A minor

We did our closing walk-through this afternoon, and it looks like we'll be set to close tomorrow. The seller was nice and helpful, emanating an intricate knowledge of the house. He and his wife made an amazing number of renovations, mostly for cosmetics, comfort, and general home improvement. They clearly loved the place and were planning on staying there, but ended up having to move to continue his biochemical research. I doubt I will ever know the structure's innerworkings as well as he, but he welcomed me to look him up if I ever have any questions. ("Just Google me," he said. "I'm not hard to find.") As much as I dread the thought of moving, I'm excited about getting this house, and I'm full of gratitude.

The appraisal is pending a couple siding repairs and an engineer's inspection of the foundation, so everything is on hold until these things are done. We were trying to close by the end of the month, but that isn't going to happen, which is fine by me.

UPDATE...Wednesday, March 30: Or maybe it's going to happen after all. We'll see tomorrow!

Well, it felt more busy than holy. I went into overtime at work this week, largely due to the fact that I had to go to New Orleans for a meeting. Hollie and the boys went with me, though, so we were able to turn the New Orleans trip into a mini-vacation.

Brief synopsis:
- arrived late Tuesday night; Troy had told me I had to go to Lager's, which ended up being right by our hotel, so I went for a nightcap of a pint of Beck's and a half-pint of Chimay white label, both on draft
- meeting Wednesday
- Aquarium of the Americas, Riverwalk, Gordon Biersch, and the outlet mall in Gonzalez on Thursday

Books purchased at the Bible Factory Outlet in Gonzalez for about $5 apiece:
1.Robert E. Webber, Ancient-Future Faith: Rethinking Evangelicalism for a Postmodern World (Baker, 1999)
2. Jonathan R. Wilson, God So Loved the World: A Christology for Disciples (Baker Academic, 2001).
3. Craig A. Carter, The Politics of the Cross: The Theology and Social Ethics of John Howard Yoder (Brazos, 2001)

For some reason, Easter Vigil didn't seem as impressive last night as it did last year, but maybe that's because Levi was baptized last year, I was worn out last night, etc. Bishop MacPherson was there, though, and he handed Ethan his crosier (shepherd's staff) during the last few verses of the recessional hymn. We were sitting on the back row, so the Bishop happened to be standing right next to Ethan as the service ended. For Ethan, I think that made up for the fact that he received only a blessing at the altar, even though he held up his hands to receive the bread like everyone else.

We have a week to get everything packed and moved. You guessed it - not one box has been done. This seems to be our lot in life. Maniacal packing in the shortest period of time allotted. Oh, and I have to always be pregnant. That seems to help spice things up. Bring it on...

The inspection was thorough, helpful, and overall positive. Our financing is all in order, thanks to a loan from my grandparents until we get our tax refund. Now, we just have to negotiate with the seller on the things we want them to fix in light of the inspection...and start packing. Hollie and her sisters are having a garage sale tomorrow; I need to go dig through my closet and get rid of about half my clothes - all the stuff that either doesn't fit or never gets worn. I'm all for moving as little as possible.

Musical Criticism

As Ethan was sitting on his potty chair this morning, he told me, "I can't tee-tee while you are singing." Yikes, do I sound that bad?

Never a Dull Moment

We just received the call that our lowball offer on a house on Spurgeon Drive next to the Lizenbys was accepted. Now, we have to get it inspected to try to close and move in at the end of the month. Looks like it might be a busy next couple weeks!

In other news, Hollie received a frightening call yesterday with results from Levi's routine checkup blood work, informing her that he had lead poisoning and needed to be examined immediately. Thankfully, he should be fine and I was able to leave work for the day to take him to the doctor with Hollie, etc. The most common cause of lead poisoning is dust from pre-1978 lead-based paint, and lead pipes are a close second. For a number of reasons, I think it's the pipes in the house we're leasing. We should find out for sure soon, as we've ordered a water and paint inspection through the city health unit. Needless to say, I'm concerned for Hollie and the baby, as well as for Levi and Ethan. All the more reason we're excited about the prospect of moving.

"The Christian Novelty"

Touchstone's current cover article is by none other than our own Dr Leithart. Too bad this excellent piece isn't available online. Also recommended, especially for those who teach boys, is Anthony Esolen's article, "Dog-Eared Pursuits."

Some Differences Between "Reformed catholics" and Anglo-Catholics

Please note that this is not meant in a mean-spirited way, nor in fixed-jawed seriousness (cf. #2). Take it with a grain of salt, and feel free to offer corrections as well.

1. "Reformed catholics" look to Scripture first and foremost, with great appreciation for tradition; Anglo-Catholics look to tradition as the ultimate interpreter of Scripture.

2. "Reformed catholic" is two words; "Anglo-Catholic" is hyphenated.

3. "Reformed catholics" are still very much Protestant and Reformational; Anglo-Catholic priests might as well get it over with and make use of the Pastoral Provision for former Anglican clergy.

4. "Reformed catholic" has a lowercase 'c' to suggest universal catholicity; "Anglo-Catholic" has an uppercase 'C', pointing to the Roman Catholic Church.

5. "Reformed catholics" are future-oriented (although "Reformed catholic" sounds past tense, as if "Reformed catholics" are finished reforming); Anglo-Catholics look back longingly and romantically, through rose-colored glasses, as they reenact a past that never existed.

Our kids were made for each other. Ethan scornfully turns his nose up at the crust on his bread. Levi, on the other hand, will dig the very same crust out of the trash if need be. When offered bread of his own, he refuses all but the crust. Perfect harmony...at least on grain issues.

(via Rick)

1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the fifth, sixth and seventh sentences on your blog, along with these instructions.
5. Don't you dare dig for that "cool" or "intellectual" book in your closet! I know you were thinking about it. Just grab what is closest!

The Church is not, however, simply a counterculture. She has been given the subversive mission of converting whatever culture she finds herself in. She works to the end that her language, her rites, and her way of life might become formative for an entire society. (Against Christianity, Peter J. Leithart)

I first picked up Sacramental Teaching and Practice in the Reformation Churches by Geoffrey W. Bromiley, as it was on top of the closest stack of books to my computer, but its conclusion ends on page 106, so I went with the next closest book.

"Day/Night Strategies for Shift Workers"

I have to work "2nd Shift" (3-11pm) the next couple days to cover someone's vacation. When I started working for Kinko's seven years ago, I worked 2nd/3rd Shift almost exclusively; and my sleeping/waking habits, punctuality (or lack thereof), and general health was never the same. However, that was also around the same time I was diagnosed with Graves' (thyroid) disease, so it may not be fair to blame everything on my work schedule.