Vine & Branches

parting with descriptive nouns

2007-12-11T15:50:00.000-05:00

I'm turning over a new leaf... starting a new era...

from here on out I'm titling emails, posts, papers with verbs and adverbs rather than nouns.

graduating...

2007-12-06T00:49:00.000-05:00

...from Mdiv programs and from toddler-hood.

Below are two pictures from Macy's birthday party. Her day of birth is not until Sunday, but we took advantage of family in town for Jeremy's graduation and celebrated yesterday. That's right... jeremy is a grad school grad, master of the divine. A quick picture of that first:

My dad is on ATS board and got to hand Jeremy his diploma. A nice personal touch.

Based on the picture alone... any guesses on how old Macy is turning? ;)

Macy's cake (princess cake she had been requesting for about a month) was touch and go into the wee hours of the night. But I have to admit I'm kinda proud of it. Not bad for my first real attempt at cake decorating. Not planning to make a career of it or anything, but it was fun.

Here's to reclaiming friendship

2007-10-29T00:06:00.000-04:00

I got to see my friends from High School this weekend. We had a reunion of sorts at our favorite Mexican restaurant in Indy. I hadn't seen many of these folks since my wedding seven years ago! They are a pretty accomplished bunch - spread out all over. Amazingly, only two couldn't make it. Don't we look spectacular?!

get your pix fix

2007-10-28T23:55:00.000-04:00

I am well aware of the real reason 79% of you check this blog… to see updated pictures of the two lovely little ladies. So, hopefully this will hold you over until I post costume pix (prepare yourself for ‘P Squared’… this year it’s gonna be a princess and a pumpkin). Meanwhile…

macy was kind enough to try each apple she picked - just to make sure it was ripe.

doing push ups never looked so easy

Ava update

2007-08-22T21:15:00.000-04:00

She's rolling over like a corporate climber's 401k. Interestinly, her rolling is from back to tummy, which is more difficult than tummy to back. She has already figured out how to use the rolling to her advantage - moving closer to a toy or closer to her sister (who she's fascinated by).

Taken yesterday... Ava's four month birthday.

the ants go marching one by one... hurrah, hurrah

2007-08-19T23:36:00.001-04:00

We have an unbelievable ant infestation. It's like the Egyption plagues, my friends. As soon as we spray the 500 ants teaming in that corner of the kitchen, another 750 have congregated in this area of the living room. We can't seem to kill them fast enough - there's just an endless supply. A few minutes ago I was sitting on my couch, reading a book, minding my own business. I felt an innocent tickle at the edge of my scalp and reached up to find a black, beady-eyed booger crawling out of my HAIR and across my forehead. HELP! Anyone know some surefire secrets for killing and repelling ants?

p&b

2007-08-15T22:34:00.000-04:00

Paul and Brooke got married Friday. At the rehearsal dinner folks were given the opportunity to share. Here's some of what I said, and some of what I wish I'd said.

I have actually known brooke longer than Paul has. I really got to know her on our mission trip to Australia. We stayed in the same host home together while Australia's sunshine coast was hitting record lows. Our host home, like many in Brisbane, didn't have heat. Who needs heat for the one week of cold weather all year? Brooke and I were DYING. Our first night we slept in our respective twin beds, curling into four blankets each... and we were miserably cold. Our second night we said, "forget this" and climbed in a twin bed together, combined our blankets and spooned all night long. We both slept like babies. We woke up the next morning to our host mom's shocked expression when she opened the door to wake us up. We had some explaining to do. Ever since that trip... brooke has been like a sister to me and so it just makes sense that Paul would help us make it official!

I've always been a bit protective of Paul, carrying a sense of responsibility for his safety and his decisions that is probably normal for an older sister. I remember being about five and paul about one. I was swimming and watched Paul jump into the pool right infront of me. I wasn't strong enough to lift him out of the water or to hold the both of us above water, so I remember deciding to go under and plant my feet at the bottom of the pool so that his head would be above the surface. In reality, we were probably like that for a matter of seconds... but in my five year-old over-dramatic brain it was eons. I was resigned to the fact that I would suffocate before anyone got there... and the surprising thing was that it was ok (not preferrable, but ok). This is the first time I remember realizing how much I loved that little guy. And I still do, only he's not so little anymore. But it is from the perspective of an overprotective older sister who watched Paul grow up with a scrutinizing eye that I say,

"Paul I'm so proud of you." I'm so proud of the man of God that you have grown into. And I'm so proud to say that you have also grown into one of my dearest friends. Some things I respect about you Paul:

- your love of adventure. You're not a crazy spontaneous adventurer. You take calculated risks that inspire us all.

