TulipGirl

Can I just brag on my Hubby for a few minutes?

Hubby’s book, Knox’s Irregulars, is now available on Amazon! I’m really proud of him (as any wife would be.) But, really, his book is GOOD. The first draft was written nearly 11 years ago, when we were in Russian language school. It was revised in Ukraine, and put on the back burner when he was in grad school. But now, it’s published!

Go over to Amazon and buy it. . . just $2.99 for the Kindle edition. (It will soon be available in paperback, as well as on Barnes and Noble for Nook.) If you don’t have a Kindle, you can download a free Kindle app for your smart phone or computer.

It’s a good book. . . Check it out. . . Over on Amazon, you can read the first few chapters for free. (Then you’ll want to read the rest of it. *grin*)

Hubby was reading The Reason for God in the kitchen and keeping me company the other night, while I was cooking a new recipe, Ethiopian Vegetable Bowl. He looked up and said, “Listen to this. . .”

My wife, Kathy, never gets footnoted, yet she is the main author of the faith and thought of this author. She put me on to Lewis, to Edwards and Reformed theology, and to the importance of prayer, social justice, and the city. When you are that foundational to someone’s world- and life- view, you get mentioned in the acknowledgments, but not in the footnotes. The main reason I’m putting this book into print is because she likes it.

– Tim Keller

*mush, mush*

I’ve been so amazed and humbled at the outpouring of concern, prayers, and support from people online and in real life. I’ve been hesitant to share details until we have a diagnosis–which we still do not have. Of the four most likely scenarios initially presented by the doctor, the three mildest have been ruled out. The fourth and most serious, while not completely ruled out, was not confirmed by a clinical exam and next Friday Hubby will do some more medical testing that may take it off the table. That is our hope, though. . . it could still be a possibility. At that point, it is possible Hubby and his doc will be back to square one, as to evaluating the most likely causes for the symptoms he’s been having.

Overall, though, we are at a place emotionally and spiritually where we were not two weeks ago–just being in the moment, taking each day, being hopeful, not speculating. . . Physically, Hubby’s symptoms are still presenting, his energy is low. . . His thesis advisor has okayed a break from his research, and when we get a diagnosis, we’ll evaluate the next step. He’s still homeschooling the boys, though we’re relying upon workbooks more than before.

The past few weeks I’ve been doing okay–and then this week, I’ve just been worn out and fell apart a few times emotionally. (Hence, the long delay in updating y’all. I just. . . couldn’t.) I went to sleep at 7:30 pm the other night and slept 11 hours solid. Fighting off a cold. It was like as soon as we could take a breath and relax a little about Hubby, it all hit me.

Again, thank you for your encouragement and prayers. They mean a lot to us. We seek secure in the Father’s hand. And we’ll be sharing more as we know more.

What About Mine?

When you cried as a little baby
Mom and daddy let you cry
Thought that that was the best way maybe
To make you grow all strong inside
Now that you’re older
You need someone’s shoulder
What about mine?

Growing’ up your mind was closed
For repairs for a long long time
You could feel the loneliness in your hairstyle
Just like mine
Now that you’ve grown up
You still need that shoulder
What the hell are you waiting’ for?
It’s mine

I promise not to chase you
Only to embrace you
I promise not to bug you
Only just to hug you all night

When you was a little baby
Mom and dad they let you cry
They thought that’s the best way maybe
To make you all strong inside
(Were they) wrong? (Yes)
Mine……What about mine?

–Paul Westerberg

Hear it Barlowised.

I’ve been having a rough weekend. Hubby brought me flowers. I feel loved. He puts up with a lot with me, and then goes further to comfort me. How blessed am I.

For the Mommy-Inspiration Files. . .

The Blanket Commands

children tremble
flowers fade so sadly
love is strange to understand
winter winds blow
does the truth seem badly
let your tears fall into my hands
let your tears fall into my hands

listen closely
and i will sing for you
a sentimental song
and you will know just how i feel
listen closely
i will sing for you
a sentimental song

hide with me tonight
love endures the weather
let the rain make everything new
in the morning
we will dance together
let my song fall down around you
let my song fall down around you

listen closely
and i will sing for you
a sentimental song
and you will know just how i feel
(in my heart)
listen closely
i will sing for you
a sentimental song
and you will know my love is real

listen closely
and i will sing for you
a sentimental song
and you will know just how i feel
(in my heart)
listen closely
i will sing for you
a sentimental song
and you will know my love is real

listen closely
and i will sing for you
a sentimental song
and you will know my heart is true

listen closely
i will sing for you
a sentimental song
and you will know how i love you…

(Thanks Derri, Steve and Dan)

(Via Prairie Girl, though I’m wondering whether PyroPhil is responsible for it. . .)

Hubby went through hundreds and thousands of digital photos we have, and chose about twenty that captured our family and our experiences from the past several years. He picked the frames, matted the photos, and designed the display. It was a complete surprise to me. I get this giddy-joy feeling every time I see this.

Dream of better lives the kind which never hate
dropped in the state of imaginary grace
I made a pilgrimage to save this humans race
What I’m comprehending a race that long gone by

I’ll stop the world
I’ll stop the world and melt with you
I’ll stop the world
You’ve seen the difference and it’s getting better all the time
Let’s stop the world
There’s nothing you and I won’t do
Let’s stop the world
I’ll stop the world and melt with you

He really, really loves me.

Photos to follow.

Less is more. Read the Bible. Submit to your husband out of reverence to Christ. Know that you will fail. Ask forgiveness from God and your husband and start over again.

Marriage advice from Bonnie, shared over at Sparrow’s.

And did you get what
you wanted from this life, even so?
I did.
And what did you want?
To call myself beloved, to feel myself
beloved on the earth.

–Raymond Carver

I wasn’t expecting it today, but Hubby is back in the blogging saddle over at Le Sabot Post-Moderne.

His recent posts?

Dean’s first 100 — buyer remorsing yet?

Gitmo, the (K)(Q)(?)uran, and Snivelling

What’s On My Mind

Asked for their secret, Florence said you must never be afraid to say

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Hubby came home with a surprise for me today, U2′s How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. While I get sentimental when I hear certain U2 songs, I’ve never been the huge fan other people I know are. But when I read some reviews a few weeks ago, I added it to my wishlist. (I thought I read a review by Gideon Strauss, but now I can’t find it)

I’ve only listend to it a few time while cleaning the kitchen, so don’t expect a thoughtful review from me. But I’m enjoying it.

“God’s job is to fix and to change. Our job is to depend, serve, and equip. This is the work of grace.”

I read Jeff VanVonderen’s Families Where Grace is in Place last January. I found myself nodding as I read, seeing so many of the conclusions I’d come to through studying theology and discussions with friends. Only Jeff VanVonderen had these thoughts organized and drew upon his experience counseling with families.

It’s very true, as JVV points out, that we have been

“. . .taught to gauge spiritual success by outward performance standards, and not . . .been shown the internal steps that lead to real, from-the-heart-out empowerment and transformation.”

Fast forward through a rough year, and I’m rereading the book. However, instead of nodding in agreement with his ideas, I’m recognizing myself and my own struggles in life. I’m seeing how much I still strive to measure myself and my spiritual “success” by outward standards. How much I don’t daily turn to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and draw upon His grace.

In this coming year, I desire to learn more to lean into God, draw my strength from and depend upon Him. And may His grace flow out so I can serve and equip my husband and children.

Hubby has some of my favorite photos that capture Kyiv in his archives.

From our kitchen window during our first winter in Kyiv.