20 Seconds

One idea from the movie We Bought a Zoo was thought-provoking.

The dad counsels his teenage son, saying, "You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery."

I wouldn't say the movie was utterly profound... but that line made me think.


If we know the almighty God and trust His many promises, that idea of 20 seconds of insane courage could be another way of saying (like the hymn), "venture on Him, venture wholly."


When the world can gut-it-out for 20 seconds of courage (which may be for some stupid reason), won't I put my sense of dignity or love of comfort on the line for something I know to be true, awesome, and life or death?


May God give us that kind of courage.

Date Night

For going on 5 years now, Ben and I have aimed to have a weekly date night.  We started back yonder when we were courting, and we need it now just as much.  (More, maybe?)

Since January, these have mostly been "in-house" dates (for obvious reasons).  Mostly we talk, read a book together, eat cookies; one time we played a third of a game of Phase 10 (not so much the game type...).

To mix things up a little bit, we're now going to take turns planning.  Yesterday was my first opportunity.

The Plan:

- Unique Thrift Store (with 25% off card in tow)
- BK for original chicken sandwiches ($1.04 this weekend)
- Red Box: We Bought a Zoo
- Note-writing while eating Lindt truffles

The Results:

- Two pairs of shorts for Ben and one pair of shorts for Victor ($13.47)
- Tasty sandwiches, fries, and Sprite
- Kinda hokey movie, but we enjoyed it anyway (for any who watch it, you can skip some of the bad language if you choose the English Family language option)
- Chocolates were tasty, and we wrote each other notes and then read them and talked about them.

So, all in all, a very lovely time.  (If you have creative ideas for good, cheap date ideas, let me know.  You all know that I'm married to a much more fun person than I am...)

To Mr. Fogle: Celebrating 40 Years of Ministry

"Thank You, Mr. Fogle"
By Amy Katterson

I. For Being a Teacher
. A. Before being a student
. B. While being a student
. C. After being a student
II. For Being a Preacher
III. For Being a Prayer

It really only seems right to submit a brief outline of my thoughts with this note. I can barely type a sentence without Mr. Fogle’s influence on my life being visible. And I daresay his influence on me as a teacher is surpassed only by his preaching and praying.

I had two older siblings, so I knew about Mr. Fogle’s English class long before I became a student myself. I must admit a sense of foreboding when I reached my 7th grade year and began taking English Grammar and Composition. The weekly theme, the book reports, the absolute standard of honesty for completing work on time and remaining attentive in class—these were not simply academic rigors to endure but character-shaping lessons. Comma rules, sentence diagramming, and subject-verb agreement were tackled and mastered in due course. Perhaps as a testament of Mr. Fogle’s helpful and fruitful teaching, I went on to become an English writing major in college.

My time as Mr. Fogle’s student was very significant, but I will always consider him first and foremost my pastor (but not “Pastor Fogle”!). I think I started hearing his sermons when I was about five days old, and I am indebted to him for faithful, systematic teaching through the Bible. The word of God is “more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold” (Psalm 19:10a), and that is what he gave us week after week in his preaching.

I had Wilm’s tumor (cancer in my left kidney) when I was five years old. Only a few years ago, I learned that Mr. Fogle committed to pray for me every day. I suspect it was prompted by the cancer, though perhaps he simply had a prophetic sense of how much grace I would need to be saved and sanctified! That unknown and undeserved gift is perhaps the greatest influence Mr. Fogle had on my life, for only in eternity will we know all the kindness of God toward me that resulted from his faithful intercession.

I’m an adult now with a child of my own, but Mr. Fogle will always be “Mr. Fogle” to me. As he transitions to a new season of life and ministry, I am confident he will continue to encourage and help many people. And I pray that as my son grows he may have similar men of influence in his life—as teachers, preachers, and prayers.

First Food

Yesterday was a big day.

Victor had his first cereal. He really loves spoons, so he thought it was pretty fun, except that it was a little confusing why we were putting the spoon in his mouth, not his hand.



A whole new era dawns...

Super fun

Today has been a "hang out at the office all day" kind of day. Ben watched Victor while I went to a meeting Downtown, and he took care of Victor after he was up from his nap.

Victor thought that it was pretty super sweet that Dad gave him a spoon to play with. Good times.

Tuckered

Sunday night, Victor slept horribly. So he was all tuckered out when I put him in the johnny jump-up on Monday.



I tried to help him get his arms out, but he really just wanted to hang there, like a limp noodle. And he took terrific naps. :)

Perseverance

I started a new prayer journal recently.

It feels full of expectation, because it seems like God just loves to put Himself on display when I write down prayer requests. Not that He doesn't answer prayer when I don't, but it seems like He specializes in moving in crazy ways if I will put it down on paper, where I know I will check back and also write down the answer.

My last prayer journal is full of scribbles (I took a picture of some pages as an example, but since I have used it for lots of other people besides myself, thought better of posting that for the world to see...).

