In Minnesota

We are back in Minnesota and getting settled. An amazing group in Minnesota insured that we had beds to sleep in when we arrived, and food to eat for days.

Now for more paperwork for my job.

THANKS TO ALL

Post Modern Relativism makes it more difficult to use a Doctrinal Statement...

Many young and new Christians in the West these days grew up in a Post Modern Relativistic society.

They often will see a Doctrinal Statement, and say, "Hey, that's cool."

But in their day-to-day lives, actions and words, often contradict that Doctrinal Statement. For instance, someone might sign a statement that says "the Bible is the infallible Word of God", but later write that the Bible is only one book among many books that are God's Word.

And not see any contradiction in this.

Such a puzzle. Where logic is a dying art.

She is Getting Better at it...

For the past couple of years, Nora Grace has been after me that she would like to climb a tree. She had read about this in several books, but had not had the opportunity.

Well, about six months ago, in Varanasi, we visited a friend who had a bit of a "green space" (pictured above) that included a tree (pictured above).

And Nora Grace, with great fear and trepidation, climbed it.

Suffice it to say, she is getting better at it this summer.

A Note to Senor Trout

Write the song.

What will my kids remember about the gifts we bought them?

I just returned from a one week trip. As I was prepping to return to my family, I picked up some gifts for the kids. I choose the natural thing for me: several books.

Found a good used book store, and spent a small amount of money on a goodly quantity of books.

I presented the books to my children on return, and they were exstatic. (Did I spell that right?)

So what are my children going to remember about this years from now? Will they still like books so much that they view this with joy? Or will they be emotional about the fact that we never got into the latest fads of toys?

Probably doesn't matter... I will continue to buy books for my kids. Any suggestions?

Amy has an email address

My wife has entered the 21st century with elan, and has finally obtained an email address of her very own. :)
It is:
"her first name plus her last name with no spaces"@gmail.com

Be sure and give her a shout!

The Greatest Beauty comes when I can't hear you or me singing

Talking with a friend last night.

She was talking about the Church she grew up in. "When they would sing, I couldn't hear anyone singing, all I could hear was everyone singing."

That's the way to greatest beauty... not a bunch of individuals, but a group.

Hey Amy, Change oFlight Plans

Hey Amy,

I got switched around on the flights back (got an upgrade to business class out of the deal). :)

I will now arrive in Philly on SATURDAY the 15th of August, into Terminal B on US Airways flight 253 from Seattle.

Hope you get this... I am in Japan at the moment but can't connect to skype you.

Love you miss you.

Lowell

A and W Rootbeer is American?

A and W Rootbeer is a world wide thing, found in many countries of the world. So Nora Grace has seen it many times in her travels.

One of the first things she said as we were leaving the airport when we arrived in America was, "Oh Look, they have A and W Rootbeer in America too."

Yes, sweetheart, they do have them in America.

She is a third culture kid, isn't she?

Two boys in a tub

This is how our kids take baths in Our Fair City.

The bathrooms are designed (tile lined, etc) to get wet. Which is a good thing, since there is plenty of water found outside of the tub when done.

A squeegee is how we clean up.

Made it

This is a note to Amy. The rest of you all are welcome to visit :)

Hey love, I made it to the meeting just fine. No major problems. And I ate well. Found oatmeal in an airport, which made me happy. Missing you and the kids. I shall try and skype when I get a chance.

going all over

Well, I haven't written much recently.

We are currently in Pennsylvania, in the Kishoquoquillis Valley. (I don't think I spelled that right). Aptly knicknamed "Big Valley". Green is jaw-dropping, and eye-widening, and flat out difficult to explain.

I am off to a conference for a week, leaving thursday, LW. Will likely use this venue as a method of communicating to Amy. Feel free to listen into our conversations!