No Kataluma in the Insula

(for better understanding please read previous post)

We are pretty much all aware that prearranged marriages were a custom in Jewish culture when Jesus walked the earth. What's interesting is the engagement period. After arrangements were made between fathers, both families got together where the groom would present his bride to be a cup of wine. She could then accept the cup (and the young man's offer) or refuse it. If she were to accept it the young man would then go back to his fathers house and begin building a room for he and his bride. Obviously if a man had many son's and this was done with each marriage a home (called an Insula*) could get quite large.

What's interesting is that the young man would not know when the room was finished. Only his father could tell him when the room (pronounced kataluma) was ready. When the father gave his approval, the groom would go and retrieve his bride and the party (reception) would begin directly after the bride and groom consummated the marriage. People would literally wait outside the "room" until the couple surfaced. Then they would party for days.

Why do I bring this up? Because it adds to the plausibility of my last post. Jewish homes could be quite large with many many (kataluma's) available. And so again Joseph and Mary show up in Bethlehem and are told that there is not (kataluma) available to them. I'm not really trying to prove my point from the previous post, so much as show that it is feasible.

Now reread this verse:

"My fathers house has plenty of room; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And i f I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back to take you to be with me that you may also be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going."

You gotta love how much meaning is added to the text when we understand the language. This is wedding language all over the place.

*The Insula pictured is a bit more "Romanesque" than that of traditional Jewish homes for sure, but it's what I had to work with.

No room in the Inn?

It's advent season, so naturally I've been focusing some energy into entering into the birth story of Jesus. I've always been troubled by one element of the birth story. Perhaps what troubles me most is what is not told in these stories. For one instance, the arrival of Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem. Luke's story has Mary and Joseph arriving in the waining hours of the day unable to find room in the "inn".

Our modern experiences remind of times driving from location to location looking for a hotel that doesn't have a NO VACANCY sign lit. Hoping that should there be room big enough for all us. With this in mind we are happy that Mary and Joseph find a cave and give birth in shelter. There's a sense of relief and while the Son of God didn't get into the Marriot perhaps we can romanticize the idea of God being born in humility with animals at his feet.

But what if there was something more sinister afoot in those waining hours that day in Bethlehem? What drove Mary and Joseph to look for a "hotel" in Joseph's home town anyway? After all wasn't he a decendant of King David? And if there was something more sinister, what would it mean for us?

It is very likely that Joseph and Mary never looked for anything like a hotel. In Luke's text the word "Inn" in greek is the word (pronounced kataluma) which means "room" or living quarters. Plus at the time Bethlehem was a small, relatively poor town. It is very unlikely to have even had an "inn" anyways. Travelers would have pushed on to Jerusalem which was much larger and had facilities for them. No, I think what we actually have here is Joseph showing up to a relatives house. Which gets me asking why they are told there there is no "room"?

How is it that amoung a people know for their hospitality is a man (of royal linage) and his wife (who's about to give birth) show up at a family members house and they're told "there's no room". The Jew's at this time were a people known to give room and board to strangers and travelers. They are commanded by their God to care for the orphan, widow, and the foreigner. Plus that ancient near east has never had the ideals of autonomy that the West does. Plus the residents of Bethlehem would have known that their relatives were coming back to register. This would have been a time of celebration and reunion. So again, how is it that Joseph and his wife are told "there is no room".

Could it be that Joseph's family was so cold to them because there was a rejection of the child Mary carried? Was it the questionable conception that warrented such treatment? Maybe for Joseph's family they just couldn't accept that God had done something wonderful in Mary.

We see later in the life of Jesus that those who knew Jesus certainly questioned his legitamacy as Joseph's son. Look at this exchange in Mark chapter six. Jesus has just finished preaching in the temple and the people have been amazed at his teaching. Here's what they say:

Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him.

In a paternalistic society like the Jews of this time, a son would not be refered to as his mother's child even if (as in this case) the father was dead. Why did they take offense at him. They thought his teaching was wonderful... oh wait, could it have been that whole illegitamate child thing again? And why, if they were in awe of his teaching just moments before, would they have taken such offense at him?

No, I think in Luke 2 we have something other than NO VACANCY signs. I think that Jesus may have entered this world much like he lived in it and died for it... REJECTED. Sure, perhaps I can romanticize God being humble and allowing himself born in stable with donkeys, chickens and sheep. But I can't associate with that. That God would come at all would be a radical act of humility. But I can identify with rejection. It has happened to me more than once. And Jesus understands. He's been there. He was "born under" this sign. He lived with rejection and died in the face of it. This to me is the miracle of Christmas.

Knowing

To know much and to taste nothing - of what use is that?
- Bonaventure

I love this quote. In the modern world in which I live, I've noticed that many are very good at knowing a lot. It's easy, what with books, newspapers, email, and the internet it is really easy to know a lot about a lot. My family would tell you that when I was young I used to scarf my food. I would eat so fast often my Dad would offer me a shovel. I have since learned to savor my food; to taste it, to enjoy its flavor with a cup of wine. I heard a statistic on FOX news Friday that we spend 5 months a year just taking in information; reading, listening to music, watching television, etc. These days I'm wondering how to taste any of it.