Examples of specifically answered prayer from my last journal:

- Friend in dating relationship troubles: now married
- Wanted to memorize book of Colossians: now done through most of chapter 3
- Lost two sets of keys: two sets found
- Relative needed organ transplant: transplant successful
- 2 friends in adoption process: both now have babies
- Visa needed in very short time to visit overseas family: arrived in time
- Ben needed to finish paper in time: Done on time, got A-
- Concerns over pregnancy complications: healthy baby
- Car broken, needed quick and inexpensive fix: Just needed to tighten a bolt
- Friend's lost cell phone: the guy from the thrift store called the Subway and found the phone
- Lost wallet: the coffee shop called, had it
- Job needed: job provided
- Bread machine making funny noises: working fine

I could continue... but anyway, the lesson to me is, PRAY. And keep praying. And write it down so that when God answers, you see it and remember. And next time, remembering that, you will maybe pray sooner, longer, and more fervently.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day, Dad! We love you.

Happy Father's Day, Ed! You are a blessing to our family.

Happy Father's Day, Benjamin! I'm glad to share this journey with you.

Thanks for each reflecting the Father from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.

Silly Goose

Victor has picked up such funny, sweet little mannerisms lately.

* When he eats, often times he'll wave his hand in the air and grab my lips or nose, so I can give him little kisses in his palm.

* He has taken to chewing on his bottom lip (increasing our suspicions that a tooth is on the way).



* He has been waking up giggly lately. It is such a hoot! He doesn't giggle all that often, but we just love it when he does.





* We play a little peekaboo game when it's diaper time. I open up the [clean] diaper and slip it over his eyes... and he flings out his arms and gets all stiff. Then I pull it off and say peekaboo! And he gets a big grin, like it's the best joke!

* He is a little jumping bean, just down-up-down-up on our laps. So tonight we tried out the johnny jump-up for the first time. He sure liked it, even though he was a little slow to pick up the jumping part!





* After his bath, I put some Cetaphil cream on him. And he looks like somebody just handed.him.the.moon when I give him that fabulously cool blue lid to hold onto! It's like he knows it's not really a toy, and so it's WAAAY more fascinating and fun to play with than just about anything else in the world.

* When he's eating, Victor likes having his fingers up by his face. Of course, when he pokes his little hands into his mouth, it breaks the suction. After a moment or two, he realizes he is now sucking his thumb and getting no more meal. He looks around like, hey, who's playing a trick on me? And then gets back to business.

What a silly goose. We love you, little guy.

Chuckle

Now that is a giggle that will brighten a gloomy day.

True

"You are the lens that your son will always see women through."

I don't know if that's 100% true. But even if it's only mostly true, the significance of mothering is huge.

May I set a true example of what a woman is meant to be.

(Quote from MOB [Mother of Boys] Society)

Pics of Today

Our dear friend Anna (Auntie Anna, to Victor) surprised us with a new play mat. To put it lightly, Victor was pleased.




Today for our walks, we posed...

... as Safari Explorer...



... and Vacation Dude.



Victor filled the roles very well.

Boundaries

Victor did not have a good night's sleep last night (all keyed up from Daddy's message at the Wed Connection picnic...). So we've been trying to make the naps count today.

The late afternoon nap is always the most challenging. So we started early. Took a nice leisurely walk with Daddy. Lay on the floor and played with the fuzzy Winnie-the-Pooh rattle (one of our most favorite calming pre-nap activities). Sang "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" (like always).

I laid him down in his crib and sat in the chair next to him (which sometimes helps him relax quicker). And, per his recent modus operandi, he flipped onto his tummy and made for the top of the crib. He is a remarkably efficient wriggler, and it was only a minute before he grabbed two rails in his little fists and gazed longingly at the outside world, like a convict hoping for a jailbreak.

It only took another minute for the crying to start... and the little pickle wrangled around and conked his noggin on the edge for a while before finally dropping off.

Boundaries. We know they are good. The reason there are rails on Victor's crib is so he won't do a swan dive and smash that cute noggin on the ground. And there's plenty of room for him to roll around and (notably) sleep in the middle. Yet he persists in knocking his head against the wall.

Why?

He gets it from his momma.

I have been feeling the same resistance to boundaries. Maybe it's the heat and lack of sleep. Or maybe just my wicked, rebellious heart. But it's been a crabby day, pushing back on Ben's suggestions, fighting disrespect in my responses, and feeling generally contrary.

I love my husband. I see him earnestly seeking the Lord. I know that it is good for me to enjoy the privilege of following his lead and not fighting to get my own way. But I still ram my head against the wall too many times, and have to repent and ask the Lord to give me a gentle and quiet spirit.

I know that Victor will learn to sleep in his crib. And I pray that God will help me show him what a good gift boundaries are for us in the rest of life too.

The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me. Psalm 16:6

5-Months-Old!

5 months old!

