A Busy Week

This week has been a busy week and have not been able to post much, though much ahas happene. How can not much happen with an 8 month old and 27 month old. On Wednesday evening, jmejr and I went out on a date. We went to Best Buy and then to Chick Fil A for dinner. This gave my WLW some time to herself with the Jitterbug. JMEjr was very comical in the store and said hello to almost everyone there. We purcahsed him two movies, another Uhg (Backyardiagans) and a Thomas the Train actual 86 minute movie. Last night, we had several folks into our home for dinner. The Pages, David Jones, The Greenwoods, our newest family member and good friend "Doc Doc Meg Meg" (who will be going back to Charleston either Friday or Saturday. her friendship and humor and attentiveness to our children will be missed), Lah-Lah and ourselves. Many around the table. There was much laughter and talk. Emily Greenwood is expecting their first child in October or anyday soon. They are a sweet couple. Today is Friday and jmejr and I will head off soon to do ur Friday is for Boyss day experiences. Grace, mercy and peace be with you!

A New Aunt?

Our boys are probably the only ones who have soo many honorary uncles and aunts. We may have, if she would have it, have another honorary aunt. It will really only work-out well if she were to take up a position in Columbia though. If she ends up not taking a job here, she can be an aunt but only on visitations. She, whom we are writing of is, Megan or "Doc Doc Doc Meg Meg" as jmejr refers to her as. She is so great with the children. By the end of Spring 2008, she will have additional letters added to the end of her name which already has some lettering. She has a P.H.D. in something and will be getting some kind of special needs lettering in dentistry. Doc Doc Doc Meg Meg was a roommate of Aunt Annies while A.A. was in Charleston. She was a maid of honor in the Pages wedding. When she graduates in Spring she will have been in post graduate studies for nine years. Crazy. I'm not ev en sure I was in elementary, jr and senior high combined for that long, but may have been working at my college undergrad studies had I not gone into full-time work. Doc Doc Meg Meg, we welcome you as a honorary Aunt (ant) into our family. Birthdays are as follows: JME - 2/19; LKE - 3/2; JMEjr - 6/1 (was suppose to be 5/31 but due to a previous engagement we changed the date, ask us about it sometime); CJE - 1/12. Our anniversary is 7/6. Oh yeah, my WLW loves to celebrate half-birthdays. You can ask her to explain those to you. Tonight when our family left, jmejr wanted to take a shower. First time he ever initiated that. He seemed to enjoy it immensley. Grace, mercy and peace be with you!

Have You Heard...The Eusey is Going to be in Town

Have You Heard...The Eusey is Going to be in Town M.chickabowB. writes: "Hi Friends, We are excited to have a visit next week from Matt and Karyn Eusey! They are preparing to join Andre and Heidi Lewis in Seattle as part of the Redeemer Redmond Church Plant. Please join us next Thursday, September 13th at 7:00 pm at our house for dessert and coffee. We will spend some time catching up and hearing more about what the Lord has in store for the Euseys and Redeemer Redmond. For the address and contact information of the hostess, please send an email or a comment. Hope to see you soon!" Mary Beth and Scott Grace, mercy and peace be with you!

The Stouts

The Stouts Tyler (40ish?), Carla (20ish!), Luke (10; 11 in November), Cameryn (9; just turned), Noelle (3; 4 in December) The Stouts have been friends of mine for such a long time and the patriarch, Tyler, has been a close friend, definitely in my top 5, probably top 3 buds. He is one I can get real with even if we have not spoken in months. Love the man. This is a recent photo of their precious family. They live in Charlotte and are a family that just R-O-C-K-S. They are a part of Desiring God Community Church. Our family loves y'all. Grace, mercy and peace be with you!

Clarke Bynum Visitation and Funeral Arrangements (From RTS/Charlotte)

