Resolution Gone Bad

Caption: Simon's new haircut: short on top!

Well, Simon's haircut was a surprise to me, too. I was definitely coerced into it by the nice, pro-haircut lady that cut my hair last week. Sweet Simon was sitting in his stroller, and she couldn't wait to get her scissors out for him, too!

About the pix: These are our new bookshelves. It's so nice to have all of our books in one place and slightly organized by topic. The bummer is that we'll have to relocate our lockers which have been a great source of organization and quite the conversation piece. Note: we are not getting rid of them, just putting them somewhere else.

I realize that my public resolution of blogging per week is going bad, as several of my informal, unpublished resolutions. For example, the resolve to get up earlier. Last week I finally restarted that habit, but today, I opted for staying in bed. My goal is to get up at 5:00. I used to be a morning person!!! What happened??????? I really like the extra morning time to sip my tea and read and write and pray before the rest of the house gets up. I think one reason I'm having a difficult time being consistent getting up early in the morning is because I know that I'll have a couple of hours to myself during the afternoon (Simon's Nap) to read and write and pray. If the morning was my only option, I'd be much more inclined to rise.

Or, I can take Doctor Marvin's advice for Bob and just 'take baby steps.' Maybe getting up 5 minutes earlier everyday, working back from 6ish to 5.

Side bar: We are selling things we don't need on EBAY. It's really kind of fun. Getting rid of some excess. Unpacking the last of our boxes sent us over the Ebay edge. Matt was taking digital pix of all kinds of junk. Lord of the Rings collectibles from New Line Cinema (Matt used to have a students whose Mom worked for New Line and sent a bunch of cool stuff our way.) I was convinced we could sell this Elvis jigsaw poster (unopened) that was a 'limited edition' for at least a few dollars, but it looks like its only selling for 1.99 on Ebay. Not really worth our time. Next time I see Tamitha, I'll give it to her. She is a true Elvis fan.

Simon's 18 month well baby doctor's appointment is today.

This Wednesday, Feb. 8th, is mine and Matt's unofficial dating anniversary (1998)

Kelly went to the doctor last Wed. and baby Alex is still breached; so, at her appointment this Wed., they are going to decide on a specific day for a c-section. Kelly is wanting Thur. Feb. 16th to be the day. It's getting close! Mom flew down to Corpus Christi this weekend to see Kelly and take her shopping for hospital necessities and new baby necessities. I really wanted to give Kelly a baby shower before Alex was born, but her doctor wasn't let her travel. I'll work with Kelly to set a date for a Dallas baby shower maybe sometime in April??? The fun thing about post-baby baby showers is that we can see the baby!

Church update: In the weeks that we don't drive to WBC on Sundays (we still consider WBC our home church,) we are using the opportunty to plan to go to church with local supporters who don't go to WBC or to worship locally in Carrollton. Yesterday we worshipped at a Korean church in Carrollton. A family on staff at GFA in the Korean office goes to church there, and Matt asked if we could visit. The church has a strong evangelism, discipleship, and missionary focus (Win, Build, Send). We went to the 12:00 service that is in English.

The pastor for that service (mostly highschool youth/young adult Koreans) shared very passionately about Phil. 2: 5-11. His earnestness for the people was touching and his sincerity in his affection for Christ was almost palpable. He was a young guy, maybe in his 30s.

After the service, some members encouraged us to stay for the Korean meal that they all share together afterwards. Then they have bible study in small groups. It was our first time to eat Korean food (truly authentic) and it was refreshing to share in a different culture. We went by to pick up Simon in the nursery before eating. When we got to the nursery (of course Simon was the only redhead,) Simon was in no hurry to leave! Everyone was so surprised that he did so well and didn't cry. I, actually, would be floored if Simon were to cry in a nursery setting. He loves it! Plus, they fed him! When we walked in, Simon was smiling and holding a donut hole. Thankfully, that was his dessert and they had fed him rice and mixed vegetables already!

So, we went through the line and headed back to a small room to eat with our small group. The pastor was in there and we were able to meet his wife and learned that they had a four year old boy. He shared some about his time in Russia as a missionary (he has only been back for 3 months) and he shared about how much he believes in the ministry of Gospel for Asia (training nationals to evangelize, disciple, and plant churches.)

What he didn't share, but we learned in a conversation later with another member of the church, is that right before Pastor Won came back to the states, he was beaten and lynched by a Russian mob. Left for dead, it's only by God's grace that he is here today. Now I understand why his earnestness and sincerity were so touching and why his authenticity seemed palpable.