Forgiving God

These days I'm learning how to forgive God. When I was younger I heard all these stories about how God loves me and how he forgives me for my "shortcomings". There's no doubt about it, I have shortcomings. And I'm very grateful for grace. But there comes a time in any relationship where one reflects on both parties in the relationship and looks for balance.

You see, what I'm trying to understand now is how the "God" of the Old Testament even remotely looks like the "Abba" Jesus talks about in the New. Lately I've been stuck in this story of Achan. You can read his story in Joshua. Joshua and the Israelites are just over the river Jordan. They've conqured Jericho and are now feeling out the rest of the local terrain. So Joshua sends spies to the city of Ai. The spies report back that Joshua need only send a couple thousand men as the city is not numerous in inhabitants. So Joshua sends in his men and the men get routed and slaughtered.

I have this robe in my bathroom. It's a classical father's robe. It's plaid and it's made of flannel. It has perfect pockets for important things like the remote control and tissue and that annoying toy I step on too many times in one morning. But my robe is a majical robe. My robe divides my days. If I'm wearing my robe in the morning that means I'm not working. It means I am home all morning; no adjenda, no open planner, no lists. As cliche as my robe is, when I wear it I am special. I am king of my home and slave to no one (except the queen). I like the days that I get to wear my robe.

When Joshua gets news of his army's annihilation he tears his robe and falls down before God. God tells him that someone has taken items consecrated to other gods in their plunder of Jericho and that this man all that belongs to him, must burn before God will allow victory over the city of Ai. Joshua finds this man and asks him what he took. His answer: Some gold and silver and a beautiul robe. Achan was thinking ahead. He knew that one day he would settle in this land. He knew that a beautiful robe would help divide his days too. He knew that sporting a beautiful robe would certainly make him feel special. In retribution they took the Achan, his wife, his children, all thier belongings and the sacred items and they stoned them. Then they burned them "as the lord instructed them."

In the New Testament there's this woman who's caught in the act of adultery. Jesus is hanging out with his chums and the religious leaders bring her before Jesus in an effort to him. They demand of Jesus to know what the jewish law says about such a woman. Jesus knew that the law required them to stone her immediately. Jesus is calm. He waits. Then in an act of beautiful grace he says that law requires her to be stoned, but those of you who are blameless may throw the first stone. Slowing they drop their rocks and walk away. Jesus then asks who is left to condemn you. She says "none". And Jesus says, THEN NEITHER DO I CONDEMN YOU. Go on with you life and stop sinning.

I'm forgiving God these days. I say this not because I believe I sit above God in some manner. Nothing could be further from the truth. I'm forgiving God in order to accept by faith whatever form balance is even remotely possible in these to portrayals of who God is. I'm letting go of the idea that God should make sense. I'm forgiving God for the difficulties that arise when these kinds of stories come up. These days, I'm forgiving God.

The Gap

Wow!!!

It's been a while since I've posted. I certainly didn't mean for such a gap in posts. I've been working on a number of number of books lately, including a monster by N.T. Wright entitled The Resurrection of the Son of God. It's a small book weighing in at 738 pages (of which I've read 71). I am enjoying it greatly, but it is by no means a quick read. This and an ongoing study in book of Joshua (the topic of my next few posts) have certainly kept me busy. My plug for N.T. Wright is this: Read Him!!! If you enjoy historical and cultural context where scripture is concerned, read every one of his books.

Holding my net

This was taken from the excellent book featured to the left: Heretic's Guide to Eternity.

Burke quotes a web journalist Tim Boucher as saying:

Religions are our attempt to give form to the Divine because we suck at contemplating infinity.

Burke adds: Religions are the nets we cast in hopes of catching God. But it's like trying to catch the sea with a net. It's much more likely that we'll just get ourselves tangled up, and god will slip through. I think god wants us to follow and imitate him as he playfully slips our nets and challenges us to reach new levels and understanding of love.

What a great image of God slipping our nets. It's like as soon as we want to trap him into any form or make up some kind of law regarding his nature, or determine that god is like... God finds a way to slip of that confine and show us that he is still in fact God. I wonder today what confines I have that he has already slipped out of as I still hold my net?

Challenge of Jesus Part 2 His Message (Part 1)

There’s a story in Luke chapter seven that has captured my imagination for a number of weeks now. That’s the amazing thing about the stories of Jesus Christ, they tend to capture the imagination for long periods of time. At least they do for me. And this story encompasses a radical rabbi who bucks the authority of the religious people of his time, a woman of questionable character, and a religious zealot who takes issue with both. The story goes a bit like this…

One day, while Jesus was trying to interface with the religious people of his day, he made a small success and was invited to dinner by a religious leader named Simon. When Jesus arrived at Simon’s house Simon was inhospitable and rude as he provided no way for Jesus to wash his feet nor did he offer Jesus any oil to slick back his hair. Now these things were customary in those days as traveling on dirt roads had the unfortunate consequence of collecting dust in the hair and on the feet. As Jesus attempts to dust off his feet and pulls his hair back, he begins to question the motives of his host.