Dr. Culbertson at RTS/Charlotte writes: Dear RTS/Charlotte family and friends: Our dearly beloved brother and fellow RTS student, Clarke Bynum, passed peacefully into the presence of the Lord late yesterday afternoon at 4:45 pm, at his home in Sumter, SC. Those who knew Clarke understand why one of the RTS students recently asked the question, "Why would God take away the person I know who most resembles Jesus?" We cannot answer that question fully, but its import expresses the joy, love, warmth, approachability, holiness and grace which the Lord Jesus fully embodies and which Clarke demonstrated. Clarke reminded us of the Savior and may we leave that impression as well upon others. Visitation Visitation will be held in the Bynum's home on Wednesday evening, September 5, 2007 from 5:00-7:00 pm. The Bynum address is 21 Tucson Circle, Sumter, SC 29150. Funeral The funeral will be held at Westminster PCA church in Sumter on Thursday, September 6, 2007 at 3:00 pm. The church address is 230 Alice Drive, Sumter, SC 29150-3865; phone # 803-773-7234. Directions Link Map Below is an powerfully written email tribute by Pastor Det Bowers of Christ Church of the Carolinas in Columbia . It is well worth reading. In His peace and hope, Rod Dr. Rod Culbertson, Jr., D. Min. Reformed Theological Seminary/Charlotte 2101 Carmel Road, Charlotte, NC 28226 Associate Professor of Practical Theology Dean of Student Development Grace, mercy and peace be with you!

Death of Those Who Die In The Lord and Those Who Do Not Die In The Lord

Here are several messages from the Sacred Desk at Christ Church which deals with death. They are all brought by our regular preaching pastor unless otherwise indicated. Psalm 90 by Clarke Bynum (link;link;link; link; link; link; link (Recent coverage by WLTX); link; link (the Sumter's newspaper; scroll down half the page Mr. Bynum was a student at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte. There is a featured article in the RTS Quarterly Spring/Summer edition (starting on page 8). Psalm 23 (being made available as we write; check back later today) Psalm 90 Psalm 116:15 John 14:1-7 I Corinthians 15:50-58 (being made available as we write; check back later today) II Corinthians 4:16-5:10 II Timothy 4:6-7 II Timothy 4:8 I Thessalonians 4:13-18 Previous Post and letter from the heart of the pastor, regarding Mr. Bynum's triumphant entry into our hope and future. Grace, mercy and peace be with you!

Our Thursday Evening Gathering

What a joy we had last night with our friends around the tabble breaking bed together and laughing and having some good conversation. Those who came were the Grices, Lahlah, the Dinkins and the Legares. The children were a joy to watch and listen to. Topics of discussion ran from what a jort is, to the Emergent Church (specifically Rob Bell's approach and Mark Driscoll's approach), to humor within the staff at Christ Church, to the Grices receiving an offer on their home in only 1 week, to USC football, and even the proper name for a mill which grinds grits. Y'all blessed our home. More photos at our Picasa Web album site. Grace, mercy and peace be with you!

To Trebs

Trebs, Today is your birthday. I say that as if you needed remembering. Happy day to you. More than that, I trust you will you remember what all He has done for you. "And as for Me, this is My covenant with them,' says the Lord: 'My Spirit that is upon you, and My words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children's offspring,' says the Lord, 'from this time forth and forevermore." - Isaiah 59:21 Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Flat Out Space Aliens, Doc's This Wednesday night, Special Guest, Great Cajun Food, More...

Space Aliens Hatch Sinister Rockabilly Plot In a recent discovery, Majestic 12 just confirmed that members of the local Rockabilly band Flat Out Strangers were actually "pod people" who have masquerading as human beings for over 2000 years! An almost unbelievable discovery in Piltdown, SC, revealed cave drawings well over 1999.5 years old, depicting a red Gretsch guitar, a handmade Scheerhorn resophonic guitar, a sparkling set of Ludwig drums, and a big bull bass with modern electrics installed under the floorboards, being held in the hands of four extremely handsome homo sapiens wearing what can only be described as primitive pompadours and bowling shirts! Although the faces are somewhat unclear, the seem to bear a startling resemblance to members of the little known local aforementioned band. Majestic 12, in an unusual display of straightforwardness, told reporters from the Piltdown Press that they had been tracking the "pod-ites" for well over 52 years and turned over a partially full declassified manila folder labeled only "STRANGERS?". The packet included photographs of the above mentioned cave drawings, a can of Nu Nile hair pomade, and a fan letter from an Egyptian written in hieroglyphics on papyrus that seems to say: Dear Strangers, you hepcats are real gone and my kitten and me really dig your crazy sound. Check us out when and if you ever tour the Nile, daddy-o. Git hot or go home, Ramses There is also a series of photographs of four large pods in various stages of what appears to be hatchingness, whereupon four fully clothed lads emerge playing music. Please do not panic. Do not attempt to adjust the vertical or the horizontal on your television set. Go to your front doorstep and pickup the pod that you'll find waiting for you. It's so nice and quiet. Can't you just imagine no pain? Repeat this phrase, "Doc's Gumbo Grille on Wednesday at 6:57…"Doc's Gumbo Grille on Wednesday at 6:57…"Doc's Gumbo Grille on Wednesday at 6:57…." The End…or is it? Well, the living End is that Allen Hinnant, slyde player and musician extraordinaire may fly in on his star cruiser all the way from Sumter to play with the gang...doncha be missing it! Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Going for Gold in Beijing