- your positive outlook on life. You see the best in people, you see the best in every situation. You make people around you love life and God's blessings a little more.

- you're an honest encourager. You don't go around spouting empty praise. Instead, you never hesitate to speak truth into people's lives. Your words of encouragement that have come my way have meant more to me than you know.

- your hunger for the things of God. You approach God and life the way you approach a summit. Hungry to soak up every bit of it. This means a learner's heart, the ability to savor the small moments, a willingness to make mistakes and laugh about them later, and choosing to take the harder-higher road.

Brooke and Paul - you are beautiful. And it is such a blessing to know that you'll always be a part of my life. Friendships can come and go... but as family, we'll always be a part of each other's lives regardless of distance or geography. So even though you're in SD and we're in KY (and who knows where our journeys will take us next)... I look forward to sharing life with you.

Family Photo Shoot

2007-07-17T22:35:00.000-04:00

We had amateur photographer, Carissa Martin, take some pictures of our family a few weeks ago. Here are a few of them.

ordination

2007-07-14T16:02:00.000-04:00

I'm getting ordained this Sunday. That's right, you can call me 'Rev' from now on, if you'd like.

My good friend Sarah J. asked me recently, "So what does it mean to you to be ordained?" She's good at asking questions like that.

Here are a few thoughts in no particular order...

* to me it means being set apart for ministry. I actually have five years of 'district-appointed' ministry behind me. So, I've already had the chance to do some living into my call to ministry. But there is something significant (dare I say supernatural?) about asking God to set me and my life apart for specific and intentional kingdom work. And this must be done in the context of community. Because as important as it is for me to ask for that set apart-ness, I can't explain why, but I feel like I need others to ask for it on my behalf as well.

* It is meaningful to me that I submit myself to authority. Ordination is a chance for me to publicly submit myself to God's authority over my ministry and to the Church's authority over my ministry. I need accountability. I need checks and balances. And... I also need confirmation of my call to ministry. There is something empowering about the church (which is representative of the universal Church) saying, "Andrea, you are called to ministry. You are gifted for ministry. And with God's blessing... now go do it!"

* It is also meaningful as a woman in ministry. I feel blessed to be a part of a faith tradition that doesn't question my giftings because of my gender. In theory, any door is open to me and there is no 'position' of leadership that is unavailable to me.

I guess there's a sense of humility that I'm having trouble verbalizing. I can't explain why, but I feel like I need God's annointing and I need other believers to come around me and lay hands on me. I have no idea what God has in store for me, but I know that I need God and I need others in order to get there. And ordination is a public opportunity to admit that need and receive the grace that comes in a place of want.

There are some ordained folks who read this blog... what has it meant to you? Was it a formality? Was it a means of grace?

Do you think there is something different about a lay person's call to ministry and a clerical call to ministry that warrents ordination?

What kind of Biblical basis is there for ordination?

Or, just say 'hi' and post a friendly or pithy statement unrelated to the post :).

Why I blog...

2007-07-14T12:17:00.000-04:00

I'm still formulating my own personal 'philosophy' of blogging. And while I'm sure there's a book out there (blogging for dummies)... I think everyone's reasons are different.

There are (at this point anyway - but I suppose things will evolve) two primary reasons I blog.

1. Because I am incapable of scrapbooking

2. To savor life a little more

Let me expound... I carry a reasonably-sized portion of guilt because I haven't scrapbooked anything for my kids. Nothing. Actually, I've never scrapbooked period. I have fond memories of sitting down with my mom and looking at my baby book. My sister has completed scrapbooks for all FIVE of her children. My mother-in-law is an avid scrapbooker. These facts only pour salt in my wound (interesting expression, don't you think?). Am I the only one out there? Holla' to all the moms who are missing the scrapbooking gene?!? Not too long ago, I even priced how much it would cost to pay someone who scrapbooks out of her home for people.... yeah - suffice it to say that's not a viable financial option. So, blogging has to be it. I'm sorry to all of you out there who open my blog (all two of you) and roll your eyes at another picture of Macy and Ava or another 'cutsie' anecdote about their antics. Just un-bookmark me and start reading someone's blog who is questioning the original author's intent for Exodus 19:5 - with the understanding that I'm writing as much for my kids as for anyone else. At least I won't have to worry about gathering up stacks of scrapbooks in the next housefire... or move them every three years. Too bad I started blogging when Macy was seven months old and have neglected blogging for months at a time (just after I'd rationalized it all away, there's that guilt creeping in again).

