One for the fridge!

I just wanted to take a quick moment to toot my hubby's horn... he got his first Greek test back on Friday... and his hard work has paid off. He got an impressive 94.5%!!!!! Now according to grading rules, it's not an "A+" as pictured above... but in my book it is!

I am so very proud of him!

Random updates for a Friday afternoon...

Hello! Sorry we haven't posted recently! Here's a few things that are going on with us:

1.) Mark got a part time job working for a family nearby. He'll be doing yard work for them and helping their 2 sons with their school work. So far it's been great, is something that will allow him to work around his school schedule, and will give us the opportunity for him to be off on holidays... so we can go to Ohio!

My husband rocks.

2.) We're going to the Reds vs. Cardinals game on Sunday! We bought these tickets months ago so we're excited to finally get to go! I hear the Cardinal's stadium is really nice.

3.) Molly & Brett find out the sex of baby Smith #2 next Wednesday!

4.) We're having visitors galore in the next month! First up, my mom, Molly, and Lukey are all coming out next weekend! I miss my little man so much, I can't wait to see him! We talk on the web cam, but it's just not the same as seeing him in person & getting to squeeze him (as he wiggles to get free!)
Then, tentatively, Mark, Libbie & the girls are coming the weekend of Oct. 25! We saw them right before we moved, but are really hoping to see them before Mark goes to Indonesia in November. They have put us up so many times, we're excited to finally be able to host them... and show them around St. Louis!
Last, but certainly not least, our friends from Columbus, Dave & Anna, are coming the last week of October. Dave has an interview so they're going to stay with us & hang out too! We hope they move here : )

Anyway, that's about it for now. Hopefully we'll have pictures of something we can post on here in the next few days or so : ) Have a good weekend!

Holding Old Stuff

Holding really old things is much like holding brand new things only much, much scarier. Today I had the opportunity to tour the Archaeology museum at my school, and I was allowed to hold a clay pot that was 3,000 years old. It's quite an ethereal experience, to have something that was used so long ago in my hand that is around here and now. The artifacts in the museum are from various digs around Israel and Jordan and range from the Early Bronze Era to 7th century AD. These are the tools used during the Exodus, the time of David, and the time of Christ. Often the narrative of the Bible gets so shelved like any other stories from the past as being other-worldly. But here were the tools of the world right before my eyes and in one case, in my very hands.

Some of the in the late Roman section had words written in Greek on them. One said Christos, Greek for Christ. Many religions claim many things, but ours has a very special claim: that God came down in history and used tools like these. His hands are in the dirt, crafting all the universe with his fingertips.

In other news:

I heard a story on NPR about classical music riots. People were so angry in the early 20th century about a change in the music of Igor Stravinsky that they rioted outside the theater after the debut. What is going on here? This is awesome.

Also, I hope someone can help us design a new background for our blog. We're very technically unsavvy, and we can only have the Olan Mills template for so long.

Blessings,

mark

When Grown Men Cry

I once watched a man crying on a porch. I didn't so much watch him, per se, but I got a startlingly sense of what was happening, and I quickly darted away as not to interfere, watching the scene over and over in my head as I made my exit. I imagined all the things that might have happened to lead to his breakdown, I imagined his slow recovery, and his re-entrance into his house. I had hoped that it was over something completely trivial, like the final episode of Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, but I knew in my heart that it must have been something truly troubling.

Today I witnessed a similar incident. I saw a man become embarrased and leave a room crying. I hate this. My heart hurts badly for him, and somehow I just want the scene to go away. In my sin I want to comfort him enough to extinguish the fire without leaving any smoke. Because I didn't know him, or the man on the porch, I did nothing. I don't know how to love them, but I understand that love is what they need.

I am studying at a great seminary, where I will gain a great bit of knowledge. What excites me more than anything is that anything I learn academically is only secondary to figuring out how to love the guy on the porch. I don't know alot, but I know that when someone shows love to my wife she shows a smile so big it nearly falls off her face.

I was blessed to witness the reconciliation of the man today to those to whom he was embarrassed. There were hugs, a wiping away of tears, and a continuation of some small talk about the weather. At seminary we can't avoid encountering the gospel every single day, whether it be studying a certain passage in its historical context, or learning about why someone can show abundant love when grown men cry.

A lovely night out

After finding out that I got the job, Mark immediately said "we're going out to celebrate!" We don't go out very often, so when we do, it's extra special! He took me to Duff's restaurant in this neat little neighborhood downtown. It was pretty good... I had a spinach/feta pastry on roasted red pepper hummus, and Mark had a steak salad. Plus, he had a really good beer (I don't know what it was called) so that made it even better!

