The good, the bad

Here she is. Another pic for you "outoftowners" and any others interested. She's been pretty much sleeping through the night. She eats, poops and sleeps, the trifecta of babyhood. Pretty amazing. Big brother continues to be so concerned for her and thinks she is something "cool". Ang is doing well and is such an amazing mom.

On another note, I've been gripped by something I saw on the news friday night. Something about it has struck a chord in me, I think it is because I talk to Carter about being a big boy all the time and this little guy is really trying. I disagree with ABC that there is extreme poverty in America. We have very bad poverty in the US, very bad, but not extreme. I wish you could have seen the actual one that aired on Friday because it showed his home but take a few moments and watch this. All I am wondering is what is the church doing or what can we do. There has to be something.

Ivan on ABC

Something Very Profound

Okay, I lied. Nothing profound here. Not even any new pictures. I have completely wasted your well intentioned click over the the tantrums blog. I am deeply grieved by your disappointment.

By way of update,we are all home. Ang and Brynn were cleared yesterday so we spent our first night at home as a family. Luke did very well with Brynn, I think he's just happy everybody is home. Ang has succeeded in getting her on a schedule so she was able to get a little rest last night.

Last night after Carter went to bed and Ang was watching Grey's, Brynn and I headed upstairs and watched An Inconvenient Truth. I'd been wanting to watch it for a while and I thought it would be a decent place to start in the education of a young treehugger. Unfortunately Brynn slept through the whole thing. I guess she wasn't impressed with the great Al Gore. My general reflection was that the movie was good, had some good information and certainly raises some legitimate issues. His own political failures and some odd interjections made it seem a bit strange. That and the part where we can know the carbon dioxide level on the earth for the past 650,000 years seems amazing. Those cavemen were really smart. Geico better watch their back.

But it was worth the time and a C+ movie on global warming is better than nothing. Especially when it has cool graphs and fun pictures. Have a good weekend.

More Brynn Elizabeth

They beat her up a little on the way out but man, she is a keeper. Enjoy and thanks for the calls, visits and flowers!

Brynn Elizabeth Gilchrist

Here's the proud big brother with his new baby sister.

Mommy and baby are doing great. Here's the details.

January 23,2007
7:40 AM
7 lbs 14 oz
20 1/4 inches

Thanks for the prayers and

Book Review #2

In my opinion, you should read this. It doesn't take long, is well written and has some great, great questions at the end. You owe it to yourself if for no other reason to have a little more respect for the people who have these jobs that we interact with on a daily basis. You can even borrow my copy if you want.

Hope This Isn’t Cheesy

Currently Listening: Playlist entitled "office"--Song currently playing: Stars by DCB

My recent reading has got me to thinking. That’s usually a good thing and often dangerous. Many times it leads to boring posts on the blog. Consider yourself warned.

Here at the CIY offices I have the good fortune of not one but two windows that look out into the enchanted forest. To be fair one looks across at the administration wing and the other, which sits directly in front of me looks into the forest. It’s a pretty fascinating view, usually at least once a day I see some sort of wildlife, such as the turkeys that are digging below my window.

As we are all aware, there has been a lot of snow and ice here in Joplin (and the Midwest) and since the trees have lost their leaves, we can see quite a ways into the forest. On a “good” day you can almost see OCC. I digress. Since the ground of the forest is white and the background has more depth than normal, I’ve been noticing a lot more wildlife. Tons of deer and turkeys, a cat, squirrels and birds. It’s quite fun to sit here so close and watch them do their thing (walk around; look for food, nothing perverted). It has had me wondering how much happens say within 150 feet of me on a daily basis that I don’t see because it is so camouflaged.

And then I started thinking about Christians.

Everything I’ve been reading. No, everything I know about my own life is that we blend in much too well. We look so much like our surroundings that we move around, even coming close to those different than us and we never catch their eyes. Sometimes we venture out of the forest and they can’t help but notice us. But usually, we go unnoticed.

So when are the moments when we don’t blend in? When are the times when people see movement, even if it is out of the corner of their eye and they stop and watch out of interest and even holy awe? I know we don’t do the right thing so people will notice but since people are watching (not as much as we’d like to think they are) shouldn’t we be motivated to do the right thing. And since God always sees…

So maybe we (church) need to quit only coming out of the forest when we want to and doing special things so people can’t help but notice. Maybe we should be more visible on an everyday, normal basis. The thing I’m realizing is it’s still just as eye catching and a lot more powerful. Imagine it, everyday normal life drawing attention to the One who deserves it. That would be like Biblical or something.

