Month: June 2011

So I have this fiction book I was writing.  Then I stopped, partially due to writers’ block, and partially so I could work on a “Parenting” book.  Well, now I’ve finished the book on parenting (not a “how to”…SOOO not qualified there.  It’s more of a “God wants to use parenting to transform you” type book).  Now, I wanted accountability to finish this story that has already begun.  It also fills the need of “I’m wanting to write, but can’t think of anything incredibly profound or worth saying at the moment.” When I have those moments, I will try to move forward with the book.

In any case, the end result is this.  An entire fictional story, dished out one blog post at a time.  I make no claims to schedule, but if you follow this blog, eventually you’ll find the rest of the story.  Much of it is already written.  Kind of…

December 3rd,

Life was everything he could have ever asked for. Adam was at the top of his game at work. He had a great house, beautiful wife, and a son who would probably play professional hockey someday. The drive home from work that day was perfectly normal. That is, it was perfectly normal except for one small issue. He died.
He didn’t choose to die, the way one would choose to eat a cracker. It was more like the way someone chooses to fall when they trip going down the stairs. He realized he was a goner way before it even happened. He saw the guy coming before their vehicles even made contact. He thought to himself, “Anyone who drives a sporty yellow car in the middle of winter probably doesn’t know much about driving in snow.”

He was right.

A loud crash, a flash of pain everywhere in his body, and then, nothing. Not nothing like when you open a closet door you thought your friend was hiding behind only to reveal he’s not in there. But nothing like opening a door and finding the end of the galaxy. All was quiet and still. So what happens now? He felt fine. Well, fine other than the fact that he felt nothing. This was kind of weird.
All of a sudden, something came from the nothing. It was the world he had just left, going on without him. But not without him as if there had never been a him. More like, without him…having just lost him. And for some cosmic reason, he was being allowed to watch it…

Last week my family went on a vacation.  It wasn’t a holiday, we weren’t traveling to meet other family, and it wasn’t a trip for work that we called “vacation”.  It was a true, me taking a few days off, and us getting a hotel for no other reason than to get away as “The Anderson’s”.  It was beautiful.

THURSDAY: The girls had swim lessons in Decatur, then we packed up for the Gateway City.  Checking into our hotel (thanks Orbitz!), we took the girls for their promised swim in the hotel pool…on the roof!  Then we changed, and went out for dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory, and a leisurely stroll through the park around the arch & along the flooded riverbank.  Bedtime around 9:30pm.

FRIDAY: We got up early so we could be at the (free!) zoo by 8am.  Between 8-9am, there is free access to usually admission-costing exhibits.  We were able to pet stingrays and sharks, then head over the children’s zoo/play areas/exhibits.  Our kids had a blast!  The weather was hot, but we spaced it out with visits to indoor animals (LOVE the Penguins, of course!), and did quite well.  We took a train ride after lunch, and left still feeling great.

Next we headed over to the (free!) Science Center, where our kids enjoyed a few exhibits for younger kids.  Most of the (free sections of the) museum is for an older age group, but we still enjoyed a solid couple hours there.  We returned to our hotel for another long swim on the roof, soaking up the sun and scenery.  Then it was dinner at the hotel (we had a giftcard!!), and a seemingly early bedtime of 9-ish-pm after an extensive family reading/playtime.  (Bedtime with 3 toddlers in a hotel is always “ish”)

SATURDAY: We awoke at a relaxed pace, and headed over to Park Avenue Coffee (LaFayette Square location) to try a few of their 73 flavors of “Oooey Gooey Butter Cake”.  It was all that I imagined butter cake could be, and then some.  Our girls loved it, and they had a great outdoor patio area to enjoy.  We walked around a bit near there, enjoying the weather and throwing a few pennies in the fountain.  Then we drove around the city a bit, being rerouted due to a “For the Cure” 5k Walk. 

Next we ended up at Union Station, where our girls loved the “Fudgery“, complete with vocal entertainment, crowd interaction, and fresh fudge samples.  We walked around a bit, got flattened souvenir pennies, and mommy got to grab a quick “salad-to-go” from Houlihans before we went back to the hotel.  After a quick lunch of stuff we brought, Sarah laid Ruby down for a nap while I took the older two out exploring the city.  We went under the arch to the museum and old-timed snack shop, and then walked deep into the downtown area to visit Schnucks and be in awe of all the all buildings!!!

