A minor

Here's an article I ran across this week: "Anglican Options: Rome or Orthodoxy?" I found it to be quite interesting, and as much as I hate to be influenced by a short article (although it's not just that; it's more Schmemann's For the Life of the World and Zizioulas' Being as Communion), I think I'll go ahead and finally make a real inquiry into the Orthodox tradition. The only Orthodox church in town, though, happens to be Greek - a far cry from the Western Rite, I'm sure. Plus, they don't even have a resident priest. But we'll give it some time and see what happens. There are few things I do fast anyway.

A few notes about the author of the above linked article (but nothing you couldn't find via Google): "Prior to converting to the Orthodox Church in the mid-1990s, he served as dean of Christ Episcopal Cathedral in Salina, Kan. [incidentally where I believe Fr. Riley was made an honorary Canon for his years of service there -jon] as well as serving a mission tour in South Africa" (The Oak Ridger, April 30, 2004). Fr. Hatfield has a Master of Divinity and Master of Sacred Theology from Nashotah House, and a Doctor of Ministry (Eastern Christian focus) from Pittsburgh Seminary. He is currently academic dean of Saint Herman Orthodox Seminary, Kodiak, Alaska.

In typical 2 year old style, Ethan focuses on a single food item for nourishment. For now, it's chocolate milk. He usually goes through a gallon of milk every day and a half. You are probably thinking, "Hey, that is a heck of a lot of milk." I agree. Milk is not a favorite drink of mine. In fact, I try to avoid it as much as possible. Seeing that much milk imbibed in such a short amount of time...well, let's just say that it sickens me. Anyway, the whole point of this (if there even is a point) is that dairy products have become freakin' expensive! I have watched milk prices rise higher and higher over the last few months of my son's dairy fetish. The last gallon we bought was $3.89 (more than double the $1.88 I paid last summer). I say, for that price, those cows should be producing straight chocolate milk. Moo.

Moscow Controversy Revisited

An old friend of mine recently encountered dougsplotch.net, hearing most of its stories for the first time, and he came away with what I would call "cautious concern." He didn't take it too seriously, and yet he couldn't dismiss it entirely. So he came to me, as he said, "to get the straight dope."

After looking back through the site, I'm left asking, in Seinfeld fashion, "What is the deal with dougsplotch?!" The site's front page says it "contains no falsehoods or misrepresentations," but I've spotted at least one such (namely, the Judas page's claim that the documentation shows that "Wilson never took any money for the ACCS," making the Christ Church elders liers - when, in fact, one of the financial statement's line item memos is "ACCS"!) Moreover, the authorship of the site is anonymous, yet it picks at those who are "disturbed by their leaders' conduct but are afraid to speak up lest they be squashed" (Dougspeak entry, "Fellowship of the Grievance"). Again I ask, "What is the deal?!"

I have uploaded over 250 photos to form two of three new photo albums: "J&JbyAuntLou" and "J&JbyMrNieuwsma." The third album (of around 150 more pictures), "J&JbyTheEvans," should be up later today.

Update: Yahoo! Photos seems to be having trouble. If you can't access the site, try again later. (Or maybe they're just getting ready to kick us out because we uploaded over 400 pics today....)

C'mon, it's a Celebration!

Wow, what a weekend! Jon's sister, Jordan, was married on Friday. She was a radiant bride. The ceremony was held outside and everything turned out lovely despite the heat. Martha Stewart would have been proud. Ethan and Jon were both groomsmen - along with the 5 other Amos brothers. I was a bridesmaid (technically, a bridesmatron, but that doesn't sound as nice), and Levi was a bell ringer with wee bells on his shoes. Very much the family affair. We have a disc full of pictures that I will try to get linked. (Jon, is this possible?)

Ethan also experienced a milestone that weekend. His second birthday was celebrated with much cake, presents, and rejoicing. His great grandparents, grandparents, great aunt, cousins, and uncles were all there to join in. I was really thankful that Ethan was able to spend time with the family that he doesn't get to see much. He had a blast.

Suggestions?

Anyone know of a good movie? We have recently gotten a Blockbuster Movie Pass for unlimited rentals. I will readily admit that I don't want to walk up and down the aisles searching for a hidden gem. I'd rather hear it from you. So, come on, step up to the plate and give us some ideas.

Survey Says...

Life is good. The kids are healthy. They are smiling and playing and generally bringing joy to my day. Jon's sister, Jordan, is getting married next weekend. We are flying up to Idaho on Wednesday for a short but action-packed trip. Meanwhile, my two sisters and I have begun a morning workout routine. I'm really excited about getting in shape again. Plus, it's a great opportunity to spend time with my sisters. Yep, life is good.

Doug Jones in CCM Headlines

Browsing the website of the Confessing Church Movement within the Presbyterian Church (USA), I just ran across a link to an article by Doug Jones ("Ironies of Laughter," Credenda/Agenda 16.1) in their "Top Headlines."

Common Cause Letter to Canterbury

Today was the first I heard about this letter (more here and here). Signed by the heads of the Network, the Reformed Episcopal Church, the Anglican Mission in America, and a few other affiliates, this comes as great news to me, and I can only hope that it will have some influence on the so-called Eames Commission, whose report is due in October.

Here's another letter of interest.

Speedin' Up

I am realizing (yet again) how fast time flies. Jon and I celebrated our 4th anniversary a few weeks ago (yes, we STILL like each other) and Ethan's 2nd birthday is just around the corner. Next spring marks my tenth year out of high school. So, what's up with this time thing? I still feel like I am, at the most, only 22. And as a 14 yr old boy recently told me, I don't look a day over 25.