Immanuel

Call it the stress of a new baby on the way, call it a child growing up but Carter has been having a hard time sleeping in his own room over the last week.

He has been coming down scared with the tried and true excuse that it is scary in his room or that he's afraid. Apparently our inept dog sleeping in the room doesn't provide the necessary security so I decided to remind Carter that there is a higher power.

As we were trudging up the stairs to his room I reminded him that God loves us and Jesus is always with us (I am trying to not say Jesus will protect us or not let anything bad happen because that's bad theology and certainly the easy way out) and that he has nothing to be afraid of. The dialogue goes something along the lines of

Me: Jesus is here and he is watching over you and so you can rest and not worry.
Carter: Dad, Jesus isn't here, he's at church.

So I have now opened another can of theological worms. I thought about a discussion on the indwelling of Holy Spirit, when a child reaches the age of accountability, God's soverign will, and other things but settled for something about how Jesus lives in us and not in a building.

I got home from work last night and as I'm in our room changing, Carter is watching Larry Boy on our TV. He's jumping at the head of the bed and says randomly, "He is here!". What? I ask. "God is with us! Larry Boy says so." Apparently my Bible College education didn't equip me to have a conversation that convinced him. I needed the help of an animated vegetable. I wonder what else Larry Boy could help me communicate...

On the other side of the coin, Carter has helped me remeber something that I spent much of my time at the monastery and the Christmas thinking of, this whole God with us thing. Not sure I got anywhere but I came away with a greater sense of peace and a knowledge that was communicated to me that I had to quickly forgotten. I'll leave you with the lyrics of an old Christmas song that got this whole thing going, culminating with this deep animated revelation. I continue to be conviced that the immanuel isn't happening because I'm not giving him a place to be born. Like I said yesterday, I admit I'm not doing enough.

O holy Child of Bethlehem
Descend to us, we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in
Be born to us today
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell
O come to us, abide with us
Our Lord Immanuel

I've Been Thinking

I admit, I’m not doing enough.

While I was at a pretty amazing conference over Christmas break, I was made aware/more aware of some stuff happening and about 30 seconds from any of us. I know that I seem more biased with poverty in America than the world—we don’t have any horrible poverty here. I mean, its bad in the US but not compared to the world. And yet I find myself thinking about what I see or don’t see on a daily basis.

As part of an “assignment” at work I’ve been doing some research and doing some personal study into poverty and those in need in America. My problem isn’t what I’ll eat tonight, its which of the meals in my pantry, fridge, freezer or deep freezer will I choose today. And it really gnaws at me. Not my hunger pangs mind you, I haven’t really had those probably ever. Not the fact that it was way cold here last night and without really thinking I simply head to the thermostat and kick up the heat a little.

And sure I have debt, a house payment, a nice hospital deductible to meet here in the coming days. But I have insurance. A steady job. My wife doesn’t have to work to pay bills.

And I read and think about what is going on and feel so selfish. And I don’t know what to do with myself some days.

I recently got a book which I’ll probably dive into after the one that is currently beating me over the head. It’s called Nickel and Dimed and it’s the story of a lady who couldn’t make it living on minimum wage. And she’s considered rich in America. Actually the stats say there are a lot like her, 28.4% of the households living in poverty are a female householder, no husband present.

Ironically my friends at Sojo sent an email to all the people on their list and an article caught my eye. You have to read this. It’s lengthy but I’m begging. And as you read, I think we all need to realize the approach has to be mercy, not judgement. But I’m willing to bet they aren’t the folks we want bringing kids to our youth group or sitting by us in church. We’ve got all our reasons why it is this way, we’ve got our list of how they got there. But seriously, who cares about all that—we, church, have to care about them. I need to start with me. I hope you’ll take the time. And somewhere else in the back of your mind, remember this guy is still making around $15K a year--that's a lifetimes wages and then some for millions of people around the world.

Book Review #1

I promise to not become tedious or annoying. But one of my goals for 2007 is when I read a book I think is worth recommending, to write a quick blurb about it and at least explain why I think it is worth reading. If you choose to, great and if not, well, that too is an option.

