I think they turned out pretty well….

You can have the pattern here if you want it.

Grace and Peace,

`tim

Anyhow, thought I’d check in… (Of course, not in any particular order…)

Church (Dunningville):
Things are going well at church. Dunningville has been patient with me over the past months as I’ve been working on my thesis; hopefully they will have enough patience to make it through the next month or so, even though some things haven’t gotten the attention I would have liked to give them.

Joyfully, we celebrated the sacrament of baptism on Sunday. Equally as joyfully, I have Sunday off and don’t have to lead/preach/etc.

Our Adult Sunday school class is working our way through the Heidelberg Catechism (for the second time) and currently in the middle of my favorite part (the part on the sacraments). The evening service has finished a study of Galatians (which was perhaps the most transformative series I’ve ever preached – for me, at least, I can’t speak for anyone else!) and we’ve just started a study of the first 9 chapters of Judges — wow… that’s going to be fun.

Church (RCA’s Worship Commission):
The Worship Commission met last week – what a great group of people! We polished up a liturgy we’re hoping to submit to synod this summer for approval as our first official “occasional use” sacramental liturgy.

Church (RCA/CRC Hymnal):
We had our most recent editorial committee meeting for the joint hymnal about a week ago – another great group! I have high hopes for this project; theoretically we are putting together a hymnal that will inform the worship of a generation in some congregations.

Thesis:
Currently, I’m in the middle of my yearly week of “education” time working on my D.Min. thesis. As you may know, I’m drastically behind on it but am still hoping to get it done on a time line that will allow me to graduate this spring. Everything has conspired against it including medial tests for our daughter, surgery for my wife, and my adviser quitting and moving back into the parish – all of which are potentially good things but not particularly helpful when it comes to my thesis. As it sits, the rough draft is done; my adviser has constructively criticized it (truly, he was constructive); I’m rewriting and reworking it this week and hoping to have a “final” draft done to be submitted by the middle of March.

Knitting
I’m currently in the middle of another Baby Surprise Jacket (which is looking more boy-ish than expected) and have purchased the yarn for a girl-ish sweater. One of them will go to some college friends of mine who are expected a new baby just around the corner, the other of which doesn’t have an intended home yet.

I’ve also scheduled a class on Brooklyntweed‘s Habitat which I’ll be teaching at Lizzie Ann’s (my local, and absolutely favorite, yarn shop) and a two-part tatting class for later in March — fun!

If you’re wondering about the Kimono I’ve started for JJ, it hasn’t gotten anywhere. I need absolute attention to keep my count on the chart and haven’t been able to give it that recently.

Beer:
No new beer brewed recently. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks – I’d like a fresh batch ready for the beginning of summer.

Coffee:
Have I told you how much I love coffee? Really?! Currently I’m drinking our favorite (Sweet Maria’s Monkey Blend which we use for just about everything – espresso, drip, mokka, etc). I’m also working on getting the hang of using a Chemex, which I bought using a gift certificate my MiL gave me for my birthday. I’d highly recommend it: smooth brew, low acid. It seems like the filters are overly hefty though.

Ragbrai:
I’m signed up… hoping to make it again this year! Druck your Daumen for me!

Latest gripe?
I recently received an Adeo from Motion Lingo. I’m certain I’ll love it but the blasted thing doesn’t work on Vista. Oh Vista, how I detest thee. Oh, and we’ve done a number of tests trying to figure out what’s going on with Sophia – nothing yet, and I’m exceedingly disappointed in DeVos Children’s Hospital. Don’t get me started! (But, thank you for those who’ve asked about her, we deeply appreciate it!)

Well, that’s pretty much it right now. Hope you’re well; we are.

