Bizarro

Something really strange happened the other day. Casey and I saw Spider-Man 3 at the movie theater. No, that's not exactly the strange part, although it is rare that we go to the movies. What was interesting and peculiar, and what had me 'weirded out' for an entire evening was this...

On a whim this past Wednesday, I had a thought that I'd like to surprise Casey by setting up a babysitter for the following day and then taking him to the matinee of Spider-Man. I thought of that particular movie because it's the type you really have to see in the theater, with all of the special effects and such. Plus, we had both talked about trying to see it sometime. Surprising Casey like this was not something I normally do, so it was fun being all sneaky about it.

I called one of our college students, a really sweet girl who had looked after Miles several times before, and asked if she would be able to come over and watch him for a few hours the next day. I told her about my plan, and she told me she'd be able to take care of Miles. After the phone call, I went into the living room and said to Casey, "Make sure you clear your schedule tomorrow from about twelve-thirty to three." He asked why, and I just smiled and said that I was going to treat him. Then I told him who would be coming over to watch Miles.

At that point Casey said, "You might as well tell me what you're planning."

"Why?" I asked.

"Because...I was planning on asking her [the babysitter] to come over tomorrow so I could take you to see Spider-Man."

Those who know Casey and I well, and have known us since we first met, are familiar with the connection we have had -- not just a thing where you finish the other person's sentences, but such an exact same type of humor and thinking that it is really difficult to fathom at times. Let me give you some examples:

The summer before Casey and I started dating, we were building our friendship through e-mail, as he was living in another state at that time. One evening, I had just polished off a quarter-gallon of my favorite ice cream -- mint chocolate chip. A little later I was sitting at the computer, checking my messages, and there was one from Case. It went on with the usual stuff, but at the end he had added a P.S., and all that he had typed was, "Mint chocolate chip ice cream." I sat back in my chair and said "Whoa!" under my breath. I asked him later why he had added that, and he didn't have a reason for it.

Another e-mail oddity that occurred that same summer was when I had rented and watched a movie and really loved it. Not more than a few days later, I got an e-mail from Casey telling me that I had to go and rent that movie. I wrote and told him that I had, and in fact we watched it again last night and had some great laughs.

But this Spider-Man thing...it had me weirded out, you know? I told my dad about it, and he wasn't all that surprised. He said that kind of thing happens when you have that kind of connection with the person you love, and that it is a really special thing. And yes, it is a special thing. Casey and I get a kick out of all the funny ways we think of the exact same lines from a TV show or a song. It's one of the things that always brings us back to how special and unique we are, and how we fit together so well.

Still...Spider-Man...dude...

Friday's Feast

Feast One Hundred & Forty-One -- April 27, 2007

Appetizer
How fast can you type?

I think my fastest ever was about 88 words per minute. But I knew someone who could type 120 wpm on a manual typewriter...whew!

Soup
What is your favorite online game?

I haven't played a lot of them, but I really like Bookworm...or is it Literati? Something to do with words.

Salad
On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 as highest), how intelligent do you think you are?

I'm not so comfortable with these types of questions. Either I sell myself short because I don't want to sound arrogant, or...I sound arrogant. I could say what my IQ score is, but I don't want to do that either. Sigh...I'll just be as humble as possible and say that I am an eleven, ha!

Main Course
Name three of your best teachers from your school years.

Mrs. Brown, my third grade teacher -- best ever. I could never say anything bad about her. She was like an angel. Then there was Mrs. Woodfin, my second grade teacher. She read a chapter from Charlotte's Web to us every Friday, and I followed along in my own copy. I just loved that! One of my other favorites was my history teacher my junior year of high school, but I can't remember her name...she was so encouraging.

Dessert
What are your plans for this upcoming weekend?

There is an annual arts festival tomorrow in our town, lots of good food and music and arts, that sort of thing. I am looking forward to seeing how Miles enjoys it, especially if we go to the petting zoo.

Book Review: I'm OK -- You're Not: The Message We're Sending Nonbelievers and Why We Should Stop

I have had so many great thoughts pop into my mind the past several nights in a row after reading another section of this book. But now as I sit in front of the computer, they all seem to slip away! I'm still going to give it my best, and hopefully I will end up sounding just as witty as (I thought) I did in my head.

I have had my own moments of saying all the wrong things to non-Christians, some close friends, some acquaintances -- some even complete strangers. I don't doubt some of you have done the same, and maybe even, like myself, cringe when you look back on those times. What are we doing wrong? What can we do differently? What do non-Christians really think of Christians these days?

Author John Shore does an excellent job of answering all of these questions. Again, as in my previous book review, I find there are some comments/views that the author gives with which I am not in full agreement. But on the whole, I feel that every single Christian should read this book and really pay attention to what is going on in our world. Or to put it more plainly, to what we have been saying and doing to alienate those in our world.

First, the main point the author is making is that, while The Great Commission ('go out into all the world and preach the gospel...') is so very, very important, it seems that Christians have climbed on board to that way of thinking so passionately that we have sometimes forgotten The Great Commandment -- 'Love thy neighbor as thyself.' Shore makes a strong argument for really getting to know people, and love them just as they are, rather than letting them know how we think they need to be living their lives.