Now during the course of the evening a well known woman “a sinner” as she is called in the story (which probably meant that she was a prostitute) found out that Jesus was nearby at this dinner. So she invited herself to the event (many dinners were spectacles for entire towns to watch) in hopes of seeing this famous rabbi who bucks the authority of the religious people. What desire drove her to such boldness? Did she hear the stories of healing and forgiveness? Had she heard Jesus’ prediction of his death and was so determined to see him before that could possibly happen?...

She arrives at the dinner and notices that that Jesus has not been offered the courtesies accustom to an honored guest and wasn’t he a rabbi after all? She makes her way behind Jesus and is overwhelmed by him to tears. What brought about these tears? Certainly a lifestyle of selling her soul and body to feed herself and her children could well enough bring tears. But God knows too well the injustice dealt her by her husband. A divorced woman has little chance and little choice. She’s well aware of her shortcomings, but in this man she seeks a different kind of hope. She has always heard that the life she lives is punishment from God for her many sins and she wants desperately to believe otherwise. And so the tears flow and she falls at Jesus’ feet.

Not having a towel she allows her tears to bath Jesus’ feet and like so many times before, she lets her hair down for yet another man. Only this time she isn’t looking for payment for her next meal. She had heard that this rabbi cancels out sins and does so in a way that truly liberates people. Her hair is dirty. Now his feet are clean. And she had brought something very special around her neck. If her life could afford one thing it would be to anoint this one man with something so exotic and so elaborate… if the rumors she had heard were even half true then there was no one more worthy than he was. She pulls the bottle and begins to lavish very expensive oils on his feet.

As she does this, Simon thinks that Jesus must not be as great a prophet as he has heard or else he would not allow a whore to touch him this way. Jesus sensed his thoughts and saw the disgust on his face. Jesus rebukes this religious leader telling him that she bathes him in tears and oil because she feels she has lost much and has much to regain with her piety. Then he basically says to Simon, “You do not feel this way because you justify your sin and assume God is on your side. You think you have little to forgive so you kick the wounded while their down. And you believe you are better than most everyone.”

Then Jesus did something a rabbi didn’t have the authority to do. He says to her “you are forgiven”. Now at this point in Jewish history it was well understood that only God could forgive and for that only by sacrifice. Sin of this “magnitude” would have required much outward show of remorse. She would have had to have been purified at the temple and gone though other rites in order to be declared forgiven. The reality was, there was little institutional hope for her forgiveness. There was little hope the “God” would ever find favor in her again. Yet, a popular but radical rabbi says “You are forgiven.” And the hushed murmurs begin… who is this guy that he can do what can only be done by God. Is he greater than our God and His temple?

Hearing these murmurs, Jesus thinks, I’ll one up them here and he says to her: Go in (Peace) your faith has saved you.

This is such a radical story of Grace and it is my belief that this kind of Grace can only flow from God himself.

Jesus is radical about the grace he shows in this passage...

1. He allows this “sinner woman” to touch him. In a time and place where people believed that sin and its repercussions could be transmitted by physical contact, Jesus purposefully allows and encourages this woman’s affections.
2. Jesus lifts the piety of a woman (a prostitute at that) up and over that of the religious. In other words he dishonors his host and sides with woman. In this day a woman couldn’t even testify in court. Jesus holds her piety up as greater than that of the religious leader.
3. He steps well above his role as a rabbi and side steps “God” and the temple, by forgiving her of her sins. This is at great risk as he is claiming that the Temple is no longer necessary (as he does through most of the gospels).
4. Finally he restores for her the relationship between her and God. Now this short blog entry is too small to expound on this one, but I believe (as do others) that Jesus’ message may have been less about living in heaven or hell forever and more about restoring peoples faith in God and God’s disposition them. He offered Eternal life which he defined as intimacy with God and with Himself.

This is just the first of many stories of Jesus that blow my mind about who he was/is. The more that I get to know him, the more in love with him I find myself. I often overhear people talk about Christians and how judgmental or condescending they are. Truly I have had my own experiences with these “kind of Christians” as well. I wonder, do they even know Jesus? Do they really? But it’s easy to say these things. What about me. What about the kind of grace I show to others? Who in my day might be the woman needing this kind of radical grace. Will they find Jesus’ radical kind of grace in me?

What in Hell is going on?

Yesterday I got a call from a gentleman who had just recieved leave from Iraq. He asked about books for new believers who were in the military. He had "just recieved salvation" and was wanting to grow in his new faith. More importantly he was affraid that as a soldier he would have to return to Iraq and he was affraid that he would lose his "salvation" and go to hell if killed someone or "did something wrong". I really felt for this guy. One thing I picked up on during our conversation was that whomever he heard from about Jesus was heavy on the "saved" and "hell" language. It is bothersome to me that Christians are so heavy on the "hell' language. The Old Testament is silent about the "hell" issue (and KJV freaks should be careful of the world Sheol in the O.T. it isn't hell). In fact hell doesn't even enter the Jewish mindset until the influence of zorastrianism during the 400+ years between the O.T. and N.T. Furthermore, in the N.T. there seems to be an odd reversal on behalf of Jesus who takes hell language and turns it back on religious zealots who used hell as a way of controling the masses. All of that to say, why are we so freaking heavy on the hell language as Christians? Do we speak of Jesus as aversion to hell because we have nothing really positive to say about Jesus himself. As though his life, ministry, and teachings are void of anything beneficial. Why do we take the liberty of inflicting hell on others where Christ refused to. Oh wait, Jesus defined his way of eternal life as: "That you may not go to hell." I pray, my friend from Iraq, that you come to know the fullness of Jesus Christ. The Christ who promised RESURRECTION and THE ETERNAL KIND OF LIFE that wasn't about escaping hell or even living forever in heaven. But about knowing intemately our creator God and his son Jesus whom He sent. Let the religious zealots have their hell talk. Lord knows there are plenty of them out there all too ready to try and manipulate people into their form of religiousity. Sorry, on behalf of sane Christians everywhere, that you ran into one.