Oh, and I won't do it with every book I read, that would expose just how little I read.

So, book number uno: The New Friars

Very good book. Intriguing principles and for the most part he does a great job of giving some historical perspective and sharing what these people are doing without automatically knighting them. This idea of taking a vow of some sort to live with the poor, to become marginalized, to reject so much of what Christianity today is striving for is both radical and challenging. I too often found myself questioning how somebody could do what they folks are doing and then I was disappointed with myself for it. Safe, easy, comfortable, I'm a big fan of those words.

Here's a few snippets which taken at face value may or may not do anything for you:
-Of the over 2.8 billion workers in the world, over half can't earn enough to move over the $2US/day poverty line
-"Everybody wants to change the world and nobody wants to change themselves." -Tolstoy
-"Sin is more expensive in poor communities."
-5 Reasons why the 20th Century was a disaster
1.Globalization of Poverty
2.Destruction of the Environment
3.Neglect and Exploitation of Children
4.Runaway Urbanization
5.Scale of Self-Destruction

I leave the stories of the book out, they alone are worth the time. If you are in a bookstore, I'd encourage you to simply read the 2-page afterword, I promise it will leave you unsettled.

Finally, I like the 5 values these new friars are living: incarnation, devotion, community, mission and marginalization--not sure enough of us are doing this.

If I could legally do it, I'd post the first paragraph of page 89--it is simply powerful.

Final Rating: On a scale of 1-10 (poo-divine)
8

It's A Boy!!!!?!

Pictures coming soon!

What a weekend. For all of you I failed to call, I apologize, you really mean something to us, we simply have been exhausted. Thanks for all your calls and support, everything went very smoothly except the surprise that it wasn’t a girl. Now what to do with that pink room…

As far as actual details he weighed in at 6 lbs 19 oz. He’s 34 inches tall with a red Mohawk.

Okay, jokes up. No baby yet, just thought the look on your face as you frantically read the post was worth it for all who are around you. Sorry for the mean joke.

On with real news, no news. Lots of contractions and heartburn. I guess that means baby’s will have hair (all things having to do with hair are a mystery to me). Ang’s line last night had something to do with “I’d better be able to braid the stuff when she comes out.” Which does lead me to a thought I’ve had. I don’t know how to braid, use hair thingys or whatever. This shall be an adventure I’m looking forward to. I do want to be a capable father and not send my little girl headed out to the world looking like she just woke up. I shall have to get in touch with my feminine side. Maybe a class from men who have succeeded in this should be available online or something.
At the most, we are 15 days away from arrival. The room is painted, the furniture is in, the decorations are on the way and we were still discussing names over Mexican food last night. (Maybe that led to the heartburn). One thing we know for sure, it will not be named Thelma after a relative you know under another name!! Sorry for the mean post. Truly, I shouldn’t capitalize on your care for our family like that. I’m just that shallow.

Pink

Currently Listening: Tracing (Acoustic) by John Mayer from the album As/Is (Live: Mountain View, CA)

Pink
Aerosmith said it was their favorite color, I guess it will grow on me too. At the very latest, baby girl will be here in 20 days. I simply can’t wait and my spidey-senses tell me neither can Ang.

I’ve been painting in baby girls room the last 2 nights. Not because I’m good at it but because its not good for pregnant women to breathe paint fumes. At this point it is just primer because our wall colors are so dark. It has got me to thinking though. I brought the speakers up and plugged in the Ipod and have listened to hours of John Mayer and some compilations while working. I realized my parents used to listen to some music while they were working on my stuff as a kid. Not on an ipod however, old school vinyl. I grew up marinating in John Denver, Simon and Garfunkel, Neil Diamond and some other stuff I consider amazing and classic. I wonder if baby girl will consider John Mayer a classic at that point. It seems hard to imagine a time when my kiddo would have her futuristic music carrying device and she’s listening to John Mayer and somebody would react the same way a teenager would today to John Denver. But it happens. I guess at some point my music tastes stop changing and I listen to much the same music over and over to the annoyance of my children. Another perk of parenthood.

Time to go, big brother is on his way to hang out with daddy while Ang heads to the weekly checkup. Maybe a trip to Starbucks is in order.