Friday, April 28, 2006
At Work... Alone
The dog begged to come to work with me today. I said "no." We got to bed on time last night, so I almost ventured to hope that one or another of my children might have awakened and been unable to go back to sleep, so that perhaps he or she might accompany me and sit on the cushioned bench in my office and chatter away to and with me while I worked. Alas, I am alone. But that is, after all, why we got me this office.
Monday, April 24, 2006
Too Hot For Me!
A couple days ago, it said the high for Monday would be 83.
Last night, they had raised the estimate to 87.
When I woke this morning, I found it estimated at 91.
I just turned the pc back on to try to get the final few posts from this morning to go through(blogger.com is having problems today)
The current prediction for the high? 93
What is this? August?
Oh wait... that would be 113.
Nothing like a few years in Mississippi to put the fear of heat into you. Hopefully this translates into a dread of Hell and love of Heaven.
Last night, they had raised the estimate to 87.
When I woke this morning, I found it estimated at 91.
I just turned the pc back on to try to get the final few posts from this morning to go through(blogger.com is having problems today)
The current prediction for the high? 93
What is this? August?
Oh wait... that would be 113.
Nothing like a few years in Mississippi to put the fear of heat into you. Hopefully this translates into a dread of Hell and love of Heaven.
Saturday, April 22, 2006
School Cancelled
I cancelled school today. Heather got stuck in a thunderstorm with a broken windshield wiper yesterday, so she didn't get home until supper time to help with the children. The latter quite nearly made me sorry for my blog entry from yesterday, with their behavior as mommy tarried longer and longer. And worst of all, I made a string of bad decisions in an effort to "relax and unwind": authorizing the purchase of store-bought pizza (not expensive, but homemade would have been more healthful, cheaper, and more wholesome time with the family), authorizing the rental of a dvd and then watching it. Narnia was ok as far as movies go, had to fast-forward some parts for the children, not a perfect representation of the book, but not terrible; pretty much just reminded me of why we don't watch movies anymore. Even the good ones are an awful waste of time, and wholly unsatisfying when compared to the exercise of some duty out of love to God or the enjoyment of one of His great gifts. My wife, my children, nature, the singing of Psalms, reading the Scriptures, reading good Christian instruction... these are great gifts. An excellent piece of music, good fictional literature... these are good gifts. A nice film... it's a gift, but not to be compared to the rest, and not worth the time it takes.
How much better it would have been if I had just taken the setbacks, exercised my duties, and enjoyed some of the greater gifts!
Anyway, I had so much to do at work today, that I sent Heather into town with the children. She had to return the video anyway, and I think she's taking the children to the zoo.
More and more, I'm beginning to hate the television set. If anyone wants it, it's yours; just pay shipping (27", 4:3, color, analog, coax input only). We'll watch home movies on the computer instead.
How much better it would have been if I had just taken the setbacks, exercised my duties, and enjoyed some of the greater gifts!
Anyway, I had so much to do at work today, that I sent Heather into town with the children. She had to return the video anyway, and I think she's taking the children to the zoo.
More and more, I'm beginning to hate the television set. If anyone wants it, it's yours; just pay shipping (27", 4:3, color, analog, coax input only). We'll watch home movies on the computer instead.
Friday, April 21, 2006
Greys Without The Blues
Usually when it's raining and storming and overcast all day like this, I get the blues. But not today.
Ankle news: still painful and stiff, but not nearly what it was. Thank God for naproxen. I am walking without a cane and reading standing up. Praise the Lord.
This is the last official day of Heather's vacation, and she went in to work this afternoon. It was for a co-worker's birthday party or something like that but still... if it were I, I wouldn't have wanted to go near the place. She seemed eager to go though, so what do I know?
We had a lovely dinner party last night with MJ, Betty, and Karen. MJ brought steaks, and I grilled them to perfection (which means that MJ found his very underdone). The steaks were cut earlier in the day, and when that's the case, it's a culinary crime to cook them any further than medium-rare. Still, the quote of the night was from MJ, "That's not ketchup oozing out of there." Thankfully, he was happy enough with my twice-baked potatoes and fresh-baked bread.