Second, this guy is just plain funny. I know there are many different sorts of humor, but I feel that Shore's wittiness and sometimes self-deprecation would connect with just about everybody. I don't do this often, but I actually found myself laughing out loud at most of the book -- in the doctor's office, no less! Chapter titles such as 'How Dare They Leave When We're Offending Them' and 'So Being Born Again Isn't the Same as Being Mature?' caught me in a way that I knew I wanted to keep reading (that and the fact that I agreed to review this book).

Third, I'm OK -- You're Not isn't all about the laughs. There is plenty of humor, to be sure, but I feel that in order to not get too upset about damage we may have done there is kind of a need to approach the subject in a bit of a joking way. Shore is smart enough to realize that it probably isn't the best idea to preach at people about how they've been preaching at other people too much. It also seems that, after reading what the author shared about his very tragic childhood, that humor is a huge way in which he has learned to cope with some aspects of his life. That alone connected very strongly with me, because Casey and I have used laughter a lot to get through the entire past year.

My very favorite part of this book came at the end of every chapter. I truly looked forward to it, even though it is so raw and sometimes so very difficult to read. Shore titled these sections appropriately 'Ouch' because they are a collection of quotes from non-Christians sharing how they feel about Christians, or what their experiences have been with Christians. These were obtained by the author through Craigslist. A brilliant idea, but wow...there are some harsh things. Nevertheless, I think they need to be heard, and so I applaud Mr. Shore for being so innovative in getting those quotes.

Overall, I'm OK -- You're Not has been an awesome read for me. Before I had even finished the first chapter, I was telling Casey that this would be a great book to use in the campus ministry. It is just so relevant and I know that the humor would really draw students in and connect with them as it did with me.

A big thank you to John Shore for allowing me to review his book on my humble little blog!

Birthday Boy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR MILES...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

Ponderings and news

Five days ago, I wanted to write a poignant post about an anniversary. April 5th marked a year since I entered the hospital. It was midnight when we called the doctor and he told us to go...we had no idea what would happen, but we were hoping to be back that night having been told I was in false labor. What did happen instead was lots of craziness, and just a little more than a week later Miles was born! This Friday we will celebrate his first birthday, along with a few family members who live nearby. Sadly, not all our family members live so close, but at least some can be here. I am going to make a cake, we are going to begin a tradition of marking his height on the wall (something I've always wanted to do with my children), and we'll put his hand print in clay. Is it clay? Anyway, my sister gave me one of those kits to do that, so I thought his first birthday would be the day to do that. We're not doing a big bash kind of thing, but it will be very special. After all, thinking back to where we were one year ago brings up some painful memories, but it also brings up the addition to our family that I cannot imagine life without...that precious little boy who melts my heart every day. My little Miles. That is the memory we hold onto.

How's my wound doing, you ask? I wouldn't say it's doing real bad, but I wouldn't say it's doing real good. It looks the way it's supposed to look (don't worry, I won't go into detail), but it is just taking...its...time. Part of that is because of the auto-immune thing, but a big factor is nutrition and exercise. Admittedly, I have not done super-well in that department over the months, but lately I've been trying harder. I have taken Miles on many long (and fast) walks over the past couple of weeks, and I have been eating more protein...and just eating more in general. All we can do after that is keep praying for healing. I believe that it is not terribly far away, but I was hoping it would be healed by Miles' birthday. I'm not going to let it get me down, though.

My photoblog has a new look, although I don't know if anyone actually looks at it anymore. I did add two new photos to it, but for some reason they didn't take! So, I'm going to have to work on that again. For now, I hope anyone who visits likes it.

We haven't received the 'Complaint-Free World' bracelets yet, but I knew they might take some time since they've become so popular. I am still planning on trying it out, and would love anyone else to try it with me who wants to!

I'm in the midst of reading (see sidebar) another book which I'll review here (hopefully) soon. It's titled, "I'm OK -- You're Not: The Message We're Sending Nonbelievers and Why We Should Stop". When I was asked if I'd like to review this book, the title alone convinced me to take a look. So far, I have to say I am thoroughly enjoying it...but I'll save all that for the actual review. I'm also reading "Prince Caspian," which is the fourth book in the 'Chronicles of Narnia' series. I am loving it! Although I have to say, I was in the doctor's office recently, and I stopped reading it while I was there because I suddenly felt self-conscious about reading a book with pictures in it in front of other people. But see, I never read this series as a kid, and now that the first movie has come out -- which I loved -- I want to read them. If anyone out there hasn't read these books, get to it! They are a quick read and so enjoyable. I love disappearing into another world at the very end of my day.

Okay, I'll end the post talking about Miles. I can't help myself, I'm a mama! Anyway, he has started getting more cuddly lately, and I just can't get enough of it. He is such a sweet, sweet little boy -- though he does have his moments of total defiance! -- and Casey and I find ourselves loving him more and more. Oh, that's another thing: he is such a daddy's boy! It doesn't bother me so much. It's very endearing seeing him follow Casey around and wanting to be held by him above anyone else. But what am I, chopped liver?