Next, we drove to Bailey's Chocolate Bar in another great area of St. Louis. We went there on the recommendation of Mike & Melissa, who live in our complex & are also from Columbus. This place rocked! The decor was great... red walls, red candle holders, and black tables, chairs & candelabras. My 2 favorite colors! It was very romantic : )

Mark had another great beer, and I had coffee that came with one of the cutest things ever... heart shaped sugar cubes! We both got our OWN dessert (I know, we were spoiling ourselves!). Mark had a chocolate brownie that was filled with warm gooey chocolate, with Bailey's ice cream on top. I had a chocolate bar, which was chocolate cake layered with butter cream, and ice cream on the side. Mark puts it best when he sayd "It's so good when it hits your lips".

We came home and watched the French flick Amelie, which you should check out if you haven't seen it. I'm not a great film critic, so I won't try to describe it... I will just say that it's a great movie about life & enjoying the small things : )

Anyway, the big job starts tomorrow. Please pray for me, as I'm really nervous about starting another new thing... although I know it will be great! I'll post about the job after I've got a few days under my belt!

Love,

Marci

I GOT A JOB!!!!

Praise the Lord, I got a job! I start Thursday at The Keane Insurance Group!! Mark & I went out & celebrated this evening, more details to follow tomorrow!

: ) Marci

What state are we in??!!

There are a few quirky things about STL that I'd like to share with you... things that you wouldn't realize unless you live here or you spent some quality time here. Having only been here for 2 1/2 weeks, I'm sure there will be many things to add in the future!


1.) At almost every stoplight that you encounter a traffic light, there are green arrows. There are green arrows to tell you it's ok to turn left or right, but there are almost always green arrows telling you it's ok to go straight. Red, yellow, green arrow. Not the red, yellow, green we're all used to in Ohio!
Also, at these intersections, there are usually special lanes for right turn... but they curve off before the light, so you yield & then continue on your way! It shaves a few seconds off your drive time... amazing!

2.) We're not in Texas... although it seems that way. When St. Louis takes on a project, they don't just do something half ass. They go all out & make it HUGE! Forest Park is HUMONGOUS! Just to name a few things contained within the park... the Zoo, History Museum, Art Museum, Science Center... and more! (see map below) In overall square acreage, it's bigger than Central Park.


Other things that are also large: Laumeire Sculpture Park (below, is filled with ginormous sculptures), Missouri Botanical Gardens, and the Zoo.

Whoever said "Everything's bigger in Texas" needs to reconsider (although I've never been to Texas so I'm not sure what they have to offer in terms of large things).

3.) The bugs here are vicious. I mean VICIOUS. Last night we were on the porch, chatting it up with our neighbors, and we were attacked. I got a bug bite on the BOTTOM of my foot. While standing. With sandals on. Now that's dedication on the bugs part.

And that's just the mosquitoes. I won't even get into the praying mantis.

Have a good one everybody!

Love,

M&M

Our New Place, Part II

Here are the rest of the pictures of our apartment!

Happy Saturday! Mark's in class today, so I'm at home right now waiting on the Dish Network man... hopefully he comes soon!

Love you all,

Marci

Jesus, Lover of My Soul

I usually don't write blogs about my faith. I'm afraid of what people will say, afraid of being judged. But something happened to me tonight that I'd like to share with you.

Mark is at a special night class, and I'm home alone. It's been a long day...
Listening to iTunes, this Red Mountain Church song came on. We used to sing it at our church in Columbus, and I usually listen to it and think "wow, that's a great song."
But tonight, the words struck me in a way I wasn't expecting. I felt something I hadn't before, so I skipped back to the beginning of the song, sat in the chair, and really let the song speak to me. At hearing the 2nd verse, I began to weep.

Jesus, lover of my soul,

Let me to Thy bosom fly,

While the nearer waters roll,

While the tempest still is high.

Hide me, O my Savior, hide,

’Til life’s storm is past;

Safe into the haven guide;

Receive my soul at last.

------

Other refuge have I none,

I helpless, hang on Thee;

Leave, oh leave me not alone,

Support and comfort me.

All my trust on Thee is stayed,

All help from Thee I bring;

Cover my defenseless head

In the shadow of Thy wing.

------

Thou, O Christ, are all I want,

Here more than all I find;

Raise the fallen, cheer the faint,

Heal the sick, and lead the blind.