The fellowship was better than the food, including that of the children, who behaved themselves spectacularly. If the board was telling the truth after school today, the obedience carried over all through the night and this morning. I'm not naiive; I know it's not permanent; but, it's one more thing for which to be thankful.
After everyone had supped, desserted, and (decaf) coffeed to their hearts' content, we arranged the livingroom furniture in an oval (Kes can tell you what that is), and sang Psalms, beginning with several selections that the children know by heart. This meant that everyone sang heartily.
By the time we had run past the children's bedtime, and we unceremoniously though not discourteously informed our guests that our time was done, exclamations of "How sweet and aweful is the place with Christ within the doors" and "How good and pleasant it is when brothers abide together in unity" and "It's like the oil coming down upon the head, and overflowing onto Aaron's beard" could be heard.
Good-byes said, Heather was able to accomplish the lion's share of the cleanup in the time it took me to give the kids their showers. And even after all that Psalm singing, the children sang, recited, and prayed well in worship. This week's catechism answer has been challenging, but Kes did good work on it last night and is on pace to have committed it to memory quite well by the time we get the next one this Lord's Day evening.
I changed the alarm sound on my phone, and the trick worked. I actually heard it this morning and after showering and grooming, made it to the office by 4, giving me the opportunity for extended prayer, reading, and meditation this morning, without cutting too deeply into my work or study.
All things considered, it's not at all surprising that today...
no amount of Grey could possibly make me Blue
Ankle news: still painful and stiff, but not nearly what it was. Thank God for naproxen. I am walking without a cane and reading standing up. Praise the Lord.
This is the last official day of Heather's vacation, and she went in to work this afternoon. It was for a co-worker's birthday party or something like that but still... if it were I, I wouldn't have wanted to go near the place. She seemed eager to go though, so what do I know?
We had a lovely dinner party last night with MJ, Betty, and Karen. MJ brought steaks, and I grilled them to perfection (which means that MJ found his very underdone). The steaks were cut earlier in the day, and when that's the case, it's a culinary crime to cook them any further than medium-rare. Still, the quote of the night was from MJ, "That's not ketchup oozing out of there." Thankfully, he was happy enough with my twice-baked potatoes and fresh-baked bread.
The fellowship was better than the food, including that of the children, who behaved themselves spectacularly. If the board was telling the truth after school today, the obedience carried over all through the night and this morning. I'm not naiive; I know it's not permanent; but, it's one more thing for which to be thankful.
After everyone had supped, desserted, and (decaf) coffeed to their hearts' content, we arranged the livingroom furniture in an oval (Kes can tell you what that is), and sang Psalms, beginning with several selections that the children know by heart. This meant that everyone sang heartily.
By the time we had run past the children's bedtime, and we unceremoniously though not discourteously informed our guests that our time was done, exclamations of "How sweet and aweful is the place with Christ within the doors" and "How good and pleasant it is when brothers abide together in unity" and "It's like the oil coming down upon the head, and overflowing onto Aaron's beard" could be heard.
Good-byes said, Heather was able to accomplish the lion's share of the cleanup in the time it took me to give the kids their showers. And even after all that Psalm singing, the children sang, recited, and prayed well in worship. This week's catechism answer has been challenging, but Kes did good work on it last night and is on pace to have committed it to memory quite well by the time we get the next one this Lord's Day evening.
I changed the alarm sound on my phone, and the trick worked. I actually heard it this morning and after showering and grooming, made it to the office by 4, giving me the opportunity for extended prayer, reading, and meditation this morning, without cutting too deeply into my work or study.
All things considered, it's not at all surprising that today...
no amount of Grey could possibly make me Blue
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Cane-Free (?)
I am attempting to go cane-free today for the first time since my ankle (arthritis?) flared up so bad. I may pay for it as I lie in bed tonight, but I will have enough time to recover before preaching on the Lord's Day. I'm going to try to do everything normally, reading standing up, etc. I hope to find that I can fully return to my previous activity!
My First Kill!
I keep forgetting to post about the first kill I ever made with our shotgun. A couple days ago, Heather came in very excited that there was a "giant" snake in the yard. If you had seen the one posted on this blog last fall, you'd know how big those things can get.