Beautiful Collision

"When our depravity meets His divinity it is a beautiful collision"......By David Crowder

Becoming...

We must become the change we want to see in the world'

Mahatma Gandhi

Another picture of all the girls

In China we bought all the girls "silks" to take this picture. If I remember right these outfits were about $6 a piece. You can't see it, but Lilly's outfit has dragon flies embroyderd on the silk. Dragonflys and ladybugs are considered lucky in China. Luczi did real good taking the pictures. Wendi and I were a little surprised as she doesn't always take to strangers well. Perhaps having her sisters there made it easier.

My Favorite of all Pictures

This is one of my favorite pictures of Luczi. There is so much love represented in this picture. You see this is my Dad. I call him Dad even though genetically we are not related. I call him Dad, because this is what he CHOSE to be to me. I call him Dad because when I didn’t have one, he willingly and lovingly became my need. I call him Dad because he played soccer with me, helped me fix my bike, and celebrated my accomplishments. Amongst all the things my Dad taught me he taught me most that love is something one chooses to do. Certainly he never sat me down and gave convincing stories about love being a “higher calling” or something fancy like that. He simply did it! And in this picture, he’s doing it again. Loving Luczi beyond biology. What my Dad doesn’t know is that when I struggled to understand how I would respond to Luczi and how I would be able to love her, it was his love for me that inspired me on. It was his love for me that told me, I can love what isn’t mine. Perhaps (and not to sound too sappy here) it always has been his love for me that has shown me most what God’s love is like.

Seeking His Face Part 1

For the past two years I have had one single and consistent passion in my spiritual life… to get to know Jesus.

I’m not talking about the warm fuzzy thing associated with “going to church” or religiosity, I’m talking about acquainting myself with the Jesus of History.

What a fun 2 years it has been. I view Jesus, his ministry, and his message so much differently than I did two years ago. I am still excited as I have been reading books like: The Challenge of Jesus and the Original Jesus by N.T. Wright and The Desire of the Everlasting Hills by Thomas Cahill (Read anything you can get your hands on by Cahill), Josephus by Paul Meire and of course the NEW TESTAMENT. We don’t do enough of this as Christians. At least I don’t run into too many Christians who think about or talk about Jesus outside of their addiction to their warm fuzzy. Rarely do I run into the Christian who says “Man, I’m really struggling with my preconceived ideas about Jesus or “this Jesus of history is quite different that the one I grew up to “know” or believe in”. For me this has been an awe inspiring two years of “seeking his face” and the good news is there is plenty more for me to read J I hope to share some of these joys in this blog over the next few weeks and I look forward to your responses. Please feel free to post in the blog site as opposed to emailing me directly.

Yeah Tubes

Well, after six weeks of fighting ear infections Luczi got her tubes placed yesterday. She did very well, but in the end was tired of all the people wearing all blue. Over the past six weeks she has been poked with needles and forced fed medicine and had little cold disks put over her chest enough. We're on to happier days!!!

A message on living the Gospel

Pathway Friends: Skip to end for questions for Sunday School or to rehash read entirely.

Last weekend I had the opportunity to teach at our church "Pathway". Over the past couple of years I have been studying two things passionately: the life and ministry of Jesus and the nature of the gospel (in light of former). I've posted some of the notes from my message (entitled Living the Epic Story) below along with some questions that I am still struggling with and believe are worthy of attention among christians. My bias (as we all have them on every topic) is that I believe that contemporary Christianity has focused too narrowly on issues of sin and salvation and in doing so has created an anemic faith. My arguement is that instead of "telling the Gospel story" perhaps there is room in Christianity for "living the gospel story". This is the first of many messages focusing on learning to live out the gospel reflecting on the narrative of scripture and not simply relying on a few passages. Most specifically these are the questions that we will reflect on Sunday during our Sun School gathering:

Generally for the message I presented the dicotomy between the Worldview of the Ancient World vs. the Worldview of Ancient Judeism

All other ancient beliefs about god(s) have the following beliefs behind them…

(A very simplified list)

1. Almost all ancient deity stories include an element of “god” making war against the chaos (usually associated with great monsters). For instance the Greek god Zeus makes war with Uranus (god of sky) and Gaia (goddess of earth) and their children. By defeating them, he establishes world order.
2. The God or gods are generally associated with a particular place like the Nile River and were claimed by their adherents to have battled other deities and won, thus making them the champion God or creator.
3. God or gods were distant, removed by both space and emotion from their creation.
4. Humans were either pawns in elaborate games between the gods or else they loathed by the gods or both. One’s only hope was to appease them in this life through sacrifice and hope that in the next life one could settle in a land in whom’s god they have found favor.

