Papaya and Storytelling

I promised not to overkill on the "fruit by week" images... so here you go: Month #5. (For those that need help with gestational math, that leaves 4 more to go.) From what I have heard and felt, it has been a fun start. Our little girl has been kicking her momma quite ferociously and I can just imagine those little one+ inch feet one day being in her mouth, sinking in the sand, kicking her first soccer ball...or kicking the teeth out of the boy who thinks he can get too fresh.

My last four classes have begun and I am eager to share them with you:

• Narrative preaching,
• Jewish world in the New Testament,
• Theology of the Pentateuch,
• Exegesis of Hebrew Poetry

I'm most excited about becoming a better narrative preacher, that is, a storyteller of the biblical stories. For those who know me well, you know that I can sometimes tell a story well and then sometimes...not so much. My brain is wired in this odd way that comes out when I write or speak. Some things are blurted out that shouldn't be - words that don't exist, things that happened differently in the replay of my memory, or forgetting crucial details of the story. ("Did you see Dark Knight? There was this scene on a building where he was pulled out by a plane!" = "WHAT?!!") The victims of this predicament have been jokes, anecdotes...and now sermons.

Part of the problem is that my brain is simply attracted to the wrong details. I can't tell you how many times I have had a full conversation with someone, then tried recounting it to Holly and she says, "so wait, you didn't ask if she got the job?" or "what did they decide to name him?" This is where yours truly establishes a goofy posture and a blank stare begins as if the moment might pass without causing either party embarrassment. (Never such luck.) This, sadly, no longer surprises Holly...only to make my new/old friends suffer until my wife notices the trainwreck coming and then reaches for her fork to poke into my thigh. So far this has been moderately helpful, but I'm hoping that a class in "narrative preaching" will cause some of these tendencies to reverse, or at least slow to a general awareness.

This of course reminds me of my favorite comedian Brian Regan, who you might find on Comedy Central with the following bit that embodies this moment precisely. As such I leave you in his two-dimensional company.

don't drink the water...

Last Friday night, we were out to dinner with friends when Justin's phone started ringing. He didn't recognize the number so he didn't pick up. Then, our friend Michael realized his phone was ringing too. We quickly noticed it was the same number ringing at exactly the same time. How odd is that?

We checked voicemail and it was an automated emergency alert from GCTS. "The Hamilton Town water supply has tested high for levels of perchlorate. Do not drink tap water or wash vegetables and fruits. It is safe to bathe. We will notify you when the water is safe to drink."

What??? Well, what does that mean? Are we going to die? Can I wash dishes? What about my dogs? Brushing my teeth? Argh.

Keep in mind, it's 8:30 on Friday night of a holiday weekend.

After a little internet research, we discovered that high levels of perchlorate can be harmful to humans, especially pregnant ones. Boiling water or using a Brita doesn't help. So, I called the doctor who said she'd never heard of it, but I could get a thyroid test since that's apparently what the perchlorate affects. Other than that, drink bottled water.

Yesterday, the phone rang with another automated message stating that the water was now fine. Apparently, 6 consecutive days of testing has shown normal levels. But, I think I'll stick with my overabundance of Poland Spring for now...

in case you were wondering

A few of you have been asking, so here's a recent pic of the growing bump.

I've started feeling little movements.  Not so much the fluttering like it's sometimes described.  More like mere pokes or nudges that make me think maybe I'm just hungry.

Speaking of hunger, it seems to have picked up the pace again.  I thought I was rid of the need to eat every two hours, but lately I've been hungry shortly after I eat a meal. Yesterday, I even had two lunches!

And there is more to Lewis life than baby stuff.  We're enjoying our last couple weeks of summer.  The weather here is amazing.  Makes you forget that winter exists.  We've done some sightseeing in Salem and Rockport as well as taken the dogs on countless walks and outings to play.  This week we'll be helping a few friends move in and out of different places.  We're also going to join a community group with some folks from church and I'm excited to have church friends again.  September comes soon enough bringing school, changing leaves, and hopefully a visit from my mom.  I'll miss summer for sure, but I'll be glad to get rid of these mosquitos!

She's a girl!

Well, assuming our ultrasound tech lady is as proficient as we think she is, we'll be having a GIRL!  It was pretty amazing to watch the little form come up on the screen.  You can totally see the spine, arm and leg bones, hands and feet.  We'll find out next week if everything looks as it should.  (But we didn't see any third arms, so don't worry grandparents!)

So, if you put your right ear to your right shoulder and look at the whitest part in the center of the picture, you'll be looking at her nose.  From there, you can make out the eyes and face.  I think she's posing.

Sweet Potato

Well...here we are at week 18.  In 2 days we'll (Lord-willing) discover the sex of our little sweet potato. 

Holly's been feeling fine and we're past the morning (and afternoon and evening) sickness... which is awesome. 

I still have a few weeks to finish one distance class and do a bunch of reading.  No job news yet either.

