Messy Spirituality

Well, folks, this is my last post....

No, silly, not FOREVER...just for a few days.  We are leaving in the am for the beach!  I heart vacation!  It will be me, my mom, and Adeline, another mother/daughter duo (Mary Louise, and Valerie), and Valerie's three boys.  Yippee!  That means no posting and no commenting until at least the weekend (we're coming back late Fri night).  Have a great week!

Now, it is late, and I really need to finish packing, BUT I MUST post a review of this book by tomorrow....sigh...

My very sweet (and generous) bloggy friend, Jessica, is hosting a giveaway.  She mailed out copies of Messy Spirituality by Michael Yaconelli, and we need to post a review by July 30 to qualify for three amazing prizes.  Thanks Jess!

I can't say I was really changed in any significant way after reading this book.  Here's the gist...

"Messy Spirituality is a description of the Christianity most of us live and that few of us admit.  It is an attempt to break through the religious wall of secrecy and legitimize a faith which is unfinished, incomplete, and inexperienced."  

I am eternally thankful that I serve a God that loves me despite my messiness.  That being said, this book was a bit too "messy" for me.  I enjoyed some of the stories he shares, but I didn't find many deep nuggets of truth to hang onto.  When I came back to the book from day to day, I found I didn't really remember much of what I read before.  Maybe that was my fault, but this one just didn't grab me.  Jess, I still think you're awesome and want to thank you for the book and the chance to participate....I hope this doesn't forever ruin my chances of making it to your "bloggy friends" list (just kidding).  To close, I'll share one of the passages that I DID like....

"Most of us are...going as fast as we can, living life at a dizzying speed, and God is nowhere to be found.  We're not rejecting God; we just don't have time for him.  We've lost him in the blurred landscape as we rush to church.  We don't struggle with the Bible, but with the clock.  It's not that we're too decadent; we're too busy.  We don't feel guilty because of sin, but because we have no time for our spouses, our children, or our God."  

Personality Quiz

I saw this on Jenni's blog this morning, and I thought it was fun.  It describes your personality in words after you choose pictures for a given topic.   Let me know if you try it!

Summer Picnic

In my post of randomness, I forgot to add that Patrick is coming home on Aug 14...less than 3 weeks!  Thanks for asking...

-------------------------------------------

Now that it is 9 days AFTER this event, let me show you what we did the Saturday after we got home from Korea....

Our friends, Scott and Jen (Jen is one of my best friends from high school), hosted a picnic on their recently purchased egg farm.  During the time I was gone, they moved, changed careers (well, Jen still works as a nurse one day a week), and grew a new baby (due at the beginning of Sept).  WOW!  That's a lot of change! 

First we enjoyed some time in their pool (we not being me...Adeline and I came over earlier in the week to swim).  Below is Scott with Brennan.

Adeline with Gabriella

Gabriella with the newest member of our "gang"...Max.

This is Jen and Jen (I know, as if that's not confusing!).  The Jen on your left is the mom of both of these boys, Ryan and Max.  The Jen on your right is the proud new owner of the farm and mom to Brennan (and the little one still cooking).  In case you're keeping track, Heidi (who oddly enough, isn't in any of these pictures), claims the other three, Logan, Gabriella, and Isaiah.

Okay, so I gotta tell you, this egg packing thing is the most interesting process!  We all helped Scott get some packing done.  The kids had a blast picking out cracked or jumbo eggs.  They pack over 100,000 eggs a day!  

cutie patutie Brennan, stacking the jumbo eggs

Scott (farm owner)

Thanks Scott and Jen for hosting.  It was so nice to see everyone.  We had a blast!  I consider all three of these girls best friends.  They give new meaning to the word friendship...I could tell you stories...and perhaps someday I will.  They each got a web cam when we went to Korea so they could Skype us and keep in touch through the year.  When Jen had Max, Heidi borrowed a laptop and took it to the hospital so I could "be there" to meet Max.  I love you girls!

Sunday Finest

                                                                  
                         
                                                                           
                              

                                                                         
               

Technology

I think I want one of these....

Click on the image and take the tour for yourself.  This is ridiculous technology.  It is a GPS, camera, iPod, cell phone, and computer in one.  It senses when you turn it to make things landscape or vertical.  You can rent movies on iTunes.  You can sink it to your computer for your address book, music selections, etc.  It even lets you use the address book from your computer as a phonebook.  You just tap on the name and number, and it dials.  You can store files just like on your PDA or computer....Patrick can store medical resources and web sites.  Does anyone out there have one of these?  Was it life changing?