Early Judaic Worldview (of Genesis account):

1. God works within the confines of chaos and intimately speaks order into the world.
i. Spirit = wind or breath
2. There is not an account of God making war to assume his position; it is a given in the text.
3. God is intimately involved in all aspects of creation. He even calls most of them “good”.
4. God is very intimately involved in the creation of man.
i. In His image (v. 27) selem
ii. A blessing (v.28)
iii. A commission: rule over the earth

At the core of these differences in worldview is the idea that Early Jewish teaching (be they oral or written) taught that God was right among His people and intimate with his creation. This worldview was radically different from the ancient cultures that Judaism (even at it’s earliest start) was emersed in. They really believed that God was among them.

As I think of how we begin to live out the gospel, I am often faced with the same question that many face when they find themselves in the position of sharing the gospel. What do I believe about God? And I wonder how I would answer that question if asked now. Would I begin with “I believe God is right here, right now”? Better yet, if someone I knew was curious about faith would they say to me “You live like someone who’s convinced that God is right in your midst”.

Questions to think about for Sunday’s Meeting:

1. What is (are) our cultures Worldview(s) about God/Religion? (Bear in mind that there may be more than one viewpoint)?
2. More specifically what do they believe about God's proximity to His creation?
3. Does Contemporary Christianity believe the same things?
4. What would our faith (as a community) look like if we really believed that God was right among us?
5. Is there anything preventing us from really living this way?
6. Do I live like God is right here with me? How so? How not?

For my friends at Pathway

The thoughts and questions I promised WILL be posted tomorrow. Thanks for checking in. I will email the church list when I post them.

Also, my friend Chris Brewer has some interesting thoughts on evangelism and the gospel. Simply click on the Chris' Blog link at your right.

Sorry

For my friends whom I mentioned to check this site regarding a conversation at church yesterday in Sunday School, I chose not to post so as to avoid offense. I did however speak to each one of you one on one and felt that was a better way to handle my thoughts.

Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places

This is quickly becoming one of my favorite books of all time. The subtitle at the bottom reads: A conversation in spiritual theology. And that is precisely what it is. It is not a book about theology. It is a book about how our spirits engage and interact with what we believe. The Chapter (2) on creation alone is worth every expensive penny that this book is. Check out this quote that talks about Jesus as he plays in creation...

You would think that believing that Jesus is God walking among us would be the most difficult thing [to believe about Christianity]. It is not. It turns our that the hardest thing to believe is that God's work - this dazzling creation, this astonishing creation, this cascade of blessings- is all being worked out in and under the conditions of our humanity: at picnics and around dinner tables, in conversations and while walking along road, in puzzled questions and homely stories with blind beggars and supporting lepers, at weddings and funerals. Everything that Jesus does takes place within the limits and conditions of our humanity. No fireworks. No special effects. Yes, there are miracles and plenty of them. But because for the most part they are so much a part of the fabric of everyday life, very few notice. The miraculousness of miracle is obscured by the familiarity of setting, the ordinariness of the people involved... [page 34]

...Everything Jesus does he does with his hands deep in the soil and flesh of creation. [P. 92]

What I love about this book is what Peterson doesn't do in this book. He isn't trying to convince us of a position. He's not trying to teach us some new perspective. It is not void of theology, but the main thrust of the book is not about learning it is about engaging. He is simply using the creation story and giving us a way in which we can begin to live within the context of the story. It is simply a MUST READ book.

31,000 ft to find...

Okay, so Saturday was my sisters wedding. Of course I traveled to California by airplane to be there (oh, what a story) and was so blessed to be a part of it. On the plane out of Orange County, I was reflecting on the past 23 hours, on a conversation I had with parents on the way to the airport, and on some things I have been reading lately in scripture and in other books. I was doing all this with my eyes closed and my ears full of Moby (which by the way if you don't listen to Moby, you may be missing one of the most underappreciated artists of our time). While I was doing all that I noticed with my sense of touch... heat... on my arms and it felt nice.
For those of you who don't know, I live in Michigan. For the past 90 days or so we have had cloud coverage and snow flurries. Within those 90 days I've been to China and California both. In 90 days the first glimpse of the sun that I have had was at 31,000 ft. For those of you who live in Michigan, let me assure you, the sun is still there and the sun is still warm.

We're still here

Wow, It's been 16 days since I've posted. Luczi is doing so good. We've heard from other couples in our group and most of the girls are doing great, but there are some who are not adjusting very well at all. Luczi is finding lots of attention in her two sisters and is loving that. She's eating a lot lately. Wendi is giving here two jars of baby food three times a day plus her 8oz. bottles. We can tell she is growing already. She's very curious about the world around her and we can't wait till spring when we can take her out to see the "real world".
All and all things are very good. I will be away for the weekend at my sisters wedding so Wendi will have lots of fun with the girls.
Posted is my on of my favorite pictures with Luczi thus far. Like a reptile Luczi sometimes checks the world around her with her tounge. She has done it less lately, but every once and while it reappears. And of course dad sometimes gets in the action too.

