As yall have noticed, Kim does most of the posting in the family. I love the way she writes, and she is doing a great job keeping yall updated and cataloging our family's life in London...I can't believe we live in London - I say this about every other day.
So I thought I would give you a quick update on how things are going from my point of view. Point of view - from where I'm sitting right now, I'm looking at an empty library except for the table I'm sitting at with a Greek textbook, my Greek homework for tomorrow...I mean today, a commentary on Hebrews, and the Collected Writings of some guy named John Murray (he's a pretty cool professor/theologian from 20th century). This is my point of view, this is my life right now. Oh, did I mention it is 1:30am. Apparently only 12 translation questions for Greek homework takes me a couple hours to complete (ok, ok, I might check ESPN once or twice, but not thrice times...thrice is a cool word...sorry, it's 1:35am now).
But this is the stage of life that I am in, studying God's Word and the Christian faith in a vigorous way.
Here are 3 things that come to my mind about this experience.
1) It is hard work. But as my wife pointed out to me a couple years ago that has really stuck with me, work was instituted by God pre-fall of man (Genesis 2:15). Work is not a result of sin (although we tend to see it as that sometimes), but it is a good thing given to us by God. So reading lots of books, memorizing prefixes and suffixes to Greek and Hebrew verbs, and writing essays can be hard work, but just the simple task in of itself is good because work is good. Discipline is good. And by nature, I'm a lazy dude (ask my dad), therefore anything that makes me work hard is good for me.
2) Studying these things is actually pretty cool. I know, that's not the most profound, seminary..esque statement, but it's just cool to be given time to read lots of amazing books by profound thinkers past and present; it's actually fun when you read something in Hebrew and realize what it says; and it's amazing getting to do this in an environment like London Theological Seminary with guys from around the world that grew up very different from me. What a blessing.
3) It's worshipful. The more I study about God, the more I realize the truth of Isaiah 55:8-9, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." This is not a hard verse to believe. God truly is holy, set apart, transcendent. I find myself in class wanting to shout "Amen!" to what is discussed. Studying God stirs the soul. However, this great God doesn't just dwell high above us, but He crosses that gap (we don't do the crossing, He does), and He comes to dwell with the lowly. He comes to dwell with me (Isaiah 57:15). And as I have found myself completely OVERWHELMED at times by my studies and by this life I believe God has called us to here in London, I am comforted that the God who inhabits eternity hangs out with me too and revives my heart (quoting Isaiah 57:15 again - check it out). So the more I learn about the triune God, the more He inspires love in me for Him, and that leads to worship. He is worshipped, I am satisfied. That's good stuff, huh?
Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and support for us - we love you and miss you terribly! Send us a message and let us know how you're doing!
Ok, it's now 2:00am in the morning. I have to get up in 5 1/2 hours to go to Greek class, then New Testament, then eat lunch and spend the rest of the day researching and writing a long essay on the First Crusade, of which I know nothing about, so far. Did I mention this was hard work?
Robert
p.s. I have the 2 cutest girls and the most amazing, beautiful, and supportive wife in the world!
p.s.s. - I have nothing else to say, just wanted a p.s.s...it's 2:10am now...
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Saturday Six
What was the "Friday Five" has now become the "Saturday Six" as the days tick by without my getting around to the writing that blog post! So, here are 6 recent happenings and thoughts all packed into one post:
1. Tower of London
Last Friday we visited the Tower of London... Hmmm... that just came out so casually! Can I repeat that for emphasis??!! Last Friday our little family got to visit one of the most history-packed, amazing and thrilling fortresses in the Western world. Better...
We've become those parents that keep telling our kids things like "You won't appreciate it now, but someday you'll hopefully be thankful for such an incredible opportunity!!!"
"See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey..."
He comes to us! He doesn't sit and wait for us to wake up from our stupor. He's not enclosed behind a glass case and armed guards. He comes to us! And he is gentle and he rides a donkey, though "he is before all things and through him everything holds together." What a mighty servant King we worship.
2. Breakfast for Dinner
Is there a tradition that you and your husband's families both enjoyed that just feels like the most natural thing in the world to incorporate in your own home? Breakfast For Dinner is definitely one of these for us! We eat it OFTEN... if not weekly at least 3 times per month. It's just a crowd pleaser - the girls will honestly eat as much as I put on their plate. And it's fast and cheap! I can whip up some eggs, grits, bacon and toast with maybe sliced tomato & fruit with my eyes closed by now.
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| Bacon-lover at Christmas Breakfast |
For the past 3 weeks Robert has been interning at Westminster Chapel, and what a gift this time has been. He's been able to work closely with our regular church staff and with other interns preparing to be pastors. For a guy who thrives when working with a team, this time was very refreshing. Robert was able to preach on a Sunday night, help out with Chapel's community food bank, and attend a conference on church planting and revitalization. It was also a good reality check for me having Robert gone from 9am - 6:30pm everyday - man, have I been spoiled by having him nearby most days! Reality set in for Robert as well when he had to ride the jam-packed tube in and out of the city everyday!
4. Pregnancy Update
If I'm being honest, I feel a little like a first-timer again with this pregnancy. I was induced with Ellie and Meg at 40 weeks and I don't know that I've ever really even had a natural contraction without the help of pitocin. So the thought of actually going into labor on my own is a little thrilling (and terrifying?) and they'll let me go up to 2 weeks after my due date here, so maybe it will happen this time! I met with my midwife on Thursday for my 28 week appointment and was struck once again with how normal this pregnancy has been. I'm measuring exactly 28cm, low blood pressure, negative for gestational diabetes, healthy heart-beat... I think I took this "normalness" for granted with Ellie and Meg, but it has been a reason to joyfully praise God at each appointment this time around. I am already starting to get the "You must be due ANY day!" and "Is it TWINS?!" comments... these were also frequent towards the end of Meg's pregnancy, and I'm starting to reconsider my maternity wardrobe. Maybe I should start rockin' those old school tent-dresses our mom's wore when they were pregnant with us! That or just start lying... "Yep, I'm pretty much a ticking time-bomb!" or "Triplets, actually!"
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| No need for a maternity jacket when you have a personal space-heater in your mid-section :) |
This may come as a shock to many of you, but there are a lot of people that live in London ;) Apparently, this makes for a lot of children waiting for school places in particular areas - and in the UK children start a full day of "Reception" at age 4 and education is compulsory at 5. With this in mind, we put Ellie on a couple waiting lists last September - not intending for her to start school right away, but more as a way of just getting the ball rolling. She hasn't been awarded a place yet at either school closest to us, and it has truly been a sweet time of praying with Ellie for the right class and right teacher at the right time. In fact, I called last Monday to check and see where Ellie was on the list and she had actually moved down the list. Though tempted to worry whether she'll have a spot for Year 1 in the fall, I'm so thankful for the time we've had to work at home, adjust together, and trust in God's provision in a very practical way.
6. The Weather
We have had some beautiful days, lately. Today, we spent a long time at a park about a mile away from our home, but most days we can be found right down the road at our nearby park. We try not to waste the gift of sunshine when present, and we've had ample opportunity to enjoy those lovely rays the past few weeks. These are some of my favorite pictures from the nearby park:
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| We love this place. |
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| What a fun dad :) |
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| Panoramic shot of the park's green area |
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