When we had that one, we weren't able to get a good look at the head, so we had narrowed it down to either a rat snake (non venomous) or a hognosed viper (slightly venomous). In either case, I decided that this critter would not be a good playmate for the kiddos to have in the yard, so I grabbed the Mossberg Maverick (below) and some ear plugs and came outside.
From what I saw down the nose of the barrell, I think it was a rat snake; one of these fellas:
When we had that one, we weren't able to get a good look at the head, so we had narrowed it down to either a rat snake (non venomous) or a hognosed viper (slightly venomous). In either case, I decided that this critter would not be a good playmate for the kiddos to have in the yard, so I grabbed the Mossberg Maverick (below) and some ear plugs and came outside.
From what I saw down the nose of the barrell, I think it was a rat snake; one of these fellas:
Once we got him into the open, he was on the move. He was about 4 feet (yes, taller than Kessedi) long, and there wasn't quite enough left of his head to make a positive identification, but I'm as sure as I need to be.
And not a little satisfied with my shooting!
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Hot Out There Again
When I was heading back to the office after lunch and putting the children down for their nap, I glanced at the thermometer: 92. Blech. Forecastfox is telling me that it's 83, but the thermometer hangs in the shade and is generally very accurate. Maybe I should hang another next to it, for double verification.
Anyway, in case you're thinking that I might be rationalizing another swim this afternoon, I'm afraid that this would be impossible. I moved one of those faux leather task chairs into my office today, and I will have no varnished-back excuse to change out of my dress shirt.
Anyway, in case you're thinking that I might be rationalizing another swim this afternoon, I'm afraid that this would be impossible. I moved one of those faux leather task chairs into my office today, and I will have no varnished-back excuse to change out of my dress shirt.
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Kessedi Destined For Pro Wrestling
There's actually an entry concerning an incident with cheese, but it's just too precious to write after 9pm. I'll do it tomorrow at some time when I can give it the proper attention.
For now, however, I wanted to relate one of the best incidents in my short life as a parent.
Recently, I began discipling the children in private worship. We have been having family worship for years and I even blog it now for the church, but Kessedi is getting to that age (3), where she needs to develop personal and private habits of spiritual discipline. So, each night after family worship, we turn out the lights, and I lead each child in a few moments of private worship (not entirely private; assisted by daddy).
One at a time, we kneel at the child's bedside. With Kessedi, sometimes I hear her prayers, and sometimes she asks me to help her (by which she means that I pray her prayer a phrase at a time, and she repeats the phrases, adding her own input as we go along. This is basically what I do with Emmet).
It has become my habit to then put the child in the bed, lay my hand upon her or his head, and pray for the child individually.
Tonight, I did so, and as I said, "Amen," I found myself in a headlock. Kessedi had wrapped her arm around my neck, pinning my face to her chest, and proceeded to plant a series of kisses on my cheek, interspersed with pronouncements of "I love you, daddy."
I wish I could express in English the joy that I felt at that moment, but my heart was truly too full for words. I did eventually beg mercy to be released, when she declared her intention to hold me like that all night, but it reminded me of just how much the mercy of God has generously overflowed to me in every area of life, particularly in my family.
Lament. 3:22-23 (ESV)
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is Your faithfulness.
Every evening too.
For now, however, I wanted to relate one of the best incidents in my short life as a parent.
Recently, I began discipling the children in private worship. We have been having family worship for years and I even blog it now for the church, but Kessedi is getting to that age (3), where she needs to develop personal and private habits of spiritual discipline. So, each night after family worship, we turn out the lights, and I lead each child in a few moments of private worship (not entirely private; assisted by daddy).
One at a time, we kneel at the child's bedside. With Kessedi, sometimes I hear her prayers, and sometimes she asks me to help her (by which she means that I pray her prayer a phrase at a time, and she repeats the phrases, adding her own input as we go along. This is basically what I do with Emmet).
It has become my habit to then put the child in the bed, lay my hand upon her or his head, and pray for the child individually.
