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Many people celebrate “firsts” in their lives – first car, first kiss, first facebook gift, first pulled pork sandwich, etc.  Today, I celebrate with great joy the wonderful seconds in life.  This weekend was the second time I hosted a LAN Party & BBQ, and we had a really great time.  Within the last couple of weeks I have finished up two years of studying at Nazarene Theological Seminary (and I celebrate that there are two years remaining!) which has been more formative – and humbling – than I ever could have imagined.  With only a couple weeks left, I will soon be celebrating the addition of a second girl in my life, who will compete against my wife for my attention ) but more than all of these, it was two years ago today that I married my best friend, Julie Q.  Being with you is still one of my great joys in life – I love you a lot!  Here’s to two more great years!

Or even more than two, if we can swing it.

As a good husband, I have taken to preparing dinner for my wife (and myself) from time to time, particularly when Julie is working late. Or pregnant. Both of which have been happening a lot lately. Whenever it is ready, I usually yell down to Julie, “Din din’s ready!” At this point she departs from the television or game of solitaire to come eat with me. As we were eating this evening, I thought I would finally share with Julie where I get this from, as it had never come up before. I heard this phrase consistently when I was growing up when my Nana would feed her cat, yelling in a high-pitched British accent as she opened the can of cat food, “Din din’s ready!”

In other news, I have finished my second year at NTS, and have no plans to take summer classes, but will certainly return in the fall. I attended NTS graduation to support my co-worker Darren, and had no shortage of people ask me when I will graduate. I had a deep shortage of good answers. All I do know that I am in a really good place, and am learning and growing and being formed in ways that affirm that this is good. I also got to sit next to Ryan Scott, and our time together is always really enjoyable. In a lack of “normal” seating at graduation, the usher seated us in the reserved seats up near the front, right behind a General Superintendent and next to the daughter of the speaker. We may have also looked slightly out of place in our t-shirts and jeans – this is how ENC’ers roll.

Tomorrow: Bobbie’s wedding and LAN Party V!

We are all used to seeing fantastical disclaimers, supposedly as a result of litigation or in an effort to prevent litigation. For example, the coffee cup that warns, “Careful!  This is really hot!”  In a book on medieval theology, I found that it was given a stamp (kind of like notarization) with the words “Nihil Obstat” and “Imprimatur” followed by some signatures. Under it was the following inscription:

“The Nihil obstat and Imprimatur are a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free from doctrinal or moral error.  It is not implied that that those who have granted the Nihil obstat and Imprimatur agree with the contents, opinions or statements expressed.”

What?!?!  Seriously people.

I was in the middle of reading “Trinitarian Externality as a Pattern for Evangelism and Missions” (Eric Severson, Wesleyan Theological Journal #38, Spring 2003) when Julie came over and asked me to read “Everybody Poops” to our unborn daughter.

This may be a glimpse of the kind of “summer reading” that I have to look forward to…