Grace and peace,
`tim

• I’m dramatically excited about the outcome of the election and looking forward to the first president that I voted FOR, rather than a nominee whose opponent I voted against.
• Despite the above statement, I am increasingly less impressed with the concept of democracy.  It boils down to the fact that I have realized more and more that “majority rules” is often neither right, righteous, nor gracious nor does it protect those whom Christians have the biblical mandate to protect and care for.
• I love ministry.  And I’ve realized that I am a minister who has no interest in “ecclesial hospice care.”  I like working for a congregation that has potential and future (like Dunningville) and don’t want to work for a congregation that’s simply trying to do “pain management” until it finally closes its doors.
• Ministry is exhausting.
• I’m a “passive extrovert.”  This is my own newly-created category.  Extroverts are those who, fundamentally, get energy from and are rejuvenated by being around other people.  I’ve learned that, while that is true for me, I get my energy “passively.”  The difference?  Classic extroverts get their energy by interacting with people at parties, in groups, etc.  “Passive extroverts” get their (our) energy from being around people in crowds (like at coffee shops, etc.) but that doesn’t necessarily mean actually interacting with them.
• I finished a pumpkin hat for Sophia and it turned out wonderfully.  You can see it over at my blog on MenWhoKnit.com.  I’m currently working on my third “Habitat” hat designed by Brooklyntweed — what a great pattern.
• We purchased a Vinturi: Essential Wine Aerator.  They’re a little pricey, but WOW, it’s perfect aeration can turn a mediocre red wine into a very pleasant one – I’d definitely recommend it and wish I’d picked it up last year on vacation (instead of waiting until this year!)
• I’ve finally finished a little document about “church membership personalities” — keep your eyes open, I’ll be unveiling it to you soon
• My thesis is not finished.  It is hanging over my head like a private little storm of misery.  If you believe in prayer, please pray that I will get it finished… and soon.  I can’t imagine having it hanging there for much longer without going truly insane.
• I graduated from college in 1997.  When I was in college most anti-racism and cultural competency trainings used resources that were a decade old.  It’s not 2008 and, disturbingly, my experience is that they’re still using many of the same resources that were old a decade ago.
• The current collection of people on the RCA’s Commission on Christian Worship (which I’m the moderator for) is an incredible group.  I’m wonderfully excited about it’s future.
• Ragbrai registration opens up later this week.  I don’t know if I’m able to go or not, but I’m applying.  I need the hope and joy of anticipating the possibility for the next six months!
• I can’t believe it’s almost time to start practice for the Christmas program at church.  I like Christmas programs and enjoy them but wish we didn’t lose a month and a half of Sunday School practicing for 45 minutes.
• Tomorrow I’m teaching the first half of a 2-part tatting class at Lizzie Anne’s Wool Company… fun!  I’m excited about it!
• I’d go absolutely crazy without the connections I have on MenWhoKnit.com, Ravelry.com, and Facebook — that’s everyone!  (My bloglist is a little outdated — I’ll pass on some of my favorites in a later post!)

Well, that’s all I have time for – smells like I need to go change someone’s diaper….  Hope each of you are well!

Grace and Peace,

`tim

Secondly, we’re back from vacation.  This is both a blessing and a curse.  The blessing is that, quite frankly, vacations are exhausting.  I inevitably get sick (and did this time); our daughter is inevitably off of her schedule (and is going through a rather unpleasant tantrum stage anyhow), and they’re simply not relaxing.  Being back is a blessing.  It’s also something of a curse.  Now I’m just a week further behind on everything and still dealing with the end of a cold.  Either way, life is what it is and I’m “back at it.”

Vacation had it’s high points though.  The place we stayed was less expensive and quite a bit better than the one we rented last year.  Although it wasn’t right on the water like last year, it was right in Northport, Michigan – a wonderful little town on the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula.

The other high point (no pun intended) was that we managed to visit several of Leelanau’s wonderful vineyards and wineries (and there are MANY of them).  In case you’re interested, our favorites were:

• Shady Lane Cellars (One of our top two favorites! Great wines, great tasting experience, great ambiance, great staff, whites and reds are both excellent – especially the Baco Noir and Semi-Dry Riesling.  They charge for tastings, but they include four pours, cheese and crackers)
• Longview Winery (the other of our top two favorites!  Again, great wines.  their only drawback is that the tasting room in Cedar is quite small.  Oh, and the staff is great with kids)
• Peninsula Cellars (Fun tasting room in an old school house.  An unbelievable number of wines and very diverse.  Quality reds and strangely low prices!  This was a new one for us this year, but we’ll be back)
• Bel Lago (last year I swallowed wrong at this place and have been rather dreading it all year.  I tried their one riesling again and the taste brought the whole experience back to me.  On the other hand, good wines, pleasant tasting experience, nice room and good staff.)

