Mom, when were you born?

Titus just asked me, "Mom, when were you born?"

"April 16, 1966."

"Wow, that's a long time ago! Was that before the dinosaurs?"

Remember when high school students seemed old?

Has anybody seen my record?

Last week when Titus was exhibiting one of my less flattering characteristics - melting down over a little spill - I found myself singing a song from my childhood treasure. The Sesame Street 2 album had a great song "Everyone Makes Mistakes" - and I still remember it.

The moment of reverie got me thinking about that thing. Where did it go? I know I had it when I was in college. I used to whip it out and play now and then. If anyone ever sees my copy or a vintage copy in great shape, please get it for me.

And, it has to have the inside book included...oh, how I want to hear it!

things fall apart

A wise woman once reminded me that cars are machines and machines break - plan on it.

Well, that's not all that breaks. Lets add snowblowers, leaf blowers, bed frames, glass on your favorite artwork, Christmas ornaments, sofa legs, furnaces, plumbing, and houses in general due to things like termites for example.

Yep. That's our life this week. And don't forget cars.

Chinua Achebe wrote "Things Fall Apart" about the deterioration of social groups when facing change and stressors and how peace is eroded between others and within ourselves. I was reminded of his book this week mostly due to the title. But then I thought, you know, things do fall apart - they break. Fortunately things can be fixed. It all takes money of course. But really, it will all be OK. This week, in spite of more frustrations with our stuff, I'm content, at peace, and relaxed.

Thanks God for teaching me. I'm glad I can rest in Divine Love -

home of champions

Tonight Titus wrapped up Lil Dribblers - no its not a drinking rehab program for kids, though it does sort of sound like it, huh? (think Airplane, people) Ray just found Titus' award certificate. "So everyone was an MVP?" - I had kind of not even noticed that Titus got an MVP award.

Which reminded us of a very funny story. We once spent a few hours letting our toddler run around a gymnastics gym in Cary, IL. It was memorable primarily for the big sign above the door - "Cary Gymnastics - Home of Champions", wow I thought - cool I wonder if Olympic gymnasts train here - and then I saw the words just below..."where everyone is a champion".

Ah yes - political correctness and meaningless affirmation run amuck!*

*Ray and I have a theory that American Idol thrives on this kind of stuff - at least in those early rounds when you have delusional people who can't sing thinking they are IT. When did we lose the right to be average, just OK, or even not very good at some things?

little dog: round two

So I've had a desire for a little dog for a long time. Caesar is a real dog, as Ray would put it. Dogs are big. Little dogs, the kind that you can carry on one arm and snuggle on your chest during afternoon naps - those are emergency backup dogs, again, as Ray would put it.

Well, I want an emergency back up dog. And after much consideration, we've taken the plunge. About six weeks ago I heard about some pups from my hairstylist - part pomeranian, part schnauzer, part chihuahua - the pups that is, not my hairstylist. Yesterday when I was back for a cut I found out there was one pup left. The owner happens to now work at the salon too and quickly had her brother bring him over.

It was love at first sight. We are trying him out for the weekend and the vote is unanimous. He's a keeper. Welcome Samson to the Weikal clan!

Sacred/Secular and Other False Dichotomies

Some older posts ...

Maybe you've seen this video or the others in the series. These parodies of the Mac/PC commercials pit a stereotypical conservative Evangelical-ish Christian in suit and tie against a jeans/t-shirt/hoodie clad "Christ-follower". Obviously one is cool and one isn't. Now, I am sensitive to insulting people who aren't "cool" - and the video series does bug me a bit in that regard. However, the point I want to cull from this video is important - at least in my opinion.



Here's the deal. I think it is our tendency to create false dichotomies. We make two piles when there could be many. We limit ourselves to two choices, when there may be...oh...at least three.