Home a few days now

Thanks for logging back on!!! Luczi is home 4 full days now and is doing pretty good. Luczi left China with a double ear infection the results of which were long hours of crying, frustration, vomiting, and to top things off a mild case of eczema. The bonus for us was that for the two long rides (China to LA and LA to Chicago) we had an extra seat between us. After some small doses medicine, Luczi slept for some long periods of the trip. All and all the fussiness and the illness helped keep her awake and have made the time transition quite easy. She has still had some rough days here at home and keeps herself on guard while sleeping. She hasn’t quite settled into the reality that this is forever. She has attached herself to Wendi and they have bonded well. I am a little jealous, but she and I do okay late at night where she finds comfort in my arms when she is overly tired and can’t find rest. I hold her tight (as I did my other two girls) and she falls asleep. The wonderful people in our church (we love you all) have helped by providing meals which takes some stress off Wendi as I am at work all day.

For the most part we are doing just fine and even with some health issues, Luczi is blossoming into a wonderful member of our little family. Chloe and Lilly are having some adjustment issues and every time Wendi leaves Chloe thinks Wendi is going away again for a long time. She has fits and screams for Mom, but she has always been a child full of anxiety. It will take time for her to “heal” from our 9 day abandonment of her too. We really felt that we would have seen this kind of thing from Lilly, but Lilly has been (other than battling for attention) doing great.

So there is the update, sorry it took a few days to post. Posted is picture of Luczi this morning playing in her exerciser and reflects one of the more long term periods of playing and happiness since our return home. And that of course makes us very happy.

Thanks again for tuning in and we’ll post more sometime this week.

Last Posting from China

Greetings. These are our final hours here in China. Posted is the famous Red Sofa shot that adoptive groups take with all the babies in a group (Luczi is at the far left in dark red). Our group had 10 babies. Nine families and one set of twins. On a whole, the babies have all done very well which has been great for all of us as a group. Some came with some health problems which frustrated some parents because it slightly delayed the bonding process. But within hours diagnosis' had been made and treatments helped each rebound quickly. Even as I am typing below Luczi is vomiting. I guess we'll be taking her to the doctor at 1pm.

All of are very ready to come to our homes but most of us are leary of long plane rides that await us. Fortuneately we have the advantage of the world spinning toward us this time. That cuts 3 hours off our ride. Oddly though we will leave Guanzhou at 9:30pm on Friday January 27th and arrive at Los Angles International Airport at 5:50pm Friday January 27th. We will be on a plane for more than 12 hours and arrive 4 hours before we leave. Fun Huh!!!

As to our arrivals... We arrive at Los Angeles International Airport at 5:50pm (flight number 327) and invite any of our friends who would like to meet Luczi to come and join us. We will need to go through customs so please don't show up at 5:50 as you will likely have a wait. Certainly all of our friends and family are welcome. Anyone interested can contact my (Jeremy's) parents for information.

We arrive in Grand Rapids on Saturday, January 28th at 10:00am (flight number7039). Again we invite any of our friends and family who would like to great us to come. We've missed you all and so many of you have been waiting for Luczi to come. We would be honored to see you there.

As we draw near the end of this trip, we want to thank each of you again for your support. So many have help us financially. Many more have been a prayer support. Our hearts are filled with gratitude as we think of each of you. And we pray God's blessing for your part in His work of bringing Luczi home. We love you all.

It's beautiful here

This was taken in the foyer of our hotel. Obviously there is a waterfall behind us. What you can't see is the pond below with huge gold fish swimming and some very large paper fish and paper flowers light up over the pond. It is a gorgeous site to see. At pond level and to our right is where we eat breakfast every morning. The expression on Luczi's face is indicative of how much she doesn't like to sit still... She's a very busy baby. Wendi thanks you in advance for your prayers.

A medical exam

Yesterday we had our final medical exam. We have a small fever (likely because we are teething), but other than a little exzema by our ears we're fit as fiddle. Luczi is a happy baby and has certainly bonded with us in such a short time. Personality wise... all I can say is look out Chloe and Lilly because here comes Luczi.

Another Picture

This is Wendi and I just outside the Ching Ping Market the day before we got Luczi. The red ball you see behind us lined the buildings and sky behind us. These are decorations in preparation for Chinese New Year. It really made the Plaza (we were on our way to) very beautiful. There is no American holiday that compares to the excitement that is present among the people here for the New Year. Not even Christmas. Chinese new year is based on the lunar cycle. Pretty cool huh!!

What are we up to?

Wow, we didn't post yesterday!! To recap yesterday, we traveled off the island and into the city to finalize our paperwork for the adoption. We had to go through a series of two interviews and and one paperwork completion. The interviews were quite interesting. The first interview was a series of questions that we had to answer in a "check-off" type manner. Here are some of the questions: How long have you been married? How old are you? What do you do for a living? What is your annual income? Why do you want to adopt? Can you promise to never abuse or abandon your daughter? Are you satisfied with this adoption? Piece of cake really. From there we did the paperwork to get Luczi's passport and visa, which needed to be expedited (an extra 50 US dollar). This was because our stay is so short.