7 years

There's a story in the Bible that describes how the people of Israel ought to treat each other.  It's not so much a story as a law... but the point is the same.  Every 7th year, the people are to forgive each other their debts.  There's no limit to this forgiveness... you are free to be as generous as you can be.  God's law was not to have debts repaid before the 7th year, or get people out of debt -- but to teach his people extraordinary love.

Yesterday, we celebrated 7 years of marriage. 

7 years of laughing, crying, traveling and loving.  7 years of preparing for many more.  I asked Holly what if she had any special highlights along the way.  Her answer: "Right now." 

I don't think she was referring to our dinner on the porch overlooking Salem Harbor... but of a world of uncertainties that awaits us as parents.  It's exhilarating and petrifying, but right now is the moment to live in.  Right now is the year of extraordinary love - forgiveness, freedom and joy.

I think this is what God was trying to communicate to his people.  "You are a people of a generous Covenant.  Loved by me - your Creator.  Be generous to one another and be my symbols of promise so that the world might know me."

Thankfully, marriage is teaching me this. 

Thankfully I know an extraordinary love in her... someone who is Jesus to me every day. 

travel recap (sorry, it's kinda long)

So, I kinda forgot to update you on our travels.  The trip a couple of weeks ago was definitely a whirlwind.  We started our trip with a 7-hour delay in Boston.  Yikes.  Let's just say that 7 hours in Logan Airport...not my favorite thing.

Once in Raleigh, we got our rental car and headed to Archdale.  From there, it was dinner with my parents and grandparents.  We went to barbeque, of course.  It's #1 on our list of foods we must eat everytime we're back in the South.  Topped off with banana pudding, blackberry and strawberry cobbler and ice cream...yum!  Hanging out with my grandparents was nice.  They've been married 62 years this year.  Isn't that awesome?  I love them.

The next day, we spent with my mom on our first venture into the world of maternity clothes.  I admit, I was a little skeptical.  I kept picturing moo-moos and tent-like flowy fabric.  I'm glad to say, I was wrong.  I never knew that clothes with no buttons, no zippers, and elastic waists could be so nice!  Next it was dinner with more family and then a minor league baseball game.  The Hi-Toms won, but I have to say the highlight for me was watching my 6-year-old niece roll down a hill over and over.  Ah, to be a kid again.

Saturday, we headed to Winston to meet up with Justin's parents who came into town for a night.  We eventually found ourselves in BabiesRUs where we checked out carseats, strollers, and baby furniture.  The more interesting thing was talking to all the salespeople who were men.  I had no idea there were so many males in the baby stuff world.  One of the guys is the father of the largest twins born in NC a few weeks ago.
Two babies totaled 23 pounds!  Double YIKES.

That night, we went back to First Pres for our friends' wedding.  

It was so fun.  We saw tons of old friends and loved watching Austin and Erin commit their lives to each other.  Their wedding was full of personality, a favorite part being Austin's rendition of "When Love Comes to Town" as the bridesmaids walked in.

Sunday, we had breakfast with the folks (notice how we eat alot when we're with family?), then we were off to church.  Lunch with friends who were all back in town for the wedding, then a nice visit with the Hamers and we finally got to meet Kathleen!  It was so great to see them and to hear how life is with a newborn.  Later, we headed over to the Ledford house and had a little time to catch up.

And just like that, our time in NC was over.  We got up the next morning and drove to Raleigh, boarded a plane, and landed in Orlando all by 1:20pm.  We went to lunch and headed straight to The Gathering to meet with Larry to talk about the possibility of starting a ministry in NC.  Dinner was with Mary Beth, a longtime friend from Winston, and her fiance, Eric who live in Florida.  They're getting hitched in October, so we had to check out Eric to see if we approve.  Fortunately for him, we do!  :-)

Okay, I'm getting tired and thinking you're probably tired of reading this, so I'll speed it up.  We spent the next day at a men's ministry luncheon, in meetings (Justin) and working (Holly).  A dinner party graciously hosted by the Sterchis, Lindsay and Elliott's parents, was thrown so we could see some new and old friends from the Orlando area.  It was great to stay with Kent and Michelle and to meet E & L's puppy, Ridley.

He's a few months old and has humongous paws. They're planning on taking him down to the DR soon where he'll have fun chasing chickens and little kids, I'm sure.

We also got a chance to see Nick and Sarah who have been married all of 5 hours now.  Since we couldn't be at their wedding, we were at least able to spend some quality time talking about the ins and outs of marriage.  After that, we were back to the airport and on our way home.

2 states, 3 cities, 3 beds all in less than 7 days.  Whew.  I think I need a nap y'all.

This week...

In keeping with last week...

 

Yes, that's an avocado.  If it were Dominican, it would be bigger.  And just in case you're wondering if the little fruit could taste it, in week 16 the taste buds are forming. 

Awesome.

Also, if you're worried that our blog will become overly consumed with fetus-related information... don't be.  But a once-a-week fruit might be a fun way for us all to watch the little one grow.