But what troubles me is when we pull this tendency into the arena of faith and religion - specifically, the sacred/secular dichotomy. Who draws the lines? Do we have to draw lines? I have a friend, Jewish by birth and culture, who had a spiritual awakening sitting in his car listening to U2 in his high school's parking lot. My husband found God on a cliff overlooking the Pacific. My life as a Christ-follower has been shaped by Pulp Fiction and Crash - two movies that might not pass muster in many a "sacred throng".

I am sure that MY life has been most influenced by the Bible and the discourse I've been a part of in church communities and relationships with other Christians. But what I don't buy into this idea that God is restricted to "sacred" media. I can't say "everything is sacred" - I have a hard time finding anything uplifting in pornography for example. But I'm leaning hard toward beauty - whether art, music, or my sons large yet perfectly proportioned four year old hands - as an echo of divine wonderment. Wouldn't our lives be richer if we looked for Truth and Love in every nook and cranny of existence?

Speaking of False Dichotomies...Condemn/Condone

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Speaking of False Dichotomies...Condemn/Condone

Do ya'll remember about 10 years or so ago when Ellen Degeneres came out? (seems like a different world then, huh?) Well, I remember at the time being absolutely steamed by a comment that Jerry Falwell made, calling her "Ellen Degenerate". I seriously wanted to write her an apology and him a plea to SHUT UP. But I digress.

The point, and I do have one, is this - I recently found an article on the web which was written shortly after the Degeneres/Falwell thing. It asked this -"Would Jesus condemn or condone Ellen Degeneres?" Kudos, by the way, to the author. His answer was "neither - Jesus would LOVE her".

Why is it that we force ourselves into this categorical response? Are we for or against? In particular, as Christians, do we condemn or condone? Will we speak out against the evil or say nothing, which is just another way of saying it ain't evil at all...or so it is interpreted.

What I love about Jesus is that he was uber-clever. He always knew how to find the third way. I wish I were so creative. Since I'm not, I guess I'll default to the position of love. What can it hurt? Am I called to point out sin or love my neighbor? I think it is far easier to point out sin, to separate myself from really having to relate to anyone who is "misbehaving". I think I've done that a lot in my life.

When I look at the Gospels, I see Jesus relating to sinners who are transformed by his love and willingness to be a part of their lives where they live. It is the religious who are most often chastised for their sinfulness. What would happen if we made it our mission to truly love and left the condemning and condoning out of the equation? Do you think our love would draw anyone toward God, toward wholeness, toward freedom?

If we are going to do God's will here on earth as it is in heaven, we'd better start loving with reckless abandon. When is the last time you expressed love to someone whose behavior you would never condone?

God at Work in Russian Revolution?

Here's another post from the blog for our former congregation, reverb. I just want to have some of the record of my thoughts on the journey here for my new friends....

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

a people's tragedy

My husband reads books. I read them too, of course. But I read books. He reads BOOKS. You know, the big thick history books about English kings and Russia. He reads them over and again until the binding breaks and chunks fall out like first graders' teeth.

One of those chunks has been migrating around our house lately, moving from kitchen table to bathroom, bedroom to living room floor. Pages 363 through 452, if you care.

"Listen to this," Ray called from the other room. He began to read.

"There was also a new stress on the workers' own sense of dignity...and they were no longer willing to be treated with any disrespect by either foremen or managers...Domestic servants marched to demand that they should be addressed with the formal 'you', as opposed to the familiar 'you', previously used to address the serfs. Yardmen demanded that their degrading title should now be changed to 'house director'. Women workers demanded equal pay to men, an end to 'degrading body searches', fully paid maternity leave and the abolition of child labour. As the workers saw it, these were basic issues of morality...Many workers spoke of founding a 'new moral life', based on law and individual rights, in which there would be no more drunkenness, swearing, gambling or wife-beating."

"Do you get it?" He asked. "I know exactly what you're thinking. I got it in about the second sentence." (Married people are like that sometimes) "Sounds a lot like the Kingdom, huh?"