Tonight, I did so, and as I said, "Amen," I found myself in a headlock. Kessedi had wrapped her arm around my neck, pinning my face to her chest, and proceeded to plant a series of kisses on my cheek, interspersed with pronouncements of "I love you, daddy."
I wish I could express in English the joy that I felt at that moment, but my heart was truly too full for words. I did eventually beg mercy to be released, when she declared her intention to hold me like that all night, but it reminded me of just how much the mercy of God has generously overflowed to me in every area of life, particularly in my family.
Lament. 3:22-23 (ESV)
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is Your faithfulness.
Every evening too.
Gone Swimming
Ok; I confess. I went swimming today. I was really just going home to kidnap Don Carson and Jim Boyce, to bring them back to my lair.
But when I got home, I noticed that the back of my white dress shirt was an odd shade of brown from my neck to my waist. You see, in order to save the church money, I hadn't been running the air conditioning, and I had sweat through my shirt, causing the varnish from my hardwood chair to bleed into my shirt.
Don't worry, though. Although otherwise a cessationist, I believe that my wife has a Pentecostal gift of laundry. She can get anything out.
Well, there I was about to undress, to change into something less varnished and more climate-appropriate, and a plea from the newest citizens of the great nation of Hakimfamily came forth. They wanted daddy to come swimming.
Mind you, I was about to take my clothes off anyway.
So I went.
And here I am back in the office after dinner to do penance but blogging instead! Maybe if I blog for the church that will salve my conscience...
But when I got home, I noticed that the back of my white dress shirt was an odd shade of brown from my neck to my waist. You see, in order to save the church money, I hadn't been running the air conditioning, and I had sweat through my shirt, causing the varnish from my hardwood chair to bleed into my shirt.
Don't worry, though. Although otherwise a cessationist, I believe that my wife has a Pentecostal gift of laundry. She can get anything out.
Well, there I was about to undress, to change into something less varnished and more climate-appropriate, and a plea from the newest citizens of the great nation of Hakimfamily came forth. They wanted daddy to come swimming.
Mind you, I was about to take my clothes off anyway.
So I went.
And here I am back in the office after dinner to do penance but blogging instead! Maybe if I blog for the church that will salve my conscience...
Pool's In Session
The pool has been prepared, the thermometer says "90", and the forecast says "94." Naptime officially ends in 3 minutes, which means that if I were to open my office window (it faces the house), I would shortly hear laughter, squeals of delight, shouting, and splashing.
But I won't. Because if I did, it would soon be 94 in the office, and then a fully dressed pastor in dress shirt and tie might soon be seen climbing into a 3ft deep swimming pool.
But I won't. Because if I did, it would soon be 94 in the office, and then a fully dressed pastor in dress shirt and tie might soon be seen climbing into a 3ft deep swimming pool.
Cessation Of List
I have ended the mailing list for this blog, with the following email, which went out to all who were currently on the list:
this list
will now desist
those by whom we are missed
and who of our lives want a gist
will have to subsist
on http://blog.hakimfamily.info which continues to exist
of the lines to this final one does this message consist
this list
will now desist
those by whom we are missed
and who of our lives want a gist
will have to subsist
on http://blog.hakimfamily.info which continues to exist
of the lines to this final one does this message consist
Monday, April 17, 2006
Summer already?
My little "forecast fox" weather bar across the top of my browser is quite ominous today. Next to the day's high temp (90), the image isn't of a little sun, or a sun hiding behind a cloud. It's a thermometer, filled with red to the top, giving off little red steam squiggles. If I hover my mouse over it, it says "summerlike and humid."
In other news, my ankle is feeling pretty good today, and I actually got a good night of sleep last night. Thanks to those who have been praying, especially my dear children.
Heather has the week off, which means that my office hours are 8-5 this week(!). With God's help, I hope to actually get something done in that time and not spend too much time on pointless things like blogging.
Oh wait...
guess that means this post is done.
In other news, my ankle is feeling pretty good today, and I actually got a good night of sleep last night. Thanks to those who have been praying, especially my dear children.
Heather has the week off, which means that my office hours are 8-5 this week(!). With God's help, I hope to actually get something done in that time and not spend too much time on pointless things like blogging.
