Since Friday my husband has washed the dishes twice (LOTS, nay MOUNTAINS of dishes), cleaned the bathroom, cleaned out the litter box every day (he says it makes him feel like he's taking care of our kittens, sweet), cooked 4 - maybe 5 meals (including a lentil soup that will know your socks off), mowed the yard, weeded some in the garden, installed a window air-conditioner (twice), changed the oil in the jeep (that's today), and hugged me every day without fail while telling me how much he loves me and what a good wife I am.
This is really not even the half of it - most importantly, he has held me together when my faith waivers - he has remained a strong spiritual (and emotional) leader and it makes me cry as I write this - thinking about how incredibly blessed I am to have him.
Father - thank you for my husband...my Jonathan. Teach me how to be a good wife for him. Amen.
I have just caught up on all your lovely blogs - and decided it was about time to tell you about my little foray in Europe. It was in three parts, which fills my little organized heart with joy.
Part I - England
Lots of relaxing, a day in London, hanging out with the folks, Jonathan preaching
I've been to England twice before, and I still thoroughly enjoy it, especially London. This time we went to the British Museum,
and I discovered I am not a museum person, always good to discover new things about oneself don't you think? I had already been in Westminster Abbey, twice (it's one of my FAVORITE places) so this time we attended the Evensong worship service.
At first it was awe-inspiring to hear the choir and feel God in such a glorious place, but then I couldn't enjoy it because they kept making us stand up and sit down - stand-up and sit down - and I found it amusing that we were worshiping very near poet's corner - worshiping God next to the graves of Keats and Shelly, neither very big proponents of Christianity in its ceremonial form. Then we decided to lay out on the grass at Westminster to recover from the standing and sitting - but we couldn't stay long because apparently the bell-ringer in the tower was being electrocuted - at least that's what it sounded like, and it went on for like 20 minutes until we couldn't take it any more - so we were off again.
I got to know my family - I realized I had only met them twice, once was full of anxiety because it was the first time and then it was at the wedding, so we didn't really know each other, but now we do and I must say that they are a fun bunch of people - full of ideas of what family means - and I felt their love and support wash over me every day.
Part II - Italy
Genoa (Aquarium) - Bobbio Pelice - Waldensian sites - Religion and Science Conference
I have already blogged a little about this, but let me just say that it was marvelous. What I didn't tell you about was the first leg of the trip to Genoa. Lovely city with a distinct rhythm, much slower than London, but still faster than here - the days seem to be divided into sections - each with its appropriate meal.
I already told you how beautiful the Alps are, and for a perfect description, take a look at
Harmony's blog. The conference was good, often over my head, but it gave Jonathan LOTS to think and talk about. He did an excellent job on his presentation, as always. It fills me with love and pride and security to see him up there, doing what he does, being a spokesperson for God - a receptacle of the Holy Spirit. He was so confident, never stumbling for an answer to a question; he amazes me.
Part III - Wales
Camp Meeting
Wales was lovely as well, cold, but lovely. It has a much different feel from Italy. The landscape is very gentle and easy on the eyes. Jonathan spoke for the teens at camp meeting and in the end 3 were baptized that weekend. It was awesome! I watched Jonathan's dad just bursting with pride for his son - his eldest, the first child he held in his arms and prayed with all his heart that God would take him and lead his life - it must be the most wonderful thing for a parent to see that prayer answered in their child.
Anyway, this has gotten longer than I expected, so I will stop now.
Meet Trooper
Meet Lexi
spilt water bowls, midnight toe-chewings, shredded curtains, early morning wrestling -
absolute bliss
Do you remember the feeling of having a loose tooth as a child? I had completely forgotten that feeling - wiggling the tooth around with your toungue, that weird hole when it was gone - the taste. Do you remember?
I have a very difficult time turning things off in my head. The best description of this I've ever heard comes from a marriage book called "What Women Want". The author describes a woman's brain in terms of a computer. This is pretty good. I have things that are constantly running in the background, which generally includes the happiness and wellbeing of those in my sphere. And then I have other programs and "windows" that are in use - planning for a vacation, planting a garden, baby shower gift buying which makes me think about babies and how I will be an old woman before I have any, and the conversation with my husband at lunch, what I'm going to make for lunch tomorrow, what am I going to make for potluck, do we have money for groceries this week.......it really goes on and on from there. At this moment there are at least - AT LEAST - 10 windows open in my brain. Usually its o.k. because I can handle a lot at one time, but sometimes it becomes too much and I get very overwhelmed. It's not pretty. Fortunately, God gave me a wonderful husband who helps me through these times. He sits down with me and helps me close the windows one at a time until all is managable again. It's really quite wonderful, and I am so grateful.