So I blog instead of scrapbooking. And I also blog in order to savor life a little more. When I stop to verbalize a thought that's been kicking around or tell a story of some randomly funny event... it's like eating ice cream. You know how you can wolf down ice cream and get that searing pain that shoots from your frontal cortext straight back to your occipital lobe (I have to admit - I had to google that second one)? OR you can take a tastable amount and make sure it touches all the different parts of your tongue... the salty tastebuds, the sour tastebuds, the sweet tastebuds... to get the full flavor effect. Well, moments are tastable too and worth savoring. Even the simplest of moments can be savored and all the flavors appreciated one by one. Blogging helps me do that, I think.

So, let me have it -

Tell me why you blog

Or tell what you think was the author's intent for Exodus 19:5

Or tell me you don't scrapbook either

all wet

2007-07-06T23:08:00.000-04:00

Our friends are on vacation, so Jeremy and Macy have been going over to their place and feeding their fish which live in a little pond in their yard. Yesterday, Macy came home drenched from head to toe. Apparently she slipped and fell in. She thought it was hilarious, saying, "Mommy, Macy swimming with the fish!" Jeremy pointed out that you can hardly call thrashing face down in the water swimming.

Random Pics

2007-07-06T22:37:00.000-04:00

We were on our way out the door or a walk when Macy pointed out that we were all "hat girls" and insisted we take a picture.

Sometimes when Macy spots me holding Ava, she insists upon climbing up on my lap saying, "mommy's two baby girls."

Ava has been switching back and forth between these fingers and her middle two fingers. She may end up favoring her fingers over her thumb, just like a few of her cousins!

fourth of july

2007-07-06T14:03:00.000-04:00

Is this symbolic of our patriotism?!

The fire engine sirens were a little louder than Macy cared for.

The highlight, for Macy, of the Wilmore parade was definitely the free candy.

The highlight, for me, of the Wilmore parade was the lawnmower brigade. Imagine syncronized swimming but with lawnmowers and no water.

Jeremy blew up Macy's swimming pool.

Yes, she did attempt to ride her bike in the pool.

Seven Years

2007-07-03T13:48:00.000-04:00

Look at us... 7 years and we've still got it goin' on! Oh yeah, baby :).

We celebrated 7 years of marital bliss last night. Our anniversary was actually Sunday, but we celebrated it Monday (gotta take advantage of free childcare when you've got it!). We enjoyed the change of scenery and the private conversations without interruption or distraction. One of our favorite things to do together is to dream, and we were able to do some of that. In many ways, we're different people than we were when we tied the knot... but we love each other more than ever (sounds cliche, I know). Sometimes I look at him and think "who are you? you're not the guy I married!" But it's (usually :)) with a sense of thankfulness and awe. I think without realizing it, he constantly surprises me in big and small ways.

I sat across from Jeremy at dinner last night and thought... "man, I really love this guy!" But more than that... I really like him too. And more than that, I like us. When we got married it was just Jeremy and Andrea - two seperate entities with an 'and' denoting association. And there is still just Jeremy and just Andrea. But there's this third dynamic too, it's jeremyandandrea (for correct pronunciation, say it really fast). The two of us partnered together (partners in love, in parenting, in ministry, in paying bills, in making supper) become this unquantifiable dynamic that is really good too.

Plus, he's really good looking :).

amy's visit

2007-07-01T16:22:00.000-04:00

My college roomie visited this weekend. She's moving to L.A. at the end of the summer which will make our impromptu visits a little less likely (...sigh...). Amy holds the record for the most room mates, and she's not done yet. Housing in Pasadina is barely managable without a room mate - or at least that's the excuse she gave me (personally I think she's on a desperate search to find a room mate as great as me :)). In all seriousness, SHE was the great room mate and is still an incredible friend.

"Andy" and "Amos"

Amy and Ava Ruth

Around the House

2007-06-25T23:52:00.000-04:00

Macy and Ava do really well together. Macy adores her little sister and gives countless kisses each day. Ava rewards her in kind with her big, lopsided grin. My prayer is that these two will be life-long friends.

Ava is queen of the king.

Here's the gorgeous smile we've grown to know and love! Amazing to think that even smiling is something humans learn. But equally interesting that it is one of our first attempts at initiating social interaction in life. Ava's got the hang of it, that's for sure!

In case you've been wondering... it's official. Macy likes cherries.

Some Florida Pics

2007-06-24T23:52:00.001-04:00

Macy's disappointment at learning that the giant pink donut was made of plastic rather than sugar was, clearly, short-lived.

