Updates

Well folks.

Our life has changed dramatically over the last four months. But let me tell you news about Kim since that was my last blog.

She is doing great. The baby is due in four weeks. Jonathan Archer Knight (isn't that a great name?) has Spina Bifida but his prognosis is good! He kicks his little legs, a lot. Kim said that the base of his spine is closed, so that means that no amniotic fluid has entered his brain. YAY! We all cannot wait to meet this little guy who has already had more adventure and drama than most of us will have in a lifetime!

Will is now an Assistant Resident Director at UMHB. That means we live on a college campus, in a college apartment with college students. We love it.

I am teaching preschool and I am the Children's Director for Vista Community Church. I love it.

JR is going an elementary school that we really like. I never thought I would send my children to public school, but this one is great!

AJ is going to preschool at the same school that I teach at.

All in all, it's good.

So far, this year.

Life is more gentle.

Prayer request for the newest baby.

Let me tell you about my little sister Kim.
Kim is my smart, beautiful, precious sister, who keeps a secret like a vault, lives life with quiet dignity and has just received news that is rocking her world.
She is expecting, due in November, and is the type of girl that makes pregnancy adorable.
Yesterday, she found out that the doctors are pretty sure the baby has spina bifida. But there may be other complications. We are waiting to hear what the doctors will say after some more testing.

Now, I know without a doubt that Kim and her husband Jeff are the people who would be the most precious parents to a special needs child. I know that they believe that God is good. That God is in control, and that whatever happens, they are going to praise Him.
This will not crush them.
This will not break them
I am certain.
But I also know that it is difficult and terrifying to rest without answers.

Please pray with my family:
that Kim and Jeff would have peace and wisdom.
That they would rest and be permeated with sweet joy.
That the Lord would bring life and healing according to His nature.
That our heavenly Father would be so close to that baby that he/she would be like Moses coming down from the mountain, bright with shekinah glory.

Kim and Jeff, we wait with you, we pray with you, we love you. Whatever this means, we will walk with you through it!

Employment!

Unemployment.

Well.
It's been a while friends.
We have been traversing the thrilling (terrifying) ground of unemployment these last 10 months.
I found a couple of part time jobs and Will has been the intrepid entrepreneur that he has always been,
and we have made it work.

And believe it or not, the last few months have actually been (dare I say it)
fun.

You see, Will caters to the underground world of vintage clothing junkies. He wholesales to vintage clothing shops in Austin.
So.
We spend Saturdays in the car, going from estate sale to garage sale, to junk shop, To look for Levis, pearl snap shirts, and wear-worn boots.

It's a treasure hunt that always smells like sweaty old man.

And. We. LOVE it.
Well, we do now.

Will has always loved it.
He craves the thrill of the hunt.
I am a terrible hunter.
I hated the smell of thrift stores
But most of all,
I dreaded the almost inevitable gift bestowed upon my doe-eyed children.

It starts with: "Aww, all kiddos need 'dem some towhys (toys). Hep yuhsef kids."

And then the four tooth smile and the hand with the lit cigarette gesturing to the toy bin.

Ah, the constant generosity of these roadside philanthropists.

Candy,
Thread bare stuffed animals,
Books,
An odd coin.

And if you go back twice, they remember your name.

CREEPY.

And it made me feel totally out of control.

Interestingly enough, that is one of the reasons I actually enjoy it now.

Because, really, our life and circumstances have been out of my control for almost a year now and wouldn't you know it,
we are okay.
Great, actually.

In fact, I realized the other day, that the thought of a steady paycheck leaves me feeling a little odd.
Like something is getting taken away.
Crazy? Maybe.

Or maybe, God has us here for a reason. Maybe it's not a coincidence that our whole family has learned the exact same lessons:

1. To let go and enjoy the ride
2. To respond to the kindness of the giver rather than always looking at the gift itself.
In other words:

Gratefulness.
In the unknown.
Gratefulness
In the strange world of faith.
Gratefulness
In the mess.
Gratefulness
Even when JR's favorite toy is a nubby stuffed unicorn with crazy eyes and cigarette burns...
Gratefulness.

So, there you go.
I can't change it.
It's still terrifying.
But boy is it fun..