A Peek at the White Butts

We have new neighbors (the Whites). And we had houseguest number two (Jamie soon-to-be Butts). Put them all together and whattya get? A Friday night o' fun with a Peek at the White Butts! Our new neighbors, Blake and Alicia, moved into our apartment stairwell and live about six steps away from our door. They were just recently married at the beginning of the month and then moved to Louisville. Since Blake & Kevin had known each other back in Texas, we were thrilled to find out that they were going to be our neighbors. Our sweet friend Jamie and her fiance Dustin came through just about the same time that the Whites moved in for Jamie to interview for a job before they get married and move up here in July. We really did share some very sweet fellowship that was both encouraging and refreshing.

So here's the great mystery that I pose to you, Blogworld: What is the deal with us Texans getting hitched and planting roots in the great state of KY? If anyone has a clue, please enlighten me.

"Let the little children come to Me."

We just finished up Vacation Bible School at our most wonderful church. And what an adventure it was! I was a teaching assistant in the pre-K class, and Kevin helped out with the Scripture memory team. Here are some of the highlights:

* The little twin girls in my class.
* Having to stop another one of my girls from licking her shoe. Gross.
* My first felt-board Bible story experience.
* Getting to know more people in the church and watch their families operate.

Just as everything was coming to a close on Friday, I came across this verse in my morning time in the Word:

Then David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son, and he told them to teach the children of Judah the Song of the Bow... ~2 Samuel 1:17-18

The context surrounding this verse is that King Saul and his son have just been killed in battle, and David sees the necessity to convey this news not only to the other Israelites but to the children. The means through which he does this is through song. The song, found in verses 19-27, not only delivers news of what has happened but imparts a world view of who God is in the lives of those men. Most importantly, David is teaching the children how to view God.

Maybe the children of Judah were a little bit like our kiddos this past week. True, there was no giant castle and probably no puppets or candy galore but, nevertheless, a group of malleable hearts and minds receiving a proper view of the character of God through a simple song. So everyday (well, actually about six times a day!) when we sang about Jesus being our light, God being strong & mighty, and even that God made our ears and toes, we weren't just entertaining them for an evening but planting seeds of truth that will hopefully grow into a comprehension and appreciation of the fullness of the Gospel.

Billingsgate

It's 8:30 in the morning. I'm sitting down at my desk, ready to start yet another worker day. For most of my co-workers and for corporate America as a whole, the catalyst of the morning, the shot that sets us all off from the starting blocks, is that bitter salve that makes the scales of sleepiness fall from our eyes: coffee. But me? Nah. The jolt that starts my morning is of a bit different breed: Word Of The Day. Yes, I'm the nerd in the office who, with eager anticipation every morning, checks her email and then strives to improve everyone else's vocabulary appreciation.

So how appropriate that I would find this word the other day:

billingsgate-Coarsely abusive, foul, or profane language.

It's only appropriate because that word largely categorizes my job. Most of our clients have not made very wise financial decisions for the majority of their lives and thus the law suit that we're handling for them might mean their next month's rent. So if things aren't settled yet or if their check isn't ready...billingsgate.

The Lord has taught me a lot the past three months that I've been here about how to respond to such situations. Option 1: rant & fume about how much better treatment I deserve or make a joke out of their lives & situation. Option 2: let my response flow from a god-centered perspective. The first thing that I have to remember is that our clients are created in the image of God. This is the basis of their inherent value, so the way I respond to them is in fact how I'm responding to God Himself. Different backgrounds, different education, different lifestyles but really what makes me any different? It's just grace that has been extended to me, apart from any merit of my own.

When the Lord causes me to be thankful for grace in my life and prayerful for God's movement in clients' lives, my responses, in both attitude and action, are much more compassionate & gentle and are much more glorifying to the Lord. It's just another way that I get to work for the glory of God here in downtown Louisville, even amidst the billingsgate.

Happy of happies!

'Twas this day in ninety-nine
When all gathered for one good time
To watch Chad & Erin become one flesh
As all around wished them the best.

So to commemorate this special day
A simple poem that will say
Of all the people who have lives
That you have touched as husband and wife.

The most obvious and grand
Those children who cling to your hand.
You build a home with foundation strong
And teach them to whom their lives belong.
The gentle voice of Anna Kate
As Max's hands fly place to place
Plus voices who are still today
Of Jacob Lane and Riley May
All form words of thanks and praise
From the little ones you raise.

Even though the foundation stinks
And dishes sometimes pile up in the sink,
Despite its imperfections still
the doors of your home open at will.
For a night or a week or a month or five
You invite us in to share your lives.

In all these things its beauty lies
the heart of you home: Jesus Christ.

Happy anniversary Chad & Erin! We love you and count our lives richer in knowing you.

Some new thinkings...

"Thinkings" is a word that circulates around the Peek home quite often. It replaces those generic words like "thoughts" and "conclusions." Please don't feel pressured to remind us that it's not a real word. Don't worry--we don't use it in public and we try our very best to keep it out of Kevin's papers. But nonetheless, "thinkings" is our word and we like it.

Now that I've explained our vernacular, I can go ahead and get to the point of this little Blog. I've been perusing our Blog postings of late and realized they're a bit lopsided. It is true that we run 5Ks and go on hikes and try to get to Wal-mart and end up in Indiana (that only happened once--I promise!). But what is more true is that we want to be a family who strives for deeper things than just events and fun activities. And we want you, O faithful patrons of Blog-world, to be a part of that pursuit, to walk along side of us as we learn, struggle, and grow more into the likeness of Christ. In an effort to make our Blog more reflective of who we are and who we want to be, be prepared to find some deeper "thinkings" popping up in the near future. We'd love to have you along!

The Great Hiking Adventure of '06

So we've found a new hobby. Some people like swimming, some people like shopping, some people like spelling (as Mrs. Julie Stone has so kindly pointed out!)...but we've found out that we like hiking. We headed out to Jefferson Memorial Forest about a half an hour or so away from Louisville and spent the better part of our Memorial Day tromping around in the woods. We came away with no ticks, no poison ivy, and a lot of good conversation and fun.

This is my sweet friend Allie, whom I met at church. Allie has been such a blessing to me, always offering an encouraging word and a listening ear. I am so thankful for her and am glad she got to spend the day with us.