You know you're in Florida when the beachfront hotels come equipped with shuffleboard

Ava looks so much like Jeremy to me... especially when she's sleeping and when she's mad :).

Check out the double chin! This may be the only time in life when it is appropriate to celebrate extra rolls of fat.

Ava Ruth

2007-05-01T01:04:00.000-04:00

Meet Ava Ruth Summers!

Born April 21 at 1:47PM
Birthweight: 7lbs 14 oz
Length: 21 inches

Macy wants to be held like 'baby Ava'.

On our way home from the hospital.

Sisters...

Macy is very proud of her little sister and loves helping. This picture is Macy's attempt to share some of her baby dolls with Ava.

Toddler Travel

2006-11-14T15:09:00.000-05:00

In three days Macy and I will be traveling to the great white north... South Dakota... for five days to visit my brother, Paul. I am absolutely excited and terrified at the same time. I am thrilled to see Paul and experience, first hand, his life in Rapid City. But I am boarding the plane with trepidation.

Macy is under two years old, so she can still fly for free provided I hold her on my lap. So, three weeks shy of her third birthday Macy will be confined to my lap for three hours. No carseat to strap her into. Just my lap which she understands to be optional seating arrangements. Even at home she is unlikely to sit still on my lap for more than a few seconds at a time... but... three hours? Oh dear.

So, I've calculated that we'll be flying for 3 1/2 hours - that's 210 minutes. I have broken that time up into 15 minute increments and am bringing supplies for a different 'activity' every fifteen minutes. Here's what I've got so far:

playdough and shape cutters
matchbox cars
markers and paper
aqua-doodler
stickers
straws
books
colorful pipe cleaners
a photo album
her babydoll with a box of bandaids
a roll of scotch tape (this one may even use up 20 minutes)
a string with animal shapes on it

And because I'm not above bribary I'm bringing

suckers
fruit snacks

So - I still have thirty minutes unaccounted for. Any ideas?????????? Anyone? Can you sense my desperation?

my door dilemma

2006-10-22T14:20:00.000-04:00

Macy figured out, this week, how to twist and pull simultaneously. Not an easy feat, mind you. So now she opens and closes doors for the fun of it and is taking tremendous advantage of her new-found freedom.

After all, when she's done with her nap she can just get out of bed and join the world of the waking. Gone are the days when mom has a good ten to fifteen minutes before she's forced to find a stopping place in her homework and come open the door to her room. And then there's mom and dad's bathroom. Up until now it has been forbidden territory with the door always closed. Now, as long as she waits until mom and dad are occupied, she can always sneak away and eat at least a third a tube of toothpaste before being discovered.

"Andrea, just get some of those child-proof doorknob covers" you say? Simple enough, at least that's what I thought. Shortly after Macy's door-opening discovery I pulled out the ziploc bag of doorknob covers I've been saving for such a time as this. They were given as a shower present, I think. I carefully followed instructions, snapping them on five of the most 'dangerous' gateways into non-toddler-proofed space. And then I waited.

I could hear Macy in her bedroom rattling with the doorknob cover. I sat down with a smug smile, looking forward to a few minutes of uninterupted hot chocolate. I had barely slurped the mini marchmallows off the top before Macy came padding down the hallway and around the corner. With the palms of her hands facing up she shrugged her little shoulders, flashed a huge grin and said, "did it!" Shortly thereafter all the doorknob covers were scattered around the floor of the house, snapped in two.

So, childproof (and I use that term loosly) doorknob covers don't work in our house. The people who design those things should be locked up in a room full of toddlers with all their favorite breakables protected by their own useless inventions. Anybody have any suggestions?

My Mantra

2006-10-03T22:29:00.000-04:00

"Two weeks from today... I might be feeling okay."

This is my theme song these days. It was at about week 14 that my morning (aka all day, as long as I'm awake) sickness subsided. So that's what I'm banking on this time too.

Last week some time I started thinking, "am I going crazy? Am I making this up?" I kindof live in this shroud of nausea but it's not like I can ACT nauseous everywhere I go because - well - that's just not a way to live for two months. So, you learn to lead a double life. The REAL me that is surviving and the PUBLIC me that is fine. When you live double like that for long enough you start getting confused about what's real and what's not.

Anyway - a moment of clarity came in the form of saliva. Yes, it's true. I get a strange first trimester pregnancy symptom which includes absolute buckets of saliva in my mouth constantly. It's like someone turned a faucet on in there and I can't swallow fast enough. So, I was searching online to figure out what causes this uncommon symptom and, while no-one could answer that question - I did learn that this annoying symptom almost always accompanies moderately-severe to severe nausea.