I find it interesting that God's kingdom rises up in unlikely places at times. That was Russia in 1917 - around the time Americans were fighting for suffrage and prohibition. About the time that our denomination was gaining legs. Here's my question. Does God's kingdom rely on religious people to cause it to happen or could it possibly move at Divine impulse through means the religious do not sanction or call their own?

* the painting is titled "Revolution" by Marc Chagall

Where are the Republicans?

I spent an hour or so watching some of the Brown & Black Forum from Des Moines - a presidential candidate forum focusing on minority issues. Seven of the eight Democratic candidates were there. NO REPUBLICANS. All were invited.

I don't get it. Why would you decline an opportunity to discuss minority issues on a national stage? The explanation given by the moderator was that the Republican party thinks they do not have any chance of winning the racial/ethnic minority vote in Iowa, so they didn't go.

There it is. It is about winning, not about public discourse. Not about saying to Iowa minorities, "you matter - your concerns matter - your burdens are my burdens - minority issues are issues we all must face together as one country, black, white, brown, and any shade in between".

I want a political leader who cares about all Americans, not just the wealthy whites. Don't tell me any of the Republican leaders truly cares - they weren't there.

Namaste reruns

* Last year I used to blog about deep things - this was one post from my previous blog - I think I'll snatch some of those posts and put them up here...sorry if it's a repeat for some of you friends.

OK, so if you read my profile or spend any time with me, you'll know I'm a LOST geek. (And thanks to Donald Miller, I am now a shameless TV watcher!) So last week's episode had a young Benry arriving on the island with his dad, Roger Workman. Ah, yes - we see Benry is a liar. He was NOT born on the island...wait, let me get back to my point...As they walked up the pier to the beach, they were greeted with the word "Namaste". "Hmm," thought I to my self, "what does that mean? Have I heard that before?"

And then today, in a serendipitous moment, as I sat waiting for Ray to arrive for lunch at Exotic India I notice a small banner on the wall behind the cash register - "Namaste - the divine greeting...Namaste" (I couldn't read it all because I'm in need of an upgrade on my current vision prescription...) There it was in my real life - my LOST world colliding with my Iowa City world!

Being curious, I went to the definitive source of all knowledge - Wikipedia - and found this -

"The gesture used when bowing in Namaste or Gassho is the bringing of both hands together, palms touching, in front of the person -- usually at the chest, or a higher level such as below the chin, below the nose, or above the head.

This gesture is a mudra; a well-recognized symbolic hand position in eastern religions. One hand represents the higher, spiritual nature, while the other represents the worldly self. By combining the two, the person making the gesture is attempting to rise above their differences with others, and connect themself [sic] to the person they bow to. The bow is a symbolic bow of love and respect.

Particularly in Hinduism, when one worships or bows in reverence, the symbolism of the two palms touching is of great significance. It is the joining together of two extremities -- the feet of the Divine, with the head of the devotee. The right palm denotes the feet of the Divine and the left palm denotes the head of the devotee. The Divine feet constitute the ultimate solace for all sorrows -- this is a time-honoured thought that runs through the entire religious ethos."

A month or so ago, I listened to a podcast called "Finding Our God in the Other" by Samir Selmanovic. One of his points was that as Christians we arrogantly presume that God is at work only through "us" "His people" "the Church". Our idolatrous ownership of God and the work of God's Spirit is confronted when, among other questions, Samir asks something like this "If God can speak to us through 'The Matrix' then why not through Hinduism or Islam?"

I have to admit - His question first encounters my fundamentalist Christian layer of "we have the truth". I'm a bit uncomfortable with his question, but more uncomfortable with my defensive reaction to it. For so many years, I have held to a narrow understanding that other religions are false and contain no truth - their tenets are in opposition to Christian belief - they mislead and are man's inventions or even worse, lies of Satan.