We went for a quick swim in a pool that was jumping with people (many celebrating something or something else with a bit of 21-and-older beverages), and decided to go out for dinner.  We wanted to check out President Obama’s favorite pizza place, “Pi Pizza“, famous for their cornbread crust.  It was, indeed, great pizza, no matter your opinion on the man.  It was even better topped off with some Ted Drewes Frozen Custard!

We ended the day by walking from the hotel down to the “City Garden“, where our girls LOVED playing in the colored lights and spraying waters of the fountains!  They played until well past sundown, and we walked back to put our soaking wet kids to bed.

SUNDAY:  We began with a light in-room breakfast purchased from the Arch store on Saturday, sausage and cheese, and crackers…mmm.  We did a short Bible story in honor of the Sabbath, of when Jesus “went on vacation” with his family, and his parents lost track of Him.  Then we changed into our suits, and headed back over to the CityGarden for some more playing in the fountain while the sun was up!  Our kids SERIOUSLY loved these fountains!  And during the day hours, you’re allowed to swim IN the actual fountains!  Gotta love that, and we really think Decatur, Illinois NEEDS something similar!

After a quick change, we checked out of the hotel, and went over to a SONIC (mom’s favorite) for lunch.  Then it was off to the “Magic House“, which is a children’s museum on steroids!  We spent the first couple hours in a building apparently for older kids, but found quite a bit our girls loved.  Then we realized an entirely different building meant for kids our girls’ age, and began to explore that!!  We definitely could have stayed, alas they closed at 5:30.  So after a TON of exploring, pretending, learning, and playing, we headed out to meet family from the area for a quick dinner at Fazoli’s, before our girls passed out on the way home.

Altogether an INCREDIBLE time away with family.  A very good reminder that a vacation with 3 toddlers CAN be done, done well, and done inexpensively!!  And Saint Louis is a great city to take such a trip!!!!

Last week I had the privilege of attending a concert over 10 years in the making.  I was introduced to “Dispatch” back in college by a few close friends I traveled in a band with.  Their incredible music, and faith-infused lyrics caught my attention.  Unfortunately it’s also when the band stopped playing together.  They went off to do their own solo stuff.  My attention was drawn to Brad, who went off to form “Braddigan“, with songs that touched more deeply into faith elements, and even actively involved his shows with bringing light to places in the world that were dark.  He connected with established ministries and offered hope to people living in the garbage dumps of Nicaragua.

I have to say, the music was incredible, as expected.  But I got a lot more than I’d imagined/expected along with it. 

Mind you, I haven’t really attended a large concert that wasn’t labeled “Christian” in a long time (Hootie & the Blowfish), unless you count walking past one at Decatur Celebration.  I realize this concert probably isn’t what all shows are like, but it reveals quite a bit about how we are wired/created as humans.

Thousands of people, standing shoulder to shoulder, filled to the brim with emotions (or hormones? or drugs/beer?), singing the lyrics loudly…many moving to the rhythms.  Let’s just say the entire venue began to smell like burned palm branches, and it was not anywhere near Ash Wednesday.  So how can so many people fill themselves with so much alcohol and weed, and be shouting out introspective lyrics about grand themes like forgiveness, God, Love, Jesus, hope, etc.?

I found a small clue, in one of their most popular songs “Elias“.  The very first line, sung in an Eastern Zimbabwe tribal language, says “If I could meet my Jesus I would be very happy with him”.  The song goes on, with a great message about community, helping out those in need, and being stronger when they are stronger.  Dispatch has even created ways to help communities in Zimbabwe, because of the story that inspired the song.

But as the woman behind me cried “This is the most high I’ve ever been!!!”, and a few minutes later, through the same tears, “Did you know that guy helps people who live in TRASH!!  I can’t believe it!  People live in garbage!!”….I wondered if something may be lost in the translation of God’s love for His people.

The lyrics focus on humanity being very happy with Jesus…and with each other…but neglect any mention of what God desires for His creation.   I found myself, in the midst of enjoying great music; burdened to prayer for the crowds that were right on the edge of experiencing a bit of who God is….but deciding only to go as far as it benefits me and mine.

I have no doubt that God is at work, both in those moments and through their music beyond.  But the concert experience reminds me there are other forces who would love to masquerade as a meaningful faith experience…

May we carry the light this week…