Going for Gold in Beijing practice from August 18 earlier in the summer practices LINK This athletes training partner can be seen here with a rare photo shoot opportunity: LINK Here are some links to stories on Beijing's poorly translated road signs. Some of these are hysterical. LINK (The Drudge Report) LINK (BBC News) LINK (Wall Street Journal) LINK LINK LINK Grace, mercy and peace be with you!

Gaining Weight

CJE's checkup today revealed that he has gained 10 ounces which pleases the doctor. After our doctor prayed with my WLW and mother of 2 and our son, cje, he shared how pleased he was that cje had gained weight and how much of a weight has been lifted off of his shoulders. It is nice having a doctor who cares and especially one who prays with you and for you (and your children). He's awesome. Grace, mercy and peace be with you!

Moving Uptown

When you move uptown to downtown you gotta accessorize ( here and here) and drive (here and here) the part. The paparazzi were out last night and caught these images. We could not get a clear picture of the beholder of this accessory baggage and the driver of this car. But we believe this is someone famous or someone who is moving downtown from the country. I wonder if they'll join the Westminster Country Club (here) or be more exclusive in where they go swimming. Thank you for allowing my WLW and I to have a night out. Y'all are so special and dear to us. We hope that when y'all do move downtown, you won't forget about us. Grace, mercy and peace be with you!

Chapin Pediatrics

Joshua's Blessing Before the Meal and anytime a prayer is needed. (audio mp3 file) Grace, mercy and peace be with you!

Thursday Gathering

Last night we had the opportunity to have Mr. Daley to our home. His family is out of town and he has blessed our family soo much, we wanted to extend an invitation to him and our evening with the Pages and my WSNL was blessed because he was with us. We would have received a double blessing had his entire family been with us, but I am not sure if The Haven could have handled a double portion of that Daley blessing. Our children were wanting to show him all the cool stuff we have which not surprisingly, many of it came from his family. Here our boys are showing him what type of music they like to listen to on the "iPods" which Monty made for them. (Oh btw, everyone was very impressed with my WLW's haircutting skills. She may be opening a salon). Grace, mercy and peace be with you!

Thursday Gathering

As many of y'all know and some have experienced, we attempt to have friends and folks who later become our friends to our home each Thursday evening and many Sunday evenings. Last night we had the Grices (minus Merrill), Lee Monts, Annie of the Parker and Annie Pages, Lyndsey of the MWSNL Lyndsey, SV Harder (Scott) and Leisel Boyd (Leisel, just like The Sound of Music). This was the first time we had SV and Leisel over on a Thursday as we have had the pleasure of their company on a couple of Sunday evenings. SV works for the DNR as a hydrologist and Leisel works for a pediatric's office as a nurse. This was an enjoyable group with lots of laughter and good conversations. Mrs. Grice recruited SV and Leisel to be a part of the children's rotation. Some may think that this is why we had them over. IT IS NOT!!! We grilled hamburgers, the Grices brought their famous baked beans and some fresh tomatoes from Bob Maghan. We also found out this evening that the Grices have placed an offer on a home in the Forest Hills part of town and it was accepted. So now we must pray that their home in Blythewood with 4 ACRES sells. Lee brought some wonderful strawberries which went well with the watermelon. To top of the meal was dessert which was good ole' ice cream on ICE CREAM CONES (brought by Scott and Leisel). Thank you to all for blessing our home. Earlier in the day was we were preparing the food for this gathering, we changed jmejr's clothing and gave him several pieces of watermelon still on the rind. He never had this before and it appeared (photos below and on our web album) that he thoroughly enjoyed it and we believe would have continued to eat them until he was red, but we had to stop him after 3 pieces. After jmejr finished his first piece and handed it to Belle, he turned around and looked at me and said his famous, "Uh Oh!" as if she took it from him. He did not mind as he had another in reserve. jmejr showing Ratadah his new ipod which Monty painted for him. Now go on over to our web album and check out the rest. For some reason, the camera filing has done something with the numbering where the files uploaded are now being placed in the middle of the others. So do not just look at the last pictures and think we have not added any, they are placed within the "older" pictures. A post on Modesty which gives links to other posts. Lately with the books which are being released there is a lot MODESTY OR LEGALISM by Life in a Shoe Grace, mercy and peace be with you!