If you decide to take a 1-day trip to the area, I’d suggest checking these out.  They were the best (and except for Peninsula Cellars, which we visited for the first time this year, have been good two years in a row).  If you decide you don’t want to go to the Old Mission Peninsula, skip Peninsula Cellars and pick up Gills Pier or Blackstar (although be prepared for a crowd if you decide to hit Blackstar, it’s crazy).  Be prepared for some of the wineries to charge for tastings though – usually in the $5 range, although sometimes that includes souvinier glasses or snacks.  (The ones in italics above, charge.)

I don’t have time for much more right now, but will put up some more pictures later.

Grace and Peace,

`tim

I bought JJ the soundtrack about a year ago for her birthday, and though it took us a while to “get into” it, we’ve absolutely fallen in love with it.

You never quite know what you’re in for when you attend a “Broadway” show off Broadway – the singers can be weak, the set can be paired down too much, the theaters are sometimes incapable of truly handling that kind of production, but this time we hit the jackpot; it was a great evening! I am amazed by both how well you can get the story from just learning the soundtrack.. but also how well you don’t – everything finally makes sense! Our tickets were great: O13-15, and we splurged for suite service, which included drinks, hors dourves and a respite from the crowds before the show and during intermission (which could have been a bit longer!) – a little pricey but TOTALLY worth it!

The chorus was a bit on the weak side and some of the choreography was a little too Saturday-night-live-ish, but the two main characters, Glinda (Annaleigh Ashford) and Elphaba (Lisa Brescia), were great. Lisa Brescia especially! Elphaba requires a pretty solid instrument and there are a couple of duets with Glinda and Elphaba that demand the ability to both wail out at the top of your lungs and yet blend sensitively. They both lived up to the part.

If you don’t get to go to the show but you’re in Chicago’s theater district sometime at least try to check out the Oriental Theater. WOW! I’d (almost) kill to see die Zauberfloute there – it would be the perfect setting. I can close my eyes and almost hear the Der Hölle Rache reflecting off the ceiling…. In any case, it’s beautiful! The theater is covered with unbelievably gorgeous carvings, the seating is well-placed, the acoustics (as far as you can tell from a mic’d show) seem pretty good. Have I said “Wow?!”

Anyhow, 10 years… it’s hard to believe.

Happy Anniversary JJ!

Grace and Peace,

`tim

Tell me this isn’t great! I picked them up at a place that used to be called Dereuze Gourmet Market in Grandville, MI but has recently been renamed to “Peters Imports Gourmet Market.” They’ve reset their entire floor and I don’t really like it as much as the old format, but they now have a bulk section that has incredible prices on everything from chocolate to olives.

In any case, I tried the “Messiah Bold” this evening and found it a little hoppier than I prefer but nice and smooth. It’d go well with a sausage or hot-dog, probably great ice-cold on a really hot day.  Either way, it’s worth the purchase for the blurb on the side:

Why is this beer different from all other beers? As commanded, we at HE’BREW Beer have been fruitful and multiplied our offerings. Tradition teaches that the Messiah’s name is Shalom-Peace. With your first sip of this rich dark, and delicious libation, we hope to offer a momentary tast of microbrewed bliss. if you feel the sudden urge to beat your swords into ploughshares (Isaiah 2:4) or to picnic with the lion and the lamb (Is. 11:6)…Rejoice! Now our Award-winning brewers can’t claim supernatural powers – simply a fanatical commitment to brewing world-class beers: A truly scrumptious mitzvah (good deed)! Through the new Millennium and beyond, may your cups runneth over with the blessings of great beer and great schtick. To the Future! To a Bodl Life! L’Chaim!

You can check them out at: www.shmaltz.com or pick one up at Peter’s, you can buy them by the bottle in the back coolers.
Grace and Peace,

`tim