Health + The Fam

K... quick family rundown...

I am the oldest of four by about 7.5 years.

Asher = 25
Tyler = 18
Kaelyn =17
Damon = 16

K... Called my little sis to check on her and she was crying, driving herself (about 40 min) to the ER... long story short: her white blood cell count is really high. They thought it might be her apendix. Nope; CAT scan clean... she's home resting. Poor girl. They're not sure what's wrong. She's had a rough senior year with injuries and illnesses.

Also discovered that Tyler has been in and out of the hospital again with intestinal issues. They're also unsure of what's wrong with him.

Mom is cancer free for another year. Happy days!

And the only thing plaguing Daeboy is "wantitis"

Oh, man, Thayer Bears! Get better soon!

Also, I confirmed the dates: I'll be in the TC area from the evening of the 23rd-some time on the 27th.

-a titleless post-

(If you have a title idea after reading this, please let me know)

1 In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah:
We have a strong city;
God makes salvation
its walls and ramparts.

2 Open the gates
that the righteous nation may enter,
the nation that keeps faith.

3 You will keep in perfect peace
him whose mind is steadfast,
because he trusts in you.

4 Trust in the LORD forever,
for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.
[Isaiah 26]

4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
[Philippians]

Apostle Paul is what we'll call "a smart man." And this particular smart man new his old testament. A devout Jew and former killer of the followers of "the Way," Paul had a great and vast knowledge to access when he wrote his letters to the young, developing church. It seems the OT folks needed to remember that God is God, enthroned and in control, watching over His beloved people .

Tonight I am meditating on the verses above. A couple days ago I found out some earth-shaking news that has me bewildered, to say the least. And even more disorienting is the fact that a few days prior to that I came to some very big, important, life-changing realizations, not the least of which is that I am actually loved and valued for real. I've known this for a long time... but now I know it. Like, deep in the core and guts of who I am. I know this.

So, along with remembering that God is nothing less than God; all-powerful, all-knowing, all-present, all-loving, I am also left to mull over how to maintain joy, real, authentic joy, in the midst of tragedy and confusion.

A divine paradox.

Both are equally present: mourning and sadness & joy and enthusiasm. I want to both dance for joy and hide my face before God, desperate for His intervention. And within this supernatural paradox, I am discovering that I, a woman of countless failures and imperfections, have what it takes to be faithful, to persevere, not because of my strength, but because the one who created me, the one who loves me, is nearer than a breath and He sustains me in all things.

Let's quote our smart man again, shall we?

1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we^[a]have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we^[b] rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we^[c] also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. [Romans 5]

Shalom, my friends.

Christmas Day!

What a great day! It was really good hanging out with the fam! We, of course, opened gifts, and watched movies/played card games. And I took a three hour nap! Actually, I spent 90% of my day laying down. Absolutely amazing! Christmas was my first day off in nearly three weeks, so I enjoyed every moment of it! I am sad to see it pass.

Materially, I was really blessed! I received a HUGE crock pot and cookbook, a certificate for an hour-long massage, new comforter and bathroom towels, among a few other things. My dad is convinced that I am the world's biggest dork because I was beyond excited to get my crock pot. Hey man, I love to cook but I don't usually have the time anymore.

I finished my day out with Casey and Aza. Casey and I watched a movie and Aza helped me stretch out my ankle (that is mysteriously injured!

How was your Christmas? What did you do?

why i have the best girl friends in the world...

Megan, Elysia, and Heather and three of my best buddies ever.  At the risk of embarrassing them, especially elysia, here's why:

Megan and I... well, we just get each other.  I love our honest, real conversations.  And the mutual "pushing" and unconditional love.  And she's really just amazing.  

Elysia and I... well, here's an example from this AM:

(we're on the phone, both of us had just gotten up)

me: so I spent like 50 dollars on myself yesterday trying to do some therapy shopping.  I kinda feel bad about it. (it was totally impulse, out of budget and unnecessary.  rather than telling me that I did, in fact, make a bad decision, she says...)

elysia: it's okay!  you could just say it's your birthday present to yourself.

me:I already bought my present to myself.

e: just add to it then.