But, it is exactly this kind of belief that has made me feel incompetent to genuinely engage in conversation about spiritual matters with people who are not Christians but who are spiritual. You have those people in your life, don't you? They are the people who in many ways make the bumper sticker "Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven" seem like a lame excuse for Christians to be selfish, judgmental, abusive, arrogant..blah, blah, blah... because as "non-Christians" (noun) who are loving, gracious, peaceful and forgiving (yet imperfect and not forgiven?) they seem more Christian (adjective).

That was an awkward sentence - sorry. But I hope you understand. Right there, staring me in the face (as I look in the mirror!) is a "born-again Christian" who looks and sounds little like Jesus and right beside, a Hindu/Pagan/spiritual person who looks and sounds a lot like Jesus. How do I make sense of this?

Somewhere I've had to hold onto my "exclusive truth" belief, thinking it represents Christian orthodoxy. But somewhere it also has felt shabby, vulnerable, a thin tissue paper belief - susceptible to being easily poked through.

When I read about "Namaste" (admittedly a very superficial explanation in Wikipedia - hardly a worthy source!) I am struck by the beauty of it. Something rings true in it for me. Honoring one another deeply - image bearers of the divine, temples of the Holy Spirit.

Too often my Christian world view has reduced people into us/them, lost/saved, sinners/Christians. Too often that world view has left me feeling not human in a way - disconnected from people who aren't like me in belief. I admit this with a bit of a blush at first. But the blush wanes and I'm left admitting this with a sorrowful, repentant heart.

I who want to love others, who preach about loving others - I am afraid of others. What am I afraid of? Afraid of being out thought? Afraid that their lives make more sense, hold more water, are more solid than mine? Afraid that if we start to talk, I will really have to wrestle with a lot of holes poked in my shabby tissue paper dogmatic religion?

I want to be fearless when it comes to poking holes in my religion. Maybe ripping down some of my beliefs will get me closer to Jesus. I want to learn to love as Jesus loved. Somehow "Namaste" teaches me to do that - to love humbly, openly, and connected to others - not above them - one of the humans who get it wrong, but want to get it right - one who needs divine solace, comfort, forgiveness, hope - needs Divine Love in me and needs to be bathed in and transformed by Divine Love.

PS - I know that I am prone to making connections via superficial generalizations (a blessing and a curse). I admit I haven't read a lot about Hinduism or this element of it. I suspect that both Hindus (possibly) and Christians (probably) might point out distinctions that make the beliefs contradictory - places where I'm overlooking the real meaning, etc. But does that mean the superficial parallels are completely useless? I don't think so...but this is fodder for another post, right?

* Speaking of superficial parallels..."the worlds largest praying hands" pictured here stand at the entry of Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I think I'm going to have to explore the universality of prayer postures and gestures. (more fodder...another post)

And I was taught that good little Christians folded their hands for prayer so they wouldn't be tempted to poke the other kids in the back of the neck...hmm...I think I may have to go with the Hindus on this one!

A Political Confession

So, I've never really been much for politics. But I've found someone I really believe in. Primarily, I believe in Barack because he has a long history of doing the right things for the right reasons. If you don't know about him, please check him out and consider who he is and how he has lived out his values as a community activist and political leader.

I just started reading "The Soul of Politics" by Jim Wallis. This 13 year old book calls for leadership that gets past partisan interests, political power plays, and pandering to special interest groups. I couldn't help but think of Barack - a man who is leading from his belief in the good that comes only from a political system which is built on values and not dollars.

Recently stats were released that showed the amount of PAC money each candidate had received - Barack Obama has taken $25. (Hillary Clinton, on the other hand has taken over $250,000.) In an age where candidates will do anything to get elected, it seems, (almost anything is probably more fair) it is heartening to see a presidential candidate who will not sell out in order to get the seat of power.

I gotta get to bed.

yippee ki-yi-yeah

Tonight was the Briarcliff Fall Party. Titus was super cute in his cowboy outfit. There were lots of other kindergarten boys & girls there who had loads of fun running around the gym.

