The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is even beyond our vision. We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work. Nothing we do is complete, which is a way of saying that the Kingdom always lies beyond us. No statement says all that could be said. No prayer fully expresses our faith. No confession brings perfection. No pastoral visit brings wholeness. No program accomplishes the Church’s mission. No set of goals and objectives includes everything. This is what we are about. We plant the seeds that one day will grow. We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise. We lay foundations that will need further development. We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities. We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something, and to do it very well. It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter and do the rest. We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker. We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs. We are prophets of a future not our own.
It turns out that Gabe loves to say Mississippi. He said it every chance it made the slightest amount of sense. We had a good time on our little vacation. The main idea was to enjoy the water park, but we found the Mississippi River Museum to be a great addition to the trip.
When we got to Dubuque the first place we went was the museum because we were early for our hotel check-in. They had a great exhibit about how sand and other things get picked up in the rivers and carried down; Gabe was quite the expert after to listening to the explanation. Malachi loved the fish. He just kept running up and pointing and exclaiming in his wordless way.
They had a section where you could feel stuff, and each of the boys touched a crawfish. They also had a tank of sturegons that you could pet (and I say pet because they were very funny, like dogs trying to get a good petting). Gabe put his hand in the tank but got scared. I should say that you have to put your hand in and wait because they don't like sudden movements so it takes awhile before they'll come to you. And these were huge, sort of scary looking fish. I had trouble waiting too. But I tried again and was able to touch one...it was a big high. Conquering fear and all that. Chi would have gladly gotten in the tank, he was just pointing and splashing, but they stayed away from him...too much movement. Chi also wanted to pet the alligators, but they were behind glass.
We also got to tour an old steam boat; everyone enjoyed that. Gabe asked the guide a good question, so the guide helpfully pointed out all sorts of stuff to us even though it wasn't the guided tour time. I loved the captain's bed, the desks, the chairs, basically I was wishing I could furniture shop the boat.
The water park was a lot of fun. They had a tree house like structure with cargo nets and steps and slides and water shooting out of everywhere. Gabe had no fear with the water slides. I asked him the first time, "Do you want me to go with you?" He put his hand up, "No, mom. I can do it myself." They had a small kids pool which was good for Chi, but he loved the water raining down in the tree house part too even though he was too small to climb up it. It was definitely enough to wear them both out. Chi kept flirting with all the lifeguards, even the teenage boys were falling all over him. Every time we were near a lifeguard Chi would start trying to show off until they cooed over him. We are thinking of making him a shirt that says on the front I ♥Lifeguards and on the back And Lifeguards ♥Me.
We also had very nice weather, so we were able to walk on the riverwalk. We also walked into the historic downtown area for lunch one day, but we found the food overall to be a disappointment. But food aside, it was a great getaway!
I was planning to send out invititations next month, but for those who are out of town I want to be sure there is enough notice for reservations and such.
Matt's graduation is on Friday, May 8 at 8 pm. No tickets are required; this is just the Graduate School ceremony. On the following day, May 9, we are going to have an open house type party for Matt and also for Gabe's birthday.
The undergraduates have their graduation on that Saturday, so I don't know how difficult it would be to get reservations.
On Saturday Gabe was helping to vacuum and the unlikeliest thing happened. The little lightbulb in the vacuum fell out and was sucked up, but it was too big and hard to suck up so it shattered as it was breaking the fan blade, thus ending the vacuums ability to, well, vacuum. Oh, and leaving behind tiny shards of glass. It sounded like something had crashed in our apartment. Gabe freaked out, Chi started crying. So, we had to borrow a neighbor's vacuum, and then we started shopping around. We finally bought a Bissel yesterday, mainly based on price. It seems okay. I think in a few years I'll upgrade, but we have two boys, we had to have something.
We get to have a vacation soon. On Monday we are headed for Dubuque so that we can go to the indoor water park. We will also visit the museum and aquarium. It is a short trip, but the change of pace will do us some good.
Chi is making new sounds and mimicking more. Today Gabe kept shouting "Out, baby!" when he was trying to build train tracks (which Chi always destroys in a Baby-zilla fashion) and Chi looked at him and said something that was awfully close to "Out!"
I've been busy and will be busy for the foreseeable future. This week had me nervous though. I had my first mamogram. And I must say, no big deal! Why do women act like it's so awful and painful? It wasn't. I had a non-cancerous lump in my breast during pregnancy that has shrunk, so they wanted to see what was going on. Happy to report that everything is just fine.
Also, I had to report for jury duty for the first time. That was interesting. First, I wasn't called for the panel of 24 to be questioned (then the state and defense each strike 6 so that there is a jury of 12). But the judge had cause to dismiss a person and I was the next in line, so I wound up in the jury box. I was asked about my feelings on police officers. I have positive feelings thanks to the officers that helped at my car accident, so I wasn't completely surprised that I was struck. Actually, as interesting as I was finding the whole thing, the nature of the trial made me very relieved that I was ultimately dismissed. It was domestic abuse and the nature of the questions made me think it wasn't going to be something I wanted to be stuck thinking about. In any case, I have fulfilled my civic duty and can't be recalled by the state for two years.
Gabe is worn out. Due to my things, he's been bounced between Matt and I more than usual, he had a playdate, and they had a beach party day at preschool on Wednesday. They dressed in beach gear and played games and stuff. It must have worked in bringing the sunshine...today is gorgeous, sunny and 60! Chi is doing well, but nothing new or particularly exciting to report about him today. He is just his funny little self.
Darn those boys and their icky germs! Gabe, Chi and Matt all had a cold and just as they were getting healthy and I was beginning the happy dance because I was coming through this bout of illness unscathed, I got the cold. I literally couldn't breathe at all through my nose for a full 48 hours. We are talking fully pacted in sinuses here. It was terrible. So, now I am in recovery mode. Breathing working, mostly, but I probably have a couple more days until I am free and clear.
Chi had his first haircut. At first I resisted, but I was giving Matt and Gabe their haircuts and I already had the scissors out. Matt has been complaining about how long Chi's hair was getting (it was all curly and sticking out in the back), but it took me awhile to be ready for the first haircut, but it's done and I must say it looks better now that it's not all crazy. Okay, I'll admit it...Matt was right. There I said it. :)
I went with Gabe's class for the bowling field trip. It was Gabe's first time. Of course, there were bumpers up so no gutter balls. Gabe was loving it and he actually got two spares! His score was a 92.