Oh wait...
guess that means this post is done.
Saturday, April 15, 2006
I'm Back!
I'm back and blogging with a vengeance, as you can see at the Family Worship and Bethesda PCA blogs. Don't have much time for this one now, because I have to go make breakfast for the family, but here's a summary of the last three weeks:
PCRT Conference
Pneumonia
Twin Lakes Fellowship (Conference)
Ankle Arthritis
Kids start formal schooling
I get an office/study and office/study hours.
That's right; I read 700 pages this week in solitude, actually got most of what I was planning done, and the children have school 6 (yes 6! 6 days shalt thou labor...) days a week. Mrs. Karen (their governess) teaches M-F 8-11a (also my office hours, what a coincidence), and I teach during the same hours on Sat. They are learning
Bible Content
Reading
Writing
Math
Science
Music
Art
Geography
Scripture memorization
Where's History, you ask? Well, Kessedi's concept of history goes back to this morning when she got up or maybe even yesterday. Let's wait to add History to Geography until she can write her address :p
Breakfast time; Bye!
PCRT Conference
Pneumonia
Twin Lakes Fellowship (Conference)
Ankle Arthritis
Kids start formal schooling
I get an office/study and office/study hours.
That's right; I read 700 pages this week in solitude, actually got most of what I was planning done, and the children have school 6 (yes 6! 6 days shalt thou labor...) days a week. Mrs. Karen (their governess) teaches M-F 8-11a (also my office hours, what a coincidence), and I teach during the same hours on Sat. They are learning
Bible Content
Reading
Writing
Math
Science
Music
Art
Geography
Scripture memorization
Where's History, you ask? Well, Kessedi's concept of history goes back to this morning when she got up or maybe even yesterday. Let's wait to add History to Geography until she can write her address :p
Breakfast time; Bye!
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
The Strong-Willed Adult
Daddy, this is obedience!
The bright voice rang through the house as Kessedi raced down the stairs.
And so it was. For the third time in the space of two hours, Kessedi had been going somewhere or doing something, and I had commanded her to stop. That in itself is probably something. The concept of command is conspicuously absent from current culture.
Why was Kessedi so excited? Because her will had been thwarted.
She wanted to do one thing, and I wanted her to do another, and this brought joy because it brought an opportunity
to be obedient.
To her fathers, on earth and in Heaven, this brought great joy. As I tell her often, God loves obedience. But what she taught me that afternoon was that I should love it too. Don't get me wrong; I have always loved it when she obeyed. But as she landed at the bottom of the stairs and beamed a smile up at me, I couldn't help but think that she had exposed me as failing to be a true lover of obedience.
After all, shouldn't I be thrilled when my will is providentially thwarted, because it is an opportunity to resign myself to His will? Isn't this what I would do if I really loved obedience?
How about you? Can you consider your trials pure joy, not just because they produce character, faith, perseverance, and hope, but also simply because your will has been thwarted?
Or are you like me... a strong-willed adult.
The bright voice rang through the house as Kessedi raced down the stairs.
And so it was. For the third time in the space of two hours, Kessedi had been going somewhere or doing something, and I had commanded her to stop. That in itself is probably something. The concept of command is conspicuously absent from current culture.
Why was Kessedi so excited? Because her will had been thwarted.
She wanted to do one thing, and I wanted her to do another, and this brought joy because it brought an opportunity
to be obedient.
To her fathers, on earth and in Heaven, this brought great joy. As I tell her often, God loves obedience. But what she taught me that afternoon was that I should love it too. Don't get me wrong; I have always loved it when she obeyed. But as she landed at the bottom of the stairs and beamed a smile up at me, I couldn't help but think that she had exposed me as failing to be a true lover of obedience.
After all, shouldn't I be thrilled when my will is providentially thwarted, because it is an opportunity to resign myself to His will? Isn't this what I would do if I really loved obedience?
How about you? Can you consider your trials pure joy, not just because they produce character, faith, perseverance, and hope, but also simply because your will has been thwarted?
Or are you like me... a strong-willed adult.
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