Just in time for Halloween, Titus has decided that he is allergic to candy. I suppose this better for his health, but it means that Mom & Dad now have carte blanc to raid the stash for chocolate.

It is past my bed time by an hour. Good night.

sunday @ the plaza arts fest

We decided to enjoy the beautiful fall day by checking out the Plaza Arts Fest. Ray and I were reminded of our natural connection as we consistently liked the same artists and specific pieces. Titus was repeatedly drawn to the sculptures featuring faces. We all decided that buying a bath tub before splurging on a $350 12"x12" painting was probably the more responsible path.

Titus loved a fun little puppet show by a guy who has had a puppet theater in KC for more than 20 years. We liked it too and think we'll look into some season passes. They have some great shows coming up this year.

Finally, we enjoyed some great appetizers at M&S Grille thanks to a tip from one of my co-workers - $1.95 during happy hour. Very tasty tomato bruschetta, hot wings and mini-burgers with steak fries. We'll check it out again although being down on the Plaza reminds us that there is much good cuisine to sample around our fair city.

ten questions for titus

Q: If you could be any character from a fairy tale, who would you be?
A: Jim, from Jim and the Beanstalk because I don't know what a beanstalk looks like, and I want to know what a beanstalk looks like.

Q: Who is your best friend at school and why?
A: Christian and Nicholas because we like to play spies.

Q: What is your favorite thing you've studied in school and why?
A: Doing the letters because I need to learn the letters.

Q: What do you like best about living in Kansas City?
A: Science City.

Q: What do you miss most about Iowa City?
A: That I'm not close enough that I can see my cousins.

Q: Would you rather be a pirate or ninja? Why?
A: A ninja because I want to do karate.

Q: What are your best qualities?
A: I'm kind of smart, cooperative some times, kind and thoughtful.

Q: What is your favorite thing about Daddy?
A: Sometimes he helps me clean up my room.

Q: What is your favorite thing about Momma?
A: That she doesn't vacuum up my legos.

Q: What is your favorite sport?
A: Football, because you throw balls.

weekend edition

We're still in a stupor after Iowa's loss to the Cyclones. Painful. I think I'm in for a one-year long underlying bad mood. Why? Anybody but Iowa State!

Today we had lunch with a couple from church, Stephen & Steph. It was great. Steph is an editor for the Nazarene Publishing House. She says they are always looking for writers and encouraged me to submit some stuff. We'll see if I can get that going. Stephen and Ray connected too, although I have no idea what they talked about at lunch - there was something about computers and guitars in there. Anyway, we really had a great time with them and look forward to hanging out with them some more. They offered to help us out with our house and moving, so we're feeling blessed.

I have two more days of training, and then I switch over to my daytime schedule for the next 90 days. I'm looking forward to having dinner with Ray and Titus and generally having my evenings back. BUT I'm not looking forward to 4 am wake ups! I'm praying that I can get a better schedule in three months. Until then, I should become quite healthy, wealthy, and wise.

a college football thought

I'll admit it. I'm reveling in the combined 0-4 record of Meeeeeshigan and ND. I know a lot has been made of this historic event. I love it. Losers.

They both have this to be thankful for - since they play each other this week, one team is guaranteed to get their first win. They also both have this to fear - since they play each other this week, one team is guaranteed to lose. Who's going to be 0-3?

What I really wonder is if they weren't playing each other, could either of them win?

Of course, the beloved Hawkeyes aren't gaining ground in the strength of schedule department at ISU this week. This is their third game against a bottom 10 opponent this season. Anything less than total dominance will hurt us, I'm afraid.

We're meeting our friend Abby (and hopefully Aaron too) at The Other Place for the game this coming Saturday. I love September!