Luczi did very well yesterday. She only fussed a little toward the evening and I think she had gas or an upset tummy. Other than that her disposition has been great. She's very curious (meaning we have to buy more toys today). She likes to kick Wendi and laugh. I think it's pretty funny too. She even did well when we were out shopping yesterday for a couple of hours. She doesn't like her stroller (unless it is nap time) which is okay since we're just borrowing it from a local shop.

So far Luczi hasn't shown much interest in other foods. She didn't like syrup, which I thought would be big hit. oatmeal didn't go over well either. Egg was out of the question. She did however to a liking to plane ol' fine ground sugar. We haven't tried chocolate yet... But she is female so I figure it is a given.

Our First Night

Our first night was absolutely fantastic. Luczi went to sleep at around 9:30pm and slept the entire night. I think she woke up breafly (to check in) and went right back to sleep. I (Jeremy) had some doubts even yesterday about my own attachments to her. Whether or not a love for her would come as naturally as my own children. Well those thoughts were pacified yesterday, what a gift I have been given. I turn my heart to heaven... and rejoice.

Luczi's Nanny

As part of our day, we got interview Luczi's nanny(ies) and ask them specific questions about her. There were some general information questions that we asked about her physical activities, eat habits, and other detail like what cribs/orphans she slept next to. The woman featured in the picture (left) seemed to be her primary care giver. When we were done with our specific questions, we asked if she had any questions for us. She had only the statement that she hopes we will love Luczi and take good care of her. Wendi and I felt completely blessed by her presence and indebted to her work. These caregivers are the real heroes of all of us adoptive parents.

Gotcha Day!!!

After almost 15 months of waiting, Luczi Grace is finally here. Thus far things are great!!! She has bonded well with both Wendi and myself. We have had her for 2 hours now and she shows an incredible amount of trust with us. As we speak, she is playing with a couple of toys on Wendi's lap. She is very curious about everything around her. On the bus ride back to the Hotel, she was in awe of all the activity outside the window. She is "talking" and I even heard the words Dada which is not a term of endearment, it means bye bye in Cantonese. We will not be able to use those words in reference to me. I guess I will have to be papa or abba for awhile. I am okay with that.

Wendi and I firmly believe that God answered our prayers for the Lord to go ahead of us and prepare the way. And so many of you joined us in that prayer. We believe our prayers were honored.

We have a short time to post, but I wanted to get this out there. We will post more about the whole experience later.

We love you all and can't wait to share her with you.

The Ching Ping Market

Today, just for giggles, we visted a local outdoor market called the Ching Ping Market. What an experience that was. On the menu at just about every shop was: live and/or dried scorpions, mushrooms, dried sea horse, dried starfish, turtles of all sizes, chickens, snake skin, tiger claws, many forms of animal horns, mountain goat heads, and so much more. Most of these things considered edible or medicinal. Each store front carried exactly the same things. When we got to the heart of market their was a plaza with many department stores and specialty shops. The women folk were excited about this part of the trip, and were it not for the great photo taking opportunities, I could have just as easily stayed back the hotel.

As a group we were accosted by many of the areas panhandlers. They know the "rich" westerners when they see them. It is sad that we are encouraged not to give them money, but like our tour guides explained, they will not leave you alone even after you give them money. We saw an old man literally eating out of the garbage can. I couldn't watch this knowing that in my hand was a few pieces of pizza I was likely not going to eat. Dan (Dan and Debbie are another couple we've been getting to know here- they are getting twins) and I took the pizza and "threw it away".

All and all, I really like the people here. They are kind. They are very curious. We had to have had dozens of people look us over, point, even laugh. A young girl in our group gets her head rubbed often because she has blond hair. I could imagine the line that would be around us had we brought Lilly.

Well it is 9pm our time now and it feels like 2am. I'll post more tomorrow on Gotcha Day!!!

In the eyes of adoptive parents

Were up and at it again. It's almost 9am local time Saturday morning. There are numerous chinese children with Western parents here at the White Swan. This particular hotel is notorious for having adoptive parents with children. Where ever we are inside and outside the building people want to know if we're adopting and where are children are. I wonder what really goes through their mind? To see so many chinese children leaving their native land. How would we feel as Americans if we lived in a area where we saw our children leaving? I wish I could jump inside their mind and heart. As a people, I am sure thier hearts are broken even if they know it is better for the children. On a whole, my heart is broken for these people. Socially, their country is quite a bind because they are facing an over population problem. Economically they have no means of saving for old age. It really is these two issues that have forced the predictament they are in... forcing them to abandon (or worse) their girls because their gender offers little "economic" advantage to parnets. Yet, in a great way, God's kingdom is breaking through here. Whether they know it or not, believers in Christ are following God's kingdom decloration to take care of the orphan. I can see Jesus in the eyes of adoptive parents here. In a small way, we're a part of whatever God is doing here, and that for us is exciting. I think in a very small way, we will get to know what it is like for God when one of his "children" turn to Him for adoption in his family.