A collection of randomness...

*Thank you to many of you who have been asking about our adjustment to this side of the globe.  Adeline's sleep schedule is improving (and consequently mine is too).  Wake up times get closer and closer to the 7am goal (this morning was actually 7:15!!!).  Bedtime can still be a challenge sometimes, and she still sometimes wakes up a few times through the night.  We've had a few really good nights, and her naps are getting a little more consistent.  It will get better...I know it.

*Others of you have asked me about culture shock.  I haven't had much.  I've been in other cultures before, and I haven't forgotten what life is like here.  I've been meaning to do a post about the things I miss about Korea and the things I am so thankful for in the US....maybe next week.  The one thing that has been an adjustment is that people don't like kids here.  I mean, not everyone, but really....I went to a grocery store with my mom, aunt, grandfather, and Adeline.  I didn't really need anything, so I let her walk through the aisles.  She was happy, swinging her arms, laughing.  There were a few people who commented on her obvious cuteness, but many people gave me the oh-no-a-kid-who-is-going-to-slow-me-down-and-get-in-the-way-of-my-cart look.  I get that life is fast paced here.  I get that we just don't have the same love of children that Koreans have, but still...she's adorable people!!!  sigh...

*The house hunt has begun.  My dad and I went to MD to do some searching last Saturday, and we are going back tomorrow.  We have 10 houses on the agenda for tomorrow, and they all look promising.  Say a prayer for us if you think of us.  It is amazing how much house prices have dropped in that area.  Given the state of the economy, many houses are in foreclosure, so we are looking at some almost new houses that have dropped A LOT!

*Speaking of house prices dropping....we own a townhouse in MD.  It is nice and served us well during Patrick's 3 years of residency.  While we were in Korea, we rented it, furnished, to a middle aged woman who is related to our neighbor.  It has been a great situation for all of us.  We knew when she started renting that she was very interested in purchasing the house when we returned.  We contacted her several months ago to get the ball rolling.  We told her our asking price and tried to get an idea when we could close.  She seemed fine with everything and was moving forward with getting her loan approved.  Well, my husband checked on the estimated value of our home on the internet, and of course, the price has dropped.  He felt like we were asking too much since the market has dropped dramatically in recent months.  me:  but if she's willing to pay it...

My mother overheard our conversation and I got "a talking to" with phrases like, "I didn't raise you to be selfish.  Patrick is so generous.  I am so impressed with your husband.  He is wonderful and you stink"...okay, maybe she didn't go that far.  I had an attitude adjustment, and I told Patrick to come up with a price.  Today I called our tenant and told her we are dropping the price of the house for her.  Of course, she was ecstatic with our new offer.  What would you have done?  Honestly?  She never batted an eye at our first price.  Am I really that awful?  Is my husband nuts?  Go ahead, I can take it.

Wordless Wednesday---Adeline Catches the Purse Enthusiasm...

This is what happens...

...when you are leaving Korea in 2 weeks

(yes, I've been home for a week and a half...I told you I had some Korea posts left).

Your mom's friends go nuts ordering knock-off purses and you go on a MAJOR shopping spree. I'll post some pictures when get together to distribute them.  The purses I'm holding here aren't even all the ones I bought!

Patrick picking up his suit and sport coats from Mr Lim, a Christian, and one of the many tailors in Korea that offer custom suits for a discount (although, I'm not so sure we saved that much money). At least they fit him really well and will be a reminder of Korea.

What Adeline's been doing...

Playing with her Grandparents!!!

My parents bought her a "little red wagon" and I'm not sure who is having more fun with it!

They also hung this baby swing from a tree, and Adeline could spend all day in there.

We visited Adeline's great-grandfather (my mom's dad). Here she is giving him a kiss.

Exploring Grandma's gardens....

It's good to be home...

Sunday Finest

Play Group

This is one of the many things I miss about Korea. Adeline and I only started going a few weeks before we left, and even then we were sporatic attenders. However, it was a great diversion for the morning and a great way to connect with some other moms. Adeline LOVED the ball pit.

Too cute...she found this net and walked around picking up all the balls.

Stealing a cute post

Hey everyone! Head over to my friend Amanda's blog for this adorable post of our babies "sharing" at the water park. It is an adorable picture progression.