A couple more words

Here's a pic of Aaron doing his part for the Pioneers of Mid-America Nazarene University. He's taking a breather between standing up along the sidelines. (Lest you think we're being mean-spirited, Aaron walked on this year after several years of not playing football at all, and he's got a great attitude about it. We're genuinely proud of him. Not many people would have the guts to do that.)

What's the word?

Fight! Fight! Fight! We had a great night watching the Hawks at the second best place to watch an Iowa football game - The Other Place in downtown Overland Park. The local sports bar is home to the Greater KC Area I-Club on game days - servers in Iowa Hawkeye T-shirts, Iowa banners around the restaurant, I-O-W-A cheers and the "Fight Song" oh, and wall to wall Hawkeye fans. It is awesome. In fact, the bottomless Diet Cokes and great pizza might just make this place the best venue for an Iowa game...did I just say that?

Our buddy Aaron met up with us to watch the game. We had been at his football game earlier, watching MNU take on Benedictine. It was fun, but a bit too hot for all of us, especially Titus. We only lasted the first half. Aaron is going to have a JV game or two in which he'll actually get to play, so we'll try to get to one of those.

Ray surprised me this morning with some tickets to see Rob Bell in November. He's on a new tour called "The Gods Aren't Angry" - talking about how humans created religion to make themselves feel better. Should be thought provoking and interesting. I guess we're just trying to keep up with Iowa City who has hosted Brian McLaren this past week and will have Jim Wallis there next week. I'm so thankful to have these voices shaping the conversation of faith, politics, and philosophy. If you're not familiar with any of them, check out their links. Good stuff.

* Titus licking his hands to get the sting out after a tumble.

yee-haw!

Yesterday we accepted an offer on our house in Iowa City! The closing will be November 1, unfortunately - but at least we have a buyer. Thanks again to all of you who helped us get the house ready!

seeing ADT blue

Today we had our benefits presentation. I am so thankful that God has given me this job. Before you think I'm hanging up ministry - know that I'm called and committed to serving God. I am however, convinced at this point that my role is to be a part of a team with minimal compensation from the church so that the body isn't strained and tithes can go to ministry not just the ministers. So at this point, I do see myself at ADT for a while. Here's why -

Even at my entry level customer service job, I can earn up to $400 per month in bonuses. The company prorates health insurance premiums - the less you make the less you pay. That's justice. Since I'm less than half way through my MDiv, ADT will give me $1000 when I graduate and pay $7500 per year for my tuition. Thanks ADT! As much as I love school, I may just add an MBA and a DMin!

Really, I do like the company - if you want to work for them too, let me know and I'll tell you how. Did I mention that I get money for referring people to the company? (You IT friends are worth $2500 bucks!)

HOUSE UPDATE -
We had our inspections and there were no surprises. A few more plumbing and electrical issues than we could see, but overall a positive report. The inspector is fond of old homes and says this one is outstanding - great craftsmanship, well taken care of until about the last five years, and solid.

We're moving along and plan to close by the end of September. October will be the home improvement month, with a move-in around Halloween.

Later friends.

the beauty of 5

As we all knew would happen, Titus won the poll for best looking. I think he'd also win a poll for most delightful. Five is such a wonderful age. Titus soaks up everything and out it comes in the most enchanting ways.

Saturday our friend Aaron came for a visit. During our road tour of the Northland, Titus broke out in song. "Shoo fly, don't bother me...for I belong to somebody...I feel like a morning star." I wish I could put a sound file on here. It is about the cutest thing I've ever heard in the world. Of course, the cute factor goes off the chart when you see him perform live in the backseat with sincere facial expression and expansive gestures - arms waving, tight hugs, and head shaking. Is there a way to bottle those moments?

Tonight on my dinner break, I called home to say hello to my guys. Ray was busy cooking, so he put T on the line right away. I was thrilled that he was in a talkative mood because often he 'forgets' everything that happened at school. But the talkativeness was of atomic magpie proportions! He started in on the Three Billy Goats Gruff - in great detail, complete with character voices - and wouldn't stop. On and on he went, one line of the story after the next (verbatim, I'm sure!) and I needed to get back to my training. "Honey, Momma has to go now." was totally drowned out by 'klip-klop across the bridge'. He was in a zone. And I really had to go. I must have told him 10 times that I had to get off the phone - but on and on he went.