An interesting development just happened. Wendi turned off all the lights in our hotel room. She doesn't feel that we need to have all the lights on. A great genetic irony is at play here... You can take a Americanized Dutch girl all the way to China, put her in a 5 star hotel (where the lights are free) , and she's still Dutch.

Wendi wanted to communicate that anyone can comment on our postings by clicking on the word "comment" at the end of each posting.

Our Last 12 Hours

Good (very early) early morning,

It is 1:30am here in Guangzhou, China. To recap our last twelve hours let us offer 2 words... JET LAG. We pushed through most of the day after our long journey yesterday (previous post). Once settled into our hotel (left) which is located on an "island" called Shamian Island (Below). We spent the majority day shopping in all the local tourist trap stores on the island. The only difference between these tourist trap stores and the ones around the all the tourist traps in the States is that everything is dirt cheap. While I know that the people here depend on our spending for their livelyhood, I find myself not interested in their products (Jeremy). We will likely buy plenty over the next few days and especially once we get Luczi. Once we were done shopping we came back to our room (around 5pm local time) and we were sleeping before 7pm.

Today we will spend the day recovering from yesterday. We will do some exploration off the island in Guanzhou proper, which by the way, is populated by 10,000,000 people (as a providence). Tomorrow we will get Luczi around 2pm (Saturday back in the States).

Well sleepiness is catching up with me again. We'll post more later.

P.S. Chloe and Lilly- we miss you both very much and we will call soon.

We're Here

Well after what seemed an eternity on an airplane, we have finally arrived. Local time in China is 10:35am. Back home in Grand Rapids it is 8:35pm on Thursday. Yes, we lost a whole day. Our flight was good, but there is certainly a difference in culture. I guess I didn't expect to meet on the plane, but we did. For those of you keeping track our flight time was 16 hours. We boarded the plane at 11:00pm Pacific Standard time in Los Angeles California (mind you that was 2:00am) our time. Once airborne (and thinking we would close our eyes) we were welcomed by our flight crew to a full course dinner of airplane Chinese food. More importantly, we were forced to keep our chairs in their full and upright position (like there is any other kind of airline seat position) until after the meal. We slept for about 3 hours. For the next 11 and a half hours we busied ourselves with card games, movies (the same two movies), and general fun on behalf of Chinese culture (in other words poking fun at the sutle differences). All in all we can't complain too much, except that after 20+ hours on a plane really allows one to build up body odor. The shower is what we will turn our attention to next.

Travel Notice

Wow, God is bigger than the Nation of China. Our friends and family have been praying for us the past two days that God would work a miracle and allow us to get Luczi during the Chinese New Year. Well we just got notice that we will be flying next week Wednesday or Thursday and return before Chinese New Year Sometime the 26th or 27th. For our friends and family who've been praying, we thank you for your prayers as this has been a very trying season for us. Your prayers have lifted us and carried us when our own seemed hard to pray and harder to believe that they were being heard. We love you all and thanks again.

Luczi Grace Fleming

Wendi and I would love to introduce our newest addition to our family Luczi (Lucy) Grace Fleming. Luczi is 9 months old and lives in southern China. We will be going to China sometime later this month or early February. For those of you following our story, please pray for safe travel for Wendi and I. Also please pray for Luczi and her world is going to be altered significantly (for the better obviously) and will need patience and endurance with her new parents who don't speak Chinese and look very funny. I always covet the prayers of our friends and family and we thank you in advance for them.

Jesus

Jesus never let me down. You know Jesus used to show me the score. Then they put Jesus in show business, now it’s hard to get in the door.
-Bono

Who knew a prophet could be a rock star. Blessings Bono on all that you do.

WE WAKE

We wake, if we ever wake at all, to mystery... Our life is a faint tracing on the surface of [that] mystery. We must somehow take a wider view, look at the whole landscape, really see it and describe what's going on here. Then at least we can wail the right question to the swaddling band of darkness or, if it comes to that, choir the proper praise.
-Annie Dillard
Pilgrim at Tinker Creek

It's funny you know, I don't consider myself a radical proponentnt of "creationism" as many fundamentalist Christians are. Evolution on the other hand has been found wanting as well. One thing I know for sure is that I have heard really good arguments from both sides of the issue (not indepthly I will admit). And neither have convinced me that they really look around at real life. One dances in poetry and the other in science and neither really know how to dance very well. Perhaps they too will wake and wake to mystery.

Our Girls at Christmas

This is our girls at Christmas '05. Chloe (left) is 6 and Lilly (right) is 3. Every year Chloe loves to go see Santa at the local mall. Lilly on the other hand is a chicken butt. She typically freaks out just walking past that freak of man in a red and white suit. We were successful this year in convincing Chloe that there really is a Santa Clause. I don't think well have that success next year. She's just getting to dang smart.

Heaven and Hell

Heaven and Hell and all that is in between, Thinks thou I made them in jest?
-The Koran

A New Day

Each day holds a surprise. But only if we expect it can we see, hear, or feel it when it comes to us. Let’s not be afraid to receive each day’s surprise, whether it comes to us as sorrow or joy. It will open a new place in our hearts, a place where we can welcome new friends and celebrate more fully our shared humanity. - Henri Nowen

If we could all live this fully in this new year….