4 months old

3 months old

2 months old

1 month old

2 weeks old

Dear Victor Albert,

You are 5 months old today. What a big fellow! You give your daddy and I such a kick with your chubby cheeks (a.k.a. jowls, by your papa) and dimpled knees.

It has been a busy month for you, and now:

* You have some real goofy expressions. When you finish eating, you'll stick out your lower lip, or suck on your upper lip, or make loud smacking noises. Or all of the above.

* You have kicked the paci, and you're no longer swaddled for sleep. Those changes, combined with a full schedule switch, made this one of the least sleep-ful months of your life for Momma. However, you are now doing pretty great with your naps, and you're only eating once between 6pm and 6am (though there are some additional wakings most nights).

* Nighttime has become an aerobic exercise. You immediately flip onto your tummy and then perseveringly scoot yourself to the furthest end of your crib (like an inchworm), where you either conk your noggin on the rails, wedge yourself into the corner, or stick your arm through the slots... all of which normally make you wail like a banshee. You give yourself lumps on your head! This is highly troubling, but we have not yet contrived a system to keep you in the middle. [I foresee you giving your future wife some real troubles if this continues.]

* You love your daddy. When I'm talking on the phone with him and put him on speakerphone, you get a big smile and look around for where he's hiding. And when Daddy practiced his message for Wed Connection (tonight!), you were hanging on every word.

* You are gaining more and more dexterity. You can pick up your little ring toy when you drop it next to you and even switch toys from one hand to the other.

* You're also very strong. You continue pulling out very much of Momma's hair, as well as making the aforementioned forays across the expanse of your crib, rolling over both ways (front to back and back to front), spending long stretches bouncing in your exersaucer, and trying to do somersaults while standing on my lap.

* Momma is still doing dairy free (and God has provided very greatly, so it doesn't feel burdensome, except for the occasional longing for cheese and ice cream). You continue to spit, but sometimes, very, very little! It's still pretty normal for Mom to get it straight down the front, though, so we keep the washer and dryer running pretty often.

* We take lots of walks around the neighborhood (sometimes 3-4 a day, short ones). You make lots of friends on our little excursions, and it has been great to meet more people on our street.

* You are a people person for sure. This has the unfortunate effect of rendering it nearly impossible for you to sleep when we're out and about. So we try to be fairly consistent with naptime at home. You are so, so, so much happier when you get good sleep!

* For about a month now, you've been a finger biter (other peoples' fingers, that is). So we're suspecting that a tooth is going to pop through sometime soon.

You are my honey bear, my baby boy, the little peanut, the floofenheimer (to Dad). You keep us giggling and praying for wisdom.

And we love you so, so much.

Happy 5 months, Mr. Victor!

Our Pastors

This is a pretty cool interview between Pastor John and Pastor Jason about the upcoming succession plan.



HT: Justin Taylor

Why I Blog

This morning Ben had a conversation with our co-worker Rob, which turned to the topic of blogging. Ben and I were talking about it later, musing about why writing is significant to me. It got my wheels turning about why I blog in the first place.

Why I Blog:

* To reflect on life. Writing helps me process thoughts and make sense of things. This was what Ben and I were talking about. There's a quote by John Piper inside my journal: "Writing is a way of seeing that is deeper and sharper than most other ways. We see more when we write than when we just read." This is true.

* To remember. Because I have an abysmal short-term memory. And even worse long-term.

* To report what God is doing in my life, my family, my church, my heart. Particularly for people who are a long way away. (Until God convicts you all to move to MN!) And for anyone else God brings along the way--and I hope that what you see isn't mostly me.

* To rejoice in the awesomeness of God's gifts, because sharing multiplies joy.

* To recognize things that are significant, to take time to think about and talk about what matters.

* To post adorable pictures of my son. (True confession.)

Blogging carries the inherent risk of becoming enormously egocentric. Everybody should read my thoughts. That could be horrifically arrogant. And that is a danger to take seriously, because God opposes the proud.

So I'm praying that God will keep me from evil and error and take glory from these jottings.

And you should feel free not to read them.

6 Reasons My Cup Overflows

6.  Gorgeous sunshine, breeze, and blue skies, and enjoying them all at the graduation open house of a very grace-filled young man. Congratulations, Andrew!

5.  Parents in town for a night, who loaded us down with all kinds of spices, flours, and pasta from Stringtown Grocery in Kalona (one of my favorite parts of Iowa).

4.  My sweet son, who was in such a happy, mellow mood tonight. While he was eating before bed, he kept stopping just to smile into my face.

3.  Generous landlord, who has gifted us with salad greens and onions and the rhubarb currently “crisping” in the oven.

2.  Kind hubby who is cleaning and preparing aforementioned salad.

1.  Church in the morning, because we have a risen Savior, who makes it all worth something.

Happy Birthday, Joby!

The Kattersons are all in blue to celebrate Joby's 50th birthday!



Happy birthday to our wonderful office manager, boss, omnicompetent woman, and generally amazing saint of Christ Jesus!