Not able to bring myself to hang up on my own son, I got louder. Finally, the story was over. Just in time -

Ray says Titus told him the story too - complete with actions, voices, inflections, and all the details, of course!

Sunday at church we met a woman who was a high school English & Drama teacher before taking a job as an editor for the Nazarene Publishing House. She wants to start doing some kids drama productions. I think we have the perfect little actor at our place!

hormones & the corporate world

Today I actually found time to tweeze my eyebrows - long over due. Honestly, every time I do it I think "why am I slavishly adhering to this custom? it hurts!" And then I pull out more of my own hair. (isn't pulling out ones hair a mental disorder listed in the DSM?)

Well, our apartment has a great big vanity and very fine lighting. The combination resulted in my seeing something I had never seen before - black mustache hairs on my very own upper lip! SCARY! Crossing the 40 threshold has troubled me at times - and this morning was one of those times. By the way - if any of you ever noticed my 'stache and didn't tell me ... well, please, don't let me go around looking like that!

The realization of the unwanted decorative feature put me in my place after having our banker guess me to be 32 years old yesterday. Maybe she was just sucking up. Obviously she didn't notice the premenopausal issue on my face. Enough about my personal beauty regimen.

I started work at the world's leading security company today - ADT. The corporate world has its imperfections, but I can at least feel very good about this company and the work I'll be doing. My first assignment will be dispatching police, fire, and medical crews for people in emergency situations. The company offers rapid advancement, great benefits (for example $75oo/year education benefit for tuition and books) and what seems to be a positive and comfortable work environment. There were only a few Dilbert/Office Space moments.

And finally - we agreed upon a great price with the aforementioned house. We'll have inspections soon and know if all is a "GO".

* Kelso's is a neighborhood restaurant - great name, OK food.

** Titus enjoyed a free ice cream cone at McDonalds compliments of his teacher after the first day of school.

*** 2104 Fayette - our potential future home!

Revel, Oh young man, in thy youth

Daddy's turn to post...

First, a dispatch from Titus and his second day at school:

-He got a "yogurt" tag for lunch, which was very exciting
-He made more friends, but didn't play on the monkey bars at recess. He did go on the slide and played tag.
-His teacher read "The Gingerbread Man"
-Daddy managed to successfully pick him up from school

Now, a funny story from work:

I was chatting with some kids at Ravenwood Elementary School for a first-day-of-school story. One of the young men at the front of a line waiting to leave said "You're a reporter? Are you famous?"

I muttered somethings about being with a small weekly and I doubt that anyone knows who I am. He wasn't really listening. Before I could finish, he said "You must be rich!"

Anyone who knows anything about the newspaper business finds this very amusing. The truth is that a first year kindergarten teacher makes significantly more than I or most journalists make. That's as it should be. Their job is harder.

In fact, I interviewed a kindergarten teacher who has been at the same school for about six years. It was the end of the first day and she was clearly blasted. It turns out, though, that she was headed to a local Olive Garden for a five-hour shift as a server. I couldn't hide my surprise, thinking that she's got to be making something in the low- to mid-$30K.

"Why?" I asked.

"For the money," she said.

Huh.

I guess there's some sort of glamour with my job. The very nice lady at the bank who helped us the other day commented about how cool it was.

Cool? Maybe.

Lucrative? Not so much.

What I will say is that the people who work at my newspaper, myself included, really are passionate and idealistic in a very cliche way. Journalists are regularly rated at the bottom of the popularity list, along with politicians and lawyers. That's a bit unfair. At least they're getting some loot while they're being reviled. Most of us are just trying to shed some light on public affairs and recognize people who do good things and occasionally help catch the bad people with hands in the cookie jar. And no, we don't always get it right.