From Coffee to Courtship

Following is a story which has been transpiring for several months now and we are able to break the story. We have been given an exclusive interview with one Jay Shreve, formerly of Cool Beans of Columbia, South Carolina, who has been in Louisville, Kentucky, not only pursuing a Nursing Degree but also one who has caught his heart. The Lord has seen fit to bring, what appears and sounds like, such a wonderful lady into our friend's life and has been preparing him for her. We wish you both "best wishes" and "congratulations". (please note, that I could not do justice to edit this interview and for the story to have the same temperment.) GFP Writer: So, Jay, tell me what has been going with you since our last posting and reporting of a sighting of you at our previous blog, by our Staff Reporter Bernard P. Fife? JS: Joshua, Well, it is official! I have proposed to Miss Lynn Blakeman, and she has said YES! I waited to update you until I had such advancing news, but thought of you often along the way. The story in brief, as best I can be brief! BackGround: You may remember I met Lynn in January of this year. My nursing school class was participating in ear/eye checks at a local community center in Louisville, Ky. There was a break in the action, and we were invited to sit in on an English language class given for Somali refugees located here in Louisville. A young lady walked in to begin teaching, came over to our nursing group of about eight students, and politely inquired as to why we were there. She was so sweet and engaging at that moment, even though she made no eye contact with me. I was really drawn to here even at that moment. She began to teach class, and there was such a dearness to her speech and countenance, and she showed such care for these Somali ladies, that I thought surely this girl must be a believer! Well, during a break, I moseyed my way over to her, and we chatted for a bit. I asked her, after some smaller talk, where she worshipped. This took her back just a bit, for just a moment, but she rallied quickly, and we were caught up in great conversation for a few minutes more. She went back to teaching the class, and I took my seat and began to daydream of her, essentially envisioning us at the alter together. Snapping to it, I decided it was best if I asked her out first! I prayed for wisdom in asking her out with respect (I had not asked a girl out since I was saved… five+ years), took a deep breath, and somehow blurted out an invitation for coffee (no great stretch). She said yes! Fast-forward several months later. Many cups of coffee, long walks, time with her family, worshipping in the same body together!, time with her friends (now mine), etc. The Lord has been majestic in bringing us together, in sanctifying both of us throughout this entire courtship. It has bee an utter display of His grace and mercy! The details: Lynn was at a missions conference for language ministries at Oklahoma Baptist University at the beginning of this month. While she was away, I called up her father in Owensboro, Ky, and asked if I could come to his house to ask him a question (thanks to Pastor Legare for the encouragement to set the tone by making the trip and humbly asking for his blessing at his house). Her father, mother, and I had such blessed time together that evening, and they were gracious hosts throughout. Dr. Blakeman quickly and heartily offered his permission and blessing, and proceeded to offer Godly insight and encouragement to me. He voiced that he had only one requirement of the man his daughter would marry, and that was that “he would know our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Well, I was certainly humbled and honored to be a part of such a family! I’ll speed up. She came back into town. I raced to the jeweler to order the ring! I enlisted the help of Lynn’s two roommates (both also studying Biblical Counseling at Southern Seminary) and my younger sister. We all went out to dinner at one of the Somali lady’s restaurants, then to see Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure on Tuesday the 3rd of July. My sister held the ring in the box in her purse throughout the performance, and we made the switch after the show. Her roommates begged off just after the applause, and Lynn and I were left to go for a stroll in Central Park (where the play took place). After a bit of a nervous stroll, I motioned us toward a park bench. I took the opportunity to lay out my vision of a life together, how I wanted to serve others, then come together and nourish and be refreshed by each other, then return to pouring ourselves out, etc. She was unaware of my intentions I can often be so sentimental and wordy, and because she truly had no idea I had spoken with her father, knew her ring size, etc. We had never had such conversations. By the way, while she was in Oklahoma, I had breakfast with her beautiful roommates, and they were kind enough to procure a ring that I could have sized! Anyway, I reached into the pocket while dropping to one knee, looked up at her with the lamplight behind her face, and asked her to marry me. After a bit of a stunned pause, she said yes!! We had precious time together, alone in the moment. Then back to her house where others were waiting with cameras! Not such a short story, Josh! We will be wed, Lord willing, Saturday, September 29th (What happened on this day, other than it being the day before Whitefield died in 1770: Link 1; Link 2; Link 3; Link 4)at 11:30 in the morning! We both earnestly agreed that a short engagement was best, and we are diligently working to pull things together! Her family and mine have had great time together thus far, and I have had the wonderful opportunity to meet so many of the important people in her life already. That following weekend we went to Owensboro where we had dinner with her hometown pastors and their wives, then fellowship at a dessert drop-in with about thirty of her family’s friends, then church at Heritage Baptist. I am thrilled to write that she comes from a heritage of mighty and beautiful believers. An invitation and pictures are forthcoming. I hope you can summarize this info, mightily, for the blog. Josh, we are too excited. I know that this is too great a journey for the crew in SC, but we do desire to come worship with all of you soon! Loving the blog, still. Lynn Googled us just recently, and she was tickled to see your blog be the first thing to pop up. By the way, have you listened to Red Mountain recordings (website; blog)? Would be a great addition to your “Resources” category. Red Mountain Music is doing mighty work!! Call with any questions, and love to talk with you! His, Jay Grace, mercy and peace be with you!

