Inspired at the museum

     We celebrated Candace’s 30^th birthday today by eating in Greek Town and then visiting the Jane Addams history museum called the Hull House. The food was really great and the experience was very worthwhile at the restaurant. We want to tell you about the museum though.

     Jane Addams was a real worker at the turn of the century, living here in Chicago, and working for the good of the marginalized majority. She founded a household for like minded folks who wanted to contribute to society by addressing the social issues of the day: women’s suffrage, child labor, immigration, poverty, war, race relations, hunger, and others. She founded a number of institutions that are still functioning today. She is thought of as a pioneer in the field of social work. Additionally, she was sometimes considered an enemy of the state, and a dangerous woman.

     When you talk seriously about peace and equality powerful people might want to kill you.

     On our drive home we talked about how significant a life Jane Addams lived. Our eyes lifted from the clutter of being young adults and parents, pregnant and struggling. We remembered that we have moved into Reba for our spiritual formation, to become people who will work for change. Seeing the example of Ms. Addams reminded us of the realities we want to address. Though we are educated and come from privileged homes, we want to serve the poor and needy. This, we believe, is an expression of our good raising and the right thing to do.

     We want to make these same sort of incremental courageous steps toward healing the people and our land. We celebrate and give thanks for the examples that have brought us to this point in life, and we want very much to keep our eyes focused on the long term convictions while working at the small and daily stuff of a worthy life. 

Baby progress

We had several appointments this week regarding this upcoming little girl. Candace is doing great. We have been blessed with health since we moved here. Also, we have had many great connections while visiting our midwives.

Candace is 29 weeks along...

Candace Reflections

I have realized that, in examining my life, I have not been able to make it much past the bare essentials that would describe us as getting by. If the housework is done, Jedidiah got his nap and got to bed on time, the family is fed, and we all got some sleep at night, then I count it as a good day. I am living at a fairly low level of Maslow’s hierarchy. Just in the past month, I have felt up to reaching out in relationships – and only sometimes (when all those essentials are in place for a few days). It is on rare and brief occasions that I get the chance to think about bigger things – purpose, goals, meaning, mission. In a rare quiet time that was actually quiet, I feel that God revealed this to me - that I was living with my eyes down and my hopes low. I realize that some of this has been necessary in a difficult time of transition. Sometimes, I just have to do what is required and no more. But, in that moment of clarity, I saw that God has much more for me and for our family. Little by little, I am lifting my eyes and trusting God as I hope for more and evaluate my life based on a higher standard. My desire to love others, give of myself, and use my gifts is gradually returning.

 

In another moment of clarity, I was sitting at church during the worship time. Josh was playing the drums with the praise band, and I was sitting in the congregation with Jedidiah in my lap. Jedidiah was calm and a little sleepy as he relaxed to the worship music. I could feel our baby girl moving around inside me as she listened to the music. I felt very happy in that moment to be there with these two blessed and precious people that God has created and then entrusted to Josh and I to raise. As I sat, I realized that there is no other station in life in which I would rather be than this one – the mother of young children. I have moments when I feel a little jealous of the freedom of single people or of couples without children; but in that moment, with my two little ones so close, I felt certain that this is where God has me and this is where I want to be. That simple realization has given me the resolve to choose joy through the parenting challenges of this week. And I can see, in times of clarity, that this role in my life is indeed one of learning to love as God loves and of giving of myself in a godly and beautiful way. I feel grateful and happy that God has given me this special and fleeting time in my life to be a mom.

Celebrate as we wait

     We were reminded in church today that the people of God are instructed to celebrate, even when they have not received the promised ending yet. For example, the Passover is a time to remember what has already come and remember that we are hoping for even more.

     When we went to Thailand, we were there for four months; we felt really productive, and it changed us deeply. We have lived here for almost four months, and it's been a way slower process. We know there are a lot of things to learn and accomplish - things we've intended to do, and things that will surprise us. We have not seen the fruit of these things yet, but we are celebrating because we know they are coming.

We had a great break from the city in Arkansas. Since coming back, Candace has felt peace.

We are embracing our new life here. (coming home to a thawed Chicago, with clear sidewalks helped!)

In the 2009...

We will pursue some mentors soon. 

We are interested in finding opportunities to serve the poor. 

We plan to be intentional about some relationships here. 

We have been going to bed early, waking up early, and spending the evenings with each other. 

I do not want to relax with technology anymore. 

We are preparing for the new baby with six weeks of child-birthing class.

Jedidiah plans to become potty trained. (A few successes already this week!)

Jedidiah wants to get bigger.

Jedidiah will become a big brother.

Your notes of encouragement are appreciated!

Shalom

Like a Christmas letter

     I wish we could go through the following events and the stuff in between the lines to fill you all in on the ways that we have seen our prayers answered, our faith tested, our obedience encouraged, and both Candace’s belly and Jedidiah growing. Here is a quick overview of the year:

 

Last December we made the trip to Kentucky to see Mallary and Chip get married.

January, Josh started working with the Kingswood people to get neighborhood ministries going.

February, Candace attended a healing ministry training mission.

March, we were praying about what new community we might join, and had a powerful Easter. The church had several neighborhood services for the first time.

April, we visited Reba Place Fellowship, and liked it.

May, Candace went to Cincinnati to meet with her covenant group from college.

June, Josh led the Kingswood mission trip to Waco, observing and helping Antioch Community Church with their neighborhood ministries.

July, Jedidiah took his last free flight (to AR). We saw Shane Claiborne give his presentation on Jesus for President. We told the church that we were leaving Clovis.

August, one last XIT Joe Nisbett fun run in Dalhart, TX. Candace climbed the highest peak in NM, Wheeler Peak (13,161 feet) with Jedi on her back and a baby in her belly! Jedidiah had his second birthday. We enjoyed the wilderness of New Mexico one last time with another camping trip to Taos and Santa Fe – it hailed and rained on us. We had fun.

September, the big month. Great friends threw us a going away party. We rented a truck and with the help of our small group, loaded all of our things from the 4-bedroom house, and drove across the country to Chicago and moved into a 2-bedroom apartment on the third floor. Josh’s dad came out to help us settle in. Josh started working at a picture framing shop.

October, mostly spent working, unpacking and struggling to make it. Chip and Mallary made a visit from Michigan.

November, Candace and Jedi went to Michigan for a sister reunion, taking the train. Josh started working for Plain and Simple Amish Furniture. A few Reba Place artists got together and opened a gallery space as a business experiment. Friend from Clovis, Jim Kelly completed a pastoral leadership course and we went to celebrate with him in Indiana. We went to Tampa FL to see the McCallisters for Thanksgiving.

December, our friend Amberly made a quick weekend visit to Evanston to lift our spirits. More work, this time for Candace as well – helping people with disabilities. We made it home to Arkansas, driving through some serious weather, to celebrate Christmas with the Nisbetts.

We'll be reporting on our 2009 resolutions and anticipations soon.

Peace, and don't forget that Christmas isn't over yet.