I'll leave you with this thought: think about the places in the world that don't have freedom of the press and ask yourself if those are places you'd like to live.

So yes, I do truly love my job and feel that it is important and contributes to society in some microcosmic way. It's not so bad being part of a profession that can also claim both Superman and Spiderman.

Now that's cool.

first day kindergarten part 2

This report is by Titus Weikal.

Here is a list of the best things about my day:
That I made lots of new friends
I have some monkey bars out in the play ground
I have a kickball stadium on the chalk place
And I have three slides
I can put my bag on any hook. I don't even have to put it on the same hook I did yesterday.

The end.

And Momma's favorite quote after the first day of school ...
"Actually, I don't like my teacher...I love my teacher."

first day of kindergarten

OK, OK, time for the lament of a mother who sees the time fleeting - boo hoo. With mixed feelings I took Titus to Briarcliff Elementary today for his first day of kindergarten. The biggest milestone of his young life. He, like me, was a mix of emotion. All excitement and cheese until we walked through the doors into the sea of waiting kids. After meeting his principal and telling a few jokes outside, he was ready to go.

Ms. Stolper, his teacher, has a great reputation, as does Mr. Sutton, the principal, and Briarcliff school in general. We couldn't feel better about our decision to get him into that particular school. But it is still sobering to have him begin this phase of his life.

After school, we'll post a report from Titus about his day. Here he is at home with his new backpack given to him by his friends at Knickleberry Street (ICNaz kids' church), full of school supplies. I also got a couple of pix in his classroom with Ms. Stolper and his table.

a good morning

So today we attended our first worship service at Trinity. We liked it a lot. They really do a good job of taking traditional elements of Christian worship and filling it with local flair. For example, a woman in the congregation who has her degree in textile design made this fabulous trinity symbol wall hanging in greens. I wish I had a picture to show ya'll.

We also loved the laid back yet reverent feeling of the service - no affected preaching voices - just normal people talking about their faith. There are a lot of seminary students and a lot of men from the KC Rescue Mission. It seems a safe place to be real and accepted. A combination that we value perhaps above everything else in a church.

Afterwards we had a great lunch with Mindy & Josh Hancock, our pastors, at Cupini's in Westport. Yum. We like them a lot and look forward to serving with them and being friends.

one down

Well, we've all been together in our new apartment for one week now. Here's a run down of our lives this week:

WORK: Ray loves his job. This week he covered a press conference at UMKC for area school districts. He was thrilled that he and the KC Star were covering the same event. Nan got her schedule set for the next four months. After four weeks of training (second shift) she'll be working 5 am to 1:30 pm at ADT's customer service center near the KC airport.

SCHOOL: Titus met his teacher (Ms. Stolper), ordered lots of Briarcliff Elementary 'spirit wear' and toured his new school on Thursday evening. Nan is going to wait until next semester to start clases at the seminary.

FUN: While Ray was at his presser, Nan & Titus walked around the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Titus' favorite thing was the knight & horse in matching Spanish armor. Today we all three spent the afternoon at Union Station where we explored the Science City, ate at the Harvey House Diner, watched a 3D movie about dinosaurs, and took in The Beatles laser show in the planetarium.

FOOD: Two words. Gates BBQ.

FAITH: We found a great community of fellow travelers at Trinity. We're looking forward to our first Sunday worship with them after sharing great conversation and some yummy baked potatoes on Wednesday night.

HOME: While a swimming pool has been great, we're eager to find our permanent home. We're going to make an offer on a bungalow a few blocks from our apartment. (Ray Sr. will be proud to know that the house is a foreclosure that we'll get far below its value.) It will require Nan to get back into general contractor mode again, but will be a fantastic house with some updates. It is just a block from the North KC library and two blocks from the new North KC community recreation center.

Waiting for you all to come for a visit...