by, I need to share a few photos from our time together...

Cousins meet

Little girl needs her space

Concerned AB

Silly AB

Sincere AB

Judah is glad his cousin came to share toys

Lindsay & AB on Easter

Happy Easter Bobbitts, Dudichs, Grants!

Christmas 2012, check!

Grandmama's Porch

This year, we spent 5 days and 4 nights at Grandmama Grant's in Jackson, MS. Leaving at 6pm on Friday night, we arrived at 6:45am on Saturday morning. Tripp did all the driving and I did all the reaching-into-the-backseat-to-give-a-child-something-they-wanted & keeping-the-driver-awake & texting-family-updates as well as snoozing here and there. Tripp decided to try 5 hour energy after a recommendation from a coworker and it was successful!

A special part of this Christmas was a spontaneous visit from Jacky & Cayte! It worked out that they were able to come to Grandmama's house late Friday night and stay through Sunday morning. We have missed their presence greatly at Christmas and were so thankful for the brief but precious time. We are all praying that next Christmas our families, as well as new baby Olyvia who will be 10 months by next Christmas, will enjoy time together again. There's one little person in particular who would like to see his best friend Jacky as much as possible. That's David and he just adores his uncle Jacky. Oh yeah, and this trip, David decided that their dog Zoey was fun to take on walks in the backyard.

Oh the backyard! From Saturday morning on, David was at the back window begging to be let out into the backyard to romp around. Tripp was getting tired of chasing David around, but thanks to cousin Grant, he made it out pretty much all Saturday. David must have known it was going to DOWNPOUR for a large remainder of the trip. Christmas day on, it was like sheets of water coming down - which triggered stories of some flood in Jackson where the water was up to Grandmama's cabinets. I was tempted to hit the road early.

Beginning late Sunday afternoon, Aunt Seale (not my aunt, David's aunt), Grandpa G and Mimi came over to start our Grant family Christmas time. It was wonderful to catch up and good to pass an energetic David and snugly off to grandparents. We celebrated Christmas and opened gifts with them that evening and like usual, the giving was more than generous. My family abides by lists for about 50% of gifting. The Grant family not only abides by the list but finds really neat companion gifts that shows so much thoughtfulness. For example, I asked for gray socks because when I walk around our apt in my white socks they turn gray from dirt. From Grandpa G and Mimi not only did I get gray/black awesome athletic socks, I also got mega thermal tall cozy socks. For Judah, I asked for playtex sippy cups. Not only did they give him a blue/red playtex sippy cup, they found an AMAZING stainless steele thermal sippy cup that keeps cold for up to 6 hrs. David is 'trying out' that gift right now and it's great! All this to say, thank you so much Grandpa G and Mimi for always showing love to our family through the language of thoughtful gifts. We're thankful for you!

After Sunday, the MS Christmas finished off with frisbee games in the front yard, families opening gifts, lots of comfort holiday food, COFFEE and more COFFEE, breakfast casserole, tetris, cable TV (thank you Jacky!!), chats with Grandmama & Perkins family, and feeding Judah...

Before I close this entry, I've just got to record my experience of feeding a 5 month old in a house of 15+ people. One of the most fun parts about staying at Grandmama's house is the morning to late night family time. Every room has a welcoming relative or 10 and a place to plop and chat. Follow me now to 2am. Judah has decided to wake EVERY night at this sleepy hour and I feel the best solution is to feed him and put him back down as quietly as possible. Due to the possibility of nightwaking we took preventative measures of also not waking up David by having Judah sleepover in Grandmama's room, bless her! So each night, around 2am I responded to Judah's cry by scooping him up and walking to some open seat in the house to feed him. At the height of house guests, I couldn't find my glasses and ended up bumping into Aunt Olivia on the couch. She was sweet and offered to turn the light on, but I preferred darkness to conceal my feeding Judah and try to keep us all sleepy. Thankfully, Judah always went back down quietly and quickly, but I tell you these night adventures will be unforgettable.

Just take I-88/80 forever

And you'll end up in the McCreary's driveway! Over the weekend of November 10th, we made our annual visit out to one of our favorite families of 4: Mark, Katheryn, Miriam & Baby Leah. Since we last saw one another back in March, we'd successfully carried, delivered and nurtured new additions to each of our families. Baby Leah and Baby Judah were born two weeks apart and goodness did I just love having my fellow friend's empathy along the way!! The McCreary's are like family, and though this visit should have been chaotic and draining, it was refreshing, relaxing and filling. Seriously, Tripp and I ate so well (while still maintaining my Candida Diet) that we weighed in 8+ lbs heavier when we came home. Thank you for all your delicious cooking Katheryn!!

This trip, David really got into reading his books

We always hope to find a Culvers to stop at,
we found two!

We came, we ate, we conquered.

Judah getting his diaper changed on the
driver's seat, I handed him this volleyball for entertainment

Old buds shootin' the breeze

David really, really loved all the toys that Miriam so nicely
shared with him. They chopped, strolled, read, sat, sang,
played puzzles... oh yeah.

Miriam has found a diaper that she would like to help me
change Judah into, so sweet.

Judah & Miriam and Us - yay!

Thank you Katheryn and Miriam for being wonderful
hostesses to us all!