... a few minutes later...

e: paul left me a treat.  a bag of oreos.  I meant to eat breakfast first.  but I'm eating oreos... I told myself just one... but...

me: it's okay, you're pregnant.  eat up!  

(we're just all about encouraging and validating one another... it's amazing... I love you, Elysia.)

(heather and I, just a few minutes ago)

heather: I should be fine!  that's the whole reason I have six holes in my stomach.  I mean five.  so if it makes me sick I've got bigger problems

... separate comments about different things...

me: well, we could always take a wheel chair in my car just incase you get tuckered out...

...

me: I am taking a break.  that's what GR is about.  I'm gonna make everyone carry me while Im there.

h: we could share the wheel chair!

me: yeah... I could sit on your lab... maybe you should sit on my lap... Im pretty sure Id hurt your surgery if I sat on yours.  We could make Jim push us.

h: there you go.

me: well, that could be scary.

h: true.  we'd probably both end up back in the hospital.  (sorry, Jim!)

...

h: you're up a level by getting things thrown at you.  it's a good thing!

(this probably doesn't seem funny to you, but the convos are truly hysterical in person.  and this post is more about remembering, anyhow)

Phil-O-Min

Or, as Aza pointed out, "fill um in." Cool double-entendre, ay?

I've been completely re-doing my Philosophy of Ministry, recently. I'm pretty sure the only thing that's staying the same are my statements of community.

It's exciting, let me tell you, because I finally understand what I'm suppose to put IN it, which was very blurry to me until recently. Sooo, I'm re-wrestling with some issues like evangelism, discipleship, leadership, discipline, family, etc.

I'm wondering what your philosophy of ministry is as it relates to family and your youth ministry?

Hit me back with your thoughts.

-Asher

My Baby Sister...

isn't a baby anymore! And although she won't read this, I still want to brag about her! First off... isn't she GORGEOUS!?

Second of all... she took her road test on Monday and PASSED!!!! I'm sooo proud!

There was this one time her and I were returning to my parent's house from TC and I let her drive. In the distance in the rearview mirror I see a cop flying up behind us... Kaelyn sees him, too... and she's like,"I'm not doing anything wrong!!! what do I do? What do I do??" Doing the best I can to remain hushed tones for her (this was pretty funny), I tell her she needs to pull over on the side of the road... well, Kaelyn, being 15, pulls over onto the side of the road, but continues going about 50mph. At this point it's taking all my strength to not start laughing and calmly tell her that she did a good job at getting the car over, but also needed to stop. If the police officer didn't have a reason to pull her over already, he did now. He kept on going right by us, much to Kaelyn's relief. hehehe...

She turns 16 on Tuesday. I'm a proud big sis, let me tell you.

HELP (UPDATE)
My bag was found around 2:30 this moning, everything present. Our best guess is they were looking for a quick few dollars... but Im too poor to carry cash. YAY for getting my stuff back!!!

____
Okay, so if you go to Jacob's Well and you saw anyone besides me with my cordoroy messenger bag tonight, please let me know. It went "missing" tonight and I'm pretty stressed about it. My cell, my journal, my work schedule, and Jordan's book were in it. Please, please let me know, okay? my biggest concerns are the journal and Jordan's book.

Merry Christmas, Again!

I'm in a Sepia kind of mood, I guess!

Merry Christmas!

Here are some pics!

The "kids" & I... we're a pretty good lookin' bunch, if you ask me...

minor image editing done by yours truly! These kids are my pride n' joy!!
Okay, mildly blurry, due to lack of sufficient light, but I ALWAYS blink when there's a flash involved, so ya know... gotta make do! This is my cousin Michael & I... we're 6 months apart. Growing up we were inseperable. He's my bodyguard, and he's always believed in me. I love him!
And here's the original of the first pic. My Dad did a great job!

And this be my ma & daddy, on thanksgiving, 2006.

-More pics later.

shalom, emanuel!

-Asher