Just and holy is Thy Name,

I am all unrighteousness;

False and full of sin I am;

Thou art full of truth and grace.

------
Plenteous grace with Thee is found,

Grace to cover all my sin;

Let the healing streams abound;

Make and keep me pure within.

Thou of life the fountain art,

Let me take of Thee;

Spring Thou up within my heart;

For all eternity.

------

There have been a lot of times recently when I've felt totally alone. I haven't been trusting or believing that He is with me, the ONE thing that is a constant in this ever changing world.

If you want, you can check this song out at http://www.redmountainchurch.org/rmm/alb/lyrics.html

Our New Place, Part I

Welcome to post 1 of 2 of our new pad! We're settling in well and really enjoying finding our way around St. Louis! Our apartment is great, it's much bigger than our old place, and the basement is full size! It's unfinished, but we're making great use of the space with our washer & dryer, storage area, and workout area (I'm on a new kick to get in shape).
We've been blessed with wonderful neighbors, which makes settling in that much easier! It's pretty crappy here today, rainy & cooler... so I'll have to wait to post pictures of the outside later (with our bedroom & living room too). Enjoy the first series of pictures... many more to come of STL!

Our bathroom.... it's a decent size... I don't know how we survived with such a small BR in Columbus! The hallway... our bedroom is on the right & bathroom on the left. I'm working on the crosses... I'm still in search of 1 more to complete the look.
Our kitchen. I love it. Lots of cupboard space & new stove/oven! Pardon the dishes in the sink... we were spoiled with a dishwasher in Columbus, so now it seems like doing the dishes is a never ending process!

Other side of the kitchen.
Dining space. This was my Grandpa Harnish's table, and we're making great use of it (thanks for bringing it to us, Mom & Dad Timmons! The sliding glass door goes out to a small patio/cement slab.

Please come visit us... you may even get a home cooked meal! We've been having people over for dinner about once a week, so I'm working on my culinary skills.

Stay tuned for more pictures (hopefully later today!)

Love,

Marci

When Questioning Epistemology, Go to the Klosterman

I really like Chuck Klosterman, and so should you. And so should your friends. And your friends' relatives and let's throw a mailman or two in there, I don't care. I like him because he is very honest and (humble?) if you will, in his journalistic approach.

I was recently listening to This American Life (a favorite radio program in the Robertson home), and Klosterman was doing a feature about traveling. He spoke of his recent trip to Germany which lasted nine days. He was especially interested in how Germans felt about Americans. What he discovered was that Germans focused on the wrong things when it came to popular culture in America. They thought Americans were obsessed with cowboys, with Carson Daly and Baywatch. They had it all wrong because mostly, they had little information to work with, and didn't bother to gather more.

When Klosterman returned to the US, someone asked him, "What's Germany like?" And his only response was, "I have no idea." They enquired, "But didn't you just go there for nine days?" "Yes, I did. And I have no idea what it is like." Surely, he could speculate and turn self-centered events of the long week into paragraphs of analysis about German culture, but he would be dead wrong, and he knows it.

We do this all the time. We gather tidbits of information on something and turn it into a worldview that is based on nothing. We must be more careful. We do this about places we've visited, people we've met, and even Christ. We know the story, (basically), but fail to dig deeper because we feel it has little relevance for our lives. Here is to serious journalistic investigation. And to donkey rides. And my wife. She's a winner. And she brings me candy.

It's Borderline Botanical Baby!

Marci and I are really enjoying our Sundays, being that most other days are filled with studying and other seminary related events. All of these things have been really fantastic, but it is nice to take a step back and enjoy time together with just the two of us. This past Sunday we went to the Japanese festival at the Missouri Botanical Garden, which is an astounding place.

Here is a family that we don't know enjoying the very botanical garden that I am discussing. Looks like they're having fun, right?

We relaxed in this peaceful Japanese garden, and tip-toed across this wonderful wooden bridge, which teaches us that the best path is not always a straight line. In one of the climate houses, we were shown rare herbs and plants that are mentioned in the Bible. Under each plaque for the plant was a verse that corresponds, and I am continually amazed at how Scripture makes its way into our lives and our horticulture.

We have also visited the FREE St. Louis Zoo (twice.) It is one of the best zoos I have ever seen, and the best feature is their hippo exhibit. (see above). I have enjoyed greatly learning about the Bible, meeting new friends, and seeing exotic animals. We can say confidently that this is where we are supposed to be. We will blog more frequently now that our Internet is up and running. God bless you!