Just the Right People and Place

Last night, at The Haven, we ended up having several families over and having pizza and fellowship. It was one of the better gatherings as all who were there were people who were perfect to have there, each being able to encourager one another. You know what I mean, sometimes, you just have people over and have not prayerfully considered who and the time was fun and you would not have traded the time for anything, but just not . . . you know. Last night, each person there was an encourager and seeked the opportunity to lift one another up. We had planned to have pizza by the pool over at the Westminster Country Club (WCC), which jmejr and I have been frequenting this summer. JMEjr and I got there and spent about 45 minutes doing our thing when the thunder was getting closer. I really did not think that it was going to rain, but who wants to sit around a pool in anticipation of it. So I made the call to my WLW who without batting an eye said, moving to our home is not a problem. Had she not been the wonderful, excellent mother and governor to our home that she is, she would have been nervous at the condition of the home, etc. But ohhhh no, not her. As I and the Blythes were the first there, all was in place as if we had expected company the entire time. She is soooo excellent. Here's a for you. Oh, back to the gathering. Last night we had, the Blythes, the Burt, the Dinkins, the mother and son English, and us. It was one of the first time where we had our sons with each other in this setting. It was fun to see them warm up to one another and just began being boys. As the evening wore on, they found themselves playing int some of the wettest (as it ended up raining, but only for a brief moment, yet the rain drops were huge as we were outside immediately after dinner, and it was done raining within 3 minutes of us finally making it inside) freshly cut grass (as I had just cut the grass that morning and I did not bag it this time so cuttings were freshly laying within and on top of the grass) found. They were having a ball, no a blast. Especially when Mr. Dinkins found a very large beetle outside, which all the boys (young and old) were playing with it and doing what boys do. As the boys were outside (minus CJE as he was with his mother and I thought was going to bed only to find out later, he went down with JME at the same time, which was close to 9:00) the ladies were inside doing what they do best. . . Encouraging one another and making each other feel as if they were not alone, because they are not. My WLW was soo encouraged by this time and was soo thrilled to have that group over and I was also. It was difficult to have the evening end, the hardest part was that the boys were having so much fun together that they were not even showing any signs of weariness or exhaustion. It was good to see how others are raising their children and to hear of how they are doing things which another may be having difficulty doing. Whether it is sitting still at the dinner table and waiting patiently for others to finish, to saying the "yes or no sirs/ma'am's", to being a sharer of toys. We have a lot to learn from one another. These gatherings are joyful times to do such a thing. Oh, btw, it would have been difficult to have what this evening offered if we were all sitting by the pool. Ain't God sporty how he takes what we may have deemed to be a good setting and forces us to move in a more appropriate setting. Many Blessings.

Just before the rain . . .

JMEjr and I were able to catch some pool time for almost 2 hours prior to the rain falling. We were met there by the Pages. Afterward we picked some Moe's up and the Pages, the Burt, and the Espinosas enjoyed it at our home. I was advised that this should be posted on the blog. BTW, there are more found on the Picasa Web Photo Site. Getting kind of confusing with only having limited space with Picasa. You still get a who lot of room, but another had to start. Maybe it would be better off just paying for an upgraded version and only have to have one link. We'll think about it.