Okay. I'm not making it up. I can go on living double with sanity... for two more weeks!

Short and Sweet

2006-09-10T22:58:00.000-04:00

I have a confession to make. It's been so long since I've even logged in to my blog - I was hardpressed to remember my password. I'm sorry... tho I don't know who I'm apoligizing to. Anyone who may ever have read my blog has certainly given up by now.

News:
The first week of classes have come and gone.

I'm pregnant, due in April.

Jer and I are tying up loose ends connected to our internship with World Hope (this post is actually a successful attempt at stalling further progress).

My *NEW* blogging philosophy... short and sweet. I think I put too much pressure on myself to make it interesting. So... from here on out I can't promise interesting but hopefully this will mean more posts.

Liturgy

2006-03-16T16:53:00.000-05:00

These thoughts come out of a chapel I heard (JD Walt) some time ago. He spoke briefly about liturgy, but a few things he said resonated with me and I've been ruminating over them. Here are my rehashings.

Not having been a part of a church that pays much attention to the church year, I have little personal appreciation for liturgy, but great conceptual appreciation. Liturgy, which within the context of a liturgical year, is like the seasons. It helps us to see God from different perspectives. The same tree-lined path takes on strikingingly brilliant differentiation depending upon the time of year. Why is this so? Because the earth, rotating around the sun, causes different tempatures, colors, precipitation, beauty, and stirring in the souls of men. So the liturgical calendar helps us (as a community) to see God from different perspectives as we walk in an ever-widening circle... each lap taking in more and more of Him.

I think liturgy is like a courtship - it is the framework that allows us to get to know God better in community. Liturgy is a growing romance that has not yet been consumated. We haven't yet been joined with Him completely, but we're getting little glimpses and our desire is growing.

Comfortable for who?

2006-03-13T23:58:00.000-05:00

Heard a speaker tonight say, "The Church should make the dechurched feel comfortable and the churched feel uncomfortable."

So who's allowed to get comfortable within the Church? Who is the Church for anyway? I mean, we know it is the bride that ultimately brings glory to Christ. But, how does that play out? Do we do Church with Christians in mind or with non-Christians in mind?

motherhood and thinking

2006-02-28T00:15:00.000-05:00

I have always relied on my thoughts to challenge me. That is, I normally go through my day asking questions of myself, of those around me, of life and of God that force me to think. And thinking has, in the past, functioned as a tool God uses in my life to help me grow.

But, something has changed in my ability to think "deep and meaningful thoughts" since I became a mother. I still do it (thinking, that is), but just not as well. So, how has motherhood affecting my thinking?

Well, I do think less. My 'output' of good ideas has diminished. I have plenty of things in my life that challenge my thinking... I am a full time seminary student, involved in a local church, lead a bible study, have an incredible mentor -- to name a few. And as important and formative as these things are for me... my mind and heart are also consumed with the moment-to-moment tasks of motherhood.

Nursing, changing diapers, building with blocks, playing chasing games, reading books about farm animals are what I do in my spare time. Conversation often centers around the consumption of "just one more bite", and the endless repition of phrases like "throw the ball", "all done", and "how old are you?" (which, by the way, Macy answers with one crooked index finger... so cute - and smart!). And even when I manage to think deep thoughts, they are inevitably interrupted by little arms that need hugging and little tears that need wiping.

Don't feel sorry for me though. Things are just the way I want them. First of all, the joy of listening to Macy squeal her head off as I chase her around the house makes it all worth it. Secondly, I trust that watching Macy blossom into the woman God has created her to be will make it worthwhile all over again.

But since this blog is about my ability to think, I have a little theory. I think that the energy I pour into mothering is like a long term investment in thinking.

Did you know that if you invest $2,000 a year into a retirement fund between the ages of 19 and 27 and then stop completely... you will have more money to retire with than if you start at age 27 investing $2,000 a year until you retire? It's just the way the math works - investing a little early is more profitable than investing a lot later down the road.

It's not a perfect analogy, but never-the-less, I think motherhood operates with similar math. I think that somewhere down the road (no idea how far) I will still be thinking. And these thoughts will still be tools God uses to challenge and change me. But what's more - I think that my long term investment will make me a richer thinker. And I think these thoughts that challenge me are thoughts that God may want me to challenge others with as well.

I hope that I will have greater compassion, be more well-rounded, wiser, more knowledgable, and a better human being for having mothered. So maybe I think less (or think less productively) right now. I still think that motherhood is a tool God is using in my life to transform me into a person with more depth so that I can be a more life-giving force in the future.