Life is a stream. Oatmeal and math flow along on Monday, though our Mondays, like yours, often include rocks and bumps that impede the flow. On Tuesday there’s Toast and eggs and still math and the history lesson that wouldn’t work on the computer yesterday.
Everybody loves waffles on Wednesday because we get to put peanut butter on them. And Piano in the afternoon while Dad reads and takes a nap (as he tries to do every day). Home-made Granola or your “cereal of choice” on Thursdays and off to worship practice and chess at the Home-school co-op. On French toast Friday there’s more math and writing and always there’s “read aloud” at lunch. I love the rhythm of our home-schooling schedule and though I’m in and out, Mom keeps it flowing as Haddon and Soren keep paddling downstream.
Life is a Garden. After tilling and planting and weeding and watering, it’s time to “reap what we’ve sown.” Our daily bread is embellished by the home-made raspberry jam we spread on it. We eat fresh vegetables that make us strong and have a moment of silence for the rows that did not bear fruit. High hopes lie wilted by drought or eaten by pests. We feel intense disappointment, reminding us that life will not be all that it should be until we arrive at our true home.
Life is a building project, started in the Summer of 2012 and beginning to “yield” as students are living there and meetings are held there. (see pics of “The Lodge” on FaceBook) I learned a lot from my experience as “General Contractor.”
But I realized that excavating, foundation, framing, plumbing, drywall, painting, etc. are not my Life. I love writing and missed the opportunity to compose! I’m more of a “Wordsmith,” crafting sentences to build understanding, develop insights, and create inhabitable worlds for seeking souls.
My wife encourages me in this, and I only hope I can return the favor by helping her rediscover what areas of gifting bring her the greatest joy and satisfaction. Even though laundry and cleaning and homeschooling and making nutritious meals and all manner of household management are in her skill set, there’s more she’s good at and enjoys. She did a great job with food & flowers for Amanda’s wedding, all within budget, and her research for meal-planning and homeschooling are ongoing. She sells books on Amazon and tends the garden in season.
We’re working on partnership in campus ministry. I couldn’t pull off Friday potluck alone. And it’s not just the soup or the crust on “pizza night” or the beans for the burritos. I appreciate her help deciding whether to play “Apples to Apples” or “Catch Phrase” and what to watch for “Movie Night.” She always spots the college students we need to greet on Sunday morning and when possible she has girls over to the house for discipleship.
Some new staff are helping with Campus Ambassadors. Zach Beeler has almost finished raising support and Heidi Harbaugh has joined us as a volunteer. It’s great to have them at the book table, at staff meetings, Bible Study and Potluck.
I still look forward to Cave discussions on Friday afternoon, where guys like Ian the Agnostic, Chris the Druid, Ben the ex-Mormon, Taylor the Daoist and Paul the Orthodox debate and discuss things like Rationality and Consciousness. Campus ministry is a great job, I can honestly say I've never given much serious thought to doing anything else.
Everybody loves waffles on Wednesday because we get to put peanut butter on them. And Piano in the afternoon while Dad reads and takes a nap (as he tries to do every day). Home-made Granola or your “cereal of choice” on Thursdays and off to worship practice and chess at the Home-school co-op. On French toast Friday there’s more math and writing and always there’s “read aloud” at lunch. I love the rhythm of our home-schooling schedule and though I’m in and out, Mom keeps it flowing as Haddon and Soren keep paddling downstream.
Life is a Garden. After tilling and planting and weeding and watering, it’s time to “reap what we’ve sown.” Our daily bread is embellished by the home-made raspberry jam we spread on it. We eat fresh vegetables that make us strong and have a moment of silence for the rows that did not bear fruit. High hopes lie wilted by drought or eaten by pests. We feel intense disappointment, reminding us that life will not be all that it should be until we arrive at our true home.
Life is a building project, started in the Summer of 2012 and beginning to “yield” as students are living there and meetings are held there. (see pics of “The Lodge” on FaceBook) I learned a lot from my experience as “General Contractor.”
But I realized that excavating, foundation, framing, plumbing, drywall, painting, etc. are not my Life. I love writing and missed the opportunity to compose! I’m more of a “Wordsmith,” crafting sentences to build understanding, develop insights, and create inhabitable worlds for seeking souls.
My wife encourages me in this, and I only hope I can return the favor by helping her rediscover what areas of gifting bring her the greatest joy and satisfaction. Even though laundry and cleaning and homeschooling and making nutritious meals and all manner of household management are in her skill set, there’s more she’s good at and enjoys. She did a great job with food & flowers for Amanda’s wedding, all within budget, and her research for meal-planning and homeschooling are ongoing. She sells books on Amazon and tends the garden in season.
We’re working on partnership in campus ministry. I couldn’t pull off Friday potluck alone. And it’s not just the soup or the crust on “pizza night” or the beans for the burritos. I appreciate her help deciding whether to play “Apples to Apples” or “Catch Phrase” and what to watch for “Movie Night.” She always spots the college students we need to greet on Sunday morning and when possible she has girls over to the house for discipleship.
Some new staff are helping with Campus Ambassadors. Zach Beeler has almost finished raising support and Heidi Harbaugh has joined us as a volunteer. It’s great to have them at the book table, at staff meetings, Bible Study and Potluck.
I still look forward to Cave discussions on Friday afternoon, where guys like Ian the Agnostic, Chris the Druid, Ben the ex-Mormon, Taylor the Daoist and Paul the Orthodox debate and discuss things like Rationality and Consciousness. Campus ministry is a great job, I can honestly say I